Outcomes and Complications of Corticosteroid Injection of Rheumatoid Nodules.

Objective: Rheumatoid nodules (RN), a classic cutaneous extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, can often cause discomfort or cosmetic embarrassment. This research determined the effectiveness and complications of corticosteroid injection of the RN.

Methods: Using a repeated measure design, 66 consecutive symptomatic RN were measured, underwent corticosteroid injection with 1 to 2mL of a 50:50 mixture of 1% lidocaine and triamcinolone acetonide (20-40mg), and then reassessed at four months for softening, reduction in size, and complications, including infection.

Systemic sclerosis in Native Americans of the American Southwest.

Objective: Many indigenous non-Caucasian populations, including Native Americans, have been reported to have higher rates, distinct clinical phenotypes, increased complications, and greater severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, little is known of SSc specifically in Native Americans of the American Southwest. This study compared the clinical and serologic manifestations and outcomes of SSc in Native Americans and non-Native Americans (non-Natives) of this region.

Statin-associated immune-mediated necrotizing myositis in Native Americans.

Objectives: Statin-associated immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) and idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) are myopathies with overlapping features. This study compared the manifestations of IMNM to IIM in Native Americans.

Method: Twenty-one Native American patients with inflammatory myopathy (IM) were characterized as to diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, statin exposure, myopathy diagnosis, muscle histology, autoimmune and myositis-specific autoantibodies, therapy and outcome.

Intraarticular injection of the interphalangeal joint for therapy of digital mucoid cysts.

Mucoid cysts are associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the digital joints and frequently recur after needle drainage, injection, or surgical ablation. This study determined whether intraarticular injection of the adjacent interphalangeal joint rather than the cyst itself might be effective in resolving digital mucoid cysts. Using paired case series design and sterile technique, 25 consecutive OA digital joints with an adjacent mucoid cyst underwent dorsal non-transtendinous intraarticular injection with a 25-gauge needle and 20-mg triamcinolone acetonide, followed by puncture and manual expression of cyst fluid.