Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Jan 1998
Case ReportsGranulomatous amoebic encephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
A 25-year-old chronically immunosuppressed woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) died after developing subacute granulomatous encephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba. Amoebic trophozoites were also found in the lung, suggesting a primary pulmonary focus of infection. ⋯ This case illustrates that Acanthamoeba can cause fatal encephalitis in lupus patients, as well as in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as previously reported. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba in a patient with SLE.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jan 1998
Comparative StudyKnee and/or hip joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with HLA-DRB1*0405 in Japanese patients.
To determine the prognostic factors for knee and/or hip joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, we typed 379 RA patients for HLA-DRB alleles and analysed the antigen frequencies. The DRB1*0405 antigen frequency in RA patients who underwent total knee replacement and/or total hip replacement was significantly higher than in those who did not have replacements, which meant that DRB1*0405 was associated with knee and/or hip joint destruction. This finding may be of value for predicting knee and/or hip joint destruction in RA.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jun 1997
Case ReportsReflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome with microtrabecular fracture in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.
A case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is reported. We discuss the association of OI, manifested by microfractures of the trabecular bone due to marked bone fragility, and the appearance of RSDS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was helpful in assessing the presence and extent of the trabecular fractures.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jun 1997
Case ReportsTransient osteoporosis of the hip with joint effusion detected by ultrasonography.
Three cases of transient osteoporosis of the hip and their ultrasonographic findings are presented. Transient osteoporosis of the hip is an uncommon condition with pain in the hip area and limping. ⋯ Exclusion of more common entities is required. Effusion of the hip joint detected by ultrasonography is also related to this condition, which must be taken into account in patients with hip pain.
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The popularity of complementary medicine is at an all-time high. Rheumatological patients are amongst its most frequent users. This survey was aimed at generating insight into this phenomenon. ⋯ Adverse effects reported in connection with orthodox treatments were more frequent and severe than those reported with complementary therapies. No firm conclusions can be drawn from these data. However, a hypothesis emerges that complementary medicine is well accepted by rheumatological patients and perceived to have certain advantages over mainstream medicine.