2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE score predicts future lupus hospital admission and costs.

Objective: To test the ability of the 2019 EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria for SLE score to predict lupus related hospitalization and overall cost of hospitalization.

Methods: 217 University of Kentucky patient records that met our preliminary inclusion criteria, 44 patients were selected by a random number generator algorithm for a thorough chart review to collect data needed for calculation of the 2019 EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria for SLE score. Total hospitalization cost was calculated by using hospital adjusted expenses per inpatient day data, which estimates the expense incurred by the hospital to provide services and thus removes the variability of charges and reimbursements introduced by insurance type.

Stratification of COVID-19 Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure for Response to High-Flow Nasal Cannula: A Retrospective Observational Study.

In patients with COVID-19, high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are widely applied as initial treatments for moderate-to-severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. The aim of the study was to assess which respiratory supports improve 28-day mortality and to identify a predictive index of treatment response. This is a single-center retrospective observational study including 159 consecutive adult patients with COVID-19 and moderate-to-severe hypoxemic acute respiratory failure.

Pain threshold and temporomandibular function in systemic sclerosis: comparison with psoriatic arthritis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a reduced pain threshold is associated with increased temporomandibular dysfunction in systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and healthy controls. Ninety subjects participated in the study (30 SSc, 30 PsA, and 30 healthy controls). The Helkimo index was used to evaluate temporomandibular dysfunction.

Two mutations associated with macrolide resistance in Treponema pallidum: increasing prevalence and correlation with molecular strain type in Seattle, Washington.

Background: Although azithromycin promised to be a safe and effective single-dose oral treatment of early syphilis, azithromycin treatment failure has been documented and is associated with mutations in the 23S rDNA of corresponding Treponema pallidum strains. The prevalence of strains harboring these mutations varies throughout the United States and the world. We examined T.

Primer: pitfalls of aspiration and injection.

This review on joint aspiration and injection focuses on three common clinical problems: how to deal with 'dry taps', especially when a septic joint is suspected in the differential diagnosis; how to avoid rare complications associated with these techniques; and how to reduce pain in patients who are particularly sensitive. Solutions to these problems are proposed, and although no new data or insights are provided, this article could be used as a noncomprehensive check list for trainee rheumatologists. This review focuses on the knee, because of the common appearance of septic joints in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory knee effusion, and the paramount importance of septic joints in this setting.

Another look at synovial fluid leukocytosis and infection.

Synovial fluid white blood cell counts are considered to be useful in diagnosing infectious arthritis, however, considerable overlap exists between infectious and noninfectious types of inflammatory arthritis. We undertook this review of synovial fluid studies at our institution to better define this degree of overlap and characterize the features of infectious arthritis in relationship to synovial fluid white cell counts. The records of 202 consecutive patients with synovial fluid white blood cell counts >2000/mm were reviewed.

Treatment of skeletal Erdheim-Chester disease with zoledronic acid: case report and proposed mechanisms of action.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by tissue infiltration of lipid-laden macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes. The disease typically involves long bone, but may also affect the central nervous system, the orbit, retroperitoneal organs, and the lungs. Patients with visceral involvement tend to have poorer outcome.

Hydroxychloroquine concentration-response relationships in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: A dose-response relationship for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in terms of the proportion of patients achieving the Paulus 20% criteria for improvement, had previously been observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving a 6-week loading regimen of 400, 800, or 1,200 mg HCQ daily. This present retrospective analysis was performed to investigate possible relationships between the blood HCQ and HCQ-metabolite concentrations and measures of efficacy and toxicity. In addition, we sought to ascertain whether further investigation of HCQ/HCQ-metabolite levels might lead to testing of one of these substances as a new antirheumatic drug.