[Safety and Efficacy of Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis With End-stage Chronic Renal Failure]. / Inocuité et efficacité de l'étanercept lors d'une polyarthrite rhumatoïde compliquée d'insuffisance rénale terminale à propos d'un cas.

The use of etanercept in rheumatoid arthritis patients with end-stage renal failure has not been well reported. We report here the case of 58-years-old patient who was treated with 50 mg of etanercept once a week to control the activity of her disease. The patient improved after starting the treatement. No serious infectious complication or side effects were seen. The follow-up was 18 months. Our case showed the safety and efficacity of etanercept rheumatoid arthritis in patient with end-stage renal failure.

Polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor-4 and CD14 in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its co-receptor CD14 play a major role in innate immunity by recognizing PAMPs and signal the activation of adaptive responses. These receptors can recognize endogenous ligands mainly auto-antigens. In addition, TLR4 (Asp299Gly) and CD14 (C/T -159) polymorphisms (SNPs) may modify qualitatively and/or quantitatively their expression. Therefore, they could be implied in autoimmune diseases and can influence both susceptibility and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: TLR4 (Asp299Gly) and CD14 (C/T -159) SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP in 127 SLE patients, 100 RA patients, and 114 healthy controls matched in age and gender. RESULTS: CD14*T allele was significantly more frequent in SLE patients (0.456) comparatively to controls (0.355), p = 0.02 OR (95% CI) = 1.53 [1.04-2.24]. In RA patients, the higher frequency of CD14*T allele (0.405) failed to reach significance, p = 0.28. Investigation of the TLR4 (Asp299Gly) SNP showed no significant association neither with SLE nor with RA.Analysis of these SNPs according to clinical and biological features showed a significant higher frequency of arthritis in SLE patients carrying CD14*T/T genotype (92%) comparatively to those with C/C and C/T genotypes (72.5%), p = 0.04. Moreover, SLE patients carrying CD14*T/T/TLR4*A/A haplotype had significantly more arthritis (91.3%) than the rest of SLE group (73%), p = 0,044 and confirmed by multivariable analysis after adjustment according to age and gender, p = 0.01. CONCLUSION: The CD14 (-159)*T allele seems to be associated with susceptibility to SLE and arthritis occurrence.

[Percutaneous vertebroplasty for pain relief in patients with osteoporotic spine fractures]. / Efficacité antalgique de la vertébroplastie percutanée dans les fractures vertébrales ostéoporotiques.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is an interventional radiology technique where pathological vertebral bodies are filled with acrylic cement. This method is used to strengthen the vertebral body and reduce pain in certain diseases involving the vertebrae such as osteoporosis. AIM: To evaluated PVP in symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fractures after failure of conservative management. METHODS: Between November 2008 to December 2009, PVP was performed for osteoporotic vertebral fractures i 12 consecutive patients in a single institution. Medium term (3 days and 15 days post PVP) and long term follow up (1 month and 3 months post PVP) consisted in the evaluation of residual or secondary pain using Huskisson's visual analogue scale. RESULTS: A total of 20 vertebrae were treated. Mean follow up was 80 days (30-90 days). Significant symptomatic improvement (p=0.002) was noted with pre PVP pain score of 7.4 (±1.6 ), 3 days post PVP score of 4.1 (±2.1), 15 days post PVP score of 1.8 (±1.1), 1 month post PVP score of 1.22 (±1.06) and 3 months post score of 1.4 (±1.14). CONCLUSION: PVP appears to be an effective technique in the treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fractures with approximately 94% of satisfactory results in the short and medium term period.

[Procedural pain assessment after spinal injections of corticosteroid]. / Douleur induite: complication méconnue des infiltrations péridurales aux corticoïdes chez l'adulte.

BACKGROUND: Spinal injections of corticosteroid are commonly performed by rheumatologists in their daily practice but little is known about the frequency, the intensity and the management of procedural pain observed in these osteoarticular injections in daily practice. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and intensity of pain caused by spinal injections. METHODS: In this observational prospective study, data were collected over 6 months, for up to 44 procedures (corticosteroid spinal injection). Evaluation of the pain was evaluated immediately before and after the injection using Huskisson's visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was carried out in order to compare patients who had suffered from pain whilst undergoing the procedure to those who had not. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 17 patients (12 female, mean age 53.6 ± 10.5 years). Over 50% of patients experienced procedural pain. Significant predictive factors of genesis of the procedural pain were the young age (p=0.022) and the intensity of the initial pain (p < 0.001), while the existence of a co morbidity is rather a protective factor (p = 0.006). Others factors such us sex, origin, level of studies, socioeconomic conditions, didn't seem to have of effect on the procedural pain. CONCLUSION: Most patients undergoing spinal injections suffer from procedural pain. Specific research and guidelines for the management of procedural pain related to rheumatologic care should be established to improve the quality of care provided by physicians.

