The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that physiotherapy-based intervention can reduce incidence of progression in children with IS. Two independent patient groups matched by age and sex at diagnosis were analysed using the outcome parameter, incidence of progression (> or =5 degrees ). One group was untreated and the other received scoliosis in-patient rehabilitation (SIR). Incidence of progression in groups of untreated patients ranged from 1.5-fold (71.2% vs 46.7%) to 2.9-fold (55.8% vs 19.2%) higher than in groups of patients treated with SIR, even when SIR-treated groups included patients with more severe curvatures. Statistically, the differences were highly significant. Efforts to test the hypothesis that physical therapies addressing postural imbalance can be used effectively in the treatment of IS have been limited. The results of this study are consistent with the possibility that a supervized programme of exercise-based therapies can reduce incidence of progression in children with IS.
The SpineCor does not change natural history of idiopathic scoliosis during the pubertal growth spurt. The use of the Chêneau brace seems to do so. Oncoming studies with the aim to test the efficiency of braces should be based on samples at immediate risk for progression (only girls with first signs of maturation but pre-menarchial).
The conservative treatment of scoliosis (which includes outpatient physiotherapy, inpatient intensive scoliosis rehabilitation (SIR) and high-correction-effect bracing based on plastercasting) shows an obvious reduction in the rate of surgery in patients with idiopathic scoliosis compared with untreated scoliosis patients. Thus it can be seen that the conservative treatment of scoliosis may reduce the incidence of surgery, which not only causes considerable medical expenses but also carries with it the risk of repeated operations and further complications. In our study, we also found highly significant differences by comparison with the work of a bracing centre in the USA. Therefore, the quality of the bracing itself and the effects of primary correction must receive greater consideration in future scientific studies on the subject of "conservative" treatment of scoliosis.
BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease, characterized by cartilage and bone destruction, autoantibody production and systemic disorders. (1) One of the most common comorbidities is anemia, caused by chronic inflammation or iron deficiency, with an high impact on quality of life. (2)ObjectivesAccording to older literature, the prevalence of anemia in RA patients is between 30 and 66%. (3) In a study cohort witch was designed to evaluate iron metabolism in chronic inflammation, we found lower prevalence. Therefor we investigated the actual prevalence of anemia in RA outpatients at our tertiary center at routine follow up in 2014 and at initial diagnosis. We also looked for the impact of disease activity and therapy strategies on the prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin levels.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed RA outpatients. As far as available, laboratory parameters, disease activity (CDAI, DAS28) and drug therapy were collected at the time of initial diagnosis and at a routine follow-up. Until now we included 305 patients. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <120 mg/dl in women, and <130 mg/dl in men. Wilcoxon or Mann-Whitney-U-test was performed to compare subgroups, Spearman-Rank-Analysis was applied to analyse correlations.Results305 RA patients, with a mean disease duration of 11,3 years, were analyzed. Data of patients at initial diagnosis were only available after 2000. Prevalence of anemia at initial diagnosis was 15,9% and declined at follow up in 2014 to 11,45%. Anemia was significantly linked to more advanced inflammation as evidences by a significant correlation between ESR, CRP and hemoglobin levels at these time points and associated with a reduced MCV and MCH. Overall, patients showed a significant increase of hemoglobin levels upon treatment. Among patients receiving biological treatment in 2014 (n=122) 13,9% were anemic, with no difference between the biological agents. DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) were not inferior to biological treatment regarding the prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin levels.ConclusionsThe prevalence of anemia in RA patients appears nowadays to be significantly lower as previously described (3). This may be due to an earlier diagnosis of RA along with an overall better disease control with modern therapy strategies. Hemoglobin levels significantly increase under therapy in all patients, anemic or not. DMARDs are, in regard to the prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin levels not inferior to biologicals. Even under good disease control as seen in our patients, the prevalence of anemia in RA patients is about twice as high as in the general population (4). This is an interims report of a registry to systemically study and characterize anaemia in Austria along with the evaluation of the impact of anemia on the course of RA.ReferencesSchett G, Innes IB. The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2011 Dec 8;365(23):2205-19Weiss G, Schett G. Anaemia in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2013 Apr;9(4):205-15Wilson A...
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