Perceptions of patients with rheumatic diseases on the impact on daily life and satisfaction with their medications: RHEU-LIFE, a survey to patients treated with subcutaneous biological products.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of patients with rheumatic diseases treated with subcutaneous (SC) biological drugs on the impact on daily life and satisfaction with current therapy, including preferred attributes. METHODS: A survey was developed ad hoc by four rheumatologists and three patients, including Likert questions on the impact of disease and treatment on daily life and preferred attributes of treatment. Rheumatologists from 50 participating centers were instructed to handout the survey to 20 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA), or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving SC biological drugs. Patients responded to the survey at home and sent it to a central facility by prepaid mail. RESULTS: A total of 592 patients returned the survey (response rate: 59.2%), 51.4% of whom had RA, 23.8% had ax-SpA, and 19.6% had PsA. Patients reported moderate-to-severe impact of their disease on their quality of life (QoL) (51.9%), work/daily activities (49.2%), emotional well-being (41.0%), personal relationships (26.0%), and close relatives' life (32.3%); 30%-50% patients reported seldom/never being inquired about these aspects by their rheumatologists. Treatment attributes ranked as most important were the normalization of QoL (43.6%) and the relief from symptoms (35.2%). The satisfaction with their current antirheumatic therapy was high (>80% were "satisfied" or "very satisfied"), despite moderate/severe impact of disease. CONCLUSION: Patients with rheumatic diseases on SC biological therapy perceive a high disease impact on different aspects of daily life, despite being highly satisfied with their treatment; the perception is that physicians do not frequently address personal problems. Normalization of QoL is the most important attribute of therapies to patients.

Understanding knee osteoarthritis from the patients' perspective: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: No studies of Health Coach Interventions for knee OA sufferers that include patients' perspectives have been published. The study assesses current clinical practice and primary care professionals' advice from the patients' perspective, in order to obtain a participative design for a complex intervention based on coaching psychology. Moreover, wants to analyse the experiences, perceptions, cognitive evaluation, values, emotions, beliefs and coping strategies of patients with knee osteoarthritis, and secondly the impact of these factors in the Self-management of this condition. METHODS: It is an interpretative qualitative study. The study included patients with diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (OA) from 4 primary health care centres in Barcelona. A theoretical sampling based on a prior definition of participants' characteristics was carried out. Ten semi-structured interviews with knee OA patients were carried out. A content thematic analysis was performed following a mixed-strategy text codification in Lazarus framework and in emerging codes from the data. RESULTS: The results are structured in two blocks: Experiences and perceptions of informants and Experiences of knee osteoarthritis according to the Lazarus model. Regarding experiences and perceptions of informants: Some participants reported that the information was mostly provided by health professionals. Informants know which food they should eat to lose weight and the benefits of weight loss. Moreover, participants explained that they like walking but that sometimes it is difficult to put into practice. Regarding experiences of knee osteoarthritis according Lazarus model: Cognitive evaluation is influenced by cognitive distortions such as obligation, guilt, dramatization and catastrophism. VALUES: Family is the value most associated with wellbeing. Helping others is another recurring value. Emotions: Most participants explain that they feel anxiety, irritability or sadness. Beliefs: To some, physiotherapy helps them feel less pain. However, others explain that it is of no use to them. Participants are aware of the association overweight- pain. Coping strategies: The strategies for coping with emotions aim to reduce psychological distress (anxiety, sadness, anger) and some are more active than others. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights that patients with knee osteoarthritis require a person-centered approach that provides them with strategies to overcome the psychological distress caused by this condition.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a health coaching intervention to improve the lifestyle of patients with knee osteoarthritis: cluster randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of osteoarthritis and knee osteoarthritis in the Spanish population is estimated at 17% and 10.2%, respectively. The clinical guidelines concur that the first line treatment for knee osteoarthritis should be non-pharmacological and include weight loss, physical activity and self-management of pain. Health Coaching has been defined as an intervention that facilitates the achievement of health improvement goals, the reduction of unhealthy lifestyles, the improvement of self-management for chronic conditions and quality of life enhancement. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of a health coaching intervention on quality of life, pain, overweight and physical activity in patients from 18 primary care centres of Barcelona with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS/DESIGN: Methodology from the Medical Research Council on developing complex interventions. Phase 1: Intervention modelling and operationalization through a qualitative, socioconstructivist study using theoretical sampling with 10 in-depth interviews to patients with knee osteoarthritis and 4 discussion groups of 8-12 primary care professionals, evaluated using a sociological discourse analysis. Phase 2: Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility study with a community-based randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: 360 patients with knee osteoarthritis (180 in each group). Randomization unit: Primary Care Centre. Intervention Group: will receive standard care plus 20-hour health coaching and follow-up sessions. CONTROL GROUP: will receive standard care. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: quality of life as measured by the WOMAC index. Data Analyses: will include standardized response mean and multilevel analysis of repeated measures. Economic analysis: based on cost-effectiveness and cost-utility measures. Phase 3: Evaluation of the intervention programme with a qualitative study. Methodology as in Phase 1. DISCUSSION: If the analyses show the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the intervention the results can be incorporated into the clinical guidelines for the management of knee osteoarthritis in primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN57405925. Registred 20 June 2014.

Ultrasound-detected musculoskeletal urate crystal deposition: which joints and what findings should be assessed for diagnosing gout?

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this prospective case-control study was to assess the diagnostic value of several intra-articular and periarticular ultrasound (US)-detected abnormalities in the upper and lower limbs in gout. The secondary objective was to test the concurrent validity of US abnormalities using as gold standard the microscopic demonstration of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. METHODS: Ninety-one men with gout and 42 age-matched controls were prospectively recruited. All patients with gout and controls underwent US assessment of several US abnormalities in 26 joints, six bursae, eight tendons, 20 tendon compartments, four ligaments, and 18 articular cartilages by experts in US blinded to the patients' group. Patients with gout and controls with US abnormalities were asked to undergo US-guided aspiration for microscopic identification of MSU crystals. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the US assessment was evaluated in a web-based exercise. RESULTS: The assessment of one joint (ie, radiocarpal joint) for hyperechoic aggregates (HAGs), two tendons (ie, patellar tendon and triceps tendon) for HAGs and three articular cartilages (ie, first metatarsal, talar and second metacarpal/femoral) for double contour sign showed the best balance between sensitivity and specificity (84.6% and 83.3%, respectively). Intraobserver reliability was good (mean κ 0.75) and interobserver reliability was moderate (κ 0.52). The aspirated material from HAGs was positive for MSU crystals in 77.6% of patients with gout and negative in all controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that US bilateral assessment of one joint, three articular cartilages and two tendons may be valid for diagnosing gout with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

Teaching enthesis ultrasound: experience of an ultrasound training workshop.

To evaluate a standardised enthesis ultrasound training method, a workshop was conducted to train rheumatologists on enthesis ultrasound. After a theoretical session about ultrasound elementary enthesis lesions (changes in tendon architecture/thickness, bone proliferation/erosion, bursitis or Doppler signal), a reading exercise of 28 entheses' ultrasonographic images (plantar fasciae, Achilles, origin and insertion of patellar tendon) was completed. Participants scored through an electronic multiple-choice device with six possible lesions in each enthesis. To assess the adequacy and efficacy of the workshop, we explored the following: (1) subjective outcomes: a 12-item structured satisfaction questionnaire (graded 1-5 using Likert scale) and (2) objective outcomes of reliability: sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and percentage of correctly classified cases (CC). Forty-nine participants attended the workshop. The satisfaction questionnaire demonstrated a 4.7 mean global value. The inter-reader Kappa reliability coefficient was moderate for the plantar fascia (0.47), Achilles tendon (0.47), and distal patellar tendons (0.50) and good for the proximal patellar tendon (0.63). The whole group means comparing to teachers' consensus were as follows: (a) plantar fascia: Se, 73.2%; Sp, 87.7%; CC, 83.3%; (b) Achilles: Se, 66.9%; Sp, 85.0%; CC, 79.5%; (c) distal patellar tendon: Se, 74.6%; Sp, 85.3%; CC, 82.1%; and (d) proximal patellar tendon: Se, 82.2%; Sp, 90.6%; CC, 88%. The proposed learning method seemed to be simple, easily performed, effective and well accepted by the target audience.

[Consensus Statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in spondyloarthritis except for psoriatic arthritis]. / Documento SER de consenso sobre el uso de terapias biológicas en la espondilitis anquilosante y otras espondiloartritis, excepto la artritis psoriásica.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the amount and variability in quality regarding the use of biologic therapy (BT) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), except for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology has promoted the generation of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should be a reference for rheumatologists and those involved in the treatment of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), except for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), who are using, or about to use BT. METHODS: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation were classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. RESULTS: We have produced recommendations on the use of BT currently available for SpA (but not PsA) in our country. These recommendations include disease assessment, treatment objectives, therapeutic scheme and switching. CONCLUSIONS: We present an update on the SER recommendations for the use of BT in patients with SpA, except for PsA.

[Consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in psoriatic arthritis]. / Documento SER de consenso sobre el uso de terapias biológicas en la artritis psoriásica.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the amount and quality variability regarding the use of biologic therapy (BT) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) has promoted the generation of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should serve as reference to rheumatologists and those involved in the treatment of patients with PsA, who are using, or about to use BT. METHODS: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and degree of recommendation was classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. RESULTS: We have produced recommendations for the use of TB currently available for PsA in our country. These recommendations include disease assessment, treatment objectives, therapeutic scheme and switching. CONCLUSIONS: We present an update on the SER recommendations for the use of BT in patients with PsA.

High prevalence of ultrasonographic synovitis and enthesopathy in patients with psoriasis without psoriatic arthritis: a prospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of synovitis, tenosynovitis and enthesitis with power Doppler (PD) ultrasonography (US) in patients with psoriasis without musculoskeletal diseases as compared with controls with other skin diseases without musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: A total of 162 patients with plaque psoriasis and 60 age-matched controls with other skin diseases, all without musculoskeletal diseases, were prospectively recruited at 14 centres. They underwent dermatological and rheumatological assessment and a blinded PDUS evaluation. Clinical assessment included demographics, comorbidities, severity of psoriasis, work and sport activities and musculoskeletal clinical examination. PDUS evaluation consisted of the detection of grey scale (GS) synovitis and synovial PD signal in 36 joints, GS tenosynovitis and tenosynovial PD signal at 22 sites, and GS enthesopathy and entheseal PD signal in 18 entheses. RESULTS: US synovitis and enthesopathy were significantly more frequent in psoriatic patients than in controls (P = 0.024 and 0.005, respectively). The percentage of joints with US synovitis was 3.2% in the psoriasis group and 1.3% in the control group (P < 0.0005). US enthesopathy was present in 11.6% of entheses in the psoriasis group and 5.3% of entheses in the control group (P < 0.0005). Entheseal PD signal was found in 10 (7.4%) psoriatic patients, whereas no controls showed this finding (P = 0.05). Among demographic and clinical data, having psoriasis was the only significant predictive variable of the presence of US synovitis [odds ratio (OR) 2.1; P = 0.007] and enthesopathy (OR 2.6; P = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Psoriatic patients showed a significant prevalence of asymptomatic US synovitis and enthesopathy, which may indicate a subclinical musculoskeletal involvement.

Documento SER de consenso sobre el uso de terapias biológicas en la artritis psoriásica / Consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in psoriatic arthritis

Objetivo. Dada la gran cantidad de información actual sobre el uso de terapias biológicas (TB) en la artritis psoriásica (APs), y la variabilidad de la misma en cuanto a su calidad, desde la Sociedad Española de Reumatología (SER) se ha impulsado la generación de recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia posible. Éstas deben de servir de referencia para reumatólogos e implicados en el tratamiento de APs que vayan a utilizar o consideren la utilización de TB. Métodos. Las recomendaciones se emitieron siguiendo la metodología de grupos nominales y basadas en revisiones sistemáticas. El nivel de evidencia y el grado de recomendación se clasificaron según el modelo del Center for Evidence Based Medicine de Oxford y el grado de acuerdo se extrajo por técnica Delphi. Resultados. Se realizan recomendaciones sobre el uso de las TB disponibles en la actualidad en nuestro país para el tratamiento de la APs. Estas recomendaciones incluyen la evaluación de la enfermedad, objetivos del tratamiento, esquema terapéutico y cambios en el mismo. Conclusiones. Se presentan las actualizaciones a las recomendaciones SER para el uso de TB en pacientes con APs (AU)

