Effect of initiating biologics compared to intensifying conventional DMARDs on clinical and MRI outcomes in established rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical remission: Secondary analyses of the IMAGINE-RA trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of treat-to-target-based escalations in conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biologics on clinical disease activity and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammation in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort in clinical remission. METHOD: One-hundred patients with established RA, Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) < 3.2, and no swollen joints (hereafter referred to as 'in clinical remission') who received csDMARDs underwent clinical evaluation and MRI of the wrist and second to fifth metacarpophalangeal joints every 4 months. They followed a 2 year MRI treatment strategy targeting DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.2, no swollen joints, and absence of MRI osteitis, with predefined algorithmic treatment escalation: first: increase in csDMARDs; second: adding a biologic; third: switch biologic. MRI osteitis and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (co-primary outcomes) and MRI combined inflammation and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) (key secondary outcomes) were assessed 4 months after treatment change and expressed as estimates of group differences. Statistical analyses were based on the intention-to-treat population analysed using repeated-measures mixed models. RESULTS: Escalation to first biologic compared to csDMARD escalation more effectively reduced MRI osteitis (difference between least squares means 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.0-2.6), HAQ score (0.08, 0.03-0.1), MRI combined inflammation (2.5, 0.9-4.1), and SDAI scores (2.7, 1.9-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Treat-to-target-based treatment escalations to biologics compared to escalation in csDMARDs more effectively improved MRI inflammation, physical function, and clinical disease activity in patients with established RA in clinical remission. Treatment escalation in RA patients in clinical remission reduces clinical and MRI-assessed disease activity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01656278.

Scoring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammation and structural lesions in sacroiliac joints of patients with axial spondyloarthritis: assessment of all MRI slices of the cartilaginous compartment versus standardized six or five slices.

Objectives: The Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) sacroiliac joint (SIJ) scoring system assesses six or five (6/5) semicoronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices for inflammation/structural lesions in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, the cartilaginous SIJ compartment may be visible in a few additional slices. The objective was to investigate interreader reliability, sensitivity to change, and classification of MRI scans as positive or negative for various lesion types using an 'all slices' approach versus standard SPARCC scoring of 6/5 slices.Method: Fifty-three axSpA patients were treated with the tumour necrosis factor inhibitor golimumab and followed with serial MRI scans at weeks 0, 4, 16, and 52. The most anterior and posterior slices covering the cartilaginous compartment and the transitional slice were identified. Scores for inflammation, fat metaplasia, erosion, backfill, and ankylosis in the cartilaginous SIJ compartment were calculated for the 'all slices' approach and the 6/5 slices standard.Results: By the 'all slices' approach, three readers scored mean 7.2, 7.7, and 7.0 slices per MRI scan. Baseline and change scores for the various lesion types closely correlated between the two approaches (Pearson's rho ≥ 0.95). Inflammation score was median 13 (interquartile range 6-21, range 0-49) for 6/5 slices versus 14 (interquartile range 6-23, range 0-69) for all slices at baseline. Interreader reliability, sensitivity to change, and classification of MRI scans as positive or negative for various lesion types were similar.Conclusion: The standardized 6/5 slices approach showed no relevant differences from the 'all slices' approach and, therefore, is equally suited for monitoring purposes.

