Remission In Psoriatic Arthritis Research Articles

Patient-reported outcomes in axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients treated with secukinumab for 24 months in daily clinical practice

ObjectivesIn patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) initiating secukinumab, we aimed to assess and compare the proportion of patients achieving 6-, 12- and 24-month patient-reported outcomes (PRO) remission and the 24-month retention rates. Patients and methodsPatients with axSpA or PsA from 16 European registries, who initiated secukinumab in routine care were included. PRO remission rates were defined as pain, fatigue, Patient Global Assessment (PGA) ≤2 (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0–10) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) ≤0.5, for both axSpA and PsA, and were calculated as crude values and adjusted for drug adherence (LUNDEX). Comparisons of axSpA and PsA remission rates were performed using logistic regression analyses (unadjusted and adjusted for multiple confounders). Kaplan-Meier plots with log-rank test and Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess and compare secukinumab retention rates. ResultsWe included 3087 axSpA and 3246 PsA patients initiating secukinumab. Crude pain, fatigue, PGA and HAQ remission rates were higher in axSpA than in PsA patients, whereas LUNDEX-adjusted remission rates were similar. No differences were found between the patient groups after adjustment for confounders. The 24-month retention rates were similar in axSpA vs. PsA in fully adjusted analyses (HR [95 %CI] = 0.92 [0.84–1.02]). ConclusionIn this large European real-world study of axSpA and PsA patients treated with secukinumab, we demonstrate for the first time a comparable effectiveness in PRO remission and treatment retention rates between these two conditions when adjusted for confounders.

Machine learning identifies right index finger tenderness as key signal of DAS28-CRP based psoriatic arthritis activity

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease whose activity is often assessed using the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28-CRP). The present study was designed to investigate the significance of individual components within the score for PsA activity. A cohort of 80 PsA patients (44 women and 36 men, aged 56.3 ± 12 years) with a range of disease activity from remission to moderate was analyzed using unsupervised and supervised methods applied to the DAS28-CRP components. Machine learning-based permutation importance identified tenderness in the metacarpophalangeal joint of the right index finger as the most informative item of the DAS28-CRP for PsA activity staging. This symptom alone allowed a machine learned (random forests) classifier to identify PsA remission with 67% balanced accuracy in new cases. Projection of the DAS28-CRP data onto an emergent self-organizing map of artificial neurons identified outliers, which following augmentation of group sizes by emergent self-organizing maps based generative artificial intelligence (AI) could be defined as subgroups particularly characterized by either tenderness or swelling of specific joints. AI-assisted re-evaluation of the DAS28-CRP for PsA has narrowed the score items to a most relevant symptom, and generative AI has been useful for identifying and characterizing small subgroups of patients whose symptom patterns differ from the majority. These findings represent an important step toward precision medicine that can address outliers.

Molecular profiling of clinical remission in psoriatic arthritis reveals dysregulation of FOS and CCDC50 genes: a gene expression study.

In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the primary goal of treatment is clinical remission. This study aimed to characterize the molecular profile underlying the induced clinical remission in patients with PsA, comparing the remission state and the healthy condition. Whole blood transcriptomic analysis was performed on groups of 14 PsA patients in TNFi-induced clinical remission (DAPSA ≤ 4), 14 PsA patients with active disease (DAPSA > 14), and 14 healthy controls (HCs). Then, all differentially expressed genes (DEGs) derived from remission vs. HC comparison were analyzed for functional and biological characteristics by bioinformatics software. The gene expression of 12 genes was then validated by RT-qPCR in an extended cohort of 39 patients in clinical remission, 40 with active disease, and 40 HCs. The transcriptomic analysis of PsA remission vs. HCs highlighted the presence of 125 DEGs, and out of these genes, 24 were coding genes and showed a great involvement in immune system processes and a functional network with significant interactions. The RT-qPCR validation confirming the down- and upregulation of FOS (FC -2.0; p 0.005) and CCDC50 (FC +1.5; p 0.005) genes, respectively, in line with their role in orchestrating inflammation and bone metabolism processes, may be related to PsA pathophysiology. The transcriptomic profile of clinical remission in PsA is similar to a healthy condition, but not identical, differing for the expression of FOS and CCDC50 genes, which appears to play a key role in its achievement.

