Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0003873 (rheumatoid arthritis)
 53,068 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Granulomatous inflammatory diseases of the extremities caused by inanimate agents (physical or chemical) and agents of unknown character are frequently unrecognized. The symptoms produced by these lesions are too frequently ascribed to trauma, particularly an insignificant bruise or imagined microtrauma. None of the rheumatic diseases-tenosynovitis, myositis, bursitis, fibrositis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis-has ever been created by slight or severe mechanical trauma in experimental animals or human beings.
 ...
PMID:Common granulomatous inflammations of the extremities. 1440 65

Advances in ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have provided new methods for evaluating early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their diagnostic properties in terms of detecting primary pathology of RA (i.e., erosions, bone changes, synovitis, tenosynovitis, and effusion) are reviewed. High-resolution US plays a significant role in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. MRI also assists in the understanding of RA pathogenesis and joint mechanics.
 ...
PMID:The role of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis. 1496 49

The lack of some suppressor T cells (including TCD4+CD25+(high) positively selected first in thymic medulla) specific to a restricted set of autoantigens may be the common link between all patterns of rheumatoid arthritis. In other words, instead of a 'peak' of TCD4+ effector T cells common to all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (which has so far never been demonstrated), a 'hole' in TCD4+CD25+(high) responses towards a limited set of autoantigens responsible for the normal maintenance of tolerance within the joints may be shared by many patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The hallmark of this disorder is the involvement of tissues subjected to friction stress bathed in a lubricating fluid (rheumatoid nodules and bursae, tendinous sheaths, pleura, pericardium, sclera, and joints covered by hyaline cartilage). Consequently, autoantigens shared by all forementioned places may be better candidates than autoantigens restricted to the hyaline cartilage (like collagen II). Tenosynovitis, bursitis and rheumatoid nodules can herald rheumatoid arthritis, and rheumatoid pericarditis is very frequent at the histological level. Lubricin and superficial zone protein (SZP), which are closely related products of the megacaryocyte stimulating factor (MSF) gene, are among the best candidate autoantigens for such a positive selection of suppressor T cells. Lubricin is responsible for most of the lubricating properties of synovial fluid, and SZP (expressed by the superficial articular chondrocytes from diarthrodial cartilages and lining cells of synovial villi) also shares lubricating and cytoprotective properties. Moreover, the expression of lubricin is very probable in pericardium and pleura, and can be induced by friction stress. Although this mucinous glycoprotein may already share close similarities at the antigenic levels with mucins previously demonstrated in Hassall's corpuscles of the thymus, evidence for the ectopic expression of lubricin/SZP within normal human thymus may further support this hypothesis. The prenatal positive selection within the thymus of a functional pool of TCD4+CD25+(high) clones specific for most peripheral tissues is critical (at least in mice) for the quality of tolerance for the rest of the organism's lifespan. Therefore, a poor expression of lubricin/SZP early in life within the human thymus may also favour a lack of suppressor T cells specific to tissues bathed with synovial fluid, i.e. the onset of rheumatoid arthritis later on in life. As studies of human thymus long before the onset of rheumatoid arthritis are hampered for obvious reasons, studies of murine thymus could be a first step. In as much as the human counterpart of lubricin is expressed in the thymic medulla of mice, the generation of knocked-out mice for its expression within the thymus could be one of the best models to test the above hypothesis. The stimulation of TCD4+CD25+(high) clones specific for immunodominant epitopes from the joints/synovial fluid (belonging perhaps to lubricin or SZP) could help restore a normal balance between effector T cells and suppressor T cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
 ...
PMID:Could rheumatoid arthritis result from an abnormal T cell response towards lubricin/superficial zone protein? 1514 43

The current article demonstrates some of the common sonographic features of the major arthritides. In rheumatoid arthritis, sonography shows the primary intra-articular location of the joint synovitis and bone erosion as well as any associated tenosynovitis. In early disease, this distribution can be distinguished from that of the spondyloarthropathies, in which the changes are typically centered on the entheses. These can be similarly differentiated from the chrystal arthropathies and osteoarthritis. In addition to its role in helping to make an accurate initial diagnosis, ultrasound is able to provide information as to disease activity and the efficacy of therapeutic agents.
 ...
PMID:Applications of ultrasound in arthritis. 1564 72

This paper outlines the most important pitfalls which are likely to be encountered in the assessment of magnetic resonance images of the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Imaging artefacts and how these can be recognised using various sequences and views are discussed. Normal structures such as interosseous ligaments and nutrient foramina may appear prominent on certain images and need to be identified correctly. Pathological change in the rheumatoid hand involves many tissues and when substantial damage has occurred, it may be difficult to identify individual structures correctly. Bone erosion, bone oedema, synovitis, and tenosynovitis frequently occur together and in close proximity to each other, potentially leading to false positive scoring of any of these. Examples are given to illustrate the various dilemmas the user of this atlas may face when scoring the rheumatoid hand and suggestions are made to assist correct interpretation of what can be very complex images.
 ...
PMID:Pitfalls in scoring MR images of rheumatoid arthritis wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints. 1564 21

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the best imaging method in early detection and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are other imaging methods available as ultrasound, scintigraphy, computed tomography and plain radiography for imaging RA but MRI provides the best sensitivity in detecting inflammatory changes in the joints. MRI shows the best intra and interobserver reliability and low variation between repetitive examinations. MRI has shown the best visualisation and the greater sensitivity to detect erosion in early RA, compared to standard radiography. The use of a contrast agent further increases the sensitivity in detecting erosions and differentiate synovial proliferation from fluid collections. Otherwise, intraossous cyst, tenosynovitis, bone marrow edema, that are concomitant manifestations of the disease, are best imaged by MRI. MRI assists in the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis, which allows earlier initiation of treatment.
 ...
PMID:[Interest of magnetic resonance imaging in rheumatoid arthritis]. 1582 69

Although conventional radiographs remain the initial mainstay for imaging of the foot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has afforded the ability to detect early signs of the disease (i.e., synovitis, tenosynovitis, bone lesions, and bursitis), especially at the forefoot. In addition, the relatively symmetric distribution of the imaging abnormalities depicted in the metatarsophalangeal joints and the frequent involvement of the retro-calcaneal bursitis are almost specific for RA. In more advanced stages of the disease, MR imaging is well suited to evaluation of the hindfoot joints and tendons as well as the musculoskeletal complications of RA (e.g., tendon disruption, rheumatoid nodules, sinus tarsi syndrome).
 ...
PMID:MR imaging appearance of rheumatoid arthritis in the foot. 1624 21

Wrist involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is frequent, variable in its presentation, heterogeneous in its evolution and has an important impact on the function of the affected hand. Surgery must be indicated within the framework of a structured medical and surgical approach that considers the whole patient. Surgical treatment at the wrist level is indicated in cases of resistant chronic pain, persistent articular synovitis, or chronic tenosynovitis and also in cases of painful limitation of supination, risk of complications due to wrist deformity and tendinous or neurological complications. The surgical goal in RA is to restore correct function but not neccessarily normal anatomy, with the goal of achieving a painless, stable wrist, correctly positioned. Motion depends on the status of the different joints and on the bone stock. Knowledge of the natural progression of the disease helps in the surgical decision making process. The pathogenesis and patterns of deformity, the clinical and X-ray appearances and the various techniques applied to the surgery of the rheumatoid wrist are studied and discussed including palmar wrist and dorsal wrist procedures, conservative and non-conservative options.
 ...
PMID:[The rheumatoid wrist]. 1639 1

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive diagnostic modality for the detection of inflammatory changes in peripheral joints. Nevertheless, the widespread clinical use of MRI in assessing patients with early rheumatoid arthritis is still hampered by the technical complexity and higher cost of MRI compared with conventional radiography. This overview summarizes the results of recent research and gives practical tips on how to perform MRI of the hands. The authors present an MR protocol for hand imaging, discuss the pros and cons of low-field MR scanners, and outline pitfalls and artifacts. The MRI changes associated with rheumatoid arthritis such as synovitis, tenosynovitis, erosions, and bone marrow edema are described including their prognostic significance. The proven facts on the validation and grading of MR changes in rheumatoid arthritis are summarized. Finally, the role of MRI in the differential diagnosis of arthritis is critically discussed.
 ...
PMID:[Magnetic resonance imaging of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis. New scientific insights and practical application]. 1661 2

A small minority of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients may develop a deforming arthritis, typically with a non-erosive (Jaccoud's) pattern, although erosive features indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis may also occur. High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) allows detailed 'real time' imaging of joint and tendon morphostructural changes involving the hand in patients with several rheumatic diseases. The main aim of this pictorial essay is to provide the first descriptive HRUS and power Doppler (PD) findings of joint and tendon involvement of the hand and wrist in patients with SLE arthritis. Seventeen patients with SLE and hand involvement were examined. HRUS of the wrist, 2nd and 3rd MCP joints, 3rd PIP joint and 2nd, 3rd and 4th finger flexor tendons were studied in the dominant hand for each patient. Sixteen (94%) patients had joint effusion or synovial hypertrophy in the wrist. Twelve (71%) patients had joint effusion or synovial hypertrophy in 2nd or 3rd MCPJs. Eight (47%) patients had erosion at 2nd or 3rd MCPJs. In three cases erosions were not present radiologically. Eleven (65%) patients had evidence of tenosynovitis. In SLE, HRUS with PD detects a high prevalence of inflammatory pathology in the tendons and synovium of the hand and wrist, and a high prevalence of MCP joint erosions. HRUS offers a sensitive, real-time and readily repeatable assessment of soft-tissue, inflammatory and bony changes in SLE hands.
 ...
PMID:Hand arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: an ultrasound pictorial essay. 1694 2


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>