Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that manifests with multiorgan inflammation. Cardiac involvement is common, with manifestation that include pericarditis, myocarditis, conduction defects, valvular disease, and coronary…
Cardiovascular disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accelerated atherosclerosis caused by inflammation is the hallmark of cardiovascular disease in RA. Cardiac involvement as an extra-articular manifestation…
Any cardiac tissue can be affected in most primary vasculitides. However, certain entities such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (or Churg-Strauss syndrome) and Takayasu arteritis involve the heart in up…
Cardiac involvement in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) has been reported in 5% to 70% of cases. It is estimated that between 15% and 55% of deaths are related to…
Over the past decade much has been learned about the mechanisms of crystal-induced inflammation and renal excretion of uric acid, which has led to more specific targeting of gout therapies…
Gout is a common disorder with clinical signs and symptoms resulting from inflammatory responses to monosodium urate crystals deposited in tissues from extracellular fluids saturated for urate. Long-term management of…
Calcium crystal arthritis is often unrecognized, poorly managed, and few effective therapies are available. The most common types of calcium crystals causing musculoskeletal syndromes are calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) and basic…
This article presents an overview of the treatment of acute gout. Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments, monotherapy versus combination therapy, suggested recommendations, guidelines for treatment, and drugs under development are discussed….
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are the most common calcium-containing crystals associated with rheumatic disease. Clinical manifestations of calcium crystal deposition include acute or chronic inflammatory…
This article summarizes the structural damage that is observed in advanced gout and current understanding of the mechanisms by which this damage occurs. Interactions between monosodium urate crystals and cells…
