Predictors of Drug Retention and Survival Rate of bDMARDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Four-Year Real-Life Tunisian Experience.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARDs) in the current management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by identifying the retention time and survival rate of bDMARDs.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including Tunisian patients initiating bDMARD treatment between 2016 and 2018 whose data were collected from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The NHIF is the national office which organises and centralises patients under bDMARDs from all over the country.

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Hyalinosis in a Patient with Spondyloarthritis: A Rare Renal Involvement Case Report.

Background: During its course, spondyloarthritis (SpA) may be associated with extra-articular manifestations affecting several organs. Renal involvement is one of the most common extra-articular manifestations and is dominated by secondary amyloidosis (AA), immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, and urolithiasis. Other nephropathies such as Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and hyalinosis (FSGS) are less common and are limited to few case reports.

Spinal Tuberculosis: Features and Early Predictive Factors of Poor Outcomes.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is still endemic in Tunisia. Among musculoskeletal involvement, spinal tuberculosis (STB) or «Pott's Disease» is the most common and can lead to serious neurological complications. The purpose of our study was to focus on STB features (clinical, biological, and radiological) and to identify factors associated with early unfavorable outcomes.

Epileptic encephalopathy and amelogenesis imperfecta: What about KohlschüttereTönz syndrome? Case report and literature review.

Background: KohlschüttereTönz syndrome (KTS), also called amelo-cerebro-hypohidrotic syndrome, is a very rare genetic condition, described for the first time by Kohlschutter, which typically manifests as a triad of symptoms:  amelogenesis imperfecta, infantile onset epilepsy, and intellectual disability. 47 cases were reported in English language literature since 1974-2021.

Case Report: A 7-year-old girl was referred for dental evaluation.

Assessment Tools for Pulmonary Involvement in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Is Diaphragmatic Ultrasonography Correlated to Spirometry?

Objective: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that can lead to spinal ankylosis and consequently, restrictive pulmonary dysfunction. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the accuracy of diaphragm ultrasound compared to spirometry in the screening of restrictive pulmonary disorders in radiographic SpA patients.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 50 patients with radiographic SpA, over six months.

Foot Functional Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Involvement of Body Mass Index.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are common in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), with a probable impact on bearing foot joints.

Aim: Our study aimed to explore the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) on foot health parameters in RA patients.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study.

Influencing Factors in Tunisian Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients' Quality of Life: Burden and Solutions.

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a disease with a heavy functional, psychological, and socioeconomic impact. The management of Quality of Life (QoL) as a therapeutic objective is a fairly recent notion, especially in Tunisia. We aimed to evaluate QoL in RA patients and to identify its affecting factors.

Low Back Pain Among Students of Medical University of Tunis.

Objective: Low Back Pain (LBP) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder among working adults. It is one of the most prevalent complaints among students. Medical students are among those who are most exposed to this condition; due to stress, numerous hours of studying, and the sedentary lifestyle.

Case Report: Extensive digital gangrene as a primary manifestation of late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Digital gangrene is a rare but serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It occurs usually in middle-aged patients with longer disease duration. Herein we report the case of a 56-year-old man (with no history suggestive of Raynaud's phenomenon, diabetes mellitus, smoking, trauma, infection, or chemical exposure), who presented with SLE and digital gangrene was among the first signs.

Unknown Extra-Articular Manifestation of Spondyloarthritis: What About Retroperitoneal Fibrosis? A Case Based Literature Review.

Introduction: Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease characterized by fibroinflammatory tissue proliferation in the retroperitoneum. It results in a chronic inflammatory and fibrosis condition, possibly leading to compression of the retroperitoneal structures, especially to encasement of the ureters and the inferior vena cava. It may have an idiopathic or a secondary origin.

The effects of autoimmune rheumatic-related diseases on male reproductive health: A systematic review.

Autoimmune rheumatic-related diseases (ARRDs) have physical and psychological impact on patients, including their sexual life. While many studies have investigated fertility problems in females, data on males-related fertility are scarce, which explains the lack of guidance. The main objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the reproductive health in males with ARRDs.

Primitive pelvic bone hydatidosis: What an amazing extension.

Hydatidosis is an anthropozoonosis mainly encountered in pastoral areas. It mostly affects the liver, lung, and rarely the bone and the soft tissues. Skeletal involvement is usually secondary to visceral hydatidosis.

Acute transverse myelitis revealing ankylosing spondylitis: A case report and literature review.

When faced with a patient with acute myelopathy, thorough investigations should be undertaken to determine the cause. Ankylosing spondylitis should be kept in mind as a possible cause.

Poor work outcomes in patients with spondyloarthritis: causes, consequences, and solutions.

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) affects patients in the prime of their economic productivity and can cause loss of work productivity and unemployment. We aim to identify factors associated with poor work outcomes in patients with SpA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 100 patients with SpA who were employed, retired, or off work because of SpA.

Multifocal tuberculosis on certolizumab pegol in a patient followed for rheumatoid arthritis.

Tuberculosis must be considered in front of deterioration in general condition in patient with rheumatic disease under biological therapy. Rheumatologists may pay attention and screen infections before and after prescribing biological therapy.

A Rare Case of Hypophosphataemic Osteomalacia in von Recklinghausen Neurofibromatosis.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also known as von Recklinghausen disease, is a one of the more common hereditary autosomal disorders. However, osteomalacia in neurofibromatosis type 1 is very rare tumour-induced osteomalacia; fibroblast growth factor-23 is usually implicated.

Patients And Methods: We report the case of a patient with a history of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis who presented with hypophosphataemic osteomalacia.

Tachon Syndrome: Rare Side Effect of Articular Injections of Corticosteroids. A Report of Two Cases.

Epidural or intra-articular injections of corticosteroids are an option for the treatment of several pain conditions but are not without adverse effects. Here, we discuss a rare systemic side effect of this therapy: Tachon syndrome. We report two cases, a 64-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, who presented with Tachon syndrome after receiving, respectively, a shoulder and a lumbar injection of cortivazol 3.