Current Rheumatology Reviews - Volume 18, Issue 3, 2022

Background: The presentation of a hot swollen joint is common in the emergency department, general practice, rheumatology and orthopedic clinics. There is a wide set of differential diagnoses for a hot swollen joint, thus making it difficult to diagnose and manage, especially for junior doctors. Initially, it is pertinent to exclude/diagnose medical and surgical emergencies. Objective: This paper aims to summarize the key Read More

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a whole joint disease that is significantly related to abnormal mechanical loads. Subchondral bone alterations, during the evolution course of OA, are considered a reflection of the adaptation of the bone tissue to mechanical loads. However, some of these alterations are taken as a detriment and paradoxical. What are these structure, composition, and mechanical property alterations or mechanical fu Read More

Cryofibrinogenemia refers to the presence of cryofibrinogen in plasma. This protein has the property of precipitating at lower temperatures. Cryofibrinogenemia is a rare disorder, clinically characterized by skin lesions, such as ulcers, necrosis, livedo reticularis, arthralgia, thrombosis, and limb ischemia. These features are most often observed in rheumatological practice and consist of differential diagnoses of antiphospholi Read More

Objective: Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease classified as Variable Vessel Vasculitis with unclear etiology. We designed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate vitamin D status in Behcet’s disease patients with this background. Methods: We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis according to PRISMA guidelines. We included all observational studies in humans pu Read More

Background: The hand is an excellent work tool that provides the functional ability to mechanical work. The hand is affected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, it is a significant problem in the functional sphere as a result of deformities, the grasping function limitation and muscle strength. Objectives: The aim of the study was the assessment of grip strength, endurance and manipulation abilities of rheumatoid hands with or Read More

Objective: This study aimed at comparing the Edmonton Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (EDASMI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) to determine which of the two is best correlated with disease-related parameters in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 86 patients with radiographic axSpA. Sociodemographic data, the Bath Ankylo Read More

Aim: The present study aims to compare interleukin 6 concentration in synovial fluid in patients with known types of arthritis. Background: Persistent synovitis without known markers, such as Rheumatoid Factor (RF), Anti- Citrullinated Protein Antibodies (ACPA), and genetic markers as HLA-B27, is not uncommon. It is valuable to determine the presence of chronic inflammation and put it in correlation with agerelated ch Read More

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) is a worldwide pandemic that has devastated the world in a way that has not been witnessed since the Spanish Flu in 1918. In this study, we aim to investigate the outcomes of patients with rheumatic diseases infected with COVID-19 in Oman. Methods: A multi-center retrospective cohort study included patients with underlying rheumatological conditions and COVID-19 in Read More

Background and Aims: Changes in body mass composition, such as reduced lean and fat mass, can occur in a patient with rheumatic diseases. However, data about body composition in spondyloarthritis (SpA) showed conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to assess by DXA the distribution of lean and fat mass in SpA patients compared to healthy controls and to investigate the association between body mass co Read More

Background: Autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases have long been treated by conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Biological therapy is a new era in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but satisfaction and adherence to it is still not well tested. Aims: To assess the satisfaction and adherence to biological treatment among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Methods: A Read More

Background: Disability in patients with scleroderma (SSc) has been associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in all dimensions, including physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Objective: This study was conducted to examine different factors that may be associated with functional disability and poor HRQoL, with the aim of targeting these factors in the future to improve physical activity, functional out Read More

Background: Psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, could herald other manifestation( s) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) potentially hindering timely and optimal management. Moreover, schizophrenia is among the described ‘extra-criteria’ manifestations of anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). Hence, screening schizophrenia patients for SLE and APS may pose diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Objectives: Read More

Background: Notwithstanding the frequent coexistence of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) and primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS), it is still unknown how often this association is studied along with its clinical impact. Objective: This study aimed to describe real-world screening practices for ATD in patients with SS and evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with both diagnoses using validated activity and chronicity indexes. Read More