A Very Rare Adult Case with Neuroblastoma

We report a 53-year-old male patient who underwent paravertebral mass excision at the D10–11–12 vertebral levels in 2007. The histopathological evaluation of the mass showed the presence of neuroblastoma. The patient was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. He received 6 courses of chemotherapy and exhibited a stable course until March 2010. When he was reevaluated in March 2010, progression in the metastatic lesion as well as local recurrence was detected. The patient, who was restarted on chemotherapy, developed progressive weakness and loss of sensation of the lower extremity. The neurosurgical investigation revealed an irreversible loss in motor functions. The patient is currently on symptomatic treatment

Biomarkers in vasculitis

Purpose of revie

DISEASE COURSE AND HEALTHCARE COSTS OF A COHORT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS FROM TURKEY

The objective of the study is to assess the disease course and associated healthcare costs in a cohort of established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Turkey. The study cohort consisted of 75 RA patients from our outpatient clinic who took part in a previous multicenter study assessing RA-related healthcare costs 6 years ago. In March 2018, we attempted to re-evaluate these patients with the same questionnaire of the previous study enabling us to get information on medication use, comorbidities, and RA-related healthcare costs. We used RAPID-3 for assessing disease activity, HAQ-DI for functional status and EQ-5D for quality of life. Sixty-two (83%) patients were re-evaluated, seven (9.3%) had died and three (4%) were receiving palliative care following major cardiovascular events. Forty-seven (76%) patients had used at least one biologic agent during 79.1 +/- 3.3 months after the previous study. At the last evaluation, 34 patients (55%) were on biologics, 22 (35%) were on csDMARDs and 6 (9.6%) were off RA treatment. The mean RAPID3 score (4.3 +/- 1.6 SD) was similar to that of the previous study. HAQ-DI (0.69 +/- 0.57 SD) and EQ-5D (0.68 +/- 0.21 SD) scores showed significant improvement over time. Median direct costs (euro2998) were higher than indirect costs (euro304). Medication costs were high (euro2958). Disease activity remained stable, while functional status and QoL had improved over time. Serious infections and cardiovascular disability are a concern. Medication costs are still the main determinant of RA-related healthcare costs

Disease course and healthcare costs of a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients from Turkey

The objective of the study is to assess the disease course and associated healthcare costs in a cohort of established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Turkey. The study cohort consisted of 75 RA patients from our outpatient clinic who took part in a previous multicenter study assessing RA-related healthcare costs 6 years ago. In March 2018, we attempted to re-evaluate these patients with the same questionnaire of the previous study enabling us to get information on medication use, comorbidities, and RA-related healthcare costs. We used RAPID-3 for assessing disease activity, HAQ-DI for functional status and EQ-5D for quality of life. Sixty-two (83%) patients were re-evaluated, seven (9.3%) had died and three (4%) were receiving palliative care following major cardiovascular events. Forty-seven (76%) patients had used at least one biologic agent during 79.1 +/- 3.3 months after the previous study. At the last evaluation, 34 patients (55%) were on biologics, 22 (35%) were on csDMARDs and 6 (9.6%) were off RA treatment. The mean RAPID3 score (4.3 +/- 1.6 SD) was similar to that of the previous study. HAQ-DI (0.69 +/- 0.57 SD) and EQ-5D (0.68 +/- 0.21 SD) scores showed significant improvement over time. Median direct costs (euro2998) were higher than indirect costs (euro304). Medication costs were high (euro2958). Disease activity remained stable, while functional status and QoL had improved over time. Serious infections and cardiovascular disability are a concern. Medication costs are still the main determinant of RA-related healthcare costs