Psoriatic arthritis and its special features predispose not only for osteoporosis but also for fractures and falls.

Limited data are available on the predisposing factors to fractures and falls of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Our study intended to explore the differences between PsA patients and controls, concerning bone mineral density (BMD), the 10-year fracture risk, the number of prevalent fractures, the frequency of falls and to investigate the association of the same factors with PsA disease characteristics within the PsA group. Medical reports of 61 PsA patients and 69 consecutive, age-matched controls were analyzed, physical examination and bone mineral density (BMD, and T-score) were performed, and the 10-year fracture risk was calculated. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Femoral neck BMD, as well as vertebral and femoral neck T-scores were lower, the odds ratio (OR) for low BMD and the 10-year risk of hip fracture was higher (p = 0.0029; 0.0002, p < 0.0001, OR = 21,9, p = 0.014) in the PsA group. The PsA patients were more predisposed to prevalent fractures, including peripheral fractures, and vertebral fractures as well as falls (OR 3.42; 2.26; 13.33; 3.95, respectively), compared to controls. Within the PsA group (beyond the age) scalp psoriasis and late-onset psoriasis, were significantly associated with a greater number of prevalent fractures (p = 0.0049; 0.029), while the number of falls per year correlated with late-onset psoriasis and the flexural psoriasis (p = 0.007; 0.023). Our results suggest that PsA is an independent risk factor for reduced bone density and falls hence to related bone fractures. Patients with late-onset psoriasis are more likely to suffer falls and related fractures, especially if their disease is characterized by the involvement of the hairy scalp and body folds.

Bone Health in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: Diagnosis and Management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides an update on the most recent advances in epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic approaches for myositis-associated bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and bone fractures. RECENT FINDINGS: In the recent years, several studies showed that osteoporosis and consequent fractures are a common and frequently underestimated complication in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). In younger patients, asymptomatic fractures might present in the early phase of the disease which could increase the risk of development of further fractures. High-risk patients could be selected with early application of combined diagnostic procedures, such as fracture risk scores with steroid dose adjustments and imaging. Recent advances might help clinicians from different fields of medicine in the early recognition and management of myositis-associated osteoporosis, which will potentially improve the quality of life of patients with IIM.

Assessing the risk of rapid radiographic progression in Hungarian rheumatoid arthritis patients.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be determined early. Rapid radiological progression (RRP) is > or = 5 units increase according to the van der Heijde-Sharp score within a year. The risk of RRP can be estimated by a matrix model using non-radiographic indicators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and swollen joint count (SJC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A non-interventional, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in eleven Hungarian arthritis centres. We assessed RRP risk in biologic-naïve RA patients with the prevalence of high RRP risk as primary endpoint. RRP was calculated according to this matrix model. As a secondary endpoint, we compared RRP in methotrexate (MTX) responders vs non-responders. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 1356 patients. Mean CRP was 17.7 mg/l, RF was 139.3 IU/ml, mean 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) was 5.00 and mean SJC was 6.56. Altogether 18.2% of patients had high risk (≥40%) of RRP. RA patients with high RRP risk of RRP (n = 247) had significantly lower age compared to those with RRP < 40% (n = 1109). MTX non-response (OR: 16.84), male gender (OR: 1.67), erosions at baseline (OR: 1.50) and ACPA seropositivity (OR: 2.18) were independent predictors of high-risk RRP. Male gender (OR: 5.20), ACPA seropositivity (OR: 4.67) and erosions (OR: 7.98) were independent predictors of high RRP risk in MTX responders. CONCLUSIONS: In this Hungarian study, high RRP risk occurred in 18% of RA patients. These patients differ from others in various parameters. RRP was associated with non-response to MTX.

