Post-operative enteral immunonutrition for gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy decreases wound complications.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine if peri-operative immune modulating dietary supplements decrease wound complications in gynecologic oncology patients undergoing laparotomy. METHODS: In July 2013 we instituted a practice change and recommended pre- and post-operative oral immune modulating diets (IMDs) to patients undergoing laparotomy. We retrospectively compared patients who received IMDs to those who did not for the study period July 2012 to June 2014. Our outcome of interest was the frequency of Centers for Disease Control surgical site infections (CDC SSIs). RESULTS: Of the 338 patients who underwent laparotomy during the study period, 112 (33%) received IMDs post-operatively. There were 89 (26%) wound complications, including 69 (78%) CDC SSI class 1, 7(8%) class 2 and 13(15%) class 3. Patients receiving IMDs had fewer wound complications than those who did not (19.6% vs. 33%, p=0.049). After controlling for variables significantly associated with the development of a wound complication (ASA classification, body mass index (BMI), history of diabetes mellitus or pelvic radiation, length of surgery and blood loss) consumption of IMDs remained protective against wound complications (OR 0.45, CI 0.25-0.84, p=0.013) and was associated with a 78% reduction in the incidence of CDC SSI class 2 and 3 infections (OR=0.22, CI 0.05-0.95, p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative IMDs are associated with fewer wound complications in patients undergoing laparotomy for gynecologic malignancy and may reduce the incidence of CDC SSI class 2 and 3 infections.

Diversity of functional microornamentation in slithering geckos Lialis (Pygopodidae).

The skin of geckos is covered with countless microscopic protuberances (spines). This surface structure causes low wettability to water. During evolution, representatives of the recent gekkotan clade Pygopodidae started slithering on the ground. This manner of locomotion affected limb reduction resulting in a snake-like body. Regarding abrasion and frictional properties, a surface covered with gekkotan spines is a topography that hampers the snake-like locomotion mode. Using scanning electron microscopy, we investigated the shed skins of two pygopodid lizards, Lialis jicari (Papua snake lizard) and Lialis burtonis (Burton's legless lizard), in order to show epidermal adaptations to limbless locomotion. Our data showed that Pygopodidae differ from their relatives not only anatomically, but also in their epidermal microstructure. Scales of L. jicari have five different structural patterns on various body regions. Ventral scales have nanoridges, similar to those found on the ventralia of snakes. Surfaces of scales covering the jaw bones, have flattened spine-like microstructures that might be an adaptation to reduce abrasion. Dorsal scales have oblong microscopic bulges covered with nanoridges. Spines cover the undersides and the interstices of scales over the entire body of both species and in L. jicari also the top of dorsal head scales. Our measurements of surface wettability (surface free energy) show superhydrophobic properties of the spiny surfaces in comparison with the other microstructural patterns of other body parts.

[Epidemiology of primary Sjörgren's syndrome]. / Epidemiologie des primären Sjögren-Syndroms.

According to the classification criteria of the American-European Consensus Group (AECG), the prevalence of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) of about 0.2% in the adult population and a yearly incidence of 4/100.000 in the general population are far lower than previously assumed. Moreover, the repeatedly reported male/female ratio of 1:9 seems to lie more in the range of 1:20. Male pSS patients show fewer immunological, histopathological or sialographic findings and organ involvement. Information on age at disease onset has also changed over the last decade. Recent studies indicate an onset age of approximately 45 years as compared to 56 in earlier studies of the last decade. Patients with an early disease onset are more frequently positive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-Ro/SS-A. These patients also seem to have a higher risk of developing hypocomplementemia or lymphadenopathy. As compared to earlier cohorts, the introduction of the rather specific AECG criteria will probably result in the participation of fewer men, younger patients in general and of more seriously ill patients in future cohorts. The change in the spectrum of pSS patients obviously reflects the altered classification criteria since the AECG criteria require anti-Ro/La positivity and therefore exclude a high number of patients with other immunological markers who also show severe sicca symptoms and organ involvements. About 5%-10% of pSS patients in rheumatological care suffer from severe extraglandular manifestations, which generally occur soon after disease onset. In particular, palpable purpura, hypocomplementemia, cryoglobulinemia and lymphoma are associated with increased mortality. In Germany, approximately one tenth of Sjögren syndrome patients receive specialized rheumatological care. There is still insufficient knowledge about the vast majority of pSS patients who are not treated by rheumatologists. These patients, as well as all those who, according to the AECG criteria, are not classified as having pSS either due to anti-Ro/La negativity or having secondary Sjögren's syndrome, probably add up to at least 0.4% of the adult population which, at present, suffers from considerable immunopathologic sicca symptoms.

