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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
19652507 Erythrocyte methotrexate-polyglutamate assay using fluorescence polarization immunoassay t 2009 Aug Methotrexate (MTX), i.e., MTX-polygluatmate 1 (MTX-PG(1)), exerts its antirheumatic effects mainly by < or = 6 (MTX-PG(2-7)) via folypolyglutamyl synthase in cells. The authors developed a new method using fluorescence polarization immunoassay to determine MTX-PG(1-7) concentrations in erythrocytes (RBC). MTX-PG(2-7) in RBC of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving MTX was converted to MTX in the presence of plasma gamma-glutamyl hydrolase and mercaptoethanol at 37 degrees C. The MTX in RBC was extracted in a perchloric acid deproteinization step then on a solid-phase extraction column. The concentration of MTX was measured by TDX analyzer. The mean MTX recovery rate was 76.1% (n=8). The intraday and interday coefficients of variation were <11.3% (n=8) and <12.4% (n=3), respectively, at low and high concentrations (30-300 nmol/l). The calibration curve was linear over the range 30-300 nmol/l. The total concentration of MTX-PGs (mean+/-S.D.) in RBC obtained from 95 Japanese RA patient blood samples was 97.3+/-8.1 nmol/l for the MTX dose of 0.13+/-0.05 mg/week/kg. This newly developed method for the quantification of MTX-PGs in RBC is sensitive and accurate and can be applied for routine monitoring of MTX therapy in RA patients.
19333938 CTLA4/ICOS gene variants and haplotypes are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and prima 2009 Apr OBJECTIVE: The co-occurrence of different autoimmune diseases in patients and their families suggests the presence of shared genetic risk factors. Two compelling candidate autoimmune disease susceptibility genes are those that encode CTLA4 and inducible costimulator (ICOS), immunoregulatory proteins. Associations of CTLA4 polymorphisms with various autoimmune diseases have been reported, but for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), the association data are inconsistent and have largely excluded analysis of polymorphisms in the ICOS gene adjacent to CTLA4. We undertook this study to examine whether CTLA4 and ICOS influence RA and PBC susceptibility by testing CTLA4/ICOS polymorphisms for association with these diseases in Canadian subjects. METHODS: Caucasian RA patients (n = 1,140), PBC patients (n = 481), and controls (n = 1,248) were typed for 21 biallelic polymorphisms across the CTLA4/ ICOS genes using a multiplex genotyping array, and the results were analyzed using a false discovery rate method to correct for multiple testing. RESULTS: Significant associations of multiple CTLA4 and ICOS gene polymorphisms with RA and PBC were observed, with the strongest association signals for both diseases coming from a CTLA4/ICOS intergenic single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs17268364 (corrected P [P(corr)] = 6.0 x 10(-4) and P(corr) < 1.0 x 10(-4), respectively). Significant associations, which were common to both diseases, were also observed with other alleles and haplotypes across 3 linkage disequilibrium blocks within the CTLA4 gene, the intergenic region, and the ICOS gene. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence for RA and PBC association with the CTLA4/ICOS locus and suggest that the risk allele(s) within this region may be common to both diseases.
20510235 Immune aging and rheumatoid arthritis. 2010 May Immunologic models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have to take into account that the disease occurs at an age when immunocompetence is declining and in a host whose immune system shows evidence of accelerated immune aging. By several immune aging biomarkers, the immune system in patients with RA is prematurely aged by more than 20 years. One major pathogenetic mechanism is a defect in telomere maintenance and DNA repair that causes accelerated cell death. These findings in RA are reminiscent of murine autoimmunity models, in which lymphopenia was identified as a major risk factor for autoimmunity. Progress in the understanding of how accelerated immune aging is pathogenetically involved in RA may allow development of new therapeutic approaches that go beyond the use of anti-inflammatory agents and eventually could open new avenues for preventive intervention.
