Helle Laustrup

Background: Video consultation is increasingly used in different health care settings to reach patients. However, little is known about telehealth in psychological counselling for vulnerable patients with somatic and chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Objective: This study aimed to develop and pilot test a telepsychology module for inclusion in the app My Hospital (Mit Sygehus) to provide remote psychological counselling to vulnerable adults with either rheumatic diseases or diabetes. Methods: With inspiration from participatory design, the content of the telepsychology module was developed through user involvement and evaluated by individual interviews with patients and psychologists as well as questionnaires. Results: We developed a module with our patient partners that targeted patients with rheumatic diseases and diabetes in relation to the psychological challenges of living with chronic diseases. The module included information, tools, exercises, and videoconferencing. In total, 16 patients and 3 psychologists participated in the pilot test. Psychological counselling was described by 4 themes: “The good relation despite physical distance,” “The comfort of being at home,” “The pros of saving time on transport and energy,” and “A therapeutic alliance at a distance.” Conclusions: Psychological counselling in relation to somatic care can be provided by videoconferencing supported by web-based or mobile delivery of tailored information, tools, and exercises without compromising on the quality of care. To ensure a good alliance between the patient and psychologist, a first face-to-face meeting is important. The home location provided patients with a safe environment and increased accessibility and reduced travel time to the hospital.

BACKGROUND Video consultation is increasingly used in different health care settings to reach patients. However, little is known about telehealth in psychological counselling for vulnerable patients with somatic and chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and pilot test a telepsychology module for inclusion in the app My Hospital (Mit Sygehus) to provide remote psychological counselling to vulnerable adults with either rheumatic diseases or diabetes. METHODS With inspiration from participatory design, the content of the telepsychology module was developed through user involvement and evaluated by individual interviews with patients and psychologists as well as questionnaires. RESULTS We developed a module with our patient partners that targeted patients with rheumatic diseases and diabetes in relation to the psychological challenges of living with chronic diseases. The module included information, tools, exercises, and videoconferencing. In total, 16 patients and 3 psychologists participated in the pilot test. Psychological counselling was described by 4 themes: “The good relation despite physical distance,” “The comfort of being at home,” “The pros of saving time on transport and energy,” and “A therapeutic alliance at a distance.” CONCLUSIONS Psychological counselling in relation to somatic care can be provided by videoconferencing supported by web-based or mobile delivery of tailored information, tools, and exercises without compromising on the quality of care. To ensure a good alliance between the patient and psychologist, a first face-to-face meeting is important. The home location provided patients with a safe environment and increased accessibility and reduced travel time to the hospital.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder that affects the elderly. At present, evidence is limited regarding the usefulness of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in the diagnosis of PMR. This study aimed to compare patient characteristics and symptoms with PET-CT findings in a Danish population of PMR patients without clinical symptoms of giant cell arteritis. The medical records of 50 Danish PET-CT-scanned patients with PMR were reviewed. Symptoms, characteristics and PET-CT findings were registered from the medical records. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was seen at the shoulders and/or hips of about 80%, and at the spinous processes of about 50% of the patients. Furthermore, 14% of the patients showed no FDG uptake at any of the studied locations. A sensitivity of 79% for PMR was found if there was FDG uptake at any two of the following three locations: the shoulder, the hip and the spinous processes. Vascular FDG uptake was seen in 7% of the patients. No significant correlations between any symptoms and any PET-CT findings were found. C-reactive protein level was significantly lower in patients receiving glucocorticoids, and completely normal scans were seen significantly more often in patients receiving steroid treatment. PET-CT is a sensitive imaging technique in PMR patients. Symptoms and PET-CT findings do not correlate in PMR. Steroid treatment prior to PET-CT reduces the scan's ability to demonstrate inflammation in PMR patients. none. not relevant.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with marked gender and ethnic disparities. We report a large transancestral association study of SLE using Immunochip genotype data from 27,574 individuals of European (EA), African (AA) and Hispanic Amerindian (HA) ancestry. We identify 58 distinct non-HLA regions in EA, 9 in AA and 16 in HA (∼50% of these regions have multiple independent associations); these include 24 novel SLE regions (P−8), refined association signals in established regions, extended associations to additional ancestries, and a disentangled complex HLA multigenic effect. The risk allele count (genetic load) exhibits an accelerating pattern of SLE risk, leading us to posit a cumulative hit hypothesis for autoimmune disease. Comparing results across the three ancestries identifies both ancestry-dependent and ancestry-independent contributions to SLE risk. Our results are consistent with the unique and complex histories of the populations sampled, and collectively help clarify the genetic architecture and ethnic disparities in SLE.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by systemic inflammation in small- to medium-sized blood vessels. Although immunosuppressive therapy has greatly improved the prognosis for these patients, there are still significant comorbidities, such as cancer and infection, associated with AAV. These comorbidities are often indistinguishable from an underlying AAV disease relapse, and create a clinical conundrum, as these conditions are normally contraindications for immunosuppressive treatment. Thus, it is important to be able to rule out these comorbidities before initiation of immunosuppressive treatment. We examined 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT)'s value in ruling out cancer or infection in patients with AAV. Data were obtained retrospectively for a clinically based cohort of AAV patients who underwent FDG-PET/CT during 2009 to 2014 owing to a suspicion of cancer, infection, or both cancer and infection indistinguishable from disease relapse. FDG-PET/CT conclusions were compared to the final diagnoses after follow-up analysis (mean 43 months). A total of 19 patients were included who underwent a total of 26 scans. The results of FDG-PET/CT outcome compared to final diagnosis were: 9 true positives, 3 false positives, 13 true negatives, and 1 false negative. The diagnostic probabilities for FDG-PET/CT with respect to overall comorbidity (i.e., cancer or infection) were: sensitivity 90% ( 95% confidence interval [CI] 60%–98%), specificity 81% ( 95% CI 57%–93%), positive predictive value 75% (95% CI 47%–91%), negative predictive value 93% (95% CI 68%–99%), and accuracy 84% (95% CI 66%–94%). FDG-PET/CT had a high negative predictive value and ruled out the comorbidities correctly in all but one case of urinary tract infection, a well-known limitation. Our study showed FGD-PET/CT's promise as an effective tool for ruling out cancer or infection in patients with AAV albeit in a limited population.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are common inflammatory conditions. The diagnosis of PMR/GCA poses many challenges since there are no specific diagnostic tests. Recent literature emphasizes the ability of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) to assess global disease activity in inflammatory diseases. 18F-FDG PET/CT may lead to the diagnosis at an earlier stage than conventional imaging and may also assess response to therapy. With respect to the management of PMR/GCA, there are 3 significant areas of concern as follows: vasculitis process/vascular stiffness, malignancy, and osteoporosis. All patients with suspected PMR/GCR referred to the Rheumatology section of Medicine Department at Svendborg Hospital, Denmark. The 4 separate studies in the current protocol focus on: the association of clinical picture of PMR/GCA with PET findings; the validity of 18F-FDG PET/CT scan for diagnosis of PMR/GCA compared with temporal artery biopsy; the prevalence of newly diagnosed malignancies in patients with PMR/GCA, or PMR-like syndrome, with the focus on diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT scan compared with conventional workup (ie, chest X-ray/abdominal ultrasound); and the impact of disease process, and also steroid treatment on bone mineral density, body composition, and vasculitis/vascular stiffness in PMR/GCA patients. The study has been approved by the Regional Ethics Committee of the Region of Southern Denmark (identification number: S-20160098) and Danish Data Protection Agency (J.nr 16/40522). Results of the study will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals, and presentation at national and international conferences.

