J Rheumatol
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To evaluate the in vitro effects of diacerhein, a new drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), and its active metabolite, rhein, on the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PGE2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as the production and expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human OA chondrocytes. These results were compared to those of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen. ⋯ Diacerhein and rhein, in contrast to an NSAID, are potent inhibitors of IL-1beta induced NO production by chondrocytes and cartilage, without reducing PGE2 production.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intraarticular sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan) in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized clinical trial. Hyalgan Study Group.
To determine efficacy and safety of intraarticular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA; Hyalgan) versus placebo and a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. ⋯ This large, controlled randomized clinical trial confirms that 5 weekly IA injections of HA (Hyalgan) in patients with OA of the knee are generally well tolerated, provide sustained relief of pain and improved patient function, and were at least as effective with fewer adverse reactions as continuous treatment with naproxen for 26 weeks.
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Longterm corticosteroid use is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation and estrogen replacement therapy can decrease this risk, but the majority of patients receiving longterm corticosteroid treatment do not receive treatments to prevent bone loss. We assess whether this is due to variations in physicians' judgments about risks and efficacy of treatments to prevent corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. ⋯ Physicians' judgments varied significantly by physician specialty and experience with corticosteroid use. These data suggest that patients cared for by physicians in different specialties will get varying advice about osteoporosis risk and preventive treatments when receiving longterm corticosteroid treatment.
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Clinical Trial
Effect of gamma-hydroxybutyrate on pain, fatigue, and the alpha sleep anomaly in patients with fibromyalgia. Preliminary report.
To evaluate the effects of using a gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) administered in divided doses at night in 11 patients previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM). ⋯ Further controlled studies are needed to characterize the clinical improvement and the polysomnographic changes we observed.