Rheumatoid Arthritis: Dhote R

Terrier B, Lacroix C, Guillevin L, Hatron PY, Dhote R, Maillot F, Diot E, Sarrot-Reynauld F, Sordet C, Dubourg O, Meyer L, Mariette X, Gottenberg JE, Anonymous00097. · Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #18050172 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinicobiologic presentation in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS)-related peripheral neuropathy, the histologic results of neuromuscular biopsy (NMB), and clinical outcome, and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS: We retrospectively studied clinical and biologic presentation of 40 patients with primary SS-related neuropathy who underwent NMB. Prognostic factors of clinical outcome were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Patients with vasculitis (lymphocytic [n = 8] or necrotizing [n = 14]) had a higher prevalence of acute-onset neuropathy, multiple mononeuropathy, sensorimotor involvement, vascular purpura, general symptoms, increased C-reactive protein level, positivity for rheumatoid factor, hypocomplementemia, and monoclonal gammopathy compared with those without vasculitis (n = 18). Comparison between patients with necrotizing or lymphocytic vasculitis did not reveal significant differences in clinical or biologic presentation except for the presence of general symptoms and rheumatoid factor. Regarding clinical evolution, the results of NMB (P < 0.0001), in particular the presence of necrotizing vasculitis (P < 0.001), an acute neuropathy onset (P < 0.0001), general symptoms (P < 0.0001), multiple mononeuropathy (P = 0.0007), presence of sensorimotor involvement (P = 0.002), and increased C-reactive protein level (P = 0.008), were significantly associated with a better outcome in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, NMB resulting in the identification of patients with necrotizing vasculitis was the only variable that remained significantly associated with a better outcome (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: NMB is necessary to identify patients with necrotizing vasculitis, who have a better response to immunosuppressive therapy. NMB might therefore have both a diagnostic and prognostic relevance in primary SS-related neuropathy.

Dhote R, Simon J, Papo T, Detournay B, Sailler L, Andre MH, Dupond JL, Larroche C, Piette AM, Mechenstock D, Ziza JM, Arlaud J, Labussiere AS, Desvaux A, Baty V, Blanche P, Schaeffer A, Piette JC, Guillevin L, Boissonnas A, Christoforov B. · Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #14558048 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To analyze specific clinical findings, underlying disorders, treatments, outcomes, and prognostic factors for reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) in systemic disease. METHODS: Data were collected using standardized forms as part of a French national survey. Adult cases without an underlying malignancy, diagnosed on bone marrow or lymph node biopsy, were included. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases (7 men, 19 women, mean age 47.4 +/- 17.7 years) were studied. Systemic diseases included systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 14), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 2), adult onset systemic Still's disease (n = 4), polyarteritis nodosa (n = 2), mixed connective tissue disease (n = 1), pulmonary sarcoidosis (n = 1), systemic sclerosis (n = 1), and Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1). RHS occurred in 2 distinct clinical settings in the course of systemic disease. RHS was associated with an active infection in 15 patients (bacterial infections, 10 cases; viral, 3 cases; tuberculosis, 1 case; and aspergillosis, 1 case) and with the onset of a systemic disease alone in 9 cases. Isolated RHS occurred in 2 cases. The overall mortality rate was 38.5%. Two factors were associated with mortality: corticosteroid treatment at the time of RHS diagnosis, and thrombocytopenia (odds ratio = 28, 95% confidence interval = 13.3-238.9). CONCLUSIONS: When RHS occurs in the course of an active systemic disease (situation only reported in cases of systemic lupus or adult Still's disease), immunosuppressive therapy should be used. In contrast, when RHS is present concomitantly with an active infection, immunosuppressive therapy needs to be lowered and antibiotic therapy should be instituted.