The Development and Validation of a Novel Training Infographic for the Physician Global Visual Analog Scale in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogenous condition with musculoskeletal and skin manifestations. The physician global visual analog scale (VAS) is an important component of many composite scores used in clinical trials and observational studies. Currently, no training material exists to standardize this assessment.

The practice of using repurposed medications as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 by healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that has been reported in virtually every country. Healthcare workers (HCW) are more at risk of COVID-19 than the general population making them a priority group for vaccination. Before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, some HCW were using some repurposed, unapproved drugs to possibly prevent the disease.

Consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the OMERACT Core Outcome Set for shared decision making interventions in rheumatology trials.

Objective: To gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials evaluating shared decision making (SDM) interventions.

Methods: Following the OMERACT Handbook methods, our Working Group (WG), comprised of 90 members, including 17 patient research partners (PRPs) and 73 clinicians and researchers, had six virtual meetings in addition to email exchanges to develop draft definitions and descriptions. The WG then conducted an international survey of its members to gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions.

OMERACT Core outcome measurement set for shared decision making in rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions: a scoping review to identify candidate instruments.

Objectives: Shared decision making (SDM) is a central tenet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal care. The lack of standardization regarding SDM instruments and outcomes in clinical trials threatens the comparative effectiveness of interventions. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) SDM Working Group is developing a Core Outcome Set for trials of SDM interventions in rheumatology and musculoskeletal health.

The practice of using repurposed medications as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 by healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that has been reported in virtually every country. Healthcare workers (HCW) are more at risk of COVID-19 than the general population making them a priority group for vaccination. Before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, some HCW were using some repurposed, unapproved drugs to possibly prevent the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis knowledge gap and intervention in Nigeria study.

Introduction: Family physicians are often the first healthcare providers to encounter patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Nigeria, given the paucity of rheumatology services nationwide. This study aimed to assess and address the knowledge gap regarding RA among family physicians in Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 609 family physicians from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria was conducted in October 2022.

Prolonged COVID-19 symptom duration in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey.

Objective: We investigated prolonged COVID-19 symptom duration, defined as lasting 28 days or longer, among people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: We analysed data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey (2 April 2021-15 October 2021) to identify people with SARDs reporting test-confirmed COVID-19. Participants reported COVID-19 severity and symptom duration, sociodemographics and clinical characteristics.

Evaluating upadacitinib for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis is an extra-cutaneous manifestation affecting up to 40% of psoriasis patients with multiple therapies recommended by international guidelines including conventional and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as well as biologics. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) have emerged as a unique therapeutic target with tofacitinib the first to gain FDA approval in 2017. The non-selectivity of older JAKis increases the risk of off-target effects such as suppression of hemopoiesis hence the rationale for more selective alternatives.

Early experience of COVID-19 vaccination in adults with systemic rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey.

Background: We describe the early experiences of adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods: From 2 April to 30 April 2021, we conducted an online, international survey of adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received COVID-19 vaccination. We collected patient-reported data on clinician communication, beliefs and intent about discontinuing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) around the time of vaccination, and patient-reported adverse events after vaccination.

Associations of baseline use of biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs with COVID-19 severity in rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry.

Objective: To investigate baseline use of biologic or targeted synthetic (b/ts) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and COVID-19 outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We analysed the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry (from 24 March 2020 to 12 April 2021). We investigated b/tsDMARD use for RA at the clinical onset of COVID-19 (baseline): abatacept (ABA), rituximab (RTX), Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), interleukin 6 inhibitors (IL-6i) or tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi, reference group).

Endorsement of the OMERACT core domain set for shared decision making interventions in rheumatology trials: Results from a multi-stepped consensus-building approach.

Objective: To gain consensus on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials of shared decision making (SDM) interventions.

Methods: The process followed the OMERACT Filter 2.1 methodology, and used consensus-building methods, with patients involved since the inception.

Frequency, pattern, and associations of generalized osteoarthritis among Nigerians with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative condition leading to significant pain, functional limitation, and economic loss. Generalized OA (GOA) is associated with greater morbidity and accounts for 5-25% of total OA cases depending on definition used. This paper aims to determine the frequency and pattern of GOA, compare clinical and laboratory parameters of GOA and non-GOA subjects, then identify independent associations of GOA among Nigerians with knee OA.

African League Against Rheumatism (AFLAR) preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To develop recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A task force comprising of 25 rheumatologists from the 5 regions of the continent was formed and operated through a hub-and-spoke model with a central working committee (CWC) and 4 subgroups. The subgroups championed separate scopes of the clinical questions and formulated preliminary statements of recommendations which were processed centrally in the CWC.

Connective tissue disease--associated interstitial lung disease: an underreported cause of interstitial lung disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurs in 15% of connective tissue disease (CTD) patients causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Data is scarce regarding its clinical characteristics and outcomes in Africa. We aim to study the frequency, clinico-radiological characteristics, and treatment outcomes of African CTD-ILD patients.

Tossing and turning with degenerative arthropathy: an assessment of poor sleep quality in knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and predictors of sleep abnormalities among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in Nigeria.

Material And Methods: A multi-centre, hospital-based, cross-sectional study, involving 250 knee OA patients. Consenting patients 18 years and above, who satisfied the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for knee OA were recruited from five Nigerian tertiary centres over 3 months.

Case Series and Literature Review of Ophthalmologic Disorders Seen in a Specialist Rheumatology Clinic in Lagos, Nigeria.

: To highlight the pattern and treatment outcomes of ophthalmologic disorders referred to a private specialist rheumatology clinic. : Retrospective review (January 2015-December 2016) of referrals from Eye Foundation Hospital, Lagos to Arthrimed Specialist Clinic, Lagos. Case records were retrieved and relevant information extracted.

How much gloom is in groans? Depression and its determinants in Nigerian patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression and its determinants among Nigerian patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Two hundred and fifty patients satisfying the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for knee OA were recruited from five centers. Pain was assessed using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC) pain subscale, functional status was determined by Steinbrokers criteria, radiographic knee OA was graded using Kellgren-Lawrence criteria, depression was determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and family functioning by Family APGAR (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve).

Frequency and associations of chronic kidney disease among gout patients from a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.

Objectives: To highlight common precipitants and co-morbidities of gout in Nigerians; determine the frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Nigerian gout patients, as well as identify significant associations of CKD in gout patients.

Material And Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of gout cases seen at the Rheumatology Clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital over five years from January 2011 to December 2015. Gout was diagnosed using the 1977 American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria.