Discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine in older patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Although hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a mainstay of treatment for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ocular toxicity can result from accumulated exposure. As the longevity of patients with SLE improves, data are needed to balance the risk of ocular toxicity and the risk of disease flare, especially in older patients with quiescent disease. Accordingly, this study was initiated to examine the safety of HCQ withdrawal in older SLE patients.

Rheumatic manifestations of euthyroid, anti-thyroid antibody-positive patients.

The aim of this study is to define the rheumatic manifestations of euthyroid patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) but without a well-defined connective tissue disease. Forty-six consecutive patients with anti-thyroid peroxidase (αTPO) and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (αTG), and normal thyroid function in the absence of a well-defined connective tissue disease were included in a case-cohort study. Arthralgias were a presenting complaint in 98 % of patients.

Rheumatic manifestations of autoimmune thyroid disease: the other autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is an inflammatory thyroiditis that in some cases is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland, also referred to as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto thyroiditis. Hashimoto thyroiditis is one of the commonest causes of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism has been associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory forms of arthritis and with several well defined connective tissue diseases, which in turn can cause arthritis.