The prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in a population-based study in Hungary.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a skeletal disease characterized by ligamentous ossification of the antero-lateral side of the spine. The prevalence of DISH was studied in a cross-sectional, population-based study of Hungarian men and women, 50 years and over. The study was based on an analysis of the lateral thoracic and lateral lumbar radiographs of 635 persons recruited from a population register in Budapest, Hungary.

[Prevalence of vertebral deformity in Hungary: the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study].

Prevalence and distribution of vertebral deformity regarded as classic marker of osteoporosis are reported on the basis of the results of the first Hungarian cross-sectional population-based survey. The clinical-epidemiological project is conducted by the National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy in Hungary in the frame of the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study which comprises 19 countries and 36 centres. A random sample of 324 females and 300 males aged 50 years and over stratified in 5-year age bands was recruited.

[Prevalence and risk factors in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in a population sample in Hungary].

The aim of the study was to get some information on the epidemiology and etiology of DISH which is a frequent, chronic, benign musculoskeletal disease. In order to investigate the epidemiology of DISH the authors planned a population-based cross-sectional study and to investigate the etiology of the disease they planned a case-control study. The prevalence of DISH in Hungary in men over the age of 50 years is 5.

Interleukin 6 levels in synovial fluids of patients with different arthritides: correlation with local IgM rheumatoid factor and systemic acute phase protein production.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine particularly active in regulation of the acute phase response, governs the terminal maturation of B lymphocytes and participates in early activation of T cells. IL-6 levels of synovial fluids of 153 patients with different arthritides were measured by a simple sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Highest IL-6 concentrations were detected in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in those characterized by very active general symptoms and severe joint pain.