Publications by authors named "Ioana Andreica"
Objective: In axSpA, validated PROs are well-established in clinical trials, but it remains unclear whether they comprehensively reflect patients' discomfort and disease status. We aimed to investigate how patients' self-reported disease status does compare to validated clinical trial measures during routine clinical visits.
Methods: Data from axSpA patients' initial and last five visits were retrospectively analyzed.
Objectives: In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), early diagnosis is crucial, but diagnostic delay remains long and diagnostic criteria do not exist. We aimed to identify a diagnostic model that distinguishes patients with axSpA from patients without axSpA with chronic back pain based on clinical data in routine care.
Methods: Clinical data from patients with chronic back pain were used, with information on rheumatological examinations based on clinical indications.
Background And Objective: Patient education is an integral component of the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, the validated tools currently available for assessing disease-related knowledge are outdated and, in the case of axSpA, only available in English. The aims of this work were therefore (1) to develop a German-language tool for assessing disease-specific knowledge among axSpA patients and (2) to assess this tool in a pilot study.
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- The study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of switching patients with inflammatory rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases from the original adalimumab (ADA) to its biosimilar ABP501 over 6 months, focusing on comorbidity as a potential factor for stopping treatment.
- A total of 111 patients were analyzed, with 74.8% continuing ABP after 6 months, while some switched to other treatments or dropped out.
- The presence of comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular issues, was notable, but results indicated little difference in treatment continuation between patients with and without comorbidities, suggesting that both groups retained the biosimilar treatment similarly.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify the presence and locations of inflammatory and structural lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) who experience chronic neck pain.
- A total of 107 patients participated, with RA patients reporting significantly higher neck pain levels compared to those with r-axSpA, though both groups showed various patterns of inflammation in the cervical spine.
- The findings suggest that RA typically causes upper cervical inflammation, while r-axSpA is associated with more bone marrow edema in lower cervical segments, indicating a distinct pattern of neck pain-related lesions in each condition.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on long-term remission rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at a specialized care center.
- A total of 136 patients were observed, with 80.1% achieving remission at least once during the study period, and 29.4% being in remission at their clinical visit.
- The findings suggest that remission is a realistic goal throughout treatment, as patients continued to achieve it even in the later years of their care.
Background: Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are often compromised by impaired function and mobility. The standardized 2-week inpatient program 'multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment' (MRCT) was designed for patients with axSpA. The Epionics SPINE (ES) is an objective tool validated to assess mobility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Interim analysis of the RELIANCE registry, an on-going, non-interventional, open-label, multicentre, prospective study evaluating the long-term safety, dosing regimens and effectiveness of canakinumab in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), tumour-necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) or mevalonate-kinase deficiency (MKD)/hyperimmunoglobulin-D syndrome (HIDS).
Methods: From September 2017 for patients with CAPS, and June 2018 for patients with FMF, TRAPS or MKD/HIDS, the registry enrolled paediatric (aged ≥2 years) and adult patients (aged ≥18 years) receiving canakinumab as part of their routine medical care. Safety, canakinumab dose, disease activity and quality of life outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and every 6 months until end of study visit.
Background: The treatment of giant cell arteritis with glucocorticoid-sparing agents is an unmet medical need. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of secukinumab, an anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with giant cell arteritis.
Methods: We conducted a Bayesian randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 2 study at 11 clinics or hospitals in Germany.
Objective: Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) suffer from clinical symptoms like morning stiffness and back pain. Mobility of patients with axSpA is often impaired. The aim of this study is to compare the performance of patients with axSpA regarding mobility measures including performance-based tests and objective electronic assessments with the Epionics SPINE device (ES) at different times of the day compared with healthy controls (HC).
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- A study analyzed the treatment outcomes in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases who switched from the originator adalimumab (ADA) to a biosimilar version over a two-year period.
- Out of 121 patients, 66.9% continued with the biosimilar therapy, while a subset switched back to the original ADA or to another treatment due to adverse effects or lack of effectiveness.
- Factors influencing continued use included a longer duration on the original ADA and lower C-reactive protein levels, with certain demographics like males and older patients showing a tendency to have better retention rates.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) usually causes a self-limiting disease, but especially immunocompromised individuals are at risk to develop a chronic and severe course of infection. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (JAKi) are a novel drug class for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease (AIRD). As JAKs play a key role in innate immunity, viral infections and reactivations are frequently reported during JAKi treatment in AIRD patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: To identify facilitators and barriers towards vaccination in general and specifically against pneumococci, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).
Methods: Between February and April 2021, consecutive patients with RMD were asked to complete a structured questionnaire on general knowledge about vaccination, personal attitudes and perceived facilitators and barriers towards vaccination. General facilitators (n=12) and barriers (n=15) and more specific ones for vaccination against pneumococci, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 were assessed.
Introduction: The course of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is often characterized by impairments in physical function and mobility. Regular physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of axSpA management. Recent European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for PA have stressed the importance of their implementation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) often have lower vaccination coverage rates compared with the general population, despite being disproportionately affected by infectious complications. We aim to systematically review the literature regarding vaccination willingness and hesitancy in AIRD.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library in June 2021.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of foot insufficiency fractures (IF) in patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) with foot pain.
Methods: In a retrospective design, 1752 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of consecutive patients presenting with foot pain in 2 time periods between 2016 and 2018 were evaluated. The group with IF was matched with controls with foot pain without IF.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate patients' knowledge about biosimilars in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, their satisfaction after being educated about switching these medications by rheumatologists versus nurse specialists, and the effect of multiple switches on their satisfaction.
- 102 patients were randomized into two groups to receive information about switching biosimilars either from a rheumatologist or a nurse specialist, with satisfaction and knowledge assessed using standardized tools and questionnaires at the start and 12 weeks later.
- Results showed that nearly half the patients had undergone multiple switches, knowledge about biosimilars was generally low, and overall satisfaction with education was high regardless of the provider, indicating that the mode of education may not significantly impact patient contentment.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examined how various immunosuppressive therapies affect immune responses in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) after receiving two doses of an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.
- - Among 92 patients, the first vaccination showed only 37.8% developed neutralizing antibodies, while 94.5% achieved this after the second dose; those on IL-17 inhibitors had the highest antibody levels.
- - Despite differences in treatments, T-cell immunity was similar across therapy types, indicating a generally positive response to vaccination, particularly following the second dose, especially for patients on IL-17 inhibitors.
Purpose: Refusal to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination poses a threat to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about German cancer patients' attitude towards and experience with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Methods: Patients were enrolled between 04-11/2021.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised numerous questions among patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases regarding potential reciprocal effects of COVID-19 and their underlying disease, and potential effects of immunomodulatory therapy on outcomes related to COVID-19. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and factors associated with symptomatic COVID-19 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are still unclear. The Euro-COVIMID study aimed to determine the serological and clinical prevalence of COVID-19 among patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, as well as factors associated with COVID-19 occurrence and the impact of the pandemic in its management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate the prevalence of infections, prevalence of hospitalisation due to infections, the vaccination status and perceived screening of infections prior to the start of biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) of a patient cohort with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD).
Methods: Consecutive CIRD patients reporting to our specialised centre were prospectively included (n=975) in this cross-sectional study. Data on comorbidities including infections, treatment, vaccination status, screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and hepatitis B (HepB) were collected.