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July 2009

Efficacy of hydrotherapy in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)—a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. There is moderate evidence that hydrotherapy has short-term beneficial effects on pain and HRQOL in FMS patients. J. Langhorst. Rheumatology Advance Access. July 16 2009. (Also see: FMS)

Renal involvement in behcet's disease (BD). Renal involvement in BD is not infrequent, although in most cases it is mild in nature and may be missed. M.R. Ardalan. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Translplantation. July 8 2009. (Also see: Behcet's)

Renal transplantation in systemic vasculitis: when is it safe? There are no clear guidelines on renal transplantation in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis. Circulating ANCA at transplant was associated with the development of vascular lesions in the graft but was not significantly correlated with graft survival. Most grafts were lost due to patient death, which was more likely if transplantation occurred less than 12 months following induction of remission of ANCA-positive vasculitis. M. Little. NDT. July 13, 2009. (Also see: Vasculitis)

Ascending aortic aneurysm in a patient with bicuspid aortic valve. The bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and specific systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with cardiovascular manifestation, including aortic aneurysm. I. Foffa. Cardiovascular Ultrasound. July 6 2009. (Also see: Lupus Symptoms)

Cytokine and autoantibody profiling related to histopathological features in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Differences in cytokine levels may be utilized when sub-grouping the SS patients into disease phases and may consequently have implications for treatment. T.R. Reksten. Rheumatology Advance Access. July 2 2009. (Also see: Sjögren's)

Health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), employment and disability in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SS has a large impact on HR-QOL, employment and disability. J. Meijer. Rheumatology. June 24 2009. (Also see: Sjögren's)

Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy (MSGB) To Detect Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS) in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Confirming a diagnosis of pSS-related ILD by performing MSGB allows for more precise connective tissue disease (CTD) classification. This study provides evidence that CTD may exist subclinically and longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether identifying occult CTD impacts on management, longitudinal changes in lung function, or survival. Aryeh Fischer. Chest. May 2009 (Also see: Sjögrens Syndrome)

Fatigued patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have impaired central muscle activation. We conclude that impaired central motor activation is involved in MS-fatigue. (SageJournals) AK Andreasen. Multiple Sclerosis. Vol. 15, No. 7, 818-827 July 1, 2009. (Also see: Multiple Sclerosis)

The Premenstrual Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (FM): Similarities and Common Features. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical similarities and common features of FM and premenstrual dysphoric syndrome (PMDD). In this study, patients with PMDD were found to have higher levels of tenderness, higher psychiatric comorbidity, greater level of physical disabilities, and a lower quality of life. (SpringerLink) D. Amital. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology. June 25 2009. (Also see: Fibromyalgia)

Increased Frequency of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia (FM) and Associated Factors: A Comparative Study. In patients with FM, the severity scores of dyspepsia symptoms, constipation, and dyspepsia-related QOL disturbance were higher than in patients with RA and controls. O.N. Pamuk. JRheum. June 30 2009. (Also see: Fibromyalgia)

Reproductive Factors and Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Nationwide Cohort Study in Denmark. Nulliparous women, 1-child mothers, and women who experience spontaneous abortions, missed abortions, or stillbirths are at increased SLE risk. C.J. Ulff-Moller. JRheum. June 30 2009. (Also see: Autoimmunity and Pregnancy)

Safety of High-Dose Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED). The present study suggests that with appropriate patient selection, monitoring, and patient education, high-dose corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment of AIED. T.H. Alexander. Otology & Neurotology. June 2009. (Also see: Autoimmune Ear Disease)