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IntroductionComparison of intra-articular bacterial-derived hyaluronic acid (Hyalubrix®) (HA) with local analgesia (mepivacaine) for osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip.MethodsA pilot prospective, double-blind, 6-month randomized trial of 42 patients with hip OA. HA or mepivacaine was administered twice (once a month) under ultrasound guidance. Efficacy measurements included the Lequesne's algofunctional index, a visual analog scale for pain, concomitant use of analgesia, patient and physician global measurement, and safety.ResultsPatients in the HA group exhibited a significantly reduced Lequesne's algofunctional index 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.001) and significantly reduced visual analog scale pain scores 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05) compared with the local anesthetic group. All primary and secondary measures were significantly improved versus baseline, but other than the above were not different from each other at 3 or 6 months. Adverse effects were minimal.ConclusionsThis comparative study suggests a beneficial effect and safety of intra-articular HA in the management of hip OA.Trial registration numberISRCTN39397064.

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In our experience, emergency ureteroscopy showed equal efficacy and safety compared with the elective procedure. It has the main advantage of providing both immediate relief from pain and stone fragmentation.

Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis are commonly thought of as inflammatory diseases that affect younger individuals. Although the initial presentation of these diseases is common in a patient's twenties or thirties, they usually persist for the duration of the patient's life. In addition, up to one-third of patients with RA have disease onset after 60 years of age. Anti-TNF-a therapies now have well-recognized safety profiles that have been demonstrated in the usual clinical trial populations for these diseases, but such populations under-represent patients > or =65 years of age. This retrospective study aims to determine the safety profiles for etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab in patients of 65 years or more, undergoing anti-TNF treatment for an active inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis, or skin disease like psoriasis. Our data show that admitting elderly patients into anti-TNF therapeutic regimens is a safe option and that it grants these patients access to the best current therapeutic option, possibly leading to better disease outcome. Quality of life in elderly patients affected by arthritis or psoriasis, often reduced by comorbidities, is as important as quality of life in younger patients. Applying the recommended screening before using biological treatment helps to reduce adverse events related to the therapy, and the application of the same screening in elderly patients seems to lead to comparable results.