Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Jan 2000
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialPatients with fibromyalgia benefit from aerobic endurance exercise.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterised by diffuse widespread musculoskeletal aching and stiffness and multiple tender points [1]. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood. The influence of aerobic endurance exercise on pain in patients with FM was investigated. ⋯ Pain parameters remained unchanged in the control group, but in the training group the mean number of positive tender points (15.4/12.7), the mean pain threshold of the gluteal tender point (2.89 kp/3.50 kp) and the painful body surface (18%/15% body surface) decreased significantly. Subjective general pain condition deteriorated in two patients but improved in 17. Our results suggest a positive effect of aerobic endurance exercise on fitness and well-being in patients with FM.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jan 2000
Comparative StudyThe differing patterns of subclinical pulmonary involvement in connective tissue diseases as shown by application of factor analysis.
To explore common patterns of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in symptomless patients with connective tissue disease (CTD), we applied factorial analysis to determine the relationship among the factors. A selected cohort of 71 non-smoking patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CTD [24 with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 21 with systemic sclerosis (SS), 20 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and six with polymyositis/ dermatomyositis (PM/DM)] were identified. The diagnostic techniques included pulmonary function tests, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), chest radiographs and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). ⋯ The third factor (12.6% of variance) represents a ventilatory function pattern (forced vital capacity, total lung capacity and forced respiratory volume in 1 s). The negative correlation between the fibrotic lung pattern and ventilatory function pattern, but not with the inflammatory lung pattern, suggests the presence of a significant derangement of the alveolar structures. In conclusion, application of factor analysis reveals various lung disease patterns in patients with CTD that might have different prognostic implications.
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'Amyotrophic dermatomyositis' (ADM) is used to describe a small subgroup of patients with the typical skin rash associated with dermatomyositis but without muscle involvement. Lung involvement in ADM is rare. We report on the management of a patient with ADM associated with pulmonary fibrosis at presentation, and her response to corticosteroid treatment.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jan 2000
Case ReportsJuvenile neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis: a vasculitis-like plantar dermatosis.
Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis is a variety of neutrophilic dermatosis described in patients with different neoplasms, most often leukaemia, and different chemotherapy regimens. It is characterised by neutrophilic infiltration of the eccrine coils of sweat glands. Recently it has been described in healthy juveniles, involving primarily the soles of the feet. We describe five new cases of juvenile neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis all showing a good prognosis or a self-limiting course.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jan 1999
Case ReportsFatal polyarteritis nodosa with massive mesenteric necrosis in a child.
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare vasculitic syndrome in childhood. There are few reported cases of ischaemic necrosis of the intestine and even fewer survivors in adults. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with PAN and an acute abdomen that required operative intervention. Evidence was found of mesenteric arteritis with large ischaemic segments resulting in infarction and perforation.