Pain and fatigue induced by exercise in fibromyalgia patients and sedentary healthy subjects.

Objective: To examine whether general feelings of fatigue, exercise-induced pain in the extremities, and exertion were different in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) compared with sedentary healthy women.

Methods: Thirty-seven FS patients and 20 healthy subjects were studied. Cardiovascular fitness was assessed by Aastrand's indirect, submaximal method.

Multidisciplinary approach to fibromyalgia. A pilot study.

The aim of the study was to instruct a group of fibromyalgia patients how to solve problems related to activities of daily life. Sixteen female fibromyalgia patients completed a ten week multidisciplinary program, consisting of a cognitive and an exercise part. After ten weeks a reduction in general pain intensity (p < 0.

Muscle fatigue in early fibromyalgia.

Objective: To compare the processes connected with muscle fatigue during prolonged exercise in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) with studies of healthy individuals.

Methods: Nine female patients with FM, all employed in full or part time, performed repetitive isometric contractions of the quadriceps muscles at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force in 6 s with 4 s rest between until exhaustion.

Results: The MVC and electrically stimulated tetanic forces fell continually and almost in parallel, indicating no central fatigue.

Changes in plasma phospholipid fatty acids and their relationship to disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with a vegetarian diet.

In a controlled clinical trial we have recently shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improved after fasting for 7-10 d and that the improvement could be sustained through 3.5 months with a vegan diet and 9 months with a lactovegetarian diet. Other studies have indicated that the inflammatory process in RA can be reduced through manipulation of dietary fatty acids.

A pilot study of the effect of an elemental diet in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

To evaluate the extent of food allergy/intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis, an elemental (hypoallergenic) diet was studied in a controlled, double-blind pilot study. Ten patients were allocated to an experimental group and 7 to a control group. The patients in the experimental group received an elemental diet for 3 weeks, whereas the patients in the control group received a control soup consisting of milk, meat, fish, shellfish, orange, pineapples, tomatoes, peas and flour of wheat and corn.

Pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatic disorders.

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether fibromyalgia patients (n = 50) differed from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 22) and ankylosing sponylitis (n = 31) with respect to pain experience, pain coping and fatigue. A high general pain intensity level was recorded by the McGill Pain Questionnaire (p < 0.01) and the visual analogue scale (p < 0.

Ketoprofen controlled release (CR) in the treatment of osteoarthrosis; a double blind, randomized multicentre study of single morning versus evening dose. Norwegian Study Group of General Practitioners.

Objective: To compare the morning and evening dose of 200 mg ketoprofen controlled release formulation with regard to both efficacy and GI tolerability.

Design: Double-blind, randomized multicentre prospective trial with cross-over design combined with a parallel design.

Participants: One hundred and eight female and 55 male patients with osteoarthrosis in hip(s) or knee(s) necessitating treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Arthroscopic and radiographic examination of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis before and after open synovectomy of the knee joint. A prospective study with a 5-year follow-up.

In a 5-year follow-up after open knee joint synovectomy in 18 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) there was no radiographic progression of the juvenile rheumatoid arthritic changes. Radiographic evidence indicative of osteoarthrosis and of the soft tissue swelling were scored separately. Radiographic changes consistent with osteoarthrosis increased significantly during the observation period (P < 0.

The effects of 20 weeks of physical fitness training in female patients with fibromyalgia.

During a period of 20 weeks 18 female patients with fibromyalgia participated in a 60-minute exercise program twice a week. A control group, comprising 17 patients, was told not to change their physical activity level. Eleven patients in the training group and fourteen in the control group completed the study.

Quantitative radio-isotope scanning of the sacroiliac joints in ankylosing spondylitis.

A method for applying 99mTc-MDP for dynamic and static quantitative radioisotope scanning (QRS) of the sacroiliac joints (SI) in early progressive sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is described. In a prospective study, 2 groups of male AS patients were investigated, one with increased elevated erythrocytic sedimentation rate (ESR) (group A, n = 7) and one with normal ESR (group B, n = 8). In both groups an increased uptake of the radiotracer was found in the static part of the study versus a control group C (n = 9).

Human platelets in synovial fluid. A focus on the effects of growth factors on the inflammatory responses in rheumatoid arthritis.

The alpha granules of platelets are a major storage site for peptide growth factors. The inflamed synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis contains a high number of platelets as well as platelet-derived growth factors. These platelets may apparently be acted upon to release their alpha granule-located substances.

Nutrient intake and nutritional status in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

Nutrient intake and nutritional status were assessed in 15 children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and in 17 healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements were similar in children with pauciarticular JCA and in controls, whereas weight (p = 0.05) and upper arm muscle area (UAMA) (p less than 0.

A prospective clinical five year follow up study after open synovectomy of the knee joint in patients with chronic inflammatory joint disease. The prognostic power of clinical, arthroscopic, histologic and immunohistologic variables.

