Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Risk factors for visual loss in an Italian population-based cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis.
To evaluate the frequency of visual manifestations at presentation in an Italian population-based cohort of patients with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA), and to investigate predictors for the development of permanent visual loss. ⋯ The proportion of Italian patients with GCA that developed visual loss was similar to that reported from other countries. The patients with low inflammatory response had a higher risk of visual loss.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Redesigning the care of fragility fracture patients to improve osteoporosis management: a health care improvement project.
To develop new processes that assure more reliable, population-based care of fragility fracture patients. ⋯ Reliable osteoporosis care is achievable by redesigning clinical processes. Performance data motivate physicians to reconsider traditional approaches. Improving the care of osteoporosis and other chronic diseases requires coordinated care across specialty boundaries and health system support.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Relationship of pain-coping strategies and pain-specific beliefs to pain experience in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
To examine whether pain-specific beliefs and coping strategies of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) independently predict their reported pain, while controlling for relevant demographic variables, disease activity, and parent-rated disability. To compare use of pain-coping strategies and pain-related beliefs of a selected subgroup of patients with high pain and low disease activity (high pain group) with the remaining patients. ⋯ These results support a model of pain experience in patients with JIA where psychological factors are strongly influential. It may be efficient to focus behavioral interventions on a subgroup of children where the pain experience seems to be in discordance with the disease activity.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialPregabalin for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and lowered pain threshold. Other prominent symptoms include disordered sleep and fatigue. FMS affects an estimated 2% of the population, predominantly women. This trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin, a novel alpha(2)-delta ligand, for treatment of symptoms associated with FMS. ⋯ Pregabalin at 450 mg/day was efficacious for the treatment of FMS, reducing symptoms of pain, disturbed sleep, and fatigue compared with placebo. Pregabalin was well tolerated and improved global measures and health-related quality of life.