The comparative responsiveness of Hospital Universitario Princesa Index and other composite indices for assessing rheumatoid arthritis activity

Objective To evaluate the responsiveness in terms of correlation of the Hospital Universitario La Princesa Index (HUPI) comparatively to the traditional composite indices used to assess disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to compare the performance of HUPI-based response criteria with that of the EULAR response criteria. Methods Secondary data analysis from the following studies: ACT-RAY (clinical trial), PROAR (early RA cohort) and EMECAR (pre-biologic era long term RA cohort). Responsiveness was evaluated by: 1) comparing change from baseline (Delta) of HUPI with Delta in other scores by calculating correlation coefficients; 2) calculating standardised effect sizes. The accuracy of response by HUPI and by EULAR criteria was analyzed using linear regressions in which the dependent variable was change in global assessment by physician (Delta GDA-Phy). Results Delta HUPI correlation with change in all other indices ranged from 0.387 to 0.791); HUPI's standardized effect size was larger than those from the other indices in each database used. In ACT-RAY, depending on visit, between 65 and 80% of patients were equally classified by HUPI and EULAR response criteria. However, HUPI criteria were slightly more stringent, with higher percentage of patients classified as non-responder, especially at early visits. HUPI response criteria showed a slightly higher accuracy than EULAR response criteria when using Delta GDA-Phy as gold standard. Conclusion HUPI shows good responsiveness in terms of correlation in each studied scenario (clinical trial, early RA cohort, and established RA cohort). Response criteria by HUPI seem more stringent than EULAR''s

Оценка эффективности и безопасности комбинации хондроитина сульфата и глюкозамина сульфата при остеоартрите коленного и тазобедренного суставов в реальной клинической практике

A combination of chondroitin and glucosamine is widely used in clinical practice as both a symptomatic and structure-modifying agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The emergence of new drugs based on this combination substantially expands treatment options for OA therapy.Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Artroflex® that is a combination of chondroitin sulfate 400 mg and glucosamine sulfate 500 mg (CS + GS) to support joint health in patients with knee and/or hip OA.Patients and methods. When implementing an open observational research program, the results of using the CS + GS complex were assessed in 644 OA patients (74.7% women) (mean age, 58.0±14.6 years) who experienced moderate/severe pain and required to continuously take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The CS + GS complex was prescribed in a dose of 2 capsules per day for 3 months. The investigators estimated changes in pain on movement by a 0 to 10 verbal pain scale, general health (GH) by a 0–10 visual analogue scale), the Lequesne index, the need for NSAIDs, and patient satisfaction with treatment and its tolerance.Results and discussion. After 3-month therapy, there were decreases in pain intensity by 49.2±16.8%, GH scores by 45.6±18.1%, the Lequesne index from 9.0 [6.0; 13.0] to 5.0 [3.0; 9.0]; less than half (45.2%) of the patients still needed for NSAIDs. 82.2% of patients were satisfied or completely satisfied with treatment results; 89.6% reported good treatment tolerance.Adverse events (apparently associated with NSAID use) were recorded in 2.2% of cases. There were no serious complications that required CS + GS treatment discontinuation or hospitalization.Conclusion. The findings have indicated that Artroflex® used to support joint health is an effective agent that controls OA symptoms and has a good safety level.Комбинация хондроитина и глюкозамина широко применяется в клинической практике как симптоматическое и структурно-модифицирующее средство для лечения остеоартрита (ОА). Появление новых препаратов на основе данной комбинации существенно расширяет возможности терапии ОА.Цель исследования – оценка эффективности и безопасности комплекса для поддержания здоровья суставов Артрофлекс®, представляющего собой комбинацию хондроитина сульфата 400 мг и глюкозамина сульфата 500 мг (ХС + ГС), у пациентов с ОА коленного и/или тазобедренного суставов.Пациенты и методы. В ходе наблюдательной открытой исследовательской программы были оценены результаты применения комплекса ХС + ГС у 644 больных ОА (средний возраст 58,0±14,6 года, 74,7% женщины), испытывающих умеренную/выраженную боль и нуждающихся в постоянном приеме нестероидных противовоспалительных препаратов (НПВП). Комплекс ХС + ГС назначали в дозе 2 капсулы в сутки сроком на 3 мес. Оценивали динамику боли при движении (по вербальной шкале боли 0–10), общего состояния здоровья (ОСЗ, по визуальной аналоговой шкале 0–10), индекса Лекена, потребность в приеме НПВП, удовлетворенность больных лечением и переносимостью терапии.Результаты и обсуждение. Через 3 мес применения выраженность боли снизилась на 49,2±16,8%, оценка ОСЗ – на 45,6±18,1%, индекс Лекена – с 9,0 [6,0; 13,0] до 5,0 [3,0; 9,0], необходимость в приеме НПВП осталась менее чем у половины больных (45,2%). Удовлетворены или полностью удовлетворены результатами лечения были 82,2% больных, хорошую переносимость терапии отметили 89,6%. Нежелательные явления (по-видимому, связанные с приемом НПВП) зафиксированы в 2,2% случаев. Серьезных осложнений, потребовавших прерывания лечения ХС + ГС или госпитализации, не выявлено.Заключение. Согласно полученным данным, комплекс для поддержания здоровья суставов Артрофлекс® – эффективное средство для контроля симптомов ОА, обладающее хорошим уровнем безопасности

