Newly Diagnosed SLE With APLS and Right Atrial Thrombus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder manifesting in myriad of forms and could affect almost any body system or organ. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is a relatively common scenario in SLE. Both arterial and venous thrombosis is a hallmark feature of APLS.

Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in ankylosing spondylitis.

Purpose Of Review: To review the recent literature on the prevalence of osteoporosis, risk of vertebral fractures, and the recent advances in the treatment of osteoporosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Recent Findings: Newer data suggest that the prevalence of osteoporosis is 25% and vertebral fractures is 10% in patients with AS. New advances in the field of osteoimmunology help explain the trabecular bone loss and generalized osteoporosis linked to increased expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANK-L) due to pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the simultaneous new bone formation (e.