Prodrug Nanomedicine for Synovium Targeted Therapy of Inflammatory Arthritis: Insights from Animal Model and Human Synovial Joint Fluid.

Many patients cannot tolerate low-dose weekly methotrexate (MTX) therapy for inflammatory arthritis treatment due to life-threatening toxicity. Although biologics offer a target-specific therapy, it raises the risk of serious infections and even cancer due to immune system suppression. We introduce an anti-inflammatory arthritis MTX ester prodrug using a long-circulating biocompatible polymeric macromolecule: folic acid (FA) functionalized hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG).

Participant-reported effect of an Indigenous health continuing professional development initiative for specialists.

Background: Health outcomes of Indigenous patients are impacted by culturally unsafe specialty care environments. The 'Educating for Equity (E4E)' program is a continuing professional development (CPD) intervention which incorporates skill-based teaching to improve Indigenous patient experiences and outcomes in healthcare interactions.

Methods: The E4E program was delivered to rheumatologists in two phases, each delivered as experiential learning workshops where participants engaged with and applied course content within an interactive format focusing on real-time feedback.

Determination of the minimal clinically important difference for seven fatigue measures in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To estimate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of seven measures of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.

Study Design And Setting: A cross-sectional study design based on interindividual comparisons was used. Six to eight subjects participated in a single meeting and completed seven fatigue questionnaires (nine sessions were organized and 61 subjects participated).

Minimal clinically important difference for 7 measures of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for 7 measures of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Study subjects completed 7 fatigue instruments [Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Vitality scale of the MOS-SF-36, Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, and a global Rating Scale (RS)] and then participated in a series of interviews with other study participants comparing their fatigue with one another. Each interview participant rated the difference in their fatigue levels on a 7-point transition scale.

Long-term tolerability of the bisphosphonates in postmenopausal osteoporosis: a comparative review.

Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is a growing health concern for society. Bisphosphonates have become the mainstay of prevention and treatment with the mounting evidence of their efficacy over the past two decades. This review article examines the use of the etidronate, alendronate and risedronate.