Current Rheumatology Reviews - Volume 20, Issue 4, 2024

Panniculitis was first described in the nineteenth century and is characterized by inflammation of the subcutaneous fat. It may be categorized in septal or lobular subtypes, but other histopathological features (e.g., presence of vasculitis, nature of inflammatory infiltrates, characteristics of fat necrosis) are also important for diagnostic purposes. Clinically, panniculitis is characterized by the presence of subcutaneous nodules, a Read More

As the global population ages, osteoporosis is becoming a more common silent disease. Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone quality and strength, which increases the risk of fragility fractures in the elderly. According to estimates, 50% of women eventually suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. Due to increasing disability, more frequent hospital hospitalizations, and most critically, fragility fractures have be Read More

Osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a chronic disease characterized by irreversible damage to articular surfaces, including inflammation, loss of articular cartilage, and subchondral bone alterations, which would be radiographically evident only in later stages. Symptomatic slow-acting so-called nutraceutical drugs have been proposed as a treatment for osteoarthritis in comparison to non-stero Read More

Background: There is conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of viscosupplementation with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections in knee osteoarthritis. One possible explanation for the inconsistent findings on its efficacy is that only certain subpopulations of patients benefit from this therapy. Objective: The purpose of this narrative review is to succinctly summarize the existing data on the predictive factors of clinical r Read More

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with a highly complex pathogenesis that despite extensive investigation is not completely understood. The clinical and pathologic manifestations of the disease result from three distinct processes: 1) Severe and frequently progressive tissue fibrosis causing exaggerated and deleterious accumulation of interstitial collagens and other extracell Read More

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, widespread pain disorder characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, mental fog, mood swings, and headaches. Currently, there are only three FDA-approved medications for FM patients: duloxetine, milnacipran, and pregabalin, with outcomes frequently being inadequate. This research team aims to investigate the effects of diet and lifestyle modifications on FM, with emphasis Read More

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are the most common forms of skeletal disease worldwide. Objective: The current systematic review investigated the mechanisms of Silybum marianum, silymarin, and silibinin on RA and OA symptoms. Methods: The PRISMA 2020 statement was used for reporting Items in this systematic review. The result was a list of five databases, including Web of Science, Coch Read More

Background: Balance weaknesses related to mobility and fall risk in patients with rheumatic diseases are well-known. Vestibular dysfunction could negatively contribute to the balance ability of this patient population. This study aims to investigate the effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), among the most common rheumatic diseases, on postural balance related to vestibular function. Methods: S Read More

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) blockers such as infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) had significantly changed the course of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA) and Crohn's disease (CD). However, about 30% of patients do not respond to these treatments. This lack of response may be due to the formation of antibodies against these drugs (anti-drug antibod Read More

Introduction: Generally, patients with chronic rheumatic diseases use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to their conventional treatments to manage their health. Discussing these treatments with their physician is still rare, which might be directly related to patients’ trust toward them. Aim: The primary objective of this study was to assess the association between patients’ trust in their physic Read More

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pivotal cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of certain inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathies, and inflammatory bowel diseases. In the last two decades, TNFα inhibitors (TNFi) have revolutionized the treatment and outcome of the above disorders. However, the use of TNFi has been associated with the development Read More

Background: Primary hyperoxaluria consists of a group of inherited disorders with enzymatic defects in the glyoxylate pathway, leading to decreased oxalate metabolism. The resulting oxalic deposition is specifically responsible for kidney disease and joint disease. Neonatal oxalosis is the most severe form of primary hyperoxia type 1, with the onset of end-stage renal disease in childhood. Case Presentation: A 55-year- Read More

Background and Aim: A tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a proliferative lesion of the synovial membrane of the joints, tendon sheaths and/or bursae. There are two described subtypes, including the localized and diffuse forms. A TGCT can also be intraarticular or extraarticular. An intraarticular localized tenosynovial giant cell tumor (L-TGCT) of the knee is characterized by nodular hyperplasic synovial tissue that can Read More

Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a potentially serious multifactorial disease. In COVID-19 patients, AVN of many bones has been reported. Usually, the condition is linked to steroid therapy. In this case report, we describe our experience with bilateral AVN of femoral heads in an elderly patient months after being cured of COVID-19 infection without the use of steroids. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old male was referred Read More