Serum IL-6 correlates with axial mobility index (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index) in Brazilian patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic disease featuring axial changes, peripheral arthritis and systemic involvement. Proinflammatory cytokines are probably involved in AS pathogenesis. The relationship of circulating cytokines with instruments of AS evaluation is an open field of research.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and transient left ventricular noncompaction.

Objectives: Myocarditis is a rare but serious manifestation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a disorder of myocardial morphogenesis frequently associated to neuromuscular diseases. Hypertrabeculation, a cardinal echocardiographic feature of LVNC, might represent a morphological expression of a number of morbidities, nevertheless.