Current Rheumatology Reviews - Volume 2, Issue 4, 2006

Scleroderma Associated Inflammatory Arthritis: Common and Painful, but Ignored by Researchers Although the correct term is limited scleroderma, the acronym CREST is still widely used for two reasons. First, CREST is a descriptive and understandable name for five features of scleroderma which are relatively common and frequently concurrent. Secondly, limited scleroderma is associated with pulmonary hypertension and s Read More

Osteoarthritis is generally thought to be a disease of articular cartilage characterised by the formation of defects. A number of diagnostic and treatment options have been developed to identify and treat these large lesions. There has been evidence of early cartilage changes consisting of ‘splits’ or ‘cracks’ which have not received much attention or research in the literature. The structure of articular cartilage and the way i Read More

Pentosidine is one of the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Its significant elevation was firstly observed in diabetes mellitus, and later found in patients with end-stage renal failure. In addition, during the aging process, pentosidine accumulates in the extracellular matrix and causes insolubility and protease resistance of extracellular matrix proteins. In cartilage, pentosidine is crosslinked in collagen and proteoglycan, Read More

Annxine-1 (Anx-1), a member of the annexin superfamily of calcium- and phospholipid- binding proteins, is induced by glucocorticoids (GC) and functions as a mediator of their anti-inflammatory effects. The wide range of effects of Anx-1 includes inhibition of leukocyte recruitment, suppression of the production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and induction of apoptosis in inflammatory cells. This profile of Read More

Since 1992 extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been used in the treatment of pain, in various tendinopathies, including plantar fascitis, heel spur, epicondylitis, calcific and non-calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff. The exact mechanism by which ESWT relieves tendon-associated pain is not known; however, numerous controlled and noncontrolled studies have demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of vari Read More

Autoimmune thyroid disease is among the most common autoimmune disorders affecting 10% of the population. It is characterized by diffuse lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland, the presence of antithyroid antibodies and diffuse hypoechogenicity on thyroid ultrasound. Despite the fact that autoimmune thyroid disease is classically considered a localized disease of the thyroid gland, systemic features, such as muscu Read More

Spirochetes are gram-negative bacteria, which include the Treponema, Borrelia and Leptospira and cause different diseases such as syphilis, Lyme borreliosis and leptospirosis, respectively. Antiphospholipid antibodies as a consequence of the infection with Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum have been extensively studied. There have also been a few reports of antiphospholipid antibodies in leptospirosis. On the other hand, th Read More

In addition to their action on a decrease in blood pressure levels and a reduction of mortality in individuals with vascular disease, β-blockers can have beneficial effects on osteoporosis. The relationship between the sympathetic nervous system and bone metabolism is well known. There have been reports of adrenergic receptors in osteoblasts and of the presence of sympathetic nerve fibers in bone. The central infusion of lept Read More

Thrombocytopenia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a common clinical manifestation affecting up to one third of patients in published cohorts. Anti-platelet antibodies have been implicated in its pathogenesis, as sensitized platelets interact with macrophages through the Fc receptor eliminating them from circulation. Non-specific, immunecomplex mediated platelet destruction is also implicated as are antiphospholipid Read More

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by vascular abnormalities, fibrosis, inflammatory changes, and late stage atrophy/obliterative vasculopathy. Localized scleroderma forms show a longitudinal or circumscribed skin involvement. In scleroderma-like disorders the distribution/characteristics of skin involvement seem to be ‘atypical’ as compared to classic SSc, and the acral skin involvement is usuall Read More

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a disease characterized by sclerosis of the skin, internal organs and vasculopathy. Articular manifestations are common, and include arthralgias, arthritis, and morning stiffness, which in some cases can be confused with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients develop functional impairment and thickening of the skin including around the joints, with inflammation and fibrosis of tendon sheaths. H Read More

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterised by arterial and/or venous thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity in the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and/or lupus anticoagulant (LA). APS can occur either as a primary disorder (PAPS) or secondary to a connective tissue disease, more frequently systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Any organ and any size of vessel can be affected in this disorder. In Read More