Rheumatology

A Joint Venture: Advancing Health Equity for Underserved Communities Through Integrated Dermatology–Rheumatology Clinics (2025)

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Type of publication:

Poster presentation

Author(s):

*Zal Canteenwala; *Dimple Jain; Roshan Amarasena; Joseph Thevathasan; Heli Baho; Kunal Amin

Citation:

British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 193, Issue Supplement 1, July 2025

Abstract:

Autoimmune conditions with overlapping dermatological and rheumatological manifestations present significant management challenges in rural healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a newly established combined dermatology–rheumatology clinic could improve healthcare access and patient satisfaction while maintaining clinical effectiveness. This service was delivered through cross-trust collaboration between two hospitals situated approximately 30 miles apart, serving a geographically dispersed population with significant access barriers. A 6-month prospective quality improvement initiative was conducted from April to October 2022. Monthly combined consultant-led clinics were evaluated using structured questionnaires assessing patient satisfaction, operational efficiency and educational impact. The service integrated specialist care between distinct National Health Service trusts, centralizing care delivery at a single site to enhance healthcare equity for traditionally underserved rural populations. Data collection included both quantitative metrics and qualitative responses from patients attending these integrated clinics. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated for key metrics. Qualitative responses were coded thematically to identify common patterns. The study demonstrated unanimous patient satisfaction at 100% (49 of 49, 95% CI 92.7–100) with the combined clinic format. Healthcare access improved significantly, with 92% (45 of 49, 95% CI 78.1–98.3) reporting reduced travel costs and 96% (44 of 46, 95% CI 85.5–99.5) citing streamlined appointment coordination. This impact is particularly significant given the region’s poor public transport infrastructure, which has seen a substantial decline in bus services over the past decade. Employment impact analysis revealed that while 31% (15 of 49, 95% CI 17.7–43.5) of patients previously required time off work for separate appointments, the combined clinic significantly reduced this burden. Qualitative analysis identified consistent themes of improved comprehensive care delivery and enhanced time efficiency. The clinic proved particularly beneficial for managing complex conditions such as psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, where concurrent specialist evaluation facilitated more precise diagnostic formulation and therapeutic planning. Educational benefits were noted among participating medical students, who reported enhanced understanding of interdisciplinary care and complex disease management. In conclusion, the combined dermatology–rheumatology clinic demonstrates significant efficacy in addressing healthcare inequities in rural settings, with high patient satisfaction and operational efficiency. This cross-trust collaborative model shows particular value in managing complex autoimmune conditions requiring multispecialty input while simultaneously reducing travel burden and improving care coordination. These findings support the broader implementation of integrated specialty clinics across geographically dispersed regions, with potential applications for other specialty combinations.

DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljaf085.095

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A Joint Venture: Advancing Health Equity for Underserved Communities Through Integrated Dermatology-Rheumatology Clinics (2025)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

*Canteenwala, Zal; Thevathasan, Joseph; Baho, Heli George; Amin, Kunal; *Jain, Dimple; Amarasena, Roshan

Citation:

Cureus 17(10): e94590. doi:10.7759/cureus.94590

Abstract:

Background
Patients with immune-mediated disease often need both dermatology and rheumatology input. Separate appointments can increase travel and delay decisions, particularly in rural settings. We evaluated a monthly combined clinic in a rural UK catchment.

Methods
We conducted a prospective service evaluation (April-October 2022) of a consultant-led, co-located dermatology-rheumatology clinic. Forty-nine consecutive adult attendees completed an anonymous post-visit questionnaire on perceived usefulness, satisfaction, avoided appointments, travel costs, and prior time off work; free-text responses were thematically analysed by two reviewers. We report proportions with exact Clopper-Pearson 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with denominators varying due to item non-response.

Results
We analysed 49 questionnaires. All respondents viewed the joint appointment as a good idea (49/49; 100.0%; 95% CI 92.7-100.0), and all were satisfied (47/47; 100.0%; 95% CI 92.5-100.0). The clinic avoided an additional appointment for 44/46 (95.7%; 95% CI 85.2-99.5) and reduced out-of-pocket travel costs for 39/40 (97.5%; 95% CI 86.8-99.9). Among employed respondents, 19/36 (52.8%; 95% CI 35.5-69.6) reported previously needing time off work for separate specialty visits.

