| EULAR CONFERENCES |
| EULAR is the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. | | | |
| EULAR 2007 Special Report |
| EULAR 2007 was held in Barcelona, Spain June 13 - 16, 2007. Please see the EULAR web site for more information and abstracts. |
| Bone Mineral Density, Markers Of Bone Metabolism And Vitamin D Metabolites In Patients With Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). A osteologic screening should be done routinely in patients with SSc to prevent loss of bone mass by early, adequate osteoprotective medication. L. Philipp THU0303 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Vitamin D Dificiency and Skeletal Involvement ) |
| Ethnicity Influence On Clinical And Immunological Manifestations In Systemic Sclerosis: Analysis Of 1139 Brazilian Patients. Ethnicity was associated with differences in the clinical and immunological presentation in a large national SSc cohort in Brazil. P. D. Sampaio-Barros AB0528 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Ethnicity ) |
| Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety In Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: Impact Of Disease Severity And Socioeconomic Factors. Symptoms of depression are more common in female, unemployed and older patients, as well as in patients with severe pain and longer disease duration. Symptoms of anxiety were found in almost all patients, but without dependency on disease severity or socioeconomic factors. P. Ostojic THU0301. EULAR 2007. (Also see: Depression and Anxiety ) |
| Systemic Vasculitis In Progressive Systemic Sclerosis: The Frequency, Severity And Stages Of Vasculitis In Various Organs - A Retrospective Clinicopathologic Study Of 11 Autopsy Patients. The high prevalence (incidence) of vasculitis and vascular changes in the lungs, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and heart should warn to carefully evaluate the clinical and laboratory evidence pointing to involvement of these organs in SSc. The frequently involved gastrointestinal tract may be a good target for biopsy to confirm the presence of systemic vascular changes (and consecutive submucosal fibrosis) in SSc patients. M. Bély. AB0496 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Vasculitis )) |
| Use Of Bosentan And Continuous Iloprost Infusion In Scleroderma Patient With Pulmunary Hypertension. Continuous IV infusion of iloprost associated with bosentan in SSc patients with PAPs improved symptoms of PAPs, hemodynamics and physical aspects of quality of life. M. M. S. SESSAREGO AB0529 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension and Bosentan ) |
| Impaired Arterial Elasticity In Patients With Systemic Sclerosis. Increased Augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) of brachial artery show an increased arterial stiffness in SSc. In healthy subjects there was an inverse correlation between endothelial function and arterial stiffness. G. Szücs AB0535 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement ) |
| Systemic Sclerosis Patients Have Activating Antibodies Targeting Both Endothelin Receptor Type A And Angiotensin Ii Type 1 Receptor Predicting Worse Prognosis. Anti-AT1R and anti-ETAR antibodies are a biomarker for severe disease and worse prognosis and could explain pathogenic features found in systemic sclerosis. The detection of these antibodies could identify SSc patients that might benefit from a receptor blockade or from a specific modulation of the antibody-receptor interaction. G. Riemekasten OP0162 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Endothelin, Antibodies,and Prognosis ) |
| Hand Vascular Involvement Assessed By Magnetic Resonance Angiography In Systemic Sclerosis. These results show the substantial specific vascular involvement in SSc. Lesions were diffuse and involved both arterial and venous vessels of small caliber and the microcirculation. Hand MRA appears to be a promising non invasive tool to evaluate the vascular aspects of SSc. Y. Allanore OP0165 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's ) |
| The German Network For Systemic Scleroderma - Use Of Corticosteroids And Immunosuppressive Therapy Varies Between Disease Subsets. The study reveals considerable variations of therapeutic regimens among different medical disciplines and, in particular, a high percentage of corticosteroid use. These data will form the framework for following and comparing the outcome of the development of therapeutic guidelines on a national and international level. N. Hunzelmann. AB0507 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Medications ) |
| Cytokine Levels In Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (Balf) In Patients With Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). In comparison to other diseases, SSc patients present a specific cytokine pattern in BALF. The detection of high MCP-1 levels in patients with fibrosis and in patients with decreased DLCO after one year of treatment suggests a key function of this cytokine as potential therapeutic target in SSc lung involvement. G. Riemekasten THU0318 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Cytokines and Pulmonary Involvement ) |
| Exercise Performance In Systemic Sclerosis: Relationship With Disease Manifestations. Exercise performance is impaired in most SSc patients, at least in those admitted in a referral clinic. The impairment of exercise performance is correlated to lung, heart and skin involvement. L. Ruocco AB0525 EULAR 2007 (Also see: Effects of SSc, Cardiac, Pulmonary, and Skin Involvement ) |
| Markers Of Fibrosis In The Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis. Our results show that different markers for fibrosis can be demonstrated in SSc stomach. Moreover, the involvement of gastric wall components in fibrosis most likely is involved in the decreased mobility and atrophy of the stomach in SSc patients. M. Manetti THU0296 EULAR 2007. (Also see: GI Involvement ) |
