J Rheumatol
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a controversial construct. Recently suggested survey criteria identify persons with FM characteristics without physical examination or clinical diagnosis, thereby obviating many of the objections to FM. Little is known about FM among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RAF). We used the survey definition to characterize persons with RAF and to obtain insight into possible pathogenic mechanisms. ⋯ FM exists in a substantial number of patients with RA (17.1%), who have more severe RA by subjective and objective measures, greater medical costs, worse outcomes, more comorbidities, sociodemographic disadvantage, and substantially worse quality of life. We hypothesize that illness severity and sociodemographic disadvantage both play a role in producing the clinical picture of FM.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
No effect of antiviral (valacyclovir) treatment in fibromyalgia: a double blind, randomized study.
To investigate the effect of an antiviral compound, valacyclovir, on pain and tenderness in patients with the fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome. ⋯ Valacyclovir cannot be recommended as a therapy for FM at this point.
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To characterize the occurrence of radiographic features of lumbar disc degeneration including the presence of osteophytes, endplate sclerosis, and disc space narrowing and to determine their relationship with self-reported back pain. ⋯ These data highlight the frequent occurrence, and the increase in frequency with age, of the individual radiographic features of lumbar disc degeneration in population samples of men and women. Disc space narrowing appeared more strongly associated with back pain than the other radiographic features.