Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialSustained benefits of infliximab therapy for dermatologic and articular manifestations of psoriatic arthritis: results from the infliximab multinational psoriatic arthritis controlled trial (IMPACT).
To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of infliximab therapy for the articular and dermatologic manifestations of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). ⋯ Therapy with infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg significantly improved the signs and symptoms of arthritis, psoriasis, dactylitis, and enthesitis in patients with active PsA that had been resistant to DMARD therapy. With continued infliximab treatment, benefits were sustained through 50 weeks. The benefit-to-risk ratio appeared favorable in this study population.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialEvaluation of the efficacy of etoricoxib in ankylosing spondylitis: results of a fifty-two-week, randomized, controlled study.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of etoricoxib, a cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) selective inhibitor, administered continuously over 52 weeks for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ⋯ Etoricoxib at doses of 90 mg and 120 mg demonstrated superior efficacy compared with placebo over 6 weeks, and compared with naproxen over 1 year. These study results demonstrate that etoricoxib is generally safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious for the treatment of AS.
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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.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Feb 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialCorrelation of the degree of dyspnea with health-related quality of life, functional abilities, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in patients with systemic sclerosis and active alveolitis: results from the Scleroderma Lung Study.
To determine whether baseline self-assessment measures of health status and physiologic indices of disease severity in alveolitis-positive patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) correlate with the severity of their dyspnea, and to quantify functional impairment in patients with scleroderma lung disease and compare it with that in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ The SF-36 was able to discriminate between scleroderma lung disease patients with more severe and less severe breathlessness, the primary symptom of active alveolitis. The SF-36 complements the BDI and VAS scores for breathing in scleroderma lung disease and is variably correlated with results of pulmonary function tests, suggesting that the SF-36 should be included as an outcome measure in intervention trials in this population.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialDigital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: prevention by treatment with bosentan, an oral endothelin receptor antagonist.
Recurrent digital ulcers are a manifestation of vascular disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and lead to pain, impaired function, and tissue loss. We investigated whether treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist, bosentan, decreased the development of new digital ulcers in patients with SSc. ⋯ Endothelins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in patients with SSc. Treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan may be effective in preventing new digital ulcers and improving hand function in patients with SSc.