Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Sciatica Pain: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Sciatica is a debilitating condition that causes pain in its distribution or in the lumbosacral nerve root that is connected to it. Although there are claims that homeopathy can reduce sciatica pain, systematic scientific proof is currently lacking. The objective of the trial was to determine whether individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) were as effective as identical-looking placebos in treating sciatica pain.

Efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials.

Objective: Colchicine, an approved treatment for gout, has been trialed in many diseases including osteoarthritis (OA) due to its anti-inflammatory effects. However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear in OA. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of OA.

Metal-induced oxidative stress level in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and its contribution to the severity of the disease: A correlational study.

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is an extra-articular rheumatological disease characterised by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. Metal-induced oxidative stress contributes to the severity of FMS.

Aims: First, this study evaluated the association between plasma levels of toxic heavy metals and essential metals with oxidative stress (OS) markers.

Nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation products, and antioxidants in primary fibromyalgia and correlation with disease severity.

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by altered pain perception with chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. The relationship between nitric oxide, oxidative stress and the severity of FMS has not been studied. This study evaluated NO levels in plasma, LPO products and antioxidants in Red Cell lysate in patients of FMS and correlated it with disease severity.

Articular cartilage of knee and first MTP joint are the preferred sites to find double contour sign as an evidence of urate crystal deposition in asymptomatic hyperuricemic individuals.

Background/objective: A cross-sectional study to determine the preferred sites of urate crystal deposition in asymptomatic hyperuricemic individuals by ultrasound.

Methods: In two years period twenty four asymptomatic hyperuricemic individuals (serum uric acid ≥7mg/dl) and fifty controls (serum uric acid <7mg/dl) with age more than 18 years were included in this study. Double contour sign was looked for at three articular cartilage sites (first metatarsophalangeal, tibiotalar and femoral condyle) whereas hyperechoic aggregates were looked for at one joint site (radiocarpal joint) and two tendon sites (patellar tendon and triceps tendon).

Association of Vitamin D Receptor (FokI and BsmI) Gene Polymorphism with Bone Mineral Density and Their Effect on 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level in North Indian Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease with a strong genetic component. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been suggested as a candidate gene for osteoporosis. Therefore the present study was aimed to investigate the pattern of allelic variants of VDR gene polymorphism (FokI and BsmI), its influence on vitamin D levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in North Indian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis for possible genetic association.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (TaqI and Apa1) with bone mineral density in North Indian postmenopausal women.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has an important role as a candidate gene for the regulation of bone mass in osteoporosis. However, its association with bone mineral density (BMD) is controversial and has not been established in different ethnic populations. To enhance the understanding of VDR gene polymorphism in the context of BMD, we investigated the plausible genetic association of TaqI and ApaI polymorphism with BMD in North Indian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Females with Primary Knee Osteoarthritis in a Vitamin D Deficient Population.

Aim And Objective: To find prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in postmenopausal females with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) in India, where there is widespread Vitamin D deficiency (VDD).

Material And Methods: 75 postmenopausal women (PMW) fulfilling ACR criteria for Knee OA between 40 - 60 years of age, having OA grade 2 or more as per Kellgren Lawrence grade on anterior- posterior radiograph of the right knee were enrolled. 34 PMW of the same age with normal right knee radiograph were taken as controls.

Osteocalcin HindIII gene polymorphism not associated with bone mineral density—A study in North Indian postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Osteoporosis is an important health problem in India owing to the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across all ages, low level of awareness and higher risk of complications. This disease is characterized by decreased bone mass, bone strength and higher risk of bone fracture. Here, we investigated association between osteocalcin HindIII gene polymorphism and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporotic and postmenopausal healthy North Indian women, possibly the first study of this kind in the aforesaid population.

Efficacy and safety of golimumab in Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Subgroup data from GO-MORE study.

Aim: To conduct a subgroup analysis of GO-MORE trial Part 1, comparing efficacy and safety of add-on subcutaneous golimumab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients enrolled from and outside India.