Structural progression rate decreases over time on serial radiography and magnetic resonance imaging of sacroiliac joints and spine in a five-year follow-up study of patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate temporal changes in structural progression assessed by serial conventional radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and spine in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor for 5 years. METHOD: Forty-two patients were included and 33 patients were followed for 5 years in a prospective investigator-initiated study. Conventional radiographs were required four times and MRI seven times. The modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS); Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) MRI SIJ and Spine Inflammation, and SPARCC MRI SIJ Structural Score (SSS) for Fat, Erosion, Backfill, and Ankylosis; and the Canada-Denmark MRI scores for Spine Inflammation, Fat, Erosion, and New Bone Formation (NBF) were applied. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, MRI Inflammation had decreased significantly at week 22 (spine)/week 46 (SIJ) and thereafter. MRI SIJ Fat (from week 22), SIJ Ankylosis, Spine NBF, and mSASSS had increased significantly at week 46 and thereafter. SIJ Erosion had decreased from year 2. The annual progression rate in mSASSS was significantly higher during weeks 0-46 compared to week 46 to year 3. In multivariate regression analyses, baseline SIJ Inflammation and Backfill were independent predictors of 5 year progression in SIJ Ankylosis. Spine Erosion predicted progression in Spine NBF. Longitudinally, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, MRI Spine Inflammation, Fat, and Erosion scores were significantly associated with mSASSS. SIJ Inflammation, Fat, Erosion, and Backfill scores were longitudinally associated with SIJ Ankylosis. Structural progression was not associated with body mass index, smoking, or Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Index. CONCLUSION: In a 5 year follow-up study of patients with AS treated with TNF inhibitor, structural progression decreased over time.

Investigation of a multi-biomarker disease activity score in rheumatoid arthritis by comparison with magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasonography, and radiography parameters of inflammation and damage.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score by comparison with imaging findings in an investigator-initiated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trial (HURRAH trial, NCT00696059). METHOD: Fifty-two patients with established RA initiated adalimumab treatment and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and radiography performed at weeks 0, 26, and 52. Serum samples were analysed using MBDA score assays and associations between clinical measures, MBDA score, and imaging findings were investigated. RESULTS: The MBDA score correlated significantly with MRI synovitis (rho = 0.65, p < 0.001), MRI bone marrow oedema (rho = 0.36, p = 0.044), and US power Doppler (PD) score at week 26 (rho = 0.35, p = 0.039) but not at week 0 or week 52. In the 15 patients who had achieved a Disease Activity Score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) < 2.6 at week 26, MRI and/or US detected subclinical inflammation and 13 (87%) had a moderate/high MBDA score. For the cohort with available data, none of the four patients in MBDA remission (score ≤ 25) at week 26 had progression of imaging damage from baseline to week 52 whereas progression was observed in three out of nine (33%) and seven out of 21 (33%) patients with moderate (30-44) and high (> 44) MBDA scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the MBDA score correlated poorly with MRI/US inflammation. However, the MBDA score and MRI/US were generally concordant in showing signs of inflammation in most patients in clinical remission during anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. MBDA scores were elevated in all patients with structural damage progression.

Pattern of bone erosion and bone proliferation in psoriatic arthritis hands: a high-resolution computed tomography and radiography follow-up study during adalimumab therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pattern and development of bone erosion and proliferation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) during treatment with adalimumab, using high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography. METHOD: Forty-one biologic-naïve PsA patients were initiated with adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every other week. CT and radiography of the 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints were conducted at baseline (n = 41) and after 24 weeks (n = 32). Changes in bone erosion and proliferation are described and the imaging modalities compared. RESULTS: Ninety percent of bone erosions detected by CT were located in the metacarpal heads, and most frequently in the 2nd-3rd MCP joints. Radial (37%) and ulnar (31%) surfaces were more frequently eroded than dorsal (10%) and palmar (22%) sites. Using CT, bone proliferations were located primarily on the sides of the distal part of the DIP joints (43% of all proliferations), but also proximally in DIP (17%) and MCP joints (27%). For bone erosions and proliferations, respectively, radiography showed a low sensitivity (17% and 26%), but a high specificity (98% and 95%) and accuracy (93% and 87%), with CT as the gold standard reference. Neither CT nor radiography revealed statistically significant changes in bone erosion or proliferation scores between baseline and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of bone erosion and proliferation in PsA hands were revealed in more detail by CT than by radiography. No overall progression or repair could be detected during adalimumab treatment with either of the methods.

Erosive progression is minimal, but erosion healing rare, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab. A 1 year investigator-initiated follow-up study using high-resolution computed tomography as the primary outcome measure.

