Table of contents
May 2008 Volume 4 No 5
Viewpoints
A critical look at the role of self-management for people with arthritis and other chronic diseases
224Most patients with chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, only have contact with healthcare professionals for a few hours over the course of a year. Good self-management programs are, therefore, critical for patients to cope with their conditions on a daily basis. Drs Osborne, Jordan and Rogers discuss the importance of engaging patients, clinicians and policymakers in the development and implementation of self-management programs.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0765 | Full Text | PDF (102K)
Issues concerning the biological repair of intervertebral disc degeneration
226The biology of disc degeneration is complex. Some remarkable advances in molecular and cellular biology have recently been achieved in this rapidly evolving field and biological technologies for intervertebral disc repair are currently being developed. In this Viewpoint, Dr Peng discusses the problems that need to be resolved before these technologies can advance from the laboratory to clinical trials.
Research Highlights
New transgenic mouse model of spontaneous autoimmune arthritis
228Sphingosine 1 phosphate is a key mediator of inflammation in primary Sjögren's syndrome
228Successful treatment of collagen-induced arthritis with cell-cycle inhibitors
228Beneficial effects of aldosterone blockade in a mouse model of lupus nephritis
229A valid and sensitive patient-based disease activity score for RA
229Mouse studies shed light on pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis
230Duloxetine treatment is effective in women with fibromyalgia
230Cathepsin K is a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune arthritis
231Sildenafil benefits patients with PAH related to connective tissue disease
231Guidelines Summary
Canadian recommendations for the management of spondyloarthritis address many different levels of patient care
234doi:10.1038/ncprheum0766 | Full Text | PDF (100K)
Practice Point
Is teriparatide or alendronate the best treatment for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis?
236doi:10.1038/ncprheum0769 | Full Text | PDF (103K)
Clinical Advance
Is sitaxsentan a good therapeutic option for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease?
238doi:10.1038/ncprheum0790 | Full Text | PDF (101K)
Reviews
Drug Insight: choosing a drug treatment strategy for women with osteoporosis—an evidence-based clinical perspective
240Several randomized controlled trials have investigated the effects of a number of drugs on the reduction of fracture risk in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Meanwhile, algorithms have become available to identify women at the highest risk of fractures. In this context, this article outlines patient- and drug-related determinants that contribute to the clinical decision about initiating and choosing drug therapy for the prevention of fractures.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0773 | Full Text | PDF (327K)
Therapy Insight: preserving fertility in cyclophosphamide-treated patients with rheumatic disease
250Cyclophosphamide is an important therapy for patients with severe rheumatic diseases; it is, however, responsible for gonadal toxicity. There are a number of interventions aimed at reducing this toxicity, including estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, hormone agonists and antagonists of gonadal receptors in females, and testosterone therapy and storage of gametes for male patients. These strategies are outlined in this article.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0770 | Full Text | PDF (216K)
Therapy Insight: cardiovascular disease in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
258Early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is thought to be associated with an increased risk to cardiovascular health as well as a severe disease phenotype. As outlined in this article, inflammatory and immune abnormalities that are intrinsic to SLE, primary dyslipidemias and secondary effects of treatments such as corticosteroids, might all contribute to premature atherosclerosis.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0789 | Full Text | PDF (180K)
Surgery Insight: orthopedic treatment options in rheumatoid arthritis
266Several different surgical treatment options are available to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, with the aims of restoring function and quality of life, preventing joint deterioration, relieving pain, and correcting deformity, as discussed in this article. In addition, a number of factors and specialists should be involved in deciding if and when to proceed with surgical intervention.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0767 | Full Text | PDF (253K)
Case Study
A paraneoplastic case of palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome
274Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome can mimic other rheumatic conditions, and the underlying mechanism for its development has not yet been defined. This syndrome is an uncommon paraneoplastic presentation. In this Case Study, Dr Haroon and Dr Phelan discuss a patient diagnosed with palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome associated with pancreatic carcinoma.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0768 | Full Text | PDF (114K)
Article Responses
Kyphoplasty is not a nonpharmacologic management option for the minimization of fracture risk in osteoporosis
E1doi:10.1038/ncprheum0792 | Full Text
Author response to "Kyphoplasty is not a nonpharmacologic management option for the minimization of fracture risk in osteoporosis"
E2doi:10.1038/ncprheum0793 | Full Text
