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Systemic scleroderma is one of the most severe chronic autoimmune connective tissue diseases. In this Viewpoint, Dr Deleuran and Dr Abraham discuss the importance of understanding the development, regulation and function of the type 17 T-helper subpopulation of CD4+T cells in order to explore treatment possibilities in systemic scleroderma.
Psoriatic arthritis is a central feature of psoriatic disease, a systemic disorder that includes a range of musculoskeletal manifestations as well as features such as colitis, duodenitis, uveitis and metabolic syndrome. Evidence that psoriatic arthritis is distinct from rheumatoid arthritis and other spondyloarthropathies is outlined in this article.
Cigarette smoking, in combination with genetic factors, creates a significant risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, and can affect both the course and outcome of these rheumatic diseases. Also outlined in this article are the potential mechanisms by which smoking modulates the immune system.
White adipose tissue-derived adipokines are closely associated with obesity-related exogenous factors, such as nutrition and lifestyle, and the molecular events that lead to metabolic syndrome, inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions, and rheumatic diseases. In this Review, Dr Gualillo and colleagues discuss the progress in adipokine research, focussing on the roles of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, and other recently identified adipokines.
Observational database studies provide important information on the safety and benefit of approved medications. As discussed in this Review, the limitations of these studies, and the nature of their design and analysis, should be taken into account when results are interpreted.
Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is the most severe form of chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis and presents with clinical variability. This Case Study highlights the need for a multi-disciplinary approach for diagnosis and therapy of patients.
