Problems underlying impaired hand function in rheumatoid arthritis

In this study we used the grip strength to evaluate the hand function in rheumatoid patients and determined the relation between grip strength and different parameters measured in those patients. We divided our patients into two groups according to their grip strength. Patients with higher grip strength showed a higher visual analogue scale of pain which was of a high statistical significance [p<0.001]. Also we found that grip strength correlated negatively with age, disease duration and visual analogue scale of pain. As regards drug intake, low grip strength was associated with disease modifying drugs while high grip strength was associated with NSAIDs. This shows that several cofactors contribute to the rheumatoid hand function not a single factor

Observational study on patients suffering of Raynaud's phenomenon

We examined Raynaud's phenomenon in systemic sclerosis [SSc], systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] to determine its relation to the clinical and laboratory data of different rheumatic diseases. Thirty-six patients were included in our study 18 of them with and 18 without Raynaud's phenomenon. There was a significant difference between both groups as regards clinical data of cerebritis, nephritis and systolic blood pressure where such were higher in the Raynaud's positive group than Raynaud's negative group. These findings can be explained on the patho-physiological basis of the disease itself. We can get either affection of the kidney [nephritis] or vasculitis presenting by cerebritis or due to the circulating endothelin substance

H-reflex in the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy

This work comprised fifteen patients suspected of having unilateral fifth lumbar root [L[5]] and/or first sacral root [S[1]] radiculopathy secondary to spinal nerve compression. Ten healthy subjects matched in age, sex and height served as controls. Diagnosis was confirmed clinically and with radiographic assessment. H-reflex was done bilaterally to both symptomatic and asymptomatic sides from both soleus and gastrocneumius muscles according to Shahani [1986]. Peak to peak amplitude and latency was recorded. On the symptomatic side a significant prolongation was found in the latency of the H-reflex as elicited from both soleus and gastrocneumius muscles on the symptomatic side of patients versus the asymptomatic side or the control group p<0.05. There was a highly significant reduction p<0.001 of the amplitude of the motor evoked response from both muscles as well. However, abnormal H-reflex was also encountered in the non-symptomatic side. The H-reflex recorded from the soleus was more sensitive than from the gastrocnemius muscle. All patients with neurological deficit showed prolonged latency and reduced amplitude. Both techniques, measuring H-reflex from soleus or gastrocnemius are complementary to each other and the positive results of any of them could be enough for the diagnosis of radiculopathy