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Despite a favourable risk profile, our female RA patients had significantly enlarged carotid IMT than controls. RA itself was an independent risk factor for increased IMT. Impact of chronic inflammation on atherosclerosis was confirmed by negative correlation of IMT and duration of anti-inflammatory treatment.

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Petronijevic, MS, Garcia Ramos, A, Mirkov, DM, Jaric, S, Valdevit, Z, and Knezevic, OM. Self-preferred initial position could be a viable alternative to the standard squat jump testing procedure. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3267–3275, 2018—The purpose of this study was to compare both the magnitude and reliability of different variables (knee angle, squat depth, jump height [Hmax], maximum force [Fmax], and maximum power [Pmax]) between the standardized squat jump (SJ) and the SJ performed from the self-preferred position. Eleven team handball players (age: 19.5 ± 1.1 years; height: 1.88 ± 0.06 m; and body mass: 82.1 ± 8.7 kg) and 13 physically active students (age: 20.5 ± 0.9 years; height: 1.81 ± 0.06 m; and body mass: 76.6 ± 6.6 kg) were evaluated on 2 sessions during the standardized SJ (knee angle fixed at 90°) and the self-preferred SJ (self-selected knee angle to maximize Hmax). Two blocks of both 3 standardized SJ and 3 self-preferred SJ were performed on the first session, whereas only 1 block was performed in the second session. The squat depth was smaller for the self-preferred SJ, whereas the knee angle, Fmax, and Pmax were higher for the self-preferred SJ (p < 0.025). The magnitude of Hmax did not significantly differ between both jump types. Most importantly, the reliability of the mechanical outputs (Hmax, Fmax, and Pmax) was generally higher for the self-preferred SJ (9 of 12 comparisons), whereas only in 2 of 12 comparisons the reliability was meaningfully higher for the standardized SJ. No differences were observed between presumably more (handball players) and less skilled individuals (physically active subjects). These results suggest that the self-preferred SJ should be recommended over the standardized SJ (90° knee angle) because it is not only quicker and more ecologically valid, but could also provide the performance variables with higher reliability.

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BackgroundTo evaluate association between von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity, inflammation markers, disease activity, and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and low cardiovascular risk.MethodsAbove mentioned parameters were determined in blood samples of 74 non-diabetic, normotensive, female subjects, with no dyslipidemia(42 patients, 32 matched healthy controls, age 45.3±10.0 vs. 45.2±9.8 years). Intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured bilaterally, at common carotid, bifurcation, and internal carotid arteries. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as IMT>IMTmean+2SD in controlsat each carotid level and atherosclerotic plaque as IMT>1.5 mm. Majority of RA patients were on methotrexate (83.3%), none on steroids >10 mg/day or biologic drugs. All findings were analysed in the entire study population and in RA group separately.ResultsRA patients with subclinical atherosclerosis had higher vWF activity than those without (133.5±69.3% vs. 95.3±36.8%, p<0.05). Predictive value of vWF activity for subclinical atherosclerosis was confirmed by logistic regression. vWF activity correlated significantly with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, modified disease activity scores (mDAS28–ESR, mDAS28–CRP), modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (p<0.01 for all), duration of smoking, number of cigarettes/day, rheumatoid factor concentration (p<0.05 for all), and anti-CCP antibodies (p<0.01). In the entire study population, vWF activity was higher in participants with subclinical atherosclerosis (130±68% vs. 97±38%, p<0.05) or atherosclerotic plaques (123±57% vs. 99±45%, p<0.05) than in those without. Duration of smoking was significantly associated with vWF activity (β 0.026, p = 0.039).ConclusionsWe demonstrated association of vWF activity and subclinical atherosclerosis in low-risk RA patients as well as its correlation with inflammation markers, all parameters of disease activity, and seropositivity. Therefore, vWF might be a valuable marker of early atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by deterioration of the joints and associated with considerable pain and disability. OA is a chronic disease that requires intervention with both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities and, inevitably, disease progression may necessitate successive treatments throughout the course of the disease. There is increasing data on the shortfalls of current pharmacological treatment of OA, and safety concerns associated with analgesic therapy use in OA arising from increasing evidence of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic and renal adverse events with paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Consequently, symptomatic slow-acting drugs for OA (SYSADOAs) may now be considered as a first-line treatment for knee OA, with a particular emphasis placed on the outstanding benefit: risk ratio of pharmaceutical-grade glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate formulations. In this short communication we review recent publications concerned with the safety of paracetamol, NSAIDs and SYSADOAs. Greater understanding of the benefits and limitations of current medications will lead to better disease management in OA. Furthermore, adherence to guideline recommendations across Europe and internationally, such as those from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), will promote evidence-based medicine and patient-centric care, ultimately leading to greater physician and patient satisfaction.