Sleep Disorders in Connective Tissue Diseases-Coexisting Diseases or Disease Components?

This comprehensive review examines the complex relationship between sleep disorders and rheumatic diseases, supported by findings from the latest research articles. It encompasses various rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis. The review reveals the bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders and these diseases, emphasizing their impact on disease progression and quality of life.

Zingiber Officinale Roscoe: The Antiarthritic Potential of a Popular Spice-Preclinical and Clinical Evidence.

The health benefits of ginger rhizomes () have been known for centuries. Recently, ginger root has gained more attention due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Many of the bioactive components of ginger may have therapeutic benefits in treating inflammatory arthritis.

Immunogenetic Aspects of Sarcopenic Obesity.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a combination of obesity and sarcopenia, with diagnostic criteria defined as impaired skeletal muscle function and altered body composition (e.g., increased fat mass and reduced muscle mass).

Impact of Dietary Protein on Osteoporosis Development.

Osteoporosis is a frequent yet unsolved health problem among older people. The influence of dietary protein still raises many questions regarding its quality and quantity in the context of bone health. The aim of this manuscript is to review the latest evidence on plant and animal protein influences on bone health in various groups of patients.

Molecular Background and Clinical Implications of Glucose Disorders in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory musculoskeletal disease characterized by joint and entheses involvement. This condition is often associated with an increased prevalence of obesity, encompassing more than one-third of all patients. Given the presence of metabolic disorders, it becomes crucial to enhance clinical oversight of metabolic parameters.

Positive antiphospholipid antibodies: observation or treatment?

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) are  primarily directed toward phospholipid-binding proteins and are responsible for thrombotic events. APLAs include anti-β2Glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI), anticardiolipin (anti-CL) antibodies, and lupus anticoagulant. These antibodies are typical markers of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and are a part of its diagnostic criteria.

The Influence of and Gene Polymorphisms on the Metabolic State of Postmenopausal Women.

Recently, we have observed two significant pandemics caused by communicable (COVID-19) and non-communicable factors (obesity). Obesity is related to a specific genetic background and characterized by immunogenetic features, such as low-grade systemic inflammation. The specific genetic variants include the presence of polymorphism of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors gene (; Pro12Ala, rs1801282, and C1431T, rs3856806 polymorphisms), β-adrenergic receptor gene (; Trp64Arg, rs4994), and Family With Sequence Similarity 13 Member A gene (; rs1903003, rs7671167, rs2869967).

The Influence of Dietary Interventions on Arterial Stiffness in Overweight and Obese Subjects.

Arterial stiffness is often increased in overweight/obese subjects before the development of hypertension. It is also one of the earliest indicators of increased cardiovascular disease risk and can be considered a good predictor of the development of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction. Arterial stiffness is a significant prognostic factor influencing cardiovascular risk, which dietary habits can modify.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in the context of Kawasaki disease and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

Recent studies have noted an increasing number of Kawasaki-like cases in the pediatric population following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In the literature, the condition is described as multiple inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or pediatric inflammatory syndrome (PIMS). A similar clinical course of Kawasaki disease (KD) and MIS-C causes difficulties in distinguishing between both conditions.

Oxidative Stress in Fibromyalgia: From Pathology to Treatment.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain associated with sleep problems, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. The persistence of pain, impairment of cognitive function, and negative impact on the psychological state have caused a detrimental effect on the patients' quality of life. However, to date, the treatment and mechanisms of this disease are yet to be established.

Rheumatic Diseases in Reproductive Age-the Possibilities and the Risks.

The most common systemic connective tissue diseases (CTD), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and Sjögren's syndrome (SjS), affect many women of reproductive age. These diseases may strongly impact the course of pregnancy and increase the risk factors of incompatibility. A literature search was done on MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar in 2011-2021.

Use of the rheumatic drug tocilizumab for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has been observed to vary in its degree of symptoms. One of the most important clinical manifestations is pneumonia and the subsequent worsening of the hyperinflammatory state and cytokine storm. Tocilizumab (TCB) is a recombinant humanized, anti-human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G1k (IgG1k) subclass that acts against soluble and membrane-bound interleukin six receptors (IL-6R).

Relapsing polychondritis: state-of-the-art review with three case presentations.

