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In 2015 the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (Sociedad Espanola de Reumatologia [SER]) published its position paper on biosimilar drugs. In this update, the SER, continues to manifest its unequivocal commitment to the sustainability of the health system of our country and is aligned with the measures that, without reducing quality of care, are aimed at ensuring its continuity. Since the publication of the previous position paper, the European Commission has authorized new biosimilar drugs, which provides an excellent opportunity to advance the efficiency of health care. In this new scenario of increased therapeutic offer of biologics, the SER considers it crucial to preserve the freedom of prescription of physicians who prescribe drugs based exclusively on the characteristics and individual circumstances of each patient, without forgetting the economic aspects there of.

Objective The aim of this study is to describe the findings of a protocolised odontological evaluation of patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) treated in rheumatology units in the Community of Madrid. Methods Multicentric descriptive study in which pSS patients classified according to the American-European consensus of 2002 criteria were included. We collected the demographic, clinical and serological data of each patient. A complete oral examination was performed and salivary flow and the CAOD caries index were collected. The patients completed the visual analogue scale for xerostomia, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire and an oral health questionnaire. Results Sixty-one patients were recruited. Ninety-eight percent were women and the mean age of the patients was 57 years. Pathological oral signs (unstimulated salivary flow/salivary glands sialography/scintigraphy) were present in 52.5% of the patients, anti-Ro/anti-La were positive in 90.2%. Ninety-two percent of the patients reported xerostomia and 61% of the patients suffered from hyposialia. Thirty-five patients presented oral mucosa lesions. CAOD index was 16.97 ± 7.93 and visual analogue scale for xerostomia was 46.69 ± 14.43. The results of the OHIP-14 questionnaire were 23.13 ± 14.16. Patients with pathological oral signs obtained a significantly higher Oral Health Impact Profile-14 score (P = .03). We also found that patients with peripheral nervous system involvement obtained a significantly higher Oral Health Impact Profile-14 score (P = .001). Conclusions The presence of xerostomia in this cohort of pSS patients was high and hyposialia was present in 61% of the patients. Oral lesions appeared in more than half of the subjects. Oral health had a negative impact on the quality of life of patients with pSS, being higher in those with pathological objective oral signs and in those with peripheral nervous system involvement.

Introduction One of the missions of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology is to provide the necessary tools for excellence in health care. Currently, there is no reference point to quantify medical actions in this specialty, and this is imperative. Material and method A list of actions was drawn up and a hierarchical classification system was established by developing a complexity index, calculated based on the completion time and difficulty level of each action. Results The results of the Delphi method tended to the consensus opinion within a group (mean σ2 − σ1 = 0 .75–1.43 = −0.68, mean IQR2–IQR1 = 0.8–1.9 = −1.1). The values of the complexity index ranged between 48 and 465 points. Among consultation actions, those reaching the highest scores were the first inpatient visit (366) and visits to the patient's home (369). Among diagnostic techniques, biopsies were prominent, those with the highest score were: bone biopsy (465), sural nerve biopsy (416) and synovial biopsy (380). Ultrasound scan scored 204, capillaroscopy 113 and densitometry 112. Among therapeutic techniques, infiltration/arthrocentesis/articular injection in children reached the highest difficulty (388). The score for ultrasound-guided articular injection was 163. The score for clinical report on disability was 323 and expert report 370. Conclusions A nomenclature of 54 actions in Rheumatology was compiled. Biopsies (bone, sural nerve, synovial), inpatient visits, visits to the patient's home, infiltrations in children, and the preparation of the expert report were identified as the most complex actions. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is twice as complex as subsequent visits, capillaroscopy or bone densitometry.

Introduction The current paradigm of the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommends achieving a state of remission or low disease activity through the treat-to-target strategy. Our study assesses adherence to this strategy. Method Patients with RA (ACR-EULAR 2010 criteria) were included. From each centre, 19 patients were randomly selected. Clinical histories (CH) were assessed by independent auditors, checking compliance with predefined quality criteria. The study was approved by ethics committees. Results We included 856 patients (mean age 54 years; 71% women). The use of a combined index (CI) was recorded in 61% of cases. Visits were recorded every 4 weeks using a CI in 4% of CH while attempts were made to achieve remission. Monitoring of disease activity every 6–8 months after reaching the target was recorded in 73% of cases. Conclusions The implementation of the treat-to-target strategy is barely recorded in patients with RA in routine clinical practice.

