| EULAR CONFERENCES |
| EULAR is the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. |
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| EULAR 2006 Special Report |
| EULAR 2006 was held in EULAR 2006 was held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands June 21-24, 2006. Please see the EULAR web site for more information and abstracts. |
| Doppler Echocardiographic Evaluation in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). Signs of left ventricle diastolic function disorder were observed in patients with MCTD. Results suggest that global left ventricle function loss is the consequence of the disease itself and not of the treatment. J. Vegh. SAT0255 EULAR 2006. (Also see: MCTD and Cardiac Involvement ) |
| Open Esophagus on HR-CT Scan is Predictive for SSc. An open esophagus on a HR-CT scan, performed for whatever reason has a high positive predictive value for SSc and should prompt further examinations to confirm or exclude this diagnosis. M. C. Vonk. SAT0260 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Esophagus Involvement ) |
| Relationship Between Lung and Heart Involvement and Cardiopulmonary Functional Status in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). According to our results, presence of tricuspid pressure gradient and high right ventricle systolic pressure were the most important factors that predict worsening of cardiopulmonary functional status in patients with SSc. M. B. Zlatanovic. SAT0264 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement and Pulmonary Fibrosis ) |
| Audiologic Aspects in Systemic Sclerosis. In the majority of SS patients enrolled in this study sensorineural hearing loss was detected. This impairment was localized both inside and outside of the cochlea which could suggest the presence of VIII nerve neuropathy in affected individuals. B. Trzcinska-Butkiewicz. SAT0250 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Autoimmune Ear Disease ) |
| Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APLA) in Systemic Sclerosis. APLA are commonly found in SS without the clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome. APLA are correlated with PH,and may be considered as markers of vascular causes of pulmonary manifestations in SS. S. Tanaseanu. SAT0244 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pulmonary Hypertension ) |
| Long Term Effects of Treatment of the Cytokine Production in Scleroderma Patients. The long-lasting modulation of the cytokine network observed in the present study could be another potential mechanism responsible for the persistent efficacy of alprostadil despite its administration. SN. G. Yatsyshyn. AT0262 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Cytokines, Raynaud's, and Medications ) |
| Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) and Cyclophosphamide (CPA) Combination Therapy on Advanced Refractory Scleroderma. Considering the transient effects of DFPP itself, the main mechanism of DFPP/CPA therapy is considered the immunosuppressive effects of CPA, which might be enhanced by DFPP. H. Yoshifuji. SAT0263 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Clinical Trials: Pheresis ) |
| Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Severe Systemic Sclerosis: Update on the ASTIS Trial. The absence of TRM (treatment-related mortality) and unexpected toxicities with 65 SSc patients randomized underscores the feasibility of the ongoing ASTIS-trial. J. M. Van Laar. SAT0253 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Stem Cell Transplants: ASTIS Trial) |
| Alteration of Renal Perfusion in Normotensive Patients with Scleroderma: A Duplex Ultrasonography Study. The elevated doppler indices of renal vascular resistance in normotensive patients with PSS suggest an altered renal perfusion in the absence of obvious renal involvement. S. M. Weiner. SAT0261 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Renal Involvement ) |
| Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis: Follow-Up Results From an International Phase l-ll Study. Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation is feasible in selected patients with SSc with acceptable toxicity and significant clinical and functional benefits during the five years of follow up. M. C. Vonk. SAT0259 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Stem Cell Transplants ) |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hand in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). The visualization of pathology of hands was better with MRI and detailed lesions which were difficult to interpretate with clinical investigation or not visible with X-ray. M. N. Starovoytova. SAT0240 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Muscle and Joint Involvement and Common Medical Tests ) |
| Sitaxsentan, a Selective Endothelin-A Receptor Antagonist, Improves Exercise Capacity in PAH Associated with CTD. Sitaxsentan 100 mg improves the 6-minute walk diagnostic in patients with PAH-CTD with a low incidence of abnormal liver function tests. J. R. Seibold. SAT0233 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension and Dr. J.R. Seibold ) |
| High Frequency of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Hypothyroidism appears to be the commonest pattern of abnormality but was considered clinically significant and treated less often than hyperthyroidism. It is possible that constitutional features of SSc may obscure clinical evidence of hypothyroidism. P. Siakka. SAT0237 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Thyroid Disease ) |
