Changing structure and resources in a rheumatology combined unit during 1977-1999.

Objective: The aim was to study the changing structure and resources in a rheumatism hospital during the period 1977-1999 when rheumatology care was decentralized and new treatment strategies were introduced.

Methods: Data on hospital management and production were retrieved retrospectively.

Results: The number of beds was stepwise reduced from 133 to 44 and the average length of stay declined from 48 to 16 days.

Were the patterns of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis during 1977-1992 consistent with modern clinical guidelines?

Objective: Quality assessment of the long-term treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Treatment patterns in a cohort of 70 local and 77 distant RA patients during 1977-1992 were reviewed retrospectively and compared to modern clinical guidelines.

Results: In 1977 disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were given to 62% of the new, hospitalised patients, systemic corticosteroids to 7%, and corticosteroid joint injections to 24%.

Increased mortality in Dupuytren's disease.

A previous study showed a dip in the prevalence curve of Dupuytren's disease in men over 79 years of age. This may indicate increased mortality. The aim of the present investigation was to study this hypothesis.

Use of a sicca symptoms questionnaire for the identification of patients with Sjögren's syndrome in a heterogeneous hospital population with various rheumatic diseases.

Objective: A six-item questionnaire regarding sicca symptoms recently validated for primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) was tested on 154 in-patients with a wide range of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Patients with one or more positive responses underwent objective ocular and oral diagnostic procedures. Of 27 patients thus investigated, 19 could be classified as having SS.

Sjögren's syndrome in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: analysis of the leukocyte protein calprotectin in plasma and saliva.

In a hospital population of 154 patients with a wide range of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, patients with sicca symptoms were subjected to objective ocular and oral tests to establish cases with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The plasma level of the leukocyte protein calprotectin has been shown to be a good indicator of disease activity and inflammation in various rheumatic diseases. In the present study, calprotectin levels in plasma and whole saliva were analysed and evaluated as potential markers of SS and salivary gland disease activity.