16,661 research outputs found
Socio-demographic aspects and therapeutic pathways in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Italy
No full textThe research carried out by Censis Foundation, in collaboration with SIR (Italian Society of Rheumatology) and ANMAR (National Association of Rheumatic patients
MonitorNet: the Italian multi-centre observational study aimed at estimating the risk/benefit profile of biologic agents in real-world rheumatology practice
No full textAvailability of funding for this study provided an opportunity to organize a collaborative national network of rheumatology clinics to develop a large multicentre observational stud
The risk/benefit profile of biologic drugs in real-world rheumatology practice. From ANTARES to MonitorNet
No full textLe principali artriti croniche ad eziopatogenesi immunoflogistica, nelle quali trovano applicazione i farmaci “biologici” (v. oltre) sono la reumatoide e le sieronegative: artrite psoriasica, spondilite anchilosante, artriti reattive ed artriti “enteropatiche” (1-7). L’artrite reumatoide (AR) è una malattia cronica progressiva delle articolazioni associata a significativa morbilità, deformità e riduzione della qualità di vita. La prevalenza nella popolazione, a livello mondiale, è compresa tra 0,3 ed 1%. Pur interessando in modo elettivo le articolazioni, l’AR è una malattia sistemica che può condurre a severa disabilità ed a complicanze talora fatali. La terapia farmacologica tradizionale si basa su varie combinazioni di farmaci definiti sintomatici, come gli anti-infiammatori non-steroidei (FANS), gli analgesici ed i corticosteroidi e quelli “di fondo” chiamati correntemente DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
MonitorNet: the Italian multi-centre observational study aimed at estimating the risk/benefit profile of biologic agents in real-world rheumatology practice
No full textMonitorNet is a database established by the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) in January 2007 and funded by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), for the active long-term follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis treated with biologic agents. All hospital Rheumatology Units in Italy were invited to participate in a non-interventional, observational, epidemiological study. The study is conducted in a routine clinical setting (real-world practice) where biologics are prescribed on the basis of current recommendations. In this report we describe the design, methodology, and present preliminary data of the study. At the time of the analysis (April 2009) the database included 3510 patients: 2469 (70.3%) with established RA, 675 (19.2%) with PsA and 366 (10.4%) with AS. The cumulative follow up period was 8,787 patient-years (RA: 8,388, PsA: 157; AS: 242). There were 1,538 adverse events in 938 (26.7%) patients. Infections were recorded in 630 patients, skin-related adverse events in 142 and post-infusion reactions in 90. A total of 30 malignancies were reported. An interim analysis of efficacy was conducted on 2,148 RA patients. Seven hundred and thirty-one patients (35.8%) achieved EULAR remission (defined as DAS28<2.4). When assessed with the more restrictive CDAI and SDAI criteria, the frequency of remission was lower (17.9% and 14.7% respectively). Availability of funding for this study provided an opportunity to organize a collaborative national network of rheumatology clinics to develop a large multicentre observational study
Health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: assessment by a Italian version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales, Version 2 (AIMS2)]
No full text
The politics and economics of regulatory impact assessment
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the link in this record
Nitrite and nitrate plasma levels, as markers of nitric oxide synthesis, in antiphospholipid antibodies-related conditions and in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
No full textSerum cytokines and steroidal hormones in polymyalgia rheumatica and elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis
No full textBackground: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) may create some difficulties in the differential diagnosis of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) and of EORA with PMR-like onset (EORA/PMR).
Aim: To investigate possible differences between three groups of patients, with regard to serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and steroidal hormones at baseline and after 1 month of treatment with glucocorticoids (prednisone 7.5-12.5 mg/day).
Patients and methods: 14 patients with PMR, 15 with EORA and 14 with EORA/PMR, as well as 15 healthy, matched controls were analysed. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin (IL)6, IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra), cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and 17-hydroxy-progesterone (PRG) were evaluated.
Results: Serum levels of both TNF alpha and IL6 were significantly higher in all three groups of patients than in controls (p < 0.01). Serum IL6 levels were significantly higher in patients with both PMR and EORA/PMR than in patients with EORA (p < 0.05). IL1Ra serum levels were significantly higher in patients with EORA than in controls (p < 0.001) and in patients with PMR and EORA/PMR (p < 0.05). DHEAS was significantly lower in patients with EORA/PMR than in those with EORA (p < 0.05). PRG was significantly higher in all patient groups (p < 0.05). After glucocorticoid treatment, serum TNF alpha and IL6 levels significantly decreased in all patient groups; IL1Ra significantly increased in patients with PMR and in those with EORA/PMR; cortisol, DHEAS, and PRG significantly decreased in patients with PMR and in those with EORA/PMR (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Different cytokine and steroidal hormone patterns suggest that patients with PMR and those with EORA/PMR seem to be have a more intensive inflammatory reaction and are more efficient responders to glucocorticoid treatment than patients with EORA
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