Satisfaction and discontent of Polish patients with biological therapy of rheumatic diseases: results of a multi-center questionnaire study.

Objectives: Biologics are medications widely applied in the management of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The drugs were found to be effective but their application is associated with some disadvantages. Medication with biologics is relatively expensive, and in Poland, it is carried out in specialized centers.

Mixed generalized/juxta-articular form of Dercum's disease.

Dercum's disease is a rare disorder with subcutaneous formation of fatty tissue (lipomas) with symptoms of pain, fatigue, stiffness, weakness and in some cases arthritis. The rarity of this disease causes that it is not taken into consideration in the rheumatological differential diagnosis, so this short report draws attention to this rare disease.

Correlation between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) are the acute phase reactants most commonly determined in patients with rheumatic diseases. The indices are affected by different factors, but both of them are applied for evaluation of the disease activity in patients with inflammatory disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Material And Methods: The authors compared the results of ESR and CRP, which were carried out during routine diagnosis in 200 patients admitted to the Department of Rheumatology.

Relationship between adiponectin, leptin, IGF-1 and total lipid peroxides plasma concentrations in patients with systemic sclerosis: possible role in disease development.

Aim: The relationship between adiponectin, leptin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and total lipid peroxide (TLP) concentrations, and its possible role in the development of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), were evaluated in this study.

Methods, Results: Plasma adipokines and IGF-1 levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, whereas TLP levels were determined using a photometric test, in 36 dcSSc patients and 40 healthy controls matched by age, sex and body mass index (BMI). Plasma levels of adipokines were significantly lowered, while TLP and IGF-1 were increased in dcSSc patients compared to controls.

Alterations of plasma glycosaminoglycan profile in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in relation to disease activity.

Background: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of plasma glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in relation to disease activity estimated by DAS28 score was evaluated.

Methods: GAGs were quantified by hexuronic acid assay and electrophoretic fractionation. Keratan sulfate (KS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured by immunoassay.

Opinion of patients with ankylosing spondylitis on risk factors impairing their quality of life.

We studied 54 patients with ankylosing spondylitis with questionnaire in order to determine their view on threat to quality of their life related to the disease. We have show that pain and significant disability are the main threats associated with the disease in view of the patients. Social aspects (losing of job or decreasing of income) are also important for the patients, while management of the disease is not considered as arduous.

[The clinical spectrum of connective tissue diseases - a single intensive care experience].

Background: Systemic connective tissue diseases are relatively rare disorders of unknown origin, possibly related to autoimmunity. In the retrospective study, we analysed the records of nine patients suffering from connective tissue disorders who were treated during a two-year period in an intensive therapy unit.

Methods: Hospital medical records, observational charts and all other available medical documents were analysed.

Serum ghrelin in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis during treatment with infliximab.

Ghrelin is a gastric hormone that posses multiple functions, including induction of growth hormone release, regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and control of food intake and energy homeostasis. A few reports on serum ghrelin level in chronic inflammatory states revealed contradictory results. The study was undertaken to determine ghrelin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving infliximab, a TNF-α blocking agent.

Plasma leptin and neuropeptide Y concentrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with infliximab, a TNF-α antagonist.

TNF-α is one of the key proinflammatory cytokines in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TNF-α was also found to enhance synthesis of leptin. Leptin is mainly adipocyte-derived hormone controlling appetite and energy expenditure.

Exacerbated course of atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini in patient with papillary cancer of the thyroid gland.

Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini is a benign cutaneous atrophy skin to morphea en plaques on repression and is considered as systemic sclerosis-like disorder. A case of female patient with atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini in whom rapid eruption of new plaques was found after many years of stable disease in described. Papillary cancer of the thyroid gland was diagnosed and acceleration of atrophoderma should be considered as paraneoplastic syndrome.

Causes and risk factors for death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database.

Objectives: To determine the causes and predictors of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Patients with SSc (n=5860) fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria and prospectively followed in the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) cohort were analysed. EUSTAR centres completed a structured questionnaire on cause of death and comorbidities.

Serum human cartilage glycoprotein-39 in patients with systemic sclerosis: relationship to skin and articular manifestation.

Human cartilage glycoprotein-39 (HC gp-30) is a secretory protein of several types of cells including chondrocytes. It has been suggested to be a laboratory index of joint damage. Thirty-two patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 22 age-matched controls were investigated.

Serum human cartilage glycoprotein-39 levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Human cartilage glycoprotein-39 (HC gp-39) is a protein secreted by various cells including chondrocytes. Serum HC gp-39 has been suggested to be a marker of cartilage damage. However, inflammation involving other sites than the joints is an additional factor that increases the serum level of HC gp-39.

Seronegative arthritis in patient with solitary bone plasmacytoma.

We report a patient with localized focus of the bone destruction due to a rare disease, solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP). The patient suffered from arthritis, mimicking seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. To our knowledge, it is the first description of coexistence of arthritis and SBP.