Discontinuation of infliximab and potential predictors of persistent low disease activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and disease activity score-steered therapy: subanalysis of the BeSt study.

Objective: To describe the disease course after the cessation of infliximab in early rheumatoid arthritis patients with disease activity score (DAS)-steered treatment and to identify predictors of persistent low disease activity.

Methods: In a post-hoc analysis of the BeSt study, disease activity and joint damage progression were observed in patients treated with methotrexate plus infliximab, who discontinued infliximab after achieving low disease activity (DAS ≤2.4) for 6 months.

Predictors of Recovery After Conservative Treatment of AO-Type A Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures Without Neurological Deficit.

Study Design: Prospective, correlational, exploratory, clinical research.

Objective: To identify the factors determining a patient's recovery after conservative treatment of compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.

Summary Of Background Data: The reported results of compression fractures are poor.

Clinical synovitis in a particular joint is associated with progression of erosions and joint space narrowing in that same joint, but not in patients initially treated with infliximab.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between joint tenderness, swelling and joint damage progression in individual joints and to evaluate the influence of treatment on these relationships.

Methods: First-year data of the Behandel Strategieën (BeSt) study were used, in which patients recently diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were randomly assigned into four different treatment strategies. Baseline and 1-year x-rays of the hands and feet were assessed using the Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS).

Blood pressure changes in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis treated with four different treatment strategies: a post hoc analysis from the BeSt trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of disease activity and antirheumatic treatment on blood pressure (BP) in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: 508 patients with RA were randomised to receive (1) sequential monotherapy, (2) step-up combination therapy, (3) initial combination with prednisone or (4) with infliximab. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP), disease activity score (DAS) and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated every 3 months.

High incidence rate of vertebral fractures during chronic prednisone treatment, in spite of bisphosphonate or alfacalcidol use. Extension of the alendronate or alfacalcidol in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis-trial.

Objectives: In the 18 month "alendronate or alfacalcidol in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis"-trial (STOP-trial) patients with rheumatic diseases who started glucocorticoids were randomised to anti-osteoporosis therapy with either daily alendronate (10 mg) or alfacalcidol (1 microg). In the present observational open follow-up study of the STOP-trial, we report the long-term effects of risk factors on the incidence and pattern of vertebral fractures, assessed using the Genant method.

Results: Of the 201 included patients in the STOP-trial, 163 completed the trial and of those 116 underwent a follow-up radiography of the spine.