Rheumatology
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Meta Analysis
Pregabalin in fibromyalgia: meta-analysis of efficacy and safety from company clinical trial reports.
Meta-analysis of pregabalin trials in FM using company trial reports, which provide more detailed information about trials than published papers. FM is a common condition with a significant impact on quality of life. ⋯ Pregabalin is effective in treating FM and is relatively safe. The size of therapeutic effect is similar to that with other recent interventions such as duloxetine and the combination of tramadol and paracetamol. Enriched enrolment randomized withdrawal design gives similar results to classical trial designs in FM.
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Data on long-term efficacy of bosentan, an oral dual ET receptor antagonist, in SSc-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) are lacking. We aimed to describe the long-term outcome of SSc-PAH treated with first-line monotherapy bosentan followed or not by the addition of prostanoids or sildenafil. ⋯ In our cohort of consecutive SSc-PAH patients treated with first-line bosentan, improvement in NYHA functional class and haemodynamics was significant after 4 months of treatment and stabilized afterwards. One-year overall survival rate was higher than previously reported in historical series. However, long-term prognosis remains poor. Our study underlines the importance of haemodynamic evaluation 4 months after the start of treatment to provide strong parameters associated with survival-like cardiac index.
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To evaluate the influenza vaccination rate and factors influencing it in patients with SSc. ⋯ Influenza vaccination coverage is low in SSc patients. Lack of information and fear of adverse effects are the most common reasons for non-vaccination. Efforts are needed to increase the influenza vaccination coverage in this population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of the dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan on Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to systemic sclerosis: a double-blind prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.
To investigate the efficacy of the endothelin receptor antagonist, bosentan, in patients with RP secondary to SSc without pre-existing digital ulcers. ⋯ Bosentan is not effective in SSc-related RP without pre-existing digital ulcers, but it might benefit functional impairment in those patients.