Comparative investigation of tissue microcirculation above hip joints affected with verified aceptic necrosis of the heads of the femur (ANHF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and SLE.
The microcirculation was compared in 44 RA and 22 SLE patients. Capillary blood flow above the necrotic heads of the femur was studied by 133-Xe clearance from the intratissue depot. Laser doppleroflowmetry examined basal blood flow and factors of its regulation.
Effective skin blood flow decreased both in RA and SLE patients at ANHF stage I, remained low at stage II, went up a little at stage III. At stage IV the flow continued to rise in RA patients but fell sharply in SLE. Laser dopplerflowmetry with functional tests reflects ANHF evolution both in RA and SLE.
Changes in capillary blood flow in SLE above the necrotic heads of the femur are more severe and account for more extensive destruction in the heads of the femur than in patients with RA.