Reproducibility and reliability of measurements using a linear isokinetic dynamometer, Aristokin.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the intra-observer reproducibility and reliability of measurements using a linear isokinetic dynamometer (Aristokin). METHODS: Sixteen female volunteers (age 18 to 23 years) participated in 4 test sessions, each consisting of 6 warming-up movements followed by 6 repetitions of 4 different movements. During each session, the subjects consecutively performed lifting movements by flexing elbows and shoulders (at 65 cm per sec), total lifting movements with arms and legs (at 65 cm per sec), and extension movements of the legs in sitting position (at 40 and 60 cm per sec). The first 3 test sessions were performed at a weekly interval, the 4th was executed 4 weeks after the 3rd session. Force, power and explosivity (force developed per sec) were recorded. RESULTS: The intra-observer reproducibility was investigated of the 6 repetitions of the movements during each test session. The highest reproducibility for mean peak power and force was found in the combination of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th measurement (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.85 to 0.99). Using this combination, the intra-observer reliability was investigated, defined as the consistency of results obtained during the 4 test sessions, performed at a weekly or longer interval. Comparison between these sessions showed that the results for mean force in the arm movement differed significantly (p=0.01) although a high between sessions correlation was found (0.96). Results for mean force and power for the 3 other movements were reliable, and no significant learning effect was observed. Lower reliability and reproducibility were observed for other parameters including explosivity and power and force at the first 0.25 sec of the test movement. CONCLUSIONS: Even after standard warming-up movements, the first 2 out of 6 measurement repetitions during a test session are not reproducible and should not be used in calculations of the results. For the combination of the 3rd to 6th repetitions, a high reliability was found for the measurement of mean force and power of the total lifting movement and of the sitting leg extension movements repeated in 4 sessions over a period of 6 weeks.

Adding compression to mobilization in a rehabilitation program after knee surgery. A preliminary clinical observational study.

The cyclical loading of cartilage, which occurs during normal use of an articulation, stimulates biosynthetic activity of the chondrocytes. Therefore functional stimulation may contribute to joint repair. In this study the researchers added mobilization with compression to a standardized rehabilitation program in patients recovering from intra-articular reconstructive surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament. Thirty patients were treated with a standardized physical therapy program following surgery. For half of the patients, mobilization under compression was added to this rehabilitation program. The knee flexion range of motion (FROM) was measured using a goniometer. Patients who received mobilizations with compression reached a pre-set goal of 130 degrees FROM after a mean of six treatment sessions, compared to 11 sessions in the control group. This rapid progression was characterized by a significantly greater increase of FROM during the first two treatment sessions. The explanation for this observed effect may lie in fast response processes which could include rheological changes in synovial fluid, enhanced exchange between synovial fluid and cartilage matrix or increased synovial turnover rather than complex metabolic phenomena. The faster recovery of the pre-set goal (130 degrees of FROM) in the group receiving mobilizations with compression, would appear to justify future clinical trials investigating the potential benefits of adding these techniques to current rehabilitation programs.

Localisation of the gene causing diaphyseal dysplasia Camurati-Engelmann to chromosome 19q13.

Camurati-Engelmann disease, progressive diaphyseal dysplasia, or diaphyseal dysplasia Camurati-Engelmann is a rare, autosomal dominantly inherited bone disease, characterised by progressive cortical expansion and sclerosis mainly affecting the diaphyses of the long bones associated with cranial hyperostosis. The main clinical features are severe pain in the legs, muscular weakness, and a waddling gait. The underlying cause of this condition remains unknown. In order to localise the disease causing gene, we performed a linkage study in a large Jewish-Iraqi family with 18 affected subjects in four generations. A genome wide search with highly polymorphic markers showed linkage with several markers at chromosome 19q13. A maximum lod score of 4.9 (theta=0) was obtained with markers D19S425 (58.7 cM, 19q13.1) and D19S900 (67.1 cM, 19q13. 2). The disease causing gene is located in a candidate region of approximately 32 cM, flanked by markers D19S868 (55.9 cM, 19q13.1) and D19S571 (87.7 cM, 19q13.4).

Soluble HLA-DR antigen levels in serum correlate with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and the presence of disease-associated epitopes.

