Early rheumatoid arthritis: time to aim for remission?
Article Abstract:
The functional status of rheumatoid arthritis patients may be maintained if arthritis is identified and treated early in the disease process. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes inflammation and disability in first the finger and toe joints, and then in other joints. Early treatment with corticosteroids may reduce the inflammation that causes progressive joint deterioration. Patients with RA may not be identified at an early disease stage because their general practitioner may not recognize early symptoms of RA. Diagnostic techniques such as hand x-rays and genetic blood typing may help to identify patients with early RA. A campaign urging general practitioners in the United Kingdom to refer patients with suspected RA to arthritis specialists resulted in a marked decrease in the time between onset of symptoms and visits to specialists.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Intra-articular guanethidine injection for resistant shoulder pain: a preliminary double blind study of a novel approach
Article Abstract:
It appears that guanethidine injections into the shoulder joint space in patients with shoulder pain give measurable relief of the pain. Researchers compared the effects on joint pain and motion improvements in 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tendonitis receiving injections of either guanethidine or saline injections into their shoulder joint space. The participants receiving guanethidine injections reported improvement in shoulder joint pain, particularly at eight weeks following the injection. There was no significant improvement in range of motion in either patient group. Six of the nine patients who received saline injections chose to receive guanethidine injections following the study and reported more than a 50% reduction in pain.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Modified suprascapular nerve block with bupivacaine alone effectively controls chronic shoulder pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Article Abstract:
The addition of methylprednisolone may not increase the effectiveness of a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) used to treat chronic shoulder pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis eventually develop chronic shoulder pain. Twenty-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffering from pain in both shoulders were treated with a SSNB using bupivacaine, adrenaline and methylprednisolone or a SSNB using bupivacaine and adrenaline alone. Patients in both groups experienced a significant improvement in the level of pain, stiffness and range of movement up to three months after treatment. Treatment with bupivacaine and adrenaline alone may be better than treatment with bupivacaine, adrenaline and methylprednisolone.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Forum debuts to answer your questions on ethics. Reflections on 'moral crisis' gripping medical profession. Be open with patients about fees
- Abstracts: A 66-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis treated with adrenocorticosteroids, with the development of aphasia and right-sided weakness
- Abstracts: Practice management considerations for an aging population. Managing patients with Alzheimer's: the primary care role of dentists
- Abstracts: Standards for pediatric immunization practices. Giving pediatric immunizations the priority they deserve. The impact of the standards for pediatric immunization practices on vaccination coverage levels
- Abstracts: Routine measurements of umbilical artery lactate levels in the prediction of perinatal outcome. Effects of methyldopa on uteroplacental and fetal hemodynamics in pregnancy-induced hypertension