Acute myocardial infarction associated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin infusion for autoimmune disorders: a study of four cases

Article Abstract:

Intravenous immunoglobulin infusions should be used with caution in people with autoimmune disorders who also have risk factors for heart disease. The case reports of four patients who had a heart attack while receiving intravenous immunoglobulin are discussed.

Care and treatment, Risk factors, Heart attack, Autoimmune diseases, Immunoglobulins

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Association between gold induced skin rash and remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a joint disease characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness, swelling, overgrowth of cartilage tissue, and pain. Gold injections are used to treat RA, but can cause several side effects. There are some reports that the optimal therapeutic effect of gold injections is associated with outbreaks of skin rash, although the relation between gold treatment and toxicity has not been clarified. One study suggested that RA patients without toxicity had a better outcome than patients who developed adverse reactions to gold therapy. The relation between skin rash and remission from RA was studied in 247 RA patients who were receiving gold treatment. Fifty patients had discontinued gold salt treatment between 1977 and 1987 due to adverse reactions. Skin rashes developed in 31 patients, kidney disease in 10, and mouth ulcers in 9. All 31 patients with skin rashes went into remission from RA; this was also associated with improved erythrocyte sedimentation rates, the speed at which red blood cells settle. The disease worsened in 23 of these patients 3 to 60 months after gold treatment was discontinued. Eight patients remained in remission 5 to 68 months after skin rash occurred. Patients who developed kidney disease or mouth ulcers did not undergo remission. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gold

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Unable to see the wood for the trees

Article Abstract:

A 48-year-old man with a history of Sjogren syndrome was admitted to a hospital when he developed a sudden swelling of his left leg. Deep vein thrombosis was suspected and he was given an anticoagulant. This condition is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the legs. He developed various medical conditions while hospitalized, was treated successfully, and discharged. Three months later, he was hospitalized again for swelling of his left leg. A mass was also felt in his abdomen. A biopsy of the mass revealed that he had lymphoma, which was the cause of his swollen leg.

Diagnosis, Complications and side effects, Sjogren's syndrome, Lymphomas

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