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Biomedical subjects

M Doherty

Publications and source records attributed to M Doherty.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Common regional pain syndromes. II.

In subacromial bursitis, trochanteric bursitis and gluteal enthesopathy, large volume injections may be required to control symptoms--they should be backed up with advice on prevention of recurrence.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

A controlled study of hand function in nodal and erosive osteoarthritis.

Hand function using a standardised test of activities of daily living was assessed in (a) 57 patients (53 female, four male; mean age 69 years) with established (that is, symptom onset greater than 10 years before) nodal generalised osteoarthritis (NGOA); (b) 10 patients (nine female, one male; mean age 70 years) with established erosive osteoarthritis (EOA); and (c) 52 matched controls (48 female, four male; mean age 71 years) with asymptomatic, clinically normal hands. Although significant differences between controls and patient groups were observed for individual tasks, only minor global impairment was seen, the worst function occurring in patients with EOA. There was no consistent correlation between tested aspects of hand function and extent of radiographic change assessed by summated graded score for separate osteoarthritic features in individual joints. In controls increasing age correlated with longer time to complete all tasks and weaker power grip; a similar, less pronounced correlation occurred in patients. Differences between controls and patients with NGOA were most apparent in younger subjects; in the elderly (greater than 80 years) hand function was essentially the same. This study shows good functional outcome for patients with NGOA, and suggests that the OA process is of little functional importance to the aging hand.

Activities of Daily Living↗

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

HLA-A, B and alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotypes were studied in 90 unrelated patients with established nodal generalised osteoarthritis (OA). Compared with standard reference populations, independently increased frequency of the HLA-A1B8 and MZ alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotypes were observed (27% v 11.5%, relative risk 2.79, and 12% v 3.6%, relative risk 3.73 respectively). These associations related to developed of nodal generalised OA rather than to severity as judged by the summated radiographic scores for hand OA. Ten patients had marked subchondral radiographic erosions and were further classified as erosive OA; these patients had an increased frequency of the MS alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotype (30% v 9%) and higher radiographic OA scores corrected for presence of erosions. This first report of two independent genetic markers in nodal generalised OA is of interest in relation to the increasingly recognised inflammatory component of the osteoarthritis process.

Aged↗

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

Feverfew, reputed by folklore to be effective in arthritis, has in vitro properties that could be beneficial in the control of inflammatory disease. Forty one female patients with symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis received either dried chopped feverfew (70-86 mg) or placebo capsules once daily for six weeks. Allocation was random and not known by patient or observer. Variables assessed included stiffness, pain (visual analogue scale), grip strength, articular index, full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, urea, creatinine, C reactive protein, complement breakdown products (C3dg), rheumatoid factor titre, immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), functional capacity, and patient and observer global opinions. One patient (placebo) withdrew after three days and was not included in the analysis. Treatment and placebo groups (20 patients each) were well matched at entry. No important differences between the clinical or laboratory variables of the groups were observed during the six week period. This study therefore shows no apparent benefit from oral feverfew in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗

Crystal deposition in hypophosphatasia: a reappraisal.

Six subjects (three female, three male; age range 38-85 years) with adult onset hypophosphatasia are described. Three presented atypically with calcific periarthritis (due to apatite) in the absence of osteopenia; two had classical presentation with osteopenic fracture; and one was the asymptomatic father of one of the patients with calcific periarthritis. All three subjects over age 70 had isolated polyarticular chondrocalcinosis due to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition; four of the six had spinal hyperostosis, extensive in two (Forestier's disease). The apparent paradoxical association of hypophosphatasia with calcific periarthritis and spinal hyperostosis is discussed in relation to the known effects of inorganic pyrophosphate on apatite crystal nucleation and growth.

Adult↗

Primary osteoarthritis of the elbow.

Sixteen patients (14 male, two female; mean age 61, range 49-75 years) with elbow osteoarthritis (OA) unassociated with nodal or crystal related OA were studied. None had received obvious trauma. The dominant elbow was affected in 14, the other in 12 (mean symptom onset in these 26 elbows 53 years (range 31-63), mean symptom duration 7 year (range 1-20]. Joint fluids (six patients) were non-inflammatory: biopsy (two) showed non-specific synovitis. Radiographic changes occurred in humeroulnar (25/26, 96%), humeroradial (100%), and radioulnar (22/26, 85%) compartments: uniform narrowing with hypertrophic change predominated and osseous bodies were common (18/26, 69%). Thirteen had OA elsewhere, notably 2nd/3rd metacarpophalangeal joints (10/16, 62%), knees (6/16, 38%), and hips (5/16, 31%). A good clinical outcome was observed in 22/26 elbows. In our experience symptomatic 'primary' OA of the elbow particularly affects middle aged men, commonly associate with metacarpophalangeal OA ('Missouri metacarpal syndrome'), and has a favourable outcome. Contrary to previous reports a major role for trauma is difficult to substantiate.

Aged↗

Quantitative sonography of muscle.

Ultrasound imaging allows detection of pathologic change in muscle on the basis of increased strength of echoes. With current commercial equipment, however, there is no method of quantitation of the echoes representing muscle, and there is lack of uniformity in scanning methodology. We describe a specially constructed scanning system, designed to access the raw echo data directly from the ultrasound transducer, and allow display and measurement of the echo signals on a computer. In a study of 38 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged 1 to 11 years, who had an ultrasound scan of the thigh muscle, 32 (84%) had abnormality on quantitation of the ultrasound echoes. The quantitative techniques we describe could easily be incorporated into the design of ultrasound scanners.

Adolescent↗

Crystal-associated rheumatic disease. Current management considerations.

Safe, effective treatment is available for acute crystal-associated arthropathy. It is time for some older remedies, phenylbutazone and perhaps colchicine, to give way to more modern regimens of combined NSAID therapy and intra-articular steroid injection. Hypouricaemic agents have revolutionised the management of gout but are not without their dangers, and there is a need for re-emphasis on the value of dietary measures and control of alcohol and diuretic use. At present only symptomatic management is available for chronic pyrophosphate- and hydroxyapatite-associated disease.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Beta-thalassemia mutations in Indonesia and their linkage to beta haplotypes.

A total of 72 chromosomes from 36 Indonesian patients, 23 with beta-thalassemia major and 13 with Hb E-beta-thalassemia, were analyzed by specific oligonucleotide hybridization after DNA amplification. Thirteen had the beta E mutation (codon 26 GAG----AAG). Of the 59-beta-thalassemic chromosomes, 32 were of the variant IVS-1 nt5 (G----C). Seven had the mutation IVS-2 nt654 (C----T), one had the mutation codon 41/42 (deletion CTTT), and one had the mutation codon 17 (AAG----TAG). Another six with the mutation IVS-1 nt1 (G----T), one with the mutation IVS-1 nt1 (G----A), four with the mutation codon 15 (TGG----TAG), one with a mutation codon 30 (AGG----ACG), and one with a mutation codon 35 (deletion C) were first identified by direct sequencing of a patient's genomic DNA followed by further hybridizing other patients' DNA with the appropriate oligonucleotide probes. Five did not carry the common mutations previously described in Asian populations. The four most prevalent mutations encountered made up 83% of the total number of beta-thalassemic chromosomes studied. The most common mutation, IVS-1 nt5 (G----C), was mostly associated with two different haplotypes.

Blotting, Southern↗