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P Emery

Publications and source records attributed to P Emery.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentre trial of combination therapy with methotrexate plus ciclosporin in patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of adding ciclosporin A (CSA) to the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) demonstrating an incomplete response to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy. METHODS: In a 12 month, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial at five centres in three countries, 72 patients with active PsA with an incomplete response to MTX were randomised to receive either CSA (n = 38) or placebo (n = 34). Patients underwent full clinical and radiological assessment and, in addition, high resolution ultrasound (HRUS) was performed at one centre. An intention to treat (last observation carried forward) analysis was employed. RESULTS: Some significant improvements were noted at 12 months in both groups. However, in the active but not the placebo arm there were significant improvements in swollen joint count, mean (SD), from 11.7 (9.7) to 6.7 (6.5) (p<0.001) and C reactive protein, from 17.4 (14.5) to 12.7 (14.3) mg/l (p<0.05) as compared with baseline. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score improved in the active group (2 (2.3) to 0.8 (1.3)) as compared with placebo (2.2 (2.7) to 1.9 (2.8)), p<0.001, and synovitis detected by HRUS (33 patients, 285 joints) was reduced by 33% in the active group compared with 6% in the placebo group (p<0.05). No improvement in Health Assessment Questionnaire or pain scores was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Synovitis detected by HRUS was significantly reduced. Combining CSA and MTX treatment in patients with active PsA, and a partial response to MTX, significantly improves the signs of inflammation but not pain or quality of life.

Adolescent↗

Debridement of plantar callosities in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare forefoot pain, pressure and function before and after normal and sham callus treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight RA patients were randomly assigned to normal (NCT group) or sham (SCT) scalpel debridement. The sham procedure comprised blunt-edged scalpel paring of the callus which delivered a physical stimulus but left the hyperkeratotic tissue intact, the procedure being partially obscured from the patient. Forefoot pain was assessed using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure using a high-resolution foot pressure scanner and function using the spatial-temporal gait parameters measured on an instrumented walkway. Radiographic scores of joint erosion were obtained for metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints with and without overlying callosities. The trial consisted of a randomized sham-controlled phase evaluating the immediate same-day treatment effect and an unblinded 4-week follow-up phase. RESULTS: During the sham-controlled phase, forefoot pain improved in both groups by only 3 points on a VAS and no statistically significant between-group difference was found (P = 0.48). When data were pooled during the unblinded phase, the improvement in forefoot pain reached a peak after 2 days and gradually lessened over the next 28 days. Following debridement, peak pressures at the callus sites decreased in the NCT group and increased in the SCT group, but there was no statistically significant between-group difference (P = 0.16). The area of and duration of contact of the callus site on the ground remained unchanged following treatment in both groups. Following debridement, walking speed was increased, the stride-length was longer and the double-support time shorter in both groups; however, between-group differences did not reach levels of statistical significance. MTP joints with overlying callus were significantly more eroded than those without (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of painful plantar callosities in RA using scalpel debridement lessened forefoot pain but the effect was no greater than sham treatment. Localized pressure or gait function was not significantly improved following treatment.

Adult↗

Outcomes of a multicentre randomised clinical trial of etanercept to treat ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: A double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of etanercept to treat adult patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Adult patients with AS at 14 European sites were randomly assigned to 25 mg injections of etanercept or placebo twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was an improvement of at least 20% in patient reported symptoms, based on the multicomponent Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis (ASAS) response criteria (ASAS 20). Secondary end points included ASAS 50 and ASAS 70 responses and improved scores on individual components of ASAS, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), acute phase reactants, and spinal mobility tests. Safety was evaluated during scheduled visits. RESULTS: Of 84 patients enrolled, 45 received etanercept and 39 received placebo. Significantly more etanercept patients than placebo patients responded at the ASAS 20 level as early as week 2, and sustained differences were evident up to week 12. Significantly more etanercept patients reported ASAS 50 responses at all times and ASAS 70 responses at weeks 2, 4, and 8; reported lower composite and fatigue BASDAI scores; had lower acute phase reactant levels; and had improved spinal flexion. Etanercept was well tolerated. Most adverse events were mild to moderate; the only between-group difference was injection site reactions, which occurred significantly more often in etanercept patients. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept is a well tolerated and effective treatment for reducing clinical symptoms and signs of AS.

