We investigated body image in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), correlating it with self-esteem, function, and quality of life. Forty-three RA patients and 39 control individuals from the community between 18 and 70 years of age and paired for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. Patients were assessed for body image [Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE)], self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), function [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)] and quality of life [Short Form-36 (SF-36)]. The RA group had a mean age of 51.6 years, BMI 26.01, and disease duration 12.2 years. Most participants were categorized in functional class I. The BDDE score of the RA group (51.8) was significantly higher than in the control group (22.6) (p < 0.001). Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, HAQ and some SF-36 subscales were worse in the RA group than in the control group. These scores had a direct correlation with body image scores (p < 0.001). Individuals with RA had a worse body image than individuals without this condition. Body image was directly correlated with self-esteem, function, and quality of life.

We investigated body image in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), correlating it with self-esteem, function, and quality of life. Forty-three RA patients and 39 control individuals from the community between 18 and 70 years of age and paired for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. Patients were assessed for body image [Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination (BDDE)], self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), function [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)] and quality of life [Short Form-36 (SF-36)]. The RA group had a mean age of 51.6 years, BMI 26.01, and disease duration 12.2 years. Most participants were categorized in functional class I. The BDDE score of the RA group (51.8) was significantly higher than in the control group (22.6) (p < 0.001). Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, HAQ and some SF-36 subscales were worse in the RA group than in the control group. These scores had a direct correlation with body image scores (p < 0.001). Individuals with RA had a worse body image than individuals without this condition. Body image was directly correlated with self-esteem, function, and quality of life.

Context. Physiological changes due to the aging process cause balance deficit and increased risk of falls, more frequently in women. Exercises improve balance and prevent falls; and aquatic exercises are recommended as an alternative strategy to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, in a safer environment for older persons. Objective. To evaluate the additional effects of on balance an aquatic muscle strengthening and flexibility training program in healthy sedentary lifestyle elderly women. Method. This controlled clinical trial included 56 healthy sedentary women, aged from 65 to 70 years, divided into two groups. The aquatic group (AG) underwent aquatic training (45 minutes/session, 32 sessions), and the control group (CG) received no intervention. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention, during a one-week period. Lower limb muscle strength was measured by a force sensor (myometer). Flexibility was measured by biophotogrammetry. Functional balance was evaluated by the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results. Muscle strength, flexibility, and balance improved in AG (p<0.001), but not in CG. Conclusion. The aquatic exercises program, which was originally developed to promote muscle strength and flexibility, also improved functional balance. Aquatic training is an option for physical health promotion for sedentary lifestyle elderly women.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) generates inflammation and pain in entheses, peripheral joints and the spine. Education regarding AS can improve patients' disability. Thus, it is important to assess patients' knowledge. There is no instrument in the literature for assessing knowledge of AS in Portuguese. The aim here was to translate to the Brazilian Portuguese language, culturally adapt and test the reliability of the questionnaire "Ankylosing Spondylitis: What do you know?" and to correlate the findings with other factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Original article regarding validation of questionnaire, produced at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (Unifesp). METHODS: For translation and cultural adaptation, Guilleman methodology was used. After the first phase, the reliability was tested on 30 patients. Correlations between these scores and other factors were examined. RESULTS: In the interobserver assessment, the Pearson correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha were 0.831 and 0.895, respectively. In the intraobserver evaluation, the intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha were 0.79 and 0.883, respectively. At this stage, the score for area of knowledge A showed correlations with ethnicity and education; the score for area D, with age; the total score and scores for areas A and B with "social aspects" of SF-36; and the score for area D with "pain", "vitality" and "emotional aspects" of SF-36. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the questionnaire "Ankylosing Spondylitis: What do you know?" was created. It is reproducible and correlates with education level, ethnicity and the SF-36 domains "social aspects" and "emotional aspects". entre o escore total e escores das áreas A e B e "aspectos sociais" do SF-36 e entre a área D e "dor", "vitalidade" e "aspectos emocionais" do SF-36. CONCLUSÃO: Foi criada a versão brasileira do questionário "Ankylosing Spondylitis: What do you know?", que é reprodutível e se correlaciona com escolaridade, etnia e os domínios "aspectos sociais" e "aspectos emocionais" do SF-36. RESUMO