| 1. |
- Classen, Jean-Francois, et al.
(författare)
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Lack of evidence of stimulatory autoantibodies to platelet-derived growth factor receptor in patients with systemic sclerosis
- 2009
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Ingår i: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 60:4, s. 1137-1144
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, characterized by fibrosis of the skin and multiple internal organs. Recent findings suggested that the disease is driven by stimulatory autoantibodies to platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), which stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and collagen by fibroblasts. These results opened novel avenues of research into the diagnosis and treatment of SSc. The present study was undertaken to confirm the presence of anti-PDGFR antibodies in patients with SSc. METHODS: Immunoglobulins from 37 patients with SSc were purified by protein A/G chromatography. PDGFR activation was tested using 4 different sensitive bioassays, i.e., cell proliferation, ROS production, signal transduction, and receptor phosphorylation; the latter was also tested in a separate population of 7 patients with SSc from a different research center. RESULTS: Purified IgG samples from patients with SSc were positive when tested for antinuclear autoantibodies, but did not specifically activate PDGFRalpha or PDGFRbeta in any of the tests. Cell stimulation with PDGF itself consistently produced a strong signal. CONCLUSION: The present results raise questions regarding the existence of agonistic autoantibodies to PDGFR in SSc.
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| 2. |
- Gillespie, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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A comprehensive pharmacist intervention to reduce morbidity in patients 80 years or older : a randomized controlled trial
- 2009
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Ingår i: Archives of Internal Medicine. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0003-9926 .- 1538-3679. ; 169:9, s. 894-900
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUNDPatients 80 years or older are underrepresented in scientific studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions performed by ward-based pharmacists in reducing morbidity and use of hospital care among older patients.METHODSA randomized controlled study of patients 80 years or older was conducted at the University Hospital of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden. Four hundred patients were recruited consecutively between October 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, and were randomized to control (n = 201) and intervention (n = 199) groups. The interventions were performed by ward-based pharmacists. The control group received standard care without direct involvement of pharmacists at the ward level. The primary outcome measure was the frequency of hospital visits (emergency department and readmissions [total and drug-related]) during the 12-month follow-up period.RESULTSThree hundred sixty-eight patients (182 in the intervention group and 186 in the control group) were analyzed. For the intervention group, there was a 16% reduction in all visits to the hospital (quotient, 1.88 vs 2.24; estimate, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.99) and a 47% reduction in visits to the emergency department (quotient, 0.35 vs 0.66; estimate, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.75). Drug-related readmissions were reduced by 80% (quotient, 0.06 vs 0.32; estimate, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.10-0.41). After inclusion of the intervention costs, the total cost per patient in the intervention group was $230 lower than that in the control group.CONCLUSIONIf implemented on a population basis, the addition of pharmacists to health care teams would lead to major reductions in morbidity and health care costs.
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| 3. |
- Gillespie, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of Pharmacists' Interventions on Appropriateness of Prescribing and Evaluation of the Instruments' (MAI, STOPP and STARTs') Ability to Predict Hospitalization-Analyses from a Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2013
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:5, s. e62401-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Appropriateness of prescribing can be assessed by various measures and screening instruments. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of pharmacists' interventions on appropriateness of prescribing in elderly patients, and to explore the relationship between these results and hospital care utilization during a 12-month follow-up period. Methods: The study population from a previous randomized controlled study, in which the effects of a comprehensive pharmacist intervention on re-hospitalization was investigated, was used. The criteria from the instruments MAI, STOPP and START were applied retrospectively to the 368 study patients (intervention group (I) n = 182, control group (C) n = 186). The assessments were done on admission and at discharge to detect differences over time and between the groups. Hospital care consumption was recorded and the association between scores for appropriateness, and hospitalization was analysed. Results: The number of Potentially Inappropriate Medicines (PIMs) per patient as identified by STOPP was reduced for I but not for C (1.42 to 0.93 vs. 1.46 to 1.66 respectively, p<0.01). The number of Potential Prescription Omissions (PPOs) per patient as identified by START was reduced for I but not for C (0.36 to 0.09 vs. 0.42 to 0.45 respectively, p<0.001). The summated score for MAI was reduced for I but not for C (8.5 to 5.0 and 8.7 to 10.0 respectively, p<0.001). There was a positive association between scores for MAI and STOPP and drug-related readmissions (RR 8-9% and 30-34% respectively). No association was detected between the scores of the tools and total re-visits to hospital. Conclusion: The interventions significantly improved the appropriateness of prescribing for patients in the intervention group as evaluated by the instruments MAI, STOPP and START. High scores in MAI and STOPP were associated with a higher number of drug-related readmissions.
