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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
21787248 Openness to psychological explanations and treatment among people with fibromyalgia versus 2012 OBJECTIVE: The classic perspective in the psychosomatic literature is that patients with medically unexplained syndromes do not acknowledge psychologically-based causes for their conditions and will not engage in psychological treatments. These assumptions were tested by contrasting the illness models and reported treatment experiences of individuals with fibromyalgia (FM), a syndrome with a currently unknown organic origin, with those of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a 'legitimate' (i.e. organic) condition. METHOD: 193 patients with FM and 176 with RA completed measures assessing their views about the causes of their condition, the treatments they had used and their judged effectiveness. RESULTS: Contrary to prediction, compared to patients with RA, patients with FM were more likely to endorse psychological causes for their condition and reported having used more psychological management approaches. Moreover, patients with FM considered psychological approaches to be more effective than narcotics. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that patients with FM do not react defensively to the implication of psychogenic causes. Rather, as a group, they tend to acknowledge both the psychosocial influences on and the effectiveness of psychological management approaches for their condition.
22984174 Application of the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria in patients with very early infl 2013 Aug OBJECTIVE: Performance of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) criteria was analysed in an internationally recruited early arthritis cohort (≤16 weeks symptom duration) enrolled in the 'Stop-Arthritis-Very-Early' trial. This sample includes patients with a variety of diseases diagnosed during follow-up. METHODS: Two endpoints were defined: Investigators' diagnosis and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment start during the 12-month follow-up. The 2010 criteria were applied to score Patients' baseline data. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and areas under the receiver operating curves of this scoring with respect to both endpoints were calculated and compared to the 1987 criteria. The optimum level of agreement between the endpoints and the 2010 classification score ways estimated by Cohen's ϰ coefficients. RESULTS: 303 patients had 12-months follow-up. Positive predictive values of the 2010 criteria were 0.68 and 0.71 for RA-diagnosis and DMARD-start, respectively. Sensitivity for RA-diagnosis was 0.85, for DMARD-start 0.8, whereas the 1987 criteria's sensitivities were 0.65 and 0.55. The areas under the receiver operating curves of the 2010 criteria for RA-diagnosis and DMARD-start were 0.83 and 0.78. Analysis of inter-rater-agreement using Cohen's ϰ demonstrated the highest ϰ values (0.5 for RA-diagnosis and 0.43 for DMARD-start) for the score of 6. CONCLUSIONS: In this international very early arthritis cohort predictive and discriminative abilities of the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria were satisfactory and substantially superior to the 'old' 1987 classification criteria. This easier classification of RA in early stages will allow targeting truly early disease stages with appropriate therapy.
23123747 Exploring the cultural validity of rheumatology outcomes. 2012 Sep 27 In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the use of a 'core' set of treatment outcomes was pioneered to ensure that the same outcomes are measured across all clinical trials to enable comparison of trial results. However, studies have not investigated the influence of patients' ethnic and cultural backgrounds on treatment outcomes. This pilot study identified 74 treatment outcomes from female Punjabi RA patients, including 21 new ones that were not identified in previous research with white British RA patients. The social impact of RA created significant additional burden for these Punjabi women, with 'less stigmatisation' and 'improved ability to carry out family duties' generated as important new outcomes. This study illustrates a need to address cultural validity in outcome elicitation and prioritisation, to ensure that interventions are evaluated using criteria that have meaning for people with that condition.
22298072 [Evaluation of joint inflammation by MRI in patients with RA]. 2012 Feb We compared the characteristics of MRI imaging and US imaging on joint inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) . MRI imaging is worth for diagnosis of RA at the early stage, evaluation of drug treatment effects, and a new measure for true remission. US imaging is also useful for estimation of therapy and a criteria for complete remission, and cheep machine. We hope that both imaging technologies will be a standard for diagnosis and therapy evaluation in RA patients.
