Scoping review of priority setting of research topics for musculoskeletal conditions.

Objective: Describe research methods used in priority-setting exercises for musculoskeletal conditions and synthesise the priorities identified.

Design: Scoping review.

Setting And Population: Studies that elicited the research priorities of patients/consumers, clinicians, researchers, policy-makers and/or funders for any musculoskeletal condition were included.

Do outcomes reported in randomised controlled trials of joint replacement surgery fulfil the OMERACT 2.0 Filter? A review of the 2008 and 2013 literature.

Background: It is not known, whether outcome reporting in trials of total joint arthroplasty in the recent years is adequate or not. Our objective was to assess whether outcomes reported in total joint replacement (TJR) trials fulfil the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Filter 2.0.

Outcome Measures Used in Arthroplasty Trials: Systematic Review of the 2008 and 2013 Literature.

Objective: Previously published literature assessing the reporting of outcome measures used in joint replacement randomized controlled trials (RCT) has revealed disappointing results. It remains unknown whether international initiatives have led to any improvement in the quality of reporting and/or a reduction in the heterogeneity of outcome measures used. Our objective was to systematically assess and compare primary outcome measures and the risk of bias in joint replacement RCT published in 2008 and 2013.

Outcome Domains and Measures in Total Joint Replacement Clinical Trials: Can We Harmonize Them? An OMERACT Collaborative Initiative.

Objective: To develop a plan for harmonizing outcomes for people undergoing total joint replacement (TJR), to achieve consensus regarding TJR outcome research.

Methods: The TJR working group met during the 2014 Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 12 meeting in Budapest, Hungary. Multiple conference calls preceded the face-to-face meeting.

Australian and New Zealand evidence-based recommendations for pain management by pharmacotherapy in adult patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Aim: To develop Australian and New Zealand evidence-based recommendations for pain management by pharmacotherapy in adult patients with optimally treated inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: Four hundred and fifty-three rheumatologists from 17 countries including 46 rheumatologists from Australia and New Zealand participated in the 2010 3e (Evidence, Expertise, Exchange) Initiative. Using a formal voting process, rheumatologists from 15 national scientific committees selected 10 clinical questions regarding the use of pain medications in IA.

The scope, funding and publication of musculoskeletal clinical trials performed in Australia.

Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributors to disability burden globally and account for 27.4% of total disability burden in Australia. Timely research that addresses important questions relevant to consumers, clinicians and policymakers is critical for reducing the burden associated with these conditions.

Opioid analgesics for rheumatoid arthritis pain.

CLINICAL QUESTION Do the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks in patients with persistent pain due to rheumatoid arthritis? BOTTOM LINE Weak opioids (such as codeine, dextropropoxyphene, and tramadol) may be effective in the short-term management of rheumatoid arthritis pain, but adverse effects are common and may outweigh the benefits; alternative analgesics should be considered first.

The efficacy and safety of opioids in inflammatory arthritis: a Cochrane systematic review.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of opioid analgesics in inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, and Central to May 2010. Randomized controlled trials in adults with IA that compared opioids (administered via any route) to another intervention or placebo were included.

The efficacy and safety of muscle relaxants in inflammatory arthritis: a Cochrane systematic review.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of muscle relaxants in pain management in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO for randomized controlled trials in adults with IA that compared any muscle relaxant (administered via any route) to another analgesic intervention or placebo. We also searched the 2008-2009 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism abstracts and performed a hand search of reference lists of relevant articles.

Efficacy and safety of neuromodulators in inflammatory arthritis: a Cochrane systematic review.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of neuromodulators for pain management in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Methods: A Cochrane systematic review was performed as part of the 3e Initiative on pain management in inflammatory arthritis. We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central for studies to November 2010, and American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism meeting abstracts published in 2008-2009.

The efficacy and safety of antidepressants in inflammatory arthritis: a Cochrane systematic review.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of antidepressants in pain management in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO for randomized controlled trials in adults with IA that compared any antidepressants (administered via any route) to another analgesic intervention or placebo. We also searched the 2008-2009 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism abstracts and performed a hand search of reference lists of relevant articles.

Multinational evidence-based recommendations for pain management by pharmacotherapy in inflammatory arthritis: integrating systematic literature research and expert opinion of a broad panel of rheumatologists in the 3e Initiative.

Objective: To develop evidence-based recommendations for pain management by pharmacotherapy in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods: A total of 453 rheumatologists from 17 countries participated in the 2010 3e (Evidence, Expertise, Exchange) Initiative. Using a formal voting process, 89 rheumatologists representing all 17 countries selected 10 clinical questions regarding the use of pain medications in IA.

Muscle relaxants for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Pain management is a high priority for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Muscle relaxants include drugs that reduce muscle spasm (for example benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan) and non-benzodiazepines such as metaxalone (Skelaxin) or a combination of paracetamol and orphenadrine (Muscol)) and drugs that prevent increased muscle tone (baclofen and dantrolene). Despite a paucity of evidence supporting their use, antispasmodic and antispasticity muscle relaxants have gained widespread clinical acceptance as adjuvants in the management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Neuromodulators for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Pain management is a high priority for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite deficiencies in research data, neuromodulators have gained widespread clinical acceptance as adjuvants in the management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Objectives: The aim of this review was to determine the efficacy and safety of neuromodulators in pain management in patients with RA.

Antidepressants for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Pain management is a high priority for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Antidepressants are sometimes used as adjuvant agents to enhance pain relief, help with sleep and reduce depression. Such antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs).

Opioid therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis pain.

Background: Despite improvements in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pain control is often inadequate even when inflammation is well controlled.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of opioid analgesics for treating pain in patients with RA.

Search Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies to May 2010.

Epidemiology of large-vessel vasculidities.

The systemic vasculitides are multisystem disorders characterised by the inflammation of blood vessels and tissue necrosis. Classified by the size of the vessels affected, the large vessel vasculitides include giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TA). These are anatomically, epidemiologically and clinically distinct conditions.