Arthritis care & research
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Arthritis care & research · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyDevelopment and validation of the brief-satisfaction with appearance scale for systemic sclerosis.
Body image concerns are understudied in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). The objective was to develop and cross-validate a brief version of the Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP) in order to reduce item redundancy, increase SSc relevancy, and improve the feasibility of body image assessment in SSc. ⋯ The Brief-SWAP is a reliable and valid measure of body image dissatisfaction and social discomfort in SSc that is shorter and more feasibly implemented than the SWAP.
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Arthritis care & research · Dec 2010
Comparative StudyQuadriceps muscle weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis?
To identify risk factors for knee osteoarthritis (OA) 10-15 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We hypothesized that quadriceps muscle weakness after ACL reconstruction would be a risk factor for radiographic and symptomatic radiographic knee OA 10-15 years later. ⋯ This study detected no association between quadriceps weakness after ACL reconstruction and knee OA as measured 10-15 years later.
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Arthritis care & research · Nov 2010
Case ReportsPneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia following rituximab treatment in Wegener's granulomatosis.
Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a devastating small-vessel vasculitis in children. Standard treatment consists of immunosuppressive medications with cyclophosphamide potentially associated with significant infectious side effects, including Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP). Recently, rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against B cells, has successfully been used in refractory disease. ⋯ Routine PCP chemoprophylaxis should be strongly considered in patients with WG treated with rituximab.
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Arthritis care & research · Nov 2010
Comparative StudyMeasuring fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study to evaluate the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multi-Dimensional questionnaire, visual analog scales, and numerical rating scales.
Current patient-reported outcome measures of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have limitations, providing only a global perspective. This study constructed a questionnaire (the Bristol RA Fatigue Multi-Dimensional Questionnaire [BRAF-MDQ]) from 45 preliminary questions derived from analysis of patient interviews and surveys and explored its structure for fatigue dimensions. The BRAF-MDQ and short BRAF numerical rating scales (NRS) and visual analog scales (VAS) for severity, effect, and ability to cope with fatigue were evaluated for validity. ⋯ The BRAF instruments include standardized NRS and VAS for fatigue severity, effect, and coping, are RA specific, and have evidence to support validity. The BRAF-MDQ uniquely measures 4 separate dimensions, which may facilitate development of individually-tailored fatigue management programs.