18795390 A comparative study of IgG second- and third-generation anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2009 Feb To compare IgG anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) of second (anti-CCP2) and third generations (anti-CCP3) for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an IgA CCP3 ELISA was also evaluated. Combinations of the use of the three tests were evaluated. Anti-CCP2 IgG, anti-CCP3 IgG, and anti-CCP3 IgA antibody levels were determined by ELISAs in the serum of 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 34 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 54 normal subjects. We evaluated the serum levels, diagnostic performance, and the use of a combination of tests for RA diagnosis. Statistical analyses include receiver operating curves (ROCs) and others. The serum levels were higher in RA patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio (LR), and negative LR were, respectively, 78.6%, 94.3%, 91.7%, 84.7%, 13.8, and 0.23 for anti- CCP2 IgG and 82.9%, 93.2%, 90.6%, 87.2%, 12.2, and 0.18 for anti-CCP3 IgG. These values were better than the same statistical tests for anti-CCP3 IgA. ROC analysis showed that anti-CCP2 IgG and anti-CCP3 IgG had good performance and similar areas. Measuring both IgG and IgA anti-CCP tests increases the specificity if both tests were positive and increases the sensitivity if either test were positive. In our population, anti-CCP2 IgG and anti-CCP3 IgG had good diagnostic performance. Anti-CCP3 IgG had 4.3% more sensitivity than the anti-CCP2 IgG test while sustaining high specificity. This and other studies suggest the development of a dual test--CCP3 IgG and IgA that may be a potential diagnostic tool.
19714593 Adiponectin is a mediator of the inverse association of adiposity with radiographic damage 2009 Sep 15 OBJECTIVE: Recent reports have suggested that increasing adiposity may protect against radiographic damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We explored the role of serum adipokines (adiponectin, resistin, and leptin) in mediating this association. METHODS: Patients with RA underwent total-body dual x-ray absorptiometry for measurement of total and regional body fat and lean mass, abdominal computed tomography for measurement of visceral fat area, and radiographs of the hands and feet scored according to the modified Sharp/van der Heijde (SHS) method. Serum levels of adipokines were measured and cross-sectional associations with radiographic damage were explored, adjusting for pertinent confounders. The associations of measures of adiposity with radiographic damage were explored with the introduction of adipokines into multivariable modeling as potential mediators. RESULTS: Among the 197 patients studied, adiponectin demonstrated a strong association with radiographic damage, with the log SHS score increasing by 0.40 units for each log unit increase in adiponectin (P = 0.001) after adjusting for pertinent predictors of radiographic damage. Adiponectin independently accounted for 6.1% of the explainable variability in SHS score, a proportion comparable with rheumatoid factor, and greater than HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles or C-reactive protein levels. Resistin and leptin were not associated with radiographic damage in adjusted models. An inverse association between visceral fat area and radiographic damage was attenuated when adiponectin was modeled as a mediator. The association of adiponectin with radiographic damage was stronger in patients with longer disease duration. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin may represent a mechanistic link between low adiposity and increased radiographic damage in RA. Adiponectin modulation may represent a novel strategy for attenuating articular damage.
20617749 [The goal for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should be remission]. 2010 Early diagnosis is the cornerstone for a successful treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The Finnish way is to start early using the combination of three disease modifying drugs (methotrexate, sulphasalazine, hydroxychloroquine) and a low dose of glucocorticoid (FIN-RACo strategy) aiming at remission. A tight control of disease activity and flexible adjustment of drug therapy are needed using local joint injections, as well. In severe disease with insufficient treatment response, the new biologicals are indicated before marked joint damages occur.
21124099 Joint arthritis and soft-tissue problems of the hand. 2010 Dec The hand, by virtue of its position in space, complex anatomical composition, and characteristic biomechanical properties, is subject to a host of disease processes and traumatic injuries. This article reviews the presentation, evaluation, treatment, and outcomes of treatment in hand infections, high-pressure injection injuries, Dupuytren disease, and arthritis.
