Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialFocal fat lesions at vertebral corners on magnetic resonance imaging predict the development of new syndesmophytes in ankylosing spondylitis.
Focal fat infiltration is frequently visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and likely reflects postinflammatory tissue metaplasia. To support the concept of coupling between inflammation and new bone formation, we tested the hypothesis that focal fat infiltration at a vertebral corner is more likely to evolve into a de novo syndesmophyte. ⋯ Our data lend support to the hypothesis that inflammatory lesions evolve into new bone through a process of tissue metaplasia that includes fat infiltration.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialAtacicept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate: results of a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
To assess the efficacy, safety, and biologic activity of atacicept in tumor necrosis factor antagonist-naive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in whom the response to methotrexate treatment was inadequate. ⋯ The primary end point (ACR20-CRP response) was not met despite significant biologic effects of atacicept that were consistent with its proposed mechanism of action. Modest effects of atacicept were seen for some secondary efficacy end points. Treatment with atacicept raised no new safety concerns.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Sep 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy and safety of milnacipran 100 mg/day in patients with fibromyalgia: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
To assess the efficacy and safety of milnacipran at a dosage of 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily) for monotherapy treatment of fibromyalgia. ⋯ Milnacipran administered at a dosage of 100 mg/day improved pain, global status, fatigue, and physical and mental function in patients with fibromyalgia.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Aug 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAdalimumab in severe and acute sciatica: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Based on several experimental results and on a preliminary study, a trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy of adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor, in patients with radicular pain due to lumbar disc herniation. ⋯ The addition of a short course of adalimumab to the treatment regimen of patients experiencing acute and severe sciatica resulted in a small decrease in leg pain and in significantly fewer surgical procedures.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jul 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRandomized, prospective, placebo-controlled trial of bosentan in interstitial lung disease secondary to systemic sclerosis.
Endothelin is implicated as a participatory pathway in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We tested this hypothesis in a 12-month trial of bosentan, a nonselective endothelin receptor antagonist, as a therapy for SSc-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). ⋯ No improvement in exercise capacity was observed in the bosentan-treated group compared with the placebo group, and no significant treatment effect was observed for the other end points. Although many outcome variables were stable, bosentan did not reduce the frequency of clinically important worsening. These data do not support the use of endothelin receptor antagonists as therapy for ILD secondary to SSc.