A5046660631- Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies
- Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders Research
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research
- Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Biosimilars and Bioanalytical Methods
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
- Spondyloarthritis Studies and Treatments
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- HER2/EGFR in Cancer Research
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia research
- Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Bone fractures and treatments
Sciensano (Belgium)
2022-2025
KU Leuven
2015-2023
Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique
2022
This retrospective multi-center matched cohort study assessed the risk for severe COVID-19 (combination of severity indicators), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality in hospitalized patients when infected with Omicron variant compared to Delta variant. The is based on a causal framework using individually-linked data from national registries. population consisted 954 (of which, 445 were Omicron) above 18 years old admitted Belgian hospital during autumn winter...
The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections. We included all persons ≥18 years that had been fully vaccinated against for ≥14 days, between 1 February 2021 5 December 2021, in Belgium. infections (laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infections) determined. Factors were analyzed using COX proportional hazard models. Among 8,062,600 adults, we identified 373,070 an 11.2 (95%CI 11.2-11.3)/100 person years....
Vaccine effectiveness against transmission (VET) of SARS-CoV-2-infection can be estimated from secondary attack rates observed during contact tracing. We VET, the vaccine-effect on infectiousness index case and susceptibility high-risk exposure (HREC).We fitted RT-PCR-test results HREC to immunity status (vaccine schedule, prior infection, time since last immunity-conferring event), age, sex, calendar week sampling, household, background positivity rate dominant VOC using a multilevel...
Abstract Objectives To investigate whether MTX should be combined with an additional DMARD and bridging glucocorticoids as initial treatment for patients early RA to induce effective long-term response. Methods The Care in study is a two-year investigator-initiated pragmatic multicentre randomized trial. Early patients, naïve DMARDs glucocorticoids, were stratified based on prognostic factors. High-risk COBRA-Classic (n = 98): MTX, sulfasalazine, prednisone step-down from 60 mg; COBRA-Slim...
During the first half of 2021, we observed high vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV2-infection. The replacement alpha-'variant concern' (VOC) by delta-VOC and uncertainty about time course immunity called for a re-assessment.
Objectives To identify and characterise a subgroup of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reporting not feeling well 1 year after treatment initiation despite achieving optimal disease control according to current standards. Methods This observational study included participants the Care in RA trial rapid sustained response (DAS28CRP<2.6) from week 16 until starting first treatment. Feeling was assessed at 1, using five patient-reported outcomes (PROs): pain, fatigue, physical...
Objectives To compare outcomes of different treatment schedules from the care in early rheumatoid arthritis (CareRA) trial over 5 years. Methods Patients with RA completing 2-year CareRA randomised controlled were eligible for 3-year observational CareRA-plus study. 5-year after randomisation to initial methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy glucocorticoid bridging (COBRA-Slim) compared MTX step-up without glucocorticoids or conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)...
Abstract Background Shifts in treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have made ambulatory care more labour-intensive. These developments prompted innovative models, including mobile health (mHealth) applications. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of mHealth-inexperienced stakeholders concerning these applications RA care. Methods We performed a qualitative by focus group interviews patients, nurses specialised and rheumatologists. The analysis guide Leuven (QUAGOL),...
Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) are chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions with high levels of comorbidity requiring additional therapeutic attention. We aimed to compare the 3-year incidence pain medication prescription in patients diagnosed RA, PsA or SpA versus controls. Methods Data between 1999 2012 were obtained from Intego, a general practitioner (GP) morbidity registry Flanders, Belgium. Cases identified by International...
Background The Belgian COVID-19 vaccination campaign aimed to reduce disease spread and severity. Aim We estimated SARS-CoV-2 variant-specific vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic infection (VEi) hospitalisation (VEh), given time since prior infection. Methods Nationwide healthcare records from July 2021 May 2022 on testing were combined with a clinical hospital survey. used test-negative design proportional hazard regression estimate VEi VEh, controlling for infection, vaccination,...
Background Recent studies have identified important social inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 infections and related COVID-19 outcomes the Belgian population. The aim of our study was to investigate sociodemographic socioeconomic characteristics associated with uptake vaccine Belgium. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis first dose among 5 342 110 adults (≥18 years) Belgium on 31 August 2021. integrated data from four national sources: register (vaccination status), Healthdata (laboratory...
