In recent decades, several advances have been made in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) both in the diagnostic field and in the therapeutic field. Unfortunately, RA remains poorly studied in black Africa. Ep...In recent decades, several advances have been made in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) both in the diagnostic field and in the therapeutic field. Unfortunately, RA remains poorly studied in black Africa. Epidemiological data are rare and controversial. The estimated prevalence of RA in Africa is about 0% - 2.54%. Risk factors associated with RA must be studied by taking into account special features of black Africa such as the low tobacco consumption in certain regions, the tropical climate and the high frequency of endemic parasitic and viral infections. The initially supposed mildness of RA in black Africa is increasingly challenged. The diagnosis is often made too late because of the scarcity of rheumatologists and ignorance. Diagnostic tools are limited to the clinical data, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and radiographs as the other tools are poorly available. In addition, there are misconceptions in African communities, responsible for loss of sight during follow-up and treatment discontinuations. This is exacerbated by the shortage of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and the inability to afford them. Furthermore, biological agents are very difficult to access. Further studies are essential to better understand the characteristics of RA in black Africa. Thus, collaborations between African and Western research teams seem very important. In order to make available the DMARDs especially biological agents, pharmaceutical companies can contribute through research partnerships. Moreover, governments should provide a better place for chronic inflammatory diseases in the programs against non-communicable diseases. Finally, training must also be promoted to increase the number of specialists and the level of knowledge of other health workers.展开更多
The aim of this study is to assess the variations of the RF and ACCP in RA patients treated with biologics in actual clinical practice (real) conditions for a one-year follow-up from the first biologic medication. The...The aim of this study is to assess the variations of the RF and ACCP in RA patients treated with biologics in actual clinical practice (real) conditions for a one-year follow-up from the first biologic medication. The evaluated patients with a diagnosis of RA, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 were selected from the outpatient consult of Rheumatology of the “Hospital de Sant Pau” during one month (November 2012). We collected and analyzed data from 41 patients with RA and positivity for RF and/or ACCP. Of the 41 patients had given FR and ACCP at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively in 18 and 10 patients. In 22 patients had given DAS 28 at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. The mean age of the sample is 55 years (range 29-79), with a mean disease progression 9 years (4 months to 32 years). 70% are women. 33 patients (80.5%) initiated treatment with anti-TNF and 8 (19.5%) with other no anti-TNF mechanism of action. There was a statistically significant (p = 0.001, ANOVA) decrease in DAS 28 (average decrease of 1.6 points) at 3 months is maintained at 6 and 12 m and no significant differences in their evolution by separating anti-TNF drugs vs. other biological agents (different mechanisms of action (p = 0.285). So we have not detected a correlation between DAS 28 and FR or ACCP along the first 12 months of biological treatment. In our experience we did not find a correlation between DAS 28 and RF or ACCP, thus RF and ACCP do not appear to predict the response to treatment.展开更多
The use of adipose-derived cells as a treatment for a variety of diseases is becoming increasingly common. These therapies include the use of cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and freshly isolated stromal vascula...The use of adipose-derived cells as a treatment for a variety of diseases is becoming increasingly common. These therapies include the use of cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and freshly isolated stromal vascular fraction (SVF) alone, or in conjunction with other cells such as adipocytes. There is a substantial amount of literature published on the therapeutic properties of MSCs and their secretions as the main driver of their therapeutic effect. However, there is little data available on the therapeutic potential of secretions from SVF, either with or without adipocytes. We investigated the ability of secretions from human adipose SVF alone and the SVF co-cultured with adipocytes as a proxy for cell therapy, to ameliorate an inflammatory disorder. This ethics approved study involved the treatment of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) in mice with secretions from SVF, SVF co-cultured with adipocytes, or a vehicle control via both intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) routes. Treatment outcome was assessed by paw volume, ankle size and clinical arthritis score measurements. Serum samples were obtained following euthanasia and analysed for a panel of 32 mouse cytokines and growth factors. The dose and timing regime used for the IM administration of both human secretion mixtures did not significantly ameliorate arthritis in this model. The IV administration of SVF adipocyte co-culture secretions reduced the paw volume, and significantly reduced the ankle size and clinical arthritis score when compared to the IV vehicle control mice. This was a superior therapeutic effect than treatment with SVF secretions. Furthermore, treatment with SVF adipocyte coculture secretions resulted in a significant reduction in serum levels of key cytokines, IL-2 and VEGF, involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the SVF cocultured with adipocytes is an attractive therapeutic for inflammatory conditions.展开更多
