Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are commonly prescribed by rheumatologists to reduce disease activity and induce remission in autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Steroids are sometimes used in combination with DMARD therapy and should be used at the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time. There are many biologic agents available for use for inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Care should be taken when prescribing and managing DMARDS, steroids and biologic agents medications with a careful eye towards screening for infectious disease, vaccination, bone heath and lab monitoring.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2016.03.001 | DOI Listing |
Taiwan J Ophthalmol
October 2023
Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a poorly understood autoimmune condition affecting the retroorbital tissue. Tissue inflammation, expansion, and fibrosis can potentially lead to debilitating sequelae such as vision loss, painful eye movement, proptosis, and eyelid retraction. Current treatment modalities for TED include systemic glucocorticoids, thioamides, methimazole, teprotumumab, beta-blockers, and radioactive iodine; however, it has been reported that up to 10%-20% of TED patients relapse after treatment withdrawal and 20%-30% are unresponsive to mainstay therapy for reasons that have yet to be more clearly elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSAGE Open Med Case Rep
January 2025
Division of Dermatology, University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Papulonodular mucinosis is a rare dermatological condition characterized by mucin deposition in the dermis, leading to the formation of papules and nodules that can occur with, or antedate, autoimmune connective tissue diseases. This case report presents a 67-year-old female with a chronic history of cutaneous mucinosis, which posed significant diagnostic challenges. Despite various treatments and extensive diagnostic workup, her condition evolved, highlighting the difficulties in diagnosing papulonodular mucinosis, especially in the absence of systemic lupus erythematosus and antinuclear antibody positivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dearborn, USA.
The association between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and microscopic colitis (MC) has been explored in limited studies, suggesting potential shared pathophysiological mechanisms. This systematic review aimed to investigate this relationship by analyzing studies identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Two studies met the inclusion criteria: a case series of 12 patients and a case report, collectively analyzing 13 cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Nephrology, Ibn Sina Hospital, Rabat, Rabat, MAR.
Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis is a rare small-vessel vasculitis leading to multi-organ dysfunction, often associated with chronic infections like hepatitis C virus (HCV), and autoimmune disorders. Most cases involve mixed monoclonal or polyclonal immunoglobulins, presenting symptoms such as purpura, arthralgias, and weakness. Severe organ involvement, particularly cardiac, is rare but potentially life-threatening.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Cosmet Investig Dermatol
January 2025
Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Hypergammaglobulinemia is a sign of B cell and plasma cell hyperactivity marked by elevated levels of gamma globulins, proteins within the gamma fraction of serum electrophoresis, linked to diseases like acute hepatitis, Hodgkin's lymphoma, autoimmune conditions, and neoplasms. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is found in 3.2% of individuals over 50 and 5.
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