Patient perspectives on the impact of appearance and weight changes attributed to systemic glucocorticoid treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To explore patients' perspectives on the impact of appearance changes attributed to glucocorticoid treatment.

Methods: We conducted a secondary inductive thematic analysis of the 'Steroid PRO' semi-structured interviews with patients with rheumatic conditions receiving glucocorticoids in the UK, USA, and Australia.

Results: Sixty patient interviews were analysed.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody positivity on infection and hospitalisation rates in immunosuppressed populations during the omicron period: the MELODY study.

Background: In the UK, booster COVID-19 vaccinations have been recommended biannually to people considered immune vulnerable. We investigated, at a population level, whether the absence of detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibody (anti-S Ab) following three or more vaccinations in immunosuppressed individuals was associated with greater risks of infection and severity of infection.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study using UK national disease registers, we recruited participants with solid organ transplants (SOTs), rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases (RAIRDs), and lymphoid malignancies.

A meta-analysis and systematic review of the use of transition tools for patients transitioning from paediatric to adult rheumatology services.

Objectives: Transitioning from paediatric to adult care can be challenging, but transition tools are designed to increase successful rates of transfer. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review of the use of transition tools in the transfer of care from paediatric to adult services for rheumatology patients.

Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed and Embase.