文摘In recent decades, several advances have been made in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) both in the diagnostic field and in the therapeutic field. Unfortunately, RA remains poorly studied in black Africa. Epidemiological data are rare and controversial. The estimated prevalence of RA in Africa is about 0% - 2.54%. Risk factors associated with RA must be studied by taking into account special features of black Africa such as the low tobacco consumption in certain regions, the tropical climate and the high frequency of endemic parasitic and viral infections. The initially supposed mildness of RA in black Africa is increasingly challenged. The diagnosis is often made too late because of the scarcity of rheumatologists and ignorance. Diagnostic tools are limited to the clinical data, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and radiographs as the other tools are poorly available. In addition, there are misconceptions in African communities, responsible for loss of sight during follow-up and treatment discontinuations. This is exacerbated by the shortage of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and the inability to afford them. Furthermore, biological agents are very difficult to access. Further studies are essential to better understand the characteristics of RA in black Africa. Thus, collaborations between African and Western research teams seem very important. In order to make available the DMARDs especially biological agents, pharmaceutical companies can contribute through research partnerships. Moreover, governments should provide a better place for chronic inflammatory diseases in the programs against non-communicable diseases. Finally, training must also be promoted to increase the number of specialists and the level of knowledge of other health workers.
文摘The aim of this study is to assess the variations of the RF and ACCP in RA patients treated with biologics in actual clinical practice (real) conditions for a one-year follow-up from the first biologic medication. The evaluated patients with a diagnosis of RA, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 were selected from the outpatient consult of Rheumatology of the “Hospital de Sant Pau” during one month (November 2012). We collected and analyzed data from 41 patients with RA and positivity for RF and/or ACCP. Of the 41 patients had given FR and ACCP at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively in 18 and 10 patients. In 22 patients had given DAS 28 at 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. The mean age of the sample is 55 years (range 29-79), with a mean disease progression 9 years (4 months to 32 years). 70% are women. 33 patients (80.5%) initiated treatment with anti-TNF and 8 (19.5%) with other no anti-TNF mechanism of action. There was a statistically significant (p = 0.001, ANOVA) decrease in DAS 28 (average decrease of 1.6 points) at 3 months is maintained at 6 and 12 m and no significant differences in their evolution by separating anti-TNF drugs vs. other biological agents (different mechanisms of action (p = 0.285). So we have not detected a correlation between DAS 28 and FR or ACCP along the first 12 months of biological treatment. In our experience we did not find a correlation between DAS 28 and RF or ACCP, thus RF and ACCP do not appear to predict the response to treatment.
文摘The use of adipose-derived cells as a treatment for a variety of diseases is becoming increasingly common. These therapies include the use of cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and freshly isolated stromal vascular fraction (SVF) alone, or in conjunction with other cells such as adipocytes. There is a substantial amount of literature published on the therapeutic properties of MSCs and their secretions as the main driver of their therapeutic effect. However, there is little data available on the therapeutic potential of secretions from SVF, either with or without adipocytes. We investigated the ability of secretions from human adipose SVF alone and the SVF co-cultured with adipocytes as a proxy for cell therapy, to ameliorate an inflammatory disorder. This ethics approved study involved the treatment of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) in mice with secretions from SVF, SVF co-cultured with adipocytes, or a vehicle control via both intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) routes. Treatment outcome was assessed by paw volume, ankle size and clinical arthritis score measurements. Serum samples were obtained following euthanasia and analysed for a panel of 32 mouse cytokines and growth factors. The dose and timing regime used for the IM administration of both human secretion mixtures did not significantly ameliorate arthritis in this model. The IV administration of SVF adipocyte co-culture secretions reduced the paw volume, and significantly reduced the ankle size and clinical arthritis score when compared to the IV vehicle control mice. This was a superior therapeutic effect than treatment with SVF secretions. Furthermore, treatment with SVF adipocyte coculture secretions resulted in a significant reduction in serum levels of key cytokines, IL-2 and VEGF, involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the SVF cocultured with adipocytes is an attractive therapeutic for inflammatory conditions.
