• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.298-309
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• 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis refers to acute and chronic arthritis due to unexplained autoantibody attack. Rheumatoid arthritis should be accompanied by difficulty in mobility and severe distress due to the progression of systemic arthritis. Therefore, this study early diagnoses the effects of Rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP), which are typical serum markers for rheumatoid arthritis by meta-analysis. Pubmed and EMBASE, were used as PICO criteria, and two independent researchers selected papers according to the criteria set in this study. The selection criteria was a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed early onset, and the paper was evaluated using the NCS. Forest plot and Funnel plot graphs for each serum marker were calculated using Revman 5.4. After finding 193 papers on Pubmed and 184 papers on EMBASE and selecting according to the criteria, a total of 41 papers were used for the analysis. The magnitude of the effect that appears in the Forest plot of RF with the Mean differnce value is 134.34, CRP is 21.42 and Anti-CCP is 270.41. The magnitude of the effect of Anti-CCP in meta-analysis was analyzed to be larger than that of RF and CRP, and it is considered that the development of early-diagnosis serum markers using Anti-CCP and additional retrospective studies are highly effective. The combination of RF, CRP, and Anti-CCP as a panel marker is expected to be very efficient.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.278-285
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• 2019

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is highly prevalent in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and can be reduced by physical activity via altered proinflammatory parameters. However, the association between the frequency of physical activity and the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in prediabetic patients remains unclear and was evaluated in this study. Methods: Utilizing the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service database, 58,391 adults, who met the research criteria and underwent a general medical check-up between 2009 and 2013, were selected for this study. To analyze the data, a logistic regression with a proc survey logistic procedure was used. Results: The study revealed that the cumulative rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was lower in prediabetic patients compared to that in the control group (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.483-0.840; p=0.001). More frequent physical activity (≥3 days/week) was significantly associated with a reduced rheumatoid arthritis prevalence in both groups (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.039-0.521; p=0.044 vs. OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.063-0.237; p=0.007). Additionally, a 3.8-fold higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis development was observed in prediabetic adults with less frequent baseline physical activity (≤2 days/week). Overall, in prediabetes, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was associated with the frequency of physical activity and not with the fasting plasma glucose levels. Conclusion: More frequent physical activity is associated with a low risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in prediabetic patients. Thus, further studies are needed to confirm the clinical outcomes of frequent physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis prevention and control.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

Objectives : Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF ${\alpha}$) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to investigate the relation between TNF-${\alpha}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 103 rheumatoid arthritis patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 208 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtained for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerse chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. We investigated the genotyping of TNF-${\alpha}$ by using Pyrosequencing. Results: The genotypes of TNF-${\alpha}$ gene were GG, AG and AA. While the distribution of TNF-${\alpha}$ polymorphism in control subjects was 92.31%, 7.21%, 0.48% respectively, in rheumatoid arthritis patients was 93.20%, 6.80%, 0.00%(GG, AG, AA). There was no statistical significant allelic frequency difference between control and rheumatoid arthritis groups. Conclusions : We concluded that there was no significant association between TNF-${\alpha}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients and further studies.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.73-79
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• 2007

Objectives : Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}{\cdot}$(TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to investigate the relation between TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 103 rheumatoid arthritis patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 208 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtained for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerse chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. We investigated the genotyping of TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ by using Pyrosequencing. Results : The genotypes of TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ gene were GG, AG and AA. While the distribution of TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ polymorphism in control subjects was 92.31%, 7.21%, 0.48% respectively, in rheumatoid arthritis patients was 93.20%, 6.80%, 0.00%(GG, AG. AA). There was no statistical significant allelic frequency difference between control and rheumatoid arthritis groups. Conclusion : We concluded that there was no significant association between TNF-${\alpha}{\cdot}$ gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients and further studies.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.79-96
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• 2023

Objectives This study was designed to review the effect of Jakyakkamchobuja-tang on rat model with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods We used seven databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library) from their inception to May 2023 without language restrictions. Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation's tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. RevMan software (V5.4) was used for the meta-analysis. Results Five studies were selected following our inclusion criteria. The arthritis index decreased significantly (standardized mean difference=-2.06; 95% confidence interval=-3.07 to -1.04; p<0.0001) in Jakyakkamchobuja-tang group. Also, serum cytokines in serum and paw swelling degree decreased in Jakyakkamchobuja-tang group. Conclusions Jakyakkamchobuja-tang may be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Although there is a limitation that the design of drug dosage varies between papers, it can be expected to be applied as an alternative to Western medicine, and it is believed to contribute to the standardization of herbal treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Objectives: To evaluate the evidence supporting the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: We conducted a search across 9 electronic databases to find all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that used Chuna manual therapy as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: Our inclusion criteria were met by 5 RCTs. The meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of Chuna manual therapy combined with oriental usual care (UC) in terms of the efficacy rate, pain, and duration of morning stiffness when compared to western UC. Positive results were also obtained in terms of the efficacy rate, when Chuna manual therapy combined with medication was compared to medication treatments alone. Conclusions: Our systematic review found encouraging, but limited evidence of Chuna manual therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. However, to obtain stronger evidence without the drawbacks of trial design and the quality of studies, we recommend a comparative research to test the effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.122-132
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• 2021