Single-Centre Real-World Study on Drug Survival and Effectiveness of Brodalumab for Treatment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

Clinical trials have established the efficacy of brodalumab in treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Real-world evidence is needed to fully evaluate the drug. Here we investigate drug survival and clinical effectiveness of brodalumab in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a real-world setting. This was a retrospective single-centre study enrolling patients receiving brodalumab for psoriasis at the Department of Dermatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. The primary endpoints were drug survival, reasons for discontinuation, percentage of patients achieving a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≤2 and clinical effectiveness against psoriatic arthritis. Eighty-three patients were included (mean age 49.2±17.4years, 59.0% male, 9.6% bio-naïve, mean baseline PASI 10.9±6.9). Twenty-seven patients discontinued treatment primarily due to ineffectiveness and adverse events (AEs). Kaplan-Meier-estimated 1-year drug survival was 65.7%. An absolute Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≤2 was achieved by 68.2% of patients at end of follow-up, by 70.0% at weeks 12-17 and by 76.2% after 40-60weeks of treatment. Neither drug survival nor PASI ≤2 was associated with baseline PASI ≥10, body mass index ≥30, previous treatment with >2 biologics or other IL-17 inhibitors in particular (P>0.05). Psoriatic arthritis remission or partial remission was achieved by 10 out of 18 patients with psoriatic arthritis; treatment failure was reported in 5 patients. Brodalumab was effective against psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a real-world setting. The drug survival was lower than reported in other real-world settings.

TOFA-PREDICT study protocol: a stratification trial to determine key immunological factors predicting tofacitinib efficacy and drug-free remission in psoriatic arthritis (PsA)

IntroductionPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory, musculoskeletal disease that affects up to 30% of patients with psoriasis. Current challenges in clinical care and research include personalised treatment, understanding the...

Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Patient-Reported Remission in Psoriatic Arthritis.

IntroductionAchievement of remission in psoriatic arthritis is a key goal for patients and clinicians, yet definitions of remission may vary. Previous efforts have utilized multidomain measures such as minimal disease activity that assess the status of joints, skin, and function to determine current level of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity. The goal of this study is to identify factors associated with patient-reported psoriatic arthritis remission.MethodsThe National Psoriasis Foundation conducted a cross-sectional study using an online survey of a random stratified sample of 1570 individuals with psoriatic disease in the USA. Participants were asked about a provider diagnosis of psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, comorbid conditions, and psoriatic arthritis impact and disease activity, and demographic questions. All participants reporting a physician-given diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis were asked if they felt their psoriatic arthritis was in remission (“Do you feel your psoriatic arthritis is in remission?” Yes/No/Unsure) and, if so, length of remission. Individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis reporting a body surface area impacted by psoriasis 3% or less were asked if they felt their psoriasis was in remission. Psoriatic arthritis disease activity and impact was assessed using the nine-question Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (PsAID-9) instrument and a global PsA-related quality of life question. PsAID-9 scores ≤ 4 were used to indicate acceptable disease state. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with patient-perceived PsA remission.ResultsOf 834 participants with PsA, including 76 (4.8%) with PsA without skin involvement ever, 144 (17.3%) felt their psoriatic arthritis was in remission, with an average remission duration of 43 months. Of those in remission, 116 (78.4%) reported currently using a treatment for their PsA, with most (75.7%) reporting using a biologic therapy for their PsA in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that patient-perceived psoriatic arthritis remission was independently associated with experiencing acceptable disease state (PsAID-9 ≤ 4), perception of psoriasis remission, lower impact of PsA on global quality of life, and non-white race. Age, sex, body mass index, or biologic use in the last 12 months were not associated with patient-reported PsA remission.ConclusionOverall, patient perception of PsA remission was most strongly associated with patient-reported psoriasis remission.

