Glutathione S-transferase M1, T1 and P1 Gene Polymorphisms and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Korean Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the contribution of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), T1 (GSTT1), and P1 (GSTP1, Ile105Val) to carotid atherosclerosis in 40 postmenopausal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) women without histories of smoking. METHODS: We measured mean intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque of the common carotid arteries by ultrasonography, and evaluated relations among the known risk factors for atherosclerosis, genetic polymorphisms, RA outcomes and markers of inflammation. RESULTS: Subjects with the GSTT1-null genotype had greater IMT (p<0.05). On univariate analysis, carotid IMT was positively associated with age, systolic BP, antihypertensive drug use and the GSTT1-null genotype (p<0.05). When compared to subjects with a double- positive GSTM1/T1 genotype, IMT in subjects with concurrent lack of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene was significantly increased (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the GSTT1-null genotype might have an interaction with carotid atherosclerosis related to RA in Korean postmenopausal RA women free of smoking history.

The Clinical Features and Autoantibody Profile of Progressive Systemic Sclerosis in Korea / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to determine the differences in clinical features,laboratory data and autoantibody profile between limited and diffuse subsets of progressive systemic sclerosis in Korea,and to see differences from foreign studies on the same disease. METHODS:Fifty-six patients with systemic sclerosis at the Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases were studied for age at diagnosis,subtype,clinical features, laboratory data,systemic involvement and pattern of autoantibodies by careful review of medical records and interviews. RESULTS:The disease was relatively more prevalent in female groups of third,forth and fifth decade (male:female=1:17.7,mean age:39.5,range:11-68 years).The patients consisted of 29 diffuse and 27 limited subsets. Clinical features were as follows: sclerodactyly (92.9%),Raynaud 's phenomenon (92.9%), dyspnea (71.4%),arthralgia/arthritis (64.3%),dry cough (58.9%),myalgia(51.8%),rale (48.2%),esophageal symptoms (41.1%),digital pitting scar(41.1%),telangiectasia (28.6%).Antinuclear antibody was positive in all 54 cases (100%)which is tested.The respiratory system involvement was statistically higher in diffuse subset than in limited subset (77.4 vs.52.0%,p=0.046). The anti-centromere antibody was detected in 1 case with limited subset and the anti-Scl-70 antibody in 6 cases (11.3%)with diffuse subset. CONCLUSION:Interstitial lung disease was more prevalent in patients of this study than patients of other countries.Investigation of pulmonary system is needed,especially in earlier stage and diffuse type.Systemic sclerosis-related autoantibodies (anti-Scl 70 antibody,anti-centromere antibody)are less prevalent than the results of other studies.