Hand osteoarthritis phenotypes based on a biopsychosocial approach, and their associations with cross-sectional and longitudinal pain.

OBJECTIVE: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) pain is characterized as heterogeneous and multifactorial. Differences in pain may be explained by underlying phenotypes, which have not been previously explored DESIGN: Latent class analysis determined classes of participants with hand OA from the Nor-Hand study baseline examination (2016-17) based on a biopsychosocial framework. Outcomes were hand and overall bodily pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, 0-10) at baseline and follow-up (2019-21), The relations of the classes to pain outcomes at baseline, follow-up, and change over time were analysed in separate models by linear regression, using the overall healthiest class as reference. RESULTS: Five classes differing in radiographic hand OA burden and OA burden in the lower extremities by ultrasound, demographic factors, psychosocial burden and pain sensitization was identified. Persons with the least severe OA but higher burden of biopsychosocial factors reported the most hand pain (beta 3.65, 95% CI 2.53, 4.75). Pain was less pronounced in persons with the most severe hand OA but low burden of biopsychosocial factors (beta 1.03, 95% CI 0.41, 1.65). Results were similar for overall bodily pain and at follow-up. Changes in pain were small, but the association between a separate class defined by higher levels of biopsychosocial burden and pain changes was significant. CONCLUSION: The five hand OA phenotypes were associated with pain at baseline and 3.5 years later. The phenotype with the least OA severity, but higher burden of biopsychosocial factors reported more pain than the phenotype with the most severe OA, reflecting the symptom-structure discordance of the hand OA pain experience.

Patient Involvement in the Rehabilitation Process Is Associated with Improvement in Function and Goal Attainment: Results from an Explorative Longitudinal Study.

The objective was to explore the associations between patient involvement in the rehabilitation process and improvements in function and goal attainment in the first year after rehabilitation. The longitudinal multicenter study RehabNytte provided data from participants who had been referred to rehabilitation (n = 2113). Quality indicator (QI) pass rates (% yes) were used to assess patient involvement in the rehabilitation process. The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) (10 = best possible) was used to assess function. The outcome QI on goal achievement (response options of yes/no) was used to assess goal attainment. Logistic regression and paired sample t-tests were used to examine associations and mean changes in function from rehabilitation admission up to 3, 6, and 12 months. Most participants (95%) were involved in goal-setting, which was positively associated with younger age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99) and female sex (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.15-3.02). Function improved over the follow-up period, with greater improvements in the active goal-setting group. Being involved in goal planning almost tripled the odds of goal attainment (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.60-4.83) and involvement in the rehabilitation plan almost doubled it (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.41-2.81). Most participants were involved in rehabilitation goal-setting/planning and being involved was associated with beneficial functional outcomes and greater goal attainment.

Effect of high-intensity interval training in physiotherapy primary care for patients with inflammatory arthritis: the ExeHeart randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) delivered in physiotherapy primary care on the primary outcome of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA). Additionally, to explore the effects of HIIT on secondary outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and disease activity. METHODS: Single-blinded randomised controlled trial with 60 patients randomly assigned to either a control group receiving usual care or an exercise group receiving usual care and 12 weeks of individualised HIIT at 90%-95% peak heart rate. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months post baseline and included CRF measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), classic CVD risk factors, disease activity, anthropometry and patient-reported physical activity, pain, fatigue, disease impact and exercise beliefs and self-efficacy. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated a significant between-group difference in VO2peak at 3 months (2.5 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.9 to 4.0) and 6 months (2.6 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.8 to 4.3) in favour of the exercise group. A beneficial change in self-reported physical activity in favour of the exercise group was observed at 3 and 6 months. The HIIT intervention was well-tolerated with minimal adverse events and no apparent impact on disease activity. Differences in secondary outcomes related to CVD risk factors, disease impact, pain, fatigue and exercise beliefs and self-efficacy were generally small and non-significant. CONCLUSION: After 12 weeks of supervised HIIT delivered in physiotherapy primary care, patients with IA demonstrated a favourable improvement in CRF, with sustained effects at 6-month follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04922840.

