Spanish Rheumatology Society Research Articles

18F-FDG-PET/CT Scan for Detection of Large Vessel Involvement in Giant Cell Arteritis: Arteser Spanish Registry.

Background/Objectives: Imaging studies have transformed the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) involvement in giant cell arteritis (GCA). A positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing LVV. We aimed to determine the utility of an 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan in detecting LVV in GCA in the ARTESER registry. Methods: The ARTESER study is a large multicenter, retrospective, longitudinal, and observational study, promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology. It included patients newly diagnosed with GCA across 26 tertiary hospitals from 1 June 2013 to 29 March 2019. Patients with a diagnosis of incidental GCA were included if they fulfilled specific criteria, including the ACR 1990 criteria, positive imaging examinations, or the expert clinical opinion of investigators. Differences between patients with positive and negative 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan results were analyzed using a bivariate model. A regression model assessed associations in patients with a positive scan, and the predictive capacity of the cumulative dose of glucocorticoids (GC) on PET scan outcomes was evaluated using ROC curve analysis. Results: Out of 1675 GCA patients included in the registry, 377 met the inclusion criteria of having an 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan. The majority were diagnosed with a cranial GCA phenotype, and 65% had LVV. The thoracic aorta was the most frequently affected. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and older age had a negative association with a positive scan outcome. The OR for having a positive 18F-FDG-PET/CTC scan was lower as the number of days increased. Depending on the cumulative dosage of the GC, the 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan showed an AUC of 0.74, with a Youden index > 60 mg/day. Conclusions: Younger patients showed a higher probability of presenting LVV as detected by the 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan. The timing of the examination and the cumulative dosage of the GC influenced the likelihood of a positive result, with earlier tests being more likely to detect inflammation.

Update of the Consensus Statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the use of biological and synthetic targeted therapies in rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo update the consensus document of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) regarding the use of targeted biological and synthetic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the aim of assisting clinicians in their therapeutic decisions. MethodsA panel of 13 experts was assembled through an open call by SER. We employed a mixed adaptation-elaboration-update methodology starting from the 2015 Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the use of biological therapies in RA. Starting with systematic reviews (SR) of recommendations from EULAR 2019, American College of Rheumatology 2021, and GUIPCAR 2017, we updated the search strategies for the PICO questions of GUIPCAR. An additional SR was conducted on demyelinating disease in relation to targeted biological and synthetic therapies. Following the analysis of evidence by different panelists, consensus on the wording and level of agreement for each recommendation was reached in a face-to-face meeting. ResultsThe panel established 5 general principles and 15 recommendations on the management of RA. These encompassed crucial aspects such as the importance of early treatment, therapeutic goals in RA, monitoring frequency, the use of glucocorticoids, the application of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), biological DMARDs (bDMARDs), and targeted synthetic DMARDs. Additionally, recommendations on dose reduction of these drugs in stable patients were included. This update also features recommendations on the use of bDMARDs and Janus Kinase inhibitors in some specific clinical situations, such as patients with lung disease, a history of cancer, heart failure, or demyelinating disease. ConclusionsThis update provides recommendations on key aspects in the management of RA using targeted biological and synthetic therapies.

Visual manifestations in giant cell arteritis: identification of risk factors from the ARTESER Registry.