Methods: GO-MORE was an open-label, multicenter, prospective trial of add-on golimumab in biologic-naïve RA patients, having active disease despite being on conventional DMARD regimen(s). Part 1 of the study was chosen as the focus of this subgroup analysis because a substantial number of Indian patients (106) were enrolled compared to no Indian patients in Part 2.

Evaluating relationship in cytokines level, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Body Mass Index in women with Fibromyalgia syndrome.

Cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) levels are reported to be perturbed in Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. Moreover, Body Mass Index (BMI) may also be related to disturbed cytokines level. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the levels of cytokines and to correlate them with BMI and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR) in female FMS patients (n= 60) and control group (n= 60).

Sexual dysfunctions and lower urinary tract symptoms in ankylosing spondylitis.

Aim: To determine sexual dysfunctions and urinary symptoms in male ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and their association with various disease and patient factors.

Methods: In this prospective case control study conducted at a tertiary care teaching institution, 100 males with AS were compared to 100 controls using International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a global question for overall relationship with their partners. Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), visual analogue scale pain scores, patient global assessment scale and Bath AS Disease Activity Index were also assessed in the AS group.

Some oxidative and antioxidative parameters and their relationship with clinical symptoms in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Aim: In the present study we examined the involvement of oxidative and antioxidative parameters in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and also evaluated their correlation with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR).

Methods: Oxidative stress was determined by measuring the levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and protein carbonyls in plasma and antioxidative parameters like catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) in blood lysate in 30 female patients satisfying the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for FMS and 30 healthy females without FMS. Clinical parameters of FMS were evaluated by FIQR.

Problem-focused coping and self-efficacy as correlates of quality of life and severity of fibromyalgia in primary fibromyalgia patients.

Objectives: Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) often experience problems such as poor quality of life (QoL), loss of self-efficacy (SE), inappropriate coping behavior, and chronic widespread pain along with other symptoms. Recent studies have indicated that sense of SE and effective coping strategies (CSs) are the crux on which the management of chronic pain and enrichment of QoL of FMS patients depend. Realizing the importance of this subject for the rehabilitation of the people with FMS, this study aimed at analyzing the correlation between severity of FMS, and QoL, SE, and CSs among the patients of FMS.

Steroids Decrease Prevalence of Positive Tuberculin Skin Test in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications on Anti-TNF Therapies.

Tuberculin skin test has been used as an indicator of latent tuberculosis in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) before administration of biologicals. Effect of Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and steroids on the result of tuberculin skin test (TST) may have important implications in interpretation of results of this test. Objectives.

Oxidative stress and antioxidative parameters and metal ion content in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: implications in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterised by diffuse muscle pain, poor sleep and unrelenting fatigue. Individuals with FMS may also experience headaches, anxiety, depression, poor memory, numbness and tingling in the extremities, cold hands and feet, irritable bowel syndrome and lowered immune function. FMS is a common chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology and limited treatment options.

Circadian rhythm of serum cortisol in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients have disturbed sleep patterns which may lead to altered circadian rhythm in serum cortisol secretion. The aim of this study was to assess circadian changes, if any, in serum cortisol levels in female patients with FMS. Cortisol levels were estimated every 6 h during 24 h period; in 40 female patients satisfying ACR criteria for FMS (Age 36.

Lack of Circadian Pattern of Serum TNF-α and IL-6 in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis of a circadian variation in circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured at 4 h intervals of the day in 50 women with FMS satisfying American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS (age 36.68 ± 9.

Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder characterized by cartilage loss. Its prevalence is high, and it is a major cause of disability. The cause of OA is not known; however, current evidence indicates that it is multifactorial.

Efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine sulphate in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial--an Indian experience.

Objective: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been used for a long time worldwide as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This trial was designed to determine whether HCQ was efficacious and safe in Indian patients with RA.

Research Design And Methods: The trial was a multicentre, placebo controlled, randomized and double-blind study.