Factors Associated With Distress Related to Perceived Dignity in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The loss of perceived dignity is an existential source of human suffering, described in patients with cancer and chronic diseases and hospitalized patients but rarely explored among patients with rheumatic diseases (RMDs). We recently observed that distress related to perceived dignity (DPD) was present in 26.9% of Mexican patients with different RMDs. The study aimed to investigate the factors associated with DPD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed between February and September 2022. Consecutive patients with RMDs completed patient-reported outcomes (to assess mental health, disease activity/severity, disability, fatigue, quality of life [QoL], satisfaction with medical care, and family function) and had a rheumatic evaluation to assess disease activity status and comorbidity. Sociodemographic variables and disease-related and treatment-related variables were retrieved with standardized formats. DPD was defined based on the Patient Dignity Inventory score. Multivariate regression analysis was used. RESULTS: Four hundred patients were included and were representative of outpatients with RMDs, while 7.5% each were inpatients and patients from the emergency care unit. There were 107 patients (26.8%) with DPD. Past mental health-related comorbidity (Odds Ratio [OR]: 4.680 [95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.906-11.491]), the number of immunosuppressive drugs/patient (OR: 1.683 [95% CI: 1.015-2.791]), the physical health dimension score of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) (OR: 0.937 [95% CI: 0.907-0.967]), and the emotional health dimension score of the WHOQOL-BREF (OR: 0.895 [95% CI: 0.863-0.928]) were associated with DPD. CONCLUSIONS: DPD was present in a substantial proportion of patients with RMDs and was associated with mental health-related comorbidity, disease activity/severity-related variables, and the patient QoL.

Assessment of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe: results from the REUMAVID study (phase 1).

AIM: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). METHODS: REUMAVID is a cross-sectional study using an online survey developed by an international multidisciplinary patient-led collaboration across seven European countries targeting unselected patients with RMDs. Healthcare access, daily activities, disease activity and function, well-being (WHO Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5)), health status, anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) and access to information were evaluated. Data were collected in April-July 2020 (first phase). RESULTS: Data from the first phase included 1800 patients with 15 different RMDs (37.2% axial spondyloarthritis, 29.2% rheumatoid arthritis, 17.2% osteoarthritis and others). Mean age was 53, 80% female and 49% had undertaken university studies. During the beginning of the pandemic, 58.4% had their rheumatology appointment cancelled and 45.6% reported not having received any information relating to the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in their RMDs, with the main source being patient organisations (27.6%).Regarding habits, 24.6% increased smoking, 18.2% raised their alcohol consumption, and 45.6% were unable to continue exercising. Self-reported disease activity was high (5.3±2.7) and 75.6% reported elevated pain. Half the patients (49.0%) reported poor well-being (WHO-5) and 46.6% that their health had changed for the worse during lockdown. According to HADS, 57.3% were at risk of anxiety and 45.9% of depression. CONCLUSION: Throughout the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with RMDs have experienced disruption in access to healthcare services, poor lifestyle habits and negative effects on their overall health, well-being and mental health. Furthermore, information on COVID-19 has not reached patients appropriately.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: insights from patient-generated data on social media.

OBJECTIVES: During the COVID-19 pandemic, much communication occurred online, through social media. This study aimed to provide patient perspective data on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), using Twitter-based patient-generated health data (PGHD). METHODS: A convenience sample of Twitter messages in English posted by people with RMDs was extracted between 1 March and 12 July 2020 and examined using thematic analysis. Included were Twitter messages that mentioned keywords and hashtags related to both COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2) and select RMDs. The RMDs monitored included inflammatory-driven (joint) conditions (ankylosing spondylitis, RA, PsA, lupus/SLE and gout). RESULTS: The analysis included 569 tweets by 375 Twitter users with RMDs across several countries. Eight themes emerged regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with RMDs: (i) lack of understanding of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19; (ii) critical changes in health behaviour; (iii) challenges in healthcare practice and communication with healthcare professionals; (iv) difficulties with access to medical care; (v) negative impact on physical and mental health, coping strategies; (vi) issues around work participation; (vii) negative effects of the media; and (viii) awareness-raising. CONCLUSION: The findings show that Twitter serves as a real-time data source to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with RMDs. The platform provided 'early signals' of potentially critical health behaviour changes. Future epidemics might benefit from the real-time use of Twitter-based PGHD to identify emerging health needs, facilitate communication and inform clinical practice decisions.

