Clin Exp Rheumatol
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To study the incidence and prevalence of primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) in the Costa del Sol region (southern Spain) and to compare the major epidemiological studies in PSV with the results obtained in our area. ⋯ The first epidemiological study of PSV in southern Spain corroborates their infrequency, with GCA and AAV as the PSV most often diagnosed. In southern Spain, the incidence and prevalence of PSV are lower than in northern Spain and in countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Onset of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) can be abrupt with life-threatening manifestations requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. A high level of suspicion leading to prompt diagnosis is essential. Our objective was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics and the type of life-threatening manifestations. ⋯ Keeping a high level of suspicion for AAV is mandatory, particularly when treating life-threatening onset manifestations in the ICU. A history of asthma, nasal polyps, eosinophilia and arthralgia should always be investigated. ANCA are negative in about half of cases, therefore clinical expertise and strict collaboration with the rheumatologist are still pivotal.
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is highly prevalent in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). However, little is known about the long-term progression of ILD in MCTD. The aims of this study were to describe pulmonary function test (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results in long-term MCTD patients, to measure changes in PFT and HRCT results over a 10-year period, and to ascertain correlations in functional and imaging data. ⋯ Functional and radiologic alterations suggestive of ILD in long-term MCTD patients are prevalent, mild, and progressed slightly over time. The most sensitive parameters for detecting subtle progression of ILD in MCTD patients are trends in DLCO, quantification of lower-lobes disease by HRCT (lower-lobes %ILD-HRCT score), and qualitative analysis of HRCT imaging.
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Multicenter Study
Self-reported childhood maltreatment, lifelong traumatic events and mental disorders in fibromyalgia syndrome: a comparison of US and German outpatients.
The robustness of findings on retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment and lifetime traumatic experiences of adults with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) has not been demonstrated by transcultural studies. This is the first transcultural study to focus on the associations between FMS, childhood maltreatment, lifetime psychological traumas, and potential differences between countries adjusting for psychological distress. ⋯ The study demonstrated the transcultural robustness of findings on the association of adult FMS with self-reports of childhood maltreatment and lifelong traumatic experiences. These associations are mainly explained by current psychological distress.
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Fibromyalgia (FM) has been associated with affective spectrum disorders and other chronic pain disorders, which tend to co-occur in individuals and co-aggregate among families. The objective of our study was to investigate the genetic risk factors associated with the presence of related symptoms and with disease severity in subjects affected with FM. ⋯ Our findings indicate a role of the TACR1 gene in the development of sicca syndrome in subjects affected with FM.