The IMPACT study: A clustered randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of a referral algorithm for axial spondyloarthritis.

Background: A substantial number of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), but early recognition of these patients is difficult for general practitioners (GPs). The Case Finding Axial Spondyloarthritis (CaFaSpA) referral strategy has shown to be able to identify patients with CLBP at risk for axSpA, but its impact on clinical daily practice is yet unknown.

Objective: To assess the effect of the CaFaSpA referral strategy on pain caused by disability in primary care patients with CLBP.

Comparison of disease activity measures in early psoriatic arthritis in usual care.

Objectives: To compare responsiveness and longitudinal validity of Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Disease Activity index for PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI), Psoriatic ArthritiS Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), GRAppa Composite scorE (GRACE) and Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) in usual care PsA patients, within 1 year after diagnosis.

Methods: Data collected in the Dutch southwest early PsA cohort (DEPAR) were used. Responsiveness was assessed using effect size (ES), standardized response mean (SRM), and discrimination between different general health states.

Gradual tapering TNF inhibitors versus conventional synthetic DMARDs after achieving controlled disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: first-year results of the randomised controlled TARA study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two tapering strategies after achieving controlled disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), during 1 year of follow-up.

Methods: In this multicentre single-blinded (research nurses) randomised controlled trial, patients with RA were included who achieved controlled disease, defined as a Disease Activity Score (DAS) ≤ 2.4 and a Swollen Joint Count (SJC) ≤ 1, treated with both a conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARD) and a TNF inhibitor.

Time to minimal disease activity in relation to quality of life, productivity, and radiographic damage 1 year after diagnosis in psoriatic arthritis.

Background: In a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who received usual care, we investigated the impact of time elapsed to minimal disease activity (MDA) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, and radiographic damage throughout the first year after diagnosis.

Methods: Data collected in the Dutch southwest early PsA cohort (DEPAR) study were analyzed. These three-monthly data encompassed disease activity, HRQOL was measured with the Short Form 36 (SF36) Physical Component Scale (SF36-PCS) and Mental Component Scale, and productivity was measured with the Productivity Cost Questionnaire.

Influence of Disease Manifestations on Health-related Quality of Life in Early Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a multifaceted disease. Affecting joints, skin, entheses, and dactylitis, its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) could be substantial. We aim to assess HRQOL in patients newly diagnosed with PsA and analyze its associations with disease manifestations.

Burden of Psoriatic Arthritis According to Different Definitions of Disease Activity: Comparing Minimal Disease Activity and the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: Treat-to-target strategies have improved outcomes in rheumatic diseases. In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the proposed targets are the multidimensional target minimal disease activity (MDA) and the articular target Disease Activity index for PsA (DAPSA). The aim of this study was to compare the disease burden of PsA in patients with low disease activity according to the 2 definitions, MDA and DAPSA low disease activity (DAPSA-LDA), 1 year after diagnosis.

Does non-adherence to DMARDs influence hospital-related healthcare costs for early arthritis in the first year of treatment?

Introduction: Non-adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is suspected to relate to health care costs. In this study we investigated this relation in the first year of treatment.

Methods: In a multi-center cohort study with a one year follow up, non-adherence was continuously measured using electronic monitored medication jars.

[A woman with speech and swallowing disorder].

A 78-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis has been developing progressive speech and swallowing problems since 3 weeks. A CT scan of her head and neck showed a subluxation of the dens, which caused basilar invagination. This severe complication of rheumatoid arthritis is rare.