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Biomedical subjects

S M Marlowe

Publications and source records attributed to S M Marlowe.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of intercessory prayer on patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals pray during times of illness, but the clinical effects of prayer are not well-understood. METHODS: We prospectively studied a cohort of 40 patients (mean age, 62 years; 100% white; 82% women) at a private rheumatology practice. All had class II or III rheumatoid arthritis and took stable doses of antirheumatic medications. All received a 3-day intervention, including 6 hours of education and 6 hours of direct-contact intercessory prayer. Nineteen randomly selected sample patients had 6 months of daily, supplemental intercessory prayer by individuals located elsewhere. Ten arthritis-specific outcome variables were measured at baseline and at 3-month intervals for 1 year. RESULTS: Patients receiving in-person intercessory prayer showed significant overall improvement during 1-year follow-up. No additional effects from supplemental, distant intercessory prayer were found. CONCLUSIONS: In-person intercessory prayer may be a useful adjunct to standard medical care for certain patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Supplemental, distant intercessory prayer offers no additional benefits.

Adult↗

Physical activity as a risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee.

A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the association between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and physical activity (PA) among a community group aged 40 years and older. Case patients (85 males, 154 females) had radiologically confirmed knee OA with grade 2+ changes, according to Kellgren and Lawrence criteria. Control subjects (85 males, 154 females) had no radiologic evidence of knee OA. A statistically significant positive association between high PA level and knee OA was observed for women, with an age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01 to 2.72. In men no association was observed (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.83). These associations persisted when controlling simultaneously for potential confounders including age, obesity, history of knee injury, and socioeconomic status, indicating that the OA-PA association is limited to women. One possible explanation is that risk factors for knee OA are influenced by hormones.

Aged↗

Charcot-like arthropathy: A newly-recognized subset of psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to describe a group of patients with a highly destructive and asymptomatic form of psoriatic arthritis, mimicking a Charcot-like joint disease. METHODS: We studied 180 patients with psoriatic arthritis and identified 4 patients with arthritis mutilans mimicking a Charcot-like joint disease. Clinical history, physical exam, and immunological testing were performed as well as X-ray of affected joints. Synovial membrane and sural nerve biopsies were performed and diagnosis of psoriasis was confirmed by skin biopsy. RESULTS: Four patients with psoriatic arthritis mutilans according to Moll and Wright classification criteria (1) and Charcot-like joint disease were identified and evaluated. There were 2 males and 2 females, all Caucasians. The mean age +/- SD was 57.8 +/- 14.2 years. Mean arthritis duration +/- SD was 6 +/- 4.6 years and mean cutaneous duration +/- SD was 13 +/- 10.4 years. All patients had polyarthritis and a sudden onset of bilateral, painless, and highly destructive arthropathy involving large, non-weight bearing (elbows) and weight bearing (knees), and also small joint of hands and feet. Synovial membrane biopsy showed findings similar to those found in Charcot joint disease, including ischemic neuropathy. CONCLUSION: A newly-recognized subset of patients with psoriatic arthritis and Charcot-like joint disease according to clinical, radiographic and histological features is described. The proposed neurovascular theory may explain the pathogenesis of this presentation.

Aged↗