Balneotherapy in spondyloarthropathy: A systematic review.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy on spondyloarthritis. METHODS: Two authors independently searched the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE and WEB OF SCIENCE databases until July 2017, for randomized controlled trials published in French or English, that included participants, and interventions: adults with spondyloarthritis, treated by balneotherapy program or one of its components and compared with any other intervention or no treatment. Internal validity, external validity, quality of the statistical analysis, and publication bias were systematically evaluated. We report the best level of evidence. RESULTS: Nine articles were selected; the internal validity was high in two studies, average in one study, and low in six studies. With high internal validity, one study found a difference for pain between immersion in radon-rich water and tap water for the whole population or rheumatic disease, but the BASFI is not improved for the subgroup of patients with spondyloarthritis. The other study with high validity reported a significant 28-week improvement in quality of life and a composite index. In a study with moderate internal validity involving ankylosing spondylitis patients with associated with inflammatory bowel disease, a balneotherapy program demonstrated a relevant clinical improvement when compared to patients on waiting list. With low internal validity, TNFa inhibitors+spa therapy were found to be superior to a treatment with TNFa inhibitors alone in patients with psoriatic arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Two trials with high validity demonstrated improvements, but this systematic review is not sufficient to prove the efficacy of balneotherapy in spondyloarthritis. More trials are needed with larger sample size to confirm the preliminary results observed and conclusively determine the benefits of balneotherapy.

2021 EULAR recommendations for the implementation of self-management strategies in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

BACKGROUND: An important but often insufficient aspect of care in people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) is empowering patients to acquire a good understanding of their disease and building their ability to deal effectively with the practical, physical and psychological impacts of it. Self-management skills can be helpful in this regard. OBJECTIVES: To develop recommendations for the implementation of self-management strategies in IA. METHODS: A multidisciplinary taskforce of 18 members from 11 European countries was convened. A systematic review and other supportive information (survey of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patient organisations) were used to formulate the recommendations. RESULTS: Three overarching principles and nine recommendations were formulated. These focused on empowering patients to become active partners of the team and to take a more proactive role. The importance of patient education and key self-management interventions such as problem solving, goal setting and cognitive behavioural therapy were highlighted. Role of patient organisations and HCPs in promoting and signposting patients to available resources has been highlighted through the promotion of physical activity, lifestyle advice, support with mental health aspects and ability to remain at work. Digital healthcare is essential in supporting and optimising self-management and the HCPs need to be aware of available resources to signpost patients. CONCLUSION: These recommendations support the inclusion of self-management advice and resources in the routine management of people with IA and aim to empower and support patients and encourage a more holistic, patient-centred approach to care which could result in improved patient experience of care and outcomes.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) collaborative care for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (AcuSpA): protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is a chronic disease which results in fatigue, pain, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially acupuncture, has shown promise in managing pain. Although a TCM collaborative model of care (TCMCMC) has been studied in cancer, there are no randomized controlled trials investigating TCM in AxSpA. Therefore, we will conduct a pragmatic trial to determine the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of TCMCMC for patients with AxSpA. We define TCMCMC as standard TCM history taking and physical examination, acupuncture, and TCM non-pharmacological advice and communications with rheumatologists in addition to usual rheumatologic care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the rationale for and methodology of this trial. METHODS/DESIGN: This pragmatic randomized controlled trial will recruit 160 patients who are diagnosed with AxSpA and have inadequate response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Simple randomization to usual rheumatologic care or the intervention (TCMCMC) with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be used. Ten 30-min acupuncture sessions will be provided to patients assigned to the TCMCMC arm. All participants will continue to receive usual rheumatologic care. The primary endpoint - spinal pain - will be evaluated at week 6. Secondary endpoints include clinical, quality of life, and economic outcome measures. Patients will be followed up for up to 52 weeks, and adverse events will be documented. DISCUSSION: This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of a TCMCMC for patients with AxSpA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03420404 . Registered on 14 February 2018.

Adherence to biologic therapy - Does it vary with ethnicity?

BackgroundPoor adherence to therapy remains a significant barrier to improving clinical outcomes in rheumatic diseases and carries a major financial burden. It has been linked to medication related patient beliefs, which were reported to differ between ethnic groups. Little is known about these variations in biologic therapies cohorts. The purpose of this study was to identify potential determinants of adherence to biologic drugs including an assessment of the influence of beliefs about medicines and compare determinants of adherence between patients of Caucasian versus other ethnicities (OE). Relationship of adherence to disease outcome was further explored. MethodsA prospective survey was undertaken of patients with inflammatory arthritis prescribed self-administered subcutaneous biologic therapies at our centre. Data were collected using a) self reported adherence b) five item compliance questionnaire for Rheumatology (CQR5) and c) Beliefs about Medications questionnaire (BMQ) specific-five items each for necessity and concern scales. The replies were assessed against the disease activity score measured on the day of recruitment to the survey. Results80 patients contributed to the survey. 90% were prescribed TNF inhibitors. 40 patients were of Caucasian origin and 40 belonged to OE-predominantly of South Asian descent (85%). Disease activity score (DAS) was significantly higher in OE patients with 3.7 (standard deviation (SD) 1.3) compared to Caucasian patients with a DAS of 2.9 (1.6) (p = 0.031). Negative beliefs (i.e. higher concern scale scores) about therapy were significantly more prevalent (24/40) (60%) in the OE group compared to the Caucasian cohort (14/40 (35%) (p = 0.043). 17/40 (42.5%) of OE patients were poorly adherent to biologic therapy compared to 12/40 (30%) of Caucasian participants (p = 0.308). Most respondents (68/80, 85%) agreed that their biologic therapies were necessary for their health. Amongst 12/80 (15%) who disagreed, only two were in the non-adherent group. ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate ethnic differences in disease activity score and related negative beliefs regarding subcutaneous biologic therapies in people with rheumatic diseases.

The Efficacy of Tai Chi and Yoga in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthropathies: A narrative biomedical review.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are among the most common inflammatory rheumatic diseases, which might induce chronic pain for their sufferers. Mind-body interventions like Tai Chi and yoga are among the many alternative therapies for combatting chronic pain. This review aims to overview the articles about their effectiveness in RA and SpA. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language sources from their inception through September 2017. Case-control studies, interventional studies, and case series that included more than three cases and randomized crossover studies were included. The literature search retrieved 133 non-duplicate records, and 15 of them were eligible and were included in this review. The influence of Tai Chi remains debatable in RA, while there is only one study that investigated its efficacy in SpA. Yoga seems effective in decreasing pain and inflammation while increasing quality of life. There are no data available about its effect on SpA. Even after a thorough research, the number of articles is quite limited on the effectiveness of Tai Chi and yoga in RA and SpA. While these complementary approaches still show some promise as alternative therapies in RA and SpA, the literature lacks long-term studies with larger patient groups.

Spine Conditions: Mechanical and Inflammatory Low Back Pain.

Mechanical low back pain (LBP) is an injury or derangement of an anatomic structure in the low back. When evaluating patients with LBP, clinicians should maintain clinical suspicion for vertebral fracture, cancer, and cauda equina syndrome. Management includes patient education focused on exercise, massage, and behavioral approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Acupuncture can be an effective alternative and specific herbal supplements may provide short-term pain relief. The prognosis for patients with mechanical LBP is good. Inflammatory LBP is pain resulting from a systemic inflammatory condition, often referred to as axial spondyloarthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis is chronic inflammatory LBP characterized by early onset (mean age 24 years), with a higher prevalence in men. Five clinical parameters can help identify inflammatory LBP: improvement with exercise, pain at night, insidious onset, onset at younger than 40 years, and no improvement with rest. Management of inflammatory LBP typically includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and structured exercise programs, with emphasis on the involvement of a rheumatology subspecialist. Spondyloarthritis is associated with other rheumatic or autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. These should be considered when evaluating patients with inflammatory LBP.

Biologic Therapy for HLA-B27-associated Ocular Disorders.

The treatment of articular and extra-articular manifestations associated with HLA-B27 has undergone dramatic changes over the past two decades, mainly as a consequence of the introduction of biologic agents and in particular anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) agents. Uveitis is known to be the most frequent extra-articular feature in HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthritides. Topical corticosteroids and cycloplegic agents remain the cornerstones of treatment. However, biologic therapy may be effective in the management of refractory or recurrent forms of uveitis. This review gives an update on the management of HLA-B27-associated ocular disorders with biologics, including anti-TNFα agents and non-anti-TNFα biologic modifier drugs. There is an emerging role for newer biologics targeting interleukin-12/23 and interleukin-17 for the treatment of spondyloarthritides but data on their efficacy on anterior uveitis are sparse.

Dolor en la articulación sacroilíaca: estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado, experimental y comparativo de la radiofrecuencia térmica con el bloqueo de la articulación sacroilíaca / Sacroiliac joint pain: Prospective, randomised, experimental and comparative study of thermal radiofrequency with sacroiliac joint block

Objetivo. Comparar el bloqueo con la radiofrecuencia térmica bipolar para el dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca. Método. Estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y experimental en 60 pacientes, seleccionados en 9 meses en 2 centros, con dolor intenso (escala visual analógica [EVA] > 6) de > 3 meses de duración. Fueron divididos en 3 grupos (n = 20). Grupo A: pacientes a los que se les realizaron 2 bloqueos intraarticulares, con control ecográfico en 7 días. Grupo B: radiofrecuencia bipolar «palisade» utilizando 6 agujas perpendiculares a la zona dorsal del sacro, a una distancia de 1 cm, para producir lesiones contiguas entre los forámenes S1-S2-S3 y la línea articular. Grupo C: radiofrecuencia bipolar «palisade» modificada (distancia entre agujas > 1 cm). Los pacientes fueron evaluados al mes, a los 3 y a los 12 meses del tratamiento. Se valoraron los datos demográficos (en la visita basal), la eficacia analgésica y los efectos secundarios (en el resto). Resultados. Al mes, la reducción del dolor en los 3 grupos fue > 50% (p ≤ 0,001). A los 3 y 12 meses el grupo A no refirió disminución significativa del dolor. El grupo B, a los 3 meses, alivio cercano al 50% (p = 0,03), y < 25% (23,8) a los 12 meses (p = 0,01). En el grupo C, alivio próximo al 50% a los 3 y 12 meses (p < 0,001) respecto al basal. Todos los pacientes finalizaron el estudio. Conclusiones. La radiofrecuencia bipolar «palisade», especialmente aumentando la distancia entre las agujas, ha sido eficaz, a más largo plazo, que el bloqueo con anestésicos y corticoides en el alivio del dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca (AU)

