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Biomedical subjects

V Wright

Publications and source records attributed to V Wright.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Biomechanical aspects of human joints].

The value of biomechanical studies of human joints is illustrated. The investigation of stiffness of joints has suggested that subjective stiffness is more likely to be related to limitation of movement of a joint than to increased physical stiffness. A knee analyser has been constructed to measure ligamentous and meniscal damage. Ligament replacement has been successfully achieved in the pig and in man by using a woven polyester tube. The load-bearing function of the menisci has been clearly demonstrated, explaining a relationship found in studies of parachutists and physical education teachers between meniscectomy and osteoarthrosis of the knee. The biomechanical reasons for a partial meniscectomy in the treatment of a bucket-handle tear have been shown. Support for the Leeds biomechanical hypothesis for the development of osteoarthrosis has been provided from mechanical studies of cartilage at the patello-femoral joint and at the ankle.

Arthritis↗
PubMed1987

Seronegative spondarthritides.

We have attempted to review the epidemiology of a group of diseases collectively termed the seronegative spondarthritides. In discussing environmental influences on these diseases we have reviewed shared aetiological hypotheses and how these have been, and may be, manipulated to influence disease development. The socioeconomic impact of disease has been discussed, together with some of the strategies we might adopt to prevent further disability and handicap. Recent developments, particularly in the laboratory, promise imminent advances in the aetiopathogenesis of this group of chronic inflammatory disorders.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1987

Sulphasalazine alone or in combination with D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis.

Thirty patients (22 women) with active rheumatoid arthritis participated in an open study of 6 months' treatment with either enteric-coated sulphasalazine (SASP) or SASP plus D-penicillamine (DPA). Patients were assessed at regular intervals using a number of clinical and biochemical tests designed to detect specific antirheumatic activity. There were significant improvements in clinical and laboratory variables with both regimens consistent with second-line activity. Improvements were greater and more numerous with combination therapy. At the end of the trial period, there were nine 'responders' in the SASP/DPA group but only six in the SASP group. Neither efficacy nor toxicity could be related to patient acetylator status. Nausea and dyspepsia were frequent problems with both treatment regimens but dysgeusia and thrombocytopenia were confined to the SASP/DPA group. Study withdrawals were twice as common with combination therapy. These results suggest that a combination of SASP and DPA is more potent than SASP alone but at the expense of poorer patient tolerance.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1987

Serum biochemistry in rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthropathies, osteoarthritis, SLE and normal subjects.

Most arthritic conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation, resulting in secondary changes in serum biochemistry. In an attempt to profile different mechanisms of inflammation which might account for the clinical diversity of rheumatic diseases, we have measured C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma viscosity, serum histidine and total serum sulphydryl in 259 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 84 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 76 with osteoarthritis, 69 with psoriatic arthritis, 34 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 36 with Reiter's syndrome and 121 normal controls. The most extreme abnormalities were seen in rheumatoid arthritis and the least in osteoarthritis. The seronegative spondarthritides and SLE occupied a midway position, emphasizing a correlation between biochemical abnormality and severity of inflammation. A low serum histidine characterized both RA and SLE. The former was more likely to be associated with a raised CRP. Plasma viscosity was characteristically raised in psoriatic arthritis and CRP in AS.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Proper poster presentation: a visual and verbal ABC.

The 58 posters exhibited at the 1985 Annual General Meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology have been analysed for 13 variables considered important in the construction of a good poster. In particular the attributes of information, simplicity and visual attractiveness were studied. The time spent by viewers was also measured for one selected poster each in immunology, biochemistry, therapeutics and clinical medicine. On the basis of this survey, nine recommendations for proper presentation were made.

Congresses as Topic↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of faecal florae in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and controls.

The faecal flora of 25 out-patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was compared with that of 25 age- and sex-matched controls. A comprehensive survey revealed a significantly higher carriage rate of Clostridium perfringens in the RA population (88%) than controls (48%) (p less than 0.01). Coliform counts also tended to be higher, but there were no other significant differences between patients and controls. When the study was enlarged to include a further 113 RA patients with variable disease activity and a further 38 controls, clostridia were again more frequently carried by those with RA (70%) than controls (45%) (p less than 0.01) and clostridial counts were significantly higher in the patient group (p = 0.006). Moreover, counts in patients with active or moderately active disease were significantly higher than in those with inactive disease (p less than 0.001). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Cl. perfringens plays a role in triggering or is otherwise associated with disease activity in RA. The findings may be alternatively an effect of the disease or its treatment with, for example, anti-inflammatory drugs.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1987

Effects of sulphasalazine on faecal flora in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison with penicillamine.

