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

ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
1616336 Heredofamilial deficiency of monocyte esterase in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 1992 May Deficiency of the monocyte ectoenzyme non-specific esterase is described in a heredofamilial pattern in four patients with rheumatoid arthritis. No association with HLA status or rheumatoid factor seropositivity was found.
8876953 Plain X-rays in rheumatoid arthritis: overview of scoring methods, their reliability and a 1996 Aug Radiographs are a suitable outcome measure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They reflect the history of the joint pathology and provide a permanent record necessary for serial evaluation of the disease. Great care should be taken to overcome technical problems with radiographs to ensure that good quality films are available to score. Many scoring methods have been described ranging from a global score for the whole patient to the more sophisticated methods of scoring erosions and joint space narrowing in a selected number of joints. These latter abnormalities give additive information and are the most important features in scoring radiographs in rheumatoid arthritis. An overview of the most important methods is given with an emphasis on four selected methods: the Larsen method, a modification of this by Rau and Herborn, the Sharp method and a modification of this by van der Heijde. All four methods produce sufficient intra- and inter-observer reliability. Although data are scarce, the Sharp method and its modifications seem the most sensitive methods for detecting changes over time. However, these are more time-consuming than the Larsen method or its modifications. Depending on the type of study a choice can be made between the two types of methods. For clinical trials where small differences are important, the (modified) Sharp method seems the most appropriate. In working with large data sets, time might be a more crucial factor and, therefore, the (modified) Larsen method could be chosen.
8316904 [The signification of total elbow replacement in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]. 1993 Apr The purpose of this paper is to emphasis the signification of total elbow replacement in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Total elbow replacement were performed in twenty elbows in fourteen patients who had rheumatoid arthritis from 1982 to 1990. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 9 years. Pain relief was complete in twelve patients. Preoperation flexion averaged 119 degrees, increasing to 127 degrees. Preoperation extension averaged -34 degrees, increasing to -24 degrees postoperation. There were no infection and fracture postoperatively. Radiolucent lines were seen in four humeral components, in one ulnar component. Proximal subsidence of the humeral component were found in two elbows. Posterior dislocation occurred in three elbows. In two cases, reduction was successful by three weeks immobilization in a plaster cast with the elbow in the flexion position. Transient ulnar nerve palsy was evident in two elbows. Revision surgeries were performed in two cases, which occurred dislocation and progressive subsidence. Multiple replacements of major joints were performed in ten patients. Two joints were replaced in two patients, three joints were replaced in six patients, four joints were replaced in two patients. Four total elbow replacements were performed accompanied with other joints replacement in the same anesthesia. We recommended two joint replacements in the same anesthesia in patient with good general condition. All patients had functional improvements after total elbow replacement, especially reaching of the arm. Four patients improved the walking by being able to use stich after total elbow replacement.
8853174 Membranous glomerulonephritis in rheumatoid arthritis unrelated to gold, D-penicillamine o 1996 Jul We report a 58-year-old woman with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed a membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN). She had never been treated with gold or D-penicillamine; other connective tissue diseases as well as hepatitis B were excluded. We suggest that the responsible cause of MGN is RA.
7966060 Expression of muscarinic cholinergic receptors on lymphocytes in various subsets of rheuma 1994 Jul OBJECTIVE: To investigate muscarinic cholinergic receptors on lymphocytes from various subsets of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The level of muscarinic receptors on peripheral blood lymphocytes from 38 patients with various subsets of RA [5 with inactive, 13 with active RA, 13 with rheumatoid vasculitis and 5 with reactive secondary amyloidosis (RSA)] was determined by the binding studies of specific muscarinic ligand [3H] quinuclidinyl benzilate in comparison to healthy individuals. RESULTS: Expression of muscarinic cholinergic receptors on lymphocytes in patients with RA was significantly higher (mean 1022; SD +/- 567) compared to healthy individuals (mean 647; SD +/- 170) (p < 0.01). The phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation index in acetylcholine treated lymphocytes in patients was statistically significantly lower than in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). The highest levels of muscarinic receptors on lymphocytes was observed in patients with RA with vasculitis and RSA and showed a significant correlation with disease activity. The number of muscarinic receptors on lymphocytes as well as PHA stimulation index in acetylcholine treated and untreated lymphocytes showed a tendency to decrease after the treatment. The number of muscarinic receptors on lymphocytes decreased significantly after the treatment only in the group of patients with clinical improvement (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that cholinergic stimulation may be connected with activity and/or heterogeneity of the disease in patients with RA.
