Arthritis and rheumatism
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Aug 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialEfficacy of tacrolimus in rheumatoid arthritis patients who have been treated unsuccessfully with methotrexate: a six-month, double-blind, randomized, dose-ranging study.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose of tacrolimus monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Tacrolimus improved disease activity in methotrexate-resistant or -intolerant patients with RA. A dose response was observed when efficacy and toxicity were assessed at different doses. The optimal dose of tacrolimus appears to be >1 mg but < or=3 mg daily.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialUse of a numerical rating scale as an answer modality in ankylosing spondylitis-specific questionnaires.
To determine the agreement of scores on the original visual analog scale (VAS) or Likert scale of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Dougados Functional Index (DFI) with scores on a numerical rating scale (NRS). To assess the reproducibility and responsiveness of the instruments with the original scale and NRS. ⋯ Although large variability between the scores on the original answer scales and the NRS was observed, the BASDAI, BASFI, and DFI can be administered with an NRS, which does not show important differences compared with the original scales.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · May 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTreatment of rheumatoid arthritis with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and sulfasalazine, or a combination of the three medications: results of a two-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To compare the efficacy of combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), MTX and sulfasalazine (SSZ), and MTX, HCQ, and SSZ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ The triple combination of MTX, SSZ, and HCQ is well-tolerated, and its efficacy is superior to that of the double combination of MTX and SSZ and is marginally superior to that of the double combination of MTX and HCQ.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Mar 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTreatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anakinra, a recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, in combination with methotrexate: results of a twenty-four-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ In patients with persistently active RA, the combination of anakinra and MTX was safe and well tolerated and provided significantly greater clinical benefit than MTX alone.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Feb 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialStructural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on joint space loss in osteoarthritis of the hip.
To evaluate the structural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. ⋯ This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial failed to demonstrate a structural effect of ASU in hip OA. However, in a post-hoc analysis, ASU significantly reduced the progression of joint space loss as compared with placebo in the subgroup of patients with advanced joint space narrowing. These results suggest that ASU could have a structural effect but require confirmation in a larger placebo-controlled study in hip OA.