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Objective: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of compression stockings for postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) prevention in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the use of compression stockings for prevention of PTS were identified from the Medline, PubMed, and Embase databases as well as the Cochrane library. The resulting manuscripts were analyzed according to the criteria in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results: Six RCTs involving 1465 patients with DVT were included. The meta-analysis indicated no statistical differences between the compression stocking and the control groups in PTS incidence, using either the Villalta scale (odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-1.74) or the Ginsberg scale (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.72-1.77). Based on the Villalta scale categorization, there were no differences in the incidence of mild–moderate PTS (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.36-1.41) or incidence of severe PTS (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.15-3.11). The difference in the recurrence of venous thromboembolism (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.61-1.30) was also not significant. In the 3 RCTs that reported side effects of compression stockings, they were primarily related to discomfort, including itching, erythema, and rash. Conclusion: The present meta-analysis has indicated that compression stockings may not prevent PTS, as determined by either the Villalta or the Ginsberg scale, in patients with DVT. However, owing to the limited number of trials, the evidence is not strong enough to draw a reliable conclusion. Further larger, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this paper is to clarify the demographic, clinical and serologic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome, known as ‘rhupus syndrome’. Methods: Between 1995 and 2012, 51 patients were classified as having rhupus among 3733 consecutive SLE patients. Rhupus was defined as a condition involving an overlap of RA and SLE features meeting the respective criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with rhupus syndrome were compared with those of 230 RA patients and 120 unselected SLE patients. Results: The age at the onset of rhupus was significantly younger than that of RA (p < 0.05), but similar to that of SLE. The initial manifestation was arthritis in 84.3% (43/51) of rhupus patients. Symptoms of SLE manifested after an average of 9.2 years. SLE was the initial diagnosis in 7.8% (four of 51) of patients, whereas both diseases developed simultaneously in 7.8% of the patients. SLE-associated manifestations were mild in rhupus syndrome, particularly neurologic disorders. Haematopoietic involvement was the most prominent systemic manifestation in rhupus patients. Conclusion: Rhupus syndrome constitutes a subgroup of patients with distinct demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics. RA typically presents first, and less-severe SLE-associated damage is apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]