Objective. Due to the amount and quality variability regarding the use of biologic therapy (BT) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) has promoted the generation of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should serve as reference to rheumatologists and those involved in the treatment of patients with PsA, who are using, or about to use BT. Methods. Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and degree of recommendation was classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. Results. We have produced recommendations for the use of TB currently available for PsA in our country. These recommendations include disease assessment, treatment objectives, therapeutic scheme and switching. Conclusions. We present an update on the SER recommendations for the use of BT in patients with PsA (AU)

Documento SER de consenso sobre el uso de terapias biológicas en la espondilitis anquilosante y otras espondiloartritis, excepto la artritis psoriásica / Consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in spondyloarthritis except for psoriatic arthritis

Objetivo. Dada la gran cantidad de información sobre las terapias biológicas (TB) en las espondiloartritis (EspA), excepto la artritis psoriásica (APs), y la variabilidad en cuanto a su calidad, desde la Sociedad Española de Reumatología (SER) se ha impulsado la generación de recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia posible. Estas deben de servir de referencia para reumatólogos e implicados en el tratamiento de estos pacientes. Métodos. Las recomendaciones se emitieron siguiendo la metodología de grupos nominales. El nivel de evidencia y el grado de recomendación se clasificaron según el modelo del Center for Evidence Based Medicine de Oxford y el grado de acuerdo se extrajo por técnica Delphi. Resultados. Se realizan recomendaciones sobre el uso de las TB para el tratamiento de las EspA (excepto la APs). Incluyen la evaluación de la enfermedad, objetivos del tratamiento, esquema terapéutico y cambios en éste. Conclusiones. Se presentan las actualizaciones a las recomendaciones SER para el uso de TB en pacientes con EsA, excepto la APs(AU)

Objective. Due to the amount and variability in quality regarding the use of biologic therapy (BT) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), except for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology has promoted the generation of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should be a reference for rheumatologists and those involved in the treatment of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), except for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), who are using, or about to use BT. Methods. Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation were classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. Results. We have produced recommendations on the use of BT currently available for SpA (but not PsA) in our country. These recommendations include disease assessment, treatment objectives, therapeutic scheme and switching. Conclusions. We present an update on the SER recommendations for the use of BT in patients with SpA, except for PsA(AU)

Power Doppler ultrasonography assessment of entheses in spondyloarthropathies: response to therapy of entheseal abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the response to therapy of entheseal abnormalities assessed with power Doppler (PD) ultrasound (US) in spondyloarthropathies (SpA). METHODS: A total of 327 patients with active SpA who were starting anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy were prospectively recruited at 35 Spanish centers. A PDUS examination of 14 peripheral entheses was performed by the same investigator in each center at baseline and at 6 months. The following elementary lesions were assessed at each enthesis (presence/absence): morphologic abnormalities (hypoechogenicity and/or thickening), entheseal calcific deposits, cortical abnormalities (bone erosion and/or proliferation), adjacent bursitis and intraenthesis and perienthesis (tendon body and/or bursa) PD signal. Response to therapy of each elementary lesion was assessed by calculating change in the cumulative presence from baseline to 6 months. Intraobserver reliability of PDUS was evaluated by blindly assessing the stored baseline images 3 months after the real-time examination. RESULTS: Complete data were obtained on 197 patients who received anti-TNF therapy for 6 months. In 91.4% of the patients there were gray-scale or PD elementary lesions at baseline and at 6 months. Cumulative entheseal morphologic abnormalities, intraenthesis PD, perienthesis PD, and bursitis showed a significant decrease from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.05). There was high intraobserver reliability for all elementary lesions (interclass correlation coefficient > 0.90, p < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: Entheseal morphologic abnormalities, PD signal, and bursitis were US abnormalities that were responsive to anti-TNF therapy in SpA. PDUS can be a reproducible method for multicenter monitoring of therapeutic response in enthesitis of SpA.

Metrología en espondiloartritis / Measuring spondyloarthritis

Las recomendaciones del Ankylosing Spondylitis Working Group (grupo ASAS) y del Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología para el tratamiento de las espondiloartritis con inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral aconsejan evaluar la movilidad espinal entre las medidas de respuesta al tratamiento. Es conocida la variabilidad clínica entre los reumatólogos al realizar este tipo de determinaciones. Recientemente, el grupo GRESSER ha creado en nuestro país una escuela para mejorar entre los reumatólogos el conocimiento en el área de las espondiloartritis. Uno de sus objetivos es la estandarización en la forma de realizar las mediciones en este grupo de enfermedades. Este documento resume la actividad desarrollada en un reciente taller con una detallada descripción de los procedimientos seguidos para cumplir cada una de las mediciones importantes que afectan al esqueleto axial. Con este texto esperamos contribuir a la deseada estandarización en el campo de la metrología de las espondiloartritis (AU)

The ASAS group recommendations as well as those from the SER consensus for the treatment of spondyloarthritis with TNF inhibitors advise for the performance of spinal motility tests among the response to treatment measures. The clinical variability between rheumatologists when performing these types of measurements is well documented. Recently, the GRESSER group in our country has created a school to improve knowledge in the area of spondyloarthritis among rheumatologists. One of their objectives is the standardization in the ways measurements are performed in this group of diseases. This document summarizes the activities developed in a recent workshop with a detailed description of the procedures followed to perform each one of the important measurements affecting the axial skeleton. With this we hope to contribute to the much desired standardization in the field of metrology in spondyloarthritis (AU)

Actualización del Documento de Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología sobre el uso de terapias biológicas en la artritis reumatoide / Update of the Consensus Statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis

Objetivo Servir de referencia para reumatólogos e implicados en el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide que vayan a utilizar o consideren la utilización de terapias biológicas en su manejo. Métodos Las recomendaciones se emitieron siguiendo la metodología de grupos nominales y basadas en revisiones sistemáticas. El nivel de evidencia y el grado de recomendación se clasificaron según el modelo del Center for Evidence Based Medicine de Oxford y el grado de acuerdo se extrajo por técnica Delphi. Resultados Se realizan recomendaciones sobre el uso de los siete agentes biológicos disponibles para la artritis reumatoide en la actualidad en nuestro país. El objetivo del tratamiento es lograr la remisión de la enfermedad lo más precozmente posible. Se revisan las indicaciones y matizaciones del uso de terapias biológicas y cuál debe ser la evaluación previa y la vigilancia del paciente con estos fármacos. Conclusiones Se presentan las actualizaciones a las recomendaciones SER para el uso de terapias biológicas en pacientes con artritis reumatoide(AU)

Objective To provide a reference to rheumatologists and to those involved in the treatment of RA who are using, or about to use biologic therapy. Methods Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation were classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. Results We have produced recommendations on the use of the seven biologic agents available for RA in our country. The objective of treatment is to achieve the remission of the disease as quickly as possible. Indications and nuances regarding the use of biologic therapy were reviewed as well as the evaluation that should be performed prior to administration and the follow up of patients undergoing this therapy. Conclusions We present an update on the SER recommendations for the use of biologic therapy in patients with RA(AU)

[Update of the Consensus Statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Actualización del Documento de Consenso de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología sobre el uso de terapias biológicas en la artritis reumatoide.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference to rheumatologists and to those involved in the treatment of RA who are using, or about to use biologic therapy. METHODS: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation were classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford. The level of agreement was established through Delphi technique. RESULTS: We have produced recommendations on the use of the seven biologic agents available for RA in our country. The objective of treatment is to achieve the remission of the disease as quickly as possible. Indications and nuances regarding the use of biologic therapy were reviewed as well as the evaluation that should be performed prior to administration and the follow up of patients undergoing this therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We present an update on the SER recommendations for the use of biologic therapy in patients with RA.

[Measuring spondyloarthritis]. / Metrología en espondiloartritis.

