The effects of tobacco smoking and rheumatoid factor seropositivity on disease activity and joint damage in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To study the effect of tobacco smoking and rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes on disease activity and joint damage in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: One hundred early RA patients were followed prospectively for 2 yr. They were evaluated at recruitment and at 6 and 24 months.

Neuroendocrine abnormalities in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, gastrointestinal complaints, and psychologic problems that are similar to those experienced by patients with hormone deficiencies. This review summarizes the available data on the neuroendocrine function in fibromyalgia, including data on hormone secretion, circadian phase, and autonomic nervous system function. Studies suggest that there may be lower activity of a number of hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral gland axes and altered autonomic nervous system function in patients with fibromyalgia.

Low mannose binding lectin predicts poor prognosis in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. A prospective study.

Objective: To determine whether low mannose binding lectin (MBL) is associated with poor prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether patients with RA have increased frequency of MBL deficiency.

Methods: Patients with recent onset symmetric polyarthritis (< 1 year, median 3 mo) were recruited if they had not been treated longer than 2 weeks with disease modifying drugs. They were reevaluated after 6 months and their disease activity and progression were correlated with their MBL concentration, rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Smoking, rheumatoid factor isotypes and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Smokers have an increased incidence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and one report has also indicated that smoking may also adversely influence the severity of RA.

Methods: Sixty-three women with advanced RA answered a structured questionnaire that included detailed information about their smoking history. The women were also evaluated clinically and radiologically.

[The pattern of use of oral contraceptives in Iceland 1965 to 1989.].

Introduction: Around 20% of Icelandic women of childbearing age use oral contraceptives. Knowledge of the health effects of oral contraceptive use and patterns of use is of importance. Patterns of use were studied, according to birth cohorts and age for the years 1965 to 1989.