Clin Exp Rheumatol
-
Glucocorticoids are highly effective in treating polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis, but their use is associated with numerous adverse events. Therefore, it is important to use them for the shortest period of time possible. ⋯ Recurrences are relatively infrequent in polymyalgia rheumatica and somewhat more common in giant cell arteritis. Immunosuppressive agents may be used in patients with frequently relapsing or recurring disease to decrease exposure to glucocorticoids.
-
To determine the two-year outcome of patients with later-onset polyarticular rheumatoid factor (RF) negative (-) juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and predictors of outcome. ⋯ The two-year outcome of patients with late-onset RF- polyarticular JIA was very good with the majority of patients having minimally active disease at last follow-up. Presence of significant polyarthritis at presentation was the only feature associated with long-term joint activity. Sex and lab results did not show any correlation with active joint in this cohort of RF-JIA patients.
-
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of leptin on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts (RSFs). ⋯ Leptin may be one of the proinflammatory cytokines that up-regulates IL-6 production in RSFs via activation of JAK2/STAT3. Leptin and JAK/STAT pathway may represent a new alternative therapeutic target in the treatment of RA.