Background: Relapsing polychondritis (RPC) is a complex immune-mediated systemic disease affecting cartilaginous tissue and proteoglycan-rich organs. The most common and earliest clinical features are intermittent inflammation involving the auricular and nasal regions, although all cartilage types can be potentially affected. The life-threatening effects of rpc involve the tracheobronchial tree and cardiac connective components.

Antimalarial drugs-are they beneficial in rheumatic and viral diseases?-considerations in COVID-19 pandemic.

The majority of the medical fraternity is continuously involved in finding new therapeutic schemes, including antimalarial medications (AMDs), which can be useful in combating the 2019-nCoV: coronavirus disease (COVID-19). For many decades, AMDs have been widely used in the treatment of malaria and various other anti-inflammatory diseases, particularly to treat autoimmune disorders of the connective tissue. The review comprises in vitro and in vivo studies, original studies, clinical trials, and consensus reports for the analysis, which were available in medical databases (e.

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine - safety profile of potential COVID-19 drugs from the rheumatologist's perspective.

Introduction And Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic causes vital concerns due to the lack of proved, effective, and safe therapy. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine seem to be useful, but recently serious concerns regarding their adverse events have risen. The aim of the study was to broaden the general perspective of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine use in COVID-19 treatment, based on an analysis of their current safety profile among patients with rheumatic diseases.

COVID-19: What Should the General Practitioner Know?

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection is currently the most significant public health challenge. Its presentation ranges from mild to severe respiratory failure and septic shock. Rapid transmission of the virus is dangerous with a high possibility of life-threatening complications.

Disorders of the Aorta and Aortic Valve in Connective Tissue Diseases.

Purpose Of Review: The incidence of aortic valve disease in inherited connective tissue disorders is well documented; however, recent studies have only begun to unravel the pathology behind this association. In this review, we aim to describe the etiology, clinical manifestations, management, and prognosis of aortic and aortic valvular disorders that co-exist in a variety of connective tissue diseases. An extensive literature review was performed in PubMed.

Genetic Background of Hypertension in Connective Tissue Diseases.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors () and beta-3-adrenergic receptors () are involved in the risk of hypertension. But their exact role in blood pressure modulation in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD) is still not well defined. In this study, 104 patients with CTD and 103 gender- and age-matched controls were genotyped for Pro12Ala and C1431T polymorphisms of the gene and Trp64Arg polymorphism of the gene.

Cytokine secretion and the risk of depression development in patients with connective tissue diseases.

Research in the past two decades has revolutionized our understanding of depressive illnesses. Proinflammatory cytokines have become a point of interest in the interconnecting areas of neuropsychiatric and autoimmune diseases. The cytokine hypothesis of depression suggests that pro-inflammatory cytokines play a primary role in the mediation of the pathophysiological characteristics of major depression, in which an inflammatory process may be induced by external and internal stressors, such as psychological and inflammatory diseases, respectively.

Chemerin, Resistin, and Adiponectin in Patients with Connective Tissue Diseases.

Background: The exact role of cytokines in inflammation and metabolic disorders in case of connective tissue diseases (CTDs) is under discussion.

Methods: In this study, we intended to find the relationship between the selected cytokines in inflammatory and metabolic disorders in patients with CTDs (n=55) and compared the results with those of control group subjects (n=25) matched by age and body mass. We estimated their nutritional status by the bioimpedance method.

Antinuclear antibodies in healthy people and non-rheumatic diseases - diagnostic and clinical implications.

The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is mainly associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD). In addition, their presence is found in healthy people. These antibodies are more common in women and the elderly.

Clinical implications of systemic lupus erythematosus without and with antiphospholipid syndrome in peri- and postmenopausal age.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) displays a severe disease sub-phenotype with vascular manifestations ranging from peripheral thrombosis to neurologic and ophthalmic symptoms. The prevalence of morbidities including thrombosis, renal lesions, and cognitive impairment contributes to a higher risk of organ damage and a reduced quality of life in patients. In addition to the clinical heterogeneity, the diagnostic challenge is heightened in elderly patients as APS-related SLE is primarily diagnosed in young females.

Clinical manifestations of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: key considerations and major features.

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) presents a wide spectrum of manifestations from the common respiratory symptoms to infrequent neurological and cardiac complications. The challenge in diagnosis and management makes the rapidly progressive disorder one of the most challenging dilemmas in clinical medicine.

Method: An extensive electronic literature search was done using multiple databases (e.