bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progressive joint destruction in a human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patient with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Müller‐Ladner ULF , Kriegsmann JÖRg , Gay Renate E. , Koopman William J. , Gay Steffen , Chatham W. Winn 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article reports the case of a 63‐year‐old patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) whose symptoms of RA improved after the occurrence of a secondary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; however, the HIV infection did not affect the histologic parameters of joint destruction to the same extent as it did the clinical symptoms. Histologic and immunohistologic joint examinations of this patient revealed an ongoing production of cartilage‐ and bone‐degrading enzymes by macrophages and fibroblasts, without the presence of T cells. These findings demonstrate that progressive joint destruction in RA can occur in the absence of T cells. Moreover, our results support the hypothesis that both T cell‐dependent and T cell‐independent pathways play a significant role in the pathogenesis of RA.
Peripheral neuropathy with necrotizing vasculitis in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Puéchal Xavier , Said Gerard , Hilliquin Pascal , Coste Joel , Job‐Deslandre Chantal , Lacroix Catherine , Menkès Charles J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective.To examine the clinicopathologic features of the noncompressive neuropathies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.We studied 32 patients with RA and peripheral neuropathy whose nerve and/or muscle biopsy specimens exhibited necrotizing vasculitis. Morphologic analysis of nerve specimens included light and electron microscopy studies and teased fiber preparation. Survival was evaluated, and the prognostic values of clinical, biologic, and pathologic features were assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. A prognostic assessment based on the significant variables was devised to estimate the probability of survival of any individual patient.Results.Epi and/or perineurial vasculitis was observed with the same frequency in the 17 patients with sensory and motor deficit and the 15 patients with sensory neuropathies and was associated with axonal degeneration of an average of 77.7% of the nerve fibers. The mean followup was 7.2 years, and the overall survival rate at 5 years was 57%. A full prolonged remission of the vasculitis was observed in 53% of the patientsrelapse occurred in 25%. The factors correlated with mortality, in decreasing order of significance, were clinical cutaneous vasculitis (P= 0.0003), neuropathy affecting 3 or 4 limbs (P= 0.03), and depressed level of C4 (P< 0.05). The prognostic assessment indicated a wide range of 5‐year probabilities of survival, from <1% to 93%.Conclusion.Necrotizing vasculitis is responsible for the different patterns of noncompressive neuropathies in RA, including mononeuritis multiplex and distal symmetric sensory or sensorimotor neuropathy. Cutaneous vasculitis, multifocal neuropathy, and depressed C4 level were the 3 independent variables which best predicted mortality. We propose a prognostic assessment according to these variables, to stratify patients to receive more aggressive or less aggressive therapy.
Selection of a gene for apolipoprotein a1 using autoantibodies from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Merrill Joan T. , Rivkin Eugene , Shen Christine , Lahita Robert G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate immunoreactivity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera with apolipoprotein A1, (Apo A1), the major lipid‐binding protein of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL).Methods. Since early attempts to identify Apo A1 autoantibodies using standard enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting techniques had been unsuccessful, a mouse complementary DNA lambda phage expression library was screened.Results. A selected clone (MA1) was found to have 82% DNA sequence homology to a segment of human Apo A1. Since there were nonconservative substitutions in the MA1 protein and lack of a complete sequence, it was possible that the SLE patient'S antibodies were binding MA1 epitopes that were shared by the complete human protein but had not been conformationally accessible using the earlier techniques. Thus, gamma‐irradiated ELISA plates were used as an alternative antigen‐binding surface for intact human Apo A1, and high‐titer anti‐human Apo A1 autoantibodies were then identified in the sera of 5 more SLE patients.Conclusion. These findings show that Apo A1 is immunogenic. Apo A1 antibodies may play a role in the decreased HDL levels and Apo A1:Apo B ratios previously reported to occur in subgroups of SLE patients.
Carpal tunnel syndrome due to t cell lymphoma
Authors: Chevalier Xavier , Hermine Olivier , Authier Francois‐Jerome , Gaulard Philippe , Gherardi Romain K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn 2 patients, carpal tunnel syndrome was one of the presenting manifestations of a noncutaneous T cell lymphoma. Infiltration of the carpal tunnel by neoplastic T cells was proven by biopsy in both patients. In 1 case, the carpal tunnel syndrome was associated with eosinophilic fasciitis. These observations emphasize the importance of histologic examination of annular ligaments removed during surgical decompression procedures.
