Rheumatology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Meta Analysis Clinical Trial
The health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) is strongly predictive of good outcome in early diffuse scleroderma: results from an analysis of two randomized controlled trials in early diffuse scleroderma.
Scoring poorly on the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) has recently been shown to be a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while a good HAQ score is predictive of a better outcome. In patients presenting with early diffuse scleroderma prognosis is variable. Our goal was to determine possible baseline predictors of future good outcomes. ⋯ A low baseline HAQ (defined as less than the median HAQ score) is predictive of improved outcome in diffuse scleroderma at 1 and 2 yr.
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To analyse the clinical features and outcomes of gout complicated with necrotizing fasciitis. ⋯ Necrotizing fasciitis in gout patients represents a surgical and medical emergency, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is imperative and may be lifesaving. Early diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion, even in patients without fever or leucocytosis.
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Comparative Study
The relationship between health-related quality of life, pain and coping strategies in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
To investigate the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQL), experience of pain and pain coping strategies in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). To compare reports describing these variables obtained from children and their parents. ⋯ Pain intensity and pain coping strategies have a significant and independent relationship with several domains that comprise the HRQL of children with JIA. However, parents and children have differing perceptions of the nature of these relationships. The differences emphasize the importance of clinicians obtaining information about children's HRQL, pain levels and pain coping strategies from both parents and children.
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are commonly used to control pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis. However, these agents have been associated with gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular adverse effects. Together, these complications indicate a clear unmet need in the safety of current treatment options for the management of osteoarthritis. ⋯ With the current unmet needs in the treatment of osteoarthritis, the opportunity exists for the development of new therapies. Novel agents include the COX-inhibiting nitric oxide donors and the lipoxygenase (LOX)/COX inhibitor licofelone. Initial results suggest that these therapies may have tolerability advantages over the NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors.
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To use a brief screening tool to identify knee pain (all knee pain, non-chronic and chronic knee pain) and associated health-care use in the general population aged 50 yr and over. ⋯ The KNEST is a simple tool for the identification of individuals with knee pain and their health-care use. Focusing only on chronic knee pain will underestimate the total need and demand for health-care in knee pain sufferers in the general older population, as non-chronic as well as chronic knee pain has a significant impact on people's lives and on their use of primary health-care. The KNEST, when combined with the WOMAC, identifies population groups who have potentially diverse health-care needs and who might benefit from effective health-care. These data can be used alongside evidence on effective treatments by service planners when considering needs for the care of older adults in primary care.