Rheumatology
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Comparative Study
Abnormal body composition phenotypes in Vietnamese women with early rheumatoid arthritis.
To characterize body composition phenotypes using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method and to explore factors potentially contributing to alterations in body composition in Vietnamese women with early RA. ⋯ Women with early RA had a significantly higher proportion of unhealthy body composition phenotypes, higher total and truncal FM and lower appendicular LM than controls. Disease activity and disability scores were associated with unhealthy body composition. These findings suggest that clinicians should encourage muscle strengthening and fat loss in RA patients to reduce their disability.
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Comparative Study
Prevalence and correlates of sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis--results from the UCLA scleroderma quality of life study.
Rheumatologic disorders are associated with sleep disturbances. This study examines sleep disturbance correlates in patients with SSc. ⋯ Sleep disturbances are common in SSc and are associated with worsening dyspnoea, depressed mood and severity of reflux symptoms.
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Comparative Study
FCGR3B copy number variation is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus risk in Afro-Caribbeans.
To evaluate FCGR3B copy number variation (CNV) in African and European populations and to determine if FCGR3B copy number is associated with SLE and SLE nephritis risk in Afro-Caribbeans, adjusting for African genetic ancestry. ⋯ Our studies suggest that FCGR3B low copy number is associated with SLE risk in Afro-Caribbean populations independently of CNV due to African ancestry.
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To translate the foot impact scale for RA (FIS-RA) to the dutch target language and to evaluate its internal construct validity using rasch analysis. ⋯ A Dutch language version of the FIS-RA questionnaire was successfully developed using Rasch analysis. Subscales for impairment/footwear and activity/participation showed good construct validity and were unidimensional.