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M Soubrier

Publications and source records attributed to M Soubrier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The usefulness of bone remodelling markers in predicting the efficacy of pamidronate treatment in SAPHO syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Pamidronate has recently been used in SAPHO syndrome due to its anti-osteoclastic effect. The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of bone remodelling markers for determining the efficacy of pamidronate treatment. METHODS: Thirteen patients with SAPHO syndrome were treated with pamidronate. The treatment evaluation was done using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and also erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, serum crosslaps (sCTX) and osteocalcin initially and after 3 months. A relevant clinical response was defined as an improvement in VAS of at least 40%. RESULTS: At 3 months, 7 of 13 patients had a good clinical response, as previously defined. Five of the seven patients maintained the good response over 6 months. Before the first perfusion 6 of the 13 patients had increased sCTX (upper 3250 pmol/l). In this small cohort we tried to analyse whether the increase in bone remodelling markers was associated with a good clinical response. In the responders group the mean levels of sCTX and osteocalcin at baseline were 6783.17 and 24.66, respectively, and in the non-responders group the levels were 2152 and 11.8, respectively. There was a significant difference in sCTX between the responders and the non-responders (P = 0.0044). CONCLUSION: Infusion of pamidronate is effective in SAPHO in some patients. Increased sCTX might be a prognostic marker for a good clinical response but results have to be confirmed in a larger cohort.

Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome↗

[Atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis].

AIMS: To identify studies which have shown that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. To identify the different factors that may be involved. To consider what management would decrease the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of RA. RESULTS: Epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of a cardiovascular event is increased twofold in RA patients irrespective of the traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Non-invasive methods have shown that RA patients have endothelial dysfunction, decreased arterial compliance and increased intima-media thickers, predictive factors for cardiovascular events in comparison to controls after controlling for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The increased cardiovascular risk is directly mediated by inflammatory syndrome, which also indirectly increases the risk by inducing dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Treatments also have a hamful effect, whether it be corticosteroid therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or methotrexate (MTX), which leads to hyperhromocysteinemia. CONCLUSION: It should be possible to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by a strict control of the disease's activity. We should also take measures to combat other cardiovascular risk factors: as low a dose as possible for corticosteroid therapy, limited prescription of NSAIDs, systematic supplementation of MTX with folic acid encouragement of smoking cessation, regular lipid tests and prescription of statins treatment for hyperlipemia in accordance with current recommendations.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Septic arthritis as a late complication of carcinoma of the breast.

OBJECTIVES: To see if a past history of radiation therapy is a risk factor for septic arthritis. METHODS: We retrospectively searched our records of 282 patients with septic arthritis and found 10 cases of septic arthritis post-radiotherapy, all in females. We analysed our group, correlating them with the literature. We also compared our patients with a group of septic arthritis patients without radiation therapy. RESULTS: Nine had had radiation therapy for carcinoma of the breast. The shoulder joint was involved in six and the sternoclavicular joint in three. The tenth patient had had brachytherapy and radiation for carcinoma of the cervix and presented with septic arthritis of the hip. The mean age of the patients was 69 yr (49-82 yr). The mean time elapsed since radiation was 16 yr (3-34 yr). Twenty-three cases of shoulder septic arthritis in patients without past radiation therapy were selected for comparison. The five patients with past radiation therapy had fever less often and a longer time lapse before diagnosis. They required longer antibiotherapy. However, this prevented neither bone destruction nor relapse. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, a past history of radiation therapy was observed in 6/50 infections of the shoulder, 3/5 infections of the sternoclavicular joint, 6/23 cases of septic arthritis of the shoulder and all cases of septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint for females. Radiation therapy seems to be a risk factor for septic arthritis. Diagnosis would be aided by a greater awareness of the clinical and radiological features of this septic arthritis.

