The prevalence and clinical characteristics of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis among patients with inflammatory back pain in rheumatology practices: a multinational, multicenter study

BACKGROUND: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who by definition have radiographic sacroiliitis, typically experience symptoms for a decade or more before being diagnosed. Yet, even patients without radiographic sacroiliitis (i.e., nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis [nr-axSpA]) report a significant disease burden. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of nr-axSpA among patients with inflammatory back pain (IBP) in rheumatology clinics in a number of countries across the world. A secondary objective was to estimate the prevalence of IBP among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Data were collected from 51 rheumatology outpatient clinics in 19 countries in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. As consecutive patients with CLBP (N = 2517) were seen by physicians at the sites, their clinical histories were evaluated to determine whether they met the new Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for IBP. For those who did, their available clinical history (e.g., family history, C-reactive protein [CRP] levels) was documented in a case report form to establish whether they met criteria for nr-axSpA, AS, or other IBP. Patients diagnosed with nr-axSpA or AS completed patient-reported outcome measures to assess disease activity and functional limitations. RESULTS: A total of 2517 patients with CLBP were identified across all sites. Of these, 974 (38.70 %) fulfilled the criteria for IBP. Among IBP patients, 29.10 % met criteria for nr-axSpA, and 53.72 % met criteria for AS. The prevalence of nr-axSpA varied significantly by region (p < 0.05), with the highest prevalence reported in Asia (36.46 %) and the lowest reported in Africa (16.02 %). Patients with nr-axSpA reported mean ± SD Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP of 2.62 ± 1.17 and 2.52 ± 1.21, respectively, indicating high levels of disease activity (patients with AS reported corresponding scores of 2.97 ± 1.13 and 2.93 ± 1.18). Similarly, the overall Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index score of 4.03 ± 2.23 for patients with nr-axSpA (4.56 ± 2.17 for patients with AS) suggested suboptimal disease control. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in the centers that participated in the study, 29 % of patients with IBP met the criteria for nr-axSpA and 39 % of patients with CLBP had IBP. The disease burden in nr-axSpA is substantial and similar to that of AS, with both groups of patients experiencing inadequate disease control. These findings suggest the need for early detection of nr-axSpA and initiation of available treatment options to slow disease progression and improve patient well-being

Use of Mobile Phones and the Social Lives of Urban Adolescents: A Review of Literature

Purpose: The review investigates some aspects of the emerging literature on the culture of mobile phones in the emerging societies. Pertinent issues include the psychosocial aspects of communication technology; patterns of interaction with peers, parents and anonymous others; status hierarchy in terms of ownership and the various functions that mobile phone has in shaping the identity of adolescents. The study also highlights how school, home and public places (such as public transport) serve as settings for the mobile interactions.Methodology: The study uses the previous literature as a base to explore the use of mobile technology.Findings: The findings suggest that the urban adolescents use mobile phones for a wide range of activities in their social lives. Social contacts are replaced by virtual -world contacts because of mobile phone usage.Social Implications: The study is expected to generate valuable implications for parents, educators and developers of communication technologies. Every change in public policies and each new innovation in technology must take into account the impact it has on the social lives of adolescents.Originality/Value: The study intends to enlighten future research in mobile phone research and will definitely take in to account the adolescent lot while researching various facets of mobile technology.Keywords: Adolescent Communication; Mobile-Phone Culture; Social Contacts; Mobile Communication SystemsPaper Type: Revie

Spiritual and psychological health of Malaysian youths

The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of and association between measures of spiritual and psychological health in a sample of 358 undergraduate students of International Islamic University Malaysia (Mean age = 22.25 years, SD = 1.87). All the study variables correlated signifi cantly positive with each other. Significant gender difference existed in terms of mean life satisfaction scores only, with females more satisfied than males. Overall, spiritual well-being predicted self-efficacy, self-esteem, and life satisfaction significantly. Surprisingly, existential well-being predicted self-efficacy, self-esteem, and life satisfaction significantly, whereas religious well-being failed to do so. Discussion includes implications of the present findings for counseling practice and guidelines for future research

Parents’ attitudes towards inclusion of sexuality education in Malaysian schools

The present study examined the attitudes of Malaysian rural parents regarding sexual health education in elementary schools. Using a comprehensive list of sex education topics, parents were asked to examine which topics they believed should be taught at schools. In addition, the study also assessed the relationship between parents’ demographic characteristics such as age, gender, education, and occupation and their approval of sexual health education. The respondents of the study included parents (n=211) of children registered in four selected schools in Kedah, Malaysia. The majority of them (73%) supported the inclusion of various sexual health topics in school curriculum provided the contents were in line with religious teachings. The study has generated important empirical findings regarding local community’s response to school-based sexuality education. This information is needed in facilitating the development of sexual health policy at various institutional levels, and in the effective implementation of sexual health curriculum in Malaysian schools

Spiritual and Psychological health of Malaysian youths

The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of and association between measures of spiritual and psychological health in a sample of 358 undergraduate students of International Islamic University Malaysia (Mean age = 22.25 years, SD = 1.87). All the study variables correlated signifi cantly positive with each other. Significant gender difference existed in terms of mean life satisfaction scores only, with females more satisfied than males. Overall, spiritual well-being predicted self-efficacy, self-esteem, and life satisfaction significantly. Surprisingly, existential well-being predicted self-efficacy, self-esteem, and life satisfaction significantly, whereas religious well-being failed to do so. Discussion includes implications of the present findings for counseling practice and guidelines for future research

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis among patients with inflammatory back pain in rheumatology practices: a multinational, multicenter study

Background: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who by definition have radiographic sacroiliitis, typically experience symptoms for a decade or more before being diagnosed. Yet, even patients without radiographic sacroiliitis (i.e., nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis [nr-axSpA]) report a significant disease burden. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of nr-axSpA among patients with inflammatory back pain (IBP) in rheumatology clinics in a number of countries across the world. A secondary objective was to estimate the prevalence of IBP among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP)