scholarly journals Periodontal disease and influence of periodontal treatment on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Białowąs ◽  
Małgorzata Radwan-Oczko ◽  
Irena Duś-Ilnicka ◽  
Lucyna Korman ◽  
Jerzy Świerkot

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease and the effect of periodontal treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Forty-four RA patients, thirty SpA patients and thirty-nine healthy volunteers were recruited to the study. Periodontal examination included the approximal plaque index (API), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD) and number of teeth. Samples from the deepest periodontal pockets were taken for the detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA with the use of the polymerase chain reaction. All subjects with periodontitis, who completed the study, received periodontal treatment consisting of scaling/root planing and oral hygiene instructions. Disease activity scores, clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed before and 4–6 weeks after periodontal treatment. No significant difference in the prevalence of periodontal disease and the presence of P. gingivalis DNA were found in RA and SpA patients compared to healthy controls. Significantly higher API (80% vs 63%; p = 0.01) and a lower number of teeth (20 vs 25, p = 0.001) were found in RA patients. BoP was significantly elevated in SpA patients (51% vs 33%, p = 0.02). Disease activity measured by the DAS28(CRP) was significantly reduced in RA patients after periodontal treatment (p = 0.002). Clinical and biochemical parameters were not improved in SpA patients. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment had an impact on the decrease in RA activity. Periodontal examination is necessary in patients with RA to detect and treat periodontitis at an early stage.

Author(s):  
Sahar A. Ahmed ◽  
Enas M. Darwish ◽  
Walaa A. Attya ◽  
Mai Samir ◽  
Mennatallah Elsayed ◽  
...  

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common progressive chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease which affects mostly small joints, causing pain, swelling, deformity, and disability. Although progress has been made in exploring RA nature, still there is a lot to know about the disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Aim of the Work: To investigate the role of serum anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and 14-3-3η in the diagnosis of RA compared to rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodies, and highfrequency musculoskeletal ultrasound used to assess the disease activity and joint damage. Methods: Serum anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and 14-3-3η were measured using ELISA in 61 RA patients and 26 normal controls. RA Disease Activity Score (DAS 28), X-ray and musculoskeletal ultrasound (hands and feet), carotid ultrasound (Intima-Media Thickness IMT) were used in assessing the RA disease. Results: Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies were significantly elevated in RA patients 4.5 (4.1- 8.9 U⁄ml) compared to the control 3.2(1.9- 4.3 U⁄ml) (p< 0.001) but 14-3-3η showed no significant difference. There was a significant positive correlation between anti-carbamylated protein antibodies, 14-3-3η levels and disease activity score assessed by DAS 28, increased IMT measured by carotid duplex, total synovitis and total erosion score were assessed by musculoskeletal ultrasound. There was no correlation between RF and anti-CCP antibodies. Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies were found to have 66.7% sensitivity and 85.2% specificity in RA diagnosis, while 14- 3-3η had 51.9% sensitivity and 72.1% specificity. Conclusion: Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies and 14-3-3η have a high sensitivity and specificity in RA diagnosis and had a correlation with the disease activity and joint damage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 524.1-524
Author(s):  
R. Dos-Santos ◽  
F. Otero ◽  
E. Perez-Pampín ◽  
A. Mera Varela

Background:Periodontal disease (PD) has been widely studied in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As well, its relationship with severity and disease activity, has also been investigated with ambiguous results. It has been suggested that the improvement of oral health could enhance disease activity scores.1 PD prevalence worldwide stands around 60% in older adults (>65 years) and its frequency increases with aging.2Objectives:To asses oral health in RA patients and to identify predictors of PD in this population.Methods:Patients diagnosed of RA at treatment with biological, classical or targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/cs/tsDMARDs) in the aforementioned hospital during 2020 performed a dental review with a specialized periodontal odontologist. Oral health patterns were given for all patients, following criteria of American Academy of Periodontology, and reevaluation of disease activity was made 2 months later.Clinical, demographic and treatment data were collected from participants.Univariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of PD. Variables with p<0.20 were selected for multivariable analysis.Stata 15.1 was used to perform statistical analysis.Results:81 patients were recruited. 82.72% were female. Mean age was 56.17 years (SD 14.15) and mean time since diagnosis was 15.58 years (SD 8.17). 25% were current or past smokers. 21 patients had comorbidities (arterial hypertension the most frequent). 66.67% were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and 72.73% anti-citrullinated peptide autoantibody (ACPA) positive. Median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 12 mm (IQR 6;23) and mean C-reactive protein (CRP) was 0.48 mg/dl (SD 1.18). Mean disease activity score (DAS28-VSG) at the testing time was 2.62 (SD 1.21) and after 2 months was 2.39 (SD 0.97). 96.30% of patients were at treatment with csDMARDs, 64.20% with glucocorticoids, 96.30% with bDMARDs and 6 patients with tsDMARDs.Univariable analysis identified higher age, at least one autoantibody positive and ESR/CRP as potential predictors of medium/severe PD (p<0.20). Multivariable testing including these variables pointed out higher age, lower ESR and at least one autoantibody positive (OR 1.09 [CI95% 1.04-1.14] p=0.001, OR 0.18 [CI95% 0.04-0.95] p=0.044 and OR 0.94 [CI95% 0.88-1.00] p=0.042, respectively) as predictors of medium or severe PD (≥3 mm interdental clinical attachment loss).Univariable analysis identified higher age, the presence of any comorbidity and anti tumour-necrosis factor alpha treatment (anti-TNF) as potential predictors of severe PD (p<0.20). Multivariable testing including these variables pointed out higher age (OR 1.15 [CI95%1.02-1.30] p=0.026) as predictor of severe PD (≥5 mm interdental clinical attachment loss).Conclusion:Periodontal disease is still an extended health problem among the entire population. Its prevalence in RA is increased, therefore higher age and RF or ACPA positive are risk factors for developing severe PD. This analysis might suggest that an aggressive management of PD could implement better responses in DAS28. Also anti-TNF treatment could delimit a “penumbra” group of patients at risk of developing severe PD, where intensive manage could modify the final outcome.References:[1]C O Bingham, M Moni. Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis: the evidence accumulates for complex pathobiologic interactions. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2013;25(3):345-353.[2]P Carvajal. Periodontal disease as a public health problem: the challenge for primary health care. Rev Clin Periodoncia inplantol. 2016;9(2):177-183.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1360.1-1360
Author(s):  
M. Jordhani ◽  
D. Ruci ◽  
F. Skana ◽  
E. Memlika

Background:The COVID-19 global pandemic has had a great impact on world population due to morbidity, mortality and restriction measures in order to stop the progression of COVID-19.Patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletic diseases, and especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, being one of the vulnerable classes of chronic patients, were recommended to follow the government’s rules1.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate DAS-28-ESR in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after lockdown period.Methods:This is a multi-center observational study including 85 patients which were evaluated before and after lockdown for their disease activity score according to DAS-28-ESR score. They had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis more than 5 years ago. A thorough physical examination was performed before and after the lockdown period. It included examination of tender and swollen joints and patient’s global health. They were completed with all required laboratory data, including erythrosedimentation rate. For a more accurate calculation, DAS-28-ESR was used in an electronic version. Patients with other inflammatory or infective diseases were excluded from the study. All data were statistically evaluated using statistical tests such as t-student test.Results:The first group (the one before lockdown) had an average DAS-28-ESR of 4.7 while after the lockdown period, the average DAS-28-ESR was 5.16.After statistically evaluating all data, it was found that there exists a significant difference between DAS-28-ESR score before and after COVID-19 lockdown (p=0.0011).Conclusion:Our study showed that lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic, has aggravated disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This may be consequence of various causes such as physical inactivity and difficulty to follow-up or to take the medication properly.References:[1]Landewé RB, Machado PM, Kroon F, et al, EULAR provisional recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in the context of SARS-CoV-2, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2020;79:851-858.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1848.2-1849
Author(s):  
M. A. Mortada ◽  
H. Eitta ◽  
R. Elmallah ◽  
A. Radwan ◽  
A. Elsaman

