Clinical and laboratory pattern of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus seropositive for rheumatoid factor.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between the presence and level of rheumatoid factor (RF) in the blood serum and the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Material And Methods: This retrospective tricentric cross-sectional study analyzed a Ukrainian contingent of SLE patients. Medical records of 495 patients were evaluated.

IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis with acute kidney injury: a case report and literature review.

IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare cause of renal dysfunction that usually manifests as obstructive nephropathy (sometimes with extrarenal manifestations). Due to the non-specific symptoms at the onset of the disease and often latent course, special laboratory and instrumental examination methods are usually needed to establish a diagnosis. The article describes a clinical case of a relapse of IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis in a 53-year-old patient, who developed bilateral ureterohydronephrosis with postrenal acute kidney injury after the withdrawal of glucocorticoid therapy.

Sex-related differences in plasma amino acids of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and glycine as risk marker of acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Nowadays, the problem of preventing acute heart failure (AHF) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (pLVEF) is still not completely resolved, especially in late-presented patients. The purpose of study was: (1) assessment of free plasma amino acid (PAA) alterations in STEMI patients [not receiving reperfusion therapy (RT)], depending on sex and LVEF; (2) analysis of development of late/persistent AHF more than 48 h after admission (pAHF) in STEMI patients with pLVEF depending on PAA levels. This prospective cohort study included 92 STEMI patients (33 women and 59 men), not receiving RT.

Bone turnover biomarkers, disease activity, and MRI changes of sacroiliac joints in patients with spondyloarthritis.

The lack of valid biomarkers in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) requires searching for additional options to increase sacroiliac joint (SIJ) evaluation effectiveness. We assessed the serum levels of bone turnover markers and their relationships with active and chronic changes in SIJs using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), indices, and laboratory parameters of disease activity in SpA patients. 102 patients with SpA and 15 healthy subjects were included.

Clinical presentation, imaging and response to interferon-alpha therapy in Erdheim-Chester disease: case-based review.

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis associated with BRAFV600E mutations in more than 50% of cases and presenting with 95% with skeletal lesions. However, cutaneous, pulmonary, large vessels and central nervous system involvement can also occur. We report a case of a 25-year-old woman who was admitted in 2018 for exploration of diffuse bone pain and rashes on the face.

Improved clinical, functional and work outcomes in spondyloarthritides during real-life adalimumab treatment in central-eastern Europe.

Aim: Adalimumab effectiveness on clinical, functional and work-related outcomes was evaluated in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis treated in routine clinical practice in central-eastern Europe.

Methods: Patients (n = 555) were followed for 12 months. Primary end point was percentage of patients with a treatment response (≥50% decrease from baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index or ≥1.