Sleep Matters: Exploring the Link Between Sleep Disturbances and Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While patients and rheumatologists often attribute fatigue to inflammation, other factors such as sleep disturbances are frequently overlooked. This study aims to explore the relationship between subjective (self-reported) and objective (actigraphy-based) sleep parameters and self-reported fatigue in patients with RA.

Associations Between Changes in Pain Sensitization and Disease Activity Following Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy in Established Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Abnormalities in pain regulatory mechanisms are common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether pain sensitization changes after treatment with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and explored associations between changes in pain sensitization and disease activity.

Methods: We included 182 participants with active RA initiating/switching DMARD therapy who were observed for 12 weeks.

Association Between Sleep Disturbance and Subsequent Pain Interference in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: This study investigated whether sleep disturbance can predict the extent to which pain interferes with daily functioning in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Data were from adults with early RA (joint symptoms ≤12 months) enrolled in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort between 2016 and 2023. Participants underwent standardized clinical assessments and completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months to assess sleep disturbance (primary predictor) and pain interference (primary outcome).

Evaluating Covid-19 publications for sex and gender-specific health content: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Sex and gender are key variables which inform human health and disease. It remained unclear how sex and gender were considered, evaluated, reported, or analyzed within Covid-19 research. This article evaluates the proportion of Covid-19-related articles which highlighted sex- or gender-specific health content and examines associations with author gender.

Development of a novel calculator to predict gonadotropin dose and oocyte yield in oocyte cryopreservation cycles.

Purpose: To develop a predictive model for estimating the total dose of gonadotropins and the number mature oocytes in planned oocyte cryopreservation cycles.

Methods: In this retrospective study, oocyte cryopreservation cycles recorded in the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System Database from 2013 to 2018 were analyzed. Bivariate copula additive models for location, scale, and shape were performed to create a predictive model for estimating total dose of gonadotropins and number of mature oocytes.

Do Existing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Definitions of Knee Osteoarthritis Identify Knees That Will Develop Clinically Significant Disease Over Up To 11 Years of Follow-Up?

Objective: In individuals without radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA), we investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined knee OA at baseline was associated with incident radiographic and symptomatic disease during up to 11 years of follow-up.

Methods: Osteoarthritis Initiative participants without tibiofemoral radiographic knee OA at baseline were assessed for MRI-based tibiofemoral cartilage damage, osteophyte presence, bone marrow lesions, and meniscal damage/extrusion. We defined MRI knee OA using alternative, reported definitions (Def A and Def B).

Sex disparity in referral for catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFCA) has been shown to reduce AF burden and improve quality of life. Earlier studies demonstrated that women are less likely to undergo AFCA despite having more AF symptoms. We investigated whether an association exists between referral patterns and this sex disparity.

The design and implementation of a multi-center, pragmatic, individual-level randomized controlled trial to evaluate Baby2Home, an mHealth intervention to support new parents.

Background: Becoming a parent is a transformative experience requiring multiple transitions, including the need to navigate several components of health care, manage any mental health issues, and develop and sustain an approach to infant feeding. Baby2Home (B2H) is a digital intervention built on the collaborative care model (CCM) designed to support families during these transitions to parenthood.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the effects of B2H on preventive healthcare utilization for the family unit and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) trajectories with a focus on mental health.

Development of a culturally targeted chatbot to inform living kidney donor candidates of African ancestry about APOL1 genetic testing: a mixed methods study.

Clinical chatbots are increasingly used to help integrate genetic testing into clinical contexts, but no chatbot exists for Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) genetic testing of living kidney donor (LKD) candidates of African ancestry. Our study aimed to culturally adapt and assess perceptions of the Gia® chatbot to help integrate APOL1 testing into LKD evaluation. Ten focus groups and post-focus group surveys were conducted with 54 LKDs, community members, and kidney transplant recipients of African ancestry.

Natural Cycle Frozen Embryo Transfer: Evaluating Optimal Protocols for Preparation and Timing.

Background: While natural cycle frozen embryo transfer (NC-FET) is becoming increasingly common, significant practice variation exists in the use of ovulation induction medications, administration of ovulation trigger, and timing of embryo transfer without consensus as to the optimal protocol.

Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of key aspects of the NC-FET protocol with implantation, pregnancy and live birth.

Settings And Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of blastocyst stage NC-FET cycles from October 2019 to July 2021 at a single academic fertility centre.

IL-13 and IL-13-induced periostin levels are specifically decreased in patients following endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Type 2 (T2) inflammation plays a pathogenic role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The effects of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on T2 inflammation are unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare T2 inflammatory biomarkers from middle meatal (MM) mucus for distinguishing patients with CRS from CRS-free patients, identifying major phenotypes (CRS without nasal polyps [CRSsNP] and CRS with nasal polyps [CRSwNP]), assessing endotypic change, and establishing cross-sectional and longitudinal outcomes in patients undergoing ESS.

The Natural History of Knee Osteoarthritis Pain Experience and Risk Profiles.

The study aimed to characterize the natural history of the pain experience, concurrently considering intermittent and constant pain over 4 years, and determine baseline factors associated with unfavorable trajectories in individuals with chronic knee pain. The Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) is a prospective, observational study of people with or at higher risk for knee osteoarthritis. The Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) was assessed annually at 48-to-96-month OAI visits.

Sex Differences in Pain and Quantitative Sensory Testing in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher pain and worse functional outcomes compared to men, even when treated with similar medications. The objective of this study was to identify sex differences in pain intensity, pain interference, and quantitative sensory tests (QST), which are independent of inflammation, in patients with RA.

Methods: This study is a post hoc analysis of participants in the Central Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort.

Modifiable physical and behavioural factors associated with widespread pain in older adults with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: To identify modifiable physical and behavioural factors associated with widespread pain (WSP) in older adults with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Cross-sectional initial visit data of participants with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade of ≥2) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative Study were analysed. WSP was defined as pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, and in the axial skeleton.

Implementation of a culturally competent genetic testing programme into living donor evaluation: A two-site, non-randomised, pre-post trial design.

Introduction: While living donor (LD) kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with kidney failure, LDs assume a higher risk of future kidney failure themselves. LDs of African ancestry have an even greater risk of kidney failure post-donation than White LDs. Because evidence suggests that Apolipoprotein L1 () risk variants contribute to this greater risk, transplant nephrologists are increasingly using genetic testing to evaluate LD candidates of African ancestry.

Pain Mechanisms Associated With Disease Activity in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: A Regression Tree Analysis.

Objective: Although pain affects the assessment of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pain is not always directly related to peripheral joint inflammation. Peripheral and central nervous system regulatory mechanisms also affect pain perception. We used regression tree methodology to identify mechanisms most predictive of disease activity after disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment.