Rheumatoid Syndrome Research Articles

Theory of Biomechanical Evolution of the Rheumatoid Foot: A Narrative Review.

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the pathological progression of lower limb biomechanics is established. Although specific aspects of RA gait patterns have been studied and described, we are aware of no studies of gait pattern compensations over the entire disease course. This study aimed to describe a model that could predict the evolution of lower limb pathomechanics in patients with RA. A literature review was conducted of electronic databases (MEDLINE, PEDro, Trip Database, DOAJ, BioMed Central, PLOS clinical trial, ScienceDirect, and CRD York University, AHRQ, NICE, Cochrane Library) to October 3, 2023. A theory was developed that all people with RA induce or augment gait evolution syndromes following the same biomechanical course. Specifically, we postulate the "rheumatoid equinus syndrome," the "rheumatoid abnormal pronation syndrome" and the "rheumatoid shuffle syndrome," which have never been described before. A new model of the evolution of gait compensation in RA is proposed. An important challenge of RA is that it increases the risk of ulcerative lesions, falls, pain, fractures, and healthcare costs. The proposed model can be used to reduce morbidity in this patient group by helping to explain and reduce the pain, deformity, and ankylosis of foot RA.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of bronchiectasis rheumatoid overlap syndrome: A multi-institution cohort study.

The information regarding bronchiectasis with RA (BROS) is limited in Asia. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of BROS in Taiwan. This multi-institute cohort study included patients with BROS from January 2006 to December 2017. The clinical, functional and microbiological data of these patients were retrieved from the Chang Gung Research Database. Respiratory failure and mortality were the primary outcomes. Severe exacerbation was defined as bronchiectasis- related hospitalizations or emergency department visits. A total of 343 patients with BROS were identified. One hundred and eight patients had severe exacerbation and exhibited significantly more previous exacerbations, a lower FEV1 and higher BACI score (11.1 vs. 7.5) than patients without severe exacerbation. The most prevalent species in sputum were Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) (14.8 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.2 %), and fungus (5.9%). 68.8% of BROS patients used disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), 7.9% used biological DMARD. NTM and tuberculosis infection rates were higher in bDMARD group compared with nbDMARD group and others. Overall, the 3-year respiratory failure rate and mortality rate were 14.6 and 25.7% respectively. Patients with RA diagnosed before bronchiectasis had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of mortality in a 3-year follow-up than those with RA diagnosed after bronchiectasis. In Cox regression, age, higher RF value and systemic steroid use were independent risk factors for mortality in BROS. BROS patients with severe exacerbation had a high mortality rate in Taiwan. bDMARD is associated with a trend of increased risk of NTM and TB infections.

Post-Covid-19 Immunological Disorder: A Possible Pathological Entity in a 43 Year Old Man

Background: Post-COVID-19 systemic inflammatory syndrome is considered to be an aquired immunological disorder, which may develop in some individuals after the remission of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and defined by inflammatory clinical manifestations (fever, arthralgias, cutaneous and mucosal pallor, physical weakness) and modified biological parametres (normochromic normocytic anaemia, increased serum levels of C reactive protein and rheumatoid factor), with no proof of an infectious process, to which corticotherapy may be a suitable therapeutic strategy. Case Report: A 43 year old male was admited in the Department of Internal Medicine for high fever (39,4°C), moderate polyarthralgias and physical weakness, with a negative test result of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. The patient had been previously diagnosed with a moderate-to-severe form of COVID-19, a month prior to the current admission. The patient also experienced transitory dry cough for a month, with no other relevant clinical abnormalities. Upon physical examination, cutaneous and scleral pallor was observed and lung auscultation revealed hardened vesicular murmur bilaterally. Blood analysis revealed normochromic normocytic anaemia and increased serum levels of rheumatoid factor and of C reactive protein, which suggested a nonspecific inflammatory syndrome. Although blood cultures and other microbiological tests were negative for an infectious process, a chest X-ray was performed, which detected the presence of a nodular formation in the superior left lung lobe. Several differential diagnoses were taken into consideration, including pulmonary sarcoidosis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, both of which were excluded, clinically and biologically. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) was later performed, which revealed the presence of a tumoral nodule in the left lung, associated with multiple mediastinal and supraclavicular lymphadenopathies, indicative of lung cancer. However, lung cancer was also excluded upon the histopathological examination of paratracheal lymphnodes, which detected multiple areas of parenchymal necrosis surrounded by dense inflammatory infiltrates, formed predominantly by histiocytes. All of these findings resulted in the diagnosis of a post-COVID-19 rheumatoid syndrome, the only therapeutic strategy being the administration of high doses of intravenous and oral methylprednisolone, which improved the patient’s health. Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 immunological disturbances should be taken into consideration in patients who experience repetitive clinical and biological inflammatory manifestations after the remission of the infection with SARS-CoV-2, which may be improved through high dose corticosteroid therapy

