Objective. In this study, we compare the prevalence of HT in RA and OA patients, exposed to high-and low-grade chronic inflammation, respectively , to assess the possible association between chronic inflammation and HT. Methods.A total of consecutive 627 RA and 352 OA patients were enrolled in this multicentric study. HT was defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or current use of any antihypertensive drug. Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥25, and patients ≥65 years old were considered elderly.Results. The prevalence of HT was higher in the OA group than in the RA group [73.3% (95%CI 68.4, 77.7) and 59.5% (95%CI 55.6, 68.4) P<0.001 respectively]. When the results were adjusted for age and BMI the HT prevalence was similar in both groups [RA 59%(95%CI 55.1, 63.8) OA 60%(95%CI 58.4, 65.0)]. In both groups, the prevalence of HT was higher in the elderly and those who were overweight than in the younger patients and those with a BMI <25 .Overweight (BMI ≥25) and age ≥65 were independent predictors of HT in multivariate logistic regression model, which show no association of HT and the disease (RA or OA). Conclusion.The results indicated a robust association of age and BMI with HT prevalence in both RA and OA. The difference in HT prevalence between RA and OA is rather due to age and BMI then to features of the disease, putting into question specific association of HT with RA.

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This survey presents epidemiological, serological and clinical features of 270 patients (85% males, 18% children) treated for leptospirosis from 1969 to 2003 at the Clinic for Infective Diseases, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, eastern Croatia. 75% of the admissions were between July and October. The route of transmission was mostly by indirect contact with domestic animals, less frequently by direct contact with urine or tissue of infected animals. Clinical presentation included signs and symptoms with expected and common frequency, with the exception of jaundice (62%) and aseptic meningitis (60%), which occurred with higher incidence than previously reported. Acute renal failure ensued in 53% of patients, 7% of whom required haemodialysis. No deaths were observed. Therapy consisted of antimicrobials (penicillin and doxycycline) and symptomatic measures. Diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). There were in total 18 serological types of Leptospira detected, and types L. sejroe, L.pomona, L. australis and L. icterohaemorrhagiae prevailed. During the last 10 y some new types were observed. Leptospirosis was not rare in the region of eastern Croatia, and its course could be life-threatening if not recognized and adequately treated.

Background Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease characterized with recurrent swelling of subcutaneous or mucosal tissue that resolves in approximately 3 days. It can be presented with peripheral edema, abdominal and life-threatening laryngeal angioedema. A variety of triggers are known to cause episodes of angioedema including estrogen exposure. There are different reports regarding the effect of pregnancy on HAE attacks, and in some patients, the pregnancy is a recognized triggering factor. Case presentation We present a female Caucasian patient with pre-existing HAE and disease exacerbations during pregnancy, requiring prophylactic use of plasma-derived C1 inhibitor concentrate. She was treated with Cinryze® replacement therapy throughout the pregnancy 1000 IU i.v. 48 times. She gave birth to a healthy male infant, via C-section. After the delivery, the patient was symptom-free for 6 months and required no treatment for HAE. Conclusions In the case presented, the angioedema attacks worsened as the pregnancy progressed. The treatment with Cinryze® replacement therapy was effective and safe during pregnancy, with no adverse effects on the infant.

The aim of this study was to develop a Croatian Delphi-based expert consensus for screening interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD). A systematic literature review was conducted on risk factors for the development of ILD, prevalence and incidence of ILD, diagnostic and screening methods for ILD, and prognosis of ILD in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) were performed. Based on the evidence found, experts developed questionnaires for screening and monitoring ILD in each CTD, which were provided via an online survey. Following the electronic survey, two screening algorithms were developed based on the consensus opinions. The detection strategy for ILD included high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in addition to pulmonary function testing for IIM, MCTD, and SSc. and pulmonary function testing for newly diagnosed pSS, RA and SLE. However, in patients with identified risk factors for ILD HRCT, these tests should also be performed. A screening strategy for early identification of patients with various CTD-ILD was first developed by a multidisciplinary team of rheumatologists, pulmonologists, and radiologists to identify early CTD patients at risk of ILD, a severe extra-articular manifestation of CTD.