J Rheumatol
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Editorial Comment Review
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-glucocorticoid axis function in rheumatoid arthritis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effect of zolpidem in patients with fibromyalgia: a dose ranging, double blind, placebo controlled, modified crossover study.
This dose ranging, double blind, placebo controlled, modified crossover study examined whether zolpidem would improve the disturbed sleep, fatigue, mood and pain symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). ⋯ Short term treatment with zolpidem (5 to 15 mg) does not affect the pain of FM, but is useful for sleep and daytime energy in this patient population.
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To evaluate the impact of a 6 month group therapy program on the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Since FM is a common problem in rheumatology practice, a program was designed to treat patients in a group setting using allied health professionals. ⋯ The group treatment of patients with FM in an outpatient setting shows promise; a more formal controlled study is needed to confirm this impression.
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Due to the elevated levels of hematopoietically active cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) serum and synovium, the increased bone marrow activity in RA, and the effectiveness of GMCSF in mobilizing progenitor cell release from the bone marrow into the periphery, we hypothesized that hematopoietic progenitors are altered in the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with RA. ⋯ Distinct alterations in the distribution of PB progenitors are present in RA and primary SS. Since progenitor cells retain a proliferative capacity, their infiltration into the synovial/glandular environment may contribute to the accumulation of inflammatory cells within these sites. We propose that PB progenitors enter the diseased microenvironment through similar mechanisms as mature hematopoietic elements.
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Comparative Study
Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament transection induces canine osteoarthritis.
To determine whether arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection in the canine knee can be an effective alternative method for creating canine osteoarthritis (OA). ⋯ Arthroscopic ACL transection is an effective method for creating canine OA. This approach has several methodological advantages relative to other techniques.