Balancing benefits and risks of glucocorticoids in rheumatic diseases and other inflammatory joint disorders: new insights from emerging data. An expert consensus paper from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO).

Purpose: This consensus review article considers the question of whether glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is still relevant in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, with a particular focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and whether its side effects can be adequately managed. Recent basic and clinical research on the molecular, cellular and clinical effects of GCs have considerably advanced our knowledge in this field. An overview of the subject seems appropriate.

The unfolding story of the second demographic transition.

This article presents a narrative of the unfolding of the Second Demographic Transition (SDT) since the theory was first formulated in 1986. The first part recapitulates the foundations of the theory, and documents the spread of the SDT to the point that it now covers most European populations. Also for Europe, it focuses on the relationship between the SDT and the growing heterogeneity in period fertility levels.

A risk-benefit assessment of alendronate in the treatment of involutional osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the most frequent metabolic condition experienced by elderly individuals. It is characterised by a low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to an increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis constitutes a significant financial burden for health services as well as a source of pain and disability and a cause of a decrease in the quality of life for patients with the condition.

Malignant bilateral exophthalmos and secondary glaucoma in iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome.

The authors describe a case of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome in which an emergency orbital decompression was performed. This procedure was necessary because major ocular hypertension and severe bilateral exophthalmos had caused a decrease in visual function and recurrent painful episodes of eyeball luxation.

Trabecular and cortical bone loss in systemic lupus erythematosus.

We measured lumbar spine, hip (total and sub-regions) and total body bone mineral densities (BMDs) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 47 premenopausal female patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As compared to health controls, SLE patients had lower BMDs at all trabecular and cortical sites. Comparison of BMDs between patients ever and never treated with glucocorticoids indicated that patients who had ever received glucocorticoids had a significantly lower lumbar spine BMD compared to those who never did.

Antacid-induced osteomalacia.

The case of a 49-year-old woman suffering from generalized skeletal pain and multiple fractures accompanied by severe hypophosphataemia and low urinary phosphorus excretion is reported. She had been taking large amounts of antacids containing aluminum hydroxide for many years. A diagnosis of antacid-induced osteomalacia was made.

Pattern of Lyme arthritis in Europe: report of 14 cases.

Fourteen cases of Lyme arthritis are reported. The most frequent picture was that of oligoarthritis appearing in that part of the leg where the cutaneous or neurological complications, or both, of Lyme disease had developed before the arthritis. In most cases recovery followed a single 10 day course of intravenous (IV) penicillin therapy.

D-penicillamine induced crescentic glomerulonephritis: report and review of the literature.

A 56-year-old woman with scleroderma developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with epithelial crescents associated with hemoptysis after 27 months of D-penicillamine therapy and a cumulative dose of 1,200 g. Renal failure necessitated 5 hemodialysis sessions. D-penicillamine was withdrawn and glucocorticoids combined with azathioprine were given with good recovery of renal function.