Regression of the nephrotic syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis and amyloidosis treated with azathioprine
Authors: Shapiro Deborah L. , Spiera Harry 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSecondary or reactive (AA) amyloidosis is a well‐known complication of certain rheumatic diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This case report describes a patient with RA complicated by amyloidosis and the nephrotic syndrome, which regressed after treatment with azathioprine. The AA amyloidosis was documented by renal and lymph node biopsies and by the presence of proteinuria. Evaluation for other etiologies of proteinuria was negative. After treatment with azathioprine, the proteinuria resolved and the serum albumin level increased from 1.9 mg/dl to normal. This is the first published report of azathioprine therapy resulting in a reversal of the nephrotic syndrome in a patient with RA and secondary amyloidosis.
Effect of the arthritis health professional on compliance with use of resting hand splints by patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Feinberg Judy 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis study examined the effects of an occupational therapist's approach during the initial splinting session on the subsequent use of resting hand splints by patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Forty subjects were randomly assigned either to a standard treatment (control) group or to a compliance‐enhancement (experimental) group, for whom the use of learning principles, sharing of expectations, use of a positive affective tone and behaviors by the therapist, and the assumption of responsibility by the patient were eMPHasized. During the 28‐day period after splinting, patients in the experimental and control groups wore their splints an average of 23.3 and 18.1 days, respectively (p = 0.056). Nine subjects in the experimental group, but only four in the control group used their splints every day (p = 0.035). Knowledge of splint use correlated with actual use, regardless of the group assignment (p = 0.035). Change in the amount of wrist and hand pain was not significant in either group; however, the experimental group experienced a decrease in the duration of morning stiffness (p = 0.013). This intervention provides health professionals with a pragmatic and effective method to enhance compliance.
Activity‐induced pain in rheumatoid arthritis functional class II and its relations with demographic, medical, functional, psychosocial, and work variables. Result of a survey in bollnäs medical district, Sweden, II
Authors: Stenström Christina H. , Lindell Bengt , Swanberg Peter , Nordemar Rolf , Harms‐Ringdahl Karin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOne aim of this study was to describe inflammatory activity, joint destruction, work status, and demographic factors in a group of 69 American Rheumatism Association functional class‐II rheumatoid arthritis patients: 56 women and 13 men, mean age 54 years (SD 11), mean symptom duration 14 years (SD 11). Another aim was to determine correlations between activity‐induced pain and other variables. Patients were assessed with Ritchie's articular index, Larsen's radiologic index, and laboratory tests. Deformity in hands and knee joints, and grip strength, were determined. Results from earlier investigations of functional impairment and psychosocial capacity were also used. Of the patients, 4% had high inflammatory activity. Joint erosions were found in between 4% (knee joints) and 55% (wrists) of the joints examined. Of the patients aged <65, 43% were working. Activity‐induced pain was related with work status (p = 0.0002). It also correlated significantly (p ⩽ 0.01) with inflammatory activity (rs = 0.34), but not with joint destruction (rs = 0.21).
Comparison and sensitivity to change of self‐report scales to assess difficulty, dissatisfaction, and pain in performing activities of daily living over one and five years in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Callahan Leigh F. , McCoy Annette , Smith Wendy 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe analyzed the longitudinal sensitivity to change of three self‐report activities of daily living (ADL) scales over 1 and 5 years in 982 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from 15 private practices. Over 1 year, the ADL difficulty status worsened in 28.3% of the patients, remained the same in 50.2%, and improved in 21.5%. Over 5 years, 41.3% worsened, 38.8% stayed the same, and 19.9% were improved. Similar percentages for 1‐ and 5‐year changes were found for the ADL dissatisfaction and pain scales. The effect sizes for change over 1 and 5 years for the ADL difficulty, dissatisfaction, and pain scales were −0.05, 0.01, and −0.02, and −0.28, −0.20, and −0.14, respectively, indicating small to moderate declines. These data indicate that the three ADL scales are sensitive to change in status, and ADL change status scores after 1 and 5 years were significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.49–0.68, all p < 0.001). Monitoring of these three constructs may be helpful in the longitudinal evaluation of some patients with RA.
Randomized, controlled trial of compression gloves in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: McKnight Peggy T. , Kwoh C. Kent 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA randomized, controlled trial was conducted to determine efficacy of the Isotoner and the Futuro compression gloves in 39 patients with hand syn‐ovitis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. After 7 days of nighttime treatment, both brands of gloves were found to decrease subjective symptoms of pain and stiffness (p < 0.05). In addition, swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints decreased, while range of motion, rate of finger motion, and grip strength all increased (p < 0.05). Compression gloves should be used with caution in patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, because 12 of 13 such patients experienced worsening of their symptoms following one nighttime wearing of compression gloves. While both gloves were found to be efficacious in improving the signs and symptoms of hand synovitis, neither glove was found to be superior to the other. Patient preferences related to glove composition and fit may ultimately determine which glove to prescribe.
