0
selected
-
1.
Clinical and bioethical implications of health care interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in outpatients with rheumatic diseases.
Guaracha-Basáñez, GA, Contreras-Yáñez, I, Hernández-Molina, G, González-Marín, A, Pacheco-Santiago, LD, Valverde-Hernández, SS, Peláez-Ballestas, I, Pascual-Ramos, V
PloS one. 2021;(7):e0253718
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine the impact of health care interruption (HCI), on clinical status of the patients reincorporated to an outpatient clinic for rheumatic diseases (OCDIR), from a tertiary care level center who was temporally switched to a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, and to provide a bioethical analysis. METHODS From March to June 2020, the OCDIR was closed; since June, it is limited to evaluate 25% of the ongoing outpatients. This cross-sectional study surveyed 670 consecutive rheumatic outpatients between June 24th and October 31th, concomitant to the assessment of the rheumatic disease clinical status by the attendant rheumatologist, according to disease activity level, clinical deterioration and adequate/inadequate control. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified factors associated to HCI and to clinical deterioration. RESULTS Patients were middle-aged females (86.7%), with median disease duration of 10 years, comorbidity (38.5%) and 138 patients (20.6%) had discontinued treatment. Primary diagnoses were SLE and RA, in 285 (42.5%) and 223 (33.3%) patients, respectively. There were 344 patients (51.3%) with HCI. Non-RA diagnosis (OR: 2.21, 95%CI: 1.5-3.13), comorbidity (OR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.22-2.37), patient's need for rheumatic care during HCI (OR: 3.2, 95%CI: 2.06-4.97) and adequate control of the rheumatic disease (OR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.45-0.9) were independently associated to HCI. There were 160 patients (23.8%) with clinical deterioration and associated factors were disease duration, substantial disease activity previous HCI, patients need for rheumatic care and treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS HCI during COVID-19 pandemic impacted course of rheumatic diseases and need to be considered in the bioethical analysis of virus containment measures.
-
2.
The effects of bolus supplementation of branched-chain amino acids on skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function in patients with rheumatic disorders during glucocorticoid treatment.
Yoshikawa, N, Shimizu, N, Uehara, M, Oda, A, Matsumiya, R, Matsubara, E, Kobayashi, H, Hosono, O, Kuribara-Souta, A, Baba, H, et al
Modern rheumatology. 2017;(3):508-517
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the effects of bolus supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function in patients with rheumatic disorders taking glucocorticoid (GC). METHODS Patients with rheumatic disorders treated with prednisolone (≥10 mg/day) were randomized to ingest additional daily 12 g of BCAA (n = 9) or not (n = 9) for 12 weeks. At baseline, and 4, 8, and 12 weeks, they underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis, muscle strength and functional tests, and computed tomography analysis for cross-sectional area of mid-thigh muscle. RESULTS Disease activities of the patients were well controlled and daily GC dose was similarly reduced in both groups. Limb muscle mass was recovered in both groups. Whole-body muscle mass and muscle strength and functional mobility were increased only in BCAA (+) group. The effects of BCAA supplementation on recovering skeletal muscle mass were prominent in particular muscles including biceps femoris muscle. CONCLUSIONS This trial is the first-in-man clinical trial to demonstrate that BCAA supplementation might be safe and, at least in part, improve skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function in patients with rheumatic disorders treated with GC.
-
3.
Effectiveness and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders.
Warnock, M, McBean, D, Suter, A, Tan, J, Whittaker, P
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2007;(12):1228-33
Abstract
Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) are the leading cause of disability, are associated with poor quality of life and incur considerable direct and indirect costs. It is considered that the instance of AORC will continue to increase. To assess the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of Harpagophytum (Bioforce) in the treatment of AORC, a single group open study of 8 weeks duration (259 patients) was performed in the United Kingdom. Effectiveness was assessed by numeric rating scales, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and the Algofunctional Hand Osteoarthritis Index. Tolerance was measured by a numeric rating scale and safety by self-reporting, blood analysis and liver function tests. Quality of life was measured by SF-12 questionnaire. There were statistically significant (p < 0.0001) improvements in patient assessment of global pain, stiffness and function. There were also statistically significant reductions in mean pain scores for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and back pain. Quality of life measurements (SF-12) were significantly increased from baseline and 60% patients either reduced or stopped concomitant pain medication. Harpagophytum is an effective and well-tolerated serious treatment option for mild to moderate degenerative rheumatic disorders providing improved quality of life measure.
-
4.
