Reumatizam
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The aim of the study was to investigate the reliability and the validity of the Croatian version of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity index (BASDAI) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients with established diagnosis of AS participated in the study. Fifty-two and 48 patients were included for the evaluation of BASFI and BASDAI, respectively. ⋯ Also, the correlation was observed for BASFI with spinal mobility in lumbar region and with chest expansion index, and for BASDAI with the level of pain. Our findings indicate that Croatian version ofBASFI and BASDAI is reliable and valid. Therefore, it can be used in clinical research as well as in clinical practice.
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Historical Article
[From the history of the Croatian Society for Rheumatology].
Some aspects of activity of Croatian Society for Rheumatology of Croatian Medical Association are presented. It is founded in 1947 as Croatian Medical Association Section for Rheumatology, Balneoclimatology, and Physical Medicine. ⋯ In 1992, Rheumatology Section is transformed in new Croatain Society for Rheumatology. From that time began the most active time resulted in organization of 13th Mediterranean Congress of Rheumatology in Cavtat in 2009.
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Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain, which can be either continuous or recurrent and of suficient duration and intensity to affect patient's well-being, level of function and quality of life. The assessment should include the use of structured instruments to determine the severity, the impact of psychosocial factors and function. Sensory, affective and cognitive factors contribute to the persistence of pain. ⋯ McGill Pain Questionnaire i Brief Pain Inventory are widely used multidimensional tools. Disease specific and generic questionnaires should be applicated to assess disability on personal level. Appropriate diagnosis of chronic pain is the first step to successful treatment.
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Reducing pain is a major goal in treating patients with arthritis. Oral controlled-release opioid products enable patients to better maintain pain control due to convenient dosing intervals and sustained blood concentration. Oxycodone is a strong opioid that has proved to be efficacious in analgesic studies of persistent moderate to severe pain in patients with degenerative and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Beyond significant pain control and better physical function, controlled-release oxycodone improved coping with pain in patients with osteoarthritis.