90 blood transfusions fail to avert autoimmune anaemia in rare case
Splenectomy proved crucial to stabilising a 60-year-old man with a severe form of autoimmune anaemia after all other treatments — including 90 blood transfusions —…
Tag: Autoimmune
A GP guide to managing vitiligo
Vitiligo is a common, acquired depigmentation disorder, affecting 0.5-2% of the global population.1 It has a similar prevalence to psoriasis, which affects just over 2%…
How Celine Dion and a runaway golf buggy led this GP to a rare diagnosis
Stiff person syndrome is unusually well-known, despite its rareness, thanks to singer Celine Dion. But it was still a surprise for GP Dr Dennis Berman…
A multisystem mystery as a patient deteriorates
Elaine, a 62-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and diabetes presents with progressive cough and shortness of breath over the preceding weeks.…
Thymectomy linked to increased risk of death and cancer, study shows
Thymectomy in adults is associated with an increased risk of death from any cause and cancer, according to a study published in The New England…
Moderate to severe psoriasis tied to lower fertility rates
Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis have lower fertility rates than women without psoriasis, according to a study in JAMA Dermatology. Dr Teng-Chou Chen (PhD),…
Biologic safer than systemic corticosteroids for pemphigoid: study
The monoclonal antibody rituximab is just as effective as systemic corticosteroids in treating patients with pemphigoid, but is associated with fewer adverse events, according to…
Spot Dx — What’s causing these odd-looking eyes?
Charlie is a 41-year-old IT professional who presents with several weeks of progressively worsening bilateral blurred vision. Test your clinical know-how by taking the quiz…
Radical new treatment offers hope for patients with lupus
When real patients have unprecedented positive outcomes to a new treatment, it’s tempting to talk about it as a breakthrough for medical science. This describes…
Polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss point to something serious
Jackson, a 24-year-old male, presents to his GP with a four week history of worsening polydipsia and polyuria. He reports he has also lost 20kg…
