Background:Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis (SAPHO) is a rare disease involving skin and skeleton, with a potentially complicated and severe course, optimal management of which seems to require a collaborative rheumatology and dermatology care. Diagnostic criteria for SAPHO remain preliminary and lack validation. There are no evidence-based treatment algorithms in SAPHO due to lack of clinical trials in this rare medical condition.Objectives:This study aimed to investigate the current practice in the diagnosis and treatment of SAPHO syndrome among the international rheumatology and dermatology communities.Methods:We conducted a survey among the members of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) combining international rheumatologists and dermatologists as well as members of the Japanese and Israeli Societies of Rheumatology.Results:A total of 78 physicians participated in the survey: rheumatologists (83%, n=65), dermatologists (11.5%, n=9), and orthopedics (3.8%, n=3). SAPHO was considered a subtype of spondylarthritis by 48.7% (n=38), a subtype of psoriatic arthritis by 19.2% (n=15), a separate entity by 25.6% (n=20), and a subtype of reactive arthritis by 6.4% (n=5). Palmoplantar pustulosis was the most prevalent cutaneous manifestation (n=44, 56.4%) and anterior chest pain - the most prevalent osteoarticular manifestation (n=66, 84.6%). The majority (84.6%, n=66) voted for the update of the present diagnostic criteria by Khan 1994. Magnetic resonance imaging was considered the preferred imaging modality for the diagnosis of SAPHO by 41% (n=32). Conduction of bone biopsy for diagnosis of non-infectious osteitis was supported only by 10.3% (n=8). Patient-reported outcomes were considered the most appropriate measure for the assessment of disease activity by 47.4% (n=37). The treatment approach was overall similar among the rheumatology and dermatology communities, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates, conventional disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drugs, and biologics (Table 1).Table 1.Preferences in the treatment choice of SAPHOTreatment% of respondersNSAIDs76.6%Glucocorticoids32.5%Conventional DMARDs57.1%Bisphosphonates48.1%Anti-TNF biologic therapy75.3%Other biologic therapy20.8%Antibiotic14.3%Tonsillectomy5.1%Isotretinoin5.2%Topical therapy10.4%Intra-articular steroid injection7.8%Legend: NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; DMARDs – disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugsConclusion:Our study underlines the controversy on diagnosis and treatment of SAPHO syndrome among specialists in rheumatology and dermatology and emphasizes an unmet need for update and validation of diagnostic criteria and treatment approach.Acknowledgments:GRAPPA, Japanese Society of Rheumatology, Israeli Society of RheumatologyDisclosure of Interests:Victoria Furer: None declared, Mitsumasa Kishimoto: None declared, Shigeyoshi Tsuji Grant/research support from: Eli Lilly, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly, Eisai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Celgene, and Novartis Pharma K.K., Yoshinori Taniguchi: None declared, Yoko Ishihara: None declared, Tetsuya Tomita Consultant of: Eli Lilly and Company, Ori Elkayam Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Jansen
Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in Japanese patients with psoriatic arthritis and inadequate response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): A prospective, observational study
