Arthritis care & research
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2011
Importance of self-rated health and mental well-being in predicting health outcomes following total joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis.
The determinants of outcomes and the scope of outcomes examined in total joint replacement (TJR) typically have been limited to aspects of physical health. We investigated mental well-being, physical and social health, and self-rated health (SRH) as predictors of future health status within a cohort undergoing a TJR for hip or knee osteoarthritis. We also investigated the interrelationships among these health dimensions as they relate to SRH. ⋯ Mental well-being is critical for understanding the relationship between physical health and SRH. In addition, SRH significantly predicts TJR outcomes, above and beyond prior physical health. The exclusive focus on any one health dimension may lead to missed opportunities for predicting and improving outcomes following surgery, and likely improving overall health generally.
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2011
Access to pediatric subspecialty care: a population study of pediatric rheumatology inpatients in California.
To examine trends in the specialty care hospitalization of pediatric rheumatology patients and determine how nonclinical factors influence access. ⋯ Nonclinical factors play an increasingly important role in the hospitalization patterns of pediatric rheumatology patients in California. Understanding these factors is crucial if we are to ensure that the variation in access to care reflects clinical need.
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2011
Ultrasound findings on patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in clinical remission.
To assess whether children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in clinical remission show pathologic findings on either gray-scale or power Doppler ultrasound of their joints. ⋯ This study demonstrates that some patients who meet clinical criteria for remission continue to show ongoing pathology on joint ultrasound, which may be suggestive of persistent inflammation.
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2011
Meta AnalysisWhat if we prevent obesity? Risk reduction in knee osteoarthritis estimated through a meta-analysis of observational studies.
To summarize the overall relative risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) associated with body mass index, and to estimate the potential risk reduction due to the control of this risk factor. ⋯ Obesity is a risk factor for many conditions, including knee OA. The benefit of modifying this risk factor may cause significant risk reduction of knee OA in the general population, especially in Western countries where obesity is prevalent.