To determine the prevalence and predictive factors of visual manifestations in a large registry of patients with GCA. ARTESER is a large Spanish multicentre registry supported by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology. It includes patients with GCA from across the entire country diagnosed between June 2013 and March 2019. The variables collected at diagnosis were demographics, clinical manifestations (including all visual manifestations), laboratory, temporal artery biopsy, and imaging findings (ultrasound, FDG-PET/CT, MRI angiography, CT angiography). Patients with and without visual involvement were compared in a bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine potential predictive factors of visual manifestations. The study population comprised 1636 GCA patients, of whom 599 (36.6%) presented visual manifestations. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy was the most frequent (n = 274 of 599; 45.7%) ocular complication. The independent predictors that increased the risk (OR; 95% confidence interval) of visual involvement were older age (1.027; 1.009-1.045) and jaw claudication (1.724; 1.325-2.243). The variables associated with a reduced risk were polymyalgia rheumatica (0.541; 0.414-0.708), fever (0.373; 0.264-0.527), longer symptom duration (0.946; 0.909-0.985), and higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (0.992; 0.988-0.997), common features of patients with large vessel-GCA. One-third of GCA patients present visual manifestations at diagnosis. Older age and jaw claudication are independent predictors of visual manifestations, whereas polymyalgia rheumatica, fever, longer symptom duration, and high ESR reduce the risk of visual involvement.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on risk management of biological treatment and JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo present recommendations based on the available evidence and the consensus of experts, for risk management of biological treatment and JAK inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsClinical research questions relevant to the purpose of the document were identified. These questions were reformulated in PICO format (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome or outcome) by a panel of experts, selected based on their experience in the area. A systematic review of the evidence was carried out, grading according to the GRADE criteria (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Specific recommendations were then formulated. Results6 PICO questions were proposed by the panel of experts based on their clinical relevance and the existence of recent information regarding the risk of occurrence of serious infections, the risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B virus, the risk of reactivation of the virus varicella-zoster, the risk of appearance of skin (melanoma and non-melanoma) or haematological cancer, the risk of appearance of thromboembolic disease and the risk of progression of the human papilloma virus.A total of 28 recommendations were formulated, structured by question, based on the evidence found and the consensus of the experts. ConclusionsThe SER recommendations on risk management of treatment with biologic therapies and JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis are presented.

Influence of the EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: results of the ARTESER register

ObjectiveThe main study objective was to determine how giant cell arteritis (GCA) is diagnosed in our clinical practice and whether the EULAR recommendations have influenced the diagnostic procedures used.MethodsARTEritis of...

Prevalence of rheumatic diseases in Baix Empordà

BackgroundIn Spain, the prevalence of different rheumatic diseases is known mainly through the EPISER studies coordinated by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology and based on surveys in a population sample. The aim of our study is to describe the prevalence in 2016 of different rheumatic diseases in the population residing in Baix Empordà according to healthcare coding records. Materials and methodsObservational, descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out on the population attended from 2016 to 2017 in SIBBE (Serveis de Salut Integrats del Baix Empordà), an organizational service that includes all the healthcare facilities in the Baix Empordà area with a unique information system. Patients ≥ 20 years of age were selected and the ICD9-CM coding of all their healthcare contacts was analysed according to 11 entities and 28 diseases. The entities were: polyarthritis, spondyloarthritis, microcrystalline arthritis, osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, fibromyalgia, chronic spinal pain, osteoporosis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitis and others. The studied population was assigned to the categories: "with rheumatic disease", "possible rheumatic disease" and "without rheumatic disease". ResultsIn total, 71,785 patients were distributed as: 36.2% “with rheumatic disease (n = 25,990); 6.1% with “possible rheumatic disease” (n = 4406) and 57.7% “without rheumatic disease” (n = 41,389). The group "with rheumatic disease" showed a predominance of women (59.7% vs. 44.9%) and older age (59.1 ± 17.7 vs. 45.1 ± 16.2; p < .001) compared to the group "without rheumatic disease". The presence of rheumatic disease increased progressively with age, being maximum in the group between 55–75 years. Conclusions36.2% of our population has some type of rheumatic disease. The estimated prevalence of some rheumatic diseases in the Baix Empordà population is partially consistent with that estimated by the EPISER 2016 study. Rheumatic disease affects women in a greater proportion and is more frequent in patients over 45 years of age.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the Management of Patients with Fibromyalgia. Part II.

To prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of «formal assessment» or «reasoned judgement». Thirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This partII shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. Good knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.

