Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology
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Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem that poses some interesting and difficult diagnostic problems. It is typically benign and self-limited, but it is occasionally the presenting symptom of serious systemic disease. ⋯ In the absence of these features, imaging is of limited value. Recent research has begun to evaluate subgroups with 'non-specific' low back pain that seem to benefit from specific interventions such as median branch or sacroiliac joint injections, manipulation, or specific exercises, but these require further investigation and validation.
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Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol · Feb 2005
ReviewImaging in early rheumatoid arthritis: roles of magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, conventional radiography and computed tomography.
Efficient methods for diagnosis, monitoring and prognostication are essential in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While conventional X-rays only visualize the late signs of preceding disease activity, there is evidence for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography being highly sensitive for early inflammatory and destructive changes in RA joints, and for MRI findings being sensitive to change and of predictive value for future progressive X-ray damage. ⋯ The main focus is on recent advances in MRI and ultrasonography. Suggestions on clinical use and research priorities are provided.
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Economic analyses have the potential to put all of the positive and negative outcomes of an intervention into perspective to aid decision making. The quality of the data upon which the analysis is based has an impact on the resulting quality of the analysis itself. Analysis of cost-effectiveness requires the input of many types of data, and where data are not available, assumptions must be made. ⋯ A cost-utility analysis was published regarding the use of infliximab in methotrexate resistant RA. It showed a cost-utility ratio of 3400:34,000 Euro per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained, depending on the country evaluated (Sweden and the UK, respectively). An important finding in all three studies was that indirect costs dominate costs in RA; therefore, they should be included in all future analyses of this disease.
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Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol · Aug 2003
ReviewComplementary and alternative medicine in fibromyalgia and related syndromes.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained increasing popularity, particularly among individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) for which traditional medicine has generally been ineffective. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs on CAM studies for FMS was conducted to evaluate the empirical evidence for their effectiveness. ⋯ Other CAM therapies have either been evaluated in only one RCT with positive results (Chlorella, biofeedback, relaxation), in multiple RCTs with mixed results (magnet therapies), or have positive results from studies with methodological flaws (homeopathy, botanical oils, balneotherapy, anthocyanidins, dietary modifications). Lastly, other CAM therapies have neither well-designed studies nor positive results and are not currently recommended for FMS treatment (chiropractic care).
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Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol · Aug 2003
ReviewMeasuring clinical pain in chronic widespread pain: selected methodological issues.
Assessing clinical pain is an important task in clinical practice and research. A large empirical literature has documented that patients' pain reports can be systematically biased by a number of methodological factors. ⋯ Data from a recent study that implemented an electronic diary for capturing real-time pain data are presented and reviewed in the context of the methodological factors reviewed above. It is concluded that methodological factors can greatly affect our understanding of patients' pain experiences.