Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Apr 1998
Case ReportsHigh incidence of malignancies in patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis: an 11-year analysis.
Dermatomyositis and polymyositis (DM/PM) are associated with neoplasms. The aim of the present study is to compare our experience in Israel with other published data. ⋯ Our study found that DM/PM is associated with high rates of malignancy and mortality.
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The pathophysiology and management of chronic pain are reviewed in this two-part article, with an emphasis on pharmacological therapies and surgical interventions. ⋯ Despite the development of new instruments and treatments to assess and manage pain, chronic pain is often poorly understood and inadequately addressed. Caregivers often lack sufficient skills to intervene promptly and effectively. Traditionally, drug therapy has relied on the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid analgesics for chronic nociceptive pain. A newer analgesic choice for moderate to moderately severe pain is tramadol, a centrally acting agent with at least two complementary mechanisms of action and minimal gastrointestinal or renal toxicity. Adjuvant agents, including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), anticonvulsants, and local anesthetics, also help manage chronic neuropathic pain. Although significant advances in the understanding of chronic pain and its pathophysiological mechanisms and newer techniques (noninvasive and invasive) for chronic pain management have become available, reduced patient morbidity and improved quality of life may only be realized with an improved understanding of available resources.
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Tumor-induced (oncogenic) osteomalacia is a rare clinicopathologic entity in which the clinical signs and symptoms of osteomalacia and the specific laboratory abnormalities of hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphaturia, and low serum levels of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D are associated with the finding of a neoplastic process in the patient. To date, less than 100 cases of oncogenic osteomalacia have been described. ⋯ The clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic spectrum of tumor-induced osteomalacia is presented, and the postulated mechanism of this condition is discussed in light of the relevant literature. The presence of occult neoplasms should be considered in cases of unexplained adult osteomalacia, with the physician's efforts being rewarded by the dramatic cure that follows excision of the tumor.
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Pulmonary involvement is one of the extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and includes pleurisy, parenchymal nodules, interstitial involvement, and airway disease. Rheumatoid pulmonary vasculitis is rare. Pulmonary disease also may be observed as a toxic event consequent to treatment for RA. ⋯ It is uncertain if preexisting lung disease predisposes RA patients to MTX-pneumonitis. Treatment of lung disease in RA is empirical. Corticosteroids are usually administered and immunosuppressive drugs are often added when pulmonary disease progresses and/or steroid side-effects appear.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Dec 1994
Review Case ReportsFibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare hereditary connective tissue disorder. Patients with FOP develop progressive ossification of muscle and connective tissue associated with pain and disability. Onset is typically in childhood, and congenital anomalies of the feet are an early sign of this condition. ⋯ Studies of twins and families suggest that FOP is a genetically inherited autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance but variable expressivity. While radionuclide imaging and computed tomography are very sensitive for new bone formation and greatly assist the diagnosis of FOP, unfortunately, effective therapy is unavailable. We present twins with FOP and review the clinical, radiographic, and genetic manifestations of this disorder.