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| 4. |
- Gillespie, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of pharmacists’ interventions on appropriateness of prescribing for elderly and exploration of a possible correlation between scores for appropriateness and clinical outcomes : analyses from a randomized controlled trial
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background:Inappropriate prescribing can cause substantial morbidity and represents a clinical and economic burden for patients and society. Appropriateness of prescribing can be assessed by various measures and screening tools, however, for a tool to be valid there should be casual links to important clinical health outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a pharmacist intervention on appropriateness of prescribing, and to explore the relationship between these results and clinical health outcomes defined as re-visits to hospital.Methods:The study population from a previous randomized controlled study, in which the effects of a comprehensive pharmacist intervention on re-hospitalisation was investigated, was used. The criteria from the validated instruments STOPP, START and MAI were applied retrospectively to the study patients (368 patients; intervention group n=182, control group n=186). The quality assessments were done on admission and at discharge to detect differences over time between the control- and the intervention group. Hospital care consumption one year after admission was recorded and the correlation between scores for appropriateness, as well as number of drugs at discharge, and hospital visits was analysed.Results:The number of Potentially Inappropriate Medicines (PIMs) per patient as identified by STOPP was reduced for the intervention group but not for the control group (1.42 and 0.93 vs. 1.46 and 1.66 respectively, p<0.01) The number of Potential Prescription Omissions (PPOs) per patient as identified by START was reduced for the intervention group but not for the control group (0.36 and 0.09 vs. 0.42 and 0.45 respectively, p<0.001). The summated score for MAI was reduced for the intervention group but not for the control group (8.5 to 5.0 and 8.7 to 10.0 respectively, p< 0.001). There was no correlation between the scores of the tools and total visits to hospital. Number of drugs (unadjusted) correlated with visits to hospital and the rate ratio was 4%. For readmissions to hospital, MAI (unadjusted) and the number of drugs showed a positive correlation. There was a correlation between MAI and STOPP and drug-related readmissions (RR 8-9% and 30-34% respectively).Conclusion:The addition of a comprehensive pharmacist service to standard care significantly improved the appropriateness of prescribing for patients in the intervention group that participated in the randomized controlled trial, as evaluated by all three instruments used; STOPP, START and MAI. However, the results on correlation between the tools and re-visits to hospital were inconclusive.
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| 5. |
- Gron, K. L., et al.
(författare)
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The association of fatigue, comorbidity burden, disease activity, disability and gross domestic product in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. : Results from 34 countries participating in the Quest-RA programme
- 2014
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. - 0392-856X .- 1593-098X. ; 32:6, s. 869-877
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The aim is to assess the prevalence of comorbidities and to further analyse to which degree fatigue can be explained by comorbidity burden, disease activity, disability and gross domestic product (GDP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Nine thousands eight hundred seventy-four patients from 34 countries, 16 with high GDP (>24.000 US dollars [USD] per capita) and 18 low-GDP countries (<24.000 USD) participated in the Quantitative Standard monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA) study. The prevalence of 31 comorbid conditions, fatigue (0-10 cm visual analogue scale [VAS] [10 worst]), disease activity in 28 joints (DAS28), and physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire score MAW) were assessed. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between fatigue and comorbidities, disease activity, disability and GDP. Results Overall, patients reported a median of 2 comorbid conditions of which hypertension (31.5%), osteoporosis (17.6%), osteoarthritis (15.5%) and hyperlipidaemia (14.2%) were the most prevalent. The majority of comorbidities were more common in high-GDP countries. The median fatigue score was 4.4 (4.8 in low-GDP countries and 3.8 in high-GDP countries, p<0.001). In low-GDP countries 25.4% of the patients had a high level of fatigue (>6.6) compared with 23.0% in high-GDP countries (p<0.001). In univariate analysis, fatigue increased with increasing number of comorbidities, disease activity and disability in both high- and low-GDP countries. In multivariate analysis of all countries, these 3 variables explained 29.4% of the variability, whereas GDP was not significant. Conclusion Fatigue is a widespread problem associated with high comorbidity burden, disease activity and disability regardless of GDP.
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| 6. |
- Henrohn, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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Acute haemodynamic response in relation to plasma vardenafil concentrations in patients with pulmonary hypertension
- 2012
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Ingår i: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0306-5251 .- 1365-2125. ; 74:6, s. 990-998
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS To evaluate the acute haemodynamic effects of a single oral dose of vardenafil and to study the drug concentration in relation to haemodynamic effects in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS Sixteen patients with PH (aged 29-85\ years), received one single oral dose of vardenafil (5, 10 or 20 mg). The haemodynamic effect was assessed over a 60 min period. Vardenafil plasma concentrations were measured after 15, 30, 45 and 60 min using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS At 60 min a reduction in mPAP with a median % decrease of -20.3% (range -48.3 to 3.0; P < 0.001) and an increase in cardiac output and the cardiac index with a median % change of 10.6% (range -25.0 to 88.1; P = 0.015) and 12.1% (range -24.0 to 94.4; P = 0.01) respectively was observed. The pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was reduced with a median % decrease of -28.9% (range -61.5 to -5.9; P < 0.001), and pulmonary selectivity was reflected by a median percent reduction of -16.9% (range -49.0 to 16.5; P = 0.002; n = 14) in the PVR/ systemic vascular resistance ratio. There was a correlation between the plasma concentrations of vardenafil and change in mPAP (r = -0.579, P = 0.019) and between vardenafil concentrations and change in PVR (r = -0.662, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Vardenafil causes rapid changes in cardiopulmonary haemodynamics and there is a correlation between plasma vardenafil drug concentration and the acute changes in mPAP as well as PVR in patients with PH.
