Swollen Joint Count Research Articles

Baseline predictors of fatigue and persistent fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: A longitudinal observational study.

To determine factors associated with fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to identify baseline predictors of persistent fatigue at 12months of follow-up. We enroled patients with RA fulfiling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria. Fatigue was assessed using the Arabic version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F). Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined baseline variables associated with fatigue and persistent fatigue (if the FACIT-F score was less than 40 at baseline and 12months of follow-up). We included 100 RA patients of whom 83% reported fatigue. At baseline, the FACIT-F score was significantly associated with older age (p=0.007), pain (p<0.001), global patient assessment (GPA) (p<0.001), tender joint count (TJC) (p<0.001), swollen joint count (p=0.003), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)(p<0.001), disease activity score (DAS28 ESR) (p<0.001), and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) (p<0.001). At 12months of follow-up, the percentage of patients who reported persistent fatigue was 60%. The FACIT-F score was significantly associated with age (p=0.015), symptom duration (p=0.002), pain (p<0.001), GPA (p<0.001), TJC (p<0.001), C-Reactive Protein (p=0.007), ESR (p=0.009), DAS28 ESR (p<0.001), and HAQ (p<0.001). Pain was an independent baseline predictor of persistent fatigue (OR=0.969 (95% CI [0.951-0.988]), p=0.002). Fatigue is a frequent symptom in RA. Pain, GPA, disease activity and disability were associated with fatigue and persistent fatigue. Baseline pain was the only independent predictor of persistent fatigue.

Effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib – data from real clinical practice in Bulgaria

Objectives: Aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in Rheumatoid arthritis patients with moderate to high disease activity in real-world clinical practice and to identify predictors of therapeutic success.&#x0D; Materials and methods: A retrospective single-center study was performed in RA patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg daily. Demographic and clinical indicators were analyzed. The effectiveness and safety of the medication were evaluated over a six-month period. Disease activity was assessed with index-based scores. The primary endpoint was defined as low disease activity over a six-month treatment period with upadacitinib 15 mg/day (DAS28CRP ≤ 3.2, CDAI ≤ 10 and SDAI ≤ 11).&#x0D; Results: 41 patients were included, mean age 56.56 years (± 13.4), with long-standing RA (8 years ± 5.8), mostly female (80.5%). 19.5% of them were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), 80.5% had osteoarthritis and 58.5% - hypertensive disease. Erosive arthritis was observed in 41.5% of patients and 61% had functional class III motor deficit. "Bio-naïve" were 58.5%, the rest had previous experience with biologic therapy. Upadacitinib was used as monotherapy in 90% of patients and in combination with Methotrexate in 10%. There was a significant reduction in the painful and swollen joint counts, VAS and CRP six months after starting treatment with upadacitinib. Low disease activity was achieved by a significant proportion of patients (DAS28CRP-70.7%, CDAI-60.5% and SDAI 63.2%). Therapeutic outcome was not determined by demographics, clinical factors, comorbidities, or prior biologic treatment. Increase in liver enzymes (n=3), decrease in hemoglobin levels (n=2), and urinary tract infection (n=2) were the adverse events recorded over the six-month treatment period. One patient died from COVID-19.&#x0D; Conclusion: A significant proportion of RA patients on treatment with upadacitinib 15 mg was able to achieve the therapeutic target in real clinical settings. No predictors of therapeutic efficacy were found. The registered side effects do not differ from the safety profile of the medication.

Characteristics of Late-Onset Spondyloarthritis: Data from the Moroccan Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases.

