Prevalence and risk factors of post chikungunya rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders: a prospective follow-up study in French Guiana.

The estimated seroprevalence in the general population after chikungunya virus (CHIKV) epidemics ranged from 38 to 63%. Despite a low case fatality, subacute and chronic rheumatic forms of CHIKV infection generate significant morbidity and have a socioeconomic impact. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic post-CHIKV rheumatic or musculoskeletal pain (pCHIK-RMSP) at 3 and 6 months after the initial symptoms. An observational study was conducted at Cayenne General Hospital in French Guiana between April 1 and June 30, 2014. All patients seen for CHIKV infection confirmed by RT-PCR were prospectively included. Pregnant women and children under 15 were excluded from the study. All patients were called by phone at 3 and 6 months to enquire about the presence of pCHIK-RMSP. Out of a total of 254 eligible patients, 168 were selected. The mean age was 45.3 years (SD ± 1.4 yo) and the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.75. No death was reported. At 3 months, 40.2% (95% CI 31.1-49.3) of patients (n = 45/112) had pCHIK-RMSP and 31.3% (95% CI 22.2-40.4) of patients (n = 31/99) at 6 months. The median time of end to pain was 2 weeks after the date of onset of signs. The present study provides succinct but informative data about pCHIK-RMSP, which represents the real burden of the disease. There are few studies on that subject in the Amazonian region, but our study shows a lower impact than in the Indian Ocean islands where the population is older.

Parkinson's disease and osteoporosis.

Parkinson's disease is associated with an increased risk of falls. The risk is greatest in patients with advanced disease. Because Parkinson's disease usually occurs late in life, the risk factors related to the neurological impairments add to those associated with aging. The incidence of fractures is high in patients with Parkinson's disease, with femoral neck fractures in older women being particularly common. Risk factors for fractures include a low body mass index, limited exposure to sunlight, an inadequate vitamin D intake with low 25-OH vitamin D levels, and bone loss. Several studies found decreased bone mineral density values at the femoral neck and lumbar spine in patients with Parkinson's disease. Although this decrease is ascribable in part to factors unrelated with Parkinson's disease, such as older age and female gender, Parkinson's disease itself also plays a role, most notably in patients with severe neurological impairments (Hoehn and Yahr stages III and IV).