Young Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Research Articles

Impact of disease activity on patient-reported subjective cognitive decline in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim: To evaluate the association of disease activity with patient-reported subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stratified by age. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis using data from the CorEvitas RA registry was utilized. The clinical disease activity index (CDAI) was used along with patient-reported problems thinking, age, and gender. The association of CDAI with patient-reported SCD was estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, RA disease characteristics, and medication use. Additional models estimated and tested the moderating effect of patient age (< 55 years vs. ≥ 55 years). Results: A total of 3,041 out of 33,537 patients (9.1%), reported SCD with a mean CDAI of 16.2 [standard deviation (SD): 12.5] vs. 10.1 (SD: 10.8) in those who did not. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for low, moderate, and severe disease activity vs. remission was 2.17 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.88–2.50], 3.25 (95% CI: 2.82–3.75), and 3.84 (95% CI: 3.29–4.48) respectively. Age had a moderating effect with the association of disease activity and self-reported SCD more prevalent in those aged < 55 years. The ORs for low, moderate, and severe disease activity were 3.37, 5.59, and 5.76 respectively for age < 55 vs. 1.90, 2.67, and 3.37 respectively for age ≥ 55 (P = 0.0001). The patient global component of CDAI displayed the highest OR of risk for SCD broken out by quartiles (1, 1.62, 2.80, and 4.55). Conclusions: Increasing disease activity is associated with a higher likelihood of patient-reported SCD. The effect was more pronounced in younger RA patients and patients with a higher patient global score.

Factors associated with the composition of the gut microbiome in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis and its value for predicting treatment responses

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the gut microbiota of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have been managed with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for a long time. We focused on factors that might affect composition of the gut microbiota. Furthermore, we investigated whether gut microbiota composition predicts future clinical responses to conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) in patients with an insufficient response to initial therapy.MethodsWe recruited 94 patients with RA and 30 healthy participants. Fecal gut microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA amplificon sequencing; the resulting raw reads were processed based on QIIME2. Calypso online software was used for data visualization and to compare microbial composition between groups. For RA patients with moderate-to-high disease activity, treatment was changed after stool collection, and responses were observed 6 months later.ResultsThe composition of the gut microbiota in patients with established RA was different from that of healthy participants. Young RA patients (< 45 years) had reduced richness, evenness, and distinct gut microbial compositions when compared with older RA patients and healthy individuals. Disease activity and rheumatoid factor levels were not associated with microbiome composition. Overall, biological DMARDs and csDMARDs, except sulfasalazine and TNF inhibitors, respectively, were not associated with the gut microbial composition in patients with established RA. However, the combination of Subdoligranulum and Fusicatenibacter genera was associated with a future good response to second-line csDMARDs in patients who showed an insufficient response to first-line csDMARDs.ConclusionGut microbial composition in patients with established RA is different from that in healthy individuals. Thus, the gut microbiome has the potential to predict responses of some RA patients to csDMARDs.

Geriatric syndromes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A comparison between young and elderly patients

In the general geriatric population, Geriatric syndromes (GSs) predict greater likelihood of hospitalization, increased health care use and cost. The present study aimed to compare GSs among young and elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In a cross-sectional study a total of 98 participants, including 65 elderly (≥60 years) and 33 young adult patients (<60 years) with RA who referred to the geriatric and rheumatologic clinic were enrolled. Patients were categorized into three groups (healthy elderly, n=27; elderly with RA, n=38; and young people with RA, n=33). GSs were assessed using mini-mental state exam (MMSE), five-item geriatric depression scale-15 (GDS-15), mini nutritional assessment (MNA), and asking patients about history of falls in the past year. The RA activity in patients was assessed using disease activity for rheumatoid arthritis score-28 (DAS-28) scale, serum ESR (mm/h) level. There was a statistically significant differences in terms of DAS-28 (2.23±1.01 vs. 0.64±0.97, P=0.025) and ESR (28.10±6.64 vs. 23.09±7.65 mm/h, P=0.042) between healthy elderly and RA elderly patients. Elderly patients with RA were significantly more prone to have cognitive impairment (P=0.002), fall (P=0.005), malnutrition (P<0.001), urinary incontinence (P<0.001), and functional disability (P=0.021) compared to healthy elderlies and young RA patients. The results of binary logistic regression revealed that in elderly RA patients, higher DAS-28 score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.96; 95% CI 1.03, 3.84; P=0.041] was an independent risk factors for the GSs. The prevalence of some features of GSs were higher in the elderly RA patients than healthy elderly and young RA patients.

