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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
6352937 Antibodies to cytoplasmic intermediate filaments in rheumatic diseases. 1983 Aug Antibodies to 2 types of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IMF)--vimentin and cytokeratin filaments--were assayed in sera from various rheumatic diseases by indirect immunofluorescence using cultured human embryonic fibroblasts and an epithelial cell line, PtK 2, as substrates. These antibodies belonged mainly to the IgM class and were detected in most of the sera. Vimentin filament antibodies of IgG or IgA class were frequent in Sjögren's syndrome (43%). Antibodies to another type of IMF, cytokeratin filaments, were also more prevalent in Sjögren's syndrome (64%) than in systemic lupus erythematosus (50%), rheumatoid arthritis (46%) and other hospital patients (8%). Our results show that intermediate filaments are a major target for autoantibodies in rheumatic diseases, especially in Sjögren's syndrome. The presence of intermediate filament IgA antibodies suggest that the stimulus for their production lies at epithelial surfaces.
3873693 Immunoglobulins, anti-IgG antibodies and antinuclear antibodies in paired serum and synovi 1985 Paired samples of serum and synovial fluid (SF) from 13 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and 10 patients with adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined regarding the level of immunoglobulins and the occurrence and titres of anti-IgG antibodies and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). The levels of immunoglobulins were lower in SF than in serum. In JRA the SF/serum ratio of IgG was equal to that of albumin, pointing to a local production of IgG. The SF/serum ratio of IgM was equal to that of alpha 2-macroglobulin. In JRA the SF/serum ratios of immunoglobulins tended to be lower than in RA, the difference being significant for IgM. IgD autoantibodies and IgA anti-IgG were not found in JRA. IgE autoantibodies occurred in some cases, but in RA in more than 60%. In JRA the SF titres of anti-IgG and ANA were most often lower than the serum titres. In RA the SF titres were often higher than the serum titres. In 9 of 10 paired SF samples from patients with RA the SF/serum ratios were mutually different with regard to one or several immunoglobulins. Evidence of synovial production of anti-IgG antibodies of classes other than IgG distinguished RA from JRA. Otherwise the differences were quantitative.
952221 Girdlestone's operation: a follow-up study. 1976 Jun A study was made of 43 patients (48 hips) operated for diseases of the hip using Girdlestone's method. The follow-up time ranged from 2.5 to 13 years. For assessment of the post-operative results the following parameters were taken into consideration: pain, range of movement, gait and the patient's opinion. These were studied separately and in relation to the type of disease, the patient's age, and the time which had elapsed since the operation. Pain decreased in a considerable number of patients and range of movement and gait improved. The patients were generally in favor of the operation, and felt it had had a beneficial effect on their condition.
6419594 Auranofin: dose-related risk to benefit. 1983 Dec 30 Two separate, double-blind studies examined the most appropriate starting dose of auranofin, an orally administered gold compound, for the management of rheumatoid arthritis. One study indicated that neither of the two tested doses, 1 or 9 mg auranofin daily, was ideal; the 1 mg dose was insufficient therapeutically, whereas the 9 mg dose was associated with frequent lower gastrointestinal side effects. In the other study, which compared 2 and 6 mg auranofin daily, both doses resulted in similar clinical improvement and untoward effects, although the higher dose had greater efficacy sooner. Thus, it appears that 6 mg auranofin daily is the most appropriate starting dose.
508024 Comparison of nonseptic and septic bursitis. Further observations on the treatment of sept 1979 Nov Of 30 cases of olecranon and prepatellar bursitis, ten were septic. Fever, tenderness, peribursal cellulitis, and skin involvement over the bursa were more common in the septic cases. A high leukocyte count, low bursal-to-serum glucose ratio, and positive Gram-stained smear of the bursal fluid distinguished septic from nonseptic bursitis. Rheumatoid arthritis and gout may be accompanied by nonseptic bursitis. Septic bursitis may be associated with a sympathetic sterile effusion in a neighboring joint or adjacent fascial space. The duration of antibiotic treatment necessary to sterilize bursal fluid was proportional to the length of time infection had been present. A prospective antibiotic program disclosed an average of 12 days for successful therapy. A bactericidal agent against penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the drug of choice.
606415 Effect of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on intestine and bone in g 1977 Dec The effect of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha-OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on the intestinal calcium absorption was studied in twenty patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisone at daily doses of 5--15 mg for 1/2--20 years. The fractional calcium absorption, measured before and after the treatment with the vitamin D compounds, increased in nineteen of the twenty patients. This was, however, accompanied by marked rises in the urinary calcium excretion. There was no correlation between the fractional calcium absorption and the duration of the prednisone treatment or the doses given.
