The burden of systemic sclerosis in Switzerland – the Swiss systemic sclerosis EUSTAR cohort

Original article
Hernández J, Jordan S, Dobrota R, Iudici M, Hasler P, Ribi C, Villiger P, Vlachoyiannopoulos P, Vacca A, Garzanova L, Giollo A, Rosato E, Kötter I, Carreira PE, Doria A, Henes J, Müller-Ladner U, Smith V, Distler J, Gabrielli A, Hoffman-Vold AM, Walker U, Distler O, the EUSTAR collaborators
Swiss Med Wkly. 2021;151:w20528

This is the first report of the national Swiss EUSTAR cohort. It identifies earlier referral to systemic sclerosis expert centres, before major organ damage occurs, and when outcome can still be modified, as a priority to improve care of patients with systemic sclerosis.

18F-FDG PET/CT compared with ultrasound and biopsy for detection of vasculitis of the temporal artery branches

Original article
Rottenburger C, Mensch N, Imfeld S, Aschwanden M, Glatz K, Staub D, Berger C, Daikeler T
Swiss Med Wkly. 2021;151:w20512

The objective of this study was to describe the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) of the temporal artery compared with temporal artery ultrasound and histology of the temporal artery in patients with suspicion of having giant cell arteritis. The results show that assessment of the temporal artery with PET/CT is a valuable extension in the diagnostic workup for giant cell arteritis. PET/CT and ultrasound have comparable diagnostic accuracy, but differ on a segment and a patient level and may thus be used as complementary tests. PET/CT has a lower sensitivity for the parietal branch than ultrasound and histology.

Pain control with ibandronate for bone marrow oedema of the knee

Original article
Küchler L, Fehr T, Jeker R
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20384

Participants with bone marrow oedema of the knee showed a significant pain reduction after an administration of ibandronate, independently of the severity showed in MRI.

RheumaTool, a novel clinical decision support system for the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases, and its first validation in a retrospective chart analysis

Original article
Alder H, Marx C, Steurer J, Wertli M, Korner-Nievergelt P, Tamborrini G, Langenegger T, Eichholzer A, Andor M, Krebs A, Michel B, Wildi L
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20369

In this first validation, RheumaTool provides a useful list of differential diagnoses. However, there is not sufficient diagnostic reliability for unfiltered data entry, especially in patients with multiple concomitant musculoskeletal disorders. This must be taken into account when using RheumaTool.

2020 recommendations for osteoporosis treatment according to fracture risk from the Swiss Association against Osteoporosis (SVGO)

Review article: Medical guidelines
Ferrari S, Lippuner K, Lamy O, Meier C
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20352

No specific treatment recommendations have been made so far in our country to guide therapy according to the baseline level of risk. The authors define four risk subgroup categories and propose an algorithm for osteoporosis therapy according to the level of fracture risk.

Outcomes after spinal stenosis surgery by type of surgery in adults aged 60 years and older

Original article
Degen T, Fischer K, Theiler R, Schären S, Meyer OW, Wanner G, Chocano-Bedoya P, Simmen HP, Schmid UD, Steurer J, Stähelin HB, Mantegazza N, Bischoff-Ferrari HA
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20325

The role of clinical inertia in suboptimal management of gout

Viewpoint
Punzi L
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20334

Despite new recommendations and/or guidelines continually proposed by the scientific societies, the management of gout still remains suboptimal and patients with gout continue to be the least adherent to therapy among patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. Healthcare providers can have all the best tools for both the diagnosis and the treatment. But they should make the time to apply them.

Osteogenesis imperfecta: towards an individualised interdisciplinary care strategy to improve physical activity and quality of life

Original article
Aubry-Rozier B, Richard C, Unger S, Hans D, Campos-Xavier B, Schneider P, Paquier C, Pasche J, Bonafé L, Bregou A
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20285

The interdisciplinary approach presented in this article aimed at offering the same thorough management for all patients from the French part of Switzerland, and at improving both the physical activity and the satisfaction of the patients and their family.

Gout management in Swiss primary care – a retrospective observational study

Original article
Meier R, di Gangi S, Valeri F, Rosemann T, Zechmann S
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20209

Swiss gout patients receive comprehensive treatment, which is reflected in a high number of patients treated with urate-lowering therapy, laboratory tests per person and a high treatment success rate, although there is no systematic approach to the treatment of gout.

Should systemic sclerosis be recognised as an occupational disease in Switzerland?

Original article
Schmid M, Grolimund Berset D, Krief P, Zyska Cherix A, Danuser B, Rinaldo M
Swiss Med Wkly. 2020;150:w20193

Although the aetiology of systemic sclerosis is not yet completely understood, epidemiological studies have identified several occupational factors, such as exposure to silica, solvents or vibration, that contribute to its development.