POS1029 EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH RISANKIZUMAB ON MINIMAL DISEASE ACTIVITY (MDA) AND DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS (DAPSA): AN ANALYSIS OF THE KEEPsAKE-1 AND -2 TRIALS

BackgroundRisankizumab (RZB) is a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits interleukin 23.ObjectivesTo evaluate the achievement of Minimal Disease Activity (MDA), its components, and achievement of Disease Activity in PsA Low Disease Activity and Remission (DAPSA LDA+REM, [DAPSA score ≤14]) in patients receiving RZB or placebo (PBO) in the KEEPsAKE 1 and 2 clinical trials.MethodsKEEPsAKE-1 and -2, double-blind, phase 3 trials, evaluated the efficacy of RZB versus PBO for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive subcutaneous RZB 150 mg or PBO at weeks 0, 4, and 16. The open label extension began at Week 24 with all patients receiving RZB 150 mg every 12 weeks thereafter. Achievement of MDA, its components, and achievement of DAPSA LDA+REM are reported using non-responder imputation.ResultsMDA achievement at Week 52 in KEEPsAKE-1 was 37.9% for patients originally randomized to RZB and 27.4% for patients originally randomized to PBO. In KEEPsAKE-2, MDA achievement was 27.2% and 33.8% for patients originally randomized to RZB and PBO, respectively. Achievement of MDA and its components are presented in Figure 1. In KEEPsAKE-1, at Week 52 59.2% of patients originally randomized to RZB and 51.4% of patients originally randomized to PBO achieved DAPSA LDA+REM. At Week 52 in KEEPsAKE-2, DAPSA LDA+REM was achieved by 44.6% of patients originally randomized to RZB and 46.6% of patients originally randomized to PBO (Figure 1).ConclusionPatients treated with RZB demonstrate achievement of MDA, its components, and DAPSA LDA+REM at Weeks 24 and 52.AcknowledgementsAbbVie Inc, participated in the study design; study research; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and writing, reviewing, and approving of this abstract for submission. AbbVie funded the research for this study and provided writing support for this abstract. Medical writing assistance was provided by Trisha Rettig, Ph.D. of AbbVieDisclosure of InterestsJoseph F. Merola Consultant of: Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbvie, Dermavant, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, UCB, Sanofi, Regeneron, Sun Pharma, Biogen, Pfizer and Leo Pharma, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Compugen, Cabaletta, Evelo, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Arthur Kavanaugh Consultant of: AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Celgene, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie Inc., Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, BMS, Celgene, Centocor-Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Peter Nash Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Rocje, Sanofi, Gilead/Galapagos, MSD, Samsung, Celgene, Amgen, Boehringer, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Rocje, Sanofi, Gilead/Galapagos, MSD, Samsung, Celgene, Amgen, Boehringer, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Rocje, Sanofi, Gilead/Galapagos, MSD, Samsung, Celgene, Amgen, Boehringer, Zhenyi Xue Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Vassilis Stakias Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Ann Eldred Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Sandra Ciecinski Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Kevin Douglas Shareholder of: AbbVie Inc., Employee of: AbbVie Inc., Laura Coates Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Galapagos, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer

Impact of serum interleukin-22 as a biomarker for the differential use of molecular targeted drugs in psoriatic arthritis: a retrospective study

BackgroundWe explored whether serum cytokines could be used as biomarkers for optimal use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF-i) and interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors (IL-17-i) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsIn cohort 1 (47 patients treated with IL-17-i [n=23] or TNF-i [n=24] for ≥1 year), we identified serum cytokines that predicted the achievement of Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis-remission (DAPSA-REM), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90, and Minimal Disease Activity after 1 year of TNF-i or IL-17-i therapy. Subsequently, we developed treatment strategies based on the identified cytokines; initiation of IL-17-i therapy in patients with low IL-22 concentrations (IL-22 <0.61376 pg/ml) and TNF-i therapy in patients with high IL-22 concentrations (0.61376< IL-22 pg/ml). In cohort 2 (34 patients), treatment responses were compared between the strategic treatment group (n=17), which was treated based on the treatment strategies, and the mismatched treatment group (n=17) to verify the validity of the treatment strategies developed using serum cytokines as biomarkers.ResultsIn cohort 1, serum IL-22 concentration was identified as a predictor of DAPSA-remission after 1 year of IL-17-i therapy. Regarding treatment strategies, we selected TNF-i for patients with high IL-22 concentrations and IL-17-i for those with low IL-22 concentrations. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the strategic and mismatched treatment groups. Regarding treatment effects, activity significantly improved at 1 year in both groups. Upon comparison of the treatment effects, the rate of achieving DAPSA-REM and Minimal Disease Activity at month 12 was significantly higher in the strategic treatment group.ConclusionsThe results of this pilot study suggest that IL-22 may be a biomarker of treatment response to TNF-i and IL-17-i in patients with PsA. Further large-scale studies in independent, prospectively collected datasets are required to verify that IL-22 is indeed a biomarker of treatment response in these patients.

27024 Demographic and clinical factors associated with patient-reported remission in psoriatic arthritis

Achievement of remission in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a key goal for patients and clinicians, yet definitions of remission may vary. Treat-to-target initiatives in PsA have used multidomain measures such as Minimal Disease Activity that incorporate the status of joints, skin, and function. The goal of this study is to identify factors associated with patient-reported PsA remission. The National Psoriasis Foundation conducted a survey within a random stratified sample of 1570 individuals with psoriatic disease in the United States.

The efficacy of the interleukin 17 inhibitor ixekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: data from real clinical practice

The article describes the peculiarities of drug provision for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the Republic of Karelia. We present a clinical case of effective treatment with interleukin 17 inhibitor ixekizumab (IXE) in a randomized clinical trial and real clinical practice in a patient with PsA. The distinctive feature of this case is the severity of PsA course that was not controlled by standard methods of therapy. IXE treatment was characterized by a rapid clinical improvement of both articular and skin symptoms and subsequent achievement of remission, which lasted for 3 years (on the therapy). The forced interruption of the treatment led to the relapse of the disease in a short amount of time. In 2 years IXE therapy was resumed; after 6 months of continuing treatment a stable remission of PsA was achieved. The patient is still in clinical remission (on therapy).

Definition of Remission and Disease Activity Assessment in Psoriatic Arthritis: Evidence and Expert-Based Recommendations

ObjectiveWe aimed to reach a consensus on the best instruments to monitor disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to develop a consensus definition of remission. MethodsA modified Delphi approach was used. A scientific committee provided statements addressing the definition of remission and the monitoring of PsA in clinical practice. The questionnaire was evaluated in 2 rounds by rheumatologists with experience in managing PsA patients. ResultsA panel of 77 rheumatologists reached agreement on 62 out of the 86 proposed items (72.0%). The most recommended index for monitoring disease activity was DAPSA (cut-off values: ≤4 for remission and >4–14 for low disease activity ([LDA]), MDA (at least 5/7 criteria). In cases with axial involvement, ASDAS was the preferred index (cut-off values: <1.3 for remission and <2.1 for LDA). BASDAI (cut-off values: ≤2 for remission and ≤4 for LDA) may be used as an alternative. PsAID was the preferred tool to assess disease impact. ConclusionWe propose a definition of remission in PsA as the absence of disease activity evaluated by DAPSA or MDA (ASDAS and/or BASDAI in patients with axial involvement), which would imply absence of signs or symptoms of inflammation, physical well-being, lack of disease impact, and absence of inflammation as measured by biological markers.

291 Demographic and clinical factors associated with patient-reported remission in psoriatic arthritis

Achievement of remission in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a key goal for patients and clinicians, yet definitions of remission may vary. Treat-to-target initiatives in PsA have utilized multi-domain measures such as Minimal Disease Activity that incorporate the status of joints, skin, and function. The goal of this study is to identify factors associated with patient-reported PsA remission. The National Psoriasis Foundation conducted a survey within a random stratified sample of 1,570 individuals with psoriatic disease in the United States.

Comparison of Composite Measure Remission Targets in Psoriatic Arthritis.

To identify (1) which composite measure is the most stringent target of remission; and (2) which disease component target proves the most difficult to achieve in the different states of minimal disease activity (MDA), Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI), Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), and clinical DAPSA (cDAPSA) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). There were 258 patients with PsA recruited. Disease remission was evaluated comparing 4 different composite measures and using remission cutoffs as previously proposed (very low disease activity [VLDA], CPDAI ≤ 2, DAPSA ≤ 4, cDAPSA ≤ 4). Patients met VLDA criteria (MDA 7/7) in 9.0% of visits, DAPSA remission in 19.8%, cDAPSA remission in 23.4% and CPDAI remission in 30.2%. Of 258 patients, MDA criteria (≥ 5/7) were fulfilled in 46.5%. Of those in MDA, VLDA criteria were reached in 25.0%. Patients met the pain visual analog scale (VAS) target in 57.5% of visits when they were in MDA, 43.3% when in low disease activity (MDA 5-6/7), and 44.8% when in CPDAI remission. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that pain VAS was the least likely target to be achieved. Patients with inflammatory-type back pain had significantly higher pain scores; further, a significant relationship was seen between Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and pain VAS. Based on our analysis, VLDA proved the most stringent target of disease remission in PsA compared to CPDAI, DAPSA, and cDAPSA. The pain VAS target of ≤ 1.5 cm was the most difficult component to achieve. CPDAI ≤ 2 was found to be the least stringent remission target; however, measurements of axial involvement, which contributed to the elevated pain VAS score in patients not achieving VLDA, were included as a domain in CPDAI only.

Navigating the diverse immune landscapes of psoriatic arthritis.

The goal of remission in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has remained elusive despite the influx of a range of new therapies over the last 20 years. In contrast, therapeutic responses to agents that inhibit IL-23 or IL-17 have demonstrated impressive efficacy in psoriasis. In part, the divergent responses in these two disorders are likely related to the heterogeneity of tissue involvement in PsA and the interplay of multiple different cell populations and molecular pathways. In this narrative review, we will examine the plasticity of the immune response in PsA from the perspective of the Th17 cell and monocyte and discuss recent findings regarding the importance of CD8+ T resident cells in disease pathogenesis. We will then examine the effects of cytokines on epithelial cell and stromal populations and finally discuss new data regarding immune cell and tissue resident cell cross-talk in entheses and bone. Lastly, the potential therapeutic targets that have emerged from these investigations will be discussed.

P277 Assessment of disease activity using RAPID3 and evaluation of treatment effect of guselkumab in patients with PsA: results from a randomised placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial

Abstract Background To evaluate the effect of guselkumab (GUS) on Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods In a Phase 2 trial, patients with active PsA and ≥3% body surface area of plaque psoriasis despite current or previous treatment with standard-of-care therapies, including anti-TNFα agents, were randomized 2:1 to receive GUS 100 mg (n = 100) or placebo (PBO, n = 49) subcutaneously at weeks 0, 4, and every 8 weeks (q8w) thereafter through W44. At W16, patients from either group with &amp;lt;5% improvement from baseline in both swollen and tender joint counts were eligible for early escape to open label ustekinumab. At W24, all remaining PBO patients crossed over to receive GUS 100 mg, and then received GUS at W28 and q8w thereafter through W44. RAPID3 (0-30) is derived from the Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) and numerical rating scales (0-10) for pain and patient global assessment. A change of 5.1 in RAPID3 score was identified as the minimally important difference (MID) in PsA, and RAPID3 ≤3.0 was used to define PsA remission. Change in RAPID3 and proportion of patients achieving MID were compared between treatments. Correlations of RAPID3 scores with the PsA Disease Activity Score (PASDAS), GRACE index, Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), and Modified Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (mCPDAI) were evaluated using Spearman correlation. Results The mean (SD) RAPID3 score at baseline was 16.9 (5.19). At W24, patients in the GUS group (n = 100) achieved statistically significantly greater decrease from baseline (improvement) in RAPID3 (-5.81 ± 6.0) than the PBO group (n = 49) (-0.57 ± 5.1, p &amp;lt; 0.001), and 50% of patients in the GUS group vs 20.4% in the PBO group achieved an MID (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Higher RAPID3 remission rate in the GUS than the PBO group (14.0% vs 2.4%, p = 0.022) was observed. The mean ± SD decrease from baseline in RAPID3 was -6.36 ± 6.2 at W24, and -7.48 ± 6.3 at W44 in those who continued GUS (n = 86). Among patients who switched from PBO to GUS at W24 (n = 28), mean ± SD change from baseline (improvement) in RAPID3 was -2.28 ± 5.2 at W24 while on placebo and -7.60 ± 6.6 at W44 after switching to GUS. The RAPID3 score was highly correlated with PASDAS (r = 0.84, p &amp;lt; 0.001), GRACE index (r = 0.89, p &amp;lt; 0.001), DAPSA (r = 0.77 p &amp;lt; 0.001) and mCPDAI (r = 0.65, p &amp;lt; 0.001) at W16. Conclusion GUS-treated PsA patients demonstrated significant improvement in RAPID3 compared to PBO. RAPID3 is simple and feasible to use in routine clinical care, and it correlates well with other comprehensive PsA-specific disease activity measures. Disclosures A. Deodhar: Other; A.D. has been a study investigator for Janssen. B. Kirkham: Other; B.K. has been a study investigator for Janssen. P. Rahman: Other; P.R. has been a study investigator for Janssen. P. Helliwell: Other; P.H. has been a study investigator for Janssen. A.B. Gottlieb: Other; A.G. has been a study investigator for Janssen. W. Boehncke: Other; W.B. has been a study investigator for Janssen. X.L. Xu: Other; X.X. is a Janssen employee. P.C. Gorecki: Other; P.G. is a Janssen employee. C. Han: Other; C.H. is a Janssen employee.

Mismatch between the impact of disease perceived by patients and the state of clinical remission assessed by physicians in psoriatic arthritis

Both the evaluation of disease activity and the assessment of the impact of the disease on patients' lives are subjects of intense research at present in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We aimed to test the degree of concordance between the impact of the disease and the state of clinical remission defined by physicians in PsA. We conducted a post hoc analysis of a multicentre study that analysed 223 PsA patients treated with remission-inducing systemic drugs. Clinical remission was assessed by the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score and by the opinion of the evaluating physician (specific question yes/no). A patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS) corresponded to a Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (PsAID) value less than 4. The degree of agreement between remission and PASS was estimated by the Cohen's kappa (κ) index. The degree of agreement between remission judged by physicians and the PASS status was low (κ: 0.16). There was a moderate agreement (κ: 0.46) between DAPSA remission and PASS, while there was almost a good concordance (κ: 0.58) between clinical DAPSA (without C-reactive protein) remission and PASS. We found a clear disagreement between the impact of illness perceived by the patient with PsA and clinical remission judged by physicians. Therefore, clinical and treatment decision-making in PsA should be based more on composite indexes (DAPSA) than on the perceptions of treating physicians.

Spondyloarthropathy: A critical management analysis

Spondyloarthropathy, a group of overlapping disorders of chronic inflammatory diseases of autoimmune nature has undergone critical changes in its management, specially with introduction of newer biologics and targeted synthetic DMARDs. Secukinumab and Tofacitinib are newer additions to proper management targeting various cytokines. Cost being an important factor in developing world, conventional synthetic DMARDs are being advocated to be used in situations where patient can not afford the treatment with biologics / small molecules i.e. JAK Inhibitors. It is heartening to know that methotrexate can achieve 20% remission in psoriatic arthritis almost equivalent to some biologics. Drug antibody is also a challenging problem in management with biologics. Keywords: Biologic, DMARDs, Secukinumab, Tofacitinib, JAK Inhibitors, Cost.

Definition of Remission and Disease Activity Assessment in Psoriatic Arthritis: Evidence and Expert-Based Recommendations.

