Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Laura Cano-Garcia, Rocio Redondo-Rodriguez, Sara Manrique-Arija, Carmen Dominguez-Quesada, Juan Crisostomo Vacas, Pedro Armenteros-Ortiz, Desiree Ruiz-Vilchez, Jose Maria Martin-Martin, Aimara Garcia-Studer, Fernando Ortiz-Marquez, Natalia Mena-Vazquez, Antonio Fernandez-Nebro
Summary: This study aims to investigate the frequency and risk factors of malnutrition in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings show that approximately one-third of older RA patients have impaired nutritional status, which is associated with factors such as age, inflammatory disease activity, and quality of life. The MNA and GNRI are valuable tools for assessing the nutritional status of patients with RA.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Wojciech Tanski, Justyna Wojciga, Beata Jankowska-Polanska
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive joint disease that can affect multiple organs in addition to causing joint damage. Elderly patients with RA often experience pain, fatigue, mood disorders, and other complications, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Malnutrition can worsen frailty, cognitive function, and daily functioning in these patients. Frailty is a major factor contributing to poorer quality of life in elderly RA patients.
Article
Rheumatology
Chang-Hee Suh, Kanghyeon Lee, Ji-Won Kim, Sunjoo Boo
Summary: RA patients in Korea have lower QOL compared to Western countries, with fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, and social support significantly impacting their QOL. Self-efficacy was identified as the most significant predictor of QOL. Incorporating strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy can help address these factors for holistic RA management.
CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kazuhiro Hayashi, Kenji Miki, Kenrin Shi, Masao Yukioka, Takehiro Hirayama, Kohei Tsujimoto, Takao Takeuchi, Yasuhisa Hayaishi, Masahiro Hayaishi
Summary: This longitudinal cohort study revealed that there is a discordance in global assessments between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and physicians. The study found that patients with a higher patient global assessment (PGA) than physician global assessment (PGA) at baseline had worse pain-related outcomes, including pain intensity, quality of life, and mental health, at the 9-year follow-up.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mahmoud Gharib, Walaa Elbaz, Ebtissam Darweesh, Nagwa Ali Sabri, May Ahmed Shawki
Summary: The study demonstrated that metformin significantly reduced inflammation and disease severity, improved quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, with a high safety profile.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Wojciech Tanski, Adrianna Szalonka, Beata Tomasiewicz
Summary: This study assessed the level of quality of life (QoL) and the relationship between anxiety and depression levels and QoL in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed that depression and anxiety negatively correlated with various domains of QoL, and depression was found to be an independent determinant of decreased QoL.
PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH AND BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Wendoline Rojo-Contreras, Valeria Diaz-Rizo, Xochitl Trujillo, Miguel Huerta, Alberto D. Rocha-Munoz, Benjamin Trujillo-Hernandez, Alicia Rivera-Cameras, Ingrid P. Davalos-Rodriguez, Mario Salazar-Paramo
Summary: This study estimated the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in Mexican women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed a higher proportion of RA patients experiencing sexual dysfunction compared to healthy controls. The domains most affected were desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Age and higher disability scores were correlated with decreased sexual function. Menopause was associated with sexual dysfunction, while the use of methotrexate was a protective factor.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Merel A. A. Opdam, Sophie Benoy, Lise M. Verhoef, Sandra Van Bijnen, Femke Lamers-Karnebeek, Rene A. M. Traksel, Petra Vos, Alfons A. den Broeder, Jasper Broen
Summary: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases do not have an increased risk for COVID-19 compared to the general population. Older age and obesity are major risk factors for hospitalization for COVID-19 in patients with IRD, while the use of methotrexate may have a protective effect in reducing the risk of hospitalization.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Biyu Shen, Haoyang Chen, Dongliang Yang, Ogbolu Yolanda, Changrong Yuan, Aihua Du, Rong Xu, Yaqin Geng, Xin Chen, Huiling Li, Guang-Yin Xu
Summary: This study investigated the influence of various factors on the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including body image, disease activity score, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep quality, and pain. By using a structural equation model, it was found that pain had the most significant impact on quality of life. Comprehensive assessment of patients' symptoms, social support, and other factors is crucial for improving patients' quality of life.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lijuan Zhang, Weiyi Zhu, Beiwen Wu
Summary: This study aimed to assess the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in Chinese RA patients and identified the central and bridge symptoms. The results showed that feeling down and not feeling cheerful were the strongest central symptoms, while trouble relaxing and feeling down were bridge symptoms in the anxiety-depression network of RA patients. Nurses should prioritize these symptoms when intervening in depression and anxiety symptoms.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
W. Tanski, N. Swiatoniowska-Lonc, A. Tomasiewicz, K. Dudek, B. Jankowska-Polanska
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep disorders and daily activity and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results showed that RA patients have poor sleep quality, and sleep disorders are negatively correlated with quality of life scores in the physical and mental domains.
EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Alexandros Panagiotopoulos, Konstantinos Thomas, Evangelia Argyriou, Aglaia Chalkia, Noemin Kapsala, Christos Koutsianas, Evgenia Mavrea, Dimitrios Petras, Dimitrios T. Boumpas, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAVs) and compare it to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls (HC). The results showed that both AAV and RA patients had lower HRQoL compared to HC. HRQoL in AAV patients correlated with organ damage, while in RA patients, it correlated with disease activity and functional impairment/damage. Therefore, preventing organ damage and improving HRQoL are important goals for AAV therapies.
Article
Rheumatology
Gurmeet Singh, Abdul Hamid
Summary: FM patients face more invalidation compared to RA patients, with spouse and medical professionals contributing significantly to discounting and lack of understanding. In RA patients, discounting by spouse has negative correlation with psychological, social and environmental domains of QoL, while lack of understanding by spouse has moderate negative correlation with all domains of QoL.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Surain B. Roberts, Gideon M. Hirschfield, Lawrence J. Worobetz, Catherine Vincent, Jennifer A. Flemming, Angela Cheung, Karim Qumosani, Mark Swain, Dusanka Grbic, Hin Hin Ko, Kevork Peltekian, Nazia Selzner, Lusine Abrahamyan, Bishoi Aziz, Ellina Lytvyak, Kattleya Tirona, Aliya F. Gulamhusein, Harry L. A. Janssen, Aldo J. Montano-Loza, Andrew L. Mason, Bettina E. Hansen
Summary: In a diverse Canadian cohort of PBC patients, Indigenous Canadians have poorer liver transplant-free and event-free survival compared to White patients. They are more likely to have a clinical event before diagnosis and present with higher liver function test indicators, which persist during follow-up.
Article
Rheumatology
Vibeke Strand, Namita Tundia, Martin Bergman, Andrew Ostor, Patrick Durez, In-Ho Song, Jeffrey Enejosa, Casey Schlacher, Yan Song, Roy Fleischmann
Summary: In MTX-IR patients with RA, treatment with upadacitinib resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in PROs equivalent to or greater than with adalimumab.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kuo Ren Tan, Jun Jie Benjamin Seng, Yu Heng Kwan, Ying Jie Chen, Sueziani Binte Zainudin, Dionne Hui Fang Loh, Nan Liu, Lian Leng Low
Summary: This study evaluated the quality and performance of machine learning models in predicting microvascular and macrovascular diabetes complications in a Type 2 diabetes population. The results showed that neural networks were the most frequently used models, and age, duration of diabetes, and body mass index were common predictors. Most models demonstrated good discrimination performance, with random forest showing the best overall performance. However, further validation studies are needed before the clinical implementation of these models.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Victoria Navarro-Compan, Anne Boel, Annelies Boonen, Philip J. Mease, Maxime Dougados, Uta Kiltz, Robert B. M. Landewe, Xenofon Baraliakos, Wilson Bautista-Molano, Praveena Chiowchanwisawakit, Hanne Dagfinrud, Lara Fallon, Marco Garrido-Cumbrera, Lianne Gensler, Bassel Kamal ElZorkany, Nigil Haroon, Yu Heng Kwan, Pedro M. Machado, Walter Maksymowych, Anna Molto, Natasha de Peyrecave, Denis Poddubnyy, Mikhail Protopopov, Sofia Ramiro, In-Ho Song, Salima van Weely, Desiree van der Heijde
Summary: This study aims to define the instruments for the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology core domain set for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The study selected core outcome instruments through a systematic literature review and assessment of the instruments' psychometric properties. Additionally, the study endorsed additional instruments to enhance the evaluation of axSpA trials.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Chin Chuen Tan, Andrew Arjun Sayampanathan, Yu Heng Kwan, William Yeo, Nicholas Eng Meng Yeo
Summary: This study aimed to validate the European Foot and Ankle Society score in patients with hallux valgus in Singapore. The results demonstrated that the European Foot and Ankle Society score showed good internal consistency and structural validity in this patient population, indicating its usefulness for monitoring treatment outcomes of patients with hallux valgus.
