Prevalence of Malnutrition and Associated Factors in Older Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of malnutrition in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate associated risk factors. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included participants aged ≥65 years who met the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) and based on variables, such as albumin level, the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and vitamin D. Data were also collected on epidemiological variables, inflammatory disease activity, quality of life, physical function, and frailty. Multivariate models were used to study factors associated with nutritional status. RESULTS: The study population comprised 76 RA patients aged ≥65 years, of whom 68.4% had a normal nutritional status, and 31.5% had an impaired nutritional status: 28.9% were at risk of malnutrition, and 2.6% were malnourished. Additionally, 10% had albumin levels <3.8 g/L. Patients with impaired nutritional status had poorer quality of life and physical function. The factors associated with compromised nutritional status (OR [95% CI]) were age (1.0 [1.0-1.1]; p = 0.035), DAS28-ESR (1.8 [1.0-3.2]; p = 0.024), and EuroQoL-5D-5L (0.9 [0.9-0.9]; p = 0.040). Furthermore, the GNRI was associated with the MNA score (0.06 [0.0-0.1]; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of older patients with RA have impaired nutritional status. Older age, higher inflammatory disease activity, and decreased quality of life are associated with impaired nutritional status. The MNA and GNRI are valuable tools for assessing the nutritional status of patients with RA.

Sarcopenia and Nutrition in Elderly Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine Prevalence and Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients aged ≥65 years and identify the risk factors associated with sarcopenia. METHODS: This is a multicenter, controlled, cross-sectional study of 76 RA patients and 76 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Sarcopenia was defined according to the revised criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed. Binary regression was used to assess the relationship between sarcopenia and sex, age, duration of RA, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score in patients with RA. RESULTS: Nearly 80% of participants were female, and the average age was >70 years. Patients with RA had lower muscle mass and greater adiposity (fat-to-muscle ratio mean [SD] 0.9 [0.2] vs. 0.8 [0.2]; p = 0.017) than controls, mainly in the central area (android/gynoid ratio, median [p25-p75]: 1.0 [0.9-1.2] vs. 0.9 [0.8-1.1]; p < 0.001). Twelve patients (15.8%) and three controls (3.9%) had confirmed sarcopenia (p = 0.014). Sarcopenic obesity was observed in 8/76 patients with RA (10.5%) and in 1/76 controls (1.3%) (p = 0.016). The factors associated with sarcopenia were male sex (OR [95% CI]: 9.3 [1.1-80.4]; p = 0.042), disease duration (OR [95% CI]: 1.1 [1.0-1.2]; p = 0.012), and nutritional status according to the MNA (OR [95% CI]: 0.7 [0.5-0.9]; p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with RA aged ≥65 years may be at increased risk for sarcopenia, adiposity, and malnutrition (especially male patients with long-standing disease) and have poor nutritional status.

Nursing Recommendations in the Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Delphi Consensus.

Introduction: Nurses' role in the management of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is essential. Specific guidelines for nurses have not been previously developed in Spain. This project aimed to try to develop comprehensive and validated recommendations for nurses regarding the management of people with SLE. Method: A Delphi questionnaire with 90 general and specific recommendations was designed by the scientific committee and underwent two rounds of participation. Results: Panellists reached a consensus on "agreement" for 85 recommendations during the first round and for 87 recommendations after the second and final rounds. Panellists agreed that people with SLE should be managed within a multidisciplinary team, and that this team should include specialized nurses. Panellists stated that most of the services lack specialized nurses. Experts identified lack of specific training programs targeted to nurses as the main barrier for application of recommendations. Panellists recommended an extended role for nurses in the management of people with SLE, including diagnosis, patient education, treatment monitoring and administration, and follow-up. Conclusions: This study is the first consensus that provides nursing recommendations from experts on the management of people with SLE in Europe. Design of standardized training programs targeted to nurses would facilitate the application of the recommendations.

Openreuma consensus on the role of nursing in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and diffuse interstitial lung disease / Consenso de Openreuma sobre el papel de la enfermería en el cuidado de pacientes con artritis reumatoide y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa / Consenso Openreuma sobre o papel da enfermagem no cuidado de pacientes com artrite reumatoide e doença pulmonar intersticial difusa

Objective.To develop practical recommendations, based on the best available evidence and experience, on the nursing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods. The usual consensus methodology was used, with a nominal group, systematic reviews (SRs), and Delphi survey. The expert panel, consisting of rheumatology nurses, rheumatologists, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and a patient, defined the scope, the users, the topics on which to explore the evidence and on which to issue recommendations. Results.Three PICO questions evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation and non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux by means of SR of the literature. With the results of the reviews, 15 recommendations were established for which the degree of agreement was obtained with a Delphi survey. Three recommendations were rejected in the second round. The 12 recommendations were in patient assessment (n=4); patient education (n=4); and risk management (n=4). Only one recommendation was based on available evidence, while the remaining were based on expert opinion. The degree of agreement ranged from 77% to 100%. Conclusion.This document presents a series of recommendations with the aim of improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients with RA-ILD. Nursing knowledge and implementation of these recommendations can improve the follow-up and prognosis of patients with RA who present with ILD.

Objetivo.Desarrollar recomendaciones prácticas, basadas en la mejor evidencia y experiencia disponible, sobre el manejo de enfermería de los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI). Métodos. Se utilizó la metodología de consenso en la que un panel de expertos (formado por enfermeras de reumatología, reumatólogos, una psicóloga, una fisioterapeuta y una paciente) definió el ámbito, los usuarios, los temas sobre los que explorar la evidencia y sobre los que emitir recomendaciones. Tres preguntas PICO evaluaron la eficacia y seguridad de la rehabilitación pulmonar y las medidas no farmacológicas para el tratamiento de la tos crónica y el reflujo gastroesofágico mediante la búsqueda de revisiones sistemáticas, excluyendo aquellas cuya calidad era baja, muy baja o críticamente baja, según la herramienta AMSTAR-2. Posteriormente, se hizo una reunión para la formulación de recomendaciones que se presentaron con un resumen de la evidencia a la encuesta Delphi. Resultados.Con los resultados de las revisiones se establecieron 15 recomendaciones cuyo grado de acuerdo osciló entre el 77% y el 100% en la una encuesta Delphi. Tres recomendaciones fueron rechazadas en la segunda ronda: una por la evidencia disponible y los dos restantes se basaron en la opinión de expertos. Las 12 recomendaciones restantes aprobadas se referían a la evaluación del paciente (n=4), a la educación del paciente (n=4) y a la gestión del riesgo (n=4). Conclusión. El conocimiento del consenso Openreumapor parte de enfermería y la aplicación sus 12 recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia y experiencia puede mejorar el seguimiento y el pronóstico de los pacientes con AR que presentan EPI.

Objetivo.Desenvolver recomendações práticas, baseadas na melhor evidência e experiência disponíveis, sobre o manejo de enfermagem de pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) e doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI). Métodos.Foi utilizada a metodologia de consenso, com grupo nominal, revisões sistemáticas e levantamento Delphi. O painel de especialistas, formado por enfermeiros reumatologistas, reumatologistas, psicólogo, fisioterapeuta e paciente, definiu o escopo, os usuários, os tópicos sobre os quais explorar as evidências e sobre os quais emitir recomendações. Três questões do PICO avaliaram a eficácia e segurança da reabilitação pulmonar e medidas não farmacológicas para o tratamento da tosse crônica e refluxo gastroesofágico por meio de RS. Aqueles cuja qualidade era baixa, muito baixa ou criticamente baixa, de acordo com a ferramenta AMSTAR-2, foram excluídos. Posteriormente, realizou-se uma reunião para formular recomendações que foram apresentadas com um resumo das evidências ao inquérito Delphi. Resultados. Com os resultados das revisões, foram estabelecidas 15 recomendações cujo grau de concordância entre 77% e 100% foi obtido com uma pesquisa Delphi. Três recomendações foram rejeitadas na segunda rodada. As 12 recomendações referiam-se à avaliação do paciente (n=4); à educação do paciente (n=4); e ao gerenciamento de risco (n=4). Apenas uma recomendação foi baseada nas evidências disponíveis, enquanto as demais foram baseadas na opinião de especialistas. Conclusão. Este documento apresenta uma série de recomendações com o objetivo de melhorar o prognóstico e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com AR-ILD. O conhecimento da enfermagem e a aplicação dessas recomendações podem melhorar o acompanhamento e o prognóstico de pacientes com AR com DPI.

Openreuma Consensus on the role of nursing in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and diffuse interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES: To develop practical recommendations, based on the best available evidence and experience, on the nursing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: The usual consensus methodology was used, with a nominal group, systematic reviews (SRs), and Delphi survey. The expert panel, consisting of rheumatology nurses, rheumatologists, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and a patient, defined the scope, the users, the topics on which to explore the evidence and on which to issue recommendations. RESULTS: Three PICO questions evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation and non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux by means of SR of the literature. With the results of the reviews, 15 recommendations were established for which the degree of agreement was obtained with a Delphi survey. Three recommendations were rejected in the second round. The 12 recommendations were in patient assessment (n=4); patient education (n=4); and risk management (n=4). Only one recommendation was based on available evidence, while the remaining were based on expert opinion. The degree of agreement ranged from 77% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: This document presents a series of recommendations with the aim of improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients with RA-ILD. Nursing knowledge and implementation of these recommendations can improve the follow-up and prognosis of patients with RA who present with ILD.

Psychological factors associated with sleep disorders in patients with axial spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis: A multicenter cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: Studies in axial spondyloarthritis (AxSp) have shown that intensity of pain, anxiety, depression and inflammatory activity are associated with poor sleep quality. AIM: To describe mood and sleep disorders and positive psychological factors in patients with AxSp and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to evaluate the psychological factors that are potentially involved in sleep disorders. DESIGN: Multicenter cross-sectional observational study based on a series of patients with AxSp and PsA. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were selected consecutively from patients aged ≥18 years with AxSp or PsA followed at the rheumatology department of 4 Spanish hospitals. INCLUSION CRITERIA: age ≥18 years, AxSp (ASAS criteria) or PsA (CASPAR criteria), ability to understand the study and prepared to complete the questionnaires. METHODS: Main outcomes: Oviedo Sleep Quality questionnaire result. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: psychological status evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, health-related quality of life evaluated using SF-36, perception of pain evaluated using the short questionnaire for assessment of pain (BDU) and fatigue evaluated using the Fatigue Scale (FACIT) questionnaire. We performed a descriptive multivariate linear regression analysis to study factors that were independently associated with sleep disorders. The STROBE guidelines were adopted. RESULTS: We included 301 patients (152 [50.5%] with AxSp and 149 [49.5%] with PsA). The multivariate linear regression analysis for the whole sample showed that insomnia was inversely associated with emotional recovery and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and directly associated with depression in both groups. The analysis by disease (AxSp and PsA) showed that insomnia was independently associated with depression and emotional recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia may be associated with other mood disorders, quality of life and inflammatory activity in the patients studied here. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: A nurse intervention can be carried out to prevent sleep disorders knowing the consequences and triggers of the problem.

Association between serum dickkopf-1 levels and disease duration in axial spondyloarthritis / Asociación entre niveles séricos de Dickkopf-1 y duración de la enfermedad en espondiloartritis axial

Background. Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is characterized by new bone formation. The complex systems underlying this process involve Wnt-signaling pathway. It has been observed that serum levels of dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), an important inhibitor of Wnt-signaling, are decreased in patients with axSpA. However, these data are from studies including only patients with long-standing disease. The aim of this study is to investigate if symptom duration influences on serum DKK-1 levels in patients with axSpA. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study including consecutive patients with axSpA (ASAS criteria) naïve for anti-TNF therapy. Collected data included demographic and disease characteristics, time since first symptom onset, assessment of disease activity and function, and determination of DKK-1 serum levels. Patients were classified as early axSpA (symptom duration ≤5 years) and established axSpA (>5 years). Linear regression models were employed to investigate the variables related to DKK-1 serum levels. Results. In total, 90 patients were included. Sixty-eight patients had early axSpA and 22 had established disease. Serum levels of DKK-1 were significantly higher in patients with early axSpA compared with established axSpA (22.1±12.6 vs 16.4±10.7pM; p=0.04). Among all tested variables, only symptom duration was significantly and inversely correlated with DKK-1 serum levels (beta: −0.041; p=0.01). Conclusion. Serum DKK-1 levels in axSpA depend on disease duration. As disease duration increases, DKK-1 serum levels decrease. Based on this, an intensive treatment at early stages of the disease could have a better outcome on inhibiting/slowing radiographic progression in patients with axSpA (AU)

Objetivo. Espondiloartritis axial (EsPax) se caracteriza por nueva formación ósea. El complejo sistema que subyace este proceso incluye la vía de señal Wnt. Se ha demostrado que niveles séricos de dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), un importante inhibidor de la vía de señal Wnt, está disminuidos en pacientes con EsPax. Sin embargo, estos datos proceden exclusivamente de pacientes con EsPax de larga duración. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar si la duración de la enfermedad influye en niveles séricos de DKK-1 en pacientes con EsPax. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en pacientes con EsPax sin terapia anti-TNF. Se recogieron datos demográficos y de la enfermedad, y se determinaron niveles de DKK-1 séricos en la misma visita. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en base a la duración de síntomas en EsPax precoz (≤5 años) y establecida (>5 años). Se emplearon modelos de regresión lineal para investigar las variables asociadas con los niveles de DKK-1. Resultados. Se incluyeron 90 pacientes, 68 con EsPax precoz y 22 con EsPax establecida. Los niveles de DKK-1 fueron superiores en EsPax precoz comparado con EsPax establecida (22.1±12.6 vs 16.4±10.7pM; p=0.04). De todas las variables, sólo la duración de síntomas se asoció significativamente con DKK-1 (beta: −0.041; p=0.01). Conclusiones. Los niveles séricos de DKK-1 en EsPax, dependen de la duración de la enfermedad. A medida que la duración de la enfermedad aumenta, niveles séricos de DKK-1 disminuye. Por lo tanto, el tratamiento intensivo en estadios tempranos de la enfermedad podría tener un mejor resultado en inhibir/disminuir la progresión radiológica en pacientes con EsPax (AU)

Association between serum dickkopf-1 levels and disease duration in axial spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is characterized by new bone formation. The complex systems underlying this process involve Wnt-signaling pathway. It has been observed that serum levels of dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), an important inhibitor of Wnt-signaling, are decreased in patients with axSpA. However, these data are from studies including only patients with long-standing disease. The aim of this study is to investigate if symptom duration influences on serum DKK-1 levels in patients with axSpA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study including consecutive patients with axSpA (ASAS criteria) naïve for anti-TNF therapy. Collected data included demographic and disease characteristics, time since first symptom onset, assessment of disease activity and function, and determination of DKK-1 serum levels. Patients were classified as early axSpA (symptom duration ≤5 years) and established axSpA (>5 years). Linear regression models were employed to investigate the variables related to DKK-1 serum levels. RESULTS: In total, 90 patients were included. Sixty-eight patients had early axSpA and 22 had established disease. Serum levels of DKK-1 were significantly higher in patients with early axSpA compared with established axSpA (22.1±12.6 vs 16.4±10.7pM; p=0.04). Among all tested variables, only symptom duration was significantly and inversely correlated with DKK-1 serum levels (beta: -0.041; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum DKK-1 levels in axSpA depend on disease duration. As disease duration increases, DKK-1 serum levels decrease. Based on this, an intensive treatment at early stages of the disease could have a better outcome on inhibiting/slowing radiographic progression in patients with axSpA.