Arthritis and rheumatism
-
To identify factors that are predictive of the outcomes of greatest importance to patients-i.e., symptom relief, functional improvement, and satisfaction with the outcomes of surgery-following carpal tunnel release. ⋯ The outcomes of carpal tunnel release in community-based practices are excellent. Predictors of the outcomes of surgery are disease-specific and generic clinical factors as well as work-related factors. The strongest predictors of less favorable outcomes are worse scores on patient-reported measures of upper extremity functional limitation and mental health status, alcohol use, and the involvement of an attorney. Clinicians should carefully evaluate patients' functional status, mental health status, health habits, and attorney involvement prior to performing carpal tunnel release, and discuss with patients the prognostic implications of these parameters.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2001
Activated human T cells directly induce osteoclastogenesis from human monocytes: possible role of T cells in bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
To elucidate the direct role of human T cells in the induction of osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by studying human monocytes and the pathogenetic roles of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), RANK, and osteoprotegerin (OPG). ⋯ The present study is the first to demonstrate osteoclastogenesis using human-derived T cells and monocytes. In addition, the present findings suggest that excess production of RANKL by activated T cells increases the level of sRANKL in synovial fluid and may contribute to osteoclastic bone resorption in RA patients.