Journal of Family Practice, June, 2005 by Heather Tagliarino, Michael Purdon, Barbara Jamieson

The American Behcet's Foundation was founded by a parent of a child with Behcet's Disease in 1978 in Orange County, California. In 1986, the Organization changed its name to The American Behcet's Association (ABA) and was moved to Rochester, Minnesota. Recently the name was changed to the American Behcet's Disease Association (ABDA) to clarify the nature of the organization. In 1987, the American Behcet's Association was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of Minnesota and in 1989, was granted 501(c)3 tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. In 1988, a medical advisory board was formed of Behcet's experts from around the country.

Myasthenia Gravis Association

Indian Pediatrics 2005; 42:942-945

877-22-NIAMS

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2006, 8:R31 doi:10.1186/ar1882 Published 10 January 2006 This study shows that the concentration of serum biomarkers of cartilage collagen breakdown and proteoglycan turnover, but not of collagen synthesis, are related to joint destruction in RA. The use of these biomarkers may be of value when studying progression of joint damage in patients with RA.

AJN, American Journal of Nursing August 2005 Volume 105 Number 8 Pages 56 - 65

J Neurosci Nurs. 2006;38(5):369-373. ©2006 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their significant others. A quantitative questionnaire, developed from focus groups and consisting of 75 needs statements, was administered to 353 MS patients and 240 significant others. Analysis produced rankings of the 10 most important needs of both groups. Rankings by the MS patients and significant others were similar. Three themes emerged. Psychosocial and other personal needs (relationship with physicians, the MS healthcare team, family, and friends) were ranked with high frequency. Information needs (information regarding MS or available support) and financial security were also ranked as important. The data validate the importance of interdisciplinary care for the MS population. Registration Required

Last Updated: March 30, 2006. Vasculitis is a descriptive term associated with a heterogeneous group of diseases that results in inflammation of blood vessels. Arteries and veins of any size in any organ may be affected, leading to ischemic damage to organs. The pattern of vessel involvement is highly variable, leading to innumerable clinical presentations. The most common vasculitides of childhood are Henoch-Schönlein purpura and Kawasaki disease. See articles on Kawasaki Disease, Infantile Polyarteritis Nodosa, Polyarteritis Nodosa, and Takayasu Arteritis.

Discusses Lupus, Sjogren's and Antiphospholipid Antibody (Hughes) Syndrome.

Abstract Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently is diagnosed in young adults. Coping with symptoms of MS is challenging not only for the person with the disease, but also for his or her spouse. The well spouse often assumes the caregiving role. The purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the experiences of persons whose spouses have MS. Twelve people participated in a 2-hour focus group: 8 men and 4 women. The husbands were, on average, 50 years old, and the wives averaged 55 years old. The length of time since diagnosis ranged from 2 to 11 years for the husbands and from 3 to 13 years for the wives. The focus group discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Participants talked freely. Four major themes emerged: caregiver roles, need for information, relationship changes, and barriers. Men attempted to protect their wives' energy, intervening for them. Wives encouraged independence in their husbands. Spouses need information about MS, complementary interventions, and support. They want increased public awareness of invisible symptoms and awareness in the workplace of continuing capabilities of persons with MS. Role reversals were challenging for the women who felt that "MS is the third person in a marriage." Spouses need help to maintain appropriate boundaries. Limitations of the study include the small, economically homogeneous sample and the single encounter with the subjects. A longitudinal intervention study is needed. Registration Required.