Objectives : This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of thread embedding therapy on animal model for rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : Search was conducted in the Cochrane library, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Database, Technology Journal Database, the Korean Studies Information Service System, the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, the Research Information Sharing Service, the National Digital Science Library, the Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal and the Korea Citation Index. Data were extracted concerning animal model, intervention and rheumatoid arthritis indicator by two independent reviewers. Reporting quality was also evaluated by the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines 2.0. Results : One thousand thirty six studies were primarily selected. After screening, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. 1 study was published 2005, 1 study was published 2010, 1 study was published 2012, 1 study was published 2015, 2 studies were published 2016, 3 studies were published 2017, 1 study was published 2018. The most frequently used acupoints were ST36 and BL23, and were used with an average frequency of 11.8 days. All of these thread embedding therapy studies were effective on behavioral, morphological, immunohistological and hematological indicators to treat of rheumatoid arthritis model. Conclusions : These results demonstrated the effectiveness of thread embedding therapy and suggested the putative mechanism. However, considering the small number of included studies, low reporting quality and differences in study design, further studies with rigorous designs and high reporting quality need to be conducted.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.7-25
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• 1998

Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike other chronic diseases, causes the patients to experience uncertainty in their daily lives and thus to feel threat on their emotional comfort because of inconsistent and unpredictable symptoms such as pain. Therefore, a theoretical framework is needed for explanation of uncertainty in patients having rheumatoid arthritis. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of Mishel's Uncertainty Theory and other literature review. The model included 9 theoretical concepts and 19 paths. Subjects of the study constituted 330 partients who visited outpatient clinics of two university hospitals and one general hospital in Seoul. Self report questionnaires were used to measure the variables affecting uncertainty. Reliability coefficients of these instruments were found Cronbach's Alpha=$.70{\sim}.94$. In data analysis, SAS program and PC-LISREL 8.03 computer program were utilized for descriptive statistics and covariance structure analysis. The results of covariance structure analysis for model fitness were as follows : 1) Hypothetical model showed a good fit to the empirical data : Chi-square($X^2$)=41.81 (df=11, P=.000), Goodness of Fit Index=.974, Root Mean Square Residual=.049, Normed Fit Index=.928, Non Normed Fit Index=.814. 2) For the validity and the parcimony of model, a modified model was constructed by appending 2 paths and deleting 5 paths according to the criteria of statistical significance and meaningfulness. 3) The results of hypothesis testing were as follows : (1) Educational level, event familiarity and severity of illness had a direct effect on uncertainty : Event congruency had both direct and indirect effect on uncertainty : Credible authority and symptom consistency had a nonsignificant direct effect on uncertainty, (2) Illness duration, symptom consistency, and event congruency had a direct effect on severity of illness ; Credible authority had a both direct and indirect effect on severity of illness ; Event congruency had the greatest effect on severity of illness, and event familiarity had a nonsignificant direct effect on severity of illness.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.79-93
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• 2008

Objectives : Taichi for arthritis was developed in 1997 by Paul Lam, M.D. of family medicine in Australia. It is an exercise treatment program and a good approaching method of the oriental medicine for arthritis. However, clinical and academical researches were rare. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Taichi for arthritis. Methods : We used the medical literature search system, MEDLIS and the database of academic journal, DBpia to search medical studies published in korea. Keywords were "Taichi", "Tai Chi Chuan" and "Arthritis". We classified literatures with two criteria, year of publishment and study design. Then we classified as placebo design and summarized whole material. We determined its effectiveness by positive-negative results of Taichi for arthritis. Results : Taichi for arthritis could release pain of the rheumatoid or degenerative arthritis. Also it is thought to increase muscular power and enhance physical flexibility, balance. Conclusions : There were limits to ensure effectiveness because of small number of studies comparing Taichi with other exercise program for arthritis. However the Taichi for arthritis could have positive effect to treat the rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis. We hope further studies to be followed in oriental medical field.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2009

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that is characterized by inflammation of the synovial tissue and deterioration of the joint and bone. A recent study reported a potential gene-environment interaction between HLA-DR and smoking. The present study investigated whether a specific gene was related to the association between smoking and the severity of RA (rheumatoid factor levels > 20 IU/ml). We used the resources of the NARAC family collection of GAW 15 databases, and 1139 subjects with RF>20 IU/ml were included in the current analysis. The linkage panel contained 5858 SNP markers, and 5744 SNPs passed quality control criteria. Linear regression analyses, using PLINK software and generalized estimating equation regression models, were used to test for associations between the SNPs and the severity of RA according to smoking groups. Two major findings were established. First, the severity of RA in smokers was associated with rs703618 (p=$6{\times}10^{-5}$), which lies in the intronic region of the stabilin 2 (STAB2) gene on chromosome 12. Second, there were significant differences in the levels of RF between 'ever smokers' and 'never smokers' according to the rs703618 genotype (G/G, A/G, A/A). We investigated whether a specific gene acts as a mediator between smoking and the severity of RA and found that the STAB2 gene could affect this relationship. Our finding indicates that smoking may mediate RA severity by affecting the expression level of a specific gene.