Variable deficits of bone mineral despite chronic glucocorticoid therapy in pediatric patients with inflammatory diseases: a Glaser Pediatric Research Network study.
von Scheven, E, Gordon, CM, Wypij, D, Wertz, M, Gallagher, KT, Bachrach, L
Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM. 2006;(6):821-30
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between chronic glucocorticoid (GC) exposure and bone mineral density (BMD) in children with rheumatic diseases and inflammatory bowel disease. STUDY DESIGN Lumbar spine BMD was measured by DXA in 86 GC-treated children (66% female, age 8-20 years, mixed ethnicity) screened for a multi-center intervention trial. Predictors of spine BMD z-score and vitamin D [25(OH)D] were examined by multivariable linear regression. RESULTS Mean prior year and lifetime cumulative GC exposure was 77.8 mg/kg and 224.6 mg/kg, respectively. BMD z-scores ranged from -3.7 to 2.2 SD (-1.1 +/- 1.2, mean +/- SD). Lower BMD z-scores were associated with increased prior year average daily GC dose (p = 0.03), decreased height z-score (p = 0.003), and decreased 25(OH)D concentrations (p = 0.03), but explained only a small proportion of BMD variability (adjusted R2 = 0.29). The 25(OH)D levels were <20 ng/ml in 45% of patients, and low 25(OH)D was associated with non-Caucasian ethnicity (p <0.001), increased age (p = 0.004), increased parathyroid hormone (p = 0.03), and residing in the Boston area (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although GC exposure is significantly associated with BMD z-score, the association is too variable to serve as a consistent predictor of reduced BMD in children. Vitamin D insufficiency is common and may contribute to skeletal deficits in this population.
-
5.
Efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole compared with misoprostol for the prevention of NSAID-related gastrointestinal lesions and symptoms in rheumatic patients.
Stupnicki, T, Dietrich, K, González-Carro, P, Straszak, A, Terjung, A, Thomas, KB, Lühmann, R, Fischer, R
Digestion. 2003;(4):198-208
Abstract
AIM: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily (o.d.) with misoprostol 200 microg twice daily (b.i.d.), administered for 6 months to rheumatic patients who required long-term therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and who were at increased risk of developing gastrointestinal lesions. METHODS This randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel group comparison study was performed with rheumatic patients (n = 515) who were likely to take NSAIDs continuously for at least 6 months. Patients were 55 years or older, at risk to develop gastrointestinal lesions, had less than five erosions/petechiae in the stomach and duodenum, no ulcers, no reflux esophagitis (endoscopy-proven), and gastrointestinal symptoms of at most moderate intensity. A minimum daily dose was defined for NSAIDs (COX-2 inhibitors were not available at the time). Patients were randomized to take either pantoprazole 20 mg o.d. (n = 257) or misoprostol 200 microg b.i.d. (n = 258) for 6 months while continuing NSAID therapy. Endoscopy was performed at baseline, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS Pantoprazole was superior to misoprostol (p < 0.001) with regard to 'therapeutic failure' (occurrence of a peptic ulcer, ten or more erosions/petechiae in the stomach/duodenum, reflux esophagitis, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, and/or 'likely' or 'definitely' related adverse event leading to study termination). Estimated remission rates at 3 and 6 months (Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis) were, respectively, 93 and 89% (pantoprazole) and 79 and 70% (misoprostol). Pantoprazole was superior to misoprostol (p = 0.005) with regard to 'endoscopic failure' (occurrence of a peptic ulcer, ten or more erosions/petechiae in the stomach/duodenum, or reflux esophagitis) after 6 months. Estimated remission rates at 3 and 6 months were, respectively, 98 and 95% (pantoprazole) and 95 and 86% (misoprostol). Patients discontinuing the study early due to adverse events 'likely' or 'definitely' related to the study drug accounted for 13/257 (5%) in the pantoprazole and 33/258 (13%) in the misoprostol treatment groups. CONCLUSION Pantoprazole 20 mg o.d. is superior to misoprostol 200 microg b.i.d. in the prevention of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal lesions and symptoms in patients on continuous long-term treatment with NSAIDs due to rheumatic diseases and at risk to develop such lesions or symptoms.
-
6.
Calcium, vitamin D and etidronate for the prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Loddenkemper, K, Grauer, A, Burmester, GR, Buttgereit, F
Clinical and experimental rheumatology. 2003;(1):19-26
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long-term glucocorticoid therapy, a major risk factor for the development of osteoporosis, is often necessary in chronically ill patients. At present there are no generally accepted guidelines for the prevention or treatment of steroid-induced osteoporosis. METHODS In an open prospective study we investigated 99 patients with chronic rheumatic diseases receiving > or = 5 mg/day of prednisolone or the equivalent for at least one year. The objective was to identify osteoporosis risk factors in addition to glucocorticoid therapy and to evaluate the efficacy of prevention with calcium/vitamin D (group 1--patients with osteopenia) and treatment with cyclical etidronate (group 2--patients with osteoporosis). Biochemical markers of bone turnover, clinical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. RESULTS Increasing age and postmenopausal status were associated with more advanced manifestations of steroid-induced osteoporosis (p < 0.05). One year after the start of therapy parameters of bone metabolism increased significantly in group 1, while BMD did not change. In group 2, lumbar spine BMD increased significantly (p < 0.05) whereas femoral neck BMD and bone metabolism parameters remained constant. The intensity of back pain decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). There were fewer new fractures in group 2 than in group 1. CONCLUSION Treatment with etidronate is effective in patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.