Tissue Rheumatic Diseases Research Articles

Tele-Rheumatology during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionDuring the Covid-19 pandemic strategies to prevent transmission of the viral infection obliged our hospital to promote virtual consultations. ObjetiveThe objective of this study is to describe the results obtained with the previous strategy of transferring activity to teleconsultation during the period of maximum impact of the pandemic. Material and methodsBetween 16/03 and 10/05/2020 all successive consultations in our unit were performed in virtual rheumatology teleconference (RTC) format. The socio-demographic, geo-functional and clinical characteristics of all patients were collected; a numeric verbal scale (NVS) (where 0 = very dissatisfied to 10 = fully satisfied) was applied to assess the degree of satisfaction of the doctor/patient with the RTC. Results469 TC were included. Most patients seen by RTC were women, mean age: 60,83 years. Only 16% had university education. The mean distance travelled for face-to face consultation is 33 Km with a mean total time of 2 h. Most individuals were diagnosed with osteoarthritis/soft tissue rheumatic diseases and/or osteoporosis; 21% had rheumatoid arthritis. The mean length of the TC was 9.64 min. We find more patient satisfaction with the TC when their level of education is higher (OR = 4.12); doctor satisfaction was higher when the individual was better able to manage the Internet (OR = 3.01). ConclusionIt is possible to transfer rheumatological care activity to TC with a considerable degree of satisfaction for both the patient and the doctor.

Patterns of Nonarticular Rheumatism in a Rural Area of Bangladesh

Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of nonarticular (soft tissue) rheumatism in a rural population of Bangladesh. Methods: The survey was carried out in eight villages of Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district about 30 kilometers from Dhaka. All subjects of both genders (5217) of ?15 years old of 8 villages were evaluated. Door to door survey was done to cover missing cases. Trained field workers identified subjects with musculoskeletal pain using Bengali version of the COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Disease) questionnaire. Positive respondents were examined by trained internist and rheumatologists for definite non articular rheumatic disorders. COPCORD guideline was used for diagnosis. Results: MSK pains (positive respondent) were 1260 (24.2%) in out of 5217 (male 2556, female 2661). Among of them definite soft tissue rheumatic diseases were identified in 439 (male 102 and female 337). Major occupations were house wives (54.7), weavers (18%), and peasants (5.1%). Definite point prevalence of nonarticular rheumatism was 8.41% (male 3.7%, female 11.09%). The most common diseases were fibromyalgia (3.95%), repetitive strain injury (2.3%), nocturnal muscle cramp (0.59%), myofascial neck pain (0.48%), planter fasciitis (0.46%). Conclusion: Prevalence of nonarticular rheumatism is common in this rural community. Fibromyalgia is the leading disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v13i2.12752 J Medicine 2012; 13 : 165-169

Psoriasis and arthritis. I. A population study.

In a population survey of 3659 persons aged 20 years or older, no association was found between psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammatory, degenerative and soft tissue rheumatic diseases occurred in 59% of the psoriatics and 46% of the controls. However, the mean number of rheumatological diagnoses in the psoriatics was 1.1 and in the controls 1.3. Features of psoriasis were found in 41 individuals (1.1%). Features of inflammatory arthritis (RA + past-polyarthritis) were established in 5% and 2.2% of the psoriatics and the controls respectively, but this difference is not significant. Because patients with psoriasis have complaints associated with the locomotor system more frequently than non-psoriatic people, it seems likely that the referral rate of the former to special clinics is higher.