The multidisciplinary approach to eosinophilia.

Eosinophilic granulocytes are normally present in low numbers in the bloodstream. Patients with an increased number of eosinophilic granulocytes in the differential count (eosinophilia) are common and can pose a clinical challenge because conditions with eosinophilia occur in all medical specialties. The diagnostic approach must be guided by a thorough medical history, supported by specific tests to guide individualized treatment.

A retrospective cohort study of patients with eosinophilia referred to a tertiary centre.

Introduction: Patients with eosinophilia (an increased number of eosinophilic granulocytes > 0.5 × 10⁸/l in the blood) are encountered in all medical specialties and frequently need thorough workup to identify the eliciting causes and decide whether treatment is indicated. In Denmark, highly specialised centres for eosinophilic diseases or conditions have been established to provide a foundation for the management of complicated cases.

Use and utility of serologic tests for rheumatoid arthritis in primary care.

Introduction: In this retrospective, register-based population study, we evaluated if anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) is a better choice than immunoglobulin M rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) in primary care when rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is suspected, as it determines predictive values in real-life settings. Furthermore, the study described ordering patterns to investigate the benefit of repeated testing.

Methods: Test result, requisitioning unit, test date and the patient's social security number were collected from the Department of Clinical Immunology at Odense University Hospital in 2007-2016 and merged with patient diagnoses from the Danish National Patient Registry.

Incidences of overall and site specific cancers in TNFα inhibitor treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritides - a follow-up study from the DANBIO Registry.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of cancer in arthritis patients treated with or without TNFα inhibitors (TNF-I).

Methods: Arthritis patients from the DANBIO database were followed-up for cancer in the Danish Cancer Registry during 2000-2008.

Results: Hazard ratio for cancer overall was 1.

Bone edema on magnetic resonance imaging is an independent predictor of rheumatoid arthritis development in patients with early undifferentiated arthritis.

Objective: To study magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with early undifferentiated arthritis (UA).

Methods: Patients (n = 116) without a specific rheumatologic diagnosis, but with ≥2 tender joints and/or ≥2 swollen joints among the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, wrist, or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints for >6 weeks but <24 months, underwent clinical, biochemical, conventional radiographic, and MRI examinations and were followed up for >12 months for the final diagnosis of RA or non-RA. Based on univariate analyses, clinical, biochemical, and imaging parameters were selected for inclusion as explanatory variables in multiple logistic regression analysis, with development of RA as the dependent variable.

Tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors are glucocorticoid-sparing in rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease with autoimmune traits of unknown aetiology which primarily affects synovial joints. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are still widely used in RA treatment despite the expanding use of targeted and very efficient agents. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of treatment with tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) on GC utilization in real-life practice among Danish RA patients.

Uncoupling of collagen II metabolism in newly diagnosed, untreated rheumatoid arthritis is linked to inflammation and antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between markers of collagen II synthesis and degradation with disease activity measures, autoantibodies, and radiographic outcomes in a 4-year protocol on patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are naïve to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Methods: One hundred sixty patients with newly diagnosed, untreated RA entered the Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, Steroid in RA (CIMESTRA) trial. Disease activity and radiograph status were measured at baseline and 4 years.

Circulating surfactant protein -D is low and correlates negatively with systemic inflammation in early, untreated rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a collectin with immuno-regulatory functions, which may depend on oligomerization. Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties have been attributed to multimeric SP-D variants, while trimeric subunits per se have been suggested to enhance inflammation. Previously, we reported low circulating SP-D in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the present investigation aims to extend these data by serial SP-D serum measurements, studies on synovial fluid, SP-D size distribution and genotyping in patients with early RA.

[Carotinaemia in patient with excessive beta-carotene food-intake and dysregulated diabetes mellitus].

A case of carotinaemia in a patient with excessive beta-carotene food-intake, diabetes mellitus and physiological amenorrhea is reported. The patient developed yellow discolouration in the palms and the soles of her feet. Blood samples showed a significantly increased lever of serum beta-carotene, but normal vitamine A value and liver enzymes.

[Smoking--a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis development].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disabling inflammatory joint disease of unknown aetiology. Genetic and environmental factors are implicated in its pathogenesis. We performed a literature search on MEDLINE, the Cochrane database and EMBASE on the interaction between smoking and RA.

Do rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical practice benefit from switching from infliximab to a second tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor?

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of switching to a second biological drug in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Since 2000, Danish RA patients (n = 1021) receiving biological therapy have been registered in the nationwide DANBIO database. The first and second treatment series of patients, who switched therapy before 2005 (n = 235), were analysed for their reasons for switching, Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), DAS28 improvement, European League against Rheumatology (EULAR) response and drug survival.

[Early referral and treatment of patients with acute arthritis. Experiences from two early arthritis clinics].

Introduction: Our aim was to describe the referral pattern among patients admitted to early arthritis clinics (EAC) in the counties of Funen and South Jutland, Denmark.

Materials And Methods: In order to accelerate the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis (RA), general practitioners, rheumatology specialists and neighbouring hospital departments were invited to refer to the EAC patients who had synovitis in at least one joint lasting more than 6 weeks but less than 12 months.

Results: 226 patients were admitted.