Clin Exp Rheumatol
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Polymerized-type I collagen for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Effect of intramuscular administration in a double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
To determine the efficacy, tolerance and safety of intramuscular injections of porcine type I collagen-PVP in patients with RA in a long term-therapy. ⋯ Collagen-PVP has been shown to be a safe and well-tolerated drug for the long-term treatment of RA. Combination of collagen-PVP plus methotrexate was more efficacious than methotrexate alone. This biodrug can be useful in the treatment of RA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Interferential and horizontal therapies in chronic low back pain: a randomized, double blind, clinical study.
Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) is one of the most frequent medical problems. Electrical nerve stimulation is frequently used but its efficacy remains controversial. ⋯ This randomized double-blind controlled study provides the first evidence that IFT and HT therapy are significantly effective in alleviating both pain and disability in patients with CLBP. The placebo effect is remarkable at the beginning of the treatment but it tends to vanish within a couple of weeks.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire: a validated Spanish version to assess the health status in women with fibromyalgia.
To translate, adapt, validate and assess the sensitivity to change of a Spanish version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-S). ⋯ The FIQ-S is a reliable, valid and responsive to changes questionnaire for measuring health status and physical function in Spanish speaking FM patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Role of A-SAA in monitoring subclinical inflammation and in colchicine dosage in familial Mediterranean fever.
1) To compare the sensitivity of serum amyloid A protein (A-SAA) and other acute phase proteins (APPs) in determining subclinical inflammation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) during an attack-free period; 2) to define those clinical, laboratory features that may modify the A-SAA level; and 3) to evaluate the effect of an increase in the colchicine dose on the A-SAA level. ⋯ Subclinical inflammation continues during an attack-free period in FMF patients. A-SAA was the best marker of subclinical inflammation. Patients who are homozygous or compound heterozygotes of MEFV mutations had higher A-SAA levels. An increase in the colchicine dose resulted in a dramatic decrease in A-SAA and an increase in hemoglobin level. These findings favor the use of A-SAA in drug monitoring.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Treating rheumatoid arthritis early with disease modifying drugs reduces joint damage: a randomised double blind trial of sulphasalazine vs diclofenac sodium.
Current disease management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has moved towards "inverting the therapeutic pyramid" by introducing disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) early. Despite the logic of early DMARD therapy, there is a dearth of supportive evidence for this approach. We report a randomised controlled trial comparing sulphasalazine monotherapy with diclofenac monotherapy in early RA. The primary aim was to provide unequivocal evidence that early DMARDs prevent erosive damage. The secondary aim was to evaluate if sulphasalazine used alone has comparable symptomatic benefits to NSAIDs. ⋯ These results show that an accelerated dosing schedule of sulphasalazine has identical effects to diclofenac in reducing symptoms, indicating it is a rapidly effective DMARD. They also provide unequivocal evidence, analysed on an intention to treat basis, that early treatment with sulphasalazine significantly reduces the extent of radiological progression in active RA.