[Diagnostic spectrum, treatment indication and symptom duration in initial referrals to the rheumatologist]. / Diagnosespektrum, Behandlungsindikation und Symptomdauer von Erstzuweisungen zum Rheumatologen.

There is evidence that early initiation of therapy in inflammatory rheumatic diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has a positive effect on disease course.To investigate referral procedures, 198 German rheumatologists reported over a 3-month period and for each patient seen for the first time on: patient characteristics, specialization of the referring physician, symptom duration, time interval between making the appointment and the first visit, diagnoses and relevant drug history. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the odds ratios for a first consultation within 3 months after symptom onset.The 17,908 newly referred adult patients were 54 years old on average and 72% were women. Inflammatory rheumatic disease was diagnosed in 53%. Mean disease duration was 30 ± 57 months (median 7.3 months). There was no apparent association between patient age, education, disease severity or specialisation of the referring physician; however, there was a clear association with waiting times to first consultation.A higher number of early arthritis clinics could significantly shorten the time to first rheumatological consultation. Therefore, more efforts need to be made to fast-track referrals from primary care physicians to rheumatologists as well as to optimise rheumatologists' appointment regulations for new patients. However, these efforts can only succeed with a significant increase in the number of rheumatologists, while ensuring a firm economic basis.

Surface structure and frictional properties of the skin of the Amazon tree boa Corallus hortulanus (Squamata, Boidae).

The legless locomotion of snakes requires specific adaptations of their ventral scales to maintain friction force in different directions. The skin microornamentation of the snake Corallus hortulanus was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and the friction properties of the skin were tested on substrates of different roughness. Skin samples from various parts of the body (dorsal, lateral, ventral) were compared. Dorsal and lateral scales showed similar, net-like microornamentation and similar friction coefficients. Average friction coefficients for dorsal and lateral scales on the epoxy resin surfaces were 0.331 and 0.323, respectively. In contrast, ventral scales possess ridges running parallel to the longitudinal body axis. They demonstrated a significantly lower friction coefficient compared to both dorsal and lateral scales (0.191 on average). In addition, ventral scales showed frictional anisotropy comparing longitudinal and perpendicular direction of the ridges. This study clearly demonstrates that different skin microstructure is responsible for different frictional properties in different body regions.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients who smoke have a higher need for DMARDs and feel worse, but they do not have more joint damage than non-smokers of the same serological group.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of smoking on disease activity, drug need and radiographic joint damage in RF-positive and -negative patients with early RA. METHODS: Baseline and 3-yr follow-up data of 896 patients of an early RA cohort comprised clinical and radiographic parameters (Ratingen Score). Information about disease severity, treatment and smoking were obtained by questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to show the influence of smoking on drug use, ACR improvement and joint damage. Smokers and non-smokers were compared according to RF serology. RESULTS: Fifty per cent of the patients were never, 23% past and 27% current smokers. Current smokers were significantly more often RF-positive (71%) than past (66%) or never smokers (53%), but neither the RF-positive nor the RF-negative current smokers had higher 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) or radiographic scores than never or past smokers. Within 3 yrs, current smokers had taken significantly more DMARD combinations or biologics. Non-smokers and those with <20 pack-years (PYs) had a 2-fold higher probability to reach ACR improvement than heavy smokers (>20 PYs). However, smokers did not differ in radiographic joint damage when compared with non-smokers of the same serological group. CONCLUSIONS: The higher use of DMARDs may indicate that smoking weakens the potency of anti-rheumatic drugs and/or is needed to control an otherwise higher disease activity. Since the risk of adverse events increases with the amount of drugs taken, this is another reason to persuade RA patients to quit smoking.