Self-protection strategies and health behaviour in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: results and predictors in more than 12 000 patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases followed in the Danish DANBIO registry.

AIMS: In Danish patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases to explore self-protection strategies and health behaviour including adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic treatment (DMARD) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and again after the reopening of the society started. Furthermore, to identify characteristics of patients with high levels of anxiety and self-isolation. METHODS: Patients in routine care followed prospectively in the nationwide DANBIO registry were invited to answer an online questionnaire regarding disease activity and COVID-19 infection, behaviour in March and June 2020. Responses were linked to patient data in DANBIO. Characteristics potentially associated with anxiety, self-isolation and medication adherence (gender/age/diagnosis/education/work status/comorbidity/DMARD/smoking/EQ-5D/disease activity) were explored with multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: We included 12 789 patients (8168 rheumatoid arthritis/2068 psoriatic arthritis/1758 axial spondyloarthritis/795 other) of whom 65% were women and 36% treated with biological DMARD. Self-reported COVID-19 prevalence was 0.3%. Patients reported that they were worried to get COVID-19 infection (March/June: 70%/45%) and self-isolated more than others of the same age (48%/38%). The fraction of patients who changed medication due to fear of COVID-19 were 4.1%/0.6%. Female gender, comorbidities, not working, lower education, biological treatment and poor European Quality of life, 5 dimensions were associated with both anxiety and self-isolation. CONCLUSION: In >12 000 patients with inflammatory arthritis, we found widespread anxiety and self-isolation, but high medication adherence, in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This persisted during the gradual opening of society during the following months. Attention to patients' anxiety and self-isolation is important during this and potential future epidemics.

Rheumatic Conditions as Risk Factors for Self-Harm: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk of self-harm in rheumatic conditions. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis were identified from 1990 to 2016 and matched to patients without these conditions. Incident self-harm was defined by medical record codes following a rheumatic diagnosis. Incidence rates (per 10,000 person-years) were reported for each condition, both overall and year-on-year (2000-2016). Cox regression analysis determined risk (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of self-harm for each rheumatic cohort compared to the matched unexposed cohort. Initial crude analysis was subsequently adjusted and stratified by age and sex. Due to nonproportionality over time, osteoarthritis was also stratified by disease duration (<1 year, ≥1 to <5 years, ≥5 to <10 years, and ≥10 years). RESULTS: The incidence of self-harm was highest in patients with fibromyalgia (HR 25.12 [95% CI 22.45-28.11] per 10,000 person-years) and lowest for osteoarthritis (HR 6.48 [95% CI 6.20-6.76]). There was a crude association with each rheumatic condition and self-harm, except for ankylosing spondylitis. Although attenuated, these associations remained after adjustment for fibromyalgia (HR 2.06 [95% CI 1.60-2.65]), rheumatoid arthritis (HR 1.59 [95% CI 1.20-2.11]), and osteoarthritis (1 to <5 years HR 1.12 [95% CI 1.01-1.24]; ≥5 to <10 years HR 1.35 [95% CI 1.18-1.54]). Age and sex were weak effect modifiers for these associations. CONCLUSION: Primary care patients with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis (but not ankylosing spondylitis) are at increased risk of self-harm compared to people without these rheumatic conditions. Clinicians need to be aware of the potential for self-harm in patients with rheumatic conditions (particularly fibromyalgia), explore mood and risk with them, and offer appropriate support and management.

Positive Psychological Factors and Impairment in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease: Do Psychopathology and Sleep Quality Explain the Linkage?

