Lack of fetal effect from adenosine administration in a pregnant patient.

Supraventricular Tachycardias are the most common cardiac rhythm disturbances in pregnant patients. Adenosine is the recommended medication to treat these arrhythmias in part because the medication is projected to be metabolized prior to crossing the placenta and producing any fetal effects. Reported here is a case of a pregnant patient treated with adenosine in which the fetal heart activity was monitored through point of care ultrasonography with documentation of no fetal impact from this medication.

Assessment of health-related family role functioning in systemic lupus erythematosus: preliminary validation of a new measure.

Objective: Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often experience symptoms that affect family relationships, which are important components of quality of life. To assess the impact of SLE on family role functioning, we developed a 6-domain (Fatigue, Activity participation, Mental health, Isolation, Love and intimacy, and You/fulfilling family roles [FAMILY]) measure. The objectives of this study were to pilot test and achieve preliminary validation for the SLE-FAMILY questionnaire.

Development and validation of a short form of the valued life activities disability questionnaire for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To develop and validate a shortened version of the Valued Life Activities disability and accommodations scale (VLA) for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: To shorten the existing VLA measure, item response theory analyses were conducted using data from 449 patients with RA. Next, the resulting 14-item shortened version of the VLA scale (S-VLA) was evaluated by structured interviews among 20 RA patients.