OBJECTIVE: With computed tomography (CT) and radiography, to investigate if repair of bone erosions, defined as regression of erosion scores, occurs during adalimumab treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fifty-two patients with RA, naïve to biological agents, with at least two low-grade radiographic erosions in the wrist or metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in the same (index) hand, initiated adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every other week. Thirty-five patients completed the study (median age 61 years (interquartile range 46-68), disease duration 8 years (3-15)). CT of the index wrist and MCP joints 2-5 and radiographs of hands and forefeet were obtained at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Images were evaluated by investigators blinded to chronology and clinical data, and assessed according to Sharp/van der Heijde (radiographs) and OMERACT RA MRI scoring (CT) methods. RESULTS: Disease activity score, C-reactive protein, tender and swollen joints count and Health Assessment Questionnaire score had all decreased at 6 and 12 months (wilcoxon signed-ranks test p<0.001). No significant change in any imaging parameters of joint destruction was observed at 6 and 12 months. High intrareader agreements were reached (mean intraobserver intraclass coefficients: 0.96 (CT) and 0.97 (radiography)). The number of patients with change scores exceeding the smallest detectable change (SDC) was comparable on CT and radiography, as were the proportions of patients progressing/regressing. Decreased erosion scores at 12 months were registered in 1.6% and 1.8% of sites assessed on CT and radiography, respectively. CONCLUSION: Repair of erosions in adalimumab-treated patients with RA is rare, but erosive regression, exceeding the SDC, on CT and radiography occurred. The very limited overall erosive progression supports the view that joint destruction is minimal during adalimumab treatment of patients with RA.

Relationship between quadriceps strength and bone mineral density of the proximal tibia and distal forearm in women.

It is well known that there is a relationship between muscle strength and bone density, but it is uncertain whether this relationship is site specific. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of quadriceps strength to site-specific bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibia and to BMD of the forearm. In 66 healthy women, aged 21-78 years, BMD was measured in the proximal tibia and the distal forearm by dual-photon absorptiometry. Isometric and isokinetic strength of the quadriceps was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex II). Highly significant correlations between BMD of the proximal tibia and quadriceps strength were found (RS ranging from 0.79 to 0.84, p < 0.0001). Also, BMD of the distal forearm was correlated with quadriceps strength (RS ranging from 0.59 to 0.62, p < 0.0001). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, quadriceps strength was a better predictor of tibial BMD than age, body height, or weight. However, age, height, and weight were more predictive of forearm BMD than quadriceps strength. When studying the pre- and postmenopausal women separately, quadriceps strength was correlated with BMD of the proximal tibia but not to forearm BMD. In conclusion, the study provides support for a site-specific relationship between muscle and bone.

Mechanism of aminoglycoside resistance in Danish Staphylococcus aureus strains during the years 1979-1987.

A total of 49 gentamicin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from blood (n = 26) or from other sites (n = 23) during the years 1979 to 1987 were evaluated for the presence of aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes on the basis of minimum inhibitory concentrations measured by agar dilution as well as inhibition zone diameters determined by disc diffusion. Enzymatic activity was caused by AAC (6')III/APH (2") in 45 strains, and by AAC (6')III/APH (2") + APH (3') in four strains. No changes in the distribution of enzymatic activity were observed during the eight years.

Soft tissue composition, quadriceps strength, bone quality and bone mass in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine differences in soft tissue composition, bone quality, bone mass and quadriceps strength between women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls. METHODS: 79 women with RA (median disease duration 10 yrs) were studied. Most were or had been on steroids. 67 healthy age-matched women served as controls. The lean tissue mass (LTM) and fat mass (FM) of the total body and of the major body subregions, as well as the bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) of the femoral neck, spine (L2-L4) and distal forearm were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone quality expressed as the speed of sound (SOS m/sec), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB/MHz) and stiffness was assessed by an Achilles ultrasound device, and isometric quadriceps strength by an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: No between-group differences were found for the body mass index (BMI, weight/height2), total or regional percentage fat, LTM and FM. However, women with RA had 20% lower quadriceps strength than controls. BMD at the femoral neck and distal forearm, and SOS, BUA and stiffness were significantly lower in patients than in controls. No difference was found for spine BMD. In the RA group, z-scores for SOS and stiffness were significantly more reduced than those for BMD. Multiple regression analyses indicated negative associations between ultrasound parameters and the cumulative steroid dose. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in BMD and muscle strength in RA were not accompanied by changes in soft tissue composition, Bone quality assessed by ultrasonography was compromised in RA and may be modified by steroids.

Trunk extensor and flexor strength measured by the Cybex 6000 dynamometer. Assessment of short-term and long-term reproducibility of several strength variables.

STUDY DESIGN: Isokinetic trunk extensor and flexor strength (peak torque, total work, power acceleration time, and torque acceleration energy) at 30 degrees/sec, 120 degrees/sec, and 180 degrees/sec and isometric extensor and flexor peak torque were measured in 24 healthy women. Measurements were performed in three separate sessions at the same time of day and by the same experienced examiner. The number of days between Session 1 and Session 2 and between Session 1 and Session 3 ranged from 1 to 7 (median, 2 days) and from 23 to 48 (median, 32 days), respectively. The test results were not revealed before all sessions were completed. OBJECTIVES: To determine the intrasession, short-term, and long-term reproducibility of several trunk strength variables measured by the Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer (Lumex, Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Only few and insufficient data regarding the reproducibility of trunk strength measurements exist. Previous studies have focused on coefficients of correlation to express reproducibility. Correlations, however, are misleading and inappropriate for this purpose. The critical difference is the difference between two results that would be statistically significant when applied to a reference group in steady state. The critical difference in percentage is calculated as 2.77 X coefficient of variation (%). METHODS: Isokinetic dynamometry (Cybex 6000). Reproducibility was expressed as pooled coefficients of variation, individual coefficients of variation, and critical differences. RESULTS: Substantial between-subject variation of coefficients of variation was found for all strength variables; for example, the 80% central range for individual coefficients of variation for long-term reproducibility of extensor strength measurements at 30 degrees/sec ranged from 2.5% to 19.5%. Critical differences calculated using the pooled variances for long-term reproducibility were higher than 20% for all measures, mounting to 80% for acceleration time. CONCLUSIONS: Strength testing is of limited value in the individual subject because of considerable day-to-day variability. This finding has important clinical implications.

Associations of isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength with steroid use and walking ability in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Seventy-five women with rheumatoid arthritis according to the 1987 criteria of the American Rheumatism Association were examined. Mean age was 61.9 +/- 12.5 years, mean disease duration 14 years. Sixty-three were or had been on steroids (median cumulative prednisolone dose 2.5 g). Maximal voluntary knee extensor and flexor strength (Nm) was assessed at 30 degrees/s by an isokinetic dynamometer. Walking ability was expressed as walking and stair-climbing time (s). Markers of disease activity included number of swollen and tender joints, pain as recorded by the patients on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and disability as scored by the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Muscle strength, walking time (50 m) and stair-climbing time were reduced on average by 30%, and increased by 28% and 54% (p<0.0001), respectively, compared to 67 age-, weight- and height-matched healthy women. Associations between muscle strength and cumulative or current steroid dose were not found after correction for age and disease duration. Significant linear correlations were found between knee extensor strength and walking time (r =-0.78, p<0.0001) and stair-climbing time (r = -0.76, p<0.0001). Similar correlations were found for flexor strength. The correlations remained significant (Rpartial ranging from -0.64 to -0.69, p<0.0001) in multiple regression analyses adjusting for age, height, weight, disease duration, number of swollen and tender joints, and VAS and HAQ scores. In conclusion, negative effects of steroids on muscle strength were not demonstrated. Leg muscle strength is an important and independent determinator of walking ability in RA.

Assessment of extensor and flexor strength in the individual gonarthrotic patient: interpretation of performance changes.