21951026 A case report of a 53-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis: focus on 2011 Sep A 53-year-old female presented with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Additional conditions and symptoms included Raynaud syndrome, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome associated constipation (IBS-C), gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), menopausal symptoms, chronic urinary tract and upper respiratory infections, and weight gain. She was taking Arthrotec (a combination of diclofenac and misoprostol - for pain and inflammation), Fosamax Plus D (alendronate with vitamin D3 - recently prescribed because of low bone density), and Catapres (clonidine - for menopausal symptoms). Against the advice of her rheumatologist, she had recently discontinued taking Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), methotrexate, and prednisone due to significant side effects. Lab tests to identify underlying imbalances and to direct treatment were ordered. Treatment included dietary, nutritional, hormonal, and mind/body support. After one year of therapy, the patient experienced improvement with all of her presenting conditions and symptoms, which enabled her to discontinue several medications. She became versed in identifying and avoiding the environmental triggers of her disease, including foods (dairy, wheat, eggs, and soy), molds, and emotional stress. Antinuclear antibodies were normalized. She experienced a 7.5-percent improvement in left trochanteric bone density - comparable to bisphosphonate therapy. Mild improvements were also noted in the spine and bilateral femoral neck.
21901356 Reactivation of hepatitis B virus in a hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patient with r 2012 Jun Immunosuppressive therapy can induce viral reactivation in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and, more rarely, in patients with resolved HBV infection. We report the case of a 57-year-old Japanese woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed de-novo hepatitis B virus-related hepatitis after methotrexate (MTX) therapy. Entecavir and oral prednisolone following steroid pulse therapy were administered and her liver function recovered. MTX is widely used for RA for its efficiency and safety. But some cases of HBV reactivation caused by MTX, including de-novo hepatitis, have been reported. Considering these conditions, more attention should be paid when using MTX in patients with RA. And more studies are needed to determine who needs screening of HBV, monitoring of HBV-DNA, and prophylaxis with chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy.
21894776 [Methotrexate-related lymphomatoid granulomatosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis]. 2011 Aug A 76-year-old man who was taking prednisolone and methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis presented with gastric ulcers. Chest X-ray images showed multiple pulmonary nodules. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens showed lymphocytic infiltrates but no malignant cells. The radiographic findings gradually ameliorated over a month, but then deteriorated 5 months later. We performed video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy of the left lung, and the biopsy specimens showed lymphocytic infiltration with necrosis, in which the atypical lymphocytes were positive for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH). A diagnosis of lymphomatoid granulomatosis was determined. One year before this diagnosis, the patient was found to have an inflammatory liver tumor that had disappeared spontaneously within a month. A new pathological review of the liver and stomach lesions demonstrated EBER-ISH-positive lymphocytes, and therefore we assumed that they were pathological features of lymphomatoid granulomatosis. The chest radiographic findings improved gradually after the discontinuation of methotrexate. We therefore suggest that methotrexate treatment may be associated with the development of lymphomatoid granulomatosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Lymphoproliferative disorders, including lymphomatoid granulomatosis, should be considered in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are receiving methotrexate.
23221581 The new ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA: how are the new criteria performing in t 2012 Dec The objective of the 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for RA was to distinguish patients at high risk for developing persistent erosive and/or inflammatory disease from those with undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis. These criteria were developed for use in clinical trials; in order to implement these criteria most effectively, they need to be validated in real-world settings. The 1987 criteria may have led to underdiagnosis in the case of patients with positive anti-citrullinated peptide antibody values but no evidence of radiographic progression of joint erosion, or overdiagnosis in the case of some patients with FM; similarly, the possibility that the 2010 criteria may result in overdiagnosis cannot be excluded. Prospective validation of the 2010 criteria has been carried out in several cohorts, with reported sensitivities ranging from 0.50 to 0.60 and specificities from 0.88 to 0.97. The sensitivity and specificity of the 2010 criteria were 0.74 and 0.66 when compared against the gold standard of needing MTX therapy in the opinion of experienced clinicians, and 0.69 and 0.72 against the standard of having persistent synovitis despite DMARDs after 1 year. Other comparisons have yielded similar sensitivities and specificities, ranging up to 0.85 for the gold standard of needing MTX therapy. Questions remain concerning the utility of the 2010 criteria for non-arthritis health care practitioners, who may be less than expert in identifying swollen joints and may underestimate the number of joints affected by synovitis. US may be of value in the future, but its role remains to be validated.
