Search for: rheumatoid arthritis    methotrexate    autoimmune disease    biomarker    gene expression    GWAS    HLA genes    non-HLA genes   

ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
3164162 Intra-articular and skin surface temperature of the temporomandibular joint in patients wi 1988 Feb Intra-articular and skin surface temperatures of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were investigated in 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). History was taken, and a clinical examination of the stomatognathic system was performed. The intra-articular temperature measurement was made with a thermocouple inserted through a needle, and the skin surface measurement was made with a thermocouple lateral to the condylar pole. The intra-articular temperature was lower for 37% and higher for 30% of the patients, whereas skin surface temperature was lower for 18% and higher for 6%, compared with normal individuals. Intra-articular and skin surface temperatures were positively correlated, and the average difference between skin surface and intra-articular temperatures was 1.6 degrees C. The intra-articular temperature was most strongly and positively correlated to the number of joint regions affected by RA and negatively correlated to the number of tender masticatory muscles, whereas skin surface temperature was most strongly and positively correlated to room temperature and negatively correlated to the number of tender masticatory muscles. These results indicate that pain and tenderness of masticatory muscles in RA are associated with hypothermia of the TMJ.
1708829 Is the beneficial effect of sulfasalazine due to inhibition of synovial neovascularization 1991 Feb Angiogenesis is fundamental to support the continued synovial proliferation observed in rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the effects of sulfasalazine and its metabolites on endothelial cell proliferation, a prerequisite to angiogenesis. At concentrations achieved in vivo sulfapyridine inhibited basal and endothelial cell growth factor stimulated endothelial cell proliferation. Sulfasalazine and 5 amino salicylic acid had no effect.
3266360 Epidemiological and genetic aspects of IgM rheumatoid factors. 1988 The occurrence of IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) was studied in a random sample of 8807 persons aged between 20 and 50 years in Tromsø, North Norway. Seropositivity for IgM RF was defined as a Waaler titre of 40 or more. A total prevalence of IgM RF of 1.36% was found, and a prevalence between 0.48-0.94% was found among the healthy persons, with no sex difference. Approximately 50% of IgM Rf positives are thus healthy. Only 11% of those with IgM RF suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of RF positive sera from healthy persons were low titred, and 81% of them converted to seronegativity in the course of 3.5 years. A low titred IgM RF appears rather harmless, while a high titre indicates a specific disease process. No association between IgM RF and DR4 could be found in healthy persons. The frequencies of Gm-allotypes a, b, e, f-n and x in healthy, RF positive individuals did not differ from the RF positive patients with RA, suggesting that the Gm-allotypes are not involved in the genetic pre-disposition for RA.
2951339 Control group selection in studies involving compensation for occupational diseases. 1987 Many occupational diseases which are compensable are of interest in epidemiological studies. In addition, diseases of interest which are not compensable may be discovered during the evaluation of eligibility for compensation. Certain peculiarities of the group of workers who seek compensation (those who receive compensation and those who do not) may make the selection of an appropriate control group difficult. In two recent studies, problems associated with finding controls for cases with a compensable disease and a disease discovered during the evaluation of eligibility for compensation pointed out some of these potential biases. This paper describes the results obtained using different control groups for these studies, proposes reasons for differences in the results and suggests steps which can be taken to ensure the validity of a control group in such studies.
3330695 Multiple HLA associations and disease susceptibility. 1986 Jun A strong association between a particular HLA antigen and a given disease may mask a secondary, weaker association. Applying a stepwise analysis to published HLA-DR frequencies in rheumatoid arthritis demonstrates an increased frequency of DRI not otherwise apparent.
1982475 [Changes in the level of unsaturated fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis patients during t 1990 Dec Patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed changes of the fatty acid spectrum manifested in a reduction of the polyunsaturated acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic) and an increase of the level of monounsaturated (oleic, palmithooleinic) depended on the course of the disease. Antirheumatic treatment produced a positive effect, especially gold preparations, on normalization of the level of unsaturated fatty acids in rheumatoid arthritis.
2514455 In vitro granulocyte aggregation. 1989 Nov Granulocyte aggregation in EDTA-blood from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis is described. The phenomenon was observed three times within a 10-month period. The blood leukocyte count in a Coulter Counter decreased approximately 30% within 6 h, without resulting in overt leukopenia. Simultaneously, increasing numbers of granulocyte aggregates turned up in smears. There were no indications of thrombocytes being involved in the phenomenon.
2810257 HLA associations with rheumatoid arthritis in African blacks. 1989 Oct The HLA-A, B, C and DR antigens were determined in a group of 100 blacks with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Durban, South Africa. Fifty-six of these patients were also tested for the DQ antigens. There was a significant association of HLA-DR4 with RA (chi 2 = 77.2; p less than 0.0001). The frequency of DR4 in RA was 44% in comparison with 10% in controls (relative risk 7.4). An unusual finding was a significant increase in the frequency of HLA-B8 in 35% of patients with RA compared to 12.5% of controls (p less than 0.001; relative risk 3.8). There was no linkage disequilibrium between DR4 and B8 to explain the latter association.
