J Rheumatol
-
To investigate the features, followup data, and outcomes of patients with propylthiouracil (PTU)-associated antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis. ⋯ Most patients with PTU-associated ANCA-positive vasculitis had good outcomes; however, severe cases existed. We suggest early recognition and adequate treatment are necessary to improve outcome.
-
Multicenter Study
The Longitudinal Examination of Arthritis Pain (LEAP) study: relationships between weekly fluctuations in patient-rated joint pain and other health outcomes.
To examine relationships between weekly fluctuations in self-rated joint pain and other health outcomes among adults with osteoarthritis (OA). ⋯ Weekly fluctuations in pain levels and other health outcomes were identified among adults with OA. Decreases in patient-reported pain were associated with improvements in daily activities/functioning and decreases in work absenteeism, sleep interference, and healthcare resource use.
-
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and severe pulmonary fibrosis (SPF) are the most common causes of death in scleroderma. Our study focuses on lung disease in patients with a nucleolar antibody in comparison to other scleroderma-specific autoantibodies. ⋯ Scleroderma-specific autoantibodies are associated with characteristic subgroups of lung disease. The ANoA patients have a unique mixture of PAH and SPF subgroups of lung disease. Scleroderma-specific autoantibodies and the FVC%/DLCO% ratio are helpful in determining whether a patient has PAH alone, PAH along with pulmonary fibrosis, or secondary PAH from chronic hypoxia with SPF.
-
The role of individual genetic differences in susceptibility to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis is generally unrecognized or underestimated. We investigated the rate of pyrin mutations in critically ill patients with SIRS and sepsis, and compared whether carriers for pyrin mutations are associated with respect to the frequency of and certain features of sepsis and SIRS. ⋯ Our results showed that critically ill patients with SIRS and sepsis have increased prevalence of pyrin mutations, and patients with SIRS and sepsis carrying the pyrin mutation seem to be highly susceptible for a severe disease course.