The experience of using dark-field microscopy to assess damage to the endothelial glycocalyx in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory joint disease and one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases. The leading role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis is the damage to the endothelial glycocalyx a thin dynamic layer of macromolecules located on the surface of the endothelium and consisting of proteoglycans, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans, which contributes to the maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis activity. Therefore, early detection of violations of the vasculr endothelium condition, especially the endothelial glycocalyx, will identify a group of patients with a poor prognosis. In this context, the method of dark-field microscopy may be promising. It allows non-invasive and in vivo assessment of the thickness of the sublingual endothelial glycocalyx, which will make it possible to search for new unconventional risk factors for the unfavorable course of rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular risk in these patients, as well as personalize treatment by developing a complex of preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at restoring endothelial function, reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications, disability and mortality from rheumatoid arthritis. The unique capabilities of this research method are demonstrated by the example of the clinical case.