European League Against Rheumatism Recommendations Research Articles

Management of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic literature review informing the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations

ObjectivesTo analyse the new evidence (2018–2022) for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to inform the 2023 update of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations.MethodsSystematic literature reviews were...

Hong Kong Guangdong Rheumatology Meeting

The availability of biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) has revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Given the changing landscape of RA management with the ever-expanding armamentarium of advanced therapeutic agents, guidelines are important to provide clinicians with recommendations for decisions frequently faced in clinical practice. To reflect the latest developments in RA research, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) updated their RA management guidelines in 2021 and 2022, respectively. While the general principles of management are largely similar, there are a few divergent recommendations. Two circumstances of particular attention include the polarized view on systemic glucocorticoid bridging and the position of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in the RA treatment cascade. On the other hand, the EULAR recommendations might appear more directly applicable, whereas the ACR counterpart provides treatment guidance in special at-risk populations. In this presentation, the two latest recommendations from ACR and EULAR will be compared, highlighting the salient differences. The supporting literature will also be discussed, including the latest studies attempting to address the controversies in the management of patients with RA.

Patients' awareness towards physical activity in the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis.

The course of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is often characterized by impairments in physical function and mobility. Regular physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of axSpA management. Recent European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for PA have stressed the importance of their implementation. Cohort study to investigate the awareness on and individual implementation of axSpA patients towards PA. Patients with axSpA and impaired physical function (Bath AS Functional Index [BASFI] score≥2.0) were recruited consecutively. All patients underwent a clinical examination including assessments of disease activity, physical function, mobility and global functioning. Patients also had to fill out structured questionnaires on knowledge, awareness and individual attitudes to PA. Out of a total of 100 patients enrolled, 96 were included. Most respondents (n=82, 85.4%) were aware that PA has significant health benefits for patients with axSpA. Even though less than half of the patients (n=44, 42.7%) were aware that actual EULAR recommendations do exist, 45 patients (46.9%) did already fulfill these in terms of frequency/week. The majority of patients (n=61, 67.7%) had been informed about the benefits of PA by their physician, and physiotherapy had often been prescribed (n=61, 63.3%). Many patients (n=51, 53.1%) reported to perform individual exercise programs, and some (n=22, 22.9) supervised PA. Even though the majority of axSpA patients are not aware of the recent EULAR recommendations for PA, many understand and agree that PA is beneficial for their health status. Health care providers should concentrate on the patients who are not active and do not know about the benefits of PA.

The Role of the Nurse in the Care and Management of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Arising from the Current EULAR Recommendations: A Literature Review.

In some countries, restructuring of the healthcare system has contributed to the introduction of a new domain in professional nursing-the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). In order to provide the highest quality of care to patients, nurses working at the advanced level are expected to develop knowledge and to initiate services and practices carried out in collaboration with other professionals. In 2018, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) updated its recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management and care of patients with rheumatic conditions. The objective of the study was a presentation of the scope of medical services provided by nurses for patients with rheumatic diseases based on current EULAR recommendations. A review of the literature on the participation of nurses, as members of a multidisciplinary team, in the education, management, psychosocial support, and promotion of self-care in patients with rheumatic diseases was presented. The expert group formulated three overarching principles and eight recommendations. The literature review and expert recommendations indicated that nurses' tasks in relation to patients with rheumatic diseases should include an initial assessment of health needs, routine follow-up care, and counseling for patients on self-care and lifestyle changes. In the EULAR recommendations, nursing care is also defined as a practice model in which nurses, in collaboration with physicians, provide support, education, and disease monitoring to patients with rheumatic conditions. The requirement for extended nursing education at the advanced practice level, aimed at acquiring diagnostic, therapeutic, caring, and educational knowledge and skills was highlighted, particularly with regard to the EULAR recommendations.

Management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a review of recent guidelines.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease consisting of three discrete diagnoses of microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Among diseases treated in a rheumatology department, AAV has poor clinical outcomes, with high rates of mortality and progression to end-stage renal disease and frequent disease relapse. Due to the frequent negative patient outcomes, optimal therapeutic strategies are essential in the management of AAV. In the present review, four guidelines for management of AAV are summarized: British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BHPR) guideline for the management of adults with AAV; European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) recommendation for the management of AAV; 2021 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/Vasculitis Foundation Guideline for the Management of AAV; Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) 2021 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Glomerular Diseases, which will aid in clinicians' medical decisions. Finally, the summary of the 2022 Update of the EULAR Recommendations on the Management of AAV, presented in the EULAR Congress 2022 is also introduced.

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.

