Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyStability of the patient acceptable symptomatic state over time in outcome criteria in ankylosing spondylitis.
The Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS) is the highest level of symptoms beyond which patients consider themselves well. It provides clinically meaningful information to interpret results from scales or questionnaires. Our goal was to determine the PASS in main outcome criteria when assessing patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to evaluate whether the PASS is stable over time. ⋯ This study provides cutoff values for the PASS for the main outcome measures in AS and shows that PASS values are stable over time.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized, sham-controlled, proof of principle study of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia.
Recent evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by dysfunctional brain activity. Because transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate brain activity noninvasively and can decrease pain in patients with refractory central pain, we hypothesized that tDCS treatment would result in pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia. ⋯ Our findings provide initial evidence of a beneficial effect of tDCS in fibromyalgia, thus encouraging further trials.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Nov 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAcupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip: a randomized, controlled trial with an additional nonrandomized arm.
To investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care, compared with routine care alone, in the treatment of patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip. ⋯ These results indicate that acupuncture plus routine care is associated with marked clinical improvement in patients with chronic OA-associated pain of the knee or hip.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Nov 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRisedronate decreases biochemical markers of cartilage degradation but does not decrease symptoms or slow radiographic progression in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee: results of the two-year multinational knee osteoarthritis structural arthritis study.
Bisphosphonates have slowed the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in animal models and have decreased pain in states of high bone turnover. The Knee OA Structural Arthritis (KOSTAR) study, which is the largest study to date investigating a potential structure-modifying OA drug, tested the efficacy of risedronate in providing symptom relief and slowing disease progression in patients with knee OA. ⋯ Although risedronate (compared with placebo) did not improve signs or symptoms of OA, nor did it alter progression of OA, a reduction in the level of a marker of cartilage degradation was observed. A sustained clinically relevant improvement in signs and symptoms was observed in all treatment and placebo groups.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of preoperative exercise on measures of functional status in men and women undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty.
To evaluate the effect of a short preoperative exercise intervention on the functional status, pain, and muscle strength of patients before and after total joint arthroplasty. ⋯ A 6-week presurgical exercise program can safely improve preoperative functional status and muscle strength levels in persons undergoing THA. Additionally, exercise participation prior to total joint arthroplasty dramatically reduces the odds of inpatient rehabilitation.