Plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of nimesulide and its main metabolite after a single or repeated oral administration in patients with knee osteoarthritis

The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide and its major metabolite (hydroxynimesulide, M1), after a single 100 mg dose of nimesulide and a repeated (14 day) administration, 100 mg twice a day, in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and joint effusion. Nimesulide was rapidly absorbed in plasma and distributed in synovial fluid. On day 1, effective concentrations were present 30 min after the first dose and on day 14, the synovial fluid concentration of nimesulide was significantly higher than that measured on day 1; no accumulation was observed in plasma. After 14 days of treatment, both the plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of M1 were significantly higher than those measured on day 1. These data may help to explain the rapid onset of the analgesic effect of nimesulide demonstrated in several clinical conditions, including painful osteoarthritis.     

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in serum and synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis

Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in serum and synovial fluid obtained from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were determined by the chemiluminescence-ELISA (CL-ELISA) method, the sensitivity of which is 100-1,000 times greater than that of the conventional ELISA method. The results were compared with those obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and from healthy subjects. The mean IL-6 and IL-8 levels in synovial fluid indicated higher concentrations in RA than in OA. The IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum were significantly higher in RA and OA relative to controls. Among OA patients in whom remarkable improvement was noted in hydrarthrosis, the synovial fluid IL-6 and IL-8 levels at the initial examination were relatively higher, and were markedly decreased after treatment with sodium hyaluronate (NaHA). Among those in whom no improvement was noted in hydrarthrosis, the synovial fluid IL-6 and IL-8 levels at the time of initial examination were relatively lower, and hydrarthrosis was not significantly improved even after treatment with NaHA. In addition, there was a tendency for the synovial fluid IL-6 and IL-8 levels to decrease as HA levels increased. Evaluation of X-ray findings revealed that the IL-6 levels in synovial fluid at the initial examination in low-grade cases tended to be significantly higher than in high-grade cases. In low-grade cases, as determined by X-ray findings, there was a significant decrease in IL-6 levels in synovial fluid after treatment with NaHA.     

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator and inhibitor and gelatinases in the early osteoarthritic knee of humans

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the ex vivo effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and gelatinases [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9] in the early knee osteoarthritis (OA) of humans. DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples of articular cartilage, meniscus and synovium of OA patients were obtained and cultured ex vivo in the presence or absence of NSAIDs (diclofenac sodium, nimesulide, celecoxib, valdecoxib, rofecoxib and etoricoxib). RESULTS: Gelatin zymography showed that all NSAIDs generally decreased MMP-2 secretion in chondral, meniscal and synovial cultures as well as MMP-9 production in meniscal and synovial cultures. ELISA showed the inhibitions of u-PA secretion in chondral cultures by diclofenac and rofecoxib as well as in chondral and synovial cultures by nimesulide, celecoxib and etoricoxib at 48 h. On PAI-1 secretion, rofecoxib in synovial cultures and diclofenac, nimesulide, celecoxib and etoricoxib in chondral and synovial cultures had significantly suppressive effects at 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly demonstrates that NSAIDs can down-regulate the PA/plasmin system and gelatinases expression during the early stage of knee OA, thereby possibly affect the structural progression of the disease. This inhibition seems to be independent selection of COX-1 and COX-2.     

Activities of dipeptidyl peptidase II and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

We examined the activities of peptidases in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity was lower in synovial fluid from patients with RA, in contrast to the increase of DPP II activity in synovial fluid, as compared with OA. The DPP II/DPP IV ratio for synovial fluid was significantly higher in patients with RA than in patients with OA. A significant correlation was observed between the DPP II/DPP IV ratio for synovial fluid from patients with RA and the amount of C-reactive protein reaction. These results may be useful in the diagnosis of joint effusion of unknown origin.     

Relationships between local inflammation, interleukin-6 concentration and the acute phase protein response in arthritis patients

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in knee joint synovial fluids and paired plasma samples of arthritis patients were examined with respect to each other and parameters of the inflammatory response. Synovial fluid and plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with inflammatory arthritis than those detected in patients with osteoarthritis (P less than 0.001). The IL-6 concentrations in synovial fluids were considerably higher than, but significantly correlated with (r = 0.65; P less than 0.001), those of plasma. Furthermore, synovial fluid IL-6 concentrations in bilaterally inflamed knees were significantly correlated (r = 0.79; P less than 0.001) and there was a significant correlation with the extent of inflammatory cell infiltrate (r = 0.75; P less than 0.001). In unselected rheumatoid arthritis patients there was only a weak correlation between IL-6 and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, and no correlation between IL-6 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). However, both ESR and CRP concentration were highly correlated with plasma IL-6 concentration in patients with other inflammatory arthritides, particularly psoriatic and HLA B27 positive spondyloarthritis (r = 0.72-0.94; P less than 0.005). These relationships suggest that IL-6 production in inflammed knee joints can be a significant determinant of acute phase protein responses in arthritis patients, although the situation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is more complex and may be influenced by other disease-related factors.     

