Estudio de la eficacia del condroitín 4 y 6 sulfato en los síntomas de la artrosis de rodilla / Study of the effectiveness of condroitín 4 and 6 sulphate in the symptoms of the artrosis of knee

We developed a prospective, open study to evaluate the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of kneeosteoarthritis. Methodology: We studied 61 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis. They were given 800mg/day chondroitin 4-and 6- sulfate (Condrosulf, IBSA, Switzerland) for a period of three months. Patients were controlled every 30 days using the Lequesne index and the visual analogue pain scale. Medication was suspended after 90 days and patients were reevaluated 90 days later. Only Paracetamol was allowed as analgesic. Results: After 90 days a significant improvement of45 percent was observed in the Lequesne index, and 59 percent for knee pain. Once medication is suspended, the effect tends to slowly revert, with final study results significantly better than basal levels. Residual effect is better in patients under age 65 and in those with less basal radiological damage. Subjective opinion of both patient and doctor concurs with results. Conclusions: Chondroitin 4-and 6- sulfate is effective for the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Its effect lasts several months after drug suspension.

Artritis idiopática juvenil de inicio sistémico y síndrome de activación macrofágica / Juvenile idiopathic arthritis of sistemic beginning and syndrome of macrophage activation

The macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) i a rare pediatric condition characterized by enhanced activation of the macrophage and T-cell system, with increased liberation of T-cell cytokines. Clinically it resembles a multiorgan failure syndrome of infectious etiology. There is still some debate as to the nomenclature of this syndrome, hemato-oncologists usually classify this syndrome as a histiocytic disorder, while rheumatologists define it as MAS. We review a patient in which MAS was diagnosed during the early stages of the disease. The patient had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (systemic presentation).