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about potential mechanisms of action linking protective positive psychological variables and functional disability in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease. The present study was undertaken to examine symptoms of psychopathology, including stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality, as serial mediators of the association between gratitude, self-compassion, self-forgiveness, and functional impairment. METHODS: We assessed risk and protective factors for functional disability in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who were recruited from an Austrian health care facility. Respondents completed online surveys, including the Gratitude Questionnaire 6-item form, the Self-Compassion Scale short form, the Self-Forgiveness and Forgiveness of Others Index, the Perceived Stress Scale 4, the Patient Health Questionnaire 2, the 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, the Sleep Condition Indicator, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Bivariate and serial mediation analyses were conducted. RESULTS: For our sample of 1,218 patients (52% female, n = 632; AS [37%], OA [34%], RA [14%], and FM [24%]), stress, depression, and anxiety, in parallel as first-order mediators, and sleep quality as a second-order mediator, explained the association between positive psychological variables and functional disability. CONCLUSION: Positive psychological factors exert a beneficial downstream effect on mental well-being, sleep health, and health-related functional impairment. Therapeutic promotion of gratitude, self-compassion, and self-forgiveness may improve mental and physical health in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.

Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Disturbance, Fibromyalgia, Obesity, and Gastroesophageal Disease in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatologic disorders often have comorbidities that complicate their psychological well-being. In this study, we looked at 216 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and Sjogren's syndrome (SS) to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, fibromyalgia (FM), obesity (BMI greater than 23), and gastroesophageal disease (GERD) and the correlation between FM, BMI, disease activity measure, known as Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3). METHODS: Study participants were 216 rheumatology patients seen at the UCF Pegasus Health Clinic from November 2011 to May 2014 with one or more of the following diseases: RA, SS, SLE, or PsA. 116 had rheumatoid arthritis, 27 with systemic lupus erythematous, 22 with psoriatic arthritis, 20 with Sjogren's syndrome, and 31 with more than one diagnosis. Variables that were collected from patients' charts included RAPID3 scores, patient demographics (age, sex), BMI, presence of GERD, and presence of FM. Each patient was randomly assigned, unique and had an unidentifiable study number. RESULTS: Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and obesity were found to be more prevalent in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, and fibromyalgia was noted to be more prevalent in patients with more than 1 diagnosis. The presence of fibromyalgia was significantly correlated with higher RAPID3 scores in all patients except those with PsA. Significant correlation among higher BMI and greater RAPID3 scores was found for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and for patients with Sjogren's syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our study showed an increased prevalence of anxiety in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Fibromyalgia was found to be related to higher disease activity scores. In RA and SS patients, BMI was significantly correlated with higher RAPID3 scores. These results provide a basis for future studies to evaluate these correlations in more detail.

Golimumab improves patient-reported outcomes in daily practice of inflammatory rheumatic diseases in Germany.

Aim: To analyze the quality of life (QoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients receiving golimumab under routine clinical settings in Germany. Materials & methods: Prospective observational study, GO-ART, analyzed changes in WPAI, QoL and HCRU during 24 months of golimumab therapy. Results: Seven hundred and forty-eight patients (RA = 250, PsA = 249 and AS = 249) were enrolled. Substantial improvements in WPAI scores presenteeism, activity impairment and total work productivity impairment and QoL were observed at month three and were maintained through month 24. Fewer patients had disease-related hospitalizations and consulted physician at month 24 than at the baseline. Conclusion: Golimumab induces sustained improvements in WPAI and QoL and reduces healthcare resource utilization in RA, PsA and AS.