Background:Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography (MSUS) is now a widely used tool for monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there are many proposed sets of composite scores, a fixed set of joints may not be an ideal tool to assess a disease like RA, which affects many joints and tendons in different presentations. In previous study (1) U9 score was proven to be correlated with disease activity parameters.Objectives:To determine whether US assessment using U9 score is useful for monitoring response to treatment for RA or not?Methods:A prospective, multicenter study were conducted in period from July 2019 to December 2019. All recruited RA patients were subjected to: Disease activity assessment by clinical disease activity indices (CDAI and DAS28 ESR). Functional status assessment by (HAQ) and ultrasonographic assessment using U9 score which include 8 joints (bilateral wrists,2ndMCP,3RDMCP and knees) plus most clinically affected joint or tendon (one joint or one tendon). Most clinically affected joints from 48 joints. Any affected tendons could be choosing. All targeted joints were evaluated according to EULAR guidlines and by EULAR/ OMERACT combined score (0-3). Targeted tendons were scored (0-3).All patients received their treatment (biologic and non biologic DMARDs) according to the decision of the treating physicians. No specific therapy is needed. CDAI and DAS28 ESR, HAQ and U9 score were repeated after 3 months to detect the response to change after receiving the therapy.Results:One hundred and forty patients (23.6% were male) with mean age 39.26±11.30 were recruited from 4 tertiary referral university hospitals.There was a significant difference (<0.001) between the first and second visits as regards clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters. DAS 28 decreased form (5.29±1.21) to (3.95±0.99), ESR decreased from (42.12±15.24) to (26.84±12.32), HAQ2 improved from (0.652±0.350) to (0.510±0.237) and U9 total US score decreased from (13.56±5.18) to (8.02±4.28).There was significant correlation between U9 ultrasonographic score and clinical parameters at both visits (table 1).Table 1.correlation between U9 ultrasonographic score and clinical parameters.U9 at 1stvisitU9 at 2ndvisitDAS-28Pearson Correlation(P value)0.806<0.0010.790<0.001CDAIPearson Correlation(P value)0.787<0.0010.773<0.001HAQPearson Correlation(P value)0.431<0.0010.317<0.001We found that the most suitable cut-off value of U9 score to predict high disease activity was 11.5 (sensitivity 85.7% and specificity 80.6%), cut off value for moderate disease activity was 5.5(sensitivity 83.2% and specificity 88%) and cut off value for low disease activity was 3.5 (sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity 57.1%). These results are summarized in the following table:Conclusion:U9 ultrasonographic score is very useful method for evaluating the monitoring the response of treatment.References:[1]Mortada, et al. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2019;78:1009.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1086.2-1087
Author(s):  
T. Okano ◽  
T. Koike ◽  
K. Inui ◽  
K. Mamoto ◽  
Y. Yamada ◽  
...  

Background:In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), biologics treatment is one of the effective treatment options. Usually, there is no difference in therapeutic effect regardless of which biologics is used, but the effect for joint synovitis is unknown. Recently, ultrasound (US) has played a role of sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with RA.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the improvement of US findings between TNF inhibitors and non-TNF inhibitors at first biologics in patients with RA.Methods:Fifty-four RA patients who started the first biologics from September 2016 to December 2018 were included in this longitudinal study (SPEEDY study, UMIN000028260). All the patients were performed clinical examination, blood test and US examination at baseline, 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks. A US examination was performed at the bilateral first to fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, first interphalangeal (IP) and second to fifth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints (three part of radial, medial and ulnar) and first to fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, by using HI VISION Ascendus (Hitachi Medical Corporation, Japan) with a multifrequency linear transducer (18-6 MHz). The gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) findings were assessed by the semi-quantitative method (0-3). GS score and PD score (both 0-108 points) were defined as the sum of each score. The change of disease activity and US findings were compared between TNF group and non-TNF group.Results:Among 54 cases, 32 patients were used TNF inhibitor and 22 were non-TNF inhibitor. Age and duration of RA were significantly higher in the non-TNF group, and MTX dose was significantly lower in the non-TNF group. The baseline inflammatory markers tended to be higher in the non-TNF group and the disease activity was also higher in the non-TNF group. However, the US findings showed no significant difference in both GS and PD between two groups at baseline. US improvement ratio was no difference between TNF group and non-TNF group at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks in both GS and PD score. Regardless of the type of biologics, patients with long-term disease duration tended to have poor improvement in US synovial fingings.Table 1.Baseline patient and disease characteristicsTNF (n=32)non-TNF (n=22)P valueFemale patients, n (%)21 (65.6)16 (72.7)0.767Age (years)63.5±15.471.0±9.00.030Disease duration (years)6.5±8.213.0±11.70.032CRP (mg/dl)1.8±2.53.0±3.20.170DAS28-ESR5.0±1.45.8±1.20.022GS score26.1±18.831.8±21.10.313PD score17.6±11.423.1±14.60.150Figure 1.GS and PD improvement ratio at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeksConclusion:There was no difference in the US findings improvement between patients with TNF inhibitor and non-TNF inhibitor at first biologics in patients with RA.References:[1]Grassi W, Okano T, Di Geso L, Filippucci E. Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: options, uses and optimization. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2015;11:1131-46.[2]Nishino A, Kawashiri SY, Koga T, et al. Ultrasonographic Efficacy of Biologic andTargeted Synthetic Disease-ModifyingAntirheumatic Drug Therapy in RheumatoidArthritis From a Multicenter RheumatoidArthritis Ultrasound Prospective Cohort in Japan. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70:1719-26.Acknowledgements:We wish to thank Atsuko Kamiyama, Tomoko Nakatsuka for clinical assistant, Setsuko Takeda, Emi Yamashita, Yuko Yoshida, Rika Morinaka, Hatsue Ueda and Tomomi Iwahashi for their special efforts as a sonographer and collecting data.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman A. Baraka ◽  
Mona G. Balata ◽  
Shereen H. Ahmed ◽  
Afaf F. Khamis ◽  
Enas A. Elattar

Abstract Background This study aimed to measure the serum and synovial interleukin (IL)-37 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) and healthy controls and to detect its relation to RA disease activity. Results This cross-sectional study included 50 RA patients with a mean age of 40.24 ± 8.62 years, 50 patients with PKOA with a mean age of 56.69 ± 4.21, and 40 healthy controls with a mean age of 41.75 ± 7.38 years. The mean serum IL-37 level in the RA patients (382.6 ± 73.97 pg/ml) was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) the highest among the studied groups; however, it showed a non-significant difference between the PKOA patients (70.38 ± 27.49 pg/ml) and the healthy controls (69.97 ± 25.12 pg/ml) (P > 0.94). Both serum and synovial IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with disease activity scores (r = 0.92, P< 0.001 and r = 0.85, P < 0.001), tender joint counts (r = 0.83, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001 ), swollen joint counts (r = 0.72, P < 0.001 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001), visual analog scale (r = 0.82, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.75, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.93, P < 0.001 and r = 0.79, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Serum and synovial IL-37 were significantly elevated in the RA patients, and they were closely correlated. Being less invasive, the serum IL-37 could be a marker of disease activity and could reflect the effective disease control by drugs. Having an anti-inflammatory effect could not suggest IL-37 as the key player to control inflammation alone, but its combination with other anti-proinflammatory cytokines could be investigated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 112.1-112
Author(s):  
L. Brandt ◽  
H. Schulze-Koops ◽  
T. Hügle ◽  
M. J. Nissen ◽  
H. Paul ◽  
...  

Background:The therapeutic aim for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to control disease activity and prevent radiographic progression. Various clinical scores are utilized to describe disease activity in RA patients. The DAS28 score can define states of low disease activity (LDA) and remission. Despite achieving LDA or remission, radiographic progression may nevertheless occur. However, the rates and frequency of this occurrence have not been analyzed in detail.Objectives:To describe the frequency and rate of radiographic progression in patients with persistent LDA or remission.Methods:Analysis of RA patients from the SCQM cohort. Persistent LDA or remission were defined as DAS 28 ≤3.2 or <2.6 respectively, at two subsequent follow up time points in the database. We included patients with at least two sets of radiographs within these intervals of LDA and/or remission. Radiographic progression was measured with the Ratingen-score (range 0-190), which describes joint erosions numerically. Repair was defined as an improvement in the Ratingen score >5 points/year and progression as >2 or >5 points change in the Ratingen score within one year.Results:Among 10’141 RA patients, 4’342 episodes of remission occurred in 3’927 patients with 1’776 sets of X rays available within these episodes. Similarly, 8’136 episodes of LDA in 6’765 patients and 2’358 sets of X rays were present within these intervals. For patients in LDA or remission, rates of repair were 5.5% and 4.8%, respectively, while for radiographic progression >5 points in the Ratingen score/year were 10.3% in both groups and for >2 points change of Ratingen score/year were 27.7 and 25.4%, respectively).No differences for demographic factors or measures of disease activity, rheumatoid factor or ACPA were found comparing patients with radiographic progression or non-progression despite LDA or remission at the beginning of the episode of LDA and/or remission.Interestingly, 42.9% of patients in LDA with progression of >5 points in the Ratingen score/year were current smokers vs 29.4% among the non-progressors (X2 = 6.55, p = 0.01). This significant difference vanished when the cut-off for radiographic progression was set at >2 points yearly change in Ratingen score or in patients in remission.Conclusion:Radiographic progression despite LDA or remission are more frequent than expected. No differences in radiographic progression were found comparing LDA and remission suggesting that the goal of LDA is appropriate. Smoking seems to be an independent risk factor for radiographic progression despite LDA. Why the effect of smoking could was not demonstrated in patients in remission, remains unclear.Disclosure of Interests:Lena Brandt: None declared, Hendrik Schulze-Koops: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: GSK, Abbvie, Pfizer, Jansen, Novartis, Eli Lilly., Michael J. Nissen Consultant of: Abbvie, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer, Hasler paul Consultant of: Abbvie, Lilly, Rudiger Muller Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Gebro


