Course: Compilation of EULAR Online Modules

Describe the clinical manifestations of ASD, sarcoidosis and palindromic rheumatism.
Conduct appropriate investigations to diagnose ASD, sarcoidosis and palindromic rheumatism.
Describe and explain the treatment options for ASD, sarcoidosis and palindromic rheumatism. Evaluate their level of evidence, efficacy and side effects.

RMD: Infection of joints and bone: Reactive Arthritis, Lyme, Whipple, HIV, ...

This chapter gives a comprehensive view of various types of infection related arthritis.

RMD: Crystal arthropathies

Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints and other tissues.

RMD: Clinical epidemiology - Critical appraisal of evidence

This chapter concentrates on the critical appraisal of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), of meta-analyses of RCTs and of studies of diagnostic test accuracy.

RMD: Genetics for rheumatologists

This module aims to increase the understanding of genetics in order that the reader will be able to evaluate genetic studies critically.

RMD: Psycho-social dimensions of the rheumatic diseases

It is important that clinicians pay attention to the psychosocial, behavioural and contextual as well as biological aspects of rheumatic diseases, as these processes are inextricably linked and affect the perception of, and response to, symptoms and related disability.

RMD: Imaging, including ultrasound

To optimise the use of imaging in daily clinical practice it is important to consider advantages and disadvantages of the different imaging modalities, and also evidence for the use of each technique.

RMD: Connective tissue diseases: Concepts and pathogenesis, overlap ...

The following article will shed light on the subtle differences among these three rheumatic entities; it will explain the different organ manifestations and risks for severe complications.

RMD: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations ...

Systemic lupus erythematosus presents with a broad spectrum of symptoms encompassing almost all organs and a chronic course, which can vary from mild to life-threatening.

RMD: Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterised by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, pronounced alterations in the microvasculature and frequent cellular and humoral immunity abnormalities.

RMD: Sjögren's Syndrome

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the exocrine glands. This leads to dryness of the main mucosal surfaces, such as the mouth, eyes, skin, nose, pharynx, larynx and vagina (Ramos-Casals et al, 2012a).

RMD: Vasculitis: Classification, Secondary Forms and Mimics

This chapter describes the current schemes for classifying and defining the systemic vasculitides.

RMD: ANCA-associated vasculitis and polyarthritis nodosa

For this chapter, readers should be aware of the classification and consensus definitions of the primary necrotising vasculitides, mainly the revised Chapel Hill nomenclature, and the recent changes in the names for some of them.

RMD: Behcet's Disease, Relapsing Polychondritis and Eye Symptoms in ...

Contains:

Behçet’s disease
Relapsing Polychondritis
Eye symptoms in rheumatic diseases

RMD: Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

Correctly diagnose PMR and GCA on the basis of their common and less common clinical manifestations. Learn about current classification criteria
Treat patients with PMR and GCA; 2015 EULAR ACR treatment recommendations for PMR and 2018 EULAR treatment recommendations for large vessel vasculitis.

RMD: Systemic Consequences of the Inflammatory Process

Amyloidosis, Anaemia, Atherosclerosis

RMD: Rheumatic manifestations of endocrine diseases: Diabetes mellitus, ...

This module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the musculoskeletal features associated with common endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid, and parathyroid diseases, and their management. It will cover the epidemiology and pathogenesis of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) at the tissue, cellular, and receptor levels, along with its musculoskeletal and other organ-specific manifestations. The curriculum will include methods for diagnosing HH, the indications for and management of therapeutic and maintenance phlebotomies, and factors related to the prognosis of HH.

RMD: The skin and the rheumatic diseases

This chapter focuses on cutaneous manifestations observed in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, particularly lupus erythematosus (LE), dermatomyositis (DM), scleroderma, the main systemic vasculitides and rheumatoid arthritis.

RMD: Molecular and cellular basis of tissue destruction

This review will focus on the molecular and cellular basis of tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), OA, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), because, given the chronic course and the worldwide high prevalence, these disorders represent a real burden to the healthcare system.

RMD: Osteoarthritis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Aspects and Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disorder. It usually results in joint pain, stiffness, deformity and loss of function, ultimately leading to chronic disability.

RMD: Osteoarthritis: Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most prevalent joint disease and a leading cause of disability in older adults.

RMD: Cervical Pain Syndromes

Low back pain (LBP) is defined as pain related to the area between the lower ribs and the gluteal folds, with or without non-neuropathic leg pain, and is traditionally considered to affect a vast number of people (70–80%) at least once in their life

RMD: Low Back Pain and Associated Syndromes

This chapter starts with a general overview of the classification of regional musculoskeletal complaints and their epidemiology.

RMD: Other lower regional musculoskeletal pain syndromes: Abdomen and ...

Pain has been shown to be the most common reason for medical consultations in the general population.

RMD: Other upper regional musculoskeletal pain syndromes: Face, thoracic ...

The skeleton is a metabolically active tissue populated by a diversity of active cells that constantly remodel bone tissue throughout life.

RMD: Generalised Pain Syndromes: Including Fibromyalgia and Chronic ...

The aim of osteoporosis treatment is to prevent fragility fractures.

RMD: Osteoporosis: Pathogenesis and Clinical aspects and diagnosis

This module will describe and explain the physiology of bone (bone formation, bone resorption) and bone modelling and remodelling, as well as the consequences of osteoporotic fractures: mortality, morbidity and risk for subsequent fractures.

RMD: Osteoporosis: Treatment

Learning Objectives:

To manage basic pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of osteoporosis
To critically assess the efficacy of treatments according to their effect on vertebral and/or non-vertebral fractures.

RMD: Other bone diseases

Contains:

Paget’s disease of bone
Osteomalacia
Osteonecrosis

RMD: Joint Hypermobility Syndromes

Learning Objectives:

Definition, classification and epidemiology of joint hypermobility
Clinical assessment of joint hypermobility
Definition of hypermobility spectrum disorders in the context of disorders causing chronic musculoskeletal pain
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes as a community of pleiotropic disorders in continuity with, but separated from joint hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorders
Principles of treatment of clinically relevant manifestations of joint hypermobility

RMD: Autoinflammatory syndromes

This chapter will give an overview of the pathogenesis, clinical picture and treatment of the most common or best described autoinflammatory diseases.

RMD: Systemic manifestions of primary immune deficiencies

Learning Objectives:

Differentiate between cellular and humoral immunodeficiencies.
Describe the key clinical features of the most common primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
Diagnose autoimmune manifestations in PIDs.
Give an overview of the current therapeutic possibilities for treating PIDs

RMD: Malignant bone diseases (including new concepts and therapies as they ...

This chapter will discuss the two main malignant bone disorders of adulthood: multiple myeloma and bone metastases, while focusing on the bone-related aspects of the diseases, from the pathogeny to the care of these diseases.

RMD: Neuroendocrine immunology of rheumatic diseases

Learning Objectives:

Describe the significance of the neuroendocrine immune network as a common system in rheumatic diseases
Explain the role of adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones, as well as neurotransmitters in the immune response and inflammation modulation in rheumatic diseases
Describe the role of the sympathetic nervous system in arthritis

RMD: Pain: mechanisms and management

To define the terms frequently used when discussing pain mechanisms.
To understand the epidemiology of pain.
To understand psychological pain mechanisms.
To understand how to evaluate and measure pain.

RMD: Rehabilitation aspects of rheumatic diseases

Learning objectives:

Describe and explain the principles of rehabilitation
Properly support patients with their self-management skills, including lifestyle changes, exercises, the application of activity pacing, and the use of orthoses and adaptive equipment
Identify rehabilitation needs of a patient

RMD: Glucocorticoids

Describe the main pharmacological characteristics of glucocorticoids.
Clarify the appropriate terminology for glucocorticoid treatment.
Use adequately glucocorticoids according to specific clinical situations.
Educate patients on glucocorticoids side effects, their prevention and monitoring.
Educate patients on the risk of stopping GCs after long term use.

