Intra-articular morphine and postoperative analgesia after knee arthroscopy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of intra-articular administration of a low- and a high-dose morphine solution after knee arthroscopy. Thirty patients who underwent diagnostic arthroscopy or arthroscopic meniscectomy were allocated in three groups. At the end of the arthroscopic procedure patients in Group A received intra-articularly 20 ml normal saline (N/S), Group B received 5 mg morphine in 20 ml N/S and Group C received 15 mg morphine in 20 ml N/S. The postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale for 24 h, while all the patients stayed at hospital. Side effects from the central action of opioids were not detected. Although the pain scores in the group of low-dose morphine were lower than in the control group, we failed to detect any significant differences in pain scores among the three groups. There was evidence that a high-dose can cause hyperalgesia.     

Importance of specimen size in accurate needle liver biopsy evaluation of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), percutaneous needle liver biopsy examination establishes the severity of necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis, thus guiding treatment decisions. Optimal biopsy specimen size remains controversial. We sought to determine how varying lengths of biopsy specimens influence the grading and staging of CHC. METHODS: We used 100 liver biopsy specimens from patients with CHC. The slides were evaluated blindly using the METAVIR scoring system, after being covered with paper, so that only specific specimen lengths (5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, and > or =20 mm) were visible. In each case, the scores obtained with biopsies 5 mm, 10 mm, or 15 mm long were compared with the scores at 20 mm or greater by weighted kappa statistics (kappa of >.75 signified excellent agreement). A subset of specimens 20 mm or greater was selected for a blinded repeat scoring to assess intraobserver agreement. The kappa statistics for the designated features and lengths were compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: In assessing the stage of fibrosis, the weighted kappa statistics for agreement with the 20-mm or greater score at 5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm were .75, .85, and .92, respectively. In assessing the histologic activity score, the corresponding figures were .73, .81, and .77, respectively. Average kappa statistic comparisons showed that intraobserver agreement was significantly better than agreement between the 20-mm or greater scores and those at shorter lengths; the 5-mm kappa scores were significantly lower than the others; and there was no significant difference between the 10-mm and 15-mm kappa scores. CONCLUSIONS: Liver biopsy specimens measuring at least 10 mm usually reflect the grade and stage of CHC reliably. Relatively little improvement in diagnostic accuracy is obtained with longer specimens.     

Comparative effectiveness and survival of infliximab,adalimumab, and etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis patients in the Hellenic Registry of Biologics: Low rates of remission and 5-year drug survival

Objective

To compare effectiveness, drug survival, and safety between infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept, in a nationwide cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

This study is a prospective cohort study of 1208 active RA patients. Effectiveness, drug survival, and serious adverse events during entire follow-up (median 2.9 years) were monitored.

Results

EULAR and CDAI responses were comparable between the three agents (EULAR good/moderate responses at 12 months ranged 76–79%). At 12 months, 15–23% achieved remission. For adalimumab and etanercept, adjusted hazard rate (HR) for EULAR/ACR remission (reference: infliximab) was 2.7 and 2.1 (95% confidence interval was 1.7–4.1 and 1.3–3.4, respectively); males (HR 1.6; 1.1–2.4), use of glucocorticoids (HR 2.0; 1.3–3.0), and swollen joint count >7 (HR 0.36; 0.24–0.55) were independent predictors. Five-year drug survival was 31%, 43%, and 49% for infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept, respectively (p = 0.010). Infliximab was associated with significantly more withdrawals due to adverse events. Disease activity, CRP, and use of glucocorticoids predicted efficacy-related drug survival; age, use of methotrexate, and prior DMARDs failures predicted safety-related survival. Risk for serious infections was lower with adalimumab (odds ratio [OR] 0.62; 0.38–1.00) or etanercept (OR 0.39; 0.21–0.72) than infliximab, independent of the effects of age (OR 1.65; 1.37–2.00 per 10 years), tender joint count >10 (OR 1.86; 1.21–2.86), and glucocorticoids >35 mg/week (OR 1.83; 1.12–2.99).

Conclusions

Response rates were comparable among anti-TNF agents. Overall, 5-year drug survival was below 50%, with infliximab demonstrating increased safety-related discontinuations. Remission rates are low in clinical practice. Strategies to increase effectiveness and long-term survival of anti-TNF agents in RA are needed.