Also called: Angiitis, Arteritis

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2006, 8:R30 doi:10.1186/ar1884 Published 9 January 2006 Polyclonal B cell activation might be related to pathogenic over-expression of B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and other autoimmune diseases. We therefore investigated whether BAFF over-expression in pSS could be a primary, genetically determined event that leads to the disease. The complete BAFF gene was sequenced in Caucasian pSS patients and control individuals. The only single nucleotide polymorphism frequently observed, namely -871 T/C in the promoter region, was then genotyped in 162 French patients with pSS and 90 French control individuals. No significant differences in allele (T allele frequency: 49.7% in patients with pSS versus 50% in controls; P = 0.94) and genotype frequencies of BAFF polymorphism were detected between pSS patients and control individuals. BAFF gene polymorphism was not associated with a specific pattern of antibody secretion either. T allele carriers had significantly increased BAFF protein serum levels (mean values of 8.6 and 5.7 ng/ml in patients with TT and TC genotypes, respectively, versus 3.3 ng/ml in patients with CC genotype; P = 0.01), although no correlation was observed between BAFF polymorphism and mRNA level. In conclusion, BAFF gene polymorphism is neither involved in genetic predisposition to pSS nor associated with a specific pattern of antibody production.

Plasmapheresis is a process in which the fluid part of the blood, called plasma, is removed from blood cells by a device known as a cell separator. The separator works either by spinning the blood at high speed to separate the cells from the fluid or by passing the blood through a membrane with pores so small that only the fluid part of the blood can pass through. The cells are returned to the person undergoing treatment, while the plasma, which contains the antibodies, is discarded and replaced with other fluids. Medication to keep the blood from clotting (an anticoagulant) is given through a vein during the procedure.

Postgraduate Medical Journal 2003;79:550 © 2003 Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine

US Pharm. 2007;32(3):72-81. The most important concept to realize when selecting appropriate treatment for a patient with Sjögren's syndrome is that therapy must be adapted to the individual patient's needs and responses. Each patient will present with some similar symptoms but also with a unique set of symptoms and complaints. Pharmacists can have an active role in helping patients manage this syndrome. Providing excellent pharmaceutical care and continuity of care is the first step. Counseling and teaching patients about the syndrome as well as providing tips for improving patients' quality of life can have a dramatic impact.

Multiple sclerosis affects 2.5 million people worldwide, including 400,000 Americans. Get in-depth information here on multiple sclerosis symptoms and treatments. Plus, find daily help in our online support group.

Published Online First: 6 January 2006. doi:10.1136/hrt.2005.067330. Heart 2007;93:159-166. ABSTRACT: The classic definition of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) seems inadequate both for clinical and research purposes and should be replaced with one aimed at including a sufficiently homogeneous group of patients with the common plausible pathophysiological mechanism of coronary microvascular dysfunction. More specifically, CSX should be defined as a form of stable effort angina, which, according to careful diagnostic investigation, can reasonably be attributed to abnormalities in the coronary microvascular circulation.

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:206. Cell therapy, pioneered for the treatment of malignancies in the form of bone marrow transplantation, has subsequently been tested and successfully employed in autoimmune diseases. Autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become a curative option for conditions with very poor prognosis such as severe forms of scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, and lupus, in which targeted therapies have little or no effect. The refinement of the conditioning regimens has virtually eliminated transplant-related mortality, thus making HSCT a relatively safe choice. Although HSCT remains a nonspecific approach, the knowledge gained in this field has led to the identification of new avenues. In fact, it has become evident that the therapeutic efficacy of HSCT cannot merely be the consequence of a high-dose immuno-suppression, but rather the result of a resetting of the abnormal immune regulation underlying autoimmune conditions. The identification of professional and nonprofessional immunosuppressive cells and their biological properties is generating a huge interest for their clinical exploitation. Regulatory T cells, found abnormal in several autoimmune diseases, have been proposed as central to achieve long-term remissions. Mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow origin have more recently been shown not only to be able to differentiate into multiple tissues, but also to exert a potent antiproliferative effect that results in the inhibition of immune responses and prolonged survival of haemopoietic stem cells. All of these potential resources clearly need to be investigated at the preclinical level but support a great deal of enthusiasm for cell therapy of autoimmune diseases.

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005 Jun 23

Noel R. Rose, M.D., Ph.D., Chair, AARDA National Scientific Advisory Board, Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Pathology The Johns Hopkins University The topic that Mrs. Ladd has asked me to discuss with you this afternoon is "Autoimmune Diseases: How Are They Related?" It is a very good topic because it forced me to think about the question.