Brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study of 100 patients.

Studies focused on rheumatoid hand (RA) function are rare. The aims of our study were to evaluate the function of both hands during RA and investigate possible predictive factors associated with their damage. One hundred patients were enrolled consecutively between December 2013 and March 2014. Their hand function was evaluated with the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (bMHQ). In 85 women and 15 men with a mean age of 55 years, the mean bMHQ was 42.43±21.19 for the right hand and 44.09±20.29 for the left hand. Being≥65 years was associated with lower scores (P=0.003 for both hands), as was a disease duration of more than 2 years (P=0.006 right hand, P=0.016 hand left), a high DAS28 (P=0.022 right hand, P=0.032 left hand), and joint deformity (P=0.000 for both hands). Treatment with biologics was associated with the highest scores (P=0.000). Physical therapy, occupational therapy, splints (P=0.034, 0.048 and 0.020, respectively) and surgery (P=0.012) were also associated with the highest scores. Age, disease duration, disease activity score and deformity were associated with the lowest bMHQ scores in RA patients. RA-specific treatment and hand therapy were associated with the highest scores.

[Sub-maximal aerobic capacity and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Aptitude aérobie sous-maximale et qualité de vie des patients atteints de polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

BACKGROUND: Studies about sub-maximal aerobic capacity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are scarce. AIMS: To assess the sub-maximal aerobic capacity of these patients through the 6-min walk test, estimated age of the "muscular and cardiorespiratory" chain. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients (aged 20 to 60 years) with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis will be included. Non-inclusion criteria will be: use of drugs (e.g.; methotrexate, beta-blockers), orthopaedic or rheumatologic conditions (other than rheumatoid arthritis) that may alter walking ability and recent infections. Exclusion criteria will be: 6-min walking test contra-indications and imperfect performance of the required lung function and walking maneuvers. Signs of walking intolerance will be: test interruption, distance ≤lower limit of normal, dyspnea score ≥5/10 (visual analogue scale) at the end of the test, haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) drop ≥5%, cardiac frequency at the end of the test ≤60% of maximum predicted. An estimated "muscular and cardiorespiratory chain" age higher than the chronological one will be considered as a sign of accelerated ageing. EXPECTED RESULTS: A high percentage of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis would show evidences of walking limitation and accelerated "muscular and cardiorespiratory chain" ageing. There would be a significant correlation between the walking test and clinical, biological, radiological and pulmonary function data and the patients' quality-of-life status.

Infection ostéo articulaire à pneumocoque chez un sujet apparemment sain

Les infections ostéo-articulaires (IOA) àStreptococcus pneumoniae sont rares chez les adultessains et elles surviennent, souvent, sur un terraind'immunodépression ou de pathologie articulaire.Nous rapportons ici un cas d'arthrite septiquesubaiguë de l'épaule à Streptococcus pneumoniaeobjectivée chez un sujet âgé, sain et chez qui on n'apas objectivé de pathologies sous jacentes qui enpourraient être responsable. Ainsi, le Streptococcuspneumoniae doit être évoqué devant toute infectionostéo articulaire, essentiellement chez les vieillards,même en l'absence des facteurs favorisantsclassiquement associés