Gabapentinoid use and the risk of fractures in patients with inflammatory arthritis: nested case-control study in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum.

Background: Gabapentinoids are increasingly prescribed in inflammatory arthritis (IA), despite no trial evidence for efficacy at managing pain in this population. Observational studies in non-IA populations suggest gabapentinoids are associated with fractures but are limited by methodological heterogeneity/potential residual confounding. Patients with IA generally have an increased risk of fracture so may be particularly vulnerable.

A national survey of rheumatology telephone advice line support in the United Kingdom: frontline perspectives.

Objectives: Telephone advice lines are a key component of rheumatology services. A national survey of telephone advice line providers was undertaken to explore how this service is currently delivered and the impact on those delivering it to inform providers, policymakers and patients.

Methods: We conducted an online survey between March and September 2023 collecting data on demographics, how advice lines function, governance and the impact on nurses' well-being.

The relationship between obesity and patient-reported outcome measures in people with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Objective: To examine the association between obesity and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in a primary care-based cohort of people with PMR.

Methods: The PMR Cohort Study recruited people with incident PMR from 382 general practices. Self-completed questionnaires (0, 12, 24 months) captured a range of PROMs for pain, stiffness, anxiety, depression, fatigue, function and quality of life, alongside data on BMI.

The prescription and monitoring of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs: British Society for Rheumatology guideline scope.

This guideline will provide up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations on the safe use of non-biologic DMARDs, also called conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARD), across the full spectrum of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The guideline will update the guideline published in 2017 and will be expanded to include people of all ages. Updated information on the monitoring of DMARDs and vaccinations will be included.

Reviews for multimorbidity risk in people with inflammatory conditions: a qualitative study.

Background: People with inflammatory rheumatological conditions (IRCs) are at high risk of developing other conditions including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mood disorders.

Aim: To explore perspectives of people with IRCs and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) on the content and delivery of a review consultation aimed at identification and management of multiple long-term conditions (mLTCs).

Design & Setting: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with people with IRCs and HCPs in primary and secondary care.

The information required by people with inflammatory arthritis when taking Methotrexate: a mixed-methods systematic review.

Objectives: This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize knowledge of the characteristics, content, and preferred format of information to support people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) to take MTX.

Methods: A literature search using MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, GreyEU, Web of Science and Open Dissertation was conducted to identify all studies published from 2000 to December 2022. Included studies detailed factors related to MTX information needs of people aged ≥18 years with IA published in English.

Summarizing Evidence of Associations of COVID-19 With a Future Diagnosis of Inflammatory Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Rapid Review.

Objective: Musculoskeletal symptoms are commonly reported following acute COVID-19. It is unclear whether those with musculoskeletal symptoms subsequently develop inflammatory rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (iRMD). This review seeks to identify evidence for an association between acute COVID-19 and subsequent iRMD diagnosis.

Exploring the longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health of people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To assess the longer term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-reported physical and mental health of people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs).

Methods: Two thousand twenty-four patients with IRDs were randomly selected from electronic health records. Survey invitations were sent (August 2021 coinciding with relaxation of UK COVID-19 restrictions) using SMS and postal approaches.

Implementation of physical activity interventions for people with inflammatory arthritis: an overview and future recommendations.

Regular physical activity is important for both physical and mental health. This is particularly important for people with inflammatory arthritis, because of the benefits on both disease-specific and systemic outcomes and the increased risk of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease. Despite a wealth of evidence supporting physical activity interventions, there remains a significant gap in implementation into routine care.

Digital exclusion as a potential cause of inequalities in access to care: a survey in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: COVID-19 led to rapid uptake of digital health care. We sought to examine digital access, health and digital literacy, and impact on confidence and satisfaction with remote consultations in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs).

Methods: People with IRDs ( = 2024) were identified from their electronic health record and invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey, using short message service (SMS) and postal approaches.

Factors associated with change in health-related quality of life in people with gout: a 3-year prospective cohort study in primary care.

Objective: To describe factors associated with change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people living with gout in primary care.