Impact of biologic DMARDs on quality of life: 12-month results of a rheumatic diseases cohort using the Brazilian EQ-5D tariff.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) use and quality of life (QoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated adult patients prescribed biological DMARDs whose quality of life was evaluated at six and 12 months. The EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) was used with the Brazilian tariff. RESULTS: Patients receiving bDMARDs had significant improvements in quality of life after 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001), regardless of the rheumatic condition and the therapeutic regimen (bDMARDs vs bDMARDs plus synthetic DMARDs) (ANCOVA; p > 0.05). At the end of one year, 62.6% of the participants presented significant clinical improvement in QoL. According to a sensitivity analysis, QoL results in the complete case analysis and in the multiple imputation model yielded similar conclusions. Patients with two or more comorbidities and worse QoL and disability status on baseline presented worse QoL at 12 months when compared to those with better disability status on baseline. Baseline clinical disease measured by activity indexes (BASDAI and CDAI) did not influence QoL after 12 months of bDMARD treatment. Pain and malaise were the EQ-5D domain that most influenced quality of life. CONCLUSION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis displayed significantly better QoL levels following treatment with DMARDs.

The important role of central sensitization in chronic musculoskeletal pain seen in different rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the role of central sensitization (CS) pain in patients with various rheumatic diseases using the CS inventory (CSI). METHODS: A total of 193 patients of mean age 50.72 ± 9.65 years were included; they were divided into four different groups in terms of their rheumatic diseases. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy (SpA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were evaluated in tertiary care rheumatology/pain medicine settings. Disease duration and activity, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, the Disease Activity Score-28, and pain severity (evaluated using a visual analog scale) were assessed, and the Turkish version of the CSI administered. RESULTS: CS syndromes were present in almost half the patients (45% of SpA, 41% of RA, 62% of OA, and 94% of FMS patients). We found no significant relationship between disease activity and the CSI-A scores in SpA or RA patients (p = 0.731 and p = 0.390, respectively). As expected, the CSI-A scores were highest in the FMS group (p = 0.000), but were similar in the other groups (p < 0.05). CS-related syndromes (CSI-B conditions) were present at similar frequencies in the RA, SpA, and OA groups, but were less common in the FMS group (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The CSI usefully detects CS pain in patients with rheumatic diseases. Treatment of such pain can enhance the quality of daily life in patients with rheumatic diseases.Key Point• Central sensitization pain is common in patients with rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, and osteoarthritis.

FREQUENCY OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN MEXICAN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES DETERMINED BY SELF-ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRES ADAPTED TO THE SPANISH LANGUAGE.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms in Spanish-speaking patients suffering from rheumatic conditions is unknown when using self-administered detection tools. METHODS: A single-center, cross-sectional survey including 413 patients (341 women) with well-defined rheumatic diseases was conducted. The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 questionnaires were used to detect depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients (46.7%) reported depression symptoms, and increased PHQ-9 scores were more frequently observed in women than in men (23% vs. 13%; p = 0.038), particularly in association with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, Sjögren's syndrome, and osteoporosis. From 88 patients (21.3%) with PHQ-9 scores ≥ 10 points (moderate-to-severe depression symptoms), 27 (30.6%) were previously diagnosed to have depression and only four were under antidepressant treatment. Anxiety symptoms were observed in 168 patients (40.6%) and classified as moderate-to-severe by elevated GAD-7 scores in 68 subjects (16.4%). Of them, 12 (17.6%) were previously diagnosed with GAD, but only 4 (5.8%) were under therapy. CONCLUSIONS: An unexpected and unusually high frequency of undiagnosed depression and anxiety symptoms was found in rheumatic patients. Self-administered screening tools adapted to the Spanish language are useful and may help clinicians to suspect these conditions.

Frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms in mexican patients with rheumatic diseases determined by self-administered questionnaires adapted to the spanish language

