International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Multicenter Study
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus based on a CSTAR-PAH study: Baseline characteristics and risk factors.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex and devastating complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We sought to describe the baseline characteristics of right heart catheterization (RHC)-confirmed SLE-associated PAH and identify risk factors for PAH in SLE patients. ⋯ Overall, we recommend performing early screening using TTE in SLE patients with serositis, anti-RNP antibodies, or a DLCO/%Pred <70%, even for patients in a relatively stable condition according to SLE disease activity index.
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Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) have a role in the diagnostic workup of ANCA-associated vasculitis. However, the clinical significance of positive ANCA in the absence of vasculitis is yet to be determined. Therefore, we sought to investigate the clinical spectrum and rate of patients with a positive ANCA without evidence of vasculitis. ⋯ A significant proportion of patients with a positive C-ANCA/PR3 or P-ANCA/MPO do not have evidence of vasculitis, particularly those with low-medium ELISA antibody titers. Using a higher threshold of ANCA titers may be required to improve specificity.
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This study investigated the use of fat fraction (FF) measurements in the sacroiliac (SI) joint to determine radiologic progression in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). ⋯ Post-inflammatory FF indicates the chronicity of SpA. Evaluating FF using MRI in the SI joint will help to determine radiologic progression.
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Observational Study
Medication adherence and cost-related medication non-adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study.
First, to assess the clinical characteristics and medication adherence to oral rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medications in patients with RA. Second, to examine adherence determinants with a focus on the effect of medication out-of-pocket (OOP) costs on medication adherence to oral RA medications. Lastly, to examine cost-related medication non-adherence (CRN) in patients with RA. ⋯ Non-adherence to oral RA medications was prevalent among Iranian patients with RA and OOP costs were a barrier to medication adherence.
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Review Case Reports
A rare combination: chylous polyserositis and autoimmune myelofibrosis as a presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Chylous polyserositis and autoimmune myelofibrosis occurring concomitantly inn a case of SLE are a rare phenomenon. We here report a case of a 38-year-old woman who was admitted with a history of cough and shortness of breath for 1½ months along with fever and abdominal distension for 1 month. ⋯ She was started on steroids and immunosuppressive therapy, to which she responded. To summarize, this is the first case report where chylous polyserositis and pancytopenia due to autoimmune myelofibrosis occurred which was responsive to steroids and immunosuppressive therapy.