Position of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) and the Spanish Society for Bone Research and Mineral Metabolism (SEIOMM) on romosozumab

Position of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) and the Spanish Society for Bone Research and Mineral Metabolism (SEIOMM) on romosozumab

Relationship between onset of psoriasis and spondyloarthritis symptoms with clinical phenotype and diagnosis: data from REGISPONSER registry.

Background:The relationship of psoriasis and spondyloarthritis (SpA) is well-known, and the age of appearance of different manifestations has been described as a determinant of SpA phenotype. However, differences between Spa with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are still controversial.Objectives:To evaluate whether the time of onset of psoriasis relative to the appearance of rheumatic symptoms in patients with SpA is associated with a clinical phenotype, a rheumatologist’s diagnosis and the evolution of the disease.Design:This was a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the REGISPONSER (Spondyloarthritis Registry of the Spanish Rheumatology Society) registry.Methods:All patients had data available for both psoriasis and SpA dates of onset. Patients were classified into two groups depending on the time of appearance of psoriasis: psoriasis before or after rheumatic symptoms. The clinical characteristics, disease activity, radiographic damage, functional ability and received treatments were compared between the two groups. Moreover, the rheumatologists’ diagnoses were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate the factors associated with each group.Results:A total of 433/2367 (18.3%) patients included in the REGISPONSER database had psoriasis: 330 (76.2%) patients had psoriasis before rheumatic symptoms, and 103 (23.8%) had psoriasis after rheumatic symptoms. Patients with psoriasis before rheumatic symptoms had a shorter disease duration and a lower body mass index, a lower prevalence of both HLA-B27 antigens and anterior uveitis, a higher prevalence of dactylitis and an increase in levels of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Furthermore, a higher prevalence of PsA diagnoses (78.1% versus 56.4%) and a more frequent fulfilment of the CASPAR criteria (57.5% versus 42.2%) were found in these patients. The use of DMARDs was not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion:The time of appearance of psoriasis is associated with the clinical phenotype of SpA and could determine a diagnosis of PsA by rheumatologists.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment

ObjectiveTo prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable. MethodsA multidisciplinary team identified the main areas of interest and carried out an analysis of scientific evidence and established recommendations based on the evidence and “formal evaluation” or “reasoned judgment” qualitative analysis techniques. ResultsA total of 39 recommendations address diagnosis, unsafe or ineffective treatment interventions and patient and healthcare workers’ education. This part I shows the first 27 recommendations on the first 2 areas. ConclusionsEstablishing a diagnosis improves the patient's coping with the disease and reduces healthcare costs. NSAIDs, strong opioids and benzodiazepines should be avoided due to side effects. There is no good evidence to justify the association of several drugs. There is also no good evidence to recommend any complementary medicine. Surgeries show a greater number of complications and a lower degree of patient satisfaction and therefore should be avoided if the surgical indication is not clearly established.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of patients with fibromyalgia. Part II

ObjectiveTo prevent the deterioration of patients with fibromyalgia due to potentially avoidable harmful actions in clinical practice. MethodsA multidisciplinary panel of experts identified key areas, analysed the scientific evidence and formulated recommendations based on this evidence and qualitative techniques of “formal assessment” or “reasoned judgement”. ResultsThirty-nine recommendations were made on diagnosis, ineffective and unsafe treatments, patient education and practitioner training. This part II shows the 12 recommendations, referring to the latter two areas. ConclusionsGood knowledge of fibromyalgia on the part of patients improves their coping and acceptance of the disease and reduces the severity of some clinical manifestations. Healthcare professionals treating patients with fibromyalgia should be well trained in this disease to improve treatment outcomes and patient relationships.

