Alexithymia and emotional awareness in females with Painful Rheumatic Conditions.

Objective: Research about the deficit of emotional regulation in Painful Rheumatic Conditions (PRC) indicates that these patients have alexithymic characteristics, as revealed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). However, the use of a unique measure to assess alexithymic trends has been questioned. The aim of the present study is twofold: to compare the levels of alexithymia and emotional awareness in females with and without PRC; and to test the predictive validity of alexithymia measures beyond negative emotions.

Management of osteoporosis and associated quality of life in post menopausal women.

Background: The study aimed to describe the characteristics of women treated for recently-diagnosed osteoporosis, to identify variables associated with different treatment regimens and to assess impact on quality of life.

Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional pharmacoepidemiological study performed in France. A random sample of 684 general practitioners, gynaecologists and rheumatologists included the first three post-menopausal osteoporotic women consulting in the previous six months on the basis of densitometry or fracture.

Compliance and treatment satisfaction of post menopausal women treated for osteoporosis. Compliance with osteoporosis treatment.

Background: Adherence to anti-osteoporosis treatments is poor, exposing treated women to increased fracture risk. Determinants of poor adherence are poorly understood. The study aims to determine physician- and patient- rated treatment compliance with osteoporosis treatments and to evaluate factors influencing compliance.

Aerobic exercise in fibromyalgia: a practical review.

The objective of the study was to determine the current evidence to support guidelines for aerobic exercise (AE) and fibromyalgia (FM) in practice, and to outline specific research needs in these areas. Data sources consisted of a PubMed search, 2007 Cochrane Data Base Systematic review, 2008 Ottawa panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, as well as additional references found from the initial search. Study selection included randomized clinical trials that compared an aerobic-only exercise intervention (land or pool based) with an untreated control, a non-exercise intervention or other exercise programs in patients responding to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM.

The importance of fear, beliefs, catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in chronic low back pain rehabilitation.

Aim: To evaluate fear, beliefs, catastrophizing and kinesiophobia in chronic low back pain patients about to begin a training programme in a rehabilitation centre.

Patients And Methods: Fifty chronic low back pain patients (including both males and females) were assessed in our physical medicine department. We used validated French-language scales to score the patients' pain-related disability, quality of life and psychosocial factors.

Osteoporotic fracture of the sacrum: sacroplasty and physical medecine.

Context: Traditional treatment of sacrum osteoporotic fractures is mainly based on antalgics and rest in bed. But complications are frequent, cutaneous, respiratory, thrombotic or digestive and mortality at 1 year significant.

The Aims: We wanted to define the interest of sacroplasty when treating osteoporotic fracture of sacrum.

Fibromyalgia syndrome in the general population of France: a prevalence study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome in the French general population.

Methods: A validated French version of the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study Screening Questionnaire (LFESSQ) was administered via telephone to a representative community sample of 1014 subjects aged over 15 years, selected by the quota method. A positive screen was defined as: (1) meeting the 4-pain criteria alone (LFESSQ-4), or (2) meeting both the 4-pain and 2-fatigue criteria (LFESSQ-6).

[Prospective evaluation of fracture risk in osteoporotic patients after low cement volume vertebroplasty].

Purpose: To prospectively compare the incidence of new fractures (as demonstrated on MR) within the first 3 months after an initial fracture in a population treated with low cement volume vertebroplasty and a population treated conservatively.

Materials And Methods: From 49 patients admitted for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, 22 underwent CT guided vertebroplasty with injection of 1-3 ml of PMMA, and 27 were treated conservatively. All patients underwent MR at presentation and at 3 months to detect new compression fractures.

Characterisation of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis in French primary healthcare.

Background: The public health burden of osteoporosis is high, principally because of increased risk of fractures and associated morbidity, handicap and mortality. Osteoporotic fracture prevention is therefore an important public health goal. General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the management of osteoporosis, both in ensuring timely diagnosis and in providing treatment.

EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Objective: To develop evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Methods: A multidisciplinary task force was formed representing 11 European countries. The design of the study, including search strategy, participants, interventions, outcome measures, data collection and analytical method, was defined at the outset.

