Bone Status in Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and to determine the associated factors.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a case-control study, between January 2019 and April 2019, including patients with MGUS and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (one patient/three controls). For all participants, demographic and clinical data were collected as results of bone mineral density by two-photon X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

Study of Body Composition by Biphotonic X-ray Absorptiometry in a Moroccan Female Population, an Indicator of Obesity?

Introduction: Our purpose was to study the body composition in a healthy female Moroccan adult group, and to help physicians to evaluate nutritional status.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred and nineteen healthy women aged from 20 to 80 years were included in the study. Bone mineral density at the hip and lumbar spine and the body composition parameters were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and percentage (%) of body fat.

Prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Morocco: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted as part of the update of Moroccan recommendations for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Its aim was to estimate the prevalence of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Morocco, based on available bibliographic data.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify articles published between January 2000 and January 2024.

Development of a guideline for the use of ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis: Preliminary recommendations.

Aim: To address the protocol of recommendations for the use of ultrasonography (US) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine practice.

Methods: The present study is a protocol design for practical guidelines. Based on a systematic literature review, the scientific committee (composed of 6 experts on US) decided on key questions which will be used to develop recommendations.

Cachexia Prevalence in a Population of Moroccan Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To assess body composition in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to healthy controls, to calculate the prevalence of rheumatoid Cachexia (RC), and to identify the associated factors.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study on 112 female patients with RA according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for RA; and 224 age-matched healthy women. Body composition (BC) and bone mineral density (BMD) scans were obtained using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Recommendations of the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology (SMR) for Diagnostic Management of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

In 2017, the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology (SMR) issued guidelines for the treatment of severe ankylosing spondylitis. The emergence of new therapeutic classes, the update of international guidelines for axial SpA and psoriatic arthritis, and the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered by rheumatologists has led to the development of recent SMR guidelines for the management of SpA patients. A group-work included rheumatologists, specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and epidemiologists from various sectors was tasked with writing these recommendations based on a literature review, then adapting them to the national context.

Recommendations of the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology (SMR) for the Therapeutic Management of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) including Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

The advent of new therapeutic classes and the updating of international recommendations have justified the development of recent recommendations by the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology. Methods Guidelines were drafted by a core steering committee after performing a literature search. A multidisciplinary task force, including three fellows, eleven rheumatologists, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, an epidemiologist from hospital-university, hospital and liberal sectors and one patient assessed the Best Practice Guidelines using 2 rounds of anonymous online voting by modified Delphi process.

Correction: Characteristics of Late-Onset Spondyloarthritis: Data from the Moroccan Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39100.

Prevalence of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis among rheumatology patients in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: The prevalence of glucocorticosteroid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is well established in higher income countries. There are limited studies showing a wide prevalence of GIOP in Africa. Prospective studies are needed on GIOP in African rheumatology patients to implement appropriate management algorithms.

Influence of homocysteine and its major genetic and nutritional determinants on bone mineral density.

Introduction: A potential role of hyperhomocysteinemia in bone metabolism has been considered from the observation of high prevalence of osteoporosis in subjects with homocystinuria about 50 years ago.

Aim: To examine the association of homocysteine level and its determinants Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase [MTHFR] C677T Polymorphism, folates and vitamin B12 levels with bone mineral density [BMD] and the prevalence of vertebral fractures [VF] on postmenopausal women.

Methods: Through a cross-sectional study, one hundred and twenty-two healthy postmenopausal women gave their informed consent to participate in this study.

Extra-Articular Manifestations in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Baseline Characteristics from the RBSMR Study.

Objectives: To describe and analyse the prevalence of extra-articular manifestations (EAMs) including acute anterior uveitis (AAU), psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the Moroccan registry of biological therapies in rheumatic diseases RBSMR (Registre des Biothérapies de la Société Marocaine de Rhumatologie).

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentre and analytical study based on the RBSMR database, which included 170 AS. Incidence rates for the development of AAU, psoriasis and IBD were calculated, and risk factors were analysed.

