OBJECTIVES The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS-28) guides the use of biologics in RA. The aims of this study were to investigate agreement between the ESR- and CRP-based DAS-28 definitions, and to examine how this agreement may be improved. METHODS Data were obtained from registers of early (n = 520) and established RA (n = 364) patients. Agreement over disease activity levels (remission...

background sepsis is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care units (icus). it is difficult to accurately differentiate sepsis from similar diseases rapidly. therefore, it becomes critical to identify any biomarker with the ability of differentiation between sepsis and nonsepsis conditions. the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor has been implicated...

BACKGROUND Criteria for diagnosis of infected internal fixation implants at the time of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) are not clear. The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for infection in patients undergoing conversion to THA. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients at a single institution who underwent conversion to THA from 2009 to 2014. Patients were diagn...

OBJECTIVE The overall aim of this study was to establish whether plasma fibrinogen was a superior biomarker of disease activity in active PMR than the standard biomarkers, ESR and CRP. METHODS Sixty patients with PMR were divided into active (n = 25) or inactive (n = 35) disease groups based on symptoms, physician assessment and biomarkers ESR and CRP. Plasma fibrinogen was assayed. Groups un...

BACKGROUND Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are important tests in the initial diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. Many surgeons also use these tests to determine if infection has resolved between stages of a 2-stage procedure, but little data exist regarding this practice. METHODS A retrospective review of our institutional total joint database...

OBJECTIVES Correlations of the levels of the nonspecific inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and of the coagulation marker fibrinogen with the treatment period of wheel balanced cancer therapy were determined. METHODS Electronic charts of stage IV cancer patients hospitalized from February 1, 2008, to November 30, 2013, were reviewed retrospe...

OBJECTIVE To investigate diagnostic value of ultrasonography scores (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in evaluating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. METHODS 39 patients with RA were included and the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, wrist, elbow and knee joints of them were examined by high frequency ultrasound. The severe joints and the related indexes (synovi...

BACKGROUND Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common respiratory disorder in children, which necessitates hospitalization. Bacterial pneumonia, especially lobar pneumonia and parapneumonic effusions, is associated with considerably severe clinical course and extensive alveolar infiltrates. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) level has been used to distinguish bacterial from viral infections, but its...

PURPOSE To report three cases of posterior vasculitis associated with subacute giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS Three patients with decreased vision underwent complete ophthalmologic examination and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS All patients presented posterior vasculitis. Patient 1 had an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 38 mm/hr and a C-reactive protein (CRP) of 28mg/L. Patie...