Predictive factors of efficacy of periradicular corticosteroid injections for lumbar radiculopathy.

Background And Purpose: Steroid periradicular infiltration is a common nonsurgical sciatic pain treatment of inconsistent efficacy. The purpose of this study was to identify factors for predicting the efficacy or failure of this procedure.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-nine patients with lumbar radiculopathy were prospectively followed up at 2 weeks and 1 year after percutaneous periradicular steroid infiltration.

Awareness and knowledge of fibromyalgia among French rheumatologists and general practitioners.

Objectives: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Its prevalence is estimated to be at 3.4% in women and 0.

Cervical radiculopathy: open study on percutaneous periradicular foraminal steroid infiltration performed under CT control in 30 patients.

Background And Purpose: Cervical radiculopathy is a common entity that can become unremitting, seriously disrupting the patient's work and social activities. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility, tolerance, and efficacy of transforaminal periganglionic steroid infiltration under CT control.

Methods: Thirty patients with cervical radiculopathy, despite at least 1 month of appropriate medical treatment, underwent percutaneous periradicular foraminal steroid infiltration under CT control.

Efficacy of transforaminal versus interspinous corticosteroid injectionin discal radiculalgia - a prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

A prospective, randomised, double-blind study was carried out to compare the respective efficacies of transforaminal and interspinous epidural corticosteroid injections in discal radiculalgia. Thirty-one patients (18 females, 13 males) with discal radicular pain of less than 3 months' duration were consecutively randomised to receive either radio-guided transforaminal or blindly performed interspinous epidural corticosteroid injections. Post-treatment outcome was evaluated clinically at 6 and 30 days, and then at 6 months, but only by mailed questionnaire.

Are antidepressants effective in fibromyalgia?

Amitriptyline and other imipramine antidepressants are the cornerstone of drug therapy in fibromyalgia. However, some patients fail to respond to antidepressant therapy, and in responders the beneficial effects wear off after some time. The effect on fibromyalgia seems independent from the effects on depression.

Metastatic pudendal nerve compression presenting as atypical sciatica.

A rare case of Alcock's syndrome caused by tumoral compression of the pudendal nerve is reported. Spine surgeons must be aware of the possibility of Alcock's syndrome in patients presenting with atypical sciatica.

Bed rest or normal activity for patients with acute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The management of common low back pain has two principal objectives: to relieve acute pain and to attempt prevention of transition to chronicity. Several studies have shown the ineffectiveness of prolonged periods of bed rest.

Objective: To compare 4 days of bed rest with continued normal daily activity in acute low back pain, taking into account the type of work (physical or sedentary labor).

Normal vertebral body dimensions: a new measurement method using MRI.

Much clinical research on osteoporosis is aimed at documenting a reduction in vertebral fracture rates, but there is considerable disagreement about defining normality. Most methods for measuring vertebral body dimensions use lateral radiographs. In the present paper, we investigate the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for normal reference determination.

[Association of Kaposi sarcoma--multiple myeloma. A new case].

Introduction: Kaposi's disease is an angiogenic multifocal cancer process that has several forms, namely Mediterranean, African, HIV-associated, and secondary to a preexisting immunodepressive state (hematological disorder, corticosteroid therapy, immunodepressive treatment). Whatever its form, Kaposi's sarcoma is probably associated with a chronic viral human herpes type 8 infection (HHV8).

Exegesis: This virus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (17 cases recorded to date).

Motor cortical dysfunction disclosed by single and double magnetic stimulation in patients with fibromyalgia.

Objective: To investigate the motor cortex by single and double magnetic stimulation, in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Thirteen patients with fibromyalgia and 13 age-matched healthy subjects were examined. We evaluated, in both limbs, motor evoked potential (MEP) latency and amplitude and the MCA/MPA ratio, i.

Acute osteoporotic vertebral collapse: open study on percutaneous injection of acrylic surgical cement in 20 patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty in treating painful spinal osteoporotic collapse.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-three cases of vertebral collapse were evaluated with CT and MR imaging to determine osteoporotic origin and recent evolution. Percutaneous vertebroplasties were performed using CT guidance.