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Hellenic Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2021The purpose of current investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of current investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the determination of disease activity of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IM) using diagnostic accuracy test.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
The PubMed and EMBASE database, from the earliest available date of indexing through August 31, 2020, were searched for results investigating the diagnostic accuracy of F-FDG PET/CT for the determination of disease activity of IM. We calculated the pooled sensitivities and specificities of included studies, calculated positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-), and obtained summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves.
RESULTS
Across 4 studies with 5 results (90 patients), the pooled sensitivity was 0.94 (95% CI; 0.87-0.97) without heterogeneity (I=0.0, P=0.8) and a pooled specificity was 0.90 (95% CI; 0.72-0.97) with heterogeneity (I=65.1, P=0.02). Likelihood ratio (LR) syntheses showed an overall positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 9.2 (95% CI; 3.1-28.0) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.07 (95% CI; 0.03-0.16). The pooled DOR was 131 (95% CI; 26-664). The hierarchical SROC curve shows the areas under the curve of 0.96 (95% CI; 0.94-0.98).
CONCLUSION
Fluorine-18-FDG PET/CT has a good performance for the detection of active disease status in patients with IM. Although there are no guidelines for adopting imaging techniques, more objective and updated criteria for the assessment of disease activity incorporated with F-FDG PET/CT should be introduced and validated. Further studies are necessary to determine if 18F-FDG PET/CT-based treatment of IM can improve outcomes.
Topics: Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Myositis; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 34352048
DOI: 10.1967/s002449912353 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are characterized by muscular weakness, cutaneous manifestations, muscle damage revealed by increase of muscular enzymes,...
The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are characterized by muscular weakness, cutaneous manifestations, muscle damage revealed by increase of muscular enzymes, muscle biopsy, electromyography and changes on magnetic resonance imaging. However, the hallmark of these IIM, is the development of myositis specific antibodies (MSA) or myositis associated antibodies (MAA). The theories about their presence in the serum of IIM is not known. Some studies have suggested that some of these MSA, such as anti-Mi-2 increases according to the intensity of UV radiation. There is scarce information about the environmental factors that might contribute in order to be considered as triggering factors as UV radiation might be. In this review, we analyzed the reported prevalence of MSAs and MAAs regarding to their geographical location and the possible relation with UV radiation. We collected the prevalence data of fifteen MSA and thirteen MAA from 22 countries around the world and we were able to observe a difference in prevalence between countries and continents. We found differences in anti-PL7, anti-Ro52, anti-La and anti-Ku prevalence according to UV radiation level. Otherwise, we observed that anti-Mi-2 prevalence increases near to the Equator meanwhile anti-MJ/NXP2 and anti-ARS prevalence had an opposite behavior increasing their prevalence in the geographical locations farther to the Equator. Our results highlighted the importance to include the UV radiation and other environmental factors in IIM studies, in order to clarify its association with MSA and MAA prevalence as well as its possible role in the immunopathogenesis of these diseases.
Topics: Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Geography; Humans; Myositis; Prevalence
PubMed: 33968081
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.672008 -
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Jun 2021To identify clinical factors associated with cancer risk in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and to systematically review the existing evidence related to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To identify clinical factors associated with cancer risk in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and to systematically review the existing evidence related to cancer screening.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was carried out on Medline, Embase and Scopus. Cancer risk within the IIM population (i.e. not compared with the general population) was expressed as risk ratios (RR) for binary variables and weighted mean differences (WMD) for continuous variables. Evidence relating to cancer screening practices in the IIMs were synthesized via narrative review.
RESULTS
Sixty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. DM subtype (RR 2.21), older age (WMD 11.19), male sex (RR 1.53), dysphagia (RR 2.09), cutaneous ulceration (RR 2.73) and anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1 gamma positivity (RR 4.66) were identified as being associated with significantly increased risk of cancer. PM (RR 0.49) and clinically amyopathic DM (RR 0.44) subtypes, Raynaud's phenomenon (RR 0.61), interstitial lung disease (RR 0.49), very high serum creatine kinase (WMD -1189.96) or lactate dehydrogenase (WMD -336.52) levels, and anti-Jo1 (RR 0.45) or anti-EJ (RR 0.17) positivity were identified as being associated with significantly reduced risk of cancer. Nine studies relating to IIM-specific cancer screening were included. CT scanning of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis appeared to be effective in identifying underlying asymptomatic cancers.
