A controlled study of hand function in nodal and erosive osteoarthritis

Article Abstract:

Osteoarthritis (OA), a long-term disease of the joints, is characterized by destruction of joint cartilage, overgrowth and abnormal formation of the bone, and impaired joint function. OA affecting several sites and associated with the formation of nodes or aggregations of cells is called nodal generalized osteoarthritis (NGOA), and occurs most often in the fifth and sixth decades of life. The severity of symptoms and the degree of functional impairment of the joints are the most important factors affecting outcome. The effects of OA on the normal changes in the functional capacity of the hand that occur with aging are not known. Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) differs from NGOA in having more inflammation, erosion of the bone at the joint, and greater instability and ankylosis, or immobility, of the joint. EOA would be expected to affect hand function adversely. Hand function, pain, and X-ray changes were assessed in 57 patients with NGOA, ten patients with EOA, and 52 normal subjects. Patients with EOA showed the greatest impairment of hand function. There was no relation between hand function and extent of X-ray change. Among normal subjects, older persons took longer to complete all tasks involving hand function and had a weaker power grip, and a similar correlation was observed among the patients. The difference between NGOA patients and normal subjects was more pronounced among younger persons, while persons older than 80 years had similar hand function in both groups. The results show that the functional outcome in NGOA patients is good, and OA has little effect on the function of the aging hand. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Complications and side effects, Hand, Joint diseases

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HLA-A, B antigens and alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes in nodal generalised osteoarthritis and erosive osteoarthritis

Article Abstract:

Osteoarthritis (OA), a long-term joint disease, is characterized by destruction of the cartilage in the joint, and overgrowth, malformation, and impaired function of the bone. The disease is subdivided into different groups based on the extent of the disease, X-ray features, crystal deposits within the joint, and causes. The nodal generalized OA subgroup is characterized by involvement of the joints in the fingers and base of thumb, is more common among in women, occurs in the early phase of inflammation, involves the formation of Heberden nodes (hard aggregations of cells) in the finger joints, and tends to be familial. The erosive OA subgroup resembles nodal generalized OA but is associated with extensive inflammation and erosion of tissue below the cartilage in the joint. Some studies have shown that nodal generalized OA is associated with certain genetic markers, specifically histocompatibility antigens (HLA), whereas other studies do not show this relation. The prevalence of certain genetic markers, HLA-A, B and alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes was assessed in 90 patients with nodal generalized OA. There was an increased frequency of the genetic markers HLA-A1B8 and MZ alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes in patients with nodal generalized OA, and this was associated with the development rather than with the severity of the disease, as determined by X-ray. Ten patients had erosive OA and increased frequency of the MZ alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotype. This is the first report of two independent genetic markers for nodal generalized OA. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Measurement, Genetic aspects, HLA antigens, Genetic markers, Histocompatibility antigens

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Feverfew in rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind, placebo controlled study

Article Abstract:

Many patients with long-term, painful illness become dissatisfied with conventional treatments because of adverse side effects or lack of effectiveness. These patients may try alternative forms of therapy, such as herbal remedies, which have gained in popularity because of their low cost, natural origin, and lack of adverse side effects. According to folklore, the herb Tanacetum parthenium, known as feverfew, is effective in treating migraine, psoriasis, and arthritis (inflammation of the joints). One study showed that an extract of feverfew prevented the release of substances from polymorphonuclear cells, which are involved in inflammatory processes. Two studies indicated those suffering from migraine also benefit from feverfew. The therapeutic effects of feverfew were evaluated in 41 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a joint disease characterized by inflammation of the joints, stiffness, swelling, enlargement of the cartilage, and pain. Six weeks after treatment, the following indicators of disease activity were assessed in the patients: stiffness, pain, and grip strength; blood factors, such as immune substances; the functional capacity of the patient; and patient and observer opinions of improvement. There were no differences between the laboratory and clinical measurements of patients receiving feverfew and patients who received no treatment. These findings indicate that feverfew has no therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Evaluation, Rheumatoid arthritis, Alternative medicine, Herbals

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