Comparison of platelet-rich plasma and laser therapy in treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis

Background Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most frequent cause of chronic lateral elbow pain in adults that represents an encumbrance on social and professional life of patients. Many treatment modalities that have been used in the management of LE have recently come into question. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) have been tried for management of chronic tendinopathies but with some debate about their effectiveness. Objectives This study compared the effectiveness of local injection of PRP and LLLT in pain reduction and functional improvement in chronic LE. Patients and methods This randomized double-blinded, prospective study included 104 eligible patients with chronic LE. Fifty-two patients were treated with local PRP injection and 52 were treated by intermittent LLLT. They were evaluated at 3 and 6 months for subjective pain using visual analog scale (VAS), functional outcome, and grip strength. Results Pain was assessed using the subjective VAS which was improved in both PRP and LLLT groups, DASH score and grip strength revealed improvement in both groups. This improvement was of highly statistical significance in both groups when compared with baseline evaluation (P<0.001). On comparing the PRP group with the LLLT group, there was significant improvement in VAS at 6 months only, whereas there were significant improvements in functional outcome and grip strength evaluation at 3- and 6-month follow-up for PRP group. Conclusion Treating patients with LE with PRP injection improves pain and function more effectively compared with LLLT

Nail ridging in rheumatoid arthritis patients and relation to disease activity: An integrated rheumatology-dermatology multi-centre study

Aim of the work: To evaluate the frequency of nail ridging (NR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to study its relation to disease activity. Patients and methods: 230 RA patients and 97 matched controls from Helwan, Ain Shams and Mansoura university hospitals were studied. Disease activity score (DAS28) was assessed. NR has been searched for in all patients. The number of affected fingers was recorded. NR was determined by a magnifying lens, seen by naked eye or seen and felt. Dermoscopic photography of the NR using Dermalite DL4 3Gen dermatoscope has been recorded. Results: The median age of patients was 49 years (42–58 years); they were 221 females and 19 males (F:M 11.1:1) with a disease duration 9 years (5–11 years). Their DAS28 was 3.6 (2.9–4.6). NR was significantly increased in RA cases vs. control; 73% vs 20%; p < 0.001. In patients, NR was detected by a magnifying lens in 32.6%, seen in 27% and seen and felt in 13.5%. Joint deformities were significantly higher in those with NR. DAS28 was a significant independent predictor of NR; for every one-point increase in DAS28, there was a 153 times higher odds to exhibit NR at a sensitivity of 93.5%, specificity 80.3% and at a diagnostic accuracy of 90%. Conclusion: NR is a frequent finding in RA. An integrated rheumatological- dermatological clinical evaluation may be helpful and further studies are required to prove the importance of this sign for follow up of RA patients