RMD: Cryoglobulinemia and systemic manifestations of hepatitis C virus

Learning Objectives:

Correctly classify/diagnose cryoglobulinaemia and mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC).
Use the correct technical procedures to detect and characterise cryoglobulins.
Outline the epidemiology, prognosis and main clinical manifestations of MC syndrome.
Understand that antiviral therapy is the cornerstone of HCV-mixed cryoglobulinaemia treatment.
List the main levels of intervention (etiological, pathogenetic and symptomatic) and targets of HCV-mixed cryoglobulinaemia therapy: clinical response (organ target manifestations), virological response (HCV RNA) and immunological response (cryoglobulinaemia, C4 serum level).

RMD: Cell and gene therapy in rheumatic diseases

Contains:

Cellular therapy of rheumatic diseases
Gene therapy in rheumatic diseases

RMD: Nutrition in Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases

Learning objectives:

To describe the optimal nutritional components and life style to prevent the adoption of unhealthy diets that might act as a risk factor to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) development and progression.
To consider the EULAR recommendations for physical activity in people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis.

RMD: Health education

Learning objectives:

You will better understand the role of health education and the responsibility of a health care provider to promote knowledge to the patients under their care.
You will learn about the practical delivery of patient education.

PEP: Patient education: General considerations

A definition of patient education is provided in this module, along with an overview of four major pedagogical models used in this area. Various modes of communication (verbal, nonverbal, and paraverbal) are reviewed, and principles of active listening are elaborated alongside the person-centred approach.

PEP: Practise of patient education

Topics covered include: the biopsychosocial model of illness; the concept of shared decision-making; and the educational diagnosis as an unavoidable step in the patient education process.

PEP: Concrete realisation of a patient education programme

This module concerns itself with the development and implementation of patient education workshops, as well as the principles of evaluation.

PEP: Future of patient education

This module elucidates the steps in the practice of patient education, and discusses research in patient education, with a focus on qualitative approaches.

PAED: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Pathogenesis and clinical aspects

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is not a disease but an exclusion diagnosis that gathers together all forms of arthritis that persist for more than 6 weeks, have their onset before 16 years of age and are of unknown aetiology.

PAED: Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The approach to the treatment of JIA is based on a step-up strategy, on the category of JIA to be considered, and on the level of disease activity and damage to the patient.

PAED: Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Related Diseases

Childhood-onset (or juvenile-onset) systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a severe, chronic, life-threatening, multi-system autoimmune disease.

PAED: Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Juvenile polymyositis (JPM) is extremely rare in childhood so this chapter will focus on JDM.

PAED: Juvenile Scleroderma

Juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is a chronic multisystem connective tissue disorder characterised by sclerodermic skin changes and abnormalities of the visceral organs.

PAED: Vasculitis

In this chapter we provide an overview of paediatric vasculitides based on the size of vessel involved.

PAED: Infectious and Post-Infectious Arthritis

Septic arthritis is caused by the penetration of a viable infectious agent in the synovial space.

PAED: Autoinflammatory Diseases

Autoinflammatory diseases are a distinct group of diseases that are characterised by either periodic or chronic systemic inflammation secondary to errors in the regulation of the innate inflammatory response.

PAED: Differential Diagnosis 1: Inflammatory Diseases

In this module, we will describe in detail the differential diagnosis of paediatric patients presenting with different clinical pictures: musculoskeletal pain/dysfunction, prolonged fever and recurrent fever.

PAED: Differential Diagnosis 2: Non-Inflammatory Causes of Musculoskeletal ...

For most young people presenting to clinic, regardless of the cause of their pain, the chronic experience of it often has a large and negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the young person and their family.

SSc: Introduction to Systemic Sclerosis

Contains:

Diagnosis, differential diagnosis, evaluation of laboratory tests
Localised scleroderma
Epidemiology
Activity
The natural history of systemic sclerosis and assessment of disease severity and damage

SSc: Pathogenesis

Contains:

Synthesis early and late pathological events in scleroderma
Vascular disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc)
Synthesis Fibrosis in systemic sclerosis
Autoantibodies, autoimmunity
The genetics of systemic sclerosis

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Skin involvement

Contains:

Skin involvement
Raynauds phenomenon
Microvascular and macrovascular disease in systemic sclerosis

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Peripheral vascular

Covers the physiopathology and clinical manifestations of Raynaud's phenomenon; micro-and macrovascular disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc), with reference to the digits; and the main classes of vasoactive drugs, other medical therapies and non-pharmaceutical therapies in use for SSc.

