Delayed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in an elderly patient presenting with weakness and desolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e237251
Author(s):  
Sebastian Stiebitz ◽  
Tasslem von Streng ◽  
Moritz Strickler
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
General Weakness ◽  
Oral Glucocorticoids

We describe the case of an 81-year-old man who presented with unspecific symptoms of desolation and general weakness, which led to a delayed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patient had not received any previous treatment as he had not been in contact with medical services for several years prior to hospital admission. This enabled advanced disease manifestations to develop, including peripheral neuropathy with distal paraparesis, lethargy and weight loss. These signs and symptoms were later recognised as extra-articular manifestations of RA and classical features of RA were less pronounced. Following extensive diagnostic testing ruling out other possible causes for the presenting symptoms, an anti-inflammatory therapy with oral glucocorticoids and methotrexate was started.

scholarly journals Small bowel adenocarcinoma: revisited

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1010
Author(s):  
Muhammad F. Rosley ◽  
Mahanama Dissanayake
Keyword(s):  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Tumor Staging ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Small Bowel Resection ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Presenting Symptoms

Small bowel malignancies are rare despite it representing 75% of the gastro intestinal (GI) length and 90% of the mucosal surface area. Even then small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) accounts for only 30-40% of all small intestine malignancies. Etiology is multifactorial and risk factors include hereditary mutations, inflammatory bowel diseases, coeliac disease. Presenting symptoms are vague and nonspecific and cannot usually be diagnosed by conventional upper and lower GI endoscopy as it is in an inaccessible location. This leads to delayed diagnosis and hence poor prognosis. Mainstay of treatment is surgical resection with adjuvant chemotherapy in advanced disease. We present a case study of a 74 years old woman who presented to the emergency department with small bowel obstruction and radiological features suggestive of underlying small bowel malignancy. She underwent urgent laparotomy with segmental small bowel resection and had intraoperative evidence of wide spread metastasis which was confirmed on subsequent tumor staging scans. She received adjuvant chemotherapy with complete metabolic response at one year post resection. SBA is generally diagnosed at advanced stage due to its anatomical location. Complete surgical resections should always be targeted. However, adjuvant chemotherapy plays a role in advanced disease even though clinical data of evidence is scarce.

Odontoid cervical gout causing atlantoaxial instability: case report

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-544
Author(s):  
Justin Slavin ◽  
Marcello DiStasio ◽  
Paul F. Dellaripa ◽  
Michael Groff
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Odontoid Process ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Atlantoaxial Instability ◽  
Posterior Stabilization ◽  
Rotatory Subluxation

The authors present a case report of a patient discovered to have a rotatory subluxation of the C1–2 joint and a large retroodontoid pannus with an enhancing lesion in the odontoid process eventually proving to be caused by gout. This patient represented a diagnostic conundrum as she had known prior diagnoses of not only gout but also sarcoidosis and possible rheumatoid arthritis, and was in the demographic range where concern for an oncological process cannot fully be ruled out. Because she presented with signs and symptoms of atlantoaxial instability, she required posterior stabilization to reduce the rotatory subluxation and to stabilize the C1–2 instability. However, despite the presence of a large retroodontoid pannus, she had no evidence of spinal cord compression on physical examination or imaging and did not require an anterior procedure to decompress the pannus. To confirm the diagnosis but avoid additional procedures and morbidity, the authors proceeded with the fusion as well as a posterior biopsy to the retroodontoid pannus and confirmed a diagnosis of gout.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SERUM ANTIBODIES TO PERIODONTAL PATHOGENS AND PRECLINICAL PHASES OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Manoil ◽  
Delphine S Courvoisier ◽  
Benoit Gilbert ◽  
Burkhard Möller ◽  
Ulrich A Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Periodontal Pathogens ◽  
Serum Antibodies ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Clinical Arthritis ◽  
Citrullinated Protein

Abstract Objectives To examine whether serum antibodies against selected periodontal pathogens are associated with early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development in healthy individuals at risk of developing the disease. Methods Within an ongoing study cohort of first-degree relatives of patients with RA (RA-FDRs), we selected four groups corresponding to specific preclinical phases of RA development (n = 201). (1) RA-FDR controls without signs and symptoms of arthritis nor RA-related autoimmunity (n = 51); (2) RA-FDRs with RA-related autoimmunity (n = 51); (3) RA-FDRs with inflammatory arthralgias without clinical arthritis (n = 51); (4) RA-FDRs who have presented at least one swollen joint (“unclassified arthritis”) (n = 48). Groups were matched for smoking, age, sex and shared epitope status. The primary outcome was IgG serum levels against five selected periodontal pathogens and one commensal oral species assessed using validated-in-house ELISA assays. Associations between IgG measurements and preclinical phases of RA development were examined using Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Results None of the IgGs directed against individual periodontal pathogens significantly differed between the four groups of RA-FDRs. Further analyses of cumulated IgG levels into bacterial clusters representative of periodontal infections, revealed significantly higher IgG titers against periodontopathogens in anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA)-positive RA-FDRs (p = 0.015). Current smoking displayed a marked trend towards reduced IgG titers against periodontopathogens. Conclusion Our results do not suggest an association between serum IgG titers against individual periodontal pathogens and specific preclinical phases of RA development. However, associations between cumulative IgG titers against periodontopathogens and the presence of ACPAs suggest a synergistic contribution of periodontopathogens to ACPA development.

