J Rheumatol
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Analgesic efficacy and safety of tramadol/ acetaminophen combination tablets (Ultracet) in treatment of chronic low back pain: a multicenter, outpatient, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial.
To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of tramadol 37.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg (tramadol/APAP) combination tablets for treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Tramadol 37.5 mg/APAP 325 mg combination tablets show efficacy in pain reduction, in measures of physical functioning and quality of life, and in overall medication assessments, with a tolerability profile comparable with other opioids used for the treatment of chronic LBP.
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Comparative Study
The Short Arthritis Assessment Scale: a brief assessment questionnaire for rapid evaluation of arthritis severity in research and clinical practice.
To develop a short, 4-item arthritis severity questionnaire that is simple to score, clinically useful and meaningful, and suitable for use in primary care, where osteoarthritis (OA) is the primary prevalent arthritis illness. ⋯ The SAS is a 4-item arthritis severity questionnaire that can be easily administered in primary care for patients with OA, but is suitable for use across all arthritis illnesses. Scoring is simple, requiring only the addition of four 10-point scales, and interpretation is straightforward. The SAS may have a role in rapid assessment of the arthritis patient in primary care practice.
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We identified patients presenting with chest pain diagnosed as costochondritis by a consultant rheumatologist. The time taken to diagnosis was determined and the influence of diagnosis on subsequent management was assessed. We then estimated any cost benefits that early diagnosis and treatment of costochondritis might confer. Finally, we evaluated our current experience of sulfasalazine as a treatment for recurrent costochondritis. ⋯ Patients with costochondritis frequently present with acute chest pain, often resulting in multiple admissions and investigations. In this study admission and investigation rates were significantly reduced following rheumatological review. How much of this reduction is directly a result of rheumatological intervention is unclear, given the limitations of the study. The findings suggest early review may improve patient care and reduce expenditure; in recurrent cases of costochondritis, sulfasalazine may be of additional longterm benefit.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Equivalence study of a topical diclofenac solution (pennsaid) compared with oral diclofenac in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial.
. To compare the safety and efficacy of a topical diclofenac solution versus oral diclofenac in relieving the symptoms of primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, in a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy equivalence trial. ⋯ Application of this topical diclofenac solution to the knee of patients with OA produced relief of symptoms equivalent to oral diclofenac, with minor local skin irritation, but significantly reduced incidence of diclofenac-related GI complaints and abnormal laboratory values.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Inflammatory markers and physical function among older adults with knee osteoarthritis.
To investigate whether serum concentrations of various inflammatory markers are associated with physical function and disease severity among older obese adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). ⋯ Especially high levels of the soluble receptors of TNF-alpha were found to be associated with lower physical function, increased OA symptoms, and worse knee radiographic scores in older obese adults with knee OA.