4075885 [The interposition nail in diaphyseal bone defects and arthrodesis nail in failed knee-joi 1985 Nov Our clinical experience with different constructions of interposition and arthrodesis nails, used in 3 and 12 patients respectively, is presented. It has shown that cemented intramedullary nailing for the stabilization of long bones and the knee joint using an approach from the site of the defect is a useful additional means in reconstructive bone and joint surgery.
6241257 Immobilized IgG-aggregate-induced cytolytic activity of lymphocytes from patients with rhe 1984 Dec T-depleted lymphocytes can lyse nonsensitized target cells subsequent to interacting with immobilized IgG-aggregate, while T cells from healthy individuals can suppress this cytolytic response. In the present study we have compared the activity of non-T effector cells and T suppressor cells from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals with that of cells from the peripheral blood and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unlike peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from healthy donors, which were never lytic without removing T suppressor cells, PBL from RA patients were occasionally active without removing T cells; lymphocytes from joint fluids were almost always active. The lytic response of RA joint fluid lymphocytes could be suppressed by T cells from autologous or healthy donor peripheral blood, thus suggesting that the suppressor cell which regulates this lytic mechanism might be defective or absent in joint fluids of RA patients.
6203827 Specificity of IgM antibodies to pooled human F(ab')2 fragments. 1984 An isotope specific immunoassay which minimizes interference by endogenous rheumatoid factors was used to determine the specificity of IgM anti-F(ab')2 antibodies in human serum. We underscore the heterogeneity of these antibodies. While one subset of IgM anti-F(ab')2 antibodies reacts only with intact F(ab')2, another recognizes determinants present following reduction and alkylation of F(ab')2 and separation of Fd' fragments from light chains. IgM anti-F(ab')2 antibodies in sera from rheumatoid arthritis patients do not react significantly with intact pooled IgG and, therefore, probably are not anti-idiotypic antibodies. Some sera, but not all, contain elevated levels of antibodies that are crossreactive with rabbit F(ab')2. Such crossreactive antibodies may interfere with assays which utilize F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit antibodies specific for antigens of clinical relevance.
6611139 Differences in immunochemical characteristics of cryoglobulins in rheumatoid arthritis and 1984 Jun Cryoglobulins isolated from sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were analysed for their immunoglobulin, antibody, and complement components. In both disease categories the cryoglobulins contained predominantly IgG with lesser amounts of IgM and IgA, but relative to serum more IgM was concentrated in the cryoglobulins. IgM rheumatoid factor was found in 65% of RA cryoglobulins but in only 17% of SLE cryoglobulins (p less than 0.02), whereas SLE cryoglobulins contained more DNA binding activity than RA cryoglobulins (p less than 0.01). C1q binding activity was detectable in the majority of SLE and RA sera and SLE cryoglobulins. Paradoxically only two out of 34 RA cryoglobulins bound C1q, although rheumatoid factor activity was present in both cryoglobulins and sera. When isolated from serum the rheumatoid factor fraction strongly bound C1q. Both RA and SLE cryoglobulins contained similar small amounts of C3 and C4. Differences in antibody composition and complement binding activity of cryoglobulins from RA and SLE sera may reflect properties of immune complexes which affect their tissue localisation and pathogenicity.
7164254 Improved white blood cell functions: additional effects of membrane plasmapheresis. 1982 The changes in cellular functions were analyzed in 4 rheumatoid arthritis and 2 biliary cirrhosis patients. Impaired T-cell functions (low lymphocyte transformation reactivity (LTR) to Con A), seen in one cirrhosis patient before MP, improved with MP. MP also removed inhibitory factor(s) for LTR from the plasma of this patient. RA patients tended to have decreased Con A response and enhanced PWM response. MP enhanced LTR in 2 patients, but lowered LTR in patient who had been taking immunosuppressive drugs. Changes in lymphocyte populations occurred and included a substantial increase of T cells. A primary effect was an increase of helper T-cells. During MP, early leukopenia accompanied by complement activation and secondary leukocytosis were observed. Phagocytic PMNs activated by this process had significant augmentation of their O-2 generating activity as measured by chemiluminescence. This was evident in severe RA and in 2 cirrhosis patients with low phagocytic cell function before MP. This activation of phagocytes by MP may lead to additional beneficial effects by further lowering MMs such as immune complexes from plasma. A better understanding of these phenomena is necessary to assess the overall therapeutic response to MP, especially in patients where cellular mechanisms are important in pathogenesis of their disease.
