Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 1996
Comparative StudyTechnetium-99m labelled human immunoglobulin scintigraphy predicts rheumatoid arthritis in patients with arthralgia.
The ability of 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy to predict the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 47 patients with arthralgia was investigated. 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy and the serum test for rheumatoid factor (RF), measured at the beginning of a year long study, were compared for their ability to predict RA. During the study 8 patients developed RA. ⋯ The sensitivity and negative predictive values of RF were 100% and of 99mTc-IgG-scintigraphy 88% and 97% respectively. In conclusion, 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy has additional value to RF with respect to the prediction of the development of RA in patients with arthralgia.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 1996
Spondylodiscitis in ankylosing spondylitis, inflammation or trauma? A description of six cases.
An uncommon, but well recognised complication of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is spondylodiscitis, a destructive discovertebral lesion also called the Andersson lesion. We describe six cases, with variable clinical presentation and radiological appearance. Two had multiple lesions, in one patient spondylodiscitis was the presenting symptom of AS. ⋯ In two cases histopathology was studied and suggested sterile inflammation as the main etiologic factor. The literature is reviewed regarding the mechanisms that may contribute to these lesions: mainly inflammatory like increasing enthesopathy or mainly mechanical like pseudoarthrosis about a fracture site. It may be that both mechanisms can result in similar destructive intervertebral disc lesions.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialQuantitative and qualitative assessments of pain in children with juvenile chronic arthritis based on the Norwegian version of the Pediatric Pain Questionnaire.
Quantitative and qualitative aspects of pain were studied using a standardized questionnaire (the Varni/Thompson Pediatric Pain Questionnaire--PPQ). Fifty-seven of 64 consecutive in- and out-patients (6-18 yrs) with juvenile chronic arthritis (pauciart. n = 27, polyart. n = 30) and 52 parents participated. The patients were examined by the same rheumatologist and randomly interviewed by either a disabled or a non-disabled person. ⋯ Forty-two percent of the patients thought it valuable to be interviewed by a disabled physician. The Norwegian Varni/Thompson PPQ is easy to administer to children down to six years and makes it possible to compare results internationally. Lack of agreement on the assessment of pain by a child and his/her parent indicates the need to interview both parties.
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Isolated congenital heart block (CHB) detected in utero is strongly associated with autoantibodies reactive with the intracellular soluble ribonucleoproteins 48 kD SSB/La, 52 kD SSA/Ro, and 60 kD SSA/Ro. An erythematous skin rash with a predilection for the scalp and periorbital area, most often apparent in the first few postnatal months, is also highly associated with these maternal antibodies. The permanent cardiac disease and transient cutaneous disease are the most common manifestations of the neonatal lupus syndromes. ⋯ Numerous anecdotal cases support the use of dexamethasone for treatment of effusions and hydrops and possibly incomplete block. To further efforts both at the bench and bedside, national registries have been established in the U. S. and Canada.