Arthritis and rheumatism
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2012
ReviewA systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain.
To perform a systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain, and to examine the influence that case definition, prevalence period, and other variables have on prevalence. ⋯ As the population ages, the global number of individuals with low back pain is likely to increase substantially over the coming decades. Investigators are encouraged to adopt recent recommendations for a standard definition of low back pain and to consult a recently developed tool for assessing the risk of bias of prevalence studies.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Jun 2012
Brief report: airways abnormalities and rheumatoid arthritis-related autoantibodies in subjects without arthritis: early injury or initiating site of autoimmunity?
To evaluate the presence of pulmonary abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related autoantibody-positive subjects without inflammatory arthritis. ⋯ Airways abnormalities that are consistent with inflammation are common in autoantibody-positive subjects without inflammatory arthritis and are similar to airways abnormalities seen in patients with early RA. These findings suggest that the lung may be an early site of autoimmune-related injury and potentially a site of generation of RA-related autoimmunity. Further studies are needed to define the mechanistic role of lung inflammation in the development of RA.