Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Treating Psoriatic Arthritis.

Background and Objective: In this review, we discuss evidence concerning the management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with non-pharmacological interventions and additionally develop physical training protocols that could be prescribed to these patients. Methods: We selected 110 articles, published on PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 1972 to date, investigating the effects of generic hygienic-dietary recommendations and training programs in PsA or psoriasis (PSO) individuals. Results: Although data in support are limited, aerobic, endurance, and strength exercises as well as complementary techniques may all be useful in preserving or improving residual functional capacity, joint flexibility, and muscle strength. Exercise may reduce systemic inflammation, pain, and fatigue and additionally control PsA comorbidities, like dysmetabolism or obesity. Conclusions: The polyhedral clinical expression of PsA underlines the need for a multidisciplinary approach combining the synergistic effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The latter range from preventive measures, like dietary modifications, weight loss, and cigarette smoking cessation, to personalized training protocols according to disease activity and phenotype, comorbidities, and individual tolerability. In these patients, we strongly encourage the regular practice of motor activity at progressively increasing intensity with combined supervised aerobic, strength, endurance, and stretching exercises.

Physical activity in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: two intervention proposals based on literature review.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are rare diseases affecting skeletal muscles and leading to progressive muscle weakness and disability. Thanks to the better understanding of their pathogenesis, the management of IIM has been noteworthily implemented in recent years. Current therapeutic strategies include pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, among which physical exercise represents a useful option, able to ameliorate disease activity without worsening muscle inflammation. The aim of this narrative review is therefore to provide an updated overview of the benefits of physical exercise in patients with IIM and to suggest plausible training programs to be applied in patients with dermatomyositis, polymyositis, necrotizing myopathy, and inclusion body myositis. In this regard, a combined strategy mixing aerobic and resistance exercises could positively affect the pro-inflammatory and metabolic pathways occurring in skeletal muscles, while promoting muscle fiber regeneration and repair.

Short- and Midterm Comparison of Platelet-Rich Plasma with Hyaluronic Acid versus Leucocyte and Platelet-Rich Plasma on Pain and Function to Treat Hip Osteoarthritis. A Retrospective Study.

Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) leads to pain and reduced function. The use of intra-articular injections based on corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or hyaluronic acid (HA) is becoming a common symptomatic therapy for HOA. For the first time, we compare the effectiveness of plasma with a high concentration of platelets and leukocytes (L-PRP) with PRP+HA in patients with mild to moderate HOA. A total of 26 patients in each group were administered with either L-PRP or PRP+HA. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year after the injection. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) and Harris hip score (HHS) within and between groups among different time points were compared using repeated measures ANCOVA (age set as a covariate). Both treatments were effective in reducing VAS, but not in significantly increasing HHS. In the group treated with L-PRP, VAS showed interaction between time and treatment (in favor of L-PRP). Pairwise comparison for treatment and time point evidenced a significant difference at 1-year follow-up between L-PRP and PRP-HA. Outcomes support the idea that both treatments may be effective in reducing pain, with maximal pain reduction achieved after 3 months. L-PRP showed better results in reducing VAS over time. Both treatments are effective at reducing pain in the short to medium term. L-PRP could be the treatment of choice due to a more marked effect over time. Nevertheless, further research is needed to better describe the clinical outcome of these formulations.

Irisin and Vascular Inflammation: Beneficial Effects of a Healthy Lifestyle Beyond Physical Activity.

Vascular inflammation is responsible for many cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction is often the first trigger. Many factors can contribute to altering vascular homeostasis and despite that some risk factors cannot be changed, some lifestyle changes might dramatically improve vascular function. In this regard, physical activity has been identified as one of the most important interventions that can positively affect endothelial dysfunction. In recent years, the discovery of irisin, a novel myokine with pleiotropic effects, has caught the attention of many researchers. This review summarizes the most relevant intervention trials, evaluating irisin modifications in subjects with or without cardiovascular risk factors assigned to physical activity programs, to improve cardiovascular risk markers.