Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Experiences and Preferences in Accessing Healthcare Across Five Countries.

Introduction: The global coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created many challenges in healthcare provision. This study aimed to evaluate the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The RA Narrative COVID-19 survey was conducted online among people with RA who resided in Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, and the US from August to September 2021.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Care Experiences of Black People Living in Canada: A Qualitative Study to Inform Health Service Improvements.

Objective: To understand experiences related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care and propose service-level strategies to reduce and mitigate inequities for Black people living in Canada.

Methods: Purposive and respondent driven sampling was used to recruit participants for qualitative interviews to explore population factors relevant to RA care and challenges and facilitators for access to health care services, medications, and enacting preferred treatment plans. Thematic analysis was conducted using the Braun and Clarke method with inductive and deductive coding and critical race theory guiding analysis.

Decision-Making Around COVID-19 Public Health Measures and Implications for Self-Care Activities: Experiences of Persons With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: We aimed to advance understanding of how persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience decision-making about adopting public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Persons living with RA partnered throughout this nested qualitative study. One-to-one semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with participants with RA between December 2020 and December 2021.

An international comparative analysis and roadmap to sustainable biosimilar markets.

Although biosimilar uptake has increased (at a variable pace) in many countries, there have been recent concerns about the long-term sustainability of biosimilar markets. The aim of this manuscript is to assess the sustainability of policies across the biosimilar life cycle in selected countries with a view to propose recommendations for supporting biosimilar sustainability. The study conducted a comparative analysis across 17 countries from North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Frequency and Content of the Last Fifty Years of Papers on Aristotle's Writings on Biological Phenomena.

Aristotle is often named as the first zoologist or biologist because of his writings on animals. Although Aristotle's major intention in these books was to illustrate his ideas of how knowledge and understanding might advance, at least one modern biologist (C. Darwin) has recognized Aristotle's depth and breadth as being of surviving merit.

Experiences of self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on self-care of individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Guided by a constructivist, qualitative design, we conducted one-to-one in-depth telephone interviews between March and October 2020 with participants with RA purposively sampled for maximum variation in age, sex and education, who were participating in one of two ongoing randomized-controlled trials. An inductive, reflexive thematic analysis approach was used.

Optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps using novel blue light imaging classification among trainee endoscopists.

Background: Blue light imaging (BLI) has been shown to improve the characterization of colorectal polyps among the endoscopy experts. We aimed to determine if this technology could be taught to endoscopy trainees while maintaining high accuracy and interobserver agreement.

Methods: Twenty-one gastroenterology trainees (fellows) from two academic institutions participated in this prospective study.

Improving laboratory quality and capacity through leadership and management training: Lessons from Zambia 2016-2018.

Background: Competent leadership and management are imperative for delivering quality laboratory services; however, few laboratory managers receive job-specific training in organisational management and leadership.

Objective: To develop and evaluate participants' competencies in organisational leadership and management as measured through learner and laboratory quality improvement assessments.

Methods: This professional development programme employed a mentored, blended learning approach, utilising in-person didactic and online training, with the practical application of a capstone project in the laboratories.

Effects of a 12-Week Multifaceted Wearable-Based Program for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Current guidelines emphasize an active lifestyle in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but up to 90% of patients with OA are inactive. In a previous study, we demonstrated that an 8-week physiotherapist (PT)-led counseling intervention, with the use of a Fitbit, improved step count and quality of life in patients with knee OA, compared with a control.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of a 12-week, multifaceted wearable-based program on physical activity and patient outcomes in patients with knee OA.

Patient-provider communication about medication cost in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To examine the perceived importance and frequency with which out-of-pocket medication costs are discussed between rheumatologists and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Canada.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to patients with RA and rheumatologists; both were asked to rate their perceived importance of discussing medication costs, and how often these discussions occurred. Predictors of (1) patients discussing costs with their rheumatologist and (2) the perceived importance of discussing medication cost for patients were explored.

Efficacy of a Physical Activity Counseling Program With Use of a Wearable Tracker in People With Inflammatory Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a multifaceted counseling intervention at improving physical activity participation and patient outcomes.

Methods: We recruited people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In weeks 1-8, the immediate group received education and counseling by a physical therapist, used a Fitbit and a web application to obtain feedback about their physical activity, and received 4 follow-up calls from the physical therapist.

Preferences for treatments to prevent rheumatoid arthritis in Canada and the influence of shared decision-making.

Objective: To elicit and compare preferences of patients and first-degree relatives and rheumatologists for preventive treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, understand the influence of shared decision-making, and predict the probability of uptake of the preventive treatments currently being studied.

Methods: An online discrete choice experiment was completed by patients and their first-degree relatives and rheumatologists. Results were analysed using mixed logit model to estimate preferences for the key features of treatments.

Preventing rheumatoid arthritis: Preferences for and predicted uptake of preventive treatments among high risk individuals.

Objective: To understand preferences for and estimate the likely uptake of preventive treatments currently being evaluated in randomized controlled trials with individuals at increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Focus groups were used to identify key attributes of potential preventive treatment for RA (reduction in risk of RA, how treatment is taken, chance of side effects, certainty in estimates, health care providers opinion). A web-based discrete choice experiment (DCE) was administered to people at-risk of developing RA, asking them to first choose their preferred of two hypothetical preventive RA treatments, and then between their preferred treatment and 'no treatment for now.

Canadians' views on the use of routinely collected data in health research: a patient-oriented cross-sectional survey.

Background: Little is known about Canadians' knowledge of and level of support for using administrative and other large, routinely collected data for health research, despite the benefits of this type of research to patients, health care systems and society. We sought to benchmark the views of Canadian adults on this topic.

Methods: Researchers and patient leaders of 3 joint and skin disease organizations codeveloped a cross-sectional online survey that was conducted between January and August 2017.

Perspectives of patients, first-degree relatives and rheumatologists on preventive treatments for rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative analysis.

Background: There is growing evidence that it may be possible to identify people at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Assuming that effective interventions were available, this could mean that treatments introduced in the pre-symptomatic phase could prevent or delay the onset of the disease. Our study aimed to identify the potential attributes involved in decision-making around whether or not to take preventive treatment for RA, in order to inform the development of a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to ascertain consumer preferences for a preventive treatment program for RA.

Patient Perspectives on the Challenges and Responsibilities of Living With Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Qualitative Study.

Background: Collectively, chronic inflammatory diseases take a great toll on individuals and society in terms of participation restrictions, quality of life, and economic costs. Although prior qualitative studies have reported patients' experiences and challenges living with specific diseases, few have compared the consequences of disease management in daily life across different types of inflammatory diseases in studies led by patient partners.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the significant consequences of inflammatory arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel diseases on daily life and explore commonalities across diseases.

Comparison of patient and physician perspectives in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: results from global physician- and patient-based surveys.

Background: In order to better understand the perspectives of patients and physicians regarding the treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we present and compare results from a patient-based and a physician-based survey developed by the RA NarRAtive advisory panel.

Methods: The RA NarRAtive initiative is directed by a global advisory panel of 39 healthcare providers and patient organization leaders from 17 countries. A survey of patients self-reporting a diagnosis of RA and a physician-based survey, designed by the advisory panel, were fielded online by Harris Poll from September 2014 to April 2016, and from August 2015 to October 2015, respectively.

Effects of a Web-Based Patient Decision Aid on Biologic and Small-Molecule Agents for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From a Proof-of-Concept Study.

Objective: To assess the extent to which ANSWER-2, an interactive online patient decision aid, reduces patients' decisional conflict and improves their medication-related knowledge and self-management capacity.

Methods: We used a pre-post study design. Eligible participants had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), had been recommended to start using a biologic agent or small-molecule agent or to switch to a new one, and had internet access.

Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions in the Workplace Impacting Work Outcomes: A Stakeholder-Centered Best Evidence Synthesis of Systematic Reviews.

Background: The prevention of work disability is beneficial to employees and employers, and mitigates unnecessary societal costs associated with social welfare. Many service providers and employers have initiated workplace interventions designed to reduce unnecessary work disability.

Objective: To conduct a best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews on workplace interventions that address physical activities or exercise and their impact on workplace absence, work productivity or financial outcomes.

Mental Health Interventions in the Workplace and Work Outcomes: A Best-Evidence Synthesis of Systematic Reviews.

Background: Mental health issues in the workplace are a growing concern among organizations and policymakers, but it remains unclear what interventions are effective in preventing mental health problems and their associated organizational consequences. This synthesis reports on workplace mental health interventions that impact absenteeism, productivity and financial outcomes.

Objective: To determine the level of evidence supporting mental health interventions as valuable to work outcomes.

Probing Atmospheric Electric Fields in Thunderstorms through Radio Emission from Cosmic-Ray-Induced Air Showers.

We present measurements of radio emission from cosmic ray air showers that took place during thunderstorms. The intensity and polarization patterns of these air showers are radically different from those measured during fair-weather conditions. With the use of a simple two-layer model for the atmospheric electric field, these patterns can be well reproduced by state-of-the-art simulation codes.

Celastrol inhibits inflammatory stimuli-induced neutrophil extracellular trap formation.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures released by activated neutrophils. Recent studies suggest that NETs play an active role in driving autoimmunity and tissue injury in diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to investigate if celastrol, a triterpenoid compound, can inhibit NET formation induced by inflammatory stimuli associated with RA and SLE.