J P Raynauld

Hôpital Notre-Dame, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

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Publications (47)144.06 Total impact

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    Article: Decrease in serum level of matrix metalloproteinases is predictive of the disease-modifying effect of osteoarthritis drugs assessed by quantitative MRI in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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    ABSTRACT: To explore the impact of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) treatment on biomarker levels and their correlation with cartilage volume loss and disease symptoms in a 2-year phase III clinical trial in patients with knee OA. 161 patients with knee OA (according-to-protocol population) were selected from a 2-year DMOAD trial studying the effect of licofelone (200 mg twice daily) versus naproxen (500 mg twice daily). Clinical evaluation of patients was carried out using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire. Biomarker measurements of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, interleukin (IL)-6, C reactive protein (CRP), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and type I collagen C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-I) in serum, type II collagen C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-II) in urine, and knee MRI were performed at baseline and 2 years. Over time an increase occurred in all biomarker levels with the exception of IL-6, CRP and CTX-II which decreased. The increase in MMP-1 and MMP-3 was significantly less (p = 0.05; p < 0.01, respectively) in the licofelone group. The baseline MMP-1 level was significantly but inversely predictive of cartilage volume loss for the medial compartment in both univariate (p = 0.04) and multivariate (p ≤ 0.04) regression analyses, and COMP, a predictor for the lateral compartment, in both univariate and multivariate models (p < 0.01). Baseline levels of IL-6 and CRP also showed a significant relationship with volume loss for the medial compartment (univariate analysis, p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively; multivariate analysis, p = 0.03, p = 0.01). A significant association (univariate) was observed between the change in the levels of MMP-1 (p = 0.03) and MMP-3 (p = 0.02) and cartilage volume loss (lateral compartment) over 2 years. Baseline levels of CTX-I correlated (p = 0.02) with an increase in the size of the bone marrow lesion in the medial compartment. The baseline CRP levels correlated with worsening of symptoms: WOMAC total index (p < 0.01), pain (p < 0.01) and function (p < 0.01). Higher baseline values of IL-6, CRP and COMP are predictive of greater risk of cartilage loss in OA. However, over time a reduction in MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels correlated best with reduction in cartilage volume loss and the effect of drug treatment. Baseline CRP was found to be a good predictor of the symptomatic response to treatment.
    Annals of the rheumatic diseases 12/2010; 69(12):2095-101. · 8.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Protective effects of licofelone, a 5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, versus naproxen on cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis: a first multicentre clinical trial using quantitative MRI.
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    ABSTRACT: In a multicentre study to explore the effects of licofelone as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug in comparison with naproxen in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), using MRI and x-ray examination. Patients with knee OA (n = 355) were randomised to receive either licofelone (200 mg twice a day) or naproxen (500 mg twice a day). MRI and x-ray examinations were performed at baseline, 6 months (MRI only), 12 and 24 months. MRI was used to assess quantitatively changes in cartilage volume, and x-ray examinations (Lyon-Schuss) to measure changes in the mean and minimum joint space width (JSW) in the medial compartment. Questionnaires probing symptoms were completed. Data were presented as intention to treat (ITT) and according to protocol (ATP). Cartilage volume loss in the global joint and medial and lateral compartments was significantly less in the licofelone than in the naproxen group for ITT at 12 and 24 months and for ATP at all times except in the medial compartment. Patients with medial meniscal extrusion had a greater loss of cartilage volume. In these patients, licofelone markedly reduced the cartilage loss for both ITT and ATP at 12 and 24 months. Although licofelone showed less reduction in the JSW than naproxen, this did not reach significance. All clinical variables were improved at 24 months (p<0.001) for both groups, with a good safety profile. Licofelone and naproxen were equally effective in reducing OA symptoms; however, licofelone significantly reduced cartilage volume loss over time, thus having a protective effect in patients with knee OA. This study proves the superiority of quantitative MRI over x-ray examinations in a multicentre clinical trial.
    Annals of the rheumatic diseases 06/2009; 68(6):938-47. · 8.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Response to the Letter to the Editor by Roemer and collaborators entitled "Semiquantitative assessment of synovitis in osteoarthritis on non contrast-enhanced MRI" concerning the article published by Pelletier et al. entitled "A new non-invasive method to assess synovitis severity in relation to symptoms and cartilage volume loss in knee osteoarthritis patients using MRI"
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 12/2008; · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Response to the Letter to the Editor by Roemer and collaborators entitled "MRI based semi-quantitative assessment of subchondral bone marrow lesions in osteoarthritis research" concerning the article published by d'Anjou et al. entitled "Temporal assessment of bone marrow lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in a canine model of knee osteoarthritis: impact of sequence selection."
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 11/2008; · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: A new non-invasive method to assess synovitis severity in relation to symptoms and cartilage volume loss in knee osteoarthritis patients using MRI.
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    ABSTRACT: Synovitis in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients is a significant risk factor for disease progression. This study aimed at developing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scoring system allowing reliable and sensitive assessment of synovitis severity in knee OA patients without the use of a contrast agent. Imaging was performed without contrast agent, using a 1.5T and a knee coil. For the synovial membrane, the MRI exam included two axial sequences: a T2-weighted (synovial fluid) and a gradient echo (GRE) (synovial membrane). Synovial membrane thickness was measured on four regions of interest (ROI): medial and lateral recesses, and medial and lateral suprapatellar bursa, with each graded/scored from 0 to 3, for a maximum of 12. A validation study was performed on a cohort of 27 knee OA patients having MRI at baseline. A subset of 14 patients had an additional MRI acquisition and symptom assessment at Day 60. Evaluation of disease symptoms was done with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index and visual analog scale, and of cartilage volume, menisci and subchondral bone, with MR images from a 3D spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) sequence. The synovial membrane thickness grade was 1.9+/-0.5 (mean+/-SD) with a score of 7.1+/-2.3. The intra-reader (r=0.91) and inter-reader (r=0.82) correlation coefficients were excellent (P<0.0001). The medial compartment grade was 1.9+/-0.6 and score was 3.4+/-1.4, and of the lateral compartment were 2.0+/-0.7 and 3.7+/-1.5, respectively. The grade and score for the suprapatellar bursa and recess were 1.8+/-0.7 and 3.5+/-1.5, and 2.1+/-0.5 and 3.9+/-0.9, respectively. No statistically significant differences in the ROI score and grade were observed between medial and lateral compartments or between recess and suprapatellar bursa. A positive correlation was found between the global severity of synovitis at baseline and the presence of a medial meniscal extrusion (P<0.04), and the loss of cartilage volume at 60 days (P<0.03). This newly developed MRI technology for the assessment of synovial membrane thickness in knee OA patients was shown to be accurate and reproducible.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 10/2008; 16 Suppl 3:S8-13. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Magnetic resonance imaging can accurately assess the long-term progression of knee structural changes in experimental dog osteoarthritis.
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    ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis (OA) structural changes take place over decades in humans. MRI can provide precise and reliable information on the joint structure and changes over time. In this study, we investigated the reliability of quantitative MRI in assessing knee OA structural changes in the experimental anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) dog model of OA. OA was surgically induced by transection of the ACL of the right knee in five dogs. High resolution three dimensional MRI using a 1.5 T magnet was performed at baseline, 4, 8 and 26 weeks post surgery. Cartilage volume/thickness, cartilage defects, trochlear osteophyte formation and subchondral bone lesion (hypersignal) were assessed on MRI images. Animals were killed 26 weeks post surgery and macroscopic evaluation was performed. There was a progressive and significant increase over time in the loss of knee cartilage volume, the cartilage defect and subchondral bone hypersignal. The trochlear osteophyte size also progressed over time. The greatest cartilage loss at 26 weeks was found on the tibial plateaus and in the medial compartment. There was a highly significant correlation between total knee cartilage volume loss or defect and subchondral bone hypersignal, and also a good correlation between the macroscopic and the MRI findings. This study demonstrated that MRI is a useful technology to provide a non-invasive and reliable assessment of the joint structural changes during the development of OA in the ACL dog model. The combination of this OA model with MRI evaluation provides a promising tool for the evaluation of new disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs).
