Arthritis care & research
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2012
Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein subclasses as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The purpose of this study was to explore whether nontraditional risk factors, such as apolipoprotein C-III (Apo C-III) and its corresponding Apo B lipoprotein (Lp) subclasses, contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. ⋯ Apo C-III-containing Apo B lipoprotein subclasses were found to be significantly elevated in progressors compared to nonprogressors. Many of these same lipoproteins were found to be associated with an increase in CAC scores among progressors. These lipoproteins may be considered new risk factors for progression of atherosclerosis in RA patients.
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2012
Quality of life in adults with juvenile-onset dermatomyositis: a case-control study.
To compare quality of life in adults diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) with that of matched controls, and to analyze the association with other disease parameters in patients. ⋯ Adult patients with juvenile DM had, compared to controls, reduced HRQOL in general health measured by the SF-36, but not in the other subscales of the SF-36 or in global quality of life measured by the QOLS-N. An association was found between disease parameters and reduced HRQOL in the physical domains.
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Arthritis care & research · Jul 2012
Anxiety and depression among US adults with arthritis: prevalence and correlates.
There has been limited characterization of the burden of anxiety and depression, especially the former, among US adults with arthritis in the general population. The study objective was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depression among US adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. ⋯ Despite the clinical focus on depression among people with arthritis, anxiety was almost twice as common as depression. Given their high prevalence, their profound impact on quality of life, and the range of effective treatments available, we encourage health care providers to screen all people with arthritis for both anxiety and depression.
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Low back pain (LBP) affects most people at some stage in life. However, the burden on the health care system is unclear. We studied: 1) the 1-year consultation prevalence, 2) the rate of first-time consultation for LBP and the relationship of the frequency to other musculoskeletal conditions, and 3) the health care utilization of patients with LBP compared to the general population. ⋯ LBP, diagnosed in every sixth patient who consulted due to a musculoskeletal problem, is a public health concern that needs structured management. Patients with LBP consume close to twice as much health care as the general population and this warrants more awareness.