Publications
Heterogeneity of Cortical Breaks in Hand Joints of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Controls Imaged by High-resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Hasselt University
Impact of risk factors associated with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Objectives P atients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an excess risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the impact of CVD risk factors, including potential sex differences, and RA-specific variables on CVD outcome in a large, international cohort of patients with RA. Methods In 13 rheumatology centres, data on CVD risk factors and RA characteristics were collected at baseline. CVD outcomes (myocardial infarction, angina, ...
Psychosocial burden predicts sustained remission in early rheumatoid arthritis Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
Objective: This study investigated how psychosocial aspects of disease affect the probability of achieving sustained remission in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explored the directionality of this relationship. Methods: Data were analyzed from the randomized controlled Care in Early RA trial. Sustained remission was defined as a continued Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) of <2.6 from ...
Belgian rheumatologists’ preferences regarding measures of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
The reliability and clinical usefulness of the different composite disease activity scores and their individual components in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are still debated. This study investigated which measures of disease activity were preferred by rheumatologists. A mixed-method study was performed. First, ten Belgian rheumatologists were invited for individual interviews on their current practice and preferences for measurement of RA disease ...
A detailed analysis of treatment delay from the onset of symptoms in early rheumatoid arthritis patients Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
Objectives: A treatment delay of more than 12 weeks can negatively affect treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our aim was to quantify the different stages of delay before RA treatment in different rheumatology centres and to explore influencing factors. Method: A total of 156 disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive early RA patients were included from eight practices: one academic hospital, five general hospitals, and ...
Increased risk of osteoporotic fractures in Swedish patients with rheumatoid arthritis despite early treatment with potent disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Objective: To study the difference in incidence and risk of fragility fractures between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed up early in the disease and the general population in Sweden; and the fracture risk changes in RA patients diagnosed in the 1990s and 2000s because of earlier, more potent pharmacological treatment in the later period. Method: Patients with early RA were recruited from the BARFOT cohort, a Swedish multicentre ...
Disease severity impacts the relationship of apelin with arterial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Apelin can improve arterial function by enhancing the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase but this effect depends markedly on endothelial integrity. We hypothesized that inflammation influences the potential impact of apelin on arterial function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed the associations of apelin concentrations with arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), wave reflection (augmentation index, reflected wave ...
Latitude gradient influences the age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an important outcome predictor. Northern countries report an age of RA onset of around 50 years, but apparently, variability exists across different geographical regions. The objective of the present study is to assess whether the age of onset of RA varies across latitudes worldwide. In a proof-of-concept cross-sectional worldwide survey, rheumatologists from preselected cities interviewed 20 ...