Decreases in markers of monocyte/macrophage activation after hepatitis C eradication in HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected women.

Objective: Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV disease decreases liver and non-liver-related morbidity and mortality. Elevated markers of monocyte/macrophage activation (soluble CD163 and sCD14) are associated with excess non-AIDS morbidity and mortality in HIV. We examined the effect of HCV eradication on these markers in relation to change in hepatic fibrosis.

Methotrexate and post operative complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery--a ten year follow-up.

In the 1990's there were concerns that methotrexate might increase the risk of post operative complications following elective orthopaedic surgery; as a result many Units initiated policies to discontinue methotrexate prior to elective orthopaedic surgery. In 2001 we carried out a controlled study of complications after elective surgery in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who either continued or discontinued methotrexate prior to surgery. In this study we showed that continuation of methotrexate therapy prior to orthopaedic surgery did not increase the risk of infection or surgical complication occurring in patients with RA within one year of surgery.

Outcome of active disease in ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective study.

Background: People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) typically experience episodic exacerbations, but the extent to which they subsequently experience a sustained reduction in disease markers below recognized thresholds for active disease is unclear.

Objective: To investigate changes in, and associations between, disease markers over 18 months in people with active AS.

Methods: Within a cohort of 89 participants with AS, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores of 4 or higher were used to identify those with active disease.

Exploring the phonatory effects of external superior laryngeal nerve paralysis: an in vivo model.

Objectives/hypothesis: Little is known regarding the phonatory consequences of unilateral external superior laryngeal nerve (ESLN) paralysis. By selectively blocking the ESLN with lidocaine HCl (with laryngeal electromyography verification), we modeled acute, unilateral cricothyroid (CT) muscle dysfunction to explore possible acoustic, aerodynamic, auditory-perceptual and auto-perceptive effects.

Study Design: Prospective, repeated measures, experimental design.

Disease and psychological status in ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: Psychological factors may be important in the assessment and management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our primary objective was to describe associations between disease and psychological status in AS, using AS-specific assessment tools and questionnaires. Our secondary objectives were to identify patient subgroups based on such associations and to determine the stability of the measures over time.