[Assessment of depression in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross sectional study on 60 patients]. / Prévalence et facteurs prédictifs de la dépression au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of depression in a series of Tunisian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to identify factors associated with its occurrence. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study on 60 patients with RA. The evaluation of depression was performed using the Montgomery and Asberg depression rating scale. RESULTS: Our study revealed a high prevalence of depression in RA patients (45%). The main predictor factors of its occurrence were female gender, absence of professional activity, absence of social support, high activity of RA, impaired quality of life and existence of structural damage. PERSPECTIVES: Our results highlight the importance of a good management of RA in order to prevent the occurrence of depression. They also underline the interest of screening for depression in RA patients to avoid its adverse effects on the course of RA.

[Thoracic outlet syndrome]. / Le syndrome du défilé cervico-thoraco-brachial.

BACKGROUND: The thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is recognized as a cause of upper limb pain. It is often under-diagnosed and its frequency under-estimated by rheumatologists. AIM: To report the diagnostic problems related to TOC though a literature review. METHODS: A narrative review of literature RESULTS: The diagnosis of TOS is difficult because of intricacy of vascular and neurological symptoms. It requires provocative tests, electrophysiological investigations and Doppler ultrasonography. A good anatomical knowledge is mandatory in order to clarify the mechanisms and the location of the lesions which depend on sophisticated imaging exams. It is also recommended to exclude all other causes of upper limb pain, as well as peripheral nerve compression syndromes, which can coexist with TOS. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis and treatment of the TOS involves rheumatologists, neurologists, physiatrists, orthopedic surgeons,vascular surgeons, thoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons and sometimes psychiatrists who have to cooperate in order to prevent severe functional after-effects.

[Uncommon cervicobrachial neuralgia: about 17 cases]. / Les névralgies cervico-brachiales symptomatiques : Apropos de 17 cas.

BACKGROUND: Cervicobrachial neuralgia (CBN) is frequent in out patient clinic as well in general medicine as in rheumatology. Even though cervical disc degeneration and osteophytosis constitute the most frequent etiology of such a trouble, the practitioner must be aware of much more serious underlying cause. AIM: To investigate the epidemiology, clinical features, aetiologies and paraclinical characteristics of uncommon CBN. METHODS: Retrospective chart review about 17 cases of uncommon CBN among the 84 cases of CBN hospitalized at the rheumatology department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital during a 16-years-period [1990-2005]. RESULTS: There were 11 men and 6 women with a mean age of 63 years [33y-81y]. All patients presented a CBN since in average five months [2 months- 24 months]. Neck stiffness was noted in 60% of cases and a neurological impairment in 47% of cases. X-ray radiographs of cervical spine were normal in five cases. In the remaining cases, they showed lytic images (six cases), disk space narrowing with vertebral erosions (two cases) and vertebral fracture (three cases). Further investigations concluded that the CBN was due to a Pancoast'syndrome in five cases, an infectious spondylitis in three cases, cervical bone metastasis in two cases, a syringomyelia in two cases, a neuroma in one case, a thoracic outlet syndrome in one case and an erosive spondylarthropathy in a patient presenting chronic renal failure managed by hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: In comparison with common CBN, our patients presenting symptomatic CBN were characterised by an inflammatory and refractory pain. The more frequent recourse to modern imaging is justified.

[Bisphosphonates: indications in bone diseases other than osteoporosis]. / Indications des bisphosphonates dans les affections osseuses autres que l'ostéoporose

AIM: Report of bisphosphonates indications for osseous diseases other than osteoporosis. METHODS: Narrative review of the literature. RESULTS: Bisphosphonates represent a new medication which is increasingly used. Besides osteoporosis, it is indicated as first choice in different bone diseases such as Paget's disease and the prevention of bone complications in tumoral osteolysis. Bisphosphonates' efficiency has been proven in other pathologies: the fibrous dysplasia and the osteogenesis imperfecta. More over, many studies are driven having for goal to show the efficiency of bisphosphonates in the algoneurodystrophy, non corticosteroid-treated osteoporosis in chronic inflammatory rheumatism and aseptic osteonecrosis. CONCLUSION: Bisphosphonates are a powerful inhibition of osseous resoption frestable indicated for osteoporosis. Their indications were retended to paget's disease, malignant hypercalcemia, and osseous complications of malignant osterlysis.

[Obesity has a protective effect on radiographic joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis]. / L'obésité est un facteur protecteur contre l'atteinte structurale au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a state of chronic low-grade inflammation that predisposes people to several diseases and that is increasingly prevalent. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is marked by the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and, in general, the presence of high levels of inflammatory markers is associated with a severe disease course and joint damage. AIM: To assess the impact of obesity on disease activity, quality of life and articular damage in patients with established RA. METHODS: Between July 2009 to December 2009, 119 RA patients were included and divided in two groups according to the body mass index (obeses and controls). RA activity was assessed by the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28, quality of life by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and radiographic joint damage by the modified Sharp score. RESULTS: Obesity was not correlated with worsen RA activity (p=0.71) nor quality of life impairment (p=0.51). The obese group had a lower modified Sharp score than the control group (64.97versus113.64; p < 0.032) and this association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, disease activity, extraarticular manifestations, comorbidities, presence of rheumatoid factor, and disease duration. CONCLUSION: Obesity does not have an impact on disease activity nor changes in quality of life, but it has a protective effect on the amount of joint destruction in established rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-CCP antibodies, rheumatoid factors and anti-keratin antibodies: clinical value in established rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that in early rheumatoid arthritis, anti-CCP antibodies have better diagnostic value than rheumatoid factors and anti-keratin antibodies. However, their role is less well defined in patients with established or long duration disease. AIM: To evaluate and to compare diagnostic performances of anti- CCP, anti-keratin, IgM and IgA rheumatoid factors in established rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 90 patients with established rheumatoid arthritis and 100 controls were tested for these autoantibodies. The association of these markers with disease activity and severity was investigated. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each of four tests, using the clinical diagnosis as the gold standard. RESULTS: The anti-CCP and IgM rheumatoid factor exhibited the best diagnostic value. None of the tested antibodies had any significant association with the disease activity score (DAS28). After adjustment by multiple linear regression, only anti-CCP positivity was found to be significantly associated with erosive disease. CONCLUSION: In long duration rheumatoid arthritis, anti-CCP and IgM rheumatoid factor have similar diagnostic value. However anti- CCP are useful in seronegative patients. They are also a reliable marker of severe erosive disease.

[Monoarthritis of the elbow revealing an intraarticular osteoid osteoma]. / Monoarthrite du coude révélatrice d'un ostéome ostéoïde intra-articulaire.

BACKGROUND: Osteoid osteoma is one of the unusual causes of musculoskeletal pain. Its diagnosis is usually not difficult in classic diaphyseal localization. However, the diagnosis of juxta or intraarticular osteoid osteoma is challenging because of atypical clinical presentation responsible for long diagnosis delay. AIM: Report a new case. CASE REPORT: We report herein the case of a 22-year-old woman presenting an intraarticular osteoid osteoma of the elbow. Diagnosis has been established on imaging findings (MRI and CT-scan) after 10 months because of atypical clinical presentation as a chronic monoarthritis of the elbow. The picture of an osteoid osteoma of the lower extremity of the humerus associated to a synovitis and a joint effusion was suspected on MRI. It had been confirmed on CT-scan wich showed the nidus. Surgical removal of the tumor allowed pain relief and functional restoration in postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Regarding an unexplained chronic monoarthritis, the diagnosis of intraarticular osteoid osteoma should be evoked. CT-can remains the investigation of choice for identifying the nidus. Surgical exicision permits the relief of symptoms.

[Morbidity of the elderly in inpatient rheumatology clinic]. / Morbidité hospitalière du sujet âgé en milieu rhumatologique.

BACKGROUND: The improvement of life expectation in our country explains at least in part the increase of the proportion of the elderly in hospitalized patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the main diseases leading to hospitalization of the aged in a rheumatology department, to establish their clinical profiles and to evaluate the quality of their management. METHODS: Retrospective chart review about the elderly (age > or =65 years) admitted in the rheumatology department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital during a 2-year-period [January 2003-December 2004]. RESULTS: Among the 831 patients admitted to our inpatient clinic during that period, 86 were 65-year-old or more representing 10% of the total. Mean age was 71.2 years [65-88]. The sex ratio was 1/3. A history of a mean of two associated diseases [0-5] was noted. They were dominated by hypertension (50%) and diabetes (26.7%). Almost 1/3 of the elders had a surgical history. Gastro-intestinal troubles have been noted in only 19% of cases. The main cause of hospitalization was a diagnosis exploration (77.6%). The remainings were admitted for therapeutic adjustment. The disease was evolving since in mean 16 months (15 days-15 years). The mean duration of hospitalization was 21.2 days (4-60). The pathologies involved were varied dominated by degenerative rheumatisms (26.7%) with a predilection to lumbar spine, systemic diseases: 18 cases (20.9%) with 13 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and malignant bone diseases (18.7%). At least two rheumatic diseases were found together in 49 patients (57%). The clinical findings were atypical in almost half cases (42.4%) in such aged patients. Besides drugs prescribed for non rheumatic diseases, our patients took a mean of 3.4 drugs (1-8) as symptomatic, adjuvant or etiologic treatment. The treatment observance was good in 74.4% of cases. Iatrogenic incidents occurred in 14 cases (16.2%). The outcome was favorable in 68.9% of cases. Twelve of our patients necessitated a third help. Half of our patients (54%) were controlled in our outpatient clinic 1-2 months after their issue, 12 have been hospitalized for the same disease, 8 deceased, and 19 have been lost. CONCLUSIONS: The management of the elderly patients in hospitalization must be multidisciplinary. It should take into account the clinical and therapeutic particularities of such a population. Prevention remains the best guarantee for a good quality of life and to decrease social and economic costs.

[Update in treatment of psoriatic arthritis]. / Actualités thérapeutiques du rhumatisme psoriasique.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic rheumatic disease making part of spondylarthropathies. It is the most frequent chronic inflammatory rheumatism after rheumatoid arthritis. Eventhough, it is usually a benign affection, it may be destructive leading to handicap. Several new medications have been introduced, including anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha blockers) and leflunomide for treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Many studies show the efficacy of these medications in this disease.