Introduction The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis InternationalSociety (ASAS) criteria for axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) allow for the classification of patients with an age of onset of disease of less than 45 years. However, SpA can start after this age. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of late-onset SpA (SpA>45 years) in the Moroccan registry of biological therapies in rheumatic diseases (RBSMR). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using the baseline data of the RBSMR.The protocol for the original RBSMR study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee for Biomedical Research Mohammed V University - Rabat, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat (approval number for the study was 958/09/19, and the date of approval was September 11, 2019), and all patients had given their written consent. Patients who met the 2009 ASAS criteria for SpA were included. They were divided into two groups: early-onset SpA (≤ 45 years) and late-onset SpA (>45 years). Clinical, biological, radiological, and therapy data of the two groups were compared.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v25 software (IBM Corp. Armonk, NY).Parameters with a p-value ≤0.05 were considered significant. Results Our population consisted of 194 patients. Thirty-one patients (16%) had late-onset SpA. Comparison between patients with early-onset (≤45 years) and late-onset SpA(>45 years) revealed that late-onset SpA had a higher tender joint count (p=0.01), a higher swollen joint count (p=0.02), depression (p=0.00), fibromyalgia (p=0.001), hypercholesterolemia (p=0.01), and a lower frequency of coxitis (p=0.008). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that late-onset SpA was associated with a higher tender joint count (OR=0.93, CI 95%: 0.88-0.98), a higher swollen joint count (OR=0.92, CI 95%: 0.85-0.99), depression ( OR=0.19, CI 95%:0.04-0.38), fibromyalgia (OR=1.75, CI 95%: 1.74-17.85), and a lower frequency of coxitis ( OR=0.29,CI 95%: 0.11-0.75). Conclusion As life expectancy increases, late-onset SpA will become increasingly common. It is therefore imperative to determine its characteristics. In the RBSMR study, late-onset SpA was associated with a high number of tender and swollen joints, depression, fibromyalgia, and a lower frequency of coxitis.

The association between sonographic enthesitis with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in psoriatic arthritis patients.

To examine the association between sonographic enthesitis with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis in PsA patients, and the association between sonographic enthesitis and clinical characteristics. Consecutive PsA patients that fulfilled the ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) were prospectively recruited. Each patient was evaluated by comprehensive clinical and sonographic assessment (greyscale and Doppler), the latter including 52 joints, 40 tendons and 14 entheses [according to MAdrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI) plus lateral epicondyles] performed by an experienced sonographer blinded to the clinical data. The US enthesitis score was further categorized to inflammatory (hypoechogenicity, thickening, bursitis and Doppler) and structural (enthesophytes/calcifications and erosions) subcategories. Multivariate linear regression models assessed the association between enthesitis and the selected variables. A total of 158 PsA patients [mean (s.d.) age 52.3 (13) years, 88 (55.7%) females] were analysed. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed a significant association between sonographic enthesitis and sonographic synovitis (β = 0.18, P = 0.008) and between sonographic enthesitis and sonographic tenosynovitis (β = 0.06, P = 0.02). These associations were derived from the enthesitis inflammatory subcategory of the MASEI (P < 0.05). Associations between enthesitis and synovitis were also demonstrated on the level of the elbow, knee and ankle joints (P < 0.05). In addition, sonographic enthesitis was significantly associated with older age, male sex, swollen joint count, CRP level and physical occupation. Sonographic enthesitis is associated with sonographic synovitis and tenosynovitis. The severity of sonographic enthesitis may represent a marker for inflammatory activity in other musculoskeletal domains.

Inhibition of Interleukin-17 in Patients with Oligoarticular Psoriatic Arthritis.

This study evaluated the efficacy of the interleukin-17A inhibitor secukinumab in patients with oligoarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA). A total of 84 patients with oligoarticular PsA, defined as 1-4 tender joints and 1-4 swollen joints, were pooled from the FUTURE2-5 and MAXIMISE trials (NCT01752634, NCT01989468, NCT02294227, NCT02404350, and NCT02721966). Patients were grouped by treatment received at week12 (secukinumab 300mg, secukinumab 150mg, or placebo) and week52 (any secukinumab 300mg or any secukinumab 150mg). Efficacy was assessed by the proportion of patients achieving selected clinical outcomes. The predictors of Disease Activity index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) responses at weeks12 and 52 were identified by logistic regression analysis. Secukinumab treatment resulted in greater achievement of DAPSA-based low disease activity (LDA), DAPSA-based remission (REM), DAPSA50, and DAPSA75 than placebo at week12, with improvements sustained or further increased through week52. LDA or REM was achieved at week52 by more than 90% of patients who received either secukinumab dose, although secukinumab 300mg resulted in the highest achievement of the stringent DAPSA75 and DAPSA REM outcomes. At week12, younger age was associated with DAPSA LDA or REM and DAPSA50, while lower baseline swollen joint count was associated with DAPSA REM. No predictors were identified at week52. The safety profile was consistent with the full study populations. Secukinumab demonstrated efficacy vs placebo across several outcome measures in patients with oligoarticular PsA at week12, with sustained or improved responses through week52.

Sleep Problems in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Literature Review and Metaanalysis.