| Tissue Doppler Echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests: The New Insight Into Heart and Respiratory Failure in Systemic Sclerosis Patients. Fibrosing of connective tissue in SSc patients leads to left ventricle diastolic dysfunction and restrictive ventilatory disturbances. This is a cause of severe cardiopulmonary system failure and exercise intolerance. W. Plazak. SAT0227 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement and Pulmonary Involvement ) |
| Six-Minute Walk Test for the Evaluation of Pulmonary Involvement in 110 Scleroderma Patients. Hemoglobin desaturation during a 6MWT provides additional information regarding the severity of disease in scleroderma patients with pulmonary manifestations. W. O. Villalba. SAT0232 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Involvement ) |
| Exercise Doppler Echocardiography (Ex-Echo) as a Tool to Detect Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Patients in a Pre-Clinic Asymptomatic Phase. Ex-Echo is an useful tool for identifying a cluster of lSSc patients with sub-clinical PAH, that, possibly, could be treated early with a therapy able to reverse PAH and to halt the progression of pulmonary vessel involvement. A. Pignone. SAT0225 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension ) |
| Dyspnoea in Systemic Sclerosis. Diffuse systemic sclerosis/myositis overlap is a known entity. Anti PmScl antibodies are seen in 40-50% of patients and are associated with positive HLA-DR3. Consider muscle disease as the cause for dyspnoea and dysphagia in systemic sclerosis. N. R. Priddee. SAT0228 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension, Dermatomyositis, and Antibodies ) |
| Ultrasonography of Hand Fingers Skin in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Analyzed skin of patients with SSc had considerably higher thickness than in healthy persons. Neither Raynaud’s phenomenon duration, nor major organ involvement, had a significant influence on the dimensions of examined skin. S. Z. Prodanovic. SAT0229 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Skin Fibrosis ) |
| Development of Additional Autoimmune Diseases in a Cohort of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. It is likely that this association is multifactorial in genetically predisposed individuals. Physicians should remain alert to the possibility of the development of other autoimmune diseases in patients with SSc. F. Sivera. SAT0238 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Overlap Syndrome ) |
| Microcirculation Modifications in Systemic Sclerosis: Comparison Between Hemopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation (HCST) and Cyclophosphamide (Cyc). Results indicate that HSCT with high dose Cyc may foster vascular remodelling while Cyc at lower doses and with a chronic regimen do not influence the microvascular damage. I. Miniati. SAT0216 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Stem Cell Transplants: ASTIS Study and Dr. Irene Miniati ) |
| Impact of Depression, Vascular and Fibrotic Changes on Development of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in Men with Systemic Sclerosis. Patients with erectile problems have more extended fibrotic changes, which indirectly suggests that fibrosis of the corporal body may play the main role in the pathogenesis of ED in SSc. P. S. Ostojic. SAT0223 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Emotional Adjustment: Sexuality ) |
| Characteristics of Scleroderma Patients with Secondary Sjogren's Syndrome (sSS) and Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS) Overlapping Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). We suggest that SSc patients with pSS or sSS are at higher risk to have lung and esophageal involvement especially in presence of diffuse skin involvement. G. Peluso. SAT0224 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Sjogren's Syndrome ) |
| Association of Prolonged Cyclophosphamide Therapy with Pulmonary Function Improvement in Scleroderma. In patients with scleroderma lung, extending the IV CYC therapy beyond one year increases the probability of pulmonary function improvement. G. E. Tzelepisg. OP0123 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis ) |
| Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept) as First-Line Treatment Improves Clinically-Evident Early Scleroderma Lung Disease. Our preliminary data suggest that in patients with recent, clinically apparent dSSc-related alveolitis, early treatment with Cellcept and small doses of corticosteroids may represent an effective, well-tolerated and safe alternative therapy. S. C. Liossis. SAT0210 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis and Medications ) |
| Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Marker of Right Ventricular Overload in Systemic Sclerosis. NT-proBNP is a good marker of diastolic dysfunction frequently found in SSc, determined by various degrees of pulmonary hypertension, well correlated with inflammatory markers. A. E. Musetescu. SAT0217 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement and Pulmonary Hypertension ) |
| Gender Differences in Systemic Sclerosis Clinical Expression and Survival. Male systemic sclerosis patients present more renal failure, conduction disturbances and inflammatory myopathy, and less anti-centromere antibodies than female patients. B. Joven. FRI0361 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Hormones and Chromosomes and Prognosis and Mortality ) |
| Frequency and Characteristics of Esophageal Lesions in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) According to the Data of Endoscopy. Endoscopic signs of esophageal involvement were found in the majority of patients with SSc, including serious lesions (erosions and ulcers). A. E. Karateev. FRI0362 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Esophagus Involvement ) |