CONCLUSION
Cancer risk factors should be evaluated in patients with IIM for risk stratification. Screening evidence is limited but CT scanning could be useful. Prospective studies and consensus guidelines are needed to establish cancer screening strategies in IIM patients.
Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Age Factors; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Creatine Kinase; DNA-Binding Proteins; Deglutition Disorders; Dermatomyositis; Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Male; Myositis; Neoplasms; Publication Bias; Raynaud Disease; Risk; Sex Factors; Skin Ulcer; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 33599244
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab166 -
Journal of Autoimmunity Feb 2021The diverse clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is emerging as a hallmark of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. While the...
The diverse clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is emerging as a hallmark of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. While the initial target of SARS-CoV-2 is the respiratory tract, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a complex interaction between the virus and the immune system ranging from mild to controlling responses to exuberant and dysfunctional multi-tissue directed autoimmune responses. The immune system plays a dual role in COVID-19, being implicated in both the anti-viral response and in the acute progression of the disease, with a dysregulated response represented by the marked cytokine release syndrome, macrophage activation, and systemic hyperinflammation. It has been speculated that these immunological changes may induce the loss of tolerance and/or trigger chronic inflammation. In particular, molecular mimicry, bystander activation and epitope spreading are well-established proposed mechanisms to explain this correlation with the likely contribution of HLA alleles. We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the COVID-19-related autoimmune/rheumatic disorders reported between January and September 2020. In particular, we investigated the cases of incident hematological autoimmune manifestations, connective tissue diseases, antiphospholipid syndrome/antibodies, vasculitis, Kawasaki-like syndromes, acute arthritis, autoimmune-like skin lesions, and neurologic autoimmune conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. We screened 6263 articles and report herein the findings of 382 select reports which allow us to conclude that there are 2 faces of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2, that include a benign virus controlling immune response and a many faceted range of dysregulated multi-tissue and organ directed autoimmune responses that provides a major challenge in the management of this viral disease. The number of cases for each disease varied significantly while there were no reported cases of adult onset Still disease, systemic sclerosis, or inflammatory myositis.
Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; COVID-19; Chronic Disease; Humans; Immunity; Incidence; Inflammation; Janus Kinases; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33401171
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102592 -
Eye and Brain 2020Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel cancer therapies that may be associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) and come to the attention of... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel cancer therapies that may be associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) and come to the attention of neuro-ophthalmologists. This systematic review aims to synthesize the reported ICI-associated IRAEs relevant to neuro-ophthalmologists to help in the diagnosis and management of these conditions.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature indexed by MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases was searched from inception to May 2020. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Primary studies on ICIs and neuro-ophthalmic complications were included. Outcomes included number of cases and incidence of neuro-ophthalmic IRAEs.
RESULTS
Neuro-ophthalmic complications of ICIs occurred in 0.46% of patients undergoing ICI and may affect the afferent and efferent visual systems. Afferent complications include optic neuritis (12.8%), neuroretinitis (0.9%), and giant cell arteritis (3.7%). Efferent complications include myasthenia gravis (MG) (45.0%), thyroid-like eye disease (11.9%), orbital myositis (13.8%), general myositis with ptosis (7.3%), internuclear ophthalmoplegia (0.9%), opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (0.9%), and oculomotor nerve palsy (0.9%). Pembrolizumab was the most common causative agent for neuro-ophthalmic complications (32.1%). Mortality was highest for MG (19.8%). Most patients (79.8%) experienced improvement or complete resolution of neuro-ophthalmic symptoms due to cessation of ICI and immunosuppression with systemic corticosteroids.
CONCLUSION
While incidence of neuro-ophthalmic IRAEs is low, clinicians involved in the care of cancer patients must be aware of their presentation to facilitate prompt recognition and management. Collaboration between oncology and neuro-ophthalmology teams is required to effectively manage patients and reduce morbidity and mortality.
