Publications (6)3.88 Total impact
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Article: [Can two biologicals be combined to treat rheumatoid arthritis?].
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ABSTRACT: Selective anticytokine therapy improves clinical outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis but does not produce complete remission. The inflammatory network with multiple cell types and cytokines is a multi-factorial phenomenon involving the synovial membrane. Specific inhibition of one factor may result in activation of an alternative (by-pass) route. Thus, the search continues for novel, more aggressive combination therapies. It seems possible to administer a combination of anticytokine drugs or to combine one anticytokine with one B cell-depleting agent (different mechanisms of action). Initial reports on this combination therapy show that it is relatively effective and safe, especially as regards the second option. Results of ongoing clinical trials as well as information on the cost-effectiveness of these therapies are awaited.Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 01/2010; 56(1):15-9; discussion 19-20. -
Article: [Myocarditis--the first symptom of adult Still's disease].
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ABSTRACT: Myocardial involvement during the course of adult Still's disease is very rare. We present a case of a 34-year-old man admitted with fever, tachycardia, weakness and chest discomfort. The electrocardiogram showed non-specific diffuse ST-T changes, troponin level was slightly elevated and echocardiography did not reveal any abnormalities. After ruling out other relevant diseases, the adult Still's disease was diagnosed.Kardiologia polska 08/2009; 67(8):884-6. · 0.51 Impact Factor -
Article: Cardiac valvular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Relationship with anticardiolipin antibodies.
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ABSTRACT: We performed two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in 52 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and in 34 healthy controls. In 25 patients (48.1%) echocardiographic disturbances were found (25/52 vs 2/34, p<0.001). Valvular abnormalities were detected in 18 patients (34.6%) but in only two controls (18/52 vs 2/34, p<0.01). The mitral valve was involved in 12 patients (23.1%). The most frequent finding was mild (13.5%) and moderate (9.6%) regurgitation or valvular thickening (9.6%). The aortic valve was involved in six and the tricuspid valve in three patients (11.5% and 5.8%, respectively). Only one patient had echocardiographic non-infective verrucous vegetation affecting the tricuspid valve. We did not observe significant hemodynamic valve disease. Endocardial findings were related to disease duration (p<0.05) but not to disease activity. Twenty-eight SLE patients (53.8%) had increased anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). Patients with aCL (particularly those with IgG class) were characterized by a high incidence of echocardiographic abnormalities (p<0.001), mainly valvular (mitral or aortic) regurgitation (p<0.05). We found a relationship between anticardiolipin antibodies and disease activity (p<0.05). In conclusion, we postulate a prominent role for anticardiolipin antibodies in the pathogenesis of heart valve disease in patients with SLE.Clinical Rheumatology 12/2003; 22(6):405-8. · 2.00 Impact Factor -
Article: [Osteoporosis in ankylosing spondylitis: comparison of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasonography (QUS)].
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine bone mineral density (BMD) of the forearm and of the femoral neck using DXA technique and evaluation of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) of the heel using QUS technique in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The group of 59 AS patients were involved in the study: 53 male and 6 female with average age (40.0 +/- 8.2 yrs), range 29 to 49. Average disease duration was 160.6 +/- 98.0 months, range 18 to 420 months. AS patients were compared to 60 healthy controls: 50 male and 10 non post-menopausal female (average age 38.2 +/- 7.4 yrs). FA-BMD (distal radius) was evaluated using DTX-200 (Osteometer Medi-Tech A/S Denmark) and FN-BMD using ECLIPSE (Norland Medical Systems, Inc., Fort Atkinson, WI). QUS parameters of the left heel (BUA and SOS) were measured by DTU-ONE (Osteometer Medi-Tech A/S Denmark). AS patients are related only to low bone mass of femoral neck (0.786 g/cm2 vs 0.901 g/cm2, p < 0.001). This group relative young patients with chronic inflammatory process is in the increased risk group of hip fracture. QUS measurements of the heel and DXA of forearm do not appear to be a good predictor for screening of AS pts with osteoporosis.Przegla̧d lekarski 01/2003; 60(9):562-4. -
Article: [Anticardiolipin antibodies and cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus].
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ABSTRACT: Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are present in 24-61% of patients (pts) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is suggested that they may be associated with valvular abnormalities recognized on echocardiography (ECHO). To evaluate the relation of raised aCL and cardiac abnormalities we performed ECHO in 48 pts with SLE. ACL were estimated in all pts using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), and positive result was found in 25 pts (52%), negative in 23 pts (48%). Abnormalities on ECHO were found in 18 pts in aCL(+) group vs 4 pts in aCL(-) group (68 vs 17% respectively; p < 0.01). Valvular abnormalities were present in 9 pts in aCL(+) group and in 4 ts in aCL(-) group (36 vs 17%; p = n.s.), pericardial effusion in 6 pts in aCL(+) group vs 0 pts in aCL(-) group (24 vs 0%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found association between raised aCL and general cardiac abnormalities on ECHO.Polskie archiwum medycyny wewnȩtrznej 03/2002; 107(3):231-5. · 1.37 Impact Factor -
Article: [Zoledronic acid reduces risk of any new clinical fracture and risk of death after surgical repair of a low-trauma hip fracture].
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ABSTRACT: The most common treatment option for postmenopausal osteoporosis are the bisphosphonates which inhibit osteoclast function. Bisphosphonates interfere with cellular metabolism and in large clinical trials reduce risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Zoledronic acid is a potent bisphosphonate also approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. In addition zoledronic acid reduce relative risk of any new clinical fracture after surgical repair of low-trauma hip fracture. Also the reduction in the relative risk of death was observed after repeated once-yearly intravenous infusion. In conclusion, this is another interesting option for the treatment of the patients affected with osteoporosis and previous hip fractures.Chirurgia narzadow ruchu i ortopedia polska 75(3):168-71.
