Are telephone consultations here to stay in rheumatology?

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face rheumatology follow-up appointments were mostly replaced with telephone or virtual consultations in order to protect vulnerable patients. We aimed to investigate the perspectives of rheumatology patients on the use of telephone consultations compared with the traditional face-to-face consultation.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective survey of all rheumatology follow-up patients at the Royal Wolverhampton Trust who had received a telephone consultation from a rheumatology consultant during a 4-week period via an online survey tool.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of methotrexate in psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: MTX is widely used to treat synovitis in PsA without supporting trial evidence. The aim of our study was to test the value of MTX in the first large randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT) in PsA.

Methods: A 6-month double-blind RCT compared MTX (15 mg/week) with placebo in active PsA.

Estimating indirect costs in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To estimate the indirect costs associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) compared with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and community controls.

Methods: Data were obtained from 84 women patients with pSS as part of a study to develop a systemic activity measure, from 87 consecutive women patients with RA attending a hospital clinic, and from 96 women community controls on a general practice list. A modified economic component of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire was used to assess lost productivity.

Evaluation of a multidisciplinary outpatient pain management programme based at a community hospital.

Objective: To evaluate a multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural therapy pain management programme (PMP) based at a small community hospital.

Methods: Patients attending the PMP were assessed at three intervals (pre-training, and 18 and 44 weeks post-training) using a set of seven questionnaires. Information about their general practitioner (GP) and consultant visits was recorded at pre-training and final follow-up visits.

The relationship between social deprivation, disease outcome measures, and response to treatment in patients with stable, long-standing rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are known to have more severe disease, more comorbidity, and higher mortality. It is not known whether SES influences response to treatment in RA. We examined the relationship between area of residence (as a surrogate for SES) and baseline outcome measures and response to treatment, using data from the British Rheumatoid Outcome Study Group randomized controlled trial of aggressive versus symptomatic treatment of long-standing, stable RA.

Does a regular exercise program for ankylosing spondylitis influence body image?

Objective: To investigate whether participation in a regular exercise programme by patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) had a positive impact on their body image.

Methods: Semi-structured interview and several questionnaired assessed exercise compliance, mood and other facets of disease impact. Body image was assessed using the Arthritis Body Experience Scale, which measured the concepts of body totality and body self-consciousness.