The risk of fracture and prevalence of osteoporosis is elevated in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: cross-sectional study from a single Hungarian center.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of osteoporosis and risk of fractures is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but we have limited information about the bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in patients with inflammatory myopathies. We intended to ascertain and compare fracture risk, bone mineral density and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with inflammatory myositis and rheumatoid arthritis and to assess the effect of prevalent fractures on the quality of life and functional capacity. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with myositis and 43 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study. Fracture Risk was determined using FRAX® Calculation Tool developed by the University of Sheffield. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and bidirectional thoracolumbar radiographs were performed to assess BMD and vertebral fractures. Quality of life was measured with Short Form-36 (SF-36) and physical function assessment was performed using Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). RESULTS: We found a significantly elevated fracture risk in RA as compared to myositis patients if the risk assessment was performed without the inclusion of the BMD results. If BMD results and glucocorticoid dose adjustment were taken into account, the differences in fracture risk were no longer significant. The prevalence of osteoporosis was found to be significantly higher in the myositis group (7% vs. 13.5%, p: 0.045), but the fracture prevalence was similar in the two groups (75% vs. 68%). The fracture rates were independently associated with age in the myositis group, and with lower BMD results in the RA patients. The number of prevalent fractures was significantly correlated to poorer physical function in both groups, and poorer health status in the myositis group, but not in the RA group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that inflammatory myopathies carry significantly elevated risks for osteoporosis and fractures. These higher risks are comparable to ones detected with RA in studies and strongly affect the physical function and quality of life of patients. Therefore further efforts are required to make the fracture risk assessment reliable and to facilitate the use of early preventive treatments.

Myeloid but not plasmacytoid blood DCs possess Th1 polarizing and Th1/Th17 recruiting capacity in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease and dendritic cells (DCs) play crucial role in the development of skin inflammation. Although the characteristics of skin DCs in psoriasis are well defined, less is known about their peripheral blood precursors. Our aim was to characterize the phenotypic features as well as the cytokine and chemokine production of CD1c+ myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in the blood samples of psoriatic patients. Blood DCs were isolated by using a magnetic separation kit, and their intracytoplasmic cytokine production and CD83/CD86 maturation/activation marker expression were investigated by 8-colour flow cytometry. In CD1c+ mDCs the intracellular productions of Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22 and Treg polarizing cytokines were examined simultaneously, whereas in pDCs the amounts of IFNα as well as IL-12, IL-23 and IL-6 were investigated. The chemokine production of both DC populations was investigated by flow-cytometry and ELISA. According to our results psoriatic CD1c+ mDCs were in a premature state since their CD83/CD86 maturation/activation marker expression, IL-12 cytokine, CXCL9 and CCL20 chemokine production was significantly higher compared to control cells. On the other hand, blood pDCs neither produced any of the investigated cytokines and chemokines nor expressed CD83/CD86 maturation/activation markers. Our results indicate that in psoriasis not only skin but also blood mDCs perform Th1 polarizing and Th1/Th17 recruiting capacity, while pDCs function only in the skin milieu.

Vitamin D3 levels and bone mineral density in patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.

Limited data are available on the vitamin D3 status and bone mineral density (BMD) of patients with psoriasis or with psoriatic arthritis. Our study intended to explore possible correlations between vitamin D status and BMD, as well as among these parameters and the features of the underlying disorder. Seventy-two patients with psoriasis/or psoriatic arthritis (female : male ratio, 40:32; mean age, 58.5 ± 11.6 years; mean duration of follow up, 142.7 ± 147.7 months) participated in the study. We evaluated the characteristic clinical features of the underlying disease, performed bone densitometry of the lumbar spine and the hip region, measured the serum vitamin 25(OH)D3 levels of the patients, and undertook the statistical analysis of the relationships between the clinical and the laboratory parameters. The proportion of patients with a low BMD value did not exceed that seen in the general population. We found an inverse correlation between the serum level of vitamin 25(OH)D3 and body mass index, as well as between the former and the severity of skin involvement. Furthermore, the activity of psoriatic arthritis was significantly higher in patients with inadequate vitamin D3 status. In patients with psoriatic arthritis, BMD significantly exceeded the values measured in patients suffering from psoriatic skin lesions only. Our findings suggest the importance of evaluating the vitamin D3 status and screening for comorbid conditions in patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. This appears justified, in particular, due to the possible role of hypovitaminosis D3 in provoking the development of skin lesions and joint symptoms.

The prevalence of obesity is increased in patients with late compared with early onset psoriasis.

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of early and late onset psoriasis with an emphasis on potential differences in the comorbidities associated with each subtype. METHODS: An observational, multicenter study was performed, and associations between the age at the time of diagnosis and binary comorbidity outcomes were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and other relevant confounders. RESULTS: An increased prevalence of positive family history, psoriatic arthritis, and depression was observed in patients with early onset psoriasis. On the other hand, late onset psoriasis was more frequently associated with obesity and elevated waist circumference compared with early onset form. Elderly psoriatic patients (at the age of 75 years) with late onset psoriasis are at an especially high risk for obesity compared with individuals at the same age with an early onset disease. CONCLUSIONS: The increased frequency of psoriasis in the family of early onset patients may suggest that manifestation of psoriasis at younger age is driven by strong genetic influence. However, such a remarkable association of abdominal obesity with late onset psoriasis may suggest that obesity can be one of the acquired factors that may predispose for the development of psoriasis in the elderly.

Clinical course, prognosis, and causes of death in mixed connective tissue disease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the survival rate and prognostic indicators of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) in a Hungarian population. METHODS: Two hundred eighty patients with MCTD diagnosed between 1979 and 2011 were followed prospectively. Clinical features, autoantibodies, and mortality data were assessed. Prognostic factors for survival were investigated and survival was calculated from the time of the diagnosis by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 22 of 280 patients died: the causes of death were pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in 9 patients, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in 3, infections in 3, and cardiovascular events in 7. The 5, 10, and 15-year survival rates after the diagnosis was established were 98%, 96%, and 88%, respectively. The deceased patients were younger at the diagnosis of MCTD compared to patients who survived (35.5 ± 10.4 vs 41.8 ± 10.7 yrs; p < 0.03), while there was no difference in the duration of the disease (p = 0.835). Our cohort study showed that the presence of cardiovascular events (p < 0.0001), esophageal hypomotility (p = 0.04), serositis (p < 0.001), secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (p = 0.039), and malignancy (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the deceased patients with MCTD. The presence of anticardiolipin (p = 0.019), anti-ß2-glycoprotein I (p = 0.002), and antiendothelial cell antibodies (p = 0.002) increased the risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Overall, PAH remained the leading cause of death in patients with MCTD. The prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, malignancy, and thrombotic events increased during the disease course of MCTD. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies raised the risk of mortality.

The impact of secondary hyperparathyroidism on the efficacy of antiresorptive therapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess whether the efficacy of bisphosphonate treatment is influenced by PTH levels measured in newly diagnosed osteoporotic patients and to identify the threshold value, beyond which PTH level negatively influences therapeutic efficacy. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight osteoporotic patients were enrolled into the study. All subjects underwent laboratory screening, bone densitometry with DEXA, and x-ray imaging. The changes in bone density were evaluated after a mean follow-up period of 13.37 ± 1.29 months. Correlation analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients, the percentage changes of BMD values, and the PTH levels measured at the beginning of study, using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 64.82 ± 10.51 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 116/22. Baseline BMD value measured with AP DEXA scanning was 0.854 ± 0.108 g/cm(2) in the L(1-4) vertebrae and 0.768 ± 0.115 g/cm(2) in the left femoral neck. By the end of the follow-up period, these values changed to 0.890 ± 0.111 g/cm(2) and 0.773 ± 0.111 g/cm(2), respectively. We found a statistically significant, negative correlation between PTH levels and the percentage changes of lumbar BMD values measured at the end of the follow-up (correlation coefficient R(2) = 0.121, p < 0.0001). The analysis of frequency histograms suggested that negative effects on bone might be expected above a PTH level of 60 pg/mL (7.3 pmol/L). CONCLUSION: Our findings imply that a baseline PTH level over 60 ng/mL can reduce the efficacy of bisphosphonate treatment.

