Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2005
Dysregulation of chemokine receptor expression and function by B cells of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
To assess whether abnormal chemokine receptor expression and/or abnormal responsiveness to the cognate ligands might underlie some of the disturbances in B cell homeostasis characteristic of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). ⋯ In primary SS, overexpression of CXCR4 by circulating blood B cells does not translate into enhanced migratory response to the cognate ligand, CXCL12. This migratory response may be modulated by intracellular regulators. Retention of CXCR4+,CXCR5+, CD27+ memory B cells in the inflamed glands seems to contribute to diminished peripheral CD27+ memory B cells in primary SS.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2005
Risk and case characteristics of tuberculosis in rheumatoid arthritis associated with tumor necrosis factor antagonists in Sweden.
Because treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists may increase the risk of tuberculosis (TB), and because knowledge of the risk of TB in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not treated with biologics is scarce and of uncertain generalizability to low-risk populations, this study sought to determine the risk of TB among Swedish patients with RA. ⋯ Irrespective of whether TNF antagonists are administered, Swedish patients with RA are at increased risk of TB. During 1999-2001, TNF antagonists were associated with an increased risk of TB, up to 4-fold in magnitude. This increased risk may persist over time during treatment and is related to both infliximab and etanercept.
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To evaluate the contributions of physical, pain-related, cognitive, stress-related, affective, and spouse-related variables to differences in pain behaviors in subgroups of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). ⋯ The results indicate that different variables account for the presence of pain behaviors in different subgroups of patients. The data provide support for the heterogeneity of the diagnosis of FMS and have implications for treatment of subgroups of patients.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialNonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs reduce radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized clinical trial.
A 2-year randomized controlled trial was performed to test the hypothesis that long-term, continuous treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in comparison with NSAID treatment on demand only, influences radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ⋯ A strategy of continuous use of NSAIDs reduces radiographic progression in symptomatic patients with AS, without increasing toxicity substantially.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA 48-week, randomized, double-blind, double-observer, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of combination methotrexate and intramuscular gold therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: results of the METGO study.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding intramuscular (IM) gold to the treatment regimen of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have a suboptimal response to methotrexate (MTX). ⋯ In RA patients with a suboptimal response to MTX, adding weekly IM gold causes significant clinical improvement. Adverse events were minor, and IM gold-related adverse events led to discontinuation in only 11% of the gold group over 48 weeks.