The International Knee Society Score (IKSS) and Short Form Health Survey were collected pre-operatively and at 1 and 2 years after surgery. Pre-operative radiographs were read to assess Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) grading, individual radiographic features using the OARSI atlas, and subchondral bone attrition using the Ahlbach method.

The main independent variable was a modified (K-L) grade. The outcome variables were the IKSS pain and function scores. Covariates included demographic features, co-morbidities, baseline pain and function, prosthesis type, and the

use of patella resurfacing. Multivariable linear regression models were created to assess the relationships between pre-operative

X-ray findings and pain and function outcomes.

Results: On average, pain and function improved greatly following surgery. However, pain relief learn more was unsatisfactory in about 30%, and functional improvement suboptimal in about 50%. OR (95% CI) for ongoing moderate-severe BVD-523 order pain at 12 months for modified K-L grades; <3: 5.39 (1.23-15.69), 3a: 2.62 (1.21-5.67), 3b: 1.81 (1.00-3.26), 4a: 2.06 (1.05-4.05) when compared to 4b. OR (95% CI) for poor function at 12 months were; 3a: 2.81 (1.23-6.39) and 4a: 2.45 (1.22-4.91), when compared to 4b.

Conclusions: Patients with more severe radiographic knee damage at the time of surgery are most likely to have substantial gains in terms of both pain relief and improved function as a result of a TKR. (c) 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of review

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare systemic small-vessel necrotizing vasculitis. Its main clinical characteristics, some potentially life-threatening, are now well known, as are its usual successive phases, from allergic rhinitis to asthma, Baf-A1 order and finally vasculitis.

Conversely, physiopathogenetic mechanisms are not completely elucidated and clearly multiple thereby suggesting the existence of different disease subtypes.

Recent findings

Almost 40% of CSS patients have circulating antineutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies (ANCAs), mostly directed against myeloperoxidase. ANCA-positive patients suffer more frequently from renal disease, peripheral nervous system involvement and/or alveolar hemorrhage, whereas frequent cardiac involvement, lung infiltrates and/or systemic manifestations are more common in those who are ANCA-negative. However, their respective global outcomes do not clearly differ. Patients might also be categorized according to other, more subtile clinical, radiological and/or biological parameters, for example, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities or genetic background.