EULAR recommendations for the involvement of patient research partners in rheumatology research: 2023 update.

Background: Since the publication of the 2011 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for patient research partner (PRP) involvement in rheumatology research, the role of PRPs has evolved considerably. Therefore, an update of the 2011 recommendations was deemed necessary.

Methods: In accordance with the EULAR Standardised Operational Procedures, a task force comprising 13 researchers, 2 health professionals and 10 PRPs was convened.

Patient research partner involvement in rheumatology research: a systematic literature review informing the 2023 updated EULAR recommendations for the involvement of patient research partners.

Background: Patient research partners (PRPs) are people with a disease who collaborate in a research team as partners. The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to assess barriers and facilitators to PRP involvement in rheumatology research.

Methods: The SLR was conducted in PubMed/Medline for articles on PRP involvement in rheumatology research, published between 2017 and 2023; websites were also searched in rheumatology and other specialties.

Drug persistence in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases during a major economic crisis: results from a nationwide cross-sectional online survey.

To evaluate the drug persistence in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the current economic crisis in Lebanon and to estimate predictors of persistence. A nationwide multicentric cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was conducted in Lebanon with patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRDs) and non-inflammatory RMDs controls between July and October 2022. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were categorized as conventional synthetic (cs), biological (b), subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV), and targeted synthetic (ts).

Involving patients as research partners in research in rheumatology: a literature review in 2023.

Objective: The inclusion of patient research partners (PRPs) in research projects is increasingly recognised and recommended in rheumatology. The level of involvement of PRPs in translational research in rheumatology remains unknown, while in randomised clinical trials (RCTs), it has been reported to be 2% in 2020. Therefore, we aimed to assess the involvement of PRPs in recent translational studies and RCTs in rheumatology.

Influence of Sex on Early Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Six-Year Longitudinal Analysis From a Large National Cohort.

Objective: The objective was to determine sex differences in disease outcomes in recent axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) over time.

Methods: We analyzed the first 6 years of follow-up of the prospective French multicenter DESIR cohort. Patients analyzed had <3 years of disease, were naive to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and fulfilled the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society classification criteria for axial SpA.

Treat-to-Target in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Are we there yet?

The Treat-to-target (T2T) strategy in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) stipulates that treatment should reach a predefined target and if not reached, intensification of therapy is implemented aiming at best future outcomes. Clinical remission was recommended by the 2017 international task force as the treatment target using Ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS) inactive disease, or alternatively, ASDAS low disease activity. The results of a recent T2T trial in axSpA were negative for the chosen primary outcome.

Defining and managing flares in axial spondyloarthritis.

Purpose Of Review: Flares correspond to fluctuations in disease activity or symptoms. They should be avoided in chronic inflammatory diseases. In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), work is ongoing to better conceptualise and treat flares.

Prevalence and consequences of psoriasis in recent axial spondyloarthritis: an analysis of the DESIR cohort over 6 years.

Objectives: The consequences of psoriasis associated to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are unclear. The objectives were to determine the prevalence and the consequences of psoriasis in recent axSpA over 6 years of follow-up.

Methods: The multicentric prospective cohort DESIR (NCT01648907) of adult patients with recent inflammatory back pain suggestive of axSpA was analysed over 6 years.

Exploring remission concept in axial spondyloarthritis through the perception of rheumatologists using vignettes and priority ratings.

Objectives: The optimal treatment target in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is remission; however, a consensual definition of remission is lacking. Our objective was to explore rheumatologists' perception of remission using vignette cases and a priority exercise.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of rheumatologists' perceptions of remission in axSpA was performed in 2020 using (i) 36 vignette cases, with a single clinical picture and three varying parameters [axial pain (ranging from 2 to 5 on a 0-10 scale)], fatigue (2-8), and morning stiffness (<15 min, 30 min or 1 h), assessed as remission yes/no; and (ii) prioritization of elements to consider for remission from a list of 12 items: BASDAI, ASDAS, elements of BASDAI and ASDAS including CRP, NSAID use, extra-articular manifestations (EAMs), and other explanations of symptoms, e.

Outcome measures used in psoriatic arthritis registries and cohorts: A systematic literature review of 27 registries or 16,183 patients.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a multidimensional inflammatory disease for which multiple outcome measures can be used to assess disease activity. In 2006, the OMERACT has proposed the first core domain set in PsA. Since 2006, much work has been performed on outcome measures in PsA.

Cut-off value to identify a flare using the Flare Assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis (FLARE-RA) questionnaire: analysis of the TOSCA study.

Objective: The Flare Assessment in RA (FLARE-RA) self-administered questionnaire aims to identify patients who had flare in the interval between two consultations. This study aimed to establish a threshold for FLARE-RA score to identify RA flare.

Methods: The Tocilizumab SubCutAneous study evaluated the efficacy and safety of s.

Update of imaging in the diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis.

Imaging of the spine and sacroiliac joints has acquired a central role in the diagnosis and classification of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in the earliest phases of the disease. New definitions of specific imaging lesions, particularly in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been recently updated and revised by the ASAS MRI working group to reach a standardized understanding and diagnosis of axSpA among rheumatologists. Recognizing the misleading pitfalls of MRI lesions and differential diagnosis also represents an essential issue in clinical practice to avoid false-positive findings and establish the diagnosis of axSpA with careful regard to the clinical context, clinical signs, and biological tests.

Can Imaging Be a Proxy for Remission in Axial Spondyloarthritis?

Targeting clinical remission is currently the focus of the treat-to-target strategy. Defining clinical outcomes as the main achievable treatment goal questions whether imaging remission should also be considered in the treat-to-target concept. Imaging has gained a pivotal role in diagnosing and classifying axial spondyloarthritis at the earliest phase of the disease.

Imaging in the preclinical phases of rheumatoid arthritis.

There is growing evidence that the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multistep process. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) identified different phases before the onset of RA, from the presence of genetic and environmental risk factors for RA, towards clinically suspected arthralgia and undifferentiated arthritis. Currently, a new definition of "window of opportunity" is emerging; this states that the window could even lie in preclinical phase of RA, preceding diagnosis or fulfillment of classification criteria for RA.

Structural progression in axial spondyloarthritis.

Functional disability in axial spondyloarthritis is related to the structural progression caused by the disease, thus largely contributing to its global burden and still representing a major challenge in management. Diagnosis at an early inflammatory stage of the disease is the hallmark for a better disease control and management. The natural history of axial spondyloarthritis is now better understood with imaging studies and long-term follow-up data, with some predictive factors for structural progression being identified.

Chronic Mercury Intoxication Masquerading as Systemic Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Mercury is a highly toxic environmental metal that exists in three different forms: elemental, inorganic and organic. Intoxication occurs in either occupational or non-occupational settings, mainly after the inhalation of vapour and fumes in work places, laboratories or homes. Chronic mercury toxicity ranges from mild and insignificant to severe and life-threatening.

Cone dystrophy or macular dystrophy associated with novel autosomal dominant mutations.

Purpose: Sixteen different mutations in the guanylate cyclase activator 1A gene (), have been previously identified to cause autosomal dominant cone dystrophy (adCOD), cone-rod dystrophy (adCORD), macular dystrophy (adMD), and in an isolated patient, retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The purpose of this study is to report on two novel mutations and the patients' clinical features.

Methods: Clinical investigations included visual acuity and visual field testing, fundus examination, high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence imaging, and full-field and multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) recordings.

Cure of inguinal hernias with large preperitoneal prosthesis: Experience of 2,312 cases.

It is clear that the recurrence rates after nonprosthetic methods for the repair of inguinal hernias, like McVay, Bassini or Shouldice techniques, are high (6-10%). Since 20 years, we are convinced, in the GREPA-EHS group, about the advantages of the use of a prosthetic mesh in majority of patients for repairs of primary or recurrent inguinal hernias and incisional hernias. We describe our typical technique for the cure of all inguinal hernias.

[Paracolostomal hernia].

While relatively common, parastomal hernias are often well tolerated. The decision to operate and the choice of surgical technique should be well discussed taking into account the controversial results of the literature. We describe in the present article the repair techniques with stoma transposition.

[Parastomal hernias--1 (technique without transposition)].

While relatively common, parastomal hernias are often well tolerated. The decision to operate and the choice of surgical technique should be well discussed taking into account the controversial results of the literature. We describe in the present article the repair techniques without stoma transposition.

[Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the colon: report of a case and review of the literature].

Sarcomatoid carcinomas or carcinosarcoma are rare tumors composed of mixed carcinoma cells and mesenchymal cells. Thirteen cases with colorectal involvement have been published to date. We report a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the colon in a 67-Year-old woman hospitalized with a history of anemia and bloody stools.

[Suspected acute appendicitis. Role of enhanced helical computed tomography. Prospective study of 100 patients].

Aim Of Study: To assess the diagnosis accuracy of helical computed tomography (CT) in patients with suspected appendicitis.

Patients And Methods: This prospective study included 100 consecutive patients hospitalized for suspected appendicitis. There were 57 men and 43 women with a median age of 30 years (range: 17-91).

[Laparoscopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer].

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if laparoscopic simple closure for perforated duodenal ulcer is possible, efficient and safe.

Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients with perforated duodenal ulcer and peritonitis were treated by simple closure, peritoneal lavage and omentoplasty. This treatment was performed laparoscopically.