Epidemiological profile of patients with extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis from the city of Curitiba, south of Brazil.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiological profile of patients with extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (ExRA) from an university-affiliated rheumatology center; to report the prevalence of ExRA and to compare it with available data; and to identify, if possible, ExRA predictors.

Methods: This study reviewed 262 medical charts of patients previously diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria, and attending that rheumatology center in 2010. The statistical analysis comprised simple mathematical calculations, Student t and chi-square tests, and a significance level of 5% (α= 0.

Musculoskeletal disorders in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a great variety of musculoskeletal manifestations, many of which are subclinical and correlated with disease duration and its inadequate control. They should be recognized and treated properly, because their management improves the patients' quality of life. This review discusses the major musculoskeletal manifestations found in diabetes mellitus.

Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by etanercept: two case reports and literature review.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine, and its excess can lead to severe consequences. Those effects are known to be antagonized by TNF-alpha inhibitors. Etanercept is a fusion protein that inhibits TNF-alpha action.

Anti-RO anti-LA anti-RNP antibodies and eletrocardiogram's PR interval in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Children born from mothers with anti-Ro La or RNP autoantibodies may develop neonatal lupus. One of the manifestations of neonatal lupus is congenital atrio ventricular block.

Objective: To study EKG PR interval in adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with anti-Ro anti-La and anti-RNP autoantibodies.