The role of antirheumatics in patients with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than 2 million deaths globally. Two interconnected stages of disease are generally recognised; an initial viral stage and a subsequent immune response phase with the clinical characteristics of hyperinflammation associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, many immune modulators and immunosuppressive drugs, which are widely used in rheumatological practice, have been proposed as treatments for patients with moderate or severe COVID-19.

Cardiovascular risk profiles in a hospital-based population of patients with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study.

The objective of the study was to investigate the frequency of traditional risk factors for the cardiovascular (CV) disease, to calculate the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) for CV-related mortality in Danish patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to compare with results from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the same settlement. All PsA and AS patients aged 18-85 years from one outpatient clinic were invited. A rheumatology nurse conducted 30-min screening consultation, preceded by a lipid and glucose profile.

[Methaemoglobinaemia induced by ingestion of alkyl nitrite, "poppers"].

We present a case report of an 18-year-old male who was referred to the emergency department with evidence of methaemoglobinaemia. He presented with classic symptoms with peripheral cyanosis and hypoxia. Arterial blood gas showed a methaemoglobin level of 36%.

[The effect of alcohol and fatty foods on the P-alanine aminotransferase level in rheumatoid- and psoriatic arthritis patients].

Introduction: The P-alanine aminotransferase level (P-ALAT) is used as a biomarker for drug-induced liver toxicity in rheumatic patients treated with methrotrexate and leflunomide. A rumour at Kong Christian X's Gigthospital states that P-ALAT analysed in the beginning of January should be taken with a pinch of salt due to an increased intake of fatty foods and alcohol through Christmas.

Material And Methods: In a retrospective study of P-ALAT, performed on 133 patients diagnosed with either rheumatoid- or psoriatic arthritis (median age 62 years) the change in P-ALAT over Christmas was recorded along with medical treatment and disease activity.