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Background This study aimed to clarify the factors underlying the discrepancy that has been noted between estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) measured using serum creatinine (Cr) and eGFR using serum cystatin C (CysC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to identify those patients whose renal function should be evaluated using CysC.Methods We retrospectively evaluated clinical features, disease activity, radiological grading, and co-morbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia) in 238 RA patients. eGFR using serum creatinine (eGFR-Cr) and eGFR using serum cystatin C (eGFR-CysC) were calculated using the new Japanese coefficient-modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation. To clarify the cause(s) of differences of 20% or more between the two eGFRs, we divided our RA patients into Group A (eGFR-Cr/eGFR-CysC ≥ 1.2), with eGFR-Cr more than 20% higher than eGFR-CysC, and Group B (eGFR-Cr/eGFR-CysC 2), higher frequencies of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (55.6% vs 30.1% and 35.6% vs 11.0%, respectively), higher DAS28-ESR (3.1 ± 1.3 vs 2.6 ± 1.0), lower hemoglobin (Hb) (11.8 ± 1.8 vs 12.8 ± 1.4 g/dl), lower creatine kinase (CK) (63.9 ± 36.0 vs 92 ± 79 IU/L), higher frequency of Steinbrocker stage 4 (46.7% vs. 15.3%), and a lower frequency of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) use (13.3% vs 30.6%), all significantly (p

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) usually affects young adults. Some cases of elderly-onset Still's disease (EOSD) have been reported, but its clinical features are unclear. We herein report a 74-year-old woman who developed AOSD with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). We also reviewed 24 previous EOSD cases in patients over 70 years old and compared the findings with overall AOSD. While the clinical features were similar between the two, including the presence of MAS, disseminated intravascular coagulation was more frequent in EOSD than in AOSD. Furthermore, despite a similar frequency of glucocorticoid use, immunosuppressants and biologics were less frequently administered in EOSD than in AOSD. This report highlights the fact that typical AOSD can develop in elderly patients with some characteristic features.

Castleman disease is a polyclonal lymphoproliferative disease which is clinically classified into unicentric (UCD) and multicentric (MCD). TAFRO syndrome is a relatively new concept that partly overlaps with MCD. Due to their rarity, their incidence remains unknown. This study investigated the incidence and prevalence of UCD, MCD, and TAFRO syndrome in Japan using a fixed-point observation method based on their incidence in Ishikawa prefecture. The annual incidences of MCD, UCD, and TAFRO syndrome in Japan were 309-731, 71-542, and 110-502, respectively, yielding annual incidence rates per million individuals of 2.4-5.8, 0.6-4.3, and 0.9-4.9, respectively, and nationwide prevalence of 4,180-14,900, 1,350-10,300, and 860-7,240, respectively. In conclusion, MCD, UCD and TAFRO syndrome may not be as rare as previously estimated in Japan.

A 34-year-old Japanese woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted to our hospital for exacerbation of renal dysfunction, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Twenty-two years before admission, she was diagnosed with SLE. Eight years before, lupus anticoagulant (LAC) positivity was detected without any thrombotic findings. Fourteen months before, renal function started to worsen. Three months before, unprovoked left leg swelling appeared. She was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by ultrasonography. Blood examination revealed mild anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction. Rivaroxaban was started after which the left leg swelling subsided. When she was referred to our hospital, LAC was positive, but hypocomplementemia nor elevation of serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies was detected. Renal biopsy showed acute and chronic thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) without concurrent lupus nephritis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed new small multiple cerebral infarcts. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), causing renal TMA, new cerebral infarction, and DVT was diagnosed. Rivaroxaban was changed to warfarin. Two months after admission, renal impairment improved, and the complete disappearance of DVT and brain infarcts was confirmed. This case suggests that warfarin may be more effective than direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of APS-associated renal TMA.