JOURNAL OF FOOT & ANKLE SURGERY
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xuan Rong Tang, Faraz Zarisfi, Pin Pin Pek, Fahad Javaid Siddiqui, Rahul Malhotra, Yu Heng Kwan, Tiah Ling, Andrew Fu Wah Ho, Marcus Eng Hock Ong
Summary: This paper presents a protocol for a systematic review of the determinants of emergency department (ED) utilization among community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above. It applies Andersen and Newman's model of healthcare utilization and aims to provide other conceptual frameworks for healthcare utilization. The study proposes a holistic approach for understanding the factors that influence ED utilization by older persons.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Yu Heng Kwan, Jie Kie Phang, Ting Hui Woon, Jean W. Liew, Maureen Dubreuil, Fabian Proft, Sofia Ramiro, Anna Molto, Victoria Navarro-Compan, Manouk de Hooge, Bhowmik Meghnathi, Nelly Ziade, Sizheng Steven Zhao, Maria Llop, Xenofon Baraliakos, Warren Fong
Summary: The use of social media in health care has various benefits, such as education, information dissemination, telemedicine, research, networking, and communications. This study investigated the motivations, barriers, and patterns of social media use among international experts in spondyloarthritis. The findings showed that most participants use social media for work-related purposes, primarily for professional development, establishing a web-based presence, and international collaboration. Challenges to social media adoption need to be addressed to maximize its benefits.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yu Heng Kwan, Zhi Quan Ong, Dawn Yee Xi Choo, Jie Kie Phang, Sungwon Yoon, Lian Leng Low
Summary: This study used a co-design approach to develop a mobile health application for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Through iterative prototyping panel sessions, feedback was collected from diabetes patients, resulting in important features and suggestions for the app. This study contributes to the literature on designing mobile apps for chronic conditions and can guide researchers in this field.
PATIENT PREFERENCE AND ADHERENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sungwon Yoon, Yu Heng Kwan, Jie Kie Phang, Wee Boon Tan, Lian Leng Low
Summary: Through studying multi-ethnic Asian patients with type 2 diabetes, the potential of mobile health applications to improve self-care has been identified. Key factors include setting personal goals, addressing barriers to self-management, and providing specific app features to help patients improve their self-care behaviors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jie Kie Phang, Yu Heng Kwan, Sungwon Yoon, Hendra Goh, Wan Qi Yee, Chuen Seng Tan, Lian Leng Low
Summary: This realist review analyzed existing digital intergenerational programs that aimed to reduce loneliness or social isolation among older adults. The findings showed that providing digital technology training can increase older adults' self-efficacy and use of digital communication to reduce social isolation. Additionally, digital psychosocial support, educational interventions, and video calls were found to be effective in reducing loneliness in different contexts. The review emphasizes the importance of considering different strategies and contexts when designing and implementing digital intergenerational programs for older adults.
Review
Orthopedics
Jie Kie Phang, Zhui Ying Lim, Wan Qi Yee, Cheryl Yan Fang Tan, Yu Heng Kwan, Lian Leng Low
Summary: Based on the analysis of 109 high-quality RCTs, this study summarizes the importance of post-surgery interventions for patients with hip fractures and provides feasible intervention measures, including rehabilitation treatment, medication and nutrition supplementation, osteoporosis management, etc. The study shows that these interventions, when combined in inpatient and outpatient settings, can help patients achieve better physical function recovery and improved nutritional status.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Deborah Xin Yi Chung, Ying Ern Loo, Yu Heng Kwan, Jie Kie Phang, Ting Hui Woon, Wei Rui Goh, Stanley Angkodjojo, Warren Fong
Summary: This study examined the association between anxiety, depression, and resilience with overall health and functioning in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients. The results showed that anxiety and depression were associated with poorer health and functioning, while resilience was not.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sungwon Yoon, Yu Heng Kwan, Wei Liang Yap, Zhui Ying Lim, Jie Kie Phang, Yu Xian Loo, Junjie Aw, Lian Leng Low
Summary: This study aimed to explore cultural perspectives on factors influencing medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases in a multi-ethnic Asian healthcare setting. Factors such as side effects, poor understanding of medication, limited knowledge of condition, forgetfulness, and language issues within a multi-ethnic healthcare context were identified as the main contributors to medication adherence. Cultural beliefs, including views on modern medicines and fatalistic orientations, also influenced medication adherence. Suggestions to improve adherence included improving patient-physician communication, enhancing care coordination, using language familiar to patients, patient education, and empowerment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jun Jie Benjamin Seng, Meng Ferng Ryan Gwee, Mei Hui Amanda Yong, Yu Heng Kwan, Julian Thumboo, Lian Leng Low
Summary: This review summarizes the role of caregivers in the remote monitoring of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The results suggest that caregivers may contribute to improving clinical outcomes among T2DM patients, but more research is needed to understand the impact of mobile health technologies on Asian populations and long-term patient outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Diana Beatriz Bayani, Hwee Lin Wee
Summary: This review examines the motivations, barriers, and facilitators to implementing outcomes-based risk-sharing agreements (OBRSA) for hematological cancer therapies. The findings suggest that there is a disconnect between the theoretical basis and practical reasons for choosing OBRSAs. Administrative burden is identified as a notable barrier, while effective stakeholder engagement and mutual trust among key groups are identified as facilitators. The review highlights important considerations and implications for the future role of OBRSAs, particularly in the context of blood cancer drugs.
EXPERT REVIEW OF PHARMACOECONOMICS & OUTCOMES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Y. H. Kwan, L. Tan, C. S. Tan, C. Lopez-Medina, M. Dougados, F. Proft, V. Rios Rodriguez, J. K. Phang, E. H. Chew, T. ostbye, J. Thumboo, W. Fong
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of positive family history (PFH) of radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), psoriasis, uveitis, reactive arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease in differentiating between axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA). The results showed that PFH of r-axSpA in first-degree relatives (FDR) and second-degree relatives (SDR) were positively associated with axSpA, while PFH of psoriasis in FDR and SDR were negatively associated with differentiating patients with axSpA from pSpA.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Feng Xie, Nan Liu, Linxuan Yan, Yilin Ning, Ka Keat Lim, Changlin Gong, Yu Heng Kwan, Andrew Fu Wah Ho, Lian Leng Low, Bibhas Chakraborty, Marcus Eng Hock Ong
Summary: In this study, a machine learning risk scoring system called SERAP was developed and validated to accurately predict the risks of emergency readmission and provide information for further risk stratification and clinical decision-making. SERAP outperformed other existing scores in predicting 30-day readmission. The findings of this study are important for improving readmission prediction and enhancing patient care.
