The Bioefficacy Protocol: Biomarkers identification of TNF inhibitors efficacy in Axial Spondyloarthritis patients using transcriptome and proteome analysis.

Background: Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic condition affecting the axial skeleton, leading to pain, stiffness, and fatigue. While biologic therapies have improved clinical management, many patients experience partial or no responses, resulting in delays in disease control. Additionally, the risk of adverse events and increased costs remains a concern.

CheckAP: Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and performance evaluation of the EARP questionnaire in the population of Portuguese patients with psoriasis followed in a dermatology setting.

Background: The percentage of Portuguese psoriasis patients with psoriatic arthritis is unknown but musculoskeletal complaints related to PsA affect up to a third of patients. Dermatologists can identify early PsA as skin symptoms often precede joint symptoms in 80% of patients. Efficient and easy to perform screening tools are needed to help dermatologists effectively discriminate between Pso and PsA patients.

A Stratified Approach for Managing Patients With Low Back Pain in Primary Care (SPLIT Program): A Before-and-After Study.

Purpose: To determine the effects of stratified primary care for low back pain (SPLIT program) in decreasing back-related disability for patients with low back pain (LBP) in primary care.

Methods: We conducted a before-and-after study. We compared health-related outcomes for 2 sequential, independent cohorts of patients with LBP recruited at 7 primary care units in Portugal.

Determinants of health-related quality of life and global functioning and health in axSpA, pSpA and PsA: results from the ASAS-PerSpA study.

Objectives: We aimed to identify determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and global functioning and health (GH) in axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral SpA (pSpA) and (PsA).

Methods: The ASAS-perSpA study data were analysed. Models for the three patient groups were run separately to explore factors associated with HRQoL and GH, assessed by EQ-5D and ASAS-HI, respectively.

The effects of physical exercise on axial spondyloarthritis - a systematic review.

Aim: To collect and summarize the available scientific evidence that evaluates the effects of physical exercise interventions on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance to the guidance of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to collect randomized controlled trials on the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The search strategy included terms regarding physical exercise interventions targeted to axSpA participants and all of its variants in multiple combinations adapted to each one of the databases regarding its own special requirements.

In a community-based setting spondyloarthritis patients report higher levels of physical disability than chronic low back pain patients - results from EpiReuma.pt.

Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common health problem and in most patients it is not possible to identify a specific cause (non-specific CLBP). Spondyloarthritis is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by (often inflammatory) back pain and spinal stiffness. The impact of CLBP and spondyloarthritis on patients' physical function may be different.

Relations between short-term memory and the within-subject variability of experimental pain intensity reports: Results from healthy and Fibromyalgia patients.

While factors contributing to between-subjects differences in pain have been studied extensively, factors contributing to the within-subjects variability of pain reports are yet unexplored. The aim of this investigation was to assess possible associations between short-term memory and the within-subjects variability of pain reports in healthy and chronic pain patients. Healthy participants were recruited at the University of Haifa, Israel, and Fibromyalgia patients were recruited at a rheumatology department in a central hospital in Lisbon, Portugal.

Health-related quality of life among spondyloarthritis and chronic low back pain patients: results from a nationwide population-based survey.

Purpose: Both spondyloarthritis and chronic low back pain (CLBP) significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is important to clarify whether these disorders have different impacts on the several domains of HRQoL as different mechanisms may necessitate different treatment interventions. Moreover, the factors associated with HRQoL can inform more targeted group interventions to promote HRQoL.

ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis: 2022 update.

Objectives: To update the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: Following the EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures, two systematic literature reviews were conducted on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of axSpA. In a task force meeting, the evidence was presented, discussed, and overarching principles and recommendations were updated, followed by voting.

The role of muscle in the susceptibility and progression of axial Spondyloarthritis: The MyoSpA Study Protocol.

Background: Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the axial skeleton, causing pain, stiffness, and fatigue. Genetics and environmental factors such as microbiota and microtrauma are known causes of disease susceptibility and progression. Murine models of axSpA found a decisive role for biomechanical stress as an inducer of enthesitis and new bone formation.

Muscle dysfunction in axial spondylarthritis: the MyoSpA study.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate muscle physical properties, strength, mass, physical performance, and the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) compared to the healthy controls (HC).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 54 participants: 27 patients with axSpA and 27 HC, matched by age, gender, and level of physical activity. Muscle physical properties (stiffness, tone and elasticity), muscle strength (five-times sit-to-stand [5STS] test), muscle mass, physical performance (measured through gait speed) and sarcopenia were compared between the groups.

Direct tissue-sensing reprograms TLR4 Tfh-like cells inflammatory profile in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

CD4 T cells mediate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis through both antibody-dependent and independent mechanisms. It remains unclear how synovial microenvironment impinges on CD4 T cells pathogenic functions. Here, we identified a TLR4 follicular helper T (Tfh) cell-like population present in the blood and expanded in synovial fluid.

Development of an environmental contextual factor item set relevant to global functioning and health in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Objective: To describe the development of an Environmental contextual factors (EF) Item Set (EFIS) accompanying the disease specific Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI).

Method: First, a candidate item pool was developed by linking items from existing questionnaires to 13 EF previously selected for the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) /ASAS Core Set. Second, using data from two international surveys, which contained the EF item pool as well as the items from the ASAS HI, the number of EF items was reduced based on the correlation between the item and the ASAS HI sum score combined with expert opinion.

The Effect of and Polymorphisms on Skeletal Muscle Performance in Axial Spondyloarthropathies.

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are the most common group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting about 1.5% of the adult Caucasian population. Low back pain is the most common symptom.

Lumbar myofascial physical properties in healthy adults: myotonometry vs. shear wave elastography measurements.

Objective: The human resting myofascial tone maintains the body tone in a neutral posture, the assessment of this and other muscle physical properties (MPP) is relevant, since, it is altered in many pathological states.

Patients And Methods: Seventeen healthy subjects (8 males), between 18-50 years old, were assessed. The MPP of lower lumbar muscles was evaluated on right and left sides during prone resting position using two devices; myotonometry (stiffness, elasticity and tone) and ultrasound-based shear-wave elastography (SWE) (shear modulus).

EULAR Points to Consider (PtC) for designing, analysing and reporting of studies with work participation as an outcome domain in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Background: Clinical studies with work participation (WP) as an outcome domain pose particular methodological challenges that hamper interpretation, comparison between studies and meta-analyses.

Objectives: To develop Points to Consider (PtC) for design, analysis and reporting of studies of patients with inflammatory arthritis that include WP as a primary or secondary outcome domain.

Methods: The EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures were followed.

Prevalence and distribution of peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations in spondyloarthritis including psoriatic arthritis: results of the worldwide, cross-sectional ASAS-PerSpA study.

Objectives: To characterise peripheral musculoskeletal involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), across the world.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 24 participating countries. Patients with a diagnosis of axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral SpA (pSpA) or PsA according to their rheumatologist were included.