In evaluating current therapy of RA, it is becoming recognized that sequential single drug treatment, as exemplified by the traditional therapeutic pyramid, is often too little and too late in patients with aggressive 'at risk' synovitis. Evidence exists that prevention of joint damage correlates best with control of clinical and laboratory measures of inflammation, regardless of the medication used. Until a major breakthrough occurs in this disease, it is recommended that patients with 'at risk' RA be treated aggressively to achieve early control of inflammation, and then 'bridge down' to a simplified maintenance programme. While currently available fast and slow acting drugs might be used in combination today for early induction therapy, newer drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic preparations, biologic agents, or novel therapies may prove more effective and superior tomorrow. Control trials will be necessary to establish the most effective and least toxic induction and maintenance programmes.
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Acta Clin Belg
January 2025
Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
Objectives: In this study, the capacity of End-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) levels to predict the risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and the relationship between risk scoring systems (TIMI, GRACE, HEART) and EtCO2 values were examined.
Methods: EtCO2 values of the patients in the study were measured with a capnography device. Each patient's MACE status was recorded.
Am J Sports Med
January 2025
Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Background: Elbow injuries are prevalent among professional baseball pitchers as nearly 25% undergo ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. Pitch type, ball velocity, and spin rate have been previously hypothesized to influence elbow varus torque and subsequent risk of injury, but existing research is inconclusive.
Purpose: To examine elbow varus torque, cumulative torque, and loading rate within professional pitchers throwing fastball, curveball, change-up, and slider pitches, as well as to identify potential influences of ball spin on the elbow.
Phys Ther
January 2025
IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy.
Importance: Rotator cuff tendinopathy represents the most prevalent cause of shoulder pain, the third most common musculoskeletal disorder after low back pain and knee pain.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection(s), alone or in combination with anesthetic injection or any other physical therapist interventions, compared to physical therapist interventions alone in adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Design: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
JAMA Netw Open
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Importance: During buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), risk factors for opioid relapse or treatment dropout include comorbid substance use disorder, anxiety, or residual opioid craving. There is a need for a well-powered trial to evaluate virtually delivered groups, including both mindfulness and evidence-based approaches, to address these comorbidities during buprenorphine treatment.
Objective: To compare the effects of the Mindful Recovery Opioid Use Disorder Care Continuum (M-ROCC) vs active control among adults receiving buprenorphine for OUD.
JAMA Netw Open
January 2025
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Importance: Using albumin-adjusted calcium is commonly recommended for for measuring calcium, but with little empirical evidence to support the practice.
Objective: To assess the correlation between total calcium measurements (with or without adjustment) vs the ionized calcium level as a reference standard.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a population-based cross-sectional study in the province of Alberta, Canada, including adults tested for serum total calcium and ionized calcium simultaneously between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2019.
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