PubMed: 33173368
DOI: 10.2147/EB.S277760 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Dec 2020Bacterial community-acquired atypical pneumonia is sometimes complicated by a myositis or by a renal parenchymal disease. Available reviews do not mention the concurrent...
BACKGROUND
Bacterial community-acquired atypical pneumonia is sometimes complicated by a myositis or by a renal parenchymal disease. Available reviews do not mention the concurrent occurrence of both myositis and acute kidney injury.
METHODS
In order to characterize the link between bacterial community-acquired atypical pneumonia and both myositis and a renal parenchymal disease, we reviewed the literature (United States National Library of Medicine and Excerpta Medica databases).
RESULTS
We identified 42 previously healthy subjects (35 males and 7 females aged from 2 to 76, median 42 years) with a bacterial atypical pneumonia associated both with myositis (muscle pain and creatine kinase ≥5 times the upper limit of normal) and acute kidney injury (increase in creatinine to ≥1.5 times baseline or increase by ≥27 μmol/L above the upper limit of normal). Thirty-six cases were caused by Legionella species (N = 27) and by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (N = 9). Further germs accounted for the remaining 6 cases. The vast majority of cases (N = 36) presented a diffuse myalgia. Only a minority of cases (N = 3) were affected by a calf myositis. The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis-associated kidney injury was retained in 37 and that of acute interstitial nephritis in the remaining 5 cases.
CONCLUSION
Bacterial atypical pneumonia may occasionally induce myositis and secondary kidney damage.
Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Adult; Community-Acquired Infections; Female; Humans; Male; Myositis; Nephritis, Interstitial; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 33139236
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.10.007 -
Forensic Science, Medicine, and... Jun 2021Although many clinical reports have been published, little is known about the pathological post-mortem findings from people who have died of the novel coronavirus...
Although many clinical reports have been published, little is known about the pathological post-mortem findings from people who have died of the novel coronavirus disease. The need for postmortem information is urgent to improve patient management of mild and severe illness, and treatment strategies. The present systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. A systematic literature search and a critical review of the collected studies were conducted. An electronic search of PubMed, Science Direct Scopus, Google Scholar, and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) from database inception to June 2020 was performed. We found 28 scientific papers; the total amount of cases is 341. The major histological feature in the lung is diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membrane formation, alongside microthrombi in small pulmonary vessels. It appears that there is a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism among COVID-19 decedents, suggesting endothelial involvement, but more studies are needed. A uniform COVID-19 post-mortem diagnostic protocol has not yet been developed. In a time in which international collaboration is essential, standardized diagnostic criteria are fundamental requirements.
Topics: Alveolar Epithelial Cells; Autopsy; Brain; COVID-19; Fibrin; Fibroblasts; Humans; Kidney; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lung; Myositis; Respiratory Mucosa; Thrombosis
PubMed: 33026628
DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00310-8 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disease in which heterotopic ossification (HO) is formed in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Traumatic events,...
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare disease in which heterotopic ossification (HO) is formed in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Traumatic events, including surgery, are discouraged as this is known to trigger a flare-up with risk of subsequent HO. Anesthetic management for patients with FOP is challenging. Cervical spine fusion, ankylosis of the temporomandibular joints, thoracic insufficiency syndrome, restrictive chest wall disease, and sensitivity to oral trauma complicate airway management and anesthesia and pose life-threatening risks. We report a patient with FOP suffering from life-threatening antibiotic resistant bacterial infected ulcers of the right lower leg and foot. The anesthetic, surgical and postoperative challenges and considerations are discussed. In addition, the literature on limb surgeries of FOP patients is systemically reviewed. The 44 year-old female patient was scheduled for a through-knee amputation. Airway and pulmonary evaluation elicited severe abnormalities, rendering standard general anesthesia a rather complication-prone approach in this patient. Thus, regional anesthesia, supplemented with intravenous analgosedation and NO-inhalation were performed in this case. The surgery itself was securely planned to avoid any unnecessary tissue damage. Postoperatively the patient was closely monitored for FOP activity by ultrasound and [F]PET/CT-scan. One year after surgery, a non-significant amount of HO had formed at the operated site. The systematic review revealed seventeen articles in which thirty-two limb surgeries in FOP patients were described. HO reoccurrence was described in 90% of the cases. Clinical improvement due to improved mobility of the operated joint was noted in 16% of the cases. It should be noted, though, that follow-up time was limited and no or inadequate imaging modalities were used to follow-up in the majority of these cases. To conclude, if medically urgent, limb surgery in FOP is possible even when general anesthesia is not preferred. The procedure should be well-planned, alternative techniques or procedures should be tested prior to surgery and special attention should be paid to the correct positioning of the patient. According to the literature recurrent HO should be expected after surgery of a limb, even though it was limited in the case described.
