Lymphoproliferative disorder progressing after partial remission following immunosuppressive drugs withdrawal in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) are serious complications that arise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs). Here, we reported a 73-year-old woman diagnosed with RA at 60 years of age and treated with methotrexate, bucillamine, prednisolone, and infliximab. She was referred to our hospital, Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, with general malaise, pancytopenia, a right adrenal mass, and enlarged periaortic lymph nodes.

Infrared Thermography and Ultrasonography of the Hands in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Ultrasonography (US) and power Doppler US (PDUS) are used worldwide for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) is a good tool for evaluating inflammatory activity. Thermal imaging is a noncontact, noninvasive procedure using skin temperature measurement.

Association of higher arterial ketone body ratio (acetoacetate/β-hydroxybutyrate) with relevant nutritional marker in hemodialysis patients.

Background: An association of higher levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) in serum with greater mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients has been reported. This study examined the significance of arterial ketone body ratio (AcAc/β-HB), a relevant marker of energy state, in HD patients.

Methods: The levels of arterial AcAc and β-HB, and AcAc/β-HB ratio were determined in 49 HD patients just before undergoing an HD session.

Acute pericarditis as the first manifestation of familial Mediterranean fever: a possible relationship with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis.

A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to periodic episodes of acute pericarditis. These episodes occurred monthly along with a high fever and elevation of the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The patient became afebrile and his CRP level decreased following the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Clinical experiences of bixalomer usage at our hospital.

In 2012, bixalomer was launched as new non-calcium (Ca) containing phosphorus (P) binder, increasing the choices available for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. In this study, among the maintenance dialysis patients at our hospital, we newly administered bixalomer to 21 patients who were not receiving any P binders, and switched to bixalomer for 13 patients who had been receiving sevelamer hydrochloride and 23 patients who had been receiving lanthanum carbonate. The initial dosage of bixalomer was set as 1500 mg/day for new administration patients and dosage equivalent to that of the previously-used P binder for patients who were switched to bixalomer.