Pregnancy mediated improvement of rheumatoid arthritis.

Question Under Study: To investigate pregnancy related changes of rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and their association with disease activity and therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: In 22 rheumatoid arthritis patients disease activity (DAS28-CRP), therapy as well as the levels of rheumatoid factor isotypes (IgG, IgA, IgM) and ACPA were analysed longitudinally within 4 months before conception, once at each trimester and at 6,12 and 24 weeks postpartum. In addition, immunoglobulin isotypes (IgG, IgA, IgM) were measured in the pregnant rheumatoid arthritis patients as well as in 29 healthy pregnant women at the time points mentioned above.

Additional diagnostic and clinical value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies compared with rheumatoid factor isotypes in rheumatoid arthritis.

In the past decade significant advantages have been made in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and therapeutic strategies have changed a lot. These days, highly effective disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs enable intervention early in the disease process, in order to prevent major joint damage. For years, serological support in the diagnosis of RA has been limited to the presence of rheumatoid factors, although not very specific for RA.

Prevalence of antibodies against alpha-fodrin in Sjögren's syndrome: comparison of 2 sets of classification criteria.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of antibodies against alpha-fodrin in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) classified according to San Diego and European Community Study Group (ESG) criteria.

Methods: The prevalence and mean concentrations of IgA and IgG autoantibodies against alpha-fodrin were determined and compared in patients with SS classified either according to San Diego criteria or to criteria of the ESG by ELISA.

Results: IgA antibodies against alpha-fodrin were detected in 88% and IgG antibodies against alpha-fodrin in 64% and either of these antibodies in 93% of 85 patients classified according to San Diego criteria.

Intraarticular morphine versus dexamethasone in chronic arthritis.

Intraarticular morphine inhibits pain after knee surgery without overt toxicity. This study examined intraarticular morphine in chronic arthritis. We undertook a randomized double-blind comparison between intraarticular morphine (3 mg), dexamethasone (4 mg) and saline (3 ml) in 44 patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis or osteoarthritis of the knee.