To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on pain and function in patients with chronic knee pain.

Recent research has focused on the effects of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/agents (NSAIDs) on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) risk, with inconclusive results. We conducted meta-analyses of data published to date, to ascertain the over-all association between NHL and corticosteroid use, and between NHL and NSAID use.

To evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in peripheral joint osteoarthritis (OA).

To assess whether combined evidence shows the association between the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22 (PTPN22) C1858T polymorphism and autoimmune diseases, and to summarize the effect size of the polymorphism associated with susceptibility of autoimmune diseases.

Low back pain is a major public health concern and complementary treatments are frequently used for this condition. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the evidence for or against the effectiveness of spa therapy and balneotherapy for treating low back pain.

Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 gene (PADI4) have been reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Japanese population. However, subsequent replication studies showed conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine whether meta-analysis would prove the existence of the association.

To assess the relative cost-effectiveness of five gastroprotective strategies for patients in the general population not judged to be at high gastrointestinal (GI) risk requiring regular traditional (t) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for over 3 weeks: tNSAID/H(2) receptor antagonists (H(2)RAs); tNSAID/proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); tNSAID/misoprostol; COX-2 preferential NSAIDs or COX-2-specific NSAIDs (COXIBs).

Genome scans for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have yielded inconsistent results. The absence of replication of linkage might be due to lack of power of individual studies. We performed a genome scan meta-analysis of published data to increase statistical power and to assess evidence for linkage of RA across genome scan studies.

Combinations of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are increasingly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Early trials showed their toxicity while recent trials suggest superior efficacy. Trials of DMARD combinations have enrolled different types of patient (early or established RA), used different designs (step-up, parallel or step-down) and utilized a range of outcome measures. We undertook a systematic review of combination DMARD therapy for RA and carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the evidence for efficacy and toxicity.

To determine, by consensus, the optimal use of leflunomide in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), using a multidisciplinary panel of experts and performing meta-analyses of available data.

To determine the efficacy of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Primary outcomes were frequency and severity of RP attacks.

To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL), as measured by health utility, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with adalimumab (a human anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) monoclonal antibody) plus methotrexate or placebo plus methotrexate.

To determine whether patient-reported outcomes may differentiate treatment response better than physician-reported outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients being treated with anakinra.

Scoring poorly on the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) has recently been shown to be a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while a good HAQ score is predictive of a better outcome. In patients presenting with early diffuse scleroderma prognosis is variable. Our goal was to determine possible baseline predictors of future good outcomes.

With the growing interest in herbal therapies among persons with rheumatoid arthritis, there exists a need for investigation into their safety and efficacy. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to examine the evidence for the use of herbal medicines for RA based on randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

To undertake a systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials to assess and rank the efficacy of pharmacological interventions in preventing radiological progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

To summarize the evidence on treatment withdrawal rates reported in observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of methotrexate (MTX), parenteral gold (GST), sulphasalazine (SSZ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Adverse events, particularly gastrointestinal, partially offset the therapeutic value of NSAIDs. The abilities of nimesulide to inhibit COX-2 preferentially and to exert other novel anti-inflammatory actions are consistent with good efficacy and safety. This is borne out by a double-blind multicentre comparison of nimesulide and diclofenac in 122 patients with acute shoulder, and by a meta-analysis of various nimesulide trials. At the end of the 14 day double-blind study, nimesulide was at least as effective as diclofenac (investigator ratings: good/very good in 79.0% of patients given nimesulide, and 78.0% with diclofenac; patient ratings: good/very good in 82.3 and 78.0% respectively). Four patients (6.5%) dropped out in the nimesulide group (two early recovery, one lack of effect, one adverse event), compared with 13 (21.7%) in the diclofenac group, due mainly to adverse events (P=0.003). Global tolerability was judged by the investigators to be good/very good in 96.8% of the nimesulide group compared with 72.9% of those given diclofenac. Judgements by the patients were 96.8 and 78.0% respectively. Both differences are highly significant statistically. The meta-analysis demonstrates that nimesulide given for 2 weeks is far more efficacious than placebo in treating osteoarthritis, and is at least comparable to other NSAIDs The benefit-risk ratio for nimesulide was better in all individual studies since 100 mg nimesulide twice daily was about equal to placebo in safety and tolerability, especially regarding gastrointestinal adverse events.