Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502022
José Luis Andreu , Joaquín Borras , José Luis Callejas , Ricard Cervera , Eva Chavarría , Elvira Díez , Fernando León , Carlos Marras , Enrique Morales , Norberto Ortego , Silvia Pérez Ortega , Juan José Ríos Blanco
Introduction
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. It presents with a heterogeneous clinical picture and can cause irreversible damage. Its clinical manifestations vary over time, affecting different organs. This variability makes it complex but necessary to monitor, in a standardised and objective way, the manifestations of the disease through validated instruments that determine the degree of activity and the damage associated with the disease.
Objective
To define, through a national consensus, the standardisation of the measurement of health outcomes in SLE with the aim of improving the comprehensive control of patients with this disease.
Conclusions
The measurement of health outcomes in three major domains: disease activity, disease burden and quality of life, could help improve the control of the disease in patients with SLE from a comprehensive perspective, as well as obtaining information on the established therapeutic objectives and therefore allowing better clinical decisions to be made.
{"title":"Vitales project: Consensus on measuring health outcomes for better integrated management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus","authors":"José Luis Andreu , Joaquín Borras , José Luis Callejas , Ricard Cervera , Eva Chavarría , Elvira Díez , Fernando León , Carlos Marras , Enrique Morales , Norberto Ortego , Silvia Pérez Ortega , Juan José Ríos Blanco","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. It presents with a heterogeneous clinical picture and can cause irreversible damage. Its clinical manifestations vary over time, affecting different organs. This variability makes it complex but necessary to monitor, in a standardised and objective way, the manifestations of the disease through validated instruments that determine the degree of activity and the damage associated with the disease.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To define, through a national consensus, the standardisation of the measurement of health outcomes in SLE with the aim of improving the comprehensive control of patients with this disease.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The measurement of health outcomes in three major domains: disease activity, disease burden and quality of life, could help improve the control of the disease in patients with SLE from a comprehensive perspective, as well as obtaining information on the established therapeutic objectives and therefore allowing better clinical decisions to be made.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502022"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145985939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502039
Alejandro Balsa , Petra Díaz del Campo Fontecha , on behalf of the GUIPCAR Drafting Group
{"title":"Clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. GUIPCAR 2025","authors":"Alejandro Balsa , Petra Díaz del Campo Fontecha , on behalf of the GUIPCAR Drafting Group","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502039","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502039"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145985946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502038
María de los Ángeles Correa, Carolina A. Isnardi, Gisele A. Luna, Tatiana Barbich, Virginia Carrizo Abarza, Gustavo Citera, Emilce E. Schneeberger
Objectives
To validate the questionnaire QualipsoSex (QSQ) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), assess sexual quality of life and clinical/sociodemographic impact on it.
Material and methods
Sexually active adult with PsA. Sexual quality of life was assessed using Qualisex and QSQ. QSQ includes 10 questions, and it is calculated the sum of the total items, 40 points being the worst case.
Results
77 patients, 59.7% women, median (m) age 57 years. Presented disease activity and mild skin involvement. Qualisex m was 1.6 and QSQ m 5. The QSQ demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.93), floor effect 1.3% and ceiling 24.7%. The correlation between QSQ and Qualisex was moderated. Sexual quality of life was significantly worse in patients who do not practice physical activity, those with psoriasis, morning stiffness, higher disease activity, anxiety, depression and/or suicidal symptoms. High disease activity (B 0.24, IC95% 0.04−0.45) and moderate to severe depression (B 0.57, IC95% 0.04–1.10) were associated with worse sexual quality of life.
Conclusion
QSQ is valid and reliable. Higher disease activity and major depression were associated with poorer outcomes.
