E. Ghrenassia

Prevalence, correlates and outcomes of gastric antral vascular ectasia in systemic sclerosis: A eustar case-control study

Objective. To estimate the prevalence, determine the subgroups at risk, and the outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE). Methods. We queried the European League Against Rheumatism Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) network for the recruitment of patients with SSc-GAVE. Each case was matched for cutaneous subset and disease duration with 2 controls with SSc recruited from the same center, evaluated at the time the index case made the diagnosis of GAVE. SSc characteristics were recorded at the time GAVE occurred and the last observation was collected to define the outcomes. Results. Forty-nine patients with SSc and GAVE were included (24 with diffuse cutaneous SSc) and compared to 93 controls with SSc. The prevalence of GAVE was estimated at about 1% of patients with SSc. By multivariate analysis, patients with SSc-GAVE more frequently exhibited a diminished (< 75%) DLCO value (OR 12.8; 95% CI 1.9–82.8) despite less frequent pulmonary fibrosis (OR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1–0.6). GAVE was also associated with the presence of anti-RNA-polymerase III antibodies (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.2–21.1). SSc-GAVE was associated with anemia (82%) requiring blood transfusion (45%). Therapeutic endoscopic procedures were performed in 45% of patients with GAVE. After a median followup of 30 months (range 1–113 months), survival was similar in patients with SSc-GAVE compared to controls, but a higher number of scleroderma renal crisis cases occurred (12% vs 2%; p = 0.01). Conclusion. GAVE is rare and associated with a vascular phenotype, including anti-RNA-polymerase III antibodies, and a high risk of renal crisis. Anemia, usually requiring blood transfusions, is a common complication.

Reactivation of resolved hepatitis B during rituximab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since vendredi 23 septembre 2011

Visualization of amyloid arthropathy in light-chain systemic amyloidosis on F-18 FDG PET/CT scan.

We report a case of 63-year-old man with symmetrical joint swelling of the interphalangeal and metacarpal joints, associated with isolated hypogammaglobulinemia. Accessory glands biopsy revealed the presence of amyloidal deposits. PET/CT showed increased F-18 FDG activity in thickened soft tissues corresponding to amyloid arthropathy. Like multiple myeloma, PET/CT could be an interesting imaging in light-chain amyloidosis.

Digestive-tract sarcoidosis: French nationwide case-control study of 25 cases.

AbstractDigestive tract sarcoidosis (DTS) is rare and case-series are lacking. In this retrospective case–control study, we aimed to compare the characteristics, outcome, and treatment of patients with DTS, nondigestive tract sarcoidosis (NDTS), and Crohn disease.We included cases of confirmed sarcoidosis, symptomatic digestive tract involvement, and noncaseating granuloma in any digestive tract. Each case was compared with 2 controls with sarcoidoisis without digestive tract involvement and 4 with Crohn disease.We compared 25 cases of DTS to 50 controls with NDTS and 100 controls with Crohn disease. The major digestive clinical features were abdominal pain (56%), weight loss (52%), nausea/vomiting (48%), diarrhea (32%), and digestive bleeding (28%). On endoscopy of DTS, macroscopic lesions were observed in the esophagus (9%), stomach (78%), duodenum (9%), colon, (25%) and rectum (19%). As compared with NDTS, DTS was associated with weight loss (odds ratio [OR] 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44–23.3) and the absence of thoracic adenopathy (OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.03–25). As compared with Crohn disease, DTS was associated with Afro-Caribbean origin (OR 27; 95% CI 3.6–204) and the absence of ileum or colon macroscopic lesions (OR 62.5; 95% CI 10.3–500). On the last follow-up, patients with DTS showed no need for surgery (versus 31% for patients with Crohn disease; P = 0.0013), and clinical digestive remission was frequent (76% vs. 35% for patients with Crohn disease; P = 0.0002).The differential diagnosis with Crohn disease could be an issue with DTS. Nevertheless, the 2 diseases often have different clinical presentation and outcome.