Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pain in patients with RA in clinical remission and analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of those who experienced persistent pain despite remission status. Methods: Data from 1,891 patients with RA registered on the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy registry were obtained. Remission was defined as a Disease Activity Score of 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) <2.6.Pain intensity was classified as severe (pain visual analog scale [VAS] ≥7), moderate (4≤VAS<7), or mild (VAS <4). Results: Our analysis showed that 52.6% of patients complained of severe pain at the start of or during switching biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) or targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs). Despite having a 36.0% (n=680) remission rate after the use of bDMARDs or tsDMARDs at their 1-year follow-up, 21.5% (n=146) of these patients had moderateto-severe pain, higher frequency of foot erosions, and comorbidities, such as mental illness, endocrine, renal, and neurological disorders, than patients with a milder degree of pain. The multivariable regression analysis showed that presence of foot erosions, neurological disorders, and use of corticosteroids were independently associated with moderate-to-severe pain in patients with RA despite being in remission. The level of ESR and use of Janus kinase inhibitors were inversely associated with moderate-to-severe pain. Conclusion Persistent pain and discomfort continue to be a problem for patients with RA in clinical remission. Continued research on insistent pain in patients with RA is warranted to better alleviate distress and improve the quality of life in patients.

PURPOSE: Granulomatous mastitis (GM), reported for the first time by Kessler and Wolloch in 1972, is a rare and benign inflammatory lesion of the breast. The etiology of GM is currently unknown, but some reports have suggested autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristic, clinical presentations and radiological features of GM. METHODS: A chart review was performed for 23 patients, with GM confirmed by a pathological examination, between July 1999 and December 2005. A retrospective review of the clinical and radiological finding, as well as the cytological results of the patients was undertaken. RESULTS: The ages of these patients ranged between 29 and 74 years, with a mean of 39.7 years. The median follow-up was 8 months. Twenty patients (87%) presented with a mass as the chief complaint, with a median size of 2.56 cm (range 0.78~6.5 cm). Eight patients (34.8%) had radiological findings suspicious of malignancy. Tuberculosis was diagnosed using Tb-PCR in 1 patient. Twenty-two of the 23 patients underwent a wide excision, and the one remaining patient underwent incision and drainage. One of 23 patients had a recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: GM is a rare breast disease, which clinically mimics cancer. As radiological imaging, such as mammography or ultrasonography, are unreliable in distinguishing GM from breast cancer, further special examinations, for example FNAB and gun biopsy, are necessary. The single most important differential diagnosis of GM is tuberculosis, especially in developing countries. We suggest that the evaluation for tuberculosis is essential for the differential diagnosis of GM using clinical and pathological methods.
Autoimmunity ; Biopsy ; Breast ; Breast Diseases ; Breast Neoplasms ; Developing Countries ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granulomatous Mastitis* ; Humans ; Mammography ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis ; Ultrasonography

Objective: Pain is a significant and debilitating symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that significantly affects the quality of life and functional ability of patients. In the present study, we examined the association between pain variables and disease activity markers in patients with RA. Methods: We enrolled 133 patients with RA and assessed their clinical characteristics, socioeconomic and psychological factors, and pain measures. The psychological factors assessed included depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing. Results: The study cohort comprised predominantly female patients with RA with an average age of 55.5±10.1 years. Depressive symptoms had a mean score of 5.83±4.71, while pain catastrophizing had an average score of 14.36±10.70. The mean scores for pain intensity, and pain interference, were 2.98±1.75 and 19.54±16.17, respectively, with significant positive correlations observed with depressive symptoms. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were negatively correlated with pain intensity. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between depressive symptoms and pain intensity, catastrophizing, and interference. Other factors associated with pain intensity included tender joint count. Pain catastrophizing was associated with education and economic status. Pain interference was associated with sex and economic status. Conclusion This study shows the influence of disease-related indicators and psychological factors on pain in patients with RA, with depressive symptoms playing a crucial role in predicting pain experience. Effective pain management strategies for RA should include the management of depressive symptoms, in addition to addressing disease-related indicators.

