As evident based upon the large cadres of lupus patients and grow

As evident based upon the large cadres of lupus patients and growing

numbers of lupus investigators within these Asian communities, significant advances are being made in the evaluation and care of systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian countries. Additional work in therapeutic, genetic, prognostic and biomarker work is underway and will provide more insights to the unique and common aspects of lupus pathogenesis within and across Asia, as well as the rest of the world. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. “
“To review the clinical profile of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias presenting with inflammatory arthritis. Retrospective analysis was performed on clinical, laboratory and imaging check details data of patients who presented with

inflammatory arthritis between May 2009 and April 2010 and were subsequently diagnosed as having plasma cell dyscrasias. Six out of 630 patients presenting with inflammatory arthritis were identified. The demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of these patients were analyzed. The diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy was based on protein electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and bone marrow biopsy. The outcomes of the treatments were analyzed. Four patients had monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and two patients had multiple myeloma. Mean age of the patients was 65 years (range 59–74). Three patients presented with oligoarticular arthritis, two with symmetrical polyarticular joint pains and one with fleeting periarticular pains. Wrist and shoulder were the most commonly involved joints. Three PARP inhibitor patients had carpal tunnel syndrome. Five

patients were seronegative for both rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was high in all patients (range: 82–120 mm/h with a mean of 99.6 mm/h). Arthritis improved with chemotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma. Occurrence of inflammatory arthritis with plasma dyscrasias is more than a chance association. Plasma cell dyscrasias should be ruled out in any elderly patient presenting with atypical arthritis with disproportionately high ESR, high creatinine and hyperglobulinemia. “
“To describe our experience with 16 patients with eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) before treated in our clinic over 14 years. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with biopsy-proven EF. We collected data regarding demographics, clinical presentations, possible triggers, labs, imaging, treatment and response to therapy on follow-up. Eight women and eight men with a mean age of 52 years were included in the study. Three patients related the onset to prior strenuous exercise and one was exposed to vibratory machinery. Fourteen patients had a gradual onset and presented with induration of the skin.

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