[Is it possible to delegate medical services to qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology when evaluating patients with suspicion of ankylosing spondylitis?-Results of the PredAS study]. / Ist eine Delegation ärztlicher Leistungen auf rheumatologische Fachassistenten bei der Evaluierung von Patienten mit Verdacht auf ankylosierende Spondylitis möglich? ­ Ergebnisse der PredAS-Studie.

BACKGROUND: The often slow onset of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the initially partially unspecific symptoms (back pain) and the scarcity of resources in rheumatological care are important factors leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment of these mostly young patients in Germany. Qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology might improve quality of care by providing medical services delegated by the rheumatologists. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate whether qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology can interpret anamnestic and clinical findings such as rheumatologists in patients with chronic low back pain and still unclear diagnosis using a structured questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the multicenter PredAS study a structured anamnestic questionnaire was applied independently by qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology and rheumatologists to patients referred to rheumatology practices with the leading symptom of low back pain. The questionnaire covered basic demographic data, medical history and patient reported outcomes. Additionally, measurements of physical function using the Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) and spinal mobility using the Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI) were standardized. In order to test the possible facilitation by using digital media, the results of two patient groups were separately documented on paper-based report forms and on an i­pad. Concordance between documentation by qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology and rheumatologists was studied by calculating Cohen's kappa, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and percentage agreement on an individual patient level. RESULTS: Nearly 75% of the 141 patients with chronic low back pain were identified as having the characteristics of inflammatory back pain. The concordance of the documentation for the anamnesis of back pain by qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology and physicians was higher than for the localization of the back pain. The results for the BASMI showed no differences between qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology and physicians (ICC 0.925, 95 % confidence interval, CI 0.879-0.953). The time taken for the structured documentation was 20 ± 6.7 min for physicians and 28.5 ± 13 min for qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that well-trained qualified nurses specialized in rheumatology have a high potential to take over some of the workload from rheumatologists during documentation of the anamnesis and the initial physical examination in the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.

Evaluation of the impact of a nurse-led program of systematic screening of comorbidities in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: The results of the COMEDSPA prospective, controlled, one year randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a nurse-led program of systematic screening for the management (detection/prevention) of comorbidities. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled, open, 12-month trial (NCT02374749). PARTICIPANTS: consecutive patients with axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) (according to the rheumatologist) THE PROGRAM: A nurse collected data on comorbidities during a specific outpatient visit. In the event of non-agreement with recommendations, the patient was informed and a specific recommendation was given to the patient (orally and in a with a detailed written report). Patients were seen after one year in a nurse-led visit. TREATMENT ALLOCATION: random allocation (i.e. either this program or an educational program not presented here and considered here as the control group). MAIN OUTCOME: change after one year of a weighted comorbidity management score (0 to 100 where 0= optimal management). RESULTS: 502 patients were included (252 and 250 in the active and control groups, respectively): age: 47±12 years, male gender: 63%, disease duration: 14±11y. After one year, no differences were observed in a weighted comorbidity management score. However, the number of patients in agreement with recommendations was significantly higher in the active group for vaccinations (flu vaccination: 28.6% vs. 9.9%, p<0.01; pneumococcal vaccination:40.0% vs. 21.1%,p=0.04), for cancer screening (skin cancer screening: 36.3% vs. 17.2%, p=0.04) and for osteoporosis (bone densitometry performed: 22.6% vs. 8.7%, p<0.01; Vitamin D supplementation initiation: 51.9% vs. 9.4%, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study suggests the short-term benefit of a single-visit nurse-led program for systematic screening of comorbidities for its management in agreement with recommendations, even in this young population of patients with axSpA.

2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis.

To update the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) using the most up to date evidence. The EULAR standardised operating procedures were followed. A task force of rheumatologists, health professionals and patients, representing 17 European countries updated the recommendations, based on a systematic literature review and expert consensus. Higher level of evidence and new insights into nursing care for patients with CIA were added to the recommendation. Level of agreement was obtained by email voting. The search identified 2609 records, of which 51 (41 papers, 10 abstracts), mostly on rheumatoid arthritis, were included. Based on consensus, the task force formulated three overarching principles and eight recommendations. One recommendation remained unchanged, six were reworded, two were merged and one was reformulated as an overarching principle. Two additional overarching principles were formulated. The overarching principles emphasise the nurse's role as part of a healthcare team, describe the importance of providing evidence-based care and endorse shared decision-making in the nursing consultation with the patient. The recommendations cover the contribution of rheumatology nursing in needs-based patient education, satisfaction with care, timely access to care, disease management, efficiency of care, psychosocial support and the promotion of self-management. The level of agreement among task force members was high (mean 9.7, range 9.6-10.0). The updated recommendations encompass three overarching principles and eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of CIA.

Effects of Multidisciplinary Team-Based Nurse-led Transitional Care on Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of transitional care by a nurse-led multidisciplinary team (MDT) on clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: A randomized control study design was used. Subjects were allocated randomly to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received intensive transitional care by a nurse-led MDT, whereas the control group received routine nursing care. Disease activity, spinal mobility, comprehensive function, health service utilization, and quality of life were assessed at the baseline and at six months with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), a health service utilization questionnaire and version 2 of the Short Form-36 health survey. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the BASDAI, BASFI, emergency visits, hospitalizations, hospitalization days, and bodily pain, vitality, mental health, total score, and average score of version 2 of the Short Form-36 health survey were improved in the experimental group (p < .05), whereas only bodily pain, vitality, and role-emotional were improved in the control group (p < .05). At six months, the experimental group exhibited significantly more improvement on the BASDAI, BASFI, hospitalizations, all domains except Role-physical as well as total score and average score (p < .05) compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: A MDT-based nurse-led transitional care improves clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Future research should be carried out on modes of follow-up and family support.

Arthritis: joints inflamed.

ARTHRITIS IS a generic term for inflammatory joint disease. There are various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Arthritis can be a chronic debilitating condition or a transient effect of bacterial or viral infections. As a chronic condition, arthritis can cause loss of quality of life, disability and, with rheumatoid disease, early death. The economic burden of arthritis, in terms of management and loss of productivity due to disability, is high and set to increase with the ageing population. Recent advances in our understanding of the causes and progression of a number of forms of arthritis have raised hopes of better management and possible remission. Pharmacotherapy has moved from symptom management to addressing underlying disease processes. However, therapies that prevent or cure arthritis remain elusive. Current care for people with arthritis relies on a multidisciplinary approach and substantial pharmacological intervention. Nurses have a key role to play in guiding patients through treatment, ensuring they receive optimal therapy to reduce the impact of arthritis and its management on their lives.

Nursing and safety of silver needle diathermy treating ankylosing spondylitis.

This paper aims to discuss the nursing and safety of silver needle diathermy in the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis. We nursed 46 patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with silver needle diathermy. Specific nursing was focused on physical condition evaluation and mental nursing before treatment, observation during and after treatment, diet nursing, needle eye nursing, functional training and propaganda and education when discharged. The result suggested that all the patients received mental nursing, diet guide, skin care, health education, functional training and follow-up visit from the nurse and all of them could endure silver needle diathermy as discomfort or drug allergy was barely found, so were slight scald and skin infection nearby the needle eye caused by fainting during acupuncture, accidental puncture or overheat. Follow-up visit showed that no patient suffered obvious untoward effect and the pain, joint range of motion and living condition were distinctly improved a week after discharging. In conclusion, during the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis applying silver needle diathermy, the nursing before, during and after the treatment can obviously reduce the complication, accelerate the recovery, which is highly safe.

Ankylosing spondylitis: diagnosis and management.

This article provides an overview of ankylosing spondylitis, including signs and symptoms, diagnosis and management. The article focuses on the difficulties and delays associated with diagnosing this chronic inflammatory disease and developments in diagnostic criteria. Changes in the management of patients with the disease are also discussed, particularly in light of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy.