Therapeutic Maintenance Level of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A RBSMR Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic maintenance level of methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis patients enrolled in the Moroccan biotherapy registry and to identify predictive factors for discontinuing MTX treatment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the baseline data of the Moroccan biotherapy registry for RBSMR (a multicentric study that aims to evaluate tolerance of biological therapy on patients affected with rheumatic diseases). Demographics and disease features were compared using descriptive statistics.

Correlation genotype-phenotype: gene mutations and Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease primarily affecting the joints. Arthritic disorders are associated with mutations of the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene. The aim of this study is to show whether MEFV mutations will be involved in the pathogenesis of RA, to explore the frequency of these mutations and to study the genotype-phenotype correlation between mutations in this gene and a cohort of Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Consensus evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treat-to-target management of osteoporosis in Africa: an initiative by the African Society of Bone Health and Metabolic Bone Diseases.

Unlabelled: The objective of this consensus statement is to inform the clinical practice communities, research centres and policymakers across Africa of the results of the recommendations for osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and management. The developed guideline provides state-of-the-art information and presents the conclusions and recommendations of the consensus panel regarding these issues.

Purpose: To reach an African expert consensus on a treat-to-target strategy, based on current evidence for best practice, for the management of osteoporosis and prevention of fractures.

Ultrasonography of Shoulder in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Reliability Exercise Using Consensual Definitions among Maghrebian Rheumatologists.

The shoulder may be affected in a large portion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) worldwide. However, this joint does not receive the attention required during follow-up. Indeed, although numerous clinical tests for diagnosis of a painful shoulder are available, differentiating articular from peri-articular lesions may be difficult in daily practice.

The first biological choice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: data from the Moroccan register of biotherapies.

Introduction: the aim of our study is to determine, from data of the Moroccan register of biotherapies, the factors influencing the choice of the first prescribed biological treatment.

Methods: cross-sectional multicenter study including rheumatoid arthritis patients who were initiated the first biological treatment either: Rituximab, an anti-TNF, or Tocilizumab. The determinants related to the patient and disease have been gathered.

One-year direct costs of biological therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and its predictive factors: data from the Moroccan RBSMR registry.

The aim of the study was to estimate the annual direct costs of biological therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to establish possible factors associated with those costs. The main data source was the Moroccan registry of biological therapies in rheumatic diseases (RBSMR Registry). We included patients with available 1-year data.

Relationship between vertebral fracture prevalence and abdominal aortic calcification in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA)-detected abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has been validated as an indicator of increased risk of vertebral fractures (VFs) in other populations but this relationship in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unclear. We assess the prevalence of AAC on VFA scans and its potential relationship with prevalent VFs in a cohort of RA women.

Methods: We enrolled 250 women with RA.

Bilateral swelling of the forearms revealing muscular sarcoidosis: a case-based review.

Muscular sarcoidosis is rarely symptomatic and mainly affects proximal muscles of the lower extremities. However, the distal localization in the upper extremities is rare. We used systematic approach to analyze all relevant literature review and we identified only three cases of muscular sarcoidosis of the upper extremities.

Is there a relation between pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, cachexia and osteoporosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?

Background: Osteoporosis is a well-known complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, data about body composition modifications and muscle performance showed conflicting results. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia and cachexia in patients with AS and analyze its relationship with bone loss and symptomatic and severity parameters of the disease.

Vitamin D status in healthy Moroccan men and women aged 50 years and older: a cross-sectional study.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to compare the vitamin D status in healthy Moroccan men and women aged 50 years and older. A total of 186 Moroccan women and 68 men, who had no previous diagnosis of osteoporosis, were recruited prospectively. We found in this study a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D with no difference between men and women.

Relationship between sex hormone levels, bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in healthy moroccan men: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Gonadal steroid hormones play a crucial role during skeletal growth and maturation in both men and women. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of sex hormone levels, bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover in healthy Moroccan men.

Methods: 142 Moroccan men who had no previous diagnosis of osteoporosis were enrolled prospectively in this cross-sectional study between December 2009 and August 2010.