Diagnosis of early arthritis: outcomes of a nurse-led clinic

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in Spain

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prevalence is believed to be around 1% worldwide, although it varies considerably among different populations. The aim of EPISER2016 study was to estimate the prevalence of RA in the general adult population in Spain. We designed a population-based cross-sectional study. A national survey was conducted between November 2016 and October 2017 involving a probabilistic sample from the general population aged 20 years or older. Subjects were randomly selected for phone screening using a computer-assisted telephone interviewer system. Positive RA screening results were evaluated by a rheumatologist. Cases fulfilled the 1987 ACR and/or the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria; previous diagnosis established by a rheumatologist and clearly identified in medical records were also accepted regardless of the criteria used. Prevalence estimates with 95% CI were calculated taking into account the design of the sample (weighting based on age, sex, and geographic origin using as a reference the distribution of the population in Spain). 4916 subjects participated in the study and 39 RA cases were confirmed. RA estimated prevalence was 0.82% (95% CI 0.59–1.15). Mean age of RA cases was 60.48 (14.85) years, they were more frequently women (61.5%), from urban areas (74.4%), non-smokers (43.6%), and with a high body mass index (53.8% with overweight). Extrapolating to the population in Spain (approximately 37 million are ≥ 20 years old), it was estimated that there were between 220,000 and 430,000 people aged 20 years or older with RA. No undiagnosed cases were detected, which could be related to the establishment of early arthritis clinics around the country, increasing the rates of diagnosis during early phases of RA.

Early psoriatic arthritis: facing the challenge

Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy has become a primary objective in clinical rheumatology. As psoriatic arthritis causes deformities and joint damage leading to impaired quality of life and function as well as increased mortality risk, there was an urgent call for action aiming at inducing remission of the active inflammatory process. Until the year 2000 there were no treatments that led to a reduction in progression of joint damage. However, with the advent of anti-tumour necrosis factor agents, it is now possible to arrest the progression of damage in these patients. Therefore, the concept of window of opportunity, that is early assessment and management in specialist clinics, has been extended to psoriatic arthritis with successful outcomes among psoriatic arthritis patients similar to those with rheumatoid arthritis. Although all this sounds plausible, early psoriatic arthritis assessment remains limited to research as setting up this type of service in standard clinical practice faces several challenges that would need tackling. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of these challenges and suggest a paradigm for use in standard clinical practice to identify early psoriatic arthritis patients.

[Advances and challenges of nursing in the scientific production on Psoriasis]

The Psoriasis, chronic disease with uncertain cause, affects 1 to 3% of world population, produces great psychological impact and changes in quality of life, a challenging reality. The objective is to analyze the scientific production of nursing on Psoriasis in 1997/2008, examining the approaches and contributions to care. Bibliographic study based on virtual database Medline using the terms "Psoriasis" and "Nursing". Of the 21 articles selected, 19% focus on the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis, 48% treatment, 28% psychological aspects and 42% in nursing care. The rescue of the scientific knowledge increases the challenge of maximizing the scientific production about this subject, bringing significant contributions to advances to a more holistic intervention and higher quality with this clientele.

[Advances and challenges of nursing in the scientific production on psoriasis]

The psoriasis, chronic disease with uncertain cause, affects 1 to 3% of world population, produces great psychological impact and changes in quality of life, a challenging reality. The objective is to analyze the scientific production of nursing on psoriasis, examining the approaches and contributions to care. It's a bibliographic study carried on virtual database Medline using the terms psoriasis and nursing. Of the 21 articles selected, in 1997/2008, 19% focus on the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis, 48% treatment, 28% psychological aspects and 42% in nursing care. The rescue of the scientific knowledge increases the challenge of maximizing the scientific production about this subject, bringing significant contributions to advances to a more holistic intervention and higher quality with this clientele.