We aimed to reach a consensus on the best instruments to monitor disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to develop a consensus definition of remission. A modified Delphi approach was used. A scientific committee provided statements addressing the definition of remission and the monitoring of PsA in clinical practice. The questionnaire was evaluated in 2 rounds by rheumatologists with experience in managing PsA patients. A panel of 77 rheumatologists reached agreement on 62 out of the 86 proposed items (72.0%). The most recommended index for monitoring disease activity was DAPSA (cut-off values: ≤4 for remission and >4-14 for low disease activity ([LDA]), MDA (at least 5/7 criteria). In cases with axial involvement, ASDAS was the preferred index (cut-off values: <1.3 for remission and <2.1 for LDA). BASDAI (cut-off values: ≤2 for remission and ≤4 for LDA) may be used as an alternative. PsAID was the preferred tool to assess disease impact. We propose a definition of remission in PsA as the absence of disease activity evaluated by DAPSA or MDA (ASDAS and/or BASDAI in patients with axial involvement), which would imply absence of signs or symptoms of inflammation, physical well-being, lack of disease impact, and absence of inflammation as measured by biological markers.

Effectiveness of Adalimumab for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis: An Italian Real-Life Retrospective Study.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of adalimumab in the real-life setting in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Objective: To evaluate the 2-year retention rate of adalimumab in PsA patients. Potential baseline parameters influencing persistence on treatment were also evaluated.Methods: PsA patients from 16 Italian Rheumatology Units treated with adalimumab as first- or second-line biological therapy were retrospectively evaluated. Adalimumab retention rate was evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between predictor variables and adalimumab retention rate.Results: From 424 patients (53.5% male, aged 48.3 ± 12.8 years) who started treatment with adalimumab, 367 (86.6%) maintained treatment for 12 months and 313 (73.8%) for 2 years. At 24-months, Disease Activity in PsA (DAPSA) remission (defined as ≤4) and Low Disease Activity (LDA) (≤14) were achieved in 22.8% and 44.4% of patients, respectively. Adalimumab treatment significantly decreased the number of tender (7.0 ± 5.7 at baseline vs. 2.3 ± 3.5 at 24 months, p < 0.001) and swollen joints (2.7 ± 2.8 at baseline vs. 0.4 ± 0.9 at 24 months, p < 0.001), DAPSA (25.5 ± 10.9 at baseline vs. 11.0 ± 8.4 at 24 months, p < 0.001), PASI (5.3 ± 5.7 at baseline vs. 2.7 ± 2.8 at 24 months, p < 0.001) and CRP (3.8 ± 6.3 at baseline vs. 1.2 ± 1.7 at 24 months, p < 0.001). Among a range of laboratory and clinical variables, only female gender was associated with improved adalimumab persistence at 24 months (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.2–3.2, p = 0.005).Conclusions: Independent of a range of predictor variables, adalimumab was shown to be effective, while maintaining a high retention rate after 2 years in PsA patients.

Residual Disease Activity and Associated Factors in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Remission or low disease activity should be the treatment target of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, residual disease activity (RDA) in some domains could persist. The aim of this study was to assess RDA and its associated factors in a group of patients with PsA. Patients with PsA were enrolled if they satisfied ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria with > 6 months' followup and achieved a status of low disease activity (LDA), minimal disease activity (MDA), or remission [Disease Activity Index for PsA (DAPSA) remission or very low disease activity (VLDA)]. RDA was assessed by the percentage of patients who had, although in LDA or remission, tender and/or swollen joints > 1, Leeds Enthesitis Index > 1, Health Assessment Questionnaire > 0.5, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) > 1, patient's global assessment > 20, physician visual analog scale (VAS) > 20, and VAS pain > 15. Associated factors of RDA were also assessed. Of 113 enrolled patients, 78 (69%) were in MDA. Moreover, DAPSA remission was observed in 46 (40.7%) while VLDA only in 32 (28.3%) of patients with PsA. VLDA seems to be the most stringent criterion, with a minimal RDA only in the VAS physician in 1 patient (3.1%) and none in the different domains, while patients in MDA had RDA in tender joints (14.1%), VAS pain (29.4%) and PASI > 1 or body surface area (BSA) > 3% (17.9%). Of note, although patients in DAPSA remission show a very low rate of RDA in almost all domains, 12 (26%) of them show a PASI > 1 or BSA > 3%. Finally, LDA shows RDA in higher percentages, mainly in patient-reported outcomes, tender joints, and skin domain. RDA can be recognized in patients with PsA. VLDA seems to be the most stringent composite index to identify patients in the absence of RDA.