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| 7. |
- Henrohn, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine, symmetric dimethylarginine, and arginine after a single dose of vardenafil in patients with pulmonary hypertension
- 2015
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Ingår i: Vascular pharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1537-1891 .- 1879-3649. ; 73, s. 71-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, alters plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and arginine.PATIENTS AND METHODS: ADMA, SDMA, and arginine were measured (0-540min) in 12 patients with pulmonary hypertension after a single oral dose of vardenafil. Invasive hemodynamic data were collected at baseline and after 60min.RESULTS: A reduction in ADMA was observed at 30 and 45min with a median change of -11.1% (P=0.021) and -12.5% (P=0.002). SDMA decreased with a median -5.3% change (P=0.032) at 45min. An increase in arginine, median 40.3% (P=0.002), 45.0% (P=0.010), and 77.1% (P=0.008) was observed at 120, 300, and 540min respectively. An increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio, median 11.7% (P=0.012), 32.5% (P=0.003), 26.5% (P=0.021), 33% (P=0.007), 48.5% (P=0.007), and 63.1% (P=0.008) was observed at 15, 45, 60, 120, 300, and 540min respectively. There was a positive correlation between vardenafil exposure and the percent change in the arginine/ADMA ratio from baseline to 540min (r=0.80; P=0.01). A correlation between baseline mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) and baseline ADMA (r=0.65; P=0.023), and baseline SDMA (r=0.61; P=0.035) was observed. A correlation between the baseline arginine/ADMA ratio and baseline cardiac output (CO) (r=0.59; P=0.045) and baseline cardiac index (CI) (r=0.61; P=0.036) was observed. Baseline arginine/ADMA ratio correlated with baseline mRAP (r=-0.79; P=0.002). A correlation between change (0-60min) in CI and change in arginine (r=0.77; P=0.003) as well as change in the arginine/ADMA ratio (r=0.61; P=0.037) was observed.CONCLUSIONS: Vardenafil induced changes in ADMA, SDMA, arginine, and the arginine/ADMA ratio in patients with PH. An increase in arginine and the arginine/ADMA ratio was associated with improvement in CI.
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| 8. |
- Henrohn, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of Oral Supplementation With Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Results From BEET-PAH, an Exploratory Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiac Failure. - : Elsevier BV. - 1071-9164 .- 1532-8414. ; 24:10, s. 640-653
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO) pathway may represent a potential therapeutic target in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We explored the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation, with the use of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRJ), in patients with PAH.METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively studied 15 patients with PAH in an exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. The patients received nitrate-rich beetroot juice (∼16 mmol nitrate per day) and placebo in 2 treatment periods of 7 days each. The assessments included; exhaled NO and NO flow-independent parameters (alveolar NO and bronchial NO flux), plasma and salivary nitrate and nitrite, biomarkers and metabolites of the NO-system, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, echocardiography, ergospirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, and the 6-minute walk test. Compared with placebo ingestion of BRJ resulted in increases in; fractional exhaled NO at all flow-rates, alveolar NO concentrations and bronchial NO flux, and plasma and salivary levels of nitrate and nitrite. Plasma ornithine levels decreased and indices of relative arginine availability increased after BRJ compared to placebo. A decrease in breathing frequency was observed during ergospirometry after BRJ. A tendency for an improvement in right ventricular function was observed after ingestion of BRJ. In addition a tendency for an increase in the peak power output to peak oxygen consumption ratio (W peak/VO2 peak) was observed, which became significant in patients reaching an increase of plasma nitrite >30% (responders).CONCLUSIONS: BRJ administered for 1 week increases pulmonary NO production and the relative arginine bioavailability in patients with PAH, compared with placebo. An increase in the W peak/VO2 peak ratio was observed after BRJ ingestion in plasma nitrite responders. These findings indicate that supplementation with inorganic nitrate increase NO synthase-independent NO production from the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway.
