ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the difference in the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) between males and females with respect to age and to note the relationship between OA of the knees and menopause and hysterectomy in females. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients (50 males and 50 females) were studied for the onset of OA and compared for the statistical difference. In females the relationship between onset of OA and menopause and hysterectomy, if done, was noted. RESULTS: Fifty eight percent of females had onset of symptoms of OA of knees before 50 years of age as compared to only 20% in males (p < 0.05). Sixty four percent of females with OA of knees had the onset of symptoms either perimenopausally or within five years of natural menopause or hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: There is a definite early peaking of the incidence of OA of knees in women in the fifth decade of life as compared to males. There is an association between OA of knees and menopause and we suggest correlating it with the levels of sex hormones.
Subject(s)
Age of Onset , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Menopause/physiology , Osteoarthritis, Knee/epidemiology , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Cutaneous and neurological manifestations of leprosy are readily diagnosed. However, physicians sometimes fail to recognize that leprosy may present with a rheumatic symptoms. A plethora of rheumatic manifestations are associated with leprosy, particularly with lepra reactions. A diligent examination for skin lesions/nerve involvement may uncover the diagnosis of leprosy in a patient referred for a rheumatological disorder. To highlight the fact that leprosy can mimic several rheumatological disorders, we have discussed a few representative cases seen over the past two years at our rheumatology clinic in a teaching hospital. In all these cases, a diagnosis of leprosy was made when the patient was referred for a rheumatic complaint.
Subject(s)
Adult , Biopsy , Dapsone/therapeutic use , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Leprosy/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Rheumatic Diseases/diagnosis , Rheumatology , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
A 30-year old woman presented with recurrent and massive bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. Her coagulation profile revealed von Willebrand's disease and her endoscopic examination showed extensive telangiectasia localized to the gastrointestinal tract. The association of Von Willebrand's Disease and telangiectasia is extremely rare and hence the report.