scholarly journals Using Parallel Streams of Evidence to Inform Guideline Development: The Case of the 2021 American College of Rheumatology Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis Guideline

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Yaacoub ◽  
Assem M. Khamis ◽  
Mounir Al‐Gibbawi ◽  
Lara A Kahale ◽  
Joan Bathon ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Gegenava ◽  
SA Bergstra ◽  
H Maassen ◽  
CF Allaart

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Purpose: purpose of our project was to investigate the association between disease activity and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA 2010 criteria) or undifferentiated arthritis (UA) who were treated to target disease activity score (DAS)<1.6 in the IMPROVED study. Methods: The associations between disease activity and SBP/DBP were tested for 610 patients (364 RA, 246 UA), cross-sectionally and over time. GEE analyses were performed with both SBP and DBP as outcome measures and disease activity categories (DAS<1.6;>1.6 but ≤2.4; >2.4), CRP level, treatment arms or the number of visits on a certain drug as potential predictors in separate analyses. Separate analyses tested potential contributions of gender, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) status, and fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR (American college of rheumatology/ European league against rheumatism) classification criteria. In addition association of BP with various levels of disease activity was tested with T-test. Results: At the baseline mean (SD) SBP was 133 (20) and DBP mean (SD) was 80 (10).  SBP > 140mm Hg was observed in 40% of patients and DBP > 90 mm Hg  in 21% of patients. SBP and DBP statistically significantly decreased during 5 years follow up (mainly during year 1), but the difference in mm Hg was small. Estimates from GEE analysis showed that patients with high DAS >2.4 (HDAS) had a statistically significantly higher SBP (average 3 mm Hg higher, 95% CI 1.7; 4.2, p < 0.01), than the patients in with DAS ≤2.4. ANOVA analyses showed a statistically significant association between SBP and DAS. In addition, post hoc analyses showed that patients with HDAS had a statistically significantly higher  SBP (mean (SD) 132 (19) than the patients with DAS < 1.6 (remission) (mean (SD) 129 (20), p < 0.01), and patients in LDAS but DAS≥1.6 had a statistically significantly higher SBP (mean (SD) 131 (19) than the patients in remission (mean (SD)  129 (20), p = 0.02) (Figure 1), whereas no association was found between DAS category and DBP. Gender, ACPA status or fulfilling the 2010 classification criteria did not influence the relation between DAS and blood pressure. Conclusions: In patients with RA or UA, a higher DAS is associated with higher blood pressure, but the clinical impact is unclear. Abstract Figure 1


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1119.1-1119
Author(s):  
L. Nacef ◽  
Y. Besbes ◽  
Y. Mabrouk ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
K. Maatallah ◽  
...  

Background:The lipid paradox is termed the decreased cholesterol level in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, the apolipoprotein levels are usually higher than a healthy person and are predictors of cardiovascular events.Objectives:We aimed to describe lipid abnormalities in RA patients and to look for predictor factors of these changes.Methods:The prospective study was carried out on patients with RA who met the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria. These patients were followed in the rheumatology department of the Kassab Institute.We collected the socio-demographic data, biological and immunological parameters.The lipid assessment included: a measurement of total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, and triglycerides (TG). Lipoproteins APOA1 and APOB were measured. All data were collected after patient consent.Results:Of the 47 patients recruited, 78.7% were female. The mean age was 52.5 ±11.06 [32-76]. The average RA progressed from 86.25 ±63 months [5-288] and was erosive in 81.6% of cases. The rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 57.8% of patients, and citrullinated antipeptide antibodies (ACPA) were present in 62.2%. Eight patients had a previous CV history.Mean TC was 4.42 ±1.3 [1.2-7.58], mean HDL was 1.38 ±0.73 [0.18-4.10], mean LDL was 2.55 ±1.16 [0.24-5.54]. The mean TG value was 1.28 ±0.6 [0.24-5.54]. TC elevation was found in 9.1% of cases, HDL in 21.3% of cases, LDL in 5.5% of cases, and TG in 16.4% of cases. Mean APOB/APOA1 ratio was 0.67 ±0.18 [0,46-1,11]. LDL elevation was associated to a high DAS28 (p=0.06, r=0.512). APOA1 was associated to a low DAS28 (p=0.04, r=-0.642).The mean value of APO A1 was 1.36 ±0.21 [0.84-1.81], that of APOB was 0.90 ±0.22 [0.58-1.40]. APOA1 values were lower in patients with high-level LDL (p=0.767). The APOB value was associated with lipid disturbance without significant correlation (p=0.291).Conclusion:Lipid test abnormalities can be found in RA patients outside of any known CV risk factors. APOA1 seems to have a protective effect. Screening and treatment of these abnormalities can prevent CV risk.References:[1]Miguel Bernardes and al. Coronary artery calcium score in female rheumatoid arthritis patients: Associations with apolipoproteins and disease biomarkers. Int J Rheum Dis. 2019;00:1–16.[2]Anna So dergren and al. Biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. PLOS ONE. August 5, 2019.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 2153-2160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Anandarajah ◽  
Ralf Thiele ◽  
Ellen Giampoli ◽  
Johnny Monu ◽  
Gwy-Suk Seo ◽  
...  

Objective.The purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that synovitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who meet remission criteria reflects active inflammation on histopathology.Methods.We analyzed 15 synovial specimens obtained during surgical procedures from 14 patients with RA in clinical remission as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Histological specimens were scored for hyperplasia of synovial lining and synovial stroma, inflammation, lymphoid follicles, and vascularity. The histology scores were classified as minimal, mild, moderate, or severe disease activity. US and MRI performed within a 4-month period of surgery were scored for disease activity. The correlation between histology and imaging scores was examined.Results.Four of 14 patients were receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, 4 were receiving methotrexate (MTX) alone, 4 were taking MTX and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and 1 was taking HCQ and sulfasalazine. Four specimens had severe, 6 moderate, 3 mild, and 2 minimal disease activity on histology. Three of 4 specimens with minimal and mild histology were observed in subjects receiving anti-TNF therapy. Synovitis was noted on greyscale in 80% of joints and Doppler signal in 60%. MRI demonstrated synovitis and bone marrow edema in 86% of images. Positive but not significant correlations were noted between histology and synovitis scores on US.Conclusion.Despite clinical remission, histology and imaging studies documented a persistently active disease state that may explain the mechanism for radiographic progression.


2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Pascual-Ramos ◽  
Irazú Contreras-Yañez ◽  
Javier Cabiedes-Contreras ◽  
Marina Rull-Gabayet ◽  
Antonio R. Villa ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1600-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Barnabe ◽  
Nguyen Xuan Thanh ◽  
Arto Ohinmaa ◽  
Joanne Homik ◽  
Susan G. Barr ◽  
...  

Objective.Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results in healthcare utilization cost savings. We evaluated the variation in estimates of savings when different definitions of remission [2011 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Boolean Definition, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤ 3.3, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤ 2.8, and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) ≤ 2.6] are applied.Methods.The annual mean healthcare service utilization costs were estimated from provincial physician billing claims, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations, with linkage to clinical data from the Alberta Biologics Pharmacosurveillance Program (ABioPharm). Cost savings in patients who had a 1-year continuous period of remission were compared to those who did not, using 4 definitions of remission.Results.In 1086 patients, sustained remission rates were 16.1% for DAS28, 8.8% for Boolean, 5.5% for CDAI, and 4.2% for SDAI. The estimated mean annual healthcare cost savings per patient achieving remission (relative to not) were SDAI $1928 (95% CI 592, 3264), DAS28 $1676 (95% CI 987, 2365), and Boolean $1259 (95% CI 417, 2100). The annual savings by CDAI remission per patient were not significant at $423 (95% CI −1757, 2602). For patients in DAS28, Boolean, and SDAI remission, savings were seen both in costs directly related to RA and its comorbidities, and in costs for non-RA-related conditions.Conclusion.The magnitude of the healthcare cost savings varies according to the remission definition used in classifying patient disease status. The highest point estimate for cost savings was observed in patients attaining SDAI remission and the least with the CDAI; confidence intervals for these estimates do overlap. Future pharmacoeconomic analyses should employ all response definitions in assessing the influence of treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Sode ◽  
Sophine B. Krintel ◽  
Anting Liu Carlsen ◽  
Merete L. Hetland ◽  
Julia S. Johansen ◽  
...  