Arthroscopy and clinical examination was performed on the knee joint of 26 patients with chronic inflammatory joint disease, before and at 6 and 12 months after open synovectomy. Biopsies were examined by histologic and immunohistologic methods. Clinically the patients improved until 6 months after synovectomy, and the improvement was maintained for 5 years.

Calprotectin (the L1 protein) during surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Calprotectin (L1) is a major leukocyte protein which is released during activation or death of neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes. Previous studies have shown that L1 may be a useful marker of disease activity in patients with adult or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, the plasma concentrations of L1 were analysed during shoulder-joint surgery in 16 patients with adult or juvenile RA.

Pregnancy in patients with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the relationship between pregnancy and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), with regard to possible reactivation of the disease, complications at delivery, and postpartum complications. Data on 76 pregnancies in 51 JRA patients were collected retrospectively. Comparison of pre-pregnancy disease activity with the course during gestation showed that pregnancy did not cause reactivation of the symptoms of quiescent JRA.

Mothers of children with recent onset of rheumatic disease: associations between maternal distress, psychosocial variables, and the disease of the children.

As part of a longitudinal project based on a biopsychosocial model of juvenile rheumatic diseases, maternal mental distress was examined as a possible predisposing factor for the child's disease and/or as an effect of disease. Eighty-four mothers were interviewed and completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Child Behavior Checklist. Fifty percent of the mothers reported psychiatric distress as indicated by GHQ greater than or equal to 4.

Counselling women with rheumatic disease--how many children are desirable?

The interaction of pregnancy and the rheumatic diseases has been described for most of the inflammatory joint disorders. However, the patient response to the challenge of motherhood and child rearing has seldom been taken into consideration. The current study presents data derived from a patient inquiry on these issues.

The L1 protein as a new indicator of inflammatory activity in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

L1 is a major granulocyte and monocyte protein with Mr 36.5 kDa. It is released during leukocyte activation and detected in plasma by use of an enzyme immunoassay.

Prediction of short-term prognosis by biopsychosocial variables in patients with juvenile rheumatic diseases.

We describe physical symptoms and signs, laboratory data and psychosocial assessments for 84 children (age 1-17) hospitalized for the first time with suspected or definite rheumatic disease. At 16 months (range 7-28) followup change of disease severity was assessed based on hospital records. The patients were categorized as unchanged/worse (n = 36) or improved (n = 48).

Evaluation of knee joint cartilages and menisci in patients with chronic inflammatory joint diseases. A prospective arthroscopic study before, six and twelve months after open synovectomy.

Destruction of joint cartilage is an important feature in chronic inflammatory joint diseases. This article considers the areas of the cartilages of the knee joint prone to destructive changes, pannus growth and marginal erosions, and the changes of pattern after open synovectomy. Twenty-eight patients with chronic inflammatory joint disease which gave indication for synovectomy of the knee joint had arthroscopy immediately before, 6 and 12 months after open synovectomy.

Intraoperative autotransfusion in reconstructive hip joint surgery of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

The efficacy of a simple, low-cost device designed for intraoperative blood salvage and reinfusion, known as the Sorensen system, was studied during 24 hip joint operations in adult patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. The total need for homologous blood was reduced to 28%, compared with a matched control group of patients who had previously undergone hip surgery by homologous blood replacement. In primary hip-replacement operations, the need for blood was met either completely by autotransfused blood or by the addition of 1 or 2 units of homologous blood.

A three-year retrospective study of synovectomies in children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of synovectomies in children with juvenile arthritis. Five hundred twenty-eight synovectomies and tenosynovectomies were performed over a period of 13 years. The patients were followed for one, two, three, five, and ten years postoperatively.

Muscle strength and aerobic capacity in primary fibromyalgia.

Twenty-six women with primary fibromyalgia were tested for muscle strength and for aerobic capacity and fatigue. Grip strength was measured with a manometer. In the patient group the grip strength was 58 +/- 22 kPa (mean +/- SD) versus 97 +/- 17 kPa in healthy matched controls (p less than 0.

Relationship between pain, disease severity and psychosocial function in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA).

At their first admission to hospital, 57 children (7-16 yrs) with definite or suspected rheumatic disease were interviewed regarding their perceptions of quality and intensity of pain and disease severity. All children reported pain. This was most often described as 'aching' (74%).

The first stay in a pediatric rheumatology ward. Associations between parent satisfaction and disease and psychosocial factors.

To assess parent satisfaction with hospital care and needs for improvement, questionnaires were sent to parents of children participating in a study of bio-psychosocial factors at the onset of juvenile rheumatic diseases. At 16 months follow-up (range 12-22 months) 85 (82%) of 106 parents answered. Twenty-four of these were also interviewed.