Morning stiffness and its influence on early retirement in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between morning stiffness (MS) and early retirement in patients with early RA. METHODS: The study used data from a prospective RA cohort of 916 RA patients with disease duration

Topographic representation of vestibular and somatosensory signals in the anuran thalamus.

In the isolated brain of the fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis, the spatial distribution of vestibular and somatosensory responses in thalamic nuclei was studied following electrical activation of the Vth nerve, the ramus anterior of the VIIIth nerve and of the dorsal roots of spinal nerves 3 and 8. Responses were systematically mapped in frontal planes through the diencephalon at four rostro-caudal levels. The calculated activity maps were superimposed on the outlines of diencephalic nuclei, and those nuclei that received particularly large inputs from the stimulated sensory nerve roots were indicated. Maximal response amplitudes coincided with ventral, central, and posterior thalamic areas and exhibited a topography that differed for each sensory nerve root. Maximal responses evoked from the Vth nerve were largely separated from those from spinal dorsal roots 3 and 8, whereas maximal vestibular responses partly overlapped with those from the other somatosensory nerve roots. Our findings indicate that within the amphibian thalamus sensory signals originating from different nerve roots are largely represented in separate areas as is the case in the thalamus of amniotes. However, the anterior dorsal thalamus which is the only origin of ascending pathways to the medial and dorsal pallium (assumed homologues of the mammalian hippocampus and neocortex, respectively) receives only minor vestibular and somatosensory input. This corroborates the view that amphibians lack a direct sensory thalamo-cortical, or "lemnothalamic," pathway typical of mammals and birds.

Loss of physical independence in rheumatoid arthritis: interview data from a representative sample of patients in rheumatologic care.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study was to obtain an estimate of the proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in rheumatologic care who are unable to live independently. It investigates the association of age, disease duration, disease activity, joint involvement, and comorbidity with dependence on help and care. In addition, we attempt to derive an estimate of the level of physical disability at which dependence on external help is to be expected in more than 50% of the cases. METHODS: A sample of 273 patients with RA and considerable physical disabilities (less than 67% of full functional capacity) was drawn from the Berlin rheumatologic database. Standardized questionnaires and interview data were used to ascertain dependence on help and care. Patients were classified as in need of help when they depended on external help to manage household chores and as in need of care if beyond this they depended on assistance to manage personal hygiene and nutrition. RESULTS: More than 50% of the patients who had less than 58% of full functional capacity (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] > 1.54) required help, and for patients with less than 30% (HAQ > 2.3) the need for help was almost certain (more than 95%). Generalizing these results to all RA patients treated by rheumatologists in Berlin, 33% were expected to be dependent on external help and 7% to be dependent on care. Even in patients with disease duration < or = 5 years, a rather high expected proportion of help-dependence was found (26%). When single joints were compared, the highest amount of disability resulted from impaired wrists. Our data suggest that the contribution of comorbidity to functional impairment was low, especially in patients in need of help, while patients independent of help reported more frequently that their comorbid condition had an impact on their physical function. CONCLUSION: The results support the importance of identifying high-risk patients and of the employment of a strategy of early therapeutic intervention, since a high degree of dependence on help was observed in patients with short disease duration. As help-dependence is highly influenced by the condition of the wrists, more attention should be paid to the treatment and stabilization of these joints.

Cytoarchitecture and connectivity of the amphibian medial pallium.

We investigated the cytoarchitecture and connectivity of the medial pallium of amphibians by intracellular recording and biocytin labeling. The experiments were carried out in a whole-brain in vitro preparation in the painted frog, Discoglossus pictus. Four types of neurons with specific axonal projection patterns and position in the medial pallium are distinguished, three types with extratelencephalic and one type with only intratelencephalic projections. Our findings corroborate the assumption that the anuran medial pallium is homologous to the subiculum and Ammon's horn of the mammalian hippocampus at a gross level, while the specific axonal projection patterns differ. Due to the absence of hippocampal neurons with only intrinsic projections, there seems to be no portion homologous to the dentate gyrus.

