Rheumatology international
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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common and complex chronic pain condition. Exercise is recommended in the management of the FMS; however, people with FMS often find exercise exacerbates their condition and causes overwhelming fatigue. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of fatigue and sleep dysfunction, and exercise in people with FMS. ⋯ The invisibility of FMS was associated with the lack of understanding by others, the sense of loss, and the impact of FMS. People with FMS perceive that there is a lack of understanding of the condition among health care professionals and the wider society. Those with FMS expressed a profound sense of loss of their former 'self'; part of this loss was the ability to engage in normal physical activity and exercise.
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IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibro-inflammatory disease. This disease may be associated with elevated serum and tissue IgG4 levels. Early treatment prevents fibrosis and organ damage. ⋯ Of the 21 patients on follow-up, 19 (90.7%) had clinical improvement at the first follow-up visit. Nine (90%) out of the ten patients who were assessed by IgG4 responder index, also had shown improved score with treatment. Patients with IgG4-RD in our series showed favorable responses to treatment with glucocorticoids and addition of steroid sparing immunosuppressive agents (mainly mycophenolate mofetil) helped successful tapering of steroids, while maintaining the improvement.
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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has a strong negative impact on the quality of life of patients. The Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life (PsAQoL) questionnaire is a disease-specific instrument developed to measure the quality of life in patients with PsA. The aims of this study were to culturally adapt the questionnaire for Portugal and evaluate its reliability and validity in patients with PsA. ⋯ The PsAQoL could distinguish between groups of patients defined by self-reported general health status, self-reported severity of PsA and flare of arthritis. There was a positive correlation between the total score of the PsAQoL and each of the sections of the NHP. The Portuguese version of the PsAQoL was found to be relevant, understandable and easy to complete, reliable and valid.
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IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) encompasses a spectrum of complex fibro-inflammatory disorders which are often under diagnosed due to unfamiliarity by clinicians. A challenging multitude of clinical manifestations makes the diagnosis cumbersome. The primary clinical feature in IgG4-RD entails a tumor-like presentation coupled with tissue-destructive lesions. ⋯ The aim of this article is to raise awareness of IgG4-RD and review the diagnostic algorithm, as IgG4-RD often mimics a wide array of clinical conditions. In addition, we summarize the pathogenesis and current treatment guidelines of IgG4-RD for clinicians. Awareness and accurate diagnosis are crucial in preventing progression to chronic diseases, thereby diminishing disease-related morbidity and mortality.
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The given and family name of a co-author R. Adams Dudley was swapped in the published article. The correct given name is R. Adams and the family name is Dudley.