19549290 Masitinib in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis: results of a multicentre, open- 2009 INTRODUCTION: Since current treatment options for patients suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain inadequate, especially for those unresponsive to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), new and improved medication is needed. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of masitinib (AB1010), a potent and selective protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor of c-KIT, in the monotherapy treatment of DMARD-refractory RA. METHODS: This was a multicentre, uncontrolled, open-label, randomised, dose-ranging, phase 2a trial. Masitinib was administered orally to 43 patients who had inadequate response to DMARDs, at initial randomised dosing levels of 3 and 6 mg/kg per day over a 12-week period. Dose adjustment was permitted based upon tolerability and response criteria. Efficacy was assessed via American College of Rheumatology 20%/50%/70% improvement criteria (ACR20/50/70) responses, disease activity score using 28 joint counts (DAS28), index of improvement in RA (ACRn) and C-reactive protein (CRP) improvement, relative to baseline at week 12. RESULTS: Improvement was observed in all efficacy endpoints, including ACR20/50/70 scores of 54%, 26% and 8%, respectively, and a reduction in CRP level by greater than 50% for approximately half the population. This improvement was sustainable throughout an extension phase (> 84 weeks) and was also independent of initial DMARD resistance (anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha and/or methotrexate). A relatively high patient withdrawal rate (37%) required the use of last observation carried forward (LOCF) data imputation. Incidence of adverse events was high (95%), although the majority were of mild or moderate severity with a considerable decline in frequency observed after 12 weeks of treatment. Two nonfatal serious adverse events were reported. Dose-response analyses tentatively indicate that an initial dosing level of 6.0 mg/kg per day administered orally in two daily intakes is the most appropriate, based upon potency and tolerability trends. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with masitinib improved DMARD-refractory active RA. Following an initial high incidence of mostly mild to moderate side effects during the first 12 weeks of treatment, masitinib appears to be generally well tolerated. This, together with evidence of a sustainable efficacy response, suggests that masitinib is suitable for long-term treatment regimens. Since this was the first study of masitinib in a nononcologic pathology, the relatively high patient withdrawal rate observed can be partly attributed to a highly cautious response to adverse events. There is sufficient compelling evidence to warrant further placebo-controlled investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00831922.
19911446 Reliability of the discrete choice experiment at the input and output level in patients wi 2009 Jan OBJECTIVES: To investigate the issue of conjoint reliability over time. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment was applied using scenarios that describe the effect of treating rheumatoid arthritis patients with TNF-alpha inhibitors, a novel class of highly effective, but expensive antirheumatic agents. Respondents participated in three face-to-face interviews over a period of 4 months. Reliability was measured both at the input level, where the consistency of matches made by respondents to the Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) question between replications was determined, and at the output level, where the parameters of the conjoint model were estimated and tested for joint significance and willingness to pay (WTP) confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Input level: Of the 1661 choices made in survey 1, 1316 were repeated in survey 2. Based on the observed number of consistently repeated choices and the expected number by chance, a fair agreement between the choices in the two surveys (chi2 = 324) was found. Of the 998 consistently repeated choices from survey 1 to survey 2, 818 were repeated in survey 3. There was again a high level of consistency between the choices in surveys 1 and 2 and the final choice in survey 3. Output level: The confidence intervals for WTP figures in surveys 1 and 2 and 1 and 3 were overlapping, implying that the DCE was reliable at the output level over time. CONCLUSION: The proportion of consistent responses was higher than would be expected by chance. Conjoint reliability over time was found both at the input and output level.
21028952 Triamcinolone-loaded glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan microspheres: prolonged release 2011 Apr The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has been widely employed, but, owing to their systemic side-effects and also their susceptibility to the first pass metabolism, their use is being discouraged. To circumvent this, triamcinolone (TA) were encapsulated in chitosan microspheres with glutaraldehyde as the cross-linking agent to achieve a prolonged drug release. The percentage of drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and surface morphology by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Phase transition by Differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies was carried out to characterize the chitosan microspheres. In-vitro and in-vivo release studies revealed that microspheres were able to control the release of TA with a uniform release pattern up to a period of 36 days and thereafter an extended release up to 63 days. The clinical parameters were investigated for changes in paw volume, hematological parameters like Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Paced cell volume (PCV), Total leucocyte count (TLC), Hb, and Differential cell count (DCC) in Fruend's complete adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Histopathological findings as well as radiology (X-ray) further confirmed the effectiveness of TA encapsulated microspheres in mitigating the rat arthritic model.
