Integrative non-pharmacological care for individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis
AbstractThere is increasing knowledge in the recognition of individuals at risk for progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before the clinical manifestation of the disease. This prodromal phase preceding the manifestation of RA may represent a “window of opportunity” for preventive interventions that may transform the clinical approach to this disease. However, limited evidence exists in support of effective interventions to delay the onset or even halt the manifestation of RA. Given the multifactorial nature of RA development and dis ease progression, the latest guidelines for established RA stress the use of integr...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Trends in health care of patients with vasculitides, including giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis and Beh çet’s disease: cross-sectional data of the German National Database 2007–2021
AbstractThe aim of this study is to present the current care situation of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), Takayasu arteritis (TAK), ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and Beh çet’s disease (BD). Trends over the last 15 years will reflect improvements and remaining deficits in the management of vasculitides. Consecutive cross-sectional data from patients with vasculitides from the German National Database (NDB) of the Collaborative Arthritis Centres between 2007 and 2 021 were included. Medication, physician- and patient-reported outcomes on disease activity and disease burden, inpatient stays and occupational p...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
An overlapping case of IgG4-related disease and systemic lupus erythematosus treated with belimumab: a case-based review
AbstractIgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic condition in which IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration and fibrosis cause organ swelling and lead to diverse clinical manifestations. Although IgG4-RD typically responds to glucocorticoids (GCs), relapse during tapering occurs and an early GC-sparing approach might therefore be beneficial. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease with multiple symptoms that is also treated with GCs as a first-line therapy. Recently, belimumab, a recombinant human IgG-1 λ monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-cell activating factor, was approved, but reports of use f...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 3, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Stepwise asynchronous telehealth assessment of patients with suspected axial spondyloarthritis: results from a pilot study
This study underpins the potential of asynchronous physician-based telemedicine for patients with suspected axSpA. Similarly, the results highlight the need for sufficient information, especially imaging results to ensure a correct diagnosis. Further studies are needed to investigate other rheumatic diseases and telediagnostic approaches. (Source: Rheumatology International)
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Adoption rates of recommended vaccines and influencing factors among patients with inflammatory arthritis: a patient survey
AbstractTo determine the scope of recommended vaccination uptake among patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) receiving biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic agents (bDMARDs and tsDMARDs, respectively) and to determine factors, which influence their decision and are subject to modification. A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted including patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on bDMARDs or tsDMARDs. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical parameters were analyzed. Disease activity was determined using the validated ind...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Correlates of breakthrough COVID-19 in vaccinated patients with systemic sclerosis: survival analysis from a multicentre international patient-reported survey
This study aimed to assess the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of breakthrough infection (BI) following coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a risk group associated with an immune-suppressed state and high cardiopulmonary disease burden. Cross-sectional data from fully va ccinated respondents with SSc, non-SSc autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), and healthy controls (HCs) were extracted from the COVAD database, an international self-reported online survey. BI was defined according to the Centre for Disease Control definition. Infection-free survival was compared b e...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Reactive arthritis following COVID-19: clinical case presentation and literature review
We present a case of ReA in a patient who survived COVID-19 and presented with joint affections. The patient, a 31-year-old man, presented with lower limb joints pain. SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed by PCR testing during COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Following a thorough examination and exclusion of all ReA-associated infections, a diagnosis of ReA after COVID-19 was confirmed. In addition, this article encompasses a study of similar clinical cases of ReA following COVID-19 reported worldwide. (Source: Rheumatology International)
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Exercise therapy for improving cardiovascular health in rheumatoid arthritis
AbstractThere is increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Primary cardiovascular disease prevention in rheumatoid arthritis patients is difficult, especially in those with high disease activity. According to current evidence, people with rheumatoid arthritis can significantly improve clinical indices and patient-reported outcomes by engaging in organized physical activity such as resistance training and aerobic activities. Additionally, participating in an exercise regimen can lower the risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems. Nevertheless, the percentage of patients with sedenta...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
JAK inhibitors improve ATP production and mitochondrial function in rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study
AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease associated by inflammation of the synovial tissue and autoantibody production. Oxidative stress and free radicals are known to be indirectly implicated in joint damage and cartilage destruction in RA. Several studies describe the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction in RA, but few of them follow the dynamics in energy parameters after therapy. The aim of our investigation is to evaluate the direct effect of JAK inhibitors on cellular metabolism (and under induced oxidative stress) in RA patients. Ten newly diagnosed RA patients were included in th...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Physical activity guidance in the rheumatology clinic —what matters for patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A qualitative study
AbstractHigher proportions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are physically inactive compared to the general population. A barrier to engaging in physical activity (PA) may be lack of consistent PA guidance from health professionals (HPRs). This qualitative study aimed to explore daily PA levels and the patients ’ perspectives on current and future PA guidance from HPRs. We recruited 20 participants from five rheumatology departments in Denmark. The participants differed in socio-demography and clinical characteristics based on results from an earlier cross-sectional study. The interviews were conducted b y tele...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Functional limitations of people with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis and severe functional disability: a cross-sectional descriptive study
The objective of the study is to describe the nature of functional limitations in activities and participation in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or axial SpondyloArthritis (axSpA) with severe functional disability. Baseline data from people with RA (n = 206) or axSpA (n = 155) and severe functional disability participating in an exercise trial were used. Their three most limited activities were derived from the Patient Specific Complaint (PSC) instrument and linked to the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF). The frequencies of ICF cate gories were calculated and compared with Activit...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Ongoing shielding behavior one year post COVID-19: results from a longitudinal study of patients with inflammatory arthritis
This study was a 12-month prospective study following participants with IA during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportions of IA patients shielding at each time point were calculated. Additionally, regressions and odds ratios for shielding were determined to assess medication type, mental health, and risk perception. While the extent of shielding fluctuated over the year of lockdowns, nearly all IA patients (93.5%) were still engaging in some shielding in 2021, with nearly half (43%) still shielding most or all of the time. Medications that were previously considered higher risk were not significantly associated with higher ...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Online physiotherapy for people with axial spondyloarthritis: quantitative and qualitative data from a cohort study
AbstractLife-long exercise is essential in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management; however, long-term adherence is challenging. Online exercise programmes are an alternative to face-to-face physiotherapy. (1) To measure adherence to a 12-month, individualised, online physiotherapy programme for people with axSpA, and investigate the effects on disease activity, spinal mobility, work ability, quality of life and function. (2) To investigate associations between programme adherence and outcomes. (3) To explore participants ’ views of the programme and factors affecting adherence. Participants were ‘non-exercisers’ ...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases versus family controls: a multi-city cross-sectional survey
AbstractThere is uncertainty regarding the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) who are on immunosuppressive drugs. We did a multicity cross-sectional seroprevalence study conducted in five different cities in India before COVID-19 immunization. Patients with a diagnosis of AIRD and DMARDs were included. Relatives of the patients, preferably staying in the same household with no known rheumatic diseases served as controls. Serum IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the spike protein and nucleoprotein (NP) were assayed in eight hundred and eighty n...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
