Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized, sham-controlled, proof of principle study of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia.
Recent evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by dysfunctional brain activity. Because transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate brain activity noninvasively and can decrease pain in patients with refractory central pain, we hypothesized that tDCS treatment would result in pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia. ⋯ Our findings provide initial evidence of a beneficial effect of tDCS in fibromyalgia, thus encouraging further trials.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2006
Comparative StudyLung transplantation in scleroderma compared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Lung transplantation is a viable, life-saving intervention for several primary pulmonary disorders complicated by severe lung dysfunction. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorder, would receive similar benefit from this intervention. ⋯ Patients with scleroderma who are recipients of lung transplantation experience similar rates of survival 2 years after the procedure compared with those with IPF or IPAH. Lung transplantation may represent a viable therapeutic option to consider for patients with end-stage lung disease due to scleroderma.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2006
Immunosuppressive medications and hospitalization for cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), most likely because of increased systemic inflammation. Prior research suggests that immunosuppressive medications may reduce the risk of CVD among RA patients. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of various immunosuppressive medications on the risk of cardiovascular events among a group of older patients with RA. ⋯ When compared with RA patients receiving MTX monotherapy, those receiving biologic immunosuppressive agents had neither an increased nor decreased risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event, whereas use of oral glucocorticoids and cytotoxic immunosuppressive agents was associated with significant increases in the risk of cardiovascular events.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2006
Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products triggers a proinflammatory cytokine cascade via beta2 integrin Mac-1.
Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a cell surface molecule that binds a variety of ligands, including high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB-1), a potent proinflammatory cytokine. RAGE-ligand interaction leads to an inflammatory response. A truncated form of the receptor, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), has been suggested to function as a decoy abrogating cellular activation, but its endogenous activity is not fully understood. We undertook this study to assess the properties of sRAGE in vivo and in vitro and to analyze the role of sRAGE in HMGB-1-induced arthritis. ⋯ We conclude that sRAGE interacts with Mac-1, thereby acting as an important proinflammatory and chemotactic molecule.