Arthritis and rheumatism
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2012
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyA systematic review and meta-analysis comparing complications following total joint arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis versus for osteoarthritis.
Most of the evidence regarding complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is based on studies of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), with little being known about outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the present study was to review the current evidence regarding rates of THA/TKA complications in RA versus OA. ⋯ The findings of this literature review and meta-analysis indicate that, compared to patients with OA, patients with RA are at higher risk of dislocation following THA and higher risk of infection following TKA.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Sep 2012
Review Meta AnalysisUse of serum procalcitonin to detect bacterial infection in patients with autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To systematically review evidence of the accuracy of the procalcitonin test for diagnosis of bacterial infection in patients with autoimmune disease. ⋯ Procalcitonin has higher diagnostic value than CRP for the detection of bacterial sepsis in patients with autoimmune disease, and the test for procalcitonin is more specific than sensitive. A procalcitonin test is not recommended to be used in isolation as a rule-out tool.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Oct 2010
Meta AnalysisSimilar effects of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, glucocorticoids, and biologic agents on radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: meta-analysis of 70 randomized placebo-controlled or drug-controlled studies, including 112 comparisons.
To define the differences in effects on joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients between therapy with single and combination disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), glucocorticoids, and biologic agents. ⋯ Treatment with DMARDs, glucocorticoids, biologic agents, and combination agents significantly reduced radiographic progression at 1 year, with a relative effect of 48-84%. A direct comparison between the combination of a biologic agent plus MTX and the combination of 2 DMARDs plus initial glucocorticoids revealed no difference. Consequently, biologic agents should still be reserved for patients whose RA is resistant to DMARD therapy. Future trials of the effects of biologic agents on RA should compare such agents with combination treatments involving DMARDs and glucocorticoids.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Dec 2009
Meta AnalysisThe importance of allocation concealment and patient blinding in osteoarthritis trials: a meta-epidemiologic study.
To evaluate the association of adequate allocation concealment and patient blinding with estimates of treatment benefits in osteoarthritis trials. ⋯ Results of osteoarthritis trials may be affected by selection and detection bias. Adequate concealment of allocation and attempts to blind patients will minimize these biases.
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Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2009
Review Meta AnalysisThe effectiveness of Tai Chi for chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To determine whether Tai Chi improves pain, disability, physical performance, and/or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. ⋯ The available data on the effect of Tai Chi are sparse and derived principally from low-quality studies. These data suggest that Tai Chi has a small positive effect on pain and disability in people with arthritis. The extent to which it benefits other forms of musculoskeletal pain is unclear.