Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Nov 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialLong-term safety and maintenance of clinical improvement following treatment with anakinra (recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: extension phase of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To demonstrate the long-term efficacy of anakinra, a human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to assess the long-term safety of anakinra at different daily doses. ⋯ The clinical benefits of treatment with daily self-administered subcutaneous injections of anakinra in a cohort of patients with active RA were maintained for up to 48 weeks. Anakinra was well tolerated over 76 weeks. These observations support the long-term use of anakinra for the treatment of patients with RA.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Nov 2002
Determinants and sequelae associated with utilization of acetaminophen versus traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in an elderly population.
Acetaminophen is recommended as initial therapy for patients with arthritis, particularly those at increased risk of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. However, higher doses of acetaminophen inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and have been associated with GI events. This study was undertaken to compare the observed and adjusted rates of GI events (hospitalizations, ulcers, dyspepsia, GI prophylaxis) occurring with higher versus lower doses of acetaminophen. ⋯ In this cohort, acetaminophen utilization is more common in patients at higher risk of GI events. After adjustment for risk susceptibility, patients receiving higher doses of acetaminophen have higher rates of GI events compared with those receiving lower doses.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Nov 2002
Comparative StudyMechanisms of effects of complement inhibition in murine collagen-induced arthritis.
To determine the mechanisms of amelioration of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice by inhibition of complement activation. ⋯ These results indicate that inhibition of complement in CIA leads to decreased production of IgG2a antibody and suppressed CII-induced spleen cell proliferation. The greater inhibitory effects on CIA of anti-C5 antibody in comparison with Crry-Ig may be attributable primarily to decreased levels of IL-1beta and TNFalpha mRNA in the joints.