The aims of this study are to evaluate vitamin D status in 1413 RA patients of COMORA study from 15 countries and to analyze relationship between patients' RA characteristics and low levels of vitamin D. All demographic, clinical, and biological data and RA comorbidities were completed. The results showed that the average of vitamin D serum dosage was 27.3 ng/mL ± 15.1 [0.1–151]. Status of vitamin D was insufficient in 54.6% and deficient in 8.5% of patients. 43% of RA patients were supplemented with vitamin D and absence of supplementation on vitamin D was related to higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (p < 0.001). Finally, our study shows that the status of low levels of vitamin D is common in RA in different countries and under different latitudes. Absence of supplementation on vitamin D was related to higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D were associated with patients characteristics (age, BMI, and educational level), RA (disease activity and corticosteroid dosage), and comorbidities (lung disease and osteoporosis therapy). This suggests the need for a particular therapeutic strategy to improve vitamin D status in RA patients.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic condition known to cause pain-related complications in youth and affect children's physical functioning. There is no data in Arabic children with JIA about the impact of illness upon their physical activity. The objective of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents with JIA compared with a healthy population and to examine associations between PA, functional ability, and disease activity. Our study included patients with JIA and group control aged between 8 and 17 years. The diagnosis was used according to the International League of Association of Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria 2001. Sociodemographic data and clinical features were collected. Physical activity level and energy expenditure were assessed with a 1-day activity diary and the metabolic equivalent (MET), respectively. Functional ability was assessed with the Moroccan version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Disease activity was measured using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS). Fifty patients and 50 controls were included (mean ± SD age 11.5 ± 3.3 and 10.5 ± 3.8 years, respectively; p = 0.49) with masculine predominance n = 30 (59.6 %) and n = 29 (58 %), respectively (p = 0.26). The median disease duration was 4.3 years (2-5). The median analog scale (VAS) pain was 20 (10-40). Fourteen patients (28 %) had an active disease. Patient population consisted in majority of oligoarticular arthritis (28 %), 14 patients. The mean of energy expenditure and physical activity were significantly higher in the JIA group. The JIA group spent more time in bed and less time on moderate to vigorous PA than the control group. There is no significant relationship between PA, functional ability, and disease activity. Our study suggests that children and adolescents with JIA have low PA levels and are at risk of losing the benefits of PA. Low PA is not related to functional ability, disease duration, and disease activity in children and adolescent with JIA. A large cohort is necessary to confirm these results.

The aim of this study was to assess the perceived impact of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on sexual activity within Moroccan men and to identify the associations with demographic, psychological status, quality of sleep, and disease-related variables. A total of 110 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of AS according to the modified New York classification criteria were invited to participate in the study. Patients completed a questionnaire, which also included questions relating to the impact of AS on their sexual function, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. The patient sample comprised 110 men. The mean age of patients was 38.5 ± 12.6 years. Among the 110 patients, only 73 (67 %) have already had sexual activity. In this group of patients, 32 (44 %) were unsatisfied, 30 (41 %) reported erectile dysfunction, and 28 (38.4 %) had orgasmic trouble. Multivariate analysis showed that fatigue and sleep disturbance were independently associated with erectile dysfunction. This study suggests that AS in men seems to impact on sexual lives. Fatigue and sleep disturbance were independently associated with perceived problems with sexual activity.