Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of Takayasu's arteritis in southern Chinese: a multicenter retrospective study.

To study the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of southern Chinese patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA). This is a retrospective chart review study of 78 patients managed in 14 public hospitals in Hong Kong between the years 2000 and 2010. Patients were identified from the hospital registry using the ICD-10 diagnostic code of the disease.

IL-33 and soluble ST2 levels as novel predictors for remission and progression of carotid plaque in early rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective study.

Objectives: To study the association between the baseline IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) levels with disease remission and progression of carotid atherosclerosis in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) patients.

Methods: A total of 98 ERA patients were enrolled. Disease activity and the presence of carotid plaque were evaluated at baseline and 12 months later.

Tacrolimus versus mycophenolate mofetil for induction therapy of lupus nephritis: a randomised controlled trial and long-term follow-up.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for the initial therapy of lupus nephritis (LN).

Study Design: This is an open randomised controlled parallel group study.

Methods: Adult patients with biopsy-confirmed active LN (class III/IV/V) were randomised to receive prednisolone (0.

Infliximab is associated with improvement in arterial stiffness in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis -- a randomized trial.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) with infliximab (IFX) compared with MTX alone in the prevention of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A randomized, open-label study in which early RA patients with active disease were treated with MTX alone (n = 20) and MTX plus IFX (n = 20) for 6 months. Patients were assessed every 3 months.

Serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products levels and aortic augmentation index in early rheumatoid arthritis--a prospective study.

Objective: We assessed whether a serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) levels were associated with a progression of carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness indexes in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: RA patients with symptoms onset <2 years were recruited. Vascular assessments and serum sRAGE levels were measured at baseline and 1 year later.

Raloxifene for prevention of glucocorticoid-induced bone loss: a 12-month randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: To study the efficacy of raloxifene in preventing bone mineral density (BMD) loss in women receiving long-term glucocorticoids (GC). The study took the form of a parallel-group randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Postmenopausal women without hypercoagulability risk factors who were prevalent GC users were randomised to receive either raloxifene (60 mg/day) or placebo (1 tablet/day) on top of calcium (1000 mg/day) and calcitriol (0.

Long-term outcome of diffuse proliferative lupus glomerulonephritis treated with cyclophosphamide.

Purpose: To report the long-term outcome of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (DPLN) treated with cyclophosphamide (CYC) in Chinese patients.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven DPLN treated with prednisolone and CYC were identified. The long-term renal outcome and treatment-related toxicities were reported.

Predictors and outcome of renal flares after successful cyclophosphamide treatment for diffuse proliferative lupus glomerulonephritis.

Objective: To study the incidence, predictors, and outcome of renal flares after successful cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment for diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Between 1988 and 2001, patients with biopsy-proven SLE DPGN who were treated initially with prednisone and CYC were studied. Those who responded to CYC were followed up for the occurrence of renal flares.

Treatment of pure membranous lupus nephropathy with prednisone and azathioprine: an open-label trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to report the outcome of pure membranous lupus nephropathy treated with prednisone and azathioprine (AZA).

Methods: Consecutive patients with pure membranous lupus glomerulonephritis (World Health Organization [WHO] Va and Vb) from 4 regional hospitals were recruited for an open-label treatment trial consisting of prednisone and AZA. Remission status was evaluated at 12 months.