OPINION STATEMENT Low bone mineral density (BMD) is increasingly recognized as a common comorbid condition in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). As low BMD increases fracture risk, it is important to identify and treat low BMD in patients with AS who have been shown to be at increased risk for fractures above the population normal. Since low BMD occurs early in disease, we screen during the first year of diagnosis with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). If patients are found to have osteoporosis by T-score of less than −2.5 or if their Z-score on DXA is more than two standard deviations below the mean, we initiate therapy with bisphosphonates in males and in females who are not planning any future pregnancies. While reduction in fracture risk with bisphosphonate therapy has not been clearly defined in patients with AS, reduction in vertebral and hip fractures has been well established in primary osteoporosis and thus it is our first line treatment. If there are contraindications to the use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of low BMD, we will consider the use of denosumab. If the patient is not receiving a TNF-alpha inhibitor (TNFi) and has active disease, we also favor early initiation of TNFi due to their positive effects on BMD though the outcome on reduction in vertebral fractures remains unclear. We counsel all patients regarding the importance of adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium per the Institute of Medicine guidelines. All patients should be encouraged to participate in weight-bearing activities with a focus on core strength and gait training.

Objectives The level of detail included when describing nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) methods varies among research studies, making interpretation and comparison of results challenging. The overarching objective of the present study was to seek consensus on the reporting standards in NVC methodology for clinical research in rheumatic diseases and to propose a pragmatic reporting checklist. Methods Based on the items derived from a systematic review focused on this topic, a three-step web-based Delphi consensus on minimum reporting standards in NVC was performed among members of the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) Study Group on Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases and the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium. Results A total of 319 articles were selected by the systematic review, and 46 items were proposed in the Delphi process. This Delphi exercise was completed by 80 participants from 31 countries, including Australia and countries within Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Agreement was reached on items covering three main areas: patient preparation before NVC (15 items), device description (5 items) and examination details (13 items). Conclusion Based on the available evidence, the description of NVC methods was highly heterogeneous in the identified studies and differed markedly on several items. A reporting checklist of 33 items, based on practical suggestions made (using a Delphi process) by international participants, has been developed to provide guidance to improve and standardize the NVC methodology to be applied in future clinical research studies.

This adult congenital heart disease survey study demonstrates an opportunity to improve individualized contraceptive and reproductive counseling with a goal toward minimizing each patient's risk of potentially avoidable adverse events. A stronger collaboration among health care professionals is needed to increase the prevalence of heart-specific counseling and to increase the quality of counseling these women are receiving.

Purpose of review: Multiple classes of medications have been studied for the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) with or without digital ischemia. The goal of this review is to discuss the outcomes of recent studies and to report on our approach to the management of RP in light of the available evidence. Recent findings: Comparing treatments for RP remains a challenge as efficacy endpoint vary widely among trials. While calcium channel blockers are used first-line in the pharmacologic management of RP, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors have also been shown to be beneficial in reducing symptoms. In the setting of digital ischemia, administration of intravenous prostanoids is the standard of care. Bosentan has shown benefit in the prevention of future ulcers in patients with scleroderma. Botulinum toxin therapy was ineffective in a clinical trial involving scleroderma patients; more controlled studies are needed in other subsets of patients. Digital sympathectomy may be beneficial in cases of critical digital ischemia, though recurrence of symptoms is common. Summary: Comparative effectiveness studies are needed to determine which therapeutic interventions are most beneficial in patients with RP. Based on the available evidence, we start with CCBs and add a phosphodiesterase inhibitor if symptoms are not controlled, or intravenous prostacyclin in the setting of severe critical digital ischemia. We may additionally add an endothelial receptor antagonist in cases of recurrent digital ulcers. A surgical sympathectomy may be used in refractory cases of digital ischemia. A digital block may also be a less invasive, but temporary, intervention allowing for titration of medical therapy.