Prevalence of cervical spine instability among Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in South Iraq.

AIM OF THE WORK: This study analysed the prevalence of cervical spine instability in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients following at a single centre in Basrah. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected directly from patients through cervical spine examinations. Each patient was sent for dynamic (flexion and extension) lateral cervical radiographic imaging to assess the presence of atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS), superior migration of the odontoid (SMO) and sub-axial subluxation (SAS). Patients with positive radiographic findings were sent for MRI scans of the cervical spine to assess neurological compression. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of cervical spine instability in RA was 15/203 (7.4%) of the total sample, occurring primarily in patients of 37-65 years old (mean: 48 ±â€¯8.9 years), were 3/15 (20%) aymptomatic. The majority (60%) being at the moderate stage of the disease activity (using a Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI). In terms of type of cervical spine involvement, isolated AAS was found to have the highest occurrence (73.3%), followed by combined SAS and SMO (13.3%), combined AAS and SMO (6.7%), and combined AAS and SAS (6.7%). A significant relationship was found between the type of cervical spine involvement in RA and a disease onset duration, disease activity, body mass index and peripheral erosion with P value < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Cervical spine subluxation in RA patients may be asymptomatic It is therefore essential to obtain a dynamic radiographic image of the cervical spine in order to diagnose cervical spine involvement and protect the patient from severe outcomes.The clinical trial registration number included in a the official document from Ministry of Higher Education and Science Research/Basrah University/Faculty of Medicine to Basrah Health Directorate/Research and Development Division is 72/3588 in 7 Jan 2017.

Manejo del dolor óseo en pacientes cancerosos / Bony pain management in cancerous patients

Las metástasis óseas se desarrollan en aproximadamente 30 a 70% de todos los pacientes con cáncer. El dolor es una experiencia de la condición humana universal, y es común que las personas busquen atención médica a raíz de ello. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo describir la eficacia y el papel de diferentes estrategias en el control del dolor óseo en pacientes cancerosos metastásicos. Se trata de un estudio observacional realizado entre el 1 de diciembre de 2018 y el 30 de diciembre de 2019. Se inscribieron exactamente 100 pacientes cancerosos. Los pacientes fueron evaluados antes de recibir las modalidades de control del dolor, al principio y al final del tratamiento. La puntuación del dolor óseo se utilizó de 0 (sin dolor) a 10 (el peor dolor). Nuestros hallazgos con respecto al sexo, hubo 51 (51%) hombres y 49 (49%) mujeres. La edad media fue de 57,3 ± 11,2 años y el grupo de edad más frecuente fue de 41-50 años, 37 (37%). Entre los tipos de cáncer, el cáncer de mama ocupa el primer lugar entre los casos estudiados en nuestra investigación 37 (37%), seguido del cáncer de próstata 24 (24%). Las vértebras de la columna fueron el sitio más representado en un 52%, seguido de los huesos pélvicos en un 36%. La mayoría de los pacientes no requirieron cirugía. Mientras que el 15% de los pacientes se sometieron a descompresión del cordón, el 13% requirió fijación interna y solo cuatro pa- LA PRENSA MÉDICA ARGENTINA Bony pain management in cancerous patients 117 V.107/Nº 2 cientes se sometieron a vertebroplastia. El dolor agudo se describió comúnmente en un 40%, seguido de naturaleza punzante en un 15%. El dolor frecuente fue más prevalente en el 60% de los pacientes, mientras que el dolor constante se presentó en el 40%. La noche fue el momento más común de sentir dolor en el 55%. Después de recibir el tratamiento, varias modalidades provocan un desplazamiento de la puntuación del dolor hacia abajo. Combinación de más de estrategias más eficientes que utilizar una opción para el manejo del dolor óseo con un mejor resultado y pronóstico.

Bone metastases develop in approximately 30­70% of all cancer patients. Pain is a universal human experience condition, and it is a common question for people to seek health care. The study aimed to describe the efficacy and roles of different strategies in the control of bony pain in metastatic cancerous patients. This is an observational study carried out, from the 1st of December 2018 to the 30th of December 2019. Exactly 100 cancerous patients were enrolled. Patients were assessed before received of pain control modalities, in the beginning, and at the end of treatment. Bone pain scoring was used from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain). Our findings regarding sex, there were 51(51%) male and 49(49%) female. The mean age was 57.3±11.2 years, and the most frequent age group was 41-50 years as 37(37%). Among cancer types, breast cancer comes in 1st rank cases studied in our research 37(37%), followed by prostate cancer 24(24%). Spine vertebrae were the most site figured 52%, followed by pelvic bones in 36%. Most patients did not require surgery. Whereas 15% of patients underwent cord decompression, 13% required internal fixation and only four patients performed for vertebroplasty. The sharp pain was commonly described by 40%, followed by stabbing nature in 15%. Frequent pain was more prevalent in 60% of patients, whereas constant pain presented in 40%. The night was the commonest timing of feeling pain in 55%. After receiving treatment, several modalities cause shifting of the pain scoring downward. Combination of more than strategies more efficient than of use one option for manage of bone pain with a better outcome, and prognosis.