Objective. To compare the analgesic effects between the blockade and bipolar thermal radiofrequency in the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. Method. Prospective, randomised and experimental study conducted on 60 patients selected in the two hospitals over a period of nine months, who had intense sacroiliac joint pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] > 6) that lasted more than 3 months. Patients were randomised into three groups (n = 20): Group A (two intra-articular sacroiliac injections of local anaesthetic/corticosteroid guided by ultrasound in 7 days). Group B: conventional bipolar radiofrequency «palisade». Target points were the lateral branch nerves of S1, S2, and S3, distance needles 1 cm. Group C: modified bipolar radiofrequency «palisade» (needle distance > 1 cm). Patients were evaluated at one month, three months, and one year. Demographic data, VAS reduction, and side effects of the techniques were assessed. Results. One month after the treatment, pain reduction was > 50% in the three groups P < .001. Three and 12 months after the technique, the patients of the group A did not have a significant reduction in pain. At 3 months, almost 50% patients of the group B referred to improvement of the pain (P = .03), and < 25% at 12 months, and those results were statistically significant (P = .01) compared to the baseline. Group C showed an improvement of 50% at 3 and 12 months (P < .001). All patients completed the study. Conclusions. Bipolar radiofrequency «palisade», especially when the distance between the needles was increased, was more effective and lasted longer, compared to join block and steroids, in relieving pain sacroiliac joint (AU)

[Manipulation treatment for the thoracic postjoint disorder accompanied by symptoms of coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effect of the Feng's manipulation on patient with thoracic postjoint disorder accompanied by symptoms of coronary artery disease. METHODS: A total of 180 cases with thoracic postjoint disorder accompanied by symptoms of coronary artery disease were retrospective analyzed from Jan. 2005 to June 2008, included 86 males and 94 females, aged from 18 to 82 years with and average of 43.7 years. The disease course was from 1 d to 40 years with the average of 20.6 months. These patients were divided into 2 groups according to the method of manipulation (group A, n=90) and hot herb (group B, n=90). The patients of group A were treated by manipulation for 1 to 2 times per week. The other group was treated by hot herb for 2 times (20 minutes each time) per day for a month. The symptom and signs (chest distress, precordium pain, cardiopalmus, nape pain, spinous tenderness, tuberculum dolorosum) were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: All 180 cases were followed up for from 4 to 36 months with an average of 12.7 months. After 1 months of treatment, the chi2 test showed that there was a significant differences between the manipulation therapy group and the hot herb therapy group, including chest distress (chi2 = 8.9322, P = 0.0028 < 0.05); precordium pain (chi2 = 20.6527, P < 0.0001); cardiopalmus (chi2 = 24.2804, P < 0.0001); nape pain (chi2 = 23.5917, P < 0.0001); spinous tenderness (chi2 = 12.2062, P = 0.0005 < 0.01) and tuberculum dolorosum (chi2 = 4.0261, P = 0.0440 < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Manipulation is an effective treatment method for the thoracic post joint disorders.

Increase in bone mineral density of patients with spondyloarthropathy treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA) treated with infliximab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 29 patients (six women; 23 men) aged 22-68 years, with persistently active SpA despite a high dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and/or treatment with methotrexate or sulfasalazine, were studied. Median duration of disease was 13 years (range 3-30). Twenty five patients were treated with 5 mg/kg and four with 3 mg/kg of infliximab at weeks 0, 2, 6 and then received either no infusion (n=3), or additional infusion of infliximab every other month (n=6), and the remainder received one infusion only in the case of a relapse. Lumbar and femoral BMD was measured by dual energy x ray absorptiometry at baseline and six months later. Serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline were measured in 19 patients at weeks 0, 2, 24, and in 13 patients at all visits. RESULTS: In six months there was a significant increase in BMD at the spine (3.6%, p=0.001), total hip (2.2%, p=0.0012), and trochanter (2.3%, p=0.0012). A trend for increase (1.1%) was observed at the femoral neck. There was an increase in osteocalcin between baseline and week 6 (third infusion)-median 1.45 micro g/l (p=0.013). No change in marker of bone resorption was observed at the same time. There was no change in biochemical markers between baseline and final visits. There was a trend for a correlation between the decrease at six months in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and lumbar spine BMD change (r(s)=-0.35, p=0.06). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a benefit of anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy on BMD in patients with SpA may be through an uncoupling effect on bone cells.