Radiolabelled lymphocyte migration in rheumatoid synovitis

Article Abstract:

Radioactively labeled lymphocytes can aid in diagnosing joint inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Lymphocytes are blood cells involved in inflammatory reactions. They congregate in inflamed joints. Measuring their numbers could provide an objective means of measuring the degree of joint inflammation. Eight patients with RA had blood drawn. The lymphocytes were separated and labeled with technetium-99m and reinjected. Scintigraphy was carried out at 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 20 hours after injection on wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. Joint inflammation was also evaluated by scoring pain and swelling, and X rays were taken to evaluate erosion and joint space narrowing. With early stage disease, active arthritis was seen at 30 minutes, intensity increased at 3 hours, and signal persisted at 20 hours. With long standing disease, arthritic joints were seen at 30 minutes, intensity was unchanged at 3 hours, and declined by 20 hours. A stronger signal at 20 hours correlated with higher scores of joint pain and swelling.

Synovitis, Lymphatics, Lymphatic system, Radionuclide imaging

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Oral contraception, parity, breast feeding, and severity of rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

The use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) seems to have a protective effect on disease progression, while having several children appears to predict a more severe disease progression in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers evaluated the effects of OCP use, number of children, and breastfeeding on RA disease severity in 176 mothers with RA. More women with mild RA disease had taken OCPs (44%) as compared to those with severe RA disease (21.7%). However, the group of women with severe RA disease was significantly older than those with mild RA disease. There was a 5.75-fold greater risk for severe RA disease in women who had more than three children. Women who breastfed their children had a slightly increased risk for severe RA disease.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Oral contraceptives, Breast feeding

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Effects of moderate renal insufficiency on pharmacokinetics of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Article Abstract:

Kidney disease may substantially alter the absorption, distribution and excretion of the drug methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers monitored concentrations of the medication in 77 arthritis patients. In those with reduced creatinine clearance rates, a measure of kidney insufficiency, methotrexate concentrations were 1.3 to 1.6 times higher than in patients with better kidney function. Drug elimination was also slower in patients with impaired kidney function. Kidney function should guide methotrexate dosing in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Research, Usage, Drug therapy, Dosage and administration, Methotrexate, Kidney diseases, Glomerular filtration rate, Pharmacokinetics

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