[Development of quality standards for patients with rheumatoid arthritis for use in Germany]. / Entwicklung von Qualitätsstandards für die Versorgung von Patient*innen mit rheumatoider Arthritis zur Anwendung in Deutschland.

Despite a qualitatively and structurally good care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany, there are still potentially amendable deficits in the quality of care. For this reason, the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) has therefore decided to ask a group of experts including various stakeholders to develop quality standards (QS) for the care of patients with RA in order to improve the quality of care. The QS are used to determine and quantitatively measure the quality of care, subject to relevance and feasibility. The recently published NICE and ASAS standards and a systematic literature search were used as the basis for development. A total of 8 QS, now published for the first time, were approved with the intention to measure and further optimize the quality of care for patients with RA in Germany.

Mission statement from rheumatologists in the German Society of Rheumatology (DGRh e. V.) : We live rheumatology.

Systemic disease demands systemic thinkers. In this mission statement we define rheumatology, describe the role of the German Society of Rheumatology and the rheumatologist's spirit to their discipline. Rheumatologists are dedicated to improving the quality of life of their acute, chronic, and rehabilitative patients on the basis of up to date evidence and strong physician-patient relations. We think, act and interact systemically, scientifically, consistently, transparently, reliably, inclusively, innovatively and enthusiastically.

[Pregnancy and rheumatic diseases]. / Schwangerschaft bei rheumatischen Erkrankungen.

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases preferentially affect women of childbearing age. Immunological alterations can have positive or negative effects on the maternal disease. Most of these women can have a successful pregnancy with careful medical and obstetric care. Nevertheless, complications are more frequent than in healthy women. Pregnancies should therefore be planned during inactive phases of the disease and patients should be educated in advance about possible maternal and child risks and about treatment options compatible with pregnancy. In pregnancy, individualized and interdisciplinary care can promote a stable course of the disease and reduce the risks for mother and child. Especially with respect to a compatible treatment, detailed information for the patients is necessary for a shared decision making.

[Mission statement from rheumatologists in the German Society of Rheumatology (DGRh e. V.) : We live rheumatology. German version]. / Leitbild der Rheumatologinnen und Rheumatologen in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie e. V. (DGRh e. V.) : Wir sind die Rheumatologie.

Systemic disease demands systemic thinkers. In this mission statement we define rheumatology, describe the role of the German Society of Rheumatology and the rheumatologist's spirit to their discipline. Rheumatologists are dedicated to improving the quality of life of their acute, chronic, and rehabilitative patients on the basis of up to date evidence and strong physician-patient relations. We think, act and interact systemically, scientifically, consistently, transparently, reliably, inclusively, innovatively and enthusiastically.

[Medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in 2014 : Current data from the German Collaborative Arthritis Centers]. / Versorgung der rheumatoiden Arthritis 2014 : Aktuelle Daten aus der Kerndokumentation.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of biologic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), disease activity and treatment modalities have changed substantially. The current provision and developments in recent years are analyzed with annual data from the National Database of the Collaborative Arthritis Centers in Germany. METHODS: To analyze disease activity, diagnostics and treatment in RA patients in 2014 with regard to seropositivity and disease duration. Time trends from 2007-2014 are reported for disease activity (DAS28) distribution and biologic treatment. RESULTS: In 2014, a total of 8,084 RA patients were analyzed: 72 % were rheumatoid factor and/or ACPA positive, the mean age was 62 years and the mean disease duration 12 years. According to DAS28, 35.9 % were in remission, 19.2 % had low, 37.1 % moderate and 7.8 % high disease activity. An increase since 2007 was only observed in patients with a disease duration >2 years. Synthetic DMARDS were used for treatment in 78 %. Biologic treatment increased from 16 % (2007) to 27 % (2014). Especially those patients with a disease duration >5 years were treated more frequently with biologics. Seronegative patients had slightly less severe mean disease activity parameters. They were treated equally frequent with DMARDS but only half as often with biologics compared to seropositive patients. CONCLUSION: The use of biologics in RA patients has increased since 2007; however this was not observed in patients with short disease duration. Early intensive treatment adaption seems justified to improve disease activity in the large portion of patients who do not reach low disease activity under conventional DMARDs.

[Pregnancy and inflammatory rheumatic diseases]. / Schwangerschaft bei entzündlich rheumatischen Erkrankungen.

Pregnancy in women with rheumatic diseases represents a challenge for patients and physicians and requires optimal shared decision-making strategies. However, the majority of women can have a successful pregnancy and the vast majority of babies are born healthy. Specific preconception care should be offered to women with rheumatic diseases to optimize and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. A careful assessment of possible risks and the justified use of antirheumatic drugs before, during and after pregnancy are key issues.