Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2013
Neuropathic pain in ankylosing spondylitis: a psychophysics and brain imaging study.
To determine whether there is a neuropathic component in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) back pain and to delineate gray matter brain abnormalities associated with AS. ⋯ The present findings indicate that neuropathic pain occurs in AS. Furthermore, abnormal brain gray matter and neural correlates of neuropathic pain are concordant with the clinical picture of AS, which includes sensorimotor and mood deficits as well as neuropathic pain symptoms. These results suggest that back pain in AS is a mixed pain condition that includes a neuropathic pain component.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2013
In situ analysis of interleukin-23- and interleukin-12-positive cells in the spine of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
The interleukin-12 (IL-12) family of cytokines has been suggested to play a critical role in inflammatory autoimmune diseases, and recent studies analyzing peripheral blood and synovial fluid from patients with spondyloarthritides suggest that IL-23 might be a proinflammatory factor in these disorders. This study was undertaken to investigate the presence and source of IL-23 in the spines of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ⋯ IL-23 is expressed in the subchondral bone marrow and in fibrous tissue replacing bone marrow in facet joints of patients with AS. It might have a role in inflammatory processes and in chronic changes in AS joints, which makes it an interesting potential therapeutic target in this disease.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2013
Normalization of widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity after total hip replacement in patients with hip osteoarthritis is associated with clinical and functional improvements.
To evaluate the relevance of ongoing nociceptive joint inputs to the maintenance of widespread pain hypersensitivity in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine whether a reversal in the widespread pressure hypersensitivity together with an improvement in pain and function occurs after total hip replacement in these patients. ⋯ Normalization of widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia was found after successful hip joint replacement in patients with hip OA. Altered pain processing seems to be driven by ongoing peripheral joint pathology, which stresses the importance of reducing pain in OA.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2013
Which patients are most likely to benefit from total joint arthroplasty?
To evaluate patient predictors of good outcome following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). ⋯ In an OA cohort with a high prevalence of multiple troublesome joints and comorbidity, only half achieved a good TJA outcome, defined as improved pain and disability. A more comprehensive assessment of the benefits and risks of TJA is warranted.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2013
Brief report: incidence of selected opportunistic infections among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
To compare incidence rates of selected opportunistic infections among children with and children without juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). ⋯ Opportunistic infections are rare among children with JIA. Nevertheless, children with JIA had a higher rate of opportunistic infections, including an increased rate of Coccidioides, Salmonella, and herpes zoster compared to children with ADHD.