Performance of the 2015 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for gout in a primary care population presenting with monoarthritis.

Objective: To test the performance of the 2015 ACR-EULAR gout classification criteria against presence of SF MSU crystals in a primary healthcare population.

Methods: The criteria were applied to an existing dataset of consecutive patients with monoarthritis presenting to Dutch family physicians; all patients underwent microscopic SF analysis by design. The data had been prospectively collected to develop a diagnostic decision rule for gout in 2010.

Survey Definitions of Gout for Epidemiologic Studies: Comparison With Crystal Identification as the Gold Standard.

Objective: To identify the best-performing survey definition of gout from items commonly available in epidemiologic studies.

Methods: Survey definitions of gout were identified from 34 epidemiologic studies contributing to the Global Urate Genetics Consortium (GUGC) genome-wide association study. Data from the Study for Updated Gout Classification Criteria (SUGAR) were randomly divided into development and test data sets.

Performance of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Gout in a Multicenter Study: Comparison With Monosodium Urate Monohydrate Crystal Analysis as the Gold Standard.

Objective: To examine the performance of ultrasound (US) for the diagnosis of gout using the presence of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals as the gold standard.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Study for Updated Gout Classification Criteria (SUGAR), a large, multicenter observational cross-sectional study of consecutive subjects with at least 1 swollen joint who conceivably may have gout. All subjects underwent arthrocentesis; cases were subjects with confirmed MSU crystals.

2015 Gout Classification Criteria: an American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism collaborative initiative.

Objective: Existing criteria for the classification of gout have suboptimal sensitivity and/or specificity, and were developed at a time when advanced imaging was not available. The current effort was undertaken to develop new classification criteria for gout.

Methods: An international group of investigators, supported by the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism, conducted a systematic review of the literature on advanced imaging of gout, a diagnostic study in which the presence of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals in synovial fluid or tophus was the gold standard, a ranking exercise of paper patient cases, and a multicriterion decision analysis exercise.

Adherence to the 2012 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guidelines for Management of Gout: A Survey of Brazilian Rheumatologists.

Objective: To describe the current pharmacological approach to gout treatment reported by rheumatologists in Brazil.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey study using an online questionnaire e-mailed to 395 rheumatologists, randomly selected, from among the members of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology.

Results: Three hundred and nine rheumatologists (78.

Study for Updated Gout Classification Criteria: Identification of Features to Classify Gout.

Objective: To determine which clinical, laboratory, and imaging features most accurately distinguished gout from non-gout.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of consecutive rheumatology clinic patients with ≥1 swollen joint or subcutaneous tophus. Gout was defined by synovial fluid or tophus aspirate microscopy by certified examiners in all patients.

Discontinuation of antiviral prophylaxis correlates with high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in rheumatoid arthritis patients with HBV carrier state: a real-world clinical practice.

Background: To investigate the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with HBV carrier state during treatment of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and the use of antiviral prophylaxis in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: Consecutive RA patients with HBV carrier state were included. Clinical data including liver evaluation, HBV infection evaluation and the use of antiviral prophylaxis were recorded.

Performance of classification criteria for gout in early and established disease.

Objectives: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of different classification criteria for gout in early and established disease.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive rheumatology clinic patients with joint swelling in which gout was defined by presence or absence of monosodium urate crystals as observed by a certified examiner at presentation. Early disease was defined as patient-reported onset of symptoms of 2 years or less.

An Internet-based technique for the identification of persons with symptoms of inflammatory polyarthritis of less than 12 weeks.

Identifying persons with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major challenge. The role of the Internet in making decisions about seeking care has not been studied. We developed a method for early diagnosis and referral using the Arthritis Foundation's website.

Rilonacept for gout flare prevention in patients receiving uric acid-lowering therapy: results of RESURGE, a phase III, international safety study.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of once-weekly subcutaneous rilonacept 160 mg for prevention of gout flares in patients initiating or continuing urate-lowering therapy (ULT).

Methods: This phase III study was conducted in the United States, South Africa, Europe, and Asia. Adults (n = 1315, 18-80 yrs) with gout, who were initiating or continuing ULT, were randomized to treatment with weekly subcutaneous injections of rilonacept 160 mg or placebo for 16 weeks followed by a 4-week safety followup.

Imaging modalities for the classification of gout: systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although there has been major progress in gout imaging, no gout classification criteria currently include advanced imaging techniques.

