Treatment of neurosarcoidosis: A comparative study of methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the prevention of relapses in neurosarcoidosis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including patients who received MTX or MMF for the treatment of histologically proven neurosarcoidosis. The efficacy of the immunosuppressive drug was assessed by determining the time to relapse.

Long-term outcome of neuro-Behçet's disease.

Objective: To report the long-term outcome of neurologic involvement in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 115 patients who fulfilled the international criteria for BD (57% male; median age 37 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30-46 years]) and had neuro-BD (NBD) after exclusion of cerebral venous thrombosis. Factors associated with relapse of NBD, inability to perform activities of daily living, and mortality were assessed.

Behçet's disease and pregnancy.

Objective: To describe the interplay between Behçet's disease (BD) and pregnancy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 76 pregnancies in 46 patients fulfilling the international criteria for BD. The median age of the patients at the time of entry into the study was 28.

Hydroxychloroquine in systemic lupus erythematosus: results of a French multicentre controlled trial (PLUS Study).

Introduction: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an important medication for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its blood concentration ([HCQ]) varies widely between patients and is a marker and predictor of SLE flares. This prospective randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study sought to compare standard and adjusted HCQ dosing schedules that target [HCQ] ≥1000 ng/ml to reduce SLE flares.

Pseudotumoural presentation of neuro-Behcet's disease: case series and review of literature.

Objective: To describe the pseudotumoural presentation of neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD).

Methods: We report here the main characteristics, treatment and outcome of 23 patients (5 personal cases and 18 patients from the literature) with a pseudotumoural presentation of NBD. Pseudotumoural NBD patients were compared with 69 consecutive patients, with a classical form of NBD.

Cluster analysis of arterial involvement in Takayasu arteritis reveals symmetric extension of the lesions in paired arterial beds.

Objective: The determinants of vessel targeting are largely unknown in vasculitides. This study was undertaken to identify patterns of vascular involvement in Takayasu arteritis (TA), using objective classification of vascular beds. We postulated that cluster analysis could unveil preferential associations between vascular beds commonly affected by TA.

Takayasu arteritis in France: a single-center retrospective study of 82 cases comparing white, North African, and black patients.

We conducted a single-center retrospective study to compare the characteristics of Takayasu arteritis (TA) among white, North African, and black patients in a French tertiary care center (Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris). Eighty-two patients were studied (82.9% female) during a median follow-up of 5.