title: Systemic aspects of soft tissue rheumatic disorders (STRDs).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the markers of systemic inflammation in soft tissue rheumatic disorders (STRDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rheumatology Clinic, Yazd, Iran, from November 2010 to December 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients aged 20 years or above with known diagnosis of STRD according to clinical criteria and/ or paraclinical investigations for at least 3 weeks duration were longitudinally followed. Patients with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, or any other known systemic conditions (other than diabetes mellitus) were excluded. After careful and detailed history taking, laboratory tests indicating systemic inflammation including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and routine screening rheumatologic tests were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 90 patients, 75% were female and 25% were male and 28 (31.1%) of patients had diabetes mellitus. Fifty six (62%) and 49 (54%) of all studies cases had some degrees of morning stiffness and remarkable fatigue respectively. Twenty two (24%) had elevated CRP and 5 (5.5%) had abnormal ESR. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP was positive in 5 (5.5%) and 12 (13.3%) of patients accordingly. Three (3.3%) patients suffered from anemia of chronic disease. Mean ESR was 48 ± 7.34 (hl) and mean CRP was 10.06 ± 1.96 mg/dl. Mean RF was 10.8 ± 1.64 U/ml and mean anti- CCP was 18.5 ± 2.71 U/ml. Mean hemoglobin was between 10.4 ± 1.01 g/dl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Features of subtle systemic inflammation are positive in some cases of soft tissue rheumatism.
authors: Department of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Bagher
authors: MB
authors: Owlia
authors: Department of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
authors: Golbarg
authors: G
authors: Mehrpoor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor