Validation of the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group and B. Amor criteria for spondylarthropathies in Lebanon.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To validate European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) and B. Amor's criteria for spondylarthropathies in Lebanon. 2) To evaluate the frequency of spondylarthropathies in rheumatological practice in Lebanon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cases of definite and probable spondylarthropathy were diagnosed based on the clinical judgement of participating rheumatologists, without reference to the two criteria sets under study. The first two patients without spondylarthropathy seen after each spondylarthropathy case were included into the control group. Criteria in the ESSG and B. Amor sets were looked for in the patient and control groups. The frequency of spondylarthropathy meeting each criteria set was determined. RESULTS: Of the 841 patients evaluated during the study period, 68 met B. Amor's criteria and 72 met ESSG criteria. There were 29 cases of ankylosing spondylitis (40.3%), ten of peripheral psoriatic arthritis (13.8%), two of reactive arthritis (2.8%), two of enteropathic arthropathy (2.8%), and 29 of undifferentiated spondylarthropathy (40.3%). In the definite spondylarthropathy group, sensitivity and specificity were 77.19% and 97.55% for B. Amor's criteria versus 91.23% and 100% for ESSG criteria. The frequency of spondylarthropathy was 8.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3-9.9) or 8.56% (CI 6.6-10.5) according to B. Amor and ESSG criteria, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data validate both criteria sets in the Lebanese population, demonstrating that they are useful in populations that are genetically different from the European populations used to develop them. Spondyloarthropathy is the most common in our rheumatology practice.

[Bone x-ray computed tomographic densitometry by the dual energy technic in a single rotation. Initial results]. / Densitométrie osseuse scanographique par technique de la double énergie en une seule rotation. Premiers résultats.

Computed tomography is one of the most promising methods for the non-invasive measurement of the bone mass. A review of the theoretical bases of the double energy technique developed by the authors' experimental study on tubes containing defined calcium concentrations and on cadaver vertebrae, demonstrates the value of this investigation in this field. The theoretical study also reveals the limitations of the technique, in particular the decrease in the values induced by fat. The value of this new technique has been confirmed by the preliminary clinical results obtained in non-osteoporotic control women and in women with confirmed osteoporosis, which obviously need to be confirmed by larger series.