Rheumatoid Arthritis: Terwee CB

van der Leeden M, Steultjens MP, Terwee CB, Rosenbaum D, Turner D, Woodburn J, Dekker J. · Jan van Breemen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #18759256 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compose an inventory of instruments that have been described to measure foot function (i.e., pressure and/or gait parameters), foot pain, and foot-related disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to investigate the clinimetric quality of these measures. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, EMBase, and Sportdiscus. Standardized criteria, extended with levels of evidence, were applied to assess the quality of the clinimetric studies and the properties (i.e., reliability, validity, and responsiveness) of the described instruments. RESULTS: A variety of measurement instruments were identified. Only 16 instruments have been studied for their measurement properties in RA patients: 7 for assessing foot function, 3 for measuring foot-related disability, and 6 for measuring both foot pain and foot-related disability. Thirteen instruments were rated for reliability, of which 10 were rated positively on different levels of evidence. No positive rating for absolute measurement error was applicable for any of the tests. Internal consistency was reported for 7 instruments; 3 assigned a positive rating. For 2 instruments, Rasch analysis was used to assess the methodologic quality. A positive rating was reported for goodness-of-fit only, not for item calibration. Seven instruments were rated for construct validity, and 3 assigned a positive rating. Only 2 instruments were rated positively for responsiveness. CONCLUSION: This review offers a basis for choosing the most appropriate instruments for measuring foot function, foot pain, and foot-related disability in RA patients, both for clinical practice and for research. Further research on the quality of these measures is urgently needed.

Smidt N, de Vet HC, Bouter LM, Dekker J, Arendzen JH, de Bie RA, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Helders PJ, Keus SH, Kwakkel G, Lenssen T, Oostendorp RA, Ostelo RW, Reijman M, Terwee CB, Theunissen C, Thomas S, van Baar ME, van 't Hul A, van Peppen RP, Verhagen A, van der Windt DA, Anonymous00182. · · Aust J Physiother. · Pubmed #15924510 links to  free full text

Abstract: The purpose of this project was to summarise the available evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy for patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Systematic reviews were identified by means of a comprehensive search strategy in 11 bibliographic databases (08/2002), in combination with reference tracking. Reviews that included (i) at least one randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of exercise therapy, (ii) clinically relevant outcome measures, and (iii) full text written in English, German or Dutch, were selected by two reviewers. Thirteen independent and blinded reviewers participated in the selection, quality assessment and data-extraction of the systematic reviews. Conclusions about the effectiveness of exercise therapy were based on the results presented in reasonable or good quality systematic reviews (quality score > or = 60 out of 100 points). A total of 104 systematic reviews were selected, 45 of which were of reasonable or good quality. Exercise therapy is effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis, sub-acute (6 to 12 weeks) and chronic (> or = 12 weeks) low back pain, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and intermittent claudication. Furthermore, there are indications that exercise therapy is effective for patients with ankylosing spondylitis, hip osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, and for patients who have suffered a stroke. There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of exercise therapy for patients with neck pain, shoulder pain, repetitive strain injury, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and bronchiectasis. Exercise therapy is not effective for patients with acute low back pain. It is concluded that exercise therapy is effective for a wide range of chronic disorders.

de Vet HC, Beckerman H, Terwee CB, Terluin B, Bouter LM. · No affiliation provided · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #16465677 links to  free full text

This publication has no abstract.