Comparison of selected health behavior variables in elderly women with osteoarthritis in different environments
Authors: Lee Helen Jacobsen 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHardiness, social support, perceived health, functional independence, and use of healthcare facilities were compared in this descriptive study of 45 elderly women with osteoarthritis living in three different environments‐urban, rural, and frontier. All participants were between the ages of 65 and 75 years and were residing in their own homes. Statistical differences were found between groups in overall perceived health and functional independence; the frontier sample perceived their health as better and themselves as more functionally independent than the urban or the rural sample. No statistical differences were found in levels of hardiness or perceived social support between the three groups. Use of health care facilities varied among participant groups by environmental context; the urban group made more use of facilities than the rural or frontier group, and the rural group used more facilities than the frontier group.
The effect of isometric quadriceps strength training in mid‐range for osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Marks Ray 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis case report describes the effect of strengthening the quadriceps of an effused osteoarthritic knee joint of a 53‐year‐old man isometrically in mid‐range. The instruments included an isokinetic dynamometer, a knee scoring inventory, and a visual analog scale. The outcomemeasures of isometric quadriceps torque and work, clinical status, and pain were recorded before andafter the exercise intervention. The exercises were carried out three times per week for a 6‐week period with the subject seated on an exercise chair. Following training, quadriceps torque increased, clinical status improved, and pain with walking decreased. Subject to further investigation, isometric training of the quadriceps in mid‐range could prove useful for improving the function of persons with painful or effused knees who might otherwise experience muscle inhibition by exercising in the more traditional inner ranges of knee extension.
Pain measurement in arthritis
Authors: Bradley Laurence A 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. This paper reviews the major pain measurement methods used with adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.Methods and Results. The most frequently used measures are numerical and verbal rating (category) scales of pain intensity and affect. However, visual analogue scales and composite measures are preferable to category scales because they may be subjected to parametric statistical analyses and may be associated with greater sensitivity to treatment‐related changes over time. Measurement of overt motor behaviors and pain threshold levels provides important information that cannot be assessed with rating scales. It also allows one to determine whether there are discrepancies between patients' ratings of their pain experiences and their behaviors. Measurement ofpsychophysio‐logic parameters are used to understand better how markers of immune system activity may mediate the relationships between psychological and environmental factors and patients' pain experiences.Conclusions. It is necessary to use multiple pain measurement methods for clinical and research purposes. These should include at least two measures of pain intensity and affect as well as a measure of pain behavior.
Social support, social disability, and psychological well‐being in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Doeglas Dirk , Suurmeijer Theo , Krol Boudien , Sanderman Robbert , van Rijswijk Martin , van Leeuwen Miek 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurpose. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that may lead to social disability. As a consequence, the psychological well‐being of RA patients can be strained. Social support is a possible moderator of the relation between social disability and psychological well‐being. The focus of the present study is on the main effect versus the buffering effect of social support.Methods. Data on 54 RA patients were gathered by means of a 2‐hr interview at the patient's home.Results. Receiving more daily emotional support positively related to greater psychological well‐being; whereas problem‐oriented emotional support negatively related to some aspects of psychological well‐being. People receiving more social companionship turned out to be less depressed.Conclusion. The assumption was confirmed that social support has a major effect on psychological well‐being. A buffering effect of social support was not demonstrated.
Social network characteristics in fibromyalgia or rheumatcid arthritis
Authors: Bolwijn Paulien H. , van Santen‐Hoeufft Marijke H. S. , Baars Herman M. J. , van der Linden Sjef 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurpose. To describe trends in the personal social network characteristics of the fibromyalgia patients compared with the network of patients with another chronic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. A structured interview was applied to 10 fibromyalgia patients and 10 matched RA patients.Results. The networks of the 10 fibromyalgia and 10 RA patients were comparable in most respects, namely: the small number of intimate friends, the reliance for support on the spouse and the physician, and the relative lack of new social contacts. Furthermore, the fibromyalgia networks were closed networks within a small geographic area. These networks lacked initiative to establish and maintain relations, and can hardly fulfill the patients' psychosocial needs.Conclusion. Based on small numbers, the study provides some evidence that social networks of patients with fibromyalgia are more restricted than those of RA patients. Further studies should include larger numbers of patients to clarify cause and effect relationships and to suggest new directions in the treatment of chronic disorders such as fibromyalgia.