Delivery of a quality improvement program in team-based rehabilitation for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: a mixed methods study.

PURPOSE: To investigate how a quality improvement program (BRIDGE), designed to promote coordination and continuity in rehabilitation services, was delivered and perceived by providers in routine practice for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. METHODS: A convergent mixed methods approach was nested within a stepped-wedge, randomized controlled trial. The intervention program was developed to bridge gaps between secondary and primary healthcare, comprising the following elements: motivational interviewing; patient-specific goal setting; written rehabilitation-plans; personalized feedback on progress; and tailored follow-up. Data from health professionals who delivered the program were collected and analyzed separately, using two questionnaires and three focus groups. Results were integrated during the overall interpretation and discussion. RESULTS: The program delivery depended on the providers' skills and competence, as well as on contextual factors in their teams and institutions. Suggested possibilities for improvements included follow-up with sufficient support from next of kin and external services, and the practicing of action and coping plans, standardized outcome measures, and feedback on progress. CONCLUSIONS: Leaders and clinicians should discuss efforts to ensure confident and qualified rehabilitation delivery at the levels of individual providers, teams, and institutions, and pay equal attention to each component in the process from admission to follow-up.

Quality in rehabilitation should be characterized by a continuous and coordinated process from goal setting to follow-up.To improve the quality, sufficient involvement of next of kin and external services is needed.Clinicians may need training to build confidence in motivational interviewing, action- and coping planning, feedback on progress, and follow-up.Leaders should organize education sessions, optimize schedules, insert standardized outcome measures, and facilitate collaboration across levels of care and services.

Effects of Analgesics on Self-Reported Physical Function and Walking Ability in People With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Hip and knee osteoarthritis are among the leading causes of global disability, and one of the main aims of the management is to improve physical function. The objective of this review was to investigate the effect of analgesics on physical function (self-reported physical function and walking ability). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the findings were performed. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of analgesics on self-reported physical function and walking ability were included. Analgesics were orally administered acetaminophen, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or opioids. Data were pooled in a random-effects model, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI was calculated (SMDs: 0.2-0.4 = small, 0.5-0.7 = medium, and ≥0.8 = large effect sizes). The quality of the evidence was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: A total of 1454 studies were identified, of which 33 were included. On self-reported physical function, the results showed low- to moderate-quality evidence for a small beneficial effect of acetaminophen (SMD = -0.13 [95% CI = -0.26 to 0.00]), NSAIDs (SMD = -0.32 [95% CI = -0.37 to -0.27]), or opioids (SMD = -0.20 [95% CI = -0.32 to -0.09]). There was moderate-quality evidence for a small effect of NSAIDs on pain during walking (SMD = -0.34 [95% CI = -0.45 to -0.23]). CONCLUSION: In people with hip or knee osteoarthritis, there was low- to moderate-quality evidence for small beneficial effects of analgesics on physical function and walking ability. IMPACT: Analgesics may improve physical function by reducing pain during exercise and walking.

Criterion Validity and Responsiveness of Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness Models in Patients with Inflammatory Joint Disease.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an excellent marker of overall health. This study aimed to assess criterion validity and responsiveness of estimated CRF models (eCRF) in patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD). CRF was measured directly as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) by a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET), while one generic eCRF model (eCRFGEN) and two disease-specific eCRF models (eCRFALT and eCRFPGA) were used to estimate CRF at baseline and after 3 months in 55 Norwegian patients with IJD. Moderate correlations were observed between eCRFGEN, eCRFALT, eCRFPGA, and VO2peak at baseline (ICC 0.60, 0.64 and 0.62, respectively) and 3 months (ICC 0.62, 0.65 and 0.57, respectively). All eCRF models overestimated measured VO2peak, and there was large variability in agreement of individual measurements at baseline and at 3 months. Weak correlations were observed for responsiveness of eCRFGEN (ICC 0.39), eCRFALT (ICC 0.40) and eCRFPGA (ICC 0.39). Mean differences between change in eCRF models and change in VO2peak were small, but the wide limits of agreement exceeded the pre-defined clinically acceptable margins. The eCRF models possessed adequate ability to detect ≥3.5 mL/kg/min improvement in VO2peak. eCRF may suffice for group-level assessment, but caution is advised when applying eCRF to individual patients with IJD.

