Early Detection of First Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment in Women With High Hypermobility Scores.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore association between hypermobility and osteoarthritis (OA) at the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify early change in women at high risk of developing OA but without yet established diagnoses.

Methods: For this observational study, 33 women (aged 30-50 years) with self-reported history of maternal hand OA but without personal diagnoses of OA were recruited. Participants completed a 5-point hypermobility questionnaire.

Higher mortality rates associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Saskatchewan, Canada, 2001-2019.

Objectives: To estimate provincial all-cause mortality rates of Saskatchewan people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for comparison with the general population over time and between different geographic regions.

Methods: Saskatchewan provincial administrative health databases (2001-2019) were utilized as data sources. Two RA case definitions were employed: (1) ≥ 3 physician billing diagnoses, at least 1 from a specialist (rheumatologist, general internist or orthopaedic surgeon) within 2 years; (2) ≥ 1 hospitalization diagnosis (ICD-9 code 714, and ICD-10-CA codes M05, M06).

Associations of clinical and inflammatory biomarker clusters with juvenile idiopathic arthritis categories.

Objective: To identify discrete clusters comprising clinical features and inflammatory biomarkers in children with JIA and to determine cluster alignment with JIA categories.

Methods: A Canadian prospective inception cohort comprising 150 children with JIA was evaluated at baseline (visit 1) and after six months (visit 2). Data included clinical manifestations and inflammation-related biomarkers.

Clinical and associated inflammatory biomarker features predictive of short-term outcomes in non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: To identify early predictors of disease activity at 18 months in JIA using clinical and biomarker profiling.

Methods: Clinical and biomarker data were collected at JIA diagnosis in a prospective longitudinal inception cohort of 82 children with non-systemic JIA, and their ability to predict an active joint count of 0, a physician global assessment of disease activity of ≤1 cm, and inactive disease by Wallace 2004 criteria 18 months later was assessed. Correlation-based feature selection and ReliefF were used to shortlist predictors and random forest models were trained to predict outcomes.

The role of radiology in the quantification of digital ulnar deviation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory polyarthritis, which causes functional digital ulnar deviation (UD). Radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of the hands is essential in RA, but its role in the quantification of UD remains unclear.

Purpose: To compare UD measurements in RA patients between clinical goniometric assessments versus standardized radiographs and MRI.

Prevalence and occupational impact of arthritis in Saskatchewan farmers.

Agricultural workers have physically demanding occupations. In this study of Saskatchewan farmers, the authors examined (1) self-reported prevalence of physician-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; and (2) the impact of these chronic arthridities on engagement in physical tasks related to farming. This study was conducted through a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort Study in which 2,473 adult residents upon 1,216 farms participated.

Increased nocturnal periodic limb movements in rheumatoid arthritis patients meeting questionnaire diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome.

Background: Based on questionnaire criteria, the sensorimotor disorder restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been reported to have a higher prevalence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients than in the general population. There has been some speculation that peripheral arthritic symptoms may allow false positive responses to questionnaire criteria. This study evaluates whether RA patients meeting RLS questionnaire criteria also have objective evidence of increased periodic limb movements (PLMs) characteristic of RLS.

Metabolic and clinical consequences of hyperthyroidism on bone density.

In 1891, Von Recklinghausen first established the association between the development of osteoporosis in the presence of overt hyperthyroidism. Subsequent reports have demonstrated that BMD loss is common in frank hyperthyroidism, and, to a lesser extent, in subclinical presentations. With the introduction of antithyroid medication in the 1940s to control biochemical hyperthyroidism, the accompanying bone disease became less clinically apparent as hyperthyroidism was more successfully treated medically.

Inter-observer reliability of candidate predictive morphometric measurements for women with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as a public health concern. Definitive diagnosis is by overnight polysomnographic (PSG) examination. Identification of clinical predictors would be beneficial in helping prioritize high-risk patients for assessment.

Restless legs syndrome as a comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem disease with a complex immunologic pathophysiology. Likewise, sleep disorders can involve a complicated interplay between the neurologic pathways, immune system, and respiratory system. Recent studies have shown an elevated prevalence of sleep abnormalities in connective tissue disorders compared to the general population.

Does geographic location affect incidence of ANCA-associated renal vasculitis in northern Saskatchewan, Canada?

Objectives: To compare the incidence of renal ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in urban vs more rural populations in northern Saskatchewan, and as a secondary objective to compare time to diagnosis between these geographic areas.

Methods: Northern Saskatchewan has a population of 562,882 of which approximately 260 600 live in the major urban area. A pathology database search for renal biopsy reports suggestive of AAV between January 2007 and December 2011 and subsequent chart review yielded 33 new diagnoses of granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).

Relationship between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in a sleep laboratory referral population.

Background: Sleep health questionnaires are often employed as a first assessment step for sleep pathology. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) are two commonly employed questionnaire instruments. Aspects of sleep health may be measured differently depending on choice of instrument.

Obstructive sleep apnoea in relation to rheumatic disease.

Sleep problems are common concerns in rheumatology patients and have been independently linked to increased pain perception and fatigue severity. Evidence supports an increased prevalence of primary sleep disorders, including sleep apnoea, in some rheumatic disease populations, particularly RA. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a significant public health concern and contributes to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Improved Sleep Efficiency after Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor α Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Background: Poor sleep health is increasingly recognized as contributing to decreased quality of life, increased morbidity/mortality and heightened pain perception. Our purpose in this study was to observe the effect on sleep parameters, specifically sleep efficiency, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapy.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of RA patients with hypersomnolence/poor sleep quality as defined by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Do sleepy rheumatoid arthritis patients have a sleep disorder?

Objective: Subjective reports of sleep dysfunction are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our objective was to determine whether excess sleepiness in RA is associated with polysomnographic (PSG) abnormalities.

Methods: Twelve RA participants with abnormal sleep scores were identified in clinic and age/gender matched to RA participants with normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores.

Detecting latent tuberculosis infection during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

Objectives: There is little information regarding the reliability of repeat tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) in detecting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in people on anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) medication.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study of patients referred to the Saskatoon Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic prior to starting anti-TNF medication. A chest x-ray (CXR), 2-step TST and IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Method) were performed at baseline.

A questionnaire assessment of physical function in hyperlipidemic patients.

Background: A spectrum of myopathic manifestations has been recognized as associated with lipid lowering drug therapy (LLT), but their effect on quality of life and physical functioning is uncertain. We conducted a prospective cohort study in which physical functioning was the dependent variable, in patients with and without exposure to LLT.

Methods: Consecutive patients attending a risk reduction clinic were invited to participate in a questionnaire study which included demographic data, muscular symptoms, the SF-36 Physical Function Score (PF), and the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ).

Hypersomnolence and sleep disorders in a rheumatic disease patient population.

Objectives: There is increasing awareness of the importance of sleep in health maintenance. Our primary objective was to evaluate prevalence of excess daytime sleepiness in a rheumatic disease patient population. Secondary objectives included evaluation of prevalence of abnormal sleep quality and primary sleep disorders.