Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) can cause considerable impairment of functional capacity and quality of life (QoL), especially in elderly individuals.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of KOA on the functional capacity and QoL of elderly patients and to identify the factors associated with their impairment.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including patients aged 65 years or more with primary KOA.

Laboratory findings predictive of critical illness in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Tunisia.

Background: COVID-19 disease has spread rapidly worldwide, causing high mortality. Accessible biomarkers capable of early identification of patients at risk of severe form are needed in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to determine the biological markers that predict a critical condition.

Prevalence of spine pain among Tunisian children and adolescents and related factors.

Background: The prevalence of back and neck pain is common in children and adolescents, and in some series the numbers are alarming. Various risk factors have been identified, although some are controversial.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of neck and back pain in children and adolescents and to investigate the potential association with various risk factors identified in the literature.

Tofacitinib-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is an uncommon complication that rarely occurs during Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Among the varied etiologies of AP, Drug-induced Pancreatitis (DIP) remains a rare entity and a rather challenging condition. A large panel of drugs have been reported to cause pancreatitis; however, there are no cases of tofacitinib-induced pancreatitis reported in the literature.

Behçet disease: epidemiology, classification criteria and treatment modalities.

Introduction: Behçet disease (BD) is an inflammatory multisystem disorder of unknown etiology, believed to be triggered by infection and environmental factors in genetically predisposed individuals. The significance of understanding BD lies in its impact on global health due to its diverse clinical manifestations and geographical distribution.

Areas Covered: This review discusses the epidemiology of BD, emphasizing its prevalence estimated at 10.

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.

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Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is common during pregnancy and tends to increase in the third trimester. This pregnancy-related condition may even persist through the postpartum period, and become a lifelong problem.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of persistent LBP in the postpartum and to identify factors associated with this condition.

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Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), as a chronic condition, is associated with significant disease- and treatment-related morbidity, thus impacting children's quality of life. In order to optimize JIA management and to ensure the best possible care and outcome for children with rheumatic diseases, dedicated disease activity and damage assessment tools are essential. In recent years, there has been a concerted and important international effort to develop and validate disease activity and outcome instruments specific to JIA.

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Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is a disabling disease leading to an impaired quality of life. To avoid joint damage, innovative strategies such "educational" medical procedures are developing, involving the patient in the management of his illness.

Aim: The objective of our study was to assess the effectiveness of patient education (PE) program on quality of life and adherence in the short and medium term.

Effect of bariatric and metabolic surgery on rheumatoid arthritis outcomes: A systematic review.

Introduction: Obesity is a growing and debilitating epidemic worldwide that is associated with an increased inflammation. It is often linked to rheumatic diseases and may impact negatively their natural history. The use of bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) has increased thanks to its positive effect on major comorbidities like diabetes type 2.

Effect of music therapy on patients with rheumatic diseases.

Background: Music therapy seems to have a multitude of positive effects not only on mental health but also on organic pain. Some studies have showed its effectiveness on reducing pain for patients undergoing surgical procedures. However, data on its efficiency on patients' anxiety during rheumatology medical consultation for patients with chronic rheumatic diseases is lacking.

Baseline predictors of fatigue and persistent fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: A longitudinal observational study.

Objectives: To determine factors associated with fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to identify baseline predictors of persistent fatigue at 12 months of follow-up.

Methods: We enroled patients with RA fulfiling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria. Fatigue was assessed using the Arabic version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F).

Is there an association between plantar fasciitis and knee osteoarthritis?

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and plantar fasciitis share similar risk factors including ageing, occupation, obesity, and inappropriate shoe wear. However, the association between knee OA and heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis has received limited attention to date.

Aim: We aimed to assess the prevalence of plantar fasciitis using ultrasound in patients with knee OA and to identify factors associated with plantar fasciitis in these patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis with concomitant fibromyalgia: The role of ultrasound in assessing disease activity.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic painful condition frequently associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which may falsely increase RA activity. The aim of our study was to compare clinical scoring and ultrasound (US) assessment in RA patients with concomitant FM with those without FM.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including patients with RA according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria was conducted.

The role of ultrasonography in assessing remission in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is an important measurement tool in pediatric rheumatology as it detects subclinical disease activity and enables clinicians to treat patients during "the window of opportunity". However, the role of MSUS in assessing remission in JIA patients is not well-defined. This systematic review aimed to provide the most up-to-date published literature regarding the added value of MSUS in JIA patients in remission.

Patient satisfaction with medication in rheumatoid arthritis: an unmet need.

Introduction: Shared decision-making between rheumatologists and patients has become an overarching principle in current treatment recommendations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess the satisfaction of patients with RA with their treatment and to investigate the associated factors.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Rheumatology Department of Mongi Slim Hospital.

Value of Hands Ultrasonography in the Differential Diagnosis Between Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can mimic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at an early stage, especially when psoriasis is lacking. In the absence of specific radiological and immunological markers, the differential diagnosis between these two diseases can be challenging. We aimed to determine whether hands ultrasonography (US) may be useful in the differential diagnosis between PsA and RA.

COVID-19 in Patients with Systemic Inflammatory Diseases: Impact on Disease Activity.

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic, an international emergency, raised concerns about the interaction of this infection and disease-modifying drugs used in the treatment of Systemic inflammatory diseases (SID). Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 and disease activity is crucial to adapt the treatment.

Aim: The aim of our study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the disease activity of rheumatic diseases.

Validity of Remission Criteria in Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared to Ultrasound-Defined Remission.

Objectives: Remission is the ultimate purpose of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, even when the most stringent composite scores are used, structural damages can occur; hence, ultrasonography (US) appears to be the best way to assess real remission. This study aimed to investigate the validity of different RA remission scores using US as a reference.

Zoledronate-Associated Seizure in Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an auto-inflammatory disease characterised by sterile bone lesions. We report a case of a seven-year-old female patient who presented at a university hospital in 2010 and 2018 with CRMO. While the most promising results have been observed in patients under treatment with bisphosphonates (BPs), the initial decision to treat the current patient with a dose of zoledronic acid every six months was recalled as the patient developed tonic-clonic seizures immediately following the second dose BP administration.

Assessment of the functional impact of foot involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim Of The Work: We aimed to evaluate the impact of foot involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using the functional foot index (FFI) and to identify predictive factors of the functional impact of foot abnormalities in RA patients.

Patients And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including patients with RA meeting the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism 2010. The main epidemiological data, results of podoscopic and clinical examination of the foot and ankle, biological tests and radiological findings were collected.