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| 9. |
- Henrohn, Dan
(författare)
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Pulmonary Hypertension and the Nitric Oxide System
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathophysiological state associated with several medical conditions, leading to progressive rise in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and right ventricular failure. The clinical PH classification encompasses five main World Health Organization (WHO) groups; pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), PH due to left heart disease, PH due to lung diseases and/or hypoxia, chronic thromboembolic PH, and PH with unclear multifactorial mechanisms. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator. Impaired NO production via the classical L-arginine-NO synthase (NOS) pathway has been implicated in PH. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors augment NO signalling, and are considered as one of the cornerstone treatments in PAH. The studies in this thesis aim at to explore and expand the understanding of the NO system in patients with PH.In paper I, we found that PAH patients (WHO group 1) have lower bronchial NO flux compared to healthy controls and patients with PH (WHO group 2–4). This implies reduced bronchial NO formation in PAH. Compared to healthy controls, increased alveolar NO levels were found in patients with PH (WHO group 1-4) and patients with PAH. This may reflect NO diffusion disturbances in the alveoli. PAH patients had higher plasma and salivary levels of nitrite than healthy controls, which may reflect a compensatory upregulation of NOS-independent NO generating pathways.In paper II, we observed that a single oral dose of vardenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor) causes rapid changes in cardiopulmonary haemodynamics in PH patients with PH (WHO group 1-4). We found a correlation between plasma vardenafil concentrations and the changes in mean pulmonary arterial pressure as well as PVR.In paper III, we show that a single oral dose of vardenafil to patients with PH (WHO group 1-4) alter the plasma levels of arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and the arginine/ADMA ratio in a favourable manner. The increase in arginine and the arginine/ADMA ratio were associated with improved cardiac index, and the increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio at 540 min correlated with the exposure to vardenafil. Higher baseline plasma levels of ADMA and SDMA and a low arginine/ADMA ratio was associated with a more severe pulmonary haemodynamic disease state in patients with PH.In paper IV, we found that ingestion of beetroot juice, containing inorganic nitrate, increased plasma and salivary levels of nitrate and nitrite, increased exhaled NO, decreased plasma ornithine levels and increased relative arginine availability in patients with PAH compared to placebo. Higher plasma levels of nitrite after the placebo period, reflecting basal conditions, were associated with a more severe PAH phenotype. Our findings indicate that the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway is active and upregulated in PAH patients.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Khan, N. A., et al.
(författare)
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Patient's global assessment of disease activity and patient's assessment of general health for rheumatoid arthritis activity assessment : Are they equivalent?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 71:12, s. 1942-1949
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To assess (A) determinants of patient's global assessment of disease activity (PTGL) and patient's assessment of general health (GH) scores of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients; (B) whether they are equivalent as individual variables; and (C) whether they may be used interchangeably in calculating common RA activity assessment composite indices. Methods: Data of 7023 patients from 30 countries in the Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA) was analysed. PTGL and GH determinants were assessed by mixed-effects analyses of covariance models. PTGL and GH equivalence was determined by Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement (BALOA) and Lin's coefficient of concordance (LCC). Concordance between PTGL and GH based Disease Activity Score 28(DAS28), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) indices were calculated using LCC, and the level of agreement in classifying RA activity in four states (remission, low, moderate, high) using κ statistics. Results: Significant differences in relative and absolute contribution of RA and non-RA related variables in PTGL and GH ratings were noted. LCC of 0.64 and BALOA of -4.41 to 4.54 showed that PTGL and GH are not equivalent. There was excellent concordance (LCC 0.95-0.99) for PTGL and GH based DAS28, CDAI and RAPID3 indices, and >80% absolute agreement (κ statistics 0.75-0.84) in RA activity state classification for all three indices. Conclusions: PTGL and GH ratings differ in their determinants. Although they are individually not equivalent, they may be used interchangeably for calculating composite indices for RA activity assessment.
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| 12. |
- Malikova, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of inorganic nitrate in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension
- 2020
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Ingår i: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. - : WILEY. - 1742-7835 .- 1742-7843. ; 126:2, s. 99-109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide (NO) pathway represents an alternative source of NO generation, which is independent of NO synthase and potentiated by hypoxia. Augmentation of this pathway by dietary nitrate has proven favourable effects in several cardiovascular disease models. However, less is known regarding its potential value in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of oral inorganic nitrate administration in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. Male 12-week-old Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg). Nitrate treatment (0.3 or 1 mmol/kg/d; drinking water) commenced on day 12 following the MCT injection and continued for 16 days. Nitrate administration did not attenuate right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, increased lung weight and up-regulated mRNA expression of brain natriuretic peptide. Plasma nitrate and nitrite levels were significantly increased as well as lung nitrate level, whereas nitrite lung level was decreased following nitrate treatment (1 mmol/kg/d). MCT-induced PAH resulted in an increased MnSOD protein level, which was not observed following nitrate treatment. MCT-associated up-regulation of nNOS in the lung appeared to be dose-dependently prevented by nitrate treatment. Western blot analysis did not reveal any differences in eNOS, iNOS, XO or gp91phox expression in the lungs among the groups. In conclusion, nitrate treatment did not significantly attenuate pathological RV and lung remodelling in the rat MCT model of PAH. The suppression of MnSOD and nNOS expression by nitrate could be interpreted as reduced demand of endogenous antioxidant defence in this model.
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| 13. |
- Malinovschi, Andrei, et al.
