To determine whether interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1alpha) polymorphisms are associated with UK oligoarticular juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA).

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in Slovenia.

Assessment of the long-term course of shoulder complaints in patients in general practice with special focus on changes in diagnostic category and fluctuations in the severity of the complaints.

To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the recently described anti-Sa autoantibodies in order to determine their potential usefulness for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MIA (melanoma inhibitory activity) is correlated with metastasis in patients with malignant melanoma. As MIA is not only produced by melanoma cells, but also by differentiated chondrocytes, we examined whether serum levels of MIA are correlated with inflammation and/or joint destruction in rheumatic diseases.

To establish whether there is evidence for or against the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of neck pain.

The cases are presented of four haemophiliacs infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and with septic arthritis among the 340 patients followed at our centre. The data of these cases and 39 additional HIV-infected haemophiliacs with septic arthritis, identified in a literature search, are reviewed. The spectrum of bacterial pathogens is limited and somewhat different from that in other risk groups. The localization is exclusively to joints affected by haemophilic arthropathy. The laboratory picture is characterized by the absence of peripheral leucocytosis, varying CD4-helper cell counts, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fever. The clinical picture mimics that of haemarthrosis, often causing a delay in diagnosis. Treatment with systemic antibiotics is often sufficient, obviating the need for arthrotomy and open drainage. Prognosis related to the joint function is relatively good, but poor when related to the medium- to long-term survival of the patient.

To investigate urinary fractions of free and peptide forms of pyridinoline cross-links in arthritis.

The instantaneous compressive modulus of articular cartilage was surveyed in 11 sets of human lower limb joints obtained from the ipsilateral side. The average modulus for the entire joint surface of each joint and the topographical variations in the modulus within each joint were examined for all 11 sets, and subjected to statistical analysis.

To assess the potential role of allo-immunization, either by former pregnancies, or by a history of blood transfusion, in the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.

Magnetic resonance techniques have recently been investigated as tools with which to monitor inflammatory joint disease. Our aim was to use a contrast-enhanced T1-weighted protocol to monitor the short-term changes in knee synovial lining volume in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of intra-articular samarium-153 particulate hydroxyapatite (Sm-153 PHYP).

Indices of angiogenesis are increased in synovia from patients with arthritis, and vascular proliferation may contribute to the pathogenesis of synovitis, pannus growth, bone and cartilage destruction, and osteophyte formation. Pharmacological inhibition of angiogenesis therefore has potential as a therapeutic strategy in human arthritis. However, vascular growth is also essential for normal development, female reproduction and tissue repair. Selective inhibition of undesirable angiogenesis requires an understanding of the different regulatory mechanisms in pathological and physiological angiogenesis. This review outlines the evidence that the rate of angiogenesis is increased in the inflamed human synovium, and possible approaches to, and consequences of, the modulation of vascular growth.