Repurposed Antiviral Drugs for Covid-19 - Interim WHO Solidarity Trial Results.

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization expert groups recommended mortality trials of four repurposed antiviral drugs - remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon beta-1a - in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). METHODS: We randomly assigned inpatients with Covid-19 equally between one of the trial drug regimens that was locally available and open control (up to five options, four active and the local standard of care). The intention-to-treat primary analyses examined in-hospital mortality in the four pairwise comparisons of each trial drug and its control (drug available but patient assigned to the same care without that drug). Rate ratios for death were calculated with stratification according to age and status regarding mechanical ventilation at trial entry. RESULTS: At 405 hospitals in 30 countries, 11,330 adults underwent randomization; 2750 were assigned to receive remdesivir, 954 to hydroxychloroquine, 1411 to lopinavir (without interferon), 2063 to interferon (including 651 to interferon plus lopinavir), and 4088 to no trial drug. Adherence was 94 to 96% midway through treatment, with 2 to 6% crossover. In total, 1253 deaths were reported (median day of death, day 8; interquartile range, 4 to 14). The Kaplan-Meier 28-day mortality was 11.8% (39.0% if the patient was already receiving ventilation at randomization and 9.5% otherwise). Death occurred in 301 of 2743 patients receiving remdesivir and in 303 of 2708 receiving its control (rate ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.11; P = 0.50), in 104 of 947 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine and in 84 of 906 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.59; P = 0.23), in 148 of 1399 patients receiving lopinavir and in 146 of 1372 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.25; P = 0.97), and in 243 of 2050 patients receiving interferon and in 216 of 2050 receiving its control (rate ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.39; P = 0.11). No drug definitely reduced mortality, overall or in any subgroup, or reduced initiation of ventilation or hospitalization duration. CONCLUSIONS: These remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, and interferon regimens had little or no effect on hospitalized patients with Covid-19, as indicated by overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay. (Funded by the World Health Organization; ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN83971151; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04315948.).

Terapias avanzadas / Advanced therapies

No disponible

Silicone ring tourniquet versus pneumatic cuff tourniquet in total knee arthroplasty surgery: A randomised comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to compare a silicone ring tourniquet (SRT) and a classic pneumatic cuff tourniquet (PT) in patients undergoing total knee replacement. We have compared the impact on the glycolytic activity caused by the ischaemia applied to the limb during the surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 140 patients that underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomised in two groups. Serum lactate determination was made by reactive strips of enzymatic-amperometric detection, 5 min before tourniquet application and 5 min after tourniquet removal. RESULTS: The mean tourniquet time was similar for both groups (p 0.13). Postoperative serum lactate levels were higher with statistical significance than the preoperative levels and with a positive Pearson´s correlation in the overall cases. The postoperative serum lactate levels where higher in the PT group (4.097 ±â€¯2.248 mmol/L) than the SRT group (3.499 ±â€¯1.566 mmol/L). There was no significant difference (p 0.07) to be able to affirm that there was a difference of the anaerobic metabolism according to the tourniquet system used. DISCUSSION: Ischaemia applied to the lower extremity during knee replacement surgery can produce tissue injury. Serum lactate determination allows comparison of the ischaemic changes during TKA surgery caused by two different tourniquet systems. CONCLUSIONS: SRT may be not disadvantageous compared to the classic PT from the impact on the glycolytic activity caused by the ischaemia.Level of evidence II.

Costes médicos directos y sus predictores en la cohorte "Variabilidad en el manejo de la artritis reumatoide y las espondiloartritis en España" / Direct medical costs and their predictors in the EMAR-II cohort: "Variability in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis in Spain"

Objetivo. Estimar los costes médicos directos en los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) y los factores predictores en los pacientes tratados con fármacos biológicos y sin biológicos. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal en una muestra incluyendo pacientes de toda la geografía nacional. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos y de tratamiento. Se registró la utilización de recursos para los 2 años de estudio y se hizo imputación de costes. Se realizaron análisis de correlación en todos los pacientes con AR y en los tratados con y sin biológicos, para estimar las diferencias entre los grupos. Los predictores de costes se analizaron mediante modelos de regresión lineal. Resultados. Se incluyeron 1.095 pacientes con AR, el 26% hombres, con una edad media de 62±14 años. La media de los costes médicos directos por paciente fue de 24.291±45.382€. Excluyendo los fármacos biológicos, el coste medio por paciente fue de 3.742±3.711€. Después de ajustar, los factores predictores de costes médicos directos para todos los pacientes con AR fueron los fármacos biológicos (p=0,00), la comorbilidad (p=0,00) y la edad del paciente (p=0,01). En el grupo sin biológicos, los predictores fueron la comorbilidad (p=0,00) y la edad del paciente (p=0,01). En el grupo con biológicos los predictores fueron el sexo del paciente (p=0,03) y la actividad de la enfermedad (p=0,02). Conclusión. Los datos muestran un notable impacto económico de la AR. Es importante identificar y estimar los factores asociados a mayor coste para desarrollar estrategias de reducción de costes y aumentar la calidad de la atención (AU)

Objective. To analyze the resource utilization in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and predictive factors in and patients treated with biological drugs and biologic-naïve. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample including all regions and hospitals throughout the country. Sociodemographic data, disease activity parameters and treatment data were obtained. Resource utilization for two years of study was recorded and we made costs imputation. Correlation analyzes were performed on all RA patients and those treated with biological and biological naïve, to estimate the differences in resource utilization. Factors associated with increased resources utilization (costs) attending to treatment was analyzed by linear regression models. Results. We included 1,095 RA patients, 26% male, mean age of 62±14 years. Mean of direct medical costs per patient was €24,291±€45,382. Excluding biological drugs, the average cost per patient was €3,742±€3,711. After adjustment, factors associated with direct medical costs for all RA patients were biologic drugs (P=.02) and disease activity (P=.004). In the biologic-naïve group, the predictor of direct medical costs was comorbidity (P<.001). In the biologic treatment group predictors were follow-up length of the disease (P=.04), age (P=.02) and disease activity (P=.007). Conclusion. Our data show a remarkable economic impact of RA. It is important to identify and estimate the economic impact of the disease, compare data from other geographic samples and to develop improvement strategies to reduce these costs and increase the quality of care (AU)

Direct medical costs and their predictors in the EMAR-II cohort: "Variability in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis in Spain". / Costes médicos directos y sus predictores en la cohorte "Variabilidad en el manejo de la artritis reumatoide y las espondiloartritis en España".

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the resource utilization in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and predictive factors in and patients treated with biological drugs and biologic-naïve. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample including all regions and hospitals throughout the country. Sociodemographic data, disease activity parameters and treatment data were obtained. Resource utilization for two years of study was recorded and we made costs imputation. Correlation analyzes were performed on all RA patients and those treated with biological and biological naïve, to estimate the differences in resource utilization. Factors associated with increased resources utilization (costs) attending to treatment was analyzed by linear regression models. RESULTS: We included 1,095 RA patients, 26% male, mean age of 62±14 years. Mean of direct medical costs per patient was €24,291±€45,382. Excluding biological drugs, the average cost per patient was €3,742±€3,711. After adjustment, factors associated with direct medical costs for all RA patients were biologic drugs (P=.02) and disease activity (P=.004). In the biologic-naïve group, the predictor of direct medical costs was comorbidity (P<.001). In the biologic treatment group predictors were follow-up length of the disease (P=.04), age (P=.02) and disease activity (P=.007). CONCLUSION: Our data show a remarkable economic impact of RA. It is important to identify and estimate the economic impact of the disease, compare data from other geographic samples and to develop improvement strategies to reduce these costs and increase the quality of care.

Mitos y realidades sobre los medicamentos biosimilares / Biosimilar drugs, myths and reality

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Orthopedic surgery in rheumatoid arthritis in the era of biologic therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze sociodemographic and clinic-related factors associated with the use of orthopedic surgical procedures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing on the potential role of new biologic therapies. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed in a probability sample of 1272 patients with RA from 47 units distributed in 19 Spanish regions. Sociodemographic and clinical features, use of drugs, and arthritis-related joint surgeries were recorded following a standardized protocol. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (7.4%) underwent any orthopedic surgery during their disease course, with a total of 114 surgeries; 47 (41.2%) of these surgeries were total joint replacement (TJR). The median time to first orthopedic procedure was 7.9 years from the onset of RA symptoms, and the rate of orthopedic surgery (excluding TJR) was 4.5 procedures per 100 person-years from the beginning of RA, while the rate of TJR was 2.25 interventions per 100 person-years. A higher risk of undergoing an orthopedic surgical procedure was associated with taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) in the previous 2 years, female sex, longterm disease, and the presence of extraarticular complications. The risk factors for undergoing a TJR were being old, having a longterm disease, and taking biologic therapies. CONCLUSION: In the era of biologics, our national audit found a low percentage of patients who underwent orthopedic surgery, probably reflecting a thorough management of the RA. Sociodemographic factors, longterm RA, extraarticular complications, and NSAID were associated with orthopedic surgery.

Estudio sobre el manejo de la artritis reumatoide en España (emAR II). Características clínicas de los pacientes / Management of rheumatoid arthritis in Spain (emAR II). Clinical characteristics

Fundamento. Los resultados de estudios previos muestran una amplia variabilidad en los medios diagnósticos y terapéuticos en artritis reumatoide (AR) en España. La calidad asistencial se beneficiaría al aplicar estándares de práctica apropiados; se presenta un estudio sobre variabilidad en el manejo de la AR en España. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo de revisión de historias clínicas (HC) de pacientes con AR de edad mayor de 16 años, seleccionados por muestreo estratificado por comunidades autónomas y bietápico por centro hospitalario y paciente. Se recogió datos sociodemográficos, evolución, seguimiento, recuento articular, reactantes, función, vida laboral, escalas visuales analógicas (EVA) y otros. Resultados. Se obtuvo información válida de 1.272 pacientes con AR. Se empleó mayoritariamente la VSG, PCR y factor reumatoide (FR). Los porcentajes de ausencia de datos en los recuentos de articulaciones dolorosas (NAD) y tumefactas (NAT) son el 8,2 y el 9,6%; se utilizaron poco las EVA. Conclusiones. A pesar de tener una guía de práctica clínica sobre la AR, existe variabilidad en su manejo (AU)

Background: There is a wide variability in the diagnostic and therapeutic methods in rheumatoid arthritis (AR) in Spain, according to prior studies. The quality of care could benefit from the application of appropriate clinical practice standards; we present a study on the variability of clinical practice. Methods: Descriptive review of clinical records (CR) of patients aged 16 or older diagnosed with RA, selected by stratified sampling of the Autonomous Communities in two stages per Hospital Center and patient. Collected analysis of sociodemographic data, evolution, follow-up, joint count, reactants, function, job history, Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) and other. Results: We obtained valid information of 1,272 RA patients. The ESR, CRP and rheumatoid factor (RF) were regularly used parameters. The percentages of missing data in tender (TJN) and swollen (SJN) joint counts were 8.2% and 9.6% respectively; regarding the VAS we found 53.6% (patient), 59.1% (pain), and 72% in the physician VAS. Conclusions: Despite having clinical practice guidelines on RA, there still exists a significant variability in RA management in our country (AU)

Características de los pacientes con espondiloartritis seguidos en unidades de reumatología en España. Estudio emAR II / Characteristics of patients with spondyloarthritis followed in rheumatology units in Spain. emAR II study

Objetivos. Describir las características clínicas y demográficas de los pacientes con espondiloartritis en España. Pacientes y métodos. Revisión de historias clínicas aleatorizadas de pacientes con espondiloartritis mayores de 16 años, con al menos una visita al reumatólogo en los 2 años anteriores. Se recogió información sobre datos sociodemográficos y clínicos (tiempo de duración de la enfermedad, categoría diagnóstica, actividad de la enfermedad, manifestaciones extrarticulares, y comorbilidad). Resultados. Se incluyeron 1.168 pacientes procedentes de 46 hospitales de toda España. El 68% eran varones con valores mediana de edad y tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad de 49,2 años (39,7-60,5) y de 105 meses (48,4-192,5), respectivamente. Los diagnósticos, por orden de frecuencia, fueron: espondilitis anquilosante (n = 629, 55,2%), artritis psoriásica (n = 253, 22,2%), espondiloartritis indiferenciada (n = 184, 16,1%), artritis asociada a enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (n = 50, 4,4%) y artritis reactiva (n = 16, 1,4%). Las manifestaciones extrarticulares más comunes fueron: psoriasis (20,8%), uveítis anterior (19,4%) y entesitis (16,9%). Constaba la existencia de incapacidad laboral en el 8,3% de las historias clínicas. Constaban datos clínicos como el BASDAI solo en el 34% y la medida de metrología más utilizada, el test de Schöber, faltaba en el 37,7% de las historias. Conclusiones. Las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes con espondiloartritis del estudio emAR II, no difieren de forma global de lo publicado previamente en otros estudios, excepto para el diagnóstico de formas indiferenciadas, que son más frecuentes en nuestros pacientes que en otras publicaciones. La calidad de los registros de actividad en las historias clínicas es mejorable (AU)

Objective. To describe the main demographic and clinical features of patients with spondyloarthropaties in Spain. Patients and methods. Review of randomized clinical charts of patients with spondyloarthropaties with at least one visit to the rheumatologist in the previous two years. Information was collected on demographic and clinical data (duration of illness, diagnostic category, disease activity, extrarticular manifestations, comorbidity and work disability). Results. 1,168 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 49.2 years (39.7-60.5), 68.0% were males, and median time of disease was 105.1 month (48.4-192.5). The diagnoses and clinical data such as the BASDAI were reported only in 34,0% of the patients. The most widely used measure of metrology, the Schober test, was missing in 37.7% of the clinical charts. The patients included had the following diagnoses: Ankylosing spondylitis (n = 629, 55.2%), Psoriatic arthritis (n= 253, 22.2%), Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (n = 184, 16.1%), Arthritis associated to Inflammatory bowel disease (n= 50, 4.4%), and Reactive arthritis (n= 16, 1.4%). The most common extraarticular manifestations were psoriasis (20.8%), anterior uveitis (19.4%), and enthesitis (16.9%). Some kind of work disability was reported in 8.3% of the patients. Conclusions. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with spondyloarthropaties in Spain do not differ as a whole from other published studies, except for Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis, which was more likely in our patients than in other studies. The quality of the records of activity in the clinical charts could be improved (AU)

Variabilidad en el consumo de recursos en pacientes con espondiloartritis en España. Datos descriptivos preliminares del estudio emAR II / Variability in resource consumption in patients with spondyloarthritis in Spain. Preliminary descriptive data from the emAR II study

Objetivo. Describir la variabilidad en el manejo de las espondiloartritis (EsA) en España en términos de consumo de recursos sanitarios y la utilización de técnicas. Métodos. Revisión de 1.168 historias clínicas de pacientes con EsA atendidos en servicios de reumatología de hospitales españoles, seleccionadas aleatoriamente. Se analizaron las variables sociodemográficas y las variables relacionadas con el consumo de recursos sanitarios. Resultados. El número total de visitas médicas a reumatología fue de 5.908, con una tasa de 254 consultas/100 pacientes-año. El número total de visitas a enfermería reumatológica fue de 775, con una tasa de 39 visitas/100 pacientes-año, y se produjeron 446 ingresos, lo que representa una tasa de 22 por 100 pacientes-año. El número de ingresos debidos a la EsA fue de 89, con una tasa de 18 ingresos/100 pacientes-año. El total de visitas a otros especialistas fue de 4.307, con una tasa de 200/100 pacientes-año. El número total de cirugías ortopédicas fue de 41, lo que da lugar a una tasa de 1,8 cirugías/100 pacientes-año. Conclusiones. Los datos de visita al reumatólogo y de cirugía protésica de pacientes con EsA en España son similares a la mayoría de los estudios publicados en nuestro entorno; sin embargo, otros aspectos referentes al uso de recursos sanitarios son diferentes en comparación con otros países. Estos datos pueden contribuir para conocer y mejorar aspectos organizativos del manejo de la EsA en los hospitales españoles (AU)

Objective. Our objective was to describe the variability in the management of spondyloarthritis (SA) in Spain in terms of healthcare resources and their use. Methods. A review of 1168 medical files of patients seen in randomly selected Spanish hospital rheumatology departments. We analyzed demographic variables and variables related to the consumption of health resources. Results. The total number of visits to rheumatology were 5,908 with a rate of 254 visits/100 patient-years. The total number of visits to rheumatology specialty nurses was 775, with a rate of 39 visits/100 patient-years, and there were 446 hospitalizations, representing a rate of 22 per 100 patient-years. The number of admissions due to SA was 89, with a rate of 18 admissions/100 patient-years. Total visits to other specialists was 4,307 with a rate of 200/100 patient-years. The total number of orthopedic surgeries was 41, which leads to a rate of 1.8 surgeries/100 patient-years. Conclusions. The data regarding visits to the rheumatologist and prosthetic surgery of patients with in Spain is similar to most studies published in our environment, however, other aspects concerning the use of health resources are different compared to other countries. This data may help to understand and improve organizational aspects of management of SA in Spanish hospitals (AU)

Management of rheumatoid arthritis in Spain (emAR II). Clinical characteristics of the patients.

BACKGROUND: There is a wide variability in the diagnostic and therapeutic methods in rheumatoid arthritis (AR) in Spain, according to prior studies. The quality of care could benefit from the application of appropriate clinical practice standards; we present a study on the variability of clinical practice. METHODS: Descriptive review of clinical records (CR) of patients aged 16 or older diagnosed with RA, selected by stratified sampling of the Autonomous Communities in two stages per Hospital Center and patient. Collected analysis of sociodemographic data, evolution, follow-up, joint count, reactants, function, job history, Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) and other. RESULTS: We obtained valid information of 1,272 RA patients. The ESR, CRP and rheumatoid factor (RF) were regularly used parameters. The percentages of missing data in tender (TJN) and swollen (SJN) joint counts were 8.2% and 9.6% respectively; regarding the VAS we found 53.6% (patient), 59.1% (pain), and 72% in the physician VAS. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having clinical practice guidelines on RA, there still exists a significant variability in RA management in our country.

Variability in resource consumption in patients with spondyloarthritis in Spain. Preliminary descriptive data from the emAR II study.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the variability in the management of spondyloarthritis (SA) in Spain in terms of healthcare resources and their use. METHODS: A review of 1168 medical files of patients seen in randomly selected Spanish hospital rheumatology departments. We analyzed demographic variables and variables related to the consumption of health resources. RESULTS: The total number of visits to rheumatology were 5,908 with a rate of 254 visits/100 patient-years. The total number of visits to rheumatology specialty nurses was 775, with a rate of 39 visits/100 patient-years, and there were 446 hospitalizations, representing a rate of 22 per 100 patient-years. The number of admissions due to SA was 89, with a rate of 18 admissions/100 patient-years. Total visits to other specialists was 4,307 with a rate of 200/100 patient-years. The total number of orthopedic surgeries was 41, which leads to a rate of 1.8 surgeries/100 patient-years. CONCLUSIONS: The data regarding visits to the rheumatologist and prosthetic surgery of patients with in Spain is similar to most studies published in our environment, however, other aspects concerning the use of health resources are different compared to other countries. This data may help to understand and improve organizational aspects of management of SA in Spanish hospitals.

Characteristics of patients with spondyloarthritis followed in rheumatology units in Spain. emAR II study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the main demographic and clinical features of patients with spondyloarthropaties in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of randomized clinical charts of patients with spondyloarthropaties with at least one visit to the rheumatologist in the previous two years. Information was collected on demographic and clinical data (duration of illness, diagnostic category, disease activity, extrarticular manifestations, comorbidity and work disability). RESULTS: 1,168 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 49.2 years (39.7-60.5), 68.0% were males, and median time of disease was 105.1 month (48.4-192.5). The diagnoses and clinical data such as the BASDAI were reported only in 34,0% of the patients. The most widely used measure of metrology, the Schober test, was missing in 37.7% of the clinical charts. The patients included had the following diagnoses: Ankylosing spondylitis (n = 629, 55.2%), Psoriatic arthritis (n= 253, 22.2%), Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (n = 184, 16.1%), Arthritis associated to Inflammatory bowel disease (n= 50, 4.4%), and Reactive arthritis (n= 16, 1.4%). The most common extraarticular manifestations were psoriasis (20.8%), anterior uveitis (19.4%), and enthesitis (16.9%). Some kind of work disability was reported in 8.3% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with spondyloarthropaties in Spain do not differ as a whole from other published studies, except for Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis, which was more likely in our patients than in other studies. The quality of the records of activity in the clinical charts could be improved.

[Justification to health managers: cost-benefit of osteoporosis management]. / Justificación delante del gerente: coste-beneficio del manejo de la osteoporosis.

Medicines are strictly regulated and controlled until they reach the patients. Once in the market, the mechanisms governing their use are very complex due to the large number of actors playing different roles. It is necessary to extend an evaluation culture among all involved and to make economic analysis a structured part of decisions made by physicians and health managers. Since physicians occupy a central place in this market of medicines, it is necessary that they assume their responsibility by actively participating in this evaluation.

Justificación delante del gerente: coste-beneficio del manejo de la osteoporosis / Justification to health managers: cost-benefit of osteoporosis management

Los medicamentos siguen un camino que está estrictamente regulado e intervenido hasta que llegan a los pacientes. Una vez en el mercado, los mecanismos que rigen su uso son muy complejos debido a la gran cantidad de actores que interactúan. Para tomar decisiones es necesario que se extienda una cultura evaluativa entre todos los que intervienen y que el análisis económico forme parte estructurada de las actuaciones de médicos y gestores. Dado que el médico ocupa un lugar central en este mercado del medicamento, es necesario que asuma esta responsabilidad participando activamente de esta evaluación (AU)

Medicines are strictly regulated and controlled until they reach the patients. Once in the market, the mechanisms governing their use are very complex due to the large number of actors playing different roles. It is necessary to extend an evaluation culture among all involved and to make economic analysis a structured part of decisions made by physicians and health managers. Since physicians occupy a central place in this market of medicines, it is necessary that they assume their responsibility by actively participating in this evaluation (AU)

Prognostic factors in short-term disability due to musculoskeletal disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with poor outcome in temporary work disability (TWD) due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis of a 2-year randomized controlled trial in which all patients with TWD due to MSDs in 3 health districts of Madrid (Spain) were included. Analyses refer to the patients in the intervention group. Primary outcome variables were duration of TWD and recurrence. Diagnoses, sociodemographic, work-related administrative, and occupational factors were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: We studied 3,311 patients with 4,424 TWD episodes. The following were independently associated with slower return to work: age (hazard ratio [HR] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.98-0.99), female sex (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78-0.90), married (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.97), peripheral osteoarthritis (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.6-0.9), sciatica (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.54-0.65), self-employment (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.48-0.65), unemployment (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28-0.58), manual worker (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.94), and work position covered during sick leave (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.92). The factors that better predicted recurrence were peripheral osteoarthritis (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.14-2.6), inflammatory diseases (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.009-2.72), sciatica (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08-1.56), indefinite work contract (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14-1.75), frequent kneeling (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15-1.69), manual worker (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.003-1.42), and duration of previous episodes (HR 1.003, 95% CI 1.001-1.005). CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic, work-related administrative factors, diagnosis, and, to a lesser extent, occupational factors may explain the duration and recurrence of TWD related to MSD.

Disminución del tiempo hasta el primer tratamiento con fármacos modificadores de la enfermedad en pacientes con artritis reumatoide / Reduction in time until first treatment with disease modifying treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objetivo: Analizar el cambio en el tiempo hasta el primer tratamiento con fármacos modificadores de la enfermedad (FAME) desde el inicio de los síntomas en pacientes diagnosticados de artritis reumatoide (AR) a lo largo de dos décadas en España. Pacientes y método: Revisión de historias clínicas de 865 pacientes diagnosticados de AR atendidos en centros de atención especializada del Sistema Nacional de Salud en España. La variable principal fue el tiempo desde el inicio de los síntomas de la AR hasta la fecha del inicio del primer tratamiento con algún FAME. Las diferencias por año desde el inicio de los síntomas o agrupaciones de 5 años se compararon mediante la prueba de la 2 , la t de Student y el análisis de la variancia. Resultados: Las características clínicas y sociodemográficas se correspondieron con las típicas de una muestra de corte transversal de pacientes diagnosticados de AR. La mediana del tiempo desde el inicio de los síntomas y el primer tratamiento con FAME fue de 14 (6-36) meses para el conjunto de la muestra. Se observó, sin embargo, una reducción significativa del tiempo hasta el primer FAME en las últimas dos décadas (–4,59 ± 0,2 meses por año entre 1980 y 2000; p < 0,0001). Esta disminución se debió principalmente a una reducción en el tiempo hasta la primera visita con un especialista desde el inicio de los síntomas, con una reducción comparativamente menor en el tiempo entre la primera visita y la primera prescripción del FAME. Conclusiones: Entre los años 1980 y 2000 se ha producido en España una disminución muy significativa en el tiempo que tardan los pacientes con AR en recibir su primer FAME, motivada principalmente por una reducción en el tiempo de acceso al especialista que prescribe estos tratamientos (AU)

Objective: To analyze changes in the lag time to first disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) prescription since onset of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the last 2 decades in Spain. Patients and method: Review of medical records of 865 patients diagnosed with RA living in Spain and attended in specialty care settings of the National Health System. The principal variable was the lag time between the onset of symptoms of RA and the date of first DMARD therapy prescription. Analyses were performed by year and five-year periods and differences between groups were assessed by 2 test, Student t test and analysis of variance. Results: Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics corresponded to a typical cross-sectional population of patients diagnosed with RA. The median lag time between symptom onset and first DMARD therapy was 14 months (6-36) for the whole group. However, a significant shortening of time to first DMARD was observed over the last two decades (–4.59 ± 0.2 months by year; P< 001). Shortening of time to first DMARD was mainly due to a shortening of time to first visit with specialists since onset of symptoms with a smaller decrease in time from first visit to first prescription of a DMARD agent. Conclusions: A significant shortening in the lag time to first DMARD therapy was observed over the last 2 decades in Spain, being a significant reduction in the time to first visit with a specialists its major cause (AU)