The Italian Society of Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica

Objective: to provide evidence-based up-to-date recommendations for the management of patients with a definite diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to find the existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on PMR and the framework of the Guidelines International Network Adaptation Working Group was used to appraise (AGREE II), synthesize, and customize the recommendations according to the needs of the Italian healthcare context. Rheumatologists on behalf of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) and from the SIR Epidemiology Unit joined the working group and identified the key health questions on PMR to guide the systematic literature review. Physicians, including general practitioners and specialists, and health professionals who manage PMR in the clinical practice were the target audience. The final recommendations were rated externally by a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional group of stakeholders. Results: From the systematic search in databases (Medline, Embase) and grey literature, 3 CPGs were identified and appraised by two independent raters. Combining the statements and the evidence from these CPGs, 9 recommendations were developed by endorsement or adaptation in response to the initial key health questions. The quality of evidence was graded and the working group discussed the final recommendations in view of their implementation in the Italian healthcare context. Conclusions: In absence of national guidelines so far, these recommendations are the first to provide guidance for the management of patients with a diagnosis of PMR in Italy and they are expected to ensure the best evidence-based clinical practice for this disease.

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18. Challenges in developing clinical practice guidelines for diagnostic tests: a systematic literature review of the use of imaging for the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keu203 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 53 (suppl 2) ◽

pp. i10-i10

Author(s):

S. L. Mackie

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Literature Review ◽

Systematic Literature Review ◽

Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Polymyalgia Rheumatica ◽

Diagnostic Tests

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The Italian Society for Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia Best practices based on current scientific evidence

Reumatismo ◽

10.4081/reumatismo.2021.1362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 89-105

Author(s):

A. Ariani ◽

L. Bazzichi ◽

P. Sarzi-Puttini ◽

F. Salaffi ◽

M. Manara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Working Group ◽

Best Practice ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Italian Society ◽

Pharmacological Management ◽

Social Burden

Fibromyalgia or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is defined as a central sensitization syndrome characterized by the dysfunction of neurocircuits detecting, transmitting and processing nociceptive stimuli; the prevalent manifestation is musculoskeletal pain. In addition to pain, there are multiple accompanying symptoms, in common with other algo-dysfunctional syndromes, which are reflected in a broad spectrum of somatic, neurocognitive and neuro-vegetative manifestations. An evidence-based approach is essential in FMS management, in order to improve patient health and to reduce its social burden. Since in the last ten years new international guidelines for clinical practice (Clinical Practice Guidelines or CPGs) concerning FMS diagnosis and pharmacological/ non-pharmacological management have been published, the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) has decided to adapt them to the Italian national setting. The framework of the Guidelines International Network Adaptation Working Group was adopted to identify, appraise (AGREE II), synthesize, and customize the most recent CPGs on FMS to the needs of the Italian healthcare context. A working group of rheumatologists from SIR epidemiology unit and FMS experts identified relevant clinical questions to guide the systematic review of the literature. The target audience of these CPGs included physicians and healthcare professionals who manage FMS. The adapted recommendations were finally assessed by an external multidisciplinary panel. From the systematic search in databases (Pubmed/Medline, Embase) and grey literature, 6 CPGs were selected and appraised by two independent raters. The combination of the scientific evidence underlying the original CPGs with expert opinion lead to the development of 17 recommendations. The quality of evidence for each recommendation was reported and their potential impact on clinical practice was assessed. These SIR recommendations are expected to be a valuable aid in the diagnosis and treatment of FMS, as they will contribute to disseminate the best practice on the basis of the current scientific evidence.

