Association between osteoarthritis-related serum biochemical markers over 10-13 years and knee symptoms in middle-aged adults.

Objectives: To describe the associations between OA-related biochemical markers and knee symptoms in middle-aged adults followed up over 10-13 years.

Methods: Blood samples were collected during the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH)-1 study (year: 2004-06) and 10-13 year follow-up at CDAH-3. Serum samples from baseline (n=156) and follow-up (n=167) were analyzed for three OA-related biomarkers [cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, and hyaluronan (HA)] using non-isotopic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Exploring the association between circulating endothelial protein C receptor and disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis in a pilot study.

Objectives: To investigate whether circulating endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is associated with disease activity and inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Thirty-eight RA patients and 21 healthy controls (HC) were recruited via the A3BC biobank. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma were isolated from the blood of these participants.

Building a composite score for patient self-report of flare in osteoarthritis: a comparison of methods with the Flare-OA-16 questionnaire.

Objectives: This study aims to compare methods of constructing a composite score for the Flare-OA-16 self-reported questionnaire.

Methods: Participants with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) completed a validated 16-item questionnaire assessing five domains of flare. Three estimation methods were compared: (i) second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); (ii) logistic regression, according to the participant's self-report of flare (yes/no); and (iii) Rasch method, with weighted scores in each dimension.

Assessing the impact of health-care access on the severity of low back pain by country: a case study within the GBD framework.

Background: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) is key for policy making. Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in terms of years lived with disability (YLDs). Due to sparse data, a current limitation of GDB is that a uniform severity distribution is presumed based on 12-Item Short Form Health Survey scores derived from US Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS).

A novel method to monitor rheumatoid arthritis prevalence using hospital and medication databases.

Background: Most estimates of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prevalence, including all official figures in Australia and many other countries, are based on self-report. Self-report has been shown to overestimate RA, but the 'gold standard' of reviewing individual medical records is costly, time-consuming and impractical for large-scale research and population monitoring. This study provides an algorithm to estimate RA cases using administrative data that can be adjusted for use in multiple contexts to provide the first approximate RA cohort in Australia that does not rely on self-report.

Krill Oil for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Knee osteoarthritis is disabling, with few effective treatments. Preliminary evidence suggested that krill oil supplementation improved knee pain, but effects on knee osteoarthritis remain unclear.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of krill oil supplementation, compared with placebo, on knee pain in people with knee osteoarthritis who have significant knee pain and effusion-synovitis.

Interpersonal Process of Dyadic Coping in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Perspective From the Australian Rheumatology Association Database.

Objective: Dyadic coping, the process of coping that transpires between couples challenged by one partner's illness, is an important predictor of disease adjustment and patient well-being. However, the extent of dyadic coping in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. This study examines the effect of dyadic coping on psychological distress and relationship quality from the perspectives of both participants with RA and their spouses.

Endothelial Protein C Receptor and Its Impact on Rheumatic Disease.

Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) is a key regulator of the activated protein C anti-coagulation pathway due to its role in the binding and activation of this protein. EPCR also binds to other ligands such as Factor VII and X, γδ T-cells, plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1, and Secretory group V Phospholipases A2, facilitating ligand-specific functions. The functions of EPCR can also be regulated by soluble (s)EPCR that competes for the binding sites of membrane-bound (m)EPCR.

Strategies to promote implementation of core outcomes for medication adherence trials in rheumatology: A report from the OMERACT-Adherence Group.

Objectives: To identify barriers, facilitators, and strategies for future implementation of the OMERACT-Adherence Core Outcome Set (COS) in medication adherence trials for rheumatic conditions.

Methods: Preliminary Delphi survey findings were discussed at OMERACT 2023, utilising the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2 to identify implementation barriers, facilitators, and solutions.

Results: Implementation strategies included simplifying the COS definitions, making it adaptabile for clinical practice and drug trials, adherence trial training workshops, and collaborating with key stakeholders such as payers and other COS developers.

Effect of Intravenous Zoledronic Acid on Total Knee Replacement in Patients With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis and Without Severe Joint Space Narrowing: A Prespecified Secondary Analysis of a Two-Year, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: To determine the effect of zoledronic acid (ZA) on the risk of total knee replacement (TKR) in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and without severe joint space narrowing (JSN).

Methods: We included 222 participants (mean age 62 years, 52% female) from the two-year Zoledronic Acid for Osteoarthritis Knee Pain trial (113 received 5 mg of ZA annually and 109 received placebo) conducted between November 2013 and October 2017. Primary TKR were identified until February 22, 2022.

Evolving and evaluating the OMERACT fellows program: insights and implications from OMERACT 2023 fellows.

Objective: To describe the evolution of the OMERACT Fellows Program (OM FP) and to evaluate the innovative changes implemented in the 2023 program.

Methods: The OM FP, the first of its kind in global rheumatology, was developed in 2000 to mentor early career researchers in methods and processes for reaching evidence-driven consensus for outcome measures in clinical studies. The OM FP has evolved through continuing iterations of face to face and online feedback.

Consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the OMERACT Core Outcome Set for shared decision making interventions in rheumatology trials.

Objective: To gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions of the domains of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials evaluating shared decision making (SDM) interventions.

Methods: Following the OMERACT Handbook methods, our Working Group (WG), comprised of 90 members, including 17 patient research partners (PRPs) and 73 clinicians and researchers, had six virtual meetings in addition to email exchanges to develop draft definitions and descriptions. The WG then conducted an international survey of its members to gain consensus on the definitions and descriptions.

Generating a list of potentially important contextual factors covering randomized trials, cohorts, and measurement property studies: An OMERACT initiative.

Objectives: To generate candidates for contextual factors (CFs) for each CF type (i.e., Effect Modifying Contextual Factors (EM-CFs), Outcome Influencing Contextual Factors (OI-CFs), and Measurement Affecting Contextual Factors (MA-CFs)) considered important within rheumatology.

Patient Self-Assessment of Walking Ability and Fracture Risk in Older Australian Adults.

Importance: The relationship between self-reported walking limitation, a proxy of muscle function, and fracture risk has not been investigated.

Objective: To examine the association between a self-reported walking limitation of 1000 m or less and 5-year risk of fracture.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective cohort study compared individuals with various degrees of walking ability limitation at 1000 m (a little limitation and a lot of limitation) and those without limitation (no limitation) accounting for age, falls, prior fractures, and weight.

OMERACT Core outcome measurement set for shared decision making in rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions: a scoping review to identify candidate instruments.

Objectives: Shared decision making (SDM) is a central tenet in rheumatic and musculoskeletal care. The lack of standardization regarding SDM instruments and outcomes in clinical trials threatens the comparative effectiveness of interventions. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) SDM Working Group is developing a Core Outcome Set for trials of SDM interventions in rheumatology and musculoskeletal health.