18953538 Assessment of adenosine deaminase levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving anti-T 2009 Apr Anti-TNF-alpha agents are increasingly used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment and that is known to increase the risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels are shown to increase to high levels in TB patients. Our aim is to investigate the serum ADA levels in RA patients being treated with anti-TNF-alpha and to compare the results with the patients on DMARD therapy. The study groups comprised of 56 RA patients (45 female, mean age 49) who were treated either with two or three DMARDs, 32 RA patients with anti-TNF-alpha treatment (26 female, mean age 46) and 20 healthy controls (10 female, mean age 48). All patients fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria for RA. DAS28 score was calculated for all subjects. When compared to healthy controls, ADA levels were measured statistically higher both in patient groups (P = 0.046, 0.002). ADA levels in anti-TNF-alpha group were similar to conventional therapy (11.3 +/- 2.7, 10.9 +/- 4.01; P = 0.76). PPD was positive in 17 RA patients in the anti-TNF-alpha treatment group (%53). The ADA levels were found to be similar in the anti-TNF-alpha group when compared according to the PPD positivity (positive, 12.4 +/- 3.7; negative, 10.5 +/- 2.1; P = 0.02). No correlation was found between the ADA levels and age, disease duration, ESR, CRP, DAS 28 and HAQ score. In this study, we observed that RA patients at remission taking DMARD or anti-TNF-alpha therapy have similar levels of serum ADA. Although serum ADA levels during TB infection increase much higher, in our study, ADA levels of all RA patients were lower than 15 IU/L. Elevated ADA levels may be a clue for diagnosis of TB in patients who were on anti-TNF-alpha therapy.
20140732 Rheumatoid wrist deformity and risk of extensor tendon rupture evaluated by 3DCT imaging. 2010 May OBJECTIVE: Extensor tendon rupture on the dorsum of the wrist is commonly seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It causes immediate dysfunction of the hand and surgical reconstruction is usually required. The purpose of this study was to clarify the risk of extensor tendon rupture by quantifying wrist deformity on three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional CT images of 108 wrists in 102 patients with RA and 38 wrists in 38 healthy volunteers were analyzed retrospectively. All of the rheumatoid wrists had caused persistent pain for more than 6 months despite ongoing medical treatment. Extensor tendon rupture was noted in 49 wrists in 47 patients, and no rupture was noted in 59 wrists in 56 patients. The dorsal subluxation ratio (DSR) of the ulnar head and the carpal supination angle (CSA) were measured utilizing a new technique. RESULTS: The average DSR and CSA in the rupture group (n = 49), the non-rupture group (n = 59), and the normal wrist group (n = 38) were 37%, 19%, and 26%, and 15 degrees , 11 degrees , and 6 degrees respectively. The cut-off values for extensor tendon rupture in the wrists of patients with RA were 32% (sensitivity; 70%, specificity; 75%) in the DSR, and 14 degrees (71%, 68%) in the CSA. CONCLUSION: By utilizing 3DCT imaging of the rheumatoid wrist, these parameters can help improve our ability to predict extensor tendon rupture.
20587762 Prevalence and determinants of psychiatric disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis 2010 Jul BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic rheumatological disorder among southern Chinese patients in Hong Kong, with an estimated prevalence of 0.33%-0.35%. The resulting chronic pain, disability, social stress, and isolation contribute to the development of psychiatric symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The authors identify the prevalence and determining factors of psychiatric disorders in patients with RA. METHOD: Consecutive RA patients (N=200) were recruited from a rheumatology outpatient clinic. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed by a psychiatrist using the Chinese-bilingual Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders, Patient Research Version. Sociodemographic and clinical data and subjective health status and perceived social support data were also collected. Factors associated with the occurrence of psychiatric disorders were studied by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were diagnosed with a current psychiatric disorder (depressive disorders, 14.5%; anxiety disorders, 13.0%; schizophrenia, 0.5%). Major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were the commonest current mood and anxiety disorders, respectively. Independent predictors for a current psychiatric disorder were poverty and perceived poor social support. Limited social interaction, perceived poor social support, high pain intensity, and a family history of psychiatric disorders were independently associated with a current depressive disorder, whereas poverty and perceived poor social support were associated with a current anxiety disorder. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety are common in Chinese patients with RA. Patients who lack social support or rely on economic assistance are more prone to the development of psychiatric disorders.
