International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disorder of widespread pain with high personal and societal burdens. Although targeted pharmacotherapies have become available in recent years, it remains a challenging condition to treat. Despite no randomized controlled trials addressing the short- or long-term use of opioids in FMS, their use remains prevalent. ⋯ Finally, we discuss drugs with combined opioid and anti-opioid action and their roles in FMS. There is insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of opioids in FMS. As well as having a significant adverse effect profile, their inefficacy may be due to their inability to target the pathophysiologic processes involved in this central sensitization syndrome.
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Clinical Trial
Leflunomide in Pakistani patients with rheumatoid arthritis: prospective study in daily rheumatology practice.
Leflunomide is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has been widely studied in the West but there is no available local Pakistani data. ⋯ This prospective study conducted in the setting of a daily rheumatology practice shows that leflunomide is an effective and safe DMARD in treatment of RA in Pakistani patients.