Rheumatology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Pulsed electromagnetic fields in knee osteoarthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
This trial aimed to test the effectiveness of a wearable pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) device in the management of pain in knee OA patients. ⋯ These results suggest that PEMF therapy is effective for pain management in knee OA patients and also affects pain threshold and physical functioning. Future larger studies, including head-to-head studies comparing PEMF therapy with standard pharmacological approaches in OA, are warranted.
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Abatacept (CTLA-4Ig) blocks CD28-mediated T cell activation by binding to the costimulatory B7 ligands CD80/CD86 on antigen presenting cells. Costimulatory molecules, however, can also be expressed on T cells upon activation. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate direct effects of CTLA-4Ig on distinct T cell subsets in RA patients. ⋯ CTLA-4Ig therapy in RA patients exerts effects beyond the suppression of T cell activation, which has to be taken into account as an additional mechanism of CTLA-4Ig treatment.