Clin Exp Rheumatol
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The effect of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) on renal function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been well established. We assessed whether tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors could affect renal function in RA. ⋯ TNF inhibitors did not influence the change of renal function during RA treatment. TNF inhibitors may be a safe treatment option irrespective of renal function.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparative effectiveness of glucosamine, chondroitin, acetaminophen or celecoxib for the treatment of knee and/or hip osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis.
To compare the efficacies of oral glucosamine, chondroitin, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, acetaminophen and celecoxib on the treatment of knee and/or hip osteoarthritis. ⋯ Given the effectiveness of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and symptomatic slow-acting drugs, oral celecoxib is more effective than placebo on relieving pain and improving physical function, followed by the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. Acetaminophen is likely the least efficacious intervention option. This information, accompanied by the tolerability and economic costs of the included treatments, would be conducive to making decisions for clinicians.
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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are the leading causes of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although the six-minute walk test (6MWT) is used for evaluating ILD and PAH, no data are available on the evolution of the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in SSc patients without ILD and PAH and whether the baseline 6MWD could serve as individual reference value for the management of those who will develop PAH or ILD. ⋯ In SSc without ILD and PAH, the 6MWT is feasible and the 6MWD is clinically stable over a 66 months period. Hence, the individual 6MWD might be used as individual reference value in management of those who will develop PAH or ILD.
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The imbalance between angiogenic and angiostatic factors with derangement of the microvasculature are hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Raynaud's phenomenon in SSc probably is due to the impaired neuroendothelial control mechanisms between vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. The aim of this study is to evaluate autonomic nervous system function using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and to correlate with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). ⋯ In our study parasympathetic modulation increases in relation to VEGF. When microcirculation is modified with capillaroscopic pattern progression and DUs, autonomic system seems to stimulate vasodilatation trough parasympathetic system. We can conclude that parasympathetic activity increases with digital microvascular damage and promotes VEGF release.
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To describe a single centre experience using combination therapy with rituximab (RTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in a prospective series of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with pulmonary and cutaneous involvement, rapidly progressive or resistant to conventional therapy. ⋯ Despite preliminary results and limited to a small number of patients, our data suggest that therapy with RTX and MMF is well tolerated, safe, and potentially effective for cutaneous and pulmonary involvement in SSc.