Update of the guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by the Mexican College of Rheumatology 2023.

Objective: To develop updated guidelines for the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A group of experts representative of different geographical regions and various medical services catering to the Mexican population with RA was formed. Questions based on Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) were developed, deemed clinically relevant.

Self-perceived knowledge level of epidemic management in medical residents prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.

Introduction: COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, requiring a comprehensive response from all healthcare systems, including Mexico's. As medical residents' training did not involve epidemic response, we decided to evaluate their level of training on this subject, specifically self-perceived knowledge level and capacity to respond to epidemiological crises.

Methodology: Medical residents from two hospitals belonging to PEMEX (Mexico's state-owned petroleum company) were included in a cross-sectional study.

Comorbidity burden in terms of disability in patients with osteoarthritis in Mexico. The IMPACTAR registry.

Objective: To determine the comorbidities associated with disability in patients with OA in Mexico (2013-2015).

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective and multicentre IMPACTAR study (n=7703) in Mexican patients (2013-2015). Comorbidities associated with disability were identified in 4971 patients diagnosed with OA from the IMPACTAR registry (n=7073).

[The role of medical students in pandemics].

There is a general perception that medical students should help in case of disaster situations or epidemiological contingencies; although, they may not have been properly educated to do so. In recent dates, the participation of students is important in staff training activities, triage, care of bureaucratic activities, volunteering; but they are not considered a first line of care at disaster sites or patient management. The perception of the participation of medical students in disasters and pandemics is reviewed in the literature and some of the needs for their training and teaching are established, so that they can truly become an option in times of crisis.

Comorbidity burden in terms of disability in patients with osteoarthritis in Mexico. The IMPACTAR registry.

Objective: To determine the comorbidities associated with disability in patients with OA in Mexico (2013-2015).

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective and multicentre IMPACTAR study (n=7703) in Mexican patients (2013-2015). Comorbidities associated with disability were identified in 4971 patients diagnosed with OA from the IMPACTAR registry (n=7073).

Evaluation of medical ethics competencies in rheumatology: local experience during national accreditation process.

Introduction: Rheumatologists are the primary healthcare professionals responsible for patients with rheumatic diseases and should acquire medical ethical competencies, such as the informed consent process (ICP). The objective clinical structured examination is a valuable tool for assessing clinical competencies. We report the performance of 90 rheumatologist trainees participating in a station designed to evaluate the ICP during the 2018 and 2019 national accreditations.

The effect of concomitant hand osteoarthritis on pain and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Pain is a core complaint among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and persistent pain requires treatment adjustments according to current strategies. We aimed to quantify the impact of hand osteoarthritis (OA) on health status and residual pain in patients with RA.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey compared RA patients with and without osteoarthritis of the hand.

Communication skills in candidates for accreditation in rheumatology are correlated with candidate's performance in the objective structured clinical examination.

Background: The Mexican Accreditation Council for Rheumatology annually certifies trainees in Rheumatology using a multiple-choice test and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Since 2015, candidate's communication skills (CS) have been rated by both patients and by physician examiners and correlated with results on the OSCE. This study compared the CS from candidates to annual accreditation in Rheumatology as rated by patients and by physician examiners, and assessed whether these correlated with candidate's performance in the OSCE.

The method used to set the pass mark in an objective structured clinical examination defines the performance of candidates for certification as rheumatologists.

Background: The Mexican Accreditation Council for Rheumatology certifies trainees (TR) on an annual basis using both a multiple-choice question (MCQ) test and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). For 2013 and 2014, the OSCE pass mark (PM) was set by criterion referencing as ≥6 (CPM), whereas overall rating of borderline performance method (BPM) was added for 2015 and 2016 accreditations. We compared OSCE TR performance according to CPM and BPM, and examined whether correlations between MCQ and OSCE were affected by PM.

[Locally administered ropivacaine vs. standard analgesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Background: It is unknown which analgesic modality gives better results after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine for local use against that of intravenous dipyrone in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: A non-inferiority randomized clinical trial.

Performance of an objective structured clinical examination in a national certification process of trainees in rheumatology.

Objective: To assess reliability and validity of the objectively-structured clinical examination (OSCE) applied in postgraduate certification processes by the Mexican Board of Rheumatology.

Method: Thirty-two (2013) and 38 (2014) Rheumatology trainees (RTs) underwent an OSCE consisting of 12 and 15 stations respectively, scored according to a validated check-list, as well as 300-multiple-choice 300 question examination (MCQ). Previously, 3 certified rheumatologists underwent a pilot-OSCE.

Cost-minimization study comparing annual infusion of zoledronic acid or weekly oral alendronate in women with low bone mineral density.

Cost-minimization study to assess the annual direct costs of 2 antiresorptive strategies in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral densities (BMDs). Patients were randomly assigned to receive 70 mg of oral weekly alendronate or a 1-time 5mg of intravenous zoledronic acid. All medical and nonmedical direct costs were recorded for 1 yr.

Biosimilar drugs in Mexico: position of the Mexican College of Rheumatology, 2012.

Biotechnological drugs (BTDs) are complex molecules whose manufacturing process precludes the ability to identically reproduce the structure of the original product, and therefore there cannot be an absolute equivalence between the original (innovative) medication and its biosimilar counterpart. BTDs have been proven useful in the treatment of several rheumatic diseases, however their high cost has prevented their use in many patients. Several BTD patents have expired or are close to expire, triggering the development of structurally similar drugs with efficacy and safety profiles comparable to the innovative compound; however, these must be evaluated through evidence based medicine.

Classical fever of unknown origin (FUO): current causes in Mexico.

Background: Causes of FUO change according to medical innovations, modifications of social circumstances, and emerging health risks. Aim. To describe the epidemiology of classical FUO, the time and procedures to achieve a definitive diagnosis, and to underline the variables useful in distinguishing FUO categories.