Efficacy of acupuncture in rheumatic diseases with spine involvement: Systematic review.

Rheumatic diseases involving the spine, mainly cervical and lumbar spine, are highly prevalent, and consume considerable health resources. Acupuncture is a medical procedure endorsed by the WHO, with a wide spectrum of medical applications. The aim of this study was to review the evidence on acupuncture efficacy in these diseases.

[Medical indications for acupuncture: Systematic review].

Acupuncture is a medical procedure with a very wide range of indications according to the WHO. However the indications require robust scientific evidence to support them. We have conducted a systematic review (2010-2015) in order to define in which pathologies acupuncture can be an effective strategy, STRICTA criteria that aim to set up acupuncture clinical trials standard criteria were defined in 2010.

Prevalence and predictors of low bone density and fragility fractures in women with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Mediterranean region.

Studies have found an increase in bone loss and fracture in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with general population. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fragility fractures and to find potential predictors of bone loss in our cohort of SLE patients. We performed a cross-sectional study and collected 67 bone density measurements (BMD) of our SLE patients.

Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with an increased risk of vertebral and nonvertebral clinical fractures: a population-based cohort study.

The objective of this work was to study the associations between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and clinical vertebral and nonvertebral fractures. Data from a large population-based public health database in Spain, Sistema d'Informació per al Desenvolupament de l'Investigació en Atenció Primària (SIDIAP), were used in this parallel cohort study. All participants registered in SIDIAP on January 1, 2006, were screened to identify those with a diagnosis of AS.

Hand and wrist arthralgia in systemic lupus erythematosus is associated to ultrasonographic abnormalities.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which may has joint impairment. Often, SLE patients complain of hand and wrist arthralgia (HA). Usually, these patients do not show any swelling in the physical exam.

Multiple thromboemboli associated to two occult tumors: a case mimicking catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.

Thromboembolic events tend to arise during the natural lifetime of tumors. However, multiple thromboemboli mimicking catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is quite rare as a first manifestation of a tumor. Herein we describe the case of a 51-year old woman that presented with multiple thromboemboli affecting her brain, lung and kidneys.

Soft drinks consumption, diet quality and BMI in a Mediterranean population.

Objectives: Evidence of the effects of soft drinks consumption on BMI and lifestyle in adult populations is mixed and quite limited. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of soft drinks consumption with BMI and lifestyle in a representative Mediterranean population.

Design: Two independent, population-based, cross-sectional (2000 and 2005) studies.