Rheumatoid Arthritis: Stamm TA

Machold KP, Brezinsek HP, Leeb BF, Pflugbeil S, Rainer F, Singer F, Skoumal M, Stamm TA, Herold M. · Klinische Abteilung für Rheumatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria. · Wien Klin Wochenschr. · Pubmed #18500599 No free full text.

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Machold KP, Nell VP, Stamm TA, Smolen JS. · Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. · Arthritis Res Ther. · Pubmed #16719936 links to  free full text

Abstract: There is increasing evidence for beneficial effects of early DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) therapy over delayed treatment in patients who present with arthritis of recent onset. However, no universal consensus exists concerning the choice of initial drug or whether single drugs or combinations should be given as initial treatments. Recent studies have focused on the benefits of various strategies in which treatments were tailored to achieve low levels of disease activity, as assessed using validated response criteria. These studies demonstrated superiority of 'aggressive' over 'conventional' approaches. Whether the inclusion of tumour necrosis factor antagonists or other biologic targeted therapies in such strategies confers additional benefits in terms of improved long-term outcomes must be clarified by further studies. Assessment of risks in the individual patient, allowing individual 'tailoring' of the initial treatment, would be desirable.

Machold KP, Nell VP, Stamm TA, Eberl G, Steiner G, Smolen JS. · Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Vienna, Austria. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #14969061 No free full text.

Abstract: The Austrian Early Arthritis Registry (Austrian Early Arthritis Action, EAA) enrols and follows patients with inflammatory arthritis of very short (< 12 weeks) duration. Currently, data on 375 patients (almost 2000 individual follow-up examinations) have been entered into the EA database. Evaluations of data from 182 patients with a follow-up of at least one year are available. 65% of these patients have RA, as diagnosed using the ACR classification criteria in a cumulative fashion. Approximately 15% of these patients still have no established diagnosis and are being carried forward and observed as cases of "undifferentiated arthritis". In RA patients, the mean DAS 28 decreased significantly from an initial mean score of 5.5 (high disease activity) into the range of low disease activity. At the end of one year a DAS 28 of < 3.2 was observed in 52% of the RA patients. Radiological progression in these RA patients, who also received treatment very early, appears to be less severe than in other cohorts, although direct comparisons are impossible due to different methods of patient selection. In addition, the serological data from our cohort in cooperation with other study groups will allow development and validation of possible prediction algorithms for early arthritis patients which could improve the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this patient group.

Stamm TA, Aletaha D, Pflugbeil S, Kapral T, Montag K, Machold KP, Smolen JS. · Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. · Clin Exp Rheumatol. · Pubmed #18021511 No free full text.

Abstract: As resources in health care systems become increasingly scarce, rheumatologists may need to provide evidence that their quality of care uses the allocated resources effectively by achieving a good outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In order to assess quality, it has been recommended in other areas of medicine to gather data according to appropriate outcome measures, preferably in electronic databases, enabling identification of benchmarks to compare the outcome quality of different clinical settings.Available electronic applications commonly comprise a database for data processing and storage, as well as a tool for regularly measuring and following disease activity in individual patients. Access to aggregated data makes it possible to monitor disease activity in individual patients over time in relation to treatment. In addition, electronic applications should allow the extraction of patient data according to special characteristics for analysis. In this way, such electronic applications can provide a central database that can be used for monitoring patients in routine care, case studies or general research, as well as facilitating comparisons of quality of care in different centres or in different countries for reference purposes.

Machold KP, Stamm TA, Nell VP, Pflugbeil S, Aletaha D, Steiner G, Uffmann M, Smolen JS. · Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. · Rheumatology (Oxford). · Pubmed #16899498 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Despite early recognition and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment, a sizable proportion of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show radiological progression. This study was performed to determine the frequency of erosive arthritis and the pace of radiological progression in an inception cohort of patients with very early RA (<or=3 months after onset of symptoms). METHODS: In order to determine possible prognostic factors for development of erosive disease, we linked the clinical features of these patients to radiological progression in a regression model. About 55 patients with RA and follow-up of at least 3 yrs were analysed. All had complete series of clinical, serological and radiographic assessments. Radiographs were scored according to the Larsen method. RESULTS: Erosive disease developed in 63.6% of the patients over 3 yrs, with the majority (74.3%) appearing already in the first and 97.2% by the end of the second year. Among all variables available, rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) first presentation were the most predictive for both development of erosions and the degree of radiological progression. None of the clinical variables at the onset was useful to discriminate between erosive and non-erosive patients. In the final regression model, however, cumulative clinical activity substantially contributed to explaining radiological progression. CONCLUSION: Despite early treatment, substantial damage occurred in some patients and was associated with presence of strong 'constitutive' predictors such as anti-CCP and RF as well as presence of high long-term clinical disease activity as indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), swollen joint counts and the absence of a good clinical response (assessed by the failure to achieve lasting low disease activity).