Objective To describe the progress of the attractiveness of rheumatology at successive MIR calls, from 1983 to 2014. Methods Candidates in the Spanish training system for medical doctors choose their specialties sequentially, ordered by their ranking in the qualifying exam (MIR). The highest, median and lowest rank of candidates choosing rheumatology training positions in every MIR call from 1983 to 2014 was requested from the Department of Management of Specialized Medical Training (General Department of Professional Regulation; Spanish Ministry of Health). To compare, the same data was requested for other specialties. In order to define and analyze the attractiveness of each specialty we introduce an ‘index of attractiveness’, based on the normalized difference of the actual median rank reported for each year and the average median obtained in 1000 simulations in which candidates choose specialties at random. Results Regarding the median of the election of rheumatology, the range went from 244th in 1983 to 3394th in 2008, showing a progressive increase over the years in absolute figures. A mathematical simulation allowed quantifying the difference between the observed median and what would have happened if specialties had been chosen by pure chance. Results show a tendency to recover the attractiveness of rheumatology in recent years. Conclusions After a sharp decline in the attractiveness of rheumatology during the last years of the 20th century, there seems to be a recovery.

Objective To develop evidence-based recommendations on the use of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Methods Recommendations were generated following a nominal group technique. A panel of experts (15 rheumatologists and 3 radiologists) was established in the first panel meeting to define the scope and purpose of the consensus document, as well as chapters, potential recommendations and systematic literature reviews (we used and updated those from previous EULAR documents). A first draft of recommendations and text was generated. Then, an electronic Delphi process (2 rounds) was carried out. Recommendations were voted from 1 (total disagreement) to 10 (total agreement). We defined agreement if at least 70% of participants voted ≥7. The level of evidence and grade or recommendation was assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine levels of evidence. The full text was circulated and reviewed by the panel. The consensus was coordinated by an expert methodologist. Results A total of 12 recommendations were proposed for each disease. They include, along with explanations of the validity of US and magnetic resonance imaging regarding inflammation and damage detection, diagnosis, prediction (structural damage progression, flare, treatment response, etc.), monitoring and the use of US guided injections/biopsies. Conclusions These recommendations will help clinicians use US and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with spondyloarthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective To describe the objectives and methods of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS) registry (SJOGREN-SER). Methods This is a multicenter descriptive transversal study of a cohort of pSS patients fulfilling European/American consensus criteria collected from Rheumatology clinics all over Spain. Patients were included by randomisation from an anonymised list provided by every department. Data were collected by reviewing clinical records and an interviewing the patients. Two hundred and ninety eight variables were investigated: epidemiological, clinical, serological characteristics, treatments and complications. Informed consent was obtained and local ethics committees approved the study. Variables were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods, using means, medians, and rates, with their deviations and interquartile ranges (p25–p75). Results A total of 3 rheumatology departments participated in the registry. A total of 437 patients were included. And 95% of them were women, with a median age of 58. Median age at pSS's diagnosis was 50 years. Dryness symptoms (95%) were the most frequent complaint and anti-Ro/SS-A were present in 94% of the cases. Only 27% of the patients fulfilled the new 2012 SICCA-ACR classification criteria. Conclusions SJOGREN-SER has been designed in order to characterize a representative pSS Spanish cohort, in clinical daily practice, to analyze the magnitude and distribution of its manifestations, activity, accumulated damage and therapeutic management of the disease. This will allow broadening the knowledge of this disease and plan strategies of action in pSS.

Objective To know rheumatologists’ opinion on the usefulness of ultrasound in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making as applied to rheumatic diseases. Materials and methods A National survey was sent to all rheumatology units in hospitals with at least 200 beds. The questionnaire included: (a) general data, (b) purpose and most common areas of ultrasound exploration and (c) assessment of the usefulness of ultrasound in routine clinical practice in general and in some rheumatologic diseases. Results One-hundred and sixty-nine out of 234 rheumatology units contacted answered the questionnaire. The utility in routine clinical practice was scored at 7.8 (scale 0–10) and ultrasound was integrated in making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Half of the indications (50.9%) were ultrasound related to the process of diagnosis of diseases or treatment decision making (monitoring synovitis 14.6%, guided puncture 11.4%, early detection of joint erosion or synovitis 10.3%, early detection of enthesopathy 5.9%, carpal tunnel syndrome or other peripheral neuropathies 3.4%, detection of uric acid or pyrophosphate deposits 3%, vasculitis 1% and others 1.1%. On a 1–5 Likert, scale most of the answers support the use of ultrasound in clinical practice, especially in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making for detection of subclinical synovitis, erosions and treatment decisions in rheumatoid arthritis, enthesitis diagnosis, crystal diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. Conclusions Ultrasound is becoming a useful tool integrated into clinical practice and is linked to the decision-making processes in the areas of diagnosis, activity and treatment.

The association of dermatomyositis with myasthenia gravis (MG) is uncommon, having been reported so far in only 26 cases. We report the case of a 69 year-old man diagnosed with MG two years ago and currently treated with piridostigmyne. The patient developed acute proximal weakness, shoulder pain and elevated creatine-kinase (CK). He also developed generalized facial erythema and Gottron's papules. Laboratory tests showed positive antinuclear and anti-Mi2 antibodies. Further analysis confirmed CK levels above 1000 U/l. The clinical management of the patient and the therapeutic implications derived from the coexistence of both entities are discusssed.

Objective To know the situation of ultrasound in Spanish rheumatology. Methods A national survey addressed to all rheumatology units in hospitals with at least 200 beds. The questionnaire studied: (a) the availability and the model of the ultrasound equipment, (b) the degree of training, (c) the purpose and areas of ultrasound examination, (d) the usefulness, and (e) the relevance of ultrasound in the training of residents. Results 169 units of the 234 surveyed physicians answered the questionnaire. The availability of ultrasound equipment was high (90%), 38.7% of rheumatologists use ultrasound, although half of the units had a rheumatologist especially dedicated to performing them. Training plans have enabled the incorporation of ultrasound, but there are areas that could be improved. The utility in routine clinical practice was scored at 7.8 (0–10), and ultrasound was integrated in the diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. There is a broad consensus on the need to include ultrasound in the training of residents. Administration is adding ultrasound to the portfolio of specialty services. Conclusions In just 15 years, ultrasound has become available in 90% of rheumatology units from being previously inexistent. Its use is extensive, integrated into clinical practice and linked to the decision making processes. Training plans have been effective, but areas for improvement were identified, and there is a broad consensus on the need to integrate ultrasound in residents’ training.

The National Commission of Rheumatology has developed a satisfaction survey for residents concerning their training period. 37% of the 176 invited to participate answered the survey. 71% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the influence of the assistance activities during their training. 38% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with supervision by staff. 39% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their training in polarized light microscopy. 52% said no regular meetings were structured to monitor their training. 66% said that there had been no effective evaluation of their training. 39% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied on the tools they were given to publish at their teaching unit. Overall satisfaction on classroom training for residents of Rheumatology is high. There are opportunities for improvement relating to training in certain techniques, monitoring and evaluation of the training period and training in research skills.

Lupus nephritis is a relevant source of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The standard therapy of remission induction in severe lupus nephritis is based on the use of monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide. Recent data have established that the maintenance of remission in lupus nephritis can be achieved with azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil, with less adverse effects than quarterly intravenous cyclophosphamide. In recent years, a number of controlled randomized clinical trials have been published, opening new therapeutic options in the induction of remission in lupus nephritis, such as less aggressive regimens of intravenous cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil. Further studies are needed for establishing the optimal therapy of lupus nephritis patients.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF) therapy has been associated with reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection. Case reports have suggested the concomitant need of lamivudine treatment in patients with HBV infection treated with antiTNFa agents. We describe a case of ankylosing spondylitis with positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) treated with infliximab and lamivudine. Clinical response was excellent but when lamivudine therapy was stopped, reactivation of replication viral occurred. After the reintroduction of lamivudine, viral replication was controlled and liver function tests were normalized. Preventive long-term lamivudine therapy is mandatory when anti-TNFa therapy is maintained in patients with chronic HBV infection.