AB0244 MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND BELIEFS ABOUT MEDICATION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

BackgroundConsistent immunosuppressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is crucial for reduced progression and improved long-term outcome of the disease. Therefore, drug adherence is a prerequisite, which is often insufficient according to literature.ObjectivesOur aim was to investigate the relationship between adherence and beliefs about medication in patients with RA.MethodsThe study included 137 RA patients (102 female, 35 male; age range 28-86 years, Ø 64.8 ± 12.6 yrs; SDAI Ø 9.9 ± 6.8; 61 % DMARD monotherapy, 31 % DMARD combination therapy, 9 % currently treated without DMARD). Medication adherence was measured with the Compliance-Questionnaire-Rheumatology (CQR). This is a self-report questionnaire with 19 items (4 response options each). The sum score is mapped to a scale from 0 to 100 % (CQR%), where 100 % corresponds to optimal adherence. A CQR% ≥ 80 % was defined as satisfactory adherence. In addition, the specific part of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) was used to assess patients’ opinions about the necessity of their medication therapy and their concerns. Besides correlation analyses (Spearman-Rho) multiple linear regression was applied to determine factors influencing adherence (coefficient of determination: adjusted R2).ResultsAdherence was satisfactory in 93 RA patients (67.9 %) and insufficient in almost one-third (n = 44, 32.1 %). Analyses showed that adherence was significantly related to belief in necessity (r = 0.46; p &lt; 0.001) and concerns about drug therapy (r = -0.27; p = 0.001). Furthermore, it became apparent that adherence is closely linked to the age of the patient (r = 0.30; p &lt; 0.001). Younger RA patients (&lt; 60 yrs) had significantly lower CQR%-scores than older RA patients (≥ 60 yrs; p &lt; 0.01). Belief in the necessity of therapy, medication concerns and patient age accounted for almost half of the patient-specific variability in adherence (each p &lt; 0.001; R2 = 42.9 %), suggesting a strong dependence of adherence on these three factors.ConclusionAdherence is insufficient in about one-third of RA patients. Additionally, adherence appears to be strongly dependent on the patient’s belief in the necessity of therapy, medication concerns and age. Physicians should strive for all RA patients to have sufficient knowledge about their medication, strengthen the belief in the necessity of the therapy and be mindful of adherence when talking to patients.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Early Myocardial Changes in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis without Known Cardiovascular Diseases-A Comprehensive Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study.

Clinically silent cardiac disease is frequently observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in RA. We sought to evaluate the myocardium of young RA patients without known cardiac disease using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), including T1/T2 mapping sequences. Eighteen RA patients (median age 41 years, 83% females) mainly with low disease activity or in remission and without any known cardiovascular disease were prospectively included to undergo CMR. A control group consisted of 10 sex- and age-matched patients without RA or any known structural cardiovascular disease. Heart chambers size and left/right ventricular systolic function were similar in patients with RA and controls. Signs of myocardial oedema were present in up to 39% of RA patients, including T2 time above cut-off value in 7 patients (39%) in comparison to none of the controls (p = 0.003) and T2 signal intensity ratio above the cut-off value in 6 patients (33%) and in none of the controls (p = 0.06). Extracellular volume was similar in both groups signifying a lack of diffuse fibrosis in studied group of RA patients. There were also no signs of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in either group except for one patient with RA who was found to have prior silent myocardial infarction. No correlation was found between markers of disease severity and markers of oedema observed on CMR in patients with RA. Nevertheless, patients with increased T2 time (≥50 ms) were more likely to have X-ray erosions (p = 0.02) and a longer duration between symptom onset and diagnosis (p = 0.02). Finally, there were no significant arrhythmias on 24-h ECG Holter monitoring in RA patients. CMR features of myocardial oedema without signs of myocardial fibrosis were found in 39% of young RA patients without known heart disease or cardiac symptoms. Presence of myocardial oedema was associated with X-ray erosions and a longer duration between symptom onset and diagnosis. The clinical significance of the observed early myocardial changes accompanying RA requires additional studies.

