Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Multicenter StudyLong-term outcome of severe alveolar haemorrhage in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a retrospective cohort study.
Alveolar haemorrhage (AH) is a major cause of early death in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). There is a paucity of information regarding the outcomes of AAV patients presenting with severe AH. ⋯ Severe AH was more commonly associated with PR3-ANCA (vs. MPO-ANCA) and strongly correlated with renal vasculitis. Current treatment of severe AH leads to remission but long-term mortality remains high. Concurrent renal failure and older age were associated with higher mortality.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyElevated serum and synovial fluid TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A) is associated with autoantibody production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand 1A (TL1A) is involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but its clinical relevance in RA has not been fully elucidated. We analysed TL1A levels in the serum and synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients and investigated its clinical significance. ⋯ TL1A levels are significantly elevated in RA serum and SF and positively correlated with autoantibody production in RA, but failed as a disease activity marker. TL1A promotes antibody production by PBMCs from RA patients. The role of TL1A in the humoral autoimmune response may be important in the development of RA.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Circulating microparticles and plasma levels of soluble E- and P-selectins in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Microparticles (MPs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), which includes vasculopathy, endothelial cell activation, and coagulation activation. Circulating MPs from SSc patients were characterized and their relationship with soluble markers of vascular activation investigated. ⋯ While the total number of MPs was decreased, the number of F-AnxV(-) MPs increased in SSc patients. The F-AnxV(-) EMPs were associated with plasma levels of markers of vascular activation in patients with dcSSc.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Increased circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells correlated negatively with Th17 cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have recently been identified as an important mediator in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through the production of arginase (Arg)-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and evaluate their correlation with T-helper (Th)17 cells. ⋯ We found a negative correlation between increased circulating MDSCs and Th17 cells in RA patients, which may provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in RA.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Functional limitations and physical symptoms of individuals with chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that may cause additional symptoms affecting the sufferers' working capacity and quality of life. Studying the prevalence and consequences of chronic pain in various populations remains important for a complete picture of the global burden imposed by chronic pain conditions. ⋯ Chronic pain is a prevalent condition and those who report chronic pain generally suffer from ill health and limitations in their daily life compared to individuals not suffering from the condition.