Aged↗

Tolerance and short term efficacy of rituximab in 43 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the tolerance and efficacy of rituximab in patients with various autoimmune diseases seen in daily rheumatological practice. METHODS: 866 rheumatology and internal medicine practitioners were contacted by e-mail to obtain the files of patients treated with rituximab for systemic autoimmune diseases. Patients with lymphoma were analysed if the evolution of the autoimmune disease could be evaluated. RESULTS: In all, 43 of 49 cases could be analysed, including 14 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 13 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), six with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), five with systemic vasculitis, and five with other autoimmune diseases. Rituximab was prescribed for lymphoma in two patients with RA and two with pSS. In the 39 other cases, rituximab was given because of the refractory character of the autoimmune disease. The mean follow up period was 8.3 months (range 2 to 26). There were 11 adverse events in 10 patients and treatment had to be discontinued in six. Efficacy was observed in 30 patients (70%): RA 11, SLE 9, pSS 5, vasculitis 2, antisynthetase syndromes 2, sarcoidosis 1. The mean decrease in corticosteroid intake was 9.5 mg/d (range 0 to 50) in responders. Seven patients experienced relapse after mean 8.1 months (5 to 15). Three patients died because of refractory autoimmune disease. CONCLUSIONS: Despite absence of marketing authorisation, rituximab is used to treat various refractory autoimmune diseases in daily rheumatological practice. This study showed good tolerance and short term clinical efficacy, with marked corticosteroid reduction in patients with SLE, pSS, vasculitis, and polymyositis.

Adult↗

Epidural corticosteroid injections for sciatica: a randomised, double blind, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of epidural corticosteroid injections for sciatica. METHODS: Three epidural injections (two day intervals) of 2 ml prednisolone acetate (50 mg) or 2 ml isotonic saline were administered to patients with sciatica presumably due to a disk herniation lasting 15-180 days. Self evaluation was the main judgment criterion at day 20. Patients who recovered or showed marked improvement were considered as success. Pain measured by VAS, the SLR test, Schober's test, Dallas pain questionnaire, and the Roland-Morris index were evaluated at days 0, 5, 20, and 35. Only analgesics were authorised, patients requiring non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before day 20 were considered as failure. RESULTS: 42 patients were included in the control group (CG), 43 in the steroid group (SG). On an intention to treat analysis 15/42 (36%) in the CG and 22/43 (51%) in the SG (p=0.15) were considered as success (difference 15.5%, 95% CI (-5.4 to 36.3)). Among the 48 failures, 14 patients (6 CG, 8 SG) required NSAIDs, 3 (2 CG, 1 SG) required surgery, and 7 (3 CG, 4 SG) other treatments. On analysis according to protocol, in 74 remaining patients 12/35 (34%) in the CG and 22/39 (56%) in the SG (p=0.057) were considered as success (difference 22.1%, 95% CI (0.0 to 44.2)). For all secondary end points intragroup improvement with time was significant, but intergroup differences were not. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of isotonic saline administered epidurally for sciatica cannot be excluded, but epidural steroid injections provide no additional improvement.

Adult↗

[POEMS syndrome: imaging of skeletal manifestations, a study of 8 cases].

PURPOSE: To describe the imaging features of POEMS, and to compare our experience of 8 cases to a review of literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 8 patients (6 men, 2 women) with POEMS. Plain radiographs (8 patients), CT (6), MR (2) were performed. RESULTS: Topographic localizations of POEMS were pelvis (7 cases), spine (5), femur (1), humerus (1), rib cage (1). Focal bone lesions, multiple (5 cases) or solitary (3 cases), were sclerotic in 4 cases, mixed lytic-sclerotic (lytic center and sclerotic rim) in 3 cases and one patient had an osteolytic lesion with sclerotic margins associated with many osteosclerotic lesions. Profilerative osseous changes were seen in 4 cases (pelvis, spine, tibia). MR imaging was performed in 2 patients: in one patient MR imaging revealed areas of low signal intensity on spin echo T1- and T2-weighted images in vertebral bodies, the other showed a lesion of low signal intensity on spin echo T1-weighted and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in the ilium and adjacent soft tissue. CONCLUSION: The imaging features commonly observed in POEMS syndrome are sclerotic and mixed lytic-sclerotic lesions, particularly in the pelvis and spine. Proliferative new bone formation is detected in 50%. MR imaging correlates with ostesclerotic or mixed lytic-sclerotic appearance.