1291326 [Stomatologic implications of diseases of the locomotor apparatus]. 1992 Dec The authors describe rheumatic diseases with stomatological manifestations. There are some rheumatic diseases very frequently accompanied by oral symptoms. The author emphasize the importance of the cooperation between the rheumatologist and dentist in cases when the etiology of the stomatological changes is uncertain.
9122713 Fibrin degradation in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a model for ext 1996 The patterns of degradation and the influence of factor XIII polymerization on fibrin stability were examined in vitro following incubation with leukocyte elastase. In vivo experiments, various factor XIII-polymerized fibrin clots were implanted subcutaneously in mice to evaluate the stability of clots in the extravascular space. Both in vitro and in vivo lysis proceeded faster with nonpolymerized fibrin and was not influenced by the presence of cross-linked alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor. In vivo lysis of implanted clots was prevented by elastatinal, powerful elastase inhibitor, suggesting that granulocyte elastase is chiefly responsible for clot lysis in the extravascular space. To further extend investigations on the mechanisms of fibrinolysis in tissues, we evaluated fibrin and its degradation products in the synovial space. Expression of factor XIII in synovial cells and activities of coagulation factors, fibrinolytic enzymes, and inhibitors were investigated in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Immunohistochemical analysis showed deposits of insoluble fibrin on synovial membranes and pannus to an extent related to the progression of the disease. Factor XIII was expressed by fibroblasts and macrophages in the early stages of the disease, whereas in advanced stages factor XIII staining was associated with fibrin. The reduction of certain coagulation factors and high level of thrombin-antithrombin complexes in synovial fluid show a steady activation of the coagulation cascade. The evaluation of fibrinogen degradation products and the pattern of degradation of synovial fibrin(ogen) suggest the participation of leukocyte elastase in fibrin(ogen) lysis in synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis.
1533678 Actigraphic measurements of sleep in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of patients with low 1992 Mar Actigraphic recordings during sleep were carried out in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in patients with chronic low back pain, and in healthy controls for 4 consecutive nights. All derived measures of sleep quality showed that the sleep of patients with RA was significantly poorer than controls, while patients with chronic low back pain had sleep quality not significantly different from either group. Polysomnographically defined periodic movements in sleep were significantly related to sleep efficiency in patients with RA. Clinical status in these patients was significantly related to several actigraphic sleep measures.
1525843 Management of early inflammatory arthritis. Genetic factors predicting persistent disease: 1992 Jun In this chapter, we investigate the use of non-toxic 'probe drugs' to give information about basic biochemical pathways. We have examined the hypothesis that a major factor in RA is defective metabolism of sulphur-containing compounds. At least two pathways have been shown to be abnormal in RA. Generally, patients have reduced capacity to metabolize and detoxify thiol compounds by methylation, and have increased levels of plasma cysteine. They also have a lower capacity for S-oxidation of cysteine and its derivatives, with reduced amounts of plasma sulphate. The raised cysteine resulting from less effective metabolism may lead to reduced clearance of immune complexes and a raised inflammatory response in RA patients. Lower plasma sulphate, however, leads to defective tissue synthesis, and makes adequate repair of damaged joints less feasible. The co-existence of defects in these two interacting endogenous pathways serves to perpetuate the disease process, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction. These enzyme defects have been shown to be predictive of persistent disease.
7889704 A continuing role for pre-operative cervical spine radiography in rheumatoid arthritis? 1995 Mar Pre-operative cervical spine radiographs are routinely requested for patients with rheumatoid disease, prior to elective orthopaedic surgery, but no guidelines exist governing the indications for this investigation. One hundred and twenty-eight such patients were reviewed retrospectively. No patient had signs or symptoms attributable to cervical cord compression. The incidence of unsuspected C1/2 subluxation was 5.5%, and as many as 37% of examinations could have been avoided by assessing previous radiographs. The apparent lack of effect on subsequent anaesthetic management was noticeable. Techniques that do not require hyperextension of the neck were employed in 12 of 19 patients with craniocervical instability and included the laryngeal mask airway, face mask or spinal anaesthesia. However, similar variations in anaesthetic technique were observed in patients without cranio-cervical instability. It is concluded that pre-operative cervical spine assessment in asymptomatic patients with rheumatoid disease is unnecessary, prior to elective orthopaedic surgery.