Blood-borne assessment of stromal activation in esophageal adenocarcinoma to guide tocilizumab therapy: A randomized phase II proof-of-concept study (NCT04554771).

TPS4166 Background: The tumor stroma is increasingly acknowledged to harbor tumor-promoting properties. Recently, we found that stroma activity measured by serum ADAM12 predicts response to chemoradiation in esophageal adenocarcinoma (Veenstra et al., Oncogenesis, 2018). Preclinically, the esophageal adenocarcinoma stroma was found to produce interleukin 6, which causes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells. These mesenchymal tumor cells have a poor response to chemoradiation (Ebbing et al., PNAS, 2019). Therefore, stroma-derived interleukin 6 provides a potential new target to improve the treatment of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Tocilizumab is an interleukin 6 receptor inhibitor clinically used in rheumatoid arthritis and cytokine-release syndrome. In this phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial, we aim to demonstrate that stroma-targeting by tocilizumab in esophageal adenocarcinoma patients with highly activated stroma increases efficacy of chemoradiation measured by pathological response according to the Mandard criteria. Methods: BASALT is a multi-center, randomized, open-label phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial in patients with surgically resectable adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction (NCT04554771). To assess efficacy of tocilizumab in addition to chemoradiation, 48 patients will be grouped for serum ADAM12 level with a cutoff of 203 pg/mL. Patients are then randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive three cycles of tocilizumab every two weeks in addition to paclitaxel, carboplatin and radiation (Table). The sample size is based on the rule-of thumb estimate of 12 patients per arm. Tocilizumab will be given intravenously at a dose of 8 mg/kg with a maximum of 800 mg per dose. Efficacy will be assessed by pathological response to chemoradiation according to the Mandard criteria. Secondary endpoints are overall and progression free survival, safety and toxicity, feasibility and efficacy of interleukin 6 inhibition with serum interleukin 6 levels, immunohistochemistry and RNA-sequencing. Currently, 28 out of the 48 planned patients have been enrolled. Clinical trial information: NCT04554771. [Table: see text]

Post-Covid-19 Immunological Disorder: A Possible Pathological Entity in a 43 Year Old Man

