Role of peripheral CD8 lymphocytes and soluble IL-2 receptor in predicting the duration of corticosteroid treatment in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis
Article Abstract:
Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) who also have low CD8 white blood cell counts at 6 months of corticosteroid treatment may be more likely to have a more serious form of the disease. PMR/GCA is an inflammatory disease of the large blood vessels in the muscles and brain. Researchers measured the CD8 white blood cell counts and the blood levels of a cytokine called soluble interleuken-2 receptor (sIL-2R) of 38 patients with PMR/GCA before, at six months, and at the end of corticosteroid treatment. They tested 44 healthy volunteers as well. Patients with PMR/GCA had lower CD8 cell counts and higher sIL-2R levels than the healthy volunteers both before and at six months of treatment. Patients with PMR/GCA who had the lowest CD8 cell counts at six months of treatment continued corticosteroid treatment for 10 months longer than those in the normal range, took more prednisone, and were more likely to experience a relapse.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1995
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Proximal bursitis in active polymyalgia rheumatica
Article Abstract:
Bursitis may be the cause of the pain experienced by patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. Polymyalgia rheumatica causes aches and morning stiffness as well as fever, poor appetite, and weight loss in elderly persons. Researchers compared magnetic resonance images of the shoulder joint in 13 polymyalgia rheumatica patients, 9 elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis patients, and 10 healthy, elderly persons. Both the polymyalgia rheumatica patients and the rheumatoid arthritis patients tended to have bursitis versus none of the healthy patients.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1997
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HLA-DRBI alleles associated with polymyalgia rheumatica in northern Italy: correlation with disease severity
Article Abstract:
Investigation into genetic aspects of relative severity of the disease polymyalgia rheumatica concluded that there is no association. Examination of alleles established individual patterns, but no significant relationship could be established. In testing, a high erythrocyte-sedimentation rate coupled with the presence of a rheumatoid epitope proved to be useful as markers which established degree of severity of the disease.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1999
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