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Objective: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Finnish version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2) in Finnish patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: The reliability of the Finnish AIMS2 (Finn-AIMS2) questionnaire was assessed by test retest procedure and internal consistency of health-status scales. Construct validity was assessed by factor analysis, and convergent validity by correlation coefficients, with several disease activity and functional status variables.Results: Internal consistency was 0.79-0.89 and test retest reliability 0.72-0.97. Factor analysis identified three factors: physical, psychosocial, and pain. There were strong correlations between the Finn-AIMS2 health-status scales and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).Conclusion: The Finn-AIMS2 questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring health status in middle-aged Finnish patients with RA. The results also support the applicability of AIMS2 in comparisons in multinational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe multiple sclerosis and its impact on individuals' perceived problems in functioning, particularly in the domains of self-care, mobility and domestic life.Design: A population-based study in a prevalence cohort of multiple sclerosis subjects in Central Finland region carried out in the year 2000.Subjects: A total of 240 subjects with multiple sclerosis.Methods: A postal questionnaire for assessing physical functioning was developed.Results: Ninety percent of the study population completed the study. Subjects' average age was 48.2 years (range 20-76 years) and time since symptom onset was 15.8 years (range 0-56 years). Of the subjects, 82% were fully independent in self-care activities and 53% in domestic life, 50% were able to walk without any perceived problems and 38% had a permanent need for a walking aid. Fatigue was the most frequent complaint having an impact on subjects' daily life. Ninety-five subjects out of 240 (40%) were engaged in working life.Conclusion: These data give a clear indication of favourable functioning in mobility, self-care and domestic life. However, the fact remains that multiple sclerosis is a disabling and costly disease. These results provide information for use by local and national authorities in planning and co-ordinating rehabilitation interventions and social services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine cardiorespiratory responses to six basic aquatic exercises and to compare the impact of the exercises between healthy females (H group, n=10) and females with diagnosed cardiopulmonary diseases (C group, n=10). The average age of the participants was 52.6(+/-5.9) years. Each exercise was performed for 3 min. During the exercises, heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO[2]), blood lactate concentration (BLA), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. In each pair of exercises, the latter part was more strenuous than the first. Walking in place was least and cross-country skiing the most strenuous mode of exercise. Energy expenditure (EE) ranged between 2.5+/-0.8 MET in the C group and 6.0+/-1.6 MET in the H group. RPE ranged between 11.0+/-2.5 in the C group and 13.6+/-2.4 in the H group. The C group had significantly lower HR in cross-country skiing and running forward, as well as lower VO[2] in running in place, cross-country skiing and running forward, as compared to the H group. BLA in the C group was significantly lower than in the H group. We conclude that the studied aquatic exercises may be utilized as an aerobic exercise with moderate to moderately high strain for both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the impairments of upper body and limbs, activity limitations and participation restrictions 6 and 12 months after operation for breast cancer and to examine the impact of impairments on activity limitations. Design: A prospective survey 6 and 12 months after operation. Patients: Ninety-six breast cancer patients. Methods: A questionnaire for assessing the impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions was developed. Results: The most common impairments 6 months after operation were breast and axilla scar tightness, axilla oedema and neck-shoulder pain. At 12-month follow-up the breast scar tightness ( p =0.008) and axilla oedema ( p =0.023) decreased, and limb ache ( p =0.005) increased significantly. The most limiting impairments were axilla oedema and limb numbness 6 months after operation, and at 12-month follow-up axilla oedema. Lifting, carrying and reaching out caused worsening of impairments to more than half of the respondents at 6-month follow-up. Regression analysis showed that many impairments together were determinants of activity limitations and sleep impairment. Participation restrictions were constant. Respondents had not given up participation in activities in the home, but some had abandoned leisure activities and felt that their work ability had decreased. Conclusion: Impairments and their impact on activities were frequent and constant. There is an urgent need for developing rehabilitation protocols for breast cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this cohort study, dynamic trunk extensor performance was studied as a predictor of permanent work disability due to back disorders. As part of the comprehensive Mini-Finland Health Survey in 1978-80, the back muscle performance of 535 persons (267 men, 268 women) was measured using standardized repetitive arch-up and sit-up tests. At baseline, the participants were between 30 and 64 years of age. Retirements were followed for 12 years on average. During the follow-up, 56 subjects developed permanent work disability; 15 of these cases were back-related. Good dynamic trunk extensor performance was predictive of a decreased incidence of work disability due to chronic back disorders but not work disability due to other diseases. The risk of back-related work disability in the three highest quartiles in relation to the lowest quartile of dynamic trunk extension capacity was 0.28 (95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.94). Our study suggests that good dynamic trunk extension performance may protect against back-related permanent work disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle strength and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (BMDspine) and femoral neck (BMDfem) were determined in 20 healthy women and in 20 women with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The mean duration of articular symptoms of the patients was eleven months and none of them had used glucocorticoids or disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. BMDs were measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Knee extension, trunk extension, and flexion as well as grip strength were measured with David 200 and Digitest dynamometers. BMDspine (1.17 g/cm2 and 1.20 g/cm2) and BMDfem (0.98 g/cm2 and 0.96 g/cm2) between the women with early RA and healthy women did not differ. However, knee extension strength was 46%, grip strength 31%, trunk extension strength 14% and overall muscle strength index 29% lower in RA women (p < 0.020-0.001) than in healthy subjects. Femoral neck BMD correlated statistically significantly with knee extension strength and muscle strength index in both groups and with trunk extension and flexion strength as well as rapid force development in RA women. The data indicates that the loss of muscle strength is clearly visible during the first months of disease but the significant bone loss at central bone regions develops later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]