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In this case-control study, our first aim was to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its correlates. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 status and its relationships with disease parameters and BMD. Sixty patients with SSc and 60 age-and gender-matched controls were included in the absence of confounding factors that interfere with bone metabolism. Body mass index, menopausal status, familial history of osteoporosis and/or fractures; personal fracture history; exercise activity and laboratory parameters of bone metabolism were assessed in patients and controls. BMD was measured by using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was measured in a subgroup of 30 patients and in a subgroup of 30 matched controls. Systemic manifestations of SSc, biological inflammatory parameters, functional disability (scleroderma health assessment questionnaire (S-HAQ)) and immunological status of disease were collected in patients' group. The mean age of patients was 49.44 ± 13.07 years versus 49.55 ± 12.11 in controls. The mean disease duration was 9.63 ± 5.9 years. SSc patients had a significantly earlier age and longer duration of menopause than controls (P = 0.003). Phosphocalcic metabolism parameters were within normal ranges in both groups. BMD was significantly lower in SSc patients than in controls both in lumbar spine (-2.97 ± 0.25 in patients vs. 0.46 ± 0.11 in controls) and femoral neck (-1.93 ± 0.32 in patients vs. -0.81 ± 0.69 in controls) (P < 0.01). Thirty-six (60%) patients versus 15 (25%) controls had osteoporosis and 19 (31.7%) patients versus 13 (21.7%) controls had osteopenia (P < 0.01). In correlation analysis and in multiple regression models, there were significant correlations between BMD and longer duration of SSc, severe joint involvement (severe joint pain and erosive arthropathy), malabsorption syndrome and the positivity of anti-DNA topoisomerase I antibodies. Also, we found very low levels of vitamin D (10.88 ± 2.68 ng/ml) comparing to controls (57.41 ± 4.18 ng/ml) (P = 0.001). Vitamin D levels were correlated with the severity of joint pain, with immunological status and with BMD in lumbar spine and femoral neck (P < 0.01). In our sample, we state the importance of decreased BMD in Moroccan women with SSc with a high frequency of osteoporosis comparing to healthy controls. Bone loss seems to be associated with prolonged disease duration, severe joint involvement, malabsorption syndrome and immunological status. Also, SSc patients had lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 than controls. Larger studies are needed to confirm those findings.

The aim of this study was to assess fatigue aspects in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationships with disease-specific variables especially parameters of functional and structural severity. A total of 248 patients with RA were included. Patients' and disease characteristics were identified. Disease activity was measured clinically using physical examination, biologically and by the disease activity scores (DAS28). Radiographs were evaluated by using Sharp's method as modified by van der Heijde. Functional disability was measured by using the Moroccan version of Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Immunological abnormalities and treatment (doses and duration) were identified. Fatigue was evaluated by using a 0-100 visual analogue scale (VAS fatigue) and the multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF). Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Arabic version of the generic instrument SF-36. The mean age of patients was 47.5 ± 11.7 years [25-72]; 37.5% of patients had a high activity of disease and 11.3% were in remission. The mean Sharp score was 107.13 ± 91, and the mean score of HAQ was 1.40 ± 0.63. All domains of QoL were deteriorated; 89.51% of our patients experienced fatigue. The mean total score of MAF was 30.21 ± 11.32. A low level of education, low socioeconomic status, atlantoaxial subluxation, hip involvement, the presence of a Sjögren syndrome, and cigarette smoking had a negative impact on fatigue scores. The severity of fatigue was correlated with the duration of RA, the intensity of joint pain, the activity of disease, the importance of structural damage, the degree of functional impairment, and the rate of anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (CCP) antibodies (P < 0.05). Patients receiving methotrexate had better scores of fatigue. Also, severity of fatigue was correlated with the deterioration of all domains of QoL. Fatigue is a major issue for our patients with RA and must be included in the routine assessment of patients. In our sample, fatigue appears to be related to disease activity, functional disability, structural damage, and immunological status and had a negative impact on QoL.

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight in Moroccan patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationships with disease activity, functional disability, structural damage, and immunological status. Two hundred fifty patients with RA were consecutively included. Patients' characteristics were specified. The following data were collected: age, disease duration, disease activity (evaluated with physical examination data, biological tests (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), and the disease activity score (DAS28)), radiographic changes (assessed by the Sharp's method), functional disability (assessed by using the Health Assessment Questionnaire), extra-articular manifestations, immunological status, and treatment details. Overweight was defined according to the body mass index (BMI) values: underweight, <18.5; normal weight, 18.5-24.9; overweight, 25-29.9; and obesity, ≥30. The mean age of patients was 46.31 ± 12.64 years. The mean disease duration was 9.46 ± 8.43 years. Seventy-five patients (30%) were overweight, 42 (16.8%) were obese, and 133 (53.2%) were normal. Increased BMI was associated with the activity of disease (DAS28) (r = 0.426), structural damage (Sharp total score) (r = 0.297), the rate of rheumatoid factor (r = 0.311), and with the rate of anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibodies (for all p ≤ 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in BMI according to gender, dose and duration of corticosteroids, or functional impairment. In our sample, overweight seems to be prevalent in our RA patients. Overweight seems to occur independently of treatment and shown to be mainly associated to disease activity, structural damage, and immunological status. Large studies are needed to confirm those results.

To determine the prevalence and predictors factors of depression in Moroccan patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), we conducted a cross-sectional study of 59 Moroccan patients with systemic sclerosis. Patients were assessed by using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale "PHQ-9" and through extensive clinical histories and medical examinations. The Arabic version of HAQ and SF-36 was used to assess functional disability and health status, respectively. Forty-six patients (77.4%) presented symptoms of depression. Thirty six (61%) have a major depressive syndrome and 10 (16.4%) have a minor depressive syndrome. The PHQ-9 score was significantly higher in the patient with prolonged disease duration, severe joint pain, higher disease severity, and important acute-phase reactants. Also, depression had a negative impact on physical and mental scores. Systemic scleroderma is associated with a high prevalence of depression. Screening for depression among patients with SSc is recommended and it should be assessed for routinely.