Th17/Treg imbalance in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism and resistant hypertension.

Introduction: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in blood pressure regulation. Data on experimental models of hypertension and hypertensive patients reflect the imbalance between T regulatory (Treg) and Th17 effector cells (Th17).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify peripheral blood Treg lymphocytes and Th17 subsets in individuals with primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) and resistant hypertension (RHT) presenting with elevated blood pressure levels and augmented cardiovascular risk when compared with normotensive controls (CTRL).

Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) consensus statement regarding labels and definitions of disease states of gout.

Objective: There is a lack of standardisation in the terminology used to describe gout. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus statement describing the recommended nomenclature for disease states of gout.

Methods: A content analysis of gout-related articles from rheumatology and general internal medicine journals published over a 5-year period identified potential disease states and the labels commonly assigned to them.

Gout, Hyperuricemia, and Crystal-Associated Disease Network Consensus Statement Regarding Labels and Definitions for Disease Elements in Gout.

Objective: The language currently used to describe gout lacks standardization. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus statement on the labels and definitions used to describe the basic disease elements of gout.

Methods: Experts in gout (n = 130) were invited to participate in a Delphi exercise and face-to-face consensus meeting to reach consensus on the labeling and definitions for the basic disease elements of gout.

Temperament traits, social support, and trauma symptoms among HIV/AIDS and chronic pain patients.

The main goal of our study was to investigate and compare the relationship between temperament traits postulated by the Regulative Theory of Temperament (RTT) and social support dimensions with the level of trauma symptoms, as appear in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in an HIV/AIDS patient sample [HIV+ (=182) and AIDS (=128)] and in patients suffering from chronic pain (rheumatoid arthritis; =150). The level of trauma symptoms was assessed with the PTSD Factorial Version Inventory (PTSD-F), temperament was measured with the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour-Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), and social support was tested with the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS). Significant predictors of trauma symptoms among participants were temperament traits (emotional reactivity, perseveration, and sensory sensitivity), and social support dimensions (perceived support, need for support, support seeking, and actually received support).

Sex differences in trauma symptoms, body image and intensity of pain in a Polish sample of patients suffering from chronic pain.

The main goal of the current study was to investigate sex differences in the relationship between the level of trauma symptoms appearing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intensity of pain in a sample of 300 Polish patients suffering from chronic pain, specifically rheumatoid arthritis and lower back pain. We also focused on participants' body image with body esteem as a mediator. To assess the intensity of pain among participants, we used the Numerical Rating Scale.