Severe mononeuritis multiplex in a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis characterised by bronchial asthma, hypereosinophilia, and systemic vasculitis. History of asthma with blood eosinophilia and multiorgan involvement are the important clues to suspect EGPA. In the original paper by Churg and Strauss cardiac, gastrointestinal tract, renal, and neurological involvement were noted more frequently.

Obesity, Echocardiographic Changes and Framingham Risk Score in the Spectrum of Gout: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: This study aims to establish cardiovascular risk in obese and non-obese patients in stages of gout by using Framingham risk score (FRS) and transthoracic echocardiography.

Patients And Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study encompassed 201 patients (160 males, 41 females; mean age 56.9±13 years; range 20 to 89 years) including 52 asymptomatic hyperuricemia, 86 gouty arthritis without tophi, and 63 gouty tophi patients.

YKL-40 and cytokines - a New Diagnostic Constellation in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes chronic inflammation and alteration of articular tissue and joints. The pathogenesis of the disease remains unclear although it is known that proinflammatory cytokines play a major role in its induction. YKL-40 is a chitinase-like glycoprotein produced by activated macrophages, neutrophils, arthritic chondrocytes and cancer cells.

Organising pneumonia - the first manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Organising pneumonia (OP) is a distinct type of interstitial lung disease, because it can also be seen in association with several conditions such as infections, drugs, and connective tissue diseases. An association of OP with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has also been described. Joint manifestations of RA usually precede lung involvements by several years; however, in less than 10% of cases of RA, interstitial lung disease may be the initial feature of RA.

Evaluation of cardiovascular risk in stages of gout by a complex multimodal ultrasonography.

The aim of our work was to assess ultrasound features of cardiovascular (CV) risk in stages of gout. Cross-sectional complex multimodal ultrasound study of 169 age-matched patients, with similar distribution of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and chronic renal failure, was divided into four groups: 41 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, 52 gout without tophi, 42 gouty tophi and 34 controls with osteoarthritis. Parameters independently associated with CV risk were measured: renal resistive index (RRI), left ventricular mass index (LVMi), mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (e'), intima-media thickness (IMT) and common carotid artery resistive index (CCARI).

Ultrasonographic measurement of carotid artery resistive index and diastolic function of the heart in gout patients.

The aim of the study was to establish the functional disorder in the blood circulation of gout patients with a method that shows early damage of the heart and vascular structures. A total of 117 patients were examined cross-sectionally by a complex multimodal ultrasonography and were divided into four groups: 37 healthy controls, 24 asymptomatic hyperuricemia, 36 gout without tophi and 20 gouty tophi. With pulsed Doppler, common carotid artery resistive index (CCARI) and parameters of the transmitral blood flow were determined: the ratio between maximal early and late flow velocities (E/A ratio) and deceleration time (DT).

Decreased daily melatonin levels in women with systemic lupus erythematosus - a short report.

Background: The neuroendocrine system is known to influence immunity, but the precise interactions between different hormones and autoimmune disorders remain obscure.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the role of daily serum melatonin concentrations in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in women.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Androgen receptor (CAG)n polymorphism and androgen levels in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that affects mainly females. Therefore, interrelations between the reproductive and immune system have been assumed. Considering the complex influence of hormones and receptors, we aimed to investigate the influence of androgens and androgen receptor (AR) polymorphism in women with SLE.

Relationship between sonographic parameters and YKL-40 levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

YKL-40, also known as human cartilage glycoprotein 39, is a member of the "mammalian chitinase-like proteins" family without chitinase activity. Increased serum concentrations are associated with inflammatory processes and several types of cancer. In this study, we evaluated YKL-40 levels in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison with the ultrasonographic findings.

Outcome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and concurrent chronic hepatitis B infection.

A 35-year-old Caucasian woman with proven systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had been effectively managed with hydroxychloroquine and methylprednisolone for many years. In 2005 she was admitted to the rheumatology clinic with a flare up of the disease and with proteinuria of 3.2 g/24 h.