OBJECTIVE: Quantitative experiment and analysis of the result with statistical techniques are an essential part of the medical article for acquiring objective confidence. But errors on application, calculation, and interpretation of statistics and insufficient explanation of the used statistical technique deprive the reader of reliance on the article. We identified the statistical techniques and errors that were commonly encountered, and both of researchers and readers should recognize, in the Journal of the Korean Rheumatism Association (JKRA). We identified the frequency of the statistical techniques and errors from the 136 articles in the 1994~1998 editions of the JKRA. Each different kind of statistical techniques and errors in the same article were counted separately, but two or more of the same kind of statistical techniques and errors in an article were counted as one. One hundred and seventy-seven statistical techniques were encountered and 75 statistical errors were identified. The most frequently used techniques were descriptive statistics, and common errors and the observed numbers of the errors were as follow : 1. performing statistical techniques for two groups on the comparison of three or more groups(14), 2. mentioning the statistical technique without using it(14), 3. using mean and standard deviation instead of median and range on the ordinal data(12), 4. using standard error instead of standard deviation for the description of data spread(11), 5. using p value without the statistical name(11). CONCLUSION: The most frequently encountered statistical technique and error are descriptive technique and performing statistical techniques for 2 groups on the comparison of 3 or more groups, respectively. The authors? careful application of the basic statistics would be the real solution to reduce the statistical errors.
Rheumatic Diseases*

No abstract available.
Rheumatic Diseases*

No abstract available.
Rheumatic Diseases*

No abstract available.
Rheumatic Diseases*

No abstract available.
Korea ; Prevalence ; Rheumatic Diseases

No abstract available.
Rheumatic Diseases ; Uveitis

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Rheumatic Diseases*

No abstract available.
Antibodies, Antiphospholipid* ; Rheumatic Diseases*

Introduction: Malnutrition is a frequently neglected problem among patients with chronic illnesses. It correlates with decreased functionality and quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of malnutrition in chronic rheumatologic conditions ranges from 15-24%. There is an unfounded suspicion that malnutrition is common among Filipino patients with rheumatic diseases. The study will bridge this knowledge gap and pave the way for a more holistic approach in the care of rheumatic diseases. The researchers aim too assess the risk of malnutrition among patients of the rheumatology clinic of the Philippine General Hospital. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. After getting informed consent, we collected data on demographics and disease characteristics and administered the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). We classified patients according to malnutrition risk and managed accordingly. Results: One hundred eighty-two patients are included (86% are female), with mean age of 45 years old (SD=16.65). The majority (54%) has less than collegiate level of education and 76% are below minimum wage earners. Twelve percent are smokers and 16% are alcohol beverage drinkers. Thirty-nine percent have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 17% have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 16% have osteoarthritis (OA). The average duration of illness is 75 months. Ten percent are at high risk and 18% are at moderate risk of malnutrition. Six percent of SLE patients have high risk and 24% at moderate risk while 19% and 16% of patients with RA, respectively, have high and moderate risk of malnutrition. Among patients with OA, 6.9 % have high and 3.4% have moderate risk of malnutrition. Conclusion Using the MUST routinely identifies patients at risk of malnutrition. Twenty-eight percent of patients at the rheumatology clinics of the Philippine General Hospital have moderate to high risk of malnutrition. Identifying those at risk of malnutrition allows for timely intervention and optimal care.
Rheumatic Diseases ; Malnutrition ; Philippines

No abstract available.
Rheumatic Diseases* ; Spondylarthropathies