The intra-session and inter-session reproducibility of knee extensor and flexor strength measurements were examined in 21 gonarthrotic subjects (ten women and eleven men). Using the Cybex 6000 dynamometer, isokinetic peak torque and total work at 30 and 120 degrees/second and isometric peak torque were measured three times on separate days within two weeks by the same examiner. The reproducibility of walking and stair climbing time measurements was also assessed. The concept of critical difference (i.e. the difference between two measurements which would be statistically significant when applied to a reference group in steady state) for the interpretation of muscle strength data obtained by monitoring individual patients is presented. Individual coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated for each muscle strength variable. Depending on the velocity and on whether peak torque or total work were measured, the median CV of intra-session and inter-session extensor strength measurements ranged from 1.5-4.9% and 7.4-10.1%, respectively. CVs for flexor strength measurements were significantly higher. Substantial variability of within subject variances were found, e.g. the 80% central range of CVs for extensor torque at 30 degrees/second was 2.5-29.5% (inter-session). Calculated from CVs, critical differences for inter-session measurements exceeded 30% for all muscle strength variables. Median CVs for walking and stair-climbing time were 7.0% and 4.9%, respectively. In conclusion, the large CVs and corresponding critical differences may be a major limitation in the use of muscle strength measurements in the individual gonarthrotic patient.

Body composition and muscle strength in women scheduled for a knee or hip replacement. A comparative study of two groups of osteoarthritic women.

It is unclear whether patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and hip OA differ regarding soft tissue composition and bone mineral density (BMD). A total of 42 women waiting for a replacement of the hip (n = 20) or the knee (n = 22) due to OA were examined. Fat mass (FM), percent body fat (%fat), lean mass (LM) and BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Knee extensor and flexor strength was measured by an isokinetic dynamometer. No significant differences in age, height, disease duration, Lequesne score or pain scores were found between the groups. Comparing the radiographic changes of the knees with those of the hips, changes were most severe in the joints which were to be replaced. Body weight, body mass index, total and regional FM, and %fat were more than 15% higher in patients waiting for a knee replacement (p < 0.001). Also lean mass tended to be higher in the knee patients. Differences in BMD did not remain statistically significant after correction for body weight. Muscle strength was similar in the two groups but was reduced by 20% in the legs in which the joint was to be replaced compared to the contralateral legs. However, the mean difference in lean mass between the two legs was only 3% (p < 0.05). The scores for pain felt during strength testing were significantly higher for the involved legs than for the contralateral legs. In conclusion, fat mass values were considerably higher in patients scheduled for a knee replacement. Impaired strength performance in OA may be more strongly associated with pain than with reduced muscle mass.

Isometric and isokinetic quadriceps strength in gonarthrosis; inter-relations between quadriceps strength, walking ability, radiology, subchondral bone density and pain.

Patients with osteoarthrosis suffer from disability and pain. We measured isokinetic and isometric peak torque in 20 women with gonarthrosis (GA) and in 26 healthy controls. Relationships between muscle strength, walking and stair climbing time, pain level and pain disability scores as assessed by the patients using an extensive questionnaire, radiological changes and subchondral sclerosis expressed as bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) of the proximal tibia were studied. Precision errors of the torque measurements in both GA patients and controls were approximately 6%. In the GA patients, isokinetic and isometric quadriceps strength was reduced by 40 and 15% (p < 0.01) respectively, and walking and stair climbing time was increased by 30% (p < 0.005). Isokinetic strength was a better predictor of pain level and pain disability scores than isometric strength and radiological stage. Walking time and stair climbing time were not associated with quadriceps strength, pain level, pain disability scores or radiological changes. Subchondral BMD was not predictive of pain. The study suggests that quadriceps strength assessed by isokinetic dynamometry in GA is a reliable measurement. Isokinetic strength was pronouncedly reduced compared to isometric strength and was a more important predictor of pain and pain disability than isometric strength. These findings should be taken into consideration when planning exercise studies and programmes in GA.

