IntroductionThe treatment with antitumor necrosis factor agents has often been associated with the induction of autoantibodies (antinuclear antibodies, anti-double stranded DNA antibodies and antiphospholipid antibodies). The clinical significance of these antibodies remains unclear, but they may predispose to antiphospholipid syndrome with thromboembolic complications. The association of etanercept with thromboembolic events has not been reported previously in the literature.Case presentationWe describe the cases of three patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and seronegative inflammatory arthritis who were treated with etanercept. They developed deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism one to three years after the initiation of etanercept therapy. All three patients had a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time with a positive lupus anticoagulant that persisted even after 12 weeks.ConclusionAlthough the clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies during treatment with antitumor necrosis factor agents remains unclear, they may predispose patients to develop antiphospholipid syndrome when associated with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, lupus anticoagulant positivity, or the presence of anti-β2 glycoprotein I. Clinicians must keep this in mind during therapy with antitumor necrosis factor agents in order to prevent, detect and treat potential consequences such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Introduction. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is a key cause of disability around the world and an ever-growing public health concern. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation is used as a conservative option for osteoarthritis knee pain relief (McArthur et al., 2012; Hootman and Helmick, 2006; Huang el al., 2011). In general, the literature has shown an excellent safety profile for this treatment modality (McArthur et al., 2012; Clegg et al., 2013; Hammesfahr et al., 2003; Neustadt et al., 2005; Cohen et al., 2008; Neustadt, 2003; Jüni et al., 2007; Peterson and Hodler, 2011). Case Presentation. In this report, we describe a case of a woman who had received multiple sodium hyaluronate injections and developed severe necrotizing fasciitis near the injection site. Conclusion. We recommend that clear guidelines for clean technique be put in place for use with sodium hyaluronate injections and consideration of full sterile technique in immunosuppressed patients.

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) inhibitors are commonly used for treatment of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Etanercept is one of the medications approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Though many studies have documented the safety and efficacy of these medications, evidence for adverse effects is emerging including cancer, infections, and cardiovascular disease. There have been studies showing that these medications induce autoantibody production, including antinuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies. Limited data exists, however, regarding induction of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLs) by TNF α inhibitors, including anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLs), lupus anticoagulant (LAC), and anti-β 2-glycoprotein I (anti-β 2 GPI), or an association between antibody development and clinical manifestations. In this case series, we describe five patients who developed venous thromboembolism (VTE) and APLs while receiving etanercept therapy. All five of our patients met the criteria for diagnosis of APS after receiving etanercept. Our case series supports the association between etanercept, APLs, and VTE. We believe that testing for APLs prior to initiation of anti-TNF therapy is reasonable, given this relationship and the risks associated with VTE.

This is the first known study to examine the relationship between high-heel use and bone mineral density (BMD). Because women are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis, it is important to identify possible modifiable behaviors of women that may adversely affect bone health. Many studies have shown changes in body mechanics when wearing high-heeled shoes in comparison to normal gait. Because the composition of bone changes according to mechanical load and muscle activity, this study investigates whether wearing high heels may alter BMD. Two hundred and twenty-one participants at a community health fair in Lansing, Michigan, were surveyed on high-heel use and bone health risk (gender, thin/small frame, fair skin, family history of fracture, smoking history, walking, dairy consumption, and early menopause or oopherectomy at <45 years old). Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the heel by Hologic's Sahara Sonometer was used to measure BMD. The mean age was 45.2 (SD 13.7) years, and the majority of participants were female (208, 94 %). A significant difference between mean BMD and high-heel use was not found. Independent correlations existed between fair skinned/sunburn easily and BMD, r(212) = -0.14, p = 0.038, as well as history of smoking and BMD, r(212) = -0.14, p = 0.042. Bone health risk score was strongly correlated with heel use binary variable "yes/no," r(210) = 0.21, p = 0.003. Our study suggests that wearing high-heeled shoes does not lead to appreciable differences in BMD among community health fair participants as assessed by QUS.

Background. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (MTX), are associated with gastrointestinal toxicity. MTX inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, but it is unclear if polymorphisms of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene predict toxicity. Case. We describe a 33-year-old male with polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis who developed sigmoid diverticular perforation while receiving methotrexate, folic acid, prednisone, and naproxen. He tested heterozygous for the C677T allele MTHFR gene. Discussion. Rheumatoid arthritis and its treatments are associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal disease. In one study, perforation was highest among individuals with concomitant exposure to NSAIDs, nonbiologic DMARDs, and glucocorticoids. Multiple mutations of the MTHFR gene have been identified, but their association with MTX toxicity is unclear. This case adds to a growing body of literature that could help inform the treatment of others in the future.