Objective To clarify the clinical significance of development of urinary abnormality in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). Methods Forty-one patients with an initial diagnosis of MCTD, followed at five hospitals between April 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013, were included. The relationship between urinary abnormality and various clinical parameters were retrospectively analyzed. Urinary abnormality was defined as proteinuria and/or hematuria detected by urinalysis. Development of other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) was defined as satisfaction of the criteria of each respective disease. Results Of 41 patients (34 females, 7 males, mean age at diagnosis 42.2 ± 15.2 years), 16 developed urinary abnormality (UrA(+) patients). The total incidences of development of other CTDs were higher in the UrA(+) patients than UrA(-) (62.5% versus 16.0%, p = .01). In the comparison between UrA(+) and UrA(-) patients, there were no significant differences in follow-up duration or last determined estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), although eGFR decreased more significantly in the UrA(+) patients than UrA(-). (−20.2 ± 17.2 vs −6.1 ± 13.8 ml/min/1.73m2, p = .01; −21.0 ± 18.9 vs −6.7 ± 14.1%, p = .03) Conclusion Urinary abnormality during the clinical course in MCTD is predictive of a higher incidence of developing other CTDs. Furthermore, it might also predict long-term renal prognosis in patients with an initial diagnosis of MCTD.

We report two cases of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) that developed after long-term oral administration of minocycline and consider the contribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB 1 * 09: 01 allele to its development. Case 1; A 47-year-old man receiving minocycline for palmoplantar pustulosis for 24 months developed fever, arthralgia, and irregular livedo on the bilateral lower legs. Skin biopsy demonstrated vasculitis, while a blood test showed positivity of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. Discontinuation of minocycline and oral administration of prednisolone relieved the symptoms promptly. Case 2; A 53-year-old woman developed reddish-brown livedo reticularis with tenderness on the bilateral lower legs after administration of minocycline to treat palmoplantar pustulosis for 24 months. Although skin biopsy did not demonstrate vasculitis, a blood test showed MPO-ANCA positivity. Cessation of minocycline resulted in rapid improvement of the cutaneous lesions and constitutional symptoms. We diagnosed both cases as having Drug-associated ANCA-associated Vasculitis (DAV) caused by minocycline according to the diagnostic criteria proposed by Cluver et al. Further examination revealed the presence of HLA-DRB1 * 09:01 allele in both cases. This allele has been implicated in the genetic background of idiopathic microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in the Japanese population. Our finding suggests a relationship between the development of MPO-ANCA or DAV caused by minocycline and HLA-DRB1 * 09:01 allele, but will have to confirmed by further studies with larger numbers of patients.

We aimed to evaluate the association between the change in serum IL-6 during the clinical course of tocilizumab (TCZ) therapy and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity or occurrence of adverse events.General laboratory data including serum IL-6 levels and physical findings were obtained every 4 weeks, and, in addition, at the time when any adverse events occurred.The proportion achieving Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission at 52 weeks was significantly lower in 20 patients with serum IL-6 ≥ 30 pg/ml at 12 weeks than 24 patients with serum IL-6 30 pg/ml. In 17 patients with serum IL-6 ≥ 30 pg/ml at 24 weeks, the proportion achieving CDAI remission was also significantly lower than 27 patients with serum IL-6 30 pg/ml then. In these 17 patients, Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28-ESR and CDAI at 52 weeks were significantly higher than those with serum IL-6 30 pg/ml. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analysis showed logIL-6 at 12 weeks to be a predictive factor for DAS28-ESR remission at 52 weeks.Serum IL-6 levels from 12 to 24 weeks after TCZ initiation better reflect the efficacy of TCZ at 52 weeks.

Background In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, it is important to evaluate renal function, because it may deteriorate due to RA itself or drug use requiring drug dose adjustment. Recently, Cystatin C (CysC) has been used as a more accurate marker of renal function than Creatinine (Cr), because it is not affected by muscle mass.1) Renal function of some RA patients is overestimated by Cr, and shows a discrepancy in the estimated glomerular filtration between Cr and CysC. However, what factors contribute to this discrepancy and in what RA patients CysC should be evaluated remain to be elucidated. Objectives To clarify the factors contributing to the discrepancy between eGFR measured using Cr (eGFR-Cr) and CysC(eGFR-CysC). Methods We enrolled 236 RA patients (188 females, 48 males; mean age 65.3±14.0 years; disease duration 12.0 ± 11.0 years). We measured BUN, Cr, CysC, IgG, IgA, IgM, C3,C4, CH50, RF and aCCP in patient serum, urinary proteins, urinary blood, and urinary casts and evaluated CDAI, SDAI, disease activity score (DAS) 28-CRP and DAS28-ESR. Steinbrocker functional classification and radiological grading were evaluated. History of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia was determined from the medical records. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the new Japanese coefficient-modified Modification of Diet in Renal disease (MDRD) study equation. Results The eGFR-Cr and eGFR-CysC of RA patients were 72.5±20.2 (12.0∼142.0) and 72.3±24.9 (6.3∼167.8), with no significant difference between the two. The correlation between them was significant (r=0.715, p Conclusion Renal functions of RA patients with high disease activity, diabetes mellitus, advanced stage, anemia or lower CK could be overestimated when judged using eGFR-Cr alone. Assessment of renal function in such RA patients requires particular attention. Reference [1] Nozawa Y, Sato H, Wakamatsu A, et al. Utility of estimated glomerular filtration rate using cystatin C and its interpretation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis under glucocorticoid therapy. Clin Chim Acta2018; 487, 299-305. Disclosure of Interests None declared

Background:Methotrexate has been an anchor drug for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is strictly prohibited to prescribe MTX to patients with severely decreased renal function because it can induce a fatal adverse event such as pancytopenia in these patients. On the other hand, since the average age of RA patients is gradually increasing, and many of them already have mildly to moderately impaired renal function, their renal function can easily decrease to below the critical level of the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Therefore, new development of acute kidney injury (AKI) during MTX administration might induce a fatal adverse event, making the identification of patients susceptible to AKI very important.Objectives:To clarify the frequency of AKI and the factors involved in it in RA patients.Methods:Two hundred and fifty-two RA patients (211 females, 41 males, mean age 62.3 ± 12.5 years, disease duration 11.0 ± 9.5 years) diagnosed more than 3 years earlier and followed for more than 5 years, and also, others diagnosed ≥3 years earlier but followed for ≤5 years were enrolled. We measured BUN, Cr, RF and aCCP in patient serum, urinary proteins, urinary blood, and urinary casts and evaluated CDAI, SDAI, disease activity score (DAS) 28-CRP and DAS28-ESR. Steinbrocker functional classification and radiological grading were evaluated. History of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia was determined from the medical records. Medications for RA, including non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prednisolone, csDMARD (MTX, Tacrolimus, etc.), bDMARDs and tsDMARDs were evaluated. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the new Japanese coefficient-modified Modification of Diet in Renal disease (MDRD) study equation. The criteria of AKI were that serum Cr increased by 0.3 mg /dl or increased by 1.5-fold between consecutive visits according to the KIDIGO criteria 1) and the report of Leither et al2).Results:Twenty (7.9%) patients developed AKI, 22 times. The causes of AKI were 10 infections, 6 dehydrations, 2 enteritis, 1 urticaria, 2 hypercalcemia due to VitD administration, and 1 ureteral stone. We divided our patients into group A (with AKI) and group B (without AKI). Group A was older (69.9±10.1 vs 61.7±12.6 years), had greater physician VAS (29.5±27.7 vs 15.7±18.3 mm), higher serum creatinine (0.79±0.19 vs 0.60±0.16 mg/dl), higher BUN (18.4±5.7 vs 15.1±4.4 mg/dl), lower eGFR(65.5±23.3 vs 86.4±22.4 ml/min), more frequent prednisolone administration (75.0% vs 41.9%), more frequent hyperlipidemia (50.0% vs 19.2%) and more frequent hypertension (60.0% vs 30.6%) than Group B by univariate analysis significantly (pConclusion:Our study indicated that AKI developed in RA patients and suggested that renal function decline and prednisolone administration may be implicated. RA patients with impaired renal function and prednisolone administration need to be treated with special attention to the onset of AKI.References:[1]Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury. Kidney Int Suppl 2: 1-138, 2012[2]Leither MD, Murphy DP, Bicknese L et al. The impact of outpatient acute kidney injury on mortality and chronic kidney disease: a retrospective cohort study. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 34:493-501, 2019Disclosure of Interests:None declared

A 54-year-old Japanese man entered our hospital for investigation of appetite loss. His blood pressure was 201/113 mmHg, and laboratory findings revealed renal failure and hyponatremia. On physical examination, disorientation and dysarthria were observed. Hemodialysis was performed the same day. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after hemodialysis revealed swelling of the brainstem and a high signal intensity on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging, similar to findings of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), which is generally irreversible. However, on an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map based on diffusion-weighted MRI, higher signal intensity was observed in the area of the high signal intensity on FLAIR imaging, which is not seen in CPM. The abnormal neurological symptoms improved within a few days, and MRI findings also normalized. We diagnosed the lesion as the brainstem variant of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) with uremia. ADC map was very useful in diagnosing RPLS with uremia.

