Assessment of Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Psoriatic Arthritis Patients in India.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease associated with significant comorbidity. However, the characteristics of patients with psoriasis are not well documented in India, and a more detailed understanding is needed to delineate the epidemiologic profile at the regional level for better management of psoriasis. Herein, we reported the clinical profile and demographic pattern of psoriasis to further understand its burden in the Indian setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients diagnosed with psoriasis who fulfilled the classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. Patients were included from the rheumatology outpatient department of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai, India. The outcomes included demographic and clinical profiles, patterns of joint involvement, and comorbidities associated with psoriasis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We enrolled 60 patients, with a mean age of 50.87 years and a higher proportion of females (62%). The majority of patients with less than five joints had associated comorbidities (40 out of 60). Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) occurred in 41 patients [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of onset-38.88 ± 13.24 years], with the highest occurrence in the 30-50 years (53.3%). The majority of patients with PsA developed it within 2 to ≥5 years of psoriasis occurrence. We did not find any significant correlation between the occurrence of PsA and comorbidities, as well as the duration of PsA and the number of joints (p = 0.152). Pitting and enthesitis were the most common morphological changes noted in almost half of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our study provides an overview of the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of psoriasis patients in India. These findings could be useful for early diagnosis of PsA and help clinicians in assessing the progression of psoriasis into PsA.

Itolizumab in combination with methotrexate modulates active rheumatoid arthritis: safety and efficacy from a phase 2, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, dose-ranging study.

The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of itolizumab with methotrexate in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had inadequate response to methotrexate. In this open-label, phase 2 study, 70 patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and negative for latent tuberculosis were randomized to four arms: 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 mg/kg itolizumab weekly combined with oral methotrexate, and methotrexate alone (2:2:2:1). Patients were treated for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of methotrexate alone during follow-up. Twelve weeks of itolizumab therapy was well tolerated. Forty-four patients reported adverse events (AEs); except for six severe AEs, all others were mild or moderate. Infusion-related reactions mainly occurred after the first infusion, and none were reported after the 11th infusion. No serum anti-itolizumab antibodies were detected. In the full analysis set, all itolizumab doses showed evidence of efficacy. At 12 weeks, 50 % of the patients achieved ACR20, and 58.3 % moderate or good 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) response; at week 24, these responses were seen in 22 and 31 patients. Significant improvements were seen in Short Form-36 Health Survey and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index scores. Overall, itolizumab in combination with methotrexate was well tolerated and efficacious in RA for 12 weeks, with efficacy persisting for the entire 24-week evaluation period. (Clinical Trial Registry of India, http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php , CTRI/2008/091/000295).

Case report of tumour-induced osteomalacia with parotid gland tumour as a focus / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">Tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, which is characterized by overproduction of FGF23 as a phosphaturic agent leading to chronic phosphaturia and hypophosphatemia, associated with inappropriately normal or low levels of vitamin D. We describe a rare case of a 57-year-old Indian female who presented with bone pains, muscle pains and lower limb weakness. On examination she was found to have hypophosphatemia. Our work up led to the identification of a FGF23 secreting parotid tumour. The tumour responsible for symptoms was a pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. Its complete resection resulted in normalisation of patient's symptoms. Laboratory parameters and microsopic examination further revealed a mesenchymal tumour of mixed connective tissue type.</p>

Type B insulin resistance in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient.

In type B insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans, the insulin resistance is due to the presence of anti-insulin receptor antibody 1. Approximately one-third of patients with these antibodies have an associated illness such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Sjögren's syndrome. This report describes a case wherein the patient had presented with uncontrolled diabetes and required > 3000 units of human insulin to control hyperglycemia. She also had features of SLE. There was complete recovery following treatment with steroids.

Arthritis in HIV.

A five and half-year-old boy with arthritis involving large joints is reported. The child was found to be seropositive for HIV. Various rheumatological manifestations have been described in adults with HIV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of HIV infection presenting as arthritis in pediatric age group in Indian literature.