Effects of physical exercise and body weight on disease-specific outcomes of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs): systematic reviews and meta-analyses informing the 2021 EULAR recommendations for lifestyle improvements in people with RMDs

BackgroundA European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) taskforce was convened to develop recommendations for lifestyle behaviours in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). This paper reviews the literature on the effects of...

Ultrasound features of Achilles enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review.

ObjectivesThe objectives were to evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of ultrasound (US) studies of Achilles enthesitis in people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), to identify the definitions and scoring systems adopted and to estimate the prevalence of ultrasound features of Achilles enthesitis in this population.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted using the AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest and Web of Science databases. Eligible studies had to measure US features of Achilles enthesitis in people with PsA. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Downs and Black Quality Index tool. US protocol reporting was assessed using a checklist informed by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the reporting of US studies in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.ResultsFifteen studies were included. One study was scored as high methodological quality, 9 as moderate and 5 as low. Significant heterogeneity was observed in the prevalence, descriptions, scoring of features and quality of US protocol reporting. Prevalence estimates (% of entheses) reported included hypoechogenicity [mean 5.9% (s.d. 0.9)], increased thickness [mean 22.1% (s.d. 12.2)], erosions [mean 3.3% (s.d. 2.5)], calcifications [mean 42.6% (s.d. 15.6)], enthesophytes [mean 41.3% (s.d. 15.6)] and Doppler signal [mean 11.8% (s.d. 10.1)].ConclusionsThe review highlighted significant variations in prevalence figures that could potentially be explained by the range of definitions and scoring criteria available, but also due to the inconsistent reporting of US protocols. Uptake of the EULAR recommendations and using the latest definitions and validated scoring criteria would allow for a better understanding of the frequency and severity of individual features of pathology.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Clinical practice in giant cell arteritis based on a survey of specialists

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to learn about the clinical practice of specialists who care for patients with giant cell arteritis, to verify whether they follow the diagnosis and treatment recommendations for this disease, and to identify areas for improvement. MethodsA cross-sectional survey on clinical practice in 2019. The survey was completed by 167 physicians (64% rheumatologists, 27% internal medicine specialists, and 9% other specialists) who attended a course on updating giant cell arteritis treatment. We compared the clinical practice collected in the study with the latest recommendations approved by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). ResultsThe physicians surveyed cared for a median of 10 patients (interquartile range 6–30) with giant cell arteritis during their practice. As a diagnostic method, respondents used temporal artery biopsy (84%), temporal artery ultrasound (61%) or other imaging techniques (37%). As first-line therapy, respondents used high-dose glucocorticoids (at least 40 mg of prednisone, or equivalent, per day) (84%), glucocorticoids with methotrexate (7%) and glucocorticoids with tocilizumab (5%). The most frequent drugs used for relapse were methotrexate (37%) and tocilizumab (58%). ConclusionOur results indicate that the medical specialists surveyed follow the recent EULAR recommendations for giant cell arteritis diagnosis and therapy.

Práctica clínica en la arteritis de células gigantes a partir de una encuesta a especialistas

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to learn about the clinical practice of specialists who care for patients with giant cell arteritis, to verify whether they follow the diagnosis and treatment recommendations for this disease, and to identify areas for improvement. MethodsA cross-sectional survey on clinical practice in 2019. The survey was completed by 167 physicians (64% rheumatologists, 27% internal medicine specialists, and 9% other specialists) who attended a course on updating giant cell arteritis treatment. We compared the clinical practice collected in the study with the latest recommendations approved by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). ResultsThe physicians surveyed cared for a median of 10 patients (interquartile range 6-30) with giant cell arteritis during their practice. As a diagnostic method, respondents used temporal artery biopsy (84%), temporal artery ultrasound (61%) or other imaging techniques (37%). As first-line therapy, respondents used high-dose glucocorticoids (at least 40mg of prednisone, or equivalent, per day) (84%), glucocorticoids with methotrexate (7%) and glucocorticoids with tocilizumab (5%). The most frequent drugs used for relapse were methotrexate (37%) and tocilizumab (58%). ConclusionOur results indicate that the medical specialists surveyed follow the recent EULAR recommendations for giant cell arteritis diagnosis and therapy.

EULAR recommendations for the reporting of ultrasound studies in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs)

ObjectiveTo produce European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the reporting of ultrasound studies in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).MethodsBased on the literature reviews and expert opinion (through Delphi surveys),...

Management of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis – Analysis and Discussion of the Main Points of the EULAR Recommendations 2019

Updated recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) on the pharmacological management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) 2019 were presented in May 2020. The recommendations are compiled in accordance with the standardized EULAR operating procedures, a systematic review of the literature, followed by a consensus meeting of 28 international members of the task force for guideline development.Updated recommendations include 6 general principles and 12 recommendations. General principles relate to the nature of PsA and the diversity of both musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal manifestations; emphasizes the need for joint decision-making by the patient and the doctor. The recommendations represent treatment strategies for pharmacological therapy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local injections of glucocorticoids are offered as initial therapy; for patients with arthritis and poor prognostic factors, such as polyarthritis or monoarthritis/oligoarthritis, accompanied by dactylitis or joint damage, it is recommended that the usual synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) be started quickly. If the treatment objective is not achieved using this strategy, biological DMARD (bDMARD) should be initiated, targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-17A, or IL-12/23 taking into account skin lesions. If axial disease predominates, an TNF inhibitor or an IL-17A inhibitor should be started as a first-line DMARD.The use of Janus kinase inhibitors is considered primarily after the ineffectiveness of bDMARD. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 is proposed for patients who are not suitable for other drugs, usually in the context of a mild disease. The switching of drugs and dose tapering in the phase of sustained remission are considered. This guideline provides an updated consensus on the pharmacological treatment of PsA based on a combination of evidence and expert opinion.

EULAR recommendations for a core data set for pregnancy registries in rheumatology

Background and objectiveThere is an urgent need for robust data on the trajectories and outcomes of pregnancies in women with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). In particular when rare outcomes or...

EULAR definition of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundDespite treatment according to the current management recommendations, a significant proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain symptomatic. These patients can be considered to have ‘difficult-to-treat RA’. However, uniform...

Assessment of the practicability of implementing the EULAR recommendations for the role of nurses in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis in China

Chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) severely impacts quality of life in over 100 million people in China. In 2011, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) developed recommendations for the ...

THU0110 DIAGNOSTIC ISSUES IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW INFORMING THE 2020 EULAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated according to European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations failing ≥2 biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with a different mode of action who still have complaints which may be suggestive of active disease may be defined as suffering from ‘difficult-to-treat RA’. Before switching to another DMARD in these patients, the diagnosis of RA and the presence of inflammatory activity should be verified to prevent possible over- and under treatment.Objectives:To systematically summarise evidence in the literature on diagnostic issues regarding (mis-)diagnosis of RA and mimicking diseases, and assessment of inflammatory disease activity in difficult-to-treat RA patients, informing the 2020 EULAR recommendations for the management of difficult-to-treat RA.Methods:A systematic literature search was performed: PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to December 2018. Relevant papers were selected and appraised (Figure 1).Results:Regarding (mis-)diagnosis of RA and its differential diagnoses, four studies were selected (Figure 1a): one assessed the diagnosis of RA and three focused on coexisting mimicking diseases (fibromyalgia and bacterial infection). No diagnostic tests were replicated. For evaluation of inflammatory activity in RA, and specifically the effect of comorbidities on assessing inflammatory activity, 63 and five studies, respectively, were included (Figure 1b). At patient level, ultrasonography (US) scores were related to composite indices (range of correlations (r): 0.25-0.70) and swollen joint counts (range r: 0.33-0.78). A multi-biomarker disease activity score (range r with composite indices: 0.41-0.52) and optical spectral transmission measures (range r with US: 0.54-0.64) were promising measures, but cut-offs are preliminary. At joint level, US was related to MRI (range of sensitivity 64-91% and specificity 60-94% for synovitis) and histology (range r: 0.52-0.65 for inflammation). Concomitant obesity and fibromyalgia may lead to overestimation of disease activity according to composite indices, US may be used to assess inflammatory activity in these patients.Conclusion:This SLR highlights the gap of knowledge in the optimal confirmation of a (mis-)diagnosis of RA or diagnosis of mimicking diseases in difficult-to-treat RA patients. Current evidence for optimal assessment of inflammatory activity when there is doubt based on clinical assessment and composite indices is limited. Most studies reported correlations which are not directly useful in clinical practice to determine presence or absence of inflammatory activity. The evidence will be updated up to December 2019. Currently, US seems the most accurate measure to evaluate the presence of inflammation in difficult-to-treat RA patients, including those with concomitant obesity or fibromyalgia.Disclosure of Interests:Nadia M. T. Roodenrijs: None declared, Melinda Kedves: None declared, Attila Hamar: None declared, György Nagy: None declared, Jacob M. van Laar Grant/research support from: MSD, Genentech, Consultant of: MSD, Roche, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, BMS, Désirée van der Heijde Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Cyxone, Daiichi, Eisai, Eli-Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB Pharma; Director of Imaging Rheumatology BV, Paco Welsing: None declared

SAT0052 THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW INFORMING THE 2020 EULAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated according to European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations failing ≥2 biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) with a different mode of action who still have complaints which may be suggestive of active disease may be defined as suffering from ‘difficult-to-treat RA’. Management recommendations for RA focus predominantly on the earlier phases of the disease and specific recommendations for difficult-to-treat RA patients are currently lacking.1Objectives:To systematically summarise evidence in the literature on pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies for difficult-to-treat RA patients, informing the 2020 EULAR recommendations for the management of difficult-to-treat RA.Methods:A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched up to December 2019. Relevant papers were selected and appraised.Results:Thirty articles were selected for therapeutic strategies in patients with limited DMARD options due to contraindications, 73 for patients in whom previous b/tsDMARDs were not effective (‘true refractory RA’), and 51 for patients with predominantly non-inflammatory complaints. For patients with limited DMARD options, limited evidence was found on effective DMARD options for patients with concomitant obesity, and on safe DMARD options for patients with concomitant hepatitis B and C. In patients who failed ≥2 bDMARDs, tocilizumab, tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib and filgotinib were found to be more effective than placebo, but evidence was insufficient to prioritise. In patients who failed ≥1 bDMARD, there was a tendency of non-tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) bDMARDs to be more effective than TNFi (Figure 1). Generally, b/tsDMARDs become less effective when patients failed more bDMARDs, this tendency was not clear for upadacitinib and filgotinib (Figure 2). In patients with predominantly non-inflammatory complaints (mainly function, pain and fatigue), exercise, education, psychological and self-management interventions were found to be of additional benefit.Conclusion:This SLR underscores the scarcity of evidence on the optimal treatment of difficult-to-treat RA patients. As difficult-to-treat RA is a newly defined disease state, all evidence is to an extent indirect. Several b/tsDMARDs were found to be effective in patients who failed ≥2 bDMARDs and generally effectiveness decreased with a higher number of failed bDMARDs. Additionally, a beneficial effect of non-pharmacological interventions was found on non-inflammatory complaints.

FRI0047 STRATEGIES REGARDING GOAL SETTING AND SELF-MANAGEMENT IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW INFORMING THE 2020 EULAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated according to European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations failing ≥2 biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs with a different mode of action who still have complaints which may be suggestive of active disease and for whom management is perceived as problematic by patient and/or rheumatologist have been defined as suffering from ‘difficult-to-treat RA’. A mismatch in goal setting between patient and health care professional, and suboptimal self-management may contribute to this disease state, while specific management recommendations regarding these factors are currently lacking.1Objectives:To systematically summarise evidence in the literature on the identification and optimisation of a mismatch in goal setting and suboptimal self-management in difficult-to-treat RA patients, informing the 2020 EULAR recommendations for the management of difficult-to-treat RA.Methods:A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched up to December 2018. Relevant papers were selected and appraised. Effect sizes were extracted or calculated.Results:Three studies were selected on the identification and four on the optimisation of a mismatch in goal setting (Figure 1). No accurate measures were found to identify a mismatch in goal setting, but patients expressed a desire to take their quality of life goals more explicitly into account. Education was found to improve goal setting (4 of 4 studies, effect size not calculable).Five studies were selected on the identification and 31 on the optimisation of suboptimal self-management (Figure 1). Although formal evaluations in high quality studies were lacking, the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Score was found to be the most reliable tool to identify suboptimal self-management. Patients were found to desire more education on nutrition, the disease and the diagnostic process to be able to improve self-management. Self-management programs, educational and psychological interventions were found to improve self-management (Table 1).Table 1:Effect sizes of studies on the optimisation of self-managementOutcomeType of interventionBenefit of intervention compared to control1innofnselected studiesStudies with effect size (n)Effect size per study2Self-efficacySelf-management programs12/1360.18−0.39; 0.23−0.67; 0.37; 0.43−0.53; 0.49;37.52−8.25Education6/630.05−0.17; 0.22−0.59; 1.23Psychological2/220.20−0.35; 0.45AnxietyPsychological1/210.173Depressive symptomsPsychological1/210.15−0.333RA knowledgeEducation3/320.34−0.47; 0.84n: number of studies; RA: rheumatoid arthritis.1. Mostly usual care or wait list; 2. If different outcome measures were used the range in effect sizes over these measures is reported; 3. Pooled effect size, reported in systematic literature review.Conclusion:In difficult-to-treat RA patients, limited evidence was found on a mismatch in goal setting and suboptimal self-management, especially regarding their identification. Non-pharmacological interventions were found to improve goal setting and self-management.

EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2019 update

ObjectiveTo update the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsAccording to the EULAR standardised operating procedures, a systematic literature review was followed by...