scholarly journals SAT0092 CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE RHEUMATIC DISEASES: AN ITALIAN RHEUMATOLOGISTS’ SURVEY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 980.3-980
Author(s):  
F. R. Spinelli ◽  
F. Cacciapaglia ◽  
F. Atzeni ◽  
G. Erre ◽  
A. Manfredi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Eular Recommendations ◽  
Academic Hospitals ◽  
Cv Disease

Background:Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory arthritis. The growing attention to the CV risk characterizing patients with autoimmune inflammatory disease led EULAR to provide recommendations on CV risk management (1). To date, there are no data on the adherence to EULAR recommendation among Italian rheumatologists.Objectives:Our objective was to measure the level of awareness and the attitude to manage CV risk.Methods:Italian rheumatologists were invited to anonymously answer a web-based questionnaire designed by the steering committee of the Cardiovascualr and Obesity in Rheumatic Diseases (CORDIS) study group of the Italian Society of Rheumatology. The first part of the questionnaire concerned demographic information; the subsequent questions concerned the attitude to assess CV risk and the limitations for not assessing, the specific CV risks considered in the clinical practice and their management. Data are presented using standard summary statistics and were expressed as mean+/-standard deviation or median (interquartile range) according to variables’ distribution.Results:One thousand-three hundred rheumatologists (of whom 500 are under 40 and 100 over 70 years of age) have been invited by email to complete the survey. The questionnaire has been filled by 102 rheumatologists (7.85%) (53 females and 49 males) with a median age of 38 years (32-48) and a median of 4 (0-15) years of specialization. Most of the physician who answered the questionnaire works in University Hospitals (67/102; 65.7%), 22 out of 102 (21.6%) in non-academic Hospitals, and the remaining 12,7% in territorial outpatient clinics.When asked if they usually evaluate CV risk in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, 67/102 (67.2%) answered positively, 18 no (17.6%) and 7 did not answer the question; 82% of those who routinely assess the CV do it by themselves. The barriers limiting the assessment of CV risk included: i) lack of time (79%); ii) complex management (12%); inadequate training (9%).As for the CV risk factors, lipid profile, hypertension and diabetes are assessed by most of the rheumatologists (90%, 89% and 88%, respectively), family history by 78% and body mass index by 75.3% and waist circumference only by 25% of those who completed the survey.Finally, only 18.6% stated that they manage by themselves CV risk in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases while 50% refer patients to other specialists and 23.4% to general practitioner.Conclusion:Despite the growing awareness on the CV risk characterizing patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease, about one third of young Italian rheumatologists does not strictly adhere to the EULAR recommendations on CV management, mostly due to insufficient time during the routine care visits.References:[1] Agca R et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 76: 17-28.Disclosure of Interests:Francesca Romana Spinelli Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Lilly, BMS, Celgene, Fabio Cacciapaglia Speakers bureau: BMS; Roche; Pfizer; Abbvie, Fabiola Atzeni: None declared, Gianluca Erre: None declared, Andreina Manfredi: None declared, Elena Bartoloni Bocci: None declared, Matteo Piga: None declared, Garifallia Sakellariou Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Novartis, MSD, Ombretta Viapiana: None declared, Elisa Gremese Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Jannsen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, UCB

scholarly journals Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) and Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease: Is There a Link?

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Tugnet ◽  
Paul Rylance ◽  
Denise Roden ◽  
Malgorzata Trela ◽  
Paul Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Molecular Mimicry ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Human Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as RA and SLE, are caused by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) may be triggers of autoimmune rheumatic disease. HERVs are fossil viruses that began to be integrated into the human genome some 30-40 million years ago and now make up 8% of the genome. Evidence suggests HERVs may cause RA and SLE, among other rheumatic diseases. The key mechanisms by which HERVS are postulated to cause disease include molecular mimicry and immune dysregulation. Identification of HERVs in RA and SLE could lead to novel treatments for these chronic conditions. This review summarises the evidence for HERVs as contributors to autoimmune rheumatic disease and the clinical implications and mechanisms of pathogenesis are discussed.

Prevention of autoimmune rheumatic disease: state of the art and future perspectives

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 2062-2066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Klareskog ◽  
Peter K Gregersen ◽  
Tom W J Huizinga
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Sequence Of Events

