Pyarthrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a detailed analysis of 10 cases and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To analyze the clinical features and outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and pyarthrosis seen in a rheumatology department during a 9-year period; 2) To review the available literature about this association in the last decade. METHODS: From the database of our department, we collected all hospitalized cases of infectious arthritis in native joints between January 1990 and December 1998. In 10 cases (27%), pyarthrosis occurred in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A detailed analysis of each patient was performed. The literature was reviewed by using MEDLINE from 1990 to 1999. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 63.2 years; six were female. Most patients had long-standing disease and poor functional class, and all received glucocorticoid treatment. Mean diagnostic delay was 7.3 days. Causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (4 cases), gram-negative bacilli (3 cases), anaerobic bacteria (2 cases), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 1). Two patients died. In all but two patients who survived, joint function worsened. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatoid arthritis is a relevant host-related risk factor for septic arthritis. Pyarthrosis in these patients is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

The association of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels with bone mineral density in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in premenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, the possible protective role of androgens on bone mass. METHODS: Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the lumbar spine and femoral neck in 37 women with SLE (mean age 31.1 years) without disturbances or therapy that could interfere with bone metabolism except glucocorticoid therapy. We measured serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH): 2.5 +/- 1.3 pmol/L, serum testosterone: 1.6 +/- 1.1 nmol/L, salivary testosterone: 0.09 +/- 0.1 nmol/L, and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS): 2.2 +/- 2.2 umol/L. RESULTS: BMD in the spine (L2-L4) was 0.94 +/- 0.1 g/cm2 and in the femoral neck 0.77 +/- 0.1 g/cm2. Four patients (10.8%) had osteoporosis. We found a significant positive relationship between DHEAS and BMD, a negative relationship between DHEAS and the glucocorticoid dose at the time of study, and a negative correlation between iPTH and DHEAS. CONCLUSIONS: Bone loss in corticosteroid-treated premenopausal patients with SLE may be modulated through down-regulation of the endogenous production of DHEAS.

Concept and limits of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a clinical syndrome defined in the English literature by pain, dystrophic tissue changes and local disturbance of autonomic function in a limb or part of a limb. Algodystrophy is the common name used for the condition in the French literature, in which the concept also includes the "transient regional osteoporosis" and the "regional migratory osteolysis". We want to discuss three points: 1) Are the RSD, transient regional osteoporosis and migratory osteolysis different diseases or different manifestations of a single condition? We believe that an objective differentiation is not possible between them. Our report about 28 cases of polytopic RSD shows the frequent association in the same patient of these manifestations and we believe that this represents the broad spectrum of a single disease. 2) Is the accepted classic pathophysiologic mechanism of RSD accurate? The conception of a disturbance of autonomic function is not easily linked with its association with conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hyperlipidaemia and others. Even more difficult to explain is the association with malignancy and osteomalacia. The deposit of immunoglobulins that we have demonstrated in two cases in the palmar fascia of RSD associated with malignancy suggests a possible immunological mechanism. 3) What are the limits of RSD? The association between RSD and aseptic necrosis of the hip has been reported. Are they two different conditions or is the aseptic necrosis only a more developed form of RSD? Finally, we report the first single case of Munchausen syndrome mimicking a RSD of the hand with the same clinical, radiological and scintigraphic appearance.

Temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica in north-eastern Spain: clinical spectrum and relationship over a 15 year period.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical spectrum of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA) and their relationship over a period of 15 years in an area of north-eastern Spain. METHODS: We undertook a descriptive study of an unselected population of 163 patients with PMR and/or TA diagnosed from 1985 to 1999. RESULTS: Of the 163 patients included, 90 had isolated PMR, 41 had PMR associated with TA, and 32 had isolated TA. The clinical spectrum of both conditions in our area was similar to that reported in other populations, including a marked female predominance. However, in our series, no patient developed permanent blindness or other major ischemic complications. PMR was observed in 56% of patients with TA. Conversely, 7% of patients originally suffering from PMR without clinical evidence of arteritis at presentation developed later symptoms of TA, and there were no predictive features for this. Interestingly, none of these patients suffered visual loss or other ischemic complications. The low risk of major complications in these cases does not support the need for systematic arterial biopsy in all patients with symptoms of PMR alone. On comparing patients with isolated TA with patients with PMR associated with TA, no differences were observed, thus discarding the possibility that the second constitutes a distinct and independent subgroup of TA. In contrast, when comparing patients with isolated PMR with patients with PMR associated with TA, we found significant differences between both the groups, with greater abnormality of clinical and laboratory markers of inflammation in patients with PMR associated with TA. These differences seem to reflect a greater degree of systemic inflammation linked to the presence of TA. CONCLUSION: In our area, TA appears nowadays as a benign disease which infrequently presents blindness or other major complications. Our experience confirms that even after a good clinical response with normalization of a high ESR in PMR, the patient is at risk for clinical development of TA. Finally, our study also shows that isolated TA and PMR associated with TA seem to be the same condition, different from isolated PMR.

