Single dose tocilizumab for COVID-19 associated cytokine storm syndrome: Less is more.

Aims: We aim to evaluate the clinical pharmacokinetics of a single dose interleukin-6 (IL-6) antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) in methylprednisolone (MP)-treated COVID-19 patients with cytokine storm syndrome (CSS).

Methods: MP pre-treated patients with COVID-19-associated CSS, defined as at least two elevations of C-reactive protein (CRP) >100 mg/L, ferritin >900 μg/L or D-dimers >1500 μg/L, received intravenous TCZ (8 mg/kg, max. 800 mg) upon clinical deterioration.

Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) alone is insufficient to monitor disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice.

Objective: To test the longitudinal association between patient-reported outcome, Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) and the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints that includes the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) in routine-care patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients with RA treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were included in this prospective observational cohort. The longitudinal association between RAPID3 (0-10) and DAS28-ESR and its individual components (swollen joint count (SJC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (mm/hour), tender joint count (TJC) and patient global assessment (PGA)) was tested using generalised estimating equations in patients with more than two consecutive visits with data on RAPID3 and DAS28-ESR.

Commutability of proficiency testing material containing amitriptyline and nortriptyline: A study within the framework of the Dutch Calibration 2.000 project.

Background: External quality assessment schemes (EQAS) can provide important information regarding accuracy and comparability of different measurement methods if the sample matrices are composed of commutable material. The aim of this study was to assess the commutability of different matrices for the material used in an EQAS for amitriptyline and nortriptyline.

Methods: Proficiency testing material (PTM) and patient samples containing amitriptyline and nortriptyline were prepared, collected, pooled, and distributed to participating laboratories for analysis.

Cotreatment with methotrexate in routine care patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving biological treatment yields better outcomes over time.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effects of methotrexate (MTX) comedication added to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) on disease activity measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine care.

Methods: Patients with RA on treatment with either bDMARDs or conventional synthetic DMARDs were included in this prospective cohort study. The effect of (time-varying) combination therapy with bDMARD and MTX compared with bDMARD monotherapy was tested in longitudinal generalised estimating equation models using as outcomes: (1) the likelihood to be in remission according to the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (<2.

Commutability of proficiency testing material containing tobramycin: a study within the framework of the Dutch Calibration 2.000 project.

Background: Results from external quality assessment schemes (EQASs) can provide information about accuracy and comparability of different measurement methods, provided that the material used in these schemes behave identical to patient samples among the different methods, a characteristic also known as commutability. The aim of this study was to assess the commutability of different matrices for the material used in an EQAS for tobramycin.

Methods: Proficiency testing material (PTM) and patient samples containing tobramycin were prepared, collected, pooled, and distributed to participating laboratories for analysis.

Evaluating patient reported outcomes in routine practice of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biological disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (b-DMARDs).

Objectives: In this study the concordance between the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) and the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count (DAS28) was investigated in a clinical routine outpatient setting.

Patients And Methods: A sample of 150 adult patients with stable RA treated with biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) was asked to complete the RAPID3 (digital or on paper) just before their outpatient routine visit during which DAS28 assessment took place. The RAPID3 correlation with and the agreement in four DAS28 categories was studied using Spearman's rank order and Cohen's observed kappa statistics respectively.

A Multilaboratory Commutability Evaluation of Proficiency Testing Material for Carbamazepine and Valproic Acid: A Study Within the Framework of the Dutch Calibration 2000 Project.

Background: Medical laboratories are required to participate in interlaboratory comparisons of the analyses they perform. The materials used in these comparisons need to be of sufficient quality so that the comparison provides a picture of the performances. One of the main characteristics of the testing material is commutability, which is the ability of a material to yield the same numerical relationships between results of measurements as those relationships obtained when the same procedures are applied to patient samples.