(1) Introduction: Patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) face a higher infectious risk compared to the general population. As per the ACR and EULAR recommendations, vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, pneumococci, and tetanus are recommended for most patients with AIIRD. (2) Objectives: This study aimed to assess vaccination coverage among Polish AIIRD patients and identify factors influencing it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APSs), also called autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, are a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by the co-occurrence of dysfunctions of several (at least two) endocrine glands. They develop under the influence of environmental factors in genetically predisposed people. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes may accompany autoimmune rheumatic diseases and worsen their course - APS-2 and APS-3 are the most common.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To present the rheumatological manifestations of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) and describe how they differ from primary systemic connective tissue diseases.
Methods: Description of 7 patients with cGVHD with symptoms resembling Sjögren's syndrome and scleroderma, with a critical review of the literature.
Results: 7 patients treated at the hematology department, who developed cGVHD with present antinuclear antibodies, were referred to the rheumatology department for further evaluation.
Introduction: ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) is a group of rare disorders where inflammation and damage of the small blood vessels lead to dysfunction of the supplied organs. In severe flares of the disease patients may require intensive care unit (ICU) admission and treatment. The study aims to characterize Polish patients with AAV who were admitted to the ICU and compare them to the others.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors report a case of a 67-year-old woman with giant cell arteritis with acute Achilles tendon rupture, which occurred after 3 days of levofloxacin therapy introduced because of newly diagnosed erosive gastritis associated with infection. The Achilles tendon rupture was surgically treated and the patient made a complete recovery. In view of the widespread use of levofloxacin in practice, this case report raises important clinical implications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Observational studies provide insights into real-life situations. Therefore, we assessed the effects of oral avocado/soybean unsaponifiable (ASU) capsules on pain relief and functional ability in patients, while they were receiving a routine treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Material And Methods: An open, prospective, observational 6-month study was conducted in 99 centers in Poland in a group of 4822 patients with symptomatic knee OA receiving one 300 mg ASU capsule/day as a routine medication.