Limited end-user knowledge of methotrexate despite patient education: an assessment of rheumatologic preventive practice and effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is a first-line disease-modifying agent and anchor drug for biologic therapy used in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic disorders. Adverse effects are a common cause of drug discontinuation and include preventable serious incidents that may result in patient harm or death. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to audit adherence by health professionals to national and international guidelines for patient education and risk reduction in patients prescribed MTX for inflammatory rheumatic diseases. METHODS: A combination of interviews, case record reviews, and self-administered patient knowledge questionnaires with individual patient feedback was used. The setting was the rheumatology outpatient department of a district general hospital. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients participated in the audit. The mean age was 58.6 (SD, 13.1) years and median duration of disease was 3.7 years (interquartile range, 1.7-7.6 years). Nurse-led patient education was documented at baseline for 94.1% of participants. Despite this, only 11.8% of participants recognized the potentially lethal drug-drug interaction with trimethoprim/Septrin (co-trimoxazole), and less than 60.8% recognized possible major adverse effects related to MTX. Although lifestyle implications relating to alcohol consumption and pregnancy/breast-feeding were recognized by the majority, only 52.9% of males were aware of recommendations in relation to conception. Univariable and multivariable analyses identified male sex, not speaking English as a first language, and a longer duration of therapy as predictors of lower levels of patient knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Despite consistent baseline patient education, end-user knowledge and awareness pertinent to MTX safety are limited. Good-quality written information in the most appropriate language, patient feedback on educational programs, follow-up testing of patient knowledge, and targeted reeducation are recommended to address individual deficiencies in core knowledge.

A patient with Wegener's granulomatosis in apparent remission presenting with complete atrioventricular block.

Wegener's granulomatosis is a systemic necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis of small- to medium-sized vessels typically affecting upper and lower airways, lungs, and kidneys. Cardiac involvement is less common and conducting tissue involvement is extremely rare. Cardiac manifestations are often not clinically apparent, but are associated with increased mortality. We report the case of a 36-year-old female with Wegener's thought to be in remission, presenting in complete atrioventricular (AV) block, with echocardiographic evidence of basal interatrial septum and basal lateral left atrial wall thickening. Despite immunosuppression therapy a permanent pacemaker was required for recurring complete AV block. Although rare, this case emphasizes the need for careful and regular screening for cardiac involvement in this multi-system condition.

An audit of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in rheumatology outpatients.

BACKGROUND: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination are recommended for a number of clinical risk groups including patients treated with major immunosuppressant disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Such immunisation is not only safe but immunogenic in patients with rheumatic diseases. We sought to establish dual vaccination rates and significant influencing factors amongst our hospital rheumatology outpatients. METHOD: We audited a sample of 101 patients attending hospital rheumatology outpatient clinics on any form of disease modifying treatment by clinical questionnaire and medical record perusal. Further data were collected from the local immunisation coordinating agency and analysed by logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: Although there was a high rate of awareness with regard to immunisation, fewer patients on major immunosuppressants were vaccinated than patients with additional clinical risk factors against influenza (53% vs 93%, p < 0.001) or streptococcus pneumoniae (28% vs 64%, p = 0.001). The presence of additional risk factors was confirmed as significant in determining vaccination status by logistic regression for both influenza (OR 10.89, p < 0.001) and streptococcus pneumoniae (OR 4.55, p = 0.002). The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was also found to be a significant factor for pneumococcal vaccination (OR 5.1, p = 0.002). There was a negative trend suggesting that patients on major immunosuppressants are less likely to be immunised against pneumococcal antigen (OR 0.35, p = 0.067). CONCLUSION: Influenza and pneumococcal immunisation is suboptimal amongst patients on current immunosuppressant treatments attending rheumatology outpatient clinics. Raising awareness amongst patients may not be sufficient to improve vaccination rates and alternative strategies such as obligatory pneumococcal vaccination prior to treatment initiation and primary care provider education need to be explored.

Autoimmune inflammatory disorders, systemic corticosteroids and pneumocystis pneumonia: a strategy for prevention.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an increasing problem amongst patients on immunosuppression with autoimmune inflammatory disorders (AID). The disease presents acutely and its diagnosis requires bronchoalveolar lavage in most cases. Despite treatment with intravenous antibiotics, PCP carries a worse prognosis in AID patients than HIV positive patients. The overall incidence of PCP in patients with AID remains low, although patients with Wegener's granulomatosis are at particular risk. DISCUSSION: In adults with AID, the risk of PCP is related to treatment with systemic steroid, ill-defined individual variation in steroid sensitivity and CD4+ lymphocyte count. Rather than opting for PCP prophylaxis on the basis of disease or treatment with cyclophosphamide, we argue the case for carrying out CD4+ lymphocyte counts on selected patients as a means of identifying individuals who are most likely to benefit from PCP prophylaxis. SUMMARY: Corticosteroids, lymphopenia and a low CD4+ count in particular, have been identified as risk factors for the development of PCP in adults with AID. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) is an effective prophylactic agent, but indications for its use remain ill-defined. Further prospective trials are required to validate our proposed prevention strategy.