Clinical rheumatology
-
Clinical rheumatology · Oct 2008
The value of sacroiliac pain provocation tests in early active sacroiliitis.
Detection of preradiographic sacroiliitis is important for early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related spondyloarthropathies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of sacroiliitis in the early and active stages. The aim of this study is to assess the value of pain provocation tests in detecting early active sacroiliitis. ⋯ Sacroiliac pain provocation tests had acceptable reliability in early active sacroiliitis; however, the discriminating capacity of these tests is poor. A multi-test regimen of three or five sacroiliac pain provocation tests may improve the accuracy of these tests discriminating sacroiliitis from LBP of mechanical origin. Four out of five selected tests or any of the two out of three selected tests have the highest predictive value.
-
Clinical rheumatology · Oct 2008
The autonomic dysfunction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a clinical and electrophysiological study.
The aim of this study was to determine autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions by using clinical and electrophysiological tests in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Twenty AS and 20 healthy control subjects were recruited. Demographic data, symptoms related with ANS, and neurological findings were recorded. ⋯ The clinical ANS parameters of the patients having more active disease were lower than in subjects with mild disease in regard to HRV values and SSR amplitudes and higher in regard to SSR latencies. The HRV values were found to be correlated with the mean scores of Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and the mean latencies of SSR were correlated with BASDAI scores and CRP levels. In conclusion, our study indicates a subclinical mainly parasympathetic dysfunction of ANS in patients with AS which can be related with disease activity.
-
Clinical rheumatology · Oct 2008
Comparative StudyAccuracy of recall of the items included in disease activity forms of Behçet's disease: comparison of retrospective questionnaires with a daily telephone interview.
The assessment of disease activity in Behçet's disease (BD), either by BD Current Activity Form (BDCAF) or Iranian BD Dynamic Measure (IBDDAM), depends largely on the history of the clinical features. Accuracy of recall of a retrospective questionnaire might influence its reliability to some extent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with BD can recall the items included in both of the disease activity forms accurately. ⋯ Notably, unlike its original application in which the assessment depends on the variable time period, IBDDAM used in the present study assessed the symptoms present during the month prior to the date of assessment. Therefore, our findings regarding IBDDAM cannot be applied to its original use. Furthermore, lack of patients in some of the symptom groups, as well as possible manipulation of recall with daily questioning, might have influenced our results to some extent.
-
Clinical rheumatology · Oct 2008
Case ReportsHyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome; treatment with etanercept and follow-up.
The hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS) is an autoinflammatory syndrome. It is caused by the mutations of the mevalonate kinase gene. There is no consensus for specific therapy of HIDS, but there are some case reports and studies in regards to its treatment with drugs like colchicine, steroids, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, simvastatin, anakinra, thalidomide, and etanercept. We are reporting a case evaluated for the complaints of abdominal pain and febrile episodes with massive hepatomegaly, not common finding on physical examination, its treatment with etanercept, and long-term follow-up.