Adult↗

When a DMARD fails, should patients switch to sulfasalazine or add sulfasalazine to continuing leflunomide?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding sulfasalazine to leflunomide treatment compared with switching to sulfasalazine alone in patients with RA with an inadequate response to leflunomide monotherapy. METHODS: Patients with active RA ((DAS28) >3.2) who were enrolled in the first open label phase of the RELIEF study received leflunomide for 24 weeks. Inadequate responders then entered the double blind phase and received a further 24 weeks' treatment with leflunomide (20 mg once daily) plus sulfasalazine (final dose 2 g once daily), or placebo plus sulfasalazine (dose as above). The primary efficacy variable was the DAS28 response rate, and secondary efficacy outcomes were ACR 20%, 50%, and 70% response rates. Adverse events, including standard laboratory tests, were recorded. RESULTS: 106 inadequate responders entered the double blind phase; 56 received leflunomide plus sulfasalazine, and 50 placebo plus sulfasalazine. In the intention to treat population, more patients receiving leflunomide plus sulfasalazine (25/56 (45%)) achieved a DAS28 response than those receiving placebo plus sulfasalazine (17/50 (34%)) (p = 0.179). In week 24 completers, more patients receiving leflunomide plus sulfasalazine (17/56 (30%)) were DAS28 responders than those receiving placebo plus sulfasalazine (10/50 (20%)) (p = 0.081). Comparable numbers in each group were ACR 20% responders; the ACR 50% response rate was significantly higher in the leflunomide plus sulfasalazine group (8.9%) than in the placebo plus sulfasalazine group (0%) (p = 0.038). The safety profiles of both groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: Patient numbers are small and firm conclusions cannot be reached, but a non-significant benefit is indicated for combining leflunomide with sulfasalazine compared with switching to sulfasalazine alone in patients inadequately responding to leflunomide.

Adolescent↗

Efficacy of anakinra in active ankylosing spondylitis: a clinical and magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of anakinra, an interleukin 1 receptor antagonist in active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to investigate the effect of anakinra treatment on spinal enthesitis/osteitis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A 3 month open label study of anakinra (100 mg subcutaneous injection daily) was carried out in nine patients with active AS who had back pain and an increased acute phase response, and who had failed to respond to at least one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Clinical assessment included the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and AS Quality of Life (ASQoL) before and after treatment. Fat suppressed MRI of the spine and sacroiliac joints was performed with a 1.5 T scanner at baseline and at 3 months to determine the effect of treatment on spinal enthesitis/osteitis. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found in the BASFI (median baseline 5.88, 3 months 3.63, p = 0.021), BASDAI (median baseline 5.63, 3 months 3.48, p = 0.028), ASQoL (median baseline 12, 3 months 8, p = 0.011) and laboratory measures reflecting inflammation, with C reactive protein (median baseline 31 mg/l, 3 months 17 mg/l, p = 0.036) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (median baseline 19 mm/1st h, 3 months 15 mm/1st h, p = 0.008) also showing significant improvement. Six patients (67%) achieved the Assessments in AS (ASAS) Working Group criteria of 20% improvement. Of the 38 regions of enthesitis/osteitis determined by MRI at baseline, 23 (61%) either improved or regressed completely. CONCLUSIONS: This open label pilot study suggests that anakinra is effective in controlling the clinical manifestations of AS. The clinical response was reflected by an improvement in MRI determined spinal enthesitis/osteitis.

Adult↗

True infliximab resistance in rheumatoid arthritis: a role for lymphotoxin alpha?

BACKGROUND: The combination of methotrexate and the anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) antibody infliximab is a very effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a proportion of patients are not responsive to this treatment. Inefficacy may represent a TNFalpha independent disease or insufficient drug at the site of action. CASE REPORT: A patient with RA resistant to repeated high dose infliximab infusions and intra-articular infliximab into an inflamed knee is described. No beneficial clinical effect was observed. Pre-injection arthroscopic biopsy of the study knee demonstrated TNFalpha staining but also confirmed the presence of lymphotoxin alpha (LTalpha or TNFbeta) on immunohistochemistry. Subsequent treatment with etanercept (which blocks LTalpha as well as TNFalpha) resulted in clinical remission of disease. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that resistance to TNF blockade may occur when TNFalpha is not the dominant inflammatory cytokine and suggests that LTalpha may have a pathogenic role in RA.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Validation and reproducibility of ultrasonography in the detection of synovitis in the knee: a comparison with arthroscopy and clinical examination.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate detection of synovitis is important in both the diagnosis and outcome assessment of arthritis. This study was undertaken to assess the validity and reproducibility of ultrasonography (US) as a means of detecting synovitis in the knee, by comparing US findings with findings of arthroscopy and clinical examination. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with knee pain due to various arthritides had a clinical examination and US of their knee performed immediately prior to arthroscopy. All 3 assessments were performed by different clinicians who were blinded to the results obtained with the other modalities. US and clinical examination were compared with arthroscopically detected synovitis as the gold standard. Data from a subset of patients were used for calculating the inter- and intrareader reproducibility of US results, using a standard dichotomous (absence/presence of synovitis) as well as a graded (absence/grade of synovitis) scoring system. RESULTS: With the use of arthroscopy as the gold standard, US had a higher sensitivity (98% versus 85%), specificity (88% versus 25%), accuracy (97% versus 77%), positive predictive value (98% versus 88%), and negative predictive value (88% versus 20%) compared with clinical examination. The Cohen kappa values for inter- and intrareader reproducibility of US for distinguishing between presence and absence of synovitis were 0.71 and 0.85, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). The weighted kappa values for distinguishing grade of synovitis were 0.65 for inter- and 0.74 for intrareader reproducibility. The kappa value for intrareader reproducibility of arthroscopy results was 0.88. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a valid and reproducible technique for detecting synovitis in the knee, and is more accurate than clinical examination. It may be valuable as a tool in studies investigating pain, diagnosis, and treatment response in knee arthritis.

Adolescent↗

The "enthesis organ" concept: why enthesopathies may not present as focal insertional disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The Achilles tendon insertion is associated with a complex of adjacent fibrocartilages, a bursa, and a fat-pad, and is functionally much more than a focal insertion. This has important implications for a better understanding of the spondylarthropathies (SpA). However, the degree to which other insertions form comparable "enthesis organs" has not been established. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the applicability of the enthesis organ concept to other insertion sites. METHODS: Both joint-related (articular) and extraarticular entheses were removed from 28 sites in the limbs of formalin-fixed cadavers (age at death 70-101 years) that had been donated for anatomic study. The samples were prepared for paraffin histologic analysis and sectioned longitudinally. The presence and extent of enthesis organs was evaluated at each site in serial sections stained with Masson's trichrome and toluidine blue. RESULTS: Articular enthesis organs were found at 14 entheses, including the attachments of the digital extensor tendons and collateral ligaments, the cruciate ligaments, tibialis anterior, the lateral collateral ligament of the knee, and the popliteal tendon. Extraarticular enthesis organs were seen at 2 sites, the biceps brachii and patellar tendon insertions. In all enthesis organs, sesamoid and/or periosteal fibrocartilage was present in close association with synovium. CONCLUSION: The concept of an enthesis organ is of general significance in understanding attachment sites and may explain the diverse pathologic changes, including synovitis, bursitis, and extracapsular changes, seen adjacent to tendon/ligament entheses in SpA. These findings may provide insight into the reason the target tissues in SpA are apparently so diverse.

Aged↗

EULAR randomised controlled trial of pulse cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone versus continuous cyclophosphamide and prednisolone followed by azathioprine and prednisolone in lupus nephritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and side effects of intermittent pulse cyclophosphamide plus methylprednisolone with continuous oral cyclophosphamide plus prednisolone, followed by azathioprine, in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A multicentre randomised controlled trial was conducted between June 1992 and May 1996 involving eight European centres. All patients satisfied the American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE and had biopsy proven proliferative lupus nephritis. All received corticosteroids in addition to cytotoxic drugs, as defined in the protocol, for two years. The trial was terminated after four years as recruitment was disappointing. RESULTS: 32 SLE patients with lupus nephritis were recruited: 16 were randomised to intermittent pulse cyclophosphamide and 16 to continuous cyclophosphamide plus azathioprine. Mean duration of follow up was 3.7 years in the continuous group (range 0 to 5.6) and 3.3 years in the pulse group (range 0.25 to 6). Three patients were excluded from the pulse therapy group as they were later found to have pure mesangial glomerulonephritis. Two patients in the continuous therapy group developed end stage renal failure requiring dialysis, but none in the intermittent pulse therapy (p = 0.488; NS). There were similar numbers of side effects and withdrawals from treatment in both groups. There were three deaths: two in the intermittent pulse therapy group and one in the continuous therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in efficacy and side effects between the two regimens. Infectious complications occurred commonly, so careful monitoring is required during treatment.