The aim of this systematic review and metaanalysis is to summarize evidence regarding the relationship between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and sleep problems. We identified 36 eligible studies-26 cross-sectional, 7 cohort, and 3 interventional studies-in PubMed and Embase. The prevalence of self-reported sleep problems in patients with PsA ranged from 30% to 85%. A metaanalysis of 6 studies that used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index revealed a prevalence of poor sleep quality for patients with PsA of 72.9% (95% CI 63-81.8; I2 = 78%), which was statistically higher than in healthy controls (26.9%, 95% CI 11.7-45.4; I2 = 81%) but not significantly different than in patients with psoriasis (59.8%, 95% CI 46.9-72.1; I2 = 51%). Sleep disturbance was ranked in the top 4 health-related quality of life domains affected by PsA. One study suggested a bidirectional relationship between PsA and obstructive sleep apnea. Predictors of sleep problems included anxiety, pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, depression, fatigue, physical function, and tender or swollen joint count. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, guselkumab, and filgotinib (a Janus kinase inhibitor) were associated with improved sleep outcomes. Poor sleep quality is prevalent in patients with PsA. Objective sleep measures (ie, actigraphy and polysomnography) have not been used in PsA studies, and evidence on the validity of patient-reported sleep measures in PsA is lacking. Future studies should validate self-reported sleep measures in PsA, explore how sleep quality relates to PsA disease activity and symptoms using both objective and subjective sleep measures, assess the efficacy of strategies to manage sleep problems, and assess the effects of such management on symptoms and disease signs in patients with PsA.

P184 A 24-month prospective psoriatic arthritis observational study of persistence of treatment - interim analysis of baseline characteristics

Abstract Background/Aims Ixekizumab (ixe), a highly selective interleukin (IL)-17A monoclonal antibody, has been approved for treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, there is limited real-world evidence (RWE) available for ixe. PRO-SPIRIT is the first large-sample prospective observational study to provide RWE for ixe in patients (pts) with PsA. PRO-SPIRIT’s primary objective is to describe treatment persistence at 24 months (M) among pts with PsA who initiate or switch to a new biologic Disease-Modifying Arthritis Rheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) or targeted synthetic (tsDMARDs), including ixe. This abstract describes the interim baseline (BL) characteristics. Methods PRO-SPIRIT is a prospective observational study, conducted in FR, ES, IT, DE, UK, and CA, enrolling adults with PsA (≥6M) to be initiated or switched to a new b/tsDMARD, locally approved for PsA. Treatment groups include ixe, secukinumab, IL-12/IL-23 inhibitors (i) (ustekinumab) or IL-23i (guselkumab), tumour necrosis factor (TNFi) (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab or biosimilar), Janus kinase (JAKi) (tofacitinib or upadacitinib). Pt demographic, disease activity and therapy characteristics are collected at BL; clinical and patient-reported outcomes measures are collected at BL and at a routine post-BL visit. BL descriptive statistics are reported. Results From December 2019 until this interim data cut (June 2021), a total of 477 pts (305 female; mean age 52) were enrolled. Mean age ranged from 48 (IL-12/23i and IL-23i) to 55 (JAKi), with a majority of female pts in each group. Pts in the IL-12/23i and IL-23i and TNFi groups showed the shortest time since PsA diagnosis (5.2±4.5; 6.5±7.9), while pts in the JAKi group showed the longest time (10.6±9.4). The lowest proportion of pts with a prior b/tsDMARDs use was observed in the TNFi group (31%), the highest in the IL-12/23i and IL-23i group (71%). Pts in the ixe and IL-12/23i and IL-23i groups were more likely to be on monotherapy. Tender Joint Count (9.1-11.3) and Swollen Joint Count (3.3-5.8) were comparable across groups, with the highest values in the ixe and JAKi groups, respectively. Pt proportion with enthesitis and dactylitis was higher in the ixe, secukinumab and JAKi groups. Percentage of Body Surface Area affected by psoriasis was higher in the ixe, secukinumab and IL-12/23i and IL-23i groups. Pt proportion with nail psoriasis was higher in the ixe and secukinumab groups. Physician's Global Assessment Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Patient’s Global Assessment VAS and Patient's Assessment of Joint Pain VAS reflected a high burden of illness. Conclusion The reported BL characteristics offer preliminary information about which pts initiate or switch to a b/tsDMARD in a real-life setting. Future disclosures (at 12 and 24M) will provide RWE regarding persistence, effectiveness, and healthcare resource use of available treatments for PsA, which will help pts and physicians to make better informed treatment decisions. Disclosure J. Morel: Consultancies; J. Morel has been a speaker and/or consultant for: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Fresenius, Galapagos, Glaxo Smith Kline, Médac, Novartis, Sandoz, and Sanofi. Grants/research support; J. Morel has received grant funding/research support from: Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, and Pfizer. L. Dagna: Consultancies; L. Dagna has been a speaker and/or consultant for: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Lilly, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen, Kiniska, Pfizer, Roche, Sobi, and Sanofi. B. Ibañez: Grants/research support; B. Joven-Ibáñez has been a speaker for and has received grant funding/research support from: Eli Lilly and Company. T. Holzkaemper: Shareholder/stock ownership; T. Holzkaemper is a shareholder and employee of: Eli Lilly and Company. C. El Baou: Consultancies; C. El Baou has worked as a consultant for: Eli Lilly and Company. L. Unger: Other; L. Unger has been a speaker for: Eli Lilly and Company. A. Semeraro: None. N. Gullick: Consultancies; N. Gullick has been a speaker and/or consultant for: AbbVie, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB. Grants/research support; N. Gullick has received grant funding/research support from: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Izana, and Novartis. T. Treuer: Shareholder/stock ownership; T. Truer is a shareholder and employee of: Eli Lilly and Company.

The impact of comorbidities on interleukin-17 inhibitor therapy in psoriatic arthritis: a Danish population-based cohort study.

To investigate the influence of comorbidities on treatment response, disease activity and persistence with first-line IL-17 inhibitor (IL-17i) treatment in patients with PsA. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the presence and/or severity of comorbidities using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Groups were CCI 0: no comorbidities, CCI 1: one comorbidity and CCI ≥2: two or more comorbidities or one or more severe comorbidities. Outcomes in the groups were compared for treatment persistence, treatment response and disease activity. A higher CCI score was associated to an elevation in baseline CRP, swollen joint count and frequency of depression and/or anxiety. The median drug persistence in the groups were CCI 0: 1.8 years, CCI 1: 1.9 years and CCI ≥2: 1.5 years, but was not statistically significant to the CCI score. There were no significant differences in clinical response rates between the groups. The presence of comorbidities was associated with increased baseline disease activity and frequency of depression and/or anxiety, but was not associated with shorter treatment persistence or lower clinical response rates in a cohort of 155 Danish patients with PsA treated with first-line IL-17i.

Paediatric rheumatologists do not score the physician's global assessment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis disease activity in the same way.

To assess the heterogeneity in factors affecting physician's global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) and in PhGA scoring of multiple JIA patient's case scenarios. An electronic web-based questionnaire of factors potentially considered in PhGA was sent worldwide to members of PRINTO and the Pediatric Rheumatology Care and Outcomes Improvement Network (PR-COIN). The respondents were asked to rate from 0 to 100 the relevance of 17 factors possibly affecting PhGA scoring and to derive a PhGA score of 17 detailed JIA patient cases. The median and interquartile range was used to measure the heterogeneity in the scoring. To demonstrate the consistency among the PhGA scores of the patient cases provided by multiple physicians, we assessed the inter-rater reliability using intra-class correlation. The questionnaire was completed by 491 respondents. A large individual variation was observed in the impact of different factors on PhGA when assessing JIA. For non-systemic JIA the presence of fever had the largest variation and swollen joint count had the smallest. For sJIA, the largest variation was seen in the presence of erosions and the smallest in the presence of fever. The intra-class correlation of the group for PhGA scoring of patient cases was 0.53 (95% CI 0.38, 0.72). In a sample of worldwide respondents, the scoring of the PhGA is divergent. Consensus on PhGA scoring guidelines is required to obtain a consistent assessment of patients.