Abstract Background. Post-COVID-19 systemic inflammatory syndrome is considered to be an aquired immunological disorder, which may develop in some individuals after the remission of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and defined by inflammatory clinical manifestations (fever, arthralgias, cutaneous and mucosal pallor, physical weakness) and modified biological parametres (normochromic normocytic anaemia, increased serum levels of C reactive protein and rheumatoid factor), with no proof of an infectious process, to which corticotherapy may be a suitable therapeutic strategy. Case report. A 43 year old male was admited in the Department of Internal Medicine for high fever (39,4°C), moderate polyarthralgias and physical weakness, with a negative test result of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. The patient had been previously diagnosed with a moderate-to-severe form of COVID-19, a month prior to the current admission. The patient also experienced transitory dry cough for a month, with no other relevant clinical abnormalities. Upon physical examination, cutaneous and scleral pallor was observed and lung auscultation revealed hardened vesicular murmur bilaterally. Blood analysis revealed normochromic normocytic anaemia and increased serum levels of rheumatoid factor and of C reactive protein, which suggested a nonspecific inflammatory syndrome. Although blood cultures and other microbiological tests were negative for an infectious process, a chest X-ray was performed, which detected the presence of a nodular formation in the superior left lung lobe. Several differential diagnoses were taken into consideration, including pulmonary sarcoidosis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, both of which were excluded, clinically and biologically. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) was later performed, which revealed the presence of a tumoral nodule in the left lung, associated with multiple mediastinal and supraclavicular lymphadenopathies, indicative of lung cancer. However, lung cancer was also excluded upon the histopathological examination of paratracheal lymphnodes, which detected multiple areas of parenchymal necrosis surrounded by dense inflammatory infiltrates, formed predominantly by histiocytes. All of these findings resulted in the diagnosis of a post-COVID-19 rheumatoid syndrome, the only therapeutic strategy being the administration of high doses of intravenous and oral methylprednisolone, which improved the patient’s health. Conclusion. Post-COVID-19 immunological disturbances should be taken into consideration in patients who experience repetitive clinical and biological inflammatory manifestations after the remission of the infection with SARS-CoV-2, which may be improved through high dose corticosteroid therapy.

Ultrasound assessment of carpal tunnel in rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

ObjectivesTo comparatively assess the sonographic spectrum of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in patients with idiopathic CTS.MethodsFifty-seven RA patients and 25 idiopathic CTS patients were consecutively enrolled. The diagnosis of CTS in RA patients was made according to clinical history and examination. The following sonographic findings were assessed at carpal tunnel level: median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the carpal tunnel proximal inlet, finger flexor tendons tenosynovitis, radio-carpal synovitis and intraneural power Doppler (PD) signal.ResultsCTS was diagnosed in 15/57 RA patients (26.3%). Twenty-three RA wrists with CTS, 84 RA wrists without CTS and 34 idiopathic CTS wrists were evaluated. The average CSA of the median nerve was higher in idiopathic CTS than in RA wrists with CTS (17.7 mm2 vs 10.6 mm2, p < 0.01). A higher rate of inflammation of synovial structures (flexor tendons sheath and/or radio-carpal joint) was found in RA wrists with CTS compared with those without CTS (p = 0.04) and idiopathic CTS (p = 0.02). Intraneural PD signal was more common in CTS (in both RA and idiopathic CTS) wrists compared with wrists without CTS (p < 0.01).ConclusionThe sonographic spectrum of CTS in RA patients is characterized by an inflammatory pattern, defined by the presence of finger flexor tendons tenosynovitis and/or radio-carpal joint synovitis. Conversely, a marked median nerve swelling is the dominant feature in idiopathic CTS. Intraneural PD signal is a frequent finding in both conditions.Key Points• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and idiopathic CTS have distinct ultrasound patterns.• The most characteristic sonographic features of CTS in RA patients are those indicative of synovial tissue inflammation at carpal tunnel level. Conversely, marked median nerve swelling is the dominant finding in idiopathic CTS.• Intraneural power Doppler signal is a frequent finding in both conditions.• In patients with CTS, differently from electrophysiology, US can provide clues prompting a rheumatology referral in case of prominent inflammatory findings at carpal tunnel level.

