Poor relationship between joint swelling detected on physical examination and effusion diagnosed by ultrasonography in glenohumeral joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between swelling detected on physical examination and effusion diagnosed by ultrasonography (US) in glenohumeral (GH) joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifty consecutive patients with RA entered the study and 20 healthy control persons formed a control group. Altogether 100 GH joints of the RA patients and 40 of the controls were evaluated.

Relationship between clinically detected joint swelling and effusion diagnosed by ultrasonography in elbow joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to compare the relationship between clinically detected swelling and effusion diagnosed by ultrasonography (US) in elbow joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifty consecutive patients with RA entered the study and 20 healthy persons formed a control group. Altogether 100 elbow joints of the RA patients and 40 of the controls were studied.

Effect of a three month course of ciprofloxacin on the late prognosis of reactive arthritis.

Background: The value of antibiotics in the treatment of reactive arthritis (ReA) is still controversial.

Objectives: To analyse the long term outcome of patients with ReA, treated with a three month course of ciprofloxacin or placebo.

Methods: Patients who had had ReA and had participated in a double blind, placebo controlled trial on the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin 4-7 years earlier were invited to a clinical examination.

Efficacy of periarticular corticosteroid treatment of the sacroiliac joint in non-spondylarthropathic patients with chronic low back pain in the region of the sacroiliac joint.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of periarticular corticosteroid treatment of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in non-spondylarthropathic patients with chronic low back pain in the region of the SIJ in a double blind, controlled study.

Methods: Twenty-four consecutive non-spondylarthropathic patients with chronic pain in the region of the SIJ entered the study. Thirteen patients were treated with a periarticular injection of methylprednisoloneacetate and lidocaine (MP group) of the SIJ, whereas 11 patients received isotonic sodium chloride and lidocaine.

Effect of a three month course of ciprofloxacin on the outcome of reactive arthritis.

Background: Treatment of reactive arthritis (ReA) with antibiotics has so far remained controversial. Eradication of the causative microbe appears logical, but short term antibiotic treatment has no beneficial effect on the outcome of ReA.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a three month course of ciprofloxacin on ReA.