Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are clinically characterized by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive manifestations, motor and verbal tics, as well as other behavioral symptoms in a group of children with B-hemolytic streptococcal infection. PANDAS are considered autoimmune diseases because the streptococcal infection and response can be demonstrated. The most frequent physiopathological mechanism is molecular mimicry: A foreign antigen shares sequence or structural similarities with self-antigens. A thorough review of the literature was carried out using the PubMed database and SCOPUS, searching for immunological, clinical and microbiological aspects, as well as the treatment of the PANDAS syndrome. The diagnosis is clinical and it requires a careful medical history and a thorough physical examination, while the treatment is complex. Untreated or unrecognized manifestations of PANDAS can increase the risk of obsessive-compulsive manifestations and tics during adulthood. Taking this into consideration, further studies are required to establish the best method of therapy. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Methods 3. Results 4. Conclusions

Background and objectives: The main objective of this study is to highlight the efficiency of different therapeutic means in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, resulting in the improvement of their quality of life. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized, longitudinal, controlled trial on 92 patients with ankylosing spondylitis over a period of 6 years. Disease activity was assessed using the BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) score. The assessment of functional disabilities was performed using BASFI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index). We assessed the quality of life using the HAQ questionnaire (Health Assessment Questionnaire). Based on the HAQ, we calculated the minimum number of patients to be treated for 52 weeks to prevent a decrease in the quality of life for at least one of them (the number needed to treat (NNT)). Results: For the combination therapy group, the result we obtained was 2, lower than the other therapies compared (the medication group and the group with physical exercise). We point out a correlation between the improvement of the functional status (BASFI) and the increase of the quality of life (HAQ), estimated as moderately high (0.8). The superiority of the effects of the combined treatment, in which we combined a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (etoricoxib) to the exercise program, is reflected by the model of the significant improvements (p < 0.05) obtained for the functional status and quality of life scores (BASFI and HAQ). Conclusions: The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in our case, etoricoxib, facilitate the application of individualized exercise programs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.