Relationship between disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and development of locomotive syndrome: A five-year longitudinal cohort study

Objective This study aimed to longitudinally evaluate the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and locomotive syndrome (LS) in RA patients using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). Methods Subjects were 58 RA patients (female, 48 (82.8%); mean age, 60.9 ± 10.9 years) who had GLFS-25 scores available for five consecutive years and who did not have LS at baseline (i.e. GLFS-25 < 16 points). Associations between DAS28-CRP and the development of LS were determined using linear regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results Subjects were divided into the LS group (n = 15, GLFS-25 ≥ 16 points) and non-LS group (n = 43, GLFS-25 < 16 points) based on GLFS-25 scores at the 5th year of the study period. In the LS group, DAS28-CRP worsened every year. The linear regression model adjusted for age and sex revealed that ΔGLFS-25 increased by 3.80 (95% confidence interval: 1.81–5.79) each time ΔDAS28-CRP increased by 1 (p<.001). Among patients in remission (DAS28-CRP < 2.3), 13.5% had LS. ROC curve analysis yielded a five-year mean DAS28-CRP of 1.99 (sensitivity, 86.7%; specificity, 62.8%) as the cut-off point for the development of LS. Conclusion Tight control of RA disease activity for deeper remission may be needed to prevent the development of LS.

An overlap of Alport syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis in a patient and literature review

BackgroundAlport syndrome is a rare genetic kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis as a common autoimmune disease also causes renal lesions in addition to arthritis. The overlap of them has rarely been reported.Case presentationA 44-year-old man had a history of multi-joint swelling and pain for more than half a year. His laboratory data with double positive for rheumatoid factor and anticitrullinated protein antibodies further supported the diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis. His previous medical history including progressive hearing loss for several years and microhematuria for one year attracted our attention. Renal biopsy showed thin basement membrane nephropathy and lymphocytes infiltration of interstitium. To make a precise diagnosis, targeted Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of an inherited renal disease panel including Alport syndrome genes was performed, which revealed the missense mutation in COL4A5 (c.1351 T > C, p.Cys451Arg). Further in silico analyses predicted that the p. Cys451Arg mutation is functionally “damaging”, so the diagnosis of Alport syndrome was finally proved. The patient has been receiving the treatment of total glucosides of paeony and leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis, and Cozaar 50 mg for the protection of kidney so far. During the 10-months follow-up, swelling and tenderness of the joints in this patient had been generally relieved, with no obvious improvement in microhematuria and a slight increase in proteinuria.Conclusionwe reported an adult man with the coexistence of rheumatoid arthritis and Alport syndrome with the missense mutation in COL4A5 (c.1351 T > C, p.Cys451Arg). Whether the overlap of them is occasional or has a common pathophysiological mechanism is still unclear.

Sjögren's Syndrome: Concerted Triggering of Sicca Conditions.

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of persistence of mumps virus and some cells that interact with viral infection in the focus of the autoimmune epithelitis and peripheral blood of Sjögren's syndrome patients in comparison to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS). Materials and Methods 126 patients (119 women and 7 men) were grouped into four groups: (1) patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), (2) patients with secondary Sjögren's syndrome due to rheumatoid arthritis (sSS), (3) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and (4) patients with nonautoimmune sicca syndrome (nSS). Immunohistochemical analysis of immune response to the suggested silent persistence of mumps virus in the minor labial salivary gland biopsies and flow cytometric analysis of blood cells was done. Results Immunohistochemical signs of mumps virus persistence were found in the minor salivary glands of all study groups. Also, a significantly different immune response to virus infection (protein IFI16, interferons gamma and beta, dendritic cells, and receptor for natural killers) was revealed in the minor salivary glands of the study groups. Cytometric analysis of the blood cells revealed a dropping amount of circulating natural killers and dendritic cells in patients with SS. Significant correlations between immunohistochemical staining and serological findings were revealed. Conclusions Abundant immunohistochemical signs of mumps virus protein in the salivary glands and depletion of circulating immune cells make a background for thought of presumable mumps or/and other virus participation in epithelial damage causing sicca syndrome in predisposed patients.

