Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis among patients with endometriosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmunity may play a role in endometriosis. The association between endometriosis and RA remains unknown. This study was conducted to identify any evidence for this relationship. METHODS: This 13-year, nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study analysed the risk of RA in a cohort of individuals with endometriosis. We investigated the incidence of RA among patients with endometriosis using data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000, which is maintained by the Taiwan National Health Research Institutes. We used propensity scores to match comorbidities in the two cohorts. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were employed to analyse the association between endometriosis and RA among patients with different potential risks. RESULTS: Patients with endometriosis [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.75, 95% CI 1.27, 2.41], aged ≥45 years (adjusted HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.06-2.13) and with autoimmune disease (adjusted HR 6.99, 95% CI 2.84-17.21) had a significantly higher risk of RA. The analyses also showed that when stratified by age, comorbidities and medication use, the risk of RA in patients with endometriosis was also higher than in those without endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: This 14-year, nationwide, population-based retrospective cohort study revealed that patients with endometriosis have a higher risk of RA. In the clinical management of patients with RA, rheumatologists should be especially mindful of the possibility of underlying endometriosis.

Clinical study of the infra-patellar fat pad strain treated by galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine combined with ultrasonic wave and manipulation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effects of galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine combined with ultrasonic wave and manipulation in the treatment of strain of the infrapatellar fat pad, to study an effective approach in the treatment of this diseas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty patients were divided randomly into treatment group and control group, there were 40 cases in each group. In treatment group 40 cases were treated by galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine, ultrasonic wave and manipulation, included 22 males and 18 females with an average age of (63.15 +/- 8.10) years old and a mean disease course of (6.84 +/- 3.50) years. In control group, 40 cases were treated with ultrasonic wave and manipulation, included 23 males and 17 females with an average age of (62.63 +/- 8.20) years old and the course was (6.59 +/-3.70) years. visual analogue scale (VAS) and the scales for pain with finger press were evaluated before and after treatment in two groups. The clinical effects were researched and analysed statistically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In treatment group,12 patients were in remarkable effects, 17 in good effective, 9 in effective and 2 in ineffective. As well in control group, above data were 8,15, 8 and 9 respectively. There was a significant difference in the rate of general effective between treatment group and control group (P < 0.05). In treatment group, the scales for VAS before and after treatment were (7.92 +/- 2.21) and (2.16 +/- 1.87) and the scales for pain with finger press before and after treatment were (3.01 +/- 0.63) and (0.86 <-- 0.46). As well in control group, above data were (7.71 +/2.65), (3.83 +/- 2.45), (2.98 +/- 0.61) and (1.32 +/- 0.52) respectively. The comparison of the scales for VAS and pain with finger press before and after treatment in two groups had significant difference (P < O.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ultrasonic wave and manipulation have a good effect in the treatment of stain of the infrapatellar fat pad, when the galvanism penetration of traditional Chinese medicine is applied at the same time, the therapeutic efficiency can be improved significantly. Three therapies are used in treatment at the same, it can improve the therapeutic effect, and it is an easy, economic, practical and effective comprehensive approach.</p>