Scleroderma Medical News by Date |
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| October 2009 |
| Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy (MSGB) To Detect Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS) in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Confirming a diagnosis of pSS-related ILD by performing MSGB allows for more precise connective tissue disease (CTD) classification. This study provides evidence that CTD may exist subclinically and longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether identifying occult CTD impacts on management, longitudinal changes in lung function, or survival. Aryeh Fischer, MD. Chest. October 2009. (Also see: Sjögren’s Diagnosis and CTD) |
| Interstitial lung disease and sleep: What is known? There are a number of distinctive changes in sleep architecture associated with pulmonary fibrosis including decreased REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and increased sleep fragmentation. In addition, there is suggestion of possible sleep disturbances in this population including obstructive sleep apnea, although the frequency of such sleep abnormalities as well as predictors of these abnormalities remain uncertain. Shikhar Agarwal Sleep Medicine. October 2009. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis and Sleep Disorders) |
| Effects of Iron Supplementation and Depletion on Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension Two Randomized Controlled Trials. Hypoxia is a major cause of pulmonary hypertension in respiratory disease and at high altitude. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension may be attenuated by iron supplementation and exacerbated by iron depletion. Thomas G. Smith, MBBS, DPhil. JAMA. 2009;302(13):1444-1450. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension, Hypoxia, and Vitamins/Minerals) |
| Systemic Sclerosis: Environmental Factors. Epidemiological evidence for the association between environmental and occupational risk factors and systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been extensively analyzed. Global collaboration could increase the chance for a better use of the data obtained from a limited number of cases and also limited resources. Normalization and validation of biomarkers and questionnaires could also be very useful to reliably quantify environmental exposures. Gabriela Fernanda Mora. JRheum. October 1, 2009. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Environmental) |
| Work Disability in Systemic Sclerosis. Work disability is prevalent, occurs early, and is associated with markers of disease severity and functional status. Further research is needed to identify other, potentially modifiable, risk factors for work disability in SSc. Marie Hudson. JRheum. 10/01/09, (Also see: Work or Disability) |
| The IL-1-like cytokine IL-33 and its receptor ST2 are abnormally expressed in the affected skin and visceral organs of patients with systemic sclerosis. IL-33 and ST2 are abnormally expressed in SSc. In early SSc, upon endothelial cell (EC) activation/damage, IL-33 may be mobilised from ECs to signal through ST2 in key pro-fibrotic players, such as inflammatory/immune cells and fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. Mirko Manetti Ann Rheum Dis. 09/23/09. (Also see: Cytokines) |
| Researching morphea: UV-A1 phototherapy recommended for darker-skinned patients. Darker-skinned patients with morphea and related diseases are as likely to benefit from ultraviolet (UV) light therapy as patients with lighter skin. Some clinicians had speculated that the increased level of melanin found in darker skin might impede UV-A1, but that does not appear to be the case. Bob Roehr (Modern Medicine) Dermatology Times. 10/01/09. (Also see: Morphea) |
| Skin sclerosis is only of limited value to identify Systemic Scleroderma (SSc) patients with severe manifestations—an analysis of a distinct patient subgroup of the German Systemic Sclerosis Network (DNSS) Register. In patients with SSc, potentially life-threatening complications and clinical symptoms with high impact on the quality of life occur independently from the extent of skin sclerosis. The diagnosis in SSc patients with a low mRSS could be missed or they could be insufficiently treated. L. G. Hanitsch. Rheumatology 2009 48(1):70-73. (Also see: Diagnosis and Skin Fibrosis) |
| The European League Against Rheumatism 2009 |
| EULAR 2009 took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 13 - 10. The aim was to provide a forum of the highest standard for scientific (both clinical and basic), educational and social exchange between professionals involved in rheumatology and liaising with patient organisations to achieve progress in the clinical care of patients with rheumatic diseases. |
| Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Parameters in a Group of Female Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Differences in SSc duration, activity, clinical subtype and treatment had no impact on bone mass. Osteoporosis was recorded less frequently, than in healthy controls. Statistically significant correlation between BMD, age, menopause and BMI was recorded in control group, but was not present among female SSc patients. K.A. Simic Pasalic. [FRI0329] EULAR 2009. (Also see: Osteoporosis in Scleroderma) |
| Digital Lesions (DL) in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc): Evidence for a New Classification of Digital Ulcers (DU). DL are mainly represented by Digital pitting scars, DU and calcinosis. The patient follow up has allowed a morphological DU classification with the definition of the main DU characteristics, of DU pain and staging. This classification may be helpful in practice and in future RCTs for a precise identification of those DU that are to be included or excluded in specific therapeutic studies. F. Braschi. [THU0326] EULAR 2009. (Also see: Digital Ulcers) |
| The treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) of Raynaud’s phenomenon and ischemic ulcers therapy in sclerodermic (SSc) patients: a prospective observational study of 50 patients. Long-term therapy with NAC, in patients with SSc, has a durable effectiveness on ischemic ulcers and Raynaud's phenomenon. Edoardo Rosato. Clinical Rheumatology. August 19, 2009 (Also see: Raynaud’s Treatments and Digital Ulcers) |
| Treatment of Ischemic Ulcers in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Using Calcium Alginate and Collagen Bandages: A Randomized, Controlled Study. The use of the calcium alginate+collagen bandages in the treatment of ischemic ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis proved more effective than saline solution regarding quality of life and pinch strength variables. S. R. Toffolo. [SAT0235] EULAR 2009. (Also see: Digital Ulcers) |
| Prevalence of Associated Auto-Immune Diseases in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: An Italian Monocentric Casistic. Sjogren's syndrome and biliary chirrosis appear the more frequent associated diseases. The frequency of thyroiditis is not superior to the prevalence in the general population. The limited subset of SSc is more frequently associated with AAD. R. La Corte. [THU0298] EULAR 2009. (Also see: Scleroderma in Overlap) |
| Employment Status and Risk Factors for Work Disability in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Work disability is major problem in SSc. Impaired hand function, pain, fatigue, insufficient confidence to possess the skills and inadequate adaptation of work tasks are prominent risk factors. G. Sandqvist. [FRI0314-AHP] EULAR 2009. (Also see: Work and Disability) |
| Early Endoscopy in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Patients Without Gastrointestinal (GI) Symptoms: A Retrospective Analyse. None of the examined patients had reported any GI complaints. However in all thirteen SSc patients significant pathology of the upper GI-tract was found. The results of this study might indicate that oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy should be performed early in patients diagnosed with SSc, even if they do not report typical symptoms. Early treatment of GI involvement might improve the prognosis. R. Thonhofer. [SAT0231] EULAR 2009. (Also see: Medical Tests and GI Involvement) |
