Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Sep 2011
ReviewYoga for low back pain: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
It has been suggested that yoga has a positive effect on low back pain and function. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment option for low back pain. Seven databases were searched from their inception to March 2011. ⋯ Two RCTs showed no between-group differences. It is concluded that yoga has the potential to alleviate low back pain. However, any definitive claims should be treated with caution.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jul 2011
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyMoxibustion for rheumatic conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Moxibustion, an acupuncture-like intervention, is increasingly used in the management of rheumatic conditions. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically evaluate the trials testing effectiveness of moxibustion for major rheumatic conditions. Fourteen databases were searched from their inception through May 2010, without language restriction. ⋯ This systematic review fails to provide conclusive evidence for the effectiveness of moxibustion compared with drug therapy in rheumatic conditions. The total number of RCTs included in this review and their methodological quality were low. These limitations make it difficult to draw firm conclusions.
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Clinical rheumatology · Apr 2011
Review Case ReportsPolymyositis associated with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism: two cases and review of the literature.
Studies confirming a possible relationship of polymyositis within thyroid dysfunction, either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, are hardly available. To define the association, identify clinical, laboratory, electromyographic, and pathologic features in polymyositis (PM) patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, we conducted a MEDLINE and Chinese biomedicine database search to identify relevant literature published in the past 25 years. Seventeen cases were included. ⋯ The abnormalities on electromyography and biopsy did not differ from those findings of PM. Therapy consisting of corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, or anti-thyroid drugs was administrated; however, poor prognosis seemed to be associated with malignant tumors as well as older age and the presence of anti-SSA antibodies. It is reasonable to suggest that those patients should be routinely evaluated for thyroid function, especially in older female and patients suffering from cancers.
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Clinical rheumatology · Apr 2011
Review Case ReportsFamilial hypophosphatemia: an unusual presentation with low back ache, heel pain, and a limp in a young man, and literature review.
A case of young man with low back ache and heel pains who was examined in a rheumatology outpatient and diagnosed as familial hypophosphatemia (FH), probably X-linked (XL), is presented. FH is most commonly transmitted as XL. The role of PHEX gene and fibroblast growth factor 23 is also described.
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Clinical rheumatology · Feb 2011
ReviewOsteopathy for musculoskeletal pain patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of osteopathy as a treatment option for musculoskeletal pain. Six databases were searched from their inception to August 2010. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were considered if they tested osteopathic manipulation/mobilization against any control intervention or no therapy in human with any musculoskeletal pain in any anatomical location, and if they assessed pain as an outcome measure. ⋯ Five RCTs suggested that osteopathy compared to various control interventions leads to a significantly stronger reduction of musculoskeletal pain. Eleven RCTs indicated that osteopathy compared to controls generates no change in musculoskeletal pain. Collectively, these data fail to produce compelling evidence for the effectiveness of osteopathy as a treatment of musculoskeletal pain.