IA therapy with hyaluronan (HA) is reported to provide symptomatic relief and disease modification in OA. This study assessed the pathological changes in the synovium of an ovine model of OA and evaluated the effects of two HA preparations on this pathology.

To compare ultrasonography (US) of salivary glands with contrast sialography and scintigraphy, in order to evaluate the diagnostic value of this method in primary SS (pSS).

To examine the role of adenosine receptor 2a gene (ADORA2a) polymorphisms on outcome of MTX treatment in RA.

To quantify the sibling risk of RA, SLE and AS. To analyse the concordant and discordant associations between RA, SLE and AS.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, heterogeneous disease, which affects different organs and therefore requires interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic management. To improve the detection and follow-up of patients presenting with different disease manifestations, an interdisciplinary registry was founded with contributions from different subspecialties involved in the care of patients with SSc.

To examine if angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use delays the occurrence of renal involvement and decreases the risk of disease activity in SLE patients.

To examine changes in patterns of medication utilization in patients with RA.

To evaluate the analytical performance of an ELISA for the detection of anti-RNA polymerase III antibody (ARA) and to assess IIF as a method for identifying this antibody.

A role for vitamin D in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is emerging. We undertook an audit of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) investigation and treatment in rheumatology outpatients.

Rheumatological conditions are common, thus nurses (Ns) occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) require at least basic rheumatology knowledge upon qualifying. The aim of this study was to develop a core set of teaching topics and potential ways of delivering them.

No objective method to measure skin involvement in SSc has been established. We developed a novel method using a computer-linked device to simultaneously quantify physical properties of the skin such as hardness, elasticity and viscosity.

To describe changes in the provision of rheumatology services, monitor the pattern of inequalities in UK rheumatology service provision since 2005, and to summarize the 3-yr impact of the new National Health Service (NHS) consultant contract and the Musculoskeletal Services Framework in England and Wales.

Small studies have shown an improvement in disease activity in patients with RA who have switched between anti-TNF therapies for reasons of inefficacy. However, it is not clear whether switching improves longer term outcomes, such as disability. This analysis compares changes in HAQ scores 1 yr following lack of response to a first anti-TNF based on subsequent treatment during that year.

There are few data on the treatment patterns and associated cost of treating children with inflammatory arthritis including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), in the short or long term. The aim of this study was to obtain patient-based costs for treating children with JIA in the UK, in the first year from diagnosis and from the secondary health care payer perspective.

To study the association between disease severity at first presentation to paediatric rheumatology (PRh) and length of time since symptom onset in children recruited to the Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study.

Some juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients have a disease course which is refractory to multiple drug treatments. Prolonged disease activity is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. TNF-alpha has been identified in high levels in JDM patients who have a long disease course and calcinosis. We assessed the response of five refractory JDM patients to the anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, infliximab.

To characterize patient perceptions, related to eight self-management behaviours relevant for adults with ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitis (ANCA-SVV), and to determine if these perceptions were associated with performance of each behaviour.

To examine the distribution of traditional and novel risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with PsA compared with healthy controls.

Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated drug treatment for women at high risk of fracture, with a reduction in fracture risk as their end point. There has also been progress in identifying women at the highest risk of fractures. The most important clinical determinant contributing to the clinical decision of initiating and choosing drug therapy for fracture prevention is a woman's fracture risk, which, in RCTs, was determined by menopausal state, age, bone mineral density, fracture history, fall risks and glucocorticoid use. Women with secondary osteoporosis were excluded, except in studies of glucocorticoid use. A second determinant of drug therapy is the evidence for fracture prevention in terms of spectrum (vertebral, nonvertebral and/or hip fractures), size and speed of effect. In the absence of head-to-head RCTs with fracture risk as the end point, however, the efficacy of antifracture drugs cannot be directly compared. Other determinants include the potential extraskeletal benefits and safety concerns of the drug, patient preferences and reimbursement issues.