Rheumatoid Arthritis: Bálint G

Kirwan JR, Bálint G, Szebenyi B. · No affiliation provided · Rheumatology (Oxford). · Pubmed #10342620 links to  free full text

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Bálint G, Apáthy A, Gaál M, Telekes A, Resetár A, Blazsó G, Falkay G, Szende B, Paksy A, Ehrenfeld M, Shoenfeld Y, Hidvégi M. · Fourth Department of Rheumatology, National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #16870104 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar)in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fifteen female RA (Steinbrocker II-III) patients, who had unsuccessfully tried two different DMARD treatments, were enrolled in an open-label, 1-year long, pilot clinical study. DMARD and steroid therapies were recorded and continued. All patients received Avemar as additional therapy. For measurement of efficacy the Ritchie Index, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the assessment of morning stiffness were applied. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months. For statistical analyses the Wilcoxon test was used.RESULTS: At both 6 and 12 months, Ritchie index, HAQ and morning stiffness showed significant improvements compared with the baseline values. Dosages of steroids could be reduced in about half of the patients. No side effects of Avemar were observed.CONCLUSION:Supplementation of standard therapies with a continuous administration of Avemar is beneficial for RA patients.

Bender T, Bariska J, Rojkovich B, Bálint G. · National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary. · Arzneimittelforschung. · Pubmed #11455681 No free full text.

Abstract: The absorption of etofenamate (CAS 30544-47-9, Rheumon gel) by iontophoresis in 11 patients with low back pain and in 13 patients with synovitis of the knee was evaluated. During the 5-day treatment period, the test gel in a quantity corresponding to 100 mg etofenamate was applied to affected body regions every day by 20-min iontophoresis sessions. Two hours after the fifth application, the concentration of etofenamate in serum and synovial fluid (in patients who had knee joint iontophoresis) were measured by HPLC. Iontophoresis of etofenamate into the lumbar region as well as to the knee joint resulted in consistent serum levels: 219 +/- 136.3 micrograms/l and 191 +/- 84.6 micrograms/l, respectively. In patients with synovitis of the knee, the synovial level of etofenamate (368 +/- 109.2 micrograms/l) was almost twice as high than the serum concentration. The authors conclude that with topical application of etofenamate by iontophoresis the drug appears not only in the serum but also--with higher levels--in the synovial fluid.

Rojkovich B, Hodinka L, Bálint G, Szegedi G, Varjú T, Tamási L, Molnár E, Szilágyi M, Szocsik K. · National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary. · Scand J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #10503557 No free full text.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a new formulation of cyclosporin-A (CyA) and sulfasalazine (SASP) combination treatment in preventing disability and reducing inflammatory disease activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, as well as to assess the tolerability, safety, and suitability for long-term treatment. Forty five patients with early, active rheumatoid arthritis, (RA) were treated with CyA and SASP combination therapy for 12 months. The patients were evaluated by disease activity and radiologic measurements. The combined CyA and SASP therapy seems to be effective. Disease activity parameters improved within 3 months. The individual treatment response rate according to EULAR response criteria was 78% after a one year treatment period. Five patients were withdrawn due to gastrointestinal side effect and two patients because of lack of efficacy. CyA and SASP combination treatment seems to be effective in early severe RA, and with careful monitoring, side effects can be kept under control.

Macheiner W, Jantschitsch C, Graninger W, Pálóczy K, Bálint G, Marschalkó M, Kainberger F, Breier F, Knobler RM. · Department of Dermatology, Division of Special and Environmental Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. · J Am Acad Dermatol. · Pubmed #12582392 No free full text.

Abstract: We describe a patient with therapy-resistant cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Sézary syndrome variant, in association with concurrent polyarthritis and vitiligo, who was successfully treated with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP). The combination of Sézary syndrome with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis is rare. In our patient the T-cell lymphoma was refractory to standard treatments that included psoralen-UVA, lymph node irradiation, and polychemotherapy. ECP has been shown to be effective in the treatment of selected cases of Sézary syndrome. There is a strong suggestion that ECP as a monotherapy can provide a significant benefit for other T-cell-mediated diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. In spite of a disease duration of 10 years, a very low CD8 cell count (2% of lymphocytes), a very high CD4 cell count (94%), and multiple unsuccessful chemotherapeutic trials before initiation of ECP, our patient achieved a long-lasting complete remission of both diseases with normalization of the CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subsets. Concurrent developing vitiligo was unaffected by ECP.

Varga E, Varga E, Jáger R, Petró A, Gyódi E, Bálint G, Náfrádi L, Varga L. · Reumatológiai Osztály, Vas megyei Markusovszky Kórház, Szombathely. · Orv Hetil. · Pubmed #11760469 No free full text.

Abstract: In a 36 years old male and a 56 years old female myasthenic patient thymectomy was performed several years ago. In the male patient 5, and in the female patient 7 years after the operation rheumatoid arthritis developed. The rheumatoid arthritis in the male patient was seropositive with marginal erosions in the carpometacarpal and in the tarsometatarsal joints. The female patient had no joint destruction and was seronegative as well. The female patient had also an abnormal ratio between the separated CD4 and CD8 T-cells. The major histocompatibility complex determined by the serological methods revealed a haplotype of HLA-A1-B8-D3-DQ2, which is typically due to the myasthenic disease. In the female patient the molecular analysis of the HLA-D region showed a HLA-DRB1* 0401 allele, which is frequently associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The male patient had no allelic variant which could be related to his chronic disabilitating joint disease.