Systemic lupus erythematosus associated with sarcoidosis: Case report

BackgroundThe association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and sarcoidosis has been considered as extremely rare. Most often, sarcoidosis coexists with Sjögren's syndrome. Researching the literature, it seems that the association of SLE and sarcoidosis is much more frequent than previously thought.Aim of the workWe present a case of a Serbian woman who was diagnosed with coexisting sarcoidosis and long-standing SLE.Case presentationThe 40 years old SLE patient was in long-standing remission on oral prednisolone (10 mg/day) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (400 mg/day). She presented with fatigue, chest pain, and dry cough. Chest computerized tomography (CT) showed hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The biopsy had been performed and results showed sarcoidosis. Diagnosis has been confirmed: eosinophilic granulomas without central necrosis morphologically corresponding to chronic granulomatous lymphadenitis like sarcoidosis. Thereafter, the patient was hospitalized. No new symptoms appeared, and the physical examination was unremarkable. Serum calcium was elevated (2.75 mmol/l), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA) and anti-Ro antibodies were positive. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) level was high normal (51 IU/L) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold test negative. The dose of prednisolone was increased to 40 mg/day with HCQ and the patient was discharged from hospital. On follow-up the patient improved with reduction of the steroid dose.ConclusionThe association of SLE and sarcoidosis should be considered even though it is reported to be extremely rare. May be the real incidence of these combinations is underestimated. More research about genetics and pathogenesis is needed to completely understand these conditions.     

Extreme gonococcal susceptibility associated with acquired complement deficiency secondary to hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Gonococcal infection is rarely associated with septic shock. We describe a recurrent case of septic shock related to disseminated gonococcemia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis, and discuss the implication of profound acquired complement deficiency secondary to these auto-immune diseases. This case raises the question of systematic antibioprophylaxis in patients with acquired complement deficiency.     

Systemic immune inflammation index in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

ObjectivesRecurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) a chronic idiopathic oral mucosal disease. But yet the etiology and pathogenesis of RAS are not exactly known, it is thought that inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the role of systemic inflammation among the possible etiological factors of RAS and to find the possible diagnostic correlation between Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII).MethodsPatients who were consulted the otolaryngology outpatient clinic and diagnosed with RAS between 2019–2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and SII values were calculated based on the results of complete blood count. Demographic and hematological parameters between control and RAS groups were compared. The statistical significance level was considered as <0.05.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the control and RAS groups in terms of sex and age distributions (p = 0.566 and p = 0.173, respectively). SII, NLR and PLR values were significantly higher in the RAS group compared to the controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). A very strong correlation between SII and NLR, moderately strong correlation between SII and PLR and moderate correlation between NLR and PLR values were detected (respectively ρ: 0.813, 0.719, 0.532; p-values <0.001).ConclusionSII, NLR and PLR has significantly higher levels in the RAS group compared to the control group, that it supports the role of systemic inflammation in the etiopathogenesis of RAS. In addition, the results show that SII is a valuable marker for inflammation.Level of evidence4.     

Social cognitive correlates of device-measured and self-reported physical activity in Black and White individuals with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundThere is increasing research interest regarding physical activity behavior among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), yet there is little known about physical activity and its correlates in Black persons with MS.ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study assessed associations among social cognitive theory (SCT) variables and device-measured and self-reported physical activity in samples of Black and White persons with MS.MethodsParticipants included 67 Black and 141 White persons with MS who wore an ActiGraph accelerometer on a belt around the waist measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for seven days and completed a battery of questionnaires. Questionnaires included demographic and clinical characteristics, leisure-time exercise, exercise self-efficacy, overcoming barriers self-efficacy, function, social support, exercise outcome expectations, and goal setting and planning.ResultsBlack participants with MS engaged in significantly less MVPA, but not sedentary behavior or light physical activity, than the White participants with MS. Black participants further had significantly lower levels of exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations than the White sample. All SCT correlates were significantly correlated with self-reported physical activity, but only exercise and barriers self-efficacy, perceived function, and exercise goal setting were associated with device-measured MVPA. The difference in physical activity between Black and White participants with MS was accounted for by differences in exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations.ConclusionsResearchers should consider developing behavioral interventions that target exercise self-efficacy and outcome expectations as SCT variables for increasing physical activity in Black persons with MS.     

Pentobarbital overdose: A case of contract killing

Suicides by pentobarbital overdose have increased since about 2012, which appear to be influenced by technical information on active euthanasia that has spread over the Internet. We encountered a pentobarbital poisoning case of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A caregiver found the patient unconscious immediately after two visitors left the room. The patient was immediately transferred to the emergency hospital but eventually declared dead. A fatal concentration of pentobarbital was detected in peripheral blood samples collected in the emergency hospital and during autopsy (53.8 μg/mL and 29.4 μg/mL, respectively). Because the ratios of pentobarbital concentrations between the gastric contents and peripheral blood were 35 and 29 in the hospital and autopsy samples, respectively, it is likely that pentobarbital was administered via the gastrostomy tube. The patient had contacted the visitors through social media. Although the patient had requested the doctor perform active euthanasia and expressed a desire to end their life on social media, nobody had noticed the plan to commit suicide.