Adherence to a Web-based Exercise Programme: A Feasibility Study Among Patients with Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe adherence to a 12-week web-based aerobic exercise programme, to compare characteristics between those who adhere or not, and to identify barriers for exercising in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Single-arm feasibility study. SUBJECTS: Patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis in specialist healthcare, age 40-80 years, and not candidates for joint surgery. METHODS: Adherence to a 12-week exercise programme was defined as having completed ≥ 2 exercise sessions a week for at least 8 weeks. Baseline differences between adherent and non-adherent groups in demographics, symptoms, disability, physical activity and fitness were assessed using Mann-Whitney U or χ2 tests. Reasons for not completing exercise sessions were reported in weekly diaries.  Results: A total of 29 patients (median age 64 years, 72% female) were included. Median baseline pain (numerical rating scale 0-10) was 5. Fifteen patients adhered to the exercise programme, 14 did not. Non-adherent patients were less active (p = 0.032) and had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.031). The most frequently reported barrier to exercising was sickness. Less than 10% reported pain as a barrier. CONCLUSION: Half of the patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis adhered to the digitally delivered exercise programme and the most frequently reported barrier for adherence was sickness, while less than 10% reported pain as a reason for not exercising. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04084834. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics South-East, 2018/2198.

Patient engagement in the development and delivery of healthcare services: a systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Patient engagement (PE) is required to improve future healthcare services. PE in the development and delivery of healthcare services is likely to be complex but is scarcely described. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this scoping review was to summarise primary studies on mesolevel PE regarding structure, process and outcomes. More specifically, the aim was to explore barriers and facilitators to successful PE, how persons are engaged in the process and summarise reported consequences. METHOD: A systematic scoping review was conducted, searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and PsycINFO databases. Primary studies, published between 7 July 2005 and 4 October 2022, were considered for inclusion. Two reviewers extracted data about PE (eg, attributes of PE settings, facilitators and barriers, and outcomes to PE) and the first author coded the extracted data into structural, processual and outcome themes. RESULTS: Of 8588 identified records, 37 studies were eligible. Most of the included studies were conducted in Europe (n=19; 51%) and North America (n=13; 35%). Structures that ensure sufficient stakeholder representativeness and PE knowledge through education may facilitate the PE process further, regardless of the environmental setting. Interpersonal relationships with uneven power dynamics were reported as noteworthy processual barriers to meaningful PE, while clearly described roles and tasks were reported as important facilitators. In contrast to hard outcomes with operationalised PE effects, the most noteworthy outcomes of PE were reported as soft processual consequences such as patient representatives improving their self-esteem and feeling valued. CONCLUSIONS: Unfortunately, there is a dearth of studies exploring hard and operationalised PE outcomes on healthcare services and patients receiving healthcare. The PE process may be facilitated by dedicated finances to PE education and by ensuring sufficient stakeholder representativeness.

Cardiovascular organ damage in relation to hypertension status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

PURPOSE: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular (CV) risk factor in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Less is known about the prevalence of CV organ damage in relation to hypertension status in AS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CV organ damage was assessed by echocardiography, carotid ultrasound and pulse wave velocity (PWV) by applanation tonometry in 126 AS patients (mean age 49 ± 12 years, 39% women) and 71 normotensive controls (mean age 47 ± 11 years, 52% women). CV organ damage was defined as presence of abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry, LV diastolic dysfunction, left atrial (LA) dilatation, carotid plaque or high pulse wave velocity (PWV). RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of AS patients had hypertension. AS patients with hypertension were older and had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared to AS patients without hypertension and controls (p < 0.05). The prevalence of CV organ damage was 84% in AS patients with hypertension, 29% in AS patients without hypertension and 30% in controls (p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, having hypertension was associated with a fourfold increased risk of CV organ damage independent of age, presence of AS, gender, body mass index, CRP, and cholesterol (odds ratio (OR) 4.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53 to 13.61, p = 0.006). In AS patients, presence of hypertension was the only covariable significantly associated with presence of CV organ damage (OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.40 to 13.84, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: CV organ damage in AS was strongly associated with hypertension, pointing to the importance of guideline-based hypertension management in AS patients.