scholarly journals Posterior Fossa Arachnoid Cyst Masking a Delayed Diagnosis of Hyperparathyroidism in a Child

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
B. Dhamija ◽  
D. Kombogiorgas ◽  
I. Hussain ◽  
G. A. Solanki
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Primary Hyperparathyroidism ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Visual Disturbance ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
History Of

Background. Primary hyperparathyroidism in childhood is a very rare entity, often being diagnosed late after the onset of its presenting symptoms. It most commonly affects patients in their fourth decade of life and beyond. The inclusion of primary hyperparathyroidism in the differential diagnosis is necessary when evaluating patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms such as polyuria, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.Methods. We report the case of an eleven-year-old girl presenting with three years history of headaches, visual disturbance, along with episodes of emotional lability. Neuroimaging confirmed a large posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. It was decided to manage this lesion conservatively with surveillance. Only after further hospital admissions with recurrent loss of consciousness, dizziness, and nausea to add to her already existing symptoms, a full biochemical and endocrine assessment was performed to look for more specific causes for her presentation. These pointed to a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.Conclusions. The inclusion of primary hyperparathyroidism in the differential diagnosis should be considered when evaluating paediatric patients presenting with nonspecific (neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal) symptoms in order to establish a prompt diagnosis of the disorder and to avoid severe complications of prolonged hypercalcaemia and end-organ damage.

scholarly journals 526. Clinical Presenting Characteristics of Pediatric COVID-19 Infection in a Tertiary Care Children’s Hospital in Detroit

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S330-S330
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Y Ang ◽  
Nirupama Kannikeswaran ◽  
Basim Asmar
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Patient Disposition

Abstract Background There is limited data regarding the presenting clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in children. Our objective is to describe the clinical presentations and outcomes of COVID-19 infection early in the pandemic at our institution. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of children up to 18 years who underwent testing for SARS CoV-2 from March 1st to May 10th 2020 at our pediatric emergency department. We abstracted patient’s demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies and patient disposition. We classified the severity of clinical illness based on published criteria. We excluded patients diagnosed with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Results SARS CoV-2 testing was performed on 481 patients of whom 43 (8.9%) tested positive. Of these, 4 were diagnosed with MIS-C. Data of 39 patients were analyzed. Patients’ demographics, co-morbidities, presenting signs and symptoms and disposition are shown in Table 1. Age range was 47 days – 18 years. Infants representing one third (14/39; 35.9%) of our study cohort. There was equal sex distribution. Asthma or obesity was present in 17 (44%). The most common presenting symptoms included fever, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea. Chest radiograph showed pneumonia in 12 (30.8%) patients. Two thirds (27/39; 69.2%) were asymptomatic or had mild disease; six patients (15.4%) had severe or critical illness (Figure 1). Nineteen (48%) patients were admitted to the general pediatric service. Eleven (28%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Units (ICU). The characteristics, presenting symptoms and interventions performed in the PICU cohort are shown in Table 2. Half of these patients required mechanical ventilation. There was one death in a 3 month old infant unrelated to SARS CoV-2. Majority of the infants required hospitalization (12/14; 85.7%), including 4 to the PICU (one each for non accidental trauma, ingestion, seizure and pneumonia). Table 1. Patient demographics, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection in Children Table 2: PICU patients: Characteristics, Interventions and pharmacotherapy Figure 1: Severity of Ill ness in the study cohort Conclusion Majority (17; 43%) of our children with COVID-19 had a mild disease. Eleven (28%) including 4 infants required critical care; 5 required mechanical ventilation. There was no COVID-19 related mortality. Larger studies are needed to further define the spectrum of COVID- 19 and risk factors associated with severe disease in children. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

IRIDOCYCLITIS IN JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Schaller ◽  
Carl Kupfer ◽  
Ralph J. Wedgwood
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Slit Lamp ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Eye Involvement ◽  
Eye Examination ◽  
Systemic Manifestations ◽  
Polyarticular Disease