21607712 Elevated serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and their significant corr 2012 Feb Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is recognized to be an important mediator in several inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and vasculitis. To evaluate the role of MIF in rheumatoid vasculitis (RV), we determined serum levels of MIF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in RA patients with and without vasculitis and assessed their relationship to disease activity. Serum was obtained from 95 RA patients during active disease states [49 without vasculitis, 35 with extra-articular manifestations without histologically proven vasculitis, and 11 with histologically proven vasculitis] and from 22 healthy individuals. Vasculitis disease activity was assessed using the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). MIF levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in controls. Moreover, MIF levels were significantly higher in RA patients with vasculitis than in those without vasculitic complications. In all RA patients, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between serum MIF levels and each of the following: serum levels of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and thrombomodulin; and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In the RV group, the elevation of MIF levels correlated with the BVAS. Our findings suggest that MIF may serve as an additional serologic inflammatory marker of disease activity in RV, and it may be implicated in the pathogenesis of RV.
23745449 [Fatty tissue and bone]. 2012 Obesity is one of leading public health issues. Along with genetic predisposition it is the main risk factor for osteoarthritis and it also has an influence on rheumatoid arthritis. Fatty tissue acts on arthritic joints through a biomechanical and humoral mechanisms. The humoral mechanism is complex and the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of arthritis is still not entirely clear. It is assumed that no adipokine can cause joint damage on its own, but only a dysfunction in a relationship between leptine and other adipokines can cause inflammatory-destructive processes. It remains unclear whether the involvement of adipokines is primary or secondary in the process ofjoint inflammation. The relative influence of visceral fatty tissue adipokines as compared to that of locally synthesised adipokines from various joint structures is unclear. Adipokines have a predominantly pro-inflammatory action and destroy the cartilage, although they can also have a protective action. A better knowledge of the role adipokines play not only allows for a better knowledge of pathophysiological processes in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it also opens possibilities for development of new therapies.
22891997 An evidence-based medical visit for patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on standard, 2012 An evidence-based visit is described based on quantitative, standard scientific data on two simple forms for a patient and a physician. The focus is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the principles may be applied to most rheumatic and chronic diseases. A quantitative patient history is recorded on a selfreport multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ), which includes scales for physical function, pain, patient global estimate, psychological distress, change in status, exercise status, morning stiffness, fatigue, and a template to score RAPID3 (routine assessment of patient index data 3). RAPID3, an index of only patient self-report measures, distinguishes active from control treatments in clinical trials at similar levels to a disease activity score (DAS28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) but is calculated in 5 seconds, compared to almost 2 minutes for DAS28 or CDAI. The MDHAQ also includes traditional "medical" matters-a self-report joint count, review of systems, recent medical history, medications, demographic data, and consents for future monitoring by mail and sharing data with research colleagues; these queries enhance acceptance by patients and save time for doctors. Patient questionnaire physical function scores-not radiographs or laboratory tests-are the most significant prognostic markers for long-term work disability and premature death in RA. The physician completes a "doctor evaluation" (DOCEVAL) form, which includes four visual analog scales for overall status, inflammation, damage, and "neither" (usually fibromyalgia), reflecting quantitatively the expertise of a rheumatologist to classify the etiology of pain and distress into one of these three broad categories in formulating a treatment plan. Quantitative data from patients and doctors on an evidence-based visit can advance rheumatology clinical care and clinical science.
23149638 Lack of association between carotid intima-media wall thickness and carotid plaques and ma 2012 Apr INTRODUCTION: To determine the relationship between biomarkers of endothelial cell activation, and carotid artery intima-media wall thickness (IMT) and plaques, two surrogate markers of atherosclerosis, in a series of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing anti-TNF therapy. METHODS: 29 consecutive Spanish patients who fulfilled the 1987 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for RA, had no history of cardiovascular (CV) disease, and had at least one year of follow-up after disease diagnosis were selected. All patients were undergoing anti-TNF-infliximab therapy because of severe disease refractory to conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to determine IMT and carotid plaques. Levels of sICAM-3, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sPselectin and sE-selectin were assessed by ELISA immediately before an infusion of infliximab. RESULTS: The median disease duration was 14 years. Despite infliximab, no patient experienced a disease remission (DAS28: median 4.17). Only a marginally significant correlation between sVCAM-1 and carotid IMT was observed when both total correlation using Spearman correlation coefficient (p= 0.08) or partial correlation adjusting for sex, age at the time of study, disease duration, rheumatoid factor, and classic CV risk factors was performed (p= 0.09). Also, no association between presence of carotid plaques and levels of biomarkers of endothelial cell activation was observed. CONCLUSION: In long-standing RA patients without CV disease undergoing anti-TNF therapy no association between levels of soluble markers of endothelial cell activation and carotid ultrasonography abnormalities was observed. Further studies are needed to establish the best tools to be used in the assessment of CV risk of RA.
