The medical fraternity needs to be aware of this potentially fatal albeit rare musculoskeletal complication secondary to a pancreatic pathology. “
“To determine the prevalence and

identify the associated factors of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Existing patients diagnosed to have IIMs were recruited for measurement of BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Demographic, clinical and treatment variables of these patients were recorded. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis were calculated. Using multivariate analysis, the independent associated factors for reduced BMD were selleck kinase inhibitor evaluated. Thirty-eight patients with IIMs completed the study with 32 (84.2%) being female. The mean age of the patients was 52.8 ± 13.0 years. Nine (23.7%) patients had osteoporosis and 18 (47.4%) had osteopenia. Multivariate analysis revealed female gender and low serum albumin levels at onset were

associated with lower spinal BMD. For femoral neck, the factors associated with lower BMD were high Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Visual Analogue Scales (MYOACT) score and high cumulative prednisolone dose. Reduced BMD is prevalent in patients with IIMs. Female gender, low serum albumin level at onset, high disease activity and high cumulative corticosteroid dose appeared to be the independent associated factors. Regular assessment of BMD is advisable. The use of anti-osteoporotic and steroid-sparing agents should be encouraged. “
“Procalcitonin is a marker of bacterial and fungal infection and sepsis. The Cyclopamine price present study evaluated the relationship between serum procalcitonin levels and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A total of 61 patients who met the 1984

New York criteria Methisazone for AS were studied. Twenty-four age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited to this study as a control group. Disease activity was assessed by the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). The functional status of patients was evaluated by the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI). Spinal mobility was measured by the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum procalcitonin levels were measured. Thirty patients were on anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment and 31 patients were on conventional treatment. Seventeen (28%) of the AS patients were active (BASDAI > 4) and 44 (72%) of the AS patients were in remission. The median ESR was 14 (34–6) mm/h and 4 (7–2) mm/h (P < 0.001) for the patient and control groups, respectively. The median CRP level was 0.91 (2.72–0.37) mg/dL and 0.15 (0.25–0.07) mg/dL in the patient and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Median BASDAI, BASFI and BASMI scores for all AS patients were 3.6 (5.25–2.29), 2.5 (4.22–0.91) and 3 (5–1), respectively. Serum procalcitonin levels were normal (< 0.05 ng/mL) for all patients and controls.