J Rheumatol
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Comparative Study
Patients with scleroderma may have increased risk of osteoporosis. A comparison to rheumatoid arthritis and noninflammatory musculoskeletal conditions.
To investigate if subjects with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) have increased risk for developing osteoporosis (OP). ⋯ The prevalence of OP in patients with SSc was comparable to those with RA, but higher than in the MSK group. Age was found to be an important factor, as expected. Also, our results indicated that BMD (T score) in SSc was similar to or even lower than in patients with RA. Increasing the awareness to order BMD measurements in patients with SSc may be warranted based on our results, especially for older patients.
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Little is known about the association of symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) with sleep disturbance. We compared the prevalence and severity of current sleep problems among individuals with and without symptomatic hip or knee OA in a large, community-based sample. ⋯ Symptomatic hip and knee OA are significantly associated with sleep problems, independent of other factors related to sleep difficulties, including self-rated health and depression. Patients with OA should be regularly screened for sleep disturbance as part of routine care.
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Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
Comparison of an interferon-gamma assay with tuberculin skin testing for detection of tuberculosis (TB) infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a TB-endemic population.
Tuberculosis (TB) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents is commonly the result of reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI); detection and treatment of LTBI is essential before treatment with anti-TNF agents. We reported previously that the tuberculin skin test (TST) is inaccurate for diagnosis of LTBI in patients with RA. Here, we compare the prevalence of LTBI in RA patients and matched controls according to positive TST and QuantiFeron-TB Gold In-Tube version (QFT) results and determine their agreement. ⋯ In a TB-endemic population, the QuantiFeron-TB Gold In-Tube assay seemed to be a more accurate test for detection of LTBI in RA patients compared with the TST, and may potentially improve the targeting of prophylactic therapy before treatment with anti-TNF agents.
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To investigate the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in knee, hip, and hand in a general population in Norway and the burden of disease in terms of associations between the report of OA and health-related variables. ⋯ The overall prevalence of OA was 12.8% and higher prevalence was found among women and older people, people with less than 12 years of education, those out of work, and those overweight. OA was associated with pain, disability, and poor health status, and frequent use of healthcare providers.
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To examine the longterm effect of etanercept (ETN) therapy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and utility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. ⋯ Patients continuing ETN therapy sustained HRQOL and utility improvements attained during the original PLA-controlled trial. Patients previously taking PLA showed rapid and sustained improvements in HRQOL and utility and substantial QALY gain with ETN therapy.