Refractory immune thrombocytopenia successfully treated with high-dose vitamin D supplementation and hydroxychloroquine: two case reports.

Introduction: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is thought to be characterized by an immune response against the host's own platelets. If the thrombocytopenia is severe, patients are initially treated with high-dose steroids. Other more toxic second line treatments are considered if steroids fail.

Intra-articular hylastan versus steroid for knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of one and two intra-articular (IA) injections of the new viscosupplement, hylastan, compared with a single IA corticosteroid injection for pain due to knee osteoarthritis (OA). Hylastan is a high-molecular-weight hyaluronan derivative prepared from bacterial fermented sodium hyaluronate that was developed to remain in the joint for longer than most other viscosupplements.

Methods: This 6-month, double-blind, randomized, parallel group, multicenter trial enrolled patients aged ≥40 years who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA and had continued pain despite conservative treatment.

Hylan G-F 20 improves hip osteoarthritis: a prospective, randomized study.

We compared the efficacy and safety of intra-articular hylan G-F 20 with methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) for treating symptomatic Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KLG) 2 or 3 hip osteoarthritis in a prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind trial (N = 313). Two injections of hylan G-F 20 were administered 2 weeks apart (n = 150), or 1 injection of 40 mg MPA and 1 sham injection 2 weeks later (n = 155). The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) (total and subscale), clinician observations, and patient global assessments were collected at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 26 (intent-to-treat population was analyzed; n = 305).

Etoricoxib in the treatment of osteoarthritis over 52-weeks: a double-blind, active-comparator controlled trial [NCT00242489].

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of etoricoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, in osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized, multicenter study was conducted in 617 patients with OA of the knee. The base study was 14 weeks in duration and consisted of 2 parts; in Part I (6 weeks), patients were allocated to once daily oral etoricoxib 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 mg or placebo.