Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2011 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissue causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Studies suggest that aspects of the diet may alleviate symptoms and decrease the risk of complications. The scientific basis for a role of dietary therapy in RA has grown although there is still no consensus on the optimum diet. It has been shown that persons with RA tend to have a poor nutritional status; and rheumatoid cachexia, the loss of body cell mass, occurs in nearly two-thirds of all patients with RA. The study aimed to establish what RA patients are practicing and their perceptions regarding the effect of diet, nutritional supplements, medication and complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and therapies on their symptoms as well as determining their body composition and the possible presence of rheumatoid cachexia. Methodology The study design was a cross-sectional study with an analytical component. The study population consisted of adult (18 years or older) RA patients in the Cape Metropole from the private and public sector. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used followed by the measurement of weight, height, waist circumference and skinfold thickness. Information was also gathered from the medical records. Results The sample size comprised of 251 RA patients (n=201 public sector; n=50 private sector). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.3 kg/m2 for females and 26.6 kg/m2 for males. BMI was used to classify obesity (n=133; 45.9%), overweight (n=66; 26.8%), normal weight (n=63; 25.6%) and underweight (n=4; 1.6%). Waist circumference measurement classifications showed a substantially increased risk for metabolic complications in 51.8% of participants (n=127) and an increased risk in 21.2% of participants (n=52). Just over half of the participants (n=65; 55.6%) had an unhealthy high body fat percentage classification. Rheumatoid cachexia was seen in 10.3% participants (n=12). Low fat-free mass (Fat-free mass index <10th percentile) was seen in 21% participants (n=24) and obesity (Fat mass index >90th percentile) was seen in 27% of participants (n=31). Twenty nine percent of participants (n=73) believed that certain types of food could improve their symptoms of RA and 60% of participants (n=151) believed that certain foods worsened their symptoms. Sixty four percent of participants (n=161) thought that nutritional supplements or complementary and alternative medicines and therapies could improve their symptoms of RA and 98% (n=246) of participants used nutritional supplements. The most frequently used supplements included folic acid (n=218; 91.6%), calcium (n=182; 76.5%), vitamin D (n=185; 77.7%), omega-3 fatty acids (n=48; 64.9%) and multivitamin and mineral preparations (n=22; 29.7%). Conclusion The obesity and waist circumference figures were unacceptably elevated in this population and the body composition of these RA patients should be highlighted as a concern. The high prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) need to be urgently addressed since CVD is the leading cause of mortality in RA patients. This study highlights the important role of the intra-professional team, including the dietitian, in the management of RA patients. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Rumatoïede artritis (RA) is 'n chroniese, inflammatoriese, outo-immuun siekte wat gekenmerk word deur inflammasie van die gewrigte en omliggende weefsel en veroorsaak pyn, swelling en styfheid. Studies dui daarop dat aspekte van die dieet simptome kan verlig en die risiko van komplikasies kan verminder. Die wetenskaplike basis vir die rol van dieetterapie in RA het gegroei, hoewel daar nog geen konsensus aangaande die optimale dieet is nie. Dit is al bewys dat persone met RA geneig is om 'n swak voedingstatus te hê; en rumatoïede cachexia, die verlies van liggaam selmassa in byna twee-derdes van alle pasiënte met RA voorkom. Die doel van die studie was om te bepaal wat RA-pasiënte se praktyke en persepsies ten opsigte van die uitwerking van dieet, voedselaanvullings, medikasie en aanvullende of alternatiewe medisyne (CAM) en terapieë op hul simptome het, sowel as om hul liggaamsamestelling en die moontlike teenwoordigheid van rumatoïede cachexia te bepaal. Metodiek Die studie ontwerp was 'n dwarssnitstudie met 'n analitiese komponent. Die studiepopulasie het bestaan uit volwassene (18 jaar of ouer) RA pasiënte uit die privaat en openbare sektore in die Kaapse Metropool. Onderhoude was gevoer met behulp van vraelyste. Gewig, lengte, middelomtrek en velvoudikte was ook gemeet. Inligting was ook versamel uit mediese rekords. Resultate Die steekproefgrootte het uit 251 RA pasiënte (n=201 openbare sektor, n=50 privaat sektor) bestaan. Die gemiddelde liggaamsmassa-indeks (LMI) was 30.3 kg/m2 vir vroue en 26.6 kg/m2 vir mans. LMI was gebruik om vetsug te klassifiseer (n=133; 45.9%), asook oorgewig (n=66; 26.8%), normale gewig (n=63; 25.6%) en ondergewig (n=4; 1.6%). Klassifikasie van middelomtrek metings het 'n aansienlike verhoogde risiko vir metaboliese komplikasies in 51.8% van die deelnemers (n=127) en 'n verhoogde risiko in 21.2% van die deelnemers (n=52) getoon. Net meer as