Objectives ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) can affect all age groups. We aimed to show that differences in disease presentation and 6 month outcome between younger- and older-onset patients are still incompletely understood. Methods We included patients enrolled in the Diagnostic and Classification Criteria for Primary Systemic Vasculitis (DCVAS) study between October 2010 and January 2017 with a diagnosis of AAV. We divided the population according to age at diagnosis: <65 years or ≥65 years. We adjusted associations for the type of AAV and the type of ANCA (anti-MPO, anti-PR3 or negative). Results A total of 1338 patients with AAV were included: 66% had disease onset at <65 years of age [female 50%; mean age 48.4 years (s.d. 12.6)] and 34% had disease onset at ≥65 years [female 54%; mean age 73.6 years (s.d. 6)]. ANCA (MPO) positivity was more frequent in the older group (48% vs 27%; P = 0.001). Younger patients had higher rates of musculoskeletal, cutaneous and ENT manifestations compared with older patients. Systemic, neurologic,cardiovascular involvement and worsening renal function were more frequent in the older-onset group. Damage accrual, measured with the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI), was significantly higher in older patients, 12% of whom had a 6 month VDI ≥5, compared with 7% of younger patients (P = 0.01). Older age was an independent risk factor for early death within 6 months from diagnosis [hazard ratio 2.06 (95% CI 1.07, 3.97); P = 0.03]. Conclusion Within 6 months of diagnosis of AAV, patients >65 years of age display a different pattern of organ involvement and an increased risk of significant damage and mortality compared with younger patients.

[Purpose] The efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging in the prediction of motor outcomes and activities of daily living function remains unclear. We evaluated the most appropriate diffusion tensor parameters and methodology to determine whether the region of interest- or tractography-based method was more useful for predicting motor outcomes and activities of daily living function in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Diffusion tensor imaging data within 10 days after stroke onset were collected and analyzed for 25 patients. The corticospinal tract was analyzed. Fractional anisotropy, number of fibers, and apparent diffusion coefficient were used as diffusion tensor parameters. Motor outcomes and activities of daily living function were evaluated on the same day as diffusion tensor imaging and at 1 month post-onset. [Results] The fractional anisotropy value of the affected corticospinal tract significantly correlated with the motor outcome and activities of daily living function within 10 days post-onset and at 1 month post-onset. Tthere were no significant correlations between other diffusion tensor parameters and motor outcomes or activities of daily living function. [Conclusion] The fractional anisotropy value of the affected corticospinal tract obtained using the tractography-based method was useful for predicting motor outcomes and activities of daily living function in stroke patients.

The aim of this study is to investigate the renal outcomes of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis in patients with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at diagnosis. Twenty-seven patients with biopsy-proven ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis were retrospectively recruited and were divided into 12 with normal eGFR (≥60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and 15 with low eGFR (<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) at baseline. Clinical and renal pathological findings at diagnosis and renal outcomes for up to 3 years were compared between the two groups. Two patients in the low eGFR group died of severe bacterial pneumonia. In the normal eGFR group, the following characteristics were observed: younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.04), diagnosis of granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) (p < 0.01), and lower frequency of cyclophosphamide treatment (p = 0.03). On renal pathological analysis, the normal eGFR group had a significantly lower proportion of cellular crescent formation (p = 0.01), fibrinoid necrosis (p = 0.01), interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.02), and tubular atrophy (p = 0.02). As a result, the two groups did not significantly differ in remission rates, relapse rates, Birmingham vasculitis score, vasculitis damage index, or eGFR on 3-year follow-up. Patients with biopsy-proven ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis and normal eGFR at diagnosis have poor renal outcomes and may require standard intensive immunosuppressive treatment to prevent accrual of damage.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases with cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. MethodsIn our study, we consecutively reviewed patients with rheumatic diseases who received remission induction therapy in our institution from January 2012 to March 2016 and enrolled the patients who were evaluated about CMV infection.CMV reactivation was characterised by the detection of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with CMV pp65. The characteristics and clinical courses of the patients with CMV reactivation were compared to those without CMV.

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