Significance of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies in the elderly.

Objective: The prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and of vascular diseases increases with age, and aCL may be associated with various diseases in the elderly. So the significance of aCL in the elderly remains difficult to determine. We sought to determine the significance of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the elderly.

Association between systemic sclerosis and breast cancer: eight new cases and review of the literature.

Several studies have demonstrated an increased frequency of cancer in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), specially lung and breast cancers. The pathogenesis of the association between SSc and cancer is not fully established. The aim of this study was to describe new cases of the association between SSc and breast cancer and to perform a review of the literature.

Antiphospholipid antibodies in primary Sjögren's syndrome: prevalence and clinical significance in a series of 74 patients.

The aim of this study is to determine prevalence, clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) including anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-beta2GP1 and lupus anticoagulant (LA) in a cohort of 74 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) according to revised European criteria. aPL were found in 25 (34%) patients; IgG in 23 (12 had low titres, six moderate titres and five high titres) and IgM in five (three and two had respectively moderate and high titres). Eight (11%) patients were found to have LA; anti-beta2GP1 antibodies were detected only in three (4%) patients.

[Medical practice analysis in internal medicine: a national descriptive study].

Purpose: This descriptive and epidemiological study was conducted in Mars 2002 in Internal Medicine in order to (1) participate in elaborating a White Book about the speciality, (2) analyse the post-university formation needs of the specialists in Internal Medicine.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all specialists in Internal Medicine listed on the ADELI file (n = 2155). For the first three patients seen in consultation and during hospital stay, questioned specialists had to mention the age, sex, origin, motive of the visit, nature of symptoms, complexity of the problem and the nature of the required abilities.

Detection of circulating soluble CD28 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome and systemic sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and the role of the serum soluble costimulatory molecule CD28 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Soluble CD28 concentration was determined by ELISA in 45 patients with SLE, 45 patients with primary SS, 30 patients with SSc, and 45 healthy subjects. We also evaluated CD28 mRNA expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR, and the biological activity of recombinant soluble CD28 on T lymphocyte activity.

[Polymyositis induced or associated with lipid-lowering drugs: five cases].

Purpose: Rhabdomyolysis and myositis are rare, dose-related complications of statins and fenofibrates. The outcome is favorable as a rule with rapid regression after stopping the responsible drug. Recently, various auto-immune disease with evidence of hypersensitivity to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or fibrates drugs have been reported.

[Influence of hypergammaglobulinemia on antiphospholipid antibodies titres].

Purpose: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) or lupus anticoagulant (LA), are indispensable for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, antiphospholipid assays can generate false positive results.

Materials: We have studied the influence of hypergammaglobulinemia (HG) on aPL antibodies titers in 232 patients twice as positive for aPL antibodies.

Multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assessment of sialyltransferase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: To assess sialyltransferase expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to correlate this expression with the clinical features of the disease.

Methods: Using a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, we simultaneously measured the expression of 5 sialyltransferases (ST3Gal IV, ST3Gal III, ST3Gal I, ST3Gal II, and ST6Gal I) and of one reference housekeeping gene, Tata box binding protein (TBP), in PBMC of 28 patients with SSc and 18 healthy controls. Expression of each sialyltransferase was defined by the ratio sialyltransferase amplification product intensity/TBP amplification product intensity, and was evaluated according to the skin sclerosis extension and the presence of lung fibrosis and/or of pulmonary hypertension.

[Patient compliance with drug therapy in temporal arteritis].

Objective: To evaluate patient compliance with drug therapy in temporal arteritis and to determine the characteristics of compliant or non-compliant patients.

Methods: Inpatients and outpatients from an Internal Medicine Unit were interviewed. Compliance with drug dosage and administration time was assessed with a questionnaire for the following drugs: glucocorticoids, calcium, vitamin D, diphosphonates (prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis).

[Antiphospholipid antibodies in HELLP syndrome: clinical and biological study in 68 women].

Purpose: Pregnancy complicated by the HELLP syndrome and antiphospholipid syndrome have rarely been reported. We report a study on anticardiolipin antibodies in HELLP syndrome.

Methods: Between March 1996 and September 1999, anticardiolipin antibodies were checked in all women with HELLP syndrome hospitalised in a maternity of the North of France.

Interstitial lung disease in polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Objectives: To assess prevalence, characteristics, and long-term outcome of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). To determine predictive variables of ILD course in PM/DM, and to define both clinical and biochemical features associated with ILD onset in PM/DM.

Methods: The medical records of 156 consecutive PM/DM patients in 3 medical centers were reviewed.

[Cogan syndrome or sarcoidosis?].

Introduction: The Cogan's syndrome is characterized by the association of vestibulo-auditory dysfunction, non syphilitic interstitial keratitis or another significant inflammatory eye lesion. Some authors consider this disease as a vasculitis, because it is frequently associated with systemic manifestations. Based on Cogan's diagnostic criteria, Cogan's syndrome may be part of other systemic diseases, as polyarteritis nodosa or Wegener's granulomatosis.