Telemedicine in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: maintaining disease control with less health-care utilization.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the use of an eHealth platform and a self-management outpatient clinic in patients with RA in a real-world setting. The effects on health-care utilization and disease activity were studied.

Methods: Using hospital data of patients with RA between 2014 and 2019, the use of an eHealth platform and participation in a self-management outpatient clinic were studied.

Does Etanercept Biosimilar Prescription in a Rheumatology Center Bend the Medication Cost Curve?

Objective: The market entry of biosimilars is expected to bring budgetary relief. Our objective was to determine how the introduction of biosimilars influences medication costs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and which patients gain access to biologics due to the availability of biosimilars.

Methods: Using hospital data of patients with RA between 2014 and 2018, an interrupted time series was performed.

One-year results after transitioning from etanercept originator to biosimilar in a setting promoting shared decision-making in rheumatology.

Objective: The aim was to study the effect of non-mandatory transitioning from etanercept originator to etanercept biosimilar on retention rates in a setting promoting shared decision-making.

Methods: In 2016, all patients treated with etanercept originator and stable disease at the Rheumatology department in Bernhoven were offered transitioning to etanercept biosimilar by an opt-in approach. A historical cohort of patients treated with etanercept originator in 2015 was identified as the control group.

Biosimilars in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases: The Dutch experience.

These days, the use of biosimilars for the treatment of bio-naive patients is well established. However, the transition of patients being treated with a bio-originator to its biosimilar is still a topic of discussion. The main issue is which approach to use when initiating the non-medical transition.

Patient Self-Management and Tracking: A European Experience.

The shift from a paternalistic model of health care to a doctor-patient relationship in which the doctor and patient make shared decisions, requires an actively involved patient who takes responsibilities. This is why self-management by the patient with a chronic disease plays more of an important role in patient care nowadays; however, the degree of self-management varies per patient. To help stimulate patients in their self-management behavior, it is necessary to use an adequate tool, and to educate patients and health professionals.

Exercise participation has increased in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A cross-sectional comparison between two Dutch RA cohorts.

Objective: This study evaluates exercise participation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the percentage of patients that meet the recommended level of physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week moderate-intensity physical activity) in two cross-sectional questionnaires in 2013 and 2016 in two Dutch RA cohorts.

Methods: In 2013, a cross-sectional study was performed among 740 patients with RA from seven outpatient clinics from the Dutch DREAM registry. Subsequently in 2016, 498 patients with RA of the outpatient clinic of the Bernhoven Hospital (member of the DREAM registry) participated in a similar study.

Implementation of the EULAR cardiovascular risk management guideline in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results of a successful collaboration between primary and secondary care.

The updated European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) guideline recommends cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment at least once every 5 years in all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This viewpoint starts with a literature overview of studies that investigated the level of CVD risk factor (CVD-RF) screening in patients with RA in general practices or in outpatient clinics. These studies indicate that CVD-RF screening in patients with RA is marginally applied in clinical practice, in primary as well as secondary care.

A multidimensional 'path analysis' model of factors explaining fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many factors may play a causal role on fatigue in RA patients, but their contribution and interplay is barely understood. The objective was to develop a multidimensional model of factors that explain fatigue severity in RA.

Tapering and discontinuation of methotrexate in patients with RA treated with TNF inhibitors: data from the DREAM registry.

Objectives: To study the number of patients that taper or discontinue concomitant methotrexate (MTX) in daily practice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) and to analyse the effects of that adaption on disease activity and drug survival.

Methods: Data were collected from the Dutch Rheumatoid Arthritis Monitoring (DREAM) registry. Patients who started their first TNFi were included in the study.