Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyWhich factors are related to the presence of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis?
An accelerated progression of atherosclerosis may contribute to the increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to identify variables, related to disease onset as well as to disease progression, of importance for the presence of atherosclerosis, as diagnosed by B-mode ultrasonography, in patients with medium-term RA. The results are based on the co-analysis of retrospective data as well as cross-sectional data. The impact of RA per se on atherosclerosis was evaluated relative to age- and sex-matched controls. ⋯ Levels of lipids and adhesion molecules were associated with the presence of atherosclerosis in RA. IMT-CCA was associated with RA per se. Disease duration could predict severe atherosclerotic plaques. Treatment with methotrexate seemed to decrease the IMT-CCA.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2003
Comparative StudyReliability and validity of the swedish version of child health questionnaire.
Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a North American self-administered instrument to assess physical and psychosocial health status for children (CHQ-CF) and their parents (CHQ-PF). We have determined reliability and validity of the CHQ on 45 children with JCA, who were treated as outpatients. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha) ranged between .86 and .94 for the dimensions of the CHQ-CF and between .69 and .94 for the CHQ-PF. ⋯ Correlations between parents' and children's responses ranged between .366 and .786. CHQ was found to be valid and reliable for children with JCA and their parents. It seems particularly important to recommend that the children themselves are asked about their perceptions of health status and quality of life.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2002
Case ReportsNodular fasciitis, erythema migrans, and oligoarthritis: manifestations of Lyme borreliosis caused by Borrelia afzelii.
We describe a 35-year old patient with nodular fasciitis, erythema migrans, and gonarthritis four months after a bite of a Borrelia afzelii infected tick. The Borrelia afzelii infection was identified by a polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of the amplification product. Borrelia-specific DNA was also detectable in nodular fasciitis tissue. We therefore conclude that Borrelia afzelii can be a causative agent of nodular fasciitis and Lyme arthritis in a highly endemic region of Northern Germany.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialGammalinolenic acid treatment of fatigue associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
To evaluate the efficacy of the essential omega-6 fatty acid Gammalinolenic acid (GLA) on fatigue associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome. ⋯ According to our study results GLA (Evening Primrose oil) treatment for fatigue in primary Sjögren's syndrome is ineffective.