What is the context? Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine. Patients with AS have increased risk for cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure (hypertension) is both very common in AS patients, and a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Hypertension leads to structural and functional changes in the heart and arteries, referred to as cardiovascular organ damage. However, little is known about the prevalence of cardiovascular organ damage in AS patients with hypertension.What is new? Using ultrasound and tonometry, we assessed organ damage in the heart and arteries in AS patients with hypertension and compared them to AS patients with normal blood pressure as well as a group of healthy controls. We found that 84% of the AS patients with hypertension had cardiovascular organ damage, compared to 29% of AS patients with normal blood pressure and 30% of controls. Independent of other risk factors, hypertension was associated with a fourfold increased risk of cardiovascular organ damage in AS patients.What is the impact? These findings are important because cardiovascular organ damage is potentially reversible with treatment. Our results underline the significance of guideline-directed hypertension management in AS patients to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Comorbidities in people with hand OA and their associations with pain severity and sensitization: Data from the longitudinal Nor-Hand study.

Objective: To determine whether the comorbidity burden and co-existing comorbidities are cross-sectionally and/or longitudinally associated with pain and pain sensitization in a cohort study of people with hand OA. Design: We examined whether comorbidity burden and individual comorbidities based on the self-administered Comorbidity Index (range: 0-42) at baseline were associated with pain outcomes at baseline and 3 years follow-up. Pain outcomes included hand and overall bodily pain (range: 0-10) as well as pressure pain thresholds at the tibialis anterior muscle (kg/cm2) and temporal summation (distal radioulnar joint) as measures of central pain sensitization. We performed linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, physical exercise and education. Results: We included 300 and 196 participants in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively. Using baseline data, the burden of comorbidities was associated with greater pain in hands (beta â€‹= â€‹0.61, 95% CI 0.37, 0.85) and overall body (beta â€‹= â€‹0.60, 95% CI 0.37, 0.87). Similar strength of associations was found between comorbidity burden (baseline) and follow-up pain. Among the individual comorbidities, back pain and depression were associated with nearly one unit higher pain score in hands and overall body at both baseline and follow-up. Only back pain was related to lower pressure pain thresholds at follow up (beta â€‹= â€‹-0.24, 95% CI -0.50, -0.001). Conclusion: People with hand OA and greater comorbidity burden, co-existing back pain or depression reported greater pain severity than their counterparts, also 3 years later. These results acknowledge the relevance of accounting for comorbidities in the pain experience in people with hand OA.

Suitability of the animated activity questionnaire for use as computer adaptive test: establishing the AAQ-CAT.

PURPOSE: The animated activity questionnaire (AAQ) is a computer-based measure of activity limitations. To answer a question, patients choose the animation of a person performing an activity that matches their own level of limitation. The AAQ has not yet been tested for suitability to be applied as computer-adaptive test (CAT). Thus, the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an AAQ-based CAT to facilitate the application of the AAQ in daily clinical care. METHODS: Patients (n = 1408) with hip/knee osteoarthritis from Brazil, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the UK responded to all 17 AAQ items. Assumptions of item-response theory (IRT) modelling were investigated. To establish item parameters for the CAT, a graded response model was estimated. To evaluate the performance of post-hoc simulated AAQ-based CATs, precision, test length, and construct validity (correlations with well-established measures of activity limitations) were evaluated. RESULTS: Unidimensionality (CFI = 0.95), measurement invariance (R2-change < 2%), and IRT item fit (S-X2 p > .003) of the AAQ were supported. Performing simulated CATs, the mean test length was more than halved (≤ 8 items), while the range of precise measurement (standard error ≤ 0.3) was comparable to the full AAQ. The correlations between original AAQ scores and three AAQ-CAT versions were ≥ 0.95. Correlations of AAQ-CAT scores with patient-reported and performance measures of activity limitations were ≥ 0.60. CONCLUSION: The almost non-verbal AAQ-CAT is an innovative and efficient tool in patients with hip/knee osteoarthritis from various countries, measuring activity limitations with lower respondent burden, but similar precision and construct validity compared to the full AAQ.

