The effects of physical exercise on axial spondyloarthritis - a systematic review.

Aim: To collect and summarize the available scientific evidence that evaluates the effects of physical exercise interventions on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance to the guidance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to collect randomized controlled trials on the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The search strategy included terms regarding physical exercise interventions targeted to axSpA participants and all of its variants in multiple combinations adapted to each one of the databases regarding its own special requirements.

Prevalence of undiagnosed rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and its association with health-related quality of life and with physical function.

Aim: To estimate the disease specific prevalence of undiagnosed rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in Portugal and determine if people with undiagnosed RMDs have worse quality of life, physical function and higher health resources consumption, than people without RMDs.

Methods: A subgroup analysis of EpiReumaPt was made that included all participants≥18 years evaluated by a rheumatologist. Participants were stratified into three groups: undiagnosed RMDs; previously diagnosed RMDs; non-RMDs.

Myocarditis as the Initial Presentation of a Refractory Adult-Onset Still's Disease.

We present a case of adult-onset Still's disease, a rare disease that presented with a rare complication, myocarditis. After initial therapy with prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day, the patient experienced dyspnea due to severe pleural effusion and palpitations on account of new-onset supraventricular tachycardia. Therapy with three consecutive pulses of 1000 mg of methylprednisolone and anakinra 100 mg/day proved to be effective, with a progressive resolution of all symptoms.

Direct tissue-sensing reprograms TLR4 Tfh-like cells inflammatory profile in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

CD4 T cells mediate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis through both antibody-dependent and independent mechanisms. It remains unclear how synovial microenvironment impinges on CD4 T cells pathogenic functions. Here, we identified a TLR4 follicular helper T (Tfh) cell-like population present in the blood and expanded in synovial fluid.

Impact of the mandatory confinement during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic in Portuguese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the COVID in RA (COVIDRA) survey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-reported impact of mandatory confinement occurring in the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Portuguese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a means to improve care during this and in future pandemics.

Material And Methods: The web-based survey COVIDRA was developed to assess 5 domains including RA symptoms, attitudes towards medication, employment status, physical exercise and mental health. The questionnaire was sent to RA patients through e-mail and social media of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology and two patient associations; and it was filled locally at two rheumatology centers in Lisbon.