Sustained Long-Term Retention Rates of Abatacept in Combination with Conventional Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background and Objectives: Treatment for elderly (aged ≥75 years) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is important because they usually have several complications and organ dysfunction and are more susceptible to drug-related adverse events. Abatacept (ABT) treatment is relatively safe in elderly RA patients; however, the real-world data of efficacy and long-term retention of ABT is sparse in such patients. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and long-term retention rates of ABT in elderly Japanese RA patients. Materials and Methods: This 10-year retrospective observational cohort study was performed in two centers in Fukushima, Japan. We reviewed the clinical features of elderly RA patients who received ABT and investigated the differences in retention rates with concomitant administration of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Results: The clinical characteristics of younger (<75 years old, 39 cases) and elderly (≥75 years old, 20 cases) RA patients were generally similar. Although the efficacy was also similar, the concomitant administration of csDMARDs with ABT differed between the two groups. Younger patients significantly decreased methotrexate (MTX) administration than elderly patients (p < 0.01), and elderly patients significantly received tacrolimus (TAC) (p < 0.01) or salazosulfapyridine (SASP; p = 0.01) than younger patients. The overall retention and infection-free survival rates were similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Elderly RA patients showed sustained retention rates compared to younger RA patients. TAC and SASP can help to maintain sustained retention rates in elderly RA patients.

Muscle wasting, a neglected complication associated with physical dysfunction in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional observational study

Objective: Little is known about muscle wasting in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We examined muscle characteristics and their clinical significance in this group. Method: Consecutive RA patients were recruited and clinical data were collected. Muscle mass and distribution were assessed using bioelectric impedance analysis. Myopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) ≤ 7.0 kg/m2 (men) and ≤ 5.7 kg/m2 (women). Results: Among the 643 RA patients recruited, 165 (25.7%) were elderly patients (age ≥ 60 years) with a mean age of 65.1 ± 4.5 years. Compared with young patients (age < 60 years), elderly RA patients had significantly higher Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count–C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) (median 3.4 vs 3.2), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) (0.38 vs 0.13), and modified total Sharp score (mTSS) (16 vs 9), and a higher proportion of myopenia (54.5% vs 41.4%; all p < 0.01). Elderly RA patients with myopenia (n = 90, 14.0%) had significantly higher DAS28-CRP (3.6 vs 3.0), HAQ-DI (0.50 vs 0.12), and mTSS (21 vs 7) than young RA patients without myopenia (n = 280, 43.5%; all p < 0.0083). Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses showed that myopenia, high HAQ-DI, active smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease were the main relevant characteristics of elderly RA patients. Age positively correlated with HAQ-DI, and ASMI negatively correlated with HAQ-DI (both p < 0.01). Further mediation analysis showed that ASMI partially mediated the association between age and HAQ-DI. Conclusion: Our data reveal that half of elderly RA patients manifest myopenia which aggravates physical dysfunction as a mediator of age. Myopenia, a neglected complication in elderly RA patients, should be recognized and further investigated.

