Ruxolitinib for Refractory Macrophage Activation Syndrome Complicating Adult-Onset Still's Disease.

Macrophage activation syndrome is the most frequent life-threatening complication of adult-onset Still's disease. This is a nearly fatal case of a young patient, which has been refractory to corticoste- roids, anakinra, tocilizumab, cyclosporine A, and etoposide, but eventually responded miraculously to salvage therapy with ruxolitinib. We review recent pertinent data related to the therapeutic value of ruxolitinib for macrophage activation syndrome triggered by adult-onset Still's disease.

All-cause hospitalizations in systemic lupus erythematosus from a single medical center in Israel.

Objective: Clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been described from different geographical regions in the world. The aim of this study was to obtain local and contemporary data on all-cause hospitalizations of SLE patients in an Israeli Medical Center.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational single-center study.

The impact of concomitant fibromyalgia on visual analogue scales of pain, fatigue and function in patients with various rheumatic disorders.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of concomitant fibromyalgia on the rating of pain, fatigue, and dysfunction, in patients with various rheumatic disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a hospital-based rheumatology unit. Standard clinical and laboratory data were obtained and all patients completed questionnaires on pain, fatigue, and daily function.

Visual Analogue Scales of Pain, Fatigue and Function in Patients with Various Rheumatic Disorders Receiving Standard Care.

Background: Pain, fatigue and functional disability are common key outcomes in most rheumatologic disorders. While many studies have assessed the outcomes of specific disease states, few have compared the outcomes of various rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To assess how the intensity and rating of pain, fatigue and functional disability vary among groups of patients with various rheumatic disorders receiving standard care.

Increased ERK and JNK activation and decreased ERK/JNK ratio are associated with long-term organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The activities of two mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), correlate with disease severity in SLE patients. Whether they are also associated with long-term organ damage is unknown. The aim of the present work was to determine whether impaired expression and activity of ERK and JNK correlate with long-term damage in SLE.

Anti-neutrophil antibody associated vasculitis in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: To report 3 cases ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) that developed in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to review previously reported cases.

Methods: We describe 3 patients diagnosed with SSc who developed severe AAV that presented as crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) and/or alveolar hemorrhage. A retrospective review of the literature was performed using the PubMed database.

Can fibromyalgia be associated with whiplash injury? A 3-year follow-up study.

The objective of this study is to assess the long-term outcome and natural history of a cohort of patients with whiplash injury regarding the development of fibromyalgia. Of the 153 patients who were admitted to the emergency room after whiplash injury in 2004, 126 were reassessed 3 years later. Also, 33 of 53 patients from the original control group of hospitalized patients with fractures were reevaluated.

Neck injury and fibromyalgia-- are they really associated?

Objective: To investigate whether whiplash injury may be a trigger for the onset of fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: One hundred fifty-three patients presenting to the emergency room with the diagnosis of whiplash injury were examined. The control group included 53 patients hospitalized with fractures of the limbs, spine, and ribs due to road accident.

The effect of balneotherapy on osteoarthritis. Is an intermittent regimen effective?

Background: Balneotherapy is used as a treatment modality for various musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent balneotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Seventy-two patients with knee OA were included in the study.