Publications by authors named "Lems W"

Background: There is considerable practice variation in labelling, diagnosis and treatment of adults with sterile bone inflammation. We developed a expert consensus recommendations on the disease definition, diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Methods: Systematic literature review and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations-based appraisal of evidence, two Delphi surveys and three digital and in-person consensus meetings with a multidisciplinary expert panel and patient representatives.

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  • - The report by the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) outlines evidence-based recommendations for preventing and treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in adults, aimed at healthcare providers who may not specialize in bone health.
  • - Experts reviewed the literature and created 25 recommendations that categorize patients based on their fracture risk: medium, high, and very high, considering factors like age and history of fractures for appropriate treatment strategy.
  • - Key general measures include optimizing calcium and vitamin D intake, assessing fracture risk regularly for those on glucocorticoids for three months or longer, and minimizing fall risks among patients.
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  • The introduction of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the 1980s transformed how osteoporosis is diagnosed and managed globally.
  • DXA results can be impacted by various technical factors, including instrument quality, patient positioning, and the interpretation of T-scores and Z-scores.
  • This report aims to highlight important technical and clinical elements of DXA use and discusses how to better integrate these practices into clinical settings, along with considering non-bone mineral density measurements.
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Purpose Of Review: We review the literature about patients 50 years and older with a recent clinical fracture for the presence of skeletal and extra-skeletal risks, their perspectives of imminent subsequent fracture, falls, mortality, and other risks, and on the role of the fracture liaison service (FLS) for timely secondary fracture prevention.

Recent Findings: Patients with a recent clinical fracture present with heterogeneous patterns of bone-, fall-, and comorbidity-related risks. Short-term perspectives include bone loss, increased risk of fractures, falls, and mortality, and a decrease in physical performance and quality of life.

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Importance: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) frequently cause substantial pain and reduced mobility, posing a major health problem. Despite the critical need for effective pain management to restore functionality and improve patient outcomes, the value of various conservative treatments for acute VCF has not been systematically investigated.

Objective: To assess and compare different conservative treatment options in managing acute pain related to VCF.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The authors advocate for keeping ethnic and race-specific FRAX models in the US, suggesting they should be based on updated data related to fracture and death risks.
  • * The position opposing fixed bone mineral density thresholds is supported by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), emphasizing the need for equity in fracture risk assessment.
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Osteoporotic fractures, also known as fragility fractures, are reflective of compromised bone strength and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Such fractures may be clinically silent, and others may present clinically with pain and deformity at the time of the injury. Unfortunately, and even at the time of detection, most individuals sustaining fragility fractures are not identified as having underlying metabolic bone disease and are not evaluated or treated to reduce the incidence of future fractures.

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Objectives: To assess whether prednisone use and/or disease activity score (DAS) are associated with the development of hyperglycaemia and diabetes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We included 504 non-diabetic early RA patients from the BeSt study (Dutch acronym for treatment strategies). Patients were randomised to four DAS-steered treatment arms and followed for 10 years.

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  • - Antiresorptive medications for osteoporosis do not negatively impact the healing of fractures in humans, and teriparatide may actually help shorten healing time.
  • - The fracture healing process involves multiple steps, with imaging and clinical evaluations being crucial for assessing progress, and there is no need to stop osteoporosis treatment when a fracture occurs.
  • - Despite animal studies showing some benefits of romosozumab on healing, clinical evidence in humans does not support these findings, indicating that its effectiveness may be limited.
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Background: In 2018, a grant was provided for an evidence-based guideline on osteoporosis and fracture prevention based on 10 clinically relevant questions.

Methods: A multidisciplinary working group was formed with delegates from Dutch scientific and professional societies, including representatives from the patient's organization and the Dutch Institute for Medical Knowledge. The purpose was to obtain a broad consensus among all participating societies to facilitate the implementation of the updated guideline.

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Purpose: This study aimed to illustrate the possibility of an unfavorable response to treatment with the anabolic agent romosozumab for patients with severe osteoporosis and to discuss explanations for treatment failure.

Methods: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) including vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) and X-rays of the thoracolumbar spine was used to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and the presence of vertebral fractures before and after treatment with romosozumab.

Results: Our patient developed a decrease in the BMD of the hip, two incident new vertebral fractures, and worsening of one prevalent vertebral fracture during 1 year treatment with romosozumab.

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Objectives: To study long-term (up to 20-year) mortality of two treat-to-target trial cohorts in undifferentiated arthritis (UA) and early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The BeSt (BehandelStrategieën) study (n=508, early RA) was performed between 2000 and 2012. For 10 years, patients were treated-to-target disease activity score (DAS)≤2.

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Background: Oncological survival and quality-of-life improved significantly after introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Immunotherapy, however, also decreases immunotolerance, potentially inducing autoimmune reactions. This can result in symptoms mimicking rheumatic diseases.

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Objectives: To compare the use of glucocorticoids (GC) over time in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were or were not treated initially with GC bridging therapy.

Methods: Data from the BeSt, CareRA and COBRA trials were combined in an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. We compared GC use between bridgers and non-bridgers at 12, 18 and 24 months from baseline with mixed-effects regression analysis.

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Objective: The randomised placebo-controlled GLORIA (Glucocorticoid LOw-dose in RheumatoId Arthritis) trial evaluated the benefits and harms of prednisolone 5 mg/day added to standard care for 2 years in patients aged 65+ years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we studied disease activity, flares and possible adrenal insufficiency after blinded withdrawal of study medication.

Methods: Per protocol, patients successfully completing the 2-year trial period linearly tapered and stopped blinded study medication in 3 months.

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Background: Studies on long-term consequences of COVID-19, commonly referred to as post-COVID condition, in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases are scarce and inconclusive. Furthermore, classifying patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases as having post-COVID condition is complicated because of overlapping symptoms. Therefore, we investigated the risk of post-COVID condition and time until recovery, and compared the prevalence of symptoms seen in post-COVID condition, between patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and healthy controls, with and without a history of COVID-19.

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Article Synopsis
  • Normal bone remodeling requires a balance between osteoblasts (bone formation) and osteoclasts (bone resorption), which is disrupted in chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Chronic inflammation leads to low bone density and higher fracture risk due to factors like cytokines, reduced mobility, glucocorticoid use, and low vitamin D levels.
  • Future research is needed to better understand fracture risks in chronic arthritides and the effectiveness of various treatments to improve bone health.
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Objectives: To investigate whether repair of erosions and joint space narrowing (JSN) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs and whether clinical variables predict this.

Methods: Eight-year follow-up data of the BeSt-study were used. Patients with recent onset RA (1987 criteria) were randomised to four treatment strategies and treated-to-target (Disease Activity Score (DAS)≤2.

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  • This study looks at how well different osteoporosis treatments work to prevent fractures in postmenopausal women.
  • They analyzed many clinical trials from different sources, focusing on various treatments like bisphosphonates and romosozumab.
  • The results showed that some treatments were better at protecting against fractures than others, with bisphosphonates and certain hormone treatments being more effective.
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An increased fracture risk is a common chronic condition leading to a rising number of fractures, which are injurious to patients and costly to the health care system. Effective diagnostic and treatment options are available for primary and secondary prevention. In this article, we will answer specific practical questions with respect to increased fracture risk and fracture prevention.

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