IgG4-related diseases
Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fascinating condition recognised as a systemic disease in 2003 . The first link between autoimmunity affecting the pancreas, elevated serum IgG4 concentrations and…
RHEUMATOLOGY
A variety of diseases with a common trunk
This issue of ‘Clinical Rheumatology’ is devoted to a group of diseases that are individually different; however, they share several facts in common ( Table 1 ). Table 1 Common…
Improving work participation for adults with musculoskeletal conditions
The impact of musculoskeletal disorders on work is demanding more attention from clinicians. For many rheumatologists, inflammatory arthritis is the most frequently encountered condition that interferes with work. However, the…
Cost of rheumatic disorders in the Netherlands
Rheumatic disorders concern a broad spectrum of painful disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system, and are responsible for a considerable amount of disease burden and also a substantial economic burden. This…
The issue of comparators in economic evaluations of biologic response modifiers in rheumatoid arthritis
Introduction Over the last decade, a number of biologic response modifiers (BRMs) have emerged and transformed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management. Due to their relatively high costs, economic evaluations have attempted…
Impact of socioeconomic gradients within and between countries on health of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Lessons from QUEST RA
In this chapter, we discuss challenges in collecting data on outcomes of patients who receive usual rheumatology care. We present results of the multinational Quantitative Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid…
The economic burden of systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by variable and unpredictable manifestations that can severely affect a person’s physical and mental well-being, social life and ability to…
Compromised access to prescriptions and medical care because of cost among US adults with arthritis
Introduction Study objectives were to: 1) determine the magnitude of three outcomes (prescription unaffordable, care delayed and needed care not obtained) related to cost-attributable compromised medical care access among US…
The changing demographics of total joint arthroplasty recipients in the United States and Ontario from 2001 to 2007
Background The rates of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) of the hip and knee have increased in North America over the last decade. While initially designed for elderly patients (>70 years…
The cost-effectiveness of total joint arthroplasty: A systematic review of published literature
Objective To summarise the state of the literature evaluating the cost-effectiveness of elective total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA). Methods We conducted a systematic review of published cost-effectiveness…