die helfte van die deelnemers (n=65; 55.6%) het 'n ongesonde hoë liggaamsvet persentasie klassifikasie getoon. Rumatoïede cachexia was by 10.3% van die deelnemers (n=12) gevind. Lae vetvrye massa (vetvrye massa indeks <10de persentiel) was by 21% deelnemers (n=24) en vetsug (vet massa indeks >90ste persentiel) in 27% van die deelnemers (n=31) teenwoordig. Nege-entwintig persent van die deelnemers (n=73) het geglo dat sekere voedselsoorte hul simptome van RA kon verbeter en 60% van die deelnemers (n=151) was van mening dat sekere kosse die simptome kon vererger. Vier-en-sestig persent van die deelnemers (n=161) het gedink dat voedingsaanvullings of aanvullende en alternatiewe medisyne en terapieë hulle simptome van RA kon verbeter en 98% (n=246) van die deelnemers het voedingsaanvullings gebruik. Die mees algemene gebruikte aanvullings was foliensuur (n=218; 91.6%), kalsium (n=182; 76.5%), vitamien D (n=185; 77.7%), omega-3 vetsure (n=48, 64,9%) en multi-vitamien en mineraal preparate (n=22; 29.7%). Gevolgtrekking Die vetsug en middelomtrek syfers was onaanvaarbaar verhoog in die studiepopulasie en die liggaamsamestelling van hierdie RA pasiënte is 'n bekommernis. Die hoë voorkoms van risikofaktore vir kardiovaskulêre siekte (KVS) moet dringend aangespreek word, aangesien die KVS die grootste oorsaak van sterfte in RA pasiënte is. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die belangrike rol van die intra-professionele span, met inbegrip van die dieetkundige, in die bestuur van RA pasiënte.

The objectives of the study were to determine the incidence of falls, the prevalence of fear of falling and fall risk factors and consequences in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 559 community dwelling adults with RA, aged 18 to 88 years (mean age 62; 69% female) participated in this prospective cohort study. Patients were recruited from four outpatient clinics in the Northwest of England and followed for 1 year after clinical assessment, using monthly falls calendars and telephone calls. Outcome measures included fall occurrence, reason for fall, type and severity of injuries, fractures, fall location, lie-times, use of health services and functional ability. Risk factors for falls included lower limb muscle strength, postural stability, number of swollen and tender joints, functional status, history of falling, fear of falling, pain, fatigue and medication. Data on demographics, vision, co-morbidities, history of surgery, fractures, and joint replacements were also recorded.535 participants followed for one year had a total of 598 falls. 36.4% participants (95% CI 32% to 41%) reported falling with an incidence rate of 1313/1000 person-years at risk or 1.11 falls per person. Over one third of the falls were reportedly caused by hips, knees or ankle joints giving way. Over half of all the falls resulted in moderate injuries, including head injuries (n=27) and fractures (n=26). Univariate logistic regression showed that falls risk was independent of age and gender. A history of falls in the previous one year was a strong medical fall predictor with an odds ratio (OR) for a single fall=3.3 and for multiple falls OR=4.3. Fear of falling was an important self-reported psychological predictor, with the risk increasing by 10% with each point above 7 (up to 28) in the Short FES-I score. The inability to complete the Four Test Balance Scale due to poor balance was a strong postural fall predictor (OR 2.3). The most significant functional predictor of falls was the functional Health Assessment Questionnaire score, and each additional point attained in the score (1-4) nearly doubled the risk of further falls. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that when taken in combination with other factors, a history of multiple falls in the previous one year was the most significant predictive risk factor (OR=5.3) and overall the model accounted for 71% of variation. The most significant modifiable risk factors were swollen and tender lower limb joints (hip, knee and ankle) (OR=1.7), psychotropic medication (OR=1.8) and increasing fatigue (OR=1.13) with this model accounting for 68% of variation. Adults of all ages with RA are at high risk of falls and fall-related injuries, fractures and head injuries. In clinical practice, high risk falls patients with RA can be identified by asking whether patients have fallen in the past year. The management of swollen and tender lower limb joints, fatigue and consideration of psychotropic medicines may be the most effective strategy to reduce falls in this group of patients. Fear of falling, pain, lower limb strength and poor balance are other useful clinical indicators that may be modified to prevent falls.