Prevalence and clinical impact of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease in patients with silicosis

BackgroundSilicosis is associated with an increased risk of developing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). The prognostic implications of this association are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARD and autoimmune markers in a cohort of patients with exposure to silica and assess their impact on prognosis. MethodWe performed a prospective observational study of all patients attending the dedicated silicosis clinic of our pulmonology unit between 2009 and December 2017. Diagnosis was confirmed by a rheumatologist according to Spanish Rheumatology Society criteria. Autoimmune markers, pulmonary function tests, radiological progression, visits to the emergency department and primary care center, and hospital admissions for respiratory causes, and mortality were analyzed. ResultsOverall, 489 cases of silicosis and 95 cases of exposure were studied. In total, 54 (11.0%) patients with silicosis had SARD: 12 (2.4%) rheumatoid arthritis, 10 (2.0%) systemic lupus erythematosus, 10 (2.0%) systemic sclerosis, 3 (0.6%) Sjögren syndrome, 2 (0.4%) vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA +), 6 (1.2%) psoriatic arthritis, 3 (0.6%) ankylosing spondylitis, and 8 (1.6%) other autoimmune diseases with no special features. The patients with SARD visited the emergency room more often (63.0% vs. 42.5%; p = 0.004), and progressed more rapidly (22.2 vs. 11.7%; p = 0.030). ConclusionsThe presence of systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases involves radiological progression and a higher clinical impact.

Organisational and clinical approach to osteoporosis in rheumatology: OP-SER-Excellence survey and consensus

ObjectiveTo determine and analyse the organisational approach adopted by Spanish rheumatologists to osteoporosis (OP) to define strategic priorities. Material and methodA group of experts designed a questionnaire on OP in the rheumatologist practice. The survey was sent to the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) members. Through the Delphi round, strategic priorities were agreed upon in OP. ResultsThe priorities are: 1) The SER should promote the inclusion of OP in 100% of the services and expand the training offer; 2) Rheumatology services should promote the role of the nurse in OP, promote quality indicators and referral protocols agreed with primary care in addition to promoting their training in this area; 3) The SER and Rheumatology services should promote electronic consultation, OP monographic clinics and participation in Fracture Liaison Service units. ConclusionsStrategic priorities in OP help identify areas of improvement at organisational, structural and quality standards level in this pathology.

Uveitis as the first symptom in spondyloarthritis and its association with the evolution of the disease. Results from the REGISPONSER registry.

To describe the time of onset of acute anterior uveitis (AAU) relative to the appearance of rheumatic symptoms and to determine its association with the evolution of the spondyloarthritis (SpA) in terms of activity, structural damage, functional ability and treatment. This was a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the REGISPONSER (SpA Registry of the Spanish Rheumatology Society). Thirty-one centres participated, and patients with SpA according to the ESSG criteria were included from 2004 to 2007. Patients were classified according to the time of uveitis appearance with regard to rheumatic symptom onset (before, concomitant with, or after rheumatic symptom onset). We compared the clinical characteristics, disease activity, radiographic damage and functional ability between "AAU before or concomitant with rheumatic symptoms" and "AAU after rheumatic symptoms onset". Finally, we compared whether the time of appearance of AAU had an impact on the use of conventional and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs and bDMARDs, respectively). A total of 2367 patients were included in REGISPONSER, with an AAU prevalence of 16.2% (379 patients). Patients with AAU before/concomitant with rheumatic symptom onset (n=59) exhibited better functional ability (BASFI, OR 0.85 [0.73-0.99]) and less structural damage (spinal BASRI, OR 0.88 [0.79-0.99]). Additionally, this group of patients was older at SpA symptom onset (OR 1.05 [1.02-1.09]) and had a shorter diagnosis delay (OR 0.90 [0.84-0.96]) compared patients with AAU after rheumatic symptom onset (n=229). No statistically significant differences in the use of DMARDs were noted (27.9% vs 23.2% for csDMARD use and 15.3% vs 20.3% for bDMARD use in patients with AAU before or concomitant with rheumatic symptom onset vs after rheumatic symptom onset, respectively). Patients presenting with a first episode of AAU before/concomitant with the onset of rheumatic symptoms had less severe disease (better functional ability and less structural damage) and a shorter diagnosis delay; however, the time of AAU onset did not impact the treatments received.

Safety in the use of ultrasound in rheumatology during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Spanish Society of Rheumatology positioning paper

La ecografía es una técnica de amplia implantación en reumatología que implica una gran interacción entre paciente y profesional. La pandemia COVID-19 hace necesario un cambio en nuestra práctica clínica, mediante estrategias que permitan la asistencia integral de nuestros pacientes, garantizando la seguridad tanto de los pacientes como de los profesionales sanitarios.ObjetivoDesarrollar unas recomendaciones prácticas, consensuadas entre un panel de expertos, sobre el uso y seguridad de la ecografía reumatológica durante la pandemia COVID-19.MétodosAnalizando la literatura disponible se realizaron unas recomendaciones preliminares, posteriormente consensuadas con un panel de expertos mediante el método Delphi con una escala Likert 1-5.ResultadosSe elaboraron y consensuaron por el panel 5 principios fundamentales y 28 recomendaciones. El consenso del grupo se logró en el 100% de ítems (acuerdo para cada recomendación ≥4 en escala de Likert del 75% de componentes del panel).ConclusionesEl documento proporciona información de utilidad acerca de medidas preventivas en la práctica de ecografía en reumatología en tiempos de pandemia COVID-19 de acuerdo a la experiencia y literatura disponible hasta el momento.

Prevalencia e impacto clínico de las enfermedades reumatológicas autoinmunitarias sistémicas en pacientes con silicosis

BackgroundSilicosis is associated with an increased risk of developing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). The prognostic implications of this association are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARD and autoimmune markers in a cohort of patients with exposure to silica and assess their impact on prognosis. MethodWe performed a prospective observational study of all patients attending the dedicated silicosis clinic of our pulmonology unit between 2009 and December 2017. Diagnosis was confirmed by a rheumatologist according to Spanish Rheumatology Society criteria. Autoimmune markers, pulmonary function tests, radiological progression, visits to the emergency department and primary care center, and hospital admissions for respiratory causes, and mortality were analyzed. ResultsOverall, 489 cases of silicosis and 95 cases of exposure were studied. In total, 54 (11.0%) patients with silicosis had SARD: 12 (2.4%) rheumatoid arthritis, 10 (2.0%) systemic lupus erythematosus, 10 (2.0%) systemic sclerosis, 3 (0.6%) Sjögren syndrome, 2 (0.4%) vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA +), 6 (1.2%) psoriatic arthritis, 3 (0.6%) ankylosing spondylitis, and 8 (1.6%) other autoimmune diseases with no special features. The patients with SARD visited the emergency room more often (63.0 vs. 42.5%; p = 0.004), and progressed more rapidly (22.2 vs. 11.7%; p = 0.030). ConclusionsThe presence of systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases involves radiological progression and a higher clinical impact.

Associated factors to serious infections in a large cohort of juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus from Lupus Registry (RELESSER).

ObjectiveTo assess the incidence of serious infection (SI) and associated factors in a large juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) retrospective cohort. MethodsAll patients in the Spanish Rheumatology Society Lupus Registry (RELESSER) who meet ≥4 ACR-97 SLE criteria and disease onset <18 years old (jSLE), were retrospectively investigated for SI (defined as either the need for hospitalization with antibacterial therapy for a potentially fatal infection or death caused by the infection). Standardized SI rate was calculated per 100 patient years. Patients with and without SI were compared. Bivariate and multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were built to calculate associated factors to SI and relative risks. ResultsA total of 353 jSLE patients were included: 88.7% female, 14.3 years (± 2.9) of age at diagnosis, 16.0 years (± 9.3) of disease duration and 31.5 years (±10.5) at end of follow-up. A total of 104 (29.5%) patients suffered 205 SI (1, 55.8%; 2-5, 38.4%; and ≥6, 5.8%). Incidence rate was 3.7 (95%CI: 3.2–4.2) SI per 100 patient years. Respiratory location and bacterial infections were the most frequent. Higher number of SLE classification criteria, SLICC/ACR DI score and immunosuppressants use were associated to the presence of SI. Associated factors to shorter time to first infection were higher number of SLE criteria, splenectomy and immunosuppressants use. ConclusionsThe risk of SI in jSLE patients is significant and higher than aSLE. It is associated to higher number of SLE criteria, damage accrual, some immunosuppressants and splenectomy.

