Arthritis Research Canada at EULAR 2021
The EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology is the primary platform for exchange of scientific and clinical information in Europe. It seeks to provide a forum of the highest standard for scientific, educational and social exchange between professionals involved in rheumatology. It also incorporates liaising with patient organizations in order to achieve progress in the clinical care of people with rheumatic diseases.
The EULAR Congress attracts more than 18,000 delegates from over 130 countries and usually takes place in a major European city. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the EULAR Congress has moved to a virtual format this year and is taking place over four days between June 2 and 5.
Day 3: June 4, 2021
Research Spotlight
The Neuro-QOL Upper Extremity Function Scale: New opportunities to more reliably and precisely measure self-reported hand function and self-care activities in people with rheumatoid arthritis
Clinicians, researchers, and patients benefit from practical self-report tools that reliably and precisely monitor hand function in rheumatoid arthritis. This study provides evidence in support of using a self-report tool, called the Neuro-QoL UEF, for patients to assess how arthritis in their hands affects their day-to-day experiences.
Research Team: Bartlett SJ, Schieir O, Valois MF, Boire G, Pope J, Keystone E, Thorne C, Tin D, Hitchon C, Bessette L, Hazlewood G, Bykerk V, on behalf of CATCH Investigators et al.
To learn more about Arthritis Research Canada research presented at the EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (Day 3), please scroll down.
Pro-Inflammatory Diet and risk of incident gout: 3 prospective cohort studies of US men and women
We analyzed data from 217,000 adults followed over 30 years and found those who ate more pro-inflammatory foods (i.e. red/processed meats, tomato products, sugary beverages, and refined grains) were more likely to develop gout. Eating less of these foods may reduce the risk of developing gout.
Research Team: McCormick N, Yokose C, Lu N, Joshi A, Choi HK
Characteristics associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (COVID-19 GRA)
To understand the characteristics associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes in SLE patients, this study investigated the association between COVID-19 severity and demographic and disease characteristics amongst an adult SLE patient registry. Factors including age, male sex, glucocorticoid use, chronic kidney and heart disease, and moderate/high disease activity were associated with more severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Research Team: Ugarte-Gil MF, Alarcon GS, Seet A, Izadi Z, Sokolova Reategui C, Clark AE, Wise L, Pons-Estel G, Santos MJ, Bernatsky S, Mathias L, Lim N, Sparks J, Wallace Z, Hyrich K, Strangfeld A, Gossec L, Carmona L, Mateus E, Lawson-Tovey S, Trupin L, Rush S, Schmajuk G, Katz P, Jacobsohn L, Al Emadi S, Gilbert E, Yazdany J et al.
LLDAS (Low Lupus Disease Activity State), Low Disease Activity (LDA) and Remission (on- or off-treatment) Prevent Damage Accrual in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients in a Multinational Multicenter Cohort
This study aims to understand the impact of low lupus disease activity state, low disease activity , and remission on the development of organ damage over time in lupus. Results indicate that remission and low disease activity were associated with accruing less damage in a long-term, multinational lupus cohort.
Research Team: Ugarte-Gil MF, Hanly J, Urowitz MB, Gordon C, Bae SC, Romero-Diaz J, Sanchez-Guerrero J, Bernatsky S, Clarke AE, Wallace DJ, Isenberg D, Rahman A, Merrill JT, Fortin P, Gladman DD, Bruce IN, Petri MA, Ginzler EN, DooleyMA, Ramsey-Goldman R, Manzi S, Jonsen A, Van Vollenhoven R, Aranow C, Mackay M, Ruiz-Irastorza G, Sam Lim S, Inanc M, Kalunian KC, Jacobsen S, Peschken C, Kamen DL, Askanase A, Pons-Estel B, Alarcon GS
Does excess weight affect gout risk differently among genetically predisposed individuals? – Sex-specific prospective cohort findings over >26 years
The aim of this study was to examine how the genetic predisposition for developing gout may modify the relationship between obesity and gout development. Among women, excess weight may play a larger role in the development of gout for those with a genetic predisposition for gout, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important gout prevention strategy, regardless of underlying genetic risk.
Research Team: Yokose C, McCormick N, Lu L, Joshi A, Choi HK
Gene-diet interaction on the risk of incident gout among women – prospective cohort study over 32 years
Research has shown that the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, is associated with a lower risk of gout. A Western diet, characterized by high intake of red and processed meats, sugary drinks, desserts, French fries, and refined grains, is associated with a higher risk of gout. We studied 18,512 women and found that these associations were still true, regardless of any underlying genetic predisposition for gout.
Research Team: Yokose C, McCormick N, Lu L, Joshi A, Choi HK