SSc: Heart involvement

Contains:

Clinical consequences of functional and pathological changes
Diastolic dysfunction
Arrhythmia, conduction abnormalities
Microvascular involvement in primary scleroderma myocardial disease
Pericarditis in systemic sclerosis

SSc: Interstitial lung disease

Contains:

Pulmonary interstitial vascular involvement: interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis
Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma

SSc: Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Covers how to identify systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients at risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Explains why regular screening for PAH is needed in SSc, and how to use the most effective screening tools to detect PAH.

SSc: Clinical manifestations: GI

Contains:

The gastrointestinal tract in systemic sclerosis
Small intestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis
Colonic and anal involvement in systemic sclerosis

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis

Scleroderma (SSc) may cause a number of distinct abnormalities of the renal tract, but the most prominent and important manifestation is scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Musculoskeletal and disability

Contains:

Joint involvement, synovitis
Muscle involvement in systemic sclerosis and scleroderma–myositis overlap syndromes
Hand function in systemic sclerosis
Quality of life and functional disability
Pain and fatigue

SSc: Treatment

Contains:

Strategy in patient management: disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and targeted therapies

SSc: Research tools and treatment development

Contains:

Activity and damage of scleroderma
The natural history of systemic sclerosis and assessment of disease severity and damage
Evaluation and management of function, disability and Quality of Life

SSc: Sex and reproduction

Learning Objective:

To understand that particular attention should be given to sexual concerns and fertility problems in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and the importance of preconception counselling with the patient and partner.

SLE: Physiopathology, epidemiology, and classification of SLE

This introductory module addresses systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in terms of its incidence and prevalence. It discusses factors implicated in its pathogenesis, including environmental factors and drug-induced lupus. Important differences between adult onset SLE and juvenile SLE, characteristics of late-onset SLE, the bimodal pattern of mortality and the impact of genetic factors are also covered.

SLE: Immunopathogenic mechanisms of SLE

This module covers: actors of innate and adaptive immunity and their abnormalities in SLE; the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors and their interplay with innate and adaptive immunity in SLE; pleiotropic functions of type I interferon and its crucial role in initiation and perpetuation the inflammation in SLE; and genetic, epigenetic and environmental risk factors in SLE.

SLE: Activity and damage indices in SLE

The complexity of SLE presents major challenges when trying to agree disease activity and damage indices and an acceptable quality of life index. A substantial amount of work has been undertaken to devise both global score indices (e.g. the SLEDAI and ECLAM index) and the system-based BILAG index (based on the principle of the physician’s intention to treat). Only one damage index has ever been developed for lupus – the SLICC-ACR index. However, non-specific quality of life indices and lupus-specific indices are widely used to study the disease.

SLE: The kidney in SLE

This module covers: the epidemiology and clinical presentation of lupus nephritis; current concepts of disease pathogenesis and histologic classification; treatment guidelines and outcomes. Clinical trial data for lupus nephritis are also summarized.

SLE: Neuropsychiatric lupus

This module addresses epidemiological profile of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), as well as clinical and biological presentations of NPSLE, main peripheral syndromes of NPSLE, and how neuropsychiatric manifestations can be attributed to SLE. It covers the importance and limits of classical and advanced imaging techniques for NPSLE diagnosis and management, and appropriate management of NPSLE, depending on presentation.

SLE: The joints and other organ involvement in SLE

Provides an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related musculoskeletal, hematological, lung, ocular, and gastrointestinal manifestations, with discussion of clinical presentation and laboratory characteristics. Complications of these manifestations are also considered, along with outcomes and management.

SLE: Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Historical and epidemiological profiles of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and its catastrophic variant are explored. Pathogenic mechanisms of the antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are discussed, including inhibition of anticoagulant reactions, cell-mediated events, monocytes and complement. Clinical presentation, laboratory characteristics, classification criteria, therapeutic approaches and outcomes of APS are also included.

SLE: The heart and the blood in SLE

This module is concerned with epidemiological and clinical evidence for increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and haematological disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Risk factors, pathogenic mechanisms, the role of biomarkers, therapeutic approaches and outcomes are discussed.