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The Italian Society for Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of knee, hip and hand osteoarthritis

Reumatismo ◽

10.4081/reumatismo.2019.1188 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (S1) ◽

pp. 5-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A. Ariani ◽

M. Manara ◽

A. Fioravanti ◽

F. Iannone ◽

F. Salaffi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Task Force ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Italian Society ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Hand Osteoarthritis ◽

Clinical Expertise ◽

Level Of Evidence

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease leading to functional decline and loss in quality of life. Knees, hands and hips are frequently affected joints with a relevant clinical and socio-economic burden. An evidence-based approach to OA management is essential in order to improve patients’ health and to decrease social burdens. Since new international clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) focused on diagnosis or pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatment have become available in the last ten years, the Italian Society for Rheumatology (SIR) was prompted to revise and customize them for a multidisciplinary audience of specialists involved in the management of OA. The framework of the Guidelines International Network Adaptation Working Group was adopted to identify, appraise (AGREE II), synthesize, and customize the existing CPGs on OA to the needs of the Italian healthcare context. The task force, consisting of rheumatologists from the SIR epidemiology research unit and a committee with experience of OA, identified key health questions to guide a systematic review of published guidelines. The target audience included physicians and health professionals who manage OA. An external panel of stakeholders rated the guidelines. From a systematic search in databases (Pubmed/Medline, Embase) and grey literature, 11 CPGs were selected and appraised by two independent raters. Combining evidence and statements from these CPGs and clinical expertise, 16 guidelines were developed and graded according to the level of evidence. Agreement and potential impact on clinical practice were assessed. These revised guidelines are intended to provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment of OA and to disseminate best evidence-based strategies management of the disease.

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The Italian Society of Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gout

Reumatismo ◽

10.4081/reumatismo.2019.1176 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (S1) ◽

pp. 50-79

Author(s):

N. Ughi ◽

I. Prevete ◽

R. Ramonda ◽

L. Cavagna ◽

G. Filippou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Task Force ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Italian Society ◽

Clinical Expertise ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Diagnosis And Management ◽

Increased Risk

Gout is a chronic disease with an increased risk of premature death related to comorbidities. Treatment of gout has proved suboptimal and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are expected to have a key role in achieving improvement. Since new evidence has become available, the Italian Society for Rheumatology (SIR) has been prompted to update the 2013 recommendations on the diagnosis and management of gout. The framework of the Guidelines International Network Adaptation Working Group was adopted to identify, appraise (AGREE II), synthesize, and customize the existing gout CPGs to the needs of the Italian healthcare context. The task force consisting of rheumatologists from the SIR Epidemiology Unit and a committee with experience on gout identified key health questions to guide a systematic literature review. The target audience includes physicians and health professionals who manage gout in practice, and the target population includes adult patients suspected or diagnosed as having gout. These recommendations were finally rated by an external multi-disciplinary commission. From a systematic search in databases (Medline, Embase) and grey literature, 8 CPGs were selected and appraised by two independent raters. Combining evidence and statements from these CPGs and clinical expertise, 14 recommendations were developed and graded according to the level of evidence. The statements and potential impact on clinical practice were discussed and assessed. These revised recommendations are intended to provide guidance for the diagnosis and the treatment of gout and to disseminate the best evidence-based healthcare for this disease.

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The Italian Society for Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis

Reumatismo ◽

10.4081/reumatismo.2019.1202 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (S1) ◽

pp. 22-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Parisi ◽

A. Bortoluzzi ◽

G.D. Sebastiani ◽

F. Conti ◽

R. Caporali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Task Force ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Italian Society ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Increased Risk

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterised by chronic joint inflammation, leading to functional disability and increased risk of premature death. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are expected to play a key role in improving management of RA, across the different phases of the disease course. Since new evidence has become available, the Italian Society for Rheumatology (SIR) has been prompted to update the 2011 recommendations on management of RA. The framework of the Guidelines International Network Adaptation Working Group was adopted to identify, appraise (AGREE II), synthesize, and customize the existing RA CPGs to the Italian healthcare context. The task force consisting of rheumatologists from the SIR Epidemiology Research Unit and a committee with experience in RA identified key health questions to guide a systematic literature review. The target audience includes physicians and health professionals who manage RA in practice, and the target population includes adult patients diagnosed as having RA. An external multi-disciplinary committee rated the final version of the CPGs. From the systematic search in databases (Medline, Embase) and grey literature, 6 CPGs were selected and appraised by two independent raters. Combining evidence and statements from these CPGs and clinical expertise, 8 (Management) +6 (Safety) recommendations were developed and graded according to the level of evidence. The statements and potential impact on clinical practice were discussed and assessed. These revised recommendations are intended to provide guidance for the management of RA and to disseminate the best evidence-based clinical practices for this disease.

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