Relation between interleukin-18 and PGE2 in synovial fluid of osteoarthritis: a potential therapeutic target of cartilage degradation

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by articular cartilage degradation and hypertrophic joint changes. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a potent inducer of prostaglandin (PG) E2 in vitro. We determined the relation between IL-18 and PGE2 in synovial fluid (SF) of human OA, and discussed the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of OA and also its therapeutic consequences. SF was collected from 30 patients with knee OA. The concentrations of IL-18 and other cytokines including IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The concentration of PGE2 was also assessed by inhibitory ELISA. The average value of IL-18 was 248 +/- 310 pg/mL. The average value of PGE2 was 93 +/- 103 pg/mL. There was a relatively strong correlation between IL-18 and PGE2 (r = 0.78, p = 0.0001). In contrast, IL-1beta was undetectable (cutoff point of 20 pg/mL), except for one case. TNF-alpha was also undetectable (cutoff point of 20 pg/mL), except for two cases. The average value of IL-6 was 1,310 +/- 2,623 pg/mL (n = 17), whereas IL-8 was 5,208 +/- 6,031 pg/mL (n = 5). Furthermore, IL-6 and IL-8 correlated with IL-18 (r = 0.69, p = 0.0024 and r = 0.87, p = 0.0527, respectively). Our results suggest that IL-18 could play a major role in vivo in inducing the production of PGE2, which in turn can cause cartilage degradation in OA pathogenesis. Thus, targeting this cytokine appears to be an important therapeutic approach in OA.     

Comparative study of serum and synovial fluid interleukin-11 levels in patients with various arthritides

Objective: To determine the levels of serum and synovial fluid (SF) interleukin (IL)-11 in patients with various arthritides and estimate the contribution of IL-11 to acute phase response (APR).

Design and methods: Serum and SF IL-11 were measured by ELISA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 31), seronegative spondyloarthritis (SSA, n = 23), gout (GT, n = 14) and osteoarthritis (OA, n = 20) and were correlated with ESR and acute phase proteins as well as with cytokines IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF.

Results: IL-11 was detected in both serum and SF in each group, with IL-11 being statistically higher in SF than serum in all groups, suggesting reduced catabolism or increased synthesis of IL-11 intra-articularly. Median SF IL-11 levels were higher in OA patients than in other groups and in the treated than in the untreated RA subgroup. Moreover, serum and SF IL-11 were correlated significantly with each other, and moderately with the other cytokines examined in RA, SSA, and GT, but not in OA patients, while a significant negative correlation was found with a few of the inflammatory markers examined in each group.

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence of extensive intra-articular expression of IL-11 in arthritides, especially in OA and treated RA patients, suggesting a protective role for IL-11 in joints, probably through the induction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases.     

Effect of nimesulide on the serum levels of hyaluronan and stromelysin-1 in patients with osteoarthritis: a pilot study

This prospective preliminary single-blind study was conducted in patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) and requiring non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to determine to what extent nimesulide (200 mg/day) and ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) could induce significant changes in the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor-1 of MMPs (TIMP-1), hyaluronan (HA) and YKL-40 after a therapeutic time period of 28 days. The four biochemical parameters were assessed by using immunoassays. Nimesulide significantly reduced the serum levels of both HA and MMP-3, whereas ibuprofen increased moderately but significantly the serum concentrations of MMP-3 and had no effect on the serum concentrations of HA. The two NSAIDs were unable to change the serum levels of both TIMP-1 and YKL-40. These results suggest that nimesulide might have a favourable effect on the metabolism of OA joints.     

