Preferences for Tapering Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Among People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Objective: Little is known about the preferences of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regarding tapering of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). The aim of this study was to assess the preferences of people with RA in relation to potential treatment-related benefits and risks of bDMARD tapering and the health care service-related attributes that affect tapering.

Methods: Participants with RA who had experience taking a bDMARD completed an online discrete choice experiment.

The prevalence and clinical features of leflunomide-associated peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatic disease in a New Zealand cohort.

Objective: To identify the prevalence and clinical features of leflunomide-associated peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatic disease over a 42-month observational period between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using regional prescription data identifying all patients treated with leflunomide for rheumatic diseases in the Southern District Health Board of New Zealand. Medical records were used to identify patients who developed peripheral neuropathy while receiving treatment with leflunomide.

Somatosensory assessments in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study examining pain processing pathways and the role of multiple patient factors.

Background: Pain affects the majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where pain experiences may be influenced by multiple patient factors and changes within central pain processing pathways, termed central sensitization. The current study aimed to investigate pain processing pathways in patients with IBD through somatosensory testing and associations with multiple patient factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of adults with IBD.

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.

Fears about COVID-19 and perceived risk among people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis following the initial lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of life and may raise particular fears for people with rheumatic disease. There is a need for research on fears and perceived risk of SARS-CoV-2 so as to understand the impact on wellbeing and inform service provision.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the correlates of COVID-19 fears and perceived risk of SARS-CoV-2 among people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

Symptoms of central sensitization in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a case-control study examining the role of musculoskeletal pain and psychological factors.

Objectives: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common complaint in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). MSK pain in IBD has previously demonstrated association with symptoms of central sensitization; however it is uncertain whether these symptoms are influenced simply by the presence of MSK pain and/or IBD. Primary aim of this study was to investigate whether symptoms of central sensitization differed across three groups: IBD patients with and without MSK pain and healthy controls.

Mental health and quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis in Aotearoa New Zealand following the COVID-19 national lockdown.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lockdown on the mental health (anxiety and depression) and quality of life (QOL) of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures instituted at a national level by the New Zealand Government. The present cohort was 104 individuals with RA (73.1%) and AS (26.

Polygenic Risk Scores have high diagnostic capacity in ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: We sought to test the hypothesis that Polygenic Risk Scores (PRSs) have strong capacity to discriminate cases of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from healthy controls and individuals in the community with chronic back pain.

Methods: PRSs were developed and validated in individuals of European and East Asian ethnicity, using data from genome-wide association studies in 15 585 AS cases and 20 452 controls. The discriminatory values of PRSs in these populations were compared with other widely used diagnostic tests, including C-reactive protein (CRP), and sacroiliac MRI.

Digital pitting scars are associated with a severe disease course and death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EUSTAR cohort.

Objective: Digital pitting scars (DPS) are frequent, but little studied in SSc to date.

Methods: An analysis of SSc patients enrolled in the EUSTAR database. Primary objectives were to (i) examine DPS prevalence; (ii) examine whether DPS are associated with digital ulcers (DUs) and active digital ischaemia (DUs or gangrene); and (iii) describe other associations with DPS including internal organ complications.

Criterion validity and discriminatory ability of the central sensitization inventory short form in individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Objectives: Increased symptoms related to central sensitization have previously been reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, identified by the original central sensitization inventory (CSI-25). However, the recently developed CSI short form (CSI-9) may be more clinically useful. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of CSI-9 compared to the original CSI-25 in individuals with IBD.

Codevelopment of Patient Self-Examination Methods and Joint Count Reporting for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To determine whether training increases accuracy of self-reported joint counts in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and describe the knowledge and techniques for self-examination of joints for reporting of RA disease activity.

Methods: This mixed-methods study included 10 patients with RA and four rheumatologists. A rheumatologist presented about joint inflammation and disease monitoring in RA.

Exploring the role of online health information and social media in the illness experience of arthritis-related fatigue: A focus group study.

Purpose: Online health information (OHI) and social media have become prominent health resources for people with arthritis-related fatigue. More research is needed to understand how OHI and online social support may influence illness experiences and patient-practitioner relationships in people with arthritis-related fatigue. The present study aimed to explore how OHI and social media shape these experiences by using an inductive qualitative analysis.

Understanding Fatigue-Related Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: The Importance of Daily Correlates.

Objective: Fatigue is common among people with inflammatory arthritis but is hard to manage. The aim of this study was to investigate how daily fluctuations in psychological variables correspond with changes in fatigue-related disability in the daily lives of people with inflammatory arthritis and to identify factors to target in psychological interventions and routine clinical practice.

Methods: A cohort of 143 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 97) or ankylosing spondylitis (n = 46) participated in a 10-day online diary study.

Acceptance and commitment therapy for people with rheumatic disease: Existing evidence and future directions.

Introduction: Despite advances in the management of rheumatic diseases, many patients experience persistent pain and fatigue. Psychological interventions are useful adjunctive treatments, but improvements tend to be small, and progress in this area is needed. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatic disease.

