The paradigm of IL-23-independent production of IL-17F and IL-17A and their role in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Interleukin-17 family (IL-17s) comprises six structurally related members (IL-17A to IL-17F); sequence homology is highest between IL-17A and IL-17F, displaying certain overlapping functions. In general, IL-17A and IL-17F play important roles in chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, controlling bacterial and fungal infections, and signaling mainly through activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. The role of IL-17A and IL-17F has been established in chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondylarthritis (axSpA), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and asthma.

Strategies and resources to optimise the management of Psoriatic Arthritis patients: The CREA Project.

Background And Aim: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease that affects the musculoskeletal system and skin, and manifests heterogeneously, with a variable course. In current clinical practice, variability and limitations in its follow-up have been observed. The aim of the CREA project was to agree on strategies to improve the initial assessment and follow-up of patients with PsA in Spain.

Resources and strategies for the optimal care of patients with axial spondyloarthritis: The CREA project.

Background And Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) are musculoskeletal diseases with different manifestations. In clinical practice, variability, and limitations in the collection of the outcomes required for follow-up have been observed. The objective of the CREA project was to agree on improvement strategies for the initial assessment and follow-up of patients with axSpA in Spain.

Proposals for the incorporation of the nursing role in the certification of axial spondyloarthritis units. Literature review and expert consensus.

Objective: To analyse the role of nursing in the approach to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and to make proposals to include the role of rheumatology nursing consultations (RECs) in the quality certification of these specialized units.

Methods: A systematic review of the nursing role in quality certification systems in the management of axSpA was conducted. Subsequently a consensus conference was held with the participation of three rheumatology nurses to determine elements that should be considered in future revisions of certification standards.

Similarities and differences between non-radiographic and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: The patient perspective from the Spanish atlas.

Aim: Although non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (EspAax-nr) is well understood within health institutions, being considered along with radiographic EspAax (EspAax-r) as part of the same disease spectrum, patient understanding is unknown. The aim is to describe the patient's knowledge of the EspAax-nr entity.

Methods: Atlas 2017, promoted by the Spanish Federation of Spondylarthritis Associations (CEADE), aims to comprehensively understand the reality of EspAax patients from a holistic approach.

Comparative results of the implementation in daily practice of an evaluation checklist for patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: To analyse and compare changes in the collection of clinical variables after the implementation in daily practice of an evaluation checklist for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: An observational study was performed based on medical records review. The number and type of variables of the evaluation checklist in the medical records were collected.

Remission in axial spondyloarthritis: Developing a consensus definition.

Objective: To reach a consensus on the tools available to evaluate disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to develop a consensus definition of remission in axSpA.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was used. A scientific committee proposed statements addressing the assessment of axSpA in clinical practice and the definition of remission.

Similarities and differences between non-radiographic and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: The patient perspective from the Spanish atlas.

Aim: Although non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (EspAax-nr) is well understood within health institutions, being considered along with radiographic EspAax (EspAax-r) as part of the same disease spectrum, patient understanding is unknown. The aim is to describe the patient's knowledge of the EspAax-nr entity.

Methods: Atlas 2017, promoted by the Spanish Federation of Spondylarthritis Associations (CEADE), aims to comprehensively understand the reality of EspAax patients from a holistic approach.

How to calculate the ASDAS based on C-reactive protein without individual questions from the BASDAI: the BASDAI-based ASDAS formula.

Objectives: To develop a new equation to calculate the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score based on CRP (ASDAS-CRP) using only the BASDAI total score and CRP.

Methods: Axial SpA (axSpA) patients from the Cordoba Spondyloarthritis Registry cohort were recruited as a derivation cohort, while a retrospective sample from the Spanish Rheumatology Society National Registry of Spondyloarthropathies and Ibero American Spondyloarhtritis Registry registers was used as a validation cohort. We built a new equation based only on the BASDAI and CRP, defining a new formula: the BASDAI-based ASDAS (BASDAS).

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: development of checklists for use in clinical practice.

The objective of our study was to standardize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of spine and sacroiliac joints in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and/or inflammatory spinal pain, by creating checklists and templates based on the opinions of rheumatologists and radiologists. A scientific committee developed a series of questionnaires with multiple items regarding MRI in patients with axial inflammatory pain and/or axSpA. Then an expert panel of rheumatologists and radiologists rated all items in a 9-point Likert scale.

Implementation of an assessment checklist for patients with spondyloarthritis in daily practice.

Objectives: To analyse the feasibility and changes in the collection of clinical measures after the implementation in daily practice of a checklist designed for an optimal evaluation and monitoring of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: An observational prospective study was performed. The feasibility of the assessment checklist (paper/on-line format) for patients with SpA was tested (time to complete the checklist, simplicity, amenity clarity, usefulness).

Genetic variation at the glycosaminoglycan metabolism pathway contributes to the risk of psoriatic arthritis but not psoriasis.

