Scandinavian journal of rheumatology
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Sep 2008
Cachexia in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with inflammatory activity, physical disability, and low bioavailable insulin-like growth factor.
To examine the impact of inflammation, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and its regulating binding protein (IGFBP-1) on lean body mass (LBM) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ A large proportion of RA inpatients, mainly women, had rheumatoid cachexia. The muscle wasting was explained by inflammatory activity and physical disability as well as low bioavailable IGF-1.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Sep 2008
Stability of the upper neck during isometric neck exercises in rheumatoid arthritis patients with atlantoaxial disorders.
To study the effect of isometric neck strength exercises on upper cervical stability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ Isometric exercising towards flexion decreases the AAD in cases with unstable aAAS. Submaximal loading of the neck extensors by pushing the back of the head against the resistance even in the neutral position of the cervical spine leads to a decrease in the width of the cervical spine canal and is not recommended in unstable aAAS.
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Primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fatigue. Little is known about the genesis of fatigue. Fatigue is thought to represent a multidimensional concept and it is important to be able to measure it confidently. The aims were to evaluate the reliability and validity of the 20-item Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) in SS and to search for factors associated with this disabling symptom. ⋯ The MFI-20 was found to be a reliable and valid tool for the measurement of fatigue in primary SS. High levels of fatigue were correlated with low BP, suggesting an associated involvement of the autonomic nervous system.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialIntra-articular sodium hyaluronate 2 mL versus physiological saline 20 mL versus physiological saline 2 mL for painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial.
Methodological constraints weaken previous evidence on intra-articular viscosupplementation and physiological saline distention for osteoarthritis. We conducted a randomized, patient- and observer-blind trial to evaluate these interventions in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis. ⋯ Intra-articular hyaluronate or distention with physiological saline did not significantly reduce pain compared with physiological saline placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
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Scand. J. Rheumatol. · Nov 2007
Comparative StudyUrinary markers of altered collagen metabolism in fibromyalgia patients.
To assess the metabolism of collagen in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, and to compare the occurrence of collagen metabolism markers to the severity of FM symptoms. ⋯ Low urinary concentrations of CTX-II and CTX-I and normal levels of Pyd and Dpd were found in FM, but their relationship to the intensity of FM symptoms was unclear.