The ASAS group recommendations as well as those from the SER consensus for the treatment of spondyloarthritis with TNF inhibitors advise for the performance of spinal motility tests among the response to treatment measures. The clinical variability between rheumatologists when performing these types of measurements is well documented. Recently, the GRESSER group in our country has created a school to improve knowledge in the area of spondyloarthritis among rheumatologists. One of their objectives is the standardization in the ways measurements are performed in this group of diseases. This document summarizes the activities developed in a recent workshop with a detailed description of the procedures followed to perform each one of the important measurements affecting the axial skeleton. With this we hope to contribute to the much desired standardization in the field of metrology in spondyloarthritis.

Relación entre las distintas lesiones radiográficas y la discapacidad en la artritis reumatoide / Relationship between individual radiographic findings and disability in rheumatoid arthritis

Objetivo Analizar la relación entre la discapacidad y las distintas lesiones radiográficas en los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) y la influencia del tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad. Métodos Se realizaron radiografías anteroposteriores de ambas manos a 96 pacientes con AR. Dos lectores efectuaron la lectura de forma independiente y utilizaron el método de Sharp modificado por Kaye. La discapacidad se evaluó mediante la versión española del HAQ (Health Assessment Questionnaire 'Cuestionario de Evaluación de la Salud'). Resultados El HAQ (media ± desviación estándar) fue de 1,39 ± 0,79. La puntuación media del daño radiográfico total fue de 0,8 (el 18% de la puntuación máxima posible). La discapacidad sólo mostró una correlación estadísticamente significativa con la puntuación total (r = 0,33; p<0,05) y con la puntuación para la pérdida del espacio articular (r = 0,37; p<0,05) en los pacientes con AR tardía (más de 7 años de evolución). Las puntuaciones para erosiones y para la alteración del espacio articular no mostraron correlación significativa con la discapacidad. En la AR tardía se encontró una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre las categorías del HAQ correspondientes a comer (r = 0,48; p<0,001), vestirse (r = 0,42; p<0,01) y alcanzar (r = 0,3; p<0,05) con la puntuación total del método de Kaye. Conclusiones En el presente trabajo la discapacidad evaluada mediante el HAQ sólo se relaciona con el daño radiográfico en los pacientes con AR tardía. En este grupo, la pérdida del espacio articular es el hallazgo radiográfico que más se relaciona con las discapacidad (AU)

Objective To evaluate if the duration of disease influences the link between different radiographic specific features and disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the influence of disease duration on this relationship. Methods Conventional X- rays of both hands of 96 patients with RA were evaluated independently by 2 readers using Kayes’ modification of the Sharp method. Disability was evaluated with the Spanish version of the HAQ questionnaire. Results The mean HAQ was 1, 39 ± 0, 79. The mean total radiographic score was 0.8 (18% of the maximum possible score). Total and joint space narrowing scores only displayed a statistically significant correlation (r=0.33, r=.37, respectively, P<.05) with disability in the late RA group (>7 years). Erosion and malalignment scores were not correlated with HAQ. There was a statistically significant correlation between the eating, dressing and reach HAQ-categories and the total radiographic score in the late RA group (r=0.48, P<.001, r=0.42, P<.01, r=0.3, P<.05, respectively). Conclusion This work suggests that HAQ disability and radiographic damage are only related in cases with late RA. In this group, the subtotal radiographic score most related with disability is the joint space narrowing score (AU)

Economic burden of knee and hip osteoarthritis in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct and indirect osteoarthritis (OA)-attributable costs and predictors of costs of knee and hip OA in Spain. METHODS: This study included consecutive patients age > or = 50 years with symptomatic and radiologic knee and/or hip OA who were seen at primary care centers in all provinces of Spain. Information on demographics, health status (Short Form 12 Health Survey), comorbidities (Charlson Index), clinical (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) and radiologic OA severity (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] scale), data related to OA health resources utilization (medical and nonmedical), and subjects' and caregivers' expenses and time lost in the previous 6 months were collected in 2 separate, structured, and detailed interviews. Costs in euros were assigned using market prices and official sources if available, and were annualized (to 2007). The predictors of costs were assessed in multivariate regression models. Costs were log-transformed before being modeled. RESULTS: A total of 1,071 subjects were analyzed (74% women, mean +/- SD age 71 +/- 9 years). Average total annual costs were euro1,502 per patient. Direct costs accounted for 86% of the total cost. We estimated a national cost of euro4,738 million, representing 0.5% of the gross national product. Higher total costs were associated with comorbidity (Charlson Index odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.03-1.58), poorer health status (P < 0.050), worse WOMAC scores (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.08), and grade 4 K/L scores (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.15-2.69). CONCLUSION: The economic burden of knee and hip OA is substantial. Costs increased with comorbidity, poorer health status, and clinical and radiologic OA severity.

[Relationship between individual radiographic findings and disability in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Relación entre las distintas lesiones radiográficas y la discapacidad en la artritis reumatoide.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the duration of disease influences the link between different radiographic specific features and disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the influence of disease duration on this relationship. METHODS: Conventional X- rays of both hands of 96 patients with RA were evaluated independently by 2 readers using Kayes' modification of the Sharp method. Disability was evaluated with the Spanish version of the HAQ questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean HAQ was 1, 39 ± 0, 79. The mean total radiographic score was 0.8 (18% of the maximum possible score). Total and joint space narrowing scores only displayed a statistically significant correlation (r=0.33, r=.37, respectively, P<.05) with disability in the late RA group (>7 years). Erosion and malalignment scores were not correlated with HAQ. There was a statistically significant correlation between the eating, dressing and reach HAQ-categories and the total radiographic score in the late RA group (r=0.48, P<.001, r=0.42, P<.01, r=0.3, P<.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: This work suggests that HAQ disability and radiographic damage are only related in cases with late RA. In this group, the subtotal radiographic score most related with disability is the joint space narrowing score.

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)

Evaluación de pacientes con fibromialgia. Estudio comparativo de 4 versiones españolas del Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) / Evaluation of patients with fibromyalgia. Comparative study of 4 Spanish versions of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)

Objetivo: Describir y comparar el proceso de adaptación transcultural de las 4 versiones españolas validadas del Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Material y métodos: a) Cuestionarios. La primera versión (FIQ1) se presentó como tesis doctoral en 1988; la segunda (FIQ2) se publicó en una revista española de psicología; la tercera (FIQ3), en una revista en inglés y la última (FIQ4) apareció en noviembre de 2004 en la Revista Española de Reumatología. b) Método. Para cada una de las versiones se evaluó: 1) la equivalencia semántica respecto al FIQ original; 2) el nivel de desarrollo de las versiones, siguiendo un método estandarizado basado en el Índice GRAQoL (IG); y 3) el impacto de publicación. Resultados: El FIQ4 mostró una mayor equivalencia semántica. El nivel de desarrollo, a través del IG, arrojó los siguientes resultados: FIQ1, 56%; FIQ2, 50%; FIQ3, 75%; FIQ4, 31%. Sólo los trabajos del FIQ3 fueron publicados en revistas indexadas en Medline. Conclusión: La versión española FIQ3 presenta un mayor nivel de desarrollo, con una equivalencia semántica aceptable con respecto al original, y ha logrado un mayor impacto y visibilidad(AU)

Objective: To describe and compare the process of transcultural adaptation in the 4 validated Spanish versions of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Material and methods: a) Questionnaires. The first version (FIQ1) appeared as a doctoral thesis in 1988; the second (FIQ2) was published in a Spanish psychology journal; the third (FIQ3) was published in an English language journal; and the last (FIQ4) appeared in November 2004 in the Revista Española de Reumatología. b) Methods. In each of the versions the following were assessed: 1) the semantic equivalence with respect to the original FIQ, 2) each version’s degree of development following a standardized method based on the GRAQoL Index (GI), and 3) the impact of publication. Results: The FIQ4 showed a greater semantic equivalency. The degree of development shown by the GI produced the following results: FIQ1, 56%; FIQ2, 50%; FIQ3, 75%; FIQ4, 31%. Only the FIQ3 results were published in Medline-indexed journals. Conclusion: The Spanish FIQ3 version presents a greater degree of development and an acceptable semantic equivalency with respect to the original, and has achieved a greater impact(AU)