[ASSOCIATION OF OBESITY, SMOKING AND SOCIOECONOMIC STRATA WITH THE FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME].

Aims: This study aimed to examine a possible association between BMI levels, smoking and socio-economic status and the existence of fibromyalgia.

Background: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic with devastating impacts on the public's health. There are several indications that obesity might also be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

The link between COPD and ankylosing spondylitis: A population based study.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is one of the most common and severe subtypes of the spondyloarthropathies. Extra-articular involvement among AS patients, including lung disease, has been described widely. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been linked to several autoimmune diseases, however, very few studies have investigated the association between AS and COPD.