SLE: Pregnancy in SLE

The interaction of pregnancy with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is explored. Specific maternal and fetal problems in SLE pregnancy are covered, along with subgroups of patients with particular implications, the use of anti-rheumatic drugs during pregnancy and lactation, and the importance of multidisciplinary management of pregnant SLE patients.

SLE: Cutaneous lupus

Covers skin manifestations in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including the risk of systemic involvement in the different variants of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Possible conditions associated with subactute CLE, and treatment of skin manifestations in patients with SLE are explored. Non-specific cutaneous lesions of SLE and their prognostic and therapeutic relevance are also discussed.

SLE: Treat-to-target strategy in SLE

This module covers: current unmet needs in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); the general concept of treat-to-target (T2T) in SLE and in other rheumatic conditions; targeted therapies in SLE; and the concepts of remission and low disease activity in SLE.

SLE: Quality of life and patient reported outcomes in SLE

At the end of the module, the learner will:

Recognize the need for evaluation of patient reported outcomes in SLE
Familiarize themselves with Generic and Disease Specific PRO in SLE
Understand advantages and disadvantages unique to each PRO tool in SLE
Discuss PRO use specially in the context of Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction seen in SLE, and application of the tools in the context of clinical practice

CAPI: The diagnostic tools to evaluate the Microcirculation in RMDs: focus ...

Explores the tools used to measure structural and functional aspects of the skin’s microcirculation in RMDs, including required ambient conditions and the dynamic tests performed alongside them. Different tools are compared in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. Discussion of how these tools have been used in studies to elucidate the role of the microcirculation in Raynaud's phenomenon and SSc is also included.

CAPI: Capillaroscopy: when to perform and how to evaluate, optimise and ...

This module gives a brief history of capillaroscopy, and then the capillaroscopic analysis is discussed in detail, including material and methods, acclimatisation and positioning of patients, and the most common mistakes made in reading capillaroscopic images. Standardised interpretation of capillaroscopic images is also covered.

CAPI: Capillaroscopic patterns in systemic sclerosis

Contains:

Predictive indexes
Links with functional methods analysing the Microcirculation and with clinical complications

CAPI: Microcirculation and Capillaroscopy in different RMDs: the adults ...

Contains:

Capillaroscopy in dermatomyositis and myositis
Capillaroscopy in Psoriasis/ Psoriatic Arthritis
Capillaroscopy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Capillaroscopy in Mixed and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Diseases
Capillaroscopy in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren’s Syndrome
Capillaroscopy in pregnancy

CAPI: The Microcirculation analysis by Capillaroscopy and blood flow ...

Contains:

Correlations between capillaroscopic patterns and serum autoantibodies in Systemic Sclerosis
Correlations between capillaroscopic patterns and serum autoantibodies patterns in different Connective Tissue Diseases
Correlations between capillaroscopic patterns and LASCA values in Systemic Sclerosis
The effects of immunosuppressive therapies on capillaroscopic patterns and absolute capillary count in Systemic Sclerosis
The effects of specific therapies including vasodilators and endothelin-1 receptor antagonists on capillaroscopic patterns and absolute capillary number in Systemic Sclerosis

CAPI: The role of the absolute capillary number countingat the level of ...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves early and progressive damage to the microvasculature, impacting clinical outcomes. SSc microangiopathy progresses from early capillary dilation to capillary loss and inadequate angiogenesis, reflected in three NVC patterns: ‘early’, ‘active’, and ‘late’, which correlate with disease duration. Significant capillary loss is an early indicator of severe, rapidly progressing disease. This loss leads to tissue hypoxia, digital skin ulcers, and complications like pulmonary hypertension. Recent studies confirm that capillary count, as detected by NVC, is a reliable predictor of disease progression and a valuable tool for assessing disease characteristics.

CAPI - Practical Module

This module offers three short videos (on Nailfold Video Capillaroscopy, on Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis and on Skin Ultra Sound sonography), each with a written introduction, and followed by 9 clinical cases designed to test the learner's applied and practical knowledge.

IMG: Conventional radiographs: 2022 Update

The learner will obtain familiarity with the basic principles of generating X-ray images. More specifically, they will come to understand the underlying principles of attenuation in radiographs; understand the basic principles of window width and level settings needed to view digital radiographs; and obtain familiarity with the positioning and acquisitions of radiographs of various parts of the body in rheumatic diseases.

IMG: Computed tomography: 2022 Update

This module allows the learner to gain familiarity with basic principles of generating computed tomography (CT) images, by elucidating: the underlying principles of image creation and reconstruction; the basic principles of window width and level settings; the possibility for image degradation from image artifacts and their different sources; technical advances into cone-beam CT and dual energy CT; and the inherent risks from radiation in medical imaging, especially CT.

IMG: Magnetic resonance imaging: 2022 Update

Through this module, learners come to understand: the structure of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine; the basic physical concepts in MRI; influence of MRI parameters TR and TE on image contrast; knowledge of fat suppression methods; influence of external contrast agents on image quality; patient positioning and slice orientation; and safety aspects.

US: B-mode MSUS and Doppler MSUS physics; indications and limits of MSUS; ...

The following module is dealing with the basic physics of both grey-scale and Doppler ultrasound including the most important pitfalls.

US: Sonoanatomy, Scanning technique and basic pathology of the wrist and ...

The module is focused primarily on the needs of the practising clinical rheumatologist but it is also designed for the needs of other musculoskeletal clinicians and health professionals who manage patients with hand and wrist disease.

US: Sonoanatomy, Scanning technique and basic pathology of the elbow

This module reviews technical equipment, patient positions, probe positions, anatomical landmarks as well as the main ultrasound standard scans and basic sonopathology of the elbow.

US: Sonoanatomy, Scanning technique and basic pathology of the shoulder

This module reviews the basic anatomy of the shoulder, the standardised US scanning technique, the basic normal US findings and abnormalities as well as the principles in handing the probe and optimizing the settings for shoulder US.

US: Sonoanatomy, Scanning technique and basic pathology of the ankle and ...

Contains:

Understand the indications for performing an ultrasound examination of the foot and ankle structures
Know the relevant basic gross anatomy for performing a basic scan
Know the standard probe positions and how to perform the EULAR standard scans

US: Sonoanatomy, Scanning technique and basic pathology of the knee

The module is focused primarily on the needs of the practising clinical rheumatologist but it is also designed for the needs of other musculoskeletal clinicians who manage patients with rheumatic diseases involving the knee.

US: Sonoanatomy, Scanning technique and basic pathology of the hip

Contains:

To recognise the essential anatomy and sonoanatomy of the anterior, lateral, posterior and medial hip regions
To perform a thorough ultrasound examination of these regions utilizing basic landmarks to guide in the identification and evaluation of the important structures which comprise our anatomic checklist
To be able to identify synovial hypertrophy and effusion of the hip joint

PRP: Principles of collaborative research

The aim of this module is to introduce the learner to collaborative research, to help them become aware of the value of their own experiential knowledge and expertise in the context of rheumatology research, and to show how patient research partners can provide their unique perspective to scientific projects.

PRP: Basic epidemiology

This module covers the basic concepts of epidemiology. Learners will: become familiar with the empirical research cycle; understand how to differentiate between different types of health research; learn how to interpret the validity of data using the pyramid of evidence; and learn to recognise the meaning of different types of tables and graphs.

PRP: Outcome measures in rheumatology and the role of PRPs

The learner will obtain insights into the most commonly used outcome measures in rheumatology. The learner will also become able to contribute confidently the patient perspective to the development, validation and selection of relevant outcomes in clinical research.

PRP: Critical appraisal of scientific publications

The learner will obtain the basic skills to search, understand and critically appraise a scientific paper.

PRP: Development of recommendations

This module has the following overall aim:

The learner will be able to contribute the patient perspective in all stages of developing recommendations.

PRP: Researcher-PRP communication

Intended Learning Objectives (ILO)

Become aware of how to establish successful partnerships.
Explore basic principles of communication.
Define the challenges of communication.
Ensure that mutual expectations are discussed before the start of the project.
Explain and reproduce the principles of giving and receiving feedback.

PRP: Medicine development and the regulatory process

This module has the following overall aim:

To understand the different steps in the process of developing new drugs and other kinds of interventions and learn how regulators assess the evidence for their market authorisation.