SummaryA 68-year-old woman was admitted with dyspnea. The patient had been treated with hemodialysis for renal failure for 11 years. On admission, chest X-ray showed pulmonary edema. Right-heart catheterization revealed high cardiac output (11.8l/min) and elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Doppler ultrasonography showed high-flow of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis. The patient was diagnosed as having high-output heart failure due to a high-flow AVF. Inflow reduction of the AVF was performed by proximal radial artery ligation. Right-heart catheterization performed 2 weeks after the operation revealed that cardiac output had decreased from 11.8 to 9.5l/min and PCWP was also reduced from 21 to 9mmHg. Furthermore, flow of the AVF measured by Doppler ultrasonography was also decreased. To our knowledge, this is the first report that assessed hemodynamics of high-output heart failure before and after inflow reduction of the AVF by repeated right-heart catheterization.

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of bilateral foot pain. He was treated with thrombolysis for cerebral infarction about 5 months ago. Anticoagulants had not been used because of hemorrhagic infarction. The pulses of bilateral pedal arteries were palpable, but cyanosis was present in the bilateral toes. Laboratory data indicated azotemia and eosinophilia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple plaques of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, one of which was ulcerated. Skin biopsy proved the diagnosis of cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE). Because no invasive vascular procedure was performed, we assumed that CCE in this patient was related to thrombolysis. We should be cautious for late onset of CCE after thrombolysis. © 2010 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.

透析患者のシャントトラブルは，患者の生命予後に直結し，入院する大きな理由となっている．シャントトラブルに対して，血管内治療は一般的な治療になりつつある．われわれは，内シャント本幹からの順行性のアプローチではガイドワイヤーの通過が困難な肘部の内シャント肘正中皮静脈の慢性完全閉塞性病変に対して，先端形状がフック状になった4 Fr造影カテーテル（Approach VII）を利用して，シャント本幹側枝の前腕尺側皮静脈から逆行性のアプローチを行い，比較的容易に，かつ安全に再開通させることが可能であった症例を経験した．内シャント肘正中皮静脈の慢性完全閉塞病変を治療する上で，有効な手段と考えられたので報告する．

We describe a 64-year-old woman with chronic sclerosing sialadenitis and dacryoadenitis, which developed during treatment for cervical lymph node tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis treatment did not improve the swelling in the lacrimal and submandibular glands, and a biopsy specimen of the lacrimal gland showed inflammation, with abundant lymphoid follicles with fibrosis and granuloma without caseous necrosis. Immunohistological examination of a repeat biopsy specimen showed abundant immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-positive plasma cell infiltration. Corticosteroid therapy improved the salivary gland swelling without reactivation of the tuberculosis. This case suggests that an abnormal immunological reaction to tuberculosis may be one of the etiological candidates for IgG4-related disease.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was carried out on both knee joints for spontaneous bony ankylosis due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Preoperative fixation angles were 40 degrees . First, the peroneal nerve was released prior to TKA. Quadriceps snip was performed to evert the patella laterally. Bilateral TKAs were carried out using a stabilized prosthesis. The results showed full extension to 70 degrees flexion at 3 years after the surgery. Absence of pain, maintenance of stability, and walking ability were achieved, without any significant complication. Total knee arthroplasty following takedown of a spontaneous ankylosed knee is an effective procedure under appropriate knee conditions.

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系, A 64-year-old woman was admitted with systemic edema and exertional dyspnea. High-output heart failure was diagnosed by right heart catheterization and she was treated with diuretics. After 3 weeks, her symptoms disappeared but a high cardiac output state persisted. A diagnosis of Crow-Fukase syndrome was made based on the presence of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes. Her serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was markedly elevated after recovery from heart failure. We suspect that an elevated VEGF level and a high cardiac output state may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart failure in Crow-Fukase syndrome.

