Modern rheumatology
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Modern rheumatology · Jan 2015
Ultrasonographic assessment of pes anserinus tendon and pes anserinus tendinitis bursitis syndrome in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
The aim of this study was to assess the ultrasonographic (US) findings of pes anserinus tendon and bursa in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) with or without clinical pes anserinus tendinitis bursitis syndrome (PATBS). ⋯ It is concluded that the mean thickness of PA in knees with OA with/without PATBS was significantly greater than the controls. The mean thickness of PA in knees with OA, KL graded 3 and 4 with/without PATBS, was greater than in knees with OA KL graded 1 and 2 with/without PATBS. The knee OA with PATBS had significantly more PAB, less loss of normal fibrillar echotexture of PA, and higher VAS scores compared to the knees with OA without PATBS. US can serve as a useful diagnostic tool for detection of PATBS in knee OA.
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Modern rheumatology · Jan 2015
Observational StudyComparison of efficacy and safety of tacrolimus and methotrexate in combination with abatacept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; a retrospective observational study in the TBC Registry.
Tacrolimus (TAC) and abatacept (ABT) inhibit T-cells via different mechanisms and, in combination, may be effective against rheumatoid arthritis. However, they may also disrupt normal immune functions. We compared the efficacy and safety of ABT administered to patients in combination with TAC, methotrexate (MTX), or other drugs. ⋯ Although the sample size was small, the results of this retrospective study suggest that the ABT+ TAC combination therapy has at least comparable safety and efficacy to those of the ABT+ MTX combination, and that it can thus be a useful option for patients who cannot take MTX.
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Modern rheumatology · Jan 2015
Case ReportsRefractory macrophage activation syndrome in a patient with SLE and APLA syndrome - Successful use of PET- CT and Anakinra in its diagnosis and treatment.
A patient with antiphospholipid syndrome, SLE and refractory fever is described. The cause for the fever was macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The diagnosis of MAS was made with the help of PET-CT. ⋯ The present case illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing MAS when multiple bone marrow biopsies fail to show hemophagocytosis. It emphasizes the significance of PET-CT in the diagnosis and evaluation of treatment of MAS. Finally, it describes the important role of Anakinra in treating refractory cases of MAS.
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Modern rheumatology · Jan 2015
A novel rat model of hip pain by intra-articular injection of nerve growth factor-characteristics of sensory innervation and inflammatory arthritis.
To determine the direct effects of intra-articular injection of nerve growth factor (NGF) into normal rat hips and the time course of pain-related mediator appearance. ⋯ Intra-articular administration of NGF into the hip joint produces a novel rat model for hip pain.