Rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of preterm birth.

During pregnancy, many diseases are correlated with different adverse outcomes. In turn, pregnancy affects the body, leading to increased disease susceptibility. This interplay between diseased states and pregnancy outcomes is illustrated in the effect of the chronic autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the adverse outcome, preterm birth (PTB).

Red cell distribution width and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in rheumatoid arthritis.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are potential low-cost markers for detecting rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity, but evidence on their accuracy for this purpose is conflicting. We aimed to determine the relationship between these and the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS-28) among Filipino RA patients, and to evaluate their ability to discriminate between patients with active RA and those in remission. This was a cross-sectional study done through a 7-year review of medical records of 134 adult patients with RA in a tertiary government hospital.

Achievement of the target serum urate level among patients with gout treated with allopurinol or febuxostat in an arthritis clinic in the Philippines.

Objective: Gout is an important cause of disability among Filipinos, despite measures for effective management. This study aims to determine attainment of target serum uric acid level (SUA ≤ 6 mg/dl) among patients with gout given urate-lowering therapy (ULT) over 6-12 months.

Methods: This is a single-center, prospective cohort study conducted in one adult Arthritis Clinic at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital which included 138 patients with gout (1977 ACR criteria), SUA ≥ 6 mg/dl prior to ULT, initiated on ULT (allopurinol or febuxostat), with six months minimum follow-up and with SUA determination post-treatment.

Effectiveness and tolerability of transdermal buprenorphine patches: a multicenter, prospective, open-label study in Asian patients with moderate to severe chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Background: We examined the effectiveness and tolerability of transdermal buprenorphine (TDB) treatment in real-world setting in Asian patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: This was an open-label study conducted in Hong Kong, Korea, and the Philippines between June 2013 and April 2015. Eligible patients fulfilled the following criteria: 18 to 80 years of age; clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, or joint/muscle pain; chronic non-malignant pain of moderate to severe intensity (Box-Scale-11 [BS-11] pain score ≥ 4), not adequately controlled with non-opioid analgesics and requiring an opioid for adequate analgesia; and no prior history of opioid treatment.

Role of psychosocial reserve capacity in anxiety and depression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim: To examine the relationship between reserve capacity measures and anxiety/depression among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from Southern California (SoCal), United States and Manila, Philippines.

Methods: A total of 235 participants with SLE completed self-reported scales to assess anxiety/depression and psychosocial reserve capacity measures (self-esteem, optimism, personal mastery/coping skills, social support), socioeconomic status (SES) data, and Mexican SLE Disease Activity Index. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests, Chi-square, and point-biserial and Pearson correlations.

Clinical profile of 266 Filipino patients with rheumatoid arthritis included in the rheumatoid arthritis database and registry (RADAR) of the Philippine General Hospital.

Aim: To describe Filipino patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) entered in the Rheumatoid arthritis database and registry (RADAR) of the Philippine General Hospital.

Methods: Cases entered to RADAR from 2010-2012 were included. All fulfilled the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for classification of RA.

'Golden Kernels within the skin': disseminated cutaneous gout.

Presented in this paper is a case of a young Filipino man presenting with recurrent acute gouty flares leading to chronic tophaceous gout and unusual cutaneous manifestations (miliary gout, panniculitis, ulcerations). Unusual sites within the body (torso, shoulder, forearms, thigh) revealed multiple urate dermal deposition. Self-medication with steroids eventually led to secondary Cushing's syndrome and eventual emergence of metabolic complications.

Correlation between Family APGAR scores and health-related quality of life of Filipino elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to describe the clinical profile of Filipino patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and correlate their health-related quality of life (HrQoL) with perceived family support.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study of patients seen at the Philippine General Hospital Arthritis Clinic diagnosed with knee OA using the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. Questionnaires for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) v.

Clinical profile of Filipino patients with osteoarthritis seen at two arthritis clinics.

Aim: To describe a cohort of Filipinos with primary osteoarthritis (OA).

Method: Charts with diagnosis of OA from two arthritis clinics (Philippine General Hospital and a private clinic) from January 2008 to May 2011, were reviewed for demographics, clinical presentation, risk factors and management. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Current considerations for the management of musculoskeletal pain in Asian countries: a special focus on cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and non-steroid anti-inflammation drugs.

Chronic pain is a complex problem that eludes precise definition and can be clinically difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. In the Asia-Pacific region, prevalence estimates that chronic pain ranges from 12% to 45% of the population, with musculoskeletal, rheumatic or osteoarthritis pain making up the majority of the disease burden. Implementation of current management guidelines into routine clinical practice has been challenging and as a result, patients with musculoskeletal pain are often poorly managed.

The epidemiology of osteoarthritis in Asia.

Worldwide, osteoarthritis (OA) is estimated to be the fourth leading cause of disability. Most of this disability burden is attributable to the involvement of the hips or the knees. OA is strongly associated with ageing and the Asian region is ageing rapidly.