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 1% of the global population. Joint protection is one intervention with some quality evidence of efficacy for RA self-management. However, joint protection education is often provided only in urban centres during Arthritis Self-Management Programs (ASMPs) in classroom sessions at designated times. These programs, therefore, may not be available to all who need them. Providing and testing more accessible methods of delivering joint protection education to people living with RA may improve accessibility. Aims: (i) To develop a virtual world (VW) intervention available via the Internet in Second Life®, that aims to improve the knowledge of joint protection among people with RA and (ii) to undertake a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the feasibility of conducting a subsequent large scale RCT. Methods: First, qualitative interviews with occupational therapists and clients living with RA who had previous experiences teaching or taking arthritis self-management programmes were undertaken and thematically analysed. This analysis informed the design of the VW joint protection education intervention. Second, the intervention was constructed and tested with these same participants. Their feedback helped refine the VW intervention and select assessment tools for the pilot RCT. Third, in a pilot RCT, three primary methods of advertising and invitation were used to recruit subjects: (i) poster invitations with take-home paper copies from clinical settings; (ii) direct messages to Twitter® users living with RA; and (iii) online discussion forums. Participants were recruited after contacting the principal investigator, reading an invitation letter and giving written informed consent. Participants were randomised to intervention or (30-day) waiting list control group, and completed a series of measures. These were completed after 30 days of program access for the treatment group and on enrolment in the study for the control group. Survey completion was online and included piloted knowledge-based questions about joint protection, validated during the second phase of the study with occupational therapists who were experts in joint protection education. A higher score was indicative of better joint protection knowledge. Standardized measures used on the survey included the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale, Short Form, version II (AIMS2SF) and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Results: It was possible to develop a VW education program focused on RA and joint protection based on the content identified by participants in the first part of the study and test with the tools selected. The program developed included input from client users, following the theorectical basis of occupational therapy as a client-centred practice. Additionally, the program developed applied principles of adult-learning and the recommendations of existing programs regarding chronic disease management. Recruitment of 50 participants for the pilot RCT was challenging, taking 6 months with low response rates for all three methods. The poorest response rates were to poster and paper invitations in clinical settings. The most effective means of recruitment was via electronic bulletin boards, such as blogs. All subjects, once randomised to the control or intervention group completed the online questionnaire. However, adherence to the intervention was poor; only 15 out of 25 randomised reported using the program. On the other hand, all 15 who used the program indicated that this medium was acceptable to learn about joint protection, despite 5/15 of these subjects reporting some difficulty accessing the program. All participants completed the three questionnaires (knowledge, impact, pain self-efficacy) and these may be useful in a definitive RCT. Although the main purpose of using Intention to Treat Analysis in pilot studies is to practice and check that analysis is feasible, there was a positive statistically significant difference between the treatment (x̄=52.8%) and control (x̄=24%) group scores on a test of joint protection knowledge using an independent samples t-test (F value, 20.8 p < 0.05) comparing joint protection knowledge scores after the treatment group had access to the program for 30 days. A higher score was indicative of better joint protection knowledge. The difference between the two groups was considerable, with the intervention group score mean being more than double that of the control group. Given the magnitude of this difference between groups, a smaller difference between groups would also be worth finding. The difference between groups for the AIMS2SF and PSEQ were not statistically significant using an independent samples t-test (F values, 0.5 and 0.2) but there was some suggestion that the intervention group scored more favourably on some of the subscales more relevant to joint protection on both the AIMS2SF and PSEQ, particularly noteworthy was a higher score pertaining to ability to carry out work on both measures. In a definitive trial a sample size of 1250 participants would give 80% power to find a difference of 28.8% on joint protection knowledge, weighted score of 1.8 on the AIMS2SF and overall score of 1.8 on the PSEQ at 5% level of significance. Smaller samples would be required if the PSEQ was dropped as a measure in a future study. Sample sizes of 14 and 558 would be required for the joint protection knowledge and AIMS2SF respectively at the same level of power and significance. Conclusion: A VW intervention to improve joint protection knowledge has been developed and is worth testing further. The intellectual contribution of the creation of this program using this methodology is that an occupational therapy based study using client input and priniciples of