Pregnancy control in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome. Part 1: Infertility, ovarian preservation and preconception assessment. Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEGO), the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER)

ObjectivePregnancy and puerperium are considered a risk situation in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Therefore, specialised assessment is essential both preconception and during pregnancy and the puerperium. Likewise, it is very important that different specialists in autoimmune diseases and high-risk pregnancies participate in the follow-up of these patients in a coordinated manner. The Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, and the Spanish Society of Rheumatology have set up a working group for the preparation of three consensus documents. MethodsThe stages of the work were: distribution of work in three groups corresponding to the three periods related to pregnancy (preconception, during pregnancy and childbirth and puerperium), identification of key areas, exhaustive review of the literature and formulation of recommendations. Results161 recommendations were prepared that address the three periods indicated. This first document includes the 48 recommendations that address aspects related to infertility, the need for and treatments for gonadal preservation and preconception assessment. ConclusionsThese multidisciplinary recommendations are considered decision-making tools for clinicians involved in the care of patients with SLE/APS during pregnancy.

Development of an application for mobile phones (App) based on the collaboration between the Spanish Society of Rheumatology and Spanish Society of Family Medicine for the referral of systemic autoimmune diseases from primary care to rheumatology

Management of systemic autoimmune diseases is challenging for physicians in their clinical practice. Although not common, they affect thousands of patients in Spain. The family doctor faces patients with symptoms and non-specific cutaneous, mucous, joint, vascular signs or abnormal laboratory findings at the start of the disease process and has to determine when to refer patients to the specialist. To aid in disease detection and better referral, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology and the Spanish Society of Family Medicine has created a group of experts who selected 26 symptoms, key signs and abnormal laboratory findings which were organized by organ and apparatus. Family doctors and rheumatologists with an interest in autoimmune systemic diseases were selected and formed mixed groups of two that then elaborated algorithms for diagnostic guidelines and referral. The algorithms were then reviewed, homogenized and adapted to the algorithm format and application for cell phone (apps) download. The result is the current referral document of systemic autoimmune diseases for the family doctor in paper format and app (download). It contains easy-to-use algorithms using data from anamnesis, physical examination and laboratory results usually available to primary care, that help diagnose and refer patients to rheumatology or other specialties if needed.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Spain: higher than previously reported in other countries?

ObjectivesPrevalence of SLE varies among studies, being influenced by study design, geographical area and ethnicity. Data about the prevalence of SLE in Spain are scarce. In the EPISER2016 study, promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, the prevalence estimate of SLE in the general adult population in Spain has been updated and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables has been explored.MethodsPopulation-based multicentre cross-sectional study, with multistage stratified and cluster random sampling. Participants were contacted by telephone to carry out a questionnaire for the screening of SLE. Investigating rheumatologists evaluated positive results (review of medical records and/or telephone interview, with medical visit if needed) to confirm the diagnosis. To calculate the prevalence and its 95% CI, the sample design was taken into account and weighing was calculated considering age, sex and geographic origin. Multivariate logistic regression models were defined to analyse which sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables included in the telephone questionnaire were associated with the presence of SLE.Results4916 subjects aged 20 years or over were included. 16.52% (812/4916) had a positive screening result for SLE. 12 cases of SLE were detected. The estimated prevalence was 0.21% (95% CI: 0.11, 0.40). SLE was more prevalent in the rural municipalities, with an odds ratio (OR) = 4.041 (95% CI: 1.216, 13.424).ConclusionThe estimated prevalence of SLE in Spain is higher than that described in most international epidemiological studies, but lower than that observed in ethnic minorities in the United States or the United Kingdom.