A double-blind, randomized controlled trial to compare the effect of biannual peripheral magnetic resonance imaging, radiography and standard of care disease progression monitoring on pharmacotherapeutic escalation in rheumatoid and undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Permanent joint damage is a major consequence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common and destructive form of inflammatory arthritis. In aggressive disease, joint damage can occur within 6 months from symptom onset. Early, intensive treatment with conventional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can delay the onset and progression of joint damage.

Is regular exercise a friend or foe of the aging immune system? A systematic review.

Objective: The purpose of the current review is to synthesize the available evidence from prospective clinical trials that are relevant to the clinical question: "What, if any, are the effects of regular aerobic and/or resistance exercise on the immune system in healthy older adults?"

Data Sources: Electronic databases were searched, using terms pertaining to immunology, exercise, and aging. Using the Ovid interface, the following databases were explored: Allied and Complimentary Medicine (AMED) (1985 to 2008), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to 2008), all EBM Reviews (Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED), EMBASE (1980 to 2008), and MEDLINE (1950 to 2008). The MEDLINE database was searched a second time through the PubMed interface.

The relationship between exercise and osteoarthritis in the elderly.

Objectives: To review within a prescribed evidence-based framework (1) the relationship between intermittent or lifelong physical activity and the subsequent onset or progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in later life and (2) the effect of structured exercise routines on the management of OA in the elderly.

Data Sources: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE (1950 to April Week 2, 2008) and EMBASE (1980 to 2008 Week 16) was carried out using the Ovid interface. Relevant mapped terms addressing the identified objectives were combined and exploded according to a defined protocol.

How "soft" are soft neurological signs? The relationship of subjective neuropsychiatric complaints to cognitive function in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: As part of a longitudinal study of cognitive function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we documented the range and frequency of subjective neurologic and/or psychiatric (NP) complaints in Never-NP-SLE patients, and related these to cognitive function, using the latter as a primary indicator of nervous system involvement.

Methods: Thirty patients with SLE who did not have major neurologic and psychiatric involvement underwent baseline and followup neuropsychological testing roughly 5 years apart. Within 0-13 months prior to retesting, each patient completed a 42 item questionnaire recording NP symptoms.