Controlled trial of clinical utility of serum salicylate monitoring in rheumatoid arthritis.

A crossover double-blind controlled trial was performed on 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to assess the necessity for serum salicylate monitoring in determining optimal dosage. There was no clinically or statistically significant increase in the clinical improvement of patients associated with serum monitoring but potentially toxic serum levels occurred without tinnitus when serum monitoring was not used.

Assessment of accuracy of the scoliosis school screening examination.

Fifteen nurses of comparable training examined six children with normal spines, eight with curves between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, and three with curves over 20 degrees. Nurses correctly classified 78 per cent of normal children, 49 per cent of those with curves between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, and 93 per cent of curves over 20 degrees. The accuracy of the nurses' decision to refer or not refer was determined to be 75 per cent.

Efficacy and toxicity of D-penicillamine for rheumatoid disease in the elderly.

The efficacy and the toxicity pattern of D-penicillamine were studied in patients with rheumatoid disease followed up between April 1975 and March 1979. The population of patients was divided into an elderly group (greater than or equal to 60 years old, mean = 65 years) and a younger group (less than 60 years old, mean = 41 years). Patients with classic or definite rheumatoid disease not responsive to nonsteroidal drugs were eligible.