{"title":"Assessment of sexual quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis and validation of the QualipsoSex questionnaire in Spanish","authors":"María de los Ángeles Correa, Carolina A. Isnardi, Gisele A. Luna, Tatiana Barbich, Virginia Carrizo Abarza, Gustavo Citera, Emilce E. Schneeberger","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To validate the questionnaire QualipsoSex (QSQ) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), assess sexual quality of life and clinical/sociodemographic impact on it.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>Sexually active adult with PsA. Sexual quality of life was assessed using Qualisex and QSQ. QSQ includes 10 questions, and it is calculated the sum of the total items, 40 points being the worst case.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>77 patients, 59.7% women, median (m) age 57 years. Presented disease activity and mild skin involvement. Qualisex m was 1.6 and QSQ m 5. The QSQ demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.93), floor effect 1.3% and ceiling 24.7%. The correlation between QSQ and Qualisex was moderated. Sexual quality of life was significantly worse in patients who do not practice physical activity, those with psoriasis, morning stiffness, higher disease activity, anxiety, depression and/or suicidal symptoms. High disease activity (B 0.24, IC95% 0.04−0.45) and moderate to severe depression (B 0.57, IC95% 0.04–1.10) were associated with worse sexual quality of life.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>QSQ is valid and reliable. Higher disease activity and major depression were associated with poorer outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502038"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145985936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
To describe and compare the health situation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from the qom community in the cities of Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña (PRSP, Chaco Province) and Rosario (Santa Fe Province), focusing on access to the healthcare system and its limitations.
Methods
A sequential mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative phase: implementation of the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) methodology. Qualitative phase: ethnographic approach incorporating the concept of “healthcare pilgrimage”.
Results
Participants living in Rosario reported a higher intensity of pain (202 [42.9%] vs. 14 [11.0%], P < .0001), associated with a greater proportion of functional limitation according to the HAQ-DI score ≥0.8 (302 [64.1%] vs. 39 [30.2%], P < .0001). Among the diagnoses in PRSP, osteoarthritis was more prevalent than in Rosario (49 [10.1%] vs. 67 [4.0%], P < .0001), while RA prevalence was the same in both cities (12 [2.4%] vs. 40 [2.4%], P = .991). Three main topics emerged from the ethnographic analysis: pilgrimage within the healthcare system, barriers to specialized care, and access to treatment.
Conclusion
RA patients in both cities face significant challenges in navigating the healthcare system, underscoring their vulnerability. It is essential to adopt care models that integrate local knowledge and consider patients’ mobility trajectories, ensuring access to and continuity of the treatments prescribed.
{"title":"Pilgrimage of rheumatoid arthritis patients from the qom community through the healthcare system in two argentine provinces: A mixed-methods study","authors":"Rosana Quintana , Cecilia Camacho , Milagros Caamaño , Marcela Alvarez , Graciela Gomez , Evelyn Oviedo , Andrés Honeri , Antonela Vannucci , Maria Elena Calvo , Lorena Savarece , Bernardo A. Pons-Estel , Ingris Pelaez-Ballestas , Marcela Valdata","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.502021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To describe and compare the health situation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from the <em>qom</em> community in the cities of Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña (PRSP, Chaco Province) and Rosario (Santa Fe Province), focusing on access to the healthcare system and its limitations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A sequential mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative phase: implementation of the Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) methodology. Qualitative phase: ethnographic approach incorporating the concept of “healthcare pilgrimage”.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants living in Rosario reported a higher intensity of pain (202 [42.9%] vs. 14 [11.0%], <em>P</em> < .0001), associated with a greater proportion of functional limitation according to the HAQ-DI score ≥0.8 (302 [64.1%] vs. 39 [30.2%], <em>P</em> < .0001). Among the diagnoses in PRSP, osteoarthritis was more prevalent than in Rosario (49 [10.1%] vs. 67 [4.0%], <em>P</em> < .0001), while RA prevalence was the same in both cities (12 [2.4%] vs. 40 [2.4%], <em>P</em> = .991). Three main topics emerged from the ethnographic analysis: pilgrimage within the healthcare system, barriers to specialized care, and access to treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>RA patients in both cities face significant challenges in navigating the healthcare system, underscoring their vulnerability. It is essential to adopt care models that integrate local knowledge and consider patients’ mobility trajectories, ensuring access to and continuity of the treatments prescribed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502021"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145985958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, demographics and colchicine response in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients with Exon 2 mutations (E148Q, R202Q) compared to those with Exon 10 mutations.