We investigated correlations between soluble HLA-DR (sHLA-DR) molecules and several clinical, biological and genetic parameters associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity. Serum sHLA-DR concentrations were determined in 146 samples from 89 RA patients by an ELISA format, using an antibody combination of mouse and rat monoclonal anti-human HLA-DR antibodies. The mean sHLA-DR serum level in RA patients was significantly increased with 277+/-19 ng/ml compared to 142+/-13 ng/ml of 80 healthy controls (P<0.001). In ascending order of significance, correlations were found between serum sHLA-DR and EULAR swelling and pain scores, Waaler-Rose, RA factor, ESR and CRP (P=0.025 to P<0.001). High sHLA-DR levels were defined above 374 ng/ml that was the 95% confidence interval of the controls. Thirty-seven blood samples (25%) in 31 RA patients were above this level. The EULAR pain and swelling scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and RA factor were higher (P=0.044 to P<0.001) at the moment of high sHLA-DR concentrations, compared to the lower concentrations. Higher disease activity was further found in groups of RA patients respectively heterozygous or homozygous for the disease-associated epitope (Q)R/KRAA within the HLA-DRB1 chain, compared to the group without this epitope (P<0.017 for part of the results). Likewise, sHLA-DR was respectively 169+/-17 (no disease associated epitope), 324+/-34 (heterozygous) and 442+/-69 ng/ml (homozygous for the disease-associated epitope on HLA-DRB1 alleles) (P<0.017). In conclusion, this study shows significant correlations between serum sHLA-DR levels and RA disease activity parameters, as well as increased sHLA-DR in patients with disease-associated epitope on HLA-DRB1 alleles.

Pain threshold in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and effect of manual oscillations.

Using a pressure algometer pain threshold (PT) measurements were carried out in the paraspinal area as well as at the knee and ankle joints in 30 adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in 30 healthy adults. The group of RA patients was then randomly divided in two. In 15 RA patients a manual oscillation technique was applied at T12 and L4 for 12 minutes. The 15 other patients were resting. Immediately after the experimental procedure the PT was measured again at the same points in all patients. The RA patients showed a significantly (p < 0.05) lower PT than the healthy adults at all investigated points, which suggests that in RA certain changes arise in the peripheral and central nociceptive processing system, as mentioned in the literature. In the second measurement session for the RA patients the PT was significantly higher (p<0.05) after manual oscillations than after rest, at the paraspinal area of T6, L1 and L3. Further research into the long-term effect of repeated manual oscillation sessions is warranted.

Calcitonin reserve in different stages of atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis.

The objective of this study was to determine the calcitonin (CT) hormone reserve in different severity of atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis (AAT). Forty-eight female patients with AAT were divided into four groups based on basal and peak thyrotropin (TSH) values (after oral thyrotropin-releasing hormone [TRH], free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) ranging from normal in group 1 to overt hypothyroidism in group 4. All had thyroid antibodies. The control group comprised euthyroid females of comparable age, without thyroid antibodies. Basal CT and CT response to calcium infusion (area under the curve) were investigated as parameters of CT reserve. Basal CT was lower in groups 2 to 4 of patients with AAT (compared to controls), but the difference was not significant. Stimulated CT levels were lower (p < 0.05) in all groups of patients compared to controls, with markedly reduced CT-secretory reserve in group 4. Thyroid antibody concentrations and, basal and postinfusion calcium levels were not significantly different among the various groups. In conclusion CT deficiency (especially stimulated values) occurs in AAT and is more severe in hypothyroid patients than in earlier stages of AAT.

Progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (Camurati-Engelmann's disease). Improvement of clinical signs and of bone scintigraphy during pregnancy.

The case of a woman suffering from progressive diaphyseal dysplasia is presented. Characteristic symptoms of crippling pain in both legs, severe aching in both forearms, and episodic temporofrontal and occipital headache were only partially regulated by corticosteroid treatment. However, pregnancy resulted in a progressive disappearance of these symptoms, allowing withdrawal of steroid treatment. Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy performed immediately after delivery showed a decrease of the intense uptake in the forearms, tibiae, and skull, which had been documented prior to pregnancy. However, widespread pain recurred within 6 weeks after delivery, accompanied by a recurrence of multiple severely hyperactive foci on bone scintigraphy. Alterations of immune modulated processes and changes in bone mineral homeostasis and in endogenous cortisol metabolism during pregnancy can be considered as possible explanations for the temporary improvement in clinical and scintigraphic signs of progressive diaphyseal dysplasia in this patient.

