However , the 4 generic scales would benefit from further validation in patients with RA , the VAS requires st and ardization , and the MAF would benefit from further sensitivity data .
OBJECTIVE Fatigue is an important outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) .
The purpose of this study was to identify the scales being used to measure RA fatigue , and to systematic ally examine the evidence for their validation .
Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin and intravenous iron on anemia and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether treatment of anemia of chronic disease ( ACD ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) with recombinant human erythropoietin ( rHu-Epo ) in combination with intravenous ( i.v . ) iron influences health related quality of life ( HRQoL ) and clinical outcome including disease activity . METHODS Thirty patients with ACD and RA were treated with 150 IU/kg rHu-Epo twice weekly for 12 weeks . As well , in case of functional iron deficiency 200 mg of iron-sucrose per week was given intravenously . Vitality and fatigue as dimensions of HRQoL were evaluated by the vitality subscale of the Short Form-36 ( SF-36-VT ) and the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue ( MAF ) . Muscle strength was measured by the Muscle Strength Index . RESULTS All 28 patients completing the study responded to treatment ; 23/28 patients developed functional iron deficiency and received i.v . iron ( mean absolute dose 710 + /- 560 mg ) . Average hemoglobin concentration increased from 10.7 + /- 1.1 to 13.2 + /- 1.0 g/dl after a mean treatment period of 8.7 + /- 2.3 weeks . Muscle strength increased from 43.5 + /- 11.2 to 49.1 + /- 12.9 and SF-36-VT from 28.2 % + /- 14.3 % to 47.1 % + /- 20.8 % . while fatigue decreased ( MAF from 34.7 + /- 9.3 to 25.0 + /- 11.3 ) . Among the disease activity variables the number of swollen/tender joints , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , Disease Activity Score , and RA Disease Activity Index improved significantly during treatment . CONCLUSION Treatment of ACD in RA patients with rHu-Epo and i.v . iron is safe and effective in correction of anemia , increases muscle strength . improves vitality , and lowers fatigue . In addition we observed a reduction of disease activity
However , the 4 generic scales would benefit from further validation in patients with RA , the VAS requires st and ardization , and the MAF would benefit from further sensitivity data .
OBJECTIVE Fatigue is an important outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) .
The purpose of this study was to identify the scales being used to measure RA fatigue , and to systematic ally examine the evidence for their validation .