PRP: Health economics in rheumatology

This module has the following overall aim:

The learner will become acquainted with the fundamentals of health economics (HE) and health technology assessment (HTA). They will become able to develop a meaningful contribution to health economic evaluations and HTA procedures, which are central in determining the availability, affordability and acceptability of therapies for managing rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

PRP: Assessing research grant applications from a patient’s perspective

Intended Learning Objectives:

Obtain insight into how rheumatology research is funded.
Be able to critically appraise a research grant proposal from a patient’s perspective.
Be able to use an assessment grant evaluation form.

PRP: Dissemination of scientific information to patients

Intended Learning Objectives:

Learn the steps to develop and disseminate lay summaries among a patient target population.
Apply the EULAR rules for writing and reviewing lay language summaries.
Analyse the information needs of patients and suggest appropriate methods for dissemination.
Become aware of the importance of social media and virtual communication to educate people with RMDs and the public.

PRP: Patient involvement in basic research

Intended Learning Objectives:

Become aware of the meaning and importance of basic research in rheumatology.
Describe the differences between basic, translational and clinical research.
Understand the different phases of basic research.
Understand the background of professionals in basic research.
Understand basic terms, concepts and procedures in basic research.
Understand the relevance of ethical considerations in basic research.
List the opportunities for PRP involvement in different phases of basic research.
Identify facilitators of and barriers to successful patient participation in basic research.
Become familiar with expectation management and feedback.

PRP: Care Outcome Set Development & OMERACT

Become aware of the meaning and importance of basic research in rheumatology.
Describe the differences between basic, translational and clinical research.
Understand the different phases of basic research.
Understand the background of professionals in basic research.
Understand basic terms, concepts and procedures in basic research.
Understand the relevance of ethical considerations in basic research.
List the opportunities for PRP involvement in different phases of basic research.
Identify facilitators of and barriers to successful patient participation in basic research.
Become familiar with expectation management and feedback.

HPR: Inflammatory diseases

RA is a heterogeneous condition with a variable disease course.

HPR: Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disorder.

HPR: Pain syndromes

In this module the aetiology, clinical assessment, and non-pharmacological care amongst others will be discussed.

HPR: Rare diseases

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is a rare, autoimmune connective tissue disease of unknown aetiology.

HPR: Psychosocial approaches

This module of psychosocial aspects of rheumatic diseases consists of three parts. First, determinants of symptoms and reduced well-being and function are discussed. Second, an overview is given of outcomes that can obstruct daily life. Finally, management is discussed.

HPR: Assessment and evaluation

The main focus of this module is assessment and evaluation of treatment. Assessment is understood as a planned process to gather relevant information, which thereafter guides the establishment of treatment goals and interventions.

HPR: Interventions

Interventions may pertain to extended roles, such as the ordering of laboratory tests or X-rays, prescription and monitoring of drugs or the provision of intra-articular injections.

HPR: Evidence based practice

The aim of this module is to provide the health professional with the practical knowledge and skills to locate the best evidence to inform clinical practice.

HPR: Basics and principles of evidence-based practice

Covers basic elements on Evidence Based Practice (EBP), including how to practice EBP, the integration of the evidence found in the clinical reasoning process, and the dimensions of critical appraisal.

HPR: Turning the information needs into clinical questions that can be ...

Covers background questions and foreground questions, and how to turn information needs into clinical questions that can be answered.

HPR: Find the best evidence available to answer the question

Main topics covered include: primary and secondary study designs; sources of biomedical information; Cochrane library; and PubMed (MEDLINE).

HPR: Critical appraisal of scientific literature, regarding validity, ...

Covers clinical trials classification, main sources of bias, outcome classification, relative and absolute outcome measures, as well as critical appraisal of validity, relevance and applicability.

HPR: Critical appraisal of scientific literature, regarding validity, ...

Main topics include: systematic reviews and narrative reviews; systematic review classification, qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis; forest-plot, heterogeneity and additional analysis, as well as critical appraisal of validity (AMSTAR 2), relevance and applicability.

HPR: Critical appraisal of scientific literature, regarding validity, ...

Covers main sources of bias; diagnostic accuracy measures; Fagan's nomogram, and critical appraisal of validity (CASP-tool), relevance and applicability.

