Propolis has gained popularity in recent years because of its beneficial properties, which make it a possible preventative and therapeutic agent as well as a valuable food and cosmetic ingredient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of propolis supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in women with rheumatoid arthritis. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 48 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular and fibrosing involvement of the skin and internal organs. In this study, we determined the prevalence and characteristics of radiological hands and feet involvements in Iranian SSc patients to identify the associations between clinical features and radiologic findings.
Methods: 43 SSc patients (41 women and 2 men), with a median age of 44.
Background: Despite vigorous research efforts, the etiology of scleroderma (systemic sclerosis (SSc)) remains still unclear and both genetic and environmental factors clearly contribute to the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Reports of aberrant vitamin D status in scleroderma patients suggest a need for considering the genotype and allele frequencies of VDR gene polymorphisms. This case-control study aimed to investigate the possible association of two common polymorphisms of the VDR gene (ApaI, and TaqI) with susceptibility to scleroderma in an Iranian population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in its pathophysiology. Complementary therapies along with medications may be effective in the control of RA. Propolis is a natural substance extracted from beehives, which have confirmed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackgrounds And Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is immune-inflammatory disease which is associated with great pain and disability. Overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress play an important role in RA pathogenesis and related outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of propolis on inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress status in RA patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Many arthritic patients have the belief that dietary habits can worsen or ameliorate their symptoms. Whether diet quality can modify the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an issue of continued scientific debate and interest. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between both overall diet quality and the overall diet inflammatory potential on the risk of RA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Evidence suggests that dietary patterns might act as environmental triggers in the development of chronic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, data regarding the relationship between food patterns and RA are still limited and conflicting. In the current study, the authors aim to evaluate a link between major dietary patterns and RA in new case patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVasculitides are a heterogeneous group of more than 20 diseases defined by inflammation and destruction of blood vessels. We aimed to study the demographic characteristics of the primary vasculitides in the North East of Iran. We retrospectively studied the medical records of patients diagnosed with any kind of vasculitis at the Clinic and Department of Rheumatology of the Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2012.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder of articular cartilage and is the most common type of arthritis in the elderly. There are only a few reports regarding the use of Hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Methods: To investigate the effects of Hydroxychloroquine on the symptoms of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence grade II and III), we performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 44 patients.
Objectives: Lupus nephritis (LN) is frequently associated with a poor long-term prognosis. Renal biopsy is the diagnostic method of choice in this condition. Urine biomarkers have been mentioned in the diagnosis of LN.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF