Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2004
Medical care expenditures and earnings losses of persons with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States in 1997: total and incremental estimates.
To provide estimates of the total medical care expenditures and earnings losses associated with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC), as well as the increment in such costs specifically attributable to these conditions, in the US in 1997. ⋯ In 1997, persons with AORC incurred direct and indirect costs of 269.3 billion dollars, of which 86.2 billion dollars was attributable to these conditions.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2004
Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program: a dissemination and effectiveness study.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program as presented by the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, in Orange County, California. ⋯ The Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program was successfully disseminated. Significant improvements in self efficacy and in arthritis symptoms were maintained at the 6-month followup.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA randomized clinical trial of a psychoeducational intervention to improve outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus.
In a cross-sectional study, we previously identified 2 potentially modifiable risk factors for adverse outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): self-efficacy and social support. The goal of this study was to evaluate in a randomized controlled trial a theory-based intervention to improve patient self-efficacy and partner support to manage SLE. ⋯ This randomized, controlled trial of a theory-based educational intervention in SLE demonstrated significantly higher scores for couple communication, self-efficacy, and mental health status, and lower fatigue scores in the experimental group compared with the control group. Because couple communication and self-efficacy appear to be modifiable risk factors, they may also be potential targets in more disadvantaged populations.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2004
Quadriceps weakness and its relationship to tibiofemoral and patellofemoral knee osteoarthritis in Chinese: the Beijing osteoarthritis study.
Weakness has been documented as a feature of tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis (OA) and may cause disease in this compartment by shock absorption during impulse loading at heel strike, when the patellofemoral joint is not engaged. Our objective was to determine the association of muscle weakness with compartment-specific knee OA, to evaluate sex-specific differences in this relationship, and to determine, by evaluating asymptomatic individuals with OA, whether symptoms may produce the weakness seen in OA. ⋯ There is a relationship between quadriceps weakness and knee OA in all compartments, with the strongest association in mixed disease. Pain may contribute to some of this weakness.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialRadiographic, clinical, and functional outcomes of treatment with adalimumab (a human anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis receiving concomitant methotrexate therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week trial.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an important proinflammatory cytokine that mediates inflammatory synovitis and articular matrix degradation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the ability of adalimumab, a human anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, to inhibit the progression of structural joint damage, reduce the signs and symptoms, and improve physical function in patients with active RA receiving concomitant treatment with methotrexate (MTX). ⋯ In this 52-week trial, adalimumab was more effective than placebo at inhibiting the progression of structural joint damage, reducing the signs and symptoms, and improving physical function in patients with active RA who had demonstrated an incomplete response to MTX.