HPR: Guidelines, recommendations and points to consider for use in ...

Includes: guidelines; main sources of bias; the GRADE approach; and interpretation of recommendations.

Compilation of EULAR Online Modules

Compilation of EULAR Online Modules

Defining rheumatology trends, today

General information

RMD: Systemic approach to diagnosis

RMD: Early arthritis: diagnosis and management

RMD: Rheumatoid arthritis: pathogenesis, clinical aspects and diagnosis

RMD: Rheumatoid arthritis: Treatment

RMD: Immunology and the Rheumatic Diseases

RMD: Spondylarthropathies: pathogenesis,clinical aspects and diagnosis

RMD: Spondylarthropathies: treatment

RMD: Measure of disease activity and damage in inflammatory arthritis

RMD: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

RMD: Miscellaneous inflammatory arthrides: Adult Still disease, ...

RMD: Infection of joints and bone: Reactive Arthritis, Lyme, Whipple, HIV, ...

RMD: Crystal arthropathies

RMD: Clinical epidemiology - Critical appraisal of evidence

RMD: Genetics for rheumatologists

RMD: Psycho-social dimensions of the rheumatic diseases

RMD: Imaging, including ultrasound

RMD: Connective tissue diseases: Concepts and pathogenesis, overlap ...

RMD: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pathogenesis, clinical manifestations ...

RMD: Systemic Sclerosis

RMD: Sjögren's Syndrome

RMD: Vasculitis: Classification, Secondary Forms and Mimics

RMD: ANCA-associated vasculitis and polyarthritis nodosa

RMD: Behcet's Disease, Relapsing Polychondritis and Eye Symptoms in ...

RMD: Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

RMD: Systemic Consequences of the Inflammatory Process

RMD: Rheumatic manifestations of endocrine diseases: Diabetes mellitus, ...

RMD: The skin and the rheumatic diseases

RMD: Molecular and cellular basis of tissue destruction

RMD: Osteoarthritis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Aspects and Diagnosis

RMD: Osteoarthritis: Treatment

RMD: Cervical Pain Syndromes

RMD: Low Back Pain and Associated Syndromes

RMD: Other lower regional musculoskeletal pain syndromes: Abdomen and ...

RMD: Other upper regional musculoskeletal pain syndromes: Face, thoracic ...

RMD: Generalised Pain Syndromes: Including Fibromyalgia and Chronic ...

RMD: Osteoporosis: Pathogenesis and Clinical aspects and diagnosis

RMD: Osteoporosis: Treatment

RMD: Other bone diseases

RMD: Joint Hypermobility Syndromes

RMD: Autoinflammatory syndromes

RMD: Systemic manifestions of primary immune deficiencies

RMD: Malignant bone diseases (including new concepts and therapies as they ...

RMD: Neuroendocrine immunology of rheumatic diseases

RMD: Pain: mechanisms and management

RMD: Rehabilitation aspects of rheumatic diseases

RMD: Glucocorticoids

RMD: Cryoglobulinemia and systemic manifestations of hepatitis C virus

RMD: Cell and gene therapy in rheumatic diseases

RMD: Nutrition in Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases

RMD: Health education

PEP: Patient education: General considerations

PEP: Practise of patient education

PEP: Concrete realisation of a patient education programme

PEP: Future of patient education

PAED: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Pathogenesis and clinical aspects

PAED: Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

PAED: Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Related Diseases

PAED: Juvenile Dermatomyositis

PAED: Juvenile Scleroderma

PAED: Vasculitis

PAED: Infectious and Post-Infectious Arthritis

PAED: Autoinflammatory Diseases

PAED: Differential Diagnosis 1: Inflammatory Diseases

PAED: Differential Diagnosis 2: Non-Inflammatory Causes of Musculoskeletal ...

SSc: Introduction to Systemic Sclerosis

SSc: Pathogenesis

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Skin involvement

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Peripheral vascular

SSc: Heart involvement

SSc: Interstitial lung disease

SSc: Pulmonary arterial hypertension

SSc: Clinical manifestations: GI

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis

SSc: Clinical manifestations: Musculoskeletal and disability

SSc: Treatment

SSc: Research tools and treatment development