Biomechanical determinants of rheumatoid arthritis severity and excess cardiovascular disease: common origins of two complex diseases.

Objectives: The determinants of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) severity and excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) are incompletely understood. Biomechanical factors are known to influence RA severity. Articular stiffness correlates with arterial and skin stiffness.

Initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients diagnostic questionnaire in dermatology clinics in Australia, Korea and China.

Objectives: To conduct initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients (EARP) questionnaire for Australian, Korean and Chinese populations using translated and linguistically validated versions. To measure the proportion of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis who attended dermatology clinics.

Methods: Questionnaires were translated and culturally validated into Australian English, Korean and Chinese.

A critical appraisal of quantitative arthroscopy as an outcome measure in osteoarthritis of the knee.

Background And Objectives: To review the performance of arthroscopic assessment of articular cartilage damage in osteoarthritis.

Methods: The literature was reviewed for publications containing data regarding validity and reliability of arthroscopic systems of cartilage evaluation in knee osteoarthritis.

Results: Fifty-two distinct measurement systems were identified in 60 publications.