Effects of Classical Breathing Exercises on Posture, Spinal and Chest Mobility among Female University Students Compared to Currently Popular Training Programs.

Worldwide, university students’ physical health and posture are declining due to a sedentary lifestyle. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic breathing exercises on posture and spinal mobility among healthy female university students compared to other training methods. Sixty-one female students of the University of Debrecen were assigned to breathing exercise (BE; n = 15), yoga (Y; n = 16), Pilates (P; n = 15) programmes and interval-training (IT; n = 15).

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Activity in Anti-TNF-Treated Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients.

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 have been implicated in the regulation of vascular physiology. Elevated synovial and decreased or normal ACE or ACE2 levels have been found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Very little is known about the effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibition on ACE or ACE2 homeostasis.

Alterations of Selected Hemorheological and Metabolic Parameters Induced by Physical Activity in Untrained Men and Sportsmen.

Optimal tissue oxygen supply is essential for proper athletic performance and endurance. It also depends on perfusion, so on hemorheological properties and microcirculation. Regular exercise is beneficial to the rheological status, depending on its type, intensity, and duration.

Changes of Metabolic Biomarker Levels upon One-Year Anti-TNF-α Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Associations with Vascular Pathophysiology.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity, mortality, and metabolic syndrome are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Here, lipids and other metabolic markers in relation to vascular function and clinical markers were evaluated in RA and AS patients undergoing one-year anti-TNF therapy.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-three patients including 36 RA patients treated with either etanercept (ETN) or certolizumab pegol (CZP) and 17 AS patients treated with ETN were included in a 12-month follow-up study.

Associations of vascular and bone status in arthritis patients.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease and osteoporosis (OP) have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Bone and vascular biomarkers and parameters along with the effect of 1-year anti-TNF therapy on these markers were assessed in order to determine correlations between vascular pathophysiology and bone metabolism in RA and AS. Thirty-six patients treated with etanercept or certolizumab pegol and 17 AS patients treated with ETN were included in a 12-month follow-up study.

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography in the assessment of bone mineral density in anti-TNF-treated rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with osteoporosis. There have not been many peripheral quantitative computed tomography (QCT) studies in patients receiving biologics. We assessed volumetric and areal bone mineral density (BMD) by forearm QCT and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), respectively in addition to laboratory biomarkers in these arthritides.

[Relationship between arterial stiffness and regular physical activity].

Összefoglaló. A cardiovascularis megbetegedések kialakulását és progresszióját jelentősen befolyásolja az életmód, ezen belül a fizikai aktivitás. A rendszeres testmozgás csökkenti a szív- és érrendszeri kórképek kockázatát, többek között a magas vérnyomásra, a zsíranyagcsere-eltérésekre és az elhízásra gyakorolt kedvező hatásán keresztül, továbbá független tényező a cardiovascularis halálozás szempontjából is.

Effects of one-year tofacitinib therapy on bone metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis.

Unlabelled: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed the effects of tofacitinib on bone density and bone markers in association with clinical and laboratory parameters in RA. Tofacitinib stabilized bone density and resulted in a positive balance of bone turnover.

Soluble Vascular Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Effects of 1-year Antitumor Necrosis Factor-α Therapy.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been associated with cardiovascular disease. The treatment of arthritis by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors may decrease the serum concentrations of vascular biomarkers. We determined circulating levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)/β glycoprotein I (β-GPI) complexes, antibodies to 60 kDa heat shock protein (anti-Hsp60), soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) fragment in sera of RA and AS patients undergoing anti-TNF treatment.

Effects of 1-year anti-TNF-α therapy on vascular function in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Accelerated atherosclerosis, increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Vascular function, clinical and laboratory markers and the effects of anti-TNF therapy were assessed in arthritides. Fifty-three 53 patients including 36 RA patients treated with either etanercept (ETN) or certolizumab pegol and 17 AS patients treated with ETN were included in a 12-month follow-up study.

The effects of breathing exercises in comparison with other exercise programs on cardiorespiratory fitness among healthy female college students.

Background: We wished to determine the effects of breathing exercises (BE) on endurance performance compared to those of different fitness training programmes.

Methods: Endurance was measured by the Cooper 12-minute Run Test and voluntary breath-holding time test before and after the training period. Altogether 69 healthy female college students were assigned into four groups.

