Iloprost is effective for the short-term palliation of severe Raynaud phenomenon in patients with systemic sclerosis.

No abstract

No abstract

These prospective pilot data suggest that etanercept therapy is safe among patients with IMCVDs. However, these data do not suggest substantial efficacy of etanercept among patients with IMCVDs in improving hearing loss. There appeared to be stabilization or improvement of hearing in 87% in this group of patients with pretreatment intractable progressive hearing loss. However, the study endpoint of improvement in 70% of patients was not attained. This short-term effect of possible stabilization requires further study. PET scanning was not useful as a tool to evaluate hearing loss in a limited subset of patients.

No abstract

Gout is a common form of arthritis, in which many of the risk factors, pathogenetic mechanisms, and clinical features have been recognized for years. Nevertheless, new information has become available regarding the normal physiologic role of uric acid as an antioxidant, and greater insight has been obtained regarding the inflammatory process in acute gout. New studies have improved our understanding of the role of genetic and environmental factors responsible for hyperuricemia, and we know more about the significance of the association of hyperuricemia with other diseases. Clinically, rare complications and disease manifestations in new populations continue to be discussed, and diagnostic methods continue to be refined.

No abstract

No abstract