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In recent years, numerous reports have demonstrated an association between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. However, some studies failed to demonstrate an association between psoriasis and hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between psoriasis and hypertension. Psoriasis patients of a health-maintenance organization were compared with enrollees without psoriasis regarding the prevalence of hypertension in a case-control study. The study included 12,502 psoriasis patients over the age of 20 years and 24,285 age-and sex-frequency-matched controls. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in psoriasis patients than controls (38.8%, 29.1%, respectively, p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, hypertension was associated with psoriasis after controlling for age, sex, smoking status, obesity, diabetes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and use of Cox-2 inhibitors (odds ratio: 1.37, 95% confidence interval: 1.29–1.46). The results of this study support the previously noted association between psoriasis and hypertension. We suggest that patients with psoriasis should be routinely screened for the presence of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are alternatives to vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Using population-based 'real world' data, we aimed to compare incidence of all-cause mortality and of ischemic stroke events between patients treated with NOACs vs. VKAs. Diagnoses indicative of major bleeding events, derived from community-care as well as from hospitalizations, were also compared between study groups. Methods: The database of a large health services provider was retrospectively screened for all incident (2012-2015) non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients (age 21-84 years). Patients were included if they had >3 months of follow-up from first anticoagulant dispense and were followed until the earliest of: outcome event, disenrollment, switch of therapy group or 1/11/2016. Kaplan-Meier models and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze time-to-event. Models were adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic status and baseline CHA2DS2-VASc score. Results: Incidence of all-cause mortality was higher among VKA users than among NOAC users (135/1,805 cases vs. 64/1,563, and mean (SD) follow-up of 2.15 (1.23) years and 1.78 (0.99) years, respectively). NOAC users were at much lower risk for both for all-cause mortality and for ischemic stroke, with adjusted-HRs of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.40-0.73; p<0.001) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.49-0.99; p=0.043), respectively. No difference was observed in the rate of major bleeding events (adjusted-HR=1.15, 95% CI: 0.92-1.43; p=0.231). Two thirds (67%) of NOAC users adhered with treatment (proportion of days covered ≥80%) and were at significantly lower risk for all-cause mortality compared to less adherent patients (adjusted-HR=0.36; 95% CI: 0.22-0.59; p<0.001). Conclusions: Our 'real world' data suggest that newly diagnosed NVAF patients initiating NOACs have significantly better prognosis compared to those initiating VKAs, with relatively high adherence rates and lack of significant difference in major bleeding events. Differences between NOACs have yet to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The term chronic multi-symptom illness (CMI) refers to a spectrum of pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, that are characterized by unexplained chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive and mood complaints, Objectives: To examine the hypothesis that exercise cessation is associated with symptoms similar to CMI in well-trained amateur athletes., Methods: The study, conducted in running and triathlon clubs in Israel, involved 26 asymptomatic healthy athletes who regularly exercise 6.75 +/- 3.65 hours a week. All athletes were instructed to refrain from physical activity for 7 days. All underwent a complete physical exam, rheumatological assessment including non-articular tenderness threshold (using dolorimeter) and tender points. In addition they completed the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. Assessments were conducted before exercise cessation and 7 days later., Results: Seven days after sports deprivation all subjects were significantly more tender by all tender measures (P < 0.001) (dolorimeter thresholds and tender point count). There was also a significant reduction in the scores for physical role function (P < 0.001), emotional role function (P < 0.001) and summary subscales of the SF-36 questionnaire after exercise cessation., Conclusions: Exercise deprivation is associated with change in non-articular tenderness threshold and reduction in quality of life scores. This may be associated with the development of chronic multi-symptom illness.

Background: Rehabilitation camps can improve exercise tolerance and nutrition in cystic fibrosis patients., Objectives: To assess weight gain, pulmonary function tests and daily symptoms in European CF patients attending a rehabilitation camp at the Dead Sea, Israel., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study assessing 94 CF patients who participated in winter camps held at the Dead Sea, Israel from 1997 to 2000. The camp program included daily physiotherapy, physical activities, and a high caloric diet. We assessed weight gain, pulmonary function tests, oxyhemoglobin saturation and daily symptoms before (pre), on departure (dep), and up to 3 months after the 3 week rehabilitation camp (post). All data were analyzed by ANOVA for repetitive measurements. P < 0.05 was considered significant., Results: Lung function tests and oxyhemoglobin saturation taken before, on departure and 3 months after camp were available for 35 patients. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (% predicted, average +/- SD) improved by 8.2 +/- 2.3% (pre, dep, post, P < 0.05). Oxyhemoglobin saturation mildly improved (1 +/- 0.3%, pre, dep, post, P < 0.05). Forced vital capacity (% predicted) increased by 3.9 +/- 1.2%, but was not significant (P = 0.19). Total body weight of 89 patients improved by 1.9 +/- 0.9% during the camp time (P < 0.05, t-test), and in a group of 24 patients weight continuously increased up to 5.0 +/- 1.7% at 3 months after the camp (P = 0.004, ANOVA)., Conclusions: In this attrition-limited retrospective study, European CF patients improved their pulmonary function and gained weight during and up to 3 months after a 3 week rehabilitation winter camp at the Dead Sea, Israel.