(författare)
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Increased plasma and salivary nitrite and decreased bronchial contribution to exhaled NO in pulmonary arterial hypertension
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Investigation. - : Wiley. - 0014-2972 .- 1365-2362. ; 41:8, s. 889-897
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Conflicting results on exhaled NO in pulmonary hypertension (PH) exist. Therefore, we analysedexhaled NO, as well as systemic and local nitrite, a possible alternative source of NO, in PH with regard to PHaetiology.Methods Exhaled NO at multiple flow-rates, as well as plasma and salivary nitrite and nitrate, was measured in22 patients with PH and 21 healthy controls. Alveolar NO (CalvNO) and bronchial flux (J’awNO) were calculatedusing the slope–intercept model. Patients with PH were subdivided into pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)and PH WHO Groups II–IV, according to the WHO clinical classification of PH.Results Exhaled NO was reduced at flow-rates in the range of 20)200 mL s)1 in patients with PAH (n = 13) vs.PH WHO Group II–IV (n = 9) (P < 0Æ05 all). Patients with PAH had higher CalvNO than healthy controls [2Æ61(2Æ23, 3Æ36) vs. 1.97 ppb (1Æ22, 2Æ49), P = 0Æ03] and similar to PH WHO Group II–IV (P = 0Æ51). Patients with PAHhad lower J’awNO than patients with PH WHO Group II–IV or healthy controls [430 (371, 702) vs. 807 (557, 993)or 731 pL s)1 (580, 818), P < 0Æ05 both]. Subjects with PAH were characterized by higher levels of salivary andplasma nitrite than healthy controls (P < 0Æ05 both).Conclusions Patients with PAH have lower bronchial NO flux compared to healthy controls and patients withPH WHO Group II–IV along with elevated salivary and plasma nitrite compared to controls. This implies reducedbronchial NO synthase-derived NO formation in PAH. Increased alveolar NO levels were found in subjects withPH compared to controls, especially in subjects with PAH. This may reflect NO diffusion disturbances in thealveoli.
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| 14. |
- Molander, Pauliina, et al.
(författare)
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Tofacitinib real-world experience in ulcerative colitis in Finland (FinTofUC) : a retrospective non-interventional multicenter patient chart data study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5521 .- 1502-7708. ; 59:4, s. 425-432
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesThe aim was to define the effectiveness of tofacitinib and to characterize the patient population receiving tofacitinib in a real-world cohort clinical setting for ulcerative colitis (UC) in Finland.MethodsThis is a retrospective non-interventional multicenter patient chart data study conducted in 23 Finnish Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) centers. Baseline demographic and clinical data, clinical remission, steroid-free remission rate and time to tofacitinib discontinuation, colectomy or UC-related hospitalization were studied.ResultsThe study included 252 UC patients of which 69% were male. Most patients had extensive disease (71%) and were bio-experienced (81%). Tofacitinib demonstrated positive treatment outcomes with clinical response, clinical remission, and steroid-free clinical remission at one year in 33%, 34% and 31% of patients, respectively. Moreover, 64% of patients in pMayo remission at week 16 from the start of tofacitinib were still in remission at one year. Only no or mild disease activity compared to moderate activity at baseline was associated with a higher probability of achieving remission according to pMayo at six months, p = .008. Hospitalizations and/or colectomies during the study period (before treatment discontinuation/end of follow-up) were low (n = 24), with less than 5 colectomies.ConclusionsIn this real-world cohort, including a majority of bio-experienced UC patients, tofacitinib was effective in achieving steroid-free clinical remission in a third of the population at one year. A majority of patients in remission at week 16 were also in remission at one year. Results are in line with earlier published real-world studies. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05082428.
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| 15. |
- Naessen, Tord, et al.
(författare)
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Peripheral Vascular Ageing in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension as Assessed by Common Carotid Artery Intima Thickness and Intima/Media Thickness Ratio : An Investigation Using Non-Invasive High-Resolution Ultrasound
- 2023
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Ingår i: Heart, Lung and Circulation. - : Elsevier. - 1443-9506 .- 1444-2892. ; 32:3, s. 338-347
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; World Heath Organization [WHO] Group 1) is associated with increased pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance, with pulmonary vascular remodelling. The vascular anatomy of the systemic arteries has been less well studied.MethodNineteen (19) patients with PAH, confirmed by right heart catheterisation (RHC), 14 patients with left ventricular heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (LVrEF), and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled. Common carotid artery (CCA) intima thickness, intima/media (I/M) thickness ratio, and intima-media thickness (IMT) were assessed using non-invasive ultrasound (22 MHz centre frequency).ResultsThe CCA intima thickness was correlated with several RHC variables (all p<0.05). The intima was 56% thicker (+0.05 mm; 95% CI 0.03, 0.06; p<0.0001) and the I/M thickness ratio was 128% greater (+0.21; 95% CI 0.13, 0.28; p<0.0001) in patients with PAH than healthy subjects. These values were also significantly higher than in patients with LVrEF. In ROC curve analysis, the c-values for CCA intima thickness (0.92) and I/M ratio (0.87), but not for IMT, correctly indicated which individuals belonged to the PAH or healthy control groups. The CCA IMT showed no corresponding significant group differences or associations and was of no use according to receiver operating curve analysis.ConclusionsPatients with PAH displayed signs of peripheral vascular remodelling, challenging the common opinion that vascular changes in PAH are restricted to the lung vasculature. Correlations with cardiopulmonary variables from RHC support peripheral vascular coupling and the association with vascular ageing. Results from this pilot study warrant further confirmation.
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| 16. |
- Naranjo, A., et al.
