Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Feb 2013
ReviewBarriers to participant retention in knee osteoarthritis clinical trials: a systematic review.
We investigated the reasons and rates of attrition in knee osteoarthritis trials through a systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials. ⋯ Our findings not only support the importance of the intention-to-treat analysis, but also suggest the possibility of controlling the attrition at the study level.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Feb 2013
Serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products levels and aortic augmentation index in early rheumatoid arthritis--a prospective study.
We assessed whether a serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) levels were associated with a progression of carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness indexes in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. ⋯ Arterial stiffness improved significantly in patients with early RA after effective control of inflammation. Increase in sRAGE level was associated with a decrease in AIx, suggesting that sRAGE may play an important role in the ligand-soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product interaction propagated inflammation and vascular stiffness in these patients.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Dec 2012
ReviewParoxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis: a large cohort observation study and literature review.
To investigate the associations of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ⋯ Ankylosing spondylitis patients had a high probability of developing PSVT and WPW syndrome. Detailed ECG and electrophysiological examinations are required for early detection of PSVT and WPW syndrome for prompt resolution of potentially life-threatening complications in all AS patients, especially those presenting with the symptoms of palpitation, dizziness, dyspnea, or syncope.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Dec 2012
Comparative StudyCan magnetic resonance imaging of the hand and wrist differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis in the early stages of the disease?
To investigate whether rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be differentiated in the early stages of the disease (duration of symptoms ≤1 year) on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the hand and wrist. ⋯ We observed significant differences in the MRI findings of the hand and wrist that can help to distinguish between RA and PsA in the early stages of disease. This imaging method could help to assist in the differential diagnostic process in selected patients in whom diagnosis cannot be unequivocally established after conventional clinical, biochemical, and radiographic examinations.
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Semin. Arthritis Rheum. · Oct 2012
ReviewMagnetic resonance imaging of subchondral bone marrow lesions in association with osteoarthritis.
This nonsystematic literature review provides an overview of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in association with osteoarthritis (OA), with particular attention to the selection of MRI sequences and semiquantitative scoring systems, characteristic morphology, and differential diagnosis. Histologic basis, natural history, and clinical significance are also briefly discussed. ⋯ Subchondral BMLs are a common imaging feature of OA with clinical significance and typical signal alteration patterns, which can be assessed and graded by semiquantitative scoring systems using sensitive MRI sequences.