Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Sep 2006
Clinical TrialTherapy outcome after multidisciplinary treatment for chronic neck and chronic low back pain: a prospective clinical study in 365 patients.
This prospective longitudinal clinical study analyses the therapy outcome of 365 patients with either chronic neck (n = 134) or low back (n = 231) pain treated with a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial therapy approach. ⋯ Evaluation of the main results of this study suggests that patients with chronic NP also derive significant benefit from a multidisciplinary treatment strategy, demonstrated in the literature so far mainly for patients with chronic LBP.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Sep 2006
Clinical TrialPrevalence of interstitial lung involvement in patients with connective tissue diseases assessed with high-resolution computed tomography.
To assess the prevalence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with different forms of connective tissue disease (CTD) using non-invasive procedures including high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and to evaluate the relationship between the imaging and functional status of the patients. ⋯ A high prevalence of ILD was found based on HRCT abnormalities. However, HRCT scans characterized by minor abnormalities have poor specificity for clinically significant disease and functional findings should also be considered. The large number of patients with predominantly inflammatory HRCT abnormalities suggests that many cases of ILD may be diagnosed in a relatively early stage of the disease.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Sep 2006
Review Case ReportsLiver infarction in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary anti-phospholipid and HELLP syndrome.
We report a 39-year-old primigravida, a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and secondary anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) with a smooth antenatal course who delivered by caesarean for non-reassuring foetal heart rate. On day 2 postoperatively, she developed a sudden severe colicky upper abdominal pain with tachypnoea, dyspnoea, and tachycardia, and blood pressure (BP) reaching 150/95 mmHg. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed lesions consistent with liver infarction. ⋯ On day 3, BP normalized, respiratory symptoms improved but abdominal symptoms persisted. Methylprednisolone was increased to 80 mg/day on day 8 when she had significant clinical response and was discharged on day 16. This case emphasizes that a morbid clinical course including liver infarction should be anticipated in patients with SLE and APS complicated with HELLP syndrome.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Sep 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized, controlled study of a single intra-articular injection of etanercept or glucocorticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Glucocorticosteroids are used successfully for both systemic and intra-articular treatment of arthritis. Inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) are effective when administered systemically and this study was performed to compare the effect of intra-articular injection of these two substances. ⋯ Although no difference between groups was demonstrated, the within-group effect of methylprednisolone was more marked than that of etanercept. Injections with 25 mg etanercept were well tolerated. However, the cost of etanercept will presumably limit its use to patients with adverse reactions to steroid.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · May 2006
Interleukin-1beta influences the effect of infliximab on temporomandibular joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of plasma and synovial fluid tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, soluble TNF receptor II (TNF-sRII), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble IL-1 receptor II (IL-1sRII) and IL-10 on the effect of the TNFalpha antibody infliximab on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Systemic treatment of RA with a combination of infliximab and methotrexate seems to be insufficient to alleviate TMJ pain in patients with RF or high pretreatment plasma levels of IL-1beta.