The new EULAR recommendations were developed by a multidisciplinary task force of patient research partners, nurses, and health care professionals from rheumatology as well as experts in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, diet, and podiatry. The work was completed in line with EULAR standardised operating procedures. All information included in the final paper – published in the month of July 2023 issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases – was based on two systematic literature reviews – one on SLE, and one on SSc.
Overall, 4 overarching principles and 12 recommendations were developed. The principles acknowledge that non-pharmacological management of both conditions should be tailored to people's individual needs, expectations, and preferences and be based on a shared-decision making. This may require one or more intervention, and can be provided alone or as an adjunct to pharmaceutical treatment; however, non-pharmacological management should not substitute for pharmaceutical treatment when the latter is required.
The individual recommendations are then split into three groups, with those that apply to both diseases, followed by sets of specific considerations for each. The general aim is to improve people's health-related quality of life. This includes patient education and support for self-management, as well as advice around exercise and psychosocial interventions.
EULAR hopes these new recommendations will provide guidance on non-pharmacological interventions for people with SLE or SSc, and promote their use alongside pharmacotherapy to improve overall quality of care. However, they stress that non-pharmacological options should not replace drug therapy when it is required, and refer readers to the full management recommendations for SLE and SSc.1,2
Source
Parodis I, et al. EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological management of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 0:1–10.
doi:10.1136/ard-2023-224416.
References
1. Fanouriakis A, et al. 2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78:736–45.
2. Kowal-Bielecka O, et al. Update of EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76(8):1327–39.
About EULAR
EULAR is the European umbrella organisation representing scientific societies, health professional associations and organisations for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). EULAR aims to reduce the impact of RMDs on individuals and society, as well as improve RMD treatments, prevention, and rehabilitation. To this end, EULAR fosters excellence in rheumatology education and research, promotes the translation of research advances into daily care, and advocates for the recognition of the needs of those living with RMDs by EU institutions.
