Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA randomized, placebo-controlled trial of infliximab plus methotrexate for the treatment of polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of infliximab in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). ⋯ While infliximab at 3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg showed durable efficacy at 1 year, achievement of the primary efficacy end point at 3 months did not differ significantly between infliximab-treated and placebo-treated patients. Safety data indicated that the 6-mg/kg dose may provide a more favorable risk/benefit profile. These results warrant further investigation in children with JRA.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialSteroid injection for osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To determine the efficacy of fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injection for hip osteoarthritis (OA) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ⋯ This placebo-controlled trial confirms that corticosteroid injection can be an effective treatment of pain in hip OA, with benefits lasting up to 3 months in many cases. Future studies should address questions related to the benefits of repeated steroid injection and the effects of this treatment on disease modification.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCost-utility analysis of a multidisciplinary job retention vocational rehabilitation program in patients with chronic arthritis at risk of job loss.
To estimate from a societal perspective the cost-utility of a multidisciplinary job retention vocational rehabilitation program compared with usual care in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases at risk of job loss. ⋯ From a societal perspective, it remains unclear whether the program reduces or increases total costs. Further research on effective vocational rehabilitation is warranted, with special attention to early detection of work problems and the collaboration between health care and vocational rehabilitation services.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialResponder criteria for operant and cognitive-behavioral treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
To predict the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and operant-behavioral therapy (OBT) in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). ⋯ The results of this study suggest that pretreatment patient characteristics are important predictors of treatment response and may serve as a basis for matching treatments to patient characteristics. Prospective outcome studies are needed to confirm whether the tailoring of treatment actually leads to better outcomes for patients with FMS.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialA brief pain management program compared with physical therapy for low back pain: results from an economic analysis alongside a randomized clinical trial.
Guidelines for the management of acute low back pain in primary care recommend early intervention to address psychosocial risk factors associated with long-term disability. We assessed the cost utility and cost effectiveness of a brief pain management program (BPM) targeting psychosocial factors compared with physical therapy (PT) for primary care patients with low back pain of <12 weeks' duration. ⋯ PT is a cost-effective primary care management strategy for low back pain. However, the absence of a clinically superior treatment program raises the possibility that BPM could provide an additional primary care approach, administered in fewer sessions, allowing patient and doctor preferences to be considered.