Objective: Pain is a significant and debilitating symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that significantly affects the quality of life and functional ability of patients. In the present study, we examined the association between pain variables and disease activity markers in patients with RA. Methods: We enrolled 133 patients with RA and assessed their clinical characteristics, socioeconomic and psychological factors, and pain measures. The psychological factors assessed included depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing. Results: The study cohort comprised predominantly female patients with RA with an average age of 55.5±10.1 years. Depressive symptoms had a mean score of 5.83±4.71, while pain catastrophizing had an average score of 14.36±10.70. The mean scores for pain intensity, and pain interference, were 2.98±1.75 and 19.54±16.17, respectively, with significant positive correlations observed with depressive symptoms. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were negatively correlated with pain intensity. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between depressive symptoms and pain intensity, catastrophizing, and interference. Other factors associated with pain intensity included tender joint count. Pain catastrophizing was associated with education and economic status. Pain interference was associated with sex and economic status. Conclusion This study shows the influence of disease-related indicators and psychological factors on pain in patients with RA, with depressive symptoms playing a crucial role in predicting pain experience. Effective pain management strategies for RA should include the management of depressive symptoms, in addition to addressing disease-related indicators.

Objective: Pain is a significant and debilitating symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that significantly affects the quality of life and functional ability of patients. In the present study, we examined the association between pain variables and disease activity markers in patients with RA. Methods: We enrolled 133 patients with RA and assessed their clinical characteristics, socioeconomic and psychological factors, and pain measures. The psychological factors assessed included depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing. Results: The study cohort comprised predominantly female patients with RA with an average age of 55.5±10.1 years. Depressive symptoms had a mean score of 5.83±4.71, while pain catastrophizing had an average score of 14.36±10.70. The mean scores for pain intensity, and pain interference, were 2.98±1.75 and 19.54±16.17, respectively, with significant positive correlations observed with depressive symptoms. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were negatively correlated with pain intensity. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between depressive symptoms and pain intensity, catastrophizing, and interference. Other factors associated with pain intensity included tender joint count. Pain catastrophizing was associated with education and economic status. Pain interference was associated with sex and economic status. Conclusion This study shows the influence of disease-related indicators and psychological factors on pain in patients with RA, with depressive symptoms playing a crucial role in predicting pain experience. Effective pain management strategies for RA should include the management of depressive symptoms, in addition to addressing disease-related indicators.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of patients with concurrent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and suspected non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections as well as determine their prognostic factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 91 patients with RA whose computed tomography (CT) findings suggested NTM infection. Subsequently, we compared the clinical characteristics between patients with and without clinical or radiological exacerbation of NTM-pulmonary disease (PD) and investigated the risk factors for the exacerbation and associated mortality. Results: The mean age of patients with RA and suspected NTM-PD was 65.0 ± 10.2 years. The nodular/bronchiectatic (NB) form of NTM-PD was the predominant radiographic feature (78.0%). During follow-up, 36 patients (41.9%) experienced a radiological or clinical exacerbation of NTM-PD, whereas 12 patients (13.2%) died. Combined interstitial lung disease (ILD), microbiologically confirmed NTM-PD, and NB with the fibrocavitary (FC) form on chest CT were identified as risk factors for the clinical or radiological exacerbation of NTM-PD. Hydroxychloroquine use was identified as a good prognostic factor. Conversely, history of tuberculosis, ILD, smoking, microbiologically confirmed NTM-PD, and NB with the FC form on chest CT were identified as poor prognostic factors for mortality in suspected NTM-PD. Conclusions ILD and NB with the FC form on chest CT were associated with NTM-PD exacerbation and mortality. Hydroxychloroquine use may lower the risk of NTM-PD exacerbation. Therefore, radiographic features and presence of ILD should be considered when predicting the prognosis of patients with RA and suspected NTM-PD.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condyle-fossa relationships are bilaterally symmetric in class III malocclusion patients with and without asymmetry and compared to those with normal occlusion. The hypothesis was a difference in condyle-fossa relationships exists in asymmetric patients. METHODS: Group 1 comprised 40 Korean normal occlusion subjects. Groups 2 and 3 comprised patients diagnosed with skeletal class III malocclusion, who were grouped according to the presence of mandibular asymmetry: Group 2 included symmetric mandibles, while group 3 included asymmetric mandibles. Pretreatment three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (3D CBCT) images were obtained. Right- and left-sided TMJ spaces in groups 1 and 2 or deviated and non-deviated sides in group 3 were evaluated, and the axial condylar angle was compared. RESULTS: The TMJ spaces demonstrated no significant bilateral differences in any group. Only group 3 had slightly narrower superior spaces (p < 0.001). The axial condylar angles between group 1 and 2 were not significant. However, group 3 showed a statistically significant bilateral difference (p < 0.001); toward the deviated side, the axial condylar angle was steeper. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the asymmetric group, the TMJ spaces were similar between deviated and non-deviated sides, indicating a bilateral condyle-fossa relationship in patients with asymmetry that may be as symmetrical as that in patients with symmetry. However, the axial condylar angle had bilateral differences only in asymmetric groups. The mean TMJ space value and the bilateral difference may be used for evaluating condyle-fossa relationships with CBCT.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Malocclusion* ; Mandible ; Retrospective Studies* ; Temporomandibular Joint

