Achieving comprehensive remission or low disease activity in rheumatoid patients and its impact on workability - Saudi Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry.

Purpose: Ability to work is an important endpoint in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is not clear what outcome measures should be used to guide treatment in order to maximize workability. This study addressed the impact of RA on workability in a Saudi population and examined the correlation between objective measures of disease activity and reduced workability.

Determining early referral criteria for patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis presenting to primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment for inflammatory arthritis can greatly improve patient outcome. We aimed to provide standardized and validated criteria for use by primary care physicians (PCPs) in the identification of individuals requiring referral to a rheumatologist.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the predictive value of a wide variety of demographic variables, patient-reported complaints, physical examination results, and biomarkers in order to identify the most useful factors for indicating a requirement for referral.

From Symptoms to Diagnosis: An Observational Study of the Journey of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often not diagnosed or treated quickly enough to alter outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the lag times from disease onset to first clinical consultation and diagnosis and to identify factors contributing to delayed diagnosis in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study collected data on 250 patients, from six hospitals in Saudi Arabia, who met the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA.

Challenges of diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis in North Africa and the Middle East: An expert consensus.

Axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a spectrum of inflammatory disease with stages characterized by both nonradiographic and radiographic sacroiliitis. Nonradiographic axial SpA is associated with health-related quality-of-life impairment and may progress to ankylosing spondylitis. Axial SpA has a low prevalence in some countries in North Africa and the Middle East, and pooling of data and resources is needed to increase understanding of the regional picture.

Do Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Rate their Health Status Different than their Caregivers?

Objective: To compare the ratings given by the caregivers regarding the health status of their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to those recorded by the patients themselves and to assess the effect of caring for a patient with RA on the mental health of the caregiver.

Methods: This is a non-interventional, cross-sectional, multi-center epidemiological study conducted at the outpatient clinics of two hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The patients included were diagnosed with RA, over 18 years of age with 1-5 years of disease duration, and all had an identifiable single caregiver who was willing to participate in the study.

Effect of Adalimumab on Work Ability Assessed in Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Patients in Saudi Arabia (AWARDS).

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disabling disease that can jeopardize the ability of affected individuals to participate in paid work. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-month course of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist (adalimumab) on work ability, overall health, and fatigue in RA patients.

Methods: Between October 2012 and February 2014, this prospective, observational study enrolled 63 consecutive patients with established adult RA at outpatient clinics in Makkah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Abha (Saudi Arabia).

Work ability and work disability evaluation in Saudi patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Special emphasis on work ability among housewives.

Objective: To assess work ability and work satisfaction in Saudi Arabian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare work ability outcomes and work satisfaction levels between housewives and paid workers both suffering from RA.

Methods: This is a cross sectional study on 120 patients with RA conducted at 3 hospitals between September 2011 and May 2012. The Quantity-Quality Method (Q-Q Method) and the Work Satisfaction Questionnaire were used for the assessment of the impact of RA on the work ability of the patients enrolled in this study.