Eight of 70 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have developed iridocyclitis. This complication occurred more frequently in patients with monoarticular and pauciarticular disease (29%) than in patients with polyarticular disease (2%). Seven of eight patients with iridocyclitis have monoarticular or pauciarticular disease; none has had prominent systemic manifestations or evidence of ankylosing spondylitis. Iridocyclitis preceded joint manifestations in two of the patients and followed arthritis by 1 to 10 years in six of the patients. Activity of iridocyclitis and arthritis seemed unrelated; four patients developed iridocyclitis while arthritis was inactive. In seven children iridocyclitis began insidiously without acute symptoms. Eye involvement has remained unilateral in six patients. Six children have had significant decrease in visual acuity, and six continue to have active ocular inflammation despite therapy. Iridocyclitis is potentially a major cause of disability in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Early signs and symptoms may be minimal. Patients at risk are those with limited forms of joint disease. Early detection and therapy are crucial for prevention of permanent ocular damage. Careful eye examination should be a routine part of physical examination of children with rheumatoid arthritis, and periodic slit lamp examinations should be performed even when arthritis is in remission.

Risk factors for the delayed diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-198
Author(s):  
M. K. Lee ◽  
C. Moon ◽  
M. J. Lee ◽  
Y. G. Kwak ◽  
E. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Microbiological Characteristics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Basic Characteristics

BACKGROUND: Extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) is more difficult to diagnose than pulmonary TB. The delayed management of EPTB can lead to complications and increase the socio-economic burden.METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with EPTB were retrospectively enrolled from 11 general hospitals in South Korea from January 2017 to December 2018. The basic characteristics of patients were described. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed between early and delayed diagnosis groups to identify risk factors for delayed diagnosis and treatment in EPTB.RESULTS: In total, 594 patients were enrolled. Lymph node TB (28.3%) was the predominant form, followed by abdominal (18.4%) and disseminated TB (14.5%). Concurrent lung involvement was 17.8%. The positivity of diagnostic tests showed no significant difference between the two groups. Acute clinical manifestations in disseminated, pericardial and meningeal TB, and immunosuppression were associated with early diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis was associated with outpatient clinic visits, delayed sample acquisition and diagnostic departments other than infection or pulmonology.CONCLUSION: The delay in diagnosis and treatment of EPTB was not related to differences in microbiological characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis itself; rather, it was due to the indolent clinical manifestations that cause referral to non-TB-specialised departments in the outpatient clinic and delay the suspicion of TB and diagnostic testing.

Four common diseases causing sudden blindness or death in the eye emergency department

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-138163
Author(s):  
Ana Leonor Rei da Cruz Escaleira ◽  
Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos ◽  
Chris Kalogeropoulos ◽  
Soon Wai Ch’Ng ◽  
Velota C T Sung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Ocular Motility ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Ischaemic Attack ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion ◽  
Sudden Blindness ◽  
Patient At Risk ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis

Neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders typically present with symptoms of visual loss, diplopia, ocular motility impairment or anisocoria. The ocular manifestations of these disorders are sometimes indicative of a more serious global neurology disease rather than an isolated ocular disease. The aim of this review is to highlight four important neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders that must not be missed by an ophthalmologist. These include acute painful Horner’s syndrome, painful cranial nerve III palsy, giant cell arteritis and transient ischaemic attack with amaurosis fugax. The delayed diagnosis of these clinical entities puts the patient at risk of blindness or death. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of these conditions are essential. This can be acquired from understanding the main signs and symptoms of the disease presentation together with a high index of suspicion while working at a busy eye emergency department.

scholarly journals New insights and long-term safety of tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 195-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Jones ◽  
Elena Panova
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Interleukin 6 Receptor ◽  
Term Data

Rheumatoid arthritis is a leading musculoskeletal cause of disability in Western society. Therapeutic options have expanded rapidly with the advent of biological agents as treatment options. One of these, tocilizumab, targets the interleukin-6 receptor and has been approved since the late 2000s in many jurisdictions. This approval was based on 6–12 month trials. It is now appropriate to look at longer-term studies and what new insights they have provided into this agent. Data are based largely on observational studies with their well-known limitations as well as some further randomized trials and provide a number of important observations regarding both efficacy and safety. In conclusion, the longer-term data suggest tocilizumab efficacy increases over time for both signs and symptoms and radiographic change. It is also corticosteroid sparing. The safety data are consistent with the shorter-term trials and are largely reassuring but some questions still remain over cardiovascular safety and cancer risk.

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