Abstract:
Objective: To analyze changes in the clinical and
biochemical picture of patients with systemic sclerosis
during treatment with methotrexate, betamethasone, and
pentoxifylline. Material and methods: When analyzing
systemic sclerosis, we used the classification criteria of
the American College of Rheumatology. All patients had
a chronic form of the disease; ultrasound, CT, radiogra
phy, ECG, and laboratory data (ESR, CRP, total protein,
and antinuclear factor) were used to monitor the pa
tients’ condition. Results: All patients were prescribed
different combinations of drugs depending on the form
and degree of involvement of different organs. However,
the main drugs were glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone,
betamethasone), which promote an increase in the phago
cytic activity of macrophages to apoptotic cells and pro
vide a positive effect almost immediately after the start of
treatment. Cytotoxic drugs (tetotrexate) help reduce the
level of proinflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory
cytokines, and most importantly, inhibit synthesis, repara
tion and cellular mitosis, thereby causing antiproliferative
and anti-inflammatory effects. Vasodilators (nifedipine,
bosentan, pentoxifylline) reduce the frequency and sever
ity of Raynaud’s syndrome attacks, improve microcircu
lation and trophism of tissues and organs. Conclusions:
Glucocorticosteroids, cytotoxic drugs and vasodilators
can slow the progression of systemic scleroderma.