adult learning to create the intervention has been conducted, applying client-centred practice in research, which is, in reality, present in a minority of studies at this time. A full RCT would be feasible, though very challenging, given the numbers of subjects required for recruitment, most likely recruiting via the Internet on relevant RA focus sites, such as RA bloggers, and using the same outcome measures as in this study. A sample size of 1250 could feasibly be recruited in 36 months if a full time study were undertaken with suggestions discussed to assist with future study recruitment. However, given the number of study dropouts at enrolment seen in this study, close to double this number would be needed, entailing a recruitment period of up to 72 months, or 6 years, making a full RCT less practical. A future study may need to consider either a longer enrolment period, different outcome measures as well as address the limitations of this study, including the limited time of enrolment in this pilot RCT. However, longer enrolment duration would increase the amount of time required for a future full RCT, reducing the feasibility of a future study. Findings from this study indicate that the program developed would likely to be useful to people who are not able to access the urban centred classroom based program. On the other hand, those participants who used the program incurred no costs, appeared to have no risks or detrimental impact with possible improvement in knowledge and self-efficacy. Now the intervention has been developed, refinement, maintenance, and use is low cost for service providers, so it could be used routinely now for those who prefer it to ASMPs with an ongoing preference trial.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-03-31 / Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade e segurança do treinamento proprioceptivo na melhora da capacidade funcional em pacientes com artrite reumatóide. Métodos: Revisão Sistemática utilizando a metodologia da Colaboração Cochrane. Estratégia de busca: As bases pesquisadas foram: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1966 to 2008) via PubMed, EMBASE (1980 to 2008), LILACS (1982 to 2008), CINAHL (1982 to 2008), PEDro e Scirus. Também realizamos busca manual em anais de congressos, listas de referências de artigos publicados e contatos com especialistas. Não houve restrição de idioma. Critérios de Seleção: ensaios clínicos randomizados ou ensaios clínicos controlados comparando o treinamento proprioceptivo com alguma outra intervenção ou com nenhuma intervenção, em pacientes com artrite reumatóide, de acordo com os critérios do Colégio Americano de Reumatologia (ACR).de 1987 Coleta de dados e análise: Dois revisores independentemente avaliaram títulos e/ou resumos para critérios de inclusão e para risco de viés. Resultados: A pesquisa eletrônica identificou 864 estudos. Para esta busca, 17 estudos descreveram exercícios gerais em pacientes com artrite reumatóide como o principal tópico. Após analisá-los, observamos que o principal desfecho foi a melhora na força muscular, resistência, e exercícios dinâmicos (natação, caminhada, etc). Portanto nós não encontramos nenhum estudo investigando os efeitos do treinamento proprioceptivo isolado em pacientes com artrite reumatóide, não foi possível incluir nenhum dado em relação ao tópico escolhido em nossa revisão sistemática. Conclusão: Não houve nenhum estudo disponível avaliando a eficácia do treinamento proprioceptivo em pacientes com artrite reumatóide. A efetividade e segurança do treinamento proprioceptivo em melhorar a capacidade funcional destes pacientes permanece desconhecido. / Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of balance training (proprioceptive training) to improve functional capacity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Systematic review with Cochrane methodology. Search strategy: Databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1966 to 2008) via PubMed, EMBASE (1980 to 2008), LILACS (1982 to 2008), CINAHL (1982 to 2008), PEDro e Scirus. We also carried out a handsearching and contact professional associates of the eligible studies when necessary. There was no language restriction. Selection criteria: All eligible randomised controlled trials or controlled clinical trials comparing balance training (proprioceptive training) with any other intervention or with no intervention, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Data collection e analysis: Two reviewers independently assessed titles and/or abstracts for inclusion criteria and for risk of bias. Results: The electronic search identified 864 studies. From this search, 17 studies described general exercises in rheumatoid arthritis patients as the main topic. After analysing them, we observed that the main outcomes were improvement in muscle strength, endurance, and dynamic exercises (swimming, walking, etc). As we did not find any studies investigating the effects of proprioceptive training alone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, it was not possible to include any data regarding the chosen topic in our systematic review. Conclusion: There is no research available examining the efficacy of balance training in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The effectiveness and safety of balance training to improve functional capacity of these patients remains unclear, however, it is suggested that future research should give more importance to the balance training by either increasing the number and duration of sessions or investigating its efficacy alone. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

