Evidence‐based recommendations for the monitoring and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: results from the Australian 3E initiative in rheumatology |
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Authors: | Tracey KAIN Jane ZOCHLING Andrew TAYLOR Nicholas MANOLIOS Malcolm D. SMITH Mark D. REED Matthew A. BROWN Lionel SCHACHNA |
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Affiliation: | 1. Austin Spondylitis Clinic, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria,;2. Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, Tasmania,;3. Department of Rheumatology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia,;4. Department of Rheumatology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NewSouth Wales,;5. Department of Rheumatology, Repatriation General Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia and;6. Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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Abstract: | Aim: To develop a set of Australian recommendations for the monitoring and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through systematic literature review combined with the opinion of practicing rheumatologists. Methods: A set of eight questions, four in each domain of monitoring and treatment, were formulated by voting and the Delphi method. The results of a systematic literature review addressing each question were presented to the 23 participants of the Australian 3E meeting. All participants were clinical rheumatologists experienced in the daily management of AS. Results: After three rounds of breakout sessions to discuss the findings of the literature review, a set of recommendations was finalized after discussion and voting. The category of evidence and strength of recommendation were determined for each proposal. The level of agreement among participants was excellent (mean 84%, range 64–100%). Conclusions: The 12 recommendations developed from evidence and expert opinion provide guidance for the daily management of AS patients. For most recommendations, we found a paucity of supportive evidence in the literature highlighting the need for additional clinical studies. |
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Keywords: | ankylosing spondylitis Australian monitoring recommendations treatment |
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