International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of mortality in connective tissue disease (CTD). The survival rates and mortality-predictive factors of a nationwide registry of Korean patients with CTD-PH measured by echocardiography were determined. ⋯ In Korean patients with CTD-PH, the 3-year survival rate was 87%. Low diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), pleural effusion and diabetes mellitus were independent poor prognostic factors. Anti-UI-RNP antibody was protective. Prompt PAH-specific vasodilator therapy may improve the survival of patients with severe CTD-PH.
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To analyze the association between depression severity and other fibromyalgia- (FM) related symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep problems, severity of the disease, activity pattern, functional capacity and quality of life. ⋯ Depressed women with FM exhibited higher symptom severity and reported worse physical fitness and quality of life than their non-depressed peers.
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Comparative Study
Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic features of gout in intercritical and chronic phase.
This study aimed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic features of gout in intercritical and chronic stages and compared ultrasonographic features of gout between patients with persistent high serum uric acid (SUA) and patients with low SUA. ⋯ MSUS is useful for diagnosis of gout in intercritical or chronic stages, especially in patients with persistently high SUA level.
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Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are associated with small vessel vasculitis now termed 'ANCA associated vasculitis' (AAV). ANCAs are reported in diverse diseases where they have no clinical utility. We carried out an audit in a clinical immunology laboratory and assessed if use of ordering practices could have improved utility of ANCA. ⋯ Reduction in false positive can be achieved by considering only those samples as ANCA positive that test positive both on IIF and ELISA and by following ordering guidelines before requesting ANCA testing, and by use of ordering criteria by clinicians.
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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is defined as chronic widespread pain that cannot be accounted for by any other medical disorder. Our aim was to explore the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in patients with FMS. ⋯ We found a high prevalence of AITD among 207 patients with clinically defined FMS, with TRAb being especially prominent among these patients. Further study is needed to evaluate changes in thyroid function among FMS patients with AITD.