abstract: ABSTRACT Despite significant advancements in drug therapy, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the leading cause of death in the United States. Given this, research has begun to seek out alternative approaches to reduce CVD risk. One of these alternative approaches is Vitamin D supplementation. Current research has shown a link between Vitamin D status and CVD risk in both healthy and diseased populations. Among the possible mechanisms is a positive effect of Vitamin D on vascular endothelial function, which can be measured with noninvasive techniques such as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of conduit vessels using high-resolution ultrasound. This dissertation is comprised of two studies. The first examines whether Vitamin D supplementation can improve FMD in older adults within a time period (two weeks) associated with peak increases in plasma Vitamin D concentrations after a single-dose supplementation. The second examines the effect of Vitamin D supplementation in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The reason for looking at an RA population is that CVD is the leading cause of early mortality in people with RA. In the first study 29 Post-Menopausal Women received either 100,000 IU of Vitamin D3 or a Placebo. Their FMD was measured at baseline and 2 weeks after supplementation. After 2 weeks there was a significant increase in FMD in the Vitamin D group (6.19 + 4.87 % to 10.69 + 5.18 %) as compared to the Placebo group (p=.03). In the second study, 11 older adults with RA were given 100,000 IU of Vitamin D or a Placebo. At baseline and one month later their FMD was examined as well as plasma concentrations of Vitamin D and tumor necrosis factor-alpha; (TNF-alpha;). They also filled out a Quality of Life Questionnaire and underwent a submaximal exercise test on the treadmill for estimation of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). There was no significant change in FMD in Vitamin D group as compared to the Placebo group (p=.721). Additionally, there was no significant improvement in either plasma Vitamin D or TNF-alpha; in the Vitamin D group. There was however a significant improvement in predicted VO2max from the submaximal exercise test in the group receiving Vitamin D (p=.003). The results of these studies suggest that a single 100,000 IU dose of Vitamin D can enhance FMD within two week in older adults, but that a similar dose may not be sufficient to increase FMD or plasma Vitamin D levels in older adults with RA. A more aggressive supplementation regimen may be required in this patient population. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Exercise and Wellness 2012

Background: Presenteeism is an economic concept that is difficult to identify, measure, and value. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are three chronic auto-immune conditions that increase levels of presenteeism. Workplace interventions (WPIs) help individuals to manage their health condition at work. Existing methods used to quantify the impact of presenteeism are unable to adequately inform the employer of the productive benefits of WPIs. The overall aim of this thesis was to appraise current methods used to quantify presenteeism and to develop methods to value the impact of presenteeism suitable for use in economic evaluations (EE) of WPIs. Methods: Two systematic reviews were conducted: 1) to assess the extent to which self-report measure of presenteeism were underpinned by economic theory; and 2) to explore if, and how, productivity was quantified and included in EE of WPIs for musculoskeletal conditions (MSDs). Thematic analysis methods were used to analyse qualitative data collected from working individuals with RA, AS or PsA (n=22) that explored the extent to which measures of health status (EQ5D; SF6D) and capability (ICECAP-A) capture the impact on ability to work caused by RA, AS or PsA. Econometric methods were used to specify prediction models that included measures of health status, capability and presenteeism, using a sample of 542 working people with RA and AS. Results The first systematic review identified 24 self-report measures of presenteeism; all, except one measure were not underpinned by economic theory. The second systematic review identified 20 EE of WPIs for MSDs. Absenteeism was included in all studies (n=20); however, presenteeism was included in only four. The qualitative data confirmed measures of health status and capability had the ability to capture those aspects of RA, AS and PsA that impact an individual’s ability to work. The best performing prediction model used an OLS specification including SF6D, age and gender to predict presenteeism measured by the WPAI. Conclusion: The results suggest that HRQoL measures, specifically the SF6D, can be used to capture and predict levels of presenteeism caused by RA, AS and PsA.

