Abstract: Purpose: Cardiac involvement is not a common feature of the scleroderma, but may be important. The aim of this study was to find the frequency and the characteristics of cardiac involvement in sclroderma. Methods: Our cases were selected consecutively from 1997 to 1999, according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. A complete cardiac examination (clinical, electrocardiography, chest X-ray, echocardiography, exercise test) was performed for all patients. These data were ...
Abstract: The prognosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus depends partly on renal involvement. Lupus nephritis has evolved from a frequently terminal process such as type IV lupus nephritis according to WHO classification to one in which a fairly normal quality of life and good outcome are possible. The aim of this study was to try to predict the short-term outcome of type IV lupus nephritis by looking at the disease variables before ...
Abstract: Purpose: To use clinical and laboratory tests instead of kidney biopsy for the diagnosis of type IV WHO renal involvement in SLE. Methods: Patients with SLE were divided in two groups according to their kidney biopsy: type IV WHO (110 patients) and other forms (98 patients). Each group was further divided in two groups: the learning sample and the validation ample. The classification and regression tree method was used for the ...
Abstract: Introduction: Iran is among the countries with high prevalence of Behcet's Disease (BD). The epidemiological survey on different aspects of the disease has been continuously carrying out since 1975 in our center. The aim of this study was to find if the characteristics of the disease are changing through the time. Patients & Methods: In a cohort of 4130 patients with BD, registered at our BD unit during the past 25 ...
Abstract: Introduction: In a preliminary report to the 8'" International Congress on Behcet's Disease (BD) in 1998, we showed the efficacy of combination therapy with low dose pulse Cyclophosphamide (LDP) and Methotrexate (MTX) in posterior uveitis (PU) and retinal vasculitis (RV) of BD. We present here our experience with more patients and a longer follow up. Patients & Methods: BD Patients who were on the association of LDP and MTX due to ...
Abstract: Introduction: Ocular lesions of Behcet's Disease (BD) need aggressive treatment to prevent from severe loss of vision or blindness. Cytotoxic drugs are thought to be effective, but no control study has yet been done to show their efficacy. This study was designed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of pulse cyclophosphamide (PCP) in a randomized double blind control study. Materials & methods: PCP was used as lg per square meter of body ...
Abstract: Introduction: The natural history of ocular manifestations is very poor in Behcet's Disease (BD). The lesions progress by successive attacks leading to sever loss of vision or blindness. Aggressive treatments, by the association of cytotoxic drugs and steroids, have dramatically changed the outcome. However, still some ophthalmologists are convinced that the improvement is temporary and in the long run the eyes progress toward blindness. The aim of this study was ...
Abstract: lntroduction: Ocular lesions of Behcet's Disease (BD) need aggressive treatment to prevent from severe loss of vision or blindness. Cytotoxic drugs are necessary for the treatment. A short-term study with azathioprine (AZA) was presented to the 8th lnternational Conference on Behcet's Disease. The aim of this study is to present the results for a longer period of time. Materials & methods: Patients (32) who received more than 9 months of treatment ...
Abstract: Introduction: The ocular lesions of Behcet's disease (BD) progress usually toward severe loss of vision or blindness, and therefore need aggressive treatment. However, even such a treatment is not always successful. We used classification and regression tree (cart) method to see if some factors could predict the result of the future treatment. Methods: Eight hundreds and thirty patients who fulfilled the Iran criteria for BD were selected for this study. They ...
Abstract: Purpose: The pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is not well understood. Looking for three mediators [Soluble Interleukine 2 Receptor (SIL2R), ß2 Microglobulin (ß2M) and Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF α)] in RA patients sera and synovial fluid (SF) may clear some aspects of it. Methods: The above named mediators were estimated in 72 RA patient sera and SF, 13 patient with osteoarthritis (as patient control) and 130 blood donor (as normal ...