A case-control study assessing bone mineral density in severe haemophilia A in the UK.

It has been shown that bone mineral density (BMD) may be lower in patients with haemophilia (PWH). A comparison to control subjects is required to thoroughly assess current BMD in PWH in the UK. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that BMD is lower in PWH than in controls, and in patients with more severely affected joints or lower activity levels.

Sustained clinical remission in rheumatoid arthritis: prevalence and prognostic factors in an inception cohort of patients treated with conventional DMARDS.

Objective: Clinical remission is now a realistic goal in managing RA following the introduction of biologic agents. As there are limited data on sustained remission in conventionally treated RA, this study examines prevalence and predictive factors of sustained remission in a pre-biologic inception cohort of RA.

Methods: Patients with recent onset RA and before use of DMARDs were recruited from nine centres.

Use of conservative and surgical foot care in an inception cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To describe conservative and surgical foot care in patients with RA in England and explore factors that predict the type of foot care received.

Methods: Use of podiatry and type of foot surgery were outcomes recorded in an inception cohort involving nine rheumatology centres that recruited patients with RA between 1986 and 1998 across England. Associations between patient-specific factors and service use were identified using univariate logistic regression analyses.

An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of a register of newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, 1986-2010.

Objectives: To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a register of management and outcomes of recently diagnosed RA, and allow comparisons between rheumatology centres on good clinical practice and guidelines.

Methods: A register of newly diagnosed RA was initiated in 1986 in nine different regions of England, later expanded to UK-wide membership in 2002. Standardized data collection includes disease activity, function, radiological damage, therapy, hospitalizations, major comorbidity and mortality.

Interstitial lung disease has a poor prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis: results from an inception cohort.

Objectives: Pulmonary complications of RA are well described. Although some are benign, interstitial lung disease (ILD) has a poor prognosis. Few RA inception cohorts have reported the natural history of ILD related to RA (RA-ILD).