[Somatostatin in peri-arthropathies of the shoulder: clinical effectiveness and tolerability after sub-acromial administration].

In the last few years, the intra-articular administration of somatostatin, has been used in some diseases regarding rheumatology such as rheumatoid arthritis psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis, giving encouraging results. The objective of this study was to asses the efficacy and tolerability of subacromial-injection of somatostatin in 20 patients with painful shoulder. The study consisted of 3 injection administered every 4 days.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: endothelium and platelet function.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is characterized by finger clubbing, periostosis and arthritis. The pathogenesis of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is still uncertain. Earlier studies have been focused on the potential role of platelet and endothelium in the pathogenesis of HOA.

Serum levels of insulin in overweight patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Objective: Obesity is often associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and with chronic hyperinsulinemia. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between overweight patients and OA of the knee.

Methods: Forty-eight overweight outpatients (40 women and 8 men) were recruited into the study.

[Chondrocalcinosis and diabetes mellitus. The clinico-statistical data].

Chondrocalcinosis is an important, common, age-related joint disease. Its characteristic is the deposit of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in hyaline and fibrous cartilages. Occasionally, it is a familial disorder; more often, it is a sporadic disease of adults sometimes in association with hormonal and metabolic disorders.

Intra-articular injection of somatostatin in knee osteoarthritis: clinical results and IGF-1 serum levels.

Recently somatostatin (SST) intra-articular administration has been used in the treatment of some rheumatoid diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis with encouraging results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of SST intra-articularly injected, involving 20 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Treatment consisted of 4 injections, administered weekly, each of 750 mcg SST.