Abstract Background The frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms in Spanish-speaking patients suffering from rheumatic conditions is unknown when using self-administered detection tools. Methods A single-center, cross-sectional survey including 413 patients (341 women) with well-defined rheumatic diseases was conducted. The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 questionnaires were used to detect depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Results A total of 193 patients (46.7%) reported depression symptoms, and increased PHQ-9 scores were more frequently observed in women than in men (23% vs. 13%; p = 0.038), particularly in association with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, Sjögren’s syndrome, and osteoporosis. From 88 patients (21.3%) with PHQ-9 scores ≥ 10 points (moderate-to-severe depression symptoms), 27 (30.6%) were previously diagnosed to have depression and only four were under antidepressant treatment. Anxiety symptoms were observed in 168 patients (40.6%) and classified as moderate-to-severe by elevated GAD-7 scores in 68 subjects (16.4%). Of them, 12 (17.6%) were previously diagnosed with GAD, but only 4 (5.8%) were under therapy. Conclusions An unexpected and unusually high frequency of undiagnosed depression and anxiety symptoms was found in rheumatic patients. Self-administered screening tools adapted to the Spanish language are useful and may help clinicians to suspect these conditions.

The impact of different rheumatic diseases on health-related quality of life: a comparison with a selected sample of healthy individuals using SF-36 questionnaire, EQ-5D and SF-6D utility values.

BACKGROUND: Given the high prevalence of rheumatic diseases, there is a need to determine which conditions have the greatest impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The main aim of this study was to explore the HRQoL scores among 14 different rheumatic diseases and to compare them with the results of a selecting sample of healthy controls. METHODS: 2633 patients of an ongoing cohort have been enrolled. Rheumatic diseases were classified into five diagnostic groups: inflammatory rheumatic diseases, connective tissue disorders, symptomatic peripheral osteoarthritis, soft tissue disorders, and osteoporosis. For comparison were used 649 healthy controls. The HRQoL was evaluated with the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), the EuroQol five Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and the Short-Form six Dimensions (SF-6D) questionnaire. RESULTS: The five major rheumatic disease groups, compared to healthy people, significantly impaired all eight health concepts of the SF-36 (p <0.0001). Similar results were found for EQ-5D and SF-6D. The patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases have poorer self-reported health status than those without arthritis in all domains of living, but particularly with respect to scales measuring aspects of physical functioning or mobility, role limitation due to physical health problems and usual activities, and bodily pain. Rheumatoid arthritis had the largest negative impact on HRQoL, followed by fibromyalgia, vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis, hip osteoarthritis, and systemic sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that rheumatic diseases have a clearly detrimental effect on the HRQoL, and physical domain is more impaired than mental and social ones.

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Thermometer-5-Item Scale (5T-PROs): Validation of a New Tool for the Quick Assessment of Overall Health Status in Painful Rheumatic Diseases.

Objective: To investigate the construct validity, reliability (internal consistency and retest reliability), and feasibility of the patient-reported outcomes thermometer-5-item scale (5T-PROs), a new tool to measure overall health status in patients with painful chronic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (axialSpA), and fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: Consecutive patients have been involved in this study. The following analyses were performed to establish the validity of the 5T-PROs: (1) principal component factor analysis was used to identify the presence of a relatively small number of underlying latent factors than can be used to represent relations among sets of many variables; (2) Cronbach's alpha was calculated as an indicator of internal consistency; and (3) Pearson product-moment correlations were conducted to assess the convergent validity. The 5T-PROs was also administered a second time (two weeks after the initial administration) to a subset of sample (n = 426) to allow for calculation of test-retest reliability. We used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) as an estimate of test-retest reliability. Additionally, discriminant validity was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc multiple comparisons, in different disease conditions. Feasibility was analyzed by the time taken in completing the 5T-PROs and the proportion of patients able to complete the 5 item. Results: 1,199 patients (572 with RA, 251 with axialSpA, 150 with PsA, and 226 with FM) were examined. The mean age was 55.7 (standard deviation: 13.1; range: 20 to 80) years. Factor analysis yielded two factors which accounted for 62.54% of the variance of the 5T-PROs. The first factor "Symptom Summary Score" (35.57% of the variance) revealed a good internal consistency (alpha = 0.88); the internal consistency of the second factor "Psychological Summary Score" (26.97% of the variance) was moderate (alpha = 0.69). The reliability of the whole instrument was good (alpha = 0.82). A very high correlation was obtained between Symptom Summary Score and SF-36 PCS and between pain thermometer intensity and SF-36 bodily pain. For all five items and summary scale scores of the SF-36, there was strong evidence that the mean rank of the scores differs significantly between the groups (Kruskal-Wallis tests, p < 0.001). Discriminant validity, assessed by comparing the 5T-PRO dimensions in patients with different states of disease activity, showed that the 5T-PROs show moderate association with the presence of comorbidities. It was also noted that it was inversely correlated (p=0.01) to years of formal education. Conclusion: The 5T-PROs is easily administered, reliable and a valid instrument for evaluating the extensive multidimensional impact associated with chronic painful rheumatic conditions.

