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. 1995 Aug;54(8):670-3.
doi: 10.1136/ard.54.8.670.

Intra-articular pressure changes in rheumatoid and normal peripheral joints

K Gaffney  1 , R B Williams, V A Jolliffe, D R Blake
Affiliations

Intra-articular pressure changes in rheumatoid and normal peripheral joints

K Gaffney et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 1995 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the intraarticular pressure (IAP) dynamics of a spectrum of joints in rheumatoid and normal subjects in order to determine whether a reperfusion event is likely to occur at these sites.

Methods: IAP was measured in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) (n = 8), wrist (n = 8), ankle (n = 4), and elbow joints (n = 4) of rheumatoid subjects, in addition to the MCP (n = 8), wrist (n = 6), and ankle joints (n = 1) of normal healthy controls, using the hand held portable 295-1 Intra-Compartmental Pressure Monitor System (Stryker, UK).

Results: Resting IAP was positive in all rheumatoid joints, and subatmospheric or weakly atmospheric in normal subjects (p < 0.01). Exercise produced an increase in IAP in rheumatoid subjects only (p < 0.01). The addition of saline to normal joints mimicked the IAP changes seen in the rheumatoid group.

Conclusion: These observations suggest that increased resting IAP is a marker for chronic joint inflammation. The IAP increase seen in the rheumatoid group during exercise supports the concept of hypoxic reperfusion mediated joint injury.

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Comment in

  • Feeling the pressure.
    Simkin PA. Simkin PA. Ann Rheum Dis. 1995 Aug;54(8):611-2. doi: 10.1136/ard.54.8.611. Ann Rheum Dis. 1995. PMID: 7677434 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Effect of intensive exercise on patients with active RA.
    Edmonds S, Turnbull C, Blake D. Edmonds S, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2001 Apr;60(4):429. doi: 10.1136/ard.60.4.429. Ann Rheum Dis. 2001. PMID: 11284455 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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