Continuation of group physical therapy is necessary in ankylosing spondylitis results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hidding Alita , van der Linden Sjef , Gielen Xandra , de Witte Luc , Dijkmans Ben , Moolenburgh Daniël 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurpose. Group physical therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis was studied to determine whether beneficial effects persisted after cessation of the intervention.Methods. After a 9‐month period of supervised group physical therapy, 68 patients were randomized for another 9 months to unsupervised daily exercises at home (discontinuation group) or continuation of weekly sessions of supervised group physical therapy (continuation group). Endpoints were spinal mobility (thoracolumbar flexion and extension, chest expansion, cervical rotation), fitness (maximum work capacity), functioning (Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Health Assessment Questionnaire for the Spondylarthropathies (HAQ‐Sl, Functional Index [FI]), and patient's global health assessment on a visual analogue scale.Results. Time for exercises at home was significantly higher in the continuation than in the discontinuation group (mean duration 1.9 versus 1.2 hr per week, P < 0.05). The continuation group improved in global health (mean improvement 1.6; 32%) and in SIP score. Scores for thoraco‐lumbar mobility and HAQ‐S did not change very much, whereas chest expansion, cervical rotation, fitness, and FI deteriorated. The average attendance for group therapy sessions was 62%. The discontinuation group improved only marginally (0.2; 4%) in global health, whereas all other endpoints decreased. Only for global health and HAQ‐S were the differences statistically significant in favor of the continuation group.Conclusions. Global health and functioning are sustained or even improved further if group physical therapy is continued. Spinal mobility decreased slightly in both groups.
Therapeutic exercise in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Stenström Christina H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAlthough about 80% of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are functionally independent on any given occasion [1], substantial functional disability is often observed over time in the average patient [2]. One important goal in rehabilitation of individuals with RA is the prevention of functional decline, and therapeutic exercise is frequently used for this purpose. The target population for therapeutic exercise consists mainly of functionally independent persons with RA [3]. For these individuals, aerobic exercise seems superior to nonaerobic methods of exercise [4]. Likewise, dynamic exercise, requiring muscle work during joint motion, appears to be superior to static or isometric exercises [5].
Physician visits by rheumatoid arthritis patients: A prospective analysis
Authors: Berkanovic Emil , Hurwicz Margo‐Lea 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObejective. To examine prospectively, using the behavioral model of health service utilization, patient‐initiated physician visits, physician‐requested visits, and visits for disease flares by 270 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. Four waves of telephone interviews were conducted over 2 years. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to assess the relative contributions to variance explained by blocks of variables indicating need for care and predisposing and enabling factors.Results. Predisposing and enabling factors accounted for 50–67% of the explained variance in the 3 types of visits, while need accounted only for 33–50%.Conclusions. Studies seeking to identify factors other than need for care that facilitate or inhibit physician visits among RA patients are essential to analyzing the costs of care.
The impact of arthritis in rural populations
Authors: Jordan Joanne M. , Linder G. Fletcher , Renner Jordan B. , Fryer John G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. Rural residents may experience more arthritis and disability than urban dwellers. This paper reviews data on arthritis in rural areas and describes a new study, the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, a population‐based study of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and hip in rural North Carolina.Methods. Published reports of urban and rural comparisons of arthritis were reviewed. Data from the first 1,432 African‐American and Caucasian participants in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project were analyzed. Radiographic knee and hip OA were defined as a Kellgren‐Lawrence grade ≥2. Functional ability was assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire, timed chair stands, and 8‐foot walk time. Unweighted prevalences of knee and hip OA were calculated for age, sex, and racial groups. Associations between hip and knee OA, and hip and knee pain and functional ability were examined.Results Hip OA was present in 27.9% and knee OA in 38.4% of participants. Both were strongly related to age (P < 0.0001), but only knee OA to female sex (odds ratio = 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.05, 1.68). Neither hip OA nor knee OA was related to race. Hip OA, hip pain, knee OA, and knee pain was each associated with self‐reported and observed functional ability.Conclusion. Residents in rural areas may experience more arthritis and disability than previously expected. Contrary to other studies, African‐American and Caucasian residents of rural Johnston County, North Carolina, have similar high rates of knee and hip OA. Further study is needed to address urban/rural differences in arthritis and its impact, with adequate control of confounders, standard definitions of rural/urban and of disease, and assessment of multiple arthritis outcomes.
The implications of depression for pain and disability in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Parker Jerry C. , Wright Gail E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDepression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects many, but by no means all, persons with the disease. There is evidence that depression bears a significant relationship to pain in RA, although the causal direction is not entirely clear. Likewise, there is strong evidence that depression is a major contributor to the RA disability. Therefore, prevention, early diagnosis, and aggressive treatment of depression are needed to minimize the disability associated with RA.