Autosomal dominant transmission of gouty arthritis with renal disease in a large Japanese family

Article Abstract:

Primary gout is a metabolic disorder that occurs mainly in men. It is characterized by high levels of uric acid in the blood, deposits of urate crystals in connective tissue and joint cartilage, and chronic arthritis. In a few cases it is accompanied by kidney disease (nephropathy). Previous reports have described the occurrence of gout and kidney disease within families (called familial gouty nephropathy, or urate nephropathy). Members of these families developed gout and kidney disease at a young age, even though it is unusual for young people with gout to have kidney disease. Also, many women in these families were affected, in contrast to the general population, where gout is uncommon in women. This article describes the occurrence of gout and kidney disease in a six-generation Japanese family with 117 members, the largest family ever reported with this disease. The average age of disease onset in this family was 27 years, which is younger than the usual age of onset for gout. Twenty percent of the family members had gouty arthritis or high blood levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia), and 15 percent had impaired kidney function. Those who had impaired kidney function also had gout or hyperuricemia. Seven out of 14 family members with gout or kidney disease had hypertension. All descendants of family members who did not have gout or kidney disease were normal. All of the family members with gout had abnormally low levels of uric acid in their urine, which may account for the high levels present in the blood. Allopurinol was given to some of the family members to reduce blood levels of uric acid. In these family members, gouty arthritis was prevented but kidney function continued to get worse. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Case studies, Genetic aspects, Polycystic kidney disease, Genetic disorders, Familial diseases

---

Arthritis and epidemiology in Europe

Article Abstract:

Epidemiology plays an important role in the study of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. It is with epidemiological studies that health policies are formed at local, national and international levels. The full potential for the role of epidemiology in policy formation has not yet been realized. Epidemiological research is difficult to carry out effectively, yet it is essential for governments to understand and to provide resources for the health care needs of individuals. It is necessary to understand the prevalence of disease and the impact of the requirements of treatment. Epidemiological studies of the of rheumatic disease are occurring worldwide, and there are increasing numbers of international workshops and courses in epidemiology, reflecting a growing interest. A number of committees have been established, including the European EULAR Committee on Epidemiology, and an international counterpart, ILAR, as well as a committee by the World Health Organization for coordinating information on the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases. Although there is increased interest in the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases, there is an enormous amount of work that has to be done. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Europe, International aspects, Demographic aspects, Epidemiology

---

Arthritis in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Article Abstract:

Gonococcal oligoarthritis, or arthritis caused by a Neisseria gonorrhea infection, may be one of the more common types of arthritis among patients in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. The prevalence of polyarthritis involving simultaneous inflammation of several joints is high in developing tropical countries. Among 43 patients in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea with symptoms of polyarthritis, 34 were suffering from undifferentiated oligoarthritis and eight were suffering from gonococcal arthritis. Fifty-nine percent of the patients were suffering from arthritis alone, and 32% were diagnosed with both arthritis and inflammation of the muscular or tendinous attachment to the bone. Forty-four percent of the patients had developed diarrhea before the onset of arthritis symptoms, and 30% of the male patients had a urethral discharge.

Diseases, Identification and classification, Papua New Guinea

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Reducing mother-to-infant transmission of HIV - the door remains open. Development of an in vitro organ culture model to study transmission of HIV-1 in the female genital tract
• Abstracts: Management and treatment of patients with acromegaly. Use of anticoagulants in hospital and community
• Abstracts: Urinary tract disorders in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. part 2 Trefoil peptides in the defense of the gastrointestinal tract
• Abstracts: Acute poisonings among adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. Long-term outcome of adolescents with anorexia nervosa
• Abstracts: Cast bronchitis in infants and children. Evaluations of diapers containing absorbent gelling material with conventional disposable diapers in newborn infants

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