Background: Serum immunoglobulin G targeting the astrocyte water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the central nervous system (CNS) is a biomarker for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD). Co-existence of NMOSD with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) putatively suggests susceptibility to antibody-mediated autoimmune disease. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of NMOSD in SLE and investigate the immunogenetic background for an association of NMOSD and SLE. Methods: The study included a predominantly population-based cohort with clinical and serological investigations of 208 patients with SLE, followed prospectively since 1995. All patients received immunosuppressive treatment. NMOSD was evaluated retrospectively based on the 2015 International Panel for NMOSD Diagnosis (IPND) criteria. Polymorphisms in programmed cell death protein 1 (PDCD-1) PD-1.3 G/A were genotyped. AGP4-IgG and other autoantibodies, including myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), was determined blinded to clinical diagnosis. Results: Of 208 patients with SLE, 45(22%) had neuropsychiatric (NP) SLE, and CNS involvement predominated in 30 of 45 (67%) patients. Serum AQP4-IgG was detected in 2 of 30 (6.7%) neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) patients both of whom had myelitis and antiphospholipid syndrome; one patient also had myasthenia gravis. None had MOG-IgG. PD-1.3A allele was not associated with SLE nor with NPSLE. Conclusion: AQP4-IgG autoimmune syndrome may rarely co-exist with SLE, and such patients have other NMOSD-typical syndromes such as myelitis.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with presence of autoantibodies and characteristic multi-organ involvement. Relatives of SLE patients have an increased risk of autoantibody production and autoimmune diseases. Methods: In 2001, 226 first degree relatives (FDRs) of a population-based cohort of SLE patients were examined for the prevalence of autoantibodies and self-reported health complaints. In 2013, 143 FDRs were re-investigated and deceased’s medical records were examined. Results: Participants and non-participants were comparable regarding baseline characteristics, while deceased FDRs were older than participants, but with comparable ANA status. ANA status at baseline correlated to ANA status at follow-up. At follow-up, two FDRs reported SLE and 15 FDRs other autoimmune diseases. No observation at baseline alone could predict self-reported health. During follow-up 33 died at median age 76 years. Three deceased FDRs were diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Conclusion: The study showed that FDRs of SLE patients have an increased prevalence of ANA compared to healthy controls. The prevalence increased during follow-up, and ANA positive FDRs at baseline were prone to be ANA positive at follow-up. ANA positive FDRs had more self-reported autoimmune diseases, including SLE and rheumatoid arthritis, than reported from other population-based investigations.

To investigate whether a single positive test for lupus anticoagulant (LA) is associated with levels of inflammatory markers and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, independent of autoimmune disease, thrombophilia and occurrence of other antiphospholipid antibodies. In a retrospective observational study we included persons referred for thrombophilia testing during 2011−2014. Persons with autoimmune disease, thrombophilia or presence of specific anti-phospholipid antibodies were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and sex was performed and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) calculated. Of 381 individuals tested, 271 fulfilled the criteria, of whom 22 (8%) were LA positive and 249 (92%) LA negative. LA positivity was associated with higher body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03–1.23, p = 0.01); C-reactive protein (OR 1.08 95% CI:1.04–1.11, p < 0.001); fibrinogen (OR 1.51 95% CI: 1.27–1.78, p < 0.001); coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) (OR 1.73 95% CI: 1.01–2.96, p = 0.046), low high density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR 0.03 95% CI: 0.00–0.19, p < 0.001) and high triglyceride (OR 1.81 95% CI: 1.12–2.92, p = 0.02) compared with LA negative individuals. This study shows that single test isolated LA positivity is associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers, low HDL cholesterol, elevated triglyceride and high BMI.