Motion analysis of the wrist joints in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study

The effect of rheumatoid arthritis on upper extremity functions: A kinematic perspective

AIM

To examine the global upper extremity kinematics in 3D while performing "jar opening motion" in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to compare these with healthy individuals.

METHOD

Twenty-four women (12 healthy, 12 RA) were included. Evaluations were made with a JAMAR dynamometer, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and 3D kinematic analysis of global upper extremity during "jar opening motion." The time taken during "jar opening motion" was analyzed in 2 parts (Part 1, Part 2), with total time: part 1 + part 2. In addition, shoulder-to-table distance; elbow flexion angle; wrist extension angle; the area scanned and angular rotation by arm, forearm and hand were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

Between groups, there was a statistical difference in: bilateral hand grip strength; part 1, part 2, total time; shoulder-to-table distance; elbow flexion angle; the area scanned by hand; angular rotation of arm and hand in favor of the healthy group (P < .05). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most predictive variable for disability was elbow flexion, explaining 53.9% of disability.

CONCLUSION

Compared to healthy individuals, individuals with RA have slower motion, more elbow flexion, less hand grip strength, circular pattern in hand, rotation in arm and hand. Increased disability may result in greater load on elbow flexion.

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with negatively variable impacts on domains of sleep disturbances: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on specific sleep quality domains and to determine its prevalence. A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase until January 2018 to obtain eligible studies. Score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used as the outcome measurement, and weight mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. In total, eight studies were eligible for inclusion criteria, comprising 658 RA patients and 485 healthy controls. In this meta-analysis, each domain of the PSQI score: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, use of sleep medication, daytime dysfunction and the total score were higher in RA patients than healthy controls. In addition, the relative risk of sleep disturbances among people with RA was 2.37 (95% CI: 1.80, 3.11) compared with people without RA.In conclusion, RA patients scored higher in each dimension of PSQI, and sleep disturbances was more prevalent in RA patients than in controls. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for preventing and treating sleep disturbances among RA patients.