22577881 Nothing lasts forever - a critical look at sustained remission. 2012 May 9 Remission is key to prevent progression of rheumatoid arthritis, but it is still rarely seen in clinical practice, not to speak of sustained remission, which is the best possible disease outcome of rheumatoid arthritis. New strategies and recommendations focus on achievement of remission, but it is unclear how long remission can actually be maintained in clinical practice. A study by Prince and colleagues gives insights into this question, and raises some other questions for the future.
22157267 Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging positively impacts the management of some pat 2012 Jan OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important given the availability of highly effective disease-modifying antirheumatic (DMARD) medications, including biologics. However, because of associated risks and cost, accurately assessing disease activity is critical. Because magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect synovitis and bone marrow edema, both of which may precede erosion development, we sought to determine the impact of enhanced MRI on patient management in a group of patients referred for MRI by rheumatologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, we evaluated all hand MRI examinations referred by the rheumatology department for synovitis evaluation between September 2007 and May 2009. The magnetic resonance images were classified as positive or negative and later reviewed by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. A musculoskeletal radiologist and rheumatologist jointly reviewed the patients' medical records to determine the following: (1) Did the MRI findings alter treatment? (2) Were the treatment alterations beneficial? RESULTS: The study included 48 patients (39 women and 9 men) with a mean age of 51 years (range, 18-79 years). Significant management changes initially occurred in 79% (23/29) of the positive (DMARDs added in 20) and in 11% (2/19) of the negative MR examinations with average follow-up of ~300 days. Eighty percent (16/20) of the patients with DMARDs added experienced symptom improvement, none of the patients whose medications were discontinued experienced symptom relapse, and 18% (4/22) of patients without initial therapeutic changes required delayed treatment modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced MRI significantly altered clinical management in 50% of these patients with RA or suspected RA. Therefore, when the clinical picture in a patient with RA or suspected RA is unclear, enhanced MRI can provide useful guidance for treatment modifications.
22770118 B lymphocyte-typing for prediction of clinical response to rituximab. 2012 Jul 6 INTRODUCTION: The prediction of therapeutic response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis is desirable. We evaluated whether analysis of B lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry would be useful to identify non-responders to rituximab ahead of time. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite therapy with TNF-inhibitors were included in the national rituximab registry. DAS28 was determined before and 24 weeks after rituximab application. B cell subsets were analyzed by high-sensitive flow cytometry before and 2 weeks after rituximab administration. Complete depletion of B cells was defined as CD19-values below 0.0001 x10⁹ cells/liter. RESULTS: At 6 months 19 patients had a good (37%), 23 a moderate (44%) and 10 (19%) had no EULAR-response. The extent of B lymphocyte depletion in peripheral blood did not predict the success of rituximab therapy. Incomplete depletion was found at almost the same frequency in EULAR responders and non-responders. In comparison to healthy controls, non-responders had elevated baseline CD95⁺ pre-switch B cells, whereas responders had a lower frequency of plasmablasts. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline enumeration of B lymphocyte subsets is still of limited clinical value for the prediction of response to anti-CD20 therapy. However, differences at the level of CD95⁺ pre switch B cells or plasmablasts were noticed with regard to treatment response. The criterion of complete depletion of peripheral B cells after rituximab administration did not predict the success of this therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.
22299210 Analytical and diagnostic performance of an automated anti-CCP assay. 2011 Dec AIM: Autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) are considered to be a sensitive and specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study evaluated the diagnostic and analytical performances of the automated anti-CCP assay. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sera from 80 patients with established RA, 65 from other rheumatic diseases (non-RA) and 55 from healthy controls were studied using second generation anti-CCP. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was also assayed in each sample, and the results were compared to the anti-CCP findings. Serum pools were used to determine the precision and linearity. RESULTS: At a cut-off of 7.4 U/ml for anti-CCP, the sensitivity and specificity for RA were 65% and 98% respectively. RF had a sensitivity of 58% and a lower specificity of 93% than anti-CCP. CONCLUSION: The high specificity of the assay suggests that anti-CCP is useful in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and in our cohort of study population anti-CCP exhibits a better diagnostic value than RF. A considerable proportion (28%) of RF-negative RA patients were anti-CCP positive. Based on analytical performance of the assay, we conclude that full automation and high throughput features of AxSYM makes it an ideal platform for routine testing of anti-CCP.
