Hepatitis B Serology in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases.
CONCLUSION: Prevalence of hepatitis B serostatus in the analysed rheumatic patients regarding HBs-Ag and HBcAb with or without HBsAb prior to therapy does not differ from the data published for the general population in Germany. However, the rate of hepatitis B vaccinated patients was lower. In general, a significant portion of patients (5.9%) has been exposed to HBV and therefore exhibited an increased risk of reactivation of hepatitis B when undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
PMID: 27708728 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - October 10, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Is Hearing Impairment Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Review.
CONCLUSION: Based on our review it can be postulated that patients with RA are at higher risk of hearing impairment compared to healthy subjects in their course of the disease. The hearing impairment in RA seems to be a multifactorial condition; however the mechanisms of injury, as well as the relative risk factors, are not completely clear. This review can aid to clarify this condition and is a guide for further evaluation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review of hearing impairment in RA.
PMID: 27053970 [PubMed] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - April 9, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
IgG4-Related Lung Disease Associated with Usual Interstitial Pneumonia.
We report a case of immunoglobulin(Ig)G4-related disease with the radiologic and histopathological manifestations resembling usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). The patient was a 62-year-old man who presented with progressive dyspnea of insidious onset. High resolution computed tomography of the chest showed lower-lobe predominant peripheral reticulation and traction bronchiectasis but no honeycomb change. Microscopic examination of the surgical lung biopsy showed characteristic features of UIP including architectural distortion by fibrosis with peripheral and paraseptal accentuation, scattered fibroblast foci and microsco...
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - April 9, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Association Study of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Rs4552569/Rs17095830 with Ankylosing Spondylitis in A Chinese Population.
Authors: Wang Q, Yang Y, Lv J, Lin Q, Wang L, Fanga Z
Abstract
Genetics play a key role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) showed that rs4552569 (on 5q14.3) and rs17095830 (on 12q12) were associated with the risk of AS in Han Chinese, which was not replicated in other two studies. In the current study, rs4552569 and rs17095830 were genotyped in 735 Han Chinese AS patients and 1204 healthy controls using high resolution melting analysis (HRMA). We compared the distributions of genotypes and alleles between AS cases and healthy controls. Rs30187 and rs10865331, wh...
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - April 7, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
An Open Randomized Trial Comparing the Effects of Oral NSAIDs Versus Steroid Intra-Articular Infiltration in Congestive Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid injections have a short efficacy compared to NSAIDs. Prescribing NSAIDs should consider the cons-indications, comorbidities and their deleterious digestive, renal, and cardiovascular effect.
PMID: 27006727 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - March 25, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Two-Year Safety and Efficacy Experience in Patients with Methotrexate-Resistant Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Etanercept and Conventional Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs in the Latin American Region.
CONCLUSION: After investigators were permitted to modify treatment, etanercept was part of the treatment regimen in 95% of patients. Continuation or addition of etanercept in the 2-year extension resulted in a consistently good risk:benefit profile.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open-Label Study Comparing Etanercept to Conventional Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) Therapy; ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00848354; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00848354.
PMID: 27006728 [PubMed] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - March 25, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Applying Choosing Wisely: Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) and Sub-Serology Testing in a Safety Net Hospital System.
CONCLUSION: Of 3221 ANA, 6.6% were performed concurrently with subserologies, and subspecialists were more likely to order concurrent tests. A negative ANA predicted negative subserologies with rare exceptions, which validates the ACR's recommendations.
PMID: 26862352 [PubMed] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - February 11, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Determinants of Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Community-Based Cohort Study.
Authors: Krause ML, Crowson CS, Bongartz T, Matteson EL, Michet CJ, Mason TG, Persellin ST, Gabriel SE, Davis JM
Abstract
Longitudinal care of a community-based cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was evaluated retrospectively. Candidate determinants of disability included visual analog scales (VAS) for patient global assessment and pain, comorbidities, and medications. The outcome was the 'patient-acceptable symptom state' for disability as defined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index, using a cutoff of <1.04. Two-sample t tests and multivariable logistic regressi...
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - February 11, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Associations of MICA Polymorphisms with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases.
The objective of this review is to discuss potential genetic associations and pathological relevance of MICA in inflammatory rheumatic diseases that may help us to understand pathogenesis contributing to the development of these diseases.
PMID: 26862354 [PubMed] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - February 11, 2016 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Intravenous Immune Globulin in Amyopathic Dermatomyositis - Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature.
We present two patients with severe ADM, who were treated with IVIG at 2 g/kg every four weeks. Both patients had a successful response and were able to taper the dosage of prednisone. We present both cases in describing IVIG as a rescue and maintenance steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of severe refractory ADM. We also review the treatment of refractory ADM with IVIg in the English literature.
PMID: 26668670 [PubMed] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - December 19, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (AAV) to Differentiate Between Disease Activity, Infection and Drug Hypersensitivity.
CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous studies using semiquantitative PCT assays, the KRYPTOR performs better with respect to discrimination of infection from active AAV. In all patients assessed with active AAV (and without infection) PCT levels remained below the PCT reference limit (0.5 ng/ml) for infections. Drug hypersensitivity seems to be an important differential diagnosis in the setting of elevated CRP and PCT in patients who receive azathioprine.
PMID: 26535070 [PubMed] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - November 6, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Cartilage Degeneration, Subchondral Mineral and Meniscal Mineral Densities in Hartley and Strain 13 Guinea Pigs.
This study sought to examine cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) and meniscal mineral density (MD) in male Hartley, female Hartley and female strain 13 guinea pigs to determine the association of cartilage degeneration with subchondral BMD and meniscal MD. Cartilage degeneration, subchondral BMD and meniscal MD in 12 months old guinea pigs were examined with histochemistry, X-ray densitometry and calcium analysis. We found that male Hartley guinea pigs had more severe cartilage degeneration, subchondral BMD and meniscal MD than female Hartley guinea pigs, but not female strain 13 guinea pigs. Fem...
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - September 25, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Allele Specific Expression of MICA Variants in Human Fibroblasts Suggests a Pathogenic Mechanism.
Authors: Shi C, Li H, Couturier JP, Yang K, Guo X, He D, Lewis DE, Zhou X
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) is involved in immune responses of both nature killer (NK) cells and subsets of T cells with its receptor NKG2D. MICA is highly polymorphic in sequence which leads to MICA protein variants with distinct features. Specific polymorphisms of MICA have been associated with inflammatory diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), ulcerative colitis (UC) and Behçet's disease. Studies herein characterize expression features of three MICA variants includi...
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - September 1, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Effect of Adalimumab on Work Ability Assessed in Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Patients in Saudi Arabia (AWARDS).
CONCLUSION: A 6-month course of adalimumab improved work ability, fatigue, and overall health assessments in patients with established RA. Our findings encourage randomized controlled trials investigating the cost-effectiveness and long-term effects of TNF inhibitors on work disability.
PMID: 26312105 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - August 28, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
Sex Differences in the Effects of a Biological Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis on Depressive State.
CONCLUSION: Both male and female patients with RA improved when using a biological drug. Sex differences in the improvement of depressive state were observed.
PMID: 26312106 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Open Rheumatology Journal)
Source: Open Rheumatology Journal - August 28, 2015 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Open Rheumatol J Source Type: research