血液透析患者において, 致死的不整脈をきたしうる心電図QTcの延長について検討した. 対象および方法: 対象は, 維持血液透析患者のうち, 3か月以上症状が安定している維持透析群32名 (男24名, 女8名) で, 血液透析前後で, 心電図QTc, 血液ガス分析, 血清電解質, 血中イオン化カルシウム (Ca++), 血中HANP, 体重, 血圧などを測定し, またこれらの患者と年齢, 男女比をマッチさせた正常対照群32名 (検診受診者) について心電図QTcを測定した. 結果: 透析前で維持透析群のQTcは, 0.439±0.025secと正常対照群の0.396±0.021secと比較し, 有意に延長していた (p

A 34-year-old man with Sweet's syndrome associated with subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis is reported. Histological examination of an erythematous, painful, cutaneous plaque revealed a dermal interstitial neutrophilic infiltrate. A biopsy specimen obtained from an inguinal lymph node showed granulomatous formation, consisting of histiocytes, with central necrosis in the paracortex and macrophages in the sinus. Although the causes of the two diseases remain obscure, this appears to be the first report of Sweet's syndrome associated with subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis.(Internal Medicine 31 : 686-689 1992)

A 76-year-old man with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis complicated by methyldopa-induced colitis is reported. Eight months after administration of methyldopa, mucous bloody stool was noted. A barium enema examination showed disappearance of haustra and a spastic rectosigmoid with pseudo-polyposis. Biopsy specimens obtained from the sigmoid mucosa revealed interstitial edema and small inflammatory cells. After cessation of methyldopa treatment, the sigmoid findings, blood pressure, and proteinuria were improved, suggesting that methyldopa not only induced the acute colitis but also worsened the nephrotic syndrome in this patient.

金沢大学附属病院 リウマチ・膠原病・腎臓内科, We present a case of a 47-year-old man with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who attempted suicide with 2,100 U of insulin injected subcutaneously. Administration of dextrose intravenously was required to maintain the blood glucose concentration normally for 5 days. Moreover, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and pypomagnesemia were also seen for 24 hours after insulin injection. The serum phosphorus and magnesium concentrations decreased to nadirs of 1.6 mg/dl and 1.6 mg/dl respectively 7 hours after insulin injection. Electrolyte disorders other than hypokalemia may be induced in hypoglycemic patients by massive insulin overdose.

An 80-year-old woman was admitted with dyspnea. She had been treated with oral prednisolone for bronchial asthma. She was intravenously treated with dexamethasone. On the 9th day, she presented oliguria and thrombocytopenia. She was diagnosed as dehydration and disseminated intravascular coagulation, and was treated with hydration and heparin infusion. On the 12th day, she presented macroscopic hematuria and melena. Cystoscopy revealed hemorrhagic cystitis. Bone marrow aspiration showed hemophagocytosis. Serum antigen of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was positive. CD4+ T cell count was very low (40/microL). She was diagnosed as disseminated CMV infection, and was treated with gancyclovir and immunoglobulin infusion. On the 14th day, she died of pneumonia. This is the first report of fatal CMV infection during corticosteroid therapy for bronchial asthma.

A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fresh cerebral infarction. She had been diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis, but had not been treated for 50 years. She could not take in sufficient food. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed no esophageal or gastric lesions, but the procedure was difficult because of her stiff neck from severe rheumatoid degenerative changes of the cervical spine. A nasogastric (NG) tube was placed, and enteral nutrition was initiated. On the 15th day from initiation of enteral nutrition, she presented hematemesis, and suddenly went into a state of shock and died. An autopsy revealed two esophageal ulcers, one of which penetrated into the descending thoracic aorta. The patient was diagnosed with hemorrhagic shock due to aortoesophageal fistula. We suspect that the NG tube compressed the esophageal wall, and ischemia caused the ulcers.

