Proposal of a new diagnostic algorithm for adult-onset Still's disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to develop a new diagnostic algorithm for adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective nationwide case-control study in tertiary Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases departments, to include successively patients with suspected AOSD based on the presence of two or more major criteria of Yamaguchi and/or Fautrel classifications. Patients were classified as AOSD or controls according to a predefined procedure. A receiving operating characteristic curve was used to determine the best cutoff value of the points-based score for disease classification. A diagnostic algorithm was developed to help the physician in the diagnostic approach. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were included, 80 patients with AOSD and 60 controls with different diagnoses. Twenty patients with incomplete data were excluded. In the multivariate analysis, 6 items remained independently associated with AOSD diagnosis: typical rash (OR: 24.01, 3 points), fever ≥ 39 °C (OR: 17.34, 3 points), pharyngitis (OR: 10.23, 2 points), arthritis (OR: 9.01, 2 points), NLR ≥ 4 (OR: 11.10, 2 points), and glycosylated ferritin ≤ 20% (OR: 1.59, 1 point). AOSD should be considered if the patient satisfies 7 points with a sensitivity of 92.5%, specificity of 93.3%, and accuracy of 92.8% (area under the curve (AUC): 0.97 [95% CI: 0.94-0.99]). The present points-based score was more accurate and sensitive than the Yamaguchi classification (78.8%, 92.5%, p = 0.01) and Fautrel classification (76.3%, 92.5%, p = 0.004). A typical rash associated with a points-based score ≥ 7 points leads to a very likely disease. CONCLUSION: The proposed new algorithm could be a good diagnostic tool for adult-onset Still's disease in clinical practice and research. Key Points • A diagnostic algorithm was performed to help the physician in the diagnostic approach of AOSD. • The points-based score included in this algorithm had a high sensitivity and accuracy. • This diagnostic algorithm can be useful in the clinical research.

Validation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a new simple biomarker of adult onset Still's disease: A STROBE-Compliant prospective observational study.

This study was performed to investigate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of adult onset Still disease (AOSD) and its performance to improve the sensitivity of the classifications criteria (Yamaguchi and Fautrel Classifications). We conducted a multicenter prospective nationwide case-control study in Internal medicine, Rheumatology and Infectious disease departments, to include successively patients with suspected AOSD (2 or more major criteria of Yamaguchi or Fautrel classifications). All clinical and biological features were collected in a consensual and standardized clinical assessment at baseline and during follow-up. A receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to reassess the cutoff value of NLR. After determination of the cutoff value for NLR by ROC curve, 2 composite sets (Yamaguchi classification + NLR as a major criterion and Fautrel classification + NLR as a major criterion) were performed and evaluated. One hundred sixty patients were included, 80 patients with AOSD and 60 controls with different diagnoses. Twenty patients with incomplete data were excluded. The cutoff value for NLR equals 4 (area under the curve, AUC: 0.82). The NLR was ≥ 4 in 93.7% (75/80) of AOSD patients with a sensitivity of 93.8% and specificity of 61.7%. The association of NLR as a major criterion with the classification of Yamaguchi or Fautrel improved their sensitivity, respectively for Fautrel (76.3% to 92.5%, P = .004) and Yamaguchi (78.8% to 90%, P = .05). This study validates the NLR as a good simple biomarker of AOSD with a cutoff value of 4 and high sensitivity (93.8%). The addition of NLR (NLR ≥ 4) as a major criterion to the classifications (Yamaguchi and Fautrel) improved significantly their sensitivity and accuracy.

Cardiometabolic risk in Algeria: past and present.

Algeria, like all emerging countries, has been going through a health transition over the past 30 years or so, characterized by a drop in mortality rates, an increase in life expectancy and a change in the causes of death in favor of chronic non-communicable diseases. In the past, the country mainly faced infectious diseases such as typhoid, cholera and malaria. The prevalence of the latter has been significantly reduced thanks to the many social health and vaccination programs undertaken by the health authorities. As a result of this epidemiological transition, we are witnessing a growing increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases, mainly represented by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and cancer. According to the results of the latest national survey on the measurement of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (the Who StepWise approach), the prevalence of diabetes is close to 14.4% while the rate of obesity and overweight exceeds 50% of the population. High blood pressure has reached a prevalence rate of 23.6%. These diseases represent a real threat to our country's health, social and economic situation; they will lead to greater demands on health facilities and require more resources for intervention.

Incidence, clinical features and para-clinical findings of achalasia in Algeria: Experience of 25 years.

AIM: To investigate the incidence of achalasia in Algeria and to determine its clinical and para-clinical profile. To evaluate the impact of continuing medical education (CME) on the incidence of this disease. METHODS: From 1990 to 2014, 1256 patients with achalasia were enrolled in this prospective study. A campaign of CME on diagnosis involving different regions of the country was conducted between 1999 and 2003. Annual incidence and prevalence were calculated by relating the number of diagnosed cases to 105 inhabitants. Each patient completed a standardized questionnaire, and underwent upper endoscopy, barium swallow and esophageal manometry. We systematically looked for Allgrove syndrome and familial achalasia. RESULTS: The mean annual incidence raised from 0.04 (95%CI: 0.028-0.052) during the 1990s to 0.27/105 inhabitants/year (95%CI: 0.215-0.321) during the 2000s. The incidence of the disease was two and half times higher in the north and the center compared to the south of the country. One-hundred-and-twenty-nine (10%) were children and 97 (7.7%) had Allgrove syndrome. Familial achalasia was noted in 18 different families. Patients had dysphagia (99%), regurgitation (83%), chest pain (51%), heartburn 24.5% and weight loss (70%). The lower esophageal sphincter was hypertensive in 53% and hypotensive in 0.6%. CONCLUSION: The mean incidence of achalasia in Algeria is at least 0.27/105 inhabitants. A good impact on the incidence of CME was noted. A gradient of incidence between different regions of the country was found. This variability is probably related to genetic and environmental factors. The discovery of an infantile achalasia must lead to looking for Allgrove syndrome and similar cases in the family.