Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2004
ReviewThe genetic background of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome and other systemic autoinflammatory disorders.
Systemic autoinflammatory disorders are hereditary diseases with symptoms of acute inflammation and a rise in serum acute phase proteins as a consequence, but with no signs of autoimmunity. By the end of the 1990s, four types of hereditary periodic fever had been described in the medical literature: familial Mediterranean fever, hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with periodic fever syndrome (HIDS), tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS) and Muckle-Wells syndrome. ⋯ In patients of Nordic descent, cases of HIDS and TRAPS have been reported. We provide an overview of the genetic background and main clinical aspects of the different autoinflammatory disorders, with an emphasis on TRAPS.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyWhich factors are related to the presence of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis?
An accelerated progression of atherosclerosis may contribute to the increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to identify variables, related to disease onset as well as to disease progression, of importance for the presence of atherosclerosis, as diagnosed by B-mode ultrasonography, in patients with medium-term RA. The results are based on the co-analysis of retrospective data as well as cross-sectional data. The impact of RA per se on atherosclerosis was evaluated relative to age- and sex-matched controls. ⋯ Levels of lipids and adhesion molecules were associated with the presence of atherosclerosis in RA. IMT-CCA was associated with RA per se. Disease duration could predict severe atherosclerotic plaques. Treatment with methotrexate seemed to decrease the IMT-CCA.
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Low back pain seems to be an integral part of most human lives and cause different degrees of suffering and disability. The exact cause of the pain cannot be identified in most instances. The making of the diagnosis rests mainly on the patient's history, location, and duration of the pain. ⋯ The natural history of low back pain seems in general to be favourable, but of concern is the consequence of long term or permanent disability. Fear avoidance behaviour has been shown to be part of the disabling pathway in chronic low back pain. Cognitive interventions, designed to remove fear and uncertainty, and to give the patient the confidence that the back is robust even if it hurts, seem promising.