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: The physiology of chondrocyte is summarized in matrix synthesis and degradation. The imbalance between the two seems to be the trigger for osteoarthritis. The end products of matrix degradation result in inflammation that will cause the release of interleukine-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) by synovial cells. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) by reducing the inflammation may interfere at this level and reduce the release of ...
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 ...
Abstract: The etiology and pathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD) are still unknown. As for other autoimmune disorders, in a special genetic background an exogenous or endogenous antigen acts as trigger in up-regulating and presenting the pathogenic epitope. The immune system reacts in an abnormal way, in the presence of a probable neuro-endocrine dysfunction(hyperprolactinemia?), by an exaggerated inflammatory response leading to the lesions of the disease. Genetic background: On the basis of chromosomal ...
Abstract: To study the effect of acetazolamide on Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) in patients with Behcet's disease, twenty three patients (46 eyes) who had chronic, but controlled uveitis associated cystoid macular edema were randomized into a double masked, cross - over trial comparing acetazolamide (250mg bid) versus placebo. Eighteen patients (36 eyes) completed the trial (11 males, 7 females). Although acetazolamide trial led to slightly better results in decreaing CME angiographically, over ...
Abstract: Purpose: Polymyositis (PM) is an inflammatory muscle disease, which has more overlap with scleroderma than other connective tissue diseases. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic response of polymyositis with polymyositis-scleroderma overlap syndrome. Methods: During the past 10 years we had 16 overlap syndromes and 40 primary polymyositis. All patients were classified by the American college of Rheumatology classification criteria. Ninety-seven items were checked in ...
Abstract: Introduction: The association of Behcet’s disease (BD) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is still a controversial subject. As the presence of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) involvement is an essential criterion in the diagnosis of AS, we decided to determine the prevalence of SIJ involvement in BD and compare it with control group. Materials & Methods: We selected randomly 199 BD patients and 168 non-BD cases (CG), in a 12 month period (between April ...