Patients' needs and expectations with regard to rheumatology nursing care: results of multicentre focus group interviews.

OBJECTIVE: The contribution of rheumatology nurses to improved patient outcomes is increasingly recognised but more research is needed about the effects of interventions. The patient's role in deciding about healthcare quality is considered pivotal and therefore patients' opinions and expectations should be directional in defining priorities for a research agenda. The objective of this study was to explore needs and expectations with regard to rheumatology nursing care in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA). METHODS: Patients aged 18-90 years from three medical clinics in different regions in The Netherlands were invited to participate in focus group interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and independently analysed by the authors. In a consensus meeting the emerging subjects were categorised into themes which were verified in a fourth interview. RESULTS: In total, 20 patients, mean age 57 years old, participated in the focus group interviews. The majority had rheumatoid arthritis and mean disease duration was 15 years. The focus group interviews revealed 12 subthemes that were organised into four main themes: education, self-management support, emotional support and well organised care. Additionally, patients considered opinions about 'the personality of the nurse' (eg, easy to talk to) to be important. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CIA mentioned that many problems have to be addressed when one is faced with having a rheumatic disease. The focus group interviews yielded valuable information about the care these patients need and expect. This information will direct future research with regard to rheumatology nursing care.

Managing inflammatory arthritides: Role of the nurse practitioner and physician assistant.

PURPOSE: To review the current management of the inflammatory arthritides, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. This review examines the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) in the management of these chronic diseases. DATA SOURCES: A review of the scientific literature and current guidelines regarding the management of inflammatory arthritides. CONCLUSIONS: NPs and PAs play important roles in the interdisciplinary team involved in the treatment of patients with chronic inflammatory arthritic conditions. The management of inflammatory arthritides has evolved with the development of new treatment strategies and is focused on early intervention and minimizing progressive joint damage. NPs and PAs are ideally positioned to educate patients regarding treatment options and other important aspects of the disease process and to monitor disease activity using a number of validated instruments. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Through active disease management, NPs and PAs can influence their patients to make better, more informed choices regarding treatment, which may optimize patient outcomes.

La espondilitis anquilosante / Ankylosing spondylitis

La espondilitis anquilosante es una enfermedad inflamatoria de la columna vertebral que afecta, generalmente, a personas entre la segunda y cuarta década de la vida. Se caracteriza por la aparición de dolor lumbar de características inflamatorias, que despierta durante el reposo nocturno, asociado a rigidez espinal matutina, y acompañado, en ocasiones, de artritis y entesitis. Su prevalencia se estima entre el 0,05 y el 0,25% de la población. Afecta más a varones que a mujeres en una proporción 5:1. Los cuidados enfermeros,en esta patología, pueden ser muy importantes para facilitar el autocuidado y el afrontamiento eficaz de la enfermedad y deberían estar centrados en programas estructurados de Educación para la Salud dirigidos específicamente a estos enfermos.En este artículo, tercero de una serie dirigida a los cuidados enfermeros en reumatología, se presenta la espondilitis anquilosante, recorriendo generalidades de esta patología, sus manifestaciones clínicas y el manejo del régimen terapéutico en estos pacientes (AU)

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease of the spine that generally affects people between 20 and 40 years of age. It is characterized by the appearance of inflammatory lower back pain, usually during nocturnal sleep, and is associated with morning stiffness of the spine. It is sometimes accompanied by arthritis and enteritis.This disease affects approximately between 0,05 and 0,25% of the population. It affects more males than females in a 5:1 proportion.Nursing care in this pathology can be very important to facilitate self-care and the effective tackling of the disease, and should be focused on structured health education programs aimed specifically at this patient group.This article is the third of a series on rheumatology nursing care and describes ankylosing spondylitis, its main characteristics, its clinical manifestations and the management of the therapeutic regime for these patients (AU)