    Annals of the rheumatic diseases 08/2008; 67(7):926-32. · 8.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Correlation between bone lesion changes and cartilage volume loss in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee as assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging over a 24-month period.
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    ABSTRACT: To evaluate in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) the size changes in bone oedema and cysts over 24 months, and to contrast these changes with cartilage volume loss using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. 107 patients with knee OA, selected from a large trial evaluating the effect of a bisphosphonate, were analysed by magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 24 months. Assessments of subchondral bone oedema and cysts, and cartilage volume were done. At baseline, 86 patients showed the presence of at least one type of bone lesion: 71 oedema, 61 cysts and 51 both. At 24 months, although not statistically significant, the oedema total size change increased by 2.09 (SD 15.03) mm, and the cyst by 1.09 (8.13) mm; mean size change for the oedema was +0.38 (2.18) mm and -0.10 (4.36) mm for the cyst. When analysed according to subregions, an increase was found for the cyst size in the trochlea (+0.67 (2.74) mm, p = 0.02) and in the lateral tibial plateau (+0.15 (0.83) mm, p = 0.09), and for the oedema size in the medial tibial plateau (+1.73 (8.11) mm, p = 0.05). At 24 months, significant correlations were seen between the loss of cartilage volume and oedema size change in the medial condyle (-0.40, p = 0.0001) and the medial tibial plateau (-0.23, p = 0.03), and the changes in cyst size in the medial condyle (-0.29, p = 0.01). A multivariate analysis showed that the oedema size change was strongly and independently associated with medial cartilage volume loss (-0.31, p = 0.0004). These data demonstrate that bone lesions are prevalent in knee OA. The correlation of the oedema and cyst size increase in the medial compartment over time with a greater loss of cartilage volume in this area underlines the importance of subchondral bone lesions in OA pathophysiology.
    Annals of the rheumatic diseases 06/2008; 67(5):683-8. · 8.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Temporal assessment of bone marrow lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in a canine model of knee osteoarthritis: impact of sequence selection.
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    ABSTRACT: To assess the evolution of bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in a canine model of knee osteoarthritis (OA) using three different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Three MRI sequences [coronal, T1-weighted three-dimensional fast gradient recalled echo (T1-GRE), sagittal fat-suppressed 3D spoiled gradient echo at a steady state (SPGR), and sagittal T2-weighted fast spin echo with fat saturation (T2-FS)] were performed at baseline, and at week 4, 8 and 26 in five dogs following transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. The same reader scored (0-3) subchondral BMLs twice, in blinded conditions, according to their extent in nine joint subregions, for all imaging sessions, and independently on the three MRI sequences. Correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots evaluated intra-reader repeatability. Readings scores were averaged and the nine subregions were summed to generate global BML scores. BMLs were most prevalent in the central and medial portions of the tibial plateau. Intra-reader repeatability was good to excellent for each sequence (r(s)=0.87-0.97; P<0.001). Maximal intra-reader variability (24%) was reached on T2-FS and was associated to higher scores (P<0.05). Global BML scores increased similarly on all three sequences until week 8 (P<0.05). At week 26, score on T2-FS was decreased, being lower when compared to T1-GRE and SPGR (P<0.05). In this canine OA model, the extent of BMLs varies in time on different MRI sequences. Until the complex nature of these lesions is fully resolved, it is suggested that to accurately assess the size and extent of BMLs, a combination of different sequences should be used.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 05/2008; 16(11):1307-11. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Two-year prospective longitudinal study exploring the factors associated with change in femoral cartilage volume in a cohort largely without knee radiographic osteoarthritis.
