Immunosuppressives and biologics during pregnancy and lactation : A consensus report issued by the Austrian Societies of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Rheumatology and Rehabilitation.

An increasing and early-onset use of immunosuppressives and biologics has become more frequently seen among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and rheumatic disorders. Many women in their childbearing years currently receive such medications, and some of them in an interdisciplinary setting. Many questions arise in women already pregnant or wishing to conceive with respect to continuing or discontinuing treatment, the risks borne by the newborns and their mothers and long-term safety.

Validity of data collected in BIOREG, the Austrian register for biological treatment in rheumatology: current practice of bDMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis in Austria.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to check the validity of data collected in BIOREG, the Austrian register for biological treatment in rheumatology, and to elucidate eventual differences with respect to disease activity (DA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on established biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) before inclusion into the register (EST) and beginners at the time point of inclusion (NEW) after 1 year of treatment.

Methods: RA patients with a complete follow-up of 1 year in BIOREG were divided into EST and NEW and compared with respect to DA, remission rates, concomitant synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) and glucocorticoid therapy (GC) at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. Safety concerns are listed.

The polymyalgia rheumatica activity score in daily use: proposal for a definition of remission.

Objective: To confirm the reliability and applicability of the Polymyalgia Rheumatica Disease Activity Score (PMR-AS), and to establish a threshold for remission.

Methods: First, 78 patients with PMR (50 women/28 men, mean age 65.97 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional evaluation.

The Disease Activity Score in 28 joints in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients.

Objective: To assess the factorial structure of the Disease Activity Score including a 28-joint count (DAS28) if applied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: DAS28 values from 85 consecutive PsA outpatients and 2 RA patient cohorts comprising 85 patients each were compared. The first RA cohort (RA1) consisted of age- and sex-matched patients seen during the same period as the patients with PsA.

Intravenous application of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. The ORA-1 trial. An open pilot study.

The objective of this work was to assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of intravenously applied n-3-PUFA in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty-four patients with active RA [identified as having a DAS28 (disease activity score including a 28 joint count) > 4.0] were enrolled into this 5-wk open pilot study (one group design).

Leflunomide/chloroquin combination therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a combination of leflunomide (LEF) and chloroquin (ChL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifteen female RA patients (46-80 years, mean disease duration 100.7 months, ten patients RF+) were enrolled into this open trial.

Disease activity measurement of rheumatoid arthritis: Comparison of the simplified disease activity index (SDAI) and the disease activity score including 28 joints (DAS28) in daily routine.

Objective: To assess the reliability and congruency of the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) compared with the Disease Activity Score including 28 joints (DAS28) in daily practice.

Methods: In 399 consecutive rheumatoid arthritis patients (307 women, 92 men), the SDAI and the DAS28 were calculated. Additionally, 115 of them were observed for 1 year and changes of both values were recorded.

The patient's perspective and rheumatoid arthritis disease activity indexes.

Background: Monitoring disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by composite indexes is regarded as obligatory when following the recent recommendations for therapy. Whether these recommendations and the patient's perspective are in congruence is a crucial question with respect to the patient's compliance. The aim of the study was to obtain information on the patient's perspective with respect to the disease activity indexes used most often.

The DAS28 in rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients.

Objective: To compare the DAS28 (Disease Activity Score including a 28-joint count) values of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia (FM) patients, and to establish whether high pain levels and impaired mood influence DAS28 values.

Methods: DAS28 values were calculated in 62 consecutive patients with RA and in 26 patients suffering from FM. Values for DAS28 scores as well as for the single items of the patient cohorts were compared using Student's t-tests.

SACRAH: a score for assessment and quantification of chronic rheumatic affections of the hands.

Objectives: To establish a questionnaire to quantify the extent of the function and activities of the hand in patients with degenerative or inflammatory disease of the hand and finger joints.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-two patients with osteoarthritis (OA, n = 69) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 103) completed a new questionnaire, the SACRAH, that included 23 visual analogue scales covering the extent of hand function, stiffness and level of pain. SACRAH scores may range from 0 to 100.

A metaanalysis of chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate (CS) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) on the basis of a metaanalysis of controlled clinical trials.

Methods: After personal, Medline, and Embase searches, a decision tree analysis of the available publications was performed, with respect to types of joint involvement studied, study designs, numbers of patients enrolled, and variables analyzed. The Lequesne index and pain rating on visual analog scale (VAS) were considered the main variables.