Bronchiectasis Rheumatoid Overlap Syndrome Is an Independent Risk Factor for Mortality in Patients With Bronchiectasis: A Multicenter Cohort Study

This study assessed if bronchiectasis (BR) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), when manifesting as an overlap syndrome (BROS), were associated with worse outcomes than other BR etiologies applying the Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI). Data were collected from the BSI databases of 1,716 adult patients with BR across six centers: Edinburgh, United Kingdom (608 patients); Dundee, United Kingdom (n= 286); Leuven, Belgium (n= 253); Monza, Italy (n= 201); Galway, Ireland (n= 242); and Newcastle, United Kingdom (n= 126). Patients were categorized as having BROS (those with RA and BR without interstitial lung disease), idiopathic BR, bronchiectasis-COPD overlapsyndrome (BCOS), and "other" BR etiologies. Mortality rates, hospitalization, and exacerbation frequency were recorded. A total of 147 patients with BROS (8.5%of the cohort) were identified. There was a statistically significant relationship between BROS and mortality, although this relationship was not associated with higher rates of BR exacerbations or BR-related hospitalizations. The mortality rate over a mean of 48months was 9.3%for idiopathic BR, 8.6%in patients with other causes of BR, 18%for RA, and 28.5%for BCOS. Mortality was statistically higher in patients with BROS and BCOS compared with those with all other etiologies. The BSI scores were statistically but not clinically significantly higher in those with BROS compared with those with idiopathic BR (BSI mean, 7.7 vs7.1, respectively; P< .05). Patients with BCOS had significantly higher BSI scores (mean, 10.4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization rates (24%), and previous hospitalization rates (58%). Both the BROS and BCOS groups have an excess of mortality. The mechanismsfor this finding may be complex, but these data emphasize that these subgroups require additional study to understand this excess mortality.

MHC2TA and FCRL3 genes are not associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Mexican patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease. A combination of genetic and environmental risk factors contributes to its etiology. Several genes have been reported to be associated with susceptibility to the development of RA. The MHC2TA and FCRL3 genes have been associated previously with RA in Swedish and Japanese populations, respectively. In two recent reports, we show an association between FCRL3 and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and MHC2TA and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Mexican population. We assessed the association between three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MHC2TA (-168G/A; rs3087456, and +16G/C; rs4774) and FCRL3 (-169T/C; rs7528684) genes and rheumatoid arthritis in Mexican population through a genotyping method using allelic discrimination assays with TaqMan probes. Our case-control study included 249 patients with RA and 314 controls. We found no evidence of an association between the MHC2TA -168G/A and +1614G/C or FCRL3 -169T/C polymorphisms and RA in this Mexican population. In this cohort of Mexican patients with RA, we observed no association between the MHC2TA or FCRL3 genes and this autoimmune disease.

Triptolide: A Critical Review on Antiangiogenesis in Cancer and Scope in Therapeutics

Triptolide (TPL) is a traditional Chinese medicine and an active component of a Chinese herbTripterygium wilfordiiF. (Celastraceae). Triptolide has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, nephritic syndrome and Lupus erythematosus. It is also a strong antitumor agent. Several angiogenesis assays in numerous research studies have shown that triptolide is an angiogenesis inhibitor. Numerous preclinical studies have shown that TPL inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis and limits tumor metastasis. TPL also has a synergistic action with other treatment methods whereby, it enhances the effects of other antitumor treatments, as studied in various cancer cell lines. This review summarizes the recent developments and discussion of antiangiogenic mechanisms of TPL in cancer, brief outline of its clinical trials and its future in cancer therapeutics.

65 Year Old Patient with Common Variable Immunodeficiency: 3 Years Followup and Development of Lung Adeno Carcinoma, is it a Coincidence?

