ETIOLOGY OF ERYTHEMA NODOSUM IN RHEUMATOLOGY OUTPATIENT CLINIC
Autori:
Dominik Kralj, Mislav Cerovec, Branimir Anić
Sažetak
Nodozni eritem (erythema nodosum, EN) kožna je promjena uzrokovana reaktivnim imunosnim procesom koja se prezentira akutnom pojavom crvenih čvorastih eflorescencija. EN spontano regredira u periodu od 3 do 6 tjedana, ali nerijetko recidivira. Ovaj je rad uključio 98 bolesnika s područja Republike Hrvatske koji su ambulantno liječeni kod istog specijalista internista-reumatologa. Analizirana je prezentacija i definirane razlike između sekundarnog i idiopatskog oblika EN u spomenutoj populaciji. Rezultati pokazuju da je udio EN-a povezanog sa sekundarnom etiologijom bio 47/98. Većinu EN-a sekundarne etiologije činile su infektivne bolesti (23/98), sarkoidoza (18/98) i upalna bolest crijeva (4/98). Usporedbom brojnih kliničkih i laboratorijskih parametara utvrđen je manji broj statistički značajnih razlika (grlobolja, nedavne respiratorne infekcije, promjena titra ASO-a, uzimanje antibiotika). Na temelju rezultata zaključak je da je u pristupu bolesniku s EN-om potrebno uzeti dobru anamnezu s naglaskom na nedavne upale gornjeg dijela respiratornog sustava i pojavu dijareje. Treba učiniti fizikalni pregled, odrediti osnovne hematološke i biokemijske nalaze, odrediti upalne biljege (SE, CRP), napraviti rendgenogram srca i pluća i PPD-test te na taj način odrediti komu je potrebna daljnja obrada. Također, potrebno je napraviti i obrisak ždrijela i/ili odrediti titar ASO-a u dva navrata u razmaku od 2 do 4 tjedna i nastaviti pratiti bolesnika. S obzirom na regionalne razlike u etiologiji EN-a koje su dokazane u literaturi, potrebno je za svaku populaciju utvrditi prevalenciju pojedinih uzroka EN-a i tomu prilagoditi standardiziranu obradu.
Summary
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a skin lesion presenting with the acute appearance of red nodular eflorescences caused by a reactive immunological process. In most cases EN regresses spontaneously within 3 to 6 weeks and often recurs. This paper is based on a sample of 98 patients from Croatia which were treated in a rheumatologic outpatient clinic by the same internal medicine and rheumatology specialist. Presentation and differences between secondary and idiopathic forms of EN in the Croatian population were analyzed. The results show the final proportion of EN associated with secondary etiology as 47/98. Secondary etiology of EN included mostly infectious diseases (23/98), sarcoidosis (18/98) and IBD (4/98). Comparison of various clinical and laboratory parameters of both idiopathic and secondary EN resulted in a small number of statistically significant differences found (sore throat, recent respiratory infections, ASO titer changes, antibiotics use). The conclusion is that the approach to patients with EN starts by a careful taking of patient history, with an emphasis on recent upper respiratory tract infections and occurrence of diarrhea. A thorough physical examination, basic hematological and biochemical tests, basic inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), chest X-ray and PPD test are required to determine which patients need further evaluation. A throat swab and/or determination of the titer of ASO on two occasions at intervals of 2–4 weeks should be done. It is important to perform regular patient follow-up. Considering literature substantiated regional differences in the etiology of EN it is recommended that for each population the prevalence of individual causes of EN is determined and the clinical approach accordingly standardized.
