Background This study was carried out to achieve an Egyptian expert consensus on a treat-to-target management strategy for osteoporosis using Delphi technique. A scientific committee identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in osteoporosis in Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (2 rounds) to establish a consensus on 15 clinical standards: (1) concept, (2) diagnosis, (3) case identification, (4) whom to treat, (5) who should treat?, (6) case stratification and intervention thresholds, (7) falls risk, (8) investigations, (9) treatment target, (10) management, (11) optimum treatment duration, (12) monitoring, (13) drug holiday, (14) osteoporosis in men, and (15) post-fracture care and fracture liaison service. Results The surveys were sent to an expert panel (n = 25), of whom 24 participated in the two rounds. Respondents were drawn from different governorates and health centres across Egypt including the Ministry of Health. Most of the participants were rheumatologists (76%), followed by internists (8%), orthopaedic doctors (4%), rehabilitation doctors (4%), primary care (4%), and ortho-geriatrics (4%) physicians. Seventy-two recommendations, categorised into 15 sections, were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 83.4 to 100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ≥ 75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all 15 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. An algorithm for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis has been suggested. Conclusion A wide and representative panel of experts established a consensus regarding the management of osteoporosis in Egypt. The developed guidelines provide a comprehensive approach to the assessment and management of osteoporosis for all Egyptian healthcare professionals who are involved in its management.

Background Stroke patients often present with upper limb spasticity which impairs the functional status of patients. Recently, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is reported to be a safe, non-invasive, alternative treatment for spasticity. Many articles have been published on the effect of ESWT on lower limb spasticity, but only few of them had focused on upper limb spasticity, so the aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological effect of ESWT on wrist and hand spasticity of chronic stroke patients and its impact on functional performance. In this monocentric study, forty chronic stroke patients with upper limb spasticity were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. Both groups continued to receive conventional stroke rehabilitative program, while group I received three sessions of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) 1 week apart. Results There was a significant decrease in wrist and hand spasticity after treatment and at follow-up in group I compared to group II (Modified Ashworth Scale after rESWT 1.45 ± 0.16, 2.90 ± 0.18 and follow-up 1.55 ± 0.13, 3.00 ± .0.15 in groups I and II, respectively). Also, there was a significant improvement of wrist control and hand function after treatment and at follow-up in group I compared to group II (p < 0.001). The improvement of pinch grip was noticed at follow-up with a significant difference relative to baseline in group I (p < 0.05). Hmax/Mmax ratio was significantly decreased at follow-up in group I compared to group II (p < 0.001). Conclusion ESWT is a valuable adjuvant treatment for spasticity of the hand and wrist in stroke patients which is reflected as improvement of functional activity. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04312581. Registered on 18 March 2020.

IgA vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in childhood. Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis as well as management of IgAV represent a major challenge for health care professionals. This study was carried out to attain an evidence-based expert consensus on a treat-to-target management approach for IgAV using Delphi technique. The preliminary scientific committee identified a total of 16 key clinical questions according to the patient, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) approach. An evidence-based, systematic, literature review was conducted to compile evidence for the IgAV management. The core leadership team identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in IgAV management in Egypt upon which experts were gathered from different governorates and health centers across Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (two rounds) to reach a consensus. An online questionnaire was sent to expert panel ( n = 26) who participated in the two rounds. After completing round 2, a total of 20 recommendation items, categorized into two sections were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7–9) ranged from 91.7–100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ⩾75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all the 20 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. Algorithms for the diagnosis and management have been suggested. This was an expert, consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of IgAV and IgA vasculitic nephritis, based on best available evidence and expert opinion. The guideline presented a strategy of care with a pathway to achieve a state of remission as early as possible. Plain Language Summary Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis of immunoglobulin A vasculitis represents a major challenge for health care professionals. This work provided cornerstone principles for the management of the condition. Adopting PICO approach and implementing Delphi process a consensus was reached on evidence-based treat-to-target treatment recommendations. This will endorse enhancement and consistency of care of this cohort of patients in standard practice.

Objectives Assessment of serum levels of IL-23 in PsA patients and its correlation with depression, anxiety, and disease activity. Methods Eighty psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and eighty healthy volunteers matched for age and gender were included in this observational case–control study. All participants suspected to detailed history, clinical assessment, PsA activity using Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score, the severity and extent of psoriasis was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and ultrasonographic assessments of the entheses were examined according to the Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI). Depression and anxiety were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Serum IL-23 was measured and correlated with disease activity, depression, and anxiety. Results There was no significant difference between patients and controls regarding demographic data. Thirty-six PsA patients (45%) had anxiety and 28 patients (35%) had depression, while in the control group, 16 persons (20%) had anxiety and 12 (15%) had depression, with significant differences between the 2 groups (p < 0.0001). There were significant differences in HADS anxiety and depression scores between patients and controls with significant positive correlations between HADS depression, anxiety scores and IL-23, DAPSA, PASI, and MASEI scores (p < 0.05). IL-23 was positively correlated with DAPSA, PASI, and HADS scores; we observed that interleukin 23, higher DAPSA, and PASI were independently associated with depression and anxiety. Conclusion Serum interleukin-23 levels were elevated in PsA patients and were found to be correlated with depression, anxiety, and disease activity. Key Points• Psoriatic arthritis is a multidimensional disorder with psychiatric drawbacks.• Interleukin-23 is a proinflammatory cytokines that was correlated with depression and anxiety in PsA patients.• Interleukin-23 was correlated with disease activity in PsA.• Depression and anxiety were positively correlated with disease activity in PsA.

Background Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) is usually associated with vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density. Objectives To evaluate serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D in JSLE patients and to correlate these findings with disease activity and bone density. Methods This study was conducted on 100 patients with JSLE and 100 healthy children as controls. Disease duration and SLEDAI for disease activity were evaluated. CBC, anti-dsDNA, C3,C4,24hr urinary proteins, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate(e-GFR),Ca,P,PTH, 25 (OH) D levels, and bone mineral density(BMD)Z score were measured. Results There were significant differences in mean 25(OH)D concentration between patients group (19.37 ± 9.72 ng/ml) and controls 35.90 ± 9.66 ng/ml(p < 0.05), with significant difference between active and inactive patients (p < 0.05).There were significant negative correlations between serum 25(OH)D and SLEDAI (r-0.545, p 0.001), steroid dose (r-0.561, p 0.001), anti-dsDNA (r-0.685, p 0.006), 24 hr-proteinuria (r-0.738, p 0.001) and PTH (r-0.335, p 0.001), significant positive correlations between 25(OH)D and C3 (r0.617, p 0.001),C4 (r0.544, p 0.001) serum Ca (r0.424, p 0.001) and Z score (r0.561, p 0.001),with non-significant correlations between 25(OH)D and serum P and both disease & steroid duration, (p > 0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is common in JSLE, it’s correlated significantly with disease activity and bone mineral density.