Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2007
A proposed revision to the ACR20: the hybrid measure of American College of Rheumatology response.
Although use of the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) has standardized response measurement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trials, the ACR20 has been criticized as less sensitive to change than are continuous measures of response, and its threshold for response (> or = 20%) is thought to be low. Our goal was to redefine response in RA in a manner that 1) corresponds to a clinical impression of response (clinical validity), 2) maximizes sensitivity to change, and 3) allows for calculation of the ACR20 to continue standardization of reporting. ⋯ We suggest use of a new hybrid measure of RA response that maximizes sensitivity to change, correlates well with rheumatologists' impressions of improvement, and preserves the ACR20.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2007
Differences in outcomes of obese women and men undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty.
To evaluate the effect of obesity on the incidence of main complications (infection, dislocation, and revision), functional outcome, and patient satisfaction 5 years after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), and to determine whether results differ between obese women and men. ⋯ Primary THA is a successful intervention in obese patients, but physician and patient must be aware of increased complications, particularly in women.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2007
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe diagnostic significance of soluble CD163 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain in macrophage activation syndrome and untreated new-onset systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Macrophage activation syndrome is characterized by an overwhelming inflammatory reaction driven by excessive expansion of T cells and hemophagocytic macrophages. Levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) and soluble CD163 (sCD163) may reflect the degree of activation and expansion of T cells and macrophages, respectively. This study was undertaken to assess the value of serum sIL-2Ralpha and sCD163 in diagnosing acute macrophage activation syndrome complicating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). ⋯ Levels of sIL-2Ralpha and sCD163 are promising diagnostic markers for macrophage activation syndrome. They may also help identify patients with subclinical macrophage activation syndrome.