Causal Relationships Between Modifiable Risk Factors of Cognitive Impairment, Cognitive Function, Self-Management, and Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic diseases are one of the most common types of chronic conditions that affect cognitive functions. PURPOSE: To develop and verify a hypothetical model of causal relationships between modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment, cognitive function, self-management, and quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases. METHODS: A hypothetical model was developed on the basis of empirical evidence. The fitness of the model was verified on 210 patients with rheumatic diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 49.0%. Smoking, underlying diseases, pain, and fatigue had a significant direct effect on cognitive impairment. Only cognitive impairment had a significant direct effect on self-management. Fatigue, anxiety, depression, and cognitive function had a significant direct effect on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of proper management of symptoms and health habits should be emphasized to prevent and delay the progression of cognitive impairment and improve adherence to self-management regimens and quality of life.

Patients' concerns regarding biological agents in rheumatology.

OBJECTIVE: The potential side effects of biological agents may increase the anxiety levels of patients and influence not only their desire to use these therapies but also their concordance to treatment. This study aimed to determine the level and prevalence of drug-related concern in patients treated with biological agents and to acquire additional information regarding the related causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1134 patients who were using biological agents for at least 3 months with a diagnosis of rheumatic diseases were enrolled. General anxiety levels were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: The most common cause for drug-related concerns was the potential side effects of the drugs (59.5%). Among the potential side effects, cancer risk was the most common cause for concern (40.1%), followed by the risk of tuberculosis activation (30.7%). Anxiety levels were higher in patients who experienced side effects than in other patients, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). STAI trait and state scores were moderately correlated with anxiety levels related to the drug (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Anxiety related to biological agents may significantly affect the patients' anxiety levels. Awareness regarding the patients' concerns and expectations related to the drug is important to ensure drug adherence and concordance to treatment.

The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in patients with rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A number of studies have reported the suicidal ideation (SI) or suicide attempts (SA) of patients with rheumatic diseases. However, the estimated prevalence of those disorders varies substantially between studies. This systematic review aimed to describe the prevalence of SI and SA in rheumatic diseases. Literature search was done using Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane database library, PubMed and CNKI database through June 2017. Studies were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and the qualities of included studies were evaluated. The data was analyzed using STATA version 12.0. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted on all eligible data. A total of 17 identified studies matched the inclusion criteria, involving 5174 participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia (FM). Meta-analysis showed that rheumatic diseases patients have high prevalence of SI (26%, 95% CI: 19%-32%, I²=96.2%) and SA (12%, 95% CI: 3%-21%, I²=96.6%). We also found the prevalence of SI and SA in females may be higher than in males. All of these indicated that rheumatologists should screen for SI and SA in their patients. Early appropriate intervention is therefore essential to promote the patients' good mental health.

Suicidal behaviors in patients with rheumatic diseases: a narrative review.

Chronic rheumatic disorders are characterized by inflammation and chronic pain, and both anxiety and depression have been frequently observed in these patients. Depression and chronic pain are recognized as risk factors for the development of suicidal behaviors. Accordingly, the objective of the present review is to provide a comprehensive review of suicidal behaviors associated with rheumatic diseases. Medline and EMBASE were searched for English language publications using key words related with rheumatic diseases, suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation. 34 records (30 full-length published papers and 4 studies published in abstract form) that included data related to the frequency and/or potential determinants of suicidal behaviors in rheumatic diseases were included in the review. It was found that both suicidal ideation and completed suicide seem to be more frequent in patients experiencing systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia and arthritis. Major determinants were comorbid depression in fibromyalgia and arthritis, and neuropsychiatric disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Based on these findings, suicide risk should be assessed in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia and/or arthritis.

