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ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to identify foot health factors related to the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).SettingIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 293 subjects were analysed, 229 of whom were in the RA group and 64 in the control group. In the RA group, 173 patients were female, and 50 in the control group.ParticipantsPatients with foot pain and RA (according to the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria) and with foot pain but no RA were recruited (Granada, Spain).InterventionTwo researchers independently interviewed the patients to obtain data for the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresClinical data were obtained using the Short Form 12-Item questionnaire (quality of life) (primary outcome), Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS pain), the Manchester Foot Pain Disability Index (MFPDI) and the Foot Function Index (FFI). Anthropometric measurements were obtained using a foot measurement platform, the Foot Posture Index and the Manchester Scale of Hallux Valgus (secondary outcomes).ResultsOf the 293 subjects, 76.1% were female. Significant differences were observed between the RA and the control group (p2value of 48.8%, while for the mental health component the corresponding value was 5.6%.ConclusionMorphological and structural characteristics of the foot are not necessarily associated with pain, disability and loss of function. The presence of RA, a higher score on VAS pain (general), female gender and older age are all associated with the physical component of the quality of life of patients with RA.

Objective Verify the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention In the Multimodal Intervention Program for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome clinical trial, 79 MetS patients completed the intervention. Of those, 48 belonged to the experimental group and 31 to the control group. The intervention received by the experimental group was CBT; the control group followed usual care and attended a workshop on healthy lifestyle. Main Outcome Measure(s) and Analysis Anthropometric, biochemical, psychological, and lifestyle measures were taken before and after the intervention at 3 and 6 months. Analyses included paired t tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA. Results The ANOVA results showed a statistically significant interaction between the 2 groups in waist circumference (P = .009), triglycerides (P = .015), and adherence to the MedDiet (P = .026). The ANCOVA results indicated between-group difference in waist circumference (P = .026 and .062 at 3 and 6months, respectively), in triglycerides (P = .009 and .860 at 3 and 6 months, respectively), and in MedDiet (P = .024 and .273 at 3 and 6 months, respectively). Conclusions and Implications In interventions in which CBT was applied, significant improvements were observed in MetS patients, especially in adherence to the MedDiet.

The objectives of the study were to analyse the association between fibromyalgia (FM) and violence against women and to explore the association between FM and sociodemographic factors, social support and psychological distress. A case-control study was conducted in a Spanish hospital. Cases were women diagnosed with FM, with no signs of any other type of inflammatory rheumatic disorder, who were seen at the Rheumatology Department of the hospital. Controls were women not diagnosed with FM who were seen at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the same hospital. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used to gather data on sociodemographic characteristics, violence, social support and psychological distress. Uni-, bi- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted; 287 cases and 287 controls were recruited. The multivariate analysis showed that the probability of presenting FM increased with age (odds ratios (OR) = 1.06; CI95% = 1.03-1.09); that employed women and housewives were more likely to have the syndrome than unemployed women or students (OR = 4.97; CI95% = 1.45-17.02, and OR = 3.47; CI95% = 0.98-12.22, respectively); that the lower the educational level, the higher the probability of having FM; and that psychological distress was positively associated with the syndrome (OR = 4.62; CI95% = 2.68-7.97). Although abuse was more prevalent in cases than in controls, the differences were not statistically significant. However, frequency of abuse was positively and significantly correlated with FM. Although the aetiology of FM is still uncertain, it seems that certain psychosocial factors may be associated with the syndrome. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of patients affected with this syndrome should be considered.