Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Autoimmune diseases can affect the blood vessels, causing systemic vasculitis. Although testicular manifestation of some autoimmune diseases is not uncommon, only a few cases of acute orchitis are described in the literature. The underlying pathological condition in testicular manifestations of autoimmune diseases is severe vasculitis causing inflammation and infarction. In patients with recurrent episodes of scrotal swelling and pain, testicular vasculitis as the first sign of a systemic disease should be taken into consideration.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 1997
Comparative StudyCold pressor pain: comparing responses of juvenile arthritis patients and their parents.
The objective of this study was to compare the reactions to experimental cold pressor pain of Juvenile Arthritis (JA) patients, healthy children, and their parents. ⋯ The results suggest that JA patients may differ from healthy children with regard to their responses to experimental pain, and that pain responses of both JA patients and healthy children could be related to the pain response of their parents.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 1997
Case ReportsSLE with death from acute massive pulmonary hemorrhage caused by disseminated strongyloidiasis.
We describe a case of disseminated strongyloidiasis involving a female patient with active systemic erythematosus (SLE). The cause of death was massive pulmonary hemorrhage induced by a filariform larvae infection. This was initially diagnosed during examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid just 2 days before her death. The case indicated that immunosuppressed individuals would be paid attention to possible parasitic infection prior to starting therapy even in non-endemic areas as well as other microorganisms.
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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.