Common variable immunodeficiency(CVID) is a type of primary humoral immunodeficiency which is generally diagnosed at childhood. Recurrent sinopulmonary infections are early presentations of disease. Some of the patients are diagnosed in adulthood. In addition to frequent infections, autoimmune phenomena may occur in about 22% of patients. Most common autoimmune findings are autoimmune rombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia rheumatoid arthritis and sicca syndrome. Splenomegaly, granulomatous infiltrations, lymphadenopathy may be seen in the course of the disease. Increased risk of malignancies is reported in CVID. Hodgkin lymphoma, most common, intestinal and uterine adeno carcinoma and rarely neuroendocrine tumors are reported with CVID. We report a 65 year-old woman who had diagnosed as rheumatoid artritis, Sjogren syndrome and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. She wasdiagnosed as CVID at the age of 65. After IVIG therapy, rheumatologic diseases had stabile course, but she was diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma 3 year after her diagnosis.

Rituximab for treatment of rheumatoid hyperviscosity syndrome: Pulmonary arterial hypertension and post-partum cardiomyopathy cases

Hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS) is a rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis with few reported cases. Although plasmapheresis is effective as the first line treatment in life threatening manifestations such as pulmonary hypertension, stroke, retinal hemorrhages and congestive heart failure, data on effective maintenance immunosuppressive therapy is lacking. HVS is characterized by abnormal immunoglobulin production. Rituximab is a powerful B cell depleting therapy which can theoretically eliminate pathogenic B cells and decrease immunoglobulin production in HVS. We report two cases of rheumatoid HVS who presented with either severe pulmonary arterial hypertension or post-partum cardiomyopathy. The case of pulmonary arterial hypertension was treated with two cycles of plasmapheresis followed by rituximab 1000 mg IV separated by 2 weeks and repeat dosing every 6 months. The second case was a post-partum cardiomyopathy which presented with inflammatory polyarthritis and compensated congestive heart failure. She was treated with prednisone followed by rituximab infusion. As far as we know, these are the first two cases of rheumatoid HVS which have been treated with rituximab.

Magnetic resonance imaging of sternoclavicular joint arthritis due to SAPHO syndrome

Conditions of the sternoclavicular joints are sometimes misdiagnosed as shoulder diseases because sternoclavicular joints are involved during shoulder joint elevation. When inflammation related to sternoclavicular joint arthritis spreads to the sternocleidomastoid muscles, retroflexion of the neck or rotation to the unaffected side causes pain. Sternoclavicular joint arthritis may be caused by septic arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, SAPHO syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, gout, or pseudogout. Among those, erosive changes of in sternoclavicular joints have been observed in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and SAPHO syndrome. Anti-CCP antibody was negative in this patient, making rheumatoid arthritis unlikely. Ankylosing spondylitis typically develops in young adults and occurs insidiously. Nail lesions and dactylitis were not observed, making psoriatic arthritis unlikely. Among patients with SAPHO syndrome, 6590% experience damage in the bones and joints of the anterior chest. Skin symptoms such as severe acne and palmoplantar pustulosis aid the diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome. However, 3260% of patients develop bone and joint symptoms several years before skin symptoms, and 15% of patients do not develop skin symptoms. Osteolytic changes are often noted at an earlier stage with or without osteosclerotic findings [2]. A computed tomography scan reveals an erosive change in the bone, and MR-STIR imaging shows an abnormally high signal in the bone. MR-STIR imaging can help differentiate active lesions from chronic ones.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and autoimmune diseases (AD): Hypomethylating agents to treat both.

e18018 Background: AD occurring in the setting of MDS is challenging to recognize and incorporate into the treatment plan. We assessed the clinical presentations, laboratory abnormalities and outcome of patients with MDS and AD. Methods: Records of MDS patients treated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 2007 and 2010 were reviewed (n=123). Results: AD was identified in 10 MDS patients (8.1%): 70% were males, median age was 60.6 years (41-75). AD manifested as seronegative polyarthritis in 2, bronchiolitis obliterans in 2, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2, and 1 (10%) for each of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, polymyalgia rheumatica, Sjogren syndrome and relapsing polychondritis. Laboratory autoimmune markers were: anti nuclear antibodies in 2, rheumatoid factor in 2, anti-double stranded DNA in 1 and anti phospholipid syndrome with thrombosis in 1. Corticosteroids were the most common used treatment for AD (60%). Regarding the MDS diagnosis; 50% had refractory anemia with excess of blasts-1 and -2, 20% refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts, 10% for each of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, refractory anemia and MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm. Normal cytogenetics were noted in 70% of patients, 20% with complex karyotype and 10% had monosomy 7. Hypomethylating agents were used to treat MDS in 80% of patients and in one case were associated with concomitant improvement of AD. Overall survival from diagnosis with MDS was 54 months (6-127). Conclusions: Our experience with one patient and review of the literature suggest that both AD and MDS could benefit from treatment with hypomethylating agents. This warrants a prospective clinical trial.