1600184 Validity and discriminant ability of the HAQ Functional Index in early rheumatoid arthriti 1992 Apr A sensitive and valid instrument is needed in the earliest stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for the measurement of functional disability. A French version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire Functional Disability Index (HAQ) has been developed, validated in an early RA sample (i.e. with disease duration less than 5 yr; n = 50), and compared with longstanding RA (n = 32) and control subjects (n = 59). Five factors provided by principal components analysis accounted for 75% of the variability of the HAQ score (construct validity). It appeared to be significantly correlated with clinical and radiological variables and to be reproducible (r intraclass = 0.964). It proved to be discriminant in groups with various levels of disability (HAQ score = 1.332 in early RA, 1.745 in longstanding RA, and 0.152 in controls; p less than 10(-5). Finally, the validity of the original scoring method of the HAQ, as compared with other scoring methods, was confirmed.
7524151 Marker antibodies of rheumatoid arthritis: diagnostic and pathogenetic implications. 1994 Jun Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with several autoantibodies specific enough to serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers. These include rheumatoid factor (RF), antikeratin antibody (AKA), antiperinuclear factor (APF), and anti-RA33. The first three, and possibly also anti-RA33, may precede the onset of clinical RA. The prevalence of positive test reactions depends on the period between taking the specimen and onset of disease; when the period is short, the prevalence is nearly the same as in established disease. Thus, RA has a long asymptomatic period with broadening immunological activity. The assays for AKA and APF (and possibly also for anti-RA33), compared with RF testing, yielded greater specificity rather than the ability to define any subgroup with particularly severe disease. Used together, the above marker antibodies may form a new and more enlightened basis for defining seropositive RA. It is commonly believed that genetically mediated immune response plays an important role in the initiation of RA. However, the role of the major histocompatibility complex antigens may be in modulation of the inflammatory reaction in a later phase.
7677445 Clinical significance of interleukin-6 measurement in early rheumatoid arthritis: relation 1995 Aug OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of interleukin-6 (IL-6) measurements in relation to laboratory and clinical measures of disease activity and radiological progression in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 51 patients with early RA during the first three years of the disease, with monthly clinical and laboratory assessments and biannual radiographs of the hands and feet. IL-6 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cross sectional (n = 51) and longitudinal (n = 20) correlations between plasma IL-6 concentrations and values of C reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A protein (SAA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin (Hb), platelets, and joint scores were calculated, and correlations made between time integrated values of IL-6, CRP and ESR, and radiological progression over three years (n = 20). RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between IL-6 and the acute phase response and platelets, but variable results were obtained for the correlation between IL-6 and Hb. In contrast to a significant correlation between time integrated values of CRP or ESR and radiological progression, time integrated values of IL-6 did not correlate with radiological progression over three years follow up. CONCLUSION: The course of disease activity and the radiological progression of joint damage are better reflected by CRP, SAA, and ESR values than by plasma IL-6 concentrations, particularly in stages of low disease activity.
7854556 [FDDF (fast dissolving dosage form) piroxicam for sublingual administration in the treatme 1994 Dec Open non-comparative study for the evaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of piroxicam FDDF for sublingual administration in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty patients (6 males and 24 females) suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in the active phase have been treated. All the patients had to fulfil the criteria for the rheumatoid arthritis classification proposed by the American Rheumatism Association (ARA). The efficacy of therapy has been evaluated, after 2, 4 and 6 week of treatment, through the changes in: the number of painful or tender joints on motion, the number of swollen joints, grip strength, ESR. Also day pain, night pain, duration of morning stiffness and functional index have been evaluated. As regards the functional index, activities as dressing, arising, eating, walking, taking care of hygiene, bending, standing and sitting have been considered. The study sample was composed by 30 patients, with a mean age of 59.73 years, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis from 4.76 years. As regards efficacy parameters, day pain, which is recorded on a 21 compartment visual analogue scale, was initially of 8.13 (+/- 3.73), and after 2 weeks of therapy decreased of about 1 point and after 4 weeks was of 6.57 (+/- 3.73). This improvement was already statistically significant at the first control (p = 0.01). At the first control also morning stiffness resulted improved in a statistically significant way (p < 0.0001). As regards functional index a statistically significant improvement was observed in the disability of walking and of picking up objects after 2 weeks; after 4 weeks a significant improvement was observed in the disability of arising and of bending. These changes in functional ability probably depend upon the kind of joint involved and the duration of these lesions. Also the grip strength resulted statistically improved at the 2 control. As regards objective values, there was a statistically significant improvement in tender and swollen joints after only 2 weeks. As regards ESR, which is an index of disease activity, was initially of 40.73 (+/- 16.75) in mean; at the end of the 6th week it was of 34.72 (+/- 15.13): this reduction was statistically significant. No improvement was observed in night pain, normally the pain form which is more difficult to cure. As regards toleration, only 2 patients reported side-effects: the first reported epigastralgia and the second oral burning Both side-effects lasted 1 day and, according to the physician, their relation with the study drug is not sure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
9037746 Arthroscopic synovectomy. When, which diseases and which joints. 1996 Nov The success of arthroscopic synovectomy depends both on surgical skill and patient selection. Close cooperation between rheumatologist and rheumasurgeon is advocated. Alternative local joint treatments are discussed, with particular respect to radiation synovectomy. Patients with chronic inflammatory joint disease comprise the major group of patients. However, other diseases like haemophilia, pigmented villonodular synovitis, synovial chondromatosis, posttraumatic synovitis and septic arthritis are also discussed. A discussion of open versus arthroscopic synovectomy for each joint is presented. Arthroscopic synovectomy is preferred when arthroscopic access allows radical synovectomy. Treating concomitant tenosynovitis is underlined.
8588964 Outcome analysis of total knee-replacements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis versus o 1995 A total of 524 knees underwent a primary PCA knee arthroplasty between 1982 and 1989. Of these 415 suffered from osteoarthritis (OA) and 61 from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They were analyzed for differences regarding the outcome. Neither survivorship analysis nor number or type of revisions revealed statistical differences among these two groups. The knee score rose in the OA group from a median of 28 to 89 points after 1 year and then dropped to 87 points between 54 and 118 months. In the RA group the median of the knee score rose from a preoperative value of 21 points to 90 points after 1 year but then dropped to 77 points at the most recent follow-up. This development was probably the result of general progression of the disease. Even in the RA group the rating was still "good" at the latest follow-up. Regarding the benefit of such a procedure in a polyarticular disease and its preservation over a long period of time, total knee arthroplasty can be recommended for patients with RA, and preferably the cemented version.
1481579 Arthritis in the elderly. 1992 Nov Rheumatic diseases affect individuals of all ages. Both incidence and prevalence vary between age groups, and the diagnosis and management of the same rheumatic disease may be very different at the various ages. It is thus important to recognize the spectrum of rheumatic disorders in age-specific groups. The functional decline of cells, tissues and organs does not occur at the same rate in all individuals. This results in an increased variation with aging. It has important clinical consequences in the diagnosis of disease in the elderly with risk of both underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. The increasing number of elderly, the high prevalence and the specific diagnostic and therapeutic problems of rheumatic disorders in the elderly call for some rheumatologists to focus an interest in geriatric rheumatology.
7741506 Reactivation of rheumatoid arthritis in knees following total knee replacement. 1994 Nov Between May 1985 and December 1990, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis had 34 total knee replacements performed. The mean follow-up period was 4.1 years and the range was 2.3 to 7.8 years. Five knees with total knee replacements (74.7%) in 4 patients were affected by activation of the rheumatoid process at an average postoperative interval of 28.6 months while the other 29 knees with total knee replacements (85.3%) remained in remission. Factors that appeared to have an influence on post total knee replacement rheumatoid activation included the activity of the disease preoperatively, and whether synovectomy was undertaken at surgery. Whether patella replacement was undertaken appeared not to have influenced postoperative reactivation of the disease. Using the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee score, total knee replacement in our cases gave excellent results. The complications included one knee with dislocation of the patella and another with infection.
8496855 Gold therapy lowers serum interleukin 6 levels in rheumatoid arthritis. 1993 Apr OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical utility and the effect of sodium aurothiomalate (GSTM) on serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Open prospective study of 50 patients with RA treated with GSTM. Serum IL-6 measured by bioassay. RESULTS: IL-6 showed correlations with Ritchie articular index, duration of morning stiffness and C-reactive protein. GSTM significantly reduced IL-6 levels. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 is a potentially useful additional indicator of disease activity in RA and is modulated by GSTM.
1404138 Upper airway obstruction as the sole manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. 1992 Jun A 51-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suddenly developed laryngeal stridor. Rheumatoid factor was positive and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated, but she had no evidence of acute peripheral arthritis at this time. A flexible laryngoscopy revealed cricoarytenoid arthritis which was the sole clinical manifestation of active RA. Involvement of the cricoarytenoid joints must be considered in patients with RA with laryngeal stridor even in the absence of active peripheral arthritis.