Conclusions
In a rural, cross-trust NHS setting, a combined dermatology-rheumatology clinic was feasible and associated with high patient-reported usefulness and satisfaction, fewer duplicate visits, and lower travel costs. Findings support continued provision and motivate comparative and economic evaluations using routine utilisation and cost data.

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94590

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Standardising the administration of joint injections across the Wolverhampton NHS Trust: a service improvement project in rheumatology through the lens of medical education (2025)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

*Jayasekera H.; Agunbiade T.; Chalam S.V.

Citation:

Future Healthcare Journal. Conference: Medicine 2025: The future of medicine. RCP annual conference. 11 St Andrews Pl, London United Kingdom. 12(2 Supplement) (no pagination), 2025. Article Number: 100432. Date of Publication: 01 Jun 2025.

Abstract:

Introduction: The Rheumatology Resident Doctors' Forum identified a pressing need to standardise steroid injection training due to varying experience and confidence levels among resident doctors. Many expressed a strong interest in learning injection techniques but faced barriers in accessing training and achieving formal competency. Addressing this gap had the potential to enhance service delivery, support professional development and reduce patient wait times. General practice trainees also highlighted the value of joint injection skills in primary care, helping to alleviate pressure on rheumatology services. The Dreyfus model of skill acquisition describes five levels of competency in skill development, ranging from 'novice' to 'competent' and eventually 'expert'.1 The model shows how individuals progress from rule-based, analytical thinking to experience-driven mastery of a skill.1 A recent study demonstrates that structured training can enhance competency in procedural skills, such as joint injections.2 Methods: A SMART aim was used to design learning outcomes. Fourteen applicants were selected at random. Pre-course surveys collected quantitative and qualitative data on performance challenges, confidence, and baseline knowledge. Process mapping (Fig 1) and radar diagrams (Fig 2) highlighted gaps for intervention. Four trained rheumatology doctors, supervised by a consultant, led a teaching program. Virtual meetings guided plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles and driver diagrams to ensure constructive alignment. The goal was to advance learners from the Dreyfus level of 'Novice 1' to 'Competent 1'. The course, conducted in the clinical suite, used training mannikins of knees and shoulder joints, providing real-time feedback. Teaching combined interactive lectures, small-group sessions and individualised feedback. Formative assessments maximised educational impact. Post-course data were compared to baseline, with quality improvement (QI) sustainability tools used to draw portal diagrams, highlight improvement gains and discuss long-term impacts of the project. Results and discussion: Initially, 50% of participants were novices, with none having ever injected a shoulder joint. Confidence in consenting patients increased from 14% to 100% post-course. 64% of participants were unfamiliar with medications used for injections, while 28.6% were unsure of the evidence base. Post-course, both categories improved to 100%. Additionally, 43% initially lacked confidence in clinical decision-making regarding safe joint injection. There was a 100% increase in overall confidence surrounding decision-making (43% 'strongly confident' and 57% 'confident'). All doctors passed the criterion-referenced standard assessment, acquiring formal recognition of skills in their portfolios. The course was oversubscribed and received excellent feedback. QI tools, including radar diagrams, process mapping, and PDSA cycles, had a crucial role in refining training and driving measurable improvements. The structured application of QI methodology successfully upskilled doctors, advancing them from 'Novice' to 'Competent'. Simulation-based learning, combined with real-time feedback, proved to be a highly effective strategy for accelerating skill development while enhancing clinical decision-making and confidence. By integrating this training into departmental inductions, the initiative ensured sustainability and continuous professional development, benefiting both individual practitioners and the wider healthcare service. Conclusion(s): The project led to significant improvements in confidence and competency. It demonstrated sustainability through reproducibility and was incorporated into the rheumatology departmental induction. Positive feedback highlights the course's broader applicability in QI-driven medical training.

