No abstract

Objective. To define the immunohistologic features of the synovial membrane (SM) of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PA) and to compare them with those of an age‐ and disease‐duration–matched population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Synovial membrane needle biopsy was performed on 15 PA patients with knee involvement (8 had asymmetric oligoarthritis and 7 had symmetric polyarthritis) and on 15 RA controls. Specimens were stained with monoclonal antibodies against T cells (CD3, CD8, CD4, CD45RO), B cells (CD20), macrophages (Mac387, CD14), and cells bearing class II antigens (DAKO‐DR). Vascular endothelium was examined using a polyclonal antibody to Factor VIII–related antigen, and adhesion molecule expression was examined using antibodies 1.3B6, 6.5B5, and 1.4C3, which identify endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM‐1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), respectively. Results. There was significantly less lining layer hyperplasia, fewer macrophages, and a greater number of blood vessels in PA SM than in RA SM. ELAM‐1 expression was less intense in PA than in RA SM, while there was no difference in expression of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1. Numbers of B cells, T cells, and T cell subsets (predominantly CD4, CD45RO T cells) were similar in both groups of patients. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate important differences in the immunohistologic features of PA and RA SM. The PA SM is more vascular, ELAM‐1 expression is less intense, and fewer macrophages invade the stroma and migrate to the lining layer than in RA SM. However, the lymphocytic infiltrate in the SM of both groups is similar.

The classification of PsA is controversial. Two recent papers have suggested new subgroup classifications, however both have served only to expand the controversy. In this study the clinical and radiologic features of 100 patients with PsA are recorded in order to examine possible clinical or radiologic features which may be associated with functional disability and to examine the usefulness of recent reclassification proposals in our patient population. Results indicate that an asymmetric oligoarthritis (AO) pattern of disease is most common occurring in 43%. A symmetric polyarthritis (SP) was present in 33%, and this subgroup had the highest number of erosions and deformities, and a higher proportion of patients with grade III/IV ARA functional disability. While the DIP joints were involved in 46%, predominant DIP joint disease occurred in 16%. As the DIP group had the shortest duration of arthritis, it may be that this group represents recent onset PsA which will evolve into one of the other subgroups. Sacroiliitis was a feature in 14% with predominant spondylitis (SPON) in 4%. Arthritis mutilans (AM) was rare occurring in only 2% of this population, perhaps representing patients with end-stage SP disease. Finally, 2% of patients had features of the synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteomyelitis (SAPHO) syndrome. A classification comprising just three subgroups (AO, SP, SPON) is proposed as being of most use clinically though a long-term prospective study is needed for verification.

This audit has shown that patients managed by the Manchester protocol using serial PIIINP measurement and selective liver biopsy were not disadvantaged in comparison with those managed according to AAD guidelines; they were subjected to sevenfold fewer liver biopsies without evidence that important liver toxicity was missed in the process. If PIIINP monitoring were widely adopted, methotrexate would become a more acceptable option for many patients who are dissuaded from considering it because of the threat of repeated liver biopsy; it would also result in significant savings to the healthcare budget.

A prospective, open, multicentre study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with cyclosporin in adults with severe atopic dermatitis. Subjects were treated for a maximum of 48 weeks. For the first 8 weeks, cyclosporin was administered at 2.5 mg/kg per day. The dose was then adjusted according to response. Disease activity was monitored using the six-area, six-sign score and the proportion of skin involved. Pruritus and sleep disturbance were assessed using four-point scales. Response was further evaluated on a five-point scale. Adverse events, blood pressure and serum biochemistry were monitored. Tolerability was assessed on a five-point scale. One hundred subjects were enrolled and 65 completed 48 weeks of treatment. Withdrawals occurred due to remission (three), inadequate response (seven), protocol violations (11) and adverse events (14, of which seven were probably treatment related). Cyclosporin produced rapid and highly significant improvements in all indices of disease activity. Sixty-five subjects considered that they had shown a considerable improvement or complete clearance of disease. Most patients relapsed after cessation of treatment, but neither signs nor symptoms had returned to baseline severity 8 weeks later. Blood pressure and serum creatinine levels increased slightly, and in one subject renal impairment was a major factor contributing to withdrawal of the drug. Overall, 85 subjects rated the tolerability of cyclosporin as good or very good. The results indicate that cyclosporin has a place in the long-term treatment of severe atopic dermatitis provided that appropriate patients are selected and careful monitoring is performed.