International journal of clinical practice
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2020
The association between serum levels of growth differentiation factor-15 and activity of rheumatoid arthritis.
Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) acts as an autocrine regulator of macrophage activation. ⋯ GDF-15 serum levels may be used as a biomarker to predict high RA disease activity.
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2020
Clinic features, outcome and burden of patients with neurodegenerative diseases: a 10-year retrospective study.
As the Chinese population continues to age, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) has increased dramatically, which results in heavy medical and economic burden for families and society. ⋯ The majority of NDDs patients tended to be older. During the last 10 years from 2010 to 2019, the numbers of NDDs patients increased yearly, the trend of LOS became shortening and the cost gradually increasing. The main reasons of admission and outcomes of hospital showed different trends.
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2020
Clinimetric properties of the one leg sit to stand test in examining unilateral lower limb muscle strength among young adults.
One-leg sit-to-stand (one-leg STS) test is a new clinical test developed to measure the unilateral lower limb (LE) muscle strength among young adults. This study examined the test-retest reliability and the criterion-concurrent validity of the one-leg STS. ⋯ The one-leg STS test demonstrated excellent reliability and criterion-concurrent validity against the two-leg STS and the LE muscle strength. The one-leg STS test was simple to administer and could be beneficial for the assessment of unilateral LE muscle strength of young adults in clinical settings.
-
Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2020
Physical activity is favorably associated with arterial stiffness in patients with obesity and elevated metabolic risk.
Physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are relevant modifiers of cardiovascular risk. Their independent effects on arterial stiffness have not been assessed in people with obesity. This study aimed to assess the independent effects of light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity and CRF on Pulse wave velocity (PWV). ⋯ Higher MVPA is associated with lower composite arterial stiffness independent of CRF and the number of metabolic risk factors in patients with obesity and further metabolic risk factors. Thus, lifestyle interventions should aim for an increase in MVPA. BaPWV may improve the monitoring of favorable effects of MVPA, even if an improvement of VO2 peak cannot be obtained.