Does prolonged systemic glucocorticoid use increase risk of tophus formation among gouty arthritis patients?

Aim: To determine the relationship of steroid use with tophus formation and other comorbid conditions among male gout patients.

Methods: Review of medical records of Filipino gout patients under the care of rheumatologists was conducted. Univariate analysis (chi-square, Student's t-test) and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to establish the risk for tophus formation among glucocorticoid users.

Survey of vitamin D levels among post-menopausal Filipino women with osteoporosis.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in a group of Filipino post-menopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: Seventy otherwise healthy post-menopausal Filipino women seen at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Section of Rheumatology, were diagnosed with osteoporosis by central dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique. Levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.