Arthritis and rheumatism
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2002
Secular changes in the quality of published randomized clinical trials in rheumatology.
To assess the quality of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in rheumatology and to determine whether there has been improvement in quality between 2 time periods, 1987-1988 and 1997-1998. ⋯ There has been improvement in the quality of reporting of RCTs in rheumatology between 1987-1988 and 1997-1998. However, methodologic problems such as lack of allocation concealment, inadequate random sequence generation, lack of reporting of power, and lack of intent-to-treat analyses remain common. Many of these problems are established sources of bias in RCTs and are easily rectifiable.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2002
The PedsQL in pediatric rheumatology: reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales and Rheumatology Module.
The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) is a modular instrument designed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents ages 2-18 years. The 23-item PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales are multidimensional child self-report and parent proxy-report scales developed as the generic core measure to be integrated with the PedsQL disease-specific modules. The 22-item PedsQL 3.0 Rheumatology Module was designed to measure pediatric rheumatology-specific HRQOL. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the PedsQL 3.0 Rheumatology Module in pediatric rheumatology. ⋯ The results demonstrate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the PedsQL 3.0 Rheumatology Module in pediatric rheumatology.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2002
Inadequately low serum levels of steroid hormones in relation to interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor in untreated patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and reactive arthritis.
To compare levels of steroid hormones in relation to cytokines and to study levels of cortisol or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in relation to other adrenal hormones in untreated patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reactive arthritis (ReA) compared with healthy controls. ⋯ This study indicates that levels of ACTH and cortisol are relatively low in relation to levels of IL-6 and TNF in untreated patients with early RA and ReA compared with healthy subjects. The study further demonstrates that there is a relative increase of DHEA and cortisol in relation to other adrenal hormones, such as DHEAS. This study emphasizes that adrenal steroid secretion is inadequately low in relation to inflammation. Although changes in hormone levels are similar in RA and ReA, alteration of steroidogenesis is more pronounced in RA patients than in ReA patients.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Feb 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialStructural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on joint space loss in osteoarthritis of the hip.
To evaluate the structural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. ⋯ This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial failed to demonstrate a structural effect of ASU in hip OA. However, in a post-hoc analysis, ASU significantly reduced the progression of joint space loss as compared with placebo in the subgroup of patients with advanced joint space narrowing. These results suggest that ASU could have a structural effect but require confirmation in a larger placebo-controlled study in hip OA.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Feb 2002
Assessment of fatigue in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a psychometric analysis.
To investigate whether the single-item fatigue question of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) are appropriate instruments to measure fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis (AS); to identify factors that influence fatigue in AS; and to assess how fatigue in all its aspects is associated with quality of life in AS. ⋯ Fatigue as a major symptom of AS can effectively be measured with either a single-item question on the intensity of fatigue or with the MFI. The MFI, however, provides more insight into specific dimensions of fatigue. Fatigue appears to be associated with the level of disease activity, functional ability, global well-being, and mental health status. In addition, fatigue negatively influences different aspects of quality of life.