Pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon but serious complication of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE).Usually its outcomes are ominous and may progress to heart failure and even sudden death.The pathophysiology is still unknown, but several mechanisms,such as pneumonitis,vasculitis,thromboembolism or thrombosis in situ have been proposed.There is no definitive therapy for this condition.Although supportive measures with vasodilators remain the mainstay of treatment,the responses are generally disappointing. We describe a case of improvement of pulmonary hypertension in SLE treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy as documented by hemodynamic data. Immunosuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide was effective in this condition,suggested an immune mediated pathogenesis.
Cyclophosphamide* ; Heart Failure ; Hemodynamics ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Thrombosis ; Vasodilator Agents

Sjogren's syndrome (SS)is a chronic,slowly progressive autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands leading to dry mouth and dry eyes accompanied by a variety of autoimmune phenomena. Despite the obvious difference in the affected organ,patients with SS and those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis share several histologic and genetic features.The immunopathologic findings of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Sjogren's sialadenitis show similarities such as infiltration by activated T lymphocytes and inappropriate expression of HLA class II molecules by the epithelial cells.It has been reported that up to 50%of patients with SS develop autoimmune thyroid disease in the clinical course,and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis have symptoms related to SS frequently.In Korea,the ocurrence of SS in association with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has not been reported so far,although it is considered to coexist occasionally.We report a case of primary SS in a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who had been treated with levothyroxine.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Exocrine Glands ; Humans ; Mouth ; Sialadenitis ; Sjogren's Syndrome* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis* ; Thyroxine