Twenty-six out-patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were randomly allocated to treatment with sulphasalazine (SASP) or D-penicillamine (DPA). Faecal samples were collected from all patients at 4-weekly intervals and examined for changes in faecal flora during treatment. Both treatment groups showed substantial clinical improvement. In the SASP-treated group this was accompanied by significant falls in counts of Cl. perfringens and E. coli. No such changes were seen in the DPA-treated group. These results suggest that SASP's efficacy in RA may be related to its antibacterial properties.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1987

Functional assessment of the hand: reproducibility, acceptability, and utility of a new system for measuring strength.

A new system for measuring strength of the hand using a torsion dynamometer linked to a microprocessor is described. The system permits analysis of timed squeezes of both grip and pinch and is adjustable to all sizes of hand and degrees of hand deformity. Results obtained with the system were found to be reproducible, and the rigid device was acceptable to a group of patients with arthritic hands. In rheumatoid arthritis there is a marked reduction in maximum grip and pinch strength, together with a prolongation of the time taken to reach this maximum, and increased fatigue. The limitations of grip strength as a measure of function of the hand are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A controlled trial of nandrolone decanoate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in postmenopausal women.

To determine whether an anabolic steroid had any benefit in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis 47 patients entered a parallel group study. Twenty four received nandrolone decanoate 50 mg intramuscularly every third week for two years and 23 patients received no anabolic steroids. Other therapy was unaltered. Patients attended for clinical and biochemical assessments as well as the objective assessments of elementary body composition by in vivo neutron activation analysis and measurement of the mineral content of the distal femur by single photon absorptiometry on five occasions. A modest clinical deterioration (except for grip strength) was seen in both groups. No significant changes in calcium or alkaline phosphatase were seen. There was no significant change in total body calcium, total body phosphorus, body weight, or bone index/bone width measurements in either group. Significant increases occurred in total body nitrogen, total body potassium, haemoglobin, and packed cell volume (by six months) in the group treated with nandrolone decanoate. Comparison of 10 patients in the group treated with nandrolone decanoate also receiving oral steroid therapy with 14 patients in this group not receiving oral steroid therapy showed no significant differences. The main side effect of nandrolone decanoate was hoarseness. No radiological changes were seen. Nandrolone decanoate, in a dose that produces a significant anabolic effect, has no demonstrable action on bone metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis but may improve the chronic anaemia by six months.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed1987

Allopurinol.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed1986

Serum and synovial fluid histidine: a comparison in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

The serum and synovial fluid (SF) histidine, sulphydryl, and protein concentrations were compared in simultaneous samples from 84 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a control group comprising 29 patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The SF levels of histidine were higher than the serum levels in the RA patients but significantly lower than corresponding results in patients with OA (P less than 0.001). The latter had levels of serum and SF histidine which were equivalent and within the normal range. Greater quantities of protein were found in the SF of the patients with RA compared with the OA group. The serum and SF sulphydryl concentrations expressed as mumol/g protein were low but in equilibrium in patients with RA. However the SF sulphydryl (mumol/g protein) was depressed relative to serum levels in patients with OA.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

A study to determine the clinical relevance of the pharmacokinetic interaction between aspirin and diclofenac.

Interaction studies in the rat and healthy human volunteers have shown that protein binding of diclofenac is reduced by the addition of salicylic acid causing an increased free drug level of diclofenac. The diclofenac area under curve (AUC) is also reduced by approximately one-third in the presence of salicylate. We have performed a crossover comparison of soluble aspirin, diclofenac and the two drugs in combination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis to determine whether this had clinical relevance. 36 patients entered the study. There was a high dropout rate on aspirin alone but analysis of completors (22 patients) showed diclofenac either alone or in combination to be superior to aspirin alone on two of the five clinical parameters measured. There was no significant difference between disclofenac and aspirin + diclofenac. We thus found no clinical manifestations of the pharmacokinetic interaction.

Adolescent↗