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In many cases sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease that requires interdisciplinary medical cooperation in the diagnostics, treatment and medical care during follow-up. Due to the often chronic course, it is of utmost importance to include patients with their priorities and wishes at an early stage and extensively in disease management and to establish a shared decision making whenever possible. In the process of writing this joint position paper, the expert group on interstitial and orphan lung diseases of the Austrian Society for Pulmonology and the working group on rheumatological lung disorders of the Austrian Society for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation sought to include patient advocacy groups as well as experts for rare organ manifestations of sarcoidosis. This position paper is not only meant to reflect current scientific and clinical standards but should also focus the national expertise and by networking and exchange to be a first step to strengthen cooperation between stakeholders to ultimately improve care for patients with sarcoidosis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) are rare, complex systemic diseases that are often difficult to diagnose, because of unspecific clinical symptoms at presentation. However, the clinical course may be very dramatic and even life-threatening, necessitating prompt diagnosis and treatment.Therefore, it is important to increase disease awareness among physicians and support colleagues who are not confronted with these rare diseases on a regular basis. Here, the Austrian Society of Nephrology (ÖGN) and the Austrian Society of Rheumatology (ÖGR) provide a joint consensus on how to best diagnose and manage patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This nationwide Austrian consensus statement summarizes the recommendations on the management of latent tuberculosis by treatment with biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs. The essential questions with respect to screening and preventive treatment were discussed by experts from the disciplines of rheumatology, pneumology, infectious diseases, dermatology and gastroenterology, based on the available data, and then a joint consensus was formed by agreement. This involved a differentiated discussion on the various forms of treatment, and clear recommendations were formulated., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

This publication provides a thorough analysis of the most relevant topics concerning the management of latent tuberculosis when using biologic and targeted synthetic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) by a multidisciplinary, select committee of Austrian physicians. The committee includes members of the Austrian Societies for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Pulmonology, Infectiology, Dermatology and Gastroenterology. Consensus was reached on issues regarding screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis and includes separate recommendations for each biologic and targeted synthetic DMARD., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The efficacy of biological agents has been shown in several randomized clinical trials. However, little is known regarding the performance of these drugs in daily rheumatological care. Totally, 173 patients treated with biological agents (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, anakinra) were retrospectively analyzed between November 2001 and December 2005 at an Austrian rheumatic outpatient clinic. In total, 224 courses of treatment with biological agents were followed up. Among the 93 drug discontinuations observed, the most frequent causes were inefficacy (56.5%) and side effects (31.9%). In 74 patients (51%), the first biological agent was withdrawn after a median treatment period of 10.7 (range 0-80) months. A second biological agent was given to 36 patients, a third to 11 and a fourth to 3 patients. Our data underline the necessity of large observational studies to assess the full spectrum of patients treated with biological agents in clinical routine.