Prevalent vertebral deformity predicts incident hip though not distal forearm fracture: results from the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study

The presence of a vertebral deformity increases the risk of subsequent spinal deformities. The aim of this analysis was to determine whether the presence of vertebral deformity predicts incident hip and other limb fractures. Six thousand three hundred and forty-four men and 6788 women aged 50 years and over were recruited from population registers in 31 European centers and followed prospectively for a median of 3 years. All subjects had radiographs performed at baseline and the presence of vertebral deformity was assessed using established morphometric methods. Incident limb fractures which occurred during the follow- up period were ascertained by annual postal questionnaire and confirmed by radiographs, review of medical records and personal interview. During a total of 40348 person-years of follow-up, 138 men and 391 women sustained a limb fracture. Amongst the women, after adjustment for age, prevalent vertebral deformity was a strong predictor of incident hip fracture, (rate ratio (RR) = 4.5; 95% CI 2.1-9.4) and a weak predictor of 'other' limb fractures (RR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.4), though not distal forearm fracture (RR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.6-1.6). The predictive risk increased with increasing number of prevalent deformities, particularly for subsequent hip fracture: for two or more deformities, RR = 7.2 (95% CI 3.0-17.3). Amongst men, vertebral deformity was not associated with an increased risk of incident limb fracture though there was a nonsignificant trend toward an increased risk of hip fracture with increasing number of deformities. In summary, prevalent radiographic vertebral deformities in women are a strong predictor of hip fracture, and to a lesser extent humerus and 'other' limb fractures; however, they do not predict distal forearm fractures.

Anticardiolipin and antinuclear antibodies in cancer patients--a case control study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate patients with cancer for the frequency of IgG and IgM aCL and ANA in comparison to a group of age- and sex-matched controls.

METHODS

Serum levels of IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anticytoplasmic antibodies were evaluated in 145 cancer patients, including 20 patients with thromboembolic disease (TED) and compared with age- and sex-matched controls.

RESULTS

Higher levels of IgG aCL were found in patients compared to controls (p < 0.02). However, there appeared to be no difference in serum aCL levels between TED and the remaining cancer patients. No difference was found in the frequency of antinuclear and anticytoplasmic antibodies between patients and controls and the autoantibody presence in patients was usually not associated with concomitant autoimmune disease.

CONCLUSION

Apart from increased levels of non-thrombogenic associated IgG aCL, there was no evidence for significantly enhanced B cell autoreactivity in this large collection of cancer patients compared to controls.

HLA-B27 alone rather than B27-related class I haplotypes contributes to ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility

Characterization of non-B27 susceptibility genes will be required to know the pathogenesis of AS. The aim of this study was to examine whether ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility is controlled by B27 alone rather than B27 haplotypes and, whether other closely related class I loci, such as MICA and TNFA genes might play a role in AS. Three hundred eleven B27-positive samples from Caucasoid, Asian, and African populations were selected and genotypes were carried out by PCR/SSOP (HLA-B27 and HLA-C), PCR/SSP (MICA-TM polymorphism in the transmembrane region), PCR/SSCP (MICA alleles), and PCR-RFLP (TNF-alpha). Of these, 161 were AS patients, chosen in order to investigate the contribution of TNFA and MICA loci to AS in HLA-B27 positive individuals. Some findings can be concluded from the study: (a) No significant differences of TNF-alpha promoter alleles at position -308 and -238 (A/G) were found between AS patients and B27 matched alleles from healthy controls; (b) strong linkage disequilibrium was found between the B27 and the MICA alleles. The MICA-A4 was found to be in association with B*2705,02,03 and 08; MICA-A5 with B*2704 and B*2707 and MICA-A.5.1 with B*2706; (c) no significant differences of MICA alleles were found between AS and controls carrying the B27-associated alleles, and therefore no evidence is provided for an additional role of MICA gene in AS susceptibility; (d) there are a striking correlations between the structure of B27 extended haplotypes (from MICA region to HLA-C) and the ethnic distribution of these subtypes. The results of differential linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B27 subtypes suggest that B27 itself remains the primary gene for AS susceptibility, and TNFA and MICA are not involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis is independent of the Bw4 and Bw6 epitopes of HLA-B27 alleles

