Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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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
Multicenter StudyLong-term outcome of severe alveolar haemorrhage in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a retrospective cohort study.
Alveolar haemorrhage (AH) is a major cause of early death in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). There is a paucity of information regarding the outcomes of AAV patients presenting with severe AH. ⋯ Severe AH was more commonly associated with PR3-ANCA (vs. MPO-ANCA) and strongly correlated with renal vasculitis. Current treatment of severe AH leads to remission but long-term mortality remains high. Concurrent renal failure and older age were associated with higher mortality.
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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
Functional limitations and physical symptoms of individuals with chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that may cause additional symptoms affecting the sufferers' working capacity and quality of life. Studying the prevalence and consequences of chronic pain in various populations remains important for a complete picture of the global burden imposed by chronic pain conditions. ⋯ Chronic pain is a prevalent condition and those who report chronic pain generally suffer from ill health and limitations in their daily life compared to individuals not suffering from the condition.