The genetic mechanism of aspirin intolerant acute urticaria (AIAU) is unknown. To demonstrate an association between the beta2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) polymorphism and the phenotype of AIAU, one hundred fourteen patients with AIAU, 110 patients with aspirin intolerant chronic urticaria (AICU), and 498 normal healthy controls (NC) based on a Korean population were enrolled. The genotype of ADRB2 at 46 A > G was analyzed using a direct sequencing method. The ADRB2 polymorphism at 46 A > G showed a significant difference between AIAU and NC; the frequency of the major genotype was significantly higher in the AIAU group (p= 0.017 in recessive model), while no differences were noted in allele and genotype frequencies between AICU and NC. In conclusion, the ADRB2 (46 A > G) gene polymorphism may contribute to the development of the phenotype of AIAU.
Adult ; Aspirin/*adverse effects ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/*genetics ; Urticaria/chemically induced/*genetics/pathology

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been described in various clinical settings, including severe hypertension, eclampsia, lupus and immunosuppressive therapy. We report a 27 year-old female systemic lupus erythematosus patient who developed severe headache, seizure and hemiparesis during her lupus nephritis flare. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed multi-focal high signal intensity lesions in the parieto-occipital cortex bilaterally and in the subcortical white matter. Her condition improved with immunosuppressive treatments, antihypertensives and hemodialysis. The extent of her lesions decreased on follow-up MRI 2 months later. This case suggests that PRES can be treated with immunosuppressive drugs that do not increase blood pressure.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Eclampsia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lupus Nephritis ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Paresis ; Pregnancy ; Renal Dialysis ; Seizures

OBJECTIVE: To investigate neural correlates associated with recovery of motor function over 6 months in patients with basal ganglia (BG) stroke using acetazolamide (ACZ) stress brain-perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS: Medical records of 22 patients presenting first-ever BG stroke were retrospectively reviewed. Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) were measured for 9 regions in each cerebral hemisphere (primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, premotor cortex, prefrontal cortex, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, BG, and thalamus). The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) motor score was used to assess motor function. RESULTS: After ACZ injection, CBF of all regions of interest (ROIs) increased compared with baseline. Baseline CBF of all ROIs was not significantly correlated with changes in FMA upper or lower motor score. However, multivariate analysis revealed CVR was significantly associated with change in FMA upper score in the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (R2=0.216, p=0.017), the ipsilateral parietal lobe (R2=0.135, p=0.029), and the contralateral primary motor cortex (R2=0.210, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: CVR in the bilateral primary motor cortex and ipsilateral parietal lobe was associated with restoration of upper motor function 6 months after BG stroke. SPECT is a readily available imaging modality useful in studying brain residual function in patients with BG stroke.
Acetazolamide ; Basal Ganglia* ; Brain ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cerebrum ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Motor Cortex ; Multivariate Analysis ; Occipital Lobe ; Parietal Lobe ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke* ; Temporal Lobe ; Tomography, Emission-Computed ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*