Embedding stakeholder preferences in setting priorities for health research: Using a discrete choice experiment to develop a multi-criteria tool for evaluating research proposals

We determined weights for a multi-criteria tool for assessing the relative merits of clinical-trial research proposals, and investigated whether the weights vary across relevant stakeholder groups. A cross-sectional, adaptive discrete choice experiment using 1000minds online software was administered to consumers, researchers and funders affiliated with the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA). We identified weights for four criteria-Appropriateness, Significance, Relevance, Feasibility-and their levels, representing their relative importance, so that research proposals can be scored between 0% (nil or very low merit) and 100% (very high merit). From 220 complete survey responses, the most important criterion was Appropriateness (adjusted for differences between stakeholder groups, mean weight 28.9%) and the least important was Feasibility (adjusted mean weight 19.5%). Consumers tended to weight Relevance more highly (2.7% points difference) and Feasibility less highly (3.1% points difference) than researchers. The research or grant writing experience of researchers or consumers was not associated with the weights. A multi-criteria tool for evaluating research proposals that reflects stakeholders' preferences was created. The tool can be used to assess the relative merits of clinical trial research proposals and rank them, to help identify the best proposals for funding.

Beliefs about medicines in gout patients: results from the NOR-Gout 2-year study

OBJECTIVE

Adherence to urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in gout is challenging. This longitudinal study aimed to determine 2 year changes in beliefs about medicines during intervention with ULT.

METHOD

Patients with a recent gout flare and increased serum urate received a nurse-led ULT intervention with tight control visits and a treatment target. Frequent visits at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months included the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and demographic and clinical variables. The BMQ subscales on necessity, concerns, overuse, harm, and the necessity-concerns differential were calculated as a measure of whether the patient perceived that necessity outweighed concerns.

RESULTS

The mean serum urate reduced from 500 mmol/L at baseline to 324 mmol/L at year 2. At years 1 and 2, 85.5% and 78.6% of patients, respectively, were at treatment target. The 2 year mean ± sd BMQ scores increased for the necessity subscale from 17.0 ± 4.4 to 18.9 ± 3.6 (p < 0.001) and decreased for the concerns subscale from 13.4 ± 4.9 to 12.5 ± 2.7 (p = 0.001). The necessity-concerns differential increased from 3.52 to 6.58 (p < 0.001), with a positive change independent of patients achieving treatment targets at 1 or 2 years. BMQ scores were not significantly related to treatment outcomes 1 or 2 years later, and achieving treatment targets did not lead to higher BMQ scores.

CONCLUSION

Patient beliefs about medicines improved gradually over 2 years, with increased beliefs in the necessity of medication and reduced concerns, but this improvement was unrelated to better outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12618001372279.

The 2023 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease

OBJECTIVE

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is prevalent and has diverse presentations, but there are no validated classification criteria for this symptomatic arthritis. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and EULAR have developed the first-ever validated classification criteria for symptomatic CPPD disease.

METHODS

Supported by the ACR and EULAR, a multinational group of investigators followed established methodology to develop these disease classification criteria. The group generated lists of candidate items and refined their definitions, collected de-identified patient profiles, evaluated strengths of associations between candidate items and CPPD disease, developed a classification criteria framework, and used multi-criterion decision analysis to define criteria weights and a classification threshold score. The criteria were validated in an independent cohort.

RESULTS

Among patients with joint pain, swelling, or tenderness (entry criterion) whose symptoms are not fully explained by an alternative disease (exclusion criterion), the presence of crowned dens syndrome or calcium pyrophosphate crystals in synovial fluid are sufficient to classify a patient as having CPPD disease. In the absence of these findings, a score >56 points using weighted criteria, comprising clinical features, associated metabolic disorders, and results of laboratory and imaging investigations, can be used to classify as CPPD disease. These criteria had a sensitivity of 92.2% and specificity of 87.9% in the derivation cohort (190 CPPD cases, 148 mimickers), whereas sensitivity was 99.2% and specificity was 92.5% in the validation cohort (251 CPPD cases, 162 mimickers).

CONCLUSION

The 2023 ACR/EULAR CPPD disease classification criteria have excellent performance characteristics and will facilitate research in this field.

The 2023 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease

OBJECTIVE

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is prevalent and has diverse presentations, but there are no validated classification criteria for this symptomatic arthritis. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and EULAR have developed the first-ever validated classification criteria for symptomatic CPPD disease.

METHODS

Supported by the ACR and EULAR, a multinational group of investigators followed established methodology to develop these disease classification criteria. The group generated lists of candidate items and refined their definitions, collected de-identified patient profiles, evaluated strengths of associations between candidate items and CPPD disease, developed a classification criteria framework, and used multi-criterion decision analysis to define criteria weights and a classification threshold score. The criteria were validated in an independent cohort.

RESULTS

Among patients with joint pain, swelling, or tenderness (entry criterion) whose symptoms are not fully explained by an alternative disease (exclusion criterion), the presence of crowned dens syndrome or calcium pyrophosphate crystals in synovial fluid are sufficient to classify a patient as having CPPD disease. In the absence of these findings, a score>56 points using weighted criteria, comprising clinical features, associated metabolic disorders, and results of laboratory and imaging investigations, can be used to classify as CPPD disease. These criteria had a sensitivity of 92.2% and specificity of 87.9% in the derivation cohort (190 CPPD cases, 148 mimickers), whereas sensitivity was 99.2% and specificity was 92.5% in the validation cohort (251 CPPD cases, 162 mimickers).

CONCLUSION

The 2023 ACR/EULAR CPPD disease classification criteria have excellent performance characteristics and will facilitate research in this field.

Gout Remission as a Goal of Urate-Lowering Therapy: A Critical Review

Urate-lowering therapies for the management of gout lead to a reduction in serum urate levels, monosodium urate crystal deposition, and the clinical features of gout, including painful and disabling gout flares, chronic gouty arthritis, and tophi. Thus, disease remission is a potential goal of urate-lowering therapy. In 2016, preliminary gout remission criteria were developed by a large group of rheumatologists and researchers with expertise in gout. The preliminary gout remission criteria were defined as: serum urate < 0.36 mmol/L (6 mg/dL); an absence of gout flares; an absence of tophi; pain due to gout < 2 on a 0-10 scale; and a patient global assessment < 2 on a 0-10 scale over a 12-month period. In this critical review, we describe the development of the preliminary gout remission criteria, the properties of the preliminary gout remission criteria, and clinical studies of gout remission in people taking urate-lowering therapy. We also describe a future research agenda for gout remission.

Urate-lowering therapy following a treat-to-target continuation strategy compared to a treat-to-avoid-symptoms discontinuation strategy in gout patients in remission (GO TEST Finale): study protocol of a multicentre pragmatic randomized superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Long-term gout treatment is based on reducing serum urate levels using urate-lowering therapy (ULT). Most guidelines recommend using a lifelong continuation treat-to-target (T2T) strategy, in which ULT is dosed or combined until a serum urate target has been reached and maintained. However, a frequently used alternative strategy in clinical practice is a treat-to-avoid-symptoms (T2S) ULT discontinuation strategy, with the possibility of restarting the medication. This latter strategy aims at an acceptable symptom state, regardless of serum urate levels. High-quality evidence to support either strategy for patients in prolonged remission while using ULT is lacking.

METHODS

We developed an investigator-driven pragmatic, open-label, multicentre, randomized, superiority treatment strategy trial (GO TEST Finale). At least 278 gout patients using ULT who are in remission (>12 months, preliminary gout remission criteria) will be randomized 1:1 to a continued T2T strategy (treatment target serum urate < 0.36 mmol/l) or switched to a T2S discontinuation strategy in which ULT is tapered to stop and restarted in case of (persistent or recurrent) flaring. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in the proportion of patients not in remission during the last 6 months of 24 months follow-up and will be analyzed using a two proportion z test. Secondary outcomes are group differences in gout flare incidence, reintroduction or adaptation of ULT, use of anti-inflammatory drugs, serum urate changes, occurrence of adverse events (with a special interest in cardiovascular and renal events), and cost-effectiveness.

DISCUSSION

This study will be the first clinical trial comparing two ULT treatment strategies in patients with gout in remission. It will contribute to more specific and unambiguous guideline recommendations and improved cost-effectiveness of long-term gout treatment. It also paves the way (exploratory) to individualized long-term ULT treatment. In this article, we elaborate on some of our trial design choices and their clinical and methodological consequences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) NL9245. Registered on 2 February 2021 (METC Oost-Nederland NL74350.091.20); EudraCT EUCTR2020-005730-15-NL. Registered on 11 January 2021.

Outcome reporting in randomized trials in gout: A systematic scoping review from the OMERACT gout working group assessing the uptake of the core outcome set

OBJECTIVE

The selection and reporting of core outcome measures in clinical trials is essential for patients, researchers, and healthcare providers for clinical research to have an impact on healthcare. In this systematic scoping review, we aimed to quantify the extent to which gout clinical trials are collecting and reporting data in accordance with the core outcome domains from Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) published in 2009 applicable for both acute and chronic trials and evaluate the reporting according to the core domains before and after the 2009 OMERACT endorsement.

METHODS

We searched multiple databases PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) allocating people with gout versus an active pharmacological gout treatment or a control comparator (no date limitation). We extracted the data in accordance with the core outcome sets, focusing individually on core outcome domains and the core outcome measurements for acute and chronic trials, respectively. In this study 'Acute trials' reflect studies that describe interventions for short term management of gout flares, and 'chronic trials' describe interventions for long-term urate lowering therapy in the management of gout.

RESULTS

From 8,522 records identified in the database search, 134 full text papers were reviewed, and 71 trials were included, of which 36 were acute and 35 were chronic. Only 3 of 36 (8%) acute trials reported all five core domains and none of the 35 included chronic trials reported all 7 core domains. In the acute trials, twenty-seven unique measurement instruments across the 5 core domains were identified. For chronic trials there were 31 unique measurement instruments used across the 7 core domains. Serum urate was reported in 100% of the chronic trials and gout flares in 80%. However, other core domains were reported in <30% of chronic trials. In particular the patient-important domains such as HR-QOL, patient global assessment and activity limitations were rarely reported. A broad variety of different measurement instruments were used to assess each endorsed core domain, a minority of trials used the OMERACT endorsed instruments. For acute trials, the number reporting on all core domains was consistently low and no change was detected before and after the endorsement of the core domains in 2009. None of the included chronic trials reported on all 7 endorsed core domains at any time.

CONCLUSION

In this study we found a low adherence with the intended endorsed (i.e., core) outcome domains for acute and chronic gout studies which represents a poor uptake of the global OMERACT efforts for the minimum of what should be measured in clinical trials. In addition, there is a significant variation in how the OMERACT endorsed outcome domains have been measured. This systematic review demonstrates the need for continuous encouragement among gout researchers to adhere to OMERACT core domains as well as further guidance on outcome measurements reporting.

REGISTRATION

Prospero: CRD42019151316.

Which clinical research questions are the most important? Development and preliminary validation of the Australia & New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network Research Question Importance Tool (ANZMUSC-RQIT)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

High quality clinical research that addresses important questions requires significant resources. In resource-constrained environments, projects will therefore need to be prioritized. The Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network aimed to develop a stakeholder-based, transparent, easily implementable tool that provides a score for the 'importance' of a research question which could be used to rank research projects in order of importance.

METHODS

Using a mixed-methods, multi-stage approach that included a Delphi survey, consensus workshop, inter-rater reliability testing, validity testing and calibration using a discrete-choice methodology, the Research Question Importance Tool (ANZMUSC-RQIT) was developed. The tool incorporated broad stakeholder opinion, including consumers, at each stage and is designed for scoring by committee consensus.

RESULTS

The ANZMUSC-RQIT tool consists of 5 dimensions (compared to 6 dimensions for an earlier version of RQIT): (1) extent of stakeholder consensus, (2) social burden of health condition, (3) patient burden of health condition, (4) anticipated effectiveness of proposed intervention, and (5) extent to which health equity is addressed by the research. Each dimension is assessed by defining ordered levels of a relevant attribute and by assigning a score to each level. The scores for the dimensions are then summed to obtain an overall ANZMUSC-RQIT score, which represents the importance of the research question. The result is a score on an interval scale with an arbitrary unit, ranging from 0 (minimal importance) to 1000. The ANZMUSC-RQIT dimensions can be reliably ordered by committee consensus (ICC 0.73-0.93) and the overall score is positively associated with citation count (standardised regression coefficient 0.33, p<0.001) and journal impact factor group (OR 6.78, 95% CI 3.17 to 14.50 for 3rd tertile compared to 1st tertile of ANZMUSC-RQIT scores) for 200 published musculoskeletal clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

We propose that the ANZMUSC-RQIT is a useful tool for prioritising the importance of a research question.

Approaches to prioritising research for clinical trial networks: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Prioritisation of clinical trials ensures that the research conducted meets the needs of stakeholders, makes the best use of resources and avoids duplication. The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise approaches to research prioritisation applicable to clinical trials, to inform best practice guidelines for clinical trial networks and funders.

METHODS

A scoping review of English-language published literature and research organisation websites (January 2000 to January 2020) was undertaken to identify primary studies, approaches and criteria for research prioritisation. Data were extracted and tabulated, and a narrative synthesis was employed.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight primary studies and 18 websites were included. The majority of research prioritisation occurred in oncology and neurology disciplines. The main reasons for prioritisation were to address a knowledge gap (51 of 78 studies [65%]) and to define patient-important topics (28 studies, [35%]). In addition, research organisations prioritised in order to support their institution's mission, invest strategically, and identify best return on investment. Fifty-seven of 78 (73%) studies used interpretative prioritisation approaches (including Delphi surveys, James Lind Alliance and consensus workshops); six studies used quantitative approaches (8%) such as prospective payback or value of information (VOI) analyses; and 14 studies used blended approaches (18%) such as nominal group technique and Child Health Nutritional Research Initiative. Main criteria for prioritisation included relevance, appropriateness, significance, feasibility and cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Current research prioritisation approaches for groups conducting and funding clinical trials are largely interpretative. There is an opportunity to improve the transparency of prioritisation through the inclusion of quantitative approaches.

Identifying Potential Classification Criteria for Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease: Item Generation and Item Reduction

OBJECTIVE

Classification criteria for calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease will facilitate clinical research on this common crystalline arthritis. Our objective was to report on the first 2 phases of a 4-phase process for developing CPPD classification criteria.

METHODS

CPPD classification criteria development is overseen by a 12-member steering committee. Item generation (phase I) included a scoping literature review of 5 literature databases and contributions from a 35-member combined expert committee and 2 patient research partners. Item reduction and refinement (phase II) involved a combined expert committee meeting, discussions among clinical, imaging, and laboratory advisory groups, and an item-rating exercise to assess the influence of individual items toward classification. The steering committee reviewed the modal rating score for each item (range -3 [strongly pushes away from CPPD] to +3 [strongly pushes toward CPPD]) to determine items to retain for future phases of criteria development.

RESULTS

Item generation yielded 420 items (312 from the literature, 108 from experts/patients). The advisory groups eliminated items that they agreed were unlikely to distinguish between CPPD and other forms of arthritis, yielding 127 items for the item-rating exercise. Fifty-six items, most of which had a modal rating of +/- 2 or 3, were retained for future phases. As numerous imaging items were rated +3, the steering committee recommended focusing on imaging of the knee and wrist and 1 additional affected joint for calcification suggestive of CPP crystal deposition.

CONCLUSION

A data- and expert-driven process is underway to develop CPPD classification criteria. Candidate items comprise clinical, imaging, and laboratory features.

Is repeat serum urate testing superior to a single test to predict incident gout over time?

Elevated serum urate is the most important causal risk factor for developing gout. However, in longitudinal cohort studies, a small proportion of people with normal urate levels develop gout and the majority of those with high urate levels do not. These observations may be due to subsequent variations in serum urate over time. Our analysis examined whether single or repeat testing of serum urate more accurately predicts incident gout over time. Individual participant data from three publicly-available cohorts were included. Data from paired serum urate measures 3-5 years apart, followed by an assessment of gout incidence 5-6 years from the second urate measure were used to calculate the predictive ability of four measures of serum urate on incident gout: the first measure, the second measure, the average of the two measures, and the highest of the two measures. Participants with prevalent gout prior to the second measure were excluded. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) statistics were computed to compare the four measures. A total of 16,017 participants were included across the three cohorts, with a mean follow-up from the first serum urate test of 9.3 years (range 8.9-10.1 years). Overall, there was a small increase in the mean serum urate between the first and second measures (322 μmol/L (5.42 mg/dL) vs. 340 μmol/L (5.71 mg/dL), P<0.001) which were a mean of 3.5 years apart, but the first and second measures were highly correlated (r = 0.81, P<0.001). No differences were observed in the predictive ability of incident gout between the four measures of serum urate measurement with ROC curve AUC statistics ranging between 0.81 (95% confidence intervals: 0.78-0.84) and 0.84 (95% confidence intervals: 0.81-0.87). These data show that repeat serum urate testing is not superior to a single measure of serum urate for prediction of incident gout over approximately one decade.

Association between serum urate and flares in people with gout and evidence for surrogate status: a secondary analysis of two randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Use of serum urate as a treatment target and outcome measure has become controversial in view of the 2017 American College of Physicians guidelines, which advocated a treat-to-symptom rather than a treat-to-target serum urate approach to gout management. The relevance of serum urate as a treatment target measure implies that achievement of target serum urate is causally associated with improvement in patient-important outcomes such as reduction in the number of gout flares. The aim of this study was to assess the causal relationship between achieving target serum urate and the occurrence of gout flares.

METHODS

We analysed individual patient-level data from two randomised trials on urate-lowering therapies in people with gout conducted in Nottingham, UK, and New Zealand. We included participants randomly assigned to immediate dose escalation in the New Zealand study and all participants in the Nottingham study (a nurse-led gout care group and a general practitioner-led usual care group). Individuals who on average achieved a serum urate concentration less than 6 mg/dL (0·36 mmol/L) based on data at 6, 9, and 12 months post-baseline were defined as serum urate responders. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants having at least one gout flare, and the secondary outcome was the mean number of flares per participant per month, from 12 to 24 months after baseline, compared between serum urate responders and non-responders. In adjusted logistic regression models, serum urate at baseline, previous flare history (in the year preceding study entry), presence of tophi at baseline, and, for the Nottingham dataset, the original randomisation group, were included as covariates. The Nottingham study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01477346. The New Zealand study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000845932.

FINDINGS

From the combined individual data from both trials, we identified 343 serum urate responders and 245 serum urate non-responders. Significantly fewer serum urate responders had a gout flare than did serum urate non-responders between 12 and 24 months (91 [27%] of 343 vs 156 [64%] of 245; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·29 [95% CI 0·17 to 0·51], p<0·0001). The mean number of flares per participant per month between 12 and 24 months was significantly lower in serum urate responders than in serum urate non-responders (adjusted mean difference -1·41 [95% CI -1·77 to -1·04], p<0·0001). This association was independent of the original randomised treatment allocation.

INTERPRETATION

Achieving an average serum urate concentration less than 6 mg/dL is associated with an absence of gout flares and a reduction in the number of flares in the subsequent 12 months in people with gout. These results support a treat-to-target serum urate approach in the management of gout.

FUNDING

None.

Serum urate as a proposed surrogate outcome measure in gout trials: From the OMERACT working group

Serum urate (SU) is the most common primary efficacy outcome in trials of urate-lowering therapies for gout. Despite this, it is not formally considered a validated surrogate outcome. In this paper we will outline the definitions of biomarkers and surrogate outcome measures, respectively as well as the available frameworks and challenges in the assessment of the validity of serum urate as a surrogate in gout (i.e. a reasonable replacement for gout symptoms).

Regular pre-admission urate-lowering therapy and serum urate testing are associated with a shorter hospital length of stay in people with gout: A nation-wide population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the association between inpatient gout flare-related variables and the length of stay (LOS) in hospitalized people with comorbid gout.

METHODS

Using data from the Aotearoa/New Zealand national data collections, this cohort study included adults with comorbid gout who were admitted to publicly funded hospitals during 2017 for reasons other than gout. The primary outcome was LOS. Association between 20 variables and the LOS was explored using two generalized linear models. Directed acyclic graph (DAG) was constructed to evaluate the causal relationship between pre-admission urate lowering therapy (ULT) and LOS.

RESULTS

The cohort included 36 047 admissions. We identified five variables associated with shorter LOS (pre-admission regular urate-lowering therapy (ULT), serum urate testing, male gender, Māori ethnicity and low-dose aspirin) and seven variables associated with longer LOS (M3 multimorbidity index, acute admission, operation, loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, NSAIDs, and age). Regular ULT had the strongest impact on shorter LOS (10% shorter). The model estimated an additional four days of hospitalization if the patient had multiple variables associated with longer LOS. DAG suggested a causal relationship between regular ULT and LOS under the condition that all unobserved confounders affected only ULT use, with no impact on in-hospital gout flares and/or LOS except through its influence on ULT use or as mediator of confounders that were observed.

CONCLUSION

We have identified a set of gout flare-related variables found to be associated with LOS in hospitalized people with comorbid gout. Pre-admission ULT may help reduce the LOS in such patients.

Which Attributes Are Most and Least Important to Patients When Considering Gout Flare Burden Over Time? A Best-worst Scaling Choice Study

OBJECTIVE

Several factors contribute to the patient experience of gout flares, including pain intensity, duration, frequency, and disability. It is unknown which of these factors are most important to patients when considering flare burden over time, including those related to the cumulative experience of all flares, or the experience of a single worst flare. This study aimed to determine which flare attributes are the most and least important to the patient experience of flare burden over time.

METHODS

Participants with gout completed an anonymous online survey. Questions were aimed at identifying which attributes of gout flares, representing both individual and cumulative flare burden, were the most and least important over a hypothetical 6-month period. A best-worst scaling method was used to determine the importance hierarchy of the included attributes.

RESULTS

Fifty participants were included. Difficulty doing usual activities during the worst flare and pain of the worst flare were ranked as the most important, whereas average pain of all flares was considered the least important. Overall, attributes related to the single worst gout flare were considered more important than attributes related to the cumulative impact of all flares.

CONCLUSION

When thinking about the burden of gout flares over time, patients rank activity limitation and pain experienced during their worst gout flare as the most important contributing factors, whereas factors related to the cumulative impact of all flares over time are relatively less important.

What Represents Treatment Efficacy in Long-term Studies of Gout Flare Prevention? An Interview Study of People With Gout

OBJECTIVE

The patient experience of gout flares is multidimensional, with several contributing factors including pain intensity, duration, and frequency. There is currently no consistent method for reporting gout flare burden in long-term studies. This study aimed to determine which factors contribute to patient perceptions of treatment efficacy in long-term studies of gout flare prevention.

METHODS

This study involved face-to-face interviews with people with gout using visual representations of gout flare patterns. Participants were shown different flare scenarios over a hypothetical 6-month treatment period that portrayed varying flare frequency, pain intensity, and flare duration. The participants were asked to indicate and discuss which scenario they believed was most indicative of successful treatment over time. Quantitative data relating to the proportion of participants selecting each scenario were reported using descriptive statistics. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to code and categorize the data from the interview transcripts.

RESULTS

Twenty-two people with gout participated in the semistructured interviews. All 3 factors of pain intensity, flare duration, and flare frequency influenced participants' perception of treatment efficacy. However, a shorter flare duration was the most common indicator of successful treatment, with half of participants (n = 11, 50%) selecting the scenario with a shorter flare duration over those with less painful flares.

CONCLUSION

Flare duration, flare frequency, and pain severity are all taken into account by patients with gout when considering treatment efficacy over time. Long-term studies of gout should ideally capture all these factors to better represent patients' experience of treatment success.

Economic analysis of the 'Take Charge' intervention for people following stroke: Results from a randomised trial

OBJECTIVE

To undertake an economic analysis of the Take Charge intervention as part of the Taking Charge after Stroke (TaCAS) study.

DESIGN

An open, parallel-group, randomised trial comparing active and control interventions with blinded outcome assessment.

SETTING

Community.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (n = 400) discharged to community, non-institutional living following acute stroke.

INTERVENTIONS

The Take Charge intervention, a strengths based, self-directed rehabilitation intervention, in two doses (one or two sessions), and a control intervention (no Take Charge sessions).

MEASURES

The cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) saved for the period between randomisation (always post hospital discharge) and 12 months following acute stroke. QALYs were calculated from the EuroQol-5D-5L. Costs of stroke-related and non-health care were obtained by questionnaire, hospital records and the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

RESULTS

One-year post hospital discharge cost of care was mean (95% CI) $US4706 (3758-6014) for the Take Charge intervention group and $6118 (4350-8005) for control, mean (95% CI) difference $ -1412 (-3553 to +729). Health utility scores were mean (95% CI) 0.75 (0.73-0.77) for Take Charge and 0.71 (0.67-0.75) for control, mean (95% CI) difference 0.04 (0.0-0.08). Cost per QALY gained for the Take Charge intervention was $US -35,296 (=£ -25,524, € -30,019). Sensitivity analyses confirm Take Charge is cost-effective, even at a very low willingness-to-pay threshold. With a threshold of $US5000 per QALY, the probability that Take Charge is cost-effective is 99%.

CONCLUSION

Take Charge is cost-effective and probably cost saving.

The GOUT-36 prediction rule for inpatient gout flare in people with comorbid gout: derivation and external validation

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a gout flare risk stratification tool for people with gout hospitalised for non-gout conditions.

METHODS

The prediction rule for inpatient gout flare was derived from a cohort of 625 hospitalised people with comorbid gout from New Zealand. The rule had four items: (1) no pre-admission GOut flare prophylaxis, (2) no pre-admission Urate-lowering therapy, (3) Tophus and (4) pre-admission serum urate >0.36 mmol/l within the previous year (GOUT-36 rule). Two or more items are required for the classification of high risk for developing inpatient gout flare. The GOUT-36 rule was validated in a prospective cohort of 284 hospitalised people with comorbid gout from Thailand and China.

RESULTS

The GOUT-36 rule had a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 67% and AUC of 0.71 for classifying people at high risk for developing inpatient gout flare. Four risk groups were developed: low (no items), moderate (one item), high (two items) and very high risk (three or four items). In a population with frequent (overall 34%) in-hospital gout flare, 80% of people with very high risk people developed flare, while 11% of low-risk people had inpatient flare.

CONCLUSION

GOUT-36 rule is simple and sensitive for classifying people with high risk for inpatient gout flare. The rule may help inform clinical decision and future research on the prevention of inpatient gout flare.

Towards development of core domain sets for short term and long term studies of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition (CPPD) disease: A framework paper by the OMERACT CPPD working group

INTRODUCTION

Although calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) is common, there are no published outcome domains or validated measurement instruments for CPPD studies. In this paper, we describe the framework for development of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) CPPD Core Domain Sets.

METHODS

The OMERACT CPPD working group performed a scoping literature review and qualitative interview study. Generated outcomes were presented at the 2020 OMERACT CPPD virtual Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting with discussion focused on whether different core domain sets should be developed for different calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) clinical presentations and how the future CPPD Core Domain Set may overlap with already established osteoarthritis (OA) domains. These discussions informed development of a future work plan for development of the OMERACT CPPD Core Domain Sets.

FINDINGS

Domains identified from a scoping review of 112 studies and a qualitative interview study of 36 people (28 patients with CPPD, 7 health care professionals, one stakeholder) were mapped to core areas of OMERACT Filter 2.1. The majority of SIG participants agreed there was need to develop separate core domain sets for "short term" and "long term" studies of CPPD. Although CPPD + OA is common and core domain sets for OA have been established, participants agreed that existing OA core domain sets should not influence the development of OMERACT core domain sets for CPPD. Prioritization exercises (using Delphi methodology) will consider 40 potential domains for short term studies of CPPD and 47 potential domains for long term studies of CPPD.

CONCLUSION

Separate OMERACT CPPD Core Domain Sets will be developed for "short term" studies for an individual flare of acute CPP crystal arthritis and for "long term" studies that may include participants with any clinical presentation of CPPD (acute CPP crystal arthritis, chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis, and/or CPPD + OA).

Care of patients with early inflammatory arthritis in the Wellington region according to the British Society of Rheumatology's best practice tariff standards

AIM

To compare the care of patients with suspected early inflammatory arthritis (EIA) in the Wellington region with the quality standards from the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR) 2013/14 best practice tariffs.

METHODS

The case notes for patients first seen in clinic from the beginning of 2015 were reviewed until at least 100 cases of suspected inflammatory arthritis were identified. Data gathered included the length of time from referral to first specialist rheumatology clinic, the length of time from referral to the commencement of disease modifying therapy for cases of inflammatory arthritis and the number of specialist-led clinics within the first 12 months of the first appointment.

RESULTS

117 cases of suspected inflammatory arthritis were reviewed. The median time from referral to the first appointment was 11.4 weeks (IQR 6.6-13.3). 61 of the 117 cases had clinically confirmed EIA. The median time from referral to the commencement of disease-modifying therapy was 10.5 weeks (IQR 5-15). For confirmed EIA, the median number of clinics in the first year was four (IQR 3-4).

CONCLUSION

Patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis in the Wellington region wait much longer to be seen than is recommended by the BSR guidelines.

The effect of the Take Charge intervention on mood, motivation, activation and risk factor management: Analysis of secondary data from the Taking Charge after Stroke (TaCAS) trial

OBJECTIVE

To use secondary data from the Taking Charge after Stroke study to explore mechanisms for the positive effect of the Take Charge intervention on physical health, advanced activities of daily living and independence for people after acute stroke.

DESIGN

An open, parallel-group, randomised trial with two active and one control intervention and blinded outcome assessment.

SETTING

Community.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (n = 400) discharged to community, non-institutional living following acute stroke.

INTERVENTIONS

One, two, or zero sessions of the Take Charge intervention, a self-directed rehabilitation intervention which helps a person with stroke take charge of their own recovery.

MEASURES

Twelve months after stroke: Mood (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, Mental Component Summary of the Short Form 36); 'ability to Take Charge' using a novel measure, the Autonomy-Mastery-Purpose-Connectedness (AMP-C) score; activation (Patient Activation Measure); body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) and medication adherence (Medication Adherence Questionnaire).

RESULTS

Follow-up was near-complete (388/390 (99.5%)) of survivors at 12 months. Mean age (SD) was 72.0 (12.5) years. There were no significant differences in mood, activation, 'ability to Take Charge', medication adherence, BMI or BP by randomised group at 12 months. There was a significant positive association between baseline AMP-C scores and 12-month outcome for control participants (1.73 (95%CI 0.90 to 2.56)) but not for the Take Charge groups combined (0.34 (95%CI -0.17 to 0.85)).

CONCLUSION

The mechanism by which Take Charge is effective remains uncertain. However, our findings support a hypothesis that baseline variability in motivation, mastery and connectedness may be modified by the Take Charge intervention.

Axial spondyloarthritis: concept, construct, classification and implications for therapy

The axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) disease concept has undergone substantial change from when the entity ankylosing spondylitis was defined by the modified New York criteria in 1984. Developments in imaging, therapy and genetics have all contributed to changing the concept of axSpA from one of erosions in the sacroiliac joints to a spectrum of disease with and without changes evident on plain radiographs. Changes to the previously held concept and construct of the disease have also necessitated new classification criteria. The use of MRI, primarily of the sacroiliac joints, has substantially altered the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of axSpA. Many in the axSpA community believe that the current classification criteria lack specificity, and the CLASSIC study is underway to examine this area. Although much about the evolving axSpA disease concept is universally agreed, there remains disagreement about operationalizing aspects of it, such as the requirement for the objective demonstration of axial inflammation for the classification of axSpA. New imaging technologies, biomarkers and genetics data will probably necessitate ongoing revision of axSpA classification criteria. Advances in our knowledge of the biology of axSpA will settle some differences in opinion as to how the disease concept is applied to the classification and diagnosis of patients.

Codevelopment of Patient Self-Examination Methods and Joint Count Reporting for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective

To determine whether training increases accuracy of self‐reported joint counts in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and describe the knowledge and techniques for self‐examination of joints for reporting of RA disease activity.

Methods

This mixed‐methods study included 10 patients with RA and four rheumatologists. A rheumatologist presented about joint inflammation and disease monitoring in RA. Patients then self‐examined and reported 28‐tender joint count (28‐TJC) and 28‐swollen joint count (28‐SJC). Next, two paired rheumatologists examined patients and reported 28‐TJC and 28‐SJC. After watching a joint examination video for training physicians, patients discussed their training needs for self‐examination, with discussion analyzed using thematic analysis. Self‐examination techniques were determined by consensus. Finally, patients self‐examined and reported 28‐TJC and 28‐SJC. Reliability between the first and second patient‐reported 28‐TJCs and 28‐SJCs and rheumatologist pair‐reported 28‐TJC and 28‐SJC was determined with the intraclass coefficient.

Results

The reliability for patient self‐reported joint counts was higher for the 28‐TJC than for the 28‐SJC. Reliability improved following rheumatologist examination and training. Patients identified a preference for practical information rather than detailed information on joint anatomy and pathophysiology. Clear definitions of “swollen” and “tender” were important; patients found the concept of “tenderness” difficult. Techniques for self‐examination and reporting of joint counts were agreed on and demonstrated in an instructional video.

Conclusion

Training increased reliability of patient‐reported joint counts. Patients with RA identified important aspects of training for self‐examination and reporting of joint counts. An 8‐minute instructional video was codeveloped; the next step is the evaluation of the video’s impact on patient‐reported joint counts.

Early development of the Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials Network

The Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network was formed to build capacity and infrastructure for high-quality musculoskeletal clinical trials in our region. The purpose of this paper is to describe the steps taken in its formation to help others interested in establishing similar networks. In particular, we describe the steps taken to form the collaboration and our progress in achieving our vision and mission. Our aim is to focus on trials of highest importance and quality to provide definitive answers to the most pressing questions in our field.

Gout flare severity from the patient perspective: a qualitative interview study

OBJECTIVE

The patient experience of a gout flare is multi-dimensional. To establish the most appropriate methods of flare measurement, there is a need to understand the complete experience of a flare. This qualitative study aimed to examine what factors contribute to the severity of a flare from the patient perspective.

METHODS

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with people with gout. Participants were asked to share their experience with their worst gout flare and contrast it to their experience of a less severe or mild flare. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.

RESULTS

Twenty-two participants with gout (17 males, mean age 66.5 years) were interviewed at an academic centre in Auckland, New Zealand. Four key themes were identified as contributing to the severity of a flare: flare characteristics (pain intensity, joint swelling, redness and warmth, duration, and location), impact on function (including walking, activities of daily living, wearing footwear, and sleep), impact on family and social life (dependency on others, social connection, and work) and psychological impact (depression, anxiety, irritability, and sense of control).

CONCLUSION

A wide range of interconnecting factors contribute to the severity of a gout flare from the patient perspective. Capturing these domains in long-term gout studies would provide more meaningful and accurate representation of cumulative flare burden.

The impact of gout as described by patients, using the lens of The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): a qualitative study

Background

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) aims to comprehensively describe the ways in which a person’s health condition affects their life. This study aimed to contribute to the development of an ICF core set for gout through patient opinion derived from focus groups and interviews.

Methods

We conducted a secondary qualitative analysis of data from three studies investigating the patient experience of gout. In total there were 30 individual interviews and 2 focus groups (N = 17) comprising 47 participants. We conducted thematic analysis of the textual data to extract meaning units, which were then linked to the ICF.

Results

A large number of ICF categories were relevant to patients with gout. Participants mentioned 93 third level categories, 17 of which were mentioned by more than 50% of patients. The most references for a single category was for b280, Sensation of pain, followed by personal factors (not yet categorised by the ICF). The most participants mentioned the environmental factor e355, Health professional support, followed by b280, Sensation of pain.

Conclusion

The categories identified in this study as relevant to patients with gout highlight the severe pain associated with this disease, the impact on mobility and corresponding life areas. The roles of health professional support, medication, and personal attitudes to disease management are also reflected in the data. These results will contribute to the development of the ICF core set for gout.

The experience of a gout flare: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

AIMS

Gout flares are an important concern for people with gout and an understanding of patients' experiences with gout flares is central in developing meaningful outcome measures for clinical trials. This study aimed to systematically review and thematically synthesize the qualitative literature reporting the patient experience of gout flares, to inform the development of flare-specific outcome measures.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus and PsycINFO electronic databases were searched in October 2019 to identify original qualitative research articles reporting on the patient experience of gout flares. Methodological quality of all included papers was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. Following data extraction, coding and synthesis was undertaken using reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Sixteen papers reporting the patient experience of gout flares were included. The majority of CASP criteria were met by most studies, indicating good methodological quality. Four predominant and overlapping themes were identified from the thematic analysis: gout flare characteristics (pain, swelling, location, duration and frequency); impact on function and activities of daily living (walking, housework and yard work, self-care, exercise and sports, driving, sleep); effects on social and family life (social participation, inability to plan, employment, dependency, relationships, intimacy); and psychological impact (boredom, irritability, fear, shame and embarrassment, isolation, financial worry, depression and anxiety).

CONCLUSIONS

Gout flares impact many aspects of patients' lives, including physical and psychological and social and family life. The patient experience of gout flares goes beyond what is routinely measured in research settings. Measurement and reporting methods that capture these aspects of patients' experiences with gout flares would provide more meaningful outcome measures in clinical trials of flare prevention.

International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement Set of Outcomes That Matter to People Living With Inflammatory Arthritis: Consensus From an International Working Group

Objective

The implementation of value‐based health care in inflammatory arthritis requires a standardized set of modifiable outcomes and risk‐adjustment variables that is feasible to implement worldwide.

Methods

The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) assembled a multidisciplinary working group that consisted of 24 experts from 6 continents, including 6 patient representatives, to develop a standard set of outcomes for inflammatory arthritis. The process followed a structured approach, using a modified Delphi process to reach consensus on the following decision areas: conditions covered by the set, outcome domains, outcome measures, and risk‐adjustment variables. Consensus in areas 2 to 4 were supported by systematic literature reviews and consultation of experts.

Results

The ICHOM Inflammatory Arthritis Standard Set covers patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We recommend that outcomes regarding pain, fatigue, activity limitations, overall physical and mental health impact, work/school/housework ability and productivity, disease activity, and serious adverse events be collected at least annually. Validated measures for patient‐reported outcomes were endorsed and linked to common reporting metrics. Age, sex at birth, education level, smoking status, comorbidities, time since diagnosis, and rheumatoid factor and anti‐citrullinated protein antibody lab testing for RA and JIA should be collected as risk‐adjustment variables.

Conclusion

We present the ICHOM inflammatory arthritis Standard Set of outcomes, which enables health care providers to implement the value‐based health care framework and compare outcomes that are important to patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Important features of retail shoes for women with rheumatoid arthritis: A Delphi consensus survey

Objectives

Footwear management aims to preserve foot function, reduce the burden of foot pain and maintain joint mobility in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whilst retail footwear is commonly recommended by health professionals, there is no current consensus on recommended features of retail footwear for women with RA. This study aimed to determine consensus from health professionals about the important features of retail footwear for women with RA.

Methods

An international Delphi exercise using online survey software was conducted with 39 participants from health care backgrounds. Three iterative rounds were conducted. In the first round, participants listed features of retail footwear that would be important for women with RA. Responses of the first round, combined with results of a scoping review of patient-reported outcome measures used in assessing footwear in arthritis and a qualitative analysis of female patients’ perspectives of retail footwear in RA were used to create items for the second round. Items were scored by a 9-point rating scale with consensus defined by the RAND/UCLA disagreement index. The third round consisted of items which did not reach consensus or scored >1 on the RAND/UCLA disagreement index from round two.

Results

Fifty-eight items (n = 58) were generated for rating and at the end of three iterative rounds, there was agreement that thirty-eight items were important, that two were not important, and there was no agreement for a further eighteen items. Item themes reaching consensus included footwear characteristics and acceptability and psychosocial aspects of footwear. Footwear characteristics related to heel height, shape, cushioning, toe box size, adjustable fastening, removable insoles, mid-foot support and soft accommodative uppers. Acceptability and psychosocial aspects included affordability, comfort, aesthetic, style, colour and impact on femininity.

Conclusion

This consensus exercise has identified the important features of retail footwear for women with RA.

A survey of the New Zealand rheumatology workforce

AIM

To characterise the demographics, size and distribution of the New Zealand rheumatology workforce.

METHOD

An online survey was sent to New Zealand rheumatologists in February 2018.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 63 of 64 practising New Zealand rheumatologists (response rate 98%). In public practice, the number of half-day clinics per FTE was five (R2 linear 0.87), so a half-day session in private practice was counted as 0.2 FTE. There were 28.71 FTE in the public sector, 14.97 in private and 43.68 total FTE. By district health board (DHB), public FTE per capita ranged from 0.20 FTE per 100,000 population in Nelson-Marlborough DHB to 0.96 in Whanganui DHB. None of the 20 DHBs met the Royal College of Physicians guideline of 1.16 FTE per 100,000 population in the public sector, and only four DHBs reached this level when private FTE were included. Rheumatologists under the age of 50 years were predominantly female (62% female), and older rheumatologists predominantly male (7.7% female, p<0.001). In the next five years 6.58 FTE public rheumatologists intended to retire, (94% male). 23/53 (43%) of public hospital rheumatologists offer appointments for non-inflammatory conditions, compared to 30/31 (97%) of private practice rheumatologists. Between 1999 and 2011, the FTE per 100,000 population increased by 35.4%, but the rate of improvement slowed in the interval between 2011 and 2018, increasing by 3.0%.

CONCLUSION

The New Zealand rheumatologist workforce is becoming more gender-balanced but is below recommended FTE levels, is unevenly distributed, and previously documented improvements in overall FTE have now reached a plateau.

Development of a prediction model for inpatient gout flares in people with comorbid gout

OBJECTIVES

Hospitalisation is a risk factor for flares in people with gout. However, the predictors of inpatient gout flare are not well understood. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for inpatient gout flare among people with comorbid gout.

METHODS

We used data from a retrospective cohort of hospitalised patients with comorbid gout from Wellington, Aotearoa/New Zealand, in 2017 calendar year. For the development of a prediction model, we took three approaches: (A) a clinical knowledge-driven model, (B) a statistics-driven model and (C) a decision tree model. The final model was chosen based on practicality and performance, then validated using bootstrap procedure.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 625 hospitalised patients with comorbid gout, 87 of whom experienced inpatient gout flare. Model A yielded 9 predictors of inpatient gout flare, while model B and C produced 15 and 5, respectively. Model A was chosen for its simplicity and superior C-statistics (0.82) and calibration slope (0.93). The final nine-item set of predictors were pre-admission urate >0.36 mmol/L, tophus, no pre-admission urate-lowering therapy (ULT), no pre-admission gout prophylaxis, acute kidney injury, surgery, initiation or increase of gout prophylaxis, adjustment of ULT and diuretics prior to flare. Bootstrap validation of the final model showed adequate C-statistics and calibration slope (0.80 and 0.78, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We propose a set of nine predictors of inpatient flare for people with comorbid gout. The predictors are simple, practical and are supported by existing clinical knowledge.

Gout, Hyperuricemia, and Crystal-Associated Disease Network Consensus Statement Regarding Labels and Definitions for Disease Elements in Gout

OBJECTIVE

The language currently used to describe gout lacks standardization. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus statement on the labels and definitions used to describe the basic disease elements of gout.

METHODS

Experts in gout (n = 130) were invited to participate in a Delphi exercise and face-to-face consensus meeting to reach consensus on the labeling and definitions for the basic disease elements of gout. Disease elements and labels in current use were derived from a content analysis of the contemporary medical literature, and the results of this analysis were used for item selection in the Delphi exercise and face-to-face consensus meeting.

RESULTS

There were 51 respondents to the Delphi exercise and 30 attendees at the face-to-face meeting. Consensus agreement (≥80%) was achieved for the labels of 8 disease elements through the Delphi exercise; the remaining 3 labels reached consensus agreement through the face-to-face consensus meeting. The agreed labels were monosodium urate crystals, urate, hyperuric(a)emia, tophus, subcutaneous tophus, gout flare, intercritical gout, chronic gouty arthritis, imaging evidence of monosodium urate crystal deposition, gouty bone erosion, and podagra. Participants at the face-to-face meeting achieved consensus agreement for the definitions of all 11 elements and a recommendation that the label "chronic gout" should not be used.

CONCLUSION

Consensus agreement was achieved for the labels and definitions of 11 elements representing the fundamental components of gout etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation. The Gout, Hyperuricemia, and Crystal-Associated Disease Network recommends the use of these labels when describing the basic disease elements of gout.

Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network (G-CAN) consensus statement regarding labels and definitions of disease states of gout

OBJECTIVE

There is a lack of standardisation in the terminology used to describe gout. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus statement describing the recommended nomenclature for disease states of gout.

METHODS

A content analysis of gout-related articles from rheumatology and general internal medicine journals published over a 5-year period identified potential disease states and the labels commonly assigned to them. Based on these findings, experts in gout were invited to participate in a Delphi exercise and face-to-face consensus meeting to reach agreement on disease state labels and definitions.

RESULTS

The content analysis identified 13 unique disease states and a total of 63 unique labels. The Delphi exercise (n=76 respondents) and face-to-face meeting (n=35 attendees) established consensus agreement for eight disease state labels and definitions. The agreed labels were as follows: 'asymptomatic hyperuricaemia', 'asymptomatic monosodium urate crystal deposition', 'asymptomatic hyperuricaemia with monosodium urate crystal deposition', 'gout', 'tophaceous gout', 'erosive gout', 'first gout flare' and 'recurrent gout flares'. There was consensus agreement that the label 'gout' should be restricted to current or prior clinically evident disease caused by monosodium urate crystal deposition (gout flare, chronic gouty arthritis or subcutaneous tophus).

CONCLUSION

Consensus agreement has been established for the labels and definitions of eight gout disease states, including 'gout' itself. The Gout, Hyperuricaemia and Crystal-Associated Disease Network recommends the use of these labels when describing disease states of gout in research and clinical practice.

Exploring how therapeutic horse riding improves health outcomes using a realist framework

Introduction

Evaluating how therapeutic horse riding improves health for children experiencing disability is made complex by a lack of clarity around mechanisms of treatment effect. This research develops an explanatory theory outlining how health outcomes may be optimised, by exploring what works for which riders, under what conditions and how.

Method

Within a realist research framework, we undertook three phases of study using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis approaches. Findings were then integrated into an overall evaluative account.

Results

Riders with a range of impairments ( n = 32; aged 5 to 17 years), caregivers ( n = 29) and therapeutic horse riding providers ( n = 16) participated. Three key mechanisms of intervention effect are proposed: (1) therapeutic horse riding facilitates development of a rider’s self-concept through opportunities for accessible, meaningful participation; (2) the context in which therapeutic horse riding is provided promotes a focus on riders’ capacities and strengths and (3) therapeutic horse riding provides opportunities for a broad range of learning experiences.

Conclusion

Therapeutic horse riding provides opportunities for meaningful occupational participation for children experiencing disability. Ensuring that the physical and ideological context in which therapeutic horse riding is provided focuses on a rider’s capacities and strengths will enhance self-concept development and participation outcomes.

The challenges of gout flare reporting: mapping flares during a randomized controlled trial

Background

Methods of gout flare reporting in research settings are inconsistent and poorly defined. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of gout flare and assess the concurrent validity of different methods of flare reporting in a gout clinical trial.

Methods

Daily flare diary entries including self-report of flare and pain scale from a randomised controlled trial of 120 patients with gout were analysed. Detailed pain-by-time plots for each participant were inspected and analysed for different methods of flare reporting for both self-report and the classification tree (CART)-defined flare developed by Gaffo in 2012. Concurrent validity for different methods of flare reporting were analysed.

Results

Although the single gout flare had a 'typical' average pattern (peak on day 1 and resolution over 14 days), individual pain-by-time plots showed wide variation in pain intensity, duration and frequency of flares. Over the four-month study period, there were 84/120 (70%) participants who experienced at least one self-reported flare that was not a 'typical' flare. The time to first self-reported flare correlated poorly with other measures of gout activity and other methods of flare reporting. The number of days with flare (either self-reported or Gaffo-defined) and the area under the pain-by-time curve correlated most strongly with other measures of disease severity.

Conclusion

There is wide variation in the patterns of flare over time in individuals with gout, leading to challenges for flare reporting in clinical trials. Time-dependent reporting strategies such as number of days with flare or area under the pain-by-time curve correlate well with other measures of gout disease severity and may provide a more accurate measure of flare burden.

Trial registration

Clinical trial number: ACTRN12609000479202, registered 17/06/2009.

Evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic horse riding for children and young people experiencing disability: a single-case experimental design study

Purpose: Therapeutic horse riding aims to improve the health of children and young people experiencing disability; however, its benefits across a range of health domains, particularly the impact on participation outcomes, are not well known. This research evaluated to what extent there was a change in riders balance, functional performance, social responsiveness, quality of life and participation outcomes as a result of therapeutic horse riding.Methods: A multiple-baseline across participants (n = 12) single-case experimental design, with randomly allocated baseline phase lengths, quantitatively evaluated how riders responded to a 20-week intervention.Results: Social participation outcomes measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure demonstrated the most consistent positive between-phase differences (performance ES = 1.20, 95% CI [0.82, 1.63]; satisfaction ES = 1.11, 95% CI [0.73, 1.55]). A causal relationship was seen in three riders, but improvements only reached clinical significance for two riders when accounting for phase data trends. No significant outcome patterns were found comparing riders with principally physical impairments to those with principally psychosocial impairments.Conclusions: Being involved in therapeutic horse riding may improve rider's social participation in home, school and community settings. We postulate that rider self-concept development may be a mechanism of treatment effect leading to participation-level changes.Implications for rehabilitationSocial participation was the health outcome demonstrating the most consistent change following therapeutic horse riding, regardless of rider impairment.Therapeutic horse riding can improve social participation in settings beyond the riding arena.Greater intervention tailoring based on rider responses may enhance therapeutic horse riding intervention effects.

Use of multi-attribute decision-making to inform prioritization of Cochrane review topics relevant to rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Limited resources imply the need for prioritization; this also applies to the conduct of Cochrane Reviews. Therefore, processes for identifying the most important topics for review should be determined.

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe some examples of prioritization approaches used within Cochrane; to introduce the concept of multi-criteria decision analysis, provide an example of how this is being used to determine the relative importance of research questions in musculoskeletal health by the Australasian Musculoskeletal Clinical Trials (ANZMUSC) network and how a similar approach could be used to inform Cochrane Rehabilitation priorities.

METHODS

A narrative overview of the Cochrane Methods Priority Setting Group and new guidance from Cochrane on priority setting; a description of the ANZMUSC prioritization project and the proposed outline of a prioritization process that could be undertaken by Review Groups related to rehabilitation.

RESULTS

There are no explicit processes for prioritization for Cochrane Reviews that involve multi-criteria decision making, even though such approaches appear to be potentially useful and may overcome some disadvantages of alternative approaches.

DISCUSSION

Although the ANZMUSC prioritization project is not yet complete nor shown to be successful, it may offer a useful road-map for developing a transparent method of prioritizing which research topics to pursue, in a way that could be easily implemented and updated.

Serum urate as surrogate endpoint for flares in people with gout: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

OBJECTIVES

The primary efficacy outcome in trials of urate lowering therapy (ULT) for gout is serum urate (SU). The aim of this study was to examine the strength of the relationship between SU and patient-important outcomes to determine whether SU is an adequate surrogate endpoint for clinical trials.

METHODS

Multiple databases through October 2017 were searched. Randomized controlled trials comparing any ULT in people with gout with any control or placebo, ≥three months duration were included. Open label extension (OLE) trial data were included in secondary analyses. Standardized data elements were extracted independently by two reviewers.

RESULTS

Ten RCTs and 3 OLE studies were identified. From the RCTs (maximum duration 24 months) meta-regression did not reveal an association between the relative risk of a gout flare and the difference in proportions of individuals with SU < 6mg/dL (P = 0.47; R2 = 8%). In a post hoc analysis, the ratio of the time in months at which the proportion of individuals having a flare was reported/time in months at which the proportion of individuals with SU < 6mg/dL was reported was calculated and studies where the ratio was <2 were excluded. Using the remaining 6 studies there was an association between proportion of individuals achieving SU < 6mg/dL and gout flares (over patient years). Duration of ULT was inversely associated with the proportion of patients experiencing a flare. Study duration and variability in reporting of outcomes limited the analysis. Observational studies supported the trend of fewer flares in those with lower SU.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on aggregate clinical trial-level data an association between SU and gout flare could not be confirmed. However, based on observational ecological study design data-including longer duration extension studies-SU < 6mg/dL was associated with reduced gout flares.

Physician’s Global Assessment in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Multicenter GRAPPA Study

Objective.

Physician’s global assessment (PGA) of disease activity is a major determinant of therapeutic decision making. This study assesses the reliability of the PGA, measured by means of 0–100 mm visual analog scale (VAS), and the additional use of separate VAS scales for musculoskeletal (PhysMSK) and dermatologic (PhysSk) manifestations in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods.

Sixteen centers from 8 countries enrolled 319 consecutive patients with PsA. PGA, PhysMSK, and PhysSk evaluation forms were administered at enrollment (W0) and after 1 week (W1). Detailed clinical data regarding musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations, as well as dermatological assessment, were recorded.

Results.

Comparison of W0 and W1 scores showed no significant variation (intraclass correlation coefficients were PGA 0.87, PhysMSK 0.86, PhysSk 0.78), demonstrating the reliability of the instrument. PGA scores were dependent on PhysMSK and PhysSk (p < 0.0001) with a major effect of the MSK component (B = 0.69) compared to skin (B = 0.32). PhysMSK was correlated with the number of swollen joints, tender joints, and presence of dactylitis (p < 0.0001). PhysSk scores were correlated with the extent of skin psoriasis and by face, buttocks or intergluteal, and feet involvement (p < 0.0001). Finally, physician and patient assessments were compared showing frequent mismatch and a scattered dot plot: PGA versus patient’s global assessment (r = 0.36), PhysMSK versus patient MSK (r = 0.39), and PhysSk versus patient skin (r = 0.49).

Conclusion.

PGA assessed by means of VAS is a reliable tool to assess MSK and dermatological disease activity. PGA may diverge from patient self-evaluation. Because MSK and skin/nail disease activity may diverge, it is suggested that both PhysMSK and PhysSk are assessed.

Rasch analysis suggests that health assessment questionnaire II is a generic measure of physical functioning for rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional study

Background

Versions of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) are commonly used to measure physical functioning across multiple rheumatic diseases but there has been no clear demonstration that any HAQ version is actually generic. This study aimed to show that the HAQ-II instrument is invariant across different rheumatic disease categories using the Rasch measurement model, which would confirm that the instrument is generic.

Methods

HAQ-II responses from 882 consecutive rheumatology clinic attendees were fitted to a Rasch model. Invariance across disease was assessed by analysis of variance of residuals implemented in RUMM2030. Rasch modeled HAQ-II scores across disease categories were compared and the mathematical relationship between raw HAQ-II scores and Rasch modeled scores was also determined.

Results

The HAQ-II responses fitted the Rasch model. There was no substantive evidence for lack of invariance by disease category except for a single item (“opening car doors”). Rasch modeled scores could be accurately obtained from raw scores with a cubic formula (R² 0.99). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had more disability than patients with other kinds of inflammatory arthritis or autoimmune connective tissue disease.

Conclusions

The HAQ-II can be used across different rheumatic diseases and scores can be similarly interpreted from patients with different diseases. Transforming raw scores to Rasch modeled scores enable a strictly linear, interval scale to be used. It remains to be seen how that would affect interpretation of change scores.

Trial registration

ANZCTR ACTRN12617001500347. Registered 24th October 2017 (retrospectively registered).