Coenen M, Cieza A, Stamm TA, Amann E, Kollerits B, Stucki G. · ICF Research Branch of the WHO Collaborating Center for the Family of International Classifications at the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information, IHRS, Marchioninistrasse 17, 81377 Munich, Germany. · Arthritis Res Ther. · Pubmed #16684371 links to  free full text

Abstract: Functioning is recognized as an important study outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA is an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organisation with the purpose of representing the typical spectrum of functioning of patients with RA. To strengthen the patient perspective, persons with RA were explicitly involved in the validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA using qualitative methodology. The objective of the study was twofold: to come forward with a proposal for the most appropriate methodology to validate Comprehensive ICF Core Sets from the patient perspective; and to add evidence to the validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA from the perspective of patients. The specific aims were to explore the aspects of functioning and health important to patients with RA using two different focus group approaches (open approach and ICF-based approach) and to examine to what extent these aspects are represented by the current version of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA. The sampling of patients followed the maximum variation strategy. Sample size was determined by saturation. The focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The meaning condensation procedure was used for the data analysis. After qualitative data analysis, the resulting concepts were linked to ICF categories according to established linking rules. Forty-nine patients participated in ten focus groups (five in each approach). Of the 76 ICF categories contained in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA, 65 were reported by the patients based on the open approach and 71 based on the ICF-based approach. Sixty-six additional categories (open approach, 41; ICF-based approach, 57) that are not covered in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA were raised. The existing version of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA could be confirmed almost entirely by the two different focus group approaches applied. Focus groups are a highly useful qualitative method to validate the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for RA from the patient perspective. The ICF-based approach seems to be the most appropriate technique.

Chiari-Grisar C, Koller U, Stamm TA, Wanivenhaus A, Trieb K. · Department of Orthopaedics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. · Arch Phys Med Rehabil. · Pubmed #16442973 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome (DASH) Questionnaire and the Moberg Picking Up Test (MPUT) with other outcome measurement tools in assessing both hand function and aspects of general health in finger joint arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DESIGN: Case series, with an average follow-up duration of 104.9 months. SETTING: Orthopedic outpatient clinic at a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Of 64 consecutive patients (21 dead, 6 lost to follow-up), 37 patients with 140 spacers in 107 metacarpophalangeal and 33 proximal interphalangeal joints of 51 hands were evaluated. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hand function tests and general health measures. RESULTS: The DASH correlated with both hand function (Health Assessment Questionnaire: r=.72, P<.01; MPUT: r=0.6, P<.01) and general health (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey subscales: r range, -.73 to -.31; P range, <.001 to <.05). The MPUT was a suitable tool for precision grip testing. CONCLUSIONS: The DASH has the advantage of being self-administered and assesses both functional and health aspects. It can be recommended as an instrument for a routine clinical follow-up for patients with hand surgery and RA. Additional tests should be applied when detailed information is needed.

Stamm TA, Cieza A, Coenen M, Machold KP, Nell VP, Smolen JS, Stucki G. · Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Vienna Medical University, Vienna, Austria. · Arthritis Rheum. · Pubmed #15934102 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To validate the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Comprehensive Core Set for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) from the patient perspective. METHODS: Patients with RA were interviewed about their problems in daily functioning. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview texts were divided into meaning units. The concepts contained in these meaning units were linked to the ICF according to 10 established linking rules. Of the transcribed data, 15% were analyzed and linked by a second health professional. The degree of agreement was calculated using the kappa statistic. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were interviewed. Two hundred twenty different concepts contained in 367 meaning units were identified in the qualitative analysis of the interviews and linked to 109 second-level ICF categories. Of the 76 second-level categories from the ICF RA Core Set, 63 (83%) were also found in the interviews. Twenty-five second-level categories, which are not part of the current ICF RA Core Set, were identified in the interviews. The result of the kappa statistic for agreement was 0.62 (95% boot-strapped confidence interval 0.59-0.66). CONCLUSION: The validity of the ICF RA Core Set was supported by the perspective of individual patients. However, some additional issues raised in this study but not covered in the current ICF RA Core Set need to be investigated.