Introdução: Fadiga é uma manifestação clínica importante na artrite reumatoide (AR). Atualmente, a avaliação de fadiga em AR é realizada através de questionários subjetivos, incluindo aspectos emocionais e sociais. No entanto, sabe-se que a fadiga pode estar acentuada no plano periférico e esta abordagem é pouco estudada nestes pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre a percepção de fadiga e fadiga muscular em pacientes com artrite reumatoide. Métodos: Trinta e oito pacientes do sexo feminino com AR foram incluídos. Os pacientes foram estratificados por DAS-28 e por três grupos etários (grupo I: 32-48 anos; grupo II: 49-54 anos de idade, e grupo III: 55-65 anos de idade). A fadiga muscular [avaliado por mudanças na magnitude (root mean square-RMS) e freqüência (média de freqüência-MDF) de ativação muscular durante os 60s do teste de força de quadríceps] e percepção de fadiga (FACIT-F) foram avaliadas. Além disso, dados demográficos [duração idade e doença, calculado pelo tempo decorrido a partir de diagnóstico], hemoglobina (g/ dL), DAS-28, HAQ, qualidade de vida (SF-36) e International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, versão longa) foram medidos. A significância foi assumida quando p≤0.05. Resultados: Nenhuma associação foi observada quando os pacientes foram estratificados por DAS-28 e quando os pacientes foram estratificados por idade no grupo III. Moderada correlações estatisticamente significativas entre MDF e FACIT-F e FACIT-TOI (r = 0,6; p = 0,03 e r = 0,5; 0,04, respectivamente) foram encontrados no grupo I. No grupo II foram encontradas moderadas correlações estatisticamente significativas entre FACIT-TOTAL e RMS e MDF (r = 0,6; p = 0,01 e r = -0,5; p = 0,04, respectivamente). Conclusão: Moderada relação entre fadiga muscular e percepção de fadiga sugere que ambas as estratégias de avaliação podem ser complementares e têm um efeito benéfico sobre comorbidades AR. / Introduction: Fatigue is a major clinical manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Actually, the assessment of fatigue in RA is realized through to subjective questionnaires, including emotional and socials aspects. However, known to that fatigue may be sharp in peripheral plane and this approach is little studied in these patients. Objective: To assess the relationship between perception of fatigue and muscle fatigue in patients with RA. Methods: Thirty eight female patients with RA were included. Patients were stratified by DAS-28 and by three age groups (group I: 32-48 years old; group II: 49-54 years old; group III: 55-65 years old). Muscle fatigue [assessed by changes in magnitude (i.e. root mean square-RMS) and frequency (i.e. median frequency-MDF) of muscle activation during a 60-s quadriceps strength test] and perception of fatigue (FACIT-F) were assessed. In addition, demographic data [age and disease duration, calculated by elapsed time from diagnostic], hemoglobin (Hb-g/dL), DAS-28, HAQ, quality of life (SF-36) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, long version) were measured. Significance was assumed when p≤0.05. Results: No association was observed when patients were stratified by DAS-28 and when patients were stratified by age in group III. Moderate statistically significant correlations between MDF and FACIT-F e FACIT-TOI (r=0.6;p=0.03 and r=0.5;0.04, respectively) were found in group I. In group II moderate statistically significant correlations were found between FACIT-TOTAL and RMS and MDF (r=0.6;p=0.01 and r=-0.5;p=0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Moderate relationship between muscle fatigue and perception of fatigue suggests that both evaluation strategies can be complementary and have a beneficial effect on RA comorbidities.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-07-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:05:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 capela_rc_dr_botfm.pdf: 824717 bytes, checksum: 146fb80f5dd8e57bfc17b7ae3936f9f3 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A atividade da artrite pode ser avaliada por diferentes instrumentos. Na Artrite Reumatóide (AR) o Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) e na Artrite Idiopática Juvenil (AIJ) o Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) são utilizados na prática. Explorar a equivalência de medidas contínuas de atividade, o DAS 28 e as 3 versões do JADAS, pontuando 71, 27 e 10 articulações, em portadores de AIJ. Análise secundária de um ensaio clinico, testando o abatacepte em AIJ poliarticular, foi conduzida em 8 sujeitos durante 178 visitas, registrando-se a contagem articular, avaliação global pelo médico em escala analógica visual 0-10 (VAS-MD), avaliação global pelos pacientes/pais (VAS- P) e velocidade de hemossedimentação (VHS) normatizada para escala de 0-100. A comparação longitudinal foi por ANOVA ou modelo ajustado Gama. As observações pareadas entre o DAS 28 e JADAS 71, 27 e 10, respectivamente, foram analisadas por regressão linear após conversão logarítmica (ln). Medidas secundárias de desfecho da artrite como a capacidade funcional por meio do questionário “Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire” (CHAQ), qualidade do sono por meio do Questionário de Hábitos do sono, limitação de atividades, peso, altura e adequação pondero-estatural foram avaliados de forma descritiva durante todas as visitas. As observações longitudinais das medidas primárias e secundárias de desfecho da artrite apresentaram diferença estatística entre a primeira e a segunda visita comparada as demais num total de 30 visitas e período de observação até 5 anos. As observações longitudinais indicaram diferença significante nos parâmetros DAS 28, JADAS 71, 27 e 10, VAS-MD, VAS-P entre as primeiras duas visitas do estudo original quando 5 atingiram a resposta ACR-Pedi 30 com melhora. A regressão linear para ajustamento do DAS 28 e JADAS resultou em fórmulas para conversão: DAS 28=1.263 x l.285 x In... / Arthritis activity may be assessed by different tools. For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) and for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS), are both used in practice. Explore equivalence of continuous measures of disease activity comparing DAS 28 and each of the 3 versions of JADAS based on 10-, 27- and 71- joint count, in patients with JIA. A secondary analysis of a randomized trial testing abatacept in polyarticular JIA was conducted. 178 assessments in 8 subjects were performed including standardized joint count, physician global assessment by Visual Analog Scale 0-10 (VAS-MD), global assessment by patients/parents (VAS-P) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) normalized to 0-100 scale. Comparison by visit was done by ANOVA or gamma adjustment model. Paired observations of DAS 28 and JADAS 71-, 27- and 10-, respectively, were analysed by linear regression after logarithmic scale conversion (ln). Secondary outcome measures as functional capacity by CHAQ tool (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire), Sleep Habits Questionnaire, activity limitations, weight, length according to normative values were assessed by descriptive measures along all study visits. Longitudinal comparison of primary and secondary outcome measures resulted in significant difference among the first and second visits compared to the others making 30 visits until 5 years of long-term follow up. Longitudinal comparison by visit indicated significant difference in the first two visits of the original trial for the following parameters DAS 28, JADAS 71-, 27- and 10-, VAS-MD, VAS-P, when 5 subject reached ACR-Pedi 30 improvement response. Linear regression for adjustment between DAS 28 and each JADAS version resulted in transforming formulae: DAS 28=1.263 x ln (JADAS 71) - 1.267 (r2=0.81); DAS 28= 1.288 x ln (JADAS 27) – 1.297 (r2=0.80) e DAS 28= 1.285 x In ...

背景:類风湿性失节炎可归属于中医的“历节、“痹证的范畴，目前还缺乏明確的病因和发病机制，因此尚无有效的治疗方法，对该疾病的研究一直是个医學難題, 中医在RA的治疗方面积累了丰富的经验。中医因其经济实用、毒副作用少、普及性高的优势在这方面的临床治疗中具有一定优势。 目的: 总结相关证型对应用方的规律，以填补方证对应统一的空缺；自拟方作为臨床治疗类风湿性关节炎之基础方；选出各个随证加减之首选单味药。以期提高中醫药方药理论，其简明实用性便于临床掌握运用，确保治疗方便安全有效。 方法: 本文以“类风湿性失节炎、“中医为检索关键词’在维普期刊资源整合服务平台网帖，选取近15年中国医学期刊治疗类风湿关节炎的文章’对文章中出現的各个证型与之对应的主方进行统计；对文章里的复方中出现的高频单味药統計； 并对文章中各医家在临证随证加减用药的总结，兼证与对应的单味药使用頻次进行统计。 結果: 类风湿关节炎5个证型分别为湿热蕴结型、风寒湿痹型、肝肾亏虚型、痰提起痹阻型和阳虚寒湿型，它们分别对应的治疗主方为自虎加桂枝汤、揭痹汤、独活寄生汤、血府逐寐汤和乌头汤。根据单位高频药统计结果’自拟出方药由黄、當归、川芎、白芍、桂枝、细辛、独活、防风、牛膝、甘草、鸡血藤组成。临床中若见口渴、发热、局部红肿热痛等热症，选加石膏、知母、黄柏；见恶风、恶寒重、喜温等寒症，选力日川乌、熟附子、细辛；见湿邪重、因重戚强者，选加薏苡仁、苍术、土夜苓；见关节屈伸不利、强直畸形者，选加跟自公、乌梢蛇、全揭；病位在上肢者，选加姜黄、桑枝；病位在下肢者，选加牛膝、木瓜；腰背痛甚者’選加桑寄生、川断、杜仲；肩颈痛甚者’选加葛根、羌活、白芷。

