Clinical rheumatology
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Clinical rheumatology · Jun 2016
The impact of intra-articular methylprednisolone acetate injection on fructosamine levels in diabetic patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, a case-control study.
Fructosamine is a glycated protein that reflects blood glucose control over the last 2-3 weeks. There are no studies that address the impact of intra-articular injection (IAI) of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) on fructosamine levels among patients with type-2 diabetes and osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK). Non-selected patients attending the rheumatology or orthopedic clinic with type-2 diabetes and painful OAK, who failed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and physical therapy, were asked to participate in our study. ⋯ There was no significant change in any other parameter tested at enrollment in either group, compared to those obtained 2-3 weeks afterwards. Body mass index was on the edge of significance as a predictor for a significant change in fructosamine level in group 1 patients. IAI of 80 mg of MPA in patients with type-2 diabetes and OAK had resulted in a significant, though mild increase in fructosamine levels 2-3 weeks later.
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Clinical rheumatology · Jun 2016
Knee and hip radiographic osteoarthritis features: differences on pain, function and quality of life.
The association between radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) and symptoms is inconsistent and variable according to each joint. The purpose of this study is to understand the relation between radiographic OA features, pain, function and quality of life, in knee and hip joints. A cross-sectional study was performed using information from EPIPorto cohort. ⋯ In knee, the increase on radiographic score increased the odds to have a higher pain frequency score [1.58 (95 % CI = 1.27, 1.97)] and was associated [adjusted β (95 % CI)] with worst general health [-3.05 (-5.00, -1.09)], physical function [-4.92 (-7.03, -2.80)], role-physical [-4.10 (-8.08, -0.11)], bodily pain [-2.96 (-5.45, -0.48)] and limitations in activities of daily living [0.48 (0.08, 0.89)]. Regarding hip, no significant associations were found between the severity of radiographic lesions and these measures. Radiographic lesions in knee were associated with higher complaints, as far as pain and functional limitations are concerned, compared with hip.
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Clinical rheumatology · May 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of music on pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic syndrome characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal system pain and painful tender points in certain areas of the body. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effects of music on pain in fibromyalgia patients. This randomized clinical trial was carried out with 37 fibromyalgia outpatients as an experimental group (n = 21) and control group (n = 16) at a University Hospital Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Clinic between 1 June and 1 December 2014. ⋯ There was no significant decrease in pain among control group participants. The effect of music has been found to control pain in fibromyalgia patients. Music therapy should be suggested in pain management for fibromyalgia patients as an non-pharmacologic nursing intervention.
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The different clinical forms of leprosy are mainly related to the variety of immunological responses to the infection. Several forms of lepromatous leprosy are recognized, including macular, nodular, and diffuse. ⋯ Because of its rarity and similarity with some manifestations of the rheumatic disease and other causes of vasculitis, Lucio's phenomenon may not be easily recognized, especially in non-endemic countries, which leads to confusing diagnosis and loss of time for treatment. We report five patients with vasculitis caused by Lucio's phenomenon.
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Clinical rheumatology · Apr 2016
Neck muscle function in violinists/violists with and without neck pain.
Neck pain is associated with changes in neuromuscular control of cervical muscles. Violin and viola playing requires good function of the flexor muscles to stabilize the instrument. This study investigated the flexor muscle behaviour in violin/viola players with and without neck pain using the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT). ⋯ Activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) was measured with surface electromyography (EMG) during the CCFT. Violin/viola players with neck pain displayed greater normalised SCM EMG amplitudes during CCFT than the pain-free musicians and non-musicians (P < 0.05). Playing-related neck pain in violinists/violists is associated with altered behaviour of the superficial neck flexor muscles consistent with neck pain, despite the specific use of the deep and superficial neck flexors during violin playing.