Metabolic Syndrome in Behçets Disease Patients: Keep an Eye on the Eye.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure/ sugar, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Whether MetS and its components affect the development of Behçet's Disease (BD) remains unclear. AIMS: The aim was to determine the frequency of MetS among BD patients and to study its relationship with disease characteristics. METHODS: The study included 1028 adult BD patients recruited from 18 specialized rheumatology centers. 51 healthy matched control were considered. Behçet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) and the BD damage index (BDI) were estimated. Adult Treatment Panel-III criteria were used to define MetS. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 36.8 ± 10.1 years, M:F 2.7:1 and disease duration 7.01 ± 5.2 years. Their mean BDCAF was 5.1 ± 4.6 and BDI 5.5 ± 2.8. MetS was present in 22.8% of patients and in 5.9% of control (3.9 fold higher-risk). Patients with MetS had a significantly increased age at onset (31.8 ± 9.2 vs. 29 ± 8.5 years) and higher frequency of genital ulcers (96.2% vs. 79.7%), skin involvement (73.1% vs. 50.4%), arthritis (48.3% vs. 29.1%) (p<0.0001) and CNS manifestations (18.8% vs. 13%) (p=0.042) compared to those without it. Eye involvement was significantly increased in those with MetS (82.1% vs. 74.2%) (p=0.003) with increased frequency of posterior uveitis (67.1% vs. 43.5%), retinal vessel occlusion (35.9% vs. 21.3%), retinal vasculitis (41.9% vs. 26.4%) (p<0.0001) and vitritis (37.2% vs. 24%) (p=0.001). BDCAF was significantly lower (3.9 ± 4.3 vs. 5.6 ± 4.6) and BDI higher (7.4 ± 2.7vs5 ± 2.6) (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: BD patients with MetS are predisposed to mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric and ocular manifestations with consequently increased damage. The involvement of the deeper structures of the eye should alarm rheumatologists to keep in mind that all patients should have an eye examination, especially those with MetS.

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in Behçet's disease patients: a remarkable gender gap and time to refine the treatment strategy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the work was to delineate the computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) findings in Behçet's disease (BD) patients with and without chest manifestations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 122 BD adults recruited from 5 Teaching University Hospitals in Egypt of those who agreed to perform a CTPA. The Arabic version of BD current activity form (BDCAF) and BD damage index (BDI) were assessed. Detailed pulmonary manifestations, examination, plain radiology chest, and CTPA findings were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 36.9 ± 11.3 years, male:female was 1.8:1, disease duration 9.6 ± 8.2 years, and age at onset 28.3 ± 8.6 years. Their mean BDCAF was 4.4 ± 2.2 and BDI 3.4 ± 1.8. There were chest manifestations in 51 (41.8%) and plain chest x-ray findings in 13 (10.7%) and CTPA findings in 31 (25.4%) in the form of pulmonary thromboembolism in 15 (12.3%), pulmonary aneurysms in 7 (5.7%), pneumonia in 5 (4.1%), interstitial lung disease in 4 (3.3%) and pleural effusion in 3 (2.5%). Patients with chest manifestations had significantly higher frequency of cardiac manifestations (15.7%) compared to those without (2.8%; p = 0.023); chest x-ray findings tended to be higher (17.6% vs 5.6%; p = 0.05) while CTPA findings were significantly detected (51% vs 7%; p < 0.0001). Higher frequency of CTPA findings were in females (p < 0.0001). Yet the rate of serious pulmonary embolisms, aneurysms, and thrombosis was exclusive in males. CONCLUSION: Meticulous investigation of the chest manifestations is warranted in BD patients to undermine the actual magnitude of pulmonary impact. CTPA provides a realistic estimate of the extent of involvement even in asymptomatic cases. Key Points • Meticulous chest assessment is warranted in Behçet's disease patients to undermine the actual magnitude of pulmonary impact • CTPA provides a realistic estimate of the extent of involvement even in asymptomatic cases.

Intra-Carpal Injection of Ozone versus Methylprednisolone in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Randomized Single-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most entrapment syndrome in general and is the most frequent peripheral nervous system involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Local injection of steroid hydrodissection or ozone-oxygen showed favourable outcome in CTS in general. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical efficacy of ozone versus methylprednisolone intracarpal injection upon pain, functional status, and nerve conduction in patients with CTS due to SSc. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized single-blinded trial. SETTING: Anesthesia, pain, and rheumatology clinics in a university hospital. METHODS: Fifty CTS patients with > 3 months duration of SSc were equally randomized into either group O (injection of ozone/oxygen 25 mu-g/mL in 20 mL) or group M (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg, and 40 mg lidocaine in 20 mL). Visual analog scale (VAS) was measured pre-injection, then re-evaluated post-injection at 4 time points (1 week, 1 month, 3 months , and 6 months); Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS); and a median nerve electrophysiologic study was done before injection, then by the end of 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: VAS was significantly lower in group M after 1 week (P = 0.01). Group O showed significantly lower VAS after 3 and 6 month (P < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the VAS during the whole study period within each group, in comparison to its baseline value. CHFS was significantly lower in the ozone group after 6 months (P < 0.001). The sixth month's sensory conduction was significantly higher in group O (P = 0.002). The motor distal latency was significantly lower in the ozone group after 3 and 6 months (P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Follow-up period could be furtherly extended. CONCLUSION: Both intracarpal ozone or methylprednisolone afford favorable effects upon CTS in patients with SSc. However, ozone alleviates pain much more, enhances the hand functional status, and improves median nerve conduction in study with over six months duration.

Clinical Impact of the ABO Blood Type in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Is there a Link to the ABO and Rhesus?

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have shown associations of ABO and Rh blood groups with various diseases; however, the relationship of ABO and Rh blood groups with rheumatic diseases are scarce. The aim of the present study was to examine whether there is an association between ABO and Rh blood groups and the types of rheumatic diseases. METHOD: In this multi-centre cross-sectional study, sociodemographic data, type of rheumatic disease, and type ABO and Rh blood groups were examined for patients with different rheumatic diseases. RESULTS: A total of 304 patients; 207 (68.1%) were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and 40 (13.2%) had systemic lupus erythematosus. The patients were assessed for blood types; 37.8% patients had A type, 27.6% had B type, 19.1% had O type, and 15.4% had AB type. The Rh (+) blood group was more prevalent (89.1%) than Rh (-). Blood group A was more prevalent in patients with rheumatic disease, followed by B, O, and AB respectively, although there was no significant difference in the distribution of ABO groups among rheumatic diseases. Female gender, smoking, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide are significantly different between the blood groups within rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSION: The A and Rh (+) blood groups were more commonly observed in patients with rheumatic diseases. There was lack of association between types of rheumatic diseases and ABO blood groups. The study provides knowledge for the interaction between ABO blood groups and several risk factors related to rheumatic diseases and may serve a guide for future clinical studies.