Rheumatology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Analgesic action of acetaminophen in symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee.
The study was designed to investigate the analgesic effects and mechanisms of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. ⋯ There is a correlation between reduction in circulating BEND and OA pain relief in patients treated with acetaminophen.
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Multicenter Study
Outcome of subacute low back pain: influence of patients' and rheumatologists' characteristics.
To assess the outcome of subacute low back pain, to identify the characteristics of patients and physicians which were related to outcome and to evaluate the influence of rheumatologists' beliefs about back pain on their following the guidelines for physical and occupational activity. ⋯ Back pain commonly persists 3 months later in patients with subacute low back pain. Patients and rheumatologists still have negative beliefs about back pain. Rheumatologists' beliefs influence their following guidelines on physical and occupational activities. National education programmes about low back pain are needed in France.
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Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA). Increased arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor and predictor of cardiovascular mortality in a variety of diseases. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the augmentation index (AI) are used as clinical measurements of arterial stiffness. ⋯ Our data show that TA is associated with elevated arterial stiffness in the central aorta, which may persist when the disease is quiescent. These data suggest that PWV represents a means by which cardiovascular risk can be detected and monitored in TA, and highlights the importance of effective management of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients.