Arthritis, Juvenile ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Joints ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of arthroscopic debridement for acute gouty arthritis of the ankle.

METHODSForty-one patients with acute gouty arthritis of the ankle were treated under arthroscopy from January 2010 to June 2012. All the patients were male, age in ranging from 28 to 69 years with an average of 43 years. Eighteen patients were in the left ankles and 23 in the right ankles; 12 cases were firstly attack and 29 cases were recurrent attack. Course of disease was from 2 weeks to 30 months. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score was used to evaluate the clinical effects. Number of acute attacks of gouty arthritis were observed.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up at least 12 months. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score increased from 58.44 +/- 9.45 preoperatively to 86.15 +/- 7.36, 83.41 +/- 9.22, 84.10 +/- 8.22 postoperatively at 6, 12, months and the last follow-up respectively. Swelling of the ankle were improved significantly, pain was relieved and the mean number of acute attacks of gouty arthritis decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopy is helpful for the diagnosis of acute gouty arthritis of the ankle and improvement of clinical symptoms and ankle function.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthritis, Gouty ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term effects of ankle joint replacement for the patients with hemophilic arthritis. To find out the main points for improving the joint function and the patients' life quality. To accumulate more experience for clinical treatment.

METHODSThe Kofoed evaluation system and the AOFAS evaluation system were used to follow-up 6 hemophilic patients with ankle arthritis (6 males, ranging in age from 23 to 57 years, with an average of 41.2 years), who were treated with ankle joint replacement from 2004.7 to 2007.7. The scores before operation, and the 6th,12th months after operation were compared.

RESULTSThe Kofoed evaluation system showed the joint replacement significantly improved the scores for relieving pain, joint function, range of motion and the total score (P<0.05). Except the score for relieving pain, the other three also had significant differences between the 6th month and the 12th month after the operation (P<0.05). Compared with each details of the joint function, there was significant improvement before and after the operation (P<0.05). The ankle got more extended range of motion in the 12th month after operation than the 6th month (P<0.05). The AOFAS evaluation system showed the joint replacement significantly improved the scores for relieving pain, joint function, X-ray measurement and the total score (P<0.05). There was no differences between the 6th month after operation and the 12th month in the results for relieving pain and the X-ray measurement (P>0.05). However, the joint function and the total score had significant differences (P<0.05). Compared with each details of the joint function, there was also significant improvement before and after the operation (P< 0.05), and the walk distance, as well as the joint flexion and extension activities, had differences between the 6th month and the 12th month after the operation. Both of the two evaluation system showed the operation could get good curative effects (P< 0.05), and the artificial joint could constantly be in good condition from the 6th month to the 12th month after operation (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn this short-term observation, the joint replacement can significantly improve the life quality for the hemophilic patients with ankle arthritis.

Adult ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthritis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; methods ; Hemophilia A ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDCarotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation percentage (FMD%) are common parameters used for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. This study compared subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid and brachial arteries in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls using high resolution ultrasonography. We also investigated their correlation with clinical factors and the association between FMD% and CIMT.

METHODSOne hundred and two RA patients and 46 age-gender matched healthy controls were included in the study. FMD of the brachial artery and CIMT were measured ultrasonographically. Patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal failure, history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease were excluded. Subjects who were receiving or used high dose steroids were also excluded.

RESULTSThe CIMT was significantly higher in patients than that in the control group ((0.697±0.053) vs. (0.554±0.051) mm, P<0.001), whereas brachial artery FMD% was lower in patients than that in the controls ((5.454±2.653)% vs. (8.477±2.851)%, P<0.001). CIMT was related to age, disease duration, tender and swollen joint score, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein. However, FMD% was only association with systolic blood pressure. There was no significant correlation between CIMT and FMD%.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the healthy control subjects, RA patients without clinically evident cardiovascular disease had subclinical atherosclerosis in terms of impaired FMD% and increased CIMT. FMD% and CIMT may measure a different stage of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brachial Artery ; physiopathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

AIMTo determine the exact roles of prolactin (PRL) in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and supply experimental basis for clinical treatment of RA, and to investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the synovium of adjuvant arthritis rats.

METHODSForty rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): (1) Normal control group (group A); (2) Adjuvant arthritis control group (group B); (3) Hyperprolactinemic adjuvant arthritis group (group C); (4) Hypoprolactinemic adjuvant arthritis group (group D). The content of PRL in the serum was detected by radio-immunoassay method. The activity of MMP-9 was analyzed by gelatin zymography. The alteration of MMP-9 immunoreactivity were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry in the synovium of all groups. The expressions of MMP-9 were investigated by Western blot in the synovium of all groups.

RESULTSCompared with group A, the activity and expression of MMP-9 of group B in the synovium were highly increased. The activity and expression of MMP-9 in the synovium were the most distinctive in group C. Compared with group B, the activity and expression of MMP-9 in the synovium were decreased in group D, but still higher than group A.

CONCLUSIONThe present results indicated that PRL might involved in the pathogenesis of RA by regulating the secretion of MMP-9 in the synovium.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; physiopathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prolactin ; blood ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Synovial Membrane ; metabolism

Undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (USpA) includes the forms that do not meet criteria for the established categories of spondyloarthropathy. The clinical spectrum of USpA is therefore wide and few studies have been published on USpA, especially peripheral arthritis. A total of 107 patients fulfilling the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group criteria for SpA were studied retrospectively by a chart review and interview by a rheumatologist. Peripheral arthritis, excluding hip and shoulder involvement, occurred in 97 of the 107 patients (91%). Joint involvement tended to be monoarticular or pauciarticular, and most frequently developed in peripheral joints including the knee and ankle. Among the 97 patients with peripheral arthritis, only 37 (35%) had a persistent arthritis. HLA-B27 was detected in 80 patients (78%). Peripheral arthritis was found in the lower extremities regardless of symmetry or asymmetry and tended to run a benign course with only a few patients having persistent arthritis
Adult ; Arthritis/diagnosis/metabolism/*physiopathology ; Cartilage, Articular/physiopathology ; Female ; HLA-B27 Antigen/metabolism ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the quality of life of arthritis patients in China.

METHODSPatients (n = 1 344) were selected by stratified random sampling according to the economic conditions and the ranking of hospitals, and asked to complete the arthritic self-reported questionnaire of quality of life.

RESULTSThe scores of quality of life were not different between male arthritis and female arthritis in different age groups (P > 0.05). The lower scores of quality of life were reported more often among the women older than 65 years. Those of lower educational level and lower income got fewer scores. Compared to the married and unmarried patients, the divorcees and those who were bereft of their spouses gained low scores (t = 9.310, P = 0.001). Among different occupation groups, the labors and farmers also got lower scores than others (P < 0.05). On the other hand, if the arthritis with better physical conditions, it was more possible that the scores were higher, but to pressed pain index, there were no different scores shown between the second and third grade (mean difference = 4.910, P = 0.765), and to joint swell index, there are no different scores between either the 0 and 1 grade (mean difference = 16.308, P = 0.079) or the 2 and 3 grade (mean difference = 6.643, P = 0.533).

CONCLUSIONTo improve the quality of life of all arthritis patients, enhancing the quality of medical technology and enriching the medical knowledge are evidently necessary. However, it is also important to prefect social security system, to improve the country education and pay attention to life of elderly in order to improve the quality of life of all arthritis patients.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Arthritis ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Joints ; physiopathology ; Male ; Marriage ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Random Allocation ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo probe into the best parameter of electroacupuncture (EA) for treatment of inflammatory pain in the rat.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups, normal control group, model group and 10 EA groups including A1 B1 C1, A1 B1 C2, A1 B2 C1, A1 B2 C2, A2 B1 C1, A2 B1 C2, A2 B2 C1, A2 B2 C2 (A1 : 2 Hz, A2: 100 Hz; B1 : successive wave; B2: intermittent wave; C1: 0.1 mA, C2: 0.2 mA), A3 B3 C1 (4/20 Hz, disperse-dense wave, 0.1 mA) and A3 B3 C2 (4/20 Hz, disperse-dense wave, 0.2 mA). The rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis in all of the EA groups were treated by EA with selected different parameters once every day for 6 days. Pain thresholds and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) content in the local tissue of inflammation were used as indexes to compare analgesic effects of EA of different frequencies, waveforms and currents by orthogonal experiment design and other methods.

RESULTSThe optimized parameters of raising the pain threshold was: 100 Hz, 0.1 mA, intermittent wave. EA at 100 Hz was better than 2 Hz for increasing the content of beta-EP in local tissue of inflammation. The analgesic effect of EA at 4/20 Hz, 0.1 mA, disperse-dense wave on the inflammatory pain in the rat was not significant different with that at 100 Hz, 0.1 mA, intermittent wave (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe best parameters are 100 Hz, 0.1 mA and intermittent wave for EA treatment of inflammatory pain in the rat.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Animals ; Arthritis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Pain ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Pain Management ; Pain Threshold ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor A3 (LILRA3) in CD14 monocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fifty three RA patients admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from February 2017 to August 2017, and 21 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The expression of LILRA3 in CD14 monocyte subset was determined by flow cytometry, and its correlations with clinical features, laboratory examination results, antibodies and disease activity were analyzed. RESULTS: LILRA3 percentage in the CD14 monocyte subset of RA patients was higher than that in the healthy controls (<0.01). The percentage of LILRA3 was positively correlated with number of tenderness joints, number of swollen joints and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (=0.280, 0.371, 0.341, <0.05 or <0.01), but was not correlated with the age, course of disease, Sharp score, C reactive protein, blood routine index and immunoglobulin (all >0.05). In addition, the percentages of LILRA3 in the monocytes of rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody-positive patients were significantly higher than those of the RF-or anti-CCP antibody-negative patients (all < 0.05); and the percentage of LILRA3 in patients with DAS28>5.1 was higher than that in patients with DAS28 ≤ 5.1 (<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The expression of LILRA3 is up-regulated in CD14 monocyte subset isolated from RA patients, and it is correlated with disease activity.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; physiopathology ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; Receptors, Immunologic ; genetics ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVES: The decrease or increase in sleep duration has recently been recognized as a risk factor for several diseases, including hypertension and obesity. Many studies have explored the relationship of decreased sleep durations and injuries, but few have examined the relationship between increased sleep duration and injury. The objective of this research is to identify the risk for injury associated with both decreased and increased sleep durations. METHODS: Data from the 2010 Community Health Survey were used in this study. We conducted logistic regression with average sleep duration as the independent variable, injury as a dependent variable, and controlling for age, sex, occupation, education, region (cities and provinces), smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and depression. Seven categories of sleep duration were established: < or =4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and > or =10 hours. RESULTS: Using 7 hours of sleep as the reference, the adjusted injury risk (odds ratio) for those sleeping a total of < or =4 h/d was 1.53; 1.28 for 5 hours, for 1.11 for 6 hours, 0.98 for 8 hours, 1.12 for 9 hours, and 1.48 for > or =10 hours. The difference in risk was statistically significant for each category except for the 8 and 9 hours. In this study, risk increased as the sleep duration decreased or increased, except for the 8 and 9 hours. CONCLUSIONS: This research found that either a decrease or increase in sleep duration was associated with an increased risk for injury. The concept of proper sleep duration can be evaluated by its associated injury risk.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Arthritis/physiopathology ; Body Mass Index ; Depression/physiopathology ; Diabetes Mellitus/physiopathology ; Female ; *Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hypertension/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/physiopathology ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; *Sleep ; Smoking ; Wounds and Injuries/*epidemiology ; Young Adult