Impact of multimorbidity on the first ts/bDMARD effectiveness and retention rate after two years of follow-up in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from the BIOBADASER registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have a higher prevalence of comorbidities compared to the general population. However, the implications of multimorbidity on therapeutic response and treatment retention remain unexplored. OBJECTIVES: (a) To evaluate the impact of multimorbidity on the effectiveness of the first targeted synthetic or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (ts/bDMARD), in patients with RA after 2-year follow-up; (b) to investigate the influence of multimorbidity on treatment retention rate. METHODS: Patients with RA from the BIOBADASER registry exposed to a first ts/bDMARDs were included. Patients were categorized based on multimorbidity status at baseline, defined as a Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI) score ≥ 3. A linear regression model, adjusted for sex and age, was employed to compare the absolute DAS28 score over time after ts/bDMARD initiation between the two groups. The Log-Rank test and Kaplan-Meier curve were used to compare the retention rates of the first ts/bDMARD between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 1128 patients initiating ts/bDMARD were included, with 107 (9.3%) exhibiting multimorbidity. The linear regression model showed significantly higher DAS28 (beta coefficient 0.33, 95%CI:0.07-0.58) over a two-year period in patients with multimorbidity, even after adjusting for age and sex. Finally, no differences in the ts/bDMARD retention rate were found between groups (median 6.94-6.96 years in CCI < 3 vs. 5.68-5.62 in CCI ≥ 3; p = 0.610). CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity in patients with RA was associated with greater DAS28 scores within the first two years after ts/bDMARD initiation, in comparison with patients without multimorbidity. A slightly shorter retention rate was found in patients with multimorbidity, although the difference was non-significant.

Use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants in patients who attend a Rheumatology clinic / Prevalencia de consumo de benzodiacepinas y antidepresivos en los pacientes que acuden por primera vez a la consulta de reumatología

ABSTRACT Introduction: During the last decades, benzodiazepines (BZD) and antidepressants (ADP) have been among the most prescribed therapies in all developed countries. They have side effects, and BZD carry a risk of abuse and dependence disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of BZD and ADP among patients who attend a Rheumatology clinic, as well as the indication for these drugs. Methods: The study included patients who were referred for the first time to the Rheumatology clinic. Demographical data, reason for referral, and final diagnosis were recorded. The indication for ADP and/or BZD was recorded, as well as the duration of treatment. Sample size was estimated for a 0.05% alpha risk. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to study the relationships with the demographical or clinical characteristics. Results: A total of 350 patients were included (women 77.1%, men 22.9%). Most of them (73.4%) had been referred for musculoskeletal pain. More than a third (36.6%) of patients were on BZD and/or ADP. The most frequent reasons for their prescription were anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The final diagnosis in the clinic was a non-inflammatory condition in 82%, and an inflammatory one in 18%. In the univariate analyses, the use of BZD/ADP was associated with female gender (p<.001), unemployment (p<.001) and non-inflammatory final diagnosis (p < .001). In the multivariate analyses, the use of BZD and/or ADP was associated with female sex (p = .002 [OR 3.4, 95% CI; 1.6-7.4]), and a non-inflammatory final diagnosis, specifically fibromyalgia (p = .007 [OR 16.1, 95% CI; 2.2-120.7]). Conclusion: Use of BZD and ADP is high and associated with non-inflammatory disease.

RESUMEN Introducción: Durante las últimas décadas, las benzodiacepinas (BZD) y los antidepresivos (ADP) han estado entre las terapias más prescritas en todos los países desarrollados. Estos fármacos tienen efectos secundarios y las BZD pueden ocasionar abuso y problemas de dependencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de consumo de BZD y ADP entre los pacientes que acuden a una consulta de reumatología por primera vez, así como la indicación para ellos. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes remitidos por primera vez a la consulta de reumatología. Se registraron los datos demográficos, el motivo de la derivación y el diagnóstico final. Con respecto al tratamiento con ADP y/o BZD, se registraron su duración y la indicación de la prescripción. El tamaño de la muestra se estimó para un riesgo alfa de 0,05%. Se realizaron análisis univariantes y multivariantes para estudiar las asociaciones con características demográficas o clínicas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 350 pacientes (mujeres 77,1%, hombres 22,9%). La mayoría de ellos habían sido remitidos por dolor musculoesquelético (73,4%). Más de un tercio (36,6%) de los pacientes estaban en tratamiento con BZD y/o ADP. Las causas más frecuentes para su prescripción fueron ansiedad, depresión e insomnio. El diagnóstico final fue patología no inflamatoria en el 82% de los casos e inflamatoria en el 18% de estos. En el análisis univariante, el uso de BZD y/o ADP se asoció con el sexo femenino (p< 0,001), el desempleo (p< 0,001) y el diagnóstico de patología no inflamatoria (p< 0,001). En el análisis multivariante, el uso de BZD y/o ADP se asoció con el sexo femenino (p=0,002 [OR 3,4; IC 95% 1,6-7,4]) y el diagnóstico de patología no inflamatoria, específicamente con la fibromyalgia (p = 0,007 [OR 16,1; IC 95% 2,2-120,7]). Conclusión: El consumo de BZD y ADP es frecuente y está asociado con patología no inflamatoria.

[Clinical role for the professional nurse in rheumatology]. / Implicación clínica del profesional de enfermería en la consulta de reumatología.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the activity of the Nurses Clinic in the Rheumatology Unit of the San Juan de Alicante Hospital, Spain. METHODS: After reaching a consensus, the nurses' functions were defined using a pre-defined scale (supported by medical objectives) and codes were assigned to perform future metrics. Afterwards, three roles were assigned to the rheumatology nurse practitioner: 1. Procedures (nursing techniques); 2. Educational Health Related Services; and 3. Osteoporosis Nursery Clinic. RESULTS: Measurement of the rheumatology nurse activity during 2006: Assignment 1, 1592 procedures; Assignment 2, 2604 services; Assignment 3, 331 visits (95 first visits y 236 revisions). CONCLUSIONS: These metrics support the fact that the activity shown in the Nurses' Clinic is enough to justify a full-time professional and the importance of designating their own specific planning and personal space in the Unit. The structure and roles in our Nurses' Clinic could be a role model to other Rheumatology Departments.

Implicación clínica del profesional de enfermería en la consulta de reumatología / Clinical role for the professional nurse in rheumatology

Objetivo: Valorar la actividad de la consulta de enfermería del Servicio de Reumatología del Hospital San Juan de Alicante. Métodos: De forma consensuada, se definieron las funciones del profesional de enfermería utilizando una escala predefinida (apoyada por objetivos asistenciales) y se asignaron códigos numéricos para calcular métricas. Posteriormente, se diseñaron tres agendas informatizadas, exclusivas para el profesional de enfermería: 1. Procedimientos (técnicas de enfermería), 2. Prestaciones (educación-consultoría) y 3. Consulta monográfica de osteoporosis. Resultados: Medida de la actividad asistencial realizada durante 2006: Agenda 1, 1.592 procedimientos; Agenda 2, 2.604 prestaciones; Agenda 3, 331 consultas (95 iniciales y 236 revisiones). Conclusiones: Las métricas obtenidas corroboran que la gestión de esta consulta ocupa la jornada laboral completa del profesional sanitario y la conveniencia de asignarle una planificación y un espacio físico propios. La estructura y el funcionamiento de nuestra consulta de enfermería podría servir de referencia a otros servicios de reumatología (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the activity of the Nurses Clinic in the Rheumatology Unit of the San Juan de Alicante Hospital, Spain. Methods: After reaching a consensus, the nurses’ functions were defined using a pre-defined scale (supported by medical objectives) and codes were assigned to perform future metrics. Afterwards, three roles were assigned to the rheumatology nurse practitioner: 1. Procedures (nursing techniques); 2. Educational Health Related Services; and 3. Osteoporosis Nursery Clinic. Results: Measurement of the rheumatology nurse activity during 2006: Assignment 1, 1592 procedures; Assignment 2, 2604 services; Assignment 3, 331 visits (95 first visits y 236 revisions). Conclusions: These metrics support the fact that the activity shown in the Nurses’ Clinic is enough to justify a full-time professional and the importance of designating their own specific planning and personal space in the Unit. The structure and roles in our Nurses’ Clinic could be a role model to other Rheumatology Departments (AU)