Assessing the risk of rapid radiographic progression in Hungarian rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: The outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be determined early. Rapid radiological progression (RRP) is > or = 5 units increase according to the van der Heijde-Sharp score within a year. The risk of RRP can be estimated by a matrix model using non-radiographic indicators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and swollen joint count (SJC).

[Ten-year fracture risk by FRAX(®) of women with osteoporosis attending osteoporosis care in Hungary].

Introduction: Identification of patients with high fracture risk is a key-point in osteoporosis care.

Aim: To assess the fracture risk among osteoporotic women attending osteoporosis care in Hungary.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2009 in 11 centres among women with osteoporosis aged ≥50 years.

Application of ionomer cement onto the stapedial footplate: impact on the perilymphatic aluminum level.

Objectives/hypothesis: From an acoustic aspect, fixation of the medial end of an ossicular replacement prosthesis to the stapedial footplate would be desirable. Technically, ionomer cement seems an ideal material for this purpose. The objective was to determine the aluminum level of the perilymph after the application of ionomer cement on the stapedial footplate.

[Convulsions in neonatal period and infancy with rare etiology (neurogenetic disease)].

Authors summarized the etiology of convulsions in neonatal period and infancy (hypoxia, intracranial hemorrhage, infections of central nervous system, metabolic background, chromosomal abnormalities, brain developmental abnormalities, benign neonatal convulsions, benign neonatal familial convulsions, drug withdrawal, inborn error of metabolism). They suggest screening examinations after convulsion, summarized the basic principle of tandem examination and review a proposal at suspicion of inborn error of enzyme defects (aminoacidemias, defects of fatty acid oxidation, organic acidemias). They present case history of two patients suffered in extraordinary inborn error of enzyme defect (SCO2 gene mutation, propionic acidemia).

Calcaneous quantitative ultrasound measurements predicts vertebral fractures in idiopathic male osteoporosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the differences in ultrasound bone variables (QUS) and to test the ability to discriminate male patients with and without vertebral fractures.

Methods: We therefore measured broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) matched for bone mineral density (BMD) and vertebral deformity in idiopathic male osteoporosis.

Results: One hundred and seventeen men (age 56.

[The role of biologic agents in the therapy of ankylosing spondylitis].

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease which etiology and pathogenesis are not yet fully understood. The inflammation involves the spine and also the peripheral joints might be affected in some cases resulting in a progressive ankylosis, restricted mobility, significant disability, loss of productivity and decreased quality of life. Gene technology based new drugs of the past decade, the biologic agents, offer an alternative opportunity for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in comparison with the previous drugs with doubtful efficiency.

Comparison of the femoral neck bone density, quantitative ultrasound and bone density of the heel between dominant and non-dominant side.

Our study was initiated to evaluate whether there are differences between the two sides, depending on hand dominance, in densitometry values and quantitative ultrasound parameters (QUS) of the lower limb. One hundred and six women and 44 men were involved. The hand dominance was determined by interview.

[Effect of cigarette smoking on bone quality parameters in women].

Introduction: Smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis. In a previous study, the authors showed lower bone density among smokers in a group of postmenopausal women.

Aims: After this finding, the primary goal of current research was to investigate how smoking could influence bone quality.

Increased bone fracture prevalence in postmenopausal women suffering from pollen-allergy.

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate whether pollen-allergy can affect bone mass and fractures in postmenopausal women.

Methods: A total of 125 postmenopausal pollen-allergic women (mean age: 61.26 yr) were split into four groups: (1) treated with neither H1 histamine receptor (H1R) antagonist nor inhaled corticosteroid (n=43); (2) treated only with H1R antagonist (n=53); (3) treated with both H1R antagonist and inhaled corticosteroid (n=17); (4) treated with only inhaled corticosteroid (n=12).

[Effects of body mass index on bone mineral density in men].

Introduction: A strong positive association between body mass index and bone mineral density is well defined in postmenopausal osteoporosis, but not in men.

Aims: The primary goal of the current research was to investigate this association in case of men.

Methods: According to WHO criteria (T-score below -1.

The effect of intranasal salmon calcitonin therapy on bone mineral density in idiopathic male osteoporosis without vertebral fractures--an open label study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of intranasal salmon calcitonin therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in idiopathic male osteoporosis without vertebral fractures. We conducted a randomized, open label, controlled trial in 71 male patients (mean age 59 +/- 6 years) suffering from idiopathic osteoporosis (femoral neck T-score < -2.5) without vertebral deformity.

[Vertebral deformities and the underlying diseases].

The purpose of this review was to summarise the causes of vertebral deformity. Osteoporosis as the most frequent disease lies in the background of vertebral deformity which is the most common type of fractures. Vertebrae cannot resist mechanical loadings so they deform and/or break because of their decreased mineral density and changed trebecular microarchitecture.

[The role of adrenal and gonadal hormones in the pathogenesis of autoimmune polyarthritis].

A growing body of recently published results suggest the role of adrenal androgens in the onset and development of chronic inflammatory process due to autoantigens. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA)--the major androgen products of the adrenal gland--have immunosuppressive effect inhibiting interleukin-6 production and substantially determining acute phase reaction. Decreased serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS has been observed in most of autoimmune diseases.