International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Multicenter Study
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with chronic rheumatic diseases: A study in 15 Arab countries.
To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) on the access to rheumatology care for patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (CRD) in the Arab countries. ⋯ The current study highlights the deleterious consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continuity of rheumatology care. Therefore, an action plan, including establishing a telemedicine platform, securing drug availability, and promoting medication persistence through the appropriate communication channels, is strongly recommended.
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Case Reports Multicenter Study
Tocilizumab for severe COVID-19 pneumonia: Case series of 5 Australian patients.
To describe the first Australian cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) disease (COVID-19) pneumonia treated with the interleukin-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab. ⋯ Tocilizumab use was associated with favorable clinical outcome in our patients. We recommend tocilizumab be included in randomized controlled trials of treatment for patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, and be considered for compassionate use in such patients pending the results of these trials.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Association between radiographic anterior cruciate ligament tear and joint symptoms: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative.
Symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee is defined as the presence of OA radiographic features in combination with knee symptoms. Pain has not been shown to correlate meaningfully to radiographic severity. We aimed to determine the relationship between a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with knee symptoms and radiographic OA. ⋯ Individuals did not report an increase in knee pain, stiffness or disability in their ACL-deficient knee. Only disability was associated with worsening severity of radiographic OA in ACL-deficient knees.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Clinical effectiveness and safety of additional administration of tacrolimus in rheumatoid arthritis patients with an inadequate response to abatacept: A retrospective cohort study.
Abatacept (ABT) demonstrates good clinical efficacy and retention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, no rescue treatment option against inadequate response to ABT exists. Since tacrolimus (TAC) and ABT suppress T lymphocytes via different mechanisms and a combination of these agents could potentially be effective, this study aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of add-on TAC therapy in RA patients with inadequate response to ABT. ⋯ This is the first report describing the efficacy and safety profile of add-on TAC therapy with a focus on RA patients with inadequate response to ABT. Our findings suggest that add-on TAC therapy is a worthwhile complementary treatment option in daily clinical practice.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients diagnostic questionnaire in dermatology clinics in Australia, Korea and China.
To conduct initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients (EARP) questionnaire for Australian, Korean and Chinese populations using translated and linguistically validated versions. To measure the proportion of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis who attended dermatology clinics. ⋯ The Australian, Korean, and Chinese versions of the EARP questionnaire are suitable for the early detection of PsA symptoms in patients with psoriasis by dermatologists working in specialist dermatology clinics.