Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2011
Smoking at onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its effect on disease activity and functional status: experiences from BARFOT, a long-term observational study on early RA.
To assess the effects of smoking on disease outcome in a large cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ The present study gives some support to earlier data indicating that RA patients who smoke have a more active disease but further studies are needed to confirm this.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2011
Impaired cardiovascular autonomic nervous system function in patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome.
Although peripheral nervous system involvement in patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) has been described, little is known about its autonomic part. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) function can be assessed by studying heart rate variability (HRV) and a decrease in the spectrum of HRV correlates with ANS impairment. ⋯ The CSS patients show impaired HRV parameters, indicating parasympathetic ANS dysfunction in addition to peripheral nervous system involvement.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · May 2010
Computed tomography guided intra-articular injection of etanercept in the sacroiliac joint is an effective mode of treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.
To determine the pathological features of sacroiliitis and the expression of cytokines in joint biopsy samples in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to investigate the variance in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and the response to intra-articular injection of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. ⋯ This study has shown that intra-articular injection of etanercept in SIJ can improve joint function. It has a satisfactory safety profile and is cost-effective. This mode of treatment is most beneficial in local arthropathy of recent onset.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2010
Prevalence and predictive factors of comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis patients monitored prospectively from disease onset up to 20 years: lack of association between inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
To study the prevalence of comorbid conditions at diagnosis and during follow-up in a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) followed prospectively over 20 years, and to identify possible early predictive factors for future comorbidities. ⋯ Comorbidity was present in a considerable proportion of patients in this cohort. More than 40% of patients had another disease at inclusion and during follow-up and > 80% developed additional conditions. The pattern of comorbidity remained unchanged, with CVD and malignancy being most common. Older age and the presence of comorbidity at RA diagnosis predicted the development of comorbidities. The degree of inflammation at any time point was not predictive of future CVD.