Among the connective tissue diseases,Behcet's disease (BD)outrank systemic lupus erythematosus as a cause of venous occlusive disease.Deep vein thrombosis and superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities are the most common venous lesions found in BD.We report a rare case of superficial venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis of the abdomen,which was misdiagnosed as superficial mass in a previously undiagnosed BD patient.
Abdomen* ; Connective Tissue ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Thrombophlebitis* ; Thrombosis* ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), the correlation among each measurement, and to identify the predictors for HRQOL in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: The HRQOL and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed by Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), time trade off (TTO), standard gamble (SG), Centers for Epidemiologic StudiesDepression (CES-D), social support, self-efficacy scale, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Schober test, occiput to wall test, ESR, and CRP from 90 patients with AS. RESULTS: 78 patients (86.7%) were men with a mean (+/-SD) age of 28.4 (+/-7.9) years. The mean years of disease onset was 10.44 (+/-6.95). The mean scores of SF-36 global, mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) were 53.4 (+/-21.2), 61.8 (+/-26.3), and 51.7 (+/-24.4), respectively. The mean EQ-5D utility and visual analog scale (VAS) score were 0.63 (+/-0.2) and 57.1 (+/-18.6). The mean scores of the TTO and SG were 0.46 (+/-0.6) and 0.46 (+/-0.6). The scores of the SF-36 and EQ-5D in AS patients were lower than those in healthy control. The mean scores of CES-D, self-efficacy scale, social support and social network were 10.5 (+/-6.8), 65.3 (+/-14.6), 2.46 (+/-0.22), and 2.33 (+/-0.47), respectively. The mean score of BASFI was 2.48 (+/-2.13). The BASFI total score was negatively correlated with the scores of SF-36, MCS, PCS, EQ-5D utility and VAS score, social network, and self-efficacy scale, and positively correlated with CES-D. In multivariate models, the predicting variables of SF-36 global and PCS were BASFI and self-efficacy scale and the predicting variables of SF-36 MCS were BASFI, social support, and self-efficacy scale. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that HRQOL in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis is decreased compare to healthy control. And the efforts to improve HRQOL should be designed to improve the self-efficacy and social support in addition to active treatment to prevent functional disability.
Baths ; Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing* ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by widespread bodily pain, tenderness at multiple sites, and fatigue. It has a major impact on the quality of life. However, there has been no report regarding the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Korean patients with FM. The objective of this study was to assess the HRQOL and the correlation among each measurement and to identify the predictors for HRQOL in Korean patients with FM. METHODS: The HRQOL and clinical parameters were assessed by Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), time trade off (TTO), standard gamble (SG), Centers for Epidemiologic StudiesDepression (CES-D), social support, self-efficacy scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and tender points, respectively, from 104 outpatients with FM. RESULTS: Of the 104 subjects, 99 (95.2 %) were women with mean (+/-SD) age of 49.2 years (+/-11.1). The mean (+/-SD) years of disease onset was 8.06 (+/-7.38). The mean (+/-SD) scores of SF-36 global, mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) were 41.6 (+/-19.8), 47.4 (+/-25.0), and 43.5 (+/-23.7), respectively. The SF-36 GH, PCS, MCS scores of FM patients were lower than that of healthy controls (p<0.001). The mean (+/-SD) EQ-5D utility and visual analog scale (VAS) were 0.52 (+/-0.32) and 55.6 (+/-19.4). The mean (+/-SD) scores of the TTO and SG were 0.49 (+/-0.44) and 0.47 (+/-0.42). The mean (+/-SD) scores of CES-D, self-efficacy scale, social support and social network were 16.0 (+/-10.2), 55.9 (+/-19.4), 2.37 (+/-0.27), and 2.07 (+/-0.58), respectively. The mean (+/-SD) scores of FIQ was 46.4 (+/-17.7). The FIQ total score was negatively correlated with the scores of SF-36 GH, MCS, PCS, EQ-5D utility and VAS, TTO, SG, social support, social network, and self-efficacy scale (r=-0.63, r=-0.60, r=-0.48, r=-0.59, r=-0.56, r=-0.32, r=-0.27, r=-0.25, r=-0.31, r=-0.54, respectively. all p's<0.001), and positively correlated with the CES-D (r=0.67, p<0.001). In multivariate models, the predicting variables of SF-36 GH and PCS were age, FIQ, and self-efficacy and the predicting variables of SF-36 MCS were income, FIQ, and social support. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the HRQOL in Korean patients with FM is lower than healthy subjects. In a simple correlation analysis, FIQ, CES-D, social support, and self-efficacy were meaningful variables correlated with HRQOL. In multivariate model, age, FIQ, and self-efficacy were independent variables correlated with HRQOL. Therefore, the efforts to improve HRQOL in Korean patients with FM should be designed to improve the self-efficacy and depression in addition to conventional approach.
Depression ; Fatigue ; Female ; Fibromyalgia* ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVE: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient, to compare the HRQOL of SLE patients with that of healthy controls, and to identify the predicting variables on physical and mental health in Korean patients with SLE. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, the HRQOL and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed by Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), time trade off (TTO), standard gamble (SG), Centers for Epidemiologic StudiesDepression (CES-D), self-efficacy scale, social support, social network, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Damage Index (SDI), respectively, from 111 outpatients with SLE. And the data of the SF-36 and EQ-5D in SLE patients were compared with those in 228 healthy controls. RESULTS: 106 (95.5%) were women and 5 (4.5%) were men, with a mean (+/-SD) age of 33.2 years (+/-9.9) and mean disease duration of 7.19 years (+/-4.59). The mean scores of SF-36 global, mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) were 62.2 (+/-20.4), 67.5 (+/-24.6), and 65.7 (+/-24.8), respectively. The mean EQ-5D utility and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were 0.73 (+/-0.20) and 67.5 (+/-17.9). The mean scores of the TTO and SG were 0.60 (+/-0.55) and 0.59 (+/-0.45). The scores on the SF-36 global, EQ-5D utility and EQ-5D VAS in healthy controls were 77.5 (+/-13.1), 0.73 (+/-0.20) and 67.5 (+/-17.9), respectively. The mean scores of CES-D, self-efficacy scale, social support, and social network were 9.09 (+/-6.82), 66.5 (+/-17.4), 2.53 (+/-0.17) and 2.29 (+/-0.46), respectively. The mean SLEDAI and the mean SDI were 5.87 (+/-4.32) and 0.73 (+/-1.02). The SDI was negatively correlated with the scores of SF-36 global, PCS, and EQ-5D VAS (r=-0.30, p<0.001; r=-0.34, p<0.001; r=-0.28, p<0.003), and positively correlated with the CES-D (r=0.19, p<0.04). In multivariate models, the predicting variables on SF-36 global and 6 MCS was self-efficacy, and the predicting variables on SF-36 PCS were SLEDAI and self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that HRQOL in Korean patients with SLE was lower than those in healthy control. The SF-36 and the EQ-5D were valid measurements to assess HRQOL in patients with SLE. In multivariate model, self-efficacy and SLEDAI were only meaningful variables correlated with HRQOL among variables. Therefore, to improve the HRQOL in Korean patients with SLE, we should focus on a program to improve self-efficacy.
Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Male ; Mental Health ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Rheumatology

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), to evaluate the relationship between HRQOL, and various factors in Korean patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: The HRQOL and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed by Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), time trade off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) using computer software, Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), social support, self-efficacy scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC), functional class, and radiological grading, respectively, in 103 outpatients with OA. And the data of the SF-36 and EQ-5D in OA patients were compared with those in 228 healthy controls. RESULTS: Of the 103 subjects, 99 (96.1%) were women with a mean age of 61.1?6.7 years. The mean year of disease duration was 9.44+/-7.44. The mean scores of SF-36 global, mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) were 51.5?20.6, 61.6?26.6 and 47.1?24.1, respectively. The mean EQ-5D utility and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 0.56+/-0.26 and 60.0+/-17.3, respectively. The mean scores of the TTO and SG were 0.74+/-0.22 and 0.60+/-0.31, respectively. The mean scores of CES-D, self-efficacy scale, social support and social network were 9.52+/-5.67, 60.6+/-16.0, 2.32+/-0.22, and 2.01+/-0.66, respectively. The mean scores of WOMAC pain, stiffness and function were 28.8+/-15.4, 6.08+/-3.79, and 2.17+/-1.92, respectively. In the correlations analysis among health-related quality of life and other variables, the cores of KWOMAC, CES-D, and self-efficacy showed the good correlation with the scores of SF-36 and EQ-5D. In multivariate models, the statistically significant variables of SF-36 global and PCS were KWOMAC, and the statistically significant variables of SF-36 MCS were marital status and KWOMAC. CONCLUSION: This study shows that HRQOL in Korean patients with osteoarthritis is significantly lower than healthy control. Among the variables, only the WOMAC was significantly correlated with HRQOL. Therefore, the efforts to improve HRQOL should be focused on controlling the disease activity and on improving the functional state.
Depression ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis* ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life* ; Visual Analog Scale

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), to examine the correlation among each measurement, and to identify the predictor for HRQOL in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The HRQOL and clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed by Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), EuroQol5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), time trade off (TTO) and standard gamble (SG) using computer software, Centers for Epidemiologic StudiesDepression (CES-D), social support, self-efficacy scale, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ), functional class, radiologic classification, morning stiffness, Ritchie index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and c-reactive protein (CRP) respectively from 100 outpatients with RA. And the data of the SF-36 and EQ-5D in RA patients were compared with those in 228 healthy controls. RESULTS: Of the 100 subjects with RA, 93 (93 %) were women with mean age of 51.7+/-9.8 years. The mean years of disease onset were 11.16+/-9.23. The mean scores of SF-36 global health (GH), mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) were 51.5+/-20.6, 61.6+/-26.6, and 47.1+/-24.1, respectively. The mean EQ-5D utility and visual analog scale (VAS) score were 0.58+/-0.3 and 61.7+/-20.5, respectively. The mean scores of the TTO and SG were 0.56+/-0.58 and 0.51+/-0.39. The SF-36 and EQ-5D scores in RA patients were significantly lower than those in healthy controls. The mean scores of 8 KHAQ disability index and visual analog pain scale were 0.83+/-0.65 and 50.0+/-23.7, respectively. The mean scores of CES-D, self-efficacy scale, social support, and social network were 9.67+/-6.76, 68.2+/-15.2, 2.37+/-0.19, and 2.19+/-0.55, respectively. The KHAQ mean score was negatively correlated with the scores of SF-36 GH, MCS, PCS, EQ-5D utility, EQ-5D VAS score, social support, social network (r=-0.62, r=-0.47, r=-0.64, r=-0.60, r=-0.39, r=-0.26, r=-0.36, respectively, all p's<0.001), and self-efficacy scale (r=-0.24, p=0.02), and positively correlated with the CES-D (r=0.61, p<0.001). In multivariate models, the predicting variables of SF-36 GH were KHAQ and self-efficacy scale. The predicting variables of SF-36 MCS were age, KHAQ, and self-efficacy scale and the predicting variables of SF-36 PCS were age, income, KHAQ, and self-efficacy scale. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HRQOL in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis is significantly lower than healthy control. The age, HAQ, CES-D, self-efficacy scale were meaningful variables that was significantly correlated with HRQOL. Therefore, the efforts to improve HRQOL may be designed to improve the self-efficacy and the depression in addition to conventional treatment.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Classification ; Depression ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Female ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Pain Measurement ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visual Analog Scale

No abstract available.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sacroiliitis

No abstract available.