False positive ELISA serologic test for Lyme borreliosis in patients with connective tissue diseases.

Three patients are reported with false positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, respectively associated with undifferentiated connective tissue disease or systemic lupus erythematosus. These cases further document that Lyme serology should be interpreted with caution and within the clinical context.

Femoral periosteal thickening in pustulotic arthroosteitis, including 3-year followup by magnetic resonance imaging.

We describe 2 female patients with femoral periosteal thickening, in association with signs of pustulotic arthroosteitis in the sternocostoclavicular region and spine. In one patient, inflammatory changes were seen in muscular tissue surrounding this area of periosteal thickening, with fibrosis in the corresponding marrow. Over a period of up to 4 years after bone biopsy, cortical hyperostosis was observed spreading over a longer segment of her femoral diaphysis, while its thickness decreased over the longterm. Bone biopsy probably contributed to the striking periosteal thickening surrounded by inflammatory lesions in the surrounding muscles of this patients.

Osteomalacia in a patient with anorexia nervosa.

A 32-year-old patient with anorexia nervosa since adolescence was admitted because of diffuse bone pain, increasing during the 2 preceding winters. She had a special aversion to dairy products and all forms of dietary fat. Low normal serum calcium and very low calciuria were noted, with a highly elevated bone fraction of alkaline phosphatase, and severe hypovitaminosis D and B12. Apart from a recent spontaneous fracture of the clavicle, Looser lines and pseudofractures were noted in a finger, fibula and malleolus. In particular, magnetic resonance imaging of the knee showed additional evidence of a pseudofracture in the femur, and medullary changes were found. Evidence for secondary hyperparathyroidism was described. Apart from the well known occurrence of osteoporosis, our case shows that osteomalacia may exceptionally occur in anorexia nervosa.

Magnetic resonance imaging of articular destruction in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

We describe herein magnetic resonance imaging of the right knee of a patient affected by a severe form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of articular damage of the knee during the disease course and after arthroscopic synovectomy are described.

Late presentation and microcrystalline arthropathy in primary hyperoxaluria.

A 66 year-old woman was referred in 1981 because of renal insufficiency and pronounced nephrocalcinosis. The urinary oxalate excretion was elevated. Secondary hyperoxaluria was excluded. End-stage renal disease necessitated hemodialysis from late in 1982 up to her death in 1986, at the age of 71 years. During the course of the disease, an aggressive arthropathy developed in the fingers. Classical signs of oxalosis were found: deposits of calcium oxalate crystals in bone tissue, the pancreas, myocardium, subcutaneous tissue and especially in the kidneys. This rare case documents the possible occurrence of late clinical presentation and long survival in primary oxalosis.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: an underreported syndrome in children?

Two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy are described in a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old girl. In the latter, symptoms occurred consecutively in the right leg, the left foot and the left hand. In contrast to the usual findings in adults, bone scintigraphy showed decreased radio-isotope uptake in the affected area during the early phase. An electromyography performed in the younger patient showed slower nerve conduction velocity in the affected limb. The younger girl improved following physical therapy and calcitonin injections, while the older patient favorably responded to sympathetic blockade.

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome type I in a Belgian family.

We report three cases of tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) type I in a Belgian family. They presented typical characteristics such as a pear-shaped nose, and short, deformed fingers with cone-shaped epiphyses of some middle phalanges of the hands. Hair growth was practically normal in our patients, except for some narrowing of the lateral part of the eyebrows. Perthes-like hip dysplasia was documented in two of our cases. The proband presented at the age of 31 with Kienböch's disease of the right wrist. Blood and urine analysis showed no clear anomalies. In this patient, echography revealed a renal cyst containing a stone. The relationship of these findings to TRPS is discussed.

Serum and synovial fluid antibodies to collagen in rheumatic diseases: a review.

The literature on the occurrence and significance of antibodies to native or denatured collagen in rheumatic diseases is reviewed. Mainly type I and type II collagen have been investigated, both in serum and synovial fluid, with special reference to their possible role in rheumatoid arthritis. Brief results of the analysis of 40 synovial fluid samples, using an ELISA technique are included.