Methods
A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 98 adult FMF patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2019. Medical records of 41 patients with Exon 2 and 57 patients with Exon 10 mutations were reviewed. In Exon 2 group, 3 patients were homozygous for E148Q, 33 were heterozygous (21 with E148Q, 12 with R202Q), and 5 were compound heterozygous for E148Q and R202Q. In the Exon 10 group, 20 patients were homozygous for M694V, 18 were heterozygous, and 19 had compound heterozygous mutations involving M694V and other Exon 10 variants (V726A, M680I, A744S, R761H). Data on demographics, symptom onset, clinical manifestations, family history, colchicine response were analyzed.
Results
Patients with Exon 2 mutations were older at symptom onset (p < 0.001) and had fewer family histories (p < 0.001). Typical FMF symptoms like fever (p = 0.030) and abdominal pain (p = 0.018) were more common in Exon 10 patients. Conversely, musculoskeletal symptoms, including arthralgia (p = 0.004) and myalgia (p = 0.013), were more frequent in Exon 2 patients. Both groups had similar rates of amyloidosis (p = 1.0). Colchicine was effective in 91.7% of Exon 2 patients and 96.4% of Exon 10 patients (p = 0.376).
Conclusion
Exon 2 mutations are associated with atypical presentations in FMF. Arthralgia and myalgia presentations are mostly indicative of Exon 2 variant, while a family history and earlier age of symptom onset are characteristic of Exon 10 variant. Clinicians should recognize the complex nature of FMF and adopt a personalized approach.
{"title":"Impact of MEFV gene variants on clinical presentation in Familial Mediterranean Fever: A focus on Exon 2 mutations","authors":"Bilal Kulaksiz , Beste Acar , Oguzhan Omer Kizilkaya , Berkay Aktas , Serdal Ugurlu","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, demographics and colchicine response in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients with Exon 2 mutations (E148Q, R202Q) compared to those with Exon 10 mutations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 98 adult FMF patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2019. Medical records of 41 patients with Exon 2 and 57 patients with Exon 10 mutations were reviewed. In Exon 2 group, 3 patients were homozygous for E148Q, 33 were heterozygous (21 with E148Q, 12 with R202Q), and 5 were compound heterozygous for E148Q and R202Q. In the Exon 10 group, 20 patients were homozygous for M694V, 18 were heterozygous, and 19 had compound heterozygous mutations involving M694V and other Exon 10 variants (V726A, M680I, A744S, R761H). Data on demographics, symptom onset, clinical manifestations, family history, colchicine response were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients with Exon 2 mutations were older at symptom onset (<em>p</em> <!--><<!--> <!-->0.001) and had fewer family histories (<em>p</em> <!--><<!--> <!-->0.001). Typical FMF symptoms like fever (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.030) and abdominal pain (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.018) were more common in Exon 10 patients. Conversely, musculoskeletal symptoms, including arthralgia (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.004) and myalgia (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.013), were more frequent in Exon 2 patients. Both groups had similar rates of amyloidosis (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->1.0). Colchicine was effective in 91.7% of Exon 2 patients and 96.4% of Exon 10 patients (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.376).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Exon 2 mutations are associated with atypical presentations in FMF. Arthralgia and myalgia presentations are mostly indicative of Exon 2 variant, while a family history and earlier age of symptom onset are characteristic of Exon 10 variant. Clinicians should recognize the complex nature of FMF and adopt a personalized approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502040"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502020
Elena Grau García , Pablo Francisco Muñoz Rodriguez , Hikmat Charia , Jose Andrés Roman Ivorra
Objective
To analyze the association of clinical activity with pain, fatigue and disability in patients with RA.
Methods
Prospective observational study of 3 months of follow-up in 60 patients who initiate biological or anti-JAK therapy. We analyzed changes in the PROs reported by patients through FACIT-fatigue, HAQ questionnaires and pain VAS. Clinical activity through DAS28, DAS28-CRP, SDAI and CDAI index was measured.
Results
We observed a statistically significant association between clinical activity and the fatigue, pain and disability (p < 0.001). A greater fatigue was associated with a greater perception of pain and high tender joint number (p = 0.002). Patients who discontinued treatment presented higher fatigue (p = 0.044) and disability (p = 0.0013) than those who continued treatment, regardless of the type of treatment, the time of evolution, as well as whether or not they had received previous biological therapies.
Conclusion
PROs would be helpful in the disease control in cases where a remote monitoring is needed, since PROs showed a significant association with clinical activity in RA.
{"title":"Remote monitoring tools in rheumatoid arthritis patients: FACIT-fatigue and HAQ","authors":"Elena Grau García , Pablo Francisco Muñoz Rodriguez , Hikmat Charia , Jose Andrés Roman Ivorra","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To analyze the association of clinical activity with pain, fatigue and disability in patients with RA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Prospective observational study of 3 months of follow-up in 60 patients who initiate biological or anti-JAK therapy. We analyzed changes in the PROs reported by patients through FACIT-fatigue, HAQ questionnaires and pain VAS. Clinical activity through DAS28, DAS28-CRP, SDAI and CDAI index was measured.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We observed a statistically significant association between clinical activity and the fatigue, pain and disability (<em>p</em> <!--><<!--> <!-->0.001). A greater fatigue was associated with a greater perception of pain and high tender joint number (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.002). Patients who discontinued treatment presented higher fatigue (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.044) and disability (<em>p</em> <!-->=<!--> <!-->0.0013) than those who continued treatment, regardless of the type of treatment, the time of evolution, as well as whether or not they had received previous biological therapies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>PROs would be helpful in the disease control in cases where a remote monitoring is needed, since PROs showed a significant association with clinical activity in RA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502020"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502037
Halbert Hernández-Negrín , Nerea Catena-Granados , Ricardo Gómez-Huelgas , María Rosa Bernal-López
{"title":"Barriers and facilitators to cardiovascular risk control in systemic lupus erythematosus: A qualitative study","authors":"Halbert Hernández-Negrín , Nerea Catena-Granados , Ricardo Gómez-Huelgas , María Rosa Bernal-López","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502037","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502037"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502023
David Vega-Morales , Jorge Medina-Castillo , Pablo Herrera-Sandate , Ana K. Vazquez-Bañuelos , Rodrigo J. Castillo-de la Garza , Luis A. Chavez-Alvarez , Lourdes Gil-Flores , Julio A. Lagarda-Ramos
Background
Rheumatic diseases significantly impact hand function, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. Various tools assess upper limb function, including the DASH questionnaire, grip strength measurement, and range of motion (ROM) evaluation. However, the most efficient parameters for assessing functional impairment remain unclear.
Objective
To determine the most relevant anthropometric and functional measurements for evaluating hand function impairment in patients with rheumatic diseases, using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study in 36 patients with inflammatory arthritis, primarily rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hand function was assessed using the DASH questionnaire, grip and pinch strength tests (Jamar dynamometer and Mathiowetz protocol), and ROM measurements. PCA was applied to identify the most relevant functional variables, and K-means clustering was used to classify patients into functional subgroups.
Results
Grip and pinch strength were the dominant factors, explaining 33.5% of total variance, while ROM contributed less to functional impairment assessment. Cluster analysis identified four functional subgroups, differentiating patients based on grip strength and disability levels (DASH score). Patients with higher grip strength exhibited lower disability, while those with severe disability had significantly weaker grip strength, reinforcing its importance as a functional marker.
Conclusion
Grip strength is a key indicator of upper limb function impairment in RA and other rheumatic diseases. Given its strong association with disability and its dominance in variance explanation, grip strength measurement alone may serve as a time-efficient and reliable assessment tool, especially in resource-limited settings. Further research should validate grip strength as a primary clinical indicator and optimize assessment protocols for rheumatic patients.
