Performance of hand radiographs in predicting the diagnosis in patients with early arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of baseline hand radiographs to predict the diagnosis 2 years later in a cohort of patients with early arthritis.

Methods: A total of 258 patients with arthritis onset within the previous year were evaluated. At baseline, all patients underwent a standardized evaluation including laboratory tests and radiographs.

Is fibromyalgia a muscle disorder?

The presence of abnormalities in fibromyalgia muscle using current methodological approaches is well established. The more serious abnormalities are demonstrated by histologic studies particularly on electron microscopy: disorganisation of Z bands and abnormalities in the number and shape of mitochondria. Biochemical studies and P 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy show inconstant abnormalities of ATP and phosphocreatine levels.

Post-fracture osteolysis of the pubic bone simulating a malignancy: report of a case.

Post-fracture osteolysis of the pubic bone is rare. We report a case of a 70-year-old woman with osteoporosis and a history of radiation therapy 2 years earlier. At presentation, she was found to have a bilateral sacral fracture and fractures of both pubic rami on one side.

Ability of foot radiographs to predict rheumatoid arthritis in patients with early arthritis.

Objective: In a cohort of patients with early arthritis, to evaluate how well foot radiographs at study inclusion predicted a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 2 years later.

Methods: A cohort of patients with arthritis of less than one year duration was evaluated in a multicenter study and followed for 30 +/- 11 months. An observer blinded to patient data read all 149 hand and foot radiographs done at study inclusion, using item 7 of the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA and Sharp's method to score erosions and joint space narrowing.

Musculoskeletal manifestations in cystic fibrosis.

Although bone and joint manifestations are common in children with cystic fibrosis (CF), they have received little attention in adults. As compared to healthy individuals, bone mineral density is low, even with calcium intakes greater than 1500 mg/d. Nevertheless, calcium and phosphate levels in blood and urine are often normal, and vitamin D levels vary.

Diagnostic value of radiographs of the hands and feet in early rheumatoid arthritis.

The extent to which radiographs of the hands and feet can contribute to the diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has received little research attention. Yet, the workup for recent-onset inflammatory joint disease usually includes radiographs of the hands and feet. We reviewed the literature for data on the value of these radiographs for diagnosing early RA.

[Effect of stressful life events on clinical development of temporal arteritis and/or polymyalgia rheumatica].

Objectives: To test the hypothesis of an epidemiological relationship between stressful events and the date of emergence of temporal arteritis and/or polymyalgia rheumatica.

Methods: Thirteen patients identified with anatomo-clinical criteria and whose mental state permitted prolonged questioning where included in the survey. A list of 65 events, covering the 2-year period preceding the onset of temporal arteritis and/or polymyalgia rheumatica, was used.

Value of laboratory tests in early prediction of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine which laboratory test or tests at presentation best predicted a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 2 years later.

Methods: Two hundred seventy patients with early arthritis seen in 7 hospitals underwent comprehensive evaluations at 6-month intervals for 2 years, when the diagnosis of RA was assessed by 5 rheumatologists. The sensitivity and specificity of each test at the first visit for discriminating between RA (38%, n = 98) and non-RA patients were determined.