The TRUST Study-TRansition US Together: Evaluating the Impact of a Parent- and Adolescent-Centered Transition Toolkit on Transition Readiness in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Adolescents with chronic rheumatic disease must increasingly take on more responsibility for disease management from parents as they transition from pediatric to adult care. Yet, there are limited resources to inform and support parents about transition. Here, we evaluate the impact of a Transition Toolkit, geared towards parents and adolescents, on transition readiness, and explore the potential impact of parent-adolescent communication.

Mind the Gap: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Experiences of Adolescents and Parents in a Rheumatology Transition Clinic.

Background: The transition from pediatric to adult care is a critical time when adolescent patients and their families face many challenges. This period can be associated with an increase in disease-related morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to identify gaps in transition-related care to help guide areas for improvement.

Self-Reported Transition Readiness of Adolescent Patients with Rheumatic Disease: Do the Parents Agree?

Our objective was to compare transition readiness assessment scores from adolescents with rheumatic disease with their parents and analyze their level of agreement. We found that adolescents and parents generally agree on the level of the transition readiness; however, there is occasional disagreement in specific domains.

Measuring the Impact of MyLupusGuide in Canada: Results of a Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the effects of a web-based program, MyLupusGuide, developed to facilitate self-management in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: In this randomized controlled online study, participants received either immediate access to the MyLupusGuide site or delayed access starting on month 3. The primary outcome was the patient activation measure (PAM) score.

Transition Readiness in Adolescents With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: The transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care represents a particularly vulnerable time for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). Improving self-management skills is important in optimizing health care transition. The study's objectives were to 1) examine variability in transition readiness of adolescents and young adults within and between different ages, sexes, and disease types; 2) determine the association between age and transition readiness; and 3) identify specific challenges to transition readiness for adolescents.

Challenges of Perceived Self-Management in Lupus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease with varied and unpredictable levels of disease activity. The ability to self-manage lupus is important in controlling disease activity. Our objective was to determine levels of patient activation toward self-management in lupus.

Canadian Rheumatology Association Recommendations for the Assessment and Monitoring of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: To develop recommendations for the assessment of people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Canada.

Methods: Recommendations were developed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. The Canadian SLE Working Group (panel of Canadian rheumatologists and a patient representative from Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance) was created.

Factors that influence Canadian internal medicine residents' choice to pursue a rheumatology career.

In Canada, little is known about residents' self-confidence to diagnose/treat musculoskeletal (MSK) disease and factors affecting pursuit of a rheumatology career. Our study explored these factors. An online survey (descriptive cross-sectional design) was distributed to Canadian postgraduate year (PGY) 1 and 2 internal medicine (IM) residents.

Cardiovascular risk management in rheumatoid arthritis: A large gap to close.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) portends significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We therefore determined how often rheumatologists screened for and managed cardiovascular risk factors in RA patients, and the barriers to doing so.

Methods: We examined 300 patient charts from 10 university-affiliated rheumatology practices, to ascertain if they had been screened, treated and/or referred over a 3-year period.

Belimumab use, clinical outcomes and glucocorticoid reduction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus receiving belimumab in clinical practice settings: results from the OBSErve Canada Study.

To describe the characteristics of patients receiving belimumab, overall patterns of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) care, clinical outcomes, and changes in glucocorticoid dose following 6 months of therapy with belimumab, and healthcare resource utilization in belimumab users in Canadian clinical practice settings. Retrospective multicenter medical chart review study of adult patients with SLE who were prescribed belimumab as part of usual care and who received ≥8 infusions or 6 months of treatment. Primary endpoints included physician-determined overall clinical improvement from baseline, glucocorticoid use, and physician-determined SLE disease severity at Month 6.

MR imaging of the spine and sacroiliac joints for spondyloarthritis: influence on clinical diagnostic confidence and patient management.

Purpose: To quantify the effect of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine and sacroiliac joints on clinical diagnostic confidence and to determine if MR imaging affects treatment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study was approved by the research ethics board and included 55 consecutive patients referred by three rheumatologists for MR imaging of the spine and sacroiliac joints. Measures of diagnostic confidence for clinical features (inflammatory back pain, mechanical back pain, muscular back pain, radicular back pain, spondylitis, sacroiliitis, and other) and overall diagnoses were made by using a Likert scale both before and after MR imaging.

Ultrasound of the hands and feet for rheumatological disorders: influence on clinical diagnostic confidence and patient management.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to quantify the impact that ultrasound (US) of the hands and feet has on the rheumatologists' diagnostic confidence and on patient management.

Materials And Methods: There were 62 consecutive referrals from two rheumatologists for US of the hands and/or feet for this prospective controlled observational study. Measurements of diagnostic confidence for both specific clinical findings as well as overall diagnosis using a Likert scale were made both before and after the US examination in each case.