(författare)
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Smokers and non-smokers with rheumatoid arthritis have similar clinical status : data from the multinational QUEST-RA database
- 2010
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. - 0392-856X .- 1593-098X. ; 28:6, s. 820-827
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives To analyse clinical severity/activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to smoking status. Methods The QUEST-RA multinational database reviews patients for Core Data Set measures including 28 swollen and tender joint count, physician global estimate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), HAQ-function, pain, and patient global estimate, as well as DAS28, rheumatoid factor (RE), nodules, erosions and number of DMARDs were recorded. Smoking status was assessed by self-report as "never smoked", "currently smoking" and "former smokers". Patient groups with different smoking status were compared for demographic and RA measures. Results Among the 7,307 patients with smoking data available, status as "never smoked," "current smoker" and "former smoker" were reported by 65%, 15% and 20%. Ever smokers were more likely to be RF-positive (OR 1.32; 1.17-1.48, p<0.001). Rheumatoid nodules were more frequent in ever smokers (OR 1.41; 1.24-1.59, p<0.001). The percentage of patients with erosive arthritis and extra-articular disease was similar in all smoking categories. Mean DAS28 was 4.4 (SD 1.6) in non-smokers vs. 4.0 (SD 1.6) in those who had ever smoked. However, when adjusted by age, sex, disease duration, and country gross domestic product, only ESR remained significantly different among Core Data Set measures (mean 31.7mm in non-smokers vs. 26.8mm in ever smoked category). Conclusion RA patients who had ever smoked were more likely to have RF and nodules, hut values for other clinical status measures were similar in all smoking categories (never smoked, current smokers and former smokers).
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| 17. |
- Ortsater, Gustaf, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical and Economic Burden of Pediatric Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis : A Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study in Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: Dermatology and Therapy. - : Springer. - 2193-8210 .- 2190-9172. ; 11, s. 161-172
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition characterized by pruritic, eczematous lesions. Recent evidence suggests that AD may be a systemic disorder, implying that management of this disease extends beyond merely controlling symptoms associated with AD. Even though this disease is highly prevalent in children and patients typically present with mild-to-moderate symptoms, the disease burden is not well established.Methods: A large, retrospective cohort study of Swedish population data was conducted to compare the clinical burden in terms of healthcare resource use and direct medical costs for pediatric mild-to-moderate (pM2M) AD patients (<= 14 years of age, N = 87,721) with matched controls. The burden of a severe AD cohort was also evaluated. Severity of AD was defined by treatment usage and systemic treatment was used as a proxy for severe AD. A robust approach was used by including any type of secondary care visits known to be more common in AD patients than in the general population; however, data for primary care visits were not available.Results: For healthcare resource use, the incidence rate ratio (pM2M AD versus reference cohort) of secondary care visits ranged from 1.56 to 2.35 during each of 5 years after AD onset (all p < 0.001), with largest differences seen in years 1-2. The average direct medical cost (SD) was euro1111 (3416) and euro524 (2446) in the pM2M AD and reference cohorts, respectively. The corresponding estimate in the severe AD cohort was euro1906 (7067). Including all secondary care visits and pharmacy-dispensed medications, the pM2M AD cohort was shown to have an additional euro118.9 million in direct medical costs over 5 years compared with the reference cohort.Conclusions: This study shows significant clinical and economic burden of pM2M AD with important secondary care resource utilization, suggesting a need for further research to increase treatment options and improve the management of these patients.
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| 18. |
- Ortsäter, Gustaf, et al.
(författare)
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Societal economic burden and determinants of costs for atopic dermatitis
- 2022
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Ingår i: JEADV Clinical Practice. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2768-6566. ; 1:4, s. 326-343
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease while the economic burden of AD by severity is not adequately understood.Objective: To estimate the societal economic burden and to identify cost determinants of AD.Methods: In this population-based, controlled cohort study in Sweden, patients with AD were identified through diagnosis codes in primary or secondary care or by dispensed medications using administrative healthcare registers. A reference cohort without AD was randomly selected from the general population. Healthcare costs (primary/secondary care visits and dispensed medication) and indirect costs (care for sick children and long-term sick leave for adults) were calculated annually. AD patients were stratified by age (paediatric [age < 12], adolescent [12 ≤ age < 18] or adult [age ≥ 18]), and severity (mild-to-moderate [M2M] or severe AD) and matched to the reference cohort.Results: Compared with controls, the annual mean per-patient direct healthcare costs in the first year following diagnosis were €941 and €1259 higher in paediatric patients with M2M and severe AD, respectively. In the first year following diagnosis, the mean indirect cost for care of sick children was €69 and €78 higher per patient in M2M and severe AD, respectively. In adolescents with M2M and severe AD, direct healthcare costs were €816 and €1260 higher, respectively. In adults, healthcare costs were €1583 and €2963 higher in patients with M2M and severe AD, respectively and indirect costs were €148 and €263 higher compared with controls. Management of comorbid medical conditions was an important driver of incremental healthcare costs. Total incremental societal economic burden for AD was €351 and €96 million higher in patients with M2M and severe AD, respectively, compared to controls.Conclusion: AD is associated with a significant societal economic burden primarily driven by the cost burden of M2M AD due to the high prevalence of this population. Regardless of severity level, management of non-AD comorbidities is a major driver of total costs.
