Rheumatoid Arthritis: Nesher G

Nesher G, Mates M. · Department of Intermal Medicine, Shaare-Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #10895376 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the contribution of dietary components in triggering the attacks of palindromic rheumatism (PR), and the effect of dietary manipulation on the frequency and severity of PR attacks. METHODS: Sixteen patients (10 males, 6 females) were diagnosed as having PR during 1994-8 in one center. Their mean age was 45 +/- 6, duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 4 +/- 1.4 years, and frequency of PR attacks were 3.1 +/- 1.8/month. All patients were instructed to make a list of the food that was consumed daily and to specify the dates of PR episodes. Data were evaluated after a period of 2-4 months in each patient. RESULTS: In 5 patients (31%) there was an association between episodes of PR and certain foods that were consumed within 36 hours prior to PR episodes. These were fish (2 patients), eggs, canned vegetables and processed cheese (each in one case). Elimination of the relevant food from each patient's diet resulted in complete cessation of the PR attacks in two of the cases, while the other three had milder, infrequent attacks. Four patients were rechallenged with the offending food. In all cases it resulted in recurrence of the PR attacks. No association between PR episodes and prior consumption of certain foods could be documented in the other 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In some PR patients ingestion of certain foods, specific for each case, can trigger the typical attack. It is suggested that this association should be looked for in any PR patient, as elimination of the offending food from the diet may help in preventing the PR attacks.

Mates M, Nesher G, Zevin S. · Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem. · Harefuah. · Pubmed #17803173 No free full text.

Abstract: Quinines are known to mankind and have been in medical use against malaria for over 350 years. The revelation of quinines' activity against malaria in the 17th century brought a revolution to the medical world and had dramatic implications on the political arena of Europe at that time. The source of these materials is the bark of the Cinchona trees indigenous to remote mountain areas of Latin America. Great efforts were made in the search for the trees, and in growing them in other areas of the world. Today quinines are produced both synthetically and from the tree bark. Beside malaria, they are pivotal in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Breuer GS, Orbach H, Elkayam O, Berkun Y, Paran D, Mates M, Nesher G. · Rheumatology Service, Department of Internal Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. · Isr Med Assoc J. · Pubmed #16599054 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine has recently attracted attention due to its widespread use. In a recent study in Israel, almost a half of CAM users in the general population used it for joint diseases or back pain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of CAM use among patients with defined rheumatic diseases, and analyze the demographic features of CAM users, their reasons for using CAM and the use of specific CAM methods. METHODS: We conducted face-to-face structured interviews of 350 patients attending rheumatology clinics, regarding past or present use of CAM, specifying the various CAM types they used, and reasons for using CAM. Demographic data including age, gender, country of birth and origin, and level of education were also collected. RESULTS: Altogether, 148 patients reported using CAM (42%). In general, homeopathy and acupuncture were the most commonly used types (44% and 41% of the patients, respectively). The mean number of CAM methods per patient was 1.9 +/- 1.1. CAM was more commonly used by patients with advanced education (52% vs. 37% of patients with lower education, P= 0.007). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis used CAM significantly less than patients with other rheumatologic conditions (32% vs. 48%, P= 0.008). CONCLUSION: CAM use is influenced by level of education. The choice of the preferred CAM method among patients with rheumatic diseases seemed to follow the popular CAM methods in the general population, and was not specific to rheumatic diseases.

Breuer GS, Orbach H, Elkayam O, Berkun Y, Paran D, Mates M, Nesher G. · Rheumatology Service, Department of Internal Medicine, Shaare-Zedek Medical Center and the Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #16173249 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to obtain and analyze data on self-perceived efficacy of different types of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) by patients with various rheumatologic conditions. METHODS: Patients followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics were screened for the use of CAM. Patients reporting the use of CAM were asked to participate in face-to-face structured interviews, specifying the various CAM types they used, and grading their subjective impression of efficacy of each CAM type on a scale of 1-10. RESULTS: 350 consecutive patients were screened and 148 reported using CAM. In general, homeopathy and acupuncture were the most commonly used CAM types (44% and 41% of the CAM users, respectively). The mean number of different CAM methods used by a CAM user was 1.9 +/- 1.1. Patients with fibromyalgia used significantly more CAM methods (2.7 +/- 1.4, p = 0.005). On patients' self-perceived efficacy scale of 1-10, the mean score of the whole group was 5.3 +/- 3.2. Acupuncture and homeopathy achieved significantly higher self-perceived efficacy scores in CAM users with spondylo-arthropathies and osteoarthritis, respectively, when compared to some of the other disease groups. Satisfaction was lowest among CAM users with rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis and connective tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: In general, CAM users were less than moderately satisfied with self-perceived-efficacy of CAM therapies. However efficacy of specific CAM methods differed significantly among patients in different disease groups.

Nesher G, Mates M, Zevin S. · Shaare-Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #12571869 links to  free full text

This publication has no abstract.

Tishler M, Langevetiz P, Nesher G. · No affiliation provided · Harefuah. · Pubmed #12420601 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.