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Evaluation of Changes in Hydration and Body Cell Mass with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis after Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Published on: July 14, 2023
[Determining cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: prove the efficacy of interventions first]
1Erasmus Medisch Centrum, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. s.thomas@erasmusmc.nl
Insights
The Dutch guideline on Cardiovascular Risk Management needs to remove recommendations for arthritis patients lacking trial evidence. Unjustified clinical guidelines based on low-grade evidence should be stopped internationally.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Context:
- The 2011 Dutch guideline on Cardiovascular Risk Management includes recommendations for patients with arthritis.
- These recommendations aim to manage elevated cardiovascular disease risks in this patient group.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the trial-based justification for cardiovascular risk management recommendations in patients with arthritis.
- To advocate for the removal of recommendations lacking sufficient evidence.
Summary:
- The current guideline lacks robust scientific support for its recommendations concerning cardiovascular risk in arthritis patients.
- A critical review reveals that the justification for these specific recommendations is based on low-grade evidence, necessitating their removal.
Impact:
- This critique aims to improve the quality and reliability of clinical guidelines.
- It highlights the need to cease the international trend of introducing guidelines with weak evidence.
- Ensuring evidence-based practice is crucial for patient safety and effective healthcare.
Abstract:
In the multidisciplinary Dutch guideline on Cardiovascular Risk Management (revision 2011) the recommendation for preventive treatment of elevated risks of cardiovascular disease in patients with arthritis lacks a trial-based justification. This section should therefore be removed. Introduction of clinical guidelines with recommendations justified by evidence of an unacceptably low grade is a growing international tendency that should be stopped.
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