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Introduction: the aim of our study is to determine, from data of the Moroccan register of biotherapies, the factors influencing the choice of the first prescribed biological treatment., Methods: cross-sectional multicenter study including rheumatoid arthritis patients who were initiated the first biological treatment either: Rituximab, an anti-TNF, or Tocilizumab. The determinants related to the patient and disease have been gathered. A univariate and then multivariate analysis to determine the factors associated with the choice of the first bDMARDs was realized., Results: a total of 225 rheumatoid arthritis patients were included in the Moroccan registry. The mean age was 52 ± 11 years, with female predominance 88% (n = 197). The first prescribed biological treatment was Rituximab 74% (n = 166), the second one was Tocilizumab, 13.6% (n = 31) then comes the anti-TNF in 3 rd position with 12.4% (n = 28). The factors associated with the choice of Rituximab as the first line bDMARDs prescribed in univariate analysis were: the insurance type, the positivity of the rheumatoid factor. In multivariate analysis, only the insurance type that remains associated with the choice of Rituximab as the first biological drugs. The Tocilizumab was associated with shorter disease duration and was more prescribed as mono-therapy compared to non Tocilizumab group. TNFi was associated with the insurance type., Conclusion: our study suggests that Rituximab and TNFi are associated with the type of insurance and Tocilizumab is the most prescribed biologic mono-therapy in RA patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these results., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Meryem Eddaoudi et al.)

This study aims to evaluate the advantages of ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome by comparing it with electroneuromyography (ENMG). We conducted a cross-sectional study over a period of 6 months. All patients underwent ultrasound with measurement of the surface of the median nerve at the entrance of the carpal tunnel and electroneuromyographic examination of both wrists. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound was compared to those of ENMG. The average age of patients was 49.6 years with a clear female predominance (98%). The majority of patients were housewives. Paresthesias were the most common reason for consultation in 86%. Bilateral clinical manifestation occurred in 78% of cases. ENMG showed pathological result in 89 wrists (89%). Ultrasound was abnormal in 63 wrists (63%) with a median surface area of the median nerve of 11 mm 2 . This study highlights an ultrasound sensitivity of 70%, a specificity of 100% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and a negative predictive value (VPN) of 29.7%. It was concluded that ultrasound has sensitivity only to carpel tunnel with severe involvement on ENMG., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts., (© Siham Bouchal et al.)

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatism; it is part of the group of spondyloarthrites. General signs such as fever and weight loss are of little importance. Adult Still's disease is a rare systemic condition, a diagnosis of exclusion commonly characterized by high hectic fever, rash, arthritis and various systemic manifestations. Few cases of ankylosing spondylitis associated with adult Still's disease have been described in the literature. We here report the case of a 31-year old patient followed up for ankylosing spondylitis presenting with fever which had lasted for a long time and clinico-biological signs compatible with adult Still's disease. A possible pathophysiologic link between the two diseases may be suggested, even if their simultaneous occurrence has been rarely reported in the literature.

Myositis ossificans progressiva (MOP) is an autosomal dominant disorder. There is a progressive ectopic ossification and skeletal malformation, mainly in the connective tissue of muscle. The diagnosis is based on the clinical findings and radiological demonstration of the skeletal malformations. A 38-year-old female patient was admitted to our department with progressive increase of the thigh. Results of laboratory studies were normal. The radiography of the right thigh showed multiple intramuscular calcifications. Myositis ossificans progressiva should be diagnosed as early as possible and non-invasively, based upon history, clinical and radiological findings. Early and correct diagnosis is fundamental for indication of proper management of the disease., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Gout is a metabolic disease, which is characterized by acute or chronic arthritis, and deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joint, bones, soft tissues, and kidneys. But large tophi are unusual in chronic gout. We report the case of a 67-year-oldArabman presenting chronic tophaceous gout with unusual large tophi involving multiple joints: hands, feet, elbows, and knees. Laboratory workup revealed elevated serum uric acid (96 mg/l, normal: 20-74 mg/l), with normal renal function test. In untreated patients, chronic tophaceous gout may develop, which is characterized by chronic destructive polyarticular involvement and tophi. The treatment consists to decrease serum uric acid level which eventually allows the regression of tophi.

Celiac disease (CD), a malabsorption syndrome caused by hypersensitivity to gliadin fraction of gluten. CD can manifest with classic symptoms; however, significant myopathy and multiple fractures are rarely the predominant presentation of untreated celiac disease. Osteomalacia complicating celiac disease had become more and more rare. We describe here a case of osteomalacia secondary to a longstanding untreated celiac disease. This patient complained about progressive bone and muscular pain, weakness, fractures and skeletal deformities. Radiological and laboratory findings were all in favor of severe osteomalacia. Improvement of patient's weakness and laboratory abnormalities was obvious after treatment with gluten free diet, vitamin D, calcium and iron. This case affirms that chronic untreated celiac disease, can lead to an important bone loss and irreversible complications like skeletal deformities.

Pregnancy complicated by Non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is rare, about 100 cases have been reported. We will describe the case of a multifocal bone lymphoma revealed by a left hyperalgetic and deficient cruralgia in a female in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis, so called osteomyelitis pubis is the infection which involves pubic symphysis and its joint. It is a rare condition, representing less than one percent of all cases of osteomyelitis. It affects most frequently young athletes and women undergoing gynecologic or urologic surgery. It presents itself with fever and pubic pain which irradiates to the genitals and increases when hip is mobilized, and this fact produces gait claudication. Diagnosis is based on clinic supported by microbiologic culture results, image methods, and proteins augment during acute phase. The etiologic agents most commonly found are Staphylococcus aureus, followed by gram-negative bacilli, and polymicrobial infection in recent pelvis surgery. The antibiotic treatment is adjusted depending on the microbiological diagnosis, adding NSAIDs, and bed rest. We report a 16 year-old male presenting with pubic pain and fever. Magnetic resonance imagery showed arthritis of the pubic symphysis. The patient was treated with antibiotics with a good clinical response.

Pregnancy is one of conditions that increase the risk of gonococcal arthritis which result from blood dissemination of neisseria gonorrhoeae. A 20-year-old africain female patient (in the second trimester of pregnancy), was admitted to hospital because of fever, asymmetric joint swollen affecting the hands, wrists, left ankle, and right sternoclavicular joint. Laboratory findings (erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 117 mm in first hour, The serum C-reactive protein level was 152 mg/L) the gram stain of genital sample was positif of neisseria gonorrhoeae and trichomonas vaginalis. With antibiotics, outcome of pregnancy was timely and uneventful. Patients should be educated about the mode of transmission of gonorrhea. Sexual partners should also be treated to prevent dissemination and gonococcal re-infection.

Calcification of the alar ligament is rare. It usually develops as a result of traumatic injury and is especially prominent in the elderly. CT scanning is the gold standard of the diagnosis. We report a case of a calcification of the transverse and alar ligament in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.