Association between patient perception of disease status and different components of the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) criteria in psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between the criteria met of the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) score for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patient-perceived disease status.

Methods: We analysed data from the ReFlaP study (NCT03119805), a cross-sectional international study of adult patients with PsA. Patients self-reported if they felt their PsA was in remission (REM), low disease activity (LDA) or neither.

The influence of pain catastrophizing on pain and function after knee arthroplasty in knee osteoarthritis.

Pain catastrophizing is an exaggerated focus on pain sensations. It may be an independent factor influencing pain and functional outcomes of knee arthroplasty. We aimed to evaluate the association between pre-operative pain catastrophizing with pain and function outcomes up to one year after knee arthroplasty.

Composite Outcome Measures for Psoriatic Arthritis: OMERACT and 3 and 4 Visual Analog Scale Progress in 2023.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)-Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) psoriatic arthritis (PsA) working group provided updates at the GRAPPA 2023 annual meeting on its work to evaluate composite outcome measures for PsA. An ongoing systematic literature review is in progress to evaluate psychometric measurement properties using the OMERACT filter 2.2 for a list of candidate composite outcome measures, which include minimal disease activity (MDA), Disease Activity for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria, Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI), 3 visual analog scale (3VAS), and 4VAS.

2023 EULAR classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to develop classification criteria for overall hand osteoarthritis (OA), interphalangeal OA and thumb base OA based on self-reported data and radiographic features.

Methods: The classification criteria sets were developed in three phases. In phase 1, we identified criteria that discriminated hand OA from controls.

Risk Stratification of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis for Treatment with Tofacitinib: A Review of Current Clinical Data.

In this commentary, we review clinical data which helps inform individualized benefit-risk assessment for tofacitinib in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ORAL Surveillance, a safety trial of patients ≥ 50 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cardiovascular risk factors, found increased rates of safety outcomes (including major adverse cardiovascular events [MACE], malignancies excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, and venous thromboembolism) with tofacitinib versus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). Post hoc analyses of ORAL Surveillance have identified subpopulations with different relative risk versus TNFi; higher risk with tofacitinib was confined to patients ≥ 65 years of age and/or long-time current/past smokers, and specifically for MACE, patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Defining domains: developing consensus-based definitions for foundational domains in OMERACT core outcome sets.

Objective: To develop a set of detailed definitions for foundational domains commonly used in OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) core domain sets.

Methods: We identified candidate domain definitions from prior OMERACT publications and websites and publications of major organizations involved in outcomes research for six domains commonly used in OMERACT Core Domain Sets: pain intensity, pain interference, physical function, fatigue, patient global assessment, and health-related quality of life. We conducted a two-round survey of OMERACT working groups, patient research partners, and then the OMERACT Technical Advisory Group to establish their preferred domain definitions.

Establishing language and ethnic equivalence for health-related quality of life item banks and testing their efficiency via computerised adaptive testing simulations.

Purpose: We aimed to (1) establish linguistic and ethnic equivalence (i.e. lack of bias) for the items in the English and Chinese versions of the Singapore Health and Well Being (SHAWS) Physical Functioning (PF), Positive Mindset (PM) and Social Relationship (SR) item banks (IBs); and (2) evaluate the preliminary efficiency of these IBs using Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) simulations.

Social cognitive theory to improve symptom appraisal and help-seeking among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A qualitative study.

Aim: Social cognitive theory (SCT) has been successfully employed to improve symptom appraisal and help-seeking among patients with various conditions but is yet to be applied in the context of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). This study aimed to explore the applicability of SCT in and possible approaches to improving symptom appraisal and help-seeking of patients with ARDs, one of the key barriers to earlier diagnosis.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 ARD patients with a prolonged pre-diagnosis interval (>3 months).

Association between obesity and likelihood of remission or low disease activity status in psoriatic arthritis applying index-based and patient-based definitions of remission: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate whether obese patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were less likely to be in remission/low disease activity (LDA).

Methods: We used data from the ReFlaP, an international multi-centre cohort study (NCT03119805), which recruited consecutive adults with definite PsA (disease duration ≥ 2 years) from 14 countries. Demographics, clinical data, comorbidities, and patient-reported outcomes were collected.

Association of adipokines with severity of knee osteoarthritis assessed clinically and on magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the association between the adipokines: Leptin, Adiponectin, Resistin, and high sensitive-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with clinical, radiographical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity.

Design: We performed a cross-sectional study in participants with earlier knee OA. Demographics, clinical (WOMAC), radiographical and MRI (BLOKS scoring) severity of knee OA were assessed.

Symptom Appraisal and Help-Seeking Among Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: Long diagnostic delay remains an unsolved problem in many autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). One of the major contributing factors is poor symptom appraisal and the resulting delays in help-seeking by patients themselves. We therefore aimed to understand the symptom appraisal and help-seeking experience among patients with ARDs in a multiethnic urban Asian population and to explore its influencing factors.

Recommendations for enhanced primary series (third dose) COVID-19 vaccination for people with rheumatic diseases: Chapter of Rheumatologists, College of Physicians, Singapore.

Introduction: This review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for an enhanced primary series (third dose) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in people with rheumatic diseases (PRDs) in the local and regional context.

Methods: Literature reviews were performed regarding the necessity, efficacy, safety and strategies for enhanced primary series COVID-19 vaccination in PRDs. Recommendations were developed based on evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.

Prevalence and factors associated with flares following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthritis: a national cohort study.

Objective: To determine prevalence and factors associated with flares post Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: A retrospective multi-centre study was conducted (January 2021 to February 2022). Data were collected during index visit, defined as first post-vaccine visit in which the patient had a physician-defined flare, or if at least 3 months had elapsed since first vaccine dose, whichever came first.

Initiating Evaluation of Composite Outcome Measures for Psoriatic Arthritis: 2022 Updates From the GRAPPA-OMERACT Working Group.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)-Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) working group-comprising rheumatologists, dermatologists, methodologists, and patient research partners-provided updates at the GRAPPA 2022 annual meeting on its work to evaluate composite outcome measures for PsA. Ten composite outcome measures were considered. Initial steps were to define the population, the purpose of use, and the proposed pros and cons of the 10 candidate composite instruments for PsA.

Gut microbiome profiling in systemic sclerosis: a metagenomic approach.

Objectives: The early gastrointestinal (GI) manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) suggests a possible GI microbiota engagement in the pathophysiology and/or progression of SSc. Previous studies have revealed dysbiosis among Caucasian SSc patients. This study extends these findings to Asian SSc patients.

Association between baseline cardiovascular risk and incidence rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and malignancies in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis receiving tofacitinib.

Background: Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and has been investigated for psoriasis (PsO).

Objectives: This analysis examined baseline cardiovascular (CV) disease risk and its association with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and malignancies in tofacitinib-treated patients with PsA and PsO.

Design: Included three phase III/long-term extension (LTE) PsA trials and seven phase II/phase III/LTE PsO trials of patients receiving ⩾ 1 dose of tofacitinib.

Validation and interval scale transformation of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty, using the Rasch model.

Objectives: Interval scale reduce measurement bias compared to ordinal scale. We aimed to evaluate the fit of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index WOMAC) to the Rasch model and derive the transformation table for interval scale measurement.

Methods: Data from osteoarthritis patients listed for knee arthroplasty (KA) pre-operatively, and at 6- and 12- months post-operative was used.

Patient-defined flares and disease activity worsening in 222 patients with psoriatic arthritis from 14 countries.

Objectives: To explore patient-defined flares in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), compared to an increase in disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA) and to analyze the validity of a patient-reported flare question.

Methods: ReFlap (NCT03119805) was a longitudinal study in 14 countries of consecutive patients with definite PsA. Patients were seen twice in the context of usual care, 4.

Post-mRNA vaccine flares in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: Results from the COronavirus National Vaccine registry for ImmuNe diseases SINGapore (CONVIN-SING).

Background: Studies of flares of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are limited by small sample size, short follow up or at risk of selection bias.

Methods: A national retrospective cohort study of consecutive AIIRD patients ≥12 years old, across 8 hospitals who received at least one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Patients were included from the date of 1st vaccine dose and censored at the time of flare or on the date of the clinic visit at least 3 months from cohort entry, whichever came first.