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| 19. |
- Sandqvist, Anna, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Acute vasodilator response to vardenafil and clinical outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension
- 2015
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-6970 .- 1432-1041. ; 71:10, s. 1165-1173
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Acute vasodilator testing is recommended in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension to identify individuals who may benefit from long-term treatment with oral calcium channel blockers. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of vardenafil in acute vasoreactivity testing compared to adenosine.METHODS: A total of 20 patients eligible for right heart catheterisation were enrolled. Acute vasoreactivity testing was carried out with intravenous (iv) adenosine (n = 18) followed by oral vardenafil (n = 20). Haemodynamic responses were recorded at baseline and after 60 min (vardenafil). Responders were defined according to consensus guideline criteria.RESULTS: Both vardenafil and adenosine significantly decreased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP, p < 0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively) and pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.001 and p > 0.001, respectively), and significantly increased cardiac output (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Vardenafil reduced mPAP more than adenosine (p = 0.044), while adenosine resulted in higher responses of cardiac index (p = 0.009) and pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation (p = 0.042). Acute adverse reactions were common with adenosine, while no side effects were observed after a single oral dose vardenafil. Vardenafil identified five responders (out of 20), while adenosine identified three responders (out of 18). During a 7-year follow-up, vardenafil responders had significantly lower NT-proBNP levels compared to non-responders.CONCLUSIONS: Vardenafil may be safely used for acute vasoreactivity testing in patients with PH. A single oral dose of vardenafil is better tolerated than iv adenosine and may identify additional responders who could benefit from long-term vasodilator treatment.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Sandqvist, Anna, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Differences in plasma L-arginine and dimethylarginines in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: a prospective observational study
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Introduction Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening condition, characterized by an imbalance in vasoactive substances and remodelling of pulmonary vasculature. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) inhibits the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which generates nitric oxide (NO), a molecule causing smooth muscle cell relaxation. Our aim was to investigate the plasma concentrations of ADMA, symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA), L-arginine, L-ornithine and L- citrulline at diagnosis and during PAH-specific treatment in patients with PAH compared to patients with left heart failure (LVHF) and healthy subjects.Methods This is an observational, prospective multicentre study of 21 PAH patients. For comparison 14 patients with LVHF and 27 healthy subjects were investigated. Blood samples were collected and ADMA, SDMA, L-arginine, L-ornithine and L-citrulline were analysed with liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Results Baseline plasma concentrations of ADMA and SDMA were higher whereas the L-arginine concentrations and L-arginine/ADMA ratio were lower in PAH patients compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001). Patients with PAH had lower L-arginine concentration than patients with LVHF (p<0.05). WHO functional class and six minutes walking distance (6MWD) correlated to L-arginine and L- arginine/ADMA in PAH at baseline (p<0.05). At follow-up, patients on mono- or combination therapy with endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA) had lower ADMA levels than patients without ERA (p<0.05). In contrast, patients on phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5-inhibitors) had higher ADMA levels compared to patients without PDE5-inhibitor treatment (p<0.05).Conclusion Concentrations of L-arginine were decreased and dimethylarginines were increased in PAH compared to healthy subjects. L-arginine was decreased in PAH compared to LVHF. L- arginine/ADMA ratio correlated to WHO functional class and L-arginine and L-arginine/ADMA ratio correlated to 6MWD. PAH-specific treatment influences the levels of L-arginine and dimethylarginines.
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| 22. |
- Sandqvist, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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High inter-individual variability of vardenafil pharmacokinetics in patients with pulmonary hypertension
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-6970 .- 1432-1041. ; 69:2, s. 197-207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of a single oral dose of vardenafil in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Sixteen patients with PH received vardenafil in single oral doses (20, 10 or 5 mg), and repeated blood sampling for up to 9 h was performed. Vardenafil plasma concentration was determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using model-independent analysis. The plasma vardenafil concentration increased rapidly and exhibited a median time to maximum plasma concentration (t(max)) of 1 h and a mean elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of 3.4 h. The geometric mean and standard deviation of (1) the peak plasma concentration (C-max) was 21.4 +/- 1.7 mu g/L, (2) the normalized C-max (C-max,C- norm) 79.1 +/- 1.6 g/L, (3) the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) 71.5 +/- 1.6 mu g center dot h/L and (4) the normalized AUC (AUC(norm)) 261.6 A +/- 1.7 g center dot h/L. Patients co-medicated with bosentan reached t(max) later and had a 90% reduction of C-max, C-max,C- norm, AUC and AUC(norm). The pharmacokinetic profile of vardenafil overall revealed considerable inter-individual variability in patients with PH. Co-medication with bosentan resulted in a pharmacokinetic drug interaction, leading to significantly decreased plasma concentrations of vardenafil. Therapeutic drug monitoring for individual dose optimization may be warranted.
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| 23. |
- Sokka, T., et al.
