[Digital health applications-What we should know as rheumatologists].

Digital health applications (DHAs) are revolutionising patient care by improving access to evidence-based therapy and promoting active self-management. The continuously growing number of DHAs enables patients to act more independently through digital support. The budget-neutral prescription and cost coverage by statutory health insurance companies reduce financial barriers for practitioners and patients.

[Update on lupus nephritis].

In addition to the butterfly rash, lupus nephritis is the most specific manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The perspective on this organ manifestation has fundamentally changed as well as the manifestation of SLE itself 40 years after the first multicenter clinical study on lupus nephritis. Even if there is a faint glimpse of hope of a cure, there is still the fight against the problem of nonresponders and also the progressive loss of organ function.

Patient-reported outcomes in large vessel vasculitis: insights from a retrospective analysis of disease activity and associated factors.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) play a crucial role in assessing rheumatic diseases, offering insights into disease evaluation and treatment efficacy. This study focuses on PRO assessment in large vessel vasculitides, including Takayasu Arteritis and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed routine data from patients treated at our rheumatology clinic over a 10-year span.

Defining the physician global assessment threshold equivalent to remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: The optimal threshold of the physician global assessment (PGA) for remission in SLE has never been evaluated systematically. The aim of this study was to assess the ideal PGA threshold associated with physician remission and to investigate its impact on remission rates in our lupus cohort.

Methods: In this monocentric cross-sectional study, patients with SLE were evaluated for physician remission by asking the treating physicians whether they considered their patient to be in remission, regardless of objective remission criteria.

Time interval between the onset of connective tissue disease symptoms and first contact with a rheumatologist: results from the German National Database of collaborative arthritis centers.

The long-term outcome of connective tissue diseases is associated with the time from symptom onset to diagnosis. To understand gaps in care, we determine whether the length of time between symptom onset and first presentation to a rheumatologist has changed in Germany in recent decades. We analyzed data on patients diagnosed with connective tissue diseases (n = 19,662) collected from the German National Database of the Regional Cooperative Rheumatology Centers.

Beneficial effects associated to a healthy lifestyle in systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess whether a healthy lifestyle is associated to beneficial effects on various systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) health domains.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS), physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), and smoking status were assessed by questionnaires, along with clinical parameters and various health domains including Systemic Lupus Disease Activity Score (SLEDAI), Depression Scale (CES-D), Fatigue Severity (FSS), functional status (FFbH), physical and mental quality of life (PCS, MCS). Lifestyle choices were assessed with respect to health domains by linear regression modeling.

Determinants of patient and physician global assessments of disease activity in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Objective: To compare physician and patient assessments of global disease activity in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and to identify associated factors.

Methods: Global disease activity scores (0-10 points) were retrospectively analyzed from physicians and patients with AAV at each outpatient visit from 2010 to 2020. We compared the scores and performed a linear regression with a random effects to identify associated factors.

COVID-19 pandemic impairs medical care of vasculitis patients in Germany: Results of a national patient survey.

Objective: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical care and vaccination acceptance of vasculitis patients in Germany.

Methods: A web-based national survey was developed by rheumatology centers and vasculitis patient advocacy groups. The survey was distributed nationwide by mail and flyers and could be accessed via a QR-code or weblink from December 2021 to April 2022.

Evaluation of the use of video consultation in German rheumatology care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to transformations in healthcare infrastructures and increased use of (innovative) telemedicine (TM) tools. Comparison of the use of video consultation (VC) in rheumatology in the pre-pandemic period and during the pandemic might allow for evaluating this new form of consultancy in healthcare due to changing conditions and possibilities.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional nationwide online survey among German rheumatologists and rheumatologists in training between March and May 2021 promoted by newsletters and Twitter posts.

One year of digital health applications (DiGA) in Germany - Rheumatologists' perspectives.

Background: Based on given legislation the German approach to digital health applications (DiGA) allows reimbursed prescription of approved therapeutic software products since October 2020. For the first time, we evaluated DiGA-related acceptance, usage, and level of knowledge among members of the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) 1 year after its legal implementation.

Materials And Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey, initially designed by the health innovation hub (think tank and sparring partner of the German Federal Ministry of Health) and the German Pain Society was adapted to the field of rheumatology.

Digitalization and disruptive change in rheumatology.

Introduction: Recently, many sectors have seen disruptive changes due to the rapid progress in information and communication technology (ICT). The aim of this systematic literature review was to develop a first understanding of what is known about new ICTs in rheumatology and their disruptive potential.

Methods: PubMed, LIVIVO, and EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) databases were searched for relevant literature.

Discovery of a genetic module essential for assigning left-right asymmetry in humans and ancestral vertebrates.

The vertebrate left-right axis is specified during embryogenesis by a transient organ: the left-right organizer (LRO). Species including fish, amphibians, rodents and humans deploy motile cilia in the LRO to break bilateral symmetry, while reptiles, birds, even-toed mammals and cetaceans are believed to have LROs without motile cilia. We searched for genes whose loss during vertebrate evolution follows this pattern and identified five genes encoding extracellular proteins, including a putative protease with hitherto unknown functions that we named ciliated left-right organizer metallopeptide (CIROP).

Factors detrimental to work productivity and daily activities in systemic lupus erythematosus patients - Analysis of the German LuLa study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with impaired work productivity and impaired daily activities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The LuLa study is a longitudinal patient-reported study. Beyond sociodemographic data, work productivity, daily activities and fatigue, several other clinical outcome parameters (e.

[Identification of rheumatological health apps in the Apple app store applying the "semiautomatic retrospective app store analysis" method : A longitudinal observation].

Background: The Apple and Google app stores offer a wide range of health apps. It is still a challenge to find valuable and qualified apps.

Objective: Can German language apps be identified using the "semiautomated retrospective app store analysis" (SARASA) method for the field of rheumatology?

Material And Method: The SARASA is a semiautomated method to select and characterize apps listed in the app store.

Methyl donor micronutrients, CD40-ligand methylation and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional association study.

Objective: Hypomethylation of CD40-ligand (CD40L) in T-cells is associated with increased disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We therefore investigated possible associations of dietary methyl donors and products with CD40L methylation status in SLE.

Methods: Food frequency questionnaires were employed to calculate methyl donor micronutrients in 61 female SLE patients (age 45.

The PICASO cloud platform for improved holistic care in rheumatoid arthritis treatment-experiences of patients and clinicians.

Background: Multimorbidity raises the number of essential information needed for delivery of high-quality care in patients with chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated an innovative ICT platform for integrated care which orchestrates data from various health care providers to optimize care management processes.

Methods: The Horizon2020-funded research project PICASO (picaso-project.

What are the topics you care about making trials in lupus more effective? Results of an Open Space meeting of international lupus experts.

Despite promising candidates for new therapeutic options in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), many clinical trials have failed in the past few years. The disappointing results have been at least partly be attributed to trial designs. With the aim of stimulating new developments in SLE trial design, an international open space meeting was held on occasion of the European Lupus Meeting 2018 in Duesseldorf, Germany about 'What are the topics you care about for making trials in lupus more effective?'.

[Annual meeting of the German Society for Rheumatology going virtual-successfully defying the pandemic].

Background: In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic led to the annual meeting of the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) being conducted as the virtual German Rheumatology Congress.

Aim: How is the virtual German Rheumatology Congress accepted and what are the possibilities of optimization for the future?

Material And Method: The registered participants were asked to take part in an online congress evaluation.

Results: Of 2566 congress attendees, 721 participated in the evaluation.