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- Jacobsson, Lennart, et al.
(author)
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Sociodemographic and disease-related factors are associated with patient-reported anxiety and depression in spondyloarthritis patients in the Swedish SpAScania cohort
- 2014
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In: Clinical Rheumatology. - London : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0770-3198 .- 1434-9949. ; 33:11, s. 1649-1656
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Anxiety and depression are common among patients with rheumatic diseases. This study aims to explore which factors are associated with self-reported anxiety and depression in a well-defined cohort of spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. In 2009, 3,711 patients from the SpAScania cohort were sent a postal questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical and mental functioning. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale measured anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D), subscales 0-21, best-worst. HADS a parts per thousand yen8 indicates possible cases of anxiety or depression. One-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) tested for differences among the SpA subtypes in HADS scores. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, and disease duration was used to test for associations between HADS and independent variables. In total, 2,167 (58 %) patients (52 % females, mean age 55.4 years) returned the questionnaire. In total, 683 (32 %) cases were classified as "possible anxiety" and 305 (14 %) as "possible depression" cases with mean (SD) HADS-A 5.9 (4.3) and HADS-D 4.4 (3.6). There were no differences among the SpA subtypes in HADS-A and HADS-D. HADS-A and HADS-D were associated with lower education, lower physical activity (HADS-D only), chronic pain problems, more fatigue, lower general health, lower HRQoL, lower level of functioning, higher disease activity, and lower self-efficacy. Associations with anxiety and/or depression appear multifactorial in patients with SpA including both personal and disease-related factors. Since these comorbidities are increased in SpA and treatable, they should be screened for in clinical practice, possibly with instruments like the HADS.
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3. |
- Feldthusen, Caroline, 1977, et al.
(author)
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Variations of fatigue in persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis- a 1 year longitudinal study.
- 2014
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In: DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3502. Ann Rheum Dis. ; 73:Suppl2
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Beside pain, fatigue is expressed as the most prominent symptom in RA [1,2] and has been described as having a greater impact on daily life than pain [2]. Persons with RA experience that their fatigue vary over time concerning duration and frequency [3]. Longitudinal studies assessing change in fatigue after a period of one year have reported relatively stable fatigue [4] or considerable variations of fatigue [5]. More knowledge is needed about how fatigue in persons with RA vary over time. Objectives: To study variations of fatigue during one year in persons with RA of working age. Methods: Sixty-five participants having RA and being of working age (20-65 years) were recruited from a rheumatology clinic in West Sweden. Questionnaires assessing fatigue were given to the participants every other month during 1 year, in total seven times. Fatigue was assessed using both single-item and multidimensional measures: – VAS for global fatigue (0-100 mm) (endpoints no fatigue and worst imaginable fatigue) – The Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multidimensional Questionnaire, (BRAF-MDQ) consisting a global score (Total) and four subscales (Physical, Living, Cognition, Emotion) [6-7]. Results: The fatigue showed statistically significant variation over time for the outcome measures VAS fatigue (p<0.01), BRAF-MDQ Total and the subscales Living, Cognition (p<0.001) and Physical (p<0.05), when analyzed by mixed models. For the subscale Emotion (p=0.08) the variation of fatigue over time was not statistically significant. A statistically significant seasonal variation was shown for global fatigue (VAS p<0.01 and BRAF-MDQ Total p<0.001) and physical aspects of fatigue (BRAF-MDQ Physical and Living p<0.01) indicating less physical fatigue in the summer. No statistical differences over time were seen in fatigue between women and men or between age-groups. Conclusions: This study show that fatigue in persons with RA vary significantly during one year and further acknowledges the dynamic nature of fatigue and the complexity of its different facets. References: Wolfe, F., D.J. Hawley, and K. Wilson, The prevalence and meaning of fatigue in rheumatic disease. J Rheumatol, 1996. 23(8): p. 1407-17. Repping-Wuts, H., et al., Fatigue as experienced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): a qualitative study. Int J Nurs Stud, 2008. 45(7): p. 995-1002. Hewlett, S., et al., Patients' perceptions of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored. Arthritis Rheum, 2005. 53(5): p. 697-702. Mancuso, C.A., et al., Psychosocial variables and fatigue: a longitudinal study comparing individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls. J Rheumatol, 2006. 33(8): p. 1496-502. Treharne, G.J., et al., Predictors of fatigue over 1 year among people with rheumatoid arthritis. Psychol Health Med, 2008. 13(4): p. 494-504. Nicklin, J., et al., Measuring fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study to evaluate the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multi-Dimensional questionnaire, visual analog scales, and numerical rating scales. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2010. 62(11): p. 1559-68. Dures, E.K., et al., Reliability and sensitivity to change of the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Scales. Rheumatology (Oxford), 2013.