DOI: 10.1016/j.fhj.2025.100432

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Risk of infection in patients with early inflammatory arthritis: results from a large UK prospective observational cohort study (2025)

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Type of publication:

Journal article

Author(s):

Adas, Maryam A; Bechman, Katie; Russell, Mark D; Allen, Victoria; Patel, Samir; Gibson, Mark; Karafotias, Ioasaf; Biddle, Kathryn; Zuckerman, Benjamin; Song, Kaiyang; Nagra, Deepak; Alveyn, Edward; Mahendrakar, Suma; Nursoy, Meryem; Atzeni, Fabiola; Gallagher, Sarah; Price, Elizabeth; *Garton, Mark; Rutherford, Andrew; Cope, Andrew P; Norton, Sam; Galloway, James B.

Citation:

Rheumatology. 2025 Jun 05. [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk of serious infections-(SI) according to initial conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs-(csDMARD) and corticosteroids, in patients recruited to the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit.

METHODS: An observational cohort study was used, including adults in England and Wales with new diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis-(RA) between 2018-2023. Main outcome was SI-events, defined as infections requiring hospitalisation/or resulting in death. Secondary analyses evaluated SI-related mortality alone. Hazard ratios-(HR) were calculated using cox proportional hazards models. Primary predictor was initial treatment strategy, with confounder adjustments.

RESULTS: 17 472 patients were included, of whom 10 997 on methotrexate-based strategies; 4,540 on other csDMARDs; 13 680 received corticosteroids. There were 1307 SI-events, corresponding to incidence
rates per 100 person-years of 3.02 (95% CI: 2.86-3.19) and 311 SI-related mortality (IR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.61-0.77). Methotrexate-based strategies were associated with reduced risk of SI-events compared with other csDMARDs (adjusted HR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.63-0.82). In unadjusted models, corticosteroid was associated with higher risk of SI-events, but in adjusted models this association was no longer significant (adjusted HR 0.99, 95% CI: 0.87-1.12). Increasing age, being a current/or ex-smoker (relative to non-smoker), having a comorbidity, being seropositive, and having high DAS28 all associated with increased incidence of SI. One unit increase in baseline DAS28 increases the risk of SI-event by 10%.

CONCLUSION: Methotrexate-based regimens associated with a reduced risk of SI compared with other strategies. Patient-level and disease-related factors at diagnosis are important predictors of SI in individuals with new RA.

DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaf312

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Serious infections hospital admissions and mortality in patients with early inflammatory arthritis: results from the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (2024)

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Type of publication:

Conference abstract

Author(s):

Adas M.; Bechman K.; Russell M.; Karafotias I.; Nagra D.; Patel S.; Gallagher S.; Price E.; *Garton M.; Rutherford A.; Cope A.; Norton S.; Galloway J.;

Citation:

Rheumatology. Conference: British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference, BSR 2024. Liverpool United Kingdom. 63(Supplement 1) (pp i12), 2024. Date of Publication: 01 Apr 2024.

Abstract:

Background/Aims To identify the risk of serious infections (SI) according to initial treatment strategy, using conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARD) and corticosteroids, in patients recruited to the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA). Methods An observational cohort study design was used. The population included adults in England with a new onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fulfilling ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria, between April 2018-March 2021. Outcomes studied were SI, defined by infections requiring hospitalisation (primary admission diagnosis/nosocomial acquisition) or death (SI stated on death certificate), identified using NHS Digital linkage. Patients' characteristics were tabulated by treatment strategies. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using single failure Cox proportional-hazards models, with confounders- adjusted models (age, gender, smoking status, comorbidities, social deprivation) and fully-adjusted models including disease factors (seropositivity, DAS28). Individuals were considered at risk from the date of RA diagnosis, and censored at SI event, death, or March 2021 (whichever was earliest). Results 20,060 patients with RA were included. Initial DMARD therapy was known for 19,572 patients, of whom 11,966 were on methotrexate/ MTX based strategies (mono or combo), 5,059 on csDMARD combination strategies (other than MTX) and 2,547 on no DMARD strategy. 15,319 patients were on corticosteroids at baseline. Mean age 59.5 years (+/-15); 63% female; smoking status (20% current; 30% ex-smokers); comorbidities (21% hypertension; 10% diabetes; and 12% lung disease). Rheumatoid Factor/CCP antibodies were positive in 68%. At presentation, median disease scores were 5.1 (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.0-5.9) for DAS28, 1.1 (IQR: 0.6-1.7) for health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and 24 (IQR: 16.0-33.0) for musculoskeletal health questionnaire (MSKHQ).There were 519 SI admissions and 17 SI deaths, corresponding to incidence rates per 100 person-years for admissions: 3.19 (95% CI: 2.93-3.48) and deaths: 0.10 (95% CI: 0.06-0.16). In fullyadjusted models, increasing age predicted both SI admissions and deaths. Being a smoker, having a comorbidity, higher disease activity (DAS28), symptom burden (MSKHQ) and disability (HAQ) at presentation associated with more SI admissions. For each 1 unit increase in DAS28, the risk of SI increased by 8% (HR 1.08 [95% CI:1.01-1.16]). Seropositivity did not associate with SI. MTX-based strategies 0.75 (95% CI:0.62-0.91) and csDMARD combination therapy 0.70 (95% CI:0.53-0.94) associated with fewer SI admissions compared to no DMARD. In unadjusted models, corticosteroid associated with more SI admissions 1.29 (95% CI:1.10 -1.62); however, in fully-adjusted models this association was no longer statistically significant. csDMARD strategies did not associated with SI deaths in any of the models. Conclusion Patient and disease factors at diagnosis appear to be important predictors of admissions and mortality for serious infections. Infection risk appears to be greatest in those with higher RA disease activity. An important limitation is that NEIAA does not capture data on treatment changes over time and steroid use beyond baseline.

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Randomised trial of genetic testing and targeted intervention to prevent the development and progression of Paget's disease of bone (2024)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):Phillips, Jonathan; Subedi, Deepak; Lewis, Steff C; Keerie, Catriona; Cronin, Owen; Porteous, Mary; Moore, David; Cetnarskyj, Roseanne; Ranganath, Lakshminarayan; Selby, Peter L; Turgut, Tolga; Hampson, Geeta; Chandra, Rama; *Ho, Shu; Tobias, Jon; Young-Min, Steven; McKenna, Malachi J; Crowley, Rachel K; Fraser, William D; Tang, Jonathan C Y; Gennari, Luigi; Nuti, Rannuccio; Brandi, Maria Luisa; Del Pino-Montes, Javier; Devogelaer, Jean-Pierre; Durnez, Anne; Isaia, Giovanni Carlo; Di Stefano, Marco; Guanabens, Nuria; Blanch Rubio, Josep; Seibel, Markus J; Walsh, John P; Rea, Sarah L; Kotowicz, Mark A; Nicholson, Geoffrey C; Duncan, Emma L; Major, Gabor; Horne, Anne; Gilchrist, Nigel; Ralston, Stuart H.

Citation:Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 83(4):529-536, 2024 Mar 12.

Abstract:INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) frequently presents at an advanced stage with irreversible skeletal damage. Clinical outcomes might be improved by earlier diagnosis and prophylactic treatment. METHODS: We randomised 222 individuals at increased risk of PDB because of pathogenic SQSTM1 variants to receive 5 mg zoledronic acid (ZA) or placebo. The primary outcome was new bone lesions assessed by radionuclide bone scan. Secondary outcomes included change in existing lesions, biochemical markers of bone turnover and skeletal events related to PDB. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 84 months (range 0-127) and 180 participants (81%) completed the study. At baseline, 9 (8.1%) of the ZA group had PDB lesions vs 12 (10.8%) of the placebo group. Two of the placebo group developed new lesions versus none in the ZA group (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.00 to 3.43, p=0.25). Eight of the placebo group had a poor outcome (lesions which were new, unchanged or progressing) compared with none of the ZA group (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.42, p=0.003). At the study end, 1 participant in the ZA group had lesions compared with 11 in the placebo group. Biochemical markers of bone turnover were significantly reduced in the ZA group. One participant allocated to placebo required rescue therapy with ZA because of symptomatic disease. The number and severity of adverse events did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic testing for pathogenic SQSTM1 variants coupled with intervention with ZA is well tolerated and has favourable effects on the progression of early PDB. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN11616770.

