Strong association between vertebral endplate defect and Modic change in the general population.

Modic change (MC) is considered an independent risk factor for low back pain (LBP) but its aetiology remains unclear. In this cross-sectional, large-scale population-based study we sought to characterise associations between endplate defect (ED) and MC in a population sample of broad age range. The study population consisted of 831 twin volunteers (including 4155 discs and 8310 endplates) from TwinsUK.

The approach of physiatrists to low back pain across Europe.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common type of musculoskeletal pain, thus it is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. The physicians who are primarily responsible for the nonsurgical management of LBP are physiatrists.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the approaches of physiatrists to low back pain across Europe.

Validation of a Finnish version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (Finn-FIQ).

Background and purpose Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, which affects up to 5% of the general population. The aetiology of FM is unclear. The lack of specific diagnostic laboratory tests or imaging options combined with the severe burden on both patients and society caused by the FM syndrome demands the development of valid instruments able to measure the current health status of the FM patients.

Vertebral Endplate Defect as Initiating Factor in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Strong Association Between Endplate Defect and Disc Degeneration in the General Population.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study of spine magnetic resonance in a population, predominantly female, sample.

Objective: To determine the relationship between vertebral endplate defect and intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) in general population.

Summary Of Background Data: Precise understanding of the mechanisms leading to DD development is lacking.

Evidence based position paper on physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) practice for people with spinal deformities during growth. The European PRM position (UEMS PRM Section).

Introduction: Scoliosis and other spinal deformities involve 3-4% of the population during growth. Their so-called conservative treatment is in the field of competence of physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physicians. This evidence based position paper represents the official position of the European Union through the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) - PRM Section.

No increased cardiovascular mortality among early rheumatoid arthritis patients: a nationwide register study in 2000-2008.

Objectives: To assess cardiovascular (CV) mortality in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the impact of RA medications on CV mortality.

Methods: We identified all incident RA patients over 18 years of age diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 in Finland. Causes of death were analysed until the end of the year 2008.

Finnish version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia: Reference values in the Finnish general population and associations with leisure-time physical activity.

Objectives: To create reference values for the general Finnish population using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-FIN), to study gender differences in the TSK-FIN, to assess the internal consistency of the TSK-FIN, to estimate the prevalence of high levels of kinesiophobia in Finnish men and women, and to examine the association between kinesiophobia and leisure-time physical activity and the impact of co-morbidities on kinesiophobia.

Methods: The study population comprised 455 men and 579 women. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire about their socio-demographic factors, leisure-time physical activity, co-morbidities and kinesiophobia.

Test-retest reliability and comparability of paper and computer questionnaires for the Finnish version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia.

Objectives: To estimate the internal consistency, test-retest reliability and comparability of paper and computer versions of the Finnish version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-FIN) among patients with chronic pain. In addition, patients' personal experiences of completing both versions of the TSK-FIN and preferences between these two methods of data collection were studied.

Design: Test-retest reliability study.

Disability pensions due to spinal disorders: nationwide Finnish register-based study, 1990-2010.

Study Design: A register-based national study.

Objective: To describe the occurrence of spinal disorders (SDs) resulting in disability pension (DP) in Finland during 1990-2010.

Summary Of Background Data: The indirect cost of SD is excessive.

The frequency and outcome of uveitis in patients with newly diagnosed juvenile idiopathic arthritis in two 4-year cohorts from 1990-1993 and 2000-2003.

Objectives: To retrospectively compare the frequency and outcome of uveitis between two cohorts of patients with newly-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) separated by a 10 year interval.

Methods: The diagnosis of JIA was made in 239 patients in 1990-1993 and in 240 patients in 2000-2003 by paediatric rheumatologists at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland. An ophthalmologist examined all the patients regularly and diagnosed uveitis.

Do fibromyalgia patients use active pain management strategies? A cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the types of pain management strategies used by patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: A total of 158 patients with primary fibromyalgia attended a clinical visit to confirm the diagnosis. They completed 3 questionnaires: (i) a self-made questionnaire, (ii) Beck Depression Inventory IA (BDI IA), and (iii) Finnish version of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

Neuropathic pain and use of PainDETECT in patients with fibromyalgia: a cohort study.

Background: Fibromyalgia has a plethorae of symptoms, which can be confusing and even misleading. Accurate evaluation is necessary when patients with fibromyalgia are treated. Different types of instruments are available for the clinicians to supplement evaluation.