Septic arthiritis due to Prevotella bivia in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Prevotella bivia is a gram-negative anaerobic bacteria traditionally classified in the genus Bacteroides, and usually reported in obstetric and gynecologic infections. To date, there has been only one description of infectious arthritis secondary to this germ. We report the first case of septic arthritis due to Prevotella bivia in a patient with severe, long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with low doses of corticosteroids. RA is a well-known predisposing factor to septic arthritis, whose causes are multifactorial (general immunosuppression induced by the disease and its therapy, presence of prosthetic joints, etc.). However, infectious arthritis due to anaerobic bacteria is rarely observed. In general, clinical presentation varies widely: insidious onset, apyrexia, and lack of inflammatory signs or systemic disturbance are frequent features. Joint infection is generally secondary to hematogenous spread, the Bacteroides fragilis group being the most commonly isolated pathogens. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment, with drainage and debridement of the affected joint and specific antimicrobial treatment with Metronidazole are essential for a successful outcome.

Weak androgen levels, glucocorticoid therapy, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To study dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (AND) status in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the effects of glucocorticoid therapy on DHEAS and AND levels, and their relationship with bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Forty-six postmenopausal women with RA were separated into two groups based on whether they had a negative history for glucocorticoid therapy (n = 24) or were currently on glucocorticoid therapy (n = 22). The control group was composed of 39 postmenopausal women who had never received hormone replacement therapy. Serum DHEAS and AND levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay. BMD was determined at the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck using a DEXA Hologic QDR-1000 densitometer. Results. RA patients and controls were similar in age, weight, body mass index, and years since menopause. DHEAS and AND levels were lower in the glucocorticoid-treated RA group than in the other two groups. The glucocorticoid-treated RA group also had a significantly lower femoral BMD value than the nonglucocorticoid-treated RA group. Lumbar BMD was similar in the two RA groups and in the controls. CONCLUSION: Decreases in DHEAS and AND levels in postmenopausal women with RA are probably related to glucocorticoid therapy rather than to the disease itself.

Bone mineral density in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Although osteopenia is often reported as a complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus, its frequency and severity remain unclear, and studies of bone mineral density in type 1 diabetics have yielded conflicting results. We measured bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in 88 Spanish adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus responsible for moderately severe complications. Mean age (+/- SD) was 28.9 +/- 8.8 years, and mean disease duration was 11.2 +/- 6.4 years. As compared to normal Spanish adults, bone mineral density was decreased in the patients at the lumbar spine (Z-score, -0.32 +/- 1.08; P < 0.001) but not at the femoral neck (Z-score, -0.21 +/- 1.03; P non-significant). The magnitude of bone loss in the diabetics was small (T-score, -0.38 +/- 1.13 at the lumbar spine and -0.37 +/- 1.08 at the femoral neck). Only three patients met WHO criteria for osteoporosis at one or both measurement sites. Patients with retinopathy (n = 37) had lower lumbar spine bone mineral density values than patients without retinopathy; however, this difference was no longer present after adjustment for age and disease duration. Bone mineral density values were similar in patients with (n = 13) and without microalbuminuria. Our findings suggest that bone loss is not a major problem in younger type 1 diabetics with short disease durations and no severe diabetic complications.

Nutritional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Some chronic diseases have been associated to an impairment of nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To analyze nutritional status and its relation to dietary intake, disease activity and treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have included 93 patients (43 men and 50 women) and 93 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The assessment of nutritional status included anthropometric (body mass index, tricipital skin fold and midarm muscular circumference) and biochemical (serum albumin, prealbumin and retinol binding protein) parameters. Dietary intake was calculated from a food frequency questionnaire. As a measure of disease activity, we used the Health Assessment Questionnaire, Ritchie index, tender and swollen joint count and C-reactive protein. Statistical analysis was performed in the whole series and in every functional class. RESULTS: In the whole series, midarm muscular circumference and serum albumin were significantly lower in patients than in controls. All anthropometric parameters and serum albumin were significantly lower in patients in functional class IV than in their respective controls. The dietary intake of energy, carbohydrates, vegetal proteins and lipids was higher in patients than in controls. Midarm muscular circumference and serum albumin had a significant inverse relation with disease activity parameters; body mass index, midarm muscular circumference and serum albumin correlated inversely with the cumulative dose of glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis in functional class IV have an impairment of nutritional status without a deficient dietary intake. The differences found in other functional classes are explained by rheumatoid arthritis itself. Nutritional parameters are related to disease activity and glucocorticoid treatment.