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    ABSTRACT: To identify factors associated with change in femoral cartilage volume over 2 years in a cohort largely without knee radiographic osteoarthritis. A total of 252 subjects (mean 45 years, range 28-60) were used for this study. T1-weighted fat saturation magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and approximately 2 years later. Knee femoral condyle cartilage volume, femoral cartilage defect (0-4 scale) and tibial bone size were determined. The total femoral cartilage volume loss was 6.3% for the 2.3-year period. Factors associated with this annual change were female gender (females vs males: -1.69%, P<0.01), age (over vs under 40 years: -0.96%, P=0.01), smoking (beta: -0.04% per pack-years, P<0.01), as well as lower limb muscle strength (r: +0.32, P<0.01) and its change (beta: +0.34% per quartile, P<0.05). Structural factors associated with change included baseline femoral cartilage volume (beta: -0.36% per ml, P<0.01), femoral cartilage defects (beta: +1.07% per grade, P<0.01), tibial bone area (beta: +0.13% per cm(2), P<0.05), lateral osteophytes (beta: -1.91% per grade, P<0.01) and change in femoral cartilage defects (beta: -0.8% per grade, P<0.001). This study provides evidence confirming that significant risk factors are associated with femoral cartilage loss and these include gender (female), age, smoking, and severity of lower limb muscle weakness. It also supports the hypothesis that femoral cartilage swelling reflected by an increased baseline cartilage volume could be a predictor of disease progression. Our findings also provide interesting clues to implement preventive measures that can possibly prevent or reduce knee cartilage loss.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 04/2008; 16(4):443-9. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Association of polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene and osteoarthritis of the knee.
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    ABSTRACT: To study the association between two common polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) gene and susceptibility to, and severity of, osteoarthritis in a French-Canadian population. Genomic DNA was obtained from 172 patients with osteoarthritis and 210 ethnically matched healthy controls. Genotyping for the polymorphisms in the PPARgamma gene (Pro12Ala and C1431T) was carried out using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The standard Kellgren-Lawrence grading score and the French version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index were used to assess the radiological and functional severity of the disease. Estimated haplotypes were generated using the expectation maximisation algorithm. Genotype and allele frequencies were analysed using the chi2 test. Genotype and allele frequencies for either polymorphism in the PPARgamma gene did not differ significantly between patients with osteoarthritis and controls. Moreover, no significant differences were observed after stratification of patients according to age at disease onset, radiological or functional severity. Similarly, haplotype analysis of both polymorphisms in the PPARgamma gene showed no association of any haplotype with susceptibility to, or severity of, osteoarthritis. These findings suggest that the examined polymorphisms in the PPARgamma gene do not contribute to susceptibility to, or severity of, osteoarthritis in the French-Canadian population.
    Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 11/2006; 65(10):1394-7. · 8.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of articular cartilage in knee osteoarthritis (OA): morphological assessment.
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    ABSTRACT: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a three-dimensional imaging technique with unparalleled ability to evaluate articular cartilage. This report reviews the current status of morphological assessment of cartilage with quantitative MRI (qMRI), and its relevance for identifying disease status, and monitoring progression and treatment response in knee osteoarthritis (OA). An international panel of experts in MRI of knee OA, with direct experience in the analysis of cartilage morphology with qMRI, reviewed the existing published and unpublished data on the subject, and debated the findings at the OMERACT-OARSI Workshop on Imaging technologies (December 2002, Bethesda, MA) with scientists and clinicians from academia, the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory agencies. This report reviews (1) MRI pulse sequence considerations for morphological analysis of articular cartilage; (2) techniques for segmenting cartilage; (3) semi-quantitative scoring of cartilage status; and (4) technical validity (accuracy), precision (reproducibility) and sensitivity to change of quantitative measures of cartilage morphology. Semi-quantitative scores of cartilage status have been shown to display adequate reliability, specificity and sensitivity, and to detect lesion progression at reasonable observation periods (1-2 years). Quantitative assessment of cartilage morphology (qMRI), with fat-suppressed gradient echo sequences, and appropriate image analysis techniques, displays high accuracy and adequate precision (e.g., root-mean-square standard deviation medial tibia=61 microl) for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in OA patients. Longitudinal studies suggest that changes of cartilage volume of the order of -4% to -6% occur per annum in OA in most knee compartments (e.g., -90 microl in medial tibia). Annual changes in cartilage volume exceed the precision errors and appear to be associated with clinical symptoms as well as with time to knee arthroplasty. MRI provides reliable and quantitative data on cartilage status throughout most compartments of the knee, with robust acquisition protocols for multi-center trials now being available. MRI of cartilage has tremendous potential for large scale epidemiological studies of OA progression, and for clinical trials of treatment response to structure modifying OA drugs.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 02/2006; 14 Suppl A:A46-75. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Letter to the Editor: Reply to the letter by Max I. Hamburger.
    J-P Raynauld, C H Goldsmith, G W Torrance
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 12/2005; 13(11):1037-8; author reply 1039-40. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evaluation of WOMAC 20, 50, 70 response criteria in patients treated with hylan G-F 20 for knee osteoarthritis.
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    ABSTRACT: A secondary analysis of a previously conducted one year randomised controlled trial to evaluate the capacity of responder criteria based on the WOMAC index to detect between treatment group differences. 255 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomised to "appropriate care with hylan G-F 20" (AC+H) or "appropriate care without hylan G-F 20" (AC). In the original analysis, two definitions of patient response from baseline to month 12 were used: (1) at least a 20% reduction in WOMAC pain score (WOMAC 20P); (2) at least a 20% reduction in WOMAC pain score and at least a 20% reduction in either WOMAC function or stiffness score (WOMAC 20PFS). For this analysis, a responder was identified using 50% and 70% minimum clinically important response levels to investigate how increasing response affects the ability to detect treatment group differences. The hylan G-F 20 group had numerically more responders using all patient responder criteria. Increasing the response level from 20% to 50% detected similar differences between treatment groups (25% to 29%). Increasing the response level to 70% reduced the differences between treatment groups (11% to 12%) to a point where the differences were not significant after Bonferroni adjustment. These results provide evidence for incorporating response levels (WOMAC 50) in clinical trials. While differences at the highest threshold (WOMAC 70) were not statistically detectable, an appropriately powered study may be capable of detecting differences even at this very high level of improvement.
    Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 07/2005; 64(6):881-5. · 8.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Meniscal tear and extrusion are strongly associated with progression of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis as assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging.
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    ABSTRACT: The relation between knee meniscal structural damage and cartilage degradation is plausible but not yet clearly proven. To quantitate the cartilage volume changes in knee osteoarthritis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and determine whether meniscal alteration predicts cartilage volume loss over time. 32 patients meeting ACR criteria for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis were studied. MRI knee acquisitions were done every six months for two years. The cartilage volumes of different knee regions were measured. Three indices of structural change in the medial and lateral menisci were evaluated--degeneration, tear, and extrusion--using a semiquantitative scale. 24 patients (75%) had mild to moderate or severe meniscal damage (tear or extrusion) at baseline. A highly significant difference in global cartilage volume loss was observed between severe medial meniscal tear and absence of tear (mean (SD), -10.1 (2.1)% v -5.1 (2.4)%, p = 0.002). An even greater difference was found between the medial meniscal changes and medial compartment cartilage volume loss (-14.3 (3.0)% in the presence of severe tear v -6.3 (2.7)% in the absence of tear; p<0.0001). Similarly, a major difference was found between the presence of a medial meniscal extrusion and loss of medial compartment cartilage volume (-15.4 (4.1)% in the presence of extrusion v -4.5 (1.7)% with no extrusion; p<0.001). Meniscal tear and extrusion appear to be associated with progression of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
    Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 05/2005; 64(4):556-63. · 8.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effectiveness and safety of repeat courses of hylan G-F 20 in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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    ABSTRACT: To compare the effectiveness and safety of repeat treatment with hylan G-F 20 based on data from a randomized, controlled trial [Raynauld JP, Torrance GW, Band PA, Goldsmith CH, Tugwell P, Walker V, et al. A prospective, randomized, pragmatic, health outcomes trial evaluating the incorporation of hylan G-F 20 into the treatment paradigm for patients with knee osteoarthritis (Part 1 of 2): clinical results. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2002;10:506-17]. The hypotheses tested were whether the single-course and repeat-course subgroups would be superior to appropriate care and not different from each other. A total of 255 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to "appropriate care with hylan G-F 20" or "appropriate care without hylan G-F 20". The hylan G-F 20 group was partitioned into two subgroups: (1) patients who received a single course of hylan G-F 20; and (2) patients who received two or more courses of hylan G-F 20. For the primary effectiveness measure, change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score as a percent of baseline, the single-course subgroup improved by 41%, the repeat-course subgroup by 35%, and the appropriate care group by 14%. Both subgroups improved significantly more than the appropriate care group (P<0.05), and were not statistically significantly different from each other (70% power to detect a 20% difference). Secondary effectiveness measures showed similar results. In the repeat-course subgroup, no statistically significant differences were found in the number of local adverse events, the number of patients with local adverse events, or arthrocentesis rates between the first and repeat courses of treatment. Although the study was neither designed nor powered to examine repeat treatment, this a posteriori analysis provides support for a favorable effectiveness and safety profile of hylan G-F 20 in repeat course patients.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 02/2005; 13(2):111-9. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Low-dose aspirin and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
    I W Uthman, J P Raynauld, B Panzini, D Choquette
    Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 11/2003; 38(10):1103. · 2.02 Impact Factor
  • Article: Intra-articular therapy in osteoarthritis.
    I Uthman, J-P Raynauld, B Haraoui
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    ABSTRACT: The medical literature was reviewed from 1968-2002 using Medline and the key words "intra-articular" and "osteoarthritis" to determine the various intra-articular therapies used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid are the most frequently used intra-articular therapies in osteoarthritis. Other intra-articular substances such as orgotein, radiation synovectomy, dextrose prolotherapy, silicone, saline lavage, saline injection without lavage, analgesic agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucosamine, somatostatin, sodium pentosan polysulfate, chloroquine, mucopolysaccharide polysulfuric acid ester, lactic acid solution, and thiotepa cytostatica have been investigated as potentially therapeutic in the treatment of arthritic joints. Despite the lack of strong, convincing, and reproducible evidence that any of the intra-articular therapies significantly alters the progression of osteoarthritis, corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid are widely used in patients who have failed other therapeutic modalities for lack of efficacy or toxicity. As a practical approach for a knee with effusion, steroid injections should be considered while the presence of symptomatic "dry" knees may favour the hyaluronic acid approach. The virtual absence of serious side effects, coupled with the perceived benefits, make these approaches attractive.
    Postgraduate Medical Journal 09/2003; 79(934):449-53. · 1.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Reliability of a quantification imaging system using magnetic resonance images to measure cartilage thickness and volume in human normal and osteoarthritic knees.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a software tool that assesses knee cartilage volumes using magnetic resonance (MR) images. The objectives were to assess measurement reliability by: (1) determining the differences between readings of the same image made by the same reader 2 weeks apart (test-retest reliability), (2) determining the differences between the readings of the same image made by different readers (between-reader agreement), and (3) determining the differences between the cartilage volume readings obtained from two MR images of the same knee image acquired a few hours apart (patient positioning reliability). Forty-eight MR examinations of the knee from normal subjects, patients with different stages of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), and a subset of duplicate images were independently and blindly quantified by three readers using the imaging system. The following cartilage areas were analyzed to compute volumes: global cartilage, medial and lateral compartments, and medial and lateral femoral condyles. Between-reader agreement of measurements was excellent, as shown by intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients ranging from 0.958 to 0.997 for global cartilage (P<0.0001), 0.974 to 0.998 for the compartments (P<0.0001), and 0.943 to 0.999 for the condyles(P<0.0001). Test-retest reliability of within-reader data was also excellent, with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.978 to 0.999 (P<0.0001). Patient positioning reliability was also excellent, with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.978 to 0.999 (P<0.0001). The results of this study establish the reliability of this MR imaging system. Test-retest reliability, between-reader agreement, and patient positioning reliability were all extremely high. This study represents a first step in the overall validation of an imaging system designed to follow progression of human knee OA.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 05/2003; 11(5):351-60. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: A prospective, randomized, pragmatic, health outcomes trial evaluating the incorporation of hylan G-F 20 into the treatment paradigm for patients with knee osteoarthritis (Part 1 of 2): clinical results.
