Autoimmune Medical News for January 2009

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January 2009

Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Is There Really an Association? Previous studies suggest an association between AIT, an organ-specific autoimmune disease, and RA, a systemic autoimmune disorder. Our study suggests that, at least in some populations, this association does not occur, or it is not strong enough-from the epidemiologic point of view-to justify the routine thyroid antibodies and thyrotropin tests in all RA patients. F.T. Goncalves. Endocrinologist. January/February 2009. (Also see: Thyroid Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Characteristics and Long-term Prognosis of the Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) /Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Overlap Syndrome. Overlap of AIH and PSC was detected most reliably on grounds of serologic markers and histology; early bile duct changes were often missed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. S. Luth, MD. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. January 2009. (Also see: Hepatitis, Autoimmune)

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation researchers discover rogue immune cells in healthy adults. A new study from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has discovered that lurking in the bodies even of healthy people are numerous rogue immune cells, the cause of rheumatoid arthritis and a host of other diseases. The new findings could be key to developing new ways to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and type I (juvenile) diabetes that, in total, affect up to 24 million Americans. OMRF. January 6, 2009. (Also see: Autoimmunity)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Fibromyalgia (FM): A Frequent Unrelated Association Complicating Disease Management. The association between RA and FM does not appear to be a marker of worse prognosis, but rather a fortuitous association between the 2 diseases and one that may afford these patients some protection against joint destruction. F. Choury. J Rheumatol. January 2009. (Also see: Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Changes in the Incidence of Endstage Renal Disease (ESRD) Due to Lupus Nephritis in the United States. There was no decrease in the incidence of ESRD due to lupus nephritis between 1996 and 2004. This may reflect the limits of effectiveness of current treatments, or limitations in access, use, or adherence to treatment. M. Ward. J Rheumatol. January 2009. (Also see: Lupus)

Autoimmunity and HIV.The cause, frequency and prognosis of autoimmune conditions associated with HIV infection remain somewhat uncertain. Their management is often empirical with the use of novel immunosuppressive medication. R. Stratton. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. February 2009. (Also see: Autoimmunity)

Maternal Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Offspring with Chondrodysplasia Punctata (CDP). Review of previously published cases of CDP associated with autoimmune disease suggests that placental crossing of maternal autoantibodies during pregnancy specifically affecting the normal development of fetal growth plates is responsible for CDP in the offspring in these cases. PubMed) SW Schulz. Semin Arthrits Rheum. Dec 23 2008. (Also see: MCTD and Causes of Scleroderma)

Reduction of fatigue in Sjögren syndrome (SS) with rituximab: results of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. This is the first double blind study of rituximab in primary SS to show benefit; further studies are justified. Dass S. (PubMed) Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Nov;67(11):1541-4. (Also see: Sjogren Syndrome)

Celiac disease. Stomach and duodenum. Celiac disease is not confined to the Caucasian population as previously believed; rather its prevalence is approximately 1% worldwide. In addition to the HLA genes, many other genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity, intestinal barrier regulation, and autoimmunity have been identified as integral genetic components of the disease. Catassi, Carlo. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. November 2008. (Also see: Celiac Disease)

Shared and Distinct Genetic Variants in Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease. A genetic susceptibility to both type 1 diabetes and celiac disease shares common alleles. These data suggest that common biologic mechanisms, such as autoimmunity-related tissue damage and intolerance to dietary antigens, may be etiologic features of both diseases. (PubMed) DJ Smyth. N Engl J Med. Dec 10 2008. (Also see: Celiac Disease and Diabetes)