Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP do not predict progressive joint damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisolone: a randomised study.

Objective: To analyse if predictors of radiographic progression differ between patients treated with or without prednisolone in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Radiographs of hands and feet were assessed using the modified Sharp/van der Heijde score and radiographic progression was defined as an increase in the total Sharp score above 5.8 (the smallest detectable change).

Low-dose prednisolone in early rheumatoid arthritis inhibits collagen type I degradation by matrix metalloproteinases as assessed by serum 1CTP--a possible mechanism for specific inhibition of radiological destruction.

Objective: To study the effects of low-dose prednisolone on the osteoclast-regulating proteins osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANK ligand (RANKL) and on markers of bone resorption, 1CTP generated by MMPs and CTX-1 generated by cathepsin K, in patients with early RA in relation to inflammation and joint destruction.

Methods: In 225 patients, who at the start of the first DMARD had been randomized to 7.5 mg prednisolone daily for 2 years, the P-group, or no prednisolone, the NoP-group, OPG and RANKL were analysed at 0-24 months and 1CTP and CTX-1 at 0-12 months.

Infliximab therapy increases body fat mass in early rheumatoid arthritis independently of changes in disease activity and levels of leptin and adiponectin: a randomised study over 21 months.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with changes in body composition and bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether anti-TNF treatment in early RA has an impact on body composition and BMD besides that which could be achieved by intensive disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) combination therapy.

Methods: Forty patients with early RA who failed treatment with methotrexate up to 20 mg/week for 3 months were randomised to addition of sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine (treatment A) or addition of infliximab (treatment B).

Rheumatoid cachexia, central obesity and malnutrition in patients with low-active rheumatoid arthritis: feasibility of anthropometry, Mini Nutritional Assessment and body composition techniques.

Background And Aims: The concurrent decrease in fat free mass (FFM) and increase in fat mass (FM), including central obesity, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be related to increased cardiovascular morbidity as well as to functional decline. The objectives of this study were to evaluate body composition and nutritional status in patients with RA and the feasibility of bioelectrical impedance (BIA) to detect rheumatoid cachexia.

Methods: Eighty RA outpatients (76% women), mean age 61 (range 22-80) years and with mean disease duration of 6 (range 1-52) years, were assessed by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), BIA and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

Impact of low-dose prednisolone on bone synthesis and resorption in early rheumatoid arthritis: experiences from a two-year randomized study.

Introduction: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased frequency of osteoporosis, mainly because of increased bone resorption. Reduction of disease activity is suggested to reduce bone remodelling. It might also be possible that prednisolone treatment could cause this effect because prednisolone has been shown to arrest the development of joint destruction in early RA.

[TNF blockade in rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe fibrosing alveolitis. Six case reports].

TNF-blockade has been increasingly used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the safety is unclear and an increased risk of both tuberculosis and other infections has been identified. Recently severe fibrosing alveolitis has also been reported in RA-patients treated with TNF-blockade.