BMC Rheumatology最新文献

Background: Annual fitness assessments are performed during group exercise therapy for people with axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) living in Switzerland. The core strength test (CST) is time-consuming, and interpretation limited. Thus, the objectives were to 1) compare the CST-performance of people with axSpA and healthy controls, and 2) evaluate if hand grip strength can be used as a proxy for core strength.

Methods: Routinely gathered data of people with axSpA was used and data from healthy controls collected. Differences in strength were investigated using Welch Two-sample t-tests or Fisher's exact tests. The associations between grip and core strength were explored through pairwise Pearson correlations (r). Further, a linear regression model was fitted to data of people with axSpA with grip strength as the response variable, and ventral, dorsal and lateral core strength endurance, age and sex as predictors.

Results: Data from 160 healthy controls (50% male, mean age 59.3 (SD 11.47) years) and 112 people with axSpA (58% male, mean age 57.7 (SD 12.1) years) was included. People with axSpA showed lower core strength endurance (sec) than the controls: ventral core strength mean difference -28, p < 0.001; lateral core strength mean difference -17, p < 0.001; dorsal core strength mean difference -39, p < 0.001, and lower grip strength -3.7, p = 0.012. The linear regression model with hand grip as response and core strength, age, and sex as predictors explained 44% of the variability.

Conclusion: People with axSpA showed substantially lower core muscle strength endurance than healthy controls. Core strength measures have only marginal effects on grip strength in people with axSpA. Therefore, grip strength is not appropriate to be used a s a proxy for core strength in people with axSpA and healthy people.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Introduction: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a heterogeneous group of chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation and muscle weakness. In Colombia, these conditions have been poorly studied. Therefore, an analysis of the prevalence and demographic characteristics of the main reported inflammatory myopathies in the country (dermatomyositis and polymyositis) was carried out, based on data from the Ministry of Health.

Materials and methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted. Bayesian methods were employed for frequency analysis. Data were collected from the Comprehensive Information System of the Ministry of Health of Colombia during the period 2018 to 2021. Key diagnostic codes from the international manual of diseases (ICD-10) related to dermatomyositis and polymyositis were used.

Results: A prevalence of 8.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants was found, with a female-to-male ratio of 2.4:1 and an average age of 51.5 years. These conditions were more common in the age group between 71 and 80 years. The highest prevalence was observed in the western area of Colombia, especially in Antioquia and in the Eje Cafetero region.

Conclusions: The point prevalence during the period from 2018 to 2021 remained relative constant. A predominance of these diseases was found in the female population of advanced age, with the Southwest region being the most affected and the Southeast being the least affected. This study is one of the few focused on describing the epidemiology of dermatomyositis and polymyositis in Colombia recently and is the first one made using a Bayesian statistical approach in this specific topic and population.

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) exhibits notable sex-related differences, particularly in Asian populations, influenced by genetic, cultural, and healthcare factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess sex-specific disparities in axSpA among Asian patients.

Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar (up to January 30, 2025) included studies reporting sex-specific differences in clinical presentation, diagnostic delay, treatment response, and quality of life. The study included 31,523 males and 10,815 females. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analysis was performed using R and Jamovi, with heterogeneity assessed via I² statistics.

Results: Thirty studies comprising 31,523 male and 10,815 female axSpA patients were included. Males had an younger age of onset and diagnosis (MD: -3.48 years; 95% CI: -4.78 to -2.17; -3.57 years; 95% CI: -5.25 to -1.89). No significant differences in diagnostic delay were observed. (MD: -0.62 years; 95% CI: -1.55 to 0.32; p = 0.0551). Females exhibited higher disease activity scores (BASDAI MD: -0.57; 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.27; p = 0.00211) and inflammatory markers (ESR MD: -3.99 mm/h; p = 0.0476), whereas males showed greater radiographic progression (BASRI MD: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.86-3.34; p < 0.001). HLA-B27 positivity was higher in males (79.5% vs. 69.2%). Treatment adherence was lower in females.

Discussion: This study highlights critical sex-based disparities in axSpA among Asian populations, particularly regarding disease onset, progression, and treatment response. The findings emphasize the need for sex-specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Registration: The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025637163).

Objective: The presentation and outcomes of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are influenced by ethnicity and genetic background. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the leading countries of SLE per recent reports. In this study, we evaluated the effect of positive family history (FHx) of SLE and autoimmunity on clinical presentations and disease outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients seen between 2011 till 2023 was conducted. Included patients were those fulfilling the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria. Comparative analyses were conducted between those with familial history of autoimmunity and SLE and those without.

Results: Out of 279 SLE patients, a total of 241 patients fulfilled the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria and were included in the study. There was positive FHx of autoimmunity in 27% of the study population, and positive FHx of SLE (in first-degree relatives, "familial SLE") in 14.5% of the study population. Comparisons between positive and negative FHx of autoimmunity/SLE showed younger age at diagnosis in those with positive FHx of autoimmunity (p-value = < 0.001) and higher frequency of Raynaud's phenomonen (p-value = 0.022). Patients with familial SLE were also younger at diagnosis (p- value = 0.004) and had more mucocutaneous features (p-value = 0.042).

Conclusion: The percentage of familial SLE in our UAE study population is 14.5% which is higher than reported in non-Arab study populations. In our study population, patients with familial SLE and familial autoimmunity tend to present earlier, while patients with familial SLE tend to have more mucocutaneous features than those without familial SLE.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Objective: Text-based messaging support can improve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care delivery by connecting patients with healthcare providers (HCPs) in an efficient and convenient manner. However, the nature and appropriateness of patient messaging in this new care model are unknown. The aim of this study was to (1) analyze the frequency and nature of text messages patients sent to their HCPs, and (2) to identify patient characteristics associated with higher texting frequency in a pilot of a text-based messaging (using the WelTel platform) added to usual rheumatology care.

Methods: Seventy patients with RA participated in a 6-month pilot. Automated "How are you?" texts were sent monthly, and patients were encouraged to respond according to their current situation. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to thematically categorize and quantify common words and phrases. Regression analysis was conducted to determine if a relationship existed between the number of text messages and age, sex, care complexity (using a validated instrument), number of medications, and burden of comorbidities.

Results: A total of 1404 text messages were sent by patients, with 257 messages requiring a response. Three main themes for texting topics emerged: RA symptom reporting, medication management, and COVID-19 questions. Patients with higher care complexity had a higher frequency of texting (p = 0.025); however, no association was observed with other patient characteristics.

Conclusion: Patients with higher complexity texted HCPs more frequently. Messages were highly aligned with patient care needs. Future directions should include assessing the impact of text messaging-enhanced care on patient outcomes and overall healthcare utilization.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.