432558 Arthroplasty of the knee joint. With special reference to complications. 1979 Ninety-one arthroplasties of the knee joint--all performed by the same orthopaedic surgeon, were followed for from 6 months to 6 years (mean 3.5 years). At the time of the primary operation the mean age of the patients, most of whom had rheumatoid arthritis, was 60 years. The prostheses most often used were the Geomedic, the modular and the polycentric. The most consistently good results were achieved with the Geomedic prosthesis. The primary arthroplasty failed in 16 knees (17.6%); deep infections developed in four knees (4.4%). In three knees the prosthesis fractured and in two knees the supporting bone fractured. All these fractures occurred in the medial compartment of the knee joint. Loosening of the prosthesis--with or without concomitant infection or fracture of the prosthesis--was the most common local complication (nine knees). Reoperations were performed, during the follow-up period reported on here, on all knees in which complications developed, except one. Eight knees, about 9%, required arthrodesis. In six knees the prosthesis was replaced, and one knee was treated by arthrotomy and closed irrigation. The four deep infections resolved during the follow-up period--one after arthrodesis of the joint and one after arthrotomy and closed irrigation. In the other two knees with deep infection the prosthesis was replaced.
2988114 Synovial fluid ferritin in rheumatic diseases. 1985 The synovial fluid ferritin level in 49 patients (57 joints) with various rheumatic diseases was analysed. In rheumatoid arthritis (n = 22) the geometric mean ferritin level was 528 micrograms/l (range 56-3 100 micrograms/l), in other inflammatory arthritides (n = 12) 339 micrograms/l (105-2 835 micrograms/l) (p greater than 0.5), in calcium pyrophosphate arthropathy (n = 14) 507 micrograms/l (180-4 230 micrograms/l) (p greater than 0.5) and in non-inflammatory osteoarthritis (n = 9) 167 micrograms/l (14-725 micrograms/l) (p less than 0.05). Synovial fluid/serum ferritin ratios did not differ significantly in the four diagnostic groups; 4 patients had ratios less than 1.0. Synovial fluid ferritin was not correlated to total fluid cell count or differential cell count. Although ferritin content was significantly greater in inflammatory than in noninflammatory fluid (p less than 0.05), the wide scatter of the values and marked overlap between the different groups limit the value of measuring synovial fluid ferritin as a differential diagnostic test for rheumatic diseases.
6698408 The complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy in the elderly. A retrospective study 1984 The complications of long-term corticosteroid therapy were reviewed in 100 elderly patients who were treated for chronic obstructive airways disease (n = 76), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 19) and ulcerative colitis (n = 5). The incidence of side effects was high (40%) and appeared to be dose-related. Osteoporosis (16%) and hypertension (12%) were the most common. Hypokalaemia occurred infrequently despite the fact that 69 patients were also prescribed diuretics. A further group of 36 patients receiving corticosteroids for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis also seemed to demonstrate a dose-related effect on the incidence of complications although this could not be confirmed statistically.
6869411 Risk/benefit analysis of hydroxychloroquine sulfate treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. 1983 Jul 18 Controlled studies have their limitations in assessing the clinical effectiveness of drugs, particularly in patients requiring years of treatment. Retrospective analysis of long-term therapy can be useful and can be summarized easily by life-table analysis. Our first analysis revealed that side effects were more common in patients treated with gold than in those receiving hydroxychloroquine sulfate. Relapses in patients who were treated with gold occurred at a continuous rate over time, whereas in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine this rate leveled off after 20 months of treatment. Our second analysis revealed that the rate of drug discontinuation was lowest with hydroxychloroquine, followed--in order of discontinuation--by gold, D-penicillamine, and levamisole. In both studies, no definite retinopathy was seen in any patient. Since hydroxychloroquine is better tolerated and easier to use than D-penicillamine, gold, or levamisole, it is a reasonable choice for the first trial of a slow-acting antirheumatic drug.
