Does blockade of Dickkopf ( DKK ) -1 induce fusion of sacroiliac joints?
DKK1 influences inflammatory remodelling of sacroiliac joints by prevention of joint ankylosis. This may indicate an important role of the Wnt signalling pathway in the structural bone changes of axial joint disease. Although this model does not reflect the entire spectrum of ankylosing spondylitis in humans, it helps to explain the pathophysiological processes of sacroiliac joint ankylosis, which is a hallmark of the spondyloarthritides.
H. pylori eradication results in decreased esophageal sphincter pressures irrespective of gastric histology in functional dyspepsia patients. These decreases are not associated with increased objective reflux or reflux symptomatology. The clinical significance of these finding deserves further evaluations.