Systemic aspects of soft tissue rheumatic disorders (STRDs).

OBJECTIVE To determine the markers of systemic inflammation in soft tissue rheumatic disorders (STRDs). STUDY DESIGN Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Rheumatology Clinic, Yazd, Iran, from November 2010 to December 2011. METHODOLOGY Patients aged 20 years or above with known diagnosis of STRD according to clinical criteria and/ or paraclinical investigations for at least 3 weeks duration were longitudinally followed. Patients with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, or any other known systemic conditions (other than diabetes mellitus) were excluded. After careful and detailed history taking, laboratory tests indicating systemic inflammation including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and routine screening rheumatologic tests were assessed. RESULTS Of the 90 patients, 75% were female and 25% were male and 28 (31.1%) of patients had diabetes mellitus. Fifty six (62%) and 49 (54%) of all studies cases had some degrees of morning stiffness and remarkable fatigue respectively. Twenty two (24%) had elevated CRP and 5 (5.5%) had abnormal ESR. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP was positive in 5 (5.5%) and 12 (13.3%) of patients accordingly. Three (3.3%) patients suffered from anemia of chronic disease. Mean ESR was 48 ± 7.34 (hl) and mean CRP was 10.06 ± 1.96 mg/dl. Mean RF was 10.8 ± 1.64 U/ml and mean anti- CCP was 18.5 ± 2.71 U/ml. Mean hemoglobin was between 10.4 ± 1.01 g/dl. CONCLUSION Features of subtle systemic inflammation are positive in some cases of soft tissue rheumatism.