(författare)
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Disparities in rheumatoid arthritis disease activity according to gross domestic product in 25 countries in the QUEST-RA database
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 68:11, s. 1666-1672
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To analyse associations between the clinical status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) and the gross domestic product (GDP) of their resident country. Methods: The Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (QUEST-RA) cohort includes clinical and questionnaire data from 6004 patients who were seen in usual care at 70 rheumatology clinics in 25 countries as of April 2008, including 18 European countries. Demographic variables, clinical characteristics, RA disease activity measures, including the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), and treatment-related variables were analysed according to GDP per capita, including 14 "high GDP'' countries with GDP per capita greater than US$ 24 000 and 11 "low GDP'' countries with GDP per capita less than US$ 11 000. Results: Disease activity DAS28 ranged between 3.1 and 6.0 among the 25 countries and was significantly associated with GDP (r = -0.78, 95% CI -0.56 to -0.90, r(2) = 61%). Disease activity levels differed substantially between "high GDP'' and "low GDP'' countries at much greater levels than according to whether patients were currently taking or not taking methotrexate, prednisone and/or biological agents. Conclusions: The clinical status of patients with RA was correlated significantly with GDP among 25 mostly European countries according to all disease measures, associated only modestly with the current use of antirheumatic medications. The burden of arthritis appears substantially greater in "low GDP'' than in "high GDP'' countries. These findings may alert healthcare professionals and designers of health policy towards improving the clinical status of patients with RA in all countries.
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| 24. |
- Sokka, Tuulikki, et al.
(författare)
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Women, men, and rheumatoid arthritis : analyses of disease activity, disease characteristics, and treatments in the QUEST-RA Study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 11:1, s. R7-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Gender as a predictor of outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evoked considerable interest over the decades. Historically, there is no consensus whether RA is worse in females or males. Recent reports suggest that females are less likely than males to achieve remission. Therefore, we aimed to study possible associations of gender and disease activity, disease characteristics, and treatments of RA in a large multinational cross-sectional cohort of patients with RA called Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA). Methods The cohort includes clinical and questionnaire data from patients who were seen in usual care, including 6,004 patients at 70 sites in 25 countries as of April 2008. Gender differences were analyzed for American College of Rheumatology Core Data Set measures of disease activity, DAS28 (disease activity score using 28 joint counts), fatigue, the presence of rheumatoid factor, nodules and erosions, and the current use of prednisone, methotrexate, and biologic agents. Results Women had poorer scores than men in all Core Data Set measures. The mean values for females and males were swollen joint count-28 (SJC28) of 4.5 versus 3.8, tender joint count-28 of 6.9 versus 5.4, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 30 versus 26, Health Assessment Questionnaire of 1.1 versus 0.8, visual analog scales for physician global estimate of 3.0 versus 2.5, pain of 4.3 versus 3.6, patient global status of 4.2 versus 3.7, DAS28 of 4.3 versus 3.8, and fatigue of 4.6 versus 3.7 (P < 0.001). However, effect sizes were small-medium and smallest (0.13) for SJC28. Among patients who had no or minimal disease activity (0 to 1) on SJC28, women had statistically significantly higher mean values compared with men in all other disease activity measures (P < 0.001) and met DAS28 remission less often than men. Rheumatoid factor was equally prevalent among genders. Men had nodules more often than women. Women had erosions more often than men, but the statistical significance was marginal. Similar proportions of females and males were taking different therapies. Conclusions In this large multinational cohort, RA disease activity measures appear to be worse in women than in men. However, most of the gender differences in RA disease activity may originate from the measures of disease activity rather than from RA disease activity itself.
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| 25. |
- Sokka, Tuulikki, et al.
(författare)
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Work disability remains a major problem in rheumatoid arthritis in the 2000s : data from 32 countries in the QUEST-RA Study
- 2010
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 12:2, s. R42-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION:Work disability is a major consequence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), associated not only with traditional disease activity variables, but also more significantly with demographic, functional, occupational, and societal variables. Recent reports suggest that the use of biologic agents offers potential for reduced work disability rates, but the conclusions are based on surrogate disease activity measures derived from studies primarily from Western countries.METHODS:The Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA) multinational database of 8,039 patients in 86 sites in 32 countries, 16 with high gross domestic product (GDP) (>24K US dollars (USD) per capita) and 16 low-GDP countries (<11K USD), was analyzed for work and disability status at onset and over the course of RA and clinical status of patients who continued working or had stopped working in high-GDP versus low-GDP countries according to all RA Core Data Set measures. Associations of work disability status with RA Core Data Set variables and indices were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses.RESULTS:At the time of first symptoms, 86% of men (range 57%-100% among countries) and 64% (19%-87%) of women <65 years were working. More than one third (37%) of these patients reported subsequent work disability because of RA. Among 1,756 patients whose symptoms had begun during the 2000s, the probabilities of continuing to work were 80% (95% confidence interval (CI) 78%-82%) at 2 years and 68% (95% CI 65%-71%) at 5 years, with similar patterns in high-GDP and low-GDP countries. Patients who continued working versus stopped working had significantly better clinical status for all clinical status measures and patient self-report scores, with similar patterns in high-GDP and low-GDP countries. However, patients who had stopped working in high-GDP countries had better clinical status than patients who continued working in low-GDP countries. The most significant identifier of work disability in all subgroups was Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) functional disability score.CONCLUSIONS:Work disability rates remain high among people with RA during this millennium. In low-GDP countries, people remain working with high levels of disability and disease activity. Cultural and economic differences between societies affect work disability as an outcome measure for RA.
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