Histopathological findings in joint diseases. Comparison with enzymatic changes and clinical laboratory data.

The histopathological diagNoses of 155 rheumatoid and osteoarthrotic patients, when made without knowing the clinical data, were in agreement with that made by clinicians in 70% of cases. No single histological feature was pathognomonic for either disease, though synovial tissue was most important for the diagnosis. Some correlations between histopathological changes, enzymatic status of joint compartments and the clinical laboratory data were found, but only in the case of mild synovitis. In the more severe synovitis cases, and in diseased cartilage and bone of rheumatoid and osteoarthrotic joints, the enzymatic changes were not systematically related with particular histopathological features. The histology reflects the past, while the enzymatic status anticipates the forthcoming events.