Evidence of a genetic background predisposing to complex regional pain syndrome type 1.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) is a rare, disabling and sometimes chronic disorder usually arising after a trauma. This exploratory study examined whether patients with chronic CRPS-1 have a different genetic profile compared with those who do not have the condition.

Methods: Exome sequencing was performed to seek altered non-synonymous SNP allele frequencies in a discovery cohort of well-characterised patients with chronic CRPS-1 (n34) compared with population databases.

Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease that is highly heterogeneous in its presentation. This can pose significant challenges for physicians responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of such patients. SLE arises from a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors.

Acute brachial neuritis following influenza vaccination.

Brachial neuritis following vaccination is an uncommon but clinically important presentation of severe shoulder and arm pain associated with globally reduced range of movement. It may be confused with the more common diagnoses of rotator cuff pathology, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), shoulder arthritis or cervical spondylosis. We present a case of acute brachial neuritis, which posed a clinical diagnostic challenge to emergency, acute medical and rheumatology clinicians.