[Development and/or increase of rheumatoid nodules in RA patients following leflunomide therapy].

This is the first description of the development of rheumatoid nodules in 3 rheumatoid arthritis patients following leflunomide therapy. The nodules were localized at typical sites with preference of the extensor side of hands and elbow. One nodule examined histologically revealed the typical architecture of RA nodules.

[Listeria arthritis in chronic polyarthritis during low dose prednisolone and methotrexate therapy. Case report and review of the literature].

We report about a patient with polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis taking methotrexat and 5 mg prednisolone who developed in the course of a RA flare a septic arthritis in the right shoulder. Listeria monocytogenes could be identified as the causative bacteria. Clinically, the Listeria-induced septic arthritis could not be differentiated from rheumatoid arthritis; fever was not present.

[Promoting patient-oriented quality management in rheumatologic management from the viewpoint of patients].

Limited resources in our health system require fast action to maintain sufficient health care. Improvements in the quality of standards and the processes involved are overcome more easily by the industry compared to human medicine. Can the heterogenous group of rheumatic patients be compared? Can the demands of the individual groups be satisfied concerning their health care? Coordination centers for rheumatic diseases can improve the quality of health care in conjunction with the infrastructure created by the patient support groups.

[Polyarticular gout--change in the clinical picture?].

40% of the male patients suffering from gouty arthritis treated in our rheumatological unit during a three years period showed a chronic polyarticular course. In polyarticular gout, acute gouty attacks affect above all the joints of the upper limbs. Gouty arthritis in these patients shows an ascending pattern.