An MRI assessment of chronic synovial-based inflammation in gout and its correlation with serum urate levels.

It is unclear when the synovial-based inflammatory process of gout begins. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of patients with inter-critical gout who have chronic synovial-based inflammation as evidenced by synovial pannus on a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their most involved joint and determine if the presence and/or severity correlates with their serum urate levels. All patients received a 3 T MRI of their index joint, serum urate level, CRP, and creatinine.

An analysis of MRI and ultrasound imaging in patients with gout who have normal plain radiographs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of occult destructive arthropathy in subjects with gout and normal plain radiographs by utilizing MRI and ultrasound (US).

Methods: The study consisted of two visits. At Visit 1, a plain radiograph of the 'index joint' was obtained.

Chlamydiae as etiologic agents in chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis.

Objective: The majority of patients with Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis do not present with the classic triad of arthritis, conjunctivitis/iritis, and urethritis. Moreover, acute chlamydial infections are often asymptomatic. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of synovial Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in patients with chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA).

A safety assessment of tumor necrosis factor antagonists during pregnancy: a review of the Food and Drug Administration database.

Objective: To present any congenital anomalies with respect to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine if there are common findings.

Methods: A review of the FDA database of reported adverse events with etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab from 1999 through December of 2005 was performed. Key words for congenital anomalies were employed as search tools.

The recognition and treatment of vertebral fractures in males with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: Males with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk for developing osteoporosis (OP) with subsequent vertebral compression fractures. Such fractures with resultant increased thoracic kyphotic angle (TKA) may interfere with these patients' already compromised pulmonary function. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the recognition and treatment of vertebral fractures in male patients with COPD.

Determining rheumatologists' accuracy at assessing functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index.

Objective: To test rheumatologists' accuracy in determining functional disability of their patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We used the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) as our guide at assessing functional disability in patients with RA. Included were male and female patients, 18 to 65 years of age, diagnosed with RA.

Prevalence of evaluation and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men.

Background: Screening and treatment of glucocorticoid- induced osteoporosis in male patients is less than recommended despite available screening and therapies.

Objectives: We determined if men treated with long-term oral glucocorticoid therapy for any reason receive assessment and therapy for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Methods: A retrospective computer-generated chart review was performed involving all men given prednisone from January 2002 through July 2002.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition and VATER association: a causal relationship.

Inflammatory conditions that may require the use of a tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) antagonist often involve women of child-bearing age. TNF-a antagonists are presumed to be safe in pregnancy based on animal data. However, this has never been formally studied in prospective trials involving humans.

Doxycycline versus doxycycline and rifampin in undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, with special reference to chlamydia-induced arthritis. A prospective, randomized 9-month comparison.

Objective: Chlamydia is a known trigger of reactive arthritis (ReA). It may also be common cause of undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (uSpA). Persistent, metabolically active, Chlamydiae have been observed in the synovial tissue of these patients years after their initial exposure.