Biological therapy in rheumatoid vasculitis: a systematic review

Clinical Rheumatology - Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is one of the most severe extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, with significant morbidity and mortality, requiring aggressive...     

Accuracy and reliability of linear measurements using 3-dimensional computed tomographic imaging software for Le Fort I Osteotomy

Our purpose was to compare the accuracy and reliability of linear measurements for Le Fort I osteotomy using volume rendering software. We studied 11 dried skulls and used cone-beam computed tomography (CT) to generate 3-dimensional images. Linear measurements were based on craniometric anatomical landmarks that were predefined as specifically used for Le Fort I osteotomy, and identified twice each by 2 radiologists, independently, using Dolphin imaging version 11.5.04.35. A third examiner then made physical measurements using digital calipers. There was a significant difference between Dolphin imaging and the gold standard, particularly in the pterygoid process. The largest difference was 1.85 mm (LLpPtg L). The mean differences between the physical and the 3-dimensional linear measurements ranged from −0.01 to 1.12 mm for examiner 1, and 0 to 1.85 mm for examiner 2. Interexaminer analysis ranged from 0.51 to 0.93. Intraexaminer correlation coefficients ranged from 0.81 to 0.96 and 0.57 to 0.92, for examiners 1 and 2, respectively. We conclude that the Dolphin imaging should be used sparingly during Le Fort I osteotomy.     

Dry eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus

Dry eyes may be caused by impairment in the tear production or excessive tear evaporation and are associated with photophobia, red eyes, vision impairment, local pain and pruritus. It has been described that patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) may have a higher prevalence of dry eyes than normal population.This is a case control study of 120 patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and 120 paired controls aiming to compare their prevalence of dry eyes (by the Schirmer test) and its severity (measured by OSDI or Ocular Surface Disease Index) as well as their association with diseases’ clinical variables.We found that 38.3% of DM patients had dry eyes, a prevalence that was higher than controls (p = 0.02). At univariate analysis, they were found to be more common in older individuals (p = 0.001) with type 2 diabetes (p = 0.001) and in those using metformin (p = 0.001). A multivariate linear regression showed that metformin use was the only independent variable associated with dry eyes. When patients with dry eyes with and without DM were compared, no differences in the symptom’s intensity were found.