Leflunomide treatment appears to offer an alternative to methotrexate and sulfasalazine and is a welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for treating active RA. Leflunomide treatment for more than 12 months results in clinically meaningful improvements in disease-specific measures of physical function. The phase 3 trials have shown leflunomide to be as effective as methotrexate and sulfasalazine and an option for initial DMARD therapy. As with all new agents, the long-term safety and value of leflunomide will be determined by use in the clinic.
{"title":"Leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.","authors":"N J Olsen, V Strand, J M Kremer","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leflunomide treatment appears to offer an alternative to methotrexate and sulfasalazine and is a welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for treating active RA. Leflunomide treatment for more than 12 months results in clinically meaningful improvements in disease-specific measures of physical function. The phase 3 trials have shown leflunomide to be as effective as methotrexate and sulfasalazine and an option for initial DMARD therapy. As with all new agents, the long-term safety and value of leflunomide will be determined by use in the clinic.</p>","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 8","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21486435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The prevalence of foot problems in the general population is 10%, and in the elderly it ranges from 53% to 95%. Proximal plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of painful feet in clinical practice, and is twice as common among women as among men. Metatarsalgia is probably the most common cause of foot pain among middle-aged women.
{"title":"Common painful foot syndromes.","authors":"R T Pyasta, R S Panush","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The prevalence of foot problems in the general population is 10%, and in the elderly it ranges from 53% to 95%. Proximal plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of painful feet in clinical practice, and is twice as common among women as among men. Metatarsalgia is probably the most common cause of foot pain among middle-aged women.</p>","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 10","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21541560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The allure of alternative therapies.","authors":"D L Conn","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 7","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21448475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Alternative treatments and rheumatic diseases.","authors":"D L Conn, W J Arnold, J R Hollister","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 7","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21448474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antinuclear antibody testing is a useful way to confirm the diagnosis of lupus when the clinical suspicion is high, or to exclude it in cases when SLE is in the differential diagnosis but the likelihood of it is low to moderate. Because the test is very sensitive and yet not specific for lupus, an inappropriately ordered ANA test with a positive result can cause diagnostic confusion and unnecessary anxiety for the patient and the physician.
{"title":"Why is the ANA result positive?","authors":"G G Illei, J H Klippel","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antinuclear antibody testing is a useful way to confirm the diagnosis of lupus when the clinical suspicion is high, or to exclude it in cases when SLE is in the differential diagnosis but the likelihood of it is low to moderate. Because the test is very sensitive and yet not specific for lupus, an inappropriately ordered ANA test with a positive result can cause diagnostic confusion and unnecessary anxiety for the patient and the physician.</p>","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 1","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20902840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Osteoporosis: diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of established disease.","authors":"M B Dunlop, N E Lane","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 6","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21405682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
By taking a careful patient history, conducting a thorough physical examination, knowing the clinical features of vasculitis, and using selected laboratory tests, the physician can diagnosis vasculitis tentatively. Recognizing the pattern of organ involvement provides a clue to the type of vasculitis present. Serologic laboratory tests for ANCAs or hepatitis B or C may help confirm the presence of the underlying vasculitis, and a definitive diagnosis can be confirmed by a biopsy of involved tissue or by angiography.
{"title":"Approach to the patient with suspected vasculitis.","authors":"M D Cohen, D L Conn","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>By taking a careful patient history, conducting a thorough physical examination, knowing the clinical features of vasculitis, and using selected laboratory tests, the physician can diagnosis vasculitis tentatively. Recognizing the pattern of organ involvement provides a clue to the type of vasculitis present. Serologic laboratory tests for ANCAs or hepatitis B or C may help confirm the presence of the underlying vasculitis, and a definitive diagnosis can be confirmed by a biopsy of involved tissue or by angiography.</p>","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 12","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21585946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mortality due to WG has been significantly decreased by cytotoxic therapy with cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids. Several studies have addressed different treatment regimens, particularly different maintenance regimens, in order to reduce the potential for cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity. Relapse may be precipitated by the chronic carrier-state of S aureus in the nasopharynx, and is sometimes heralded by rising c-ANCA titers. The treatment of the relapse is determined by the severity of its manifestations. Options for maintenance therapy include methotrexate and azathioprine. The value of therapy with TMSx for maintenance of remission still is uncertain, although its use 3 times a week is recommended for Pneumocystis prophylaxis. The ACR guidelines for monitoring drug toxicity should be followed when treating WG.
{"title":"Update on the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis.","authors":"G J Esper, J S Johnson","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mortality due to WG has been significantly decreased by cytotoxic therapy with cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids. Several studies have addressed different treatment regimens, particularly different maintenance regimens, in order to reduce the potential for cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity. Relapse may be precipitated by the chronic carrier-state of S aureus in the nasopharynx, and is sometimes heralded by rising c-ANCA titers. The treatment of the relapse is determined by the severity of its manifestations. Options for maintenance therapy include methotrexate and azathioprine. The value of therapy with TMSx for maintenance of remission still is uncertain, although its use 3 times a week is recommended for Pneumocystis prophylaxis. The ACR guidelines for monitoring drug toxicity should be followed when treating WG.</p>","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"48 11","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1999-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"21573282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aggressive treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis to prevent joint damage.","authors":"T Pincus","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"47 8","pages":"2-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20832196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Viscosupplementation may be useful in the treatment of OA of the knee when other medical forms of therapy are contraindicated, toxic, or have failed. It may have a role in managing the patient with moderate to severe OA of the knee before considering total knee arthroplasty (Table 2). Viscosupplementation or medical treatment does not replace the need for thigh muscle strengthening or for overweight patients to lose weight. Whether or not efficacy will demand or warrant earlier or repeated use of hyaluronic acid-like products remains to be seen.
{"title":"Hyaluronic acid treatment (viscosupplementation) for OA of the knee.","authors":"M D Cohen","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Viscosupplementation may be useful in the treatment of OA of the knee when other medical forms of therapy are contraindicated, toxic, or have failed. It may have a role in managing the patient with moderate to severe OA of the knee before considering total knee arthroplasty (Table 2). Viscosupplementation or medical treatment does not replace the need for thigh muscle strengthening or for overweight patients to lose weight. Whether or not efficacy will demand or warrant earlier or repeated use of hyaluronic acid-like products remains to be seen.</p>","PeriodicalId":75657,"journal":{"name":"Bulletin on the rheumatic diseases","volume":"47 7","pages":"4-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20748089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}