International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Combination of ultrasound power Doppler-verified synovitis and seropositivity accurately identifies patients with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis.
We conducted this retrospective study to identify objective and comprehensive diagnostic criteria for early-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that are based on ultrasound (US) and serologic findings. ⋯ The combination of a PD assessment or the cPD score with the measurement of autoantibodies of rheumatoid factor and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies can accurately identify patients with early-stage RA.
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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.