Efficacy, safety, and adherence of tocilizumab therapy in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A real-world observational study

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and drug survival rate of tocilizumab in the elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: This study was conducted in 108 RA patients who started tocilizumab between 2008 and 2018. The patients were divided into a young group (&lt;65 years) and an elderly group (≥65 years). The efficacy, safety, and drug survival rate of tocilizumab were compared between the two groups. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the elderly ( n = 45) and the young group ( n = 63) in RA duration, percentage of biologic-naïve, and RA disease activity. Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) was higher, renal function was worse, and frequency of using methotrexate was lower in the elderly group. Tocilizumab demonstrated similar efficacy in the elderly and the young group with Clinical Disease Activity Index and HAQ-DI. Compared with baseline, the frequency of steroid use was lower at one year after initiation of tocilizumab in both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the drug survival rate of tocilizumab for three years. Discontinuation rates of TCZ due to toxic adverse events were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: The efficacy, steroid-sparing effect, and safety of tocilizumab therapy, as well as the drug survival rate for three years, were not inferior in elderly RA compared to young RA patients.

Validity of adopting a Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index less than 0.5 as a target in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients

The effect of age on the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) scores of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and the validity of adopting HAQ-DI < 0.5 as the target for functional remission and comprehensive disease control (CDC) under a treat-to-target (T2T) treatment strategy were investigated. A total of 441 RA patients with > 3-year treatment under T2T were evaluated. The relationships between the HAQ-DI score at follow-up (HAQ) and 28-joint Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein, Sharp/van der Heijde Score, age at follow-up, and HAQ-DI at baseline were statistically evaluated with best subset regression analysis in groups separated according to age and the EULAR response. CDC status was evaluated with a chi-square test. The HAQ score significantly correlated with all indices in the group ≥ 65years old (G-O) and in the group with good or moderate EULAR responses (p < 0.01). No significant correlation was observed in the group < 65years old (G-Y) or in the group with no EULAR response. The CDC ratio was not significantly different between the age groups, whereas the HAQ failure ratio was significantly greater in G-O than in G-Y (p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the EULAR response groups. The HAQ score is influenced by age in patients > 65years. T2T is appropriate for attaining good disease activity control but does not always lead to functional remission in these patients. The HAQ score < 0.5 is not an appropriate target for functional remission according to the CDC criteria for elderly patients.Key Points• ADL in elderly RA patient aged ≥ 65years declines corresponding to his/her aging.• Functional remission for elderly RA patients is not the same as that for young RA patients.• The HAQ score < 0.5 in elderly RA patient is not an appropriate target for CDC.

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with early tooth loss: results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V to VI.

Background/aimsTo examine the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis or tooth loss.MethodsThe study used data from the fifth and sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted from 2010 to 2015. RA was defined as participant-reported physician-diagnosed RA that was being treated. Periodontitis and the number of natural teeth were determined by dental examination. Periodontitis was defined according to the community periodontal index (periodontal probing depth ≥ 4 mm). The association between RA and periodontitis or tooth loss was examined after controlling for confounding variables (e.g., age, smoking status, socioeconomic status, dental caries, frequency of toothbrushing, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and diabetes) in men and women. Subgroup analyses stratified by age were also performed.ResultsThe study enrolled 20,297 participants aged ≥ 19 years (157 RA patients and 20,140 non-RA controls). There was no association between RA and periodontitis or tooth loss in men and women. Subgroup analyses in those aged < 60 years revealed a non-significant association between RA and periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53; p = 0.162), but they revealed a significant association between RA and tooth loss (adjusted β, 0.20; p = 0.042).ConclusionsRA was not associated with periodontitis, but was associated with tooth loss in younger adults. Younger RA patients are more likely to suffer tooth loss than general younger population; thus dental management is required.

THE EFFECT OF GOLIMUMAB ON ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective: to evaluate the effect of golimumab (GLM) on arterial stiffness in patients with different clinical and immunological subtypes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. Examinations were made in 48 patients with RA meeting the 1987 ACR/2010 EULAR classification criteria. The investigators visualized carotid arteries with determination of local vessel wall stiffness and studied regional arterial stiffness with assessment of contour pulse wave analysis before and 52 weeks after initiation of therapy. Results and discussion . Young and middle-aged RA patients without any concomitant cardiovascular diseases were found to have subclinical great artery involvement that was characterized by increases in intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness index β of the common carotid artery (CCA); by rises in peripheral augmentation index (AIp), stiffness index (SI), and reflection index (RI), the intensity of a change in which was associated with high DAS28 and seropositivity for rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (antiCCP) antibodies. GLM treatment in patients with RA was accompanied by a statistically significant decrease in DAS28 and a reduction in CCA IMT and local (carotid) stiffness of the vascular bed. More significant correction of the investigated parameters was achieved in patients with the seronegative subtype of the disease; in this group of patients, CCA IMT decreased by 29% by the end of observation (p=0.01), CCA SI β reduced by an average of 28.7% (p=0.0001). At 52 weeks after GLM therapy initiation, contour pulse wave analysis indicated that this subgroup of patients was observed to have decreases in AIp, SI, and RI to the control level; in RA seropositive for RF and/or anti-CCP, they reduced by an average of 1.8 (p=0.0001), 1.2 (p=0.005) and 1.6 (p=0.001) times, respectively. Conclusion. Along with high anti-inflammatory activity, GLM therapy in patients with RA has a vasoprotective effect on the walls of large elastic-type vessels (decreases in CCA IMT and SI β, AIp, and SI) and small muscular-type arteries (a reduction in RI).

Stroke among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Does Age Matter? A Real-Life Study

Background/Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the joints and it is known to be associated with cardiovascular morbidity. However, the association between RA and stroke among different age groups has not been explored. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between RA and stroke in different age strata. Methods: Cross-sectional study, utilizing the database of Israel’s largest healthcare provider. The proportion of stroke was compared between patients diagnosed with RA and age- and gender-matched controls. The study sample was divided into 2 age groups: young (≤65 years) and elderly (>65 years). Multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. Results: The study included 11,782 RA patients and 57,973 age- and gender-matched controls. RA patients, primarily young, had more cardiovascular risk factors than controls. Stroke rates were significantly elevated among young RA patients in comparison with controls (3.74 vs. 2.20%, respectively, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, RA was found to be independently associated with stroke (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09–1.28). Conclusion: RA is independently associated with stroke, especially among RA patients under 65 years, for whom cardiovascular risk factors were more prominent. Physicians should advise RA patients to manage their risk factors strictly.

Disparities in care by insurance status for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of the medical expenditure panel survey, 2006–2009

Objective: Treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommend early, aggressive treatment with nonbiologic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to minimize long-term disability. We aimed to assess differences in medical resource utilization, drug therapy, and health outcomes among RA patients by insurance type in the United States.Methods: Individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of RA were identified in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database, 2006–2009. Data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, insurance type and status, and outcomes (including health care resource utilization, prescription medication use, health status, and patient-reported barriers to health care) were extracted. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the impact of insurance type (private, Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured) on outcome measures while controlling for age group, sex, and race/ethnicity.Results: A total of 693 individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of RA during the study period were identified; 423 were aged 18–64 years and 270 were aged ≥65 years. Among patients aged 18–64, those with Medicaid or who were uninsured were less likely than those with private insurance to visit a rheumatologist (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.13 and 0.17, respectively; p < .001) and to receive biologic DMARDS (aOR 0.09 [p < .001] and 0.16 [p < .01], respectively); those with Medicaid were also less likely to receive nonbiologic DMARDS (aOR 0.26 [p < .01]). Those with Medicaid were more likely than those with private insurance to be unable/delayed in getting prescription drugs (aOR 2.9 [p < .05]), to experience cognitive, social, and physical limitations (aOR 8.7 [p < .001], 4.7 [p < .001], and 2.5 [p < .05], respectively); they also reported significantly lower general health and health-related quality of life. Patients aged ≥65 experienced greater equity in care and outcomes.Conclusions: Younger RA patients with Medicaid (including those who receive coverage under the Medicaid expansion component of the Affordable Care Act) may be at risk for inadequate treatment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Disadvantages Younger Patients for Cardiovascular Diseases: A Meta-Analysis.

