Rheumatoid Arthritis: Dracou C

Salavoura K, Dracou C, Kolialexi A, Drakonaki S, Sofocleous C, Mavrou A. · Department of Medical Genetics, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #18565261 No free full text.

Abstract: The association of certain chromosome aberrations with arthropathy has been previously described, but there is a limited number of reports in the literature. Two children are described, one with 18q- syndrome and another with supernumary marker chromosome 15, both presenting with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-type disease, aggressive progression and moderate response to inflammatory, corticosteroid and immunosuppressive treatment.

Pratsidou-Gertsi P, Vougiouka O, Tsitsami E, Ruperto N, Siamopoulou-Mavridou A, Dracou C, Daskas I, Trachana M, Alaleou V, Kanakoudi-Tsakalidou F, Anonymous00069. · 1st Department of Pediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #11510336 No free full text.

Abstract: We report herein the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation into the Greek language of the parent's version of 2 health related quality of life instruments. The Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) is a disease specific health instrument that measures functional ability in daily living activities in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) is a generic health instrument designed to capture the physical and psychosocial well-being of children independently from the underlying disease. The Greek CHAQ CHQ were fully validated with 3 forward and 3 backward translations. A total of 143 subjects were enrolled: 82 patients with JIA (28% systemic onset, 24% polyarticular onset, 10% extended oligoarticular subtype, and 38% persistent oligoarticular subtype) and 61 healthy children. The CHAQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic, polyarticular and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a higher degree of disability, pain, and a lower overall well-being when compared to their healthy peers. Also the CHQ clinically discriminated between healthy subjects and JIA patients, with the systemic onset, polyarticular onset and extended oligoarticular subtypes having a lower physical and psychosocial well-being when compared to their healthy peers. In conclusion the Greek version of the CHAQ-CHQ is a reliable, and valid tool for the functional, physical and psychosocial assessment of children with JIA.