6221364 [Atloaxoid dislocation in chronic inflammatory rheumatism. Results of 16 occipitoaxoid art 1982 Sixteen cases of spontaneous dislocation of the atlanto-axial joint have been reviewed, fifteen in rheumatoid arthritis and one in ankylosing spondylitis. On four occasions there was some neurological impairment, but in eleven there was only pain and stiffness. The only case of ankylosing spondylitis was operated on after failure of conservative treatment. Three patients died between one and eight months after operation, two of them having had severe neurological impairment before operation. In the thirteen other cases, the average follow up was four years. All had satisfactory fusion after grafting from the skull to axis. Six had only a partial reduction of the displacement and united with some displacement of about 5 mm. The results were satisfactory with absence of pain and regression of neurological signs.
414083 [Immunostimulation in the treatment of chronic joint rheumatism (author's transl)]. 1977 Nov 18 Results of a Double Blind Study: In a randomized double blind study, 22 patients were treated with levamisole. The intention was to find out whether immunostimulation would have a favorable influence on rheumatic complaints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and whether an objectifiable improvement of the synovial reaction can be obtained. The course was monitored with an extensive laboratory diagnostic program in 13 patients treated with levamisole and 9 patients with placebo. The medicament did not cause a pseudo-LE syndrome. In the overall result, 84.6% of the patients were significantly improved compared to 33.3% of the placebo group. Gastric complaints were occasionally seen as side effects. In one patient, the treatment had to be interrupted several times because of recurrent leukopenia and was prematurely ended in the 21st week.
1173655 Evaluation of ibuprofen (Motrin). A new antirheumatic agent. 1975 Jul 28 Ibuprofen is a new, mild analgesic agent that may be useful in the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Results of clinical studies have shown that its beneficial effects in these conditions are comparable, but not superior, to those of aspirin. However, at recommended doses it has less anti-inflammatory effect than aspirin. Its usefulness as an analgesic in the treatment of other types of pain and as an antipyretic has not yet been established. Ibuprofen causes fewer adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system, including occult bleeding, than aspirin. Serious adverse reactions have not been reported. Thus, ibuprofen may be acceptable for use in patients who cannot tolerate aspirin or other antirheumatic drugs.
6610709 Immune function in severe, active rheumatoid arthritis: a relationship between peripheral 1984 Aug We have previously reported that patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and depressed in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation to soluble recall antigens (anergic subgroup) improve clinically after repeated short-term leukapheresis, whereas patients with normal responses (nonanergic subgroup) do not. This observation prompted us to examine the mononuclear cell subset profiles in the peripheral blood of anergic and nonanergic seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients with severe, active, clinically similar disease not taking long-acting anti-rheumatic drugs. In the present study, 42 patients were categorized as anergic (n = 14) or nonanergic (n = 28) on the basis of in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation to soluble recall antigens. The anergic patients had a decreased frequency of OKT4+ mononuclear cells (p less than 0.01), and an increased frequency of OKT8+ cells (p less than 0.02), with a lower OKT4+ :OKT8+ ratio (p less than 0.01) than the nonanergic patients. Anergic patients also had a higher frequency of HLA-DR+ mononuclear cells and HLA-DR+ T cells (p less than 0.001). About 50% of the OKT8+ cells were HLA-DR+, whereas only about 20% of the OKT4+ population expressed HLA-DR antigens. These data suggest that the decreased lymphocyte function described in the anergic patient subgroup is associated with characteristic peripheral blood mononuclear cell subset profiles. Moreover, when considered in the context of other data indicating that anergic patients have characteristic synovial immunopathologic abnormalities, these data provide insight into potential pathogenic mechanisms of this disorder.
3900391 Comparative specificities of serum and synovial cell 19S IgM rheumatoid factors in rheumat 1985 Jun Rheumatoid factor (RF) may play a role in sustaining the inflammatory events and tissue damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, many serum RF have greater specificity for rabbit IgG than for human IgG, thus raising questions about RF pathogenicity in RA. Serum RF also has specificity for human IgG subclasses 1, 2 and 4, but not for IgG3. The synovium is central to the pathology of RA; thus, RF made there may have greater pathogenicity than serum RF. We examined the specificity of 19S IgM RF in an RF plaque forming cell assay (RF-PFC) using RA synovial cells (RSC). We found that: (1) RSC produced greater numbers of RF-PFC/10(6) cells than did RA peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM); (2) RSC RF-PFC had greater specificity for human than for rabbit IgG compared to autologous serum RF; (3) RSC RF had significantly greater specificity for human IgG3 relative to autologous serum RF. In contrast, RSC RF and autologous serum RF had the same relative specificities for polyclonal human IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4. Thus, the specificity of much of the RF synthesized by RSC differed from serum RF. The potential pathogenic significance of these observations is discussed.