22956597 Reasons for medical help-seeking behaviour of patients with recent-onset arthralgia. 2013 Aug OBJECTIVE: Patient delay in seeking medical help may cause suboptimal use of the therapeutic window in rheumatoid arthritis. We aimed to assess the motivations and the urgency with which patients with arthralgia seek medical help. METHODS: 612 patients with arthralgia-visiting two Dutch Early Arthritis Recognition Clinics-were studied. Patients filled out a questionnaire with questions on their symptoms and their reasons for seeking medical help. Comparisons were made for patients with short or prolonged patient delay, patients with and without arthritis, age and gender. RESULTS: The median symptom duration was 4 weeks. A prolonged delay in seeking help was associated with a gradual onset of symptoms (78%) and the perception that symptoms would not be serious or would go away (16% and 48%, respectively). Arthralgia patients who promptly sought medical help more often had an acute onset of symptoms and more frequently reported impairments at work or in daily functioning than patients who postponed seeking help (all p<0.005). Patients with and without arthritis generally had similar reasons for seeking help. The proportion of patients who had a prolonged patient delay was comparable between male and female subjects and between age categories. Particularly younger patients postponed seeking help because they thought their symptoms would disappear spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale study observed several reasons and symptom characteristics influencing the help-seeking behaviour of persons with arthralgia. These data can be helpful to define strategies aiming at early identification of arthritis.
21837432 Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in patients with refractory RA. 2012 Jan This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells transplantation (MSCT) in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Four patients with persistently active RA underwent MSCT. The outcome was evaluated by changes in the visual analog scale (VAS 100 mm) pain score, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and 28-joint disease activity score (DAS-28). Three of four patients received a reduction in ESR, DAS-28, and pain VAS score at 1 and 6 months after transplantation. Two of the three had a European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) moderate response at 6 months but experienced a relapse at 7 and 23 months, respectively. Two patients had no EULAR response to MSCT. No one had achieved the DAS-28-defined remission in the follow-up period. No serious adverse events were reported. Allogeneic MSCT is a safe treatment in severe and resistant RA, but the effectiveness needs to be clarified.
22898224 A multicenter study of clinical and laboratory findings of palindromic rheumatism in Iran. 2012 Aug OBJECTIVE: Considering demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of palindromic rheumatism and finding out the difference between rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide positive and negative cases of palindromic rheumatism in Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional and multicenter study, patients with intermittent arthritis were evaluated by a rheumatologist for palindromic rheumatism. Diagnosis of palindromic rheumatism was made after ruling out other causes of recurrent arthritis, and the fulfillment of the Pasero and Barbieri criteria. Then the demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded and compared in rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide positive and negative patients. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients with palindromic rheumatism, 35 were men and 34 were women. The mean ages of the patients at the time of diagnosis were 38.5 ± 14.6 years. The mean attack intervals and duration of the attacks were 66.3 ± 38.4 days and 3.9 ± 3.3 days, respectively. The most commonly involved joints were knees, metacarpophalangeals and proximal interphalangeals. Rheumatoid factor in 46.4% and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide in 42% of the cases were positive. Palindromic patients with positive anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide had higher age, shorter duration of disease, shorter duration of attacks, more frequent attacks and more metacarpophalangeal joints involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides were found in a high proportion of patients with palindromic rheumatism. The clinical features of the disease in our study were different in rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide positive and negative patients.
23885402 The diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with rheu 2012 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of anti CCP antibodies in patients with RA. This study included three groups; group I: 60 early diagnosed RA patients selected according to the ACR, group II: 30 patients of arthritis other than RA, group III: 10 healthy age and sex matched volunteer. Sera from all participants were tested for rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) and anti-CCP IgG antibodies using ELISA. Of 60 patients in group I, 52 subjects (86.7%) were RF positive, whereas all participants in groups II and III were negative. Similarly 56 patients (93.3%) of group I were anti-CCP antibody positive, but all subjects in groups II and III were negative. Thus detection of anti-CCP antibodies can be used as a diagnostic indicator for patients with early RA (P < 0.0001).