Associations between cardiovascular risk factors, disease activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with inflammatory joint disease: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) are accompanied by an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a modifiable CVD risk factor and low levels of CRF associate with an elevated CVD risk. This study aimed to investigate the associations between CVD risk factors, disease activity and CRF in patients with IJD and to explore differences between patients with normal versus low levels of CRF. METHODS: CRF was measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) with a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Participants were also evaluated for: Body composition, blood pressure, blood lipids, inflammatory markers and disease activity. Patient-reported use of cigarettes/snuff, medication, disease duration, pain, fatigue, CVD history, habitual physical activity and exercise beliefs and self-efficacy were collected by questionnaire. Cross-sectional associations between CVD risk factors, disease-related factors and CRF were analyzed by multiple linear regression. CRF was categorized to normal CRF (VO2peak ≥ 80%) or low CRF (VO2peak < 80%) according to age- and gender-stratified reference data. Differences in demographic, CVD and disease-related factors between patients with normal versus low CRF were explored. RESULTS: In 60 Norwegian patients with IJD [34 females, age 59 years (IQR: 52-63)], mean VO2peak was 30.2 (± 6.9) mL/kg/min, corresponding to 83% (± 18) of normative reference values. Age (coefficient: - 0.18 years, p = 0.01) and fat mass (coefficient: - 0.67 %, p < 0.001) were inversely associated with CRF, while physical activity index (coefficient: 0.13 points, p = 0.05) was positively associated with CRF (R2 = 0.66). There were no significant associations between CRF, classical CVD risk factors and disease-related variables. Compared to patients with low CRF (n = 30), patients with normal CRF (n = 30) had higher peak oxygen uptake (+ 9.4 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+ 0.5 mmol L-1, p < 0.001), and exercise self-efficacy (+ 6.9, p < 0.01) as well as lower fat mass (- 8.7%, p < 0.001), resting heart rate (- 8.0 beats/min, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (- 0.5 mmol L-1, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of IJD-patients, age, fatmass and physical activity level were associated with CRF. CRF was lower than reference values and patients with normal CRF presented with a more favorable health profile. There is a continued need for exercise interventions to improve CRF in patients with IJD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04922840.

Instrument selection for the ASAS core outcome set for axial spondyloarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To define the instruments for the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology (ASAS-OMERACT) core domain set for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: An international working group representing key stakeholders selected the core outcome instruments following a predefined process: (1) identifying candidate instruments using a systematic literature review; (2) reducing the list of candidate instruments by the working group, (3) assessing the instruments' psychometric properties following OMERACT filter 2.2, (4) selection of the core instruments by the working group and (5) voting and endorsement by ASAS. RESULTS: The updated core set for axSpA includes seven instruments for the domains that are mandatory for all trials: Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score and Numerical Rate Scale (NRS) patient global assessment of disease activity, NRS total back pain, average NRS of duration and severity of morning stiffness, NRS fatigue, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index and ASAS Health Index. There are 9 additional instruments considered mandatory for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) trials: MRI activity Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) sacroiliac joints and SPARCC spine, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis assessed as recommended by ASAS, 44 swollen joint count, Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score, dactylitis count and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score. The imaging outcomes are considered mandatory to be included in at least one trial for a drug tested for properties of DMARD. Furthermore, 11 additional instruments were also endorsed by ASAS, which can be used in axSpA trials on top of the core instruments. CONCLUSIONS: The selection of the instruments for the ASAS-OMERACT core domain set completes the update of the core outcome set for axSpA, which should be used in all trials.

