Glucosamine the third most popular supplement

Glucosamine supplements were reportedly taken by more than a quarter of older Australians who responded to a survey on use of complementary therapies. Published in the MJA, the responses from 14 757 healthy people aged over 70 years enrolled in the low dose aspirin ASPREE study in 2015 showed that glucosamine (used by 26.7% of participants), was the third most widely used supplement after fish oil (44.5%) and vitamin D (33.8%). Glucosamine was more widely used by females (29.4%) than males (23.4%). Among users of complementary therapies, 58.4% reported having osteoarthritis, compared to 44.1% of non-users.

ARA 2021 abstract deadline looms

Abstract submission for the Australian Rheumatology Association 2021 meeting on 21 May is open until February 12th. Abstracts can be submitted on the four themes of basic science, clinical or RHPSIG that is strictly 300 words. The meeting will be held in a hybrid virtual format with a base for local attendees in Sydney and live steaming to various regional hub locations across Australia.

GRA telemedicine survey

The Global Rheumatology Alliance has asked the rheumatology community to help distribute a patient telemedicine survey, which aims to collect perspectives on the use of telemedicine over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey, intended for adult patients with a rheumatic disease or the parents or caregivers of a child with a rheumatic disease, is designed to help guide and improve the care of patients in the future. The Global Rheumatology Alliance, which includes the Australian Rheumatology Association along with EULAR, the American College of Rheumatology, and many other groups, is working to collect a variety of other data on the practice of rheumatology and the experience of patients over the course of the pandemic. This includes keeping track of cases of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases; several studies have now examined outcomes of such cases, showing that results have improved over time and that patients with more rare disorders may fare worse. A separate survey on the use of telemedicine during the pandemic specifically for clinicians is also available.