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Previous surveys have suggested marked ethnic and geographical variation in the occurrence of joint hypermobility. We investigated the prevalence of joint hypermobility and the influences of age, sex, body mass and occupation in a rural Yoruba population in Nigeria. The study sample consisted of 204 individuals aged 6–66 yr from the townships of Igbo-ora and Eruwa in south western Nigeria. Sixty-eight had reported joint pain as part of a population survey of arthritic disorders and each was age and sex matched with one household and one neighbour control. Joint hypermobility was assessed, at four peripheral sites bilaterally and forward flexion of the trunk, by a single observer using the Beighton score. Each subject had weight and height recorded, answered a brief questionnaire about occupation and joint symptoms and was examined for peripheral joint disease. Only 11 (5%) of the subjects were negative at all five sites whereas 111 (54%) were hypermobile at three or more sites including 23(11%) positive at all five. Using a score of 4/9 or greater as a cutoff, 88 (43%) were positive, including 35% of males and 57% of females. There was a linear decline with age in females but a more rapid decline only to age 35 yr in males. There was no relation to body mass or occupation. We conclude that joint hypermobility amongst this population is substantially greater than that recorded for other groups but is not associated with joint pain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Thirty-five patients with rotator cuff tendinitis were randomly allocated to active (CB Medico Master III 830 nm Ga As AL diode) laser or dummy laser treatment twice weekly for 8 weeks. Movement range, painful are score, resisted movement score and responses to visual analogue scales for night pain, rest pain, movement pain and functional limitation were measured second weekly. All responses improved from baseline but there was no difference between the two groups. These results fail to demonstrate the effectiveness of laser therapy in rotator cuff tendinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An open prospective study using i.v. methylprednisolone in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) who had had a systemic exacerbation of disease is described. Eighteen children aged from 3 to 15 yr and 9 months (mean 9.7 yr) were treated. Ten patients (55%) had a loss of all systemic features 1 month after the pulse, and eight (45%) had a reduction in the active joint count. At this time, five of the patients on oral prednisolone had achieved a reduction in dosage. Also at 1 month, a reduction in erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed in 11 patients (61%) and of C-reactive protein in 11 of 16 (72%). Altogether, 13 patients (72%) had a good response, while a further three (16%) went into remission. Our conclusions are that pulse methylprednisolone provides good short-term benefit in patients with systemic-onset JCA; no serious side-effects were noted. Further long-term studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We have studied IgG antibodies to recombinant mycobacterial 65 kDa heat-shock protein in West African rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and local control groups, including those with tuberculosis or malaria. Mean levels were higher among the patients with RA than among healthy controls, but did not achieve statistical significance. Our findings may relate to the level of mycobacterial exposure in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Using a synthetic peptide (P62) we have investigated antibodies to rheumatoid arthritis nuclear antigen (RANA) in 58 West African patients with RA, 51 with malaria, 111 with tuberculosis (TB) and 166 healthy controls by ELISA using a synthetic peptide (P62). As in Western populations the RA.sera showed significantly increased levels of anti-P62 antibodies though in our study the mean litres were only elevated twofold above the controls. The levels in malaria and TB were normal. Our data extend previous work by showing that raised anti-P62 antibodies is a consistent finding in RA world-wide including indigenous West African patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Soft tissue disorders including shoulder lesions are uncommonly reported in Africans. A combined hospital and community study amongst an African population showed that soft tissue shoulder lesions are not uncommon; however, medical attention is seldom sought for these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An open prospective study using i.v. methylprednisolone in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) who had had a systemic exacerbation of disease is described. Eighteen children aged from 3 to 14 yr and 9 months (mean 9.7 yr) were treated. Ten patients (55%) had a loss of all systemic features 1 month after the pulse, and eight (45%) had a reduction in the active joint count. At this time, five of the patients on oral prednisolone had achieved a reduction in dosage. Also at 1 month, a reduction in erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed in 11 patients (61%) and of C-reactive protein in 11 of 16 (72%). Altogether, 13 patients (72%) had a good response, while a further three (16%) went into remission. Our conclusions are that pulse methylprednisolone provides good short-term benefit in patients with systemic-onset JCA; no serious side-effects were noted. Further long-term studies are warranted.

We have studied IgG antibodies to recombinant mycobacterial 65 kDa heat-shock protein in West African rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and local control groups, including those with tuberculosis or malaria. Mean levels were higher among the patients with RA than among healthy controls, but did not achieve statistical significance. Our findings may relate to the level of mycobacterial exposure in West Africa.