The associations of psychological symptoms and cognitive patterns with pain and pain sensitization in people with hand osteoarthritis.

Objective: To examine whether psychological symptoms and cognitive patterns are associated with self-reported pain and pain sensitization in people with hand osteoarthritis (OA). Design: In the Nor-Hand study (n â€‹= â€‹300), people with hand OA self-reported psychological symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), cognitive patterns (Pain catastrophizing Scale and Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale) as well as their pain severity in hands, overall pain and multi-joint pain. Central pain sensitization was measured clinically by temporal summation and pressure pain threshold tests. We examined whether psychological symptoms and cognitive patterns were cross-sectionally associated with pain using linear regression. Beta coefficients (ß) per one standard deviation of the independent variable were presented. Stratified analyses were performed in cases of significant interactions (p â€‹< â€‹0.10). Results: Higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms and pain catastrophizing and low levels of self-efficacy were statistically significantly associated with higher levels of hand pain by Numeric Rating Scale (ߠ​= â€‹0.43, 0.48 and -0.57, respectively). Similar associations were found for overall pain, but not for measures of central pain sensitization. In stratified analyses, anxiety and depressive symptoms were more strongly related with pain in subgroups with younger age and higher comorbidity burden. Pain catastrophizing was more strongly related with pain in subgroups with younger age, overweight/obesity, higher comorbidity burden and poor sleep. Conclusion: Psychological symptoms and cognitive patterns were associated with self-reported OA pain, especially in people with younger age, overweight/obesity, higher comorbidity burden and poor sleep. No associations were found for psychological symptoms and cognitive patterns with pain sensitization.

Organisation, influence, and impact of patient advisory boards in rehabilitation institutions-an explorative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patient participation is highlighted as an important facilitator for patient-centered care. Patient participation organised as patient advisory boards (PABs) is an integral part of health care institutions in Norway. More knowledge is needed on how PAB representatives experience patient engagement (PE) with regard to organisation, influence, and impact. The objective was to describe how PAB representatives experience their tasks, roles, and impact on decision-making processes and service delivery in the setting of rehabilitation institutions. METHODS: PAB representatives recruited from rehabilitation institutions completed the Norwegian version of the generic Public and Patient Engagement evaluation tool (Norwegian abbreviation EBNOR). EBNOR is tested for reliability and validity with good results and comprises 35 items within four main domains, policies and practices, participatory culture, collaboration, and influence and impact that provide responses about PE-levels. The domain items are scored from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree" on a five-point scale, in addition to a don't know category. Items in the domain "influence and impact" are scored from "never" to "all of the time" on a four-point scale. Categorical data were summarized using frequencies and percentages, and response categories were collapsed into three PE-levels: barrier, intermediate, and facilitating level. Free-text responses were analysed according to principles of manifest content analysis, summed up, and used to elaborate the results of the scores. RESULTS: Of the 150 contacted PAB representatives, 47 (32%) consented to participate. The results showed that approximately 75% agreed that the organisation as a whole was strengthened as a result of patient participation. Four out of five domains were scored indicating a facilitating level; policies and practices (53%), participatory culture (53%), collaboration and common purpose (37%), and final thoughts (63%). The modal score in the domain influence and impact was in the intermediate PE-level (44%). Of a total of 34 codes from free text analyses, barriers to PE were coded 26 times, and PE facilitators were coded 8 times. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that most PAB representatives are satisfied with how rehabilitation institutions organise their PAB, but they still experience their impact as limited.

