WCO Highlights

Although biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are significantly cheaper now that biosimilar agents are available, they still represent a significant cost to health services worldwide, particularly since their prescription has only increased since the thresholds for commencing this treatment have been lowered. For example, in 2017/8, the total cost of adalimumab to the NHS in England […]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem, autoimmune disorder affecting skin, joints, kidneys, the heart, lungs, the brain and blood cells, and is characterized by heterogeneous presentations and severity. It is more common in females than males, with a ratio of 9:1, and it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.1 Despite recent novel therapies […]

Welcome to the latest issue of touchREVIEWS in RMD, which aims to provide healthcare professionals with a wide range of topical articles in the field of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). We begin with an informative practice pearl from Sun and Pope. This paper examines the potential solutions to integrate into clinical practice that may […]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease that affects synovial joints but may be accompanied by systemic and extra-articular manifestations.1,2 Patients with RA are associated with a higher mortality rate compared with the general population and with increased socioeconomic burden from lost productivity at work, disability and cost of treatment.3 Therefore, appropriate disease management is […]

Biologics are medications derived from biological sources used to treat several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. These medications interfere with autoimmune processes by inhibiting specific molecular or cellular targets. They are highly effective medications, mostly used in cases of moderate-to-severe disease activity. As such, biologics have revolutionized the treatment of and transformed outcomes for patients with rheumatological […]

Standardization of the assessment of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has made a big difference in the comparability of clinical trials and in treatment processes in clinical practice.1–3 Disease activity is the underlying driver for radiographic progression, and functional limitations and functional disabilities may also evolve by progressive structural damage.4,5 The introduction of composite […]

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a typical complication of psoriasis (PSO) that is often accompanied by nail PSO, vertebral and/or pelvic involvement, enthesitis and iritis. PsA leads to the destruction and/or ankylosis of the peripheral joints or spine, resulting in poor quality of life.1 Interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) play a pivotal role in […]

The preamble of the World Health Organization’s constitution defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.1 An optimal state of health is considered a fundamental human right. When each human has the ability and opportunity to attain optimal health, only then can a […]

Systemic rheumatic diseases (RDs) commonly arise during a woman’s reproductive years and may have implications for family planning and pregnancy. Among the RDs, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are classically associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), including miscarriage, foetal loss, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm delivery.1–4 Although SLE pregnancy outcomes have improved over time, maternal mortality remains higher in women […]