Objective: To examine the usefulness of imaging modalities in the classification of gout when compared to monosodium urate (MSU) crystal confirmation as the gold standard, in order to inform development of new gout classification criteria.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the published literature concerning the diagnostic performance of plain film radiography, MRI, ultrasound (US), conventional CT and dual energy CT (DECT).

Application of the OMERACT filter to measures of core outcome domains in recent clinical studies of acute gout.

Objective: To determine the extent to which instruments that measure core outcome domains in acute gout fulfill the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) filter requirements of truth, discrimination, and feasibility.

Methods: Patient-level data from 4 randomized controlled trials of agents designed to treat acute gout and 1 observational study of acute gout were analyzed. For each available measure, construct validity, test-retest reliability, within-group change using effect size, between-group change using the Kruskall-Wallis statistic, and repeated measures generalized estimating equations were assessed.

Evaluating appropriate use of prophylactic colchicine for gout flare prevention.

Objective: American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism guidelines recommend colchicine to prevent gout flares in patients initiating and increasing uric acid–lowering therapy until serum uric acid is maintained at ≤6 mg/dl. We aimed to evaluate how well colchicine prescribing practices adhere to these guidelines and to examine factors associated with improved prescribing.

Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed for 126 patients with active colchicine prescriptions for prophylaxis of gout flares.

OMERACT endorsement of measures of outcome for studies of acute gout.

Objective: To determine the extent to which participants at the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) 11 meeting agree that instruments used in clinical trials to measure OMERACT core outcome domains in acute gout fulfill OMERACT filter requirements of truth, discrimination, and feasibility; and where future research efforts need to be directed.

Methods: Results of a systematic literature review and analysis of individual-level data from recent clinical studies of acute gout were presented to OMERACT participants. The information was discussed in breakout groups, and opinion was defined by subsequent voting in a plenary session.

Amyloid arthropathy associated with multiple myeloma: polyarthritis without synovial infiltration of CD20+ or CD38+ cells.

Objectives: To describe histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of synovial biopsies of amyloid arthropathy associated with multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: Synovial biopsies from affected joints of two patients with MM and amyloid arthropathy were examined with light and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemically for expression of CD3, CD8, CD20, CD38, CD68, Ki-67 and vWF. Results were compared to values from osteoarthritis (OA, n = 26), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 24) and normal (n = 15) synovial membranes.

Amyloid arthropathy associated with multiple myeloma: a systematic analysis of 101 reported cases.

Objective: Amyloid deposition in multiple myeloma (MM) may lead to an arthropathy resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since a systematic description of its natural history is lacking, we have performed a systematic analysis of all published cases.

Methods: Literature review featuring backward and forward database searches and direct inspection of reference lists.

Integrating acupuncture with exercise-based physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and economic cost. The efficacy of acupuncture in addition to traditional physical therapy has received little study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of integrating a standardized true acupuncture protocol versus nonpenetrating acupuncture into exercise-based physical therapy (EPT).

The relative composition of the inflammatory infiltrate as an additional tool for synovial tissue classification.

Objectives: Traditionally, differences in absolute numbers of cells expressing a certain marker (e.g., positive staining cells per mm²) have been used in immunohistological synovial tissue classification.

Questionnaire survey evaluating disease-related knowledge for 149 primary gout patients and 184 doctors in South China.

This study aims to investigate the disease-related knowledge of gout patients and doctors in south China and to identify the important targets of education for patients and doctors. A cross-section survey of 154 primary gout patients and 185 doctors who may see gout patients was conducted with a modified questionnaire with ten items of gout-related knowledge. The participants were considered to have gout-related knowledge if he or she correctly answered seven or more items.

Readability and suitability assessment of patient education materials in rheumatic diseases.

Objective: Web-based patient education materials and printed pamphlets are frequently used by providers to inform patients about their rheumatic disease. Little attention has been given to the readability and appropriateness of patient materials. The objective of this study was to examine the readability and suitability of commonly used patient education materials for osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis.

New classification criteria for gout: a framework for progress.

The definitive classification or diagnosis of gout normally relies upon the identification of MSU crystals in SF or from tophi. Where microscopic examination of SF is not available or is impractical, the best approach may differ depending upon the context. For many types of research, clinical classification criteria are necessary.