Background: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune condition characterized by widespread skin fibrosis and/or end-organ damage. Previous studies have reported variable outcomes of the disease process, with males and patients of certain ethnicities suffering from the severe form of the disease leading to end-organ damage and an increase in mortality (1,2). The aim of this [...]

Background: The Antinuclear Antibody test (ANA) is a test often positive in patients with autoimmune rheumatologic disorders. However, ANA testing can also be positive in non-rheumatic conditions and in healthy individuals1. Prior studies have focused on the clinical utility of positive ANA testing in the outpatient setting by non-rheumatologists, but less is known about its [...]

Case Presentation: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder characterized by a myriad of clinical manifestations, including but not limited to fatigue, joint pain and swelling, and malar rash. Although a common cardiac manifestation of SLE is pericarditis, often accompanied by pericardial effusion, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is not [...]

Case Presentation: A 62-year-oldwoman with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) presented with one week of worsening shortness of breath, bilateral lower extremity edema, and poor oral intake. Over the past year, the she had increasing early satiety resulting in a 93-pound weight loss and progressively decreasing exercise tolerance. She noted dry eyes, dry [...]

Case Presentation: A previously healthy 16-month-old girl presented to the emergency department with refusal to walk following a fall. She was lowering herself from a high bed when she fell backwards, hitting her buttocks and lower back without a head strike. Over the next couple days, the patient was fussy and less active. She refused [...]

Case Presentation: An 80-year-old man with recently-diagnosed pulmonary fibrosis presented to the hospital with ascending bilateral lower extremity pain and weakness. His symptoms began in both feet and calves, and progressed proximally toward his thighs over the past 6 weeks. During this timeframe, his symptoms evolved from being able to ambulate for miles and climb [...]

Case Presentation: A 41-year-old male with a history of recurrent sinusitis, asthma, chronic nephrolithiasis, and open angle glaucoma from steroid use presented to the emergency department with new onset pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. Over the last 10 years, he had experienced chronic sinusitis that was significantly decreasing his quality of life. The patient previously [...]