ABSTRACT Background Vaccination campaigns were rolled out primarily to limit the impact of COVID-19 on severe health outcomes, including mortality. Aim We aimed estimate number averted deaths by vaccination in Belgian population aged 65 years and older, between January 2021 2023. Methods Nationwide data infections, vaccine administrations all-cause mortality individually linked. estimated Vaccine Effectiveness against (VE) among persons having received a dose last 6 months, using Cox...
Vaccination has played a major role in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination status can be influenced by demographic and socio-economic factors at individual area level. In context of LINK-VACC project, Belgian vaccine register for campaign was linked level with other registers, notably laboratory test results variables from DEMOBEL database. The present article aims investigating to which extent is associated and/or factors. From sample all individuals tested SARS-CoV-2...
Vaccination campaigns were rolled out primarily to limit the impact of COVID-19 on severe health outcomes, including mortality. We aimed estimate number averted deaths by vaccination in Belgian population aged 65 years and older, between January 2021 2023. Nationwide data infections, vaccine administrations all-cause mortality individually linked. estimated Vaccine Effectiveness against (VE) among persons having received a dose last 6 months, using Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for...
To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treat-to-target strategies among recently diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using methotrexate (MTX) and a step-down glucocorticoid (GC) scheme (COBRA Slim) compared (1) this combination either sulphasalazine Classic) or leflunomide Avant-Garde) in high-risk (2) MTX without GCs (Tight-Step-Up, TSU) low-risk patients.The incremental cost-utility was calculated from healthcare perspective intention-to-treat population (n=379) 2-year...
To explore non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and analgesic use in early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) patients with a favourable risk profile initiating methotrexate (MTX) or without glucocorticoid (GC) bridging.Patients eRA (≤1 year) (no erosions, negative factor anticitrullinated protein antibodiesor low disease activity) the 2-year CareRA trial were randomised to MTX 15 mg step-down GC scheme (COBRA Slim), oral GCs, Tight-Step-Up (TSU). Used analgesics recorded, including...
Objective Treating early, intensively, and to target leads rapid disease control, preventing joint damage loss of function in early rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ). We report the effect such an approach on patient‐reported outcomes explore contribution persistent control well‐being after 1 year treatment. Methods This study is part Care Early trial, a prospective, 2‐year, investigator‐initiated, randomized controlled trial rooted daily practice implementing treat‐to‐target principle. Short Form...
Abstract Objectives Timely treatment of patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (ERA) favors a beneficial disease outcome. However, individuals often delay their contact healthcare professional (HCP) after ERA-related symptom onset. This study investigates the patients’ perspective on patient’s journey from RA onset until referral to specialist. Methods A subgroup ERA Care in (CareRA) trial were retrospectively interviewed discuss initial experiences preceding diagnosis, using bespoke...
Abstract Background The Dutch-Flemish PROMIS® Upper Extremity (DF-PROMIS-UE) V2.0 item bank was recently developed using Item Response Theory (IRT). Unknown for this are: (1) if it is legitimate to calculate IRT-based scores short forms and Computerized Adaptive Tests (CATs), which requires that the items meet assumptions of fit IRT-model (Graded Model [GRM]);(2) compare (sub) groups patients measure, measurement invariance; (3) precision estimated patients’ with different levels functioning...
To quantify the prevalence of co-morbidities in patients with early RA and determine their prognostic value for effectiveness outcomes a randomized trial. We included from 2-year pragmatic CareRA trial, who had (diagnosis < 1 year), were DMARD naïve then treated-to-target different remission induction schemes. Prevalence was registered at baseline Rheumatic Diseases Comorbidity Index (RDCI; range 0–9) calculated. tested relation between RDCI including disease activity (DAS28-CRP), physical...
Abstract Objective To unravel disease impact in early RA by separately quantifying patient-reported (PRF), clinical (CF) and laboratory (LF) factors. We propose a new indicator, the discordance score (DS), for identification prediction of patient’s unmet needs future achievement sustained remission (SR) RA-related quality life (QoL). Methods Factor-scores obtained factor analysis CareRA trial, allowed to compute DS, reflecting difference between PRF mean CF LF. Improvement from baseline week...
Objective. To explore the possibility of integrating patient-important outcomes like pain, fatigue, and physical function into evaluation disease status in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) without compromising correct activity measurement. Methods. Patients from 2-year Care Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (CareRA) trial were included. Pain fatigue (visual analog scales), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), standard components [swollen/tender joint counts (SJC/TJC), C-reactive protein (CRP) or...