J Rheumatol
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To examine the comparative internal and external responsiveness of the generic Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and disease-specific measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Our study showed comparable internal and external responsiveness of the SF-36 compared with disease-specific measures (AIMS2, HAQ, NRS pain) in all health domains, except social function and general health domains. The assumption that disease-specific measures are more responsive to detect intervention-related changes over time is not confirmed by our data.
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Comparative Study
Clinical and immunologic manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease in a Miami population compared to a Midwestern US Caucasian population.
A cross-sectional study of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) was performed to determine if there were identifiable differences in the clinical expression of MCTD associated with race or ethnicity. ⋯ The Miami and Missouri Caucasian MCTD groups, while differing from the SLE group, were largely similar; however, gastroesophageal reflux, sclerodactyly, and malar rash were significantly more frequent in the Missouri MCTD group and alopecia was more frequent in the Miami MCTD group. Significant clinical and laboratory differences were found between the Miami MCTD and Miami SLE groups despite similar disease duration, activity, severity and functional status. Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), hand swelling, synovitis, myositis, and sclerodactyly were all significantly more common in RNP-positive MCTD versus Sm-positive SLE subjects. CONCLUSION Ethnic differences were observed in the frequency of end-organ involvement in the Miami MCTD versus the Missouri Caucasian MCTD groups. Clinical and laboratory features of all MCTD groups were clearly different from the SLE group, despite similar disease activity, disease severity, and functional status. Disease activity measures appeared to behave similarly as valid measures of disease activity in SLE and MCTD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial of pregabalin in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for symptomatic relief of pain associated with fibromyalgia (FM) and for management of FM. ⋯ Pregabalin at 300, 450, and 600 mg/day was efficacious and safe for treatment of pain associated with FM. Pregabalin monotherapy provides clinically meaningful benefit to patients with FM.
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This report summarizes the findings from a consensus process to identify potential classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). ⋯ There are differences in opinion as to what PMR is and how it should be treated. These findings make it important to develop classification criteria for PMR. The next step is to perform an international prospective study to evaluate the utility of candidate classification criteria for PMR in patients presenting with the polymyalgic syndrome.
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To examine whether serum procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations are useful for distinguishing bacterial infections from disease flares in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. ⋯ Elevated serum PCT levels have a good specificity for diagnosing bacterial infection in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases regardless of their dosage of oral corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.