J Rheumatol
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To identify demographic and clinical features that distinguish fibromyalgia (FM) from other chronic widespread pain. ⋯ In the general population, adults who meet the ACR definition of FM appear to have distinct features compared to those with chronic widespread pain who do not meet criteria.
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Comparative Study
The responsiveness of health status measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of disease-specific and generic instruments.
To compare the responsiveness of 2 disease-specific questionnaires, the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) and the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS2) with corresponding dimensions (physical function, mental health, pain, and fatigue) in a generic health status measure [the MOS Short Form-36)] in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ⋯ In patients with RA, there was no difference in responsiveness of subscales from SF-36 and disease-specific instruments when using changes in patient assessed global disease activity as an external indicator of change in health status. The dimension of pain was most sensitive to changes in patient assessed global disease activity followed by physical function, fatigue, and mental health.
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To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in young ambulatory female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to assess the influence of disease related variables and use of corticosteroids. ⋯ Osteoporosis is a frequent feature in young patients with SLE. Disease duration is associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis, but the role of glucocorticoid treatment seems to be crucial. Steroid exposure was the only treatment related variable exerting an influence on the development of osteoporosis.
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To analyze serum concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), osteocalcin, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), and type 1 collagen carboxyterminal telopeptide (ICTP) as well as the urinary concentrations of crosslinked N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen (NTx) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to investigate their role in the etiology of the osteopenia in this disease. ⋯ There are no significant correlations between bone resorption markers and serum IL-6 and intact PTH in patients with RA.
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Pleuropulmonary involvement in adult spondyloarthropathy (SpA) has been thoroughly investigated. SpA is usually detected by conventional radiology as fibrosis of the upper lobes in about 30% of asymptomatic patients. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) reveal decreased vital capacity and total lung capacity, as well as increased residual volume. Juvenile SpA (JSpA) is a rare clinical condition, and no extensive investigations have been carried out on pulmonary involvement in JSpA. We studied prevalence and features of PFT alterations in patients with JSpA over a 2 year followup and analyzed the relationship between PFT and disease duration, disease activity, and chest and spine mobility. ⋯ Thirty-three percent of JSpA patients without clinical symptoms and no radiological findings of lung involvement show PFT alterations, mainly characterized by a restrictive pattern. No progression or modification in PFT developed over 2 years. No correlation was found between PFT and disease duration, activity, and clinical scores.