[Basic treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis. Abstaining from rheumatological care and preferring alternative medicine increase the risk of undertreatment]. / Basistherapie bei früher rheumatoider Arthritis. Verzicht auf rheumatologische Mitbetreuung und Präferenz für Alternativmedizin erhöhen das Risiko einer Unterversorgung.

The major challenge in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the early initiation and long-term continuation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. A total of 916 RA patients (ACR criteria, disease duration <2 years) were investigated in regard to frequency and reasons for DMARD discontinuation. All patients were under rheumatological care at the start of the observation and almost all were receiving DMARDs at study entry (95%). The proportion decreased to 87% within 3 years. Of the 171 patients without DMARD, 5% abstained due to (planned) pregnancy, 28% due to contraindications and/or severe adverse events and 54% due to remission. Only 12% were non-compliant. Multivariate regression analysis revealed non-specialised care (OR 4.6; 59% CI 3.2-6.7), RF seronegativity (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.8-3.8), no patient education (OR 2.2; CI 95% 1.5-3.4), preference for alternative medicine (OR 8.2; 95% CI 4.0-16.8) and > or =10 years of education (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.7) as independent risks for DMARD abstention. Age, sex, comorbidity or disease activity did not influence adherence to DMARD therapy. Since preference for alternative medicine was the strongest risk predictor, further investigations are needed to determine the characteristics of this preference regarding compliance with DMARD medication in RA. The positive influence of patient education on DMARD continuation emphasizes its importance.

Behavioural examination of the infrared sensitivity of rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox).

Pitvipers (Crotalinae) and boid snakes (Boidae) possess highly sensitive infrared (IR) receptors. The ability of these snakes to image IR radiation allows the assessment of the direction and distance of an IR source (such as warm-blooded prey) in the absence of visual cues. The aim of this study was to determine the behavioural threshold of snakes to an IR stimulus. A moving IR source of constant size and temperature was presented to rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) at various distances (10-160 cm) from their snout. The snakes' responses were quantified by measuring distinct behavioural changes during stimulus presentation (head jerks, head fixed, freezing, rattling and tongue-flicking). The results revealed that C. atrox can detect an artificial IR stimulus resembling a mouse in temperature and size up to a distance of 100 cm, which corresponds to a radiation density of 3.35 x 10(-3) mW/cm2. These behavioural results reveal a 3.2 times higher sensitivity to IR radiation than earlier electrophysiological investigations.

[Comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis of early onset. Effects on outcome parameters]. / Komorbidität bei früher rheumatoider Arthritis. Besonders betroffene Outcomeparameter.

Three-year follow-up data of 1,032 patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were analyzed regarding the frequency of 21 common comorbid chronic conditions and their impact on health outcome (i.e., pain, functional capacity, disease activity, and radiographic joint damage). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to calculate age- and gender-adjusted odds ratios for each chronic condition on severe functional capacity (<60% of full function). Comorbidity was already common at the onset of RA, with 72% of the patients having at least one comorbid condition and almost 50% having at least two. Common comorbidities were associated with significantly worse baseline measures in at least three of seven investigated outcome parameters. The more of these conditions patients had, the worse their 3-year outcome. Functional capacity was most sensitive to comorbid conditions. In logistic regression, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, type II diabetes, and osteoporosis resulted in a twofold risk of severe functional limitation (<60% of full function), independent of each other and of age and gender. The impact of comorbidity on measures of disease severity should be considered when used to compare outcome parameters of different RA samples.

The spitting behavior of two species of spitting cobras.

