18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Findings of Polymyalgia Rheumatica in Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis.

Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are often overlapping conditions. We studied whether 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is useful in identifying PMR in the setting of large vessel (LV) GCA.

Methods: LV-GCA patients diagnosed by PET-CT at a tertiary care center for a population of 450,000 people over a two-year period were reviewed.

Positron Emission Computed Tomography Spectrum of Large Vessel Vasculitis in a Tertiary Center: Differences in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake between Large Vessel Vasculitis with Predominant Cranial and Extracranial Giant Cell Arteritis Phenotypes.

(1) Objective:To assess the spectrum of PET-CT-related large vessel vasculitis (LVV) in a Spanish tertiary center and to determine whether FDG uptake by PET-CT differs between giant cell arteritis (GCA) with predominant cranial or extracranial phenotypes. (2) Methods: The spectrum of patients diagnosed with LVV by PET-CT in a tertiary referral hospital that cares for 450,000 people over a period of two years was reviewed. Moreover, differences in FDG uptake between LVV-GCA with predominantly cranial and extracranial phenotype were analyzed.

High incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. A case-control study.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture.

Methods: Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded.

Importance of family planning in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: A multidisciplinary approach.

Background And Objectives: Family planning in women with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases is a challenge for healthcare teams, highlighting the need for standardized available evidence to provide patients with objective and agreed information. This study reflects the work performed by a multidisciplinary team in reviewing available scientific evidence, and the strategy agreed for family planning, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Methods: A literature search was conducted, information was structured across the different stages (preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding), and an on-site meeting was convened, in which patients and healthcare providers participated.

Multidisciplinary models for pregnancy care in patients with rheumatic diseases: Clinical experiences and experts opinion.

Objectives: To describe different models of multidisciplinary pregnancy care for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases, and the steps to follow concerning their implementation.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted including: (1) a comprehensive literature search in PUBMED focused on multidisciplinary care models; (2) structured interviews with seven rheumatologists from multidisciplinary pregnancy clinics for patients with inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Data were collected related to the hospitals, medical departments, populations cared for, and multidisciplinary care models (type, material, and human resources, professional requirements, objectives, referral criteria, agendas, protocols, responsibilities, decision-making, research and educational activities, multidisciplinary clinical sessions, initiation/start, planning, advantages/disadvantages, and barriers/facilitators for implementation); (3) a nominal meeting group in which the results of searches and interviews were analyzed and the recommendations for the implementation of the multidisciplinary care models defined.

Importance of family planning in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a multidisciplinary approach.

Background And Objectives: Family planning in women with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases is a challenge for healthcare teams, highlighting the need for standardized available evidence to provide patients with objective and agreed information. This study reflects the work performed by a multidisciplinary team in reviewing available scientific evidence, and the strategy agreed for family planning, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Methods: A literature search was conducted, information was structured across the different stages (preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding), and an on-site meeting was convened, in which patients and healthcare providers participated.

Pregnancy control in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus/Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Part 3: Childbirth. Puerperium. Breastfeeding Contraception. Newborn.

Objective: In order to agree on the fundamental aspects related to the management of pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome, the Spanish Societies of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology have set up a working group for the preparation of three consensus documents.

Methods: Each of the Scientific Societies involved proposed five representatives based on their experience in the field of pregnancy control in patients with autoimmune diseases. The recommendations were developed following the Delphi methodology.

Pregnancy Control in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Part 1: Infertility, Ovarian Preservation and Preconception Assessment. Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEGO), the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER).

Objective: Pregnancy and puerperium are considered a risk situation in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Therefore, specialized assessment is essential both preconception and during pregnancy and the puerperium. Likewise, it is very important that different specialists in autoimmune diseases and high-risk pregnancies participate in the follow-up of these patients in a coordinated manner.

Pregnancy control in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus/antiphospholipid syndrome. Part 2: Pregnancy follow-up.

Objective: In order to agree on the fundamental aspects related to the management of pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), the Spanish Societies of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology set up a working group for the preparation of three consensus documents.

Methods: Each of the Scientific Societies involved proposed five representatives based on their experience in the field of pregnancy control in patients with autoimmune diseases. The recommendations were developed following the Delphi methodology.

Recommendations for the evaluation and management of patients with rheumatic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases during the reproductive age, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding.

Objective: To develop recommendations on the evaluation and management of patients with rheumatic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases during the reproductive age, pregnancy, post-partum and breastfeeding based on the best evidence and experience.

Methods: Recommendations were generated using nominal group and Delphi techniques. An expert panel of 12 rheumatologists was established.

Consensus statement on a framework for the management of comorbidity and extra-articular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of the study was to develop evidence-based and practical recommendations for the detection and management of comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily practice. We used a modified RAND/UCLA methodology and systematic review (SR). The process map and specific recommendations, based on the SR, were established in discussion groups.

Calcium supplementation and kidney stone risk in osteoporosis: a systematic literature review.

Objectives: This paper aims to examine the risk of nephrolithiasis in patients with osteoporosis and calcium supplementation.

Methods: This work is based on the systematic review of studies retrieved by a sensitive search strategy in Medline and Embase (1991-2010), and the Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to 2010. The abstracts of the annual scientific meetings of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) (2008-2010) were also examined.

Denosumab for the treatment of osteoporosis: a systematic literature review.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of denosumab in osteoporosis.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1950 to July 2010), meeting abstracts (2009-2010), trial registries, and reference lists. The selection criteria were as follows: (population) osteoporosis patients of any age; (intervention) treatment with denosumab; (outcome) efficacy and safety; (study design) randomized clinical trials (RCTs); no language restrictions.

Efficacy and safety of DMARDs in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review.

Objectives: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are frequently prescribed as a first step therapy in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, evidence is sparse and scattered. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DMARDs in PsA.

A systematic review of the effect of TNF-alpha antagonists on lipid profiles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Atherosclerosis plays a key role in cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although therapy with TNF-alpha antagonists has resulted in dramatic improvement in the prognosis of RA, its effects on circulatory lipids are unclear. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to summarize the available evidence on lipid profile modification in patients with RA treated with TNF-alpha antagonists, with extensive searches in PubMed, the Cochrane Collaboration database (Central), and SCOPUS.

[Update of the Consensus Statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis].

Objective: To provide a reference to rheumatologists and to those involved in the treatment of RA who are using, or about to use biologic therapy.

Methods: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews. The level of evidence and grade of recommendation were classified according to the model proposed by the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford.

[Systematic review: is the use of NSAIDs safe during pregnancy in women with rheumatic disease?].

Objective: To analyze the security of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in rheumatic disease patients during pregnancy.

Methods: We performed a systematic review using a sensitive search strategy. All studies published in MEDLINE (since 1961), EMBASE (since 1961) and Cochrane Library (up to January 2008) were selected.