Do biologic drugs affect the need for and outcome of joint replacements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A register-based study.

Objectives: The aim was to study the incidence of joint replacements among biologic drug and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) users as well as to investigate the plausible effect of biologic treatment on survival of prostheses in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The study population comprised 2 cohorts of patients [Register of biologic treatment in Finland (ROB-FIN) and the Central Finland RA database] from 1999 to 2010. Records of joint replacements performed in the study population between 1980 and 2010 were retrieved from the Finnish Arthroplasty Register.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of existing TNF blocking agents in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Background And Objectives: Five-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-blockers (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol and golimumab) are available for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Only few clinical trials compare one TNF-blocker to another. Hence, a systematic review is required to indirectly compare the substances.

Outcomes of switching anti-TNF drugs in rheumatoid arthritis--a study based on observational data from the Finnish Register of Biological Treatment (ROB-FIN).

The aim of this study was to assess, based on observational data from the Finnish Register of Biological Treatment, the outcomes of switching an initial tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker to another in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA patients, who started biological therapy with a TNF blocker between May 1999 and April 2009 and who switched to another TNF blocker, were studied (n=479). The outcomes were assessed according to the reason for and type of the switch.

Biological therapy for psoriatic arthritis in clinical practice: outcomes up to 2 years.

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.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) substitution treatment for severe fatigue in DHEA-deficient patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is characterized by fatigue and low levels of serum dehydroepiandrosterone/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA/DHEAS). Our aim was to study whether SS patients with severe fatigue and low serum DHEAS values benefit from DHEA substitution (50 mg/day).

Methods: A multicenter, investigator-based, powered, randomized controlled clinical trial (crossover, washout design) using fatigue as the primary outcome measure was performed on patients with primary SS (n = 107) who had a general fatigue score > or =14 on the 20-item Multiple Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), combined with age- and sex-adjusted serum DHEAS values below the mean.

New operative technique for treatment of arthroscopically-confirmed injury to the scapholunate ligament by volar capsuloplasty augmented with a free tendon graft.

We report how scapholunate (SL) lesions found during arthroscopy were treated using a new palmar operation based on the use of a tendon loop formed using the palmaris longus tendon, with promising preliminary results. Scapholunate instability induced by hyperextension injury was diagnosed and graded arthroscopically. Volar capsuloplasty was then done by free tendon graft in the same session in 31 patients with grades II-IV scapholunate instability.

Correction of chronic lunotriquetral instability using extensor retinacular split: a retrospective study of 26 patients.

Arthroscopy offers a welcome and reliable supplement to the current tool set for the diagnosis of lunotriquetral (LT) instability. This study reports the findings of LT-lesions during arthroscopy and the clinical results obtained after using dorsal stabilisation in its surgical management using extensor retinacular split. LT-instability of grade I-III was diagnosed in 26 patients.