Scleroderma-like syndrome in a woman with silicone breast implants - case report and critical review of the literature.

Various silicon compounds have been reported to stimulate autoimmune reactions in the human body. Based on case reports, a possible causal association between silicone breast implants and systemic sclerosis has been suggested since the end of the 1970s. Although the relationship between systemic sclerosis and silicone breast implants has been intensely investigated, no clear evidence of such an association has ever been found in epidemiological studies.

EULAR definition of erosive disease in light of the 2010 ACR/EULAR rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria.

The aim of this report was to propose a definition for erosive disease in the context of inflammatory arthritis in light of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) criteria for use in clinical practice and studies. A EULAR task force was formed including 16 rheumatologists and one rheumatology fellow. The process was both evidence based and consensus based, and included, between March 2010 and April 2012, analyses of data from two cohorts, two face-to-face meetings, one online voting and one teleconference.

Comparison of recommendations for the use of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in ankylosing spondylitis in 23 countries worldwide.

Objective: To give an overview of the recommendations for the use of anti-TNF-α therapy in AS in 23 countries worldwide.

Methods: The recommendations were collected, translated and a summary was checked by Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) members from the respective countries. The recommendations were compared with the ASAS recommendations (2006) on three aspects: patient selection for initiation of treatment (diagnosis, disease activity, previous treatment and contraindications), assessment of disease and assessment of response.

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis to Target: multinational recommendations assessment questionnaire.

Aim: To measure the level of agreement and application of 10 international recommendations for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to a target of remission/low disease activity.

Methods: A 10-point Likert scale (1=fully disagree, 10=fully agree) measured the level of agreement with each of 10 recommendations. A 4-point Likert scale (never, not very often, very often, always) assessed the degree to which each recommendation was being applied in current daily practice.

The 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis: Phase 2 methodological report.

Objective: The American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism have developed new classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of Phase 2 of the development process was to achieve expert consensus on the clinical and laboratory variables that should contribute to the final criteria set.

Methods: Twenty-four expert RA clinicians (12 from Europe and 12 from North America) participated in Phase 2.

2010 Rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.

Objective: The 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR; formerly, the American Rheumatism Association) classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been criticized for their lack of sensitivity in early disease. This work was undertaken to develop new classification criteria for RA.

Methods: A joint working group from the ACR and the European League Against Rheumatism developed, in 3 phases, a new approach to classifying RA.

2010 rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.

Objective: The 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR; formerly the American Rheumatism Association) classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been criticised for their lack of sensitivity in early disease. This work was undertaken to develop new classification criteria for RA.

Methods: A joint working group from the ACR and the European League Against Rheumatism developed, in three phases, a new approach to classifying RA.

[Social and economic aspects of osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. The incidence of the disease increases with age. Demographic forecasts predict aging of the population and an increase in the obesity rate in the society, the factors that contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.