Prevention of disease can in principle be accomplished by identification of environmental and/or lifestyle risk and protective factors followed by public health measures (such as for smoking and lung cancer), or by modification of the individual's reactions to disease-inducing factors (such as in vaccinations against microbes). This review discusses both options based on emerging understanding of aetiologies in inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The major current opportunity for public health-based prevention lies in avoiding smoking. In RA, recent studies have calculated that, in Sweden (a country characterised by a low frequency of smoking), 20% of all RA cases and 33% of all cases of ACPA-positive RA would not have occurred in a smoke-free society. Smoking is also a major risk factor for SLE but no population attribution is yet available. New avenues for individualised and biology-based prevention are provided by the demonstration that several autoimmune rheumatic diseases are preceded by emergence of subclinical autoimmunity followed by laboratory-based signs of inflammation and finally overt disease. Examples of this process are provided from studies of autoimmunity to citrullinated proteins (in RA), to dsDNA (in SLE in general) and to Ro52 epitopes (in the case of neonatal heart block). The recognition of this sequence of events provides opportunities to intervene specifically and potentially curatively before onset of full-blown disease. Such prevention can be accomplished by modification of inciting antigens (environment), by modification of immunity (more or less specific immunomodulation) or by modification of specific gene functions. In all cases, prevention will be different in different subsets of disease and differ at different time points of disease development. Thus, the road map towards prevention of autoimmune rheumatic diseases includes increased understanding of how genes, environment and immunity interact.

scholarly journals Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: Checklists for Clinical Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Laura Bosello ◽  
Lorenzo Beretta ◽  
Nicoletta Del Papa ◽  
Sergio Harari ◽  
Stefano Palmucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Nominal Group Technique ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Interstitial Lung Diseases ◽  
Delphi Survey ◽  
Nominal Group ◽  
Red Flags ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are often associated with rheumatic diseases. Their early diagnosis and management are not only difficult, but also crucial, because they are associated with major morbidity and mortality and can be the first cause of death in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs).Objectives: By using methodologies, such as Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and Delphi Survey, the aims of this study were (1) to measure consensus between pulmonologists, radiologists, and rheumatologists experienced in the management of ARD-ILD; (2) to highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach; and (3) to provide clinicians with a practical tool aimed at improving the prompt recognition and follow-up of ILD associated with ARDs and of any possible rheumatic conditions underlying ILD.Results: During the NGT round, the Steering Committee defined 57 statements to be used in the Delphi survey. A total of 78 experts participated in the Delphi survey, namely 28 pulmonologists, 33 rheumatologists, and 17 radiologists. During this round, consensus on agreement was reached in 47 statements, while disagreement was not reached in any statements. A secondary questionnaire was drafted by the Steering Committee to obtain clearer indications on ILD-ARD “red-flags” and follow-up. Delphi Panelists took part also in the second-questionnaire survey. Answers from both surveys were used to draft two checklists of “red flags” sign or symptom suggestive of ILD and ARD, respectively, and two checklists on identification and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) ILD.Limitations: This study is a consensus work, which cannot produce empiric data, and is limited to the Italian scenario.Conclusions: This work showed a high level of agreement, but also shows some divergent opinions between different experts. This underlines the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Eventually, we believe the drafted checklists can help clinicians in the diagnosis and follow-up of ILD-ARD.

scholarly journals C00006 PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC ON PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS - A WEB BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL MULTICENTRE SURVEY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 216.3-216
Author(s):  
Y. G C ◽  
Y. P. Singh ◽  
S. Prasad ◽  
N. Srinivasulu ◽  
S. Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Anxiety Score ◽  
Beck Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Biological Drugs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Link Type

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in uncertainty and negative psychological outcomes for patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases for several reasons.1The anxiety is due to “underlying conditions” that are expected to increase the risk of infection and / or severe complications. Patients with rheumatological disorders fall into this group as they are believed to be immunosuppressed due to disease or the treatment. It is essential to understand the level of anxiety among the rheumatic disease patients at the current situation of COVID-19.Objectives:To study difference in Anxiety score (Mean/Avg Score) among following groups-underlying rheumatic disease, age, gender, marital status, educational status, employment status, medications, those who were on steroids/not, those who are Biologicals / Not.Methods:A web-based cross-sectional multi-centre survey was done across 5 rheumatology centres in India. The study duration was between 9th May and 16th May 2020.The questionnaire included consent, demographic details, medication history, opinion about tele rheumatology services and anxiety score measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)2.Results:The survey was sent to 2987 patients, there were 933 responses and 581 were complete (Male =175). Complete responses were considered for data analysis. Most respondents were less than 50 years of age (70.6%). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the most frequent (50.6%) diagnosis followed by other conditions. Most of the patients (43%) were on combination DMARD therapy, 12.7% of patients were on biological drugs and 23.9% of patients were on glucocorticoids. Statistically significant higher anxiety scores were observed in females, patients suffering from fibromyalgia, patients on glucocorticoids and biological agents. There was no difference in the anxiety scores with regard to age, educational status, and employment status.Difficulty in meeting rheumatologists and getting medications was expressed by 327 (56.2%) and 73 (29.7%) respondents respectively. Majority of respondents (86.6 %) agreed/strongly agreed regarding use of telemedicine to access health care during the crisis.Conclusion:The findings of the study revealed that anxiety is a major concern in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Fibromyalgia patients and those who were on glucocorticