An international survey of current management practices for polymyalgia rheumatica by general practitioners and rheumatologists.

Objectives: To explore current management practices for PMR by general practitioners (GPs) and rheumatologists including implications for clinical trial recruitment.

Methods: An English language questionnaire was constructed by a working group of rheumatologists and GPs from six countries. The questionnaire focused on: 1: Respondent characteristics; 2: Referral practices; 3: Treatment with glucocorticoids; 4: Diagnostics; 5: Comorbidities; and 6: Barriers to research.

Gender equity in rheumatology leadership in the Asia-Pacific.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore gender equity in rheumatology leadership in the Asia-Pacific region as represented by the member national organizations (MNOs) of the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional review of gender representation among the presidents of MNOs of APLAR in April 2022. We used the official website of each organization to acquire names and terms in the office of current and past presidents of each organization.

Development of an Educational Video for Self-Assessment of Patients with RA: Steps, Challenges, and Responses.

Objectives: The primary objective was to develop an educational video to teach patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) self-assessment of their disease activity. Secondary objectives were to validate the video, identify the challenges in producing it, and the responses to these challenges.

Methods: Rheumatologists from 7 Middle Eastern Arab countries (MEAC) discussed unmet needs in the education of patients with RA.

Perceptions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis about self-assessment of disease activity after watching an educational video: a qualitative pilot study from the AUTO-DAS in Middle Eastern Arab countries project.

To evaluate the perceptions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) about self-assessment of their disease activity after watching an educational video. Consecutive patients with RA consulting their rheumatologist in six Middle Eastern Countries were invited to watch an educational video developed to teach self-assessment using Disease Activity Score (DAS-28). Then, a rheumatology nurse conducted a semi-structured interview and collected the patients' perception about the understanding of the video, feasibility, capability and confidence in performing self-assessment using Likert-type items.

Platelet Rich Plasma for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Case Series and Review of Literature.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product with platelets above circulating levels and releases several growth factors after activation. PRP may help to decrease joint inflammation by modulating synovial cell proliferation and differentiation and inhibition of catabolic pathways in various articular conditions. Though PRP has shown good efficacy in osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions such as synovitis, epicondylitis, skeletal muscle injuries, and tendinopathy, there is limited experience for the use of PRP in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Arterial stenosis in antiphospholipid syndrome: Update on the unrevealed mechanisms of an endothelial disease.

First described in 1983, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition characterized by the occurrence of recurrent arterial and/or venous thrombosis, and/or pregnancy morbidity, in the setting of persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). While thrombosis is the most well-known pathogenic mechanism in this disorder, the relevance of some other mechanisms such as arterial stenosis is being increasingly recognized. Arterial stenosis has been first described in the renal arteries in patients with APS, however intracranial and coeliac arteries can also be involved with various and treatable clinical manifestations.

Pathogenic role of platelets in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic autoimmune diseases. Perspectives and therapeutic aspects.

Well-recognized for their role in vascular homoeostasis, platelets may play a major role in inflammation and immunomodulation. Substantial data are emerging on the pathogenic involvement of platelets in inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune diseases, indicating the existence of crosstalk between the coagulation and inflammation system. Upon activation, platelets release pro-inflammatory platelets microparticles, which interact with leucocytes leading to joint and systemic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Prostaglandin transporter mutations cause pachydermoperiostosis with myelofibrosis.

Pachydermoperiostosis, or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO), is an inherited multisystem disorder, whose features closely mimic the reactive osteoarthropathy that commonly accompanies neoplastic and inflammatory pathologies. We previously described deficiency of the prostaglandin-degrading enzyme 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD) as a cause of this condition, implicating elevated circulating prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) as causative of PHO, and perhaps also as the principal mediator of secondary HO. However, PHO is genetically heterogeneous.

Validity and reliability of the Arabic adapted version of the DN4 questionnaire (Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions) for differential diagnosis of pain syndromes with a neuropathic or somatic component.

Background: Verbal descriptors of pain can provide a basis for distinguishing neuropathic pain (NP) from pain of non-neuropathic origin. Much research has been undertaken to develop screening tools for this purpose. The DN4 questionnaire (NP in four questions), is one of theses tools, which was developed and validated in French in 2005.

C1-C2 spondylodiscitis in an adult with SAPHO syndrome: an unusual presentation.

The main advantage of recognition and diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome is the avoidance of unnecessary prolonged antibiotic treatment and repeated invasive procedures. The combination of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and aseptic osteitis is known as SAPHO syndrome. The most common site of the disease is the upper anterior chest wall, characterized by predominantly osteosclerotic lesions, hyperostosis, and arthritis of the adjacent joints.