Gender equity in rheumatology leadership in the Asia-Pacific.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore gender equity in rheumatology leadership in the Asia-Pacific region as represented by the member national organizations (MNOs) of the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional review of gender representation among the presidents of MNOs of APLAR in April 2022. We used the official website of each organization to acquire names and terms in the office of current and past presidents of each organization.

Krill oil improved osteoarthritic knee pain in adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: a 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide. Treatment generally focuses on symptom relief through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics, which may incur side effects. Krill oil, rich in anti-inflammatory long-chain (LC) omega-3 ( ω-3) PUFAs and astaxanthin, may be a safe and effective alternative treatment.

Hormonally Active Contraceptives Part I: Risks Acknowledged and Unacknowledged.

Unlabelled: Hormonal contraceptives have been on the market for over fifty years and, while their formulations have changed, the basic mechanism of action has remained the same. During this time, numerous studies have been performed documenting side effects, some of which appear over time, some within weeks or months, but all can have a serious impact on health and quality of life. An effort was made to perform a series of comprehensive literature surveys to better understand immediate and long-term side effects of these agents.

Cardiologists appropriately exclude resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from emergency coronary angiography.

Objective: Emergency coronary angiography after resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as a selective or non-selective diagnostic procedure with or without intervention continues to be the subject of debate. This study sought to determine if cardiologists reliably select patients using clinical judgement for emergency coronary angiography without missing acutely ischemic cases requiring revascularization.

Methods: Presenting clinical details and ECGs (within 2 hours) from 52 consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients who underwent non-selective coronary angiography were compiled retrospectively.

Outcomes Measured in Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Measurement Properties of Instruments Considered for the OMERACT Core Outcome Set: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To systematically identify the outcome measures and instruments used in clinical studies of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and to evaluate evidence about their measurement properties.

Methods: Searches based on the MeSH term "polymyalgia rheumatica" were carried out in 5 databases. Two researchers were involved in screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment.

Oral Complementary Medicine Use among People with Inflammatory Arthritis: An Australian Rheumatology Association Database Analysis.

Objectives: To describe oral complementary medicine (CM) use in people with inflammatory arthritis, associations with use, and changes in use over time.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcome data from 5,630 participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) were extracted from the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD), a national observational database. CM use at entry into ARAD was ascertained for participants recruited between 2002 and 2018.

Feasibility and Face Validity of Outcome Measures for Use in Future Studies of Polymyalgia Rheumatica: An OMERACT Study.

Objective: To survey participants with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) to evaluate the face validity, acceptability, and domain match of proposed candidate outcome measures.

Methods: A structured, online, anonymous survey was disseminated by patient support groups through their networks and online forums. The candidate outcome measures comprised (1) visual analog scale (VAS) and numerical rating score (NRS) to assess pain; (2) VAS, NRS, and duration to assess stiffness; (3) the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index to assess physical function; and (4) C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to assess inflammation.

Sociodemographic, lifestyle and metabolic predictors of all-cause mortality in a cohort of community-dwelling population: an 18-year follow-up of the North West Adelaide Health Study.

Introduction: Studies examining potential factors of all-cause mortality comprehensively at community level are rare. Using long-term community-based follow-up study, we examined the association of sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics, metabolic and chronic conditions, and medication and health service utilisation with all-cause mortality.

Methods: We followed 4056 participants, aged 18-90 years, for 18 years in the North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS).

Malignancy risk in Australian rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy: an update from the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD) prospective cohort study.

Background: Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy has been available for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for several decades but data on the long-term risk of malignancy associated with its use is limited. Our aims were to assess malignancy risk in a cohort of Australian RA patients relative to the Australian population and to compare cancer risk for patients exposed to TNFi therapy versus a biologic-naïve group.

Methods: Demographic data for RA participants enrolled in the Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD) before 31 Dec 2012 were matched to national cancer records in May 2016 (linkage complete to 2012).

Parastomal hernia repair.

Objective: The aim of this study was to audit the results of parastomal hernia repair.

Methods: A retrospective review was made of all patients having parastomal hernia repair at 2 teaching hospitals over a 12-year period.

Results: Forty-three patients had 51 parastomal hernia repairs.