The AktiWeb study: feasibility of a web-based exercise program delivered by a patient organisation to patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Patient organisations may be an under-utilised resource in follow-up of patients requiring long-term exercise as part of their disease management. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of a web-based exercise program delivered by a patient organisation to patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: In this pre-post feasibility study, patients aged 40-80 years with hip and/or knee OA were recruited from Diakonhjemmet Hospital. The 12-week intervention was delivered through a patient organisation's digital platform. Feasibility was evaluated by proportion of eligible patients enrolled, proportion of enrolled patients who provided valid accelerometer data at baseline, and proportion completing the cardiorespiratory exercise test according to protocol at baseline and completed follow-up assessments. Patient acceptability was evaluated for website usability, satisfaction with the initial exercise level and comprehensibility of the exercise program. Change in clinical outcomes were assessed for physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and patient-reported variables. RESULTS: In total, 49 eligible patients were identified and 35 were enrolled. Thirty (86%) of these attended baseline assessments and provided valid accelerometer data and 18 (51%) completed the maximal cardiorespiratory exercise test according to protocol. Twenty-two (63%) patients completed the follow-up questionnaire, and they rated the website usability as 'acceptable' [median 77.5 out of 100 (IQR 56.9, 85.6)], 19 (86%) reported that the initial exercise level was 'just right' and 18 (82%) that the exercise program was 'very easy' or 'quite easy' to comprehend. Improvement in both moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean change 16.4 min/day; 95% CI 6.9 to 25.9) and cardiorespiratory fitness, VO2peak (mean change 1.83 ml/kg/min; 95% CI 0.29 to 3.36) were found in a subgroup of 8 patients completing these tests. Across all patient-reported outcomes 24-52% of the patients had a meaningful improvement (n = 22). CONCLUSION: A web-based exercise program delivered by a patient organisation was found to be feasible and acceptable in patients with hip and/or knee OA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04084834 (registered 10 September 2019). The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics south-east, 2018/2198. URL: Prosjekt #632074 - Aktiv med web-basert støtte. - Cristin (registered 7 June 2019).

The Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool: forward-backwards translation and cultural adaption to Norwegian.

BACKGROUND: Patient engagement is recommended for improving health care services, and to evaluate its organisation and impact appropriate, and rigorously evaluated outcome measures are needed. METHODS: Interviews (N = 12) were conducted to assess relevance of the Canadian Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool (PPEET) in a Norwegian setting were performed. The tool was translated, back translated, and assessed following cognitive interviews (N = 13), according to the COSMIN checklist. Data quality was assessed in a cross-sectional survey of patient advisory board members from different rehabilitation institutions (N = 47). RESULTS: Interviews with patient board representatives confirmed the relevance of the PPEET Organisational questionnaire in a Norwegian setting and contributed five additional items. Translation and back translation of the original PPEET showed no major content differences. Differences in vocabulary and sentence structure were solved by discussion among the translators. Comments from cognitive interviews mainly related to the use of different synonyms, layout, and minor differences in semantic structure. Results of the cross-sectional survey support the data quality and construct validity of PPEET items, including 95 score comparisons where 76 (80%) were as hypothesized. CONCLUSIONS: The PPEET Organisational questionnaire has been thoroughly translated and tested, and the resulting Evalueringsverktøy for Brukermedvirkning (EBNOR) has adequate levels of comprehensibility and content validity. Further testing for measurement properties is recommended, but given these results, the EBNOR should be considered for assessing patient engagement in a Norwegian health care organisational context.

Associations between quality of health care and clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: a rehabilitation cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The quality of provided health care may be an important source of variation in rehabilitation outcomes, increasing the interest in associations between quality indicators (QIs) and improved patient outcomes. Therefore, we examined the associations between the quality of rehabilitation processes and subsequent clinical outcomes among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). METHODS: In this multicentre prospective cohort study, adults with RMDs undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation at eight participating centres reported the quality of rehabilitation after 2 months and outcomes after 2, 7, and 12 months. We measured perceived quality of rehabilitation by 11 process indicators that cover the domains of initial assessments, patient participation and individual goal-setting, and individual follow-up and coordination across levels of health care. The patients responded "yes" or "no" to each indicator. Scores were calculated as pass rates (PRs) from 0 to 100% (best score). Clinical outcomes were goal attainment (Patient-Specific Functional Scale), physical function (30 s sit-to-stand test), and health-related quality of life (EuroQoL 5D-5L). Associations between patient-reported quality of care and each outcome measure at 7 months was analysed by linear mixed models. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients were enrolled in this study (mean age 52 years, 76% female). Primary diagnoses were inflammatory rheumatic disease (64%), fibromyalgia syndrome (18%), unspecific neck, shoulder, or low back pain (8%), connective tissue disease (6%), and osteoarthritis (4%). The overall median PR for the process indicators was 73% (range 11-100%). The PR was lowest (median 40%) for individual follow-up and coordination across levels of care. The mixed model analyses showed that higher PRs for the process indicators were not associated with improved goal attainment or improved physical function or improved health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of rehabilitation processes was not associated with important clinical outcomes. An implication of this is that measuring only the outcome dimension of quality may result in incomplete evaluation and monitoring of the quality of care, and we suggest using information from both the structure, process, and outcome dimensions to draw inferences about the quality, and plan future quality initiatives in the field of complex rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is part of the larger BRIDGE trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03102814 ).

