Peter P. Cheung

Prevalence of comorbidities and evaluation of their screening in spondyloarthritis: results of the international cross-sectional ASAS-COMOSPA study

Background Increased risk of some comorbidities has been reported in spondyloarthritis (SpA). Recommendations for detection/management of some of these comorbidities have been proposed, and it is known that a gap exists between these and their implementation in practice. Objective To evaluate (1) the prevalence of comorbidities and risk factors in different countries worldwide, (2) the gap between available recommendations and daily practice for management of these comorbidities and (3) the prevalence of previously unknown risk factors detected as a result of the present initiative. Methods Cross-sectional international study with 22 participating countries (from four continents), including 3984 patients with SpA according to the rheumatologist. Statistical analysis The prevalence of comorbidities (cardiovascular, infection, cancer, osteoporosis and gastrointestinal) and risk factors; percentage of patients optimally monitored for comorbidities according to available recommendations and percentage of patients for whom a risk factor was detected due to this study. Results The most frequent comorbidities were osteoporosis (13%) and gastroduodenal ulcer (11%). The most frequent risk factors were hypertension (34%), smoking (29%) and hypercholesterolaemia (27%). Substantial intercountry variability was observed for screening of comorbidities (eg, for LDL cholesterol measurement: from 8% (Taiwan) to 98% (Germany)). Systematic evaluation (eg, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol) during this study unveiled previously unknown risk factors (eg, elevated BP (14%)), emphasising the suboptimal monitoring of comorbidities. Conclusions A high prevalence of comorbidities in SpA has been shown. Rigorous application of systematic evaluation of comorbidities may permit earlier detection, which may ultimately result in an improved outcome of patients with SpA.

Recommendations for the Involvement of Patient Research Partners (PRP) in OMERACT Working Groups. A Report from the OMERACT 2014 Working Group on PRP.

Objective. Patient participation in research is increasing; however, practical guidelines to enhance this participation are lacking. Specifically within the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) organization, although patients have participated in OMERACT meetings since 2002, consensus about the procedures for involving patients in working groups has not been formalized. The objective is to develop a set of recommendations regarding patient research partner (PRP) involvement in research working groups. Methods. We conducted a systematic literature review on recommendations/guidelines of PRP involvement in research; elaborated a structured consensus process involving multiple participants to develop a set of recommendations; and sought endorsement of recommendations by OMERACT. Results. In the 18 articles included in the literature review, there was general agreement on the broad concepts for recommendations covering PRP involvement in research although they were heterogeneous in detail. Most considered PRP involvement in all phases of research with early engagement, training, and support important, but details on the content were scarce. This review informed a larger consensus-building process regarding PRP inclusion in OMERACT research. Three overarching principles and 8 recommendations were developed, discussed, and refined at OMERACT 2014. The guiding principles were endorsed during the OMERACT plenary session. Conclusion. These recommendations for PRP involvement in OMERACT research reinforce the importance of patient participation throughout the research process as integral members. Although the applicability of the recommendations in other research contexts should be assessed, the generalizability is expected to be high. Future research should evaluate their implementation and their effect on outcome development.

Reliability of joint count assessment in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND Joint counts are central to the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but reliability is an issue. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the reliability and agreement of joint counts (intra-observer and inter-observer) by health care professionals (physicians, nurses, and metrologists) and patients in RA, and the impact of training and standardization on joint count reliability through a systematic literature review. METHODS Articles reporting joint count reliability or agreement in RA in PubMed, EMBase, and the Cochrane library between 1960 and 2012 were selected. Data were extracted regarding tender joint counts (TJCs) and swollen joint counts (SJCs) derived by physicians, metrologists, or patients for intra-observer and inter-observer reliability. In addition, methods and effects of training or standardization were extracted. Statistics expressing reliability such as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were extracted. Data analysis was primarily descriptive due to high heterogeneity. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies on health care professionals (HCP) and 20 studies on patients were included. Intra-observer reliability for TJCs and SJCs was good for HCPs and patients (range of ICC: 0.49-0.98). Inter-observer reliability between HCPs for TJCs was higher than for SJCs (range of ICC: 0.64-0.88 vs. 0.29-0.98). Patient inter-observer reliability with HCPs as comparators was better for TJCs (range of ICC: 0.31-0.91) compared to SJCs (0.16-0.64). Nine studies (7 with HCPs and 2 with patients) evaluated consensus or training, with improvement in reliability of TJCs but conflicting evidence for SJCs. CONCLUSION Intra- and inter-observer reliability was high for TJCs for HCPs and patients: among all groups, reliability was better for TJCs than SJCs. Inter-observer reliability of SJCs was poorer for patients than HCPs. Data were inconclusive regarding the potential for training to improve SJC reliability. Overall, the results support further evaluation for patient-reported joint counts as an outcome measure.

Performance of the Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society Classification for Axial and Peripheral Spondyloarthritis in an Established Clinical Cohort: Comparison with Criteria Sets of Amor and the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group

Objective. To evaluate the performance of the Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria (axial or peripheral) against the Amor and European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria in established spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods. Rheumatologist-diagnosed patients with SpA were retrospectively classified according to the different criteria sets. Clinical characteristics of patients fulfilling all 3 criteria were compared with those who did not, by nonparametric statistics. Results. ASAS classified 90% of the 231 patients, with 169 (73%) fulfilling all 3 criteria sets. Multivariate analysis showed the 62 patients not fulfilling all criteria sets were older at symptom onset (p < 0.001) and less likely to have inflammatory back pain (p < 0.001), peripheral arthritis (p < 0.001), or elevated C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.034). Conclusion. ASAS criteria can be used in established disease.

Health-related quality of life and its predictors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND Limited studies have examined the predictors of HRQoL among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study helped to ascertain the predictors of HRQoL from the pool of influencing factors identified by previous studies. AIM This study investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its predictors. METHODS Using a descriptive correlational design, this study explored the relationship between HRQoL and pain, functional disability, anxiety, depression, medication adherence and social support. Eligible outpatients (n=108) were recruited via their attending doctors who were co-investigators of this study. Informed consent forms were distributed and questionnaires administered in a teaching hub by the main researcher. RESULTS Significant correlations were found between HRQoL and all of the study variables. Pain, functional disability and depression were main predictors of HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS Future evidence-based interventions focusing on pain relief, delaying disability or improving functional ability and reducing depressive symptoms are required to enhance the HRQoL of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Achieving consensus in ultrasonography synovitis scoring in rheumatoid arthritis

Ultrasonography is sensitive for synovitis detection but interobserver variation in both acquisition and image interpretation is still a concern. The objective was to assess if a short collegiate consensus would improve inter‐observer reliability in scoring of synovitis.

A randomized controlled trial for improving patient self-assessment of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis with education by ultrasonography: the RAEUS Study

OBJECTIVE Patients can potentially monitor disease activity of RA through self-assessed swollen joints (clinical synovitis), but reliability is poor. The objective is to evaluate the use of education by US feedback on the ability of patients to assess for clinical synovitis in RA. METHODS We performed a 6 month, single-centre, randomized controlled trial on patients with established RA to study the effect of education on self-assessment of joints that included initial brief patient training on tender (TJC) and swollen (SJC) joint counts followed by US feedback every 3 months vs standard care without education. Patient and physician independently performed 28-joint counts at each visit. Outcome variables included the percentage of patients with good agreement with physician-derived swollen joints [prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) >0.6] as well as agreement in the SJC (Bland and Altman 95% limits of agreement), feasibility/patient satisfaction survey and disease activity at 6 months. RESULTS Of the 101 randomized patients, 95 were included (51 in the education arm and 44 in the standard care arm). At 6 months there was a significant difference in the proportion of patients with swollen joint PABAK >0.6 in the education arm compared with standard care (98 vs 85%, P = 0.02). Limits of agreement for the SJC difference between physician and patients were reduced only in the education arm. The training method is considered feasible, with 94% of patients reporting it as useful. A trend of higher rates of disease remission (28-joint DAS <2.6) in the education arm vs standard care (47% vs 29%, P = 0.07) was seen. CONCLUSION A short course of education with US feedback may be helpful in educating patients to assess for clinical synovitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02351401.

Anti-IL17A in Axial Spondyloarthritis—Where Are We At?

Knowledge regarding the mechanisms of the IL17–IL23 pathway and its role in spondyloarthritis (SpA) has been pivotal to the development of IL-17 blockade in patients with axial SpA. Previously, only anti-TNF has proven to be clinically efficacious in patients with active disease, despite non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. However, up to 50% fail to achieve a clinically significant response. Secukinumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17A, has recently been approved for use in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. Clinical studies and current issues surrounding the use of secukinumab will be discussed.

Experiences of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that greatly impacts one’s physical and psychosocial well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and support needs of adult patients living with RA. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, and 16 adults with RA were interviewed from October 2013 to January 2014. The transcribed data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: altered physical capacity and well-being, psychological and emotional challenges, changes in social life, coping strategies, and support received and further support needs. This study provided insights into the experiences and support needs of patients with RA in Singapore. Physical and psychosocial challenges experienced by patients affected their daily and social activities. Patients’ needs for variety of support should be addressed.

Predictive value of tender joints compared to synovitis for structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of tender joints compared to synovitis for structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A post hoc analysis was performed on a prospective 2-year study of 59 patients with active RA starting on antitumour necrosis factor (TNF). Tenderness and synovitis was assessed clinically at baseline, followed by blinded ultrasound assessment (B-mode and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS)) on the hands and feet (2 wrists, 10 metacarpophalangeal, 10 proximal interphalangeal and 10 metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints). Radiographs of these joints were performed at baseline and at 2 years. The risk of radiographic progression with respect to the presence of baseline tenderness or synovitis, as well as its persistence (after 4 months of anti-TNF), was estimated by OR (95% CI). Results Baseline tender joints were the least predictive for radiographic progression (OR=1.53 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.29) p<0.04), when compared to synovitis (clinical OR=2.08 (95% CI 1.39 to 3.11) p<0.001 or PDUS OR=1.80 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.71) p=0.005, respectively). Tender joints with the presence of synovitis were predictive of radiographic progression (OR=1.89 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.85) p=0.002), especially seen in the MTP joints. Non-tender joints with no synovitis were negatively predictive (OR=0.57 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.82) p=0.003). Persistence of tender joints was negatively predictive (OR=0.38 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.78) p=0.009) while persistence of synovitis was predictive (OR=2.41 (95% CI 1.24 to 4.67) p=0.01) of radiographic progression. Conclusions Synovitis is better than tenderness to predict for subsequent structural progression. However, coexistence of tenderness and synovitis at the level of an individual joint is predictive of structural damage, particularly in the MTP joints. Trial registration number NCT00444691.