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    ABSTRACT: First, to assess the clinical effectiveness of hylan G-F 20 in an appropriate care treatment regimen (as defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1995 guidelines) as measured by validated disease-specific outcomes and health-related quality of life endpoints for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Second, to utilize the measures of effectiveness and costs in an economic evaluation (see accompanying manuscript). A total of 255 patients with OA of the knee were enrolled by rheumatologists or orthopedic surgeons into a prospective, randomized, open-label, 1-year, multi-centred trial, conducted in Canada. Patients were randomized to 'Appropriate care with hylan G-F 20' (AC+H) or 'Appropriate care without hylan G-F 20' (AC). Data were collected at clinic visits (baseline, 12 months) and by telephone (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months). The AC+H group was superior to the AC group for all primary (% reduction in mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale: 38% vs 13%,P =0.0001) and secondary effectiveness outcome measures. These differences were all statistically significant and exceeded the 20% difference between groups set a priori by the investigators as the minimum clinically important difference. Health-related quality of life improvements in the AC+H group were statistically superior for the WOMAC pain, stiffness and physical function (all P< 0.0001), the SF-36 aggregate physical component (P< 0.0001) and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) overall health utility score (P< 0.0001). Safety (adverse events and patient global assessments of side effects) differences favoured the AC+H group. The data presented here indicate that the provision to patients with knee OA of viscosupplementation with hylan G-F 20 within an appropriate care treatment regimen provides benefits in the knee, overall health and health related quality of life at reduced levels of co-therapy and systemic adverse reactions.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 07/2002; 10(7):506-17. · 3.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: A prospective, randomized, pragmatic, health outcomes trial evaluating the incorporation of hylan G-F 20 into the treatment paradigm for patients with knee osteoarthritis (Part 2 of 2): economic results.
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    ABSTRACT: Viscosupplementation with hylan G-F 20 has recently become registered for treatment of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in most parts of the world. The cost effectiveness and cost utility of this new therapeutic modality were determined as part of a Canadian prospective, randomized, 1-year, open-label, multicentered trial. A total of 255 patients were randomized to 'Appropriate care with hylan G-F 20' (AC+H) or 'Appropriate care without hylan G-F 20' (AC). Costs (1999 Canadian dollars) were collected from the societal viewpoint and included all costs related to OA of the knee and OA in all joints. Patients completed a number of outcomes questionnaires including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3). Data were collected at clinic visits (baseline, 12 months) and by telephone (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months). The AC+H group over the year had higher costs ($2125-$1415=$710, P< 0.05), more patients improved (69%-40%=29%,P =0.0001), greater increases in HUI3 (0.13-0.03=0.10, P< 0.0001) and increased quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) (0.071, P< 0.05). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $2505/patient improved. The incremental cost-utility ratio was $10000/QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses and a second cost perspective gave similar results. The cost-utility ratio is below the suggested Canadian adoption threshold. The results provide strong evidence for adoption of treatment with hylan G-F 20 in the patients and settings studied in the trial.
    Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 07/2002; 10(7):518-27. · 3.90 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2008–2010
    • Hôpital Notre-Dame
      Montréal, Quebec, Canada
    • Université du Québec à Montréal
      • Department of Law
      Montréal, Quebec, Canada
  • 2009
    • University of Notre Dame
      Little Canada, MN, USA
  • 2005–2008
    • Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
      Montréal, Quebec, Canada
    • University of Queensland 
      • Mayne Medical School
      Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • 1994–2005
    • Université de Montréal
      • Department of Medicine
      Montréal, Quebec, Canada
  • 2003
    • Montreal Heart Institute
      Montréal, Quebec, Canada
  • 2002
    • McMaster University
      • Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics
      Hamilton, Ontario, Canada