Health-related quality of life and socioeconomic situation among diastrophic dysplasia patients in Finland.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to gain a comprehensive view of the quality of life and socio-economic conditions in a more representative sample of patients with diastrophic dysplasia than previously presented.

Methods: The study sample comprised 115 patients with diastrophic dysplasia, aged over 18 years. The patients were contacted, and 68 patients (59%) agreed to participate in the study.

Anxiety and depression are independent predictors of quality of life of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

We examined the relative impact of baseline anxiety, depression and fear of movement on health related quality of life at 12-month follow-up after a multidisciplinary pain management programme. One hundred and eleven patients who had chronic musculoskeletal pain (mean age 45 years, 65% women) attended during 2003-2005 a multidisciplinary three-phase pain management programme with a total time frame of six to seven months, totalling 19 days. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to rate anxiety, the Beck Depression Inventory depression, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia fear of movement.

Association of fear of movement and leisure-time physical activity among patients with chronic pain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the association of fear of movement and physical activity among patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: The sample comprised 93 patients participating in a multidisciplinary pain management programme. The purpose of the programme was to regain overall functioning by means of physical and functional exercises, education and personal pain management training.

Assessment of chronic pain behaviour: reliability of the method and its relationship with perceived disability, physical impairment and function.

The aim of the present study was to develop a reliable assessment of pain behaviour performed during the execution of a range of functional assessment measures. For the initial reliability study 18 subjects (consecutive referrals) were assessed. Subjects were observed and videotaped during a variety of physical tasks and demonstrations of pain behaviour were recorded; the videotapes were scored by two independent observers on two occasions.

Psychomotor speed in chronic low-back pain patients and healthy controls: construct validity and clinical significance of the measure.

The effect of ethanol on reaction times was studied in 5 healthy men to test the construct validity of the measure. Reaction times were studied among 61 healthy controls and 99 patients with chronic low-back pain (68 moderate and 31 severe) to evaluate the diagnostic value of reaction time measurements. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics was used to calculate the discriminative power of the reaction time measurements.

Mechanisms explaining the association between low back trouble and deficits in information processing. A controlled study with follow-up.

Study Design: A controlled study with a 6-month follow-up period.

Objectives: To find an explanation for the association between impairment in information processing, i.e.

One-footed and externally disturbed two-footed postural control in patients with chronic low back pain and healthy control subjects. A controlled study with follow-up.

Study Design: A study of postural control during one-footed and externally disturbed two-footed stance among healthy control subjects and patients with chronic low back pain at the beginning of a functional back restoration program and 6 months later at follow-up examination.

Objectives: To study postural control cross-sectionally among control subjects and patients with low back pain, and to evaluate the effects of functional restoration on the postural control parameters in a follow-up examination.

Summary Of Background Data: Deficits of motor skills and coordination have been reported in association with musculoskeletal disorders.

Isokinetic performance capacity of trunk muscles. Part II: Coefficient of variation in isokinetic measurement in maximal effort and in submaximal effort.

It has been claimed that with the aid of isokinetic trunk strength measuring devices it is possible to distinguish true muscular weakness from submaximal effort in the test. This proposition is based on the presumption that in the isokinetic trunk strength test identical performances can only be reproduced by maximal effort. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to distinguish maximal effort from submaximal with the aid of the coefficient of variation (CV) in an isokinetic trunk muscle strength test.

Psychomotor speed and postural control in chronic low back pain patients A controlled follow-up study.

Study Design: Psychomotor speed (reaction time) and postural control (center point of force velocity) among healthy control volunteers and patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) were studied at the beginning of an active, functional, restoration back rehabilitation program and 5 months after the program.

Objectives: To study cross-sectionally reaction times and center points of force velocity among control volunteers and patients with low back pain, and to evaluate the effects of the restoration on these measures of motor function in a follow-up examination.

Summary Of Background Data: Deficits of motor skills and of coordination have been reported in association with musculoskeletal disorders, but one can only speculate about an association between proprioceptive dysfunction and low back disorders on the basis of the currently available data.

Lower limb amputees in Southern Finland.

The purpose of this study was to look at the current epidemiological trends of lower limb amputees in 1992 in the area of Southern Finland with 1.2 million inhabitants. Similar data was collected earlier in 1984-85 and 1989.