Effect of high-intensity exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular disease risk and disease activity in patients with inflammatory joint disease: protocol for the ExeHeart randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory joint disease (IJD) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) fostered by systemic inflammation and a high prevalence of CVD risk factors. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important health parameter and CRF-measures are advocated in routine health evaluations. CRF associates with CVD risk, and exercise modalities such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) can increase CRF and mitigate CVD risk factors. In IJD, exercise is rarely used in CVD risk management and the cardioprotective effect of HIIT is unclear. Furthermore, the clinical applicability of HIIT to primary care settings is largely unknown and warrants investigation. The primary aim is to assess the effect of a HIIT programme on CRF in patients with IJD. Second, we will evaluate the effect of HIIT on CVD risk and disease activity in patients with IJD, feasibility of HIIT in primary care and validity of non-exercise algorithms to detect change in CRF. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ExeHeart is a single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Sixty patients with IJD will be recruited from the Preventive Cardio-Rheuma clinic at Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Norway. Patients will be assigned to receive standard care (relevant lifestyle advice and cardio-preventive medication) or standard care plus a 12-week HIIT intervention by physiotherapists in primary care. HIIT sessions will be prescribed at 90%-95% of peak heart rate. Outcomes include CRF (primary outcome), CVD risk factors, anthropometric measures, disease activity and patient-reported outcomes related to pain, fatigue, disease, physical activity and exercise and will be assessed at baseline, 3 months (primary endpoint) and 6 months postbaseline. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics (201227). Participants are required to sign a written informed consent form. Results will be discussed with patient representatives, submitted to peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant platforms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04922840.

Lifestyle Factors and Disease Activity Over Time in Early Axial Spondyloarthritis: The SPondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE) Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the importance of baseline BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption (AC) for disease activity (DA) over 1 year in early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), stratified by sex. METHODS: In the SPondyloArthritis Caught Early cohort (patients with chronic back pain onset at age < 45 yrs, with pain for ≥ 3 months and ≤ 2 yrs), the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was recorded at inclusion, 3, and 12 months. All patients included in the analysis had axSpA based on a high physician's level of confidence at baseline. Differences in ASDAS over 1 year by BMI (normal < 25 kg/m2, overweight 25-29.9 kg/m2, and obese ≥ 30 kg/m2), smoking history (never/previous/current), and AC (none, 0.1-2 units/week, 3-5 units/week, and ≥ 6 units/week) at baseline were estimated using mixed linear regression models. RESULTS: There were 344 subjects (mean age of 30.3 yrs; 49.4% men). In women, obesity was associated with 0.60 (95% CI 0.28-0.91) higher ASDAS compared to normal BMI. In both sexes, AC tended to be associated with lower DA over 1 year, with a significant association only in women with the highest AC (mean difference of -0.55, 95% CI -1.05 to -0.04). Smoking was associated with higher ASDAS over 1 year compared to never smoking in both sexes, although the difference reached statistical significance only in female former smokers. Results were similar in multivariable analysis, adjusted for all lifestyle factors and other confounders. CONCLUSION: In early axSpA, BMI and smoking are associated with higher DA over 1 year, and AC with lower DA. The magnitude of the modest associations may differ between men and women.