Near-infrared spectroscopic imaging of the whole hand: A new tool to assess tissue perfusion and peripheral microcirculation in scleroderma.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) causes functional and structural microcirculatory dysfunction, affecting also distal extremities. Optical Near-InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) of blood HbO saturation (stO) is able to evaluate O delivery/consumption balance in the explored tissue. The NIRS-sensitive camera non-invasively detects stO values in superficial tissues, automatically generating 2D-imaging maps in real time.

Assessment of hand superficial oxygenation during ischemia/reperfusion in healthy subjects versus systemic sclerosis patients by 2D near infrared spectroscopic imaging.

Background And Objective: Patients affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop functional and structural microcirculatory dysfunction, which progressively evolves towards systemic tissue fibrosis (sclerosis). Disease initially affects distal extremities, which become preferential sites of diagnostic scrutiny. This pilot investigation tested the hypothesis that peripheral microcirculatory dysfunction in SSc could be non-invasively assessed by 2D Near Infrared Spectroscopic (NIRS) imaging of the hand associated with Vascular Occlusion Testing (VOT).

The waterpolo shoulder paradigm: results of ultrasound surveillance at poolside.

Background: Waterpolo consists of a combination of swimming and throwing with close contact between players. The shoulder is the most frequently injured joint, with a combination of rotator cuff tear and tendinopathy, long head biceps tendinopathy, superior labral lesions and shoulder impingement. This unique combination is a challenge for the clinician who must determine which of these shoulder pathologies is responsible for the onset of pain and the best strategy to rehabilitate the joint and prevent recurrence.

Usefulness of lung ultrasound B-lines in connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: a literature review.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major pulmonary manifestation of connective tissue disease (CTD), leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is presently considered the diagnostic gold standard for pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis and quantification in the clinical arena. However, not negligible doses of ionizing radiation limit the use of HRCT, especially for serial follow-up in younger female patients.

The challenge of the definition of early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a proposal of criteria and red flags from an international initiative promoted by the Italian Society for Rheumatology.

The aim of this study was to establish consensus for potential early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (ESKOA) clinical definition and referral criteria from primary care to rheumatologists, based on available data from literature and a qualitative approach, in order to perform studies on patients fulfilling such criteria and to validate the obtained ESKOA definition. A complex methodological approach was followed including: (1) three focus groups (FG), including expert clinicians, researchers and patients; (2) a systematic literature review (SLR); (3) two discussion groups followed by a Delphi survey. FG and SLR were performed in parallel to inform discussion groups in order to identify relevant constructs to be included in the modified Delphi survey.

Short-term effect of the combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and keratin matrix on early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: In the last years, symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) have been vastly studied and have generated considerable interest among clinicians. SYSADOA are generally used as a ground therapy with the main rationale to reduce the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and thus limit the related adverse events.

Material And Methods: In this study, we evaluated the short-term effect of an oral combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and keratin matrix on early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

One year in review: novelties in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease characterised by inflammation of the synovial tissue in joints, which can lead to joint destruction. The primary aim of the treatment is to control pain and inflammation, reduce joint damage and disability, and maintain or improve physical function and quality of life. In this article, we provide a critical analysis of the recent literature on the novelties in the treatment of RA, with a particular focus on the most relevant studies published over the last two years.

Lung ultrasound for the screening of interstitial lung disease in very early systemic sclerosis.

Background: A high percentage of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD) during the course of the disease. Promising data have recently shown that lung ultrasound (LUS) is able to detect ILD by the evaluation of B-lines (previously called ultrasound lung comets), the sonographic marker of pulmonary interstitial syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate whether LUS is reliable in the screening of ILD in patients with SSc.

Cardiac involvement in systemic rheumatic diseases: An update.

The high rates of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity observed in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs) cannot be fully explained by traditional atherosclerosis risk factors as standard therapy (i.e. corticosteroids and methotrexate), cytokines and disease activity may all contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis.