Disease activity in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy according to time since diagnosis and positivity to antisynthetase autoantibodies: data from the Myo-Spain registry.

Objective: To evaluate the main outcomes of disease activity and their association with other measures of activity, damage, and quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) according to time since diagnosis and positivity to antisynthetase autoantibodies (ASAs).

Methods: Cross-sectional multicenter study within the Spanish Myo-Spain registry. Cases were classified as incident (≤ 12 months since diagnosis) and prevalent.

Points to consider: EULAR-UEMS standards for the training of European rheumatologists.

Background: Postgraduate rheumatology training programmes are already established at a national level in most European countries. However, previous work has highlighted a substantial level of heterogeneity in the organisation and, in part, content of programmes.

Objective: To define competences and standards of knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required for the training of rheumatologists.

Influence of Strict Lockdown on Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Women: A Word of Caution.

The main source of vitamin D results from skin sunlight exposure. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is linked to several adverse events during pregnancy. While performing a cross-sectional study with 886 pregnant women in Elda (Spain) from September 2019 to July 2020 to determine the association of VDD with gestational diabetes mellitus in relation to body mass index, a strict lockdown (SL) due to the COVID-19 pandemic was declared from 15 March 2020 to 15 May 2020.

A glance into the future of gout.

Gout is characterized by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposits in and within joints. These deposits result from persistent hyperuricaemia and most typically lead to recurrent acute inflammatory episodes (gout flares). Even though some aspects of gout are well characterized, uncertainties remain; this upcoming decade should provide further insights into many of these uncertainties.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Relation to Body Mass Index.

A relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been described. Considering that GDM prevalence depends on body mass index (BMI), our main objective was to determine if VDD is associated with GDM, independent of BMI. A cross-sectional study with 886 pregnant women was conducted in Elda (Spain) from September 2019 to June 2020.

Prevalence of gout in the adult general population in Spain: Estimating the proportion of undiagnosed cases.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of gout in Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based study of people aged 20 years or older. First, randomly selected individuals were contacted by telephone and rheumatic disease screening questionnaires were conducted.

Identifying Potential Classification Criteria for Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease: Item Generation and Item Reduction.

Objective: Classification criteria for calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease will facilitate clinical research on this common crystalline arthritis. Our objective was to report on the first 2 phases of a 4-phase process for developing CPPD classification criteria.

Methods: CPPD classification criteria development is overseen by a 12-member steering committee.

Assessment of competences in rheumatology training: results of a systematic literature review to inform EULAR points to consider.

Objective: To summarise the literature on the assessment of competences in postgraduate medical training.

Methods: A systematic literature review was performed within a EULAR taskforce on the assessment of competences in rheumatology training and other related specialities (July 2019). Two searches were performed: one search for rheumatology and one for related medical specialities.

2019 EULAR points to consider for the assessment of competences in rheumatology specialty training.

Background And Aim: Striving for harmonisation of specialty training and excellence of care in rheumatology, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) established a task force to develop points to consider (PtCs) for the assessment of competences during rheumatology specialty training.

Methods: A systematic literature review on the performance of methods for the assessment of competences in rheumatology specialty training was conducted. This was followed by focus groups in five selected countries to gather information on assessment practices and priorities.

Strategies for the assessment of competences during rheumatology training across Europe: results of a qualitative study.

Objectives: To gain insight into current methods and practices for the assessment of competences during rheumatology training, and to explore the underlying priorities and rationales for competence assessment.

Methods: We used a qualitative approach through online focus groups (FGs) of rheumatology trainers and trainees, separately. The study included five countries-Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Flare Rate Thresholds for Patient Assessment of Disease Activity States in Gout.

Objective: To determine the relationship between gout flare rate and self-categorization into remission, low disease activity (LDA), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS).

Methods: Patients with gout self-categorized as remission, LDA, and PASS, and reported number of flares over the preceding 6 and 12 months. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between being in each disease state (LDA and PASS were combined) and flare count, and self-reported current flare.

Anatomic Segmentectomy in Nonintubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

Thoracic surgery has evolved into minimally invasive surgery, in terms of not only surgical approach but also less aggressive anesthesia protocols and lung-sparing resections. Nonintubated anatomic segmentectomies are challenging procedures but can be safely performed if some essentials are considered. Strict selection criteria, previous experience in minor procedures, multidisciplinary cooperation, and the 4 cornerstones (deep sedation, regional analgesia, oxygenation support and vagal blockade) should be followed.

Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) consensus statement regarding labels and definitions of disease states of gout.

Objective: There is a lack of standardisation in the terminology used to describe gout. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus statement describing the recommended nomenclature for disease states of gout.

Methods: A content analysis of gout-related articles from rheumatology and general internal medicine journals published over a 5-year period identified potential disease states and the labels commonly assigned to them.

Managing Gout in the Patient with Renal Impairment.

Hyperuricaemia is an independent risk factor for renal function decline. Evidence is emerging that urate-lowering therapy might be beneficial in subjects with renal impairment. We  review the association between renal impairment and gout, some of the related pathogenic processes and the possible impact of gout treatment on the progression of renal impairment.

Brief Report: Validation of a Definition of Flare in Patients With Established Gout.

Objective: To perform external validation of a provisional definition of disease flare in patients with gout.

Methods: Five hundred nine patients with gout were enrolled in a cross-sectional study during a routine clinical care visit at 17 international sites. Data were collected to classify patients as experiencing or not experiencing a gout flare, according to a provisional definition.

Development of Preliminary Remission Criteria for Gout Using Delphi and 1000Minds Consensus Exercises.

Objective: To establish consensus for potential remission criteria to use in clinical trials of gout.

Methods: Experts (n = 88) in gout from multiple countries were invited to participate in a web-based questionnaire study. Three rounds of Delphi consensus exercises were conducted using SurveyMonkey, followed by a discrete-choice experiment using 1000Minds software.

Treatment target and followup measures for patients with gout: a systematic literature review.

Objective: To systematically review the validity of serum uric acid (SUA) as a treatment target for patients with gout, and the clinimetric properties of the potential tools for monitoring these patients.

Methods: A search was performed in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library from inception to October 2011, and the 2010-2011 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism meeting abstracts. Studies evaluating different SUA levels or SUA reduction with the achievement of outcomes, and studies assessing clinimetric properties of instruments used to follow patients with gout were selected.

The efficacy and safety of treatments for acute gout: results from a series of systematic literature reviews including Cochrane reviews on intraarticular glucocorticoids, colchicine, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and interleukin-1 inhibitors.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids (GC), colchicine, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID), interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitors, and paracetamol to treat acute gout.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to September 2011. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) or quasi-RCT in adults with acute gout that compared GC, colchicine, NSAID, IL-1 inhibitors, and paracetamol to no treatment, placebo, another intervention, or combination therapy were included.