Arthritis and rheumatism
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Oct 2006
ReviewCourse of functional status and pain in osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a systematic review of the literature.
To systematically review studies describing the course of functioning in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee and identifying potential prognostic factors. ⋯ Pain and functional status in hip or knee OA seem to deteriorate slowly, with limited evidence for worsening after 3 years of followup. In specific subgroups, prognosis in the first 3 years of followup was either worse or better, as both risk factors and protective factors were identified. Prognostic factors included biomechanical factors, psychological factors, clinical factors, and treatment modalities. To strengthen the evidence, further high-quality longitudinal research on hip or knee OA functioning is needed.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Apr 2006
ReviewCatastrophizing and pain in arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other rheumatic diseases.
Pain is among the most frequently reported, bothersome, and disabling symptoms described by patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other musculoskeletal conditions. This review describes a growing body of literature relating catastrophizing, a set of cognitive and emotional processes encompassing magnification of pain-related stimuli, feelings of helplessness, and a generally pessimistic orientation, to the experience of pain and pain-related sequelae across several rheumatic diseases. ⋯ Catastrophizing is a critically important variable in understanding the experience of pain in rheumatologic disorders as well as other chronic pain conditions. Pain-related catastrophizing may be an important target for both psychosocial and pharmacologic treatment of pain.
-
Arthritis and rheumatism · Feb 2005
ReviewRecommendations for musculoskeletal ultrasonography by rheumatologists: setting global standards for best practice by expert consensus.
To establish an expert consensus of best practice for rheumatologists performing musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MUS). ⋯ We have produced the first expert-derived, interdisciplinary consensus of recommendations for rheumatologists performing MUS. This represents a significant advance that will not only direct future rheumatology MUS practice, but will facilitate informed educational development. This is an important step towards the introduction of a specific training curriculum and assessment process to ensure competent rheumatologist ultrasonographers.