Low-field magnetic resonance imaging study on carpal arthritis in systemic sclerosis--low-grade erosive arthritis of carpal bones is an unexpected and frequent disease manifestation.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of subclinical arthritis of carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Low-field (0.2 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in consecutive patients with SSc attending our center between January 2010 and March 2011.

Endocardial and myocardial involvement in systemic sclerosis--is there a relevant inflammatory component?

Objectives: Myocardial manifestations of systemic sclerosis are mainly due to fibrotic remodeling. We report on two cases, where an endocardial and myocardial inflammation may be a relevant component of cardiac disease.

Case Series: Case 1 presented with fulminant tricuspid failure in the absence of pulmonary hypertension and with newly developing systemic sclerosis.

[Clinical presentation of tuberculosis in routine practice].

Since the beginning of the biologics era tuberculosis is known to be a potential life-threatening complication during treatment of patients with rheumatic diseases. National and international societies have developed recommendations for tuberculosis screening and treatment of patients at risk for development of tuberculosis. Owing to the relative rareness of overt tuberculosis in patients with rheumatic diseases, the experience of individual rheumatologists with this complication is limited.

Update on the profile of the EUSTAR cohort: an analysis of the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research group database.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disease requiring multicentre collaboration to reveal comprehensive details of disease-related causes for morbidity and mortality.

Methods: The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) group initiated a database to prospectively gather key data of patients with SSc using a minimal essential dataset that was reorganised in 2008 introducing new items. Baseline visit data of patients who were registered between 2004 and 2011 were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Arthritis in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue diseases characterised by excessive thickening of the dermis in addition to affection of internal organs. Many patients experience musculoskeletal symptoms, but arthritis is still considered to be a rare manifestation. Therefore, we analysed a cohort of SSc patients in our department and related the findings to published data.