Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by swelling, tenderness, and destruction of synovial joints, leading to severe disability and premature mortality. The severity of inflammation is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in the affected persons. Patients with RA are more prone for accelerated atherosclerosis than the general population. Atherosclerosis is in turn a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major risk factor for the development of CVD. Evaluation of patients with RA for MetS appears to be clinically relevent because, not only are patients with RA more prone to develop atherosclerotic CVD, but when an associated MetS coexists this risk is further amplified. Investigations into the relationship between RA and the MetS have yielded conflicting results. While some studies reported a higher prevalence of MetS in patients with RA, others did not document such association. It has also been demonstrated that drugs which decrease rheumatoid inflammation are also useful in decreasing the MetS component of the disease.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disorder. Intercurrent infections and nephritis are important causes of mortality in SLE. Among infections, tuberculosis (TB) is of particular importance as SLE patients are more susceptible to develop active TB, prior TB can precipitate SLE in genetically susceptible individuals and similar clinical presentations of SLE flare and TB may lead to delayed diagnosis. We report a patient with SLE, who developed disseminated TB. The present case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion and focussed evaluation in the diagnosis of intercurrent infections, particularly TB in patients with SLE

We report the case of a 29-year-old woman previously treated for breast cancer who presented 3 years later with pain weakness and burning sensation in the left upper limb of one month duration. Electroneuromyography showed reduced sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude and reduced conduction velocity in left median nerve sensory conduction, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brachial plexus revealed nodular thickening of trunks and cords of left brachial plexus, suggesting metastasis. Ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration cytology confirmed the presence of metastatic ductal cell carcinomatous deposits. Brachial plexopathy due to metastases from breast cancer is a rare entity, and should be kept in mind while evaluating patients with breast cancer.