Clin Exp Rheumatol
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Assessment of long-term safety and efficacy of etanercept in a 5-year extension study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
To evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of etanercept (ETN) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without concomitant disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. ⋯ ETN maintained a favourable safety profile and consistent efficacy throughout the 5-year study duration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Effect of a multi-faceted intervention on gingival health among adults with systemic sclerosis.
To evaluate the effect of adaptive oral hygiene devices and orofacial exercise to improve gingival health among adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc). ⋯ Results support the use of adaptive devices and orofacial exercise to improve gingival health in adults with SSc when compared to use of manual toothbrushing and finger-held flossing. Recommending and educating patients with SSc to use adaptive devices to clean the tooth surfaces looks promising for long-term oral health improvement.
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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a marked economic burden, high treatment costs and decreased productivity. Although treatment strategies for SSc can have a substantial effect on patients' outcomes, it is not known whether patients with SSc consistently receive such care. Evaluation of process-of-care quality requires specification of quality indicators (QIs), clinically detailed statements of the eligible patients and the care they should receive to achieve a minimal level of quality of care. Our objective was to develop QIs for patients with SSc. ⋯ We have developed 32 QIs for SSc using a rigorous methodology that can be employed to evaluate and improve care for patients with SSc, as well as inform policy decisions supporting appropriate care for SSc patients.
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Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by a microvascular damage due to an impairment of different angiogenic and angiostatic factors. Aim of this study was to measure plasma levels of nine molecules involved in these vascular processes in a group of SSc patients, respect to healthy controls (NC). ⋯ Our findings show significantly higher circulating levels of seven angiogenic parameters in SSc patients, thus reflecting the disregulation of endothelium in this disease. Abnormal levels of these molecules may be considered an attempt for compensatory although ineffective mechanisms of vascular function, leading to the development of the main clinical manifestations of SSc.