{"title":"Principal component and cluster analysis of functional parameters in rheumatic patients: Identifying the most efficient assessment tool","authors":"David Vega-Morales , Jorge Medina-Castillo , Pablo Herrera-Sandate , Ana K. Vazquez-Bañuelos , Rodrigo J. Castillo-de la Garza , Luis A. Chavez-Alvarez , Lourdes Gil-Flores , Julio A. Lagarda-Ramos","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2026.502023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Rheumatic diseases significantly impact hand function, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. Various tools assess upper limb function, including the DASH questionnaire, grip strength measurement, and range of motion (ROM) evaluation. However, the most efficient parameters for assessing functional impairment remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To determine the most relevant anthropometric and functional measurements for evaluating hand function impairment in patients with rheumatic diseases, using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a cross-sectional study in 36 patients with inflammatory arthritis, primarily rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hand function was assessed using the DASH questionnaire, grip and pinch strength tests (Jamar dynamometer and Mathiowetz protocol), and ROM measurements. PCA was applied to identify the most relevant functional variables, and K-means clustering was used to classify patients into functional subgroups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Grip and pinch strength were the dominant factors, explaining 33.5% of total variance, while ROM contributed less to functional impairment assessment. Cluster analysis identified four functional subgroups, differentiating patients based on grip strength and disability levels (DASH score). Patients with higher grip strength exhibited lower disability, while those with severe disability had significantly weaker grip strength, reinforcing its importance as a functional marker.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Grip strength is a key indicator of upper limb function impairment in RA and other rheumatic diseases. Given its strong association with disability and its dominance in variance explanation, grip strength measurement alone may serve as a time-efficient and reliable assessment tool, especially in resource-limited settings. Further research should validate grip strength as a primary clinical indicator and optimize assessment protocols for rheumatic patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"22 1","pages":"Article 502023"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2025.501990
Susana Romero-Yuste , Manuel Macía , Marta Domínguez-Álvaro , Antonio Fernández-Nebro , Miquel Blasco , Javier Narváez , Gema Fernández , Íñigo Rúa-Figueroa , Desirée Luis-Rodríguez , Beatriz Ventosa , on behalf of the VRESER/NVAN project collaboration group
Objective
To describe the objectives, design and methods of the Spanish Multicentre Registry of Patients with ANCA-associated Vasculitis (RESER/NVAN), as well as its strengths and limitations. RESER/NVAN is a project promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Nephrology, whose main objective is to estimate the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis in Spain.
Methods
Retrospective longitudinal observational study of ANCA-associated vasculitis patients ≥18 years of age diagnosed between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2021. All patients in the reference area of each centre were included, with the reference area being the area that includes the population attended by the centre. Thirty-two centres distributed throughout the Spanish geography participated, and the administrative and/or clinical databases of each centre and those of the services that could be involved in the diagnosis and/or treatment of these patients were reviewed. Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, lifestyle habits, comorbidities and variables characterising vasculitis were collected.
Conclusions
RESER/NVAN represents one of the largest cohorts of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in Spain. Despite its retrospective nature, the study provides comprehensive and reliable information on ANCA-associated vasculitis and is an excellent source of data for future analyses to increase knowledge of this disease.
{"title":"RESER/NVAN: Spanish Registry of patients with ANCA- associated vasculitis: objectives and methodology","authors":"Susana Romero-Yuste , Manuel Macía , Marta Domínguez-Álvaro , Antonio Fernández-Nebro , Miquel Blasco , Javier Narváez , Gema Fernández , Íñigo Rúa-Figueroa , Desirée Luis-Rodríguez , Beatriz Ventosa , on behalf of the VRESER/NVAN project collaboration group","doi":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.501990","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.reumae.2025.501990","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To describe the objectives, design and methods of the Spanish Multicentre Registry of Patients with ANCA-associated Vasculitis (RESER/NVAN), as well as its strengths and limitations. RESER/NVAN is a project promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Nephrology, whose main objective is to estimate the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis in Spain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Retrospective longitudinal observational study of ANCA-associated vasculitis patients ≥18 years of age diagnosed between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2021. All patients in the reference area of each centre were included, with the reference area being the area that includes the population attended by the centre. Thirty-two centres distributed throughout the Spanish geography participated, and the administrative and/or clinical databases of each centre and those of the services that could be involved in the diagnosis and/or treatment of these patients were reviewed. Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, lifestyle habits, comorbidities and variables characterising vasculitis were collected.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>RESER/NVAN represents one of the largest cohorts of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in Spain. Despite its retrospective nature, the study provides comprehensive and reliable information on ANCA-associated vasculitis and is an excellent source of data for future analyses to increase knowledge of this disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94193,"journal":{"name":"Reumatologia clinica","volume":"21 10","pages":"Article 501990"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145679870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}