Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIntra-articular steroids in knee osteoarthritis: a comparative study of triamcinolone hexacetonide and methylprednisolone acetate.
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of triamcinolone hexacetonide (THA) and methylprednisolone acetate (MPA), given via the intra-articular route at equipotent dosage to patients with symptomatic knee OA with effusion, in a double-blind randomized comparative trial. Consecutive hospital-referred patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA (clinical and radiographic) were randomly allocated to receive either THA 20 mg (1 ml) or MPA 40 mg (1 ml). All patients had synovial fluid aspirated from their knee joint at the time of injection. ⋯ Both THA and MPA offer at least temporary symptomatic benefit in knee OA. THA is more effective than MPA at week 3, but its effect is lost by week 8. MPA still has an effect at week 8.
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Clinical rheumatology · Dec 2003
Comparative StudyThe effect of hand osteoarthritis on grip and pinch strength and hand function in postmenopausal women.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of osteoarthritis on hand function in postmenopausal women. One hundred patients with hand OA and 70 healthy volunteers as controls were evaluated. Grip and pinch strength measurements and Dreiser's functional index were used for hand function. ⋯ Also, pain and tenderness had significant (p<0.05) effects on hand function. Dreiser's total score ranged from 0 to 10 in 80 (80%) patients and from 11 to 20 in 20 patients. In conclusion, hand osteoarthritis contributes to hand dysfunction, mainly related to the severity of osteoarthritis, pain, joint involvement and the presence of nodules.
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The aim of this study was to determine the threshold for detecting knee effusion by ultrasound (US). Five knee specimens from embalmed cadavers were studied. ⋯ The smallest amount of fluid detectable by US in the knee was 7.4 ml for synovial fluid, 10.1 and 10.4 ml for saline solution and 9.7 for blood. The threshold for detecting knee joint effusion by US in cadaver specimens was 10 ml for saline and blood and 7 ml for synovial fluid.
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Clinical rheumatology · Dec 2003
Letter Case ReportsCiprofloxacin and Achilles' tendon rupture: a causal relationship.