Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Sep 2009
Multicenter StudyLong-term safety and effectiveness of etanercept in children with selected categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of etanercept alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in children with selected categories of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). ⋯ These data confirm the findings of other long-term studies and suggest that etanercept or etanercept plus MTX has an acceptable safety and effectiveness profile in children with selected categories of JIA. Improvement was maintained for 3 years in those continuing to receive medication.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Sep 2009
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a predictor of the course of global and renal childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity.
To determine whether neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) can predict worsening of global and renal disease activity in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ⋯ Serial measurement of urinary and plasma NGAL levels may be valuable in predicting impending worsening of global and renal childhood-onset SLE disease activity.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Sep 2009
Comparative StudyElevated expression of interleukin-7 receptor in inflamed joints mediates interleukin-7-induced immune activation in rheumatoid arthritis.
To evaluate the expression and functional ability of the high-affinity interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7Ralpha) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Our data suggest that enhanced expression of IL-7Ralpha and IL-7 in RA patients contributes significantly to the joint inflammation by activating T cells, B cells, and macrophages. The inhibition of IL-7R-mediated immune activation by soluble hIL-7Ralpha further indicates an important role of IL-7Ralpha in inflammatory responses in RA, suggesting IL-7Ralpha as a therapeutic target for immunotherapy in RA.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Aug 2009
Multicenter StudyThe effects of impaired joint position sense on the development and progression of pain and structural damage in knee osteoarthritis.
Although cross-sectional studies have reported impaired proprioceptive acuity in people with osteoarthritis (OA), there have been no longitudinal studies to evaluate whether those with such impairments increase the risk of OA or its worsening. ⋯ Proprioceptive acuity as assessed by the accuracy of reproduction of the angle of knee flexion had modest effects on the trajectory of pain and physical functional limitation in knee OA.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Aug 2009
Total knee replacement and health-related quality of life: factors influencing long-term outcomes.
To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with osteoarthritis undergoing total knee replacement (TKR); identify the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative variables on HRQOL; and determine patient perceptions at 7 years. ⋯ WOMAC dimension scores, especially pain, significantly improved at 7 years and were negatively influenced by obesity and postdischarge complications. HRQOL measures may help identify an increased risk of negative outcomes after TKR.