One-month-old boy with group B streptococcal meningitis,subdural effusion,and high levels of interleukin-6

Meningitis is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and subdural fluid. Subdural effusion prolongs fever in patients with meningitis. However, the reason for this remains unclear.A healthy one-month-old boy was admitted after presenting with bacterial meningitis. He was administered meropenem, cefotaxime, and dexamethasone intravenously. On the 3rd day, blood and CSF cultures revealed the presence of Group B Streptococcus from samples collected on day 1. Subsequently, ampicillin and gentamicin replaced the previous combination of antimicrobials used. On the 4th day, brain magnetic resonance imaging with contrast showed bilateral cerebral ventriculitis and left subdural effusion. On the 11th day, since the subdural effusion had worsened, we performed a subdural puncture from the anterior fontanelle. Owing to the prolonged fever, he was intravenously injected immunoglobulin on day 13. He was afebrile on day 23. Antimicrobials were administered for 28 days. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum and CSF were the highest on the 1st day at 20,600 pg/mL and 170,000 pg/mL, respectively, and decreased upon treatment. IL-6 concentration in the subdural fluid (30,000 pg/mL) was much higher than that in the serum (9 pg/mL) and CSF (2600 pg/mL).To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the cytokines in subdural fluid in patients with group B Streptococcal meningitis. Subdural effusion maintained high levels of IL-6 even after the levels in the blood and CSF decreased dramatically. This could explain why subdural effusion prolongs fever in patients with meningitis.     

类风湿关节炎患者自身抗体及关节损伤因子检出的临床意义

目的:检测类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)患者关节损伤因子及多种自身抗体,探讨其与RA发病间的关联性。方法:采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测15例RA患者血清和滑膜液中关节损伤相关因子基质金属蛋白酶3(matrix metalloproteinases 3,MMP3)和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子1(tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1,TIMP-1)、骨破坏因子——核因子κB受体活化因子配基(receptor activator of NF-κB ligand,RANKL)和其保护性抑制剂骨保护素(osteoprotegerin,OPG)的表达。检测6例RA患者的sIL-6和sIL-6Rα、sgp130表达水平,同时设骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)为对照组(6例)及正常对照组(8例)。分析22例RA患者临床常用的检测指标,包括类风湿因子、抗环瓜氨酸多肽抗体、葡萄糖-6-磷酸异构酶及23例RA患者抗胶原Ⅱ抗体的表达,并以OA患者为对照;针对用合成的EBV肽段和人HLA-DR4肽段检测和分析15例RA患者抗EBV肽段和抗HLA-DR4肽段抗体的阳性率。结果:RA患者关节腔滑膜液中MMP3和TIMP1表达异常,滑膜液MMP3/TIMP1比值显著高于相应的血清相应比值(P<0.001)。与OA组相比,RA患者血清及滑膜液中RANKL水平升高(P<0.05)。RA患者体内IL-6信号系统表达异常,其滑膜液中sIL-6Rα水平高于OA组(P<0.05),而天然拮抗剂sgp130的血清水平则显著低于OA组血清中(P     

程序性细胞死亡因子5在活动性类风湿关节炎患者中的水平变化

目的：探究程序性细胞死亡因子5（programmed cell death factor 5,PDCD5）在类风湿关节炎（rheumatoid arthritis, RA）患者中的表达情况,并探讨PDCD5在RA发病中的可能作用。方法：采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测36例活动性RA患者和35例骨关节炎（osteoarthritis,OA）患者的血清和关节液中的PDCD5、白细胞介素6（interleukin 6,IL-6）水平,另以33名健康人的血清PDCD5水平作为对照（对照组）,比较3组间以上各指标水平的差异。同时再检测RA患者的C反应蛋白（C reaction protein, CRP）、红细胞沉降率（erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR）、类风湿因子（rheumatoid factor,RF）和环瓜氨酸肽（cyclic citrullinated peptide, CCP）,记录其肿胀关节数（swollen joint count,SJC）、疼痛关节数（tender joints count, TJC）,作为疾病活动指数参考指标。结果：RA组的血清PDCD5水平[（32.47±12.79） ng/mL]显著高于OA组[（12.79±9.84） ng/mL]及对照组[（18.40±18.97） ng/mL];RA组关节液中的PDCD5水平[（47.75±21.94） ng/mL]亦高于OA组[（19.33±11.25） ng/mL]。RA患者血清中的PDCD5水平与IL-6水平呈负相关（r=-0.431）,但在关节液中未观察到两者间具有相关性。Pearson分析显示,RA患者血清中的PDCD5水平与CRP、ESR、SJC、TJC呈负相关（R值分别为-0.523、-0.701、-0.845、-0.943）,但与CCP及RF水平间无统计学相关性。结论：活动性RA患者的血清及关节液中PDCD5的水平升高,而其表达失调可能与IL-6水平相关。     