Methods: In a UK prospective cohort study, adults with a diagnosis of gout registered with 20 general practices completed the Gout Impact Scale (GIS; scale 0-100), 36-item Short Form Physical Function subscale (PF-10; 0-100) and HAQ Disability Index (HAQ-DI; 0-3) via postal questionnaires at baseline and 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Linear mixed modelling was used to investigate factors associated with changes in HRQOL over 3 years.

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis epidemiology in England from 2004 to 2020: An observational study using primary care electronic health record data.

Background: Contemporary data on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritits (SpA) epidemiology in England are lacking. This knowledge is crucial to planning healthcare services. We updated algorithms defining patients with diagnoses of RA, PsA, and axial SpA in primary care and applied them to describe their incidence and prevalence in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum, an electronic health record (EHR) database covering ∼20% of England.

The impact of polymyalgia rheumatica on intimate sexual relationships: findings from the PMR Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim was to determine the impact of PMR on intimate and sexual relationships over time.

Methods: The PMR Cohort study is a longitudinal study of patients with incident PMR in English primary care. Participants were sent questionnaires about their PMR symptoms, treatments and overall health, including an item about how their PMR symptoms affected intimate and sexual relationships.

Exploring the physical, psychological and social well-being of people with rheumatoid arthritis during the coronavirus pandemic: a single-centre, longitudinal, qualitative interview study in the UK.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, systemic condition that requires specific drug treatment to suppress disease activity and prevent joint deformity. To manage the ongoing symptoms of joint pain and fatigue patients are encouraged to engage in self-management activities. People with RA have an increased incidence of serious illness and mortality, with the potential to impact on quality of life.

Perceptions of risk in people with inflammatory arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: People with inflammatory arthritis have an increased incidence of serious illness and mortality, placing them at risk of poor outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study explored patients' perceptions of risk from COVID-19 over a longitudinal period of the pandemic.

Methods: Fifteen adults with inflammatory arthritis attending a National Health Service rheumatology service each took part in three semi-structured telephone interviews conducted between 16 September 2020 and 29 July 2021.

Gait rehabilitation for foot and ankle impairments in early rheumatoid arthritis: a feasibility study of a new gait rehabilitation programme (GREAT Strides).

Background: Foot impairments in early rheumatoid arthritis are common and lead to progressive deterioration of lower limb function. A gait rehabilitation programme underpinned by psychological techniques to improve adherence, may preserve gait and lower limb function. This study evaluated the feasibility of a novel gait rehabilitation intervention (GREAT Strides) and a future trial.

Long-term use of glucocorticoids for polymyalgia rheumatica: follow-up of the PMR Cohort Study.

Objectives: PMR is a common inflammatory condition in older adults, characterized by bilateral hip and shoulder pain and stiffness. Reducing oral glucocorticoids, classically used for ≤2 years, are the mainstay of treatment. This study considers the factors early in the disease course that might be associated with prolonged treatment.

Fragility fractures and prescriptions of medications for osteoporosis in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica: results from the PMR Cohort Study.

Objectives: PMR is a common indication for long-term glucocorticoid treatment, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. Guidelines recommend calcium and vitamin D for all patients, in addition to anti-resorptive agents for high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to investigate falls and fragility fracture history and the use of medications for osteoporosis in a PMR cohort.

What non-pharmacological treatments do people with polymyalgia rheumatica try: results from the PMR Cohort Study.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is common. The mainstay of treatment, glucocorticoids, are associated with significant adverse effects and many patients remain on high doses for a number of years. Little is known about the use of other, non-pharmacological therapies as adjuncts in PMR.

'It's just a great muddle when it comes to food': a qualitative exploration of patient decision-making around diet and gout.

Objective: Our aim was to understand whether, why and how patients choose to modify their diets after developing gout.

Methods: We conducted an inductive thematic secondary analysis of qualitative data from 43 interviews and four focus groups with UK participants with gout ( = 61).

Results: Participants commonly initiated dietary changes as part of a self-management strategy for gout.

Acceptability of nurse-led reviews for inflammatory rheumatological conditions: A qualitative study.

Background: People with inflammatory rheumatological conditions (IRCs), are at increased risk of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression. The INCLUDE pilot trial evaluated a nurse-delivered review of people with IRCs which sought to identify and initiate management of comorbid conditions.

Aim: A nested qualitative study was undertaken to examine the acceptability of the INCLUDE review.