Blockade of Dickkopf (DKK)-1 induces fusion of sacroiliac joints
Conclusion
DKK1 influences inflammatory remodelling of sacroiliac joints by prevention of joint ankylosis. This may indicate an important role of the Wnt signalling pathway in the structural bone changes of axial joint disease. Although this model does not reflect the entire spectrum of ankylosing spondylitis in humans, it helps to explain the pathophysiological processes of sacroiliac joint ankylosis, which is a hallmark of the spondyloarthritides. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Genetic control of leucocyte--endothelial cell interaction in collagen-induced arthritis
Conclusion
The study describes for the first time QTL controlling the CIA initiating leucocyte–endothelial cell interaction. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Systemic levels of IL-23 are strongly associated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis but not spondyloarthritis
Conclusions
Th17-related cytokines are expressed in joints of spondyloarthritis as well as RA patients. IL-23 levels, however, correlate with disease activity parameters in RA only. These results point towards a differential regulation of the Th17 cytokine system in spondyloarthritis compared with RA. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Relationship between the clinical response to adalimumab treatment and serum levels of adalimumab and anti-adalimumab antibodies in patients with psoriatic arthritis
(Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Cardiovascular risk factors and not disease activity, severity or therapy associate with renal dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Conclusions
Renal dysfunction in RA is quite common and associates with classic cardiovascular risk factors such as advanced age and dyslipidaemia, levels of SUA and the presence of extra-articular disease. Renal dysfunction was not related to other RA-related factors including disease activity and duration, disability and past or present use of nephrotoxic medications. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Drug-specific risk of tuberculosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-TNF therapy: results from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR)
Conclusion
The rate of TB in patients with RA treated with anti-TNF therapy was three- to fourfold higher in patients receiving INF and ADA than in those receiving ETA. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Impact of comorbidity on physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Conclusion
Physical disability becomes worse with increasing levels of comorbidity, irrespective of disease activity. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Evaluation of the appropriateness of composite disease activity measures for assessment of psoriatic arthritis
Conclusion
Among the currently available indices used in arthritic conditions, the DAREA best reflects the domains found to be important in PsA. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Association of the 6q23 region with the rate of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis
Conclusions
These data associate the 6q23 region with the rate of joint destruction in ACPA+ RA. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Effect of dexamethasone on autoantibody levels and arthritis development in patients with arthralgia: a randomised trial
Conclusion
In autoantibody-positive patients with arthralgia, dexamethasone treatment decreases ACPA and IgM-RF levels, but does not prevent arthritis development.
Trial registration number: ISRCTN73232918. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Follow-up standards and treatment targets in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a questionnaire at the EULAR 2008
Conclusion
These results suggest the acceptance of ambitious treatment concepts in practice. Although voluntary surveys have limitations, the answers reflect widespread adoption of desirable standards of care. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Ankylosing spondylitis: a risk factor for myocardial infarction?
Conclusions
These observations indicate that the prevalence of MI is increased in patients with AS. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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When does rheumatoid arthritis start and can it be stopped before it does?
(Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Genetic influences modulating the radiological severity of rheumatoid arthritis
This review focuses on the contribution of genetic markers to the severity of radiological damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Currently available biomarkers of more severe disease include elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates or C-reactive protein levels and rheumatoid factor (RF) or anticyclic citrullinated protein antibodies positivity; however, these biomarkers explain a relatively modest proportion of the variance in radiological damage. An important role of genetic factors on RA severity has recently emerged but studies to date have generally been of low statistical power and many have not been replicated. Genetic markers have a number of advantages over conventional biomarkers; genotypes are stable, measurable at disease onset, remain unchanged by treatment and are amenable to h......
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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Arthritis development in patients with arthralgia is strongly associated with anti-citrullinated protein antibody status: a prospective cohort study
Conclusion
In patients with arthralgia the presence of ACPA (but not of IgM-RF or SE) predicts arthritis development. The risk in ACPA-positive patients may be further increased by the concomitant presence of IgM-RF or high levels of ACPA. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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The Stop Arthritis Very Early (SAVE) trial, an international multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on glucocorticoids in very early arthritis
Conclusions
Neither remission nor development of RA is delayed by GC treatment. Remission is rare in the first year of very early arthritis, occurring in <20% of the patients. Also, the need to start DMARDs was not influenced by GC treatment. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 06:10 AM --
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UNC Helps Establish The First National Public Health Agenda For Osteoarthritis
Betty Isaacs of Boone, N.C., knows all about the chronic pain of osteoarthritis and the impact it has on her life. "The pain in my knee was so bad, I would just sit around," Isaacs said. Last year, Isaacs participated in the Walk with Ease program administered through the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center and developed by the Arthritis Foundation. Walk With Ease is designed to help participants develop a walking plan, stay motivated and learn to exercise safely. "This was a real meaningful program for me," said Isaacs, who has knee OA and was overweight... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 05:00 AM --
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UNC Helps Establish The First National Public Health Agenda For Osteoarthritis
Betty Isaacs of Boone, N.C., knows all about the chronic pain of osteoarthritis and the impact it has on her life. "The pain in my knee was so bad, I would just sit around," Isaacs said. Last year, Isaacs participated in the Walk with Ease program administered through the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center and developed by the Arthritis Foundation... (Source: Bones / Orthopaedics News From Medical News Today)...
POSTED 03/11/2010 at 05:00 AM --
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Knee replacement in elderly patients shown to improve balance
(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) Total knee replacement (TKR) successfully relieves pain and improves function in patients with advanced knee arthritis, according to a study presented today at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)...
POSTED 03/10/2010 at 11:00 PM --
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MRC scientists announce advance in understanding body's natural defenses
(University of Leicester) Medical Research Council scientists at the University of Leicester have made a new advance in understanding how the body fights certain types of cancer and other disease such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)...
POSTED 03/10/2010 at 11:00 PM --
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