Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) consensus statement regarding labels and definitions of disease states of gout.

Objective: There is a lack of standardisation in the terminology used to describe gout. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus statement describing the recommended nomenclature for disease states of gout.

Methods: A content analysis of gout-related articles from rheumatology and general internal medicine journals published over a 5-year period identified potential disease states and the labels commonly assigned to them.

Sulfasalazine and its metabolites inhibit platelet function in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of sulfasalazine and its metabolites on platelet function in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA). One hundred thirty-five consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of IA were screened. Those with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), taking anti-platelet agents or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were excluded.

Plasma fibrinogen along with patient-reported outcome measures enhances management of polymyalgia rheumatica: a prospective study.

Objective: We sought to prospectively examine the responsiveness of a number of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), as well as their relationship to the biomarkers erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma fibrinogen.

Methods: Sixty patients with PMR were divided into active (n = 25) or inactive (n = 35) disease groups based on symptoms; physician assessment; and the biomarkers ESR, CRP, and plasma fibrinogen. Groups underwent assessment at baseline and 6 weeks.

Plasma fibrinogen is an accurate marker of disease activity in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Objective: The overall aim of this study was to establish whether plasma fibrinogen was a superior biomarker of disease activity in active PMR than the standard biomarkers, ESR and CRP.

Methods: Sixty patients with PMR were divided into active (n = 25) or inactive (n = 35) disease groups based on symptoms, physician assessment and biomarkers ESR and CRP. Plasma fibrinogen was assayed.

The meniscus, calcification and osteoarthritis: a pathologic team.

Articular calcification correlates with osteoarthritis (OA) severity but its exact role in the disease process is unclear. In examining OA meniscal cell function, Sun and colleagues have shown recently that meniscal cells from end-stage OA subjects can generate calcium crystals and that genes involved in calcification are upregulated in OA meniscal cells. Also, this in vitro calcium deposition by OA menisci is inhibited by phosphocitrate.

Platelet hyper-reactivity in active inflammatory arthritis is unique to the adenosine diphosphate pathway: a novel finding and potential therapeutic target.

Objective: To assess the influence of disease activity on platelet function in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: Ninety-six patients with an established diagnosis of IA (RA, PsA, seronegative SpA) were recruited. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus or receiving anti-platelet therapy were excluded.