Publications by authors named "Karstila K"
Objective: To evaluate the performance of biological drugs in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a routine care setting, using the Finnish national register of biological treatment (ROB-FIN).
Methods: Patients with PsA who started therapy with infliximab or etanercept between June 2000 and February 2006 (n = 127) were followed for up to 24 months. Response was evaluated using American College of Rheumatology response criteria including individual measures.
Objective: To evaluate the renal safety of traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods: One hundred and ninety-five DMARD-naïve patients with recent-onset RA were randomised to receive combination DMARD therapy (n=97) starting with sulfasalazine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisolone (COMBI) or monotherapy (n=98), initially with sulfasalazine, with or without prednisolone (SINGLE). After two years, the choice and dosing of DMARDs and prednisolone were not restricted, but the treatment was still targeted to achieve or maintain remission.
Objectives: Interleukin (IL)-10 functions as an anti-inflammatory cytokine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). New IL-10 family cytokines IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, and IL-26 have recently been discovered. Information concerning the expression and function of these cytokines in autoimmune diseases is currently limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: Knowledge of the usefulness of cystatin C measurement in the detection of chronic kidney disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is scant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of plasma cystatin C- and creatinine-based methods to predict glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and classify chronic kidney disease in RA patients.
Methods: The study population consisted of 64 RA patients aged 41-86 years.
The objective of this study was to assess the long-term prognosis of nephropathy findings and the incidence of new abnormal clinical renal findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The original population-based cross-sectional study of 604 RA patients was carried out in 1988, 103 nephropathy patients being found. Controls matched for age, sex, and duration of RA were selected from among RA patients with normal renal function and urinalysis in 1988.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate mortality and causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with low-dose oral glucocorticoids.
Methods: Mortality was analyzed in population-based data of 604 patients with RA. In the original study in 1988, state of general health, severity of RA, and treatment including the use of oral glucocorticoids were recorded.