Topics: Adult; Amputation, Surgical; Female; Humans; Leg; Myositis Ossificans; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32973683
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00570 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Bone biopsies have been obtained for many centuries and are one of the oldest known medical procedures in history. Despite the introduction of new noninvasive...
Bone biopsies have been obtained for many centuries and are one of the oldest known medical procedures in history. Despite the introduction of new noninvasive radiographic imaging techniques and genetic analyses, bone biopsies are still valuable in the diagnosis of bone diseases. Advanced techniques for the assessment of bone quality in bone biopsies, which have emerged during the last decades, allows in-depth tissue analyses beyond structural changes visible in bone histology. In this review, we give an overview of the application and advantages of the advanced techniques for the analysis of bone biopsies in the clinical setting of various rare metabolic bone diseases. A systematic literature search on rare metabolic bone diseases and analyzing techniques of bone biopsies was performed in PubMed up to 2019 week 34. Advanced techniques for the analysis of bone biopsies were described for rare metabolic bone disorders including Paget's disease of bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia, Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, X-linked osteoporosis, Loeys-Diets syndrome, osteopetrosis, Erdheim-Chester disease, and Cherubism. A variety of advanced available analytical techniques were identified that may help to provide additional detail on cellular, structural, and compositional characteristics in rare bone diseases complementing classical histopathology. To date, these techniques have only been used in research and not in daily clinical practice. Clinical application of bone quality assessment techniques depends upon several aspects such as availability of the technique in hospitals, the existence of reference data, and a cooperative network of researchers and clinicians. The evaluation of rare metabolic bone disorders requires a repertoire of different methods, owing to their distinct bone tissue characteristics. The broader use of bone material obtained from biopsies could provide much more information about pathophysiology or treatment options and establish bone biopsies as a valuable tool in rare metabolic bone diseases.
Topics: Biopsy; Bone Diseases; Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone; Humans; Loeys-Dietz Syndrome; Myositis Ossificans; Osteitis Deformans; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Osteopetrosis; Osteoporosis; Rare Diseases
PubMed: 32714279
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00399 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jul 2020(1) Background: Dysphagia is a clinical hallmark and part of the current American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) diagnostic... (Review)
Review
(1) Background: Dysphagia is a clinical hallmark and part of the current American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) diagnostic criteria for idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). However, the data on dysphagia in IIM are heterogenous and partly conflicting. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on epidemiology, pathophysiology, outcome and therapy and a meta-analysis on the prevalence of dysphagia in IIM. (2) Methods: Medline was systematically searched for all relevant articles. A random effect model was chosen to estimate the pooled prevalence of dysphagia in the overall cohort of patients with IIM and in different subgroups. (3) Results: 234 studies were included in the review and 116 (10,382 subjects) in the meta-analysis. Dysphagia can occur as initial or sole symptom. The overall pooled prevalence estimate in IIM was 36% and with 56% particularly high in inclusion body myositis. The prevalence estimate was significantly higher in patients with cancer-associated myositis and with NXP2 autoantibodies. Dysphagia is caused by inflammatory involvement of the swallowing muscles, which can lead to reduced pharyngeal contractility, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, reduced laryngeal elevation and hypomotility of the esophagus. Swallowing disorders not only impair the quality of life but can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, thus increasing mortality. Beneficial treatment approaches reported include immunomodulatory therapy, the treatment of associated malignant diseases or interventional procedures targeting the cricopharyngeal muscle such as myotomy, dilatation or botulinum toxin injections. (4) Conclusion: Dysphagia should be included as a therapeutic target, especially in the outlined high-risk groups.
PubMed: 32650400
DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072150