Optical spectral transmission to assess glucocorticoid therapy response in patients with arthritis: a longitudinal follow-up comparison with joint ultrasound

BackgroundOptical spectral transmission (OST) is a modern diagnostic modality, able to assess the blood-specific absorption of light transmitted through a tissue, promising quantification of inflammation in the finger and wrist joints of patients with arthritis. To date, there are no adequate data regarding the diagnostic value of OST in the evaluation of inflammatory activity changes, during arthritis follow-up.Objectives of this study were therefore to examine the performance of OST in assessing response to anti-inflammatory therapy in patients with active arthritis and to explore OST associations with clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic (US) activity markers.Methods1173 joints of 54 patients with arthritides of the wrist and finger joints were examined by OST before and after oral administration of glucocorticoids (GC), during a disease flare. For the same time-points patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and joint US [grayscale (GSUS), power-Doppler (PDUS)] examinations. The distribution of ΔOST-values between the two time-points was compared with the respective distributions of ΔPDUS and ΔGSUS by Bayesian statistical analyses. Moreover, the diagnostic performance of OST compared to a control group (2508 joints of 114 subjects) was examined by receiver operating characteristics and associations of OST values with clinical, laboratory, and arthrosonographic parameters were evaluated by correlation analyses.ResultsOST and US performed similarly in the assessment of inflammatory changes caused by GC (same value-change tendency in 83.2% of the cases). Bayesian statistics revealed no significant differences between ΔOST and ΔPDUS for all 3 examined joint categories (accuracy: metacarpophalangeal (MCP): 68.1%; proximal interphalangeal (PIP): 60.4%; wrists: 50.4%) and between ΔOST and ΔGSUS for MCP and PIP joints (accuracy: 51.1% and 78.7%, respectively). OST diagnostic performance (patients vs. controls) was excellent in both time-points [area under the curve (AUC) before GC=0.883(95%CI=0.83–0.94) and after GC=0.811(95%CI=0.74–0.881); p<0.001]. Furthermore, OST correlated significantly with all examined sonographic activity scores (all; p<0.001) and with swollen joint counts (p<0.01).ConclusionsOST was able to assess response to therapy in a similar way to joint US and correlated significantly with arthritis activity markers. Therefore, OST has proved to be a valuable tool to assist disease activity monitoring in the examined cohort.Trial registrationGerman Registry of Clinical Trials, DRKS00016752

Psoriatic Arthritis in Males and Females: Differences and Similarities.

To assess any differences and similarities in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) between sexes. Any possible differences of psoriasis and its potential impact on disease burden between sexes with PsA were also evaluated. Cross-sectional analysis of two longitudinal PsA cohorts. The impact of psoriasis on the PtGA was evaluated. Patients were stratified in four groups based on BSA. The median PtGA was then compared between the four groups. Moreover, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed in order to evaluate associations between PtGA and skin involvement, split by sexes. We enrolled 141 males and 131 females: PtGA, PtPnV, tender, swollen joint count, DAPSA, HAQ-DI, PsAID-12 were statistically significant higher in females (p ≤ 0.05). PASS "yes" was deemed more in males than in females and BSA was higher in males. MDA was present more in males than females. When the patients were stratified on BSA, median PtGA was not different between males and females with BSA = 0. Instead, in females with BSA > 0, a higher PtGA was observed compared to males with BSA > 0. There was not a statistically significant association between skin involvement and PtGA at linear regression analysis, even if a trend seems to be present in female. Psoriasis is more present in males, but it seems to be related to a worse impact in females. In particular, a possible role of psoriasis as an influencing factor the PtGA was found. Moreover, female PsA patients tended to have more disease activity, worse function, and higher disease burden.

Multidomain Efficacy and Safety of Guselkumab Through 1 Year in Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis With and Without Prior Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Experience: Analysis of the Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled DISCOVER-1 Study.

To evaluate efficacy and safety of the interleukin-23p19-subunit inhibitor, guselkumab, in DISCOVER-1 patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by prior use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi). The phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled DISCOVER-1 study enrolled patients with active PsA (swollen joint count ≥3, tender joint count ≥3, and C-reactive protein level ≥ 0.3 mg/dl) despite standard therapies; approximately one-third could have received two or fewer prior TNFi. Patients were randomized to 100 mg of guselkumab every 4 weeks (Q4W); 100 mg of guselkumab at week 0, at week 4, and every 8 weeks (Q8W); or placebo with crossover to guselkumab Q4W at week 24. Efficacy end points of ≥20% and ≥50% improvement in individual American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and achieving the minimal disease activity (MDA) components were summarized by prior TNFi status. In DISCOVER-1, 118 (31%) patients previously received one or two TNFi. As previously reported, rates for acheiving ≥20%improvement in the composite ACR response at week 24 and week 52 were similar in TNFi-naive and TNFi-experienced patients randomized to guselkumab Q4W (76% and 68%, respectively) and Q8W (61% and 58%, respectively). Similar trends were observed for response rates of ≥20% and ≥50% improvement in individual ACR criteria and for achieving individual MDA components at week 24; TNFi-naive patients were more likely to achieve end points related to physical function and pain than TNFi-experienced patients. Overall, response rates were maintained or increased through week 52 regardless of prior TNFi use. Through week 60 in guselkumab-treated TNFi-naive and TNFi-experienced patients, 62% and 64%, respectively, reported one or more adverse events (AEs); 4% and 6% had serious AEs, respectively. Through 1 year, 100 mg of guselkumab Q4W and Q8W provided sustained improvements across multiple domains in both TNFi-naive and TNFi-experienced patients with active PsA.

A 5-Year Retrospective, Observational Study Assessing Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Outcome Measures to Characterize Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Burden in the USA.

We evaluated the use of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease measures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a US community-based rheumatology physician network over 5years. This retrospective, observational cohort study (GSK Study 213818) of patients with SLE utilized electronic medical records (01 January 2010-31 December 2019) from the United Rheumatology Normalized Integrated Community Evidence database. The index was the date of first SLE diagnosis recorded in the database; the observation period was 5years post-index. RA disease measures evaluated were: Pain Index, Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MD-HAQ), Patient Global Assessment (PtGA), Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Swollen Joint Count (SJC), Tender Joint Count (TJC), Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), and Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS-28). The number of patients with measures utilized, the score on each measure, and proportion of patients per disease activity category were assessed. Overall, 5990 patients with SLE were included. The most frequently used measures were Pain Index, SJC, TJC, MD-HAQ, PtGA, RAPID3, and PGA (cumulative use over Years 1-5: 23.9-71.3%). For all measures, frequency of use was lowest in Year 1, followed by a general increase from Year 1 to Year 5. Scores remained relatively stable for most measures, and the proportion of patients in remission or with low/moderate disease activity per RAPID3 increased. RA disease measure utilization in SLE was generally infrequent but increased over time. Pain Index and MD-HAQ were the most commonly applied cumulatively across 5years of follow-up. The rationale for the increased use of these measures in SLE over time requires further exploration. In the absence of a clinically applicable SLE-specific measure, the use of RA measures, for example in conjunction with SLE measures, may provide an alternative approach for measuring disease activity, representing an opportunity to improve patient outcomes.

DAS28(3)CRP is a reliable measure of disease activity in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis.

The disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in pregnancy is most commonly assessed with the modified Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28, the DAS28(3)CRP. However, the performance of the DAS28(3)CRP in pregnancy has not been compared to musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) as a gold standard. We performed a prospective pilot study to test the hypothesis that pregnancy-related factors limit the reliability of the DAS28(3)CRP. Pregnant women with RA were recruited from an Obstetric Rheumatology clinic and assessed during pregnancy (second (T2) and third (T3) trimesters) and postpartum with DAS28(3)CRP and MSK-US scores, with quantification of power Doppler (PD) signal in small joints (hands and feet). Age-matched non-pregnant women with RA underwent equivalent assessments. PD scores were calculated as mean scores of all joints scanned. We recruited 27 pregnant and 20 non-pregnant women with RA. DAS28(3)CRP was sensitive and specific for active RA in pregnancy and postpartum as defined by positive PD signal, but not in non-pregnancy. There were significant correlations between DAS28(3)CRP and PD scores throughout pregnancy (T2, r=0.82 (95% CI [0.42, 0.95], p<0.01); T3, r=0.68 (95% CI [0.38, 0.86], p<0.01)) and postpartum, r=0.84 (95% CI [0.60, 0.94], p<0.01), while this correlation in non-pregnancy was weaker (r=0.47 (95% CI [0, 0.77], p<0.05). This pilot study found that DAS28(3)CRP is a reliable measure of disease activity in pregnant women with RA. Based on these data, pregnancy does not appear to confound clinical evaluation of the tender and/or swollen joint counts.

Clinical Efficacy of Sarilumab Versus Upadacitinib Over 12weeks: An Indirect Treatment Comparison.

The efficacy of sarilumab and upadacitinib, in combination with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), was demonstrated in phase 3 clinical trials of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractive to previous biologic DMARDs. In the absence of head-to-head clinical trials, the matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) and simulated treatment comparison (STC) estimate the relative efficacy of sarilumab and upadacitinib in patients with RA who had an inadequate response to previous biologic DMARDs. Patient-level data for sarilumab were obtained from the TARGET trial (NCT01709578) and published aggregate data for upadacitinib were obtained from the SELECT-BEYOND trial (NCT02706847). For the MAIC, individual patient data from the TARGET trial were assigned weights such that weighted mean baseline characteristics of the treatment effect modifiers matched those from SELECT-BEYOND. For the STC, the TARGET patient-level data and mean baseline values from SELECT-BEYOND were used to simulate sarilumab treatment effects for a SELECT-BEYOND population. Endpoints evaluated included the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria ACR20/50/70, Disease Activity Score-28 for Rheumatoid Arthritis with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) < 3.2, DAS28-CRP < 2.6, Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) < 3.3, and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) < 2.8 at 12weeks. The analysis included 365 patients from TARGET and aggregated data of 333 patients from SELECT-BEYOND. Matching for potential treatment effect baseline modifiers (i.e., age, oral glucocorticoid use, tender joint count of 68 counts, swollen joint count of 66 counts, serum CRP level, and patient global assessment of disease activity) resulted in a reduction of the effective sample size of TARGET population to 166. Following MAIC and STC analysis, the odds of achieving all aforementioned clinical outcomes versus placebo at week 12 were similar for sarilumab and upadacitinib. In the MAIC and STC analyses from TARGET and SELECT-BEYOND trials, the efficacy of sarilumab and upadacitinib were comparable.

Rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and skin psoriasis: Relevance and clinical implications

Aim of the workAnti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), is a highly specific markers for rheumatoid arthritis, can also be found in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This work aimed to look into the frequency of rheumatoid factor (RF) and ACPA in PsA and psoriasis patients without clinical evidence of arthritis (PSO), and to correlate findings with demographics, disease characteristics, laboratory findings, and radiological damage in PsA. Patients and methods: The study included 78 PsA patients, 47 PSO patients, and 69 normal controls. Full clinical assessments, RF and ACPA assays, and modified radiological Steinbroker score (Mss) for PsA were performed. Results: The age of the patients was 45.6 ± 8.7 years and the M:F 59:66 (M:F 0.9:1). Positive RF was not significantly different between PsA and PSO groups (p = 0.35), but positive ACPA was significantly more common in PsA patients (p < 0.001) than in PSO and controls. No significant difference was observed between the PSO and controls (p = 0.08). In PsA, RF titers correlated significantly with ESR (p = 0.002), swollen joint count (SJC)(p = 0.02), tender joint count (TJC)(p = 0.02), and mSS (p = 0.001), while in the PSO RF correlated significantly with ESR (p = 0.011) and CRP levels (p = 0.02). In the PsA, ACPA titer significantly correlated with CRP levels (p < 0.001), SJC (p = 0.002), TJC (p = 0.003), mSS (p < 0.001) and PASI (p < 0.001), but with none of these in the PSO. Conclusion: PsA patients have more frequent positive RF and ACPA than PSO patients. ACPA values are significantly correlated with markers of inflammation, swollen and tender joint count and radiological damage in PsA and not in PSO patients.

Serum amyloid a level and musculoskeletal ultrasound in assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Aim of the workTo assess serum amyloid A (SAA) level and study its relation to musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) findings and to clinical disease activity indices in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Patients and methods60 RA patients and 60 matched controls were enrolled. Disease activity score-C-reactive protein (DAS-28-CRP) and simplified disease activity index (SDAI) and clinical disease activity Index (CDAI) were determined. MSUS evaluation was done using 12 -joint power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) score. SAA was analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsSAA levels were highly significant in patients (35.1 ± 3.6 mg/l) than in controls (1.6 ± 0.12 mg/l)(p < 0.001). There was significantly higher SAA level among steroid users (56.7 %)(p = 0.001) and a lower level among leflunomide users (30 %)(p = 0.04). SAA and PDUS significantly increased in patients with low disease activity (n = 13) compared to those in remission (n = 10)(p < 0.001). SAA significantly correlated with disease duration (p = 0.004), morning stiffness duration, swollen joint count, tender joint count, rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, DAS-28-CRP, SDAI, CDAI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP and total 12-joint PDUS score (p < 0.001). The highest discriminatory ability of active RA and remission was attributed to the combination of SAA, PDUS and CRP (accuracy = 96.7 %, AUC = 0.99; sensitivity 96 % and specificity 100 %). ConclusionRA patients have a significantly increased level of SAA which indicates a key pathogenic role in the disease. SAA level is a potentially effective biomarker in the assessment of disease activity in RAand allied to PDUS. Combining SAA, PDUS and CRP provide the highest sensitivity and specificity in discrimination of active RA from remission.

Influence of Smoking on Disease Activity and Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From a Swedish Case-Control Study With Longitudinal Follow-Up.

Inconclusive findings have been reported regarding the influence of smoking on disease outcomes in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of smoking habits on disease activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in RA patients. Patients with newly diagnosed RA (n=1,531) from the population-based case-control Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis study were followed up for up to 3 years after recruitment. Using logistic regression models, the risks of unfavorable outcomes in patients with different smoking habits were compared using self-reported swollen and tender joint counts, the Short Form 36 health survey, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale by calculating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. At 1-year and 3-year follow-up, current smokers reported higher disease activity and lower HRQoL life compared to non-smokers, regarding both physical and mental aspects. Patients who stopped smoking within 1-year post-baseline had less disease activity measured as swollen joint counts at 1-year follow-up compared to those who continued smoking. Patients who stopped smoking after the 1-year follow-up had higher disease activity and lower HRQoL at baseline than smokers who did not quit, and late smoking cessation was not associated with more favorable outcomes compared to continued smoking. Current smoking is associated with increased disease activity and lower HRQoL among RA patients. Smoking cessation within the first year after baseline appears to have a favorable effect on disease activity.

Can Biologics Be Discontinued in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis in Stable Remission? A Prospective Single‐CenterClinical and Ultrasound Study

Biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and particularly tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) have dramatically changed the natural history of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), making complete clinical remission possible in most patients. However, TNFi drugs are not without potential adverse effects such as increased infectious risk. In addition, their extensive use is associated with a significant economic burden. This prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 45 PsA patients treated with TNFi in stable remission aimed to evaluate by both clinical examination and ultrasound timing and predictive factors of disease relapse after discontinuation of TNFi treatment. Thirty‐nine (86.6%) of 45 enrolled patients experienced disease relapse during the follow‐up period, while six patients (13.4%) maintained remission beyond the scheduled 104 weeks. The median survival time of drug‐free remission after TNFi discontinuation was 24 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI): 22.6–25.4). Disease relapse was characterized by marked clinical and ultrasound worsening of dermatologic and rheumatologic conditions. However, resuming previously discontinued treatment allowed all patients to quickly regain clinical remission. Interestingly, axial involvement was a key feature of the symptomatological pattern of disease relapse, being the main reason for treatment restart in 26% of our cohort. Based on a multivariate Cox model, three variables (VAS pain, tender joint count, and swollen joint count) of the clinical assessment performed at the time point of TNFi treatment onset negatively influenced the time to disease relapse. In conclusion, temporary discontinuation of TNFi drugs is feasible and relatively safe. However, as few predictors of the risk and timing of disease relapse have been identified, patients should be closely monitored when therapy is discontinued.

Impact of central sensitization on clinical parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of central sensitization (CS) on pain sensitivity, disease activity, neuropathic symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sixty patients diagnosed with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) 2010 classification criteria were included in the study. Patient assessment tools included visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, algometer for pain pressure threshold (PPT), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28) for disease activity (DA), central sensitization inventory (CSI) for CS and rheumatoid arthritis QoL questionnaire for QoL. Central sensitization was identified in 29 (48.3%) patients. Although erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein and swollen joint count were comparable between patients with or without CS, higher VAS, tender joint count and DAS-28 scores were observed in patients with CS (all p<0.05). Pain pressure thresholds (PPT) at the wrist (PPTW) and the trapezius muscle (PPTT) were lower in patients with CS (p=0.004, p=0.001, respectively). It was found that neuropathic pain components increased and quality of life decreased as CSI scores increased (all p=0.000). The presence of CS leads to pain sensitivity as well as overestimation of disease activity in RA patients. The presence of CS should not be overlooked in RA patients to avoid overtreatment for inflammation and to determine the treatment need for nociplastic pain.