Background Osteoporosis is common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) even in the era of biologic therapy (BT). In the hand, osteoporosis includes periarticular lesions and cortical bone of the metacarpal diaphysis (MD). The latter is reported to serve as a surrogate marker of disease progression, morbidity, and hand function. Some patients with RA show laterality of loss of cortical bone of the MD, but few studies have focused on it. Objectives To identify factors associated with loss of cortical bone of the MD and its laterality in patients with RA. Methods We enrolled 143 RA patients (107 females; mean age 62.4 years; disease duration 11.1 years). We measured the average cortical rate (CR), provided by periosteal and endosteal diameters at the midpoint of both 2nd to 4th metacarpals in hand radiographs. The laterality of cortical bone of the MD was defined by the rate of right average CR to left one, which was >1.25 or stage II by Steinbrocker's classification. We analyzed factors associated with low CR and its laterality among some clinical parameters, including bone destruction, handedness, hand surgical history, age, sex, RA duration, medication and disease activity of RA, positivity of RF and/or ACPA, medication for osteoporosis, body mass index (BMI), drinking, smoking, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Then, we investigated the impact of BT on low CR and its laterality. Results Low CR (

Background It is reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased IgA concentrations that are related to disease activity 1) . However, since the introduction of biologic therapy, few studies have been published on the significance of serum IgA levels in RA patients. Objectives To evaluate the significance of serum IgA in RA in the era of biologic therapy. Methods We enrolled 84 RA patients (70 females, 14 males; mean age 60.5±13.2 years; disease duration 9.7±9.8 years). Patients treated with tocilizumab and abatacept were excluded from this study. We measured IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, CH50, RF, anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double-strand DNA antibodies, MMP-3, KL-6, and IL-6 in the sera, urinary proteins, urinary blood, and urinary casts and evaluated disease activity score (DAS) 28-CRP, DAS28-ESR, and presence of lung involvement. Then we analyzed the relationships between serum IgA and these clinical parameters. Results Thirty-five (41.7%) patients were treated with anti-TNF therapy. Mean serum IgA, IgA/C3 ratio and IL-6 were 282.4 ± 126.6 mg/dl, 2.9 ± 1.4, 6.7 ± 15.3 pg /mL, respectively. Nine (10.7%) patients showed serum IgA level equal to or greater than 450 mg/dl, 32 (38.1%) patients IgA/C3 ratio 3, 28 (33.3%) patients IL-6 1 pg /mL, with each of these values defined as elevated. There were no significant differences in any parameters including serum IgA level between patients treated with or without biologic therapy. Mean DAS28-CRP and DAS28-ESR were 2.3±0.9 and 3.0 ±1.1 respectively. We detected significant positive correlations between serum IgA with both CRP and ESR (p Conclusions Some RA patients still have increased serum IgA levels even in the era of biologic therapy, which does not affect the serum IgA levels. The increased serum IgA concentration is related to serological parameters of inflammation. The increased serum IgA concentration is also related to proteinuria and lung involvement, possibly indicating that increased serum IgA concentration is an extra-articular manifestation reflecting involvement of the mucosal immune system in RA patients. Measurement of serum IgA serves to evaluate extra-articular manifestations and is useful in RA patients even in the era of biologic therapy. References Jorgensen C, Bologna C, Gutierrez M, Anaya JM, Reme T, Sany J. Serum levels of secretory IgA and in vitro production of IgA in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1993; 11, 541-544. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Sulfasalazine (salazosulfapyridine) has been used increasingly and successfully for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Azulfidine®EN (salazosulfapyridine; Pharmacia KK Diagnostics, Tokyo, Japan), which dissolves in the intestine, is an improvement over sulfasalazine in terms of diminishing adverse gastrointestinal effects. We report herein on a case treated with salazosulfapyridine for rheumatoid arthritis who developed mild dyspnea on exertion, high fever and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, reversible on discontinuation of the drug. A histologic diagnosis of acute organizing interstitial pneumonia was made by transbronchial lung biopsy. Because the results of a lymphocyte stimulation test against Azulfidine®EN were negative, we allowed the patient to resume Azulfidine®EN for pain in his elbows under informed consent. However, the patient developed symptoms of fever, dry cough and stomatitis and mild renal dysfunction after two doses. Salazosulfapyridine was permanently discontinued and the patient's symptoms subsided. Laboratory findings returned to normal within 2 weeks. Azulfidine®EN should be added to the list of pharmacologic agents causing infiltrative pulmonary disease and renal dysfunction.