Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Jun 2002
Case ReportsAbdominal scintigraphy using technetium Tc 99m hexylmethylpropylene amine oxime-labeled leukocytes in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies.
To assess the potential benefits of technetium Tc 99m hexylmethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc 99m HMPAO)-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in a group of patients with spondyloarthropathies (SpAs), overt gastrointestinal symptoms, and negative extensive endoscopic/radiologic test results. ⋯ In 5 of 10 patients with SpA and suspected inflammatory bowel disease on clinical grounds, evidence of inflammatory bowel disease was shown by scintigraphic studies in which conventional invasive procedures failed. Tc 99m HMPAO-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy should be considered in the evaluation of patients with SpA.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Apr 2002
Case ReportsPresentation and prognosis of the shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may affect all the components of the respiratory system, including upper airways, lung parenchyma, pulmonary vasculature, pleura, and respiratory muscles. The shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare complication of SLE. This study describes the presenting features, investigation findings, treatment measures, and outcome of 7 patients with SLE and SLS. ⋯ SLS represents a rare complication of SLE, and it is important to be aware of its presenting features and prognosis.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Feb 2002
Comparative StudyFoot involvement in systemic sclerosis: a longitudinal study of 100 patients.
To investigate the clinical and radiologic features of foot involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). ⋯ This study shows that compared with hand involvement in SSc, foot involvement in SSc has a later onset and is relatively less frequent but can be disabling.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Apr 2001
The safety and efficacy of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Interleukin (IL)-1 has been associated with joint inflammation and damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Endogenous IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) may inhibit IL-1-mediated effects by binding to the IL-1 receptors. ⋯ These studies suggest an important role for IL-1ra as a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of RA.
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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is uncommon in men and data on its characteristics and severity are limited. The current study was undertaken to determine whether the clinical characteristics and the spectrum of this disorder are similar in men and women. ⋯ Although FMS is uncommon in men, its health outcome in our study population was worse than in women. Further studies in larger samples and in diverse ethnocultural populations are needed to confirm this observation.