Rheumatology international
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The aim of this study was to assess fatigue aspects in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationships with disease-specific variables especially parameters of functional and structural severity. A total of 248 patients with RA were included. Patients' and disease characteristics were identified. ⋯ Also, severity of fatigue was correlated with the deterioration of all domains of QoL. Fatigue is a major issue for our patients with RA and must be included in the routine assessment of patients. In our sample, fatigue appears to be related to disease activity, functional disability, structural damage, and immunological status and had a negative impact on QoL.
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Although the use of ultrasound (US) to perform suprascapular nerve block (SsNB) is rapidly gaining popularity, information about its accuracy is still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the proximity of the needle to suprascapular nerve under US guidance by means of neurostimulation current intensity in SsNB. The patients who were referred for SSnB due to shoulder pain were included in the study. ⋯ Current intensity was obtained by gradually increasing the amplitude until patient feels parestesia over the shoulder area or contractions of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscles. Out of 27 patients, in five patients current intensity was between 0.1 and 0.8 mA (successful) and time duration was 2.52 ± 1.67 min in this group; in 19 patients, current intensity was between 0.9 and 1.4 mA (semi-successful) and time duration was 1.86 ± 1.02 min in this group; in three patients, current intensity was ≥ 1.5 mA (unsuccessful) and time duration was 2.41 ± 1.02 min in this group. Our results show that the needle could not reach sufficient proximity to the suprascapular nerve with only US guidance by means of NS current intensity.
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The highly popular journal impact factor (JIF) is an average measure of citations within 1 year after the publication of a journal as a whole within the two preceding years. It is widely used as a proxy of a journal's quality and scientific prestige. This article discusses misuses of JIF to assess impact of separate journal articles and the effect of several manuscript versions on JIF. It also presents some newer alternative journal metrics such as SCImago Journal Rank and the h-index and analyses examples of their application in several subject categories.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Pilates training on people with ankylosing spondylitis.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The study was performed as a randomized, prospective, controlled, and single-blind trial. Fifty-five participants (30 men, 25 women) who were under a regular follow-up protocol in our Rheumatology Clinic with the diagnosis of AS according to the modified New York criteria were included in the study. ⋯ We suggest Pilates exercises as an effective and safe method to improve physical capacity in AS patients. Our study is the first clinical study designed to investigate the role of Pilates method in AS treatment. We believe that further research with more participants and longer follow-up periods could help assess the therapeutic value of this popular physical exercise method in AS.
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To study the prevalence and semiotic characteristics of neuropathic pain in the common low back pain to the Black African subject. This was a prospective cross-sectional survey carried on from April 1 2009 to August 31 2009 in consultations of rheumatology, neurology, and neurosurgery at the University Hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). All patients with a low back pain or a common lomboradiculalgie were included. ⋯ The lomboradiculalgie of the Black African subject associates neuropathic pain observed in half of patients. Treatment must therefore always take account of this association. However, further studies are needed before any definitive conclusion.