2254898 Psychological stress and the fibrositis/fibromyalgia syndrome. 1990 Oct The relationship of stress and social support to the fibrositis/fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) was investigated by administration of 4 questionnaire instruments to 28 patients with FS, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 28 pain-free normal controls. FS showed higher levels of stress as measured by daily "hassles" than did RA or controls. However, on a measure of major life stress, they reported lower levels. No differences were found between groups with regard to daily "uplifts" or social support. Correlations between those measures of stress and social support with their scores on the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale showed that the Hassles Scale was significantly related to the AIMS Psychological component.
3418643 Anxiety and depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective study of 400 p 1988 Jun We investigated psychological and clinical factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by studying 400 patients at 6 month intervals over a mean 3.1 (1.2 SD) years utilizing the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales psychological scales. Entry clinical and demographic variables explained 25% of the variance in psychological scores. Patients with RA had scores similar to those with other rheumatic disorders (n = 441), and scores remained stable over the study period. Development of depression was associated with socioeconomic not clinical factors, and disease activity appeared to have a limited effect on psychological status. Initial psychological scores were associated with subsequent pain levels and number of physician visits.
3519096 Trimipramine in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind trial in relieving pain an 1986 The effect of low-dose trimipramine (25 to 75 mg/day) on joint pain and tenderness in 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied in a randomized double-blind trial carried out over a period of 12 weeks. The patients were pre-selected to include only patients who were depressed on a 'self-rating depression scale' but had no evidence of fibrositic 'trigger-points'. The results showed that joint pain and tenderness were significantly reduced with trimipramine, but depression scores remained unchanged.
2961217 The effect of etodolac on type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice. 1987 Aug Type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and mice was used as a model to evaluate the effect of etodolac on the arthritic and immunological parameters of the experimental disease. In a preventative protocol, a significant reduction was observed in the number of joints progressing to ankylosis. At high doses (16 mg/kg/day) a significant delay in the onset of arthritis was also observed. No significant effect was seen on the progression of the disease when etodolac was administered in established CIA. No consistent variations were observed in the anti-type II collagen response or other immunological parameters of the experimental arthritis.
1853460 [Physical training of patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. 1991 Jun 17 The training methods given to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are reviewed. Recent studies indicate that patients with moderately active RA may tolerate physical training. Treatment with isometric training and rest-therapy have less beneficial effects than dynamic training with strength and aërobic condition training. Two training studies have shown that patients with moderate active RA show decreased disease activity after training when compared to the control groups. The explanation of this is not clear, but an immune modulation or hormonal stimulation induced by the training might be the cause, but further research is needed, as training-induced improvement of the physical ability and disease activity is important.
3763225 [Principles of joint protection in inflammatory joint disease with special reference to bi 1986 Aug With respect to rehabilitation in inflammatory joint diseases, the activity of the disease, the influence of the disease on the physical ability and social and psychological situation of the patient should all be taken into consideration and treatment then planned accordingly. In the present article, special attention is paid to the biomechanical situation in the diseased joints of the upper and lower extremities, respectively. In the shoulder and elbow joints, the muscles working with long levers and the loading of joints create large intra-articular forces. In the hands the vulnerable joints are under high intra-articular stress because of loading in all situations in daily life. As the result of synovitis and destruction of cartilage, instability is often present. In the lower extremities, the hips and knees are under great strain when moving, rising from chairs, and walking on stairs. Much can be done to reduce loading on the joints. In the upper extremities splinting and the use of suitable technical aids are essential. In the lower extremities good quadriceps muscles and hip extensor muscles as well as correct loading techniques are essential. Whenever walking aids are used, they should be tried out with attention to grip function and the condition of the shoulder and elbow joints, as well as to the need of unloading the lower extremities. A walking aid should always be checked again later. A daily contracture prophylaxis program should help to prevent deformities. Strength training should be performed with attention to the intra-articular loading and stability of the joints.
1962229 Work disability and the experience of pain and depression in rheumatoid arthritis. 1991 People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are work disabled report more pain and depression than do those who are able to continue in paid employment. This paper explores the connections between work ability, clinical disease factors and symptom reports among people with this chronic disease. Using the expanded Biopsychosocial model of disease and illness it is shown that both work ability and clinical factors have independent, additive effects on pain and depression. The paid work effect is found even after controlling for the large and significant effect of pain on depression and depression on pain. This suggests that the pain and depression experience associated with RA is a function of both the underlying disease and the structural barriers that prevent continued participation in the workplace. It also suggests that contrary to popular notions of how disease severity affects symptoms, one does not have to be in the highest categories of disease severity to be in the highest levels of depression and/or pain.
