How Safe Are COVID-19 Vaccines in Individuals with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases? The SUCCEED Study.

We were tasked by Canada's COVID-19 Immunity Task Force to describe severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with emergency department (ED) visits and/or hospitalizations in individuals with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). At eight Canadian centres, data were collected from adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (AxS), systemic lupus (SLE), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We administered questionnaires, analyzing SAEs experienced within 31 days following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Reporting of determinants of health inequities and participant characteristics in randomized controlled trials of systemic lupus erythematosus in Canada: A scoping review.

Objective: To report participant characteristics relevant to identifying health inequities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) randomized controlled trials conducted in Canada.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review by searching MEDLINE (Ovid) and Embase (1990 to June 2023), and CENTRAL (inception to June 2023). Eligible studies: used an RCT design; evaluated interventions (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic) among SLE patients aged ≥18 years; and were conducted in Canada.

Hospitalization Rates for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are Decreasing Over Time: A Population-based Cohort Study.

Background: Recent advances in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) striving for new treatment targets may have decreased rates of hospitalization for flares. We compared all-cause, IBD-related, and non-IBD-related hospitalizations while accounting for the rising prevalence of IBD.

Methods: Population-based, administrative health care databases identified all individuals living with IBD in Alberta between fiscal year 2002 and 2018.

The clinical impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer in British Columbia: An observational study.

Objective: We evaluated survival outcomes for patients with cancer and COVID-19 in this population-based study.

Methods: A total of 631 patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and were seen at BC Cancer between 03/03/2020 and 01/21/2021 were included, of whom 506 had a diagnosis of cancer and PCR-confirmed positive test for coronavirus disease 2019. Patient clinical characteristics were retrospectively reviewed and the influence of demographic data, cancer diagnosis, comorbidities, and anticancer treatment(s) on survival following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were analyzed.

Longitudinal Trends in the Direct Costs and Health Care Utilization Ascribable to Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Biologic Era: Results From a Canadian Population-Based Analysis.

Objectives: The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. The total direct costs of IBD have not been assessed on a population-wide level in the era of biologic therapy.

Design: We identified all persons with IBD in Manitoba between 2005 and 2015, with each matched to 10 controls on age, sex, and area of residence.

Fatigue Measurements in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Fatigue is a frequent, disabling issue in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is, however, difficult to quantify. The Ad Hoc Committee on SLE Response Criteria for Fatigue in 2007 recommended using the Krupp Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).

Persistent Disease Activity Remains a Burden for Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Persistent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In a multicenter cohort of patients with prevalent SLE, we described persistence, patterns, and predictors of change in disease activity over time.

Methods: Based on SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2K scores at cohort entry, patients were classified into 4 groups: low (score < 4; LOW), moderate (4 to < 6; MOD), moderately high (6 to ≤ 10; MHIGH), and very high (> 10; VHIGH).

Canadian Rheumatology Association Recommendations for the Assessment and Monitoring of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: To develop recommendations for the assessment of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Canada.

Methods: Recommendations were developed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. The Canadian SLE Working Group (panel of Canadian rheumatologists and a patient representative from Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance) was created.

RNA-Seq Analysis of Gene Expression, Viral Pathogen, and B-Cell/T-Cell Receptor Signatures in Complex Chronic Disease.

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remains poorly understood. Although infections are speculated to trigger the syndrome, a specific infectious agent and underlying pathophysiological mechanism remain elusive. In a previous study, we described similar clinical phenotypes in CFS patients and alternatively diagnosed chronic Lyme syndrome (ADCLS) patients—individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease by testing from private Lyme specialty laboratories but who test negative by reference 2-tiered serologic analysis.

Medication Nonadherence in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Medication nonadherence has not been well characterized in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our objective was to a conduct a systematic review of the literature, examining the burden and determinants of medication nonadherence in SLE.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of Medline (1946-2015), Embase (1974-2015), and Web of Science (1900-2015) databases and selected original studies of SLE patients that evaluated nonadherence to SLE therapies as the primary study outcome.

Development of the Lupus Interactive Navigator as an Empowering Web-Based eHealth Tool to Facilitate Lupus Management: Users Perspectives on Usability and Acceptability.

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a serious, complex, and chronic illness. Similar to most other chronic illness states, there is great interest in helping persons with SLE engage in their disease management.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to (1) develop the Lupus Interactive Navigator (LIN), a web-based self-management program for persons with SLE, and (2) test the LIN for usability and acceptability.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug use in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases: a systematic review of the risk of congenital malformations.

Objectives: Despite the high incidence of rheumatic diseases during the reproductive years, little is known about the impact of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) use during pregnancy. Our objective was to systematically review and appraise evidence in women with rheumatic disease on the use of traditional and biologic DMARDs during pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformation outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL ABSTRACTS databases.

What are the effects of medication adherence interventions in rheumatic diseases: a systematic review.

Objectives: Consistent reports of suboptimal treatment adherence among patients with inflammatory arthritis underscore the importance of understanding how adherence can be promoted and supported. Our objectives were to identify and classify adherence interventions; and assess the evidence on the effects of adherence interventions on outcomes of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods: We conducted a mapped search of Medline, Embase and International Pharmaceutical Abstract databases to identify studies meeting inclusion criteria of: (1) patient population with inflammatory arthritis; (2) evaluation of an intervention or programme targeting medication adherence directly or indirectly; (3) reporting of one or more measures of medication adherence and disease outcome; (4) publication in English, French or Spanish.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of validation studies on a diabetes case definition from health administrative records.

Objectives: Health administrative data are frequently used for diabetes surveillance. We aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a commonly-used diabetes case definition (two physician claims or one hospital discharge abstract record within a two-year period) and their potential effect on prevalence estimation.

Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched Medline (from 1950) and Embase (from 1980) databases for validation studies through August 2012 (keywords: "diabetes mellitus"; "administrative databases"; "validation studies").

The validity of administrative data to identify hip fractures is high--a systematic review.

Objective: To determine the validity of the diagnostic algorithms for osteoporosis and fractures in administrative data.

Study Design And Setting: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies that reported the validity of a diagnostic algorithm for osteoporosis and/or fractures using administrative data.

Results: Twelve studies were reviewed.

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation using reduced intensity versus myeloablative conditioning regimens for the treatment of leukemia.

Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) have allowed the application of transplantation to older patients and to patients with underlying medical problems. Between October, 1999, and June, 2003, 61 patients with acute leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia received allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA-identical siblings. Thirty-four were conditioned with myeloablative protocols and twenty-seven with RIC regimens.

Molecular heterogeneity of prolactin in the plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been associated with high levels of prolactin in the circulation of some patients. Although prolactin stimulates immune responses, the relationship between hyperprolactinemia and the pathophysiology of SLE remains controversial. This study was undertaken to investigate whether circulating bioactive prolactin isoforms are associated with the activity of SLE.

High dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in severe refractory rheumatoid arthritis: no evidence for efficacy.

Objective: A number of reports have recently suggested that high doses of intravenous immunoglobulins may exert beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis. One proposed mechanism for this effect is suppression of the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). We have undertaken a prospective open study of IVIg in patients with severe refractory RA who have failed at least four second line drugs, including methotrexate, and who were receiving NSAIDs and prednisone only.

An open study of pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Recent data implicates the cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In vitro data suggest that pentoxifylline may possess anti-TNF-alpha properties. We have therefore carried out a prospective 3-month open evaluation of pentoxifylline in a group of adult patients with RA refractory to conventional disease remittive therapies.

Research in rheumatology: a six-month review of selected medical journals.

Research in rheumatology has dramatically increased in the past decades, and researchers can choose among over 20,000 journals to publish their findings. The purpose of this study was to examine the current extent and impact of rheumatological research on the medical literature. The tables of contents of 1,158 biomedical journals were analyzed during a 6-month period and those with a rheumatology-related title were selected.