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Rheumatoid nodule presenting as a Morton's neuroma in the foot: An important differential diagnosis to consider (2023)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Patel R; Nand R; Sunderamoorthy D

Citation:
Radiology Case Reports. 18(7):2416-2419, 2023 Jul.

Abstract:
A 51-year-old lady with a background of rheumatoid arthritis presented to the foot and ankle clinic with pain and a typical history of Morton's neuroma. Examination revealed a palpable swelling over the right foot in the third intermetatarsal space. Following failed conservative management, the patient underwent excision of the neuroma. Histology revealed of necrotizing granulomas with peripheral palisading and no evidence of features specific to a neuroma. This has rarely been described previously and supports the concept of rheumatoid synovitis and nodules producing symptoms mimicking Morton's neuroma/metatarsalgia

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Rheumatoid nodule presenting as an indeterminate soft tissue mass in the sole of the foot (2023)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Patel R.; Nand R.; Sunderamoorthy D.

Citation:
Journal of Surgical Case Reports. 2023(5) (no pagination), May 2023.

Abstract:
A 64-year-old lady with a background of rheumatoid arthritis presented to the foot and ankle clinic with lump underneath the sole of her foot causing significant discomfort. Examination revealed she had a swelling of the first and the second metatarsophalangeal joints. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal soft tissue thickening between the second and the third metatarsal and a single large encapsulating indeterminate soft tissue mass with a peripheral inflammatory rim. The appearance was suggestive of a malignant sarcoma rather than a rheumatoid nodule or rheumatoid tenosynovitis. The patient was referred to the regional sarcoma unit where the scans were reviewed, and a sarcoma was ruled out. The patient then underwent excision of the indeterminate soft tissue mass. Histology revealed granulomatous infiltration suggestive of a rheumatoid nodule. This has not been described previously in the literature.

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The need to accurately measure energy intake and expenditure in patients with systemic sclerosis (2022)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):Hughes M.; *Harrison E.; Herrick A.L.; McLaughlin J.T.; Lal S.

Citation:Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders, 7(3):217-223, 2022 Oct.

Abstract:Background: Malnutrition is common in systemic sclerosis and patients are frequently underweight. However, the balance between assessed dietary energy intake versus expenditure has been neglected to date. This study aimed to assess energy (dietary) intakes and expenditures and to compare discrepancies in systemic sclerosis.Method(s): Thirty-six outpatients with systemic sclerosis completed the study. Demographics and clinical data were recorded. Functional questionnaires were completed. Predicted energy requirements were calculated. Over a consecutive 3-day period, patients completed an estimated food diary and wore a specialist energy expenditure monitor (SenseWear Armband). Assessments of intake and expenditure were compared for individual patients, and the impact according to patient demographics, clinical manifestations and disease severity evaluated.Result(s): Energy intake did not correlate with predicted (s = 0.117; p = 0.511) or measured (s = -0.039; p = 0.825) expenditures. Predicted and measured energy expenditures correlated, but actual values differed for individuals (intraclass correlation = 0.62; 95% limits of agreement = -459 to 751 kcal). Respiratory involvement was negatively correlated with number of steps (s = -0.350; p = 0.04) and time spent lying (s = 0.333; p = 0.05). There was a significant correlation between body mass index and predicted versus measured energy discrepancy (s = 0.41; p = 0.02), and this discrepancy was greater with higher body mass indices.Conclusion(s): There was no correlation between intake and either predicted or measured energy expenditure. Predicted and measured energy expenditures were strongly correlated yet differed for the individual patient. In patients with systemic sclerosis, where energy expenditure must be accurately assessed, it should be directly measured.