Assessment of self-esteem and community integration in spondyloarthritis / Evaluación de la autoestima y la integración comunitaria en la espondiloartritis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the associated factors with lower self-esteem and restriction in community reintegration in SpA patients. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study including SpA patients (ASAS criteria) aged 18–50 years. The level of self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) evaluated the degree of reintegration to normal social activities. Anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia were screened by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A, HADS-D, and FiRST, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: A total of 72 patients were enrolled (sex-ratio=1.88), with median (IQR) age of 39 years (28.25–46). Median (IQR) disease duration was 10 (6–14) years. Median (IQR) BASDAI and ASDAS were 3 (2.1–4.7) and 2.7 (1.9–3.48), respectively. Anxiety symptoms were screened in 10% of SpA patients, depression in 11%; and fibromyalgia in 10%. Median (IQR) RSES and RNLI scores were 30 (23.25–34), and 83 (53.25–93.25), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis identified the domain (work) of pain interference, VAS pain, HAD anxiety, PGA, marital status, and morning stiffness as factors associated with lower self-esteem. Restriction in the reintegration community was predicted by the presence of IBD, VAS pain, FIRST, deformity, enjoyment of life, and HAD depression. Conclusion: Pain intensity and interference, deformities, extra-articular manifestations, and deterioration of mental health were associated with low self-esteem and severe restriction in community reintegration among patients with SpA rather than inflammatory parameters.(AU)

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar el factor asociado a la baja autoestima y la restricción en la reintegración comunitaria en pacientes con espondiloartritis (EspA). Métodos: Este estudio fue un estudio transversal llevado a cabo incluyendo a pacientes con EspA (criterios ASAS) de entre 18 y 50 años de edad. El nivel de autoestima se evaluó mediante la Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). El Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) evaluó el grado de reintegración a las actividades sociales normales. La ansiedad, la depresión y la fibromialgia se evaluaron mediante la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A, HADS-D y FIRST, respectivamente. Se realizó un análisis estadístico. Resultados: Se inscribieron 72 pacientes (razón por sexo: 1,88), con una mediana (IQR) de edad de 39 años (28,25-46). La IQR de la duración de la enfermedad fue de 10 (6-14) años. La IQR de BASDAI y ASDAS fue de 3 (2,1-4,7) y 2,7 (1,9-3,48), respectivamente. Se detectaron síntomas de ansiedad en el 10% de los pacientes con EspA, depresión en el 11% y fibromialgia en el 10%. La IQR de las puntuaciones RSES y RNLI fue de 30 (23,25-34) y 83 (53,25-93,25), respectivamente. El análisis de regresión multivariante identificó el dominio (trabajo) de la interferencia del dolor, el dolor VAS, la ansiedad HAD, la PGA, el estado civil y la rigidez matinal como factores asociados a una menor autoestima. La restricción en la comunidad de reintegración se predijo por la presencia de EII, el dolor VAS, la herramienta FIRST, la deformidad, el disfrute de la vida y la depresión HAD. Conclusiones: La intensidad y la interferencia del dolor, las deformidades, las manifestaciones extra-articulares y el deterioro de la salud mental se asociaron a una baja autoestima y de una severa restricción en la reintegración a la comunidad entre los pacientes con EspA más que los parámetros inflamatorios.(AU)

Assessment of self-esteem and community integration in spondyloarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to identify the associated factors with lower self-esteem and restriction in community reintegration in SpA patients. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study including SpA patients (ASAS criteria) aged 18-50 years. The level of self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) evaluated the degree of reintegration to normal social activities. Anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia were screened by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-A, HADS-D, and FiRST, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were enrolled (sex-ratio=1.88), with median (IQR) age of 39 years (28.25-46). Median (IQR) disease duration was 10 (6-14) years. Median (IQR) BASDAI and ASDAS were 3 (2.1-4.7) and 2.7 (1.9-3.48), respectively. Anxiety symptoms were screened in 10% of SpA patients, depression in 11%; and fibromyalgia in 10%. Median (IQR) RSES and RNLI scores were 30 (23.25-34), and 83 (53.25-93.25), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis identified the domain (work) of pain interference, VAS pain, HAD anxiety, PGA, marital status, and morning stiffness as factors associated with lower self-esteem. Restriction in the reintegration community was predicted by the presence of IBD, VAS pain, FIRST, deformity, enjoyment of life, and HAD depression. CONCLUSION: Pain intensity and interference, deformities, extra-articular manifestations, and deterioration of mental health were associated with low self-esteem and severe restriction in community reintegration among patients with SpA rather than inflammatory parameters.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of teriflunomide: do plasma concentrations predict response to leflunomide in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

OBJECTIVES: Leflunomide is a commonly used treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. It acts by inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase through its active metabolite teriflunomide. The objective of the study was to investigate the relation between plasma-concentration of teriflunomide and disease-activity in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Data were collected from patients with rheumatoid arthritis on a stable leflunomide dose for at least 2 months. Socio-demographic data, disease characteristics and DAS28 score were recorded. Blood samples were taken for determination of teriflunomide concentration. RESULTS: A total of 32 serum concentration-time measurements were collected. The concentration of teriflunomide was positively correlated with disease duration of RA (r2=0.2264) and the number of swollen joints (r2=0.2413). There was a trend towards a positive correlation between Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and plasma teriflunomide concentration (r2=0.1699). Weight was negatively correlated with the residual plasma concentration of teriflunomide (r2=0.2483). However, there was no significant correlation between residual-plasma-concentration of teriflunomide and the following parameters: age, sex, number of tender painful joints, patient-global-assessment, C-reactive protein (CRP) and duration of prescription of leflunomide. We did not find association between disease-activity and residual-plasma-concentration of teriflunomide (r2=0.0021) and haven't been able to define the threshold value of residual-plasma-concentration of leflunomide predictive of a good-response. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a concentration-effect-relationship. However, therapeutic drug monitoring of teriflunomide may be useful to ensure adherence and evaluate toxic-levels in case of adverse-events.