Rheumatology Days: doctors share how to improve joint health

Today, Russia has approximately 14–16 million patients with osteoarthritis^[1]. The disease sharply prevails after 50–55 years to reach its peaks in men aged 70 and women aged 80 years^[2]. Scientists estimate that about one billion people will suffer from this disease across the globe by 2050.

To combat rheumatic diseases, doctors continue to search for new treatment methods. Some innovative diagnostic and therapeutic techniques were presented at the annual All-Russian Rheumatology Days Congress in St. Petersburg.

In the case of joint diseases, deteriorating cartilage tissues release type II collagen, their main structural component, and the human immune system treats it as a foreign substance, triggering a response with intensifying pain and inflammation and increasing joint destruction, explains Oleg Kalyuzhin, Dr. habil. med., Professor at I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. Developing tolerance to own type II collagen can help suppress inflammatory processes, which is possible when using type II collagen native form, thanks to a special natural mechanism, thus, slowing down cartilage destruction.

Irina Belyaeva, Dr. habil. med., rheumatologist, Professor at the Eichwald Department of Therapy, Rheumatology, Examination of Temporary Disability and Quality of Medical Care at North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, highlighted data from an open randomized prospective study on the efficacy and tolerability of the product with native type II collagen Artneo^® as part of complex therapy in osteoarthritis patients aged 40 to 75. She says that, according to MRI data obtained during the study, Artneo^® helps reduce symptoms and stabilizes the cartilage condition.

Prof. Belyaeva also noted that the Artneo^® study demonstrated a twofold more effective decrease in the area of synovitis, i.e., an inflammatory process affecting joints, than in the case of using the glucosamine and chondroitin combination.

The complex action of Artneo^® with native type II collagen helps reduce discomfort, swelling, pain and stiffness, restores and maintains the functional state of joints and the spine.