Treatment with Peg-IFNα2a/ribavirin and low-dose NSAID for patients with chronic hepatitis C and rheumatoid syndrome

To examine the safety and efficiency of using Peg-IFNα2a/ribavirin and low-dose NSAID therapy in patients with rheumatoid syndrome (RS) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC). A group of 10 patients (group 1) known to have RS and established CHC undergoing Peg-IFNα2a/ribavirin and low-dose NSAID therapy was compared with a control group of 10 patients (group 2) also with CHC and associated RS, with no antiviral treatment. Their charts were reviewed for serological and clinical signs of rheumatic disease evolution while undergoing this type of treatment. At the end of a follow-up period of 12 months, patients receiving low-dose NSAID and Peg-IFNα2a/ribavirin therapy showed a sustained virusological response and also decreased levels of inflammation serological markers, with an improvement in the clinical rheumatic symptoms. In contrast, patients in group 2 showed no significant clinical modification in their rheumatic status. Peg-IFNα2a/ribavirin and low-dose NSAID in patients with RS and CHC appear to be well tolerated and can be efficient for rheumatic manifestations. Further controlled studies are required to confirm the results.

Female with rash, acute kidney failure and rheumatoid arthritis

This case describes a 42-year-old female with longstanding history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Felty syndrome (FS). She presented with acute renal kidney failure, skin rash and hemoptysis. A clinical suspicion of small vessel vasculitis (SVV) was thought, serology was also positive for various markers of SVV. However, these serology markers could be false-positive in a patient of rheumatoid arthritis. A renal biopsy was performed that led to the final diagnosis of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Patient was managed according to the standard guidelines for therapy (plasmafiltration and immunosuppression). It is challenging to manage a patient of RA, in the presence of Felty syndrome-related granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Patient initially showed signs of improvement, but finally succumbed to complications of therapy. The case provides insight into the diagnosis and management of such cases.

Tongue necrosis as an unusual presentation of carotid artery stenosis

A 57-year-old man with premature coronary artery disease presented to the emergency department with left facial pain, numbness, and tongue swelling. The patient was found to have significant tongue necrosis, and subsequent arteriography demonstrated carotid bifurcation stenosis with embolization to the left lingual artery. The patient was successfully treated with debridement of his tongue and left carotid endarterectomy.

Alternative Use of Bisphosphonate Therapy for Rheumatic Disease

Bisphosphonates are widely use for pathologies such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease or bone metastasis. However, their potent antiresorptive properties open new therapeutic opportunities for other conditions associated with an increased focal or systemic bone remodelling. Moreover, apart from their antiresorptive activity, bisphosphonates could also have others properties through a specific analgesic or anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, spondylarthritis or SAPHO syndrome (acronym for synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) that are associated with systemic and sometimes focal bone loss could be good candidates for bisphosphonate therapy. Other non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases like bone osteonecrosis, algodystrophy, fibrous dysplasia or neuropathic osteoarthropathy are also associated with pain and an increase of focal bone remodelling. Several studies have shown that bisphosphonate could have promising therapeutic potential in these inflammatory or non-inflammatory diseases where therapeutic options are usually few. This review will focus on the new potential alternative indications for bisphosphonate in rheumatic diseases.