| Therapy with Iloprost in Patients with Severe Raynaud's Phenomenon Secondary to Scleroderma. Venous inffusion of Iloprost reduces frequency and severity of vasospastic episodes, relieves the pain and heals digital ulcers. S. N. Lambova. FRI0368 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Raynaud's: Treatments and Digital Ulcers ) |
| Nailfold Capillaroscopic Findings in Systemic Sclerosis Patients. Nailfold capillaroscopy is a useful technique in patients with clinical suspicion of SSc diagnosis, and may identify patients with severe visceral complications. B. Joven. FRI0360 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Raynaud's and Diffuse Scleroderma ) |
| Evaluation of Asymptomatic Changes in Left Ventricular Function in Scleroderma Patients Using Echocardiographic Strain Imaging. Besides being a cause of pulmonary hypertension, severity of pulmonary involvement may be a contributing factor to subtle ventricular abnormalities observed in scleroderma patients as strain values were found to correlate significantly with DLCO (carbon monoxide diffusion capacity). A. Kepez. FRI0364 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement and Pulmonary Hypertension ) |
| Beneficial Effects of Bosentan on Myocardial Perfusion and Function Assessed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Tissue Doppler Imaging in Systemic Sclerosis. In systemic sclerosis, a short-term treatment with bosentan simultaneously improves myocardial perfusion and function, suggesting a beneficial effect on vascular dysfunction. Y. Allanore. OP0120 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement ) |
| Induced Sputum (IS): A Non-Invasive Tool for Evaluation of Lung Involvement and Alveolar Inflammation in Systemic Sclerosis. IS method supplied information comparable to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in patients with SSc, indicating that invasive BAL technique could be replaced by noninvasive IS method in assessing lung disease in SSc. N. S. Damjanov. FRI0339 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis ) |
| TNFalpha Blockade for Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study of Infliximab Therapy. In this open label study, treatment of dcSSc with infliximab appeared to provide cutaneous disease stability. There may be short term improvement in skin sclerosis although significant benefit at 6 months was not demonstrated. C. P. Denton. FRI0341 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Clinical Trials ) |
| Clinical and Personality Predictors of Psychological Distress in Patients with Scleroderma. Early psychiatric assessment and intervention through appropriate pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic approaches could contribute to the clinical management of patients with SSc. T. Hyphantis. FRI0346 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Emotional Involvement ) |
| The Topical Application of Vitamin E Gel Reduces the Time of Healing in Digital Ulcers of Hands in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Patients. D-alpha- tocopheryl acetate gel on digital ulcers of SSc patients leads to resolution of pain and to ulcer healing in almost half of the time of standard topical treatments. G. Fiori. FRI0350 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Digital Ulcers ) |
| Glaucomatous Type Abnormalities in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Glaucomatous type abnormalities were more frequent in patients with SSc compared to the control group. Such abnormalities may be attributed to the vasculopathy that is observed in patients with SSc, affecting the vessels of the optic disc. G. Kitsos. FRI0347 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Eye Involvement ) |
| Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. This study suggests that age of SSc diagnosis, lack of ANA positivity and pulmonary fibrosis are risk factors for the development of breast cancer in patients with SSc. C. T. Derk. FRI0342 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Scleroderma and Cancer |
| Twelve Weeks Therapy with Fluvastatin Improves Brachial Arterial Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. In our study, flow-mediated dilation change is not accompanied by a significant decrease in cholesterol levels, indicating that the beneficial effect of fluvastatin on endothelial function of SSc patients is indeed pleiotropic. L. Beretta. FRI0324 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Skin Fibrosis and Medications ) |
| Early Detection of Pulmonary Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis by Exercise Echocardiography. Exercise echocardiogram detected 68% of abnormal pulmonary responses missed on the resting evaluation. This procedure may become a useful tool in the screening of PAH in SS patients. A. C. Cordeiro. FRI0335 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension ) |
| Scleromyxedema Mimicking Systemic Sclerosis Treated with Thalidomide. Thalidomide dramatically and promptly improved the skin manifestations, suggesting that this drug may be considered as an alternative treatment of patients with scleromyxedema. E. Guevara-Gutierrez. AB0293 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Scleromyxedema ) |
| Prevalence of Sicca Symptoms and Sjogren's Syndrome in Systemic Sclerosis: Results of a Prospective Two-Center Series of 133 Patients. The prevalence of sicca symptoms and SS, using international classification criteria for SS, has been found respectively in 68% and 14% of SSc patients. J. Avouac. FRI0318 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Sjogren's Syndrome and Limited Scleroderma) |