19521661 Does a special relationship between personality and rheumatoid arthritis exist? Experience 2009 Oct The aim of this study was to investigate whether the personalities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differ from those of non-rheumatologic patients. For the purpose of this study, the authors designed a psychological questionnaire, compiling relevant questions and impressions of several psychological questionnaires. A total of 226 patients (113 RA patients and 113 control persons (CO)) were asked to fill in the questionnaire assessing their psychological profile as well as demographic data on their family history. The control group consisted of healthy controls as well as scarcely affected individuals and chronically ill patients. The questionnaire was completed without any problems by 98% of patients. No statistical difference in any of the 26 questions was to be observed. Only the question concerning sibship revealed a trend towards single childhood in the RA group (p = 0.07). No differences between patients suffering from early RA and those in a later stage of the disease were revealed. There was no difference in the psychological profile of RA and CO detectable nor did disease duration or disability have an impact on the questionnaire's outcome. An interesting finding was the higher prevalence of single children in the RA group, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. This topic seems to be worth being addressed in a larger cohort of patients.
19318946 The BeSt story: on strategy trials in rheumatoid arthritis. 2009 May PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To give an overview of recent strategy trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. RECENT FINDINGS: Strategy studies showed a clear benefit of dynamic result-driven treatment towards tight control of disease activity compared with 'usual care' in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In addition, treatment given after short symptom duration gives better outcomes than later initiation of treatment. In many trials, combination therapies, especially combinations with prednisolone or biologicals, were superior to monotherapies. Moreover, combination therapies were more effective if given early in the disease as compared with a delayed introduction, giving support to the window of opportunity hypothesis. In the BeSt study, initial combination therapy could be successfully discontinued in half of the patients, emphasizing that 'initial' would mean 'temporary'. Less evidence is available about initial combination in comparison with combination therapy with a shorter delay. Larger tight-controlled, goal-steered, dynamic strategy trials comparing initial combination therapy with a short-delay combination therapy will help to translate the use of initial (temporary) combination therapy into normal daily practice. SUMMARY: Treatment strategy trials have demonstrated that in the majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the following approach is the most beneficial: goal-steered, dynamic treatment towards tight control of disease activity, including early introduction of (an) effective disease-modifying antirheumatic drug(s) in combination with prednisone or antitumor necrosis factor, which includes tapering of the medication if remission or low disease activity is achieved.
19880676 A semi-mechanistic model of CP-690,550-induced reduction in neutrophil counts in patients 2010 Jun CP-690,550, a selective inhibitor of the Janus kinase family, is being developed as an oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A semi-mechanistic model was developed to characterize the time course of drug-induced absolute neutrophil count (ANC) reduction in a phase 2a study. Data from 264 RA patients receiving 6-week treatment (placebo, 5, 15, 30 mg bid) followed by a 6-week off-treatment period were analyzed. The model included a progenitor cell pool, a maturation chain comprising transit compartments, a circulation pool, and a feedback mechanism. The model was adequately described by system parameters (BASE(h), ktr(h), gamma, and k(circ)), disease effect parameters (DIS), and drug effect parameters (k(off) and k(D)). The disease manifested as an increase in baseline ANC and reduced maturation time due to increased demand from the inflammation site. The drug restored the perturbed system parameters to their normal values via an indirect mechanism. ANC reduction due to a direct myelosuppressive drug effect was not supported. The final model successfully described the dose- and time-dependent changes in ANC and predicted the incidence of neutropenia at different doses reasonably well.
