Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with biologic DMARDS (Rituximab and Etanercept).

GOAL: To determine efficacy and safety of treatment with Rituximab and Etanercept plus Methotrexate in patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), who had an inadequate response to nonbiologic DMARDS therapies and to explore the pharmacogenetics and pharmacodynamics of Rituximab and Etanercept in our populations. Study was done at Rheumatology Clinic of University Clinical Centre in Prishtina during 2009-2011 years. METHODS: We evaluated primary efficacy and safety at 24 weeks in patients enrolled in the study of long-term efficacy of Rituximab and Etanercept. Patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis and an inadequate response to 1 or more non biologic DMARDS were randomized to receive intravenous Rituximab (1 course consisting of 2 infusions of 1.000 mg each -one group, and Etanercept 25 mg twice weekly -second group, but both groups with background MTX. The primary efficacy end point was a response on the ACR 20%, improvement criteria at 24 weeks, Secondary end points were responses on the ACR 50 and ACR 70, improvement criteria, the DAS 28, and EULAR response criteria at 24 weeks. RESULTS: During our investigations we treated 20 patients, 15 females and 5 males, in the treated group with RTX and 13 patients 8 females and 5 males in the treated group with ETN. Patients of group 1 and group 2 were of ages 37-69 years old and 19-69 years old (average 47-44) Most of the patients belong in 2nd and 3rd functional stage according to Steinbrocker. All ACR response parameters were significantly improved in RTX treated patients who also had clinically meaningful improvement in fatigue, disability and quality of life. Patients showed a trend less progression in radiographic end points. Most adverse events occurred with the first RTX infusion and were mild to moderate severity. CONCLUSION: At 24 weeks, a single course of RTX and ETN provided significant and clinically meaningful improvements in disease activity in patients with active, longstanding RA who had an inadequate response to 1 or more nonbiologic DMARDS.

Proton pump inhibitor use for 12 months is not associated with changes in serum magnesium levels: a prospective open label comparative study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a widely used class of drugs because of a generally acceptable safety profile. Among recently raised safety issues of the long-term use of PPIs is the increased risk of developing hypomagnesemia. As there have been very few prospective studies measuring serum magnesium levels before and after PPI therapy, we aimed to prospectively assess the potential association between PPI therapy for 12 months and the risk of hypomagnesemia as well as the incidence of new-onset hypomagnesemia during the study. In addition, the association of PPI therapy with the risk of hypocalcemia was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 250 patients with normal serum magnesium and total calcium levels, who underwent a long-term PPI treatment. Serum magnesium, total calcium, and parathormone (PTH) levels were measured at baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 250 study participants, 209 completed 12 months of treatment and were included in the statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon signed rank test showed no statistically significant differences in serum magnesium levels between measurements at two different time points. However, there were statistically significant differences in serum total calcium and PTH levels in PPI users. CONCLUSION: Stable serum magnesium levels were demonstrated after 12 months and no association between PPI use and risk of hypomagnesemia was shown in the general population. Significant reductions of serum total calcium levels were demonstrated among PPI users; nevertheless, further research is required before recommending any serum calcium and PTH level monitoring in patients initiated on long-term PPI therapy.

Late diagnosis of Marfan syndrome with fatal outcome in a young male patient: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Marfan syndrome is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue that affects many organ systems. However, the most serious complication in patients with Marfan syndrome is progressive aortic root dilation, which may lead to aortic dissection, rupture or aortic regurgitation. Prevention of these life threatening complications is of major importance. CASE PRESENTATION: We report here a case of a 34-year-old, Caucasian male diagnosed for the first time with Marfan syndrome. He required medical attention due to his chest pain that resulted as a consequence of strenuous physical effort. Medical examinations revealed severe aortic root enlargement and aortic intramural hematoma. Patient ended-up fatally during open heart surgery. CONCLUSION: It is very important to recognize on time Marfan syndrome, as preventive actions that should be undertaken can avoid its serious consequences.

Atrial septal aneurysm associated with additional cardiovascular comorbidities in two middle age female patients with ECG signs of right bundle branch block: two case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is often associated with other atrial septal abnormalities, particularly with atrial septal defect type ostium secundum or patent foramen ovale. ECG signs of incomplete or complete right bundle branch block are known to be associated with atrial septal defects, however such correlation with other atrial septal abnormalities is not documented. CASE PRESENTATIONS: We report here two cases of middle age female patients that presented with dyspnea on physical effort, right bundle branch block (RBBB) on ECG and ASA combined with other cardiac disorders. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed additional information to the ones obtained by surface echocardiography, in both cases. CONCLUSION: ASA associated with RBBB on ECG may serve as a hint for the presence of additional cardiac abnormalities, thus rousing the demand for a detailed cardiac investigation.