IntroductionThe incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. It remains unclear whether the load of RA increases cardiovascular (CV) risk especially in female and in younger RA patients. In the present study we aim to analyse the influence of age and gender on CV risk in RA relative to the general population, using meta-analysis of direct comparative studies.MethodSystematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE for studies reporting on occurrence of CV events in RA as compared to the general population, stratified for gender and/or age. Quality was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analysis was performed on rate ratios using inverse variance methods.ResultsThere were 1372 records screened and 13 studies included. RA females and males have a similar higher risk (95%CI) to develop stroke with RR 1.35 (1.30–1.40) and RR 1.31 (1.21–1.43); coronary artery disease with RR 1.65 (1.54–1.76) versus RR 1.55 ((1.41–1.69) in men; cardiovascular disease with RR 1.56 (1.49–1.62) versus 1.50 (1.41–1.60). The highest incidence of CV events was observed in the youngest patients, RR 2.59 (1.77–3.79), whereas older patients had the lowest relative risk when compared to the general population, RR 1.27 (1.16–1.38).ConclusionThe relative risk of RA patients for CVD is age dependent, but does not depend on gender: the relative risk on CVD appears to be equally raised for males and females, while relatively young RA patients (<50 years) have the highest, and older patients the lowest relative risk.

Safety and Efficacy of Biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Older Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Staying the Distance.

The population of older individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is rapidly expanding, mainly due to increased life expectancy. While targeted biological therapies are well established for the treatment of this disease, their use may be lower in older patients (age>65years) and very old patients (age>75years) as a result of perceived higher risks for adverse events in this population, taking into account comorbidity, polypharmacy, and frailty. In this review, we discuss the available evidence for the use of biological therapies in this growing patient group with specific attention towards the eventual reasons for biological treatment failure or withdrawal. The majority of data is found in secondary analyses of clinical trials and in retrospective cohorts. The most information available is on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Older patients seem to have a less robust response to anti-TNF agents than a younger population, but drug survival as a proxy for efficacy does not seem to be influenced by age. Despite an overall rate of adverse effects comparable to that in younger patients, older RA patients are at higher risk of serious infections. Other biologics appear to have an efficacy similar to anti-TNF agents, also in older RA patients. Again, the drug survival rates for tocilizumab, rituximab, and abatacept resemble those in young RA patients with good general tolerability and safety profiles. The cardiovascular risk and the risk of cancer, increased in RA patients and in the older RA patients, do not appear to be strongly influenced by biologicals.

Cognitive deficits early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim was to examine the severity and prevalence of cognitive difficulties in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) within the first three years of diagnosis. Method: One hundred consecutive RA patients aged 28–67 years (90% women) were administered a battery of 6 neuropsychological tests yielding 14 cognitive indices. Self-reported measures of trait anxiety, depression, impact of disease on daily activities, and pain severity were also obtained along with physician-rated disease severity. Results: Twenty percent of RA patients were classified as cognitively impaired, defined as age- and education-adjusted scores at least 1.5 standard deviations below the population mean on 3 or more cognitive indices. Impaired performance, controlling for age, education, and premorbid cognitive capacity, was detected primarily on measures of short-term memory, immediate and delayed episodic recall, and phonemic fluency. There were modest negative associations between cognitive indices and measures of perceived disease severity (pain level, impact of disease on daily functionality, and overall health quality). Conclusions: Cognitive deficits on several domains are frequently encountered in relatively young RA patients during the first few years of the disease and may need to be taken into account as important correlates of disease severity and progression.

Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with etanercept

ObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate the immunogenicity of a 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing etanercept therapy. MethodsTwenty-two RA patients treated with etanercept (ETA) in combination with methotrexate (MTX) (n=15) or monotherapy (n=7) for at least one year were included. Altogether 24 osteoarthritis patients not receiving biological or MTX therapy, treating only NSAIDs or analgesics served as controls. All subjects were vaccinated with a single dose (0.5ml) of the PCV13. Pneumococcal antibody levels at baseline, 4 and 8weeks were assessed by a VaccZyme™ Anti-PCP IgG Enzyme Immunoassay Kit. Based on recommendations of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, an at least two-fold increase in antibody level, as the protective antibody response (pAR) was an indicator of responsiveness (i.e., ratio of postvaccination and prevaccination antibody levels). The antibody levels and their ratios were analysed in a variety of different ways, vaccine safety parameters (fever, infections, changes in regular antirheumatic treatments) were assessed at baseline, 4 and 8weeks after vaccination. ResultsFour weeks after vaccination, the anti-pneumococcal antibody levels significantly increased in both groups. At week 8, antibody levels somewhat decreased in both groups, however, still remained significantly higher compared to baseline. Compared with postvaccination levels at 4 and 8weeks between two groups, the mean protective antibody levels were higher in control group (1st month P=0.016; 2nd month: P=0.039). Possible predictors of pAR were analysed by logistic regression model. In RA, increases of antibody levels at week 8 compared to baseline exerted a negative correlation with age, (Spearman's R=−0,431; P=0.045). There were no clinically significant side effects or reaction after administration of vaccine observed in any of these patients after the 2-month follow-up period, all patients medical condition were stable. ConclusionsIn RA patients treated with ETA, vaccination with PCV13 is effective and safe, resulting in pAR one and two months after vaccination. Higher age at vaccination was identified as predictors of impaired pAR. The efficacy of vaccination may be more pronounced in younger RA patients. The vaccine is safe in RA patients on ETA.

Human leukocyte antigen-G polymorphism influences the age of onset and autoantibody status in rheumatoid arthritis.

The study was conducted to investigate the frequency of three gene polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) gene in south Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze their influence on disease susceptibility, phenotype and treatment response. HLA-G 14 bp insertion (Ins)/deletion (del) (rs66554220), HLA-G +3142G>C (rs1063320) and +3187A>G (rs9380142) polymorphism was analyzed in 221 RA patients and 200 healthy controls. Frequency of HLA-G genotypes or alleles did not differ between patients and controls. Analysis based on rheumatoid factor (RF) status revealed that the frequency of allele 'A' (rs9380142) was significantly higher in RF-positive than in RF-negative patients [84% vs 74%, Yates-corrected P value (Pc) = 0.04, odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0-3.2]. A similar difference was maintained in RF-positive female patients than their RF-negative counterparts (83% vs 71%, Pc = 0.02, OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.0 to 3.4) and between RF-positive and RF-negative young onset RA (YORA) patients (84% vs 73%, Pc = 0.03, OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.0-3.2), suggesting that rs9380142 polymorphism influenced RF status. The 14 bp Ins allele of rs66554220 was significantly more prevalent in RF-positive YORA than in RF-positive late onset RA (LORA) patients (51% vs 25%, P = 0.03, OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.1-9.8). Frequency of the four major haplotypes [InsGA (48%), DelGA (22%), DelCG (18%), DelCA (9.7%)] observed did not differ between cases and controls. HLA-G does not appear to be a risk factor for development of RA in south Indian Tamils but may act as a genetic modifier of clinical phenotype in terms of autoantibody production, gender preference and age at disease onset.

SAT0096 Safety of TNF Inhibitors and Predictors of Its Discontinuation in Elderly Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BackgroundThe concerns about development of adverse events (AEs) in elderly RA patients as a result of age-related changes in drug metabolism and the presence of comorbid illnesses are emphasizing due...

SAT0093 Pregnancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated witn biological agents: Results of the 8-year of japanese tbc registry

BackgroundRA is one of the autoimmune disease, often generated in a middle-aged woman and the patient of reproductive age is not few either. We set up the registry of RA...