创伤性关节炎患者X线分期与患者关节液中炎症因子表达及关节功能的关系

目的探讨创伤性关节炎患者X线分期与患者关节液中TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8水平和关节功能之间的潜在关系。方法选择2015年9月至2016年9月在(第三军医大学第一附属医院治疗的90例膝关节外伤的创伤性关节炎患者作为研究对象,以90例健康体检者为对照组,检测两组患者关节液中炎症因子水平,探讨关节液中炎症因子水平(TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8)与患者X线分级和关节功能的关系。结果创伤性关节炎患者关节液中TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8水平高于对照组(P0.05),X线提示创伤性骨关节患者Ⅰ级37例、Ⅱ级23例、Ⅲ级21例、Ⅳ级9例,随着骨损害水平加重,TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8水平越高且组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05),患者HSS评分和KSS评分与患者关节X线分级、关节液中TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8水平呈负相关(P0.05)。结论创伤性关节炎患者X线分期与患者关节液中炎症因子表达及关节功能密切相关。     

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tramadol in the treatment of osteoarthrosis deformans in patients with arterial hypertension

The prohypertensive effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be manifested by the decreased efficiency of antihypertensive therapy. The tactics of their differential use in relation to the its effect on blood pressure (BP) in patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) and arterial hypertension (AH) has not been developed for the most effective and safe therapy. In this connection, it is extremely urgent to study the comparative safety of used NSAIDs as to their prohypertensive effect and to work out the management of patients with AH and OA. Ninety-eight patients with second-third degree OA of the knee and hip joints concurrent with the pain syndrome and first-second grade AH were followed up. Diclofenac, ketoprofen, arthrotec, nimesulide, and meloxicam were used. In a control group, the analgesic tramadol was supplemented to the therapy. AH was controlled by enalapril monotherapy. In groups of patients receiving diclofenac, arthrotec, meloxicam, and ketoprofen, there was a trend for the number of cases of an adequate nocturnal BP lowering (Dipper) to reduce and for those of an inadequate nocturnal BP decrease (Non-dipper), which may be accounted for by the prohypertensive effect of these drugs; this trend was most pronounced in the diclofenac and arthrotec groups. Despite its marked prohypertensive effect, nimesulide did not impair circadian BP variations. The central-acting analgesic tramadol exerted no prohypertensive effect and it did not increase BP values. The prohypertensive effect of the tested NSAIDs and tramadol increases in the following order: tramadol, ketoprofen, meloxicam, nimesulide, arthrotec, diclofenac.     

Effect of sulfasalazine and its metabolites on prostaglandin and leukotriene liberation from human synovial tissue]

The effects of sulfasalazine (SASP) and its metabolites sulfapyridine (SP) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) were investigated on release of prostaglandins (PG) and leukotrienes (LT) from synovial tissue of 37 patients with osteoarthritis, chondrocalcinosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased the release of PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, LTB4, and LTC4 from human synovial tissue irrespective of the underlying joint disease. SASP inhibited release of LTC4 and increased release of PGE2. On the other hand, 5-ASA and SP inhibited the release of all eicosanoids measured. The effective concentrations of SASP and SP were found to be in the range which can be reached during SASP therapy. On the other hand, blood and synovial fluid levels of 5-ASA are considerably lower than those which inhibit eicosanoid synthesis in vitro. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are used for symptomatic therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, inhibit cyclooxygenase only, SP, the active metabolite of the second line anti-rheumatic drug SASP, inhibits both PG and LT release. Inhibition of LT synthesis by SASP and SP could contribute to the second line efficacy of SASP therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.     

Anti-hyperalgesic effects of nimesulide: studies in rats and humans

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used as analgesics. Despite the fact that clinical experience indicates a considerable disparity in the analgesic efficacy of NSAIDs, the animal models of nociception do not allow a clear distinction to be made between the analgesic properties of these agents. In contrast to nociceptive pain, clinical pain is characterised by hyperalgesia. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-hyperalgesic effects of the four NSAIDs nimesulide, diclofenac, celecoxib and rofecoxib which are widely used to treat inflammatory pain. We performed two animal studies in which each drug was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at its previously defined ED50 for the anti-inflammatory effect in the rat (i.e. the inhibition of carrageenan-induced hindpaw oedema measured by plethysmometry). In the first study, nimesulide (2.9 mg/kg) completely inhibited the development of thermal hindpaw hyperalgesia induced by the injection of formalin in the tail, whereas diclofenac (3.0 mg/kg) or celecoxib (12.7 mg/kg) partly reduced the hyperalgesia, and rofecoxib (3.0 mg/kg) was ineffective. In the second study, nimesulide and diclofenac were significantly more effective than celecoxib and rofecoxib in reducing the mechanical hindpaw hyperalgesia induced by the intraplantar injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). The anti-hyperalgesic activity of the drugs was also investigated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. After a single oral dose, all drugs reduced the inflammatory hyperalgesia. However, only nimesulide was effective 15 minutes after treatment. Moreover, nimesulide (100 mg) was significantly more effective than rofecoxib (25 mg). Overall, our data demonstrate that NSAIDs may show different anti-hyperalgesic properties. Nimesulide seems to be particularly effective and fast-acting against inflammatory pain.     

独活挥发油关节腔注射对实验性兔膝骨性关节炎的影响

目的探讨独活挥发油(VOOA)对骨性关节炎(OA)软骨病变的药理学学作用及其机制,为研制较为理想治疗骨性关节炎药物提供药理学实验参考。方法通过前交叉韧带切断(ACLT法)法建立实验性兔膝骨性关节炎(OA)模型,观察假手术组、溶剂对照组、OA模型组、挥发油实验组[(剂量1组、剂量2组、剂量3组),加入VOOA分别为0.01,0.03,0.06 ml/(kg·3 d)。]各组关节面的大体病理改变,酶联免疫分析试验法(ELISA)检测关节液白介素-1(IL-1)水平及关节积液生长转化因子水平(TGF-β)。结果与假手术组比较,模型组造成了实验性的骨性关节炎,出现软骨缺损甚至关节面溃疡,关节液IL-1水平升高,TGF-β降低,独活挥发油剂量1组缓解了软骨面损伤,减轻了炎性程度,TGF-β水平明显升高,剂量2组较剂量1组缓解骨关节炎损伤更为明显,但剂量3组却与模型组比较无显著差异。结论独活挥发油关节腔内注射可减轻兔膝骨性关节炎,抑制软骨细胞的破坏,对软骨组织具有明显的保护作用。但大剂量独活挥发油作为异物关节腔注射,刺激并加重了关节腔的炎症,小剂量的挥发油对实验性兔膝关节炎具有保护性作用。     

Cerebrospinal fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 as diagnostic markers of cerebrospinal fluid infection in neurosurgical patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, or IL-8 may be used as diagnostic markers for the differential diagnosis of aseptic vs. bacterial meningitis and/or ventriculitis in neurosurgical patients. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 112 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 14 asymptomatic patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid after neurosurgery, 27 asymptomatic and 19 symptomatic patients with postneurosurgical aseptic meningitis, 32 patients with postneurosurgical cerebrospinal fluid infection, and 20 with severe subarachnoid and/or cerebral hemorrhage. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Specific ELISA kits were used to analyze TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations on cerebrospinal fluid samples. Elevations in cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were induced by different diseases or neurosurgical procedures, but cerebrospinal fluid bacterial infection induced the highest concentrations. To discriminate between aseptic cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and cerebrospinal fluid infection with a specificity of 95%, cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte count >1700/mL, TNF-alpha >150 pg/mL, and IL-1beta >90 pg/mL showed sensitivities of 51%, 74%, and 90%, respectively. Sufficiently sensitive and specific cutoff points could not be found for cerebrospinal fluid IL-6 or IL-8. CONCLUSION: Cerebrospinal fluid IL-1beta appears to be the best biochemical marker of cerebrospinal fluid infection in neurosurgical patients.     