Gestations course and outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To study course features and gestation ourcomes in pts with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To assess gestation influence on SLE course and gestation outcomes for fetus and mother. Material and methods. 27 gestation course and outcomes were followed up in 26 women with SLE admitted to Tyumen regional clinical hospital in 1995-2001 years. SLE was diagnosed according to ACR 1982 criteria. Statistical analysis was performed with MS Excel 7.0. Results. SLE exacerbated during gestation in all examined women. Autoimmune process activity increased in most pts after the end of gestation independently on its outcome and required intensive treatment methods administration. Negative perinatal SLE influence on fetus was noted even at favorite prognosis for mother. Programs of immunosuppressive therapy are administered in SLE during gestation. Conclusion. SLE presence worsens gestation course and outcomes determining high percent of medical and spontaneous abortions, exerts negative perinatal influence on fetus. Gestation appearance in pts with SLE as a rule lead to disease exacerbation as during gestation as after delivery. Presented intensive therapy programs allow to ameliorate gestation outcomes for mother and for fetus in SLE

НАПРУЖЕНО-ДЕФОРМОВАНИЙ СТАН В ПРИОПОРНІЙ ЗОНІ ЗАЛІЗОБЕТОННИХ БАЛОК ПРИ ДІЇ СТАТИЧНОГО НАВАНТАЖЕННЯ

Досліджено вплив статичних навантажень на напружено-деформований стан похилих перерізів залізобетонних балок на вапняковому піску. Найбільший вплив на зміну деформацій має величина прольоту зрізу, що приводить до зміни епюр напружень

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate for knee and hip osteoarthritis in real clinical practice

A combination of chondroitin and glucosamine is widely used in clinical practice as both a symptomatic and structure-modifying agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The emergence of new drugs based on this combination substantially expands treatment options for OA therapy.Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Artroflex® that is a combination of chondroitin sulfate 400 mg and glucosamine sulfate 500 mg (CS + GS) to support joint health in patients with knee and/or hip OA.Patients and methods. When implementing an open observational research program, the results of using the CS + GS complex were assessed in 644 OA patients (74.7% women) (mean age, 58.0±14.6 years) who experienced moderate/severe pain and required to continuously take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The CS + GS complex was prescribed in a dose of 2 capsules per day for 3 months. The investigators estimated changes in pain on movement by a 0 to 10 verbal pain scale, general health (GH) by a 0–10 visual analogue scale), the Lequesne index, the need for NSAIDs, and patient satisfaction with treatment and its tolerance.Results and discussion. After 3-month therapy, there were decreases in pain intensity by 49.2±16.8%, GH scores by 45.6±18.1%, the Lequesne index from 9.0 [6.0; 13.0] to 5.0 [3.0; 9.0]; less than half (45.2%) of the patients still needed for NSAIDs. 82.2% of patients were satisfied or completely satisfied with treatment results; 89.6% reported good treatment tolerance.Adverse events (apparently associated with NSAID use) were recorded in 2.2% of cases. There were no serious complications that required CS + GS treatment discontinuation or hospitalization.Conclusion. The findings have indicated that Artroflex® used to support joint health is an effective agent that controls OA symptoms and has a good safety level