Rheumatology Year in Review Quiz

We looked back to see what you found most interesting during the past year-and came up with the Top 5 Rheumatology Stories of 2018. How much do you recall about arthritis pain management, Sjögren syndrome, new drug approvals, and other hot-button issues? Take this 5-question quiz to find out.

Question 1.

Which of the following interventions has the least evidence of effects on pain in osteoarthritis?

A. Psychological/social

B. Coping skills development

C. Sleep interventions

D. Relaxation training

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Answer: C. Sleep interventions

Psychological and social interventions showed a uniform positive effect on pain for cognitive behavioral therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), psychosocial and coping interventions in OA, biofeedback in RA, and relaxation interventions in OA. There was no meta-analysis that evaluated effects of sleep interventions on pain in inflammatory arthritis or OA, but small effects of sleep interventions on pain were observed in meta-analyses in people with various chronic medical conditions.¹

Question 2.

True or false? The only strongly recommended therapeutic option for fatigue in Sjögren syndrome is exercise.

A. True

B. False

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Answer: A. True

Fatigue is one of the most difficult symptoms to manage in Sjögren syndrome, and exercise is the only strongly recommended intervention.²

Question 3.

True or false? Baricitinib should not be used in combination with other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), or with potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine.

A. True

B. False

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Answer: A. True

The use of baricitinib in combination with other JAK inhibitors or bDMARDs, or with potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine is not recommended.³

Question 4.

Which type of alcoholic beverage poses the highest risk of gout?

A. Rum

B. Whiskey

C. Beer

D. Wine

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Answer: C. Beer

Beer is associated with the highest risk of gout and wine with the lowest risk.⁴

Question 5.

True or false? Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A. True

B. False

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Answer: A. True

Vitamin D deficiency may be independently associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.⁵

References:

1. Geenen R, Overman CL, Christensen R, et al. EULAR recommendations for the health professional’s approach to pain management in inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77:797-807.

2. Carsons SE, Vivino FB, Parke A, et al. Treatment guidelines for rheumatologic manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome: use of biologic agents, management of fatigue, and inflammatory musculoskeletal pain. Arthritis Care Res. 2017;69:517-527.

3.FDA approves OLUMIANT® (baricitinib) 2-mg tablets for the treatment of adults with moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis [press release]. Indianapolis, IN: PRNewswire; June 1, 2018.

4. Choi HK, Atkinson K, Karlson EW, Willett W, Curhan G. Alcohol intake and risk of incident gout in men: a prospective study. Lancet. 2004;363:1277-1281.

5. Haque UJ, Bathon JM, Giles JT. Association of vitamin D with cardiometabolic risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care Res. 2012;64:1497-1504.