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Context: Chronic rheumatic diseases seem to be associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The link between cytokines and lipid profile in spondyloarthritis is not well elucidated. Aims: We aimed to assess the relationship between cytokines and obesity, lipid profile and atherogenic indexes in spondyloarthritis. Methods and Material: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 45 patients with axial radiographic spondyloarthritis. For each patient, we measured the following pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin (IL-) 1, IL-8, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa), and anti-inflammatory cytokines: IL-10. We also measured total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc). We calculated the following ratios: TC/HDLc, TG/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc and Log[TG/HDLc]. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS. Results: The mean age was 46 ± 11.9 years. IL-8 levels were increased in obese patients (P = 0.003). IL-8 and IL-22 levels were significantly higher in patients with abdominal obesity (P = 0.024 and P = 0.042, respectively). IL-6 levels were lower in patients with hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.009). IL-1 levels correlated to TG (r = 0.413; P = 0.005). IL-1 and IL-6 were correlated to TG/HDLc (IL-1: r = 0.484, P = 0.001; IL-6; r = 0.700, P = 0.012) and Log[TG/HDLc] (IL-1: r = 0.354; P = 0.012; IL-6: r = 0.309, P = 0.041). IL-10 level was correlated to TC/HDLc (r = 0.333, P = 0.027) and LDLc/HDLc (r = 0.342, P = 0.023). Conclusions: IL-8 and IL-22 were higher in patients with abdominal obesity, highlighting the contribution of the adipocytes to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The correlation between cytokines and atherogenic indexes suggests the role of these cytokines in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in spondyloarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The effect of physical activity on disease activity and enthesitis in patients with spondyloarthritis is unknown. We aimed to describe clinical and enthesis features and disease activity of spondyloarthritis patients and to assess the association between physical activity and disease activity. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study including consecutive patients followed for radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. For each patient, we performed ultrasonography of entheses and assessed disease activity. Physical activity level was assessed using the University of California and Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale and the Tegner activity scale. Results. We examined 518 entheses in 37 patients. There were 29 men (78%) and 8 women (22%). The mean age was 44.62 ± 12.31 years. Exercise was performed in 51% of patients. The median (IQR 25%-75%) UCLA activity scale was 4 (4-5) and the median (IQR 25%-75%) Tegner physical activity scale was 3 (3-5). Exercise was associated with a lower risk of disease activity (OR 0.123, p = 0.022, 95%CI 0.020-0.742). We didn't find a significant difference in enthesis ultrasound characteristics between the patients practicing or not practicing exercise. Patients doing exercise had a signifi- cantly lower risk of having ≥ 3 ultrasonographic enthesophytes and plantar aponeurosis enthesophytes. Nevertheless, those who engage in physical activity have a significantly higher risk of hypoechogenicity in the lateral epicondylar tendons. Conclusions. Our study showed that exercise was associated with lower clinical disease activity. Physical activity can be responsible for ultrasonographic tendon insertion damage, but it doesn't accentuate the structural damage. The promotion of physical activity should be considered a healthcare priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether land- or aquatic-based rehabilitation is more effective in improving knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still unclear. This study assessed the effectiveness of aquatic-based treatments in patients with knee OA., Methods: The participants were divided into a land-based exercise group (G1, n=30) and a water-based exercise group (G2, n=30). The exercises were performed for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was a response to physical therapy, defined as a 20% decrease in the summed score for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities-Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale from T1 (before the start of the rehabilitation program) to T2 (8 weeks later). The secondary endpoints included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, WOMAC functional and stiffness subscales, Lequesne Index, and Medical Outcome Study Short Form (SF-12) for physical and mental health., Results: A 20% decrease in the summed WOMAC pain subscale score was noted in 33% of patients in G1 (n=10) and 93% in G2 (n=28) (P<0.001). VAS scores at walking decreased by 14% in G1 vs. 37% in G2 (P<0.001), WOMAC stiffness subscale decreased by 18% in G1 vs. 53% in G2 (P<0.001), and the Lequesne index decreased by 10% in G1 vs. 33% in G2 (P<0.001). Quality of life improvement was greater in G2 than in G1; SF-12 (physical) increased by 2.3 in G1 vs. 5.4 in G2 (P=0.023), and SF-12 (mental) increased by 6.3 in G1 vs. 10.9 in G2 (P=0.022)., Conclusion: Both aquatic and land-based exercises improved pain intensity, functional impairment, degree of handicap, and quality of life impairment caused by OA. However, the improvement was more significant in the aquatic-based exercises group.