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Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease manifested clinically by pain, stiffness, limitation of joint function, multiple systemic manifestations, disability and implications on the quality of life. Educating patients on active management of the disease is part of the current recommendations of international guidelines. Material and Methods. We performed a quantitative study using a translatedversion of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool questionnaire (ENAT)into romanian language (RoENAT). Translation of the original questionnaire into romanian was done according to cross-cultural adaptation process developed by Beaton et al. 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria participated in the study, each patient being asked to complete a RoENAT questionnaire. Results. This is the first study to assess the educational needs of romanian patients with RA using a standardized and validated instrument in several EU countries. „Spearman correlations” between the questions of the same domain were statistically significant (r ranging from .33 to.86 and a p-value = .05), is prove of a good construction of the translated questionnaire. The study group included 6 men and 25 women with a mean age of 55 ± 10 years and mean duration of rheumatic suffering was about 11 years. 93.5% of respondents wanted to be educated about their suffering. Educational needs of romanianpatients with RAwere centered around future concerns, fear of the disease evolution, the implications of the disease development on the family and the correct choice of treatment by the physician. Conclusions. Patients have expressed interest and compliance in completing the RoENAT questionnaire. It proved to be meaningful and in the scope of interest of romanian patients with PR, so we recommend its use in assessing educational needs and developing targeted and individualized treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Evaluation of functional parameters in patients with physical inactivity and diagnosed obesity with early osteoarthritis, in a program of physical therapy associated with a proper diet in order to achieve an optimal weight. Methods: We evaluated 20 patients at Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, County Hospital Timisoara by following the scales: Womac Index for pain assessment, functional index of Lequesne to detect severity of osteoarthritis and SF-36 questionnaire to assess general health. Evaluation was performed baseline and after 6 months. Results: All patients were overweight or obese. At the initial assessment the average value of Womac Index was 14.6 and after completion of therapeutic program was 10.8, being observed pain relief in all patients included in the study. The average value in terms of functionality and assessment of general health was initially Lequesne index 10.2 and 7.3 respectively SF-36 initial 77.1 and finaly 97.5, showing an improvement in all tracked parameters. In addition these patients followed a diet program, which reduces caloric intake by 300 to 500 kcal/day, necessary for weight loss over a period of 4-6 months and later they followed a balanced diet for maintaining the gained weight. Conclusions: Although the 2016 EULAR recommendations advised not to initiate therapy in patients > 120 kg due to failure of therapy, we tried to lower weight under this limit, associating a diet program in order to improve treatment. Physical inactivity is the most common cause of obesity and the main factor of joint degradation, counseling is important in avoiding risk factors and lifestyle changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study explored the link between values of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with SpA (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, or arthritis-related inflammatory bowel disease) and functional disability in order to derive an algorithm that may predict functional disability based on disease activity. Patients diagnosed with Spa were classified into five groups based on the type of therapy and they were followed up for 3 years. Group 1: Symptomatic medication alone; Group 2: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs); Group 3: DMARDs and 30 rehabilitation sessions twice a year; Group 4: Group 3 therapy and biologic anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) drugs; and Group 5: Group 4 therapy and, in addition, a daily home-adapted kinesiotherapy program. CRP, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ-S), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and T-score of the patients were recorded. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses were conducted using demographic data, CRP, and mHAQ-S scores to derive the CRP-mHAQ-S correlation algorithm. Statistical analysis included the chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and multiple regression tests and repeated measures analysis of variance. A total of 144 patients were enrolled, all of whom completed the study. The best predictive model (P<0.001) provided the algorithm mHAQ-S 36 =17.14+0.12xCRP 0 -0.24xCRP 12 -0.15xCRP 36 (CRP 0 , CRP 12 , and CRP 36 correspond to CRP levels at baseline, 12, and 36 months, respectively, and mHAQ-S 36 to mHAQ-S score at 36 months). This derived algorithm based on objective CRP assessment may have implications in the prediction of functional disability evolution in patients with SpA., (Copyright © 2020, Spandidos Publications.)