Evaluation of the safety and satisfaction of rheumatic patients with accelerated infliximab infusion.

INTRODUCTION: Infliximab infusion generally occurs in 2-4 h. Recent studies have suggested the possibility of accelerated infusion (1 h) of this drug. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of accelerated infliximab infusion in patients with rheumatic diseases. In addition, patient satisfaction was also assessed. METHODS: A prospective, single-center, non-randomized study with 34 patients with rheumatic diseases was conducted from July to November 2016. Patients with the following were excluded: history of allergic reaction to biologics, asthma or severe atopy. All patients previously received a 2- to 3-h infliximab infusion. The infusion rate was accelerated to 1 h, and premedication was excluded. The infusion was monitored in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were included in the study [rheumatoid arthritis (n = 16), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 15), psoriatic arthritis (n = 2) and enteropathic arthropathy (n = 1)], with an average age of 48.7 ± 18.6 years; 55.5% of the patients were female, and 29.4% were white. The duration of disease was 9.5 ± 9.2 years, and the duration of infliximab use was 38.9 ± 27.6 months, with a mean dose per infusion of 414.2 ± 158.1 (range, 200-800) mg. The mean infliximab infusion time prior to the study was 2.2 ± 0.4 h. A total of 6 (17.6%) patients received premedication. The premedication was suspended. There were no adverse effects during or after infusion. Ninety-seven percent of the patients and 100% of the health workers were satisfied with the accelerated infusion. CONCLUSION: Our data support the safe use of accelerated infliximab infusion in rheumatic patients, with high satisfaction among patients and health workers.

Principios que orientan la implementación de las clínicas de transición para el paciente reumático / Guiding principles implementation of transitional clinics for the rheumatic patient

La transición de la niñez a la adultez es un periodo crítico de la vida. El adolescente experimentará muchos cambios psicológicos y debe afrontar dificultades originadas en nuevos roles a nivel familiar y social, debe seleccionar una carrera y llegar a ser independiente. Si se padece una enfermedad crónica o algún grado de discapacidad estos cambios originarán un estrés mayor y la transferencia al cuidado de adultos representa retos para el paciente, su familia, el equipo pediátrico e incluso, para el equipo de atención que continuará el cuidado médico del paciente. Las clínicas de transición deben intervenir en las actividades de evaluación, educación y consejería que preceden a la transferencia del paciente. Estos retos demandan de los profesionales de la salud un adecuado conocimiento de las características y ries-gos de este período para apoyar en forma efectiva al paciente y prevenir dificultades derivadas del cambio en el cuidado médico que parte del principio que el paciente es autónomo y capaz de asumir su enfermedad y tratamiento.Esta revisión integral de las bases del cuidado médico durante la transición pretende ofrecer información integral y relevante acerca de los principios que deben regir las clínicas de transición.

Transition from adolescence to adulthood is a critical period in life. Adolescents must confront many physical and psychological changes and have to face up the difficulties derived from new family roles, peer relationships, choose a career and become independent. These transitional years can be even more stressful when you have a chronic disease or disability and it means an additional burden and when the patient must be transfer to an adult facility health system becomes a major challenge for the patient, family and pediatric and adult care health team. A transitional clinic includes many interventions: pre transition assessments, education and counseling that should precede the transference of the patient. Those goals are difficult to obtain and the pediatric and adult teams must are aware of the individual medical and psychological issues in order to facilitate this difficult period for the young adult who are moving to a new group of health professionals who expect that adult patients take care of their own needs. A review of the basis of the transitional care for rheumatic patients pretend to offer valid information about their relevance and of it and the principles of the transitional clinics.