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R Neri

Publications and source records attributed to R Neri.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
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Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD): a review of the literature and a proposal for preliminary classification criteria.

The connective tissue diseases include a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by a wide variety of signs and symptoms. There also exists, however, a group of systemic autoimmune disorders with signs and symptoms not sufficiently evolved to fulfill any of the accepted classification criteria for the defined connective tissue diseases. These conditions have been defined as undifferentiated connective tissue syndromes, latent lupus, incomplete lupus, and undifferentiated connective tissue diseases. After an analysis of the existing literature, we discuss the possible significance of the undifferentiated diseases among the already defined connective tissue diseases and make a proposal for preliminary classification criteria for these conditions.

Connective Tissue Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a retrospective analysis of 63 Caucasian patients longitudinally followed at a single center.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the therapies used over the past 20 years at a single center to treat patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), and to compare their effectiveness. METHODS: Sixty-three Caucasian IIM patients were selected for this study based on the following parameters: (i) a definite diagnosis of IIM; (ii) a follow-up period of at least one year; and (iii) a complete record of clinical and serological data for the course of the follow-up. The following data were collected from the patients' records: the first choice and subsequent therapies, the patient's response to these treatments, the outcome at the end of the follow-up. RESULTS: Two therapeutic approaches were identified: steroids alone and the combination of steroids with immunosuppressive drugs. Of the 63 patients studied, 36 received steroids alone and 27 received steroids plus immunosuppressors. Sixteen patients did not respond to the initial therapy, 33 showed a stable response, and 14 experienced a relapse in disease activity during the follow-up. No statistically significant differences among these 3 groups of patients were observed with respect to sex, age at disease onset, diagnosis, CPK levels at disease onset, and therapeutic approach. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroids represent the mainstay of IIM therapy, both as the first choice treatment and as maintenance therapy. The use of immunosuppressive agents should be restricted to those patients with severe contraindications to steroid treatment.

Age of Onset↗