We have characterized HLA-B27 alleles in a sample of the population from the Azores (n=46) with the aim of investigating the contribution of different subtypes to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study was carried out using PCR-SSOP and in some samples genomic sequencing was conducted. Some significant new finding have arisen from this study. First, B*2705,B*2702,B*2703,B*2707 and B*2708 alleles were found to be represented in this population. The polymorphism of B27 alleles found in a sample of the population from the Azores is higher than the Caucasian groups described. B*2703 and B*2707 have not previously been described to be represented in Caucasians and this could indicate admixtures with different populations of the world. In addition, the B*2708 allele was found to be associated with AS in a large family from the Azores. This association has not been previously reported in either ethnic group and needs to be confirmed in other population studies. This is of considerable interest since has only been described as a rare subtype underrepresented in the British population and has not been previously found to be associated with AS. B*2708 carries the sequence specifying the Bw6 epitope in contrast to most B27 alleles which carry a Bw4 sequence. Differences in this region (residues 77-83) can alter the F-pocket and affect T-cell recognition. The importance that these molecular changes can play in the pathogenesis of AS is discussed.

Psoriatic arthritis: outcome of disease subsets and relationship of joint disease to nail and skin disease

Subgroups of PsA have been described but their relationship to the mode of onset of arthritis, to DIP joint disease and to nail and skin disease remains controversial. Therefore, the pattern of disease was documented in 100 patients with PsA in whom the mode of onset was known. The patients were divided into six subgroups: monoarthritis; DIP joint disease only; oligoarthritis; polyarthritis; spondyloarthropathy and arthritis mutilans. Sixty-four patients changed pattern. Nail disease (67% of total) was more common in patients with DIP joint disease (27% of total) and was significantly associated with adjacent DIP joint disease. Skin and nail disease severity did not correlate with joint severity, joint activity or functional status, nor differ between subgroups. Therefore, the mode of onset does not predict outcome in the majority. The topographic association of nail disease and involvement of the adjacent DIP joints suggests a common local inflammatory mechanism.

Atypical Behçet's disease with peripheral erosive arthropathy and pyoderma gangrenosum

We report a 52-year-old male Caucasian who presented with a peripheral erosive arthritis, then pyoderma gangrenosum, and six years later pancolitis and orogenital ulcers. The case illustrates an overlap that may exist between Behçet's syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. In either condition seronegative erosive peripheral joint disease is an uncommon presenting feature.

Limited forms of Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as polymyalgia rheumatica

The spectrum of Wegener's granulomatosis is broad, ranging from rapidly progressive disease to more indolent and limited forms. We report two cases with later onset disease who presented with polymyalgia rheumatica. Diagnosis of Wegener's was delayed but was ultimately aided by the demonstration of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

Selective IgA deficiency and spondyloarthropathy: a distinct disease?

A woman with selective IgA deficiency and severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS), complicated by intractable peripheral arthritis, is described. Three previous cases of selective IgA deficiency and AS have been reported, all of whom had severe AS. It is suggested that selective IgA deficiency is a poor prognostic factor in AS and therefore warrants further investigation to determine the clinical course of such patients.

Postsalmonella reactive phenomena in 2 patients with ankylosing spondylitis: no modification of the underlying disease

HLA-B27 related disease occurs in 2 main forms, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or reactive arthropathy/Reiter's syndrome. These entities often "breed true" within families or distinct ethnic groups. Reactive arthropathy/Reiter's syndrome may be complicated by AS, but little is known about the impact on AS of a de novo reactive arthropathy occurring at a later date. We describe 2 patients with AS who developed postsalmonella reactive phenomena several years after the onset of their primary disease. In both patients the intestinal salmonella infection did not modify the course of the AS.