[EULAR recommendations 2023 on the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus -Implications for treatment in Germany].

The 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) faced several tasks: the newly approved medications anifrolumab and voclosporin as well as the additional approval of belimumab for lupus nephritis had to be conceptionally fitted into the management of SLE. Novel data on hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoids, additional results for the treat-to-target goals remission and low disease activity and experience with respect to vaccinations and infections had to be considered. Additionally, EULAR specified a slightly modified structure.

[Head-to-head studies on connective tissue diseases and vasculitides].

Head-to-head (H2H) studies enable the direct comparison of several alternative therapeutic approaches and thus provide the evidence-based foundation for the relative position of one treatment as compared to others for a specific indication. These trials constitute an important addition to placebo-controlled clinical trials. Among the controlled clinical trials not performed by the pharmaceutical industry, there are a relevant number of H2H trials for connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and vasculitides, particularly for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Treat-to-target and shared decision-making in systemic lupus erythematosus from the patients' perspective: results from an international patient survey.

Objectives: Treat-to-target (T2T) is being recognised as a promising concept to significantly improve the outcomes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Despite its success being closely tied to patients' involvement, the patients' perspective regarding T2T has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate patients' attitude towards T2T and their involvement in treatment decisions.

EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus: 2023 update.

Objectives: To update the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on emerging new evidence.

Methods: An international Task Force formed the questions for the systematic literature reviews (January 2018-December 2022), followed by formulation and finalisation of the statements after a series of meetings. A predefined voting process was applied to each overarching principle and recommendation.

Defining the physician global assessment threshold equivalent to remission in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: The optimal threshold of the physician global assessment (PGA) for remission in SLE has never been evaluated systematically. The aim of this study was to assess the ideal PGA threshold associated with physician remission and to investigate its impact on remission rates in our lupus cohort.

Methods: In this monocentric cross-sectional study, patients with SLE were evaluated for physician remission by asking the treating physicians whether they considered their patient to be in remission, regardless of objective remission criteria.

[Therapeutic antibodies in rheumatology].

Emil von Behring's serum therapy for diphtheria was the first therapeutic use of antibodies. More than 100 years later, a new era in the treatment of rheumatic diseases began in 1998 with the approval of infliximab, an antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). The special feature of antibody therapy is the ability to bind and neutralize antigens in a highly specific manner.

'Status Quo' on Different Aspects of Gender Distribution in Rheumatology in Germany-Results from a Nationwide Online Survey among Physicians.

Objectives: Despite the increasing number of female medical students and fellows in Europe, women are still under-represented in higher academic careers and positions in medicine. The aim of this survey was to assess the 'status quo' on gender distribution among rheumatologists in Germany.

Methods: A web-based anonymous survey (21 questions with multiple answers and free text) using QuestionPro was distributed among rheumatologists in Germany via newsletters, social media and personal contact, including questions regarding hierarchical positions and work characteristics.

Determinants of patient and physician global assessments of disease activity in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Objective: To compare physician and patient assessments of global disease activity in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and to identify associated factors.

Methods: Global disease activity scores (0-10 points) were retrospectively analyzed from physicians and patients with AAV at each outpatient visit from 2010 to 2020. We compared the scores and performed a linear regression with a random effects to identify associated factors.

Remote self-collection of capillary blood using upper arm devices for autoantibody analysis in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, usability and acceptability of two upper arm self-sampling devices for measurement of autoantibodies and C reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs).

Methods: 70 consecutive patients with IMRD with previously documented autoantibodies were assigned to supervised and unsupervised self-collection of capillary blood with the Tasso+ or TAP II device. Interchangeability of 17 biomarkers with standard venesection was assessed by: concordance, correlation, paired sample hypothesis testing and Bland-Altman plots.

[Lupus nephritis].

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most frequent organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. Urine analysis is suitable for screening and proteinuria or an active sediment with acanthocytes can be indicative for LN. The gold standard for confirming the diagnosis is a kidney biopsy.

Association of common variable immunodeficiency and rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases. A systematic literature review.

Objectives: To perform a systematic literature review (SLR) on the association of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases, namely systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), systemic sclerosis (SSc), relapsing polychondritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related disease, as well as undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease.

Methods: An SLR on studies and cases about the association of CVID and rare and complex connective tissue and musculoskeletal diseases was performed. Animal studies were excluded.

A broad look into the future of rheumatoid arthritis.

Despite all improvements in rheumatoid arthritis, we are still not able to prevent or cure the disease. Diagnostic delays due to lack of access to a specialist and costly therapies are still a major obstacle for many patients. Even in first-world countries, the treat-to-target principle and the goal of disease remission are often missed.

[Innovations in the pharmaceutical treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease with a complex pathogenesis. Until now, the choice of therapeutic agents has been limited.

Objective: This review revisits known forms of treatment for SLE and introduces new recently approved agents and agents currently under investigation in clinical trials.

TELERA-Asynchronous TELEmedicine for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Study Protocol for a Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Innovative strategies are needed to adequately assess and monitor disease activity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in times of scarce appointments. The aim of the TELERA study is to evaluate the feasibility and performance of asynchronous telemedicine visits based on patient-generated data and patient's drug history. RA patients use a medical app, ABATON, that captures the results of a self-performed quick CRP-test, joint-count, and electronic patient-reported outcomes in between visits.

The Safety of Antirheumatic Drugs.

Background: Drug therapy for rheumatic diseases has changed fundamentally in recent decades with the introduction of many new agents. As these drugs may have to be taken for many years, and many of them are of similar efficacy, their safety profiles play an important role in therapeutic decisionmaking.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent literature retrieved by a selective search on the safety profiles of selected antirheumatic drugs.

[Acceptance of video consultation among patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases depends on gender and location-Results of an online survey among patients and physicians].

Introduction: In order to successfully integrate telemedicine into the daily routine of rheumatology, both the patient's and the physician's perspective are important. For this purpose, a detailed study by means of a web-based survey was conducted by the Working Group Young Rheumatology (AGJR) of the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) and the German Rheumatism League National Association. By means of subgroup analysis of the data regarding video consultation, the aim was now to find out which requirements and wishes patients and physicians have for video consultations.