Galectin-3-binding protein is a novel predictor of venous thromboembolism in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Venous (VTE) and arterial (AT) thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are poorly explained and difficult to predict. Leptin and tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) have been linked to subclinical atherosclerosis and galectin-3-binding protein (G3BP) to type I interferon activation and a pro-thrombotic environment. Thus, we explore serum G3BP, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), soluble CD163 (sCD163), TWEAK and leptin as predictors of VTE and AT, damage accrual, and all-cause mortality during follow-up in a Swedish SLE cohort.

[Rheumatoid arthritis and hand surgery].

Rheumatoid arthritis results in characteristic deformities of the hand. Medical treatment has undergone a remarkable development. However, not all patients achieve remission or tolerate the treatment.

Seronegative polyarthritis revealing antisynthetase syndrome: a multicentre study of 40 patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) revealed by polyarthritis.

Methods: First we conducted a retrospective single-centre study to assess the frequency of ASS patients who presented with polyarthritis without pulmonary and/or muscle symptoms. Secondly, we conducted a larger, multicentre study in order to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients.

DAS28 best reflects the physician's clinical judgment of response to infliximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients: validation of the DAS28 score in patients under infliximab treatment.

This study is based on an expanded access program in which 511 patients suffering from active refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were treated with intravenous infusions of infliximab (3 mg/kg+methotrexate (MTX)) at weeks 0, 2, 6 and every 8 weeks thereafter. At week 22, 474 patients were still in follow-up, of whom 102 (21.5%), who were not optimally responding to treatment, received a dose increase from week 30 onward.

Response to alendronate in osteoporotic women previously treated with pamidronate.

Introduction: Different bisphosphonates have been shown to increase bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce the risk of fracture in osteoporotic patients. It is unclear how shifting from a treatment with one bisphosphonate to another will influence the evolution of BMD and bone turnover.

Methods: In the present study, we followed BMD (DXA, Hologic QDR1000) of the lumbar spine (BMDL) and of the total hip (BMDH), bone alkaline phosphatase (Ostase, Hibritech), and urinary collagen cross links (pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, Biorad) in 39 patients treated with IV pamidronate (60 mg/3 months) since at least 2 years and who were shifted to oral alendronate (10 mg/day, n=18) or left to IV pamidronate (n=21) for 2 more years.

A randomized double-blind trial to compare the efficacy of teriparatide [recombinant human parathyroid hormone (1-34)] with alendronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Teriparatide (rDNA origin) injection [recombinant human PTH (1-34)] stimulates bone formation, increases bone mineral density (BMD), and restores bone architecture and integrity. In contrast, bisphosphonates reduce bone resorption and increase BMD. We compared the effects of teriparatide and alendronate sodium on BMD, nonvertebral fracture incidence, and bone turnover in 146 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.