The nomenclature of the basic disease elements of gout: A content analysis of contemporary medical journals

OBJECTIVES

There is currently no standardised nomenclature for the basic disease elements of gout. This study aimed to identify these elements and examine how they are labelled in contemporary medical literature.

METHODS

We analysed articles from the ten highest ranked general rheumatology journals, and five highest ranked general internal medicine journals (by Impact Factor, according to 2015 Thomson-Reuters Journal Citation Reports), published between 1 January 2012 and 31 January 2017. For each journal, articles relevant to gout and hyperuricaemia were identified by the search terms 'gout' and/or 'urate' and/or 'uric acid' using MEDLINE. Basic disease elements were identified and their labels extracted. Labels designated 'unique' used different words or phrases to describe an element.

RESULTS

A total of 549 articles were analysed. Eleven basic disease elements and 343 unique labels were identified. Labelling was imprecise for most elements. 'An episode of acute inflammation triggered by the presence of pathogenic crystals' was represented by a total of 162 unique labels; 33.6% of articles referring to this element used at least four unique labels. For articles referencing 'the circulating form of the final enzymatic product generated by xanthine oxidase in purine metabolism in humans', the labels 'uric acid' and 'urate' were used with similar frequency (63.0% and 62.5%, respectively), and both labels were used in 25.9% of articles.

CONCLUSION

Labelling of the basic disease elements of gout is characterised by imprecision, inaccuracy and lack of clarity. Consensus regarding the nomenclature of these elements is required.

Relationship between serum urate concentration and clinically evident incident gout: an individual participant data analysis

Objectives

To provide estimates of the cumulative incidence of gout according to baseline serum urate.

Methods

Using individual participant data from four publicly available cohorts (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study, and both the Original and Offspring cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study), the cumulative incidence of clinically evident gout was calculated according to baseline serum urate category. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to evaluate the relation of baseline urate categories to risk of incident gout.

Results

This analysis included 18 889 participants who were gout-free at baseline, with mean (SD) 11.2 (4.2) years and 212 363 total patient-years of follow-up. The cumulative incidence at each time point varied according to baseline serum urate concentrations, with 15-year cumulative incidence (95% CI) ranging from 1.1% (0.9 to 1.4) for <6 mg/dL to 49% (31 to 67) for ≥10 mg/dL. Compared with baseline serum urate <6 mg/dL, the adjusted HR for baseline serum urate 6.0–6.9 mg/dL was 2.7, for 7.0–7.9 mg/dL was 6.6, for 8.0–8.9 mg/dL was 15, for 9.0–9.9 mg/dL was 30, and for ≥10 mg/dL was 64.

Conclusions

Serum urate level is a strong non-linear concentration-dependent predictor of incident gout. Nonetheless, only about half of those with serum urate concentrations ≥10mg/dL develop clinically evident gout over 15 years, implying a role for prolonged hyperuricaemia and additional factors in the pathogenesis of gout.

Mechanisms of Change for Children Participating in Therapeutic Horse Riding: A Grounded Theory

AIM

To develop a model for understanding mechanisms of change in health outcomes for riders with disabilities participating in therapeutic horse riding (THR).

METHODS

Using grounded theory methods we collected and analyzed data from interviews with 16 child riders and 18 caregivers, teachers and primary therapists, and from participant-observation during THR sessions.

RESULTS

The central concept underpinning the model illustrating mechanisms of change was "gaining the tools to go on." Riders' experiences suggested the THR landscape (i.e., "where the tools are gathered") allowed for an expanded range of experiences in which riders could participate. Riders experienced an expansion of self-concept by learning to move, succeed, connect, and adapt (i.e., "the tools gathered") within the THR landscape. Riders then iteratively translated an expanded view of self into other environments, reflecting "how and where the tools are used."

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that positive changes in health arise from riders' experiences of learning and agency within the THR therapeutic landscape, and from the influence of these experiences on a child's developing self-concept. This article considers the wider impact of THR on children's health, beyond a focus on changes in physical outcomes.

Variability in the Reporting of Serum Urate and Flares in Gout Clinical Trials: Need for Minimum Reporting Requirements

Objective.

To describe the ways in which serum urate (SU) and gout flares are reported in clinical trials, and to propose minimum reporting requirements.

Methods.

This analysis was done as part of a systematic review aiming to validate SU as a biomarker for gout. The ways in which SU and flares were reported were extracted from each study by 2 reviewers.

Results.

A total of 22 studies (10 randomized controlled trials, 3 open-label extension studies, and 9 observational studies) were identified. There were 3 broad categories of SU reporting: percentage at target SU, mean SU, and change in SU. A median of 2 (range 1–3) categories were reported across all studies. The most common method of reporting SU was percentage at target in 17/22 (77.3%) studies, with all studies reporting a target of SU < 6 mg/dl. There were 12/22 (54.5%) studies reporting mean SU at some time after study entry, with 7 (58.3%) of these reporting at more than just the final study visit. Two ways of reporting gout flares were identified: mean flare rate and percentage of participants with flares. There was variability in time periods over which flares rates were reported.

Conclusion.

There is inconsistent reporting of SU and flares in gout studies. Reporting the percentage of participants who achieve a target SU reflects international treatment guidelines. SU should also be reported as a continuous variable with a relevant central and dispersion estimate. Gout flares should be reported as both percentage of participants and mean flare rates at each timepoint.

What Outcomes are Important for Gout Patients? In-Depth Qualitative Research into the Gout Patient Experience to Determine Optimal Endpoints for Evaluating Therapeutic Interventions

Background and Objectives

Characterized by sudden onset of severe joint pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness to touch, gout ‘flare ups’ have a substantial impact on quality of life (QoL). This research employed a patient-centered approach to explore the symptoms and impacts of gout, and assess the content validity of existing patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 US gout patients (non-tophaceous: n = 20, tophaceous: n = 10) and five expert rheumatologists. Each interview included both concept elicitation (CE) questioning to learn about the patient experience and cognitive debriefing to assess the content validity of three PRO instruments (HAQ-DI, GAQ, and TIQ-20). Nine of the patients provided further real-time qualitative data through a smart phone application. All qualitative data were subject to thematic analysis using Atlas.ti. Two patient advisors and three expert clinicians were engaged as advisors at key stages throughout the research.

Results

Interview and real-time data identified the same core symptoms and proximal impact concepts. Severe pain (typically in joints of extremities) was described as the cardinal symptom, often accompanied by swelling, redness, heat, sensitivity to touch, and stiffness. Domains of QoL impacted included physical functioning, sleep, daily activities, and work. The PRO instruments were generally well-understood by patients, but each included items with questionable relevance to at least some of the sample, dependent on the specific joints affected.

Conclusions

Gout patients experience severe pain in affected joints, resulting in substantial limitations in physical functioning. Both the HAQ-DI and the TIQ-20 are useful for specific research purposes in the gout population, although modifications are recommended.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40271-016-0184-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: a systematic review of longitudinal studies

OBJECTIVES

Weight loss is commonly recommended for gout, but the magnitude of the effect has not been evaluated in a systematic review. The aim of this systematic review was to determine benefits and harms associated with weight loss in overweight and obese patients with gout.

METHODS

We searched six databases for longitudinal studies, reporting the effect of weight loss in overweight/obese gout patients. Risk of bias was assessed using the tool Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

RESULTS

From 3991 potentially eligible studies, 10 were included (including one randomised trial). Interventions included diet with/without physical activity, bariatric surgery, diuretics, metformin or no intervention. Mean weight losses ranged from 3 kg to 34 kg. Clinical heterogeneity in study characteristics precluded meta-analysis. The effect on serum uric acid (sUA) ranged from -168 to 30 μmol/L, and 0%-60% patients achieving sUA target (<360 μmol/L). Six out of eight studies (75%) showed beneficial effects on gout attacks. Two studies indicated dose-response relationship for sUA, achieving sUA target and gout attacks. At short term, temporary increased sUA and gout attacks tended to occur after bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence is in favour of weight loss for overweight/obese gout patients, with low, moderate and low quality of evidence for effects on sUA, achieving sUA target and gout attacks, respectively. At short term, unfavourable effects may occur. Since the current evidence consists of a few studies (mostly observational) of low methodological quality, there is an urgent need to initiate rigorous prospective studies (preferably randomised controlled trials).

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42016037937.