1865410 Marital status in rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic disorders: a study of 7,293 pat 1991 May Divorce has been considered to be increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), perhaps as a result of the stress of serious chronic illness. We studied marital status in 7,293 consecutive rheumatic disease patients attending an outpatient rheumatic disease clinic. Divorce was associated with age, sex, population size, and ethnic origin, but when these factors were controlled for, divorce was not more common in the 1,267 patients with RA. Age and sex adjusted divorce percentages for RA and non-RA patients were 6.9 and 6.8 compared with a U.S. percentage of 7.6. Patients with RA, however, were almost 5 times less likely to be remarried after divorce than patients with osteoarthritis.
2009651 Total knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. A comparison of the polycentric and total 1991 Apr From 1971 to 1985, 393 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) were performed in patients for rheumatoid arthritis. Of these, 112 used polycentric prostheses and 131 used total condylar prostheses. One hundred seven of the patients with polycentric prostheses and 102 of the patients with total condylar prostheses were followed for a minimum of two years (average, 61 and 55 months, respectively). At the time of the latest examination, nine knees with polycentric prostheses required revision surgery: six for tibial component loosening and instability and three for patellofemoral pain. Five knees with total condylar prostheses required revision: one for chronic instability, one for a late posttraumatic patellar fracture, and three for late hematogenous infections. The total condylar prostheses with patellar resurfacing had better scores for pain (8.5 points) than the polycentric prosthesis without patellofemoral resurfacing (7.0 points). The total condylar prosthesis appeared more durable in terms of fixation, with no evidence of aseptic loosening of femoral or tibial components noted in this series thus far.
2654882 [Vegetarian diets and rheumatoid arthritis. Is it possible that a vegetarian diet might in 1989 For several decades representatives of Scandinavian health food movements have categorically recommended that victims of rheumatoid arthritis should switch to a vegetarian diet to obtain a cure for the disease. A very strict vegan diet (i.e., completely lacking in animal protein) is usually recommended, with certain features said to be particularly beneficial to rheumatic patients. These notions have been widely disseminated and have been adopted with remarkable faith by the public. Although a measure of support for the subjective palliative effects of a vegan diet has derived from certain medical studies, it should be borne in mind that, apart from exceptional cases, the inflammatory joint condition has persisted unabated; nor has the diet shown any tendency to forestall subsequent joint damage. More recent studies of the importance of various dietary factors vis-à-vis rheumatoid arthritis have to some extent improved our understanding of vegan diets, and shown there to be features of this type of diet which might contribute to the subjective improvement experienced by patients. The findings of such studies may provide a basis for speculation as to the form a more rational health food diet for rheumatic patients in the future.
2658068 Inflammatory central nervous system involvement in rheumatoid arthritis. 1989 May We describe a patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who developed pachymeningitis resulting in optic atrophy. Clinical, histopathologic, and radiologic findings in 18 additional cases of inflammatory CNS disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis are reviewed. The three characteristic neuropathologic findings were rheumatoid nodules, pachymeningitis or leptomeningitis, and vasculitis. In most cases, more than one of these histopathologic processes were found. The typical host was middle-aged with long-standing severe nodular disease. However, contrary to previous reports, CNS disease occurred in a significant number of patients without active synovitis and extracranial vasculitis and nodules. Although no correlation between specific neurologic symptoms and neuropathology was noted, patients with CNS nodules tended to be asymptomatic more often than patients with vasculitis or meningitis. CSF analysis and computed axial tomography were helpful diagnostic tools, but diagnosis was ultimately made only by directed biopsy or at autopsy. Treatment with surgical decompression and/or corticosteroids has proved beneficial in several cases. Inflammatory CNS involvement in rheumatoid arthritis should be considered in any patient with neurologic symptoms in whom infectious and malignant processes are ruled out. An aggressive, invasive approach for diagnostic biopsies seems warranted.
2272075 [Levels of soluble receptors for interleukin-2 in the serum of patients with rheumatoid ar 1990 Dec 14 The authors assessed, using the method of sandwich enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), the soluble receptor for interleukin-2 (s-r IL-2). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis mean values of 620.5 = 500.0 u./ml were recorded which was significantly higher than in patients with osteoarthritis (p less than 0.001) (313.3 +/- 155 n./ml) and in healthy controls (181.7 +/- 159.6 n./ml). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis a correlation was found between the activity of the disease expressed by means of Lansbury's index (r = 0.61, p less than 0.01). There was no correlation between s-r IL-2 and the sedimentation rate (r = 0.32, p = n. s.). The author reviews the literature and discusses the hypothesis that s-r IL-2 acts as a competitive inhibitor for interleukin-2.