Gender differences in the revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire: a pilot study.

Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain associated with symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment. Prevalence is higher in females but the application of the 2010/2011 and 2016 revision of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria reduced prevalence differences and the actual female:male ratio is approximately 3:1. Even if lately some studies have been conducted regarding FM gender differences, disease severity is still assessed using questionnaires, such as the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), designed and validated through a predominantly female sample.

Application of Machine Learning Models in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease and is extremely heterogeneous in terms of immunological features and clinical manifestations. This complexity could result in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment introduction, with impacts on long-term outcomes. In this view, the application of innovative tools, such as machine learning models (MLMs), could be useful.

Gender influence on clinical manifestations, depressive symptoms and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum levels in patients affected by fibromyalgia.

Introduction: OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic, widespread pain associated with several not painful symptoms. The contribution of gender to the manifestation of the disease may influence the higher prevalence of FM among women. In spite of this, how patients' gender influences the clinical manifestation of FM is still not well understood.

Mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: stress vulnerability, resilience and mood disturbances in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic severely increased the stress levels in the population. The aim of present study was to investigate the impact of the lockdown measures on emotional well-being and disease activity in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a telemedicine approach.

Methods: An on-line survey, including demographic characteristics, disease-activity and psychometric scales (Stress-related Vulnerability Scale, Resiliency scale), Zung Anxiety and Depression Self-assessment Scale), was anonymously administered to FM, RA and healthy controls (HC).

Factors related to alexithymia in patients with systemic sclerosis: a tight relationship with facial image dissatisfaction.

To assess clinical and psychosocial factors related to alexithymia in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We enrolled 40 consecutive SSc patients in a cross-sectional study evaluating alexithymia with Toronto Alexithymia scale (TAS-20). We measured Beck Depression inventory (BDI), Hamilton Anxiety rating scale (HAM-H), 36-Items Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP), and Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis (MHISS).

Physical activity and sedentary behavior in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) who did not met the WHO recommendations for physical activity and to evaluate the amount of time spent in sedentary behavior.

Methods: SLE patients were consecutively enrolled in a cross sectional study. The type and the time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior were evaluated using the IPAQ short form questionnaire.

The relation between, metabolic syndrome and quality of life in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is associated to an increased prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MeS) and to a reduction of Quality of Life (QoL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between MeS and QoL in SLE.

Methods: SLE patients were consecutively enrolled in a cross sectional study.