Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2015
Pain sensitization and degenerative changes are associated with aberrant plantar loading in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis.
This study focused on the biomechanical implications of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the association with pain. The plantar loading force distribution of the foot was determined and correlated to degenerative knee changes, function, pain intensity, and pain sensitization. ⋯ This study shows that mean maximum plantar foot force distribution in patients with painful knee OA is associated with specific pain mechanisms, function, radiological findings, and pain intensity.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2015
Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and cytokine receptors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional comparative study.
Insight into the most important inflammatory pathways in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) could be of importance in risk stratification and the development of treatment strategies. Therefore, we aimed to compare circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers between AS patients and controls, and explore associations between these biomarkers and clinical measures of disease activity. ⋯ Significantly higher plasma levels of sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, and OPG and numerically but non-significantly higher levels of IL-23 were found in AS patients compared to controls, indicating that these cytokines and cytokine receptors are important inflammatory pathways. Clinical measures of disease activity were not significantly correlated with circulating inflammatory markers.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2015
Epidural steroid injections in the management of cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cervical epidural steroid injection (CESI) in the management of cervical disc herniations with radiculopathy. ⋯ CESI appears to be a safe and efficient part of the treatment of patients with symptomatic cervical disc herniations and may be considered before patients are referred to surgery.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2015
Microvascular abnormalities in patients with early systemic sclerosis: less severe morphological changes than in patients with definite disease.
To evaluate the morphological and functional abnormalities of the microcirculation associated with markers of vascular injury in patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc). ⋯ Early SSc patients showed functional changes and vascular injury marker levels similar to patients with established disease. Nonetheless, the morphological changes were less severe in early SSc, thus providing an opportunity for further prevention of vasculopathy progression.
-
Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Jan 2015
Natural course of bone marrow oedema on magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joints in patients with early inflammatory back pain: a 2-year follow-up study.
To describe the distribution and evolution over time of bone marrow oedema (BME) on magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joint (MRI-SIJ) in patients with recent-onset inflammatory back pain (IBP) suspected for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). ⋯ BME shows a fluctuating course in patients with early IBP suspected for axSpA. This may have an impact on diagnosis and the overall performance of the ASAS axSpA criteria.