Metabolic syndrome is not only a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus but is also associated with cumulative organ damage: a cross-sectional analysis of 311 patients.

Background/purpose: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that are one of the major causes of mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD in SLE patients and investigate the link between these and clinical features of SLE.

Methods: A total of 311 SLE patients were consecutively assessed for cumulative organ damage (SDI/SLICC scores), history of CVD and MetS as defined by the National Cholesterol Educational Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III).

Cluster analysis of autoantibodies in 852 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a single center.

Objective: Associations between autoantibodies and clinical features have been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we aimed to define autoantibody clusters and their clinical correlations in a large cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods: We analyzed 852 patients with SLE who attended our clinic.

MEFV gene variations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)-associated MEFV gene variations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The study group comprised 190 SLE patients and 101 healthy controls of Turkish origin with no clinical features of FMF. All individuals were genotyped for the four most common MEFV gene variations (M694V, M680I, V726A and E148Q) by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

MEFV gene variations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)-associated MEFV gene variations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The study group comprised 190 SLE patients and 101 healthy controls of Turkish origin with no clinical features of FMF. All individuals were genotyped for the four most common MEFV gene variations (M694V, M680I, V726A and E148Q) by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Re-evaluation of 129 patients with systemic necrotizing vasculitides by using classification algorithm according to consensus methodology.

Recently, a new classification algorithm (CA) for systemic necrotizing vasculitides was proposed by Watts et al. (Annals Rheum Dis 66:222-227, 2007) by using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Chapel Hill Consensus Criteria (CHCC) and Sorensen surrogate markers (So). We aimed to validate CA in our patients.

Risk factors for avascular bone necrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The objective was to investigate the predictive factors for avascular necrosis (AVN) of bone in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The records of 868 patients with SLE from four centers were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-nine patients with AVN were identified.

Association of familial Mediterranean fever-related MEFV variations with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: The pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has a strong genetic contribution. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessively inherited autoinflammatory disorder caused by MEFV gene missense variations, and a clinical association between FMF and AS has been reported previously. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of common MEFV variations (M694V, M680I, V726A, and E148Q) with AS in a group of Turkish patients.

Serologic response to Epstein-Barr virus antigens in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a controlled study.

Previous studies showed a link between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. We sought to determine the features of serologic response to EBV in SLE patients and whether this response differs from those of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients as well as healthy individuals. Sera from 198 consecutive SLE patients have been tested to detect IgG antibodies to EA/D, EBNA-1, VCA P18 and for comparison, cytomegalovirus (CMV) using commercially available ELISA kits (Trinity Biotech, USA).

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship with antiphospholipid antibodies and severe disease outcome.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. We investigated the characteristics of SLE patients with PH. The patients with a pulmonary artery systolic pressure more than 30 mmHg at rest on echocardiogram were diagnosed with PH.

Predictors of damage and survival in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis: analysis of 50 patients.

Objective: To evaluate damage features and impact on survival by Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) in a cohort of Turkish patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG).

Methods: We enrolled 50 (25 female) patients with WG according to ACR criteria. Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) and VDI were used to analyze disease activity and damage.

Recurrent anterior uveitis in Henoch Schonlein's vasculitis.

Uveitis is an important component of many rheumatic diseases. The main causes of recurrent uveitis are seronegative spondylarthropathies and Behçet's disease. We describe a rare case of Henoch Schönlein vasculitis (HSV) along with multiple recurrences of acute anterior uveitis.

Clinical evaluation and comparison of different criteria for classification in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Several criteria are being used for the classification of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and there is a lack of consensus about PsA as a separate entity. Our aim is to investigate the clinical features of our patients with a clinical diagnosis of PsA, compare the sensitivities of different classification criteria, agreement between the criteria. In this study 86 PsA patients were investigated (48 females, mean age 44).

Low frequency of HLA-B27 in ankylosing spondylitis patients from Turkey.

Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis is strongly associated with HLA-B27. However, the strength of the association with HLA-B27 and the clinical features may vary in different parts of the world. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical features of AS and the frequencies of HLA-B27 and its alleles in patients from Turkey with other series.

Clinical evaluation and comparison of different criteria for classification in Turkish patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Several criteria are being used for the classification of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and there is a lack of consensus about PsA as a separate entity. Our aim is to investigate the clinical features of our patients with a clinical diagnosis of PsA, compare the sensitivities of different classification criteria and agreement between the criteria. In this study 86 PsA patients were investigated (48 female, mean age 44).

Safety of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in systemic autoimmune diseases.

It is reported that the usage of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HD-IVIG) in systemic autoimmune diseases is associated with various adverse events in a wide range of severity. We aimed to investigate the frequency and profile of adverse events in a group of patients with diffuse connective tissue diseases and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) who were administrated HD-IVIG for different indications. We recorded the data of 38 patients (25 females and 13 males) aged 38 +/- 15 (12-75) years who were followed up with the diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases between 1994 and 2006 according to a predefined protocol.

Adult-onset Still's disease.

Background: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a febrile disorder of unknown aetiology characterised by typical spiking fever, evanescent rash, arthralgia and leucocytosis.

Methods: According to the diagnostic criteria of AOSD, we identified 84 patients between 1990 and 2003. The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of AOSD in Turkish patients who were followed-up in a tertiary referral centre.

Anti-CCP and antikeratin antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis, primary Sjögren's syndrome, and Wegener's granulomatosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) and keratin (AKA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), who may present with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive arthritis. The study group consisted of 46 patients with RA (26 patients were negative for RF), 32 with pSS, 22 with WG, and 40 healthy controls. The RF, anti-CCP, and AKA were detected in serum using the latex agglutination test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively.

Characteristics of patients with adult-onset familial Mediterranean fever in Turkey: analysis of 401 cases.

It has been generally accepted that the clinical onset of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) begins before 20 years of age in most patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of our FMF patients with an age of onset > or =20. Records of 401 patients (female/male: 204/197) that followed up between 1990 and 1999 were reviewed according to a pre-defined protocol.

Characteristics of patients with late onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Turkey.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young women. In this study, we aimed at investigating the clinical, laboratory and management characteristics of our SLE patients with an age of onset > or =50. Twenty patients with late onset SLE (> or =50 years) were identified from the records, on the basis of their first SLE-related symptoms (Group I).

Systemic necrotizing vasculitides in Turkey: a comparative analysis of 40 consecutive patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the demographic and clinical features and prognosis of patients with different systemic necrotizing vasculitides (SNV) in Turkey.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-three patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), 15 with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), and two with Churg-Strauss syndrome were included in the study. The clinical and laboratory features of patients with WG and PAN were compared, and survival analysis was performed for the WG patients.

A comparison of clinical findings of familial Mediterranean fever patients with and without amyloidosis.

Objective: This study investigates the clinical and demographic characteristics of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients with and without amyloidosis.

Patients And Methods: The clinical data of 503 patients with FMF (females:males 250:253) were reviewed. Fifty of these patients had amyloidosis (f:m 23:27).

Tuberculosis in Turkish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: increased frequency of extrapulmonary localization.

The objective was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We reviewed the charts of 556 patients with SLE who were followed up between 1978 and 2001 in our lupus clinic. Patients who developed TB after the diagnosis of SLE were identified (SLE/TB+).

Experience with monthly, high-dose, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in patients with different connective tissue diseases.

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety profile of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HD-IVIG) therapy in patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory muscle disease (IMD), Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), and/or concurrent infection who failed to respond to standard therapies. We evaluated the records of eight patients with SLE, eight with IMD, and four with WG who were treated with HD-IVIG (2 g/kg per month for 1-12 months) for active disease in 19 patients and concurrent infection in three (mycobacterial in two with SLE and cytomegaloviral in one with WG). Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores before and after HD-IVIG were statistically analysed.