Spitting cobras defend themselves by spitting their venom in the face of a harasser. Although it is common belief that spitting cobras direct their venom at the eyes of an aggressor, this has never been investigated. Here, we show that the spitting act of cobras (Naja nigricollis and N. pallida) can readily be triggered by a moving human face or by a moving real size photo of a human face. In contrast, a stationary human face (real or photo) or a moving or stationary human hand does not trigger the spitting act. If threatened, spitting cobras aim their venom, ejected either in two distinct jets (N. pallida) or in a fine spray (N. nigricollis), either between the eyes or at one eye. In both cobra species investigated, the width and height of the area hit by the venom was independent of eye distance (test range 5.5 cm and 11 cm). During the spitting act the cobras performed fast undulating head movements that lead to a larger distribution of their venom. This behavior increases the probability that at least one eye of the aggressor is hit.

[Need for and availability of services by nursing insurance for patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Bedarf an und Versorgung mit Leistungen aus der Pflegeversicherung bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis.

UNLABELLED: Although rheumatoid arthritis is amongst those functional disabling diseases requiring massive help and care, there is as yet no study on how RA patients master their everyday lives, nor are there reports on how many of those patients are in need of and/or do in fact receive benefits from the German Nursing Care Insurance. METHODS: In a representative sample of considerably disabled RA patients (functional capacity < 67%) in rheumatological care it was investigated how many patients received nursing care insurance benefits and how many more would have been entitled to receive them. Standardized interviews exploring functional capacity, amount of help and care needed and help-seeking behaviour were conducted to determine which patient-related and resource-related characteristics were associated with unmet need regarding the patients entitlement to benefits of nursing care insurance. Using the relation between justified need for nursing care insurance benefits and the functional status score, a coefficient was computed by logistic regression to project the expected proportion of RA patients entitled to care insurance benefits. RESULTS: A projected 5.4% of all RA patients needed benefits from the nursing care insurance, but only 63% of those did in fact receive benefits. It was found that unmet need was almost exclusively due to the fact that patients actually eligible for insurance benefits did not apply for it, whereas unjustified rejection of applications by insurance experts made up for only a marginal proportion. CONCLUSION: Applying for nursing care insurance benefits is still not a matter of course. It must be considered that about one third of all obviously care-dependent RA patients either claim care insurance benefits too late or never do. To avoid unmet need, experts should encourage particularly those patients who are unaware of their right to ask for help.

[Help status and help prospects of severely handicapped patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Hilfesituation und Hilfeperspektive von erheblich beeinträchtigten Kranken mit rheumatoider Arthritis.

UNLABELLED: Although increased efforts have been made, rheumatoid arthritis still leads to severe disability and dependence on external help in about one-third of the patients. Relatively little is known on how help-dependent RA patients manage everyday life, to what extent they need help, by whom the help is given, what the patients' future help perspectives are and what kind of patient- and resource-related characteristics are associated with unmet need. METHODS: By means of standardized interviews a representative sample of severly disabled RA patients was investigated with respect to present life situation, functional capacity, amount of help needed, relationship of caregiver and patient, health status of caregiver, stability of the help situation, housing preferences and help-seeking behaviour. The patients were classified as being either in definite need of help or independent of external help. RESULTS: Patients with comparable disabilities living on their own had only one-third of the help of those living together with others. They received help slightly more often from non-family caregivers, such as visiting nurses or privately paid household help, than from family members. Although many patients had rather uncertain perspectives for the future, the majority vehemently rejected living in a retirement home or in a home for the disabled. This refusal to live in an institution was independent of functional capacity, adequacy of the present help situation and the financial situation. Unmet need was highly associated with the age and health status of the caregiver as well as the help-seeking behaviour of the dependent person, but not with functional status or available resources. CONCLUSION: Given an appropriate home, the majority of conditions for a self-determined life for help-dependent RA patients are satisfied by the present outpatient help and care systems in Germany, but patients and their care givers need to be encouraged to take advantage of the available help and care facilities.

[Out-of-pocket medical spending for care in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis]. / Was kostet die rheumatoide Arthritis den Erkrankten? "Out-of-Pocket"--Ausgaben im Frühstadium der Erkrankung.