Impact of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Pragmatic Qualitative Study.

Objective: First carpometacarpal (CMC1) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is typically understood as part of the disease entity of hand OA. However, CMC1 joint OA often occurs in isolation or is a primary source of symptoms. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of New Zealanders with CMC1 joint OA to better understand the unique impact of this condition, ascertain outcomes of importance, and identify treatment targets.

Complementary medicine for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis - A patient perspective.

Background: Complementary medicines and therapies (CMT) are recommended in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment guidelines; however, there are few studies on CMT use in the community. The present study explored the use and perceptions of CMT for OA management in a New Zealand population.

Methods: Nineteen middle- to older-aged adults with hip or knee OA, recruited from a public hospital research database, engaged in focus groups exploring CMT knowledge, factors influencing CMT use, and the role of medical professionals in the decision-making process.

Central hypersensitivity - A model for persistent musculoskeletal pain in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Pain is reported to affect over 70% of individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with abdominal and musculoskeletal (MSK) pain representing the most common complaints. MSK pain is typically considered within the narrow framework of inflammatory extraintestinal manifestations of IBD, resulting in a limited scope for the nature and underlying mechanisms participating in MSK pain experiences in this population. Symptoms related to central sensitization have recently demonstrated association with active IBD and worse MSK pain experiences, suggesting a potential roll for central mechanisms in MSK-related pain.

Central Sensitization Inventory Mediates the Relationship Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity and Worse Musculoskeletal Pain Experiences.

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are well documented in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, whether IBD activity influences musculoskeletal pain experiences is uncertain. Central sensitization has been proposed in patients with IBD who are suffering from persistent pain.

Sarcopenia in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: The association with self-reported fatigue, physical function and obesity.

Aim: To determine if there is an association between sarcopenia, physical function and self-reported fatigue in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of measurements from a cohort of 157 participants with OA or RA was performed. The relationship between muscle mass (appendicular muscle index (AMI)), physical function (timed up and go, 30-seconds sit-to-stand test, 40-meter fast-paced walk test and grip-strength) and two fatigue measures (Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) and a fatigue Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) was explored using hierarchical linear regression or logistic regression with established AMI cut-offs for sarcopenia.

Assessing the construct validity of clinical tests to identify sacroiliac joint inflammation in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Aim: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify sacroiliac joint (SIJ) inflammation and provide an earlier diagnosis of nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nrAxSpA). However, MRI is frequently a resource-limited examination. Our aim was to assess if a set of physical clinical tests can identify SIJ inflammation in patients with nrAxSpA.

Musculoskeletal Pain in Individuals With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Reflects Three Distinct Profiles.

Objectives: Pain affects over 70% of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with abdominal and musculoskeletal pain representing the most common symptoms. Musculoskeletal pain in IBD is reported to be associated with multiple clinical features, however the scope and nature of pain is not well understood. Primary aims were to identify subgroups of musculoskeletal pain in individuals with IBD based on clinical features of pain and assess how these subgroups differ in aspects of demographics, comorbidity, and IBD characteristics.

2018 APLAR axial spondyloarthritis treatment recommendations.

Introduction: Despite the availability of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) recommendations proposed by various rheumatology societies, we considered that a region-specific guideline was of substantial added value to clinicians of the Asia-Pacific region, given the wide variations in predisposition to infections and other patient factors, local practice patterns, and access to treatment across countries.

Materials And Methods: Systematic reviews were undertaken of English-language articles published between 2000 and 2016, identified from MEDLINE using PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. The strength of available evidence was graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Treat-to-target in rheumatoid arthritis: Evaluating the patient perspective using the Patient Opinion Real-Time Anonymous Liaison system: The RA T2T PORTAL study.

Objectives: To determine the level of agreement among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the principles and recommendations of the treat-to-target (T2T) initiative in New Zealand (NZ) and to further explore specific patient opinions via online iterative surveys.

Methods: Participants with RA were recruited from rheumatology clinics in NZ and invited to receive and reply to surveys administered via the Patient Opinion Real-Time Anonymous Liaison (PORTAL) system. An enrolment survey recorded demographics, disease duration and treatment and then RA T2T surveys were administered weekly.

Optimising daily diary questionnaires about fatigue, psychological flexibility and well-being: perspectives of people with rheumatic disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of people with rheumatic disease have about completing a pilot daily diary questionnaire on fatigue and well-being, with the objective of incorporating these perspectives into future daily studies.

Methods: Twenty-two participants with experience of rheumatic disease-related fatigue attended a focus group and/or an individual interview. Before the focus group or interview, participants completed a one-off quantitative diary about their fatigue and well-being that day.

Associations between Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index and physical performance in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To investigate whether the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) reflects objective measures of physical function in people with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: In total, 139 people, 71 with RA fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria (1987) and 68 with OA fulfilling ACR criteria for OA of the hip or knee, completed the HAQ-DI. Physical function was assessed using Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30 seconds Sit to Stand (STS), grip strength dynamometry and pedometer steps over 7 days.