ABSTRACT
Seventy-seven patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee, with clinical indication for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were studied. However, no patient was submitted to any anti-inflammatory medication seven days, prior the beginning of the study and did not complain of any gastrointestinal disease. Shortly before starting the anti-inflammatory drug therapy all patients were submitted to gastroduodenal endoscopy. This diagnostic procedure revealed that 54.6% of the patients presented at least one gastroduodenal damage, 22.1%, hyperemia, 3.9%, petechias, 23.4%, erosions and 5.2%, peptic ulcers. There results permitted to conclude that to identify and/or exclude damage of the gastrointestinal tract, data obtained in the anamnese are not sufficient. For these patients the endoscopic examination is a need. Anti-inflammatory therapy must be careful associated with dietetic orientation and the prescription of drugs to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/adverse effects , Gastric Mucosa/drug effects , Gastrointestinal Diseases/diagnosis , Osteoarthritis/drug therapy , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/chemically induced , Gastrointestinal Diseases/prevention & control , Humans , Hyperemia/diagnosis , Male , Peptic Ulcer/drug therapy , Purpura/diagnosis , Pyloric Antrum/drug effectsABSTRACT
The association of joint pain with radiological changes (such as osteophytes, joint space narrowing, and sometimes, bone cysts and erosion) is the most commonly criteria used in daily medical practice for the diagnosis of osteoarthrosis. However, these findings do not allow objective quantification of the intensity of the joint involvement. In an attempt to measure quantitatively the radiological lesions encountered in osteoarthrosis the authors elaborated a radiological index based on the following parameters: I. severity of radiological changes, II. area of the affected joint and III. number of affected joints. The application of this index in the medical practice allows a simple way of quantification of radiological lesions of osteoarthrosis and thus, a better clinical monitorization of the disease.
Subject(s)
Osteoarthritis/diagnostic imaging , Arm , Humans , Leg , RadiographyABSTRACT
A new scheme for the treatment of dermatopolymyositis with pulmonary fibrosis not responding to corticosteroid therapy is presented. Monthly endovenous administration of a small dose of cyclophosphamide is advocated. Two patients with dermatopolymyositis not responding to prednisone were treated for two years with small doses of cyclophosphamide given monthly after which recovered from muscular and pulmonary involvement showing at present normal clinical parameters.