Alfacalcidol treatment restores derailed immune-regulation in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to pathological changes in the number and function of CD4+ T helper cell subsets (CD4+Th1, CD4+Th17, CD4+CD25(bright)Foxp3-natural regulatory T cells-nTreg) in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate, whether alfacalcidol could restore immune-regulatory changes in patients with UCTD. We assessed the optimal dose of alfacalcidol that could normalize the elevated levels of IFN-γ expressed by the CD4+Th1 cells and the IL-17 expressed by Th17 cells. Furthermore alfacalcidol decreased the Th1 and Th17 related cytokine levels, repaired the nTreg/Th7 balance, and restored the functional activity of nTreg cells. Twenty one UCTD patients with Vitamin D deficiency (<30 ng/ml) were administered with three different daily doses of alfacalcidol. Seven patients were supplemented with 0.5 µg/day, 7 patients with 1.0 µg/day, and 7 patients with 1.5 µg/day alfacalcidol treatment during 5 weeks. Our results indicated that 1.0 µg/day alfacalcidol during 5 weeks was the optimal therapeutic regime to increase the vitamin D levels, repair the nTreg/Th17 balance and raise the capacity of nTreg cells to suppress the proliferation of autologous CD4+CD25- cells. 1.5 µg daily dose alfacalcidol was not more effective than the 1.0 µg/day treatment. In this study we described that vitamin D deficiency can contribute to the complex immune-regulatory abnormalities in patients with UCTD and vitamin D substitution therapy can improve the fine balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory processes in the disease.

Overcoming resistance to bisphosphonates through the administration of alfacalcidol: results of a 1-year, open follow-up study.

This study intended to determine whether the replacement of vitamin D3 with alfacalcidol results in any bone mineral density (BMD) increase in 76 patients unresponsive to the combination of alendronate and conventional vitamin D3 treatment. In these patients the conventional vitamin D3 had been replaced with alfacalcidol (0.5 µg/day), and then the patients were followed up for a year. After treatment for 1 year, Wilcoxon test revealed a small but statistically significant (P < 0.001) increase in the BMD values of the forearm and lumbar vertebrae, in the serum calcium and urinary calcium/creatinine ratio in first-voided morning urine. However, the serum alkaline phosphatase activity, phosphorus, parathormone, osteocalcin levels and the urinary d-pyr/creatinine ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.001). As suggested by our results, combination therapy with alendronate and alfacalcidol increases bone density and improves the biochemical markers of bone turnover, without any substantial increase in the incidence of adverse effects.

Immunological and clinical effects of alphacalcidol in patients with psoriatic arthropathy: results of an open, follow-up pilot study.

The aim of this study was to describe the effect of systemic alphacalcidol (1 OH vitamin D3) treatment on clinical and immunological parameters in patients with psoriatic arthropathy. Among the 19 patients investigated, 10 were treated with 0.25 microg oral alphacalcidol twice daily for 6 months, while 9 other patients served as controls. In the peripheral blood of the treated group but not in the controls, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the percentage of CD3/CD69-positive activated and CD8-positive interferon-gamma-producing T cells and in the serum level of interferon-gamma during the first 3 months and also in the clinical activity of the disease during the whole 6-month follow-up period. Our results show that systemic alphacalcidol treatment has an immunomodulatory effect on patients with psoriatic arthropathy. This effect is manifested by a short-term temporary decrease in type 1 immune responses and a continuous decrease in disease activity.

Vitamin D deficiency in undifferentiated connective tissue disease.

INTRODUCTION: Both experimental and clinical data provide evidence that vitamin D is one of those important environmental factors that can increase the prevalence of certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). METHODS: Plasma 25(OH)D3 levels in 161 UCTD patients were measured in both summer and winter periods. Autoantibody profiles (antinuclear antibody, anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-Jo1, anti-Scl70, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-centromere, anti-cardiolipin, rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) and clinical symptoms of the patients were assessed. RESULTS: Plasma levels of 25(OH)D3 in UCTD patients were significantly lower compared with controls in both summer and winter periods (UCTD summer: 33 +/- 13.4 ng/mL versus control: 39.9 +/- 11.7 ng/mL, P = 0.01; UCTD winter: 27.8 +/- 12.48 ng/mL versus control: 37.8 +/- 12.3 ng/mL, P = 0.0001). The presence of dermatological symptoms (photosensitivity, erythema, and chronic discoid rash) and pleuritis was associated with low levels of vitamin D. During the average follow-up period of 2.3 years, 35 out of 161 patients (21.7%) with UCTD further developed into well-established connective tissue disease (CTD). Patients who progressed into CTDs had lower vitamin D levels than those who remained in the UCTD stage (vitamin D levels: CTD: 14.7 +/- 6.45 ng/mL versus UCTD: 33.0 +/- 13.4 ng/mL, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with UCTD, a seasonal variance in levels of 25(OH)D3 was identified and showed that these levels were significantly lower than in controls during the corresponding seasons. Our results suggest that vitamin D deficiency in UCTD patients may play a role in the subsequent progression into well-defined CTDs.

