Competencies in rheumatology: a European framework.

The aims, structure, methods and educational experiences employed in the training of rheumatologists vary from one national programme to another, according to traditions, rules and resources. Mutual recognition of titles, the free movement of labour and the striving towards for high-quality standards in medical care in Europe demand that efforts and progress are made to ensure that similar competencies are achieved by different programmes. The European Rheumatology Curriculum Framework, developed by the European Board of Rheumatology, is meant to be a step towards the harmonization of rheumatology specialist training within the European Union, by providing a reference framework to the development and benchmarking of national curricula for the specialist training of rheumatologists.

[Why do we need mandatory communication courses for pre-registration house officers?].

This study reports the rationale for the composition of a 3-day mandatory communication skills course for pre-registration house officers (PRHOs). In addition to communication skills, the course addresses aspects of competence related to professional performance within areas covered by the legal framework, the ability to analyse ethical problems, and health advocacy. Standard evaluation forms were collected from 274 PRHOs.

Screening for bacteriuria in patients with spinal cord lesion: dipstick test, microscopic examination and urine culture.

Aim: To investigate the positive and negative predictive values for bacteriuria of a rapid chemical dipstick procedure for leukocytes and nitrite, and a microscopic examination for leukocytes and bacteria with a urine culture being the reference in patients with spinal cord lesion (SCL).

Methods: A prospective study. Significant bacteriuria was defined as > or = 10(5) CFU/mL.

Randomized, placebo controlled trial of withdrawal of slow-acting antirheumatic drugs and of observer bias in rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, in stable treatment with methotrexate, penicillamine, or sulfasalazine, were randomized in a double-blind fashion either to continuation of their usual treatment or to placebo. 112 patients were included; 52 patients who refused participation had no more severe disease than the others. The patients felt worse on placebo than on active drug (p = 0.

[Fish oils and rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized and double-blind study].

The effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on disease variables in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated in a multicentre, randomized and double blind study. Fifty-one patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were included from three Danish hospital Departments of Rheumatology. The patients were allocated to 12 weeks of treatment with either six n-3 PUFA capsules (3.

Hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine alone and in combination in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised double blind trial.

Objectives: To compare the effects of hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine alone and in combination in rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: A six month randomised, multicentre, double blind trial with three parallel groups was performed. Ninety one outpatients with active rheumatoid arthritis were included.

The effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double blind trial.

Study Objective: To determine the effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on disease variables in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind.

Setting: Three Danish hospital Departments of Rheumatology.

Decreased interleukin-1 beta levels in plasma from rheumatoid arthritis patients after dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids on the level of cytokines and complement activation in plasma from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined. Thirty-two patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were included in a 12-week double-blind, randomized study of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids (3.6 g per day) or placebo.

Giant cell arteritis: loss of vision during corticosteroid therapy.

The case of a patient suffering from giant cell arteritis, with loss of vision after about 60 d of steroid treatment, is reported. No other clinical or biochemical signs of active disease were observed. The aetiology of the vascular occlusion is discussed briefly.

Carbohydrate as covalent crosslink in human inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor: a novel plasma protein structure.

The primary structure of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor is partially elucidated, but controversy about the construction of the polypeptide backbone still exists. We present evidence suggesting that inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor represents a novel plasma protein structure with two separate polypeptide chains covalently crosslinked only by carbohydrate (chondroitin sulphate).