J Rheumatol
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To compare 4 categories (high, moderate, and low severity, and near-remission) of RAPID3 (Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3), an index without formal joint counts, which is scored in < 10 seconds to 4 categories of the Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ RAPID3 provides a feasible, informative quantitative index for busy clinical settings.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
The aims of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial were to determine whether ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) reduced pain and improved function in patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in the short term and intermediate term. ⋯ Our study found little evidence to support the use of ESWT for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis and is in keeping with recent systematic reviews of ESWT for lateral epicondylitis that have drawn similar conclusions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Statins: potentially useful in therapy of systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis and widespread vascular pathology. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and digital ulceration are prominent manifestations of vascular involvement in SSc. Digital ulcers (DU) remain a serious complication, and effective therapy remains elusive. Statins display pleiotropic effects on endothelial function that may potentially retard vascular injury. We evaluated the potential efficacy of statin therapy in endothelial dysfunction and in management of RP and DU. ⋯ Our results showed that statins retarded vascular injury and improved patient function. The findings suggest that statins may aid in treating RP and DU in SSc patients. Given the safety and relative low cost of statins and good patient tolerability to this class of drugs, statins may be of clinical benefit in SSc patients.
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Vascular impairment, a main feature of the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), involves both the macro- and the microvasculature. We compared and correlated simultaneously measured skin microvascular and brachial artery macrovascular post-occlusive hyperemia in 3 groups: patients with SSc, patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and healthy volunteers. ⋯ We observed a loss of the correlation between brachial FMD and digital cutaneous PORH in patients with SSc and primary RP. Microvascular function is impaired in SSc, whereas brachial artery endothelial function is normal.
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Comparative Study
Health-related quality of life: validity, reliability, and responsiveness of SF-36, 15D, EQ-5D [corrected] RAQoL, and HAQ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
To compare validity, reliability, and responsiveness of generic and disease specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ All instruments were valid measures for HRQOL in RA. The RAQoL and HAQ displayed the best reliability, while the SF-36 bodily pain scale and VAS pain were the most responsive. The choice of instrument should depend on the study objectives.