Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Apr 2007
ReviewPatients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing surgery: how should we deal with antirheumatic treatment?
To review published data on the perioperative management of antirheumatic treatment and perioperative outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ While continuation of MTX likely is safe, data on other DMARDs are sparse. In particular, more data on the perioperative use of the biologic agents are needed.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Feb 2007
Familial arthropathy in Saudi Arabian children: demographic, clinical, and biochemical features.
Familial arthropathy comprises a heterogeneous group of arthropathies. It can be either an inflammatory or a noninflammatory condition. The worldwide frequency of these disorders is unknown. ⋯ Familial arthropathies are not uncommon conditions which may be easily confused with JIA, causing a delay in diagnosis and management. Careful evaluation of a child presenting with an arthropathy, particularly in a population where consanguinity is common, is required for timely and accurate diagnosis. Overall, the prognosis of these conditions remains guarded despite treatment.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Dec 2006
Review Case ReportsStrongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in systemic lupus erythematosus and the antiphospholipid syndrome.
The Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) may develop in individuals with asymptomatic infection receiving immunosuppressive treatment. This report summarizes current knowledge regarding SHS in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and associated antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). ⋯ These cases suggest that the SHS can exacerbate SLE and APS, predisposing to Gram-negative sepsis and death. Immunocompromised patients need an early diagnosis and specific treatment of parasitic diseases and their complications. The SHS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lupus complications in patients from endemic areas.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Oct 2006
Factors that affect the number of tender points in fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain patients who did not meet the ACR 1990 criteria for fibromyalgia: are tender points a reflection of neuropathic pain?
This study aims to compare fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic widespread pain (CWP) patients who do not fulfill the criteria for tender points (TP). ⋯ CWP patients have symptoms similar to FM patients, though less severe. The most important factor that affects the criteria for fulfilling the number TP in CWP patients is the neuropathic pain score, which suggests that FM is primarily a neuropathic pain syndrome.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Aug 2006
ReviewAlternative decision analysis modeling in the economic evaluation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis.
To provide a review of the studies that use decision models in the economic evaluation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to address some important issues surrounding the choice of such modeling techniques in these economic evaluations. ⋯ The transparency in the models will encourage end users such as policymakers and prescribers to make informed judgments regarding the appropriateness of the methods and the validity of the results.