Clin Exp Rheumatol
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of unknown aetiology that is characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and disordered sleep, and often associated with neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms. Current treatment options are only partially effective, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) seems to be capable of relieving some of the symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HBOT after fewer sessions than generally used, chosen on the basis of pre-clinical and clinical data showing its rapid and sustained antinociceptive effect. ⋯ These findings support the view that HBOT is an effective, rapid and safe means of treating various symptoms of FM.
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used as treatment for different clinical conditions, including fibromyalgia (FM). HBOT modulates brain activity, ameliorates chronic pain and modifies the ratio of immune cells. Clinical studies have provided evidence that FM is associated with immune system dysregulation. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effect of HBOT on immune system and on the quality of life-style of FM patients. ⋯ FM patients show a Th1 signature and the activation of this subset is modulated by HBOT.
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To investigate whether there is a difference between male and female patients with Behçet's disease (BD) in terms of hypercoagulability by using modified rotational thromboelastograhic (ROTEM) analysis. ⋯ These results support that male BD patients have a hypercoagulable state compared to female BD patients, which may explain why male patients are prone to thrombotic complications.
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To compare the long-term morbidity of patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome treated by tonsillectomy (TE) in childhood to that of matched controls. ⋯ The health of the PFAPA patients was as good as that of healthy matched controls. Autoimmune or other chronic diseases were not more prevalent among PFAPA patients treated with TE in childhood than among controls. Respiratory infections and oral thrush were more common among the PFAPA patients than controls.
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Although the efficacy of combined treatment targeting pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been suggested to be preferable, the comparative efficacy of combination therapy versus monotherapy in connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated PAH (CTD-PAH) remains undetermined. We performed a meta-analysis regarding this topic. ⋯ Combination therapy targeting PAH may confer preferable therapeutic efficacy compared with monotherapy in patients with CTD-PAH as evidenced by a more remarkable reduction in the risk of clinical worsening and a probable improvement of exercise capacity in these patients.