Antibodies to urinary tract pathogens in patients with spinal cord lesions.

Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is a significant problem or patients with spinal cord lesions (SCL). UTIs are thought to be a major factor in the development of reduced renal function. To investigate the pathogenesis 151 patients with SCL were included in this study during a 7 year period.

Follow-up of 151 patients with high-titer U1RNP antibodies.

We performed a longitudinal follow-up study of clinical findings in 151 patients with high-titer antibodies against U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1RNP) as measured by haemagglutination. Formal connective tissue disease (CTD) diagnoses were assigned and diagnostic transitions analysed. One-hundred eighteen females and 33 males entered the study; the mean duration of follow-up was 7.

Vitamin D3 metabolism in patients with rheumatic diseases: low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2 D3) has been shown to modulate lymphocyte activation in vitro. Through binding to specific receptors 1,25-(OH)2 D3 inhibits proliferation, immunoglobulin production and the release of cytokines. Moreover, 1,25-(OH)2 D3 is efficiently produced by activated monocytes.

An 8-year follow-up study of pulmonary function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To evaluate longitudinal alterations in pulmonary function, 63 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with previously reported reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity were re-examined in an 8-year follow-up study. Cross-sectional examination revealed normal values for vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and diffusing capacity per litre alveolar volume (KCO). Total diffusing capacity (DLCO; P < 0.

6-Thioguanine nucleotide accumulation in erythrocytes during azathioprine treatment for systemic connective tissue diseases: a possible index for monitoring treatment.

Background: Owing to adverse pharmacokinetics, azathioprine treatment may fail to induce a satisfactory clinical response in systemic connective tissue diseases. The major intracellular cytotoxic metabolites of azathioprine are 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6TGNs).

Methods: To assess whether the erythrocyte accumulation of 6TGN is a clinically applicable index for monitoring azathioprine treatment, erythrocyte accumulation of 6TGN was measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 12), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 7), polyarteritis nodosa (n = 2), myositis (n = 1), or leukocytoclastic vasculitis (n = 1).