Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyElevated serum and synovial fluid TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A) is associated with autoantibody production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand 1A (TL1A) is involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but its clinical relevance in RA has not been fully elucidated. We analysed TL1A levels in the serum and synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients and investigated its clinical significance. ⋯ TL1A levels are significantly elevated in RA serum and SF and positively correlated with autoantibody production in RA, but failed as a disease activity marker. TL1A promotes antibody production by PBMCs from RA patients. The role of TL1A in the humoral autoimmune response may be important in the development of RA.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Circulating microparticles and plasma levels of soluble E- and P-selectins in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Microparticles (MPs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), which includes vasculopathy, endothelial cell activation, and coagulation activation. Circulating MPs from SSc patients were characterized and their relationship with soluble markers of vascular activation investigated. ⋯ While the total number of MPs was decreased, the number of F-AnxV(-) MPs increased in SSc patients. The F-AnxV(-) EMPs were associated with plasma levels of markers of vascular activation in patients with dcSSc.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Heart rate variability in fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls during non-REM and REM sleep: a case-control study.
To investigate heart rate variability (HRV) in fibromyalgia (FM) patients and healthy controls (HCs) during different sleep stages, and to examine the association of HRV with pain and sleep quality. ⋯ RMSSD, indicative of parasympathetic predominance, is attenuated in FM patients compared to HCs during N2 sleep and REM sleep. This difference was not present for the HF component. HRV during sleep in FM patients is moderately and positively associated with sleep quality and moderately and negatively associated with neck/shoulder pain.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Increased circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells correlated negatively with Th17 cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have recently been identified as an important mediator in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through the production of arginase (Arg)-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and evaluate their correlation with T-helper (Th)17 cells. ⋯ We found a negative correlation between increased circulating MDSCs and Th17 cells in RA patients, which may provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in RA.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2013
Current practice and barriers to the management of sexual issues in rheumatology: results of a survey of health professionals.
To explore multidisciplinary health professionals' (HPs) management of disease-related sexual issues in patients with rheumatic diseases, including their perceptions and assessments, and identify factors that prevent HPs from addressing sexuality as a topic with patients. ⋯ Although HPs regarded sexuality as a relevant topic in rheumatic health care, they seldom raised the topic in consultations. Those with further education in sexuality addressed sexual issues more frequently and felt more comfortable. Correspondingly, the majority of respondents requested more education. Such training should be part of the basic HPs' education, as well as part of postgraduate courses.