We examined out-of-pocket medical expenditures (OoP) of 869 patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (ACR criteria, disease duration <2 years) using data from a prospective observational cohort. Out-of-pocket costs were retrospectively assessed for a period of 6 months by a list of 14 cost domains. Of the patients, 82% had costs due to copayments for prescribed drugs and 56% for over-the-counter drugs. Within six months each patient spent an average of 47 (+/- 67) Euro as co-payment and 45 (+/- 96) Euro for over-the-counter drugs. A comparable sum was spent for complementary and alternative medicine (47+/-250 Euro), which was used by 14% of the patients. The mean total OoP expenditure caused by RA was 628 Euro p.a. (median 306, IQ 66-334 Euro). The median costs accounted for approximately 2% of the average disposable yearly income in Germany. Out-of-pocket spending increased with functional limitations, poor health condition and pain as well as with level of education. A multivariate logistical regression analysis showed that patients with these characteristics spent about twice as much as patients with mild disease or low educational level. The odds ratios for having more than 306 Euro OoP-costs p.a. were OR=2.6 (CI 1.7-4) for patients with severe vs. moderate functional disability (HAQ> or =1.5 vs <1.5), OR=2.4 (CI 1.4-4.4) for patients in poor vs. good health condition (NRS 7-10 vs 0-3), and OR=2.1 for patients with severe vs. mild pain (CI 1.4-3.3). The level of OoP spending also varied by employment status (OR=0.28; CI 0.1-0.6 for jobless vs employed patients). Despite almost universal insurance coverage in Germany, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were exposed to substantial OoP expenditures. As policymakers discuss cost sharing and design of benefit packages to contain health spending, it is important to consider the expenditures that persons with chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis already have.

[Research in patient care in the rheumatology specialty network--what is the benefit for improving patient care?]. / Versorgungsforschung im Kompetenznetz Rheuma--Was leistet sie für die Verbesserung der Versorgung?

One of the areas of research in the Rheumatology Competence Network deals with health services research. It evaluates the structures and outcomes of rheumatological care. The paper presents selected results from the projects in the field of health services research. Data for rheumatoid arthritis are presented according to the criteria for the inclusion of diseases in new health care programs ("Disease Management"). The national database of the German Collaborative Arthritis Centers and cohort studies show the high individual and economic burden of disease in rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment by rheumatologists and non-rheumatologists differs greatly and leads to different outcomes. There is great potential for improvement. Data on practice variation within the rheumatologic subspecialty are used for quality management. The involvement of rheumatology into new concepts of care offers the chance to show the effectiveness of rheumatologic care and to enhance existing forms of cooperation.

[Adaption and validation of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for use in Germany]. / Validierung einer deutschen Version des Fragebogens BASDAI zur Messung der Krankheitsaktivität bei ankylosierender Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was the validation of a German translation of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Index (BASDAI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The German translation of the BASDAI was validated using data of 134 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from a spondyloarthropathy cohort. For validation the BASDAI was compared with parameters assessed by physicians (physicians global, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), spinal mobility (BASMI), swollen joints, enthesitis (yes or no)), and parameters assessed by patients themselves (pain, function (BASFI) and quality of life (SF-12)). The discriminative validity was analyzed by comparison of BASDAI scores of patients subgroups who have different levels of disease severity. The sensibility to change was analyzed by using follow-up data of a clinical trial on efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha agent infliximab in 70 AS-patients with active and severe disease. RESULTS: The German translation of the BASDAI was easy to understand, the translation back to English corresponded well with the original English version. The 6 questions of the BASDAI represent different aspects of disease but correlated also well with each other (r < 0.65). There was a good internal consistency for all 6 questions (Cronbach's Alpha 0.82), strong correlations to the physician's global (r = 0.659), pain (r = 789), function (BASFI; r = 0.752) and to CRP and ESR confirming that the BASDAI assesses a comprehensive picture of patient's disease activity. For subgroups of patients with different levels of disease severity or with different manifestations the BASDAI showed good discriminative properties. The BASDAI was sensitive to change during treatment with infliximab (effect size 1.18). CONCLUSION: The German translation of the BASDAI is easy to use, reliable, and sensitive to change for the assessment of disease activity in AS.