Attitudes of patients with a rheumatic disease on drug use in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background: Anti-rheumatic drugs can increase the predisposition to infection, and patients may be unaware of continuing their treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This study aimed to assess whether patients maintain their treatment for rheumatic conditions during the pandemic period and determine the factors responsible for discontinuation. Methods: Patients were randomly selected from the prospectively collected database of our tertiary referral center. The patients were interviewed by telephone through a standardized closed-ended questionnaire, which is targeting the continuity of the treatment plan and the considerations related to the individual choice. The patients were asked whether they hesitated to visit the hospital for follow-up or intravenous drug administration. Results: A total of 278 patients completed the questionnaire. While 62 of the patients (22.3%) had reduced or interrupted the treatment, only 11 patients (3.9%) stopped the treatment completely. A significant difference was observed between the duration of illness and the discontinuation of treatment. (p = 0.023) There was a significant difference in disease activity between the group that stopped treatment and continued treatment. (p = 0.001) There was no statistically significant difference in other demographic characteristics. One hundred thirty-five patients (48.6%) made the treatment decision by themselves, and 80% continued the treatment. Reasons for stopping the treatment were anxiety (48.4%), not being able to go to the hospital for intravenous treatment (45.1%), and not being able to find the drug (6.5%). Conclusion: Since patients with long-term illnesses were found to be significantly more likely to stop their treatment, this group of patients should be monitored.

Secukinumab para psoriasis en placa / Secukinumab for plaque psoriasis

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los tratamientos biológicos han aparecido como principal alternativa para el manejo de los pacientes con psoriasis en placa que no responden a tratamiento convencional, resultando necesario evaluar su real efectividad y seguridad. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos 21 revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron diez estudios primarios, todos correspondientes a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que secukinumab logra mejoría clínica en pacientes con psoriasis en placa, aunque probablemente se asocia a efectos adversos graves.

INTRODUCTION: Biological treatments have appeared as the main alternative for the management of patients with plaque psoriasis that do not respond to conventional treatment. So, evaluating its actual efficacy and safety is needed. METHODS: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified 21 systematic reviews including ten studies overall, of which all were randomized trials. We concluded secukinumab achieves clinical improvement in patients with plaque psoriasis, although it is probably associated with serious adverse effects.

Aproximación de discapacidad en artritis reumatoide. Resultados de un programa de atención integral / Approach to disability in rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a comprehensive care program

Resumen Introducción: Los modelos de atención en artritis reumatoide consideran el abordaje sintomático y la intervención de discapacidad; sin embargo, es importante un modelo que integre los avances en el manejo farmacológico y las estrategias no farmacológicas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, transversal, en el que incluimos a 640 pacientes con diagnóstico de artritis reumatoide que estaban participando en un programa de atención integral ambulatoria; tomamos las primeras valoraciones realizadas por terapia ocupacional con la evaluación funcional completa que incluían: índice de Barthel, escala Quick DASH y Health Assessment Questionnaire. El nivel de actividad de la enfermedad se calculó a través del DAS28. Resultados: Se evidenciaron puntuaciones más altas del HAQ a medida que el nivel de actividad de la enfermedad aumenta; no se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto al nivel de actividad de la enfermedad entre los sujetos que laboran y los que no. Encontramos una baja asociación entre el DAS28 y el Quick DASH en sus 2 módulos de evaluación (r = 0,399 para el instrumental y r = 0,291 para el módulo laboral; p < 0,005). De los 350 sujetos, el 66,7% presentó algún grado de actividad de la enfermedad y el porcentaje de pacientes que calificaron una limitación de moderada a severa en la función de su extremidad superior fue del 66,1% para el módulo laboral y del 84,75% para el módulo instrumental, con mayor limitación funcional a medida que aumenta el nivel de actividad de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: Este estudio ha permitido reevaluar dentro del programa la aplicación de escalas genéricas que abordan de forma general la funcionalidad.

Abstract Introduction: Although rheumatoid arthritis care models consider a symptomatic approach and intervention of disability, it is also important to have a model that integrates advances in the pharmacological management, as well as non-drug treatment strategies. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted that included 640 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and in an outpatient comprehensive care program. The first assessments made by occupational therapy with a full functional evaluation including the Barthel index, Quick DASH scale, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. The activity of the disease was calculated using DAS28. Results: Higher HAQ scores were observed as the level of disease activity increased. There were no significant differences in the level of activity of the disease among subjects who worked and those who did not. A low correlation was found between the DAS28 and the Quick DASH in 2 evaluation modules (r=.399 for instrumental and r=.291 for the work module) (P<.005). Of the 350 subjects, 66.7% had some degree of disease activity and the percentage of patients shown to have a moderate to severe limitation in the functioning of the upper limb was 66.1% for the work module and 84.75% for the instrumental module, showing a greater functional limitation as the level of disease activity increased. Conclusion: This study has reassessed the applying of generic scales that deal with generally functionality, within the care program.