19826816 A comparative study of pregnancy outcomes and menstrual irregularities in northern Indian 2010 Nov Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect the menstruation, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes of the affected subjects. There is very little data on this aspect of the disease in Indian patients. Our aim was to study the menstrual, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes in these patients in comparison with patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and also to study the effect of cyclophosphamide therapy on menstrual cycles in patients with SLE. Four hundred and twenty patients of SLE (210) and RA (210) were interviewed using a standard questionnaire and available medical records used. After disease-onset, the chances of adverse pregnancy outcomes were significantly more in patients with SLE compared to RA [OR = 5.17 (2.13-12.52); p ≤ 0.001]. Compared to the National average in India, the average number of living children is lesser in patients with RA (2.39 ± 1.39, p = 0.002), but more so in patients with SLE (1.44 ± 1.35, p = 0.001). A younger age at diagnosis and cyclophosphamide therapy was found to be independently associated with menstrual irregularities after disease-onset. We conclude that pregnancy outcome in patients with SLE in India is worse in comparison to patients with RA. Average family size of patients with SLE and RA is less when compared to National average in India. Patients with SLE are more prone for menstrual irregularities, especially those who receive cyclophosphamide treatment.
21091097 Injection-site burning and stinging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using injectable 2011 Jan OBJECTIVE: Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who receive injectable biologics experience injection-site burning and stinging (ISBS); however, the prevalence of ISBS in the general RA population is unknown and may impact preference for an injectable biologic. This study assessed the prevalence of ISBS and associated comorbidities in patients with RA who receive injectable biologics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The physician and patient survey consisted of a retrospective chart review and a prospective assessment. In the former, each participating US rheumatologist reviewed the medical records of five randomly selected RA patients receiving an injectable biologic. In the prospective assessment, each rheumatologist was asked to report data based on interviews with up to 50 RA patients currently treated with an injectable biologic, who were asked whether they had ISBS during or after their most recent injection. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 504 patients in the retrospective chart review and 3326 patients in the prospective assessment; data were provided by 101 physicians. The overall prevalence of ISBS was 17% and 58% in the retrospective chart review and prospective analyses, respectively. Out of the 1939 prospectively assessed patients who experienced at least some ISBS, 429 (22%) rated the level of ISBS as moderate to severe (13% of total). Increased risk of ISBS was associated with female gender, fibromyalgia, depression, and more severe RA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ISBS is likely underestimated in many rheumatology practices. Specifically asking about it may identify patients who experience this side effect, provide a more accurate understanding of how significantly it affects them, and provide an opportunity for intervention in light of their preferences.
20349236 Programmed initiation of hemodialysis for systemic amyloidosis patients associated with rh 2011 Sep Reactive amyloidosis is a serious systemic disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Amyloid protein can be deposited in kidneys, heart or gastrointestinal tract leading to organ failure. Renal involvement is a well-known complication in amyloidosis as this may culminate in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Hemodialysis (HD) is always considered the treatment of choice for such patients; however, the prognosis is usually poor due to a large number of sudden deaths immediately following HD therapy. To circumvent the problem of HD initiation while instituting HD safety, we devised a plan to start HD and compare patient's survival with our previous data. Sixty-three patients were treated with HD. They were categorized according to the initiation of first dialysis. All patients were divided into planned, unplanned and programmed initiation groups. First dialysis that had been initiated as not urgent was considered 'planned' (20 patients). First dialysis that had been performed urgently for life-threatening renal insufficiency was considered 'unplanned' (31 patients). First dialysis that had been initiated as not urgent and according to our dialysis program was considered 'programmed' (12 patients). Survival of these 63 patients from the initiation of HD at 38 days was 75%, at 321 days was 50% and at 1,784 days was 25%. Patients with unplanned initiation of HD showed a significant poor survival compared with those of both planned and programmed initiation. Additionally, patients with planned and programmed initiation of HD showed no significant difference for the patients' survival. Our study demonstrates that patients with amyloidosis have a higher mortality rate. Nevertheless, programmed initiation of HD will improve the prognosis of patients with ESRD. Such possibility needs to be considered in more detail in the future.
20510240 Bone damage in rheumatoid arthritis: mechanistic insights and approaches to prevention. 2010 May In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cells within the inflamed synovium and pannus elaborate a variety of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-17, that contribute to inflammation, and may directly affect bone. The receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) ligand/RANK/osteoprotegerin pathway plays a critical role in regulating osteoclastogenesis in articular bone erosions in RA. Proinflammatory cytokines can modulate this pathway, and may also affect the ability of the osteoblast to repair bone at sites of articular erosion. In this review, the authors discuss the current understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of bone erosion in RA and examine current therapeutic approaches to prevent this damage.