Administration, Oral↗

Development of the PsAQoL: a quality of life instrument specific to psoriatic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Patient reported outcome measures used in studies of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been found to be inadequate for determining the impact of the disease from the patient's perspective. OBJECTIVE: To produce the PsAQoL, a PsA-specific quality of life (QoL) instrument, employing the needs based model of QoL that would be relevant and acceptable to respondents, valid, and reliable. METHODS: Content was derived from qualitative interviews conducted with patients with PsA. Face and content validity were assessed by field test interviews with a new sample of patients with PsA. A postal survey was conducted to improve the scaling properties of the new measure. Finally, a test-retest postal survey was used to identify the final measure and to test its scaling properties, reliability, internal consistency, and validity. RESULTS: Analysis of the qualitative interview transcripts identified a 51 item questionnaire. Field test interviews confirmed the acceptability and relevance of the measure. Analysis of data from the first postal survey (n = 94) reduced the questionnaire to 35 items. Rasch analysis of data from the test-retest survey (n = 286) identified a 20 item version of the PsAQoL with good item fit. This version had excellent internal consistency (alpha = 0.91), test-retest reliability (0.89), and validity. CONCLUSIONS: The PsAQoL is a valuable tool for assessing the impact of interventions for PsA in clinical studies and trials. It is well accepted by patients, taking about three minutes to complete, is easy to administer, and has excellent scaling and psychometric properties.

Adult↗

Should oligoarthritis be reclassified? Ultrasound reveals a high prevalence of subclinical disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of subclinical synovitis using ultrasound (US) imaging of both painful and asymptomatic joints, in patients with early (<12 months), untreated oligoarthritis (</=5 joints). METHODS: Eighty patients underwent a detailed clinical assessment by two physicians. All painful joints were identified, which were immediately scanned by a sonographer. In the last 40 patients, an additional standard group of joints was scanned to establish the prevalence of synovitis in asymptomatic joints. RESULTS: In 80 patients, 644 painful joints (with and without clinical synovitis) were identified and each underwent a US assessment. Of these joints, 185 had clinical synovitis, of which, US detected synovitis in only 79% (147/185). In the other 38 joints US demonstrated tenosynovitis instead of synovitis in 12 joints and possible, but not definite, synovitis in 11 joints. Fifteen joints were, however, normal on US. In 459 joints that were not clinically synovitic, US detected synovitis in 33% (150/459). In 64% (51/80) of patients, US detected synovitis in more joints than clinical examination and in 36% (29/80) of patients, US detected a polyarthritis (>6 joints). Of the 826 asymptomatic (non-painful) joints scanned, 13% (107/826) had US detected synovitis. CONCLUSION: Sonography detected more synovitis than clinical examination in patients with oligoarthritis. In almost two thirds of patients there was evidence of subclinical disease while one third could be reclassified as polyarticular. These findings suggest that a definition of oligoarthritis based purely on clinical findings may be inappropriate, which may have important implications for disease management.

Adult↗

Autologous stem cell transplantation in the treatment of systemic sclerosis: report from the EBMT/EULAR Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the durability of the responses after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) and determine whether the high transplant related mortality (TRM) improved with experience. This EBMT/EULAR report describes the longer outcome of patients originally described in addition to newly recruited cases. METHODS: Only patients with SSc, treated by HSCT in European phase I-II studies from 1996 up to 2002, with more than 6 months of follow up were included. Transplant regimens were according to the international consensus statements. Repeated evaluations analysed complete, partial, or non-response and the probability of disease progression and survival after HSCT (Kaplan-Meier). RESULTS: Given as median (range). Among 57 patients aged 40 (9.1-68.7) years the skin scores improved at 6 (n = 37 patients), 12 (n = 30), 24 (n = 19), and 36 (n = 10) months after HSCT (p<0.005). After 22.9 (4.5-81.1) months, partial (n = 32) or complete response (n = 14) was seen in 92% and non-response in 8% (n = 4) of 50 observed cases. 35% of the patients with initial partial (n = 13/32) or complete response (n = 3/14) relapsed within 10 (2.2-48.7) months after HSCT. The TRM was 8.7% (n = 5/57). Deaths related to progression accounted for 14% (n = 8/57) of the 23% (n = 13/57) total mortality rate. At 5 years, progression probability was 48% (95% CI 28 to 68) and the projected survival was 72% (95% CI 59 to 75). CONCLUSION: This EBMT/EULAR report showed that response in two thirds of the patients after HSCT was durable with an acceptable TRM. Based on these results prospective, randomised trials are proceeding.

