Background: Ongoing education of health professionals in rheumatology (HPR) is critical for high-quality care. An essential factor is education readiness and a high quality of educational offerings... Show moreBackground: Ongoing education of health professionals in rheumatology (HPR) is critical for high-quality care. An essential factor is education readiness and a high quality of educational offerings. We explored which factors contributed to education readiness and investigated currently offered postgraduate education, including the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) offerings. Methods and participants: We developed an online questionnaire, translated it into 24 languages and distributed it in 30 European countries. We used natural language processing and the Latent Dirichlet Allocation to analyse the qualitative experiences of the participants as well as descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression to determine factors influencing postgraduate educational readiness. Reporting followed the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys guideline. Results: The questionnaire was accessed 3589 times, and 667 complete responses from 34 European countries were recorded. The highest educational needs were 'professional development', 'prevention and lifestyle intervention'. Older age, more working experience in rheumatology and higher education levels were positively associated with higher postgraduate educational readiness. While more than half of the HPR were familiar with EULAR as an association and the respondents reported an increased interest in the content of the educational offerings, the courses and the annual congress were poorly attended due to a lack of awareness, comparatively high costs and language barriers. Conclusions: To promote the uptake of EULAR educational offerings, attention is needed to increase awareness among national organisations, offer accessible participation costs, and address language barriers. Show less
Allonsius, F.; Kloet, A. de; Bedell, G.; Markus-Doornbosch, F. van; Rosema, S.; Meesters, J.; ... ; Holst, M. van der 2021
Improving participation is an important aim in outpatient rehabilitation treatment. Knowledge regarding participation restrictions in children and young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) is... Show moreImproving participation is an important aim in outpatient rehabilitation treatment. Knowledge regarding participation restrictions in children and young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) is scarce and little is known regarding the differences in perspectives between patients and parents in the outpatient rehabilitation setting. The aims are to describe participation restrictions among children/young adults (5-24 years) with ABI and investigating differences between patients' and parents' perspectives. At admission in 10 rehabilitation centers, patients and parents were asked to complete the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP; score 0-100; lower score = more restrictions) and injury/patient/family-related questions. CASP scores were categorized (full/somewhat-limited/limited/very-limited participation). Patient/parent-reported outcomes were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. 223 patients and 245 parents participated (209 paired-samples). Median patients' age was 14 years (IQR; 11-16), 135 were female (52%), 195 had traumatic brain injury (75%). The median CASP score reported by patients was 82.5 (IQR: 67.5-90) and by parents 91.3 (IQR: 80.0-97.5) (difference = p < 0.05). The score of 58 patients (26%) and 25 parents (10%) was classified as 'very-limited'. Twenty-six percent of children and young adults referred for rehabilitation after ABI had "very-limited" participation. Overall, parents rated their child's participation better than patients themselves. Quantifying participation restrictions after ABI and considering both perspectives is important for outpatient rehabilitation treatment. Show less
The Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire (EDAQ) is a detailed patient-reported outcome measure of activity ability. The objective of this research was to assess the linguistic and cross... Show moreThe Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire (EDAQ) is a detailed patient-reported outcome measure of activity ability. The objective of this research was to assess the linguistic and cross-cultural validity and psychometric properties of the EDAQ in rheumatoid arthritis for Dutch and German speakers. The EDAQ was translated into Dutch and German using standard methods. A total of 415 participants (Dutchn = 252; Germann = 163) completed two questionnaires about four weeks apart. The first included the EDAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and 36-item Short-Form v2 (SF-36v2) and the second, the EDAQ only. We examined construct validity using Rasch analysis for the two components (Self-Care and Mobility) of the Dutch and German EDAQ. Language invariance was also tested from the English version. We examined internal consistency, concurrent and discriminant validity and test-retest reliability in the 14 EDAQ domains. The Self-Care and Mobility components satisfied Rasch model requirements for fit, unidimensionality and invariance by language. Internal consistency for all 14 domains was mostly good to excellent (Cronbach's alpha >= 0.80). Concurrent validity was mostly strong: HAQr(s) = 0.65-0.87; SF36v2r(s) = - 0.61 to - 0.87. Test-retest reliability was excellent [ICC (2,1) = 0.77-0.97]. The EDAQ has good reliability and validity in both languages. The Dutch and German versions of the EDAQ can be used as a measure of daily activity in practice and research in the Netherlands and German- speaking countries. Show less
