The effect of glucosamine, chondroitin and harpagophytum procumbens on femoral hyaline cartilage thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis– An MRI versus ultrasonography study

Background: the evaluation of cartilage thickness has become possible with new techniques such as musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI), making the evaluation of the treatment response and the progression of the disease more accurate. Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of a Symptomatic Slow Acting Drug for Osteoarthritis using both US and MRI for measuring cartilage thickness at baseline and after 1 year. Methods: The study included the clinical evaluation of 20 patients at baseline, at 6 and 12 months as well as imaging exams (US and MRI) at baseline and after 1 year. Measurements were performed in both knees, in lateral and medial condyles, and in the intercondylar area. After the baseline visit, patients underwent a SYSADOA treatment which included Harpagophytum procumbens (HPc) administered on a daily basis, in a specific regimen. Results and discussions: The US examination permitted the detailed evaluation of the femoral hyaline cartilage thickness, with statistically significant differences before and after treatment at the level of the medial compartment, both in the dominant (1.59±0.49 vs. 1.68±0.49, p=0.0013) and non-dominant knee (1.73±0.53 vs. 1.79±0.52, p=0.0106). The US and the MRI correlated well (r=0.63) and showed no radiographic progression in knee osteoarthritis after one year of treatment with specific SYSADOA. Moreover, the US showed improvement in the cartilage thickness of the medial compartment. Conclusions: The combination with HPc could increase the delay in the radiographic progression of the knee osteoarthritis, with improvement of femoral hyaline cartilage thickness in the medial and lateral compartment. The US might be an important tool in OA evaluation and monitoring

The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors, Lifestyle and Psychiatric Indicators on Adherence to Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints accompanied by the progressive deformation and destruction of cartilage and joint bones. This study aims to gain insight into the outcomes related to adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Predicting the medication adherence in RA patients is a key point to improve the treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: A number of 119 Romanian patients with RA were included and divided into two groups: first group included 79 patients treated with conventional therapy and second group included 40 patients treated with biologic therapy. A CQR-9 (compliance questionnaire rheumatology with nine items) and PDSQ (psychiatric diagnostic screening questionnaire) were performed to assess correlations between medication adherence, patient sociodemographic variables, 11 psychiatric scales (major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, psychosis, agoraphobia, social phobia, drug abuse/dependence, generalized anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, hypochondriasis) and lifestyle (bulimia, alcohol intake). Results: Whilst modelling factors associated with adherence, it was found that women and patients with higher education are more adherent. From the psychiatric indicators, only major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were found to be positively correlated with therapeutic adherence. None of the assessed lifestyle factors influenced the adherence of RA patients. Conclusion: The knowledge of factors that impact on treatment adherence can be useful for clinicians to guide patient-centred care