2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201135
Author(s):  
Sae Ochi ◽  
Fumitaka Mizoguchi ◽  
Kazuhisa Nakano ◽  
Yoshiya Tanaka

Objective Increasing numbers of patients are developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at an older age, and optimal treatment of elderly-onset RA (EORA) patients is attracting greater attention. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in EORA and non-EORA elderly patients. Methods A cohort of RA patients treated with b/tsDMARDs were retrospectively analyzed. Among patients who were ≥60 years old, those who developed RA after age 60 years were categorized as EORA, while others were categorized as non-EORA elderly. Disease activity were compared between the EORA and non-EORA elderly groups. Results In total, 1,040 patients were categorized as EORA and 710 as non-EORA elderly. There were not significant differences in characteristics at baseline between the two groups. The proportion of patients with low and high disease activity was comparable at week 2, 22 and 54 between in the EORA and the non-EORA elderly group. There was not significant difference in reasons of the discontinuation of b/tsDMARDs between the two groups. Elderly onset did not affect changes in CDAI and HAQ-DI as well as reasons of the discontinuation between the two groups. The trajectory analysis on CDAI-responses to b/tsDMARDs for 54 weeks identified three response patterns. The proportions of patients categorized into each group and CDAI-response trajectories to b/tsDMARDs were very similar between EORA and non-EORA elderly patients. Conclusion CDAI response patterns to b/tsDMARDs and hazard ratio of adverse events were similar between EORA and non-EORA elderly patients.


2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Tomic-Lucic ◽  
Suzana Pantovic ◽  
Gvozden Rosic ◽  
Zdravko Obradovic ◽  
Mirko Rosic

Background/Aim. Many arguments prove the pathophysiologic role of histamine in the process of remodeling and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of our study was to find out if there was a relation between histamine concentration in synovial fluid and blood with clinical expression of disease activity. Methods. Histamine concentration in synovial fluid and blood was determinated in 19 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Histamine concentration measurement was based on the Shore's fluorometric method. Histamine index (HI) was evaluated as a ratio between histamine concentration in synovial fluid and blood. Disease activity score, DAS 28 (3), with three variables (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the number of swelled joints and the number of tender joints) was also evaluated. Results. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in concentration of histamine in synovial fluid and blood related to disease activity. However, there was a significant difference in the histamine index which was increased proportionally with disease activity. Conclusion. Our study indicates that histamine index could be useful in estimation of rheumatoid arthritis activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 144-150
Author(s):  
Ali Alkazzaz ◽  
Murtadha Najah Jawad ◽  
Zeyad Tareq Kareem

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving receive anti-TNF agents are at increased risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The tuberculin skin test (TST) is widely used to screen LTBI and providing preventive treatment, in an effort to meet the WHO target of a 90% reduction in TB by 2035. Objectives: To determine the proportion of TST conversion among RA patients after 1 year of anti-TNF treatment and association of positive TST result with patients’ socio-demographic characteristics and medical history. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Rheumatology of Marjan Teaching Hospital in Iraq, for a period of 1 year. Patients with RA/and spondyloarthropathy, and who received anti-TNF therapy for >1 year, underwent TST. Their demographic data and medical history were also obtained. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 20) and, p < 0.05 was considered as a sign. Data from the baseline and 1 year follow-up was subjected to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to determine whether they were normally distributed. Chi-Square test used to test significance of TST among etanrecept and infliximab at the end of the study. Results: A total of 96 patients were enrolled, including 55 (57.3%) males and 41 (42.3%) females with an average age of 41.1, and mostly 68 (70.8%) from Babylon Governorate of Iraq. A total of 40 (41.7%) patients had rheumatoid arthritis alone, and the remaining 56 (58.3%) had a comorbidity of spondyloarthropathy. Majority of the patients 65 (67.7%) received the biological agent infliximab, while 31 (32.3%) patients received Etanercept for RA for a period of 1 year. There was a statistically significant decreasing in the median ESR and disease activity  from the baseline to the end of the study (p-value <0.01). There was no significant difference in TST results based on gender or age. Both infliximab and etanercept were significantly associated with a decreasing  in ESR and disease activity Conclusion: This study has shown that there was very low TST conversion among RA patients after 1 year of anti-TNF treatment and, age and gender were not associated with TST.


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