Scleroderma Medical News: March 2008

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March 2008

Methamphetamine use and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). “We are seeing more and more PAH patients come into the clinic that are current or former methamphetamine users." Medical Health News and Articles. 03/25/08. (Also see: PAH )

Management of cutaneous vascular complications in systemic scleroderma: experience from the German network. Management of Raynaud's Phenomenon and ulcerations in SSc were heterogeneous at initiation of the network, reflecting a sometimes insufficient use of the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. (PubMed) Rheumatol Int. 2008 Mar 5. (Also see: Raynaud's and Digital Ulcers )

Sclerodermiform linear lupus erythematosus: A distinct entity or coexistence of two autoimmune diseases? A Case Report. The coexistence of features of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and scleroderma in the same skin lesions is very infrequent and has only been reported in 3 patients. (ScienceDirect) Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol 58, Issue 4, April 2008, Pp 665-667. (Also see: Overlap and Lupus )

Scleroderma Research: On-line Survey

Stressful Life Events, Quality of Attachment, Resilience and Experience of Scleroderma. (Password: Scleroderma1)
This on-line survey is about the experience of Scleroderma. We invite people aged 18 years and over diagnosed with Scleroderma to complete the online survey. Scleroderma Research, Bond University, Australia.

Systemic Sclerosis and Localized Scleroderma in Childhood. Juvenile scleroderma syndromes, including the systemic and the localized varieties, represent the third most frequent chronic rheumatic conditions in pediatric rheumatology practice. (ScienceDirect) Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America Vol 34, Issue 1, Feb 2008, Pp 239-255. (Also see: Juvenile Scleroderma and Localized )

Gastrointestinal symptoms and motility disorders in patients with systemic scleroderma. In scleroderma patients dyspepsia (mainly gastric fullness), restricted distension of the gastric antrum and diffuse gastrointestinal dysmotility are frequent features. (PubMed) BMC Gastroenterol. 2008 Feb 27;8(1):7. (Also see: GI Involvement )

Serum nitric oxide (NO)) metabolites and disease activity in patients with systemic sclerosis. Serum NO(x) in SSc patients were elevated compared to healthy controls. Serum NO(x) level was determined by multiple factors including age, prednisolone use, and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure. (PubMed) Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Mar;27(3):315-22. Epub 2007 Aug 15. (Also see: Raynaud's and Nitric Oxide )

The Heart in Scleroderma. The heart is one of the major organs involved in scleroderma, the involvement of which can be manifested by myocardial disease, conduction system abnormalities, arrhythmias, or pericardial disease. (Science Direct) Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America Volume 34, Issue 1, February 2008, Pages 181-190. (Also see: Cardiac Involvement )

New techniques improve imaging quality, not diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. When the enhancement techniques were compared with regular WLE images, the observers clearly preferred the enhancement techniques, which scored higher in terms of overall image quality, the quality of mucosal imaging, and the quality of vascular imaging. EurekAlert! 03/11/08. (Also see: Barrett's Esophagus )

Localized Scleroderma (LS) Severity Index and Global Assessments: A Pilot Study of Outcome Instruments. LS clinical trials are impeded by the lack of reliable and reproducible outcome measures. We have developed the LS Severity Index (LoSSI) to correct this deficiency. Journal of Rheumatology. Volume 35: No. 3 March 2008. (Also see: Localized Scleroderma )

Autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): clues for clinical evaluation, prognosis and pathogenesis. Autoantibodies against topoisomerase (Scl-70), centromere-associated proteins, and nucleolar antigens are important for the diagnosis of the disease and give clues for its clinical manifestations and prognosis (prognostic autoantibodies). (PubMed) Wien Med Wochenschr. 2008 Jan;158(1-2):19-28. (Also see: Antibodies )

Technology Insight: hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) transplantation for systemic rheumatic disease. Transplantation of HSCs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases aims to fundamentally correct the dysregulated immune system, which could result in sustained clinical remission or potential cure. (PubMed) Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol. 2008 Feb 19. (Also see: Stem Cell Transplant )

Mental health in patients with systemic sclerosis: a controlled investigation. Timely detection of psychosocial difficulties and appropriate psychological or psychiatric intervention may represent important steps toward better adherence to medical treatment and improved psychological well-being and quality of life. (PubMed) J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008 Mar;22(3):336-40. (Also see: Emotional Adjustment )