A case-control study on health-related quality of life of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic rheumatic autoimmune condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms and problems that may affect the health-related quality of life. The main objective of the study was to assess the SLE burden by exploring the effect of the disease on health-related quality of life. The study consisted of 29 female SLE patients and 27 healthy female controls; they were matched for age and parity.

Environmental risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complicated chronic autoimmune disorder. Several genetic and environmental factors were suggested to be implicated in its pathogenesis. The main objective of this study was to examine how exposure to selected environmental factors was associated with SLE risk to support the development of disease preventive strategies.

Relationship between sociodemographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors and the severity of menopausal symptoms among Egyptian women in Alexandria.

Objective: During menopause, women often experience some symptoms which may affect their daily activities. Information about menopausal experiences among different racial and ethnic groups is important for healthcare personnel to provide appropriate and specific interventions. The aim of the present study was thus to determine the frequency and determinants of severity of menopausal symptoms among Egyptian women using the Menopause Rating Scale as a screening tool for identification of menopausal symptoms.

Retracted: Methotrexate in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: randomised placebo-controlled trial.

This article has been retracted.

Effect of low-dose oral prednisolone on symptoms and systemic inflammation in older adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of 6 weeks of daily low-dose oral prednisolone in improving pain, mobility, and systemic low-grade inflammation in the short term and whether the effect would be sustained at 12 weeks in older adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A total of 125 patients with primary knee OA were randomized 1:1; 63 received 7.5 mg/day of prednisolone and 62 received placebo for 6 weeks.

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory and hemostatic markers and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem inflammatory autoimmune disease. Vitamin D has potent immunomodulatory properties that support its use in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, including SLE. We assessed vitamin D status in patients with SLE and determined alterations in inflammatory and hemostatic markers and disease activity before and after vitamin D supplementation.

Duloxetine for the management of pain in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Background: pain is the leading symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) and is often chronic in nature, leading to significant morbidity and decreased quality of life. Duloxetine, a selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor has been demonstrated to have a centrally acting analgesic effect.

Objectives: the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of duloxetine in reducing pain in older adults with knee OA.

The inadequacies of musculoskeletal education.

Adequate knowledge and clinical competency are essential for sound rheumatology practice. The aim of this study was the assessment of the adequacy of rheumatology education at the primary care level. Two hundred and ninety-seven primary care physicians participated in this cross-sectional survey.

Bone and mineral metabolism in older adults with Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) and osteoporosis are two common chronic disabling conditions in older adults that adversely affect quality of life. The aim of the present work was to study the relationship between bone changes and PD.

Methods: eighty-two patients with established PD aged 65 years or older and 68 age-, sex- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy control subjects were recruited.

Osteoporosis and congestive heart failure (CHF) in the elderly patient: double disease burden.

The present study aimed to evaluate the association between osteoporosis and CHF in elderly patients and to assess the effect of physical performance, vitamin D levels, inflammatory markers on this association. One hundred and twenty-six consecutive patients aged 65 years and above, with moderate to severe CHF who presented to our institution for CHF management and 54 age- and sex-matched controls were screened for osteoporosis. All patients were thoroughly interrogated for cause of CHF, medications, smoking, alcohol use, additional comorbidities and previous falls/fractures.

Statins: potentially useful in therapy of systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers.

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis and widespread vascular pathology. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and digital ulceration are prominent manifestations of vascular involvement in SSc. Digital ulcers (DU) remain a serious complication, and effective therapy remains elusive.

Central venous thrombosis in Behcet's disease.

Behçet's disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by vasculitis, which affects all types and sizes of blood vessels. A thrombotic tendency with a predilection for the venous side of the vasculature is well known for Behçet's disease. However, central vein involvement is a rare complication.

Statins as immunomodulators in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has the highest case-specific mortality among the rheumatic diseases. Vascular dysfunction and structural wall abnormalities are among the earliest and fundamental alterations in SSc. Statins have a number of immunomodulating effects on vascular wall cells, which may modify the progression of vascular injury.

Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders and atherosclerosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), periodontal disease (PD), and coronary artery disease (CAD) are common chronic inflammatory diseases. RA is associated with accelerated vascular risk resulting in an increased prevalence of CAD with attendant early mortality and excess morbidity. RA and PD have a common pathobiology.

Rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease and coronary artery disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), periodontal disease (PD), and coronary artery disease (CAD) are common chronic inflammatory diseases. RA is associated with accelerated vascular risk resulting in an increased prevalence of CAD with attendant early mortality and excess morbidity. RA and PD have a common pathobiology.

Spinal tuberculosis: overlooked?

Objective: The aim of the present study was to ascertain the degree of occurrence of tuberculous infection in patients presenting with low back pain (LBP).

Methods: Forty consecutive patients seeking primary medical attention for the main symptom of LBP and presenting to the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic of our institution from January 2004 to June 2005, were recruited in this cohort study. All patients were thoroughly interrogated (occupational, trauma, infection, diabetes mellitus and medication history), subjected to a rigorous clinical examination and a battery of investigations

Results: Twelve of the 40 patients (33%) proved to have spinal TB as the cause of backache.

Inflammation: a pivotal link between autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis.

Premature coronary heart disease has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic autoimmune diseases. Recent epidemiologic and pathogenesis studies have suggested a great deal in common between the pathogenesis of prototypic autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and that of atherosclerosis. Some of the most remarkable data in support of a link between autoimmunity and atherosclerosis comes from epidemiological studies of patients with autoimmune disorders (RA and SLE).

Embryopathy in experimental diabetic gestation: assessment of PGE2 level, gene expression of cyclooxygenases and apoptosis.

The causes of, and predisposing conditions for, increased congenital anomalies in embryos of experimental diabetic gestation are not fully identified. In the present study, some possible factors involved in diabetes-induced embryopathy are explored. The concentration of PGE2, the gene expression of cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) and level of apoptosis (measured by caspase-3 activity) are assessed during organogenesis in the embryos of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

8-Isoprostaglandin F2 alpha: a potential index of lipid peroxidation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Lipid peroxidation is a central feature of oxidant injury that leads to the vascular disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the past, lipid peroxidation has been difficult to measure. Because isoprostanes are thought to have particular relevance in vascular disease, we set out to measure, in vivo, serum concentrations of 8-isoprostaglandin F2 alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha) as a marker of oxidative stress to evaluate the occurrence and ascertain the significance of lipid peroxidation in SLE.