Adult↗

No changes in the distribution of organisms responsible for septic arthritis over a 20 year period.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in the distribution and resistance of the pathogens responsible for septic arthritis over a 20 year period in patients admitted to the same hospital unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of the hospital records of patients admitted between 1979 and 1998 for septic arthritis with positive microbiological diagnosis after blood or joint cultures, or both. RESULTS: 303 cases of septic arthritis were studied, 141 in the period 1979-88 and 162 in the period 1989-98. The incidence between the first and second period did not vary significantly for the staphylococci (67% v. 63%), streptococci (16% v. 20%), and Gram negative bacilli (7% v. 10%). Tuberculous infections decreased from 9% to 4% (p<0.04). No gonococci were isolated in the second 10 year period. Among the staphylococcal species, there was an increase in the number of coagulase negative staphylococci (10 cases v. 21, p<0.05) between the two periods. There was no significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of methicillin resistant pathogens (12.6% v. 16.6%). The number of streptococcal B infections increased (2 v. 10 cases), and beta-lactamine resistant pneumococci emerged. In the second 10 year period, patients were older and were more likely to have co-existing disease, particularly tumoral growth, and less commonly were receiving dialysis. Localisation of joint infection was comparable except for an increase in prosthetic knee infections. CONCLUSION: The distribution and sensitivity of pathogens causing septic arthritis changed little over a 20 year period.

Adult↗

Cutaneous lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection in 2 patients treated with methotrexate.

Whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma is controversial, and opinions differ on the possible role of methotrexate in the occurrence of lymphomas in patients with RA. We report 1 T-cell lymphoma and 1 B-cell lymphoma restricted to the skin associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection that healed completely and spontaneously after discontinuation of methotrexate in a man with RA and a woman with dermatomyositis. Cutaneous infiltrating cells were infected by a replicative form of Epstein-Barr virus. After discontinuation of methotrexate, the cutaneous lesions disappeared completely in 15 days without recurrence. Discontinuation of methotrexate is necessary in patients with RA or dermatomyositis who have a lymphoproliferative disorder, and a follow-up period of several weeks should be observed before specific therapy is initiated.

Aged↗

Management of nontuberculous infectious discitis. treatments used in 110 patients admitted to 12 teaching hospitals in France.

The optimal management of pyogenic discitis is not agreed on. No randomized clinical trials of short-course or oral antibiotic regimens have been published to date. To shed light on this issue, we reviewed the management of patients admitted for pyogenic discitis to one of 12 networked rheumatology departments. In this cross-sectional observational study, each department included the first ten patients admitted starting in January 1997 for treatment of pyogenic discitis. One hundred ten patients met the inclusion criteria, 67 men and 43 women, with a mean age of 60.6 +/- 13.7 years (range, 17-86 years). Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 39.6 +/- 39.8 days (range, 24 h-240 days). Blood cultures were positive in 47.3% of patients, and the percutaneous discal and vertebral biopsy in 63.6% of cases; these two investigations identified the causative organism in 79 cases (72.8%). Mean duration of the rheumatology department stay was 31.3 +/- 14.1 days (range, 4-78 days). Antibiotics were given intravenously to 103 (93.6%) patients, for a mean of 25.5 +/- 17.6 days (range, 4-124 days); duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy was longer than 4 weeks in 36.5% of patients. Only seven (6.4%) patients received primary oral antibiotics with no parenteral antibiotics. One hundred patients were given oral antibiotics at the same time as and after intravenous antibiotics, for a mean duration of 87.2 +/- 43.6 day (range, 20-278 days); Bracing was used in 98 (89.1%) patients. Although antibiotic selection was rational and in agreement with current recommendations, wide differences were noted across centers regarding intravenous treatment duration, hospital stay duration, and total treatment duration.

Abscess↗

Pamidronate in the treatment of diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible.

Diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible is characterized by bouts of intense pain, sometimes associated with trismus and paresthesia, and leads to progressive deformity. It is of unknown etiopathology, but it is suggested to be one manifestation of the synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteomyelitis syndrome, the other features of which may have been overlooked. Treatment results are disappointing, and decortication may be necessary to achieve an acceptable outcome. We report a case restricted to the mandible that responded favorably to treatment with pamidronate. Further trials of pamidronate in patients with diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible, even in those with the aforementioned syndrome, are needed to assess its effectiveness.

Aged↗

[Rheumatoid arthritis preceding microscopic polyangitis. Report of two cases].

INTRODUCTION: Although joint manifestations are common in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), including arthralgia reported in 15-65% of cases and arthritis in 6-17%, there have been only two published cases of polyarthritis as the first manifestation of the disease. We report on two new cases. EXEGESIS: A 71-year-old woman had symmetric polyarthritis of the hands which initially suggested the existence of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. A 52-year-old woman had seropositive asymmetric oligoarthritis. The diagnosis was not established until renal insufficiency appeared, prompting a renal biopsy which showed in both cases an extra-capillary glomerulonephritis and an anti-myeloperoxydase (p-ANCA) assay which was postive in both patients. The incidence and specificity of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), including MPA, in rheumatoid arthritis are reviewed. CONCLUSION: Our two observations show that in cases of polyarthritis or oligoarthritis with renal involvement, testing for and typing of ANCA should be performed so as not to misdiagnose vasculitis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Pyogenic arthritis in adults.