急性滑膜炎患者血清CRP、PCT和IL-6表达及临床特点

目的探讨急性滑膜炎患者血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、降钙素原(PCT)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平变化情况,同时观察急性滑膜炎的临床特点。方法选取2015年10月至2018年6月在该院住院治疗的滑膜炎患者120例作为研究对象,依据关节腔有无积液形成分为积液组(60例)和非积液组(60例),另选取60例健康志愿者作为对照组。采用免疫比浊法检测CRP水平,酶联免疫吸附试验检测IL-6水平,荧光免疫定量分析法检测PCT水平;同时分析其病因和病变部位等特征。结果病因分析发现,滑膜炎以创伤性(35.83%)为主要病因,其次为退行性增生病变(19.17%)。积液组和非积液组患者CRP、IL-6、PCT水平均明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);积液组患者CRP、IL-6、PCT水平均高于非积液组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CRP、PCT、IL-6水平诊断滑膜炎的受试者工作特征曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.719、0.785、0.726,三者AUC差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。膝关节是发病最频繁的部位,其次是髋关节。结论急性滑膜炎以创伤性为主,主要累及部位为膝关节,血清CRP、IL-6及PCT水平与滑膜急性炎性反应存在一定关系,可作为评估炎性反应程度的初筛指标,对于观察病情变化和疗效有一定临床价值。     

A 12-month,multicenter, prospective,open-label trial of radiographic analysis of disease progression in osteoarthritis of the knee or hip in patients receiving celecoxib

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may inhibit matrix biosynthesis by articular cartilage, thereby accelerating the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to determine whether 1-year treatment with the cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor celecoxib at up to twice the recommended and maximally effective dose for OA had any deleterious effects on OA progression by assessing radiographic changes in knee or hip joint morphology in patients with OA. METHODS: In a 12-month, multicenter, prospective, open-label trial, patients with OA of the knee or hip or rheumatoid arthritis received celecoxib at doses ranging from that recommended for the treatment of OA (200 mg/d) to twice the recommended daily dosage (400 mg/d). Available radiographs showing baseline and end-of-treatment status were analyzed using semiquantitative measures of index joint morphology in patients with mild to moderate OA. The morphologic scores were then subjected to mean change and shift-table analysis to determine the extent and rate of disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 2,327 patients (796 with OA of the knee, 1,531 with OA of the hip) were included. A subset of 344 patients (160 with OA of the knee, 184 with OA of the hip) had radiographs from both before and after 12 months' celecoxib treatment. One hundred forty-seven and 158 pairs of knee and hip radiographs, respectively, were available for analysis. These revealed that, with the exception of significant hip joint-space narrowing (P = 0.029), no evidence of disease progression with long-term celecoxib treatment could be detected. The observed increase in hip joint-space narrowing was small (0.14 units/y) (95% CI, 0.08-0.20), was observed prior to celecoxib exposure (by mean change or shift-table analysis), and was not dose related. CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that long-term therapy with celecoxib does not accelerate progression of OA of the knee or hip.     

A model analysis of costs of blood pressure destabilization and edema associated with rofecoxib and celecoxib among older patients with osteoarthritis and hypertension in a Medicare Choice population

BACKGROUND: Economic analyses consider all costs relevant to the use of a particular treatment or treatments. Recently, head-to-head, randomized, controlled trials have shown a significantly higher incidence of blood pressure (BP) destabilization and clinically significant edema with rofecoxib than with celecoxib among older, hypertensive patients with osteoarthritis (OA). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to estimate the COX-2 specific inhibitor medication costs, in addition to the costs of drugs and physicians' fees, for BP destabilization and clinically significant edema associated with the use of rofecoxib 25 mg QD and celecoxib 200 mg QD in patients with OA and hypertension in a Medicare Choice population (aged > or = 65 years). METHODS: A decision analysis model was constructed to determine the costs (from the payer's perspective) of treating patients in this population with either of the 2 regimens for 6 weeks. The analysis used pooled data from 2 recent, independently conducted, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials of OA patients aged > or = 65 years with treated hypertension who received either celecoxib 200 mg QD or rofecoxib 25 mg QD for 6 weeks. In the individual trials, rofecoxib was associated with significantly higher rates of destabilized BP (P < 0.032 and P < 0.001) and edema (P < 0.01 and P = 0.045) than celecoxib. RESULTS: For a 100,000-member Medicare Choice population, an estimated 25,630 persons would have OA and hypertension (stages I-III), and an estimated 5126 of these patients would use celecoxib or rofecoxib. The estimated costs were 33,938 dollars (6.2%) higher if all hypertensive patients with OA were treated with rofecoxib rather than celecoxib for 6 weeks. The cost per day of use was 0.16 dollars less with celecoxib, and per-patient, per-month costs were 4.79 dollars lower. CONCLUSION: Celecoxib was a less costly treatment option than rofecoxib among OA patients with hypertension aged > or = 65 years, based on our model of the direct costs of COX-2 specific inhibitor therapy combined with those associated with physician monitoring and treatment of edema and BP destabilization.