Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyComparison of anti-TNF treatment initiation in rheumatoid arthritis databases demonstrates wide country variability in patient parameters at initiation of anti-TNF therapy.
Characteristics of Canadian RA patients started on anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment were compared with 12 other countries. ⋯ These results confirm that regional variation exists between the 13 countries analyzed in the initiation of treatment with anti-TNF agents among RA patients and suggest that in some cases this variation may be increasing. In some countries the mean baseline disease severity declined over time and regional reimbursement policies and differences in physician preferences may be influencing initiation of anti-TNF therapy in RA.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Jun 2011
Review Meta AnalysisInjection of botulinum toxin for treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lateral epicondylitis can be chronic and difficult to manage with conservative measures such as physical therapy and corticosteroid injection. We attempted to determine the efficacy of botulinum toxin for the treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis. ⋯ Present literature provides support for use of botulinum toxin A injections into the forearm extensor muscles (60 units) for treatment of chronic treatment-resistant lateral epicondylitis. It is minimally invasive and can be performed in an outpatient setting.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Apr 2011
Comparative StudyDifferences in disease features between childhood-onset and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has rarely been analyzed in pediatric populations. We planned to investigate the potential differences between childhood-onset and adult-onset SLE patients who were hospitalized because of acute abdominal pain. ⋯ Various etiologies of acute abdominal pain should be considered in SLE patients. LMV is the most common cause of acute abdomen in childhood-onset SLE patients with low mortality and morbidity provided by prompt diagnosis and timely administration of high-dose intravenous corticosteroids after excluding real surgical abdomen.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Feb 2011
Meta AnalysisThe efficacy of bisphosphonates in the prevention of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral-nonhip fractures in osteoporosis: a network meta-analysis.
To evaluate the efficacy of available bisphosphonate therapies regarding the prevention of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral-nonhip fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ⋯ Of the available bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, zoledronic acid has the highest probability of offering the best overall fracture protection.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Aug 2010
ReviewBronchoalveolar lavage fluid in scleroderma interstitial lung disease: technical aspects and clinical correlations: review of the literature.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been used for clinical and research purposes in scleroderma interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). However, inconsistencies regarding technical aspects of BAL are obstacles in the reproducibility and interpretation of BAL results. This review summarizes clinical correlations and methodological issues of using BAL in the assessment of patients with SSc-ILD. In addition, we review the investigational use of BAL in SSc-ILD. ⋯ Further studies using standardized BAL protocols are required to establish the role of BAL fluid in the clinical evaluation of SSc-ILD. When performed for research purposes, BAL has provided valuable insight into the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD.