Long-term prognosis of monoarthritis. A follow-up study

During 1973-75, a total of 446 patients with recent arthritis were examined. The diagnosis in 32 cases was non-classified monoarthritis. After the 3-9 years' follow-up of these 32 patients, two seropositive, definite rheumatoid arthritis cases (6%), and one ankylosing spondylitis case were noted. In the remaining patients the diagnosis was still non-specific arthritis. Of the 31 patients tested, 39% were HLA-B27-positive. The difference between this and the HLA-B27-positivity in the normal Finnish population (14%) is statistically significant (p less than 0.005). At the end of the follow-up the good prognosis of monoarthritis was confirmed: only one erosion developed in one patient's hands or feet.

Pharmacokinetics and tolerance of slow-release indomethacin tablets in rheumatoid arthritis

The pharmacokinetics, efficacy and tolerance of a new formulation of slow-release indomethacin tablet were compared with those of a conventional indomethacin capsule in 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The slow-release tablet was absorbed more slowly than the capsule (tmax 3.7 h and less than 2 h, respectively) and produced more even serum drug levels in 10 subjects. Side-effects, especially dizziness and diarrhoea, were less frequent after the slow-release tablet than during the capsule period.

Xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome treated with Sali-Synt. A double-blind cross-over trial

In a double-blind cross-over trial, a new synthetic saliva Sali-Synt was compared with placebo for the treatment of xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. Sali-Synt may soothe the pain in the mouth and reduces sleep disturbances better than placebo, but no statistically significant differences were found. Seven patients of 12 preferred Sali-Synt to placebo in helping xerostomia.