Balneotherapy in elderly patients: effect on pain from degenerative knee and spine conditions and on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Balneotherapy is an established treatment modality for musculoskeletal disease, but few studies have examined the efficacy of spa therapy in elderly patients with degenerative spine and joint diseases. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of balneotherapy on chronic musculoskeletal pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or with chronic low back pain. METHODS: The 81 patients in the study group underwent a 1 day course of 30 minute daily baths in mineral water. Changes were evaluated in the following parameters: pain intensity, functional capacity, quality of life, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs, subjective disease severity perceived by the patients, investigator-rated disease severity, and severity of pain perceived by the patients. We analyzed the results of 76 subjects as 5 did not complete the study. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, all monitored parameters were significantly improved by balneotherapy in both investigated groups. Moreover, the favorable effect was prolonged for 3 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that balneotherapy is an effective treatment modality in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or with chronic low back pain, and its benefits last for at least 3 months after treatment.

Progressive divergent shifts in natural and induced T-regulatory cells signify the transition from undifferentiated to definitive connective tissue disease.

The objectives of the study is to determine clinical signs and distribution of peripheral T-cell subsets, B cells and T regulatory cells in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and during the development toward well-established connective tissue diseases (CTD). The methods include 46 patients with UCTD were followed and investigated for differentiation into defined CTDs for 2 years. Cell subsets were determined on the basis of cell surface markers, intracellular cytokine production by flow cytometry and serum cytokine levels by ELISA. The results are as follows: 45.6% of UCTD patients developed into a defined CTD. The number and percentage of activated T cells, memory T cells and NKT cells were increased in patients compared with controls. In addition, in patients with UCTD, the percentage of CD4+/IFN gamma+ T(h)1 was significantly higher compared with controls and further increased in patients that developed CTDs. The percentage and absolute number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were diminished in UCTD patients compared with healthy controls, while the number of CD4+/IL-10+ Tregs increased. The conclusions are Overproduction of IFN gamma and the decrease of natural (Foxp3+) Tregs seem to be characteristic features of UCTD patients. The increased IL-10 production of CD4+ T cells might be a compensatory suppressive mechanism; however, it is probably not able to balance the overproduction of IFN gamma and the observed decrease of Foxp3+ Tregs. The shift toward T(h)1 with increased IFN gamma production in patients with UCTD combined with the degree of immunoregulatory disturbances characterized by the progressive divergent shifts in natural and induced T-regulatory cell populations signify the transition from undifferentiated to definitive CTD.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in mixed connective tissue disease: successful treatment with Iloprost.

This paper describes a 61-year-old woman who presented with mixed connective tissue disease, which was complicated by the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Her condition worsened rapidly, with development of haemopthysis, tachypnoe and cardiac arrest. Doppler echocardiography showed a high systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (98 mmHg), confirmed by the right heart catheterization. Vasculopathy of the pulmonary artery vessels was detected following open lung biopsy. No pulmonary embolism was found. Because of suspicion of flare of her underlying disease, which leads to PAH, immunosuppressive treatment was started with high doses of corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide, in combination with the prostacyclin analogue, Iloprost, and low molecular weight heparin. The therapy resulted in slow recovery over 6 weeks, with control echocardiography showing normalization of the high pulmonary pressure, and the patient being capable of returning to everyday activities.

[Gout]. / Köszvény.

The author gives a survey about the epidemiology, genetic background, and fully discusses the pathogenesis and clinical picture. Furthermore, he details the classification of the disease, analyses the most important questions of diagnosis and treatment and the most commonly associated diseases as well.

High prevalence of oesophageal involvement in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease using radionuclide oesophageal transit scintigraphy.

AIM: To look for the frequency of oesophageal dysfunction using radionuclide oesophageal transit scintigraphy in 145 patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD); to seek the correlation between the clinical/laboratory data and scintigraphic alterations; and to determine predictive value of radionuclide oesophageal transit scintigraphy for evolution to established connective tissue disease (CTD). METHOD: One hundred and forty-five patients with UCTD were examined by 99mTc-DTPA oesophageal transit scintigraphy. The intraoesophageal transport of the radiopharmaceutical was followed and imaged by a gamma camera, a series of 128 x 128 images were stored and evaluated. The correlation between the scintigraphic data and clinical and laboratory parameters was analysed statistically. RESULTS: Unequivocally positive scintigraphy, indicative of motor abnormality was found in 46% of patients (66), 71% (47) of whom were totally asymptomatic. Significant correlation was found between the presence and severity of scintigraphic alterations and antinuclear antibodies, the anti-beta2GPI, IgM, IgG, the aCL antibody positivity, and the skin symptoms. Scintigraphic positivity was significantly more frequent in patients evolving to definitive CTD (P = 0.0178), and abnormal scan predisposed to transition into the definitive CTD (odds ratio, 2.292; CI, 1.610-4.525). Its cumulative positive predictive value was found to be 43% and cumulative negative predictive value 73% with regard to the development of a definitive CTD. CONCLUSION: Our results show that scintigraphic alterations together with clinical and laboratory alterations can help the clinician in the prediction of final outcome.

[Interferon induced psoriatic arthritis in a patient with renal cancer]. / Interferon altal indukált arthritis psoriatica vesecarcinomás betegben.

Interferon induced psoriatic arthritis in a patient with renal cancer. The authors describe a patient's history, whose alpha interferon treatment was started after the nephrectomy because of renal tumor spreading into the inferior caval vein. One week after the starting the interferon treatment typical psoriatic plaques and acute polyarthritis developed with prominent inflammatory signs. The cessation of interferon treatment, administration of systemic and intraarticular steroid, non steroid antiinflammatory drug and combined disease modifying drug therapy resulted in termination of skin symptoms and definitive relief in articular complaints. Moreover there were found laboratory alterations characteristic for autoimmune thyroiditis as well. The authors attributed both manifestations to rare immunological side effects of interferon treatment and survey the relevant literature.

Bone disorders in experimentally induced liver disease in growing rats.

AIM: To investigate the change of bone parameters in a new model of experimentally induced liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in growing rats. METHODS: Fischer-344 rats (n = 55) were used. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), phenobarbital (PB), and a single diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injection were used. Animals were killed at wk 8 and 16. Bone mineral content, femoral length, cortical index (quotient of cortical thickness and whole diameter) and ultimate bending load (F(max)) of the femora were determined. The results in animals treated with DEN+PB+CCl(4) (DPC, n = 21) were compared to those in untreated animals (UNT, n = 14) and in control group treated only with DEN+PB (DP, n = 20). RESULTS: Fatty liver and cirrhosis developed in each DPC-treated rat at wk 8 and HCC was presented at wk 16. No skeletal changes were found in this group at wk 8, but each parameter was lower (P<0.05 for each) at wk 16 in comparison to the control group. Neither fatty liver nor cirrhosis was observed in DP-treated animals at any time point. Femoral length and F(max) values were higher (P<0.05 for both) in DP-treated animals at wk 8 compared to the UNT controls. However, no difference was found at wk 16. CONCLUSION: Experimental liver cirrhosis and HCC are accompanied with inhibited skeletal growth, reduced bone mass, and decreased mechanical resistance in growing rats. Our results are in concordance with the data of other studies using different animal models. A novel finding is the transiently accelerated skeletal growth and bone strength after a 8-wk long phenobarbital treatment following diethylnitrosamine injection.