Orientador: Claudia Saad Magalhães / Banca: Virginia Paes Leme Ferriani / Banca: Simone Appenzeller / Banca: José Eduardo Corrente / Banca: Ivete Dalben / Resumo: A atividade da artrite pode ser avaliada por diferentes instrumentos. Na Artrite Reumatóide (AR) o Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) e na Artrite Idiopática Juvenil (AIJ) o Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) são utilizados na prática. Explorar a equivalência de medidas contínuas de atividade, o DAS 28 e as 3 versões do JADAS, pontuando 71, 27 e 10 articulações, em portadores de AIJ. Análise secundária de um ensaio clinico, testando o abatacepte em AIJ poliarticular, foi conduzida em 8 sujeitos durante 178 visitas, registrando-se a contagem articular, avaliação global pelo médico em escala analógica visual 0-10 (VAS-MD), avaliação global pelos pacientes/pais (VAS- P) e velocidade de hemossedimentação (VHS) normatizada para escala de 0-100. A comparação longitudinal foi por ANOVA ou modelo ajustado Gama. As observações pareadas entre o DAS 28 e JADAS 71, 27 e 10, respectivamente, foram analisadas por regressão linear após conversão logarítmica (ln). Medidas secundárias de desfecho da artrite como a capacidade funcional por meio do questionário "Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire" (CHAQ), qualidade do sono por meio do Questionário de Hábitos do sono, limitação de atividades, peso, altura e adequação pondero-estatural foram avaliados de forma descritiva durante todas as visitas. As observações longitudinais das medidas primárias e secundárias de desfecho da artrite apresentaram diferença estatística entre a primeira e a segunda visita comparada as demais num total de 30 visitas e período de observação até 5 anos. As observações longitudinais indicaram diferença significante nos parâmetros DAS 28, JADAS 71, 27 e 10, VAS-MD, VAS-P entre as primeiras duas visitas do estudo original quando 5 atingiram a resposta ACR-Pedi 30 com melhora. A regressão linear para ajustamento do DAS 28 e JADAS resultou em fórmulas para conversão: DAS 28=1.263 x l.285 x In ... / Abstract: Arthritis activity may be assessed by different tools. For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) and for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS), are both used in practice. Explore equivalence of continuous measures of disease activity comparing DAS 28 and each of the 3 versions of JADAS based on 10-, 27- and 71- joint count, in patients with JIA. A secondary analysis of a randomized trial testing abatacept in polyarticular JIA was conducted. 178 assessments in 8 subjects were performed including standardized joint count, physician global assessment by Visual Analog Scale 0-10 (VAS-MD), global assessment by patients/parents (VAS-P) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) normalized to 0-100 scale. Comparison by visit was done by ANOVA or gamma adjustment model. Paired observations of DAS 28 and JADAS 71-, 27- and 10-, respectively, were analysed by linear regression after logarithmic scale conversion (ln). Secondary outcome measures as functional capacity by CHAQ tool (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire), Sleep Habits Questionnaire, activity limitations, weight, length according to normative values were assessed by descriptive measures along all study visits. Longitudinal comparison of primary and secondary outcome measures resulted in significant difference among the first and second visits compared to the others making 30 visits until 5 years of long-term follow up. Longitudinal comparison by visit indicated significant difference in the first two visits of the original trial for the following parameters DAS 28, JADAS 71-, 27- and 10-, VAS-MD, VAS-P, when 5 subject reached ACR-Pedi 30 improvement response. Linear regression for adjustment between DAS 28 and each JADAS version resulted in transforming formulae: DAS 28=1.263 x ln (JADAS 71) - 1.267 (r2=0.81); DAS 28= 1.288 x ln (JADAS 27) - 1.297 (r2=0.80) e DAS 28= 1.285 x In ... / Doutor