A new perspective on vitamin B12 deficiency in rheumatology: a case-based review
In this study, we present three cases of patients with neuropathic pain, depression, fatigue, and muscle weakness, initially attributed to a rheumatic disease, which almost completely resolved after implementing vitamin B12 supplementation. Furthermore, we provide an overview of current scientific reports regarding the potential use of cobalamin in rheumatology. Treatment of pain and neuropathy, often very challenging in long-lasting rheumatic diseases, can be more effective after a course of vitamin B12, even when no apparent deficiency is detected in laboratory tests. Considering recent research demonstrating vitamin B12...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) supplementation for the management of autoimmune rheumatic diseases: potential indications and opportunity for future research
(Source: Rheumatology International)
Source: Rheumatology International - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
The Creation of Adam ’s Divinity and the School of Athens by Michelangelo and Raphael displaying clinical hand and foot signs to elucidate painting characters
(Source: Rheumatology International)
Source: Rheumatology International - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
The importance of accurate consideration of intended medical use when evaluating digital health applications
(Source: Rheumatology International)
Source: Rheumatology International - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Drug persistence in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases during a major economic crisis: results from a nationwide cross-sectional online survey
AbstractTo evaluate the drug persistence in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the current economic crisis in Lebanon and to estimate predictors of persistence. A nationwide multicentric cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was conducted in Lebanon with patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRDs) and non-inflammatory RMDs controls between July and October 2022. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were categorized as conventional synthetic (cs), biological (b), subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV), and targeted synthetic (ts). Persistence was defin...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Exploring 5-year changes in general and skin health-related quality of life in psoriatic arthritis patients
AbstractPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) carries a severe disease burden, often leading to deterioration of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Different comorbidities that are relatively prevalent in PsA are also responsible for compromised HRQoL. To assess real-world data of a 5-year follow-up cohort of PsA patients, focusing on changes in general HRQoL, skin HRQoL, and comorbidities. In this prospective observational study, 114 outpatients diagnosed with PsA were examined at baseline and after 5 years. Data collection included demographics, clinical disease activity measures, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
The crosstalk between subjective fibromyalgia, mental health symptoms and the use of over-the-counter analgesics in female Syrian refugees: a cross-sectional web-based study
AbstractSuboptimal fibromyalgia management with over-the-counter analgesics leads to deteriorated outcomes for pain and mental health symptoms especially in low-income countries hosting refugees. To examine the association between the over-the-counter analgesics and the severity of fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms in a cohort of Syrian refugees. This is a cross-sectional study. Fibromyalgia was assessed using the patient self-report survey for the assessment of fibromyalgia. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, insomnia severity was measured using the insomnia severity index ...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in ankylosing spondylitis: a 10-year prospective study
AbstractChronic systemic inflammation contributes to increased CVD burden in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Since long-term follow-up data on subclinical atherosclerosis acceleration are lacking, we examined its progression in contemporary AS patients during 10 years. Fifty-three (89% male, aged 50.4 (36.3–55.9) years,) non-diabetic, CVD-free AS patients and 53 age-sex-matched non-diabetic, control individuals were re-evaluated after 9.2–10.2 years by ultrasonography for carotid/femoral atheromatosis, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and intima-media thick ness (IMT), performed by the same operator/protocol. New atheromatic ...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Cross-sectional analysis of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in patients with spondyloarthritis: a real-life evidence from biostar nationwide registry
This study aimed to assess the prevalence rates of CV diseases and to analyze the impact of CV risk factors on CV disease in patients with spondyloarthritis. A multi-center cross-sectional study using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) database was performed on patients with spondyloarthritis. Socio-demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected. Patients with and without major adve rse cardiovascular events (MACE) were grouped as Group 1 and Group 2. The primary outcome was the overall group’s prevalence rates of CV disease and CV risk factors. Th...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Clinical and anamnestic features of patients with systemic vasculitis: a single-center retrospective study
This study aims to analyze the demographic and clinical-anamnestic characteristics of patients with systemic vasculitides in a single centre before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kazakhstan. A single-centre retrospective study of medical records of 80 patient s above 18 years was conducted in the Almaty City Rheumatology Center. Medical records of 24 males (30%) and 56 females (70%) with systemic vasculitides, diagnosed from January 2019 to December 2021, were analyzed. Age, gender, damaged organ systems, disability, concomitant diseases, disease experi ence, laboratory data, and other variables were recorded. The re...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
COVID-19 vaccination and infection status: a cross-sectional survey of patients with rheumatic diseases in China
AbstractTo evaluate the vaccination status and clinical practice of patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and to explore the impact of vaccination on infection severity in patients with RD. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among RD patients in outpatient and inpatient settings of the Rheumatology and Immunology Department in our hospital. Participants ’ characteristics, vaccination status, COVID-19 infection status, and medication for acute COVID-19 were collected. A total of 749 valid surveys were included in the study. A total of 271 (36.2%) patients were not vaccinated, and ...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Comparative analysis of the therapeutic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and high-intensity laser therapy in lateral epicondylitis: a randomised clinical trial
This study contrasts the efficacy of high- ıntensity laser therapy (HILT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in managing LE. A prospective, randomized comparative trial was conducted with 50 participants assigned to either HILT or ESWT groups. Both groups received standard physiotherapy (exercise program and LE bandages), and out comes, including tenderness, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scale (Q-DASH), and grip strength, were assessed at baseline, 3rd weeks, and 12th weeks. The baseline features of the groups exhibited similarities (p > 0.05). In intra-gro...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Systemic sclerosis associated respiratory involvement: Scopus-based analysis of articles in 2013 –2022
ConclusionThis bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive overview of SSc-ILD research, highlighting its dynamic and interdisciplinary nature. The surge in publications, citation scores, and the identification of key contributors underscore the continued relevance and impact of this field. The nuanced relationships between social attention and scientific recognition, as revealed by Mendeley readership and AAS, contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of scholarly impact. (Source: Rheumatology International)
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Influence of visceral adiposity on cardiovascular risk in patients with systemic sclerosis
AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, generalized fibrosis and high cardiovascular mortality. The evaluation of cardiovascular risk through the visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been helpful due to its direct relationship to the body and visceral fat percentage. We evaluated the influence of body composition and anthropometrics on cardiovascular risk as measured by VAI in healthy controls (HC) and SSc. An analytical cross-sectional study of 66 participants (33 SSc and 33 HC), mean age 52.7 ± 10, 95% women, was conducted from August ...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Glucocorticoid discontinuation rate and risk factors for relapses in a contemporary cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis
AbstractThe rates of relapses and therapy discontinuation in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) in the modern therapeutic era have not been defined. We aimed to evaluate the glucocorticoid (GC) discontinuation rate and the factors associated with relapses in a contemporary GCA cohort. Patient and treatment data were collected cross-sectionally at first evaluation and 2 years later (second evaluation), in a multicenter, prospective GCA cohort. Predictors of relapses were identified by logistic regression analyses. 243 patients with GCA were initially included (67% women, mean age at diagnosis: 72.1 years, median disea...
Source: Rheumatology International - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
