Quality of reporting and nature of harms in clinical trials on supervised exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis
AbstractTo describe the quality of reporting and the nature of reported harms in clinical studies on the effectiveness of supervised exercises in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We performed a systematic review, searching eight databases up to February 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating supervised exercises in adults with RA or axSpA were considered eligible. Data on harms were extracted according to the CONSORT Harms 2022 Checklist. Among others, it was recorded if harms were prespecified or non-prespecified. Moreover, the nature of reported harms was listed. F...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Peripheral and ocular microvascular alterations in systemic sclerosis: observations from capillaroscopic assessments, perfusion peripheral analysis, and optical coherence tomography angiography
AbstractTo investigate the correlations between finger microvascular morphology and function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the status of ocular microcirculation, as detected by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The enrollment included 32 SSc patients, classified according to the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria, and 27 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The participants underwent comprehensive rheumatological and ophthalmological examinations, as well as NVC, LASCA, and OCTA analysis on the same day at a single center...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Celiac trunk thrombosis in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome induced by median arcuate ligament compression: a case presentation and literature review
We report a case of a 29-year-old patient diagnosed with MALS and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) that developed celiac trunk, common hepatic artery and splenic artery thrombosis. There is not enough information on MALS as a trigger of thrombosis in predisposed patients such as those with APS. However, the case gives rise to suspicion and highlights the diagnostic processes, especially for patients with APS presenting postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. This review likewise aims at the importance of Doppler ultrasonography as a screening tool and computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) both i...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 1, 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
Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a real-life evidence from BioSTAR nationwide registry
This study aimed to find the prevalence of CVD and CV risk factors in patients with RA. A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed on RA patients using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) in September 2022. Socio-demographic, clinical, and follow-up data were collected. Myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disorders, congestive heart failure, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack were regarded as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). CVD was defined as the presence of at least one clinical situation of MACE. Gro...
Source: Rheumatology International - December 29, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