Bone status in rheumatoid arthritis assessed at peripheral sites by three different quantitative ultrasound devices.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by periarticular and generalized loss of bone mass. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has been introduced as a method for the assessment of bone status and fracture risk. In this cross-sectional study bone status was assessed by QUS at different peripheral sites in 27 women with RA (mean disease duration 15 years) and in 36 healthy women matched for age, height and weight. Speed of sound (SOS, m/s), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB/MHz) and stiffness of the calcaneus were assessed by a Lunar Achilles device. Amplitude-dependent SOS (Ad-SOS, m/s) of the second to fifth phalanx was measured by a DBM Sonic 1200, and SOS of the distal forearm and third phalanx was measured by a Omnisense multisite scanner. Bone mass (g/cm2 or g) of the hip, spine, distal forearm and total body was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. QUS values were significantly reduced in RA at most sites ( p<0.005-0.001), but between-group differences were small, and large overlaps between the groups were noticed. After correction for bone mass, the observed differences remained statistically significant for the calcaneus and distal radius ( p<0.05). Independent associations between ultrasound measures and markers of disease activity were not demonstrated. In conclusion, bone status as assessed by QUS was compromised in RA, but whether ultrasound transmission may serve as a marker of disease progression and fracture risk in the individual patient remains to be clarified in prospective studies.

[Attitudes to cholesterol measurement and intervention among general practitioners in Bornholm]. / Holdninger til kolesterolmåling og -intervention hos praktiserende laeger på Bornholm.

In 1985 an explanatory report was published about investigation and treatment of hyperlipidaemia. This report, together with a consensus report published subsequently, formed the background for a nationwide cholesterol campaign. The attitudes of general practitioners to measurement of cholesterol and intervention must be considered to have decisive influence on performance of the goal of the consensus report, viz, reduction of the incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). By means of a nine-page questionnaire, an attempt was made to assess the attitudes to measurement of cholesterol and intervention among the general practitioners on Bornholm. Out of the 35 questionnaires sent, 27 were returned (77%). Just under 40% of the general practitioners would screen all men aged between 20 and 59 years. Approximately 25% would screen women in the same age group. Opinions were unanimous about screening patients with diabetes, hypertension or IHD. Attitudes towards intervention were, by and large, in agreement with the cholesterol limits recommended in the explanatory report. In general, the general practitioners had well balanced attitudes towards tracing and treatment of individuals with raised serum cholesterol with relevant consideration of cholesterol as an important risk factor in the development of IHD.

[Demonstration of bacteriuria in elderly hospitalized patients. Comparison between leukocyte and nitrite strips and culture]. / Påvisning af bakteriuri hos aeldre indlagte patienter. Sammenligning af kombineret leukocyt- og nitritstix med dyrkning.

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of test strips for urinary nitrite and leucocytes for detection of bacteriuria in elderly patients. The material consisted of 213 urine samples from 85 women and 26 men (median age 79 years, range 60-93 years) within the first two days in hospital. The results of the test strip reactions were read in the department and in the laboratory. The strip test results and symptoms of UTI were compared with culture results. 27% of the samples showed significant bacteriuria on culture (> or = 10(5) colonies/ml urine). 21% of the 102 patients who had submitted two urine samples within the first two days had significant bacteriuria in both samples. Less than half of these patients had symptoms of UTI. The false negative rate of test strips (defined as the number of proven laboratory UTIs not demonstrated by the test strips, expressed as a percentage of the total number of proven UTIs) was 29% in the department and in the laboratory it was 13%. 15% of the test strips at the laboratory failed to detect significant E. coli infections which were predominant. In conclusion, we found that it is advisable to perform urine culture if symptoms of urinary tract infections are present.

[Reflex dystrophy after reconstruction of the axillary artery]. / Refleksdystrofi efter rekonstruktion af a. axillaris.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a complex syndrome of pain, trophic changes and vasomotor instability affecting the limbs. Numerous theories have been suggested to explain the pathophysiology. None is universely accepted. In most of the patients reported, an antecedant event such as trauma or surgery is implicated in the initiation of symptoms. We describe a case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy developing after reconstruction of a. axillaris. To our knowledge there have only been a few previous descriptions of reflex dystrophy following vascular surgery. The mechanism of reflex sympathetic dystrophy secondary to vascular trauma is discussed. Presumely, damage to the arterial wall by trauma may initiate abnormal reflex activity and lead to RSD. We suggest that vascular surgery should be considered as a potential risk factor for the development of RSD.