Septic arthritis has shown no change in incidence, and despite advances in antimicrobial therapy is often responsible for residual functional impairment and for a high mortality rate among debilitated patients. Risk factors include older age, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, immunodeficiency, and a preexisting joint disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) to which the symptoms of septic arthritis are sometimes ascribed. Staphylococcus aureus contributes over two-thirds of identified organisms; a range of streptococci and gram-negative bacilli are next in frequency. The most common site is the knee, followed by the hip and shoulder. Over 10% of patients have polyarticular involvement reflecting bacteremia and diminished resistance to infection; (over 50% of polyarticular forms occur in rheumatoid arthritis patients). Prosthetic joint infection is becoming increasingly common; chronic forms due to intraoperative contamination and resulting in septic loosening should be distinguished from acute hematogenous infection in which emergency treatment can allow to salvage the prosthesis. Demonstration of the organism in the joint is the key to the diagnosis. Joint aspiration should be performed on an emergency basis, if needed after identification of radiographic landmarks or under ultrasonographic guidance. Seeding the fluid on blood culture flasks immediately after aspiration increases the yield. Antibiotics should be started as soon as the microbiological specimens have been collected. When aspiration is difficult (hip) or inadequate, arthroscopic drainage usually makes arthrotomy unnecessary. Early antiinflammatory therapy (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, systemic or local glucocorticoids, anticytokines, and antiinflammatory cytokines) are being considered as tools for limiting joint damage; their efficacy and safety will first have to be established in animal studies.

Adult↗

[Treatment of rheumatoid polyarthritis: evolution of concepts and strategies].

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), low-dose steroids and drugs which modify the evolution of the disease (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, [DMARD]). In the last few years, the long-term efficiency of the recommended treatment strategies in rheumatoid arthritis has been a matter of debate and their basic assumptions have been challenged. Numerous studies were undertaken to settle the question. They tried to delineate the rules for an optimal use of current drugs and other therapeutic means. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling disease. It decreases life expectancy and irreversible bone and joint damage may develop even in the first months of evolution. The sooner the prescription of DMARD, the higher the frequency and quality of rheumatoid arthritis improvement and, in the long-term, the lesser the functional impairment. Low dose steroids, when administered early, can slow down the development of radiologic lesions. Some of their effects are thus closer to those of DMARD than to those of symptomatic treatment. NSAID are at least as equally dangerous as DMARD and possibly more so in terms of the potential number of severe side effects. The combination of several DMARD does not increase their overall toxicity. An evaluation of the most efficient combinations and of the clinical situations in which combinations show promise of improved results is in progress. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: At present, the tendency is to treat early and intensively, in order to obtain complete remission, improve evolution and reduce functional impairment. This strategy requires early diagnosis and early evaluation of prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis with benign evolution would not warrant intensive treatment. Studies are in progress to evaluate the prognostic factors in early rheumatoid arthritis that would enable us to adapt the strength of initial treatment to the disease's putative severity.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Growth factors and proinflammatory cytokines in the renal involvement of POEMS syndrome.

The POEMS syndrome is a multisystemic syndrome associated with plasma cell dyscrasia, characterized by the combination of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes. Renal involvement in POEMS syndrome is rare (26 reported cases). It has been described as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis-like lesions (MPGN-like), mesangiolytic glomerulonephritis, or thrombotic microangiopathy. Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6) have been implicated in the physiopathogenesis of POEMS syndrome, particularly when there is renal involvement. Growth factors (FGF-beta, TGF-beta, PDGF) have been implicated in renal lesions of the same histological type but of different origins. An increase in serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported in POEMS syndrome (20 of 22 cases). Circulating levels of these factors were determined in 4 patients with POEMS and renal involvement (3 MPGN-like, 1 MPGN-like, and mesangiolysis) and compared with those obtained in 4 patients with POEMS without clinical renal involvement and in 4 patients with primitive membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were determined with an immunoradiometric assay, and VEGF, PDGF, FGF-beta, and TGF-beta with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among the patients with POEMS syndrome, there was no difference in proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors between those with or without renal involvement. VEGF is the only growth factor that differentiates MPGN in POEMS syndrome from primitive MPGN.

Adult↗