[Limitations of joint mobility in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus]. / Limitación de la movilidad articular en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo I.

BACKGROUND: To assess limitation of joint mobility in patients with type I diabetes mellitus and to evaluate its relation with retinopathy, joint mobility was prospectively assessed in 96 diabetic patients and 68 healthy controls. METHODS: Joint mobility was explored with the praying maneuver and the measurement in mobility degrees of the third and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints, wrists and elbows. The degree of metabolic control was assessed with the mean glycosylated hemoglobin in the last two years. Retinopathy was investigated with direct funduscopy. The results were statistically evaluated with chi-square and Student's t tests and the linear coefficient. RESULTS: A reduced joint mobility was found in 41 diabetics and 5 controls (p less than 0.0001). The reduction in joint mobility was related with the patients' age but not with the degree of metabolic control. 85% of diabetics with joint involvement had retinopathy of some degree. CONCLUSIONS: A limited joint mobility is a common complication of type I diabetes mellitus. The demonstration of this abnormality in diabetic patients might represent a first and simple marker of microangiopathy.

[Antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Presentation of 2 cases]. / Síndrome antifosfolípido en pacientes afectos de espondilitis anquilosante. Presentación de dos casos.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) have been described not only in systemic lupus erythematosus but also in several inflammatory diseases of the connective tissue, some infections, neoplasms, in pregnancy and even in apparently healthy individuals. Arterial and venous thrombosis are some of the clinical manifestations most frequently associated with APA. Two patients with ankylosing spondylitis with antiphospholipid antibodies are presented. The first patient developed a infarct in the pons as a complication at 34 years of age, with high titres of anticardiolipin antibodies as the only factor predisposing a cerebral vascular accident. The second patient had deep vein thrombosis with the presence of circulating anticoagulant. These are the first cases of antiphospholipid syndrome associated to ankylosing spondylitis in the literature.

[Prognostic factors in the evolution of psoriatic arthritis]. / Factores pronósticos de evolución en la artritis psoriásica.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the evolution and prognostic factors in the patients with psoriatic arthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have reviewed retrospectively the follow-up of 96 patients with psoriatic arthritis seen in our service. We have collected the following data at onset of the disease: age and sex, age at onset of cutaneous and articular manifestations, clinical form, distal interphalangeal affection, axial involvement, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody and HLA antigen. Likewise, we have collected the present functional class. We have correlated the data at onset of the disease with the present functional class. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD age of 96 patients (48 male, 48 female) was 51 +/- 14 years. The majority of patients (78%) were in ACR functional class I or II. The most frequent clinical form was the oligoarticular (46%), except in the female group, in which the most frequent was the symmetric polyarticular one (46%). We found statistically significant correlation between the present functional class and the clinical form at onset and the disease duration. We didn't found a statistically correlation between the present functional class and the axial involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriatic arthritis and symmetric polyarthritis are more frequently female, and have a worse prognosis. The axial involvement does not imply a worse prognosis.

[Study of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis treated with low dose glucocorticoids]. / Estudio densitométrico en mujeres posmenopáusicas con artritis reumatoide tratadas con dosis bajas de glucocorticoides.

BACKGROUND: To study bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with low doses of corticosteroids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eleven patients were included. Mean age (SD) was 63.8 (8.8) years, mean duration of postmenopausal period was 16.4 (10.1) years and the mean disease duration was 12.5 (8.2) years. RESULTS: A significant reduction of lumbar BMD (p < 0.05) and femoral BMD (p < 0.0001) was observed. The prevalence of osteoporosis was of 47%. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports, in the Spanish population, that postmenopausal women with RA treated with low doses of corticosteroids, have low BMD. We consider that the prevalence of osteoporosis in these patients is high.

[Secondary amyloidosis in rheumatoid arthritis. A clinical study of 29 patients]. / Amiloidosis secundaria a la artritis reumatoide. Estudio clínico de una serie de 29 casos.

BACKGROUND: To study the clinical features, outcome and response to therapy in 29 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with secondary amyloidosis (AA). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty-nine patients with RA and AA who were diagnosed during 11 years. RESULTS: The mean age and the mean duration of RA were 63 +/- 12 years and 15 +/- 7 years respectively. The most common initial clinical feature was renal involvement (83%). Nineteen patients were treated with methotrexate. The mean survival time was 42 +/- 8 months. Eleven patients (38%) have deceased. CONCLUSION: Our data confirms that AA in RA is a serious complication with a bleak prognosis. A normal renal function is a good prognosis indicator.