Hypercalcaemia in rheumatoid arthritis revisited

Article Abstract:

It has been previously suggested that increased levels of calcium (hypercalcemia) in the blood serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may result from their arthritis. However, a study of 35 patients with hypercalcemia showed that the causes of hypercalcemia were not different in the 21 patients with RA than in the 14 patients without RA. The most common cause of hypercalcemia was mild hyperparathyroidism, or increased amounts of parathyroid hormone, which was detected in 62 percent of the cases. Parathyroid hormone maintains a constant concentration of calcium in the body, regulating absorption from the digestive tract and from bone. Other causes of hypercalcemia were treatment with the diuretic medication thiazide (13 percent), cancer (8 percent), immobility (8 percent), vitamin D toxicity (5 percent), and chronic liver disease (3 percent). In conclusion, the causes of hypercalcemia in patients with RA are the same as those found in the general population, therefore hypercalcemia is not a complication of RA. These results contradict previous studies that suggested hypercalcemia may be a complication of rheumatoid arthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Hyperparathyroidism, Endocrine gland diseases, Endocrine diseases, Hypercalcemia

---

Serum interleukin 6 levels in rheumatoid arthritis: correlations with clinical and laboratory indices of disease activity

Article Abstract:

Increased blood levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) may be associated with the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that affects the joints. A study compared blood levels of IL-6 in 93 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to levels in 20 patients with osteoarthritis and 70 healthy individuals. Blood levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in patients with osteoarthritis or the healthy individuals. Blood levels of IL-6 were similar in men and women. Increased blood levels of IL-6 were not associated with age or longer disease duration. An association was found between increased blood levels of IL-6 and duration of morning stiffness. IL-6 is a substance found in high concentrations in the synovial membranes of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Measurement, Interleukin-6

---

Genotyping for disease associated HLA DR beta 1 alleles and the need for early joint surgery in rheumatoid arthritis: a quantitative evaluation

Article Abstract:

Testing for disease-associated genes, and measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), may predict which patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will require joint replacement surgery. Researchers compared the human leukocyte antigen types of 65 RA patients who underwent joint replacement early in their disease and 65 RA patients who did not. One-third of patients with two disease-associated antigens underwent surgery, compared to only 9% of patients with another genetic type. The ESR was higher in patients who underwent surgery than in those who did not. Patient with disease-associated genes may require more aggressive drug treatment to delay joint surgery.

Scotland, Health aspects, Diagnosis, HLA histocompatibility antigens, HLA antigens, Genetic polymorphisms, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: HLA types in patients with rheumatoid arthritis developing leucopenia after both gold and sulphasalazine treatment
• Abstracts: Antirheumatic drugs in the elderly. Urinary glucaric acid excretion in rheumatoid arthritis: influence of disease activity and disease modifying drugs
• Abstracts: Association of hypokalemia, aldosteronism, and renal cysts. Screening for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
• Abstracts: Measuring performance in clinical rheumatology. Septic arthritis complicating hip osteoarthritis. A unifying hypothesis for the mechanism of NSAID related gastrointestinal toxicity
• Abstracts: Immunogenetic heterogeneity of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and the antiperinuclear factor. Azathioprine induced fever, chills, rash, and hepatotoxicity in rheumatoid arthritis

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.