Adolescent↗

Bone loss in patients treated with pulses of methylprednisolone is not negligible: a short term prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of intravenous pulsed methylprednisolone (MP) on bone mass. METHODS: 38 patients (30 women) with various rheumatic disorders requiring intravenous MP pulse treatment were examined at baseline and after 6 months with dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DXA), measuring hip and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD). Demographic and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: Demographics showed: mean (SD) age 48.4 (16.3) years, body mass index 24.9 (5.1) kg/m(2), and median (range) disease duration 3.2 (0.1-40.0) years. During follow up patients received a mean cumulative MP dose of 3.0 (1.6) g given as 5.7 (2.0) pulses over a median period of 5.7 (2.3-33.7) months. 34/38 (89%) patients were also pulsed with cyclophosphamide, 20 (53%) were taking oral corticosteroids, and 8 (21%) were using either bisphosphonates or oestrogen. At the end of the study mean BMD was reduced by -2.2% at the femoral neck, -1.1% at the total hip, and -1.0% at the spine L2-4. In subgroups BMD increased in patients treated with bisphosphonates or oestrogen (femoral neck +1.6%, total hip +3.2%, spine L2-4 +4.5%), whereas BMD decreased at all sites in patients not treated with antirersorptive treatment, both for users (femoral neck -4.4%, total hip -2.4%, spine L2-4 -2.1%) and non-users of concomitant oral prednisolone (femoral neck -1.7%, total hip -1.9%, spine L2-4 -2.6%). CONCLUSION: Treatment with intravenous pulses of MP leads to a high rate of bone loss. Prevention of bone loss in these patients with bisphosphonates and oestrogens should be considered.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Efficacy and safety of adalimumab as monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis for whom previous disease modifying antirheumatic drug treatment has failed.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of monotherapy with adalimumab in patients with RA for whom previous DMARD treatment has failed. METHODS: In a 26 week, double blind, placebo controlled, phase III trial, 544 patients with RA were randomised to monotherapy with adalimumab 20 mg every other week, 20 mg weekly, 40 mg every other week, 40 mg weekly, or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was > or =20% improvement in the ACR core criteria (ACR20 response). Secondary efficacy end points included ACR50, ACR70, EULAR responses, and the Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ DI). RESULTS: After 26 weeks, patients treated with adalimumab 20 mg every other week, 20 mg weekly, 40 mg every other week, and 40 mg weekly had significantly better response rates than those treated with placebo: ACR20 (35.8%, 39.3%, 46.0%, 53.4%, respectively v 19.1%; p< or =0.01); ACR50 (18.9%, 20.5%, 22.1%, 35.0% v 8.2%; p< or =0.05); ACR70 (8.5%, 9.8%, 12.4%, 18.4% v 1.8%; p< or =0.05). Moderate EULAR response rates were significantly greater with adalimumab than with placebo (41.5%, 48.2%, 55.8%, 63.1% v 26.4%; p< or =0.05). Patients treated with adalimumab achieved better improvements in mean HAQ DI than those receiving placebo (-0.29, -0.39, -0.38, -0.49 v -0.07; p< or =0.01). No significant differences were found between adalimumab and placebo treated patients for serious adverse events, serious infections, or malignancies. Injection site reaction occurred in 10.6% and 0.9% of adalimumab and placebo treated patients, respectively (p< or =0.05). CONCLUSION: Among patients with RA for whom previous DMARD treatment had failed, adalimumab monotherapy achieved significant, rapid, and sustained improvements in disease activity and improved physical function and was safe and well tolerated.

Adalimumab↗

Infliximab in active early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the combination of infliximab plus methotrexate (MTX) on the progression of structural damage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Subanalyses were carried out on data for patients with early RA in the Anti-TNF Therapy in RA with Concomitant Therapy (ATTRACT) study, in which 428 patients with active RA despite MTX therapy received placebo with MTX (MTX-only) or infliximab 3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg every (q) 4 or 8 weeks with MTX (infliximab plus MTX) for 102 weeks. Early RA was defined as disease duration of 3 years or less; 82 of the 428 patients (19%) met this definition. Structural damage was assessed with the modified van der Heijde-Sharp score. The changes from baseline to week 102 in total modified van der Heijde-Sharp score were compared between the infliximab plus MTX groups and the MTX-only group. RESULTS: The erosion and joint space narrowing scores from baseline to week 102 in the cohort of patients with early RA decreased significantly in each infliximab dose regimen compared with the MTX-only regimen. Consistent benefit was seen in the joints of both hands and feet. CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab combined with MTX inhibited the progression of structural damage in patients with early RA during the 2 year period of treatment. Early intervention with infliximab in patients with active RA despite MTX therapy may provide long term benefits by preventing radiographic progression and preserving joint integrity.

Acute Disease↗