Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie
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Clinical observation suggests a frequent coincidence of back pain (BP) and fibromyalgia (FMA). Based on data from a population survey on back pain we studied the hypothesis of FMA being a frequent underlying condition of BP. We additionally studied the association of the severity of back pain and both chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and active tender points. ⋯ Our data do not support the hypothesis of FMA as a frequent underlying condition of BP. We found, however, a close correlation between BP grade (and amount of distress) and tender points count. More severe forms of BP imply an increasing allodynia/hyperalgesia, itself being associated with a higher amount of somatic and psychological distress (Chronic severe) back pain seems to be more than simply pain in the back.
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Translation and validation of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index ( BASDAI) for defining disease status in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related diseases. ⋯ BASDAI-D ist applicable for patients with AS and likewise for patients fulfilling the early diagnostic criteria for AS or the ESSG criteria of spondylarthropathies. In summary, BASDAID is reliable and valid. Because of its good acceptance and usability BASDAI-D is easy to use in research as well as in clinical practice.
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The spondyloarthritides (SpA) are common inflammatory rheumatic diseases with an overall prevalence of 0.6-1.9%. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) are the most common subsets of SpA. Women are almost as frequently affected as men, but the total burden of disease may be similar. ⋯ The following paper reviews the currently available literature on anti-TNF alpha therapy in AS and uSpA. Efficacy, side effects and experiences with different doses are discussed. In expectation of the approval of infliximab and etanercept for the treatment of active AS international guidelines for initiation, monitoring and discontinuation of these agents have been recently proposed.
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Comparative Study
Validation of a German version of the 'Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand' questionnaire (DASH-G).
In 1994 the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons' outcome research committee developed and validated a functional outcome questionnaire for disabilities of the upper extremity (DASH). The objective of our study was to translate the DASH into German and to evaluate its reliability and validity for German-speaking patients with shoulder pain. ⋯ Our data confirm that the German version of the DASH retains the characteristics of the American original and is a reliable and valid instrument to measure functional disability in German speaking patients with shoulder pain.