The relationship of patient-reported joints with active synovitis detected by power Doppler ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to evaluate the relationship of patient-reported tender and swollen joints with active inflammation as detected by power Doppler (PDUS) and whether this relationship is affected by significant joint damage. METHODS: Fifty rheumatoid arthritis patients self-assessed 28 tender and swollen joints and were followed by PDUS assessment. Relationship of tender and swollen joints with active synovitis (PDUS 'gold standard') was assessed at the joint level by: a) percentage agreement at each PDUS semiquantitative grade (grade 1 to 3), b) positive likelihood ratio (LR) of agreement with PDUS, and c) LR of agreement with PDUS according to radiographic damage (significant erosive disease vs. non-erosive disease). Correlation of tender and swollen joint counts with disease activity markers was analysed by Spearman's. Sensitivity analyses examined the influence of disease activity or global pain on level of agreement at the joint level. RESULTS: Of joints with significant active inflammation (e.g. grade 3 PDUS), patients identified 75% as tender and 63% as swollen. Swollen joints showed strong association at the joint level with active synovitis when there was no significant radiographic damage (LR 2.54, 95%CI 1.93-3.34), but with no significant radiographic damage (LR 1.32, 95%CI 0.75-2.32). Swollen joint counts were statistically correlated with PDUS-DAS28 and CRP, but not PDUS score. Sensitivity analysis showed better agreement of tender and swollen joints with active synovitis when DAS28 was ≤ 3.2 and when patient global pain was <50mm on visual analogue scale. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between patient-reported joints and active synovitis is stronger in the setting of low disease activity without erosive disease, affected also by degree of reported global pain. Further longitudinal studies of patient-reported joints are needed.

EULAR recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The authors aim to develop European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis, to identify a research agenda and to determine an educational agenda. METHODS: A task force made up of a multidisciplinary expert panel including nurses, rheumatologists, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist, epidemiologist and patient representatives, representing 14 European countries, carried out the development of the recommendations, following the European League Against Rheumatism standardised operating procedures. The task force met twice. In the first meeting, the aims of the task force were defined, and eight research questions were developed. This was followed by a comprehensive, systematic literature search. In the second meeting, the results from the literature review were presented to the task force that subsequently formulated the recommendations, research agenda and educational agenda. RESULTS: In total, 10 recommendations were formulated. Seven recommendations covered the contribution of nurses to care and management: education, satisfaction with care, access to care, disease management, psychosocial support, self-management and efficiency of care. Three recommendations focused on professional support for nurses: availability of guidelines or protocols, access to education and encouragement to undertake extended roles. The strength of the recommendations varied from A to C, dependent on the category of evidence (1A-3), and a high level of agreement was achieved. Additionally, the task force agreed upon 10 topics for future research and an educational agenda. CONCLUSION: 10 recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis were developed using a combination of evidence-based and expert consensus approach.

Recommendations for the assessment and optimization of adherence to disease-modifying drugs in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: A process based on literature reviews and expert consensus.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to treatment is a key issue in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRDs). OBJECTIVE: To develop recommendations to facilitate in daily practice, the management of non-adherence to disease-modifying drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, connective tissue diseases or other CIRDs. METHODS: The process comprised (a) systematic literature reviews of methods (including questionnaires) to measure non-adherence, risk factors for non-adherence and efficacy of targeted interventions; (b) development of recommendations through consensus of 104 rheumatologist and nurse experts; (c) assessment of agreement and ease of applicability (1-5 where 5 is highest) by the 104 experts. RESULTS: (a) Overall, 274 publications were analysed. (b) The consensus process led to 5 overarching principles and 10 recommendations regarding adherence. Key points include that adherence should be assessed at each outpatient visit, at least using an open question; questionnaires and hydroxychloroquine blood level assessments may also be useful. Risk factors associated to non-adherence were listed. Patient information and education, and patient/physician shared decision, are key to optimize adherence. Other techniques such as formalized education sessions, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful. All health professionals can get involved and e-health may be a support. (c) The agreement with the recommendations was high (range of means, 3.9-4.5) but ease of applicability was lower (2.7-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: Using an evidence-based approach followed by expert consensus, this initiative should improve the assessment and optimization of adherence in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders.

Methods to improve medication adherence in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Lack of adherence to treatment is frequent in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and is associated with poorer outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe and evaluate interventions that have been proposed to enhance medication adherence in these conditions. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase and clinicaltrials.gov databases completed by the rheumatology meeting (ACR, EULAR and SFR) abstracts from last 2 years. All studies in English or French evaluating an intervention to improve medication adherence in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), crystal related diseases, connective tissue diseases, vasculitis and Still's disease) were included. Interventions on adherence were collected and classified in five modalities (educational, behavioural, cognitive behavioural, multicomponent interventions or others). RESULTS: 1325 abstracts were identified and 22 studies were finally included (18 studies in RA (72%), 4 studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (16%), 2 studies in SpA (8%) and 1 study in gout (4%)). On 13 randomised controlled trials (RCT) (1535 patients), only 5 were positive (774 patients). Educational interventions were the most represented and had the highest level of evidence: 8/13 RCT (62%, 1017 patients) and 4/8 were positive (50%). In these studies, each patient was individually informed or educated by different actors (physicians, pharmacists, nurses and so on). Supports and contents of these educational interventions were heterogenous. CONCLUSION: Despite the importance of medication adherence in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, evidence on interventions to improve medication adherence is scarce.

Collection and management of selected comorbidities and their risk factors in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases in daily practice in France.

INTRODUCTION: In chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRDs), comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and infections are sub-optimally managed. EULAR recently developed points to consider to collect and report comorbidities. The objective of this present study was to develop a pragmatic guide to collect, report and propose management recommendations for comorbidities, from a rheumatologist perspective. METHODS: The collection and reporting of comorbidities and risk factors was adapted from the EULAR points to consider. To develop management recommendations, the process comprised (1) systematic literature reviews by 3 fellows and (2) a 2-day consensus process involving 110 experts (rheumatologists and health professionals). Votes of agreement (Likert 1-5 where 5 indicates full agreement) were obtained. RESULTS: The six selected comorbidities were ischemic cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, infections, diverticulitis, osteoporosis and depression. The literature review retrieved 97 articles or websites, mostly developed for the general population. The consensus process led to reporting presence of comorbidities, current treatment, risk factors (e.g. hypertension), screening (e.g. mammography) and prevention (e.g. vaccination). Management recommendations include physical examination (e.g. blood pressure or lymph node examination), prescribing screening procedures, and interpreting results to refer in a timely manner to appropriate other health professionals. Agreement was high (mean±standard deviation, 4.37±0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Using an evidence-based approach followed by expert consensus, this initiative furthers the dissemination in France of the EULAR points to consider, and clearly defines what part of the management of comorbidities is potentially within the remit of rheumatologists. This initiative should facilitate systematic management of patients with CIRDs.