Changes in body weight and body composition in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis aged 65+ treated with 2-year low-dose add-on prednisolone in the randomised double-blind placebo-controlled GLORIA trial.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of 2 years of add-on prednisolone 5 mg/day on body weight and composition in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) aged 65+ and the relation with disease activity.

Methods: The Glucocorticoid Low-dose Outcome in RheumatoId Arthritis trial, a pragmatic, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised controlled trial investigated the balance of benefit and harm of 2 years of prednisolone 5 mg/day added to standard care in 451 patients with active RA aged 65+. In the current study, 449 patients were included, and body weight and Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints were measured at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Cluster analysis of functional independence in community-dwelling older people.

Background: The concept of Functional Independence (FI), defined as 'functioning physically safe and independent from other persons, within one's context", plays an important role in maintaining the functional ability to enable well-being in older age. FI is a dynamic and complex concept covering four clinical outcomes: physical capacity, empowerment, coping flexibility, and health literacy. As the level of FI differs widely between older adults, healthcare professionals must gain insight into how to best support older people in maintaining their level of FI in a personalized manner.

Intervention with methotrexate in patients with arthralgia at risk of rheumatoid arthritis to reduce the development of persistent arthritis and its disease burden (TREAT EARLIER): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease worldwide and requires long-term treatment to suppress inflammation. Currently, treatment is started when arthritis is clinically apparent. We aimed to evaluate whether earlier intervention, in the preceding phase of arthralgia and subclinical joint inflammation, could prevent the development of clinical arthritis or reduce the disease burden.

Psychometric evaluation of the Decision Support Tool for Functional Independence in community-dwelling older people.

Background: The aging population is increasingly faced with daily life limitations, threatening their Functional Independence (FI). These limitations extend different life domains and require a broad range of community-care professionals to be addressed. The Decision Support Tool for Functional Independence (DST-FI) facilitates community-care professionals in providing uncontradictory recommendations regarding the maintenance of FI in community-dwelling older people.

Discriminative validity of the Core outcome set functional independence in a population of older adults.

Background: Clinicians are currently challenged to support older adults to maintain a certain level of Functional Independence (FI). FI is defined as "functioning physically safely and independent from another person, within one's own context". A Core Outcome Set was developed to measure FI.

Determinants of Dual-Task Training Effect Size in Parkinson Disease: Who Will Benefit Most?

Background And Purpose: Dual-task interventions show positive effects in people with Parkinson disease (PD), but it remains unclear which factors determine the size of these benefits. As a secondary analysis of the DUALITY trial, the aim of this study was to assess the determinants of the effect size after 2 types of dual-task practice.

Methods: We randomly allocated 121 participants with PD to receive either integrated or consecutive dual-task training.

Comparison between low disease activity or DAS remission as treatment target in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To compare outcomes of targeted treatment aimed at either low disease activity or remission in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Five-year outcomes were compared in 133 patients with early active RA (1987), starting with methotrexate, sulfasalazine and tapered high dose of prednisone (arm 3 of the BehandelStrategieën (Treatment Strategies for Rheumatoid Arthritis) (BeSt) study), targeted at Disease Activity Score (DAS) ≤2.4 (low disease activity), and 175 patients with early RA, starting methotrexate and tapered high dose of prednisone, targeted at DAS <1.

Training dual tasks together or apart in Parkinson's disease: Results from the DUALITY trial.

Background And Objectives: Many controversies surround the usefulness of dual-task training in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study (1) compared the efficacy of two different dual-task training programs for improving dual-task gait and (2) assessed the possible fall risk of such training.

Methods: Patients (N = 121) with a diagnosis of PD (aged 65.

Does body mass index (BMI) influence the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score in axial spondyloarthritis?: Data from the SPACE cohort.

Objective: Obesity is associated with elevated C reactive protein (CRP) levels. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) combines patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and CRP. We evaluated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on CRP and on ASDAS, and studied if ASDAS can be used in obese axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients to assess disease activity.

Test-Retest Reliability of Dual-Task Outcome Measures in People With Parkinson Disease.

Background: Dual-task (DT) training is gaining ground as a physical therapy intervention in people with Parkinson disease (PD). Future studies evaluating the effect of such interventions need reliable outcome measures. To date, the test-retest reliability of DT measures in patients with PD remains largely unknown.

Two-year results of disease activity score (DAS)-remission-steered treatment strategies aiming at drug-free remission in early arthritis patients (the IMPROVED-study).

Background: Early suppression of disease activity in (rheumatoid) arthritis (RA) patients may result in drug-free remission and prevent damage. We assessed 2-year clinical and radiological outcomes of two disease activity score (DAS)-remission-steered treatment strategies in early arthritis patients.

Methods: Patients (n = 610) with early RA or undifferentiated arthritis (UA) were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and tapered high dose of prednisone.

Are factors related to dual-task performance in people with Parkinson's disease dependent on the type of dual task?

Background: Impaired dual-task performance significantly impacts upon functional mobility in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to identify determinants of dual-task performance in people with PD in three different dual tasks to assess their possible task-dependency.

Methods: We recruited 121 home-dwelling patients with PD (mean age 65.

Non-adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is associated with higher disease activity in early arthritis patients in the first year of the disease.

Introduction: Non-adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) hampers the targets of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, obtaining low disease activity and decreasing radiological progression. This study investigates if, and to what extent, non-adherence to treatment would lead to a higher 28-joint count disease activity score (DAS28) in the first year after diagnosis.

Methods: Adult patients from an ongoing cohort study on treatment adherence were selected if they fulfilled the EULAR/ACR2010 criteria for RA, and were to start with their first DMARDs.

Dual tasking in Parkinson's disease: should we train hazardous behavior?

Dual-task (DT) circumstances aggravate gait disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) and are associated with an increased risk of falling and reduced functional mobility. Clinical rehabilitation guidelines for PD consider DT interventions as potentially hazardous and recommend avoiding them in daily life. The current article challenges this notion and addresses the necessity of implementing DT training in PD.

Determinants of reaching drug-free remission in patients with early rheumatoid or undifferentiated arthritis after one year of remission-steered treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether baseline characteristics in patients with undifferentiated arthritis or early RA affect the possibility of achieving drug-free remission after 1 year (DFR1 year) of early remission induction therapy.

Methods: We included 375 patients participating in the IMPROVED study who achieved remission (DAS < 1.6) after 4 months (early remission) and were by protocol able to achieve DFR1 year.

Protocol for a randomized comparison of integrated versus consecutive dual task practice in Parkinson's disease: the DUALITY trial.

Background: Multiple tasking is an integral part of daily mobility. Patients with Parkinson's disease have dual tasking difficulties due to their combined motor and cognitive deficits. Two contrasting physiotherapy interventions have been proposed to alleviate dual tasking difficulties: either to discourage simultaneous execution of dual tasks (consecutive training); or to practice their concurrent use (integrated training).

Intra articular injection with corticosteroids in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis: subanalyses from the BeSt study.

To investigate the association between intra-articular (IA) large joint corticosteroid injections and clinical outcomes in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We compared pain (visual analog scale (VAS)), the Disease Activity Score (44 joints) (DAS), and swollen and tender joint counts before and after IA injection. Using linear mixed models (LMM), the DAS and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score over time were compared in IA injected versus noninjected patients.

Remission induction therapy with methotrexate and prednisone in patients with early rheumatoid and undifferentiated arthritis (the IMPROVED study).

Aim: Classifying more patients as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria for RA) may improve treatment outcomes but may cause overtreatment in daily practice. The authors determined the efficacy of initial methotrexate (MTX) plus prednisone treatment in patients with 1987 or 2010 classified RA and undifferentiated arthritis (UA).

Method: 610 recent onset RA or UA patients started with MTX 25 mg/week and prednisone 60 mg/day tapered to 7.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of two dosage regimens of linezolid in multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients.

Background And Objectives: For the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB), potent new drugs are urgently needed. Linezolid is a promising drug, but its use is limited by adverse effects with prolonged administration of 600 mg twice daily. In order to reduce its adverse effects and maintain efficacy, we investigated whether linezolid in a reduced dosage resulted in drug serum concentrations exceeding a ratio of the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to the area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) over 24 hours (AUC(24)) [AUC(24)/MIC] of >100.

Effect of nutritional counselling and nutritional plus exercise counselling in overweight adults: a randomized trial in multidisciplinary primary care practice.

Objective: To compare the effects of nutritional counselling with nutritional plus exercise counselling on body weight and waist circumference in overweight adults in a multidisciplinary primary care setting.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-four overweight adults (body mass index 28-35) were randomly assigned to individual counselling sessions by a dietician (D) or counselling sessions by a dietician plus physiotherapist (D + E) during 6 months with one follow-up session at 12 months. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Association of lifestyle factors with abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adiposity: the Framingham Heart Study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between lifestyle factors and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a community-based setting.

Research Design And Methods: Cross-sectional associations between lifestyle factors (dietary quality, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and SAT and VAT volumes were examined in 2,926 Framingham Heart Study participants (48.6% women, aged 50 +/- 10 years).

[Considerable comorbidity in overweight adults: results from the Utrecht Health Project].

Objective: To determine the association between overweight, physical and mental health conditions and health-related quality of life in an adult community population upon entering a new primary care practice.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Method: Baseline data from 4825 participants (mean age: 39 years; 55% women) in the Utrecht Health Project; a dynamic primary care population study with a response rate of over 50%, were used to determine and compare the prevalence of diagnosed medical conditions, complaints and quality of life between individuals of normal weight (BMI 18.

Burden and rates of treatment and control of cardiovascular disease risk factors in obesity: the Framingham Heart Study.

Objective: Obesity is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We sought to determine rates of treatment and control of CVD risk factors among normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals in a community-based cohort.

Research Design And Methods: Participants free of CVD (n = 6,801; mean age 49 years; 54% women) from the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation cohorts who attended the seventh Offspring examination (1998-2001) or first Third Generation (2002-2005) examination were studied.

A case of extensive ulcerating vasculitis following a BCG vaccination.

Adverse reactions following BCG vaccination are uncommon, with an estimated prevalance of 0.4 per 1000 vaccines [Lotte A, Wasz-Hockert O, Poisson N, et al. Second IUATLD study on complications induced by intradermal BCG vaccination.