Clin Exp Rheumatol
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The aim of this study was to describe a model for predicting well-being in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). ⋯ Pain is a robust predictor of well-being in children with JCA. This supports the concept of the benefits of reducing chronic joint pain as a major goal in caring of these children.
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Review Comparative Study
Guidelines for clinical studies assessing the efficacy of drugs for the management of acute low back pain.
In this paper we propose guidelines for clinical trials aimed at assessing the efficacy of drugs for acute non-specific low back pain (LBP) with or without radicular pain, preliminary to their approval and registration. To this end, consensus statements were obtained from a group of experts in the fields of rheumatology, clinical medicine, public health and epidemiology. EBM resources were systematically used as references. ⋯ Adverse events (AE) should be monitored systematically using a methodology that reflects the mode of action of the tested drug. With the application of these guidelines, LBP could serve as an appropriate disease for testing analgesic drugs. Rigorous evaluation may also help to improve the management of acute LBP.
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A case of acute neurologic deficit accompanied by a cerebral angiogram consistent with CNS vasculitis is presented. The differential diagnosis and diagnostic decision process generated in this type of evaluation is illustrated.
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Comparative Study
Number of active joints, not diagnosis, is the primary determinant of function and performance in early synovitis.
A substudy within a larger study of patients with inflammatory arthritis of less than one year, to analyze baseline measures or joint counts, laboratory values, patient questionnaires and ARA diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis, as predictors of one year performance and functional status. ⋯ The active joint count predicts subsequent performance and function for patients with recent onset, inflammatory synovitis more effectively than whether patients met ARA criteria for RA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Role of A-SAA in monitoring subclinical inflammation and in colchicine dosage in familial Mediterranean fever.
1) To compare the sensitivity of serum amyloid A protein (A-SAA) and other acute phase proteins (APPs) in determining subclinical inflammation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) during an attack-free period; 2) to define those clinical, laboratory features that may modify the A-SAA level; and 3) to evaluate the effect of an increase in the colchicine dose on the A-SAA level. ⋯ Subclinical inflammation continues during an attack-free period in FMF patients. A-SAA was the best marker of subclinical inflammation. Patients who are homozygous or compound heterozygotes of MEFV mutations had higher A-SAA levels. An increase in the colchicine dose resulted in a dramatic decrease in A-SAA and an increase in hemoglobin level. These findings favor the use of A-SAA in drug monitoring.