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4. |
- Haglund, Emma, et al.
(author)
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Work productivity in a population-based cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis
- 2013
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In: Rheumatology. - Oxford : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0324 .- 1462-0332. ; 52:9, s. 1708-1714
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To assess work productivity and associated factors in patients with SpA. Methods. This cross-sectional postal survey included 1773 patients with SpA identified in a regional health care register. Items on presenteeism (reduced productivity at work, 0-100%, 0 = no reduction) were answered by 1447 individuals. Absenteeism was defined as register-based sick leave using data from a national register. Disease duration, disease activity (BASDAI), physical function (BASFI), health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), anxiety (HAD-a), depression (HAD-d), self-efficacy [Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale (ASES) pain and symptom], physical activity and education were also measured. Results. Forty-five per cent reported reduced productivity at work with a mean reduction of 20% (95% CI 18, 21) and women reported a higher mean reduction than men (mean 23% vs 17%, P < 0.001). Worse quality of life, disease activity, physical function and anxiety all correlated with reduced productivity (r = 0.52-0.66, P < 0.001), while sick leave did not. Worse outcomes on the EQ-5D (beta-est -9.6, P < 0.001), BASDAI (beta-est 7.8, P < 0.001), BASFI (beta-est 7.3, P < 0.001), ASES pain (beta-est -0.5, P < 0.001) and HAD-d (beta-est 3.4, P < 0.001) were associated with reduced productivity at work in patients with SpA regardless of age, gender and disease subgroup. ASES symptoms, HAD-a and education level < 12 years were associated with reduced productivity but were not significant in all strata for age, gender and disease subgroup. Conclusion. Work productivity was reduced in patients with SpA and more so in women. Worse quality of life, disease activity, physical function, self-efficacy and depression were all associated with reduced productivity at work in patients with SpA.
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- Hekmat, Korosh, et al.
(author)
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Decrease in the incidence of total hip arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis - results from a well defined population in south Sweden
- 2011
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In: Arthritis research & therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 13:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: One aim of modern pharmacologic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to prevent joint destruction and reduce the need for surgery. Our purpose was to investigate secular trends in the incidence of primary total hip and knee arthroplasties in a well defined sample of patients with RA. METHODS: Prevalent cases with RA in 1997 and incident cases from 1997 to 2007 in a community based register in Malmö, south Sweden, were included. Based on a structured review of the medical records, patients were classified according to the 1987 ACR criteria for RA. This cohort was linked to the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register (through December 2006) and the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register (through October 2007). Patients with a registered total hip or knee arthroplasty before 1997 or before RA diagnosis were excluded. Incidence rates for the period of introduction of TNF inhibitors (1998 to 2001) were compared to the period when biologics were part of the established treatment for severe RA (2002 to 2006/2007). RESULTS: In the cohort (n = 2,164; 71% women) a primary hip arthroplasty was registered for 115 patients and a primary knee arthroplasty for 82 patients. The incidence of primary total hip arthroplasties decreased from the period 1998 to 2001 (12.6/1,000 person-years (pyr)) to 2002 to 2006 (6.6/1,000 pyr) (rate ratio (RR) 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 0.76). There was a trend towards an increase of primary knee arthroplasties (incidence 4.8/1,000 pyr vs. 6.8/1,000 pyr; RR 1.43; 95% CI 0.89 to 2.31). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation shows a significant decrease in the incidence of total hip arthroplasties in patients with RA after 2001. Possible explanations include a positive effect on joint damage from more aggressive pharmacological treatment.
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- Krag Jakobsen, Ane, et al.
(author)
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Is Nephrolithiasis an Unrecognized Extra-Articular Manifestation in Ankylosing Spondylitis? A Prospective Population-Based Swedish National Cohort Study with Matched General Population Comparator Subjects
- 2014
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with several extra-articular manifestations. Nephrolithiasis (NL) has not been recognized as one of those, however, several factors known to increase the risk of NL are at play in AS patients. The objective was to estimate rates and predictors of NL in Swedish patients with AS compared to the general population. Methods and Findings: We performed a prospective population-based nationwide cohort study based on linkage of data from Swedish registries. 8,572 AS patients were followed for 49,258 person-years (py) and 39,639 matched general population comparators were followed for 223,985 py. Patients were followed prospectively together with comparator subjects from January 2001 through December 2009. The first occurrence of NL during follow-up was the primary outcome. Hazard Ratios (HR) were used to compare these rates adjusting for comorbidities and treatment, and to assess predictors for NL. Mean age at study entry was 46 years (inter quartile range 36-56 years), 65% were males. Based on 250 vs. 466 NL events, the adjusted HR of NL in AS patients was 2.1 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.4). Predictors of NL within the AS group included prior diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.3), prior diagnosis of NL (HR 16.4; 95% CI 11.5 to 23.4), and patients receiving anti-TNF treatment (HR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.1). Male sex was a risk factor for NL both in AS patients and in the general population. Limitations: The risk for residual confounding and inability to study the chemical nature of NL were considered the main limitations of the study. Conclusions: Patients with AS are at increased risk of NL, which may be considered a novel extra-articular manifestation. Previous history of NL, IBD, AS disease severity and male sex were identified as predictors of NL in AS.
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7. |
- Kristensen, Lars Erik, et al.
(author)
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Long-term work disability in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor: a population-based regional Swedish cohort study
- 2013
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 72:10, s. 1675-1679
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To study long-term work disability before and after tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-antagonist therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Using the population-based South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group Register, we identified 191 patients with PsA (median age 43years, range 18-58years, 54% men), who between January 2003 and December 2007 started treatment with adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab. We linked data to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and calculated the proportion of work disability in 30-day intervals from 12months before the start of treatment until 3years after. For each patient with PsA we randomly selected four matched reference subjects from the general population. At treatment initiation 67% of the patients with PsA were work disabledthat is, either on sick leave (41.5%) or receiving a disability pension (25.3%). Patients sustaining treatment were, on average, work disabled 12.5days a month at treatment initiation declining to 10.6days a month after 3years of treatment. Patients for whom the first treatment course failed were work disabled 16.5days at treatment start decreasing to 15.6days after 3years. The background population were 2.5days and 3.0days off work each month, respectively. Regression modelling identified prior work disability status, anti-TNF treatment failure, higher age, female gender and longer disease duration as significant predictors of working disability. There was a decline in net work disability after initiation of anti-TNF treatment in patients with PsA. Patients withdrawing from treatment had a 50% increased risk of being work disabled. Prior work disability, higher age, female gender and longer disease duration were also associated with long-term work disability.
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8. |
- Ljung, Lotta, et al.
(author)
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The risk of acute coronary syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis in relation to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and the risk in the general population: a national cohort study
- 2014
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In: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 16:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The elevated risk of ischaemic heart disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been linked to inflammation and disease severity. Treatment with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) is often effective in reducing disease activity and could possibly modify cardiovascular risk. Our objective in the study was to evaluate the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with RA treated with TNFis compared with the risk among biologic-naive RA patients and the general population. Methods: By linkage of the Swedish National Patient Register and the Swedish Biologics Register, we identified a cohort of patients who were started on their first biologic, a TNFi, between 2001 and 2010 (N = 7,704), and a cohort comprising matched biologic-naive RA patient referents at a 3:1 ratio. Furthermore, a matched comparator cohort (5:1 ratio) was extracted from the Swedish population register. The incidence rates of a first ACS event were calculated and compared between cohorts using Cox proportional hazards regression in three different risk windows: 'ever-exposed', 'actively on TNFi' and 'short-term exposure' (active treatment maximized to 2 years). The models were adjusted for disease duration, joint surgery, comorbidity and socioeconomic factors, and, in a sensitivity analysis including a subpopulation started on therapy beginning 1 January 2006 or later, for dispensed drugs. Results: Based on 221 events in 7,704 patients (comprising 32,621 person-years) treated with TNFi biologics, the hazard ratio ((HR); ever-exposed) for ACS among the TNFi-exposed RA patients compared with biologic-naive RA patients was 0.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7 to 0.95). In comparison with the general population referents, statistical analysis using fully adjusted models resulted in a HR of 2.0 (95% CI = 1.8 to 2.3) for biologic-naive RA patients and a HR of 1.6 (95% CI = 1.4 to 1.9) for the TNFi-exposed group. Similar risk estimates were obtained using the other two risk windows. A sensitivity analysis in which we compared the TNFi-exposed patients included from 1 January 2006 onward with biologic-naive patients resulted in a HR (ever-exposed) of 0.7 (95% CI = 0.5 to 1.0). Conclusions: RA patients treated with TNFi had a lower risk of ACS compared with biologic-naive RA patients. Compared with the general population, the risk among patients with RA was elevated, although the difference was less pronounced among the TNFi-exposed patients. This finding could be attributable to the TNFi as such, or it could correspond to a lower degree of inflammation in the TNFi-treated group.
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9. |
- Olofsson, Tor O, et al.
(author)
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Predictors of work disability during the first 3 years after diagnosis in a national rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort
- 2014
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ Publishing Group. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 73:5, s. 845-853
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To identify predictors of sick leave and disability pension in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Individuals aged 19-59 years diagnosed with early RA (=12 months symptom duration) were identified in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (1999-2007; n=3029). We retrieved days of sick leave and disability pension from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and baseline predictors of total work days lost during 3 years after RA diagnosis were investigated using linear regression. Due to effect modification by baseline work ability (defined as work days lost the month before diagnosis), analyses were stratified into three categories: full=0 work days lost the month before diagnosis; partial=1-29 work days lost; and none=30 work days lost. Results: 71% of patients with full baseline work ability still had full work ability after 3 years compared with 36% (p<0.001) and 18% (p<0.001) of those with partial and no work ability at baseline, respectively. Elevated baseline levels of HAQ and DAS28, higher age, lower education level and unemployment were associated with more work days lost during 3 years in all strata of baseline work ability (all p<0.05). In a separate analysis, more objective variables (ESR, CRP and swollen joints) were not. Generally, the largest regression coefficients were seen for patients with partial baseline work ability. Conclusions: Work ability at RA diagnosis was the most important predictor of 3-year sick leave and disability pension. Taking this into account, HAQ, DAS28, age and education level were also significant predictors, whereas ESR and CRP were not.
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10. |
- Pikwer, Mitra, et al.
(author)
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Association between testosterone levels and risk of future rheumatoid arthritis in men: a population-based case-control study
- 2014
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 73:3, s. 573-579
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is less common among men than women, and sex hormones have been suggested to play a part in the pathogenesis. Lower levels of testosterone have been demonstrated in men with RA, but it is not known if these changes precede the disease. Methods In a nested case-control study, using information and blood samples from a population-based health survey, we identified incident cases of RA by linking the cohort to local and national RA registers. Two controls for each validated case, matched for age, sex and year of screening, were selected from the health survey. Using stored blood samples, collected between 08:00 and 10:00am after an overnight fast, we analysed levels of testosterone and other reproductive hormones. Results Serum was available from 104 cases (median time from screening to RA diagnosis 12.7years (range 1-28); 73% rheumatoid factor (RF) positive at diagnosis or later) and 174 matched controls. In conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for smoking and body mass index, lower levels of testosterone were associated with subsequent development of RF-negative RA (OR 0.31 per SD, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.85), with a weaker association with RF-positive RA (OR 0.87 per SD; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.43). Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly increased in pre-RF-negative RA (p=0.02), but decreased in pre-RF-positive RA (p=0.02). Conclusions Lower levels of testosterone were predictive of RF-negative RA, suggesting that hormonal changes precede the onset of RA and affect the disease phenotype.
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