1,721,772 research outputs found
Upper limb lymphedema in inflammatory arthropathy
No full textUpper limb lymphedema in inflammatory arthropath
CD25 blockade for refractory polymyositis
No full textWe report a patient with refractory PM treated with the high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (CD25) blocker basiliximab
Systemic vasculitis: state of the art and emerging concepts
No full textSystemic vasculitis: state of the art and emerging concept
Improving therapeutic options for patients with giant cell arteritis
No full textGlucocorticoids remain the mainstay of treatment of giant cell arteritis. The aim of this review is to establish the optimal schedule of glucocorticoid administration, and to ascertain which other treatments may be used as glucocorticoid-sparing agents
Role of imaging in vasculitis and connective tissue diseases
No full textImaging techniques play a pivotal role in securing the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis, and in demonstrating internal organ involvement in connective tissue diseases. In large vessel vasculitis, angiography is useful in demonstrating vessel stenoses or aneurysms. However, angiography is unable to reveal initial lesions such as vessel wall oedema and thickening, and is thus not useful to make an early diagnosis. In contrast, colour Doppler ultrasonography, computerized tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging/angiography are able to delineate both the vessel wall and the lumen. Therefore, they may show vessel wall alterations when the lumen is still unaffected on angiography. 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography does not visualize the vessel wall, but is very sensitive in revealing inflamed vessels. All of these investigations have also been used to follow up patients over time and to monitor response to treatment. In connective tissue diseases, imaging techniques are particularly useful to study internal organs, especially the brain and lung. Magnetic resonance imaging is the investigation of choice to detect and monitor brain disease, while computerized tomography is the best procedure for lung disease. However, since most imaging findings are not entirely specific for any given condition, it is important to interpret the results of imaging in the broader clinical context
Established and new treatments of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: dermatomyositis and polymyositis
No full textThe aim of this article was to critically review and summarize the evidence on established and novel treatments for adult-onset DM and PM derived from randomized controlled trials (RCT). In the absence of evidence from such trials, data from open studies and case reports have been reported. Abstract data 2002 through 2006, American College of Rheumatology and 2002 through 2007 European League against Rheumatism have been included if relevant, if sufficient information could be extracted with regard to diagnosis ascertainment, treatment modalities, and outcome measures, and if the reported data had not been published as a full paper
Update on polymyalgia rheumatica
No full textPolymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology affecting individuals aged fifty years and older, mainly of Caucasian ethnicity. Polymyalgia rheumatica is associated with giant cell arteritis more frequently than expected by chance alone. In both conditions, females are affected two to three times more often than males. The clinical hallmark manifestations of polymyalgia rheumatica are aching and morning stiffness in the shoulder girdle and often in the pelvic girdle and neck. Serum inflammatory markers are typically elevated, while the most consistent abnormal finding on imaging studies is bursitis in the symptomatic areas. A dramatic response to glucocorticoids is characteristic of polymyalgia rheumatica. Many patients are able to discontinue glucocorticoids six months to two years after the onset of clinical symptoms, but some patients may require longstanding glucocorticoid treatment. Glucocorticoid-sparing agents may be helpful in patients with chronic relapsing courses and those at high risk of glucocorticoid-related adverse events
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