Understanding the multiple dimensions of ageing: 5Ms for the rheumatologist.

The global population is ageing and the rheumatology workforce should be prepared to take care of the inevitable complexities of ageing patients. We can learn from our colleagues and experts in geriatrics about how best to manage multimorbidity, polypharmacy, geriatric syndromes, and shifting priorities of older patients in the context of delivering care for rheumatic diseases. One approach to learning and adopting key ageing constructs within rheumatology practice is to incorporate the established Geriatric 5Ms-principles fundamental to caring for older adults.

[Geriatric traumatological management of osteoporosis : "Let the first fracture be the last"].

In Germany more than 800,000 osteoporotic fractures occur every year, with severe medical, social and health economic consequences. Nevertheless, as in many other countries there is a large gap in care. Fractures frequently occur in older geriatric patients, who are increasingly being (or should be) treated in geriatric trauma centers.

Three-Year Mortality of Older Hospitalized Patients with Osteosarcopenia: Data from the OsteoSys Study.

Osteosarcopenia, the concurrent presence of sarcopenia and osteopenia/osteoporosis, poses a significant health risk to older adults, yet its impact on clinical outcomes is not fully understood. The aim of this prospective, longitudinal multicentre study was to examine the impact of osteosarcopenia on 3-year mortality and unplanned hospitalizations among 572 older hospitalized patients (mean age 75.1 ± 10.

Pitfalls and pearls in diagnosing inflammatory arthritis in older patients.

Given current demographic shifts, the number of older adults continues to grow, with almost half of patients over 65 being diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Rheumatic diseases pose unique diagnostic challenges in older patients due to the convergence of physiologic changes of aging, confounding difficulties to care, and atypical disease manifestations. This review summarizes the current published evidence to guide clinicians in evaluating geriatric patients with rheumatologic concerns, focusing on inflammatory arthritis.

Impact of daily physical therapy over 2 weeks on spinal mobility including objective electronic measurements and function in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Background: Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are often compromised by impaired function and mobility. The standardized 2-week inpatient program 'multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment' (MRCT) was designed for patients with axSpA. The Epionics SPINE (ES) is an objective tool validated to assess mobility.

Clinically relevant differences in spinal mobility related to daytime performance in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Objective: Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) suffer from clinical symptoms like morning stiffness and back pain. Mobility of patients with axSpA is often impaired. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of patients with axSpA regarding mobility measures including performance-based tests and objective electronic assessments with the Epionics SPINE device (ES) at different times of the day compared with healthy controls (HC).

Does adding exercise or physical activity to pharmacological osteoporosis therapy in patients with increased fracture risk improve bone mineral density and lower fracture risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This prospectively registered systematic review and meta-analysis examines whether exercise (EX) training has an additive effect to osteoanabolic and/or antiresorptive pharmacological therapy (PT) in people with osteoporosis on bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers (BTMs), fracture healing, and fractures. Four databases (inception to 6 May 2022), 5 trial registries, and reference lists were searched. Included were randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of EX + PT vs.

Patients' awareness towards physical activity in the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis.

Introduction: The course of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is often characterized by impairments in physical function and mobility. Regular physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of axSpA management. Recent European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for PA have stressed the importance of their implementation.

[The effect of intensified training therapy on axial spondylarthritis in day care units].

Background: Day care units are an essential part of psychiatric treatment in Germany. In rheumatology they are also regularly used. Axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that causes pain, diminished quality of life, limitations in activities of daily living and ability to work, especially if insufficiently treated.

[Frequency and severity of sarcopenia in patients with inflammatory and noninflammatory musculoskeletal diseases : Results of a monocentric study in a tertiary care center].

Introduction: Sarcopenia (SP) is defined as the pathological loss of muscle mass and function. This is a clinically relevant problem, especially in geriatric patients, because SP is associated with falls, frailty, loss of function, and increased mortality. People with inflammatory and degenerative rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders (RMD) are also at risk for developing SP; however, there is little research on the prevalence of this health disorder in this patient group using currently available SP criteria.

High Prevalence of Foot Insufficiency Fractures in Patients With Inflammatory Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of foot insufficiency fractures (IF) in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) with foot pain.

Methods: In a retrospective design, 1752 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of consecutive patients presenting with foot pain in 2 time periods between 2016 and 2018 were evaluated. The group with IF was matched with controls with foot pain without IF.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the revised EWGSOP2 and the FNIH definition.

Objective: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic inflammation can enhance the development of sarcopenia with a depletion of muscle mass, strength and performance. Currently, a consensus definition for sarcopenia and solid results for the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with RA are lacking.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 289 patients ≥18 years with RA were recruited.

Balance and prospective falls in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Postural control is associated with fall risk. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher risk to fall than healthy subjects. The objective of this study was to identify associations between variables of postural control with prospective falls in patients with RA.

Effect of semi-recumbent vibration exercise on muscle outcomes in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Many older adults with physical limitations living in residential care apartments are unable to exercise in a standing position and are at risk for declining in muscle function leading to falls and injury. Novel approaches to achieve exercise benefits are needed. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of semi-recumbent vibration exercise on muscle outcomes in older adults living in residential care apartment complexes (RCACs).

Monitoring of Disease Activity With a Smartphone App in Routine Clinical Care in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: To investigate the performance of a health app with respect to usability, adherence, and equivalence of data in daily care of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: Consecutive patients with axSpA were asked to export patient-reported outcomes (PRO) electronically with the AxSpA Live App regularly every 2 weeks over a period of 6 months. The first clinical visit was followed by 2 further personal visits after 3 and 6 months.

Changes of immunosuppressive medication because of COVID-19 by patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: anxiety was not a major driver.

Objectives: To study treatment decisions of patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) at the beginning of the SARS- CoV-2 pandemic in relation to disease characteristics with focus on anxiety.

Methods: A total of 970 CIRD patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriasis arthritis (PsA) and connective tissue diseases (CTD), selected from our records who had presented to our hospital at least twice during last year, were contacted by telephone to be asked about medication changes, health status and therapy satisfaction. Standardised tools were used to assess disease activity, anxiety and depression, the latter by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) with a score ≥8 denoting definite anxiety and/or depression.

Effects of secukinumab on bone mineral density and bone turnover biomarkers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: 2-year data from a phase 3 study, MEASURE 1.

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by chronic inflammation and new bone formation in the axial skeleton. On the other hand, bone loss, osteoporosis and an increased risk of vertebral fractures is known to frequently occur in AS. In the MEASURE 1 study, the clinically efficacious interleukin-17A inhibitor secukinumab was shown to have limited radiographic progression through 4 years in patients with active AS.

Osteosarcopenia, an Asymmetrical Overlap of Two Connected Syndromes: Data from the OsteoSys Study.

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are two chronic conditions, which widely affect older people and share common risk factors. We investigated the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and sarcopenia, including the overlap of both conditions (osteosarcopenia) in 572 older hospitalized patients (mean age 75.1 ± 10.

Association between sarcopenia, physical performance and falls in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a 1-year prospective study.

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of falls and fractures. Sarcopenia occurs more frequently in RA patients due to the inflammatory processes. Early diagnosis and prevention programmes are essential to avoid serious complications.