Arthritis research & therapy
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Mar 2018
Pain sensitivity at rest and during muscle contraction in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a substudy within the Physical Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis 2010 study.
We aimed to explore pressure pain sensitivity and the function of segmental and plurisegmental exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with healthy control subjects (HC). ⋯ Our results indicate a generally increased pain sensitivity but normal function of EIH among persons with RA and offer one possible explanation for pain reduction observed in this group of patients following clinical exercise programmes.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Mar 2018
Exploring determinants predicting response to intra-articular hyaluronic acid treatment in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: 9-year follow-up data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.
The weight of recommendation for intra-articular therapies such as hyaluronic acid injections varies from one set of guidelines to another, and they have not yet reached unanimity with respect to the usefulness of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) injections for the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Among the reasons for the controversy is that the current literature provides inconsistent results and conclusions about such treatment. This study aimed at identifying determinants associated with a better response to IAHA treatment in knee OA. ⋯ This study identified reliable predictive determinants that can distinguish patients who could best benefit from IAHA treatment: high levels of knee pain, younger, and less severe structural damage. These could be implemented in clinical practice as a useful guide for physicians.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Feb 2018
MicroRNA-302b negatively regulates IL-1β production in response to MSU crystals by targeting IRAK4 and EphA2.
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pivotal proinflammatory cytokine that is strongly associated with the inflammation of gout. However, the underlying mechanism through which the production of IL-1β is regulated has not been fully elucidated. Our previous work identified that miR-302b had an important immune regulatory role in bacterial lung infections. This study was conducted to evaluate the function of miR-302b on monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation and its mechanism. ⋯ These results suggest that miR-302b can regulate IL-1β production in MSU-induced inflammation by targeting NF-κB and caspase-1 signaling, and may be a potential therapeutic target for gouty arthritis.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2018
Systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease - individualized immunosuppressive therapy and course of lung function: results of the EUSTAR group.
Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD) is a major cause of SSc-related death. Imunosuppressive treatment (IS) is used in patients with SSc for various organ manifestations mainly to ameliorate progression of SSc-ILD. Data on everyday IS prescription patterns and clinical courses of lung function during and after therapy are scarce. ⋯ IS is broadly prescribed in SSc-ILD. Clusters of clinical and functional characteristics guide individualised treatment. Data favour distinguished decision-making, pointing to either watchful waiting and close monitoring in the early stages or start of immunosuppressive treatment in moderately impaired lung function. Advantages of specific IS are difficult to depict due to confounding by indication. Data do not support liberal use of GC in SSc-ILD.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Nov 2017
Experience with etanercept, tocilizumab and interleukin-1 inhibitors in systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients from the BIKER registry.
Treatment of systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis JIA (sJIA), although dramatically improved, remains a challenge. Experience from clinical practice will be presented using data from the German Biologics register (BiKeR) for evaluation of efficacy and safety of treatment with etanercept (ETA), tocilizumab (TOC) and the interleukin-1 inhibitors anakinra and canakinumab (IL-1i) in sJIA. ⋯ A large proportion of patients gained significant response to treatment especially with TOC or IL-1is. After 6 months on treatment, JADAS remission was reached by up to half of patients while up to two thirds reached JADAS minimal disease activity. ETA has been used in the past but it is clearly less effective and its use in systemic JIA has markedly decreased in Germany.