Rheumatoid Arthritis: Deslandre CJ

Perdriger A, Mariette X, Kuntz JL, Brocq O, Kara-Terki R, Loet XL, Cantagrel A, Pavy S, Deslandre CJ, Debiais F, Combe B, Anonymous00196. · Department of Rheumatology, Medical University, Rennes, France. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #16652418 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of infliximab (INF) combination therapy with leflunomide (LEF) or azathioprine (AZA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: A standardized questionnaire on the use of INF in combination with LEF or AZA was mailed to hospital physicians and collected over a 2 month period. Adverse events (AE) and the reasons for withdrawal of combination therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: Data on 225 patients with RA were collected retrospectively. INF was used in combination with LEF in 171 patients and with AZA in 54. The duration of INF exposure was similar in both groups (mean 8.8 mo). AE were reported in 75 patients (33.3%), 60 LEF/INF (35%) and 15 AZA/INF combinations (27.8%) (p=nonsignificant). No unexpected AE were observed. The main AE were infections (6.2%), cytopenia (5.8%), hepatotoxicity (5.8%), reactions to infusion (5.3%), and skin reactions (4%). At the time the questionnaires were sent out, 161 patients were continuing combination therapies. The main reasons for drug withdrawal were AE (53 patients, 23.5%), inefficacy (10 patients, 4%), and one temporary discontinuation for surgery. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that INF used in combination with LEF or AZA could be an alternative to methotrexate/INF combinations.

Pouchot J, Larbre JP, Lemelle I, Sommelet D, Grouteau E, David L, Duquesne A, Deslandre CJ, Koné Paut I, Pillet P, Goumy L, Barbier C, Guyot MH, Mazingue F, Laloum SG, Fischbac M, Quartier P, Guyot C, Jean S, Legall E, Plouvier E, Bost M, de Lumley L, Brégeon C, Guillemin F, Coste J, Prieur AM, Anonymous00241. · Internal Medicine Department, Médecine Interne, Hĵpital Louis Mourier, 178, rue des Renoullers, Colombes, France. · Joint Bone Spine. · Pubmed #12477231 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the functional disability tool Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), a variant of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). CHILDREN AND METHODS: The disability index is the mean of the scores on the eight domains of the CHAQ and can range from 0 (no disability) to 3 (maximum disability). The CHAQ was first translated into French and adapted, then validated in a multicenter cross-sectional study in 306 children with JIA (systemic onset, 23%; polyarticular onset, 22%; extended oligoarticular subtype, 25%; and persistent oligoarticular subtype, 30%). RESULTS: Overall CHAQ scores discriminated between the four JIA subtypes (systemic: 1.1 +/- 0.9; polyarticular: 0.8 +/- 0.7, extended oligoarticular 0.8 +/- 0.7, and persistent oligoarticular: 0.4 +/- 0.5 [P < 0.0001]). Reproducibility evaluated by test-retest at a 7-day interval was excellent (intraclass coefficient, 0.91), as was agreement between the Parent's and Children's versions of the questionnaire (intraclass coefficient, 0.89). Significant correlations were found between the overall CHAO score and variables reflecting disease severity (joint counts, physician's and parent's global assessments, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), indicating excellent convergent validity of the tool. CONCLUSION: The French version of the CHAQ displays good psychometric characteristics, although its sensitivity to change remains to be established. The French version of the CHAO should prove useful in international studies and can be expected to be helpful for monitoring individual patients with JIA.