Publications by authors named "Dzifa Dey"
The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) is an international research group dedicated to promoting collaboration among scientific investigators in the study of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Currently, most SLICC members are based in North America and Europe, with limited representation from other regions. SLICC recognises the importance of expanding its global collaborations and representation to ensure that its research accurately reflects the global burden of SLE and provides equal benefit to all patients with SLE worldwide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDeterminants of physical function, as measured using PROMIS PF-10a, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study.
Rheumatol Adv Pract
December 2024
Objectives: Physical function in RA is largely influenced by multiple clinical factors, however, there is a growing body of evidence that psychological state and other comorbidities also play an essential role. Using data obtained in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases study, an international self-reported e-survey, we aimed to explore the predictive ability of sociodemographic and clinical variables on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 10a (PROMIS PF-10a) in RA and to investigate variation in disease activity and functional outcomes based on country-level socio-economic parameters.
Methods: Patient demographics, disease characteristics including current symptom status, functional status and treatment variables, as well as income level of the country of residence, were extracted from survey responses.
Article Synopsis
- This study explored the adverse events (AEs) related to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as part of the COVAD-2 study, which surveyed participants from February to June 2022.
- It included 7203 participants, including 1423 RA patients, and found that RA patients reported higher rates of both major and minor AEs compared to healthy controls, and even more when compared to those with other autoimmune diseases.
- Active RA significantly increased the risk of major AEs and hospitalization, while patients on certain medications like methotrexate or TNF inhibitors experienced fewer AEs than those not on these treatments.
Article Synopsis
- - The study evaluated COVID-19 infection rates, management approaches, and outcomes in patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease (AIRD) at a teaching hospital in Ghana, finding a low prevalence of 1.82% among the 1700 AIRD patients.
- - Among the 31 COVID-19 positive patients, most were females with a mean age of about 42, and Systemic lupus erythematosus was the most common condition; symptoms primarily included fever.
- - Most patients were successfully managed with self-isolation at home, leading to full recoveries, while only two required intensive care, resulting in mortality; this suggests that personalized care is important for managing COVID-19 in AIRD patients. *
Article Synopsis
- * Results showed that while many lab tests and medications were available, there were significant regional differences in access, particularly in East and West Africa.
- * Key issues identified included long turnaround times for test results and patients often having to self-fund medical expenses, which hindered timely diagnosis and treatment.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how comorbidities impact the quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared to other autoimmune diseases and healthy individuals, utilizing self-reported data from the COVAD-2 survey.
- Results show IIM patients have significantly higher rates of comorbidities, basic multitasking, complex multitasking, and mental health disorders.
- The presence of these conditions correlates with lower overall physical and mental health scores, suggesting the need for targeted management strategies for IIM patients based on identified clinical clusters.
Introduction: Pancreatic lesions have varied morphology and presentation making their diagnosis challenging. The lesions may be asymptomatic incidentalomas on abdominal imaging for other conditions, symptomatic producing specific hormone effects or causing local effects.
Case: We report a 35-year-old woman with recurrent abdominal pain confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune condition that disproportionately impacts non-White ethnic and racial groups, particularly individuals in the African diaspora who experience heightened incidence, prevalence, and adverse outcomes. Genetic and epigenetic factors play significant roles in SLE risk, however these factors neither explain the whole of SLE risk nor the stark racial disparities we observe. Moreover, our understanding of genetic risk factors within African ancestry populations is limited due to social and environmental influences on research participation, disease presentation, and healthcare access.
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- The study aimed to compare the occurrence of breakthrough COVID-19 infections (BIs) in fully vaccinated patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) against those with other rheumatic autoimmune diseases (rAIDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs), and healthy controls (HCs).
- Results showed that 10.7% of SLE patients reported at least one BI, with frequencies similar to HCs and nrAID patients but higher than those with other rAIDs.
- Overall, vaccinated SLE patients experienced comparable levels of COVID-19 infection frequency and severity as healthy individuals, with no significant association found between demographic factors or treatments and BIs in SLE patients.
Background: Vaccines are a crucial component of the global efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Very little is known about COVID-19 vaccine responses in patients living with autoimmune rheumatic conditions in Africa. We examined the clinical reaction to COVID-19 vaccinations in Ghanaians diagnosed with autoimmune rheumatic disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Amid concerns about severe COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) during the outbreak, it is crucial to explore behavioural changes, whether healthy or unhealthy, arising from this patient population in response to the changing healthcare environment.
Aim: To investigate COVID-19-driven behavioural changes in patients with AIRD.
Methods: This observational study invited patients who attended the rheumatology clinic of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from 1 August 2020 to 1 July 2021, to respond to a survey questionnaire distributed on the patient's WhatsApp platform.
Article Synopsis
- A study investigated rare cases of systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) reported after COVID-19 vaccinations by surveying individuals with new-onset SAIDs post-vaccination using a validated e-survey dataset.* -
- Of 16,750 participants, 74 reported new-onset SAIDs, mostly idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica; higher incidences were found among Caucasians and Moderna vaccine recipients.* -
- The research concluded that while the occurrence of new-onset SAIDs post-vaccination is low, certain risk factors like pre-existing autoimmune diseases, mental health issues, and ethnicity were linked to these cases.*
Background: The pandemic presented unique challenges for individuals with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) due to their underlying condition, the effects of immunosuppressive treatments, and increased vaccine hesitancy.
Objectives: The COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune diseases (COVAD) study, a series of ongoing, patient self-reported surveys were conceived with the vision of being a unique tool to gather patient perspectives on AIRDs. It involved a multinational, multicenter collaborative effort amidst a global lockdown.
Article Synopsis
- The focus on holistic patient care for autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) emphasizes the importance of subjective well-being, social factors, and mental health, alongside traditional measures of disease.
- The COVAD-3 survey is set up as an extensive online self-report study to assess various lifestyle factors of AIRD patients and healthy individuals, ensuring it's accessible through multiple languages and thorough testing.
- The goal of COVAD-3 is to understand how social, economic, and psychological factors affect the quality of life in AIRD patients, ultimately aiming to enhance their overall health and treatment approaches.
Article Synopsis
- The CHANGE survey aims to assess gender equity in rheumatology and gather physician insights on bullying, harassment, and equitable opportunities.
- Launched in January 2023, the survey is a cross-sectional questionnaire available in six languages, targeting rheumatologists and healthcare professionals, with responses analyzed for gender-based discrimination.
- This global initiative seeks to identify gender-related disparities in rheumatology to inform strategies for promoting inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities for all professionals in the field.
Objectives: To investigate health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and without autoimmune diseases (controls) using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instrument data obtained from the second COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD-2) e-survey database.
Methods: Demographics, diagnosis, comorbidities, disease activity, treatments and PROMIS instrument data were analysed. Primary outcomes were PROMIS Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores.
Background: Rheumatic diseases can seriously impact children's general health, development, and growth. However, due to a lack of resources, paediatric rheumatology is a largely underdeveloped speciality in many African nations. Children with rheumatic disorders face obstacles in accessing specialized medical care, including lack of specialists, care centres, medication access, and limited research and education to increase understanding of paediatric rheumatic disease among healthcare practitioners.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BIs) in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) using data from the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study.
Methods: A validated patient self-reporting e-survey was circulated by the COVAD study group to collect data on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in 2022. BIs were defined as COVID-19 occurring ≥14 days after two vaccine doses.
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominantly inherited condition that has varying phenotypic expressions. This case report describes one such African patient, from Ghana, who had typical clinical and imaging traits of MFS but was first diagnosed incidentally at the age of 23 years. In this report, we explore the challenges of early diagnosis in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disorder involving multiple organs and systems. Cardiovascular involvement in SLE patients is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Although subclinical cardiac abnormalities exist among SLE patients, they are rarely screened for.
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