Arthritis research & therapy
-
Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2010
Validity of the work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire--general health version in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire is a well validated instrument to measure impairments in work and activities. However, its validation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been well established. The present study's purpose is to evaluate the construct validity of the WPAI-general health version among RA patients and its ability to differentiate between RA patients with varying health status. ⋯ The WPAI is a valid questionnaire for assessing impairments in paid work and activities in RA patients and for measuring the relative differences between RA patients with different health status.
-
Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyCorrelation of pain relief with physical function in hand osteoarthritis: randomized controlled trial post hoc analysis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended for the relief of pain associated with hand osteoarthritis (OA) but do not alter the underlying structural changes that contribute to impaired physical function. The current analysis examined the relationship of pain relief with measures of function and global rating of disease in patients with hand OA. ⋯ Pain relief correlated with improvements in physical function, stiffness, and global rating of disease in patients with hand OA, irrespective of treatment. This suggests that pain or anticipation of pain inhibits physical function and influences patient perception of disease severity in hand OA. These results also suggest that any intervention to relieve the pain of hand OA may improve function and patient perception of disease severity, despite the absence of a disease-modifying mechanism of action.
-
Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2010
Meta AnalysisEffect of duloxetine in patients with fibromyalgia: tiredness subgroups.
This study tested the hypothesis that baseline ratings of fatigue/tiredness would be negatively associated with the efficacy of duloxetine on measures of pain and functional ability in patients with fibromyalgia. ⋯ Studies of duloxetine in fibromyalgia have demonstrated clinically significant improvements in pain and functional ability (FIQ, SF-36). This post hoc analysis of data shows that the efficacy of duloxetine among patients with fibromyalgia does not vary as a function of baseline ratings of fatigue/tiredness.
-
Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2010
ReviewThe contribution of genetic variation and infection to the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis.
The aetiology of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis has not been well defined. Here we review two factors which may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease: genetics and infection. In particular, we discuss the role of autoantibodies to LAMP-2, which may arise following infection with Gram-negative bacteria, and may contribute to the development of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis in genetically susceptible individuals.
-
Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2010
Comment Meta AnalysisAdvances in gout: some answers, more questions.
In a previous issue of the journal, Becker and colleagues present efficacy and safety data from a large study comparing febuxostat to allopurinol. The study showed non-inferiority of febuxostat 40 mg/day in lowering serum urate compared to allopurinol 200 to 300 mg/day. ⋯ Other cardiac adverse event rates (unstable angina, coronary revascularization, cerebral revascularization, transient ischemic attack, venous and peripheral arterial vascular thrombotic event, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia) were also similar for febuxostat 40 mg/day (1.3%), febuxostat 80 mg/day (1.2%) and allopurinol groups (0.9%). A meta-analysis of safety data from published studies is presented.