Objective: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting up to 30% of patients with psoriasis (Ps). To date, most of the known risk loci for PsA are shared with Ps, and identifying disease-specific variation has proven very challenging. The objective of the present study was to identify genetic variation specific for PsA.

Atlas of axial spondyloarthritis in Spain 2017: Study design and population.

Objective: Atlas of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Spain 2017 aims to better understand the reality of the patients suffering from this disease from an integrated approach.

Methods: The Atlas 2017 based its results on an extensive cross-sectional patient survey conducted in Spain (2016), validated by a multidisciplinary group of experts on spondyloarthritis.

Results: Data from 680 patients with axSpA were obtained, most of them suffered from AS, were HLA-B27 positive, older than 45 years, and live as part of a couple.

Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) Consensus on Spanish Nomenclature for Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: To develop a consensus to standardize the use of Spanish terms, abbreviations and acronyms in the field of spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: An international task force comprising all native Spanish-speaking Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) members, the executive committee of Grupo para el estudio de la Espondiloartritis de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología (GRESSER), two methodologists, two linguists from the Real Academia Nacional de Medicina de España (RANM) and two patients from the Spanish Coordinator of Spondylitis Associations (CEADE) was established. A literature review was performed to identify the conflicting terms/abbreviations/acronyms in SpA.

Development and validation of SCAISS, a tool for semi-automated quantification of sacroilitis by magnetic resonance in spondyloarthritis.

To develop a semi-automated method to quantify inflammation in sacroiliac (SI) joints by measuring bone marrow edema (BME) on MRI. The SCAISS was designed as an image-processing software. Validation followed: (1) three readers evaluated SI images of 23 patients with axial SpA and various levels of BME severity with the SCAISS, and two non-automated methods, SPARCC and Berlin; (2) 20 readers evaluated 12 patients images, also with the three methods; (3) 203 readers evaluated 12 patient images with the Berlin and the SCAISS.

High Reproducibility of an Automated Measurement of Mobility for Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: Conventional measures of spinal mobility used in the assessment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), such as the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index and its components, are subject to interobserver variability. The University of Córdoba Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (UCOASMI) is a validated composite index based on a motion video-capture system, UCOTrack. Our objective was to assess its reproducibility in clinical practice settings.

The EJES-3D tool for personalized prescription of exercise in axial spondyloarthritis through multimedia animations: pilot study.

To develop and evaluate a web application based on multimedia animations, combined with a training program, to improve the prescription of exercises in spondyloarthritis (SpA). After a review of exercises included in the main clinical trials and recommendations of international societies, a multidisciplinary team-rehabilitators, rheumatologists, physiotherapists, computer scientists and graphic designers-developed a web application for the prescription of exercises (EJES-3D). Once completed, this was presented to 12 pairs of rehabilitators-rheumatologists from the same hospital in a workshop.

Information needs of patients with spondyloarthritis about their disease.

Objective: 1. To describe the information provided to, or inquired about, by patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. 2.

Identification and management of comorbidity in psoriatic arthritis: evidence- and expert-based recommendations from a multidisciplinary panel from Spain.

The objective is to establish recommendations, based on evidence and expert opinion, for the identification and management of comorbidities in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The following techniques were applied: discussion group, systematic review, and Delphi survey for agreement. A panel of professionals from four specialties defined the users, the sections of the document, possible recommendations, and what systematic reviews should be performed.

Development of a checklist for patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis in daily practice: ONLY TOOLS project.

Objective: To standardize clinical evaluation of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) using a checklist.

Methods: Qualitative study that included: 1) nominal group (18 experts); 2) literature reviews of measures used in the assessment of patients with axial SpA or PsA; and 3) focus groups, one with rheumatologists and another with patients, organized to become familiar with their opinion on medical assistance. Taking this into account, the experts selected the measures to be included in the checklist based on their relevance, feasibility, and the outcome type.

Effect of weight loss on activity in psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the association between weight loss and changes in disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature, with searches in Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Library from inception until April 2015.

Inclusion Criteria: 1) randomized controlled trials (RCT); 2) PsA patients; 3) interventions were any intervention aimed at weight control; and 4) a PsA activity-related outcome measure was evaluated.

Diagnostic Value and Validity of Early Spondyloarthritis Features: Results From a National Spanish Cohort.

Objective: To evaluate the validity of different spondyloarthritis (SpA) features included in the Berlin diagnostic algorithm and the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria in an early SpA cohort.

Methods: This was a longitudinal multicenter study including patients from the ESPeranza program cohort who were suspected to have SpA. Subjects were ≤45 years old, and SpA symptom duration was 3-24 months.

Differences between familial and sporadic early spondyloarthritis: results from the ESPERANZA cohort.

Objectives: To describe and evaluate clinical and imaging differences between patients with familial and sporadic early spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study analysing the baseline dataset from ESPERANZA, a national programme developed for the early identification of patients with SpA. Patients fulfilling SpA ASAS classification criteria were included.