Effects of 1-year anti-TNF-α therapies on bone mineral density and bone biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been associated with generalized and localized bone loss. We conducted a comprehensive study using imaging (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA) and laboratory biomarkers in order to determine bone health and to study the effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologics in RA and AS.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-six RA and 17 AS patients undergoing 1-year etanercept (ETN) or certolizumab-pegol (CZP) therapy were studied.

Correction to: Endorsement by Central European experts of the revised ESCEO algorithm for the management of knee osteoarthritis.

In the Original Publication, the e-mail address of the author Milan Petronijević is incorrect. The correct e-mail address is milanpetronijevic@yahoo.com.

Endorsement by Central European experts of the revised ESCEO algorithm for the management of knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by deterioration of the joints and associated with considerable pain and disability. OA is a chronic disease that requires intervention with both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities and, inevitably, disease progression may necessitate successive treatments throughout the course of the disease. There is increasing data on the shortfalls of current pharmacological treatment of OA, and safety concerns associated with analgesic therapy use in OA arising from increasing evidence of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic and renal adverse events with paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Gene expression analysis of vascular pathophysiology related to anti-TNF treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Impaired vascular pathophysiology and increased cardiovascular (CV) mortality are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To date, no genomic analysis of RA- and RA treatment-related vascular pathophysiology has been published. In this pilot study, we performed gene expression profiling in association with vascular pathophysiology in RA patients.

Peripheral Lymphocyte Multidrug Resistance Activity as a Predictive Tool of Biological Therapeutic Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters may be used as biomarkers to monitor disease progression in RA and as a predictive tool to establish responsiveness to biological therapy. In this multicenter clinical trial, we aimed to assess the predictive value of activity measurement of transporters MDR1, MD resistance protein (MRP)1, and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) for biological therapeutic response in RA before the initiation of biological therapy as well as 4 to 6 and 12 weeks after.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 27 responders and 12 nonresponders to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) at the indicated timepoints as well as from 35 healthy controls.

Autoimmune and angiogenic biomarkers in autoimmune atherosclerosis.

Several inflammatory, proteolytic, angiogenic and bone-associated factors play a role in the development of autoimmune, accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatic diseases. Some of these may serve as biomarkers of vascular pathology and may be useful in the follow-up of vascular damage and outcome. Multi-biomarker profiles rather than a single markers would likely be optimal in this respect.

Impact of adalimumab on clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and sick leave in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: an observational study from five Central and Eastern European countries.

Background: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are substantial users of healthcare resources due to chronic and potentially disabling disease. This study assessed the impact of adalimumab on clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and sick leave in patients with AS in five Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries.

Methods: This was an observational study in the routine clinical setting.

[Peroral and transdermal application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of regional musculoskeletal pain syndromes].

In this review the available evidences regarding the most frequently applied medication (peroral and transdermal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) for the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints (regional pain syndromes) have been collected for the appropriate medical professionals who are most frequently faced with these conditions (general practitioners, rheumatologists, orthopedics, occupational and sports medicine experts). The special population at risk (with repeated and high energy overuse because of occupational or sport activities) and the pathology of their syndromes are identified. Mode of action, pharmacological properties of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the unwanted effects of their application especially in infants and elderly are highlighted.

Effects of targeted therapies on the bone in arthritides.

Inflammatory arthritides, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritides (SpA) have been associated with both localized bone resorption and/or formation, and generalized osteoporosis. Systemic inflammation may be the major driver for bone loss in arthritis. In RA and peripheral SpA the RANK-RANKL-OPG network is involved in bone resorption, while in axial SpA the Wnt-β-catenin axis and its inhibitors (DKK-1, sclerostin) are the most relevant.

Comparison of peripheral quantitative computed tomography forearm bone density versus DXA in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls.

Unlabelled: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with osteoporosis. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) is capable of assessing bone density and composition. We found lower bone density in RA compared to controls.

Improved clinical, functional and work outcomes in spondyloarthritides during real-life adalimumab treatment in central-eastern Europe.

Aim: Adalimumab effectiveness on clinical, functional and work-related outcomes was evaluated in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis treated in routine clinical practice in central-eastern Europe.

Methods: Patients (n = 555) were followed for 12 months. Primary end point was percentage of patients with a treatment response (≥50% decrease from baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index or ≥1.

Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with etanercept.

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the immunogenicity of a 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing etanercept therapy.

Methods: Twenty-two RA patients treated with etanercept (ETA) in combination with methotrexate (MTX) (n=15) or monotherapy (n=7) for at least one year were included. Altogether 24 osteoarthritis patients not receiving biological or MTX therapy, treating only NSAIDs or analgesics served as controls.