As part of The Lancet Rheumatology’s special issue on public and patient involvement in rheumatology, in this month’s episode, Aisling talks to Professor Jon Lampa about his recent publication on the patient-reported outcomes from the NORD-STAR trial.

The 2023 NORD-STAR trial was the first randomised trial to compare three different biological DMARDs, all in combination with methotrexate with active conventional treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The study showed that after 48 weeks remission rates were higher in two of the three (Certolizumab pegol, abatacept, but not tocilizumab) biological DMARDs compared to active conventional treatment and that while radiographic progression was low, it was similar between groups. Providing an interesting insight into the management of patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

Patient-reported outcomes are vital for measuring health, quality of life and treatment impact directly from the patient perspective–and now the data on how these treatments impact patient-reported outcomes is here.
We also discuss the importance of reporting patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials, the benefits of including patients and people with lived experience in research and what the future of patient-reported outcome measures looks like.

Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(26)00007-X/fulltext

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In this month’s episode we discuss childhood-onset Sjögren’s disease-a rare and under-researched rheumatic condition.

Lack of robust clinical and immunological characterisation of this condition alongside assessment of its impact on quality of life has significantly hampered progress in the delivery of high-quality research and evidence-based recommendations for care. There are currently no studies following up children and young people with childhood-onset Sjögren's disease as they move into adulthood and there remains a clear knowledge gap surrounding the natural course and long-term outcomes of childhood-onset Sjögren's disease.

Professor Coziana Cuirtin from the Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology at the University College London discusses the long-term outcomes of patients with childhood-onset Sjögren’s disease. We also discuss barriers and facilitators to recruiting these patients, the current management strategies available and what’s next for childhood-onset Sjögren’s disease research.

Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(25)00283-8/fulltext

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This months episode covers Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, or HLH, a rare, life-threatening disorder characterised by dysregulated immune activity resulting in systemic inflammation, tissue damage and multiorgan failure which affects both children and adults.
The annual prevalence of HLH in England is around 2 per million people in the adult population, with an overall 1-year survival rate of around 50% and similar rates have also been reported in other countries across the world. However, as most studies of HLH prevalence primarily focus on single nations and specific subpopulations, epidemiological data on global incidence and mortality rates are scarce.
Dr Fiona Pearce and Dr Rachel Tattersall discuss their recent publication in The Lancet Rheumatology which looked at mortality rates of HLH across Europe, we also discuss what manifestations clinicians should be looking out for and what’s next for HLH research.

Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(25)00292-9/fulltext

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