Objective.The aim was to identify plasma (i.e., cell-free) microRNA (miRNA) predicting antitumor necrosis and/or methotrexate (MTX) treatment response in patients enrolled in an investigator-initiated, prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (The OPERA study,NCT00660647).Methods.We included 180 disease-modifying antirheumatic drug–naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) randomized to adalimumab (ADA; n = 89) or placebo (n = 91) in combination with MTX. Plasma samples before and 3 months after treatment initiation were analyzed for 91 specific miRNA by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on microfluidic dynamic arrays. A linear mixed-effects model was used to test for associations between pretreatment miRNA and changes in miRNA expression and American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) Boolean (28 joints) remission at 3 and 12 months, applying false discovery rate correction for multiple testing. Using leave-one-out cross validation, we built predictive multivariate miRNA models and estimated classification performances using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves.Results.In the ADA group, a higher pretreatment level of miR-27a-3p was significantly associated with remission at 12 months. The level decreased in remitting patients between pretreatment and 3 months, and increased in nonremitting patients. No associations were found in the placebo group receiving only MTX. Two multivariate miRNA models were able to predict response to ADA treatment after 3 and 12 months, with 63% and 82% area under the ROC curves, respectively.Conclusion.We identified miR-27a-3p as a potential predictive biomarker of ACR/EULAR remission in patients with early RA treated with ADA in combination with MTX. We conclude that pretreatment plasma-miRNA profiles may be of predictive value, but the results need confirmation in independent cohorts.


2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Stohl ◽  
Joan T. Merrill ◽  
James D. McKay ◽  
Jeffrey R. Lisse ◽  
Z. John Zhong ◽  
...  

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy/safety of belimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA for ≥ 1 year who had at least moderate disease activity while receiving stable disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy and failed ≥ 1 DMARD were randomly assigned to placebo or belimumab 1, 4, or 10 mg/kg, administered intravenously on Days 1, 14, and 28, and then every 4 weeks for 24 weeks (n = 283). This was followed by an optional 24-week extension (n = 237) in which all patients received belimumab. Primary efficacy endpoint was the Week 24 ACR20 response.Results.Week 24 ACR20 responses with placebo and belimumab 1, 4, and 10 mg/kg were 15.9%, 34.7% (p = 0.010), 25.4% (p = 0.168), and 28.2% (p = 0.080), respectively. Patients taking any belimumab dose who continued with belimumab in the open-label extension had an ACR20 response of 41% at 48 weeks. A similar ACR20 response (42%) at 48 weeks was seen in patients taking placebo who switched in the extension to belimumab 10 mg/kg. Greater response rates were observed in patients who at baseline were rheumatoid factor-positive, anticitrullinated protein antibody-positive, or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-naive, or had elevated C-reactive protein levels, Disease Activity Score 28 > 5.1, or low B lymphocyte stimulator levels (< 0.858 ng/ml). Adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups.Conclusion.In this phase II trial, belimumab demonstrated efficacy and was generally well tolerated in patients with RA who had failed previous therapies. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00071812]


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitor M Rocha ◽  
Maria Guadalupe B Pippa

Backgroung: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease, that appear to be responsible for 50% of mortality for thrombotic events such as Myocardial Infarction (MI) and Ischemic Stroke (SI) in RA patients. Occur approximately a decade earlier in these patients compared with the normal population. Objectives: To determine the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis according to the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Methods: To assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases we studied 78 patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. For this we used the criteria of the risk score of Acute Coronary Disease in 10 years according to the Framingham Heart Study. A control group consisted of 21 patients with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia was also assessed using the same criteria, where age, sex, systolic blood pressure values, total cholesterol, cholesterol HDL, presence of smoking and diagnosis of diabetes, were scored. Results: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a mean disease duration of 12.8 years (SD=7.4), age 58.6 years (SD=10.3) and the control group 59.3 years (SD=10,0). The old values of total cholesterol, HDL, blood pressure and being with Diabetes Mellitus showed positive correlations with the Cardiovascular Risk, and Blood Pressure in the index this correlation was stronger (r=+0.593) in Rheumatoid Arthritis and age (r=+0.702) in the control group. The Global Cardiovascular Risk in each group were considered low (7,8 points to Rematoid Artrhrits and 9,3 points to the control group). Conclusion: The results showed no increased risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to control group. Remember that control group fact be constituted by a larger number of diabetics, which likely impact these results.


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