Background: DuoBody (R)-CD3xCD20 (GEN3013) is a full-length human IgG1 bispecific antibody (bsAb) recognizing CD3 and CD20, generated by controlled Fab-arm exchange. Its Fc domain was silenced by... Show moreBackground: DuoBody (R)-CD3xCD20 (GEN3013) is a full-length human IgG1 bispecific antibody (bsAb) recognizing CD3 and CD20, generated by controlled Fab-arm exchange. Its Fc domain was silenced by introduction of mutations L234F L235E D265A.Methods: T-cell activation and T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity were measured by flow cytometry following co-culture with tumour cells. Anti-tumour activity of DuoBody-CD3xCD20 was assessed in humanized mouse models in vivo. Non-clinical safety studies were performed in cynomolgus monkeys.Findings: DuoBody-CD3xCD20 induced highly potent T-cell activation and T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity towards malignant B cells in vitro. Comparison of DuoBody-CD3xCD20 to CD3 bsAb targeting alternative B-cell antigens, or to CD3xCD20 bsAb generated using alternative CD20 Ab, emphasized its exceptional potency. In vitro comparison with other CD3xCD20 bsAb in clinical development showed that DuoBody-CD3xCD20 was significantly more potent than three other bsAb with single CD3 and CD20 binding regions and equally potent as a bsAb with a single CD3 and two CD20 binding regions. DuoBody-CD3xCD20 showed promising anti-tumour activity in vivo, also in the presence of excess levels of a CD20 Ab that competes for binding. In cynomolgus monkeys, DuoBody-CD3xCD20 demonstrated profound and long-lasting B-cell depletion from peripheral blood and lymphoid organs, which was comparable after subcutaneous and intravenous administration. Peak plasma levels of DuoBody-CD3xCD20 were lower and delayed after subcutaneous administration, which was associated with a reduction in plasma cytokine levels compared to intravenous administration, while bioavailability was comparable.Interpretation: Based on these preclinical studies, a clinical trial was initiated to assess the clinical safety of subcutaneous DuoBody-CD3xCD20 in patients with B-cell malignancies. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Show less
Introduction and aim: Many caregivers of stroke patients experience a high burden. This study aims to describe the course of burden in individual caregivers in the first year after stroke. Methods:... Show moreIntroduction and aim: Many caregivers of stroke patients experience a high burden. This study aims to describe the course of burden in individual caregivers in the first year after stroke. Methods: This study is part of the Stroke Cohort Outcomes of REhabilitation study, a multicentre, longitudinal cohort study including consecutive stroke patients admitted to two rehabilitation facilities. Caregivers were asked to complete the Caregiver Strain Index and questions on their sociodemographic characteristics 6 and 12 months post admission. Patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records. Results: A total of 129 caregivers were included, 72 completed the Caregiver Strain Index twice. Of them, 19 (26.4%) were men, median age 59 (range 27-78) years. A consistently high or low burden was reported by 15 (20.8%) and 49 (68.1%), respectively, whereas 8 (11.1%) reported a high burden at either 6 (n = 3) or 12 months (n = 5). Discussion: In the majority of caregivers of stroke patients the perceived caregiver burden is consistent over time. However, as in 11.1% caregiver burden changes from 6 to 12 months, caregiver burden should be measured repeatedly until 12 months after stroke. Caregivers living together with a patient who suffered a haemorrhagic stroke seem to be more at risk for a high burden. Show less
