| title: | BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF SOME JOINT DISEASES: CLINICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL STUDY |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF5308 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
3. Medical Sciences |
| status: | completed |
| institution: | University of Tartu |
| head of project: | Agu Tamm |
| duration: | 01.01.2002 - 31.12.2005 |
| description: | The aim of the project is to follow the development of two important joint diseases, juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and osteoarthritis of the knee joint (OAK) in persons in the age range 30 - 54 yrs, by application of the most novel standardised assessment scales of the clinical state and by establish-ment of molecular markers which describe degradation and reparation processes in the joint cartilage (fragments of aggrecan, proteins of the cartilage matrix, hyaluronic acid) from the synovial fluid, blood or urine. To follow the disease course, patients are investigated repeatedly after 6, 12 and 24 months and after 3 years. This allows to find out (i) relationships between the clinical course of these joint diseases, and developing radiographic changes and the biochemical markers, (ii) the possible prognostic value of particular parameters. As a result of the investigation (iii) the prevalence and development of OAK in population of working age and (iv) the effectiveness of treatment methods, among them exercise therapy, for slowing down the process of OA will be clarified, (v) the diagnostic criteria of OAK will be specified and (vi) guidelines will be elaborated for the management of OAK on the primary care level. Keywords: Juvenile chronic arthritis, knee ostoarthritis, biochemical markers, clinical course, diagnostic standards, exercise therapy |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Ülle Hansen | Family Doctor¿s Practice | Head | |
| 2. | Hille Liivamägi | University of Tartu | Lecturer | |
| 3. | Külvi Peterson | Family Doctor¿s Practice | Head | |
| 4. | Agu Tamm | .FACULTY OF MEDICINE | prof. | |
| 5. | Ann Tamm | University of Tartu | Sen.lecturer | |
| 6. | Karel Tomberg | University of Tartu | PhD student | |