| Clinical Features in Arab and Jewish Patients with Systemic Sclerosis in North Israel. This data could support potential influences of ethnic origin on the pathogenesis of SSc and indicates further extension to large group and genetic studies. A. Balbir-Gurman. FRI0319 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Genetics, Race) |
| Bosentan Reduces the Number of New Digital Ulcers in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis - Open Label Extension to a Double-Blind Trial. The sustained reduction in the number of new DUs and improvement of hand function suggest the maintenance of bosentan’s beneficial clinical effects after long- term exposure. C. Black. FRI0325 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Clinical Trials, Digital Ulcers, and Professor Carol Black) |
| Body Composition Analysis in Patients with Scleroderma. Total body fat and fat distribution seems not to be influenced in scleroderma patients when compared to healthy controls. However, high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly higher and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly lower in the patient group. O. Gurler. AB0289 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Skeletal Involvement and Cardiac Involvement) |
| Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD): Clinical, Laboratory and Outcome Analysis. MCTD is a distinctive entity rather than a haphazard association of clinical and serological features. Our study and several others highlight the impact of pulmonary hypertension in MCTD. M. Smiti Khanfir. AB0290 EULAR 2006. (Also see: MCTD) |
| Scleromyxoedema (Scmyx) Showing the Clinical Picture of Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis. Scmyx and dcSSc are two distinct clinical entities. In our patient, Scmyx was associated with paraprotein production as well as Raynaud's syndrome, polyarthritis, diffuse scleroderma and teleangiectasias, which are not included in Scmyx, but rather resemble dcSSc. Z. Szekanecz. AB0292 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Scleromyxedema) |
| Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP), Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and Macrovascular Peripheral Disease. In this sample of atherosclerotic patients, patients with RP were five times more prone to coronary disease, compared to patients without RP, which could suggest cardiac Raynaud's. SSc was more frequent than expected. J. F. J. Olmedo. AB0284 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Raynaud's, and Cardiac Involvement) |
| Heart Involvement in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: Tissue Doppler Echocardiography. Significant decrease of early diastolic velocities in SSc patients was found. The left ventricle systolic function in SSc patients is preserved. W. Plazak. AB0286 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement) |
| Cardiopulmonary Manifestations in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) - Correlation with Disease Duration and the Extent of Skin Involvement. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in patients with SSc causes restrictive lung disease and progresses to severe lung damage and immunoinflammatory heart damage leading to ventricular diastolic dysfunction. B. N. Stamenkovic. AB0291 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Hypertension) |
| Increased Frequency of Apnea-Hypoapnea During Sleep in Scleroderma Patients. Sleep apnea appears to have an increased prevalence in scleroderma. Pharyngeal fibrosis could be the cause. Y. Bicer. AB0263 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Emotional Adjustment and Causes of Scleroderma: Sleep Apnea) |
| Gastrointestinal Involvement in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis is quite frequent and implies sustained monitoring and periodic evaluation in order to prevent complications. P. Ciurea. AB0269 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Gastrointestinal Involvement) |
| A Role of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). GERD is the most common gastrointestinal tract disease in SSc. H.pylori infection might play an important role in its severity. H. Kuno. AB0279 EULAR 2006. (Also see: GERD and Esophagus Involvement) |
| Long-Term Safety and Drug Survival of Bosentan in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Bosentan survival has been high and similar to previous data from patients with primary PAH due to SSc. A close monitoring of liver enzymes is mandatory throughout the first year of treatment.. J. J. Alegre-Sancho. AB0260 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Clinical Trials and Digital Ulcers) |
| Efficacy Evaluation of Cyclophosphamide (CP) for Treating Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Systemic Sclerosis. The use of iv.CP for treating ILD related to SSc stabilizes the course of this complication and should be started at the beginning of the disease. Evaluation of the efficacy of the treatment must include clinical, pulmonary function and quantified radiological finding criteria. P. García de la Peña Lefebvre. AB0275 EULAR 2006. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis) |
| Successful Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PH) Associated with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) by Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy. Our findings suggest the long-term efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy for early PH associated with MCTD. Doppler echocardiography is also very useful to detect early PH in MCTD. S. Ohshima. AB0283 EULAR 2006. (Also see: MCTD and Pulmonary Hypertension) |
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