The Induction therapy with Methotrexate and Prednisone in Rheumatoid Or Very Early arthritic Disease (IMPROVED)-study is a multicentre two-step randomized single-blinded clinical trial in 610 early... Show moreThe Induction therapy with Methotrexate and Prednisone in Rheumatoid Or Very Early arthritic Disease (IMPROVED)-study is a multicentre two-step randomized single-blinded clinical trial in 610 early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and undifferentiated arthritis (UA) patients. Intensive induction therapy (methotrexate (MTX) and a tapered high dose of prednisone) was started in the first 4 months. Treatment adjustments aimed at clinical remission (Disease Activity Score (DAS)<1.6): if DAS<1.6, medication was tapered and stopped, if DAS≥1.6, medication was intensified or restarted. Patients not in DAS-remission after 4 months were randomized to triple therapy (MTX, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine) with prednisone (arm 1) or MTX+adalimumab (arm 2).After 4 months 61% was in DAS-remission (early DAS-remission group). After 5 years, 48% were in DAS-remission and 22% in drug-free remission (DFR). Patients in early DAS-remission group had better functional ability and more often achieved DAS-remission and DFR than patients that were randomized, without differences between the arms. UA patients had lower DAS and less autoantibody positivity at baseline compared to the RA patients. DAS-remission percentages were comparable between RA and UA patients, but more UA patients did achieve DFR (33% vs 19%). Autoantibody (rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA)) negative patients more often achieved DFR. Show less
Van Wegberg, A.M.J.; MacDonald, A.; Ahring, K.; Belanger-Quintana, A.; Blau, N.; Bosch, A.M.; ... ; Van Spronsen, F.J. 2017
The main objective of this thesis was to evaluate the role of new advanced multimodal CT imaging techniques in acute ischemic stroke.Important findings are that collateral assessment with dynamic... Show moreThe main objective of this thesis was to evaluate the role of new advanced multimodal CT imaging techniques in acute ischemic stroke.Important findings are that collateral assessment with dynamic CT angiography (CTA) better predicts radiological outcome and clinical outcome compared with conventional single-phase CTA. Dynamic CTA also enabled us to study dynamic cortical venous outflow in stroke which had not been described before. We have shown that venous outflow, as assessed with dynamic CTA, is a new predictor of functional outcome in acute large vesselvanterior circulation stroke. By combining the extent and velocity of optimal CVF, we observed a decreased risk of poor outcome in patients with good and fast optimal CVF. Moreover, we have demonstrated an interaction between IAT treatment effect and cortical venous filling which could potentially be useful for future treatment decision-making. Show less
Morgan, M.D.; Szeto, M.; Walsh, M.; Jayne, D.; Westman, K.; Rasmussen, N.; ... ; European Vasculitis Soc 2017
Narcolepsy is a disorder of the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, with as its major features excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and... Show moreNarcolepsy is a disorder of the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, with as its major features excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and disturbed nocturnal sleep. The first part of this thesis concernes an overview of the pathophysiology, symptoms and treatment of narcolepsy type 1. The second part elaborates some pathophysiological aspects, focussing on the autoimmune hypothesis of narcolepsy. The third part focuses on alterations of temperature regulation and on measuring treatment effects of symptomatic treatment on sustained attention, i.e. vigilance. Show less
Dijkstra, B.A.G.; Kamal, R.; Noorden, M.S. van; Haan, H. de; Loonen, A.J.M.; Jong, C.A.J. de 2017
Research on the prevalence, diagnostic and prognostic value for treatment of personality pathology – i.e., both personality disorders and problematic personality characteristics – was... Show more Research on the prevalence, diagnostic and prognostic value for treatment of personality pathology – i.e., both personality disorders and problematic personality characteristics – was carried out within a mainly Dutch forensic mental health setting. Issues such as (dis)simulation and unintentional self-deception limit the utility of self-report instruments within a pre-trial setting. Personality disorders and psychopathic traits in suspected offenders in the Netherlands often lead to court rulings of enforced psychiatric treatment – an internationally unique situation. A prospective study on the predictive value of personality disorder isolated factors that can affect enforced treatment length, such as crime type and comorbidity, that can be a focus for policy makers and forensic mental health experts. Caution is advised when using self-report instruments within the forensic context, especially in the absence of response bias scales and in the case of (legal) incentives for certain outcomes. There is urgent need for international standardization of instruments and terminology and a test battery that is specifically designed for and validated within forensic populations. An increase in (detail of) digital registration of patient, treatment and risk characteristics is necessary for meaningful scientific research, a better assessment of personality and risks, fewer incidents, lower recidivism and shorter treatment. Show less
The general aim of this thesis is to investigate small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis and to asses whether ARA290 is a possible new agent to treat the neuropathic complaints in sarcoidosis... Show moreThe general aim of this thesis is to investigate small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis and to asses whether ARA290 is a possible new agent to treat the neuropathic complaints in sarcoidosis population. The results of the various ARA290 trials in painful sarcoidosis are discussed. Painful neuropathy is common, difficult to treat complication.The limited efficacy of current treatment options dictates a rationalized design of novel compounds. ARA290 treatment was consistently associated with a significant improvement of neuropathic pain symptoms in sarcoidosis patients, evidenced by a decrease in pain scores on validated questionnaires. Moreover,ARA290 treatment resulted in significant increases in corneal nerve fibers, improved sensory pain thresholds,improved quality of life and physical functioning. Given the excellent safety profile while reducing neuropathy symptoms,the prospects of ARA290 treatment in sarcoidosis related neuropathy seem promising.The long lasting beneficial effects of ARA290 on both pain related and non pain related symptoms in sarcoidosis patients prompt additional studies on potential disease modifying properties of ARA290. The data collected so far suggest that ARA290 will be equally effective in SFN associated with other syndromes, including diabetes mellitus. Show less
Nooij, L.S.; Brand, F.A.M.; Gaarenstroom, K.N.; Creutzberg, C.L.; Hullu, J.A. de; Poelgeest, M.I.E. van 2016
Parents are increasingly viewed as key to successful child (semi-) residential treatment. Positive outcomes for both the parents as the child with a psychiatric disorder are more likely to occur... Show moreParents are increasingly viewed as key to successful child (semi-) residential treatment. Positive outcomes for both the parents as the child with a psychiatric disorder are more likely to occur when effective levels of therapeutic alliances exist between team members and parents. Unfortunately, it remains unclear from the literature, how the establishment of the parent-treatment team alliance best contributes to child residential treatment outcome. Therefore, a more systematic approach is needed to help practitioners.The aim of this thesis is threefold: 1. Development of assessment strategies (instruments) of the parent-team alliance, 2. Longitudinal investigation of the relation between parent-team therapeutic alliance and semi-residential treatment outcome factors and 3. Examining the effect of strengthening the parent-team alliance on (semi-) residential treatment outcomes. Routine Outcome Monitoring was implemented at five semi-residential treatment units of Curium-LUMC, a Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. All newly admitted children and their parents, 46 children (6-12 years old) in total, were included in the ROM assessment. Results showed: 1)Alliance instruments are capable of assessing the parent-team alliance; 2)Parent-team alliance, parental stress and child'symptoms are interconnected, and 3)A structured investment of team members in the parent-team alliance strenghtens this alliance and positively indfluences childs'symptoms. Show less