Nell VP, Machold KP, Stamm TA, Eberl G, Heinzl H, Uffmann M, Smolen JS, Steiner G. · Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Austria. · Ann Rheum Dis. · Pubmed #15878904 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Early treatment prevents progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but diagnosis in early disease is impeded by lack of appropriate diagnostic criteria. OBJECTIVE: To study the value of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies (anti-CCP), and anti-RA33 autoantibodies for diagnosis of RA and prediction of outcome in patients with very early arthritis. METHODS: The prospective follow up inception cohort included 200 patients with very early (<3 months) inflammatory joint disease. Autoantibodies were measured at baseline and analysed in a tree based model which aimed at determining the added diagnostic value of testing for anti-CCP and anti-RA33 as compared with RF alone. RESULTS: RA was diagnosed in 102 patients, while 98 developed other inflammatory arthropathies. Receiver operator curve analysis showed an optimum cut off level for RF at 50 U/ml, above which anti-CCP and anti-RA33 had no additional diagnostic value. Remarkably, RF >or=50 U/ml and anti-CCP showed similar sensitivity and high specificity for RA, but overlapped considerably. Anti-RA33 was less specific and did not correlate with RF or anti-CCP. Among patients with RA, 72% showed at least one of these three autoantibodies, compared with 15% of non-RA patients. RF >or=50 U/ml and anti-CCP were predictors of erosive disease, whereas anti-RA33 was associated with mild disease. CONCLUSIONS: Stepwise autoantibody testing in early inflammatory joint disease, starting with RF, followed by anti-CCP (in patients with RF <50 U/ml), and finally anti-RA33, should be used as a sensitive and effective strategy for distinguishing patients with RA at high risk for poor outcome.

Nell VP, Machold KP, Eberl G, Stamm TA, Uffmann M, Smolen JS. · Department of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine III, University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. · Rheumatology (Oxford). · Pubmed #15113999 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Delay of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy is a major contributing factor for poor outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although early therapy has been shown to be particularly effective, there is still uncertainty about the optimal time point of DMARD introduction. We wanted to test if a therapeutic window of opportunity may exist within the first few months of the disease. METHODS: In this case-control parallel-group study, 20 very early RA (VERA) patients with median disease duration of 3 months were age and gender matched to a group of 20 late early RA (LERA) patients with median disease duration of 12 months until first DMARD initiation. Follow-up time was 36 months. Primary outcome measures were the disease activity score (DAS28) and radiological joint destruction using the Larsen method. RESULTS: Already after 3 months of DMARD therapy we found a significant difference of improvement in favour of the VERA patients in the DAS28. This trend continued over the study period. At study end the DAS28 showed an improvement of 2.8+/-1.5 in the VERA vs 1.7+/-1.2 in the LERA group (P(c)<0.05). The Larsen scores showed a statistically significant retardation of progression in the VERA compared with the LERA. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that there is a window of opportunity for highly successful treatment of RA in the first year, and especially within the first 3 months of therapy. Thus, early diagnosis and therapy may be the crucial step in achieving optimal control of disease progression and prognosis in RA.

Machold KP, Stamm TA, Eberl GJ, Nell VK, Dunky A, Uffmann M, Smolen JS. · Department of Rheumatology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #12415582 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and radiological findings in patients with very early arthritis (< 3 months of symptoms) during one year of observation. METHODS: In an Austrian multicenter setting, patients were eligible if they had nontraumatic swelling or pain in at least one joint and laboratory signs of inflammation [elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, leukocytosis, or rheumatoid factor (RF)] within the last 3 months. Clinical and laboratory assessments were performed every 3 months. Radiographs of hands and feet were taken at entry and after one year. Treatment decisions were left to the discretion of the participating center. RESULTS: In total, 108 patients included between 1996 and 2000 had followup investigations during at least one year; 61.1% of these patients had rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over 65% of RA diagnoses were made at the first visit. Lag time to referral was significantly longer in patients with RA than in patients with other inflammatory joint diseases (median 8 vs 4 weeks). Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs were started 19 +/- 10 (mean +/- SD) weeks after symptom onset in patients with RA. Patients with RA improved significantly (by American College of Rheumatology response criteria and the Disease Activity Score 28) during the first year. Erosions were present in 12.8% of RA patients' initial radiographs, compared to 27.6% after one year. Odds ratio to develop new erosions during the first year of RA was 9.7 (95% CI 1.05-89.93) in RF+ patients compared to RF- individuals (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When early referral of patients with arthritis is encouraged, RA can be diagnosed and treatment initiated early, with significant clinical response. Moreover, patients with RA tend to be referred later than patients with other inflammatory joint diseases; RA patients at this very early stage have low frequency of joint damage; and RF predicts erosions in the first year.

Stamm TA, Machold KP, Smolen JS. · Department of Rheumatology, Division of Internal Medicine III, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna. · Acta Med Austriaca. · Pubmed #11899751 No free full text.

Abstract: Assessing functional and health status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can provide information on the individual's functioning in routine occupations and on the individual's well-being. Data can be obtained by a variety of functional tests and questionnaires. At the Department of Rheumatology at the Vienna University, a specific assessment for outpatients with RA is performed every 3 months. It consists of functional tests, questionnaires, Visual Analog Scales, joint counts, and parameters of disease activity. These data are used to supplement the rheumatologist's decision about medical management of the disease and about further therapeutic strategies.