Utility of applying a diagnostic algorithm in giant cell arteritis based on the level of clinical suspicion.

Introduction: To reach the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), signs, symptoms, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and occasionally anatomopathological results from temporal artery biopsy are evaluated. This study describes the results of an algorithm analysis based on clinical and ultrasound evaluation of patients with suspected GCA, highlighting its diagnostic utility by contrasting its use in different clinical suspicion scenarios.

Method: Prospective multicenter study evaluating patients referred with suspected GCA through a preferential circuit (fast track), grouping them according to low or high clinical suspicion of GCA.

High incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. A case-control study.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture.

Methods: Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded.

Doppler ultrasonography of superficial temporal artery in a cohort of patients with strong clinical suspicion of giant cell arteritis.

Background And Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most frequent systemic vasculitis in adults. In recent years, the usefulness of temporal artery ultrasound (TAUS) as a diagnostic tool to assess the underlying inflammation of the vascular wall during the inflammatory process has been under clinical investigation.

Material And Methods: Observational and descriptive cohort study of 120 TAUS in 60 patients with clinical suspicions of GCA, according to the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) classification criteria.

Concordance between direct and indirect measurements of free 25-OH vitamin D.

Unlabelled: At present, data comparing the quantification methods for measurement of free vitamin D (direct assay [direct 25-OHD] and estimated by calculation [calculated 25-OHD]), are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse the concordance between these two methods of 25-OHD analysis (direct vs. calculated).

PASE and EARP questionnaires for the identification of enthesitis, synovitis, and tenosynovitis in patients with psoriasis.

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of the Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Evaluation (PASE) and Early Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Questionnaire (EARP) questionnaires in the ultrasonographic detection of enthesitis, synovitis, and tenosynovitis. A cross-sectional study was done in a total of 96 consecutive patients. Double blind clinical examination and echographic assessment were performed.

Visceral leishmaniasis in a rheumatoid arthritis patient receiving methotrexate.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are susceptible to severe infections such as leishmaniasis. As L. infantum is endemic in the Mediterranean region, it is necessary to rule this infectious process out in any RA patient presenting with fever and pancytopenia.

Sjögren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease: A multicenter study.

Unlabelled: Primary Sjögren syndrome (PSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be an extraglandular complication.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with PSS with ILD.

Reference intervals for bone turnover markers in Spanish premenopausal women.

Background: The aims of this study were to establish robust reference intervals and to investigate the factors influencing bone turnover markers (BTMs) in healthy premenopausal Spanish women.

Methods: A total of 184 women (35-45 years) from 13 centers in Catalonia were analyzed. Blood and second void urine samples were collected between 8 a.

[Preference for etanercept pen versus syringe in patients with chronic arthritis. Nurse education workshop].

Objectives: The aims of this study are to evaluate the level of fear of post-injection pain prior to the administration, the difficulty in handling the device, and the level of satisfaction of patients using a pre-filled syringe versus an etanercept pen, as well as to evaluate the usefulness of the training given by nursing staff prior to starting with the pen, and the preferences of patients after using both devices.

Method: A prospective study was designed to follow-up a cohort of patients during a 6 months period. The data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS 18.

Randomized trial comparing monthly ibandronate and weekly alendronate for osteoporosis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Unlabelled: Osteoporosis resulting in bone fractures is a complication in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Once-weekly alendronate improves bone mass and is well tolerated in these patients, but there is a concern because of poor compliance. Therefore, the efficacy, adherence, and safety of monthly ibandronate (150 mg) with weekly alendronate (70 mg) were compared in a randomized, 2-year study in 42 postmenopausal women with PBC and osteoporosis.

Sweet syndrome associated with myelodysplastic syndrome: report of a case. Review of the literature.

Sweet's syndrome or acute neutrophilic febrile dermatosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the appearance of skin lesions produced by a neutrophilic dermal infiltrate, fever and peripheral leukocytosis. It may be associated with hematologic diseases, including leukemia, with immune diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, or can occur in isolation. The myelodysplasias are hematological disorders characterized by one or more cytopenias secondary to bone marrow dysfunction.

[Identification of clinical features and laboratory abnormalities associated with the development of vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis].

Background And Objective: Vertebral fractures (VF) are a major risk factor for the development of further fractures. Therefore, it is important to identify clinical risk factors and laboratory abnormalities related to VF. We aimed to analyse clinical and biochemical alterations related to the presence of radiological VF in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

[2011 Up-date of the consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on osteoporosis].

Objective: Due to increasing improvement in the diagnosis, evaluation and management of osteoporosis and the development of new tools and drugs, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) has promoted the development of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should be a reference to rheumatologists and other health professionals involved in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis.

Methods: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on a systematic review.

Low bone mass and severity of cholestasis affect fracture risk in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: The influence of osteoporosis and liver disease on fracture risk is not well characterized in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We studied a large series of women with PBC to assess the prevalence and risk factors for fractures and the fracture threshold.

Methods: In female patients with PBC (n = 185; age, 55.

High osteoprotegerin serum levels in primary biliary cirrhosis are associated with disease severity but not with the mRNA gene expression in liver tissue.

The influence of osteoprotegerin and RANKL as regulators of osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling in liver disease and in the development of osteoporosis in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is uncertain. Therefore, 68 women with PBC and 20 healthy females were studied by assessing circulating osteoprotegerin and RANKL. Bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover were measured as well.

A rheumatology consultancy program with general practitioners in Catalonia, Spain.

Objective: To analyze the influence of a primary care rheumatology consultancy program on the number of referrals to the rheumatology unit (RU), the waiting times for new visits at the RU, and the satisfaction of the general practitioners (GPs) with respect to the RU.

Methods: From September 2003 to August 2004 a consultancy program was carried out by 4 consultant rheumatologists of the RU and 117 GPs, consisting of biweekly clinical sessions in which cases were commented upon prior to referral and local clinical guidelines on 10 musculoskeletal disorders were discussed. Referral rates to the RU, 5-item GP satisfaction questionnaires (patient accessibility to the RU, information obtained after the visit, GP accessibility to the RU, communication between levels, and resolution capacity of the RU), waiting times, and number of patients waiting for a visit were analyzed.

Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: a report of five cases and evaluation of bone markers.

In this study, we analyzed the changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover in five patients with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia. The following bone markers were evaluated: among bone formation markers, total alkaline phosphatase (TAP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (bone Gla protein, BGP) and procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP); among bone resorption markers, serum beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (s-CTx), urinary hydroxyproline (HYP), and N-terminal and alpha and beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of collagen (NTx and alpha- and beta-CTx). In addition, the alpha/beta-CTx ratio was evaluated.

Clinical characteristics and etiologic factors of premenopausal osteoporosis in a group of Spanish women.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical characteristics and the principal causes of osteoporosis in premenopausal women.

Methods: This study included 52 osteoporotic premenopausal women ages 20-51 years (mean 36.2 +/- 7) who were referred to an outpatient rheumatology department for osteoporosis evaluation.