Objective: Inactivity during hospitalization leads to a functional decline and an increased risk of complications. To date, studies focused on older adults. This study aims to compare the physical... Show moreObjective: Inactivity during hospitalization leads to a functional decline and an increased risk of complications. To date, studies focused on older adults. This study aims to compare the physical activities performed by older adult and adult hospitalized patients. Methods: Patients hospitalized for >3 days at a university hospital completed a questionnaire regarding their physical activities (% of days on which an activity was performed divided by the length of stay) and physical activity needs during hospitalization. Crude and adjusted comparisons of older adult (>60 years) and adult (<= 60 years) patients were performed using parametric testing and regression analyses. Results: Of 524 patients, 336 (64%) completed the questionnaire, including 166 (49%) older adult patients. On average, the patients were physically active on 35% or less of the days during their hospitalization. Linear regression analysis showed no significant associations between being an older adult and performing physical activities after adjusting for gender, length of stay, surgical intervention, and meeting physical activity recommendations prior to hospitalization. Most patients were well informed regarding physical activity during hospitalization; however, the older adult patients reported a need for information regarding physical activities after hospitalization more frequently (odds ratios, 2.47) after adjusting for educational level, gender, and physical therapy during hospitalization. Conclusions: Both older adult and adult patients are physically inactive during hospitalization, and older adult patients express a greater need for additional information regarding physical activity after hospitalization than adult patients. Therefore, personalized strategies that inform and motivate patients to resume physical activities during hospitalization are needed regardless of age. Show less
Markus-Doornbosch, F. van; Peeters, E.; Volker, G.; Pas, S. van der; Vlieland, T.V.; Meesters, J. 2019
Objectives: To compare physical activity (PA), fatigue and sleep quality in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after mild TBI (mTBI) to persons of similar age after orthopedic injury (OI) on the... Show moreObjectives: To compare physical activity (PA), fatigue and sleep quality in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after mild TBI (mTBI) to persons of similar age after orthopedic injury (OI) on the longer term.Setting: Follow-up at least 6 months after visiting the emergency department of one of 2 general hospitals.Participants: Forty-nine patients aged 12-25 years (mean 18.4 years), diagnosed with mTBI and 54 patients aged 12-25 years (mean 15.8 years) with OI.Design: Cross-sectional electronic survey study.Main outcome measures: The Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents with results dichotomized for meeting/not meeting Dutch Health Enhancing PA recommendations (D-HEPA), the Checklist Individual Strength (range 20-140, low-high) measuring fatigue, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (range 0-21, high-low) measuring sleep quality were administered.Results: Patients with mTBI less frequently met D-HEPA recommendations than patients with CH (49% vs. 70%; OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.07, 7.72) and reported more concentration-related fatigue problems (mean 19.1 (SD 8.0), mean 13.9 (SD 7.8), respectively; beta 3.98, 95%CI 0.39, 7.56), after adjusting for potential confounders, sex, BMI, age and time since injury. No differences were found in sleep quality.Conclusions: Identifying symptoms and limitations in activities is important after mTBI so that rehabiliation treatment can be initiated. Whether physical activity or fatigue is the best target for treatment remains to be established. (C) 2019 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
Wentink, M.; Bodegom-Vos, L. van; Brouns, B.; Arwert, H.; Houdijk, S.; Kewalbansing, P.; ... ; Meesters, J. 2019
To determine self-reported physical activity (PA) levels and relationships with fatigue and sleep quality in adolescents and young adults after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).\nFollow-up 6-18... Show moreTo determine self-reported physical activity (PA) levels and relationships with fatigue and sleep quality in adolescents and young adults after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).\nFollow-up 6-18 months after visiting the emergency department of one of 2 general hospitals.\nForty-nine adolescents and young adults aged 12-25 years (mean 18.4 years), 22 (45%) male with mTBI.\nCross-sectional survey study.\nThe Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents (AQuAA), with results dichotomized into meeting or not meeting Dutch Health Enhancing PA recommendations (D-HEPA), the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS, 4 subscores) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI, total score) were administered.\nTwenty-five participants (51%) did not meet the D-HEPA recommendations. After adjusting for sex, BMI and age, not meeting the recommendations was associated with a higher CIS Total Score (OR 1.04 95%CI 1.01, 1.07) but not with PSQI Total Score (OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.80, 1.21).\nIn adolescents and young adults with mTBI the level of reported PA is associated with fatigue but not with sleep quality. It remains to be established whether interventions aiming to promote PA should primarily be focused on PA or fatigue or both.\nOBJECTIVES\nSETTING\nPARTICIPANTS\nDESIGN\nMAIN OUTCOME MEASURES\nRESULTS\nCONCLUSIONS Show less