| Mortality And Histological Characteristics Of SSc - A Retrospective Study Of 12 Autopsy Patients. SSc is a progressive multifocal process characterized by histological (vascular and interstitial) changes co-existing in different stages of their progression. In the course of the disease new foci develop, which increase in size and number, may become confluent, ultimately leading to diffuse, systemic interstitial sclerosis. Á. Apáthy THU0235 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Prognosis and Mortality ) |
| Assessment Of Unmet Needs In The Design Of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) In The Treatment Of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Except for gastrointestinal trials, <38% of SSc patients were allowed into trials. SSc lung disease studies had the worst external validity. We need RCT design that includes many patients with SSc as there is a large burden of disease and trials typically do not include the majority of patients. S. Yuen THU0336 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Clinical Trials ) |
| Polyautoimmunity In Patients With Systemic Sclerosis(SSc). Polyautoimmunity is frequent in patients with SSc, and autoimmune diseases cluster within families of these patients. A. Rojas-Villarraga THU0314 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Scleroderma in Overlap and Autoimmunity ) |
| Disease Modifying Effect Of Iloprost Infusions In Scleroderma. The results confirm the clinical observation of immediate improvements in Scleroderma hand puffiness following Iloprost infusions. The complementary findings of improved mobility supports this conclusion. Iloprost seems to reduced vascular permeability in addition to causing vasodialatation suggesting a disease modifying effect in Scleroderma. C. N. A. Rajapakse AB0522 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's and Digital Ulcers ) |
| Transition From Primary To Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon (PRP / SRP): Identification By Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy During The Follow-Up. We showed the progression from PRP to SRP in 14.6% of the analyzed patients. We suggest the capillaroscopic analysis twice a year in presence of PRP, in order to early detect the transition to SRP in patients showing at the beginning a normal pattern or not-specific nailfold capillary abnormalities, as assessed by NC. A. Sulli OP0138 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's and Nailfold Capillaroscopy ) |
| Distribution Of Myocardial Fibrosis In Scleroderma: A Delayed-Enhanced MRI Study. Delayed-enhanced MRI can detect myocardial fibrosis in a significant portion of SSc patients. The distribution of fibrosis is mostly basal- and mid-myocardial and may account for the arrhythmias detected in these patients. G.E. Tzelepis OP0163 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement ) |
| The Topical Application Of Nitroglicerin Cream Improves Raynaud Phenomenon (RP) At Hands In Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Pilot, Open Label Study. Our data show that nitroglicerin cream is safe, reduces the intensity and the frequency of RP attacks. Effects are rapid and long lasting. Although the results should be confirmed on wider groups of patients, nitroglicerin cream might be considered as an alternative topical therapy for RP. G. Fiori. AB0503 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's ) |
| Statins: A Potentially Useful Therapeutic Option In The Management Of Systemic Sclerosis-Related Raynaud's Phenomenon And Digital Ulcers. The results of this study suggest that statins ameliorate vascular dysfunction and improve patient function. The good patient tolerance,their safety and relative inexpensiveness may prove statins invaluable in maintaining vascular integrity and a potentially welcome addition to the limited therapeutic arsenal for SSc. A. Abou-Raya OP0161 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's and Digital Ulcers ) |
| Collagen Degradation Products And Inflammatory Activity In Systemic (SSc) And Localized Scleroderma (LSc). In patients with SSc our data have shown the most intensive collagen degradation and simultanously an active inflammation which reflects the pathological processes in the skin and visceral organs, compared with psoriasis vulgaris patients and healthy inviduals. In LSc group collagen degradation was similar to that in control groups but a certain inflammatory activity was observed. R. Becvar THU0242 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Systemic Scleroderma, Localized Scleroderma, and Skin Involvement ) |
| Increased Oxidative Stress In Systemic Sclerosis Patients And Antioxidant Effect Of Avocado-Soybean Treatment. Oxidative stress is increased in SSc patients and plasma antioxidant protection is deficient, as compared with healthy normal controls. Avocado-soybean treatment has antioxidant properties. R. Sfrent-Cornateanu AB0530 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Alternative Therapies ) |
| Vitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone And Acro-Osteolysis (AO) In Systemic Sclerosis. In this group of Mediterranean SSc patients, the incidence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism was surprisingly high. This finding correlated with the occurrence of AO and calcinosis. Low levels of vit D may reflect silent malabsorption and might be a risk factor for secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone resorption. Y. Braun-Moscovici. AB0497 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma: Vitamin D Difficiency, Skeletal Involvement, and Thyroid Disease ) |
| Organ Involvement-Induced Disability In Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) . SSc-related disability is clinically significant and is mostly related to joint, cutaneous and cardio-pulmonary involvement, as well as to the disease-induced fatigue. C. Mihai. AB0514 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Skeletal, Skin, Cardiac and Pulmonary Involvement ) |
| The Relative Contributions Of Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure (PASP) And Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) To Function And Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) In Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Although it is obvious from clinical practice that for patients with either severe PAH or ILD, lung disease may be an important cause of morbidity, in the average patient the degree of pulmonary involvement is not severe enough to interfere significantly with function or HRQoL. Disease severity outside the lung appears to be more important. M. Baron. AB0495 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Pulmonary Involvement and Emotional Adjustment ) |
| The Effect Of Cyclophosphamide Treatment On Skin Changes In Patients With Scleroderma Interstitial Lung Disease. Although the lot was small – only 28 patients- because they were treated with Cyclophosphamide according to their lung involvement, the Cyclophosphamide treatment seemed to ameliorate the skin thickening in Systemic Sclerosis. The effect is greater in those patients with higher mRodnanss. I. C. Oprisan. AB0518 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Skin Fibrosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Cyclophosphamide ) |
| Macrovascular Disease In Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). This study showed an increased intima-media thickness (IMT) in SSc patients compared to healthy controls. Though no differences were seen in traditional risk factors, a subanalysis showed an increased prevalence of a positive family history of cardiovascular disease in the SSc patients with increased IMT. Therefore, besides the vasculopathy, traditional risk factors appear to play a role in the prevalence of atherosclerosis in SSc patients. M. E. Hettema. AB0505 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement ) |
| EULAR 2007 Special Report - Autoimmune reports |
| Rituximab For Refractory Polymyositis: An Open-Label Prospective Study. Rituximab is an option to be considered in refractory polymyositis and further controlled trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy. C. C. Mok THU0292 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Polymyositis ) |
| Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity (DLCO) Correlates With Functional Pulmonary Vascular Surface Area In Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) From Connective Tissue Disease (CTD). This is the first demonstration that the reduction in DLCO in PAH-CTD is at least in part related to loss of functional capillary surface area, and is proportional to its severity. D. Langleben THU0285 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension and Connective Tissue Disease ) |
| Pulmonary Fibrosis In Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) And Dermatomyositis (DM) Demonstrates Marked Improvement After Administration Of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF/Cellcept). MMF's immunomodulatory and inhibitory effects on fibroblasts and other non-immune cells and a well established low side effect profile with high tolerance make MMF a potential alternative to cyclophosphamide in the treatment of SSc or DM related interstitial lung disease. L. A. Saketkoo THU0315 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis and Dermatomyositis ) |
| The Role Of A Pharmacist Within A Rheumatology Service. Because a pharmacist is focussed on medication issues, problems related to medicines are readily picked up which may ordinarily be missed. All interventions made by the pharmacist, enhanced the safe, efficient, evidence based and cost-effective use of medicines in patients. S. Ahmad THU0418-AHP EULAR 2007. (Also see: Medications ) |
| Endothelial Cell Dysfunction In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Associated To Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD): Effects Of Bosentan. Our data confirm a severe endothelial cells (EC) dysfunction in patients with PAH associated to CTD, demonstrated by elevated circulating levels of soluble markers of EC activity. After three months of treatment, bosentan was able to improve exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodinamics and to reduce EC dysfunction. F. Cozzi THU0255 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Bosentan for Pulmonary Hypertension ) |
| Erectile Dysfunction: An Important Clinical Symptom Associated With Rheumatologic Disease. While ED is an important clinical symptom physicians of all disciplines should be aware about it. However, in patients where ED occurs first and more “typical” explanations like hypertension, diabetes and others were excluded, physicians should think about the possibility of an underlying autoimmune disease. J. Rech AB0523 EULAR 2007 (Also see: Erectile Dysfunction and Autoimmune Disease ) |
| Long Term Survival Study Of Adult Onset Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies; A Single Centre Experience. Adult onset dermatomyositis presenting with respiratory or pharyngeal muscle weakness portends poor prognosis. Most patients continued to need long term immunosuppressive therapy. V. Agarwal THU0229 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis ) |
| Combined Therapy With Prednisone, Cyclosporine And Methotrexate In Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies. Combined treatment with prednisone, cyclosporine and methotrexate seems to be effective, safe and well tolerated in patients with inflammatory myopathy. A good response was seen in terms of muscle straight, QOL, creatin-kinase levels and reduction in steroids dosage. G. J. Tobon AB0536 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis ) |
| Treatment Resistant Anti-Srp Positive Polymyositis Successfully Treated With Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation. This is the first report on a successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in a patient with treatment resistant anti-SRP positive polymyositis. J. C. Henes. AB0504 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Polymyositis ) |
| Effects of Exercise in Warm Water on Pain and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Women with Fibromyalgia (FM). An exercise therapy three times per week for 16 weeks in a chest-high pool of warm water is an adequate treatment to decrease the pain and to improve cognitive function in previously unfit women with FM. D. Munguía-Izquierdo. OP0037-AHP EULAR 2007. (Also see: Fibromyalgia and Pain Management ) |
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