Kirstie L. Haywood

Objectives: To examine the role of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in clinical decision-making across three inflammatory arthritides: RA, PsA and axial SpA (axSpA). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of four online medical literature databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central) from inception to February 2025. Abstracts and full texts were independently double-assessed. Articles examining the use and influence of PROMs on RA, PsA and axSpA clinical decision-making were included, with extracted data narratively synthesised (PROSPERO registration: CRD42024550525). Results: From 16 950 identified studies, 29 were included (n = 22 RA, n = 4 axSpA, n = 3 PsA; study design: n = 15 trials, n = 10 cohort, n = 4 cross-sectional). PROMs supported three aspects of healthcare: treatment decision-making (n = 24), clinical encounters (n = 2) and self-monitoring (n = 6). Treat-to-target studies (n = 14/24, commonly RA) used PROMs to guide drug alterations. However, clinicians adhered less to PROM-based treatment protocols for complex patients or those with restricted insurance policies. PROMs improved patient communication and trust in clinicians. PROM-based self-monitoring matched standard care outcomes, but service limitations reduced its efficiency. Conclusion: PROMs capture valuable patient data and show potential to support clinical decision-making, particularly in RA patients. Current PROM implementation methods are varied. Standardisation could maximise the clinical value of PROM data that, if acted upon, could enhance patient care and outcomes. However, service and clinician barriers, combined with poor standardisation, currently risk these data being underutilised.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in children and young people (CYP) is disabling and relatively common (1-2% of children) [1,2], with a significant impact on patients,...

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined how axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and its specific disease features, impact sexual function. Methods: Systematic review of medical literature databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central from their inception to February 2025. Studies reporting sexual function outcomes in men or women with axSpA were included. After narrative synthesis of included studies, random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool a subset of outcomes. Study quality was assessed using a modified version of the ROBINS-E tool. Results: From the initial 342 identified studies, 37 were included. Nineteen (50%) examined sexual function in men only, 13 (34%) across both genders, five (13%) in women only, and one (3%) did not specify. Nine studies (24%) reported general sexual dysfunction prevalence in people with axSpA, ranging from 32% to 71%. A meta-analysis of studies (n = 4) examining the International Index of Erectile Function in men with axSpA found that all domain scores, except sexual desire, were worse compared with controls. In women with axSpA, a meta-analysis (n = 4) of Female Sexual Function Index data revealed significantly poorer total sexual function scores, and arousal, pain, lubrication and desire sub-domain scores compared with controls. Conclusion: Between one- to two-thirds of people with axSpA report a sexual dysfunction. Pooling of data from a small subset of studies demonstrated statistically, and at times clinically, poorer sexual function scores in both men and women compared with controls. This conclusion is constrained by a lack of high-quality research and a notable scarcity of data concerning women.

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have collaborated to produce these post-resuscitation care guidelines for adults, which are based on the International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) pubished by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The topics covered include the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, diagnosis of cause of cardiac arrest, control of oxygenation and ventilation, coronary reperfusion, haemodynamic monitoring and management, control of seizures, temperature control, general intensive care management, prognostication, long-term outcome, rehabilitation, and organ donation. The post-resuscitation care of children is described in the ERC guidelines 2025 Paediatric Life Support.

The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have collaborated to produce these post-resuscitation care guidelines for adults, which are based on the International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) pubished by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The topics covered include the post-cardiac arrest syndrome, diagnosis of cause of cardiac arrest, control of oxygenation and ventilation, coronary reperfusion, haemodynamic monitoring and management, control of seizures, temperature control, general intensive care management, prognostication, long-term outcome, rehabilitation, and organ donation. The post-resuscitation care of children is described in the ERC Guidelines 2025 Paediatric Life Support.

Background: People with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) frequently experience increases in symptoms (flares) related to pain, stiffness and fatigue. Despite frequent use of the term ‘flare’ within axSpA, it is poorly defined and characterised. No widely accepted patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) exists that can identify axSpA flares or quantify their severity. However, the Evaluation of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (EASiQoL) is a patient-derived axSpA-specific PROM with strong evidence of its ability to assess quality of life, an aspect affected by changes in symptoms. Objective: This study will look at the feasibility of identifying flares in people with axSpA through regular completion of an electronic (e) version of the EASiQoL. Methods: We will conduct a mixed-methods 12-month prospective cohort study. Up to 1000 people with axSpA from rheumatology departments and all members of the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society will be invited to complete a baseline questionnaire containing several ePROMs, including the EASiQoL, via a bespoke online study portal. Of the estimated 1280 responders, all will receive e-mail reminders to complete monthly questionnaires for the following 10 months and a final 12-month follow-up questionnaire. Over the 12 months, a subsample of up to 40 participants who report a flare during this period will be invited to a qualitative interview. Their lived experience of ‘flare’ and how this was reflected in their EASiQoL scores will be explored. Potential impact: Collection of ePROM data sensitive to the presence of axSpA flares should provide readily accessible information to both patients and rheumatology teams to monitor disease course and develop more effective flare pathways in axSpA.

Purpose: Systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) are an important tool to guide the selection of OMIs for research and clinical practice. However, presenting the large amount of complex data pertaining both to the quality of each study (i.e., risk of bias) as well as the quality of the instrument (i.e., measurement properties), along with the underpinning certainty of evidence, is challenging. Here, we aim to provide guidance on optimizing data presentation in OMI systematic reviews, specifically focusing on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: A multidisciplinary team of experts in OMI systematic reviews, research reporting, and data visualization built on existing table templates from OMERACT and the COSMIN initiative, to align with reporting items in a recently developed reporting guideline for systematic reviews of OMIs: PRISMA-COSMIN for OMIs 2024. To enhance clarity and usability, we applied data visualization principles by reducing non-essential elements and improving interpretability through structured layouts and concise explanatory text. Results: We present eight templates for reporting PROM systematic review results: three pertain to PROM characteristics, two to studies’ characteristics, two to the evaluation of measurement properties, and one to the summary of findings. We also provide recommendations on whether to include these templates in the review’s main manuscript or in the supplementary materials. Word versions of these templates can be downloaded from www.prisma-cosmin.ca and www.cosmin.nl . Conclusion: Templates complementing the PRISMA-COSMIN for OMIs 2024 reporting guidance can be used to standardize and enhance the clarity and usefulness of OMI systematic reviews focusing on PROMs. They comprise a comprehensive set of tools to effectively report OMI systematic reviews, in service of end-users who are selecting OMIs.