Homocystine level in blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is an inflammatory disease. It largely affects synovial joints, which are lined with a specialized tissue called synovium. RA typically affects the small joints of the hands and the feet, and usually both sides equally and symmetrically, although any synovial joint can be affected. It is a systemic disease and so can affect the whole body, including the heart, lungs and eyes. There are approximately 400,000 people with RA in the UK, The incidence of the condition is low, with around 1.5 men and 3.6 women developing RA per 10,000 people per year. This translates into approximately 12,000 people developing RA per year in the UK. The overall occurrence of RA is two to four times greater in women than men. To assess total Homocystine [tHcy] metabolism and also levels of B vitamins [folate and B12] which is enters in remathelytion of Homocystine metabolism in blood of patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Forty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied. Their ages range from 20-80 years with a mean age of 47.2 +/- 12.9 years. Apparently healthy volunteers considered of 30 individuals who considered as control Blood samples were collected from patients and controls to assess serum concentration of homocystine were measured by [hplc], folate and B12 were measured by cobas e411, lipid profile [spectrophotometer] and different parameters. The current results revealed that serum Homocystine level was significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls [p=0.001]. More ever, there is significant negative association was found between serum Homocystine with folate and B12 also there is strong positive association between folate and B12. Elevated Hey levels in patients with RA, may explain some of the increased cardiovascular mortality seen in such patients. Studies of the prevalence and mechanism of hyperhomocysteinemia in RA are warranted simple preventive measures may reduce the risk cardio vascular disease such as dietary supplementation of adequate vitamins of folic acid and B12 from natural sources [fruits and green leafy vegetables], substitution of animal proteins by plant proteins in the diet, as animal proteins have higher methionine content than the plant proteins. This may, in part, decrease the body burden of Hey and regularize the deranged Hey metabolism in most cases

Spinal traction in lumbosacral disc prolapse

Lumbosacral disc prolapse is a common cause of low back pain localized to the lumbar spine. The aim of this paper is to describe the possible role of lumbar spine traction in the therapy of lumbosacral spine disc prolapse. 866 patients were treated with lumbar traction in and 150 patients were treated with analgesic and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], both groups had lumbosacral spine disc prolapse. The traction was used for not more than 2weeks. 72% of patients gained 100% response at week 2, 17% showed partial response and 11% showed poor response. The results of this trial indicate that use of lumbar traction in lumbosacral disc prolapse is probably better than analgesic and NSAIDs

Combined therapy of interferon alpha. 2b with cyclosporine and prednisolone in scleroderma versus methotrexate and prednisolone

Scleroderma is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by widespread small vessels obliteration and fibrosis of the skin and multiple internal organs. No therapy is of proven value in scleroderma. To evaluate the value of combination of interferon alpha. 2b, cyclosporine and small dose of Prednisolone in the treatment of scleroderma. 46 patients with different histopathological phases of scleroderma were enrolled in this study. The patients was divided randomly in two groups. Group one was composed of 32 patients treated with interferon alpha. 2b 3MIU/day, cyclosporine 100mg/day and Prednisolone 10mg/day. Group two received methotrexate 10 mg/week with 15 mg Prednisolone / day. After one year follow up group one [who received interferon alpha. 2b, cyclosporine and Prednisolone] showed remarkable improvement in the shape of skin, tightness of skin and raynauds phenomena who used prednisolone plus methotrexate who did not show any improvement, in comparison with group two. Combined therapy of interferon alpha. 2b, cyclosporine and small dose of prednisolone could be useful therapy for patients with scleroderma

Cardiac involvement in idiopathic inflammatory polymyositis

Idiopathic inflammatory polymyositis primarily affect skeletal muscle. Heart muscle has been reported in patients with polymyositis. This study was done to assess the involvement of heart in polymyositis. Forty eight patients with a diagnosis of polymyositis were examined for heart involvement. Chest - X-ray, electrocardiography and echocardiography have been performed. Cardiomegally found in 63% of patients. ECG - changes including left ventricular hypertrophy, and ST-segment and T-wave abnormalities in 80% Diminished ventricular contractility found in 83%. Analysis of the results showed that the involvement of the heart in polymyositis is a common problem

Long term efficacy of interferon alpha 2b in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: Iraqi experience

Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with interferon alpha-2b has been shown to be efficacious in patients with active disease during a 3 months treatment with extension for a year for long term efficacy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of interferon alpha-2b treatment of ankylosing spondylitis for a one year period. This study was an open extension study of one year randomized, placebo controlled trail. All patients who had tolerated interferon alpha-2b or placebo [Vitamin B1 1mg] therapy for one year entered the open extension trail [n-46]. Interferon alpha.2b administered at a dosage of 3MIU subcutaneously every 3 days. The primary end point was a 50% improvement in Bath ankylosing Spodylytis activity index [BASDAI]. At week 54 a total of 46 patients continued to take interferon alpha.2b the efficacy analysis at week 54 showed that 95% of interferon alpha.2b group and 51% of the placebo group achieved a 50% improvement in Bath of Ankylosing Spodylytis Activity Index [BASDAI] scores. Interferon alpha.2b therapy in ankylosing spondylitis patients resulted in rapid and significant improvement in BASDAI scores [>50% improvement] and durable response foe one year