Biologics Initiation in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Race and Ethnicity: Results From a Randomized Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the race and ethnicity of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) influences rheumatologists' likelihood of choosing to initiate biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) treatment. METHODS: We conducted a randomized survey experiment in which identical brief case vignettes of hypothetical patients with RA were sent to US rheumatologists (respondents). Three of the four cases included some level of treatment decision ambiguity whereas the fourth case strongly favored bDMARD initiation. Each respondent was shown the four case vignettes, with the race and ethnicity (Black, Hispanic, White) randomly assigned for each case. Each vignette offered multiple choices for next therapeutic step, which we summarized using frequencies and proportions by race and ethnicity version. RESULTS: Among 159 US rheumatologists, we found that for the three cases with some level of treatment decision ambiguity, there was little to no variability in the proportions of respondents who chose to start a biologic for the Black and Hispanic variants (cases 1, 2, and 3). For case 4, respondents generally agreed to start a biologic with some minimal variability across the variants (92.6% for the Black version, 98.1% for the Hispanic version, and 96.2% for the White version). CONCLUSION: There are conflicting data regarding bDMARD use and initiation in patients with RA based on the sex and race of the patient. This work adds to this conversation by examining how the next therapeutic step chosen by rheumatologists varied by the race and ethnicity of the hypothetical patient.

Evolution and impact of a dedicated ultrasound clinic on clinical rheumatology practice at an academic medical center.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatologic ultrasonography (RhUS) has grown in scope and application over the past 20 years. While many studies have shown the benefits of RhUS, few have investigated the efficacy of a dedicated clinic. This study explores the impact of a dedicated ultrasound clinic on patients and rheumatologists at an academic medical center (AMC). METHODS: We analyzed claims data for patient visits, X-rays (XR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and RhUS from an AMC with an established RhUS clinic, alongside two affiliated community medical practices (CMPs) without RhUS. We also analyzed RhUS clinic records on referral indication, procedures, results, and follow-up treatment changes. Pre- and post-RhUS visit patient surveys and referring physician (RP) surveys assessed experience and impact of the RhUS clinic. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2021, referrals to the RhUS clinic substantially increased. In parallel, XR and MRI orders changed by -76 % and -43 % respectively, compared with 163 % and -24 % at CMPs. Discordance between RP pre-RhUS assessments and RhUS results were common. Patient surveys showed RhUS led to increased disease understanding and impacted thoughts and decisions about their therapy. RPs found utility in RhUS across a range of indications and were confident with RhUS results. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a dedicated RhUS clinic can be a valuable resource in clinical rheumatology practice. Implementation of a RhUS clinic at this AMC spurred rapid adoption of RhUS into clinical decision-making with notable benefits for patients and physicians alike. This may serve as a model for implementation of similar clinics at other institutions.

Lung Ultrasound in Children With Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) associated with lung disease (JIA-LD) is a potentially life threating complication in children with systemic JIA. Although high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is considered the gold standard imaging modality for evaluating interstitial lung disease (ILD), lung ultrasound (US) has shown utility for ILD screening in adults with connective tissue diseases at lower cost and without using ionizing radiation. The goals of this pilot study were to describe lung US features in children with known systemic JIA-LD and to assess the feasibility of lung US in this population. METHODS: Children age <18 years with systemic JIA-LD and healthy controls were enrolled. Lung US acquisition was performed at 14 lung positions. Demographic, clinical, and HRCT data were collected and reviewed. Feasibility was assessed through patient surveys. Lung US findings were qualitatively and semiquantitatively assessed and compared to HRCT findings. RESULTS: Lung US was performed in 9 children with systemic JIA-LD and 6 healthy controls and took 12 minutes on average to perform. Lung US findings in systemic JIA-LD included focal to diffuse pleural irregularity, granularity, and thickening, with associated scattered or coalesced B-lines, and subpleural consolidations. Lung US findings appeared to correspond to HRCT findings. CONCLUSION: Lung US in systemic JIA-LD reveals highly conspicuous abnormalities in the pleura and subpleura that appear to correlate with peripheral lung findings on HRCT. Lung US is a feasible imaging tool in children even from an early age. This study suggests a potential role of lung US in systemic JIA-LD screening, diagnosis, and/or prognostication.