J Rheumatol
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Comparative Study
The distribution, determinants, and clinical correlates of vertebral osteophytosis: a population based survey.
Vertebral osteophytes are a characteristic feature of intervertebral disc degeneration. There are, however, few population data concerning the occurrence of and clinico-biological correlates of vertebral osteophytes in both the dorsal and lumbar spine. Our purpose was to determine the frequency and distribution of anterior osteophytes in the thoracic and lumbar spine, and their relationship with both various putative risk factors, including physical activity and obesity, and self-reported back pain. ⋯ The distribution within the spine in our study and the relationship with heavy physical activity points to mechanical factors being important in pathogenesis of vertebral osteophytosis. Prospective studies are needed to explore the types of physical activity that increase susceptibility to vertebral osteophytosis. In men, osteophytes affecting the lumbar spine are associated with back pain.
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Review Case Reports
"Centripetal flagellate erythema": a cutaneous manifestation associated with dermatomyositis.
We describe 3 patients with dermatomyositis who presented with flagellate erythema. This cutaneous eruption is characterized by erythematous linear lesions on the trunk and proximal extremities. ⋯ Review of the literature and records of 183 patients with connective tissue diseases from our institution has shown that this peculiar eruption has been reported only in dermatomyositis. Because of the location of this eruption, we encourage the use of the term "centripetal flagellate erythema" to distinguish this entity from other linear eruptions seen in patients with connective tissue diseases.
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Twenty-two children with fibromyalgia (FM), found in a population based study of 1756 Finnish preadolescents, were prospectively and blindly followed for one year to investigate their physical and psychological background factors and to determine the one year persistence of FM. ⋯ This study supports a previous one, in which FM in children had a good outcome. However, fluctuation of pain symptoms in children might partly explain the outcome. Children with persistent FM showed persistent disability with a number of distress symptoms.
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Letter Clinical Trial
Treatment of whiplash associated neck pain with botulinum toxin-A: report of 8 cases.
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Comparative Study
Chronic widespread pain in the community: the influence of psychological symptoms and mental disorder on healthcare seeking behavior.
To determine whether psychological symptoms and mental disorder are an intrinsic part of the chronic widespread pain syndrome or whether they have been observed in clinic attenders primarily because of their influence on the decision to seek a medical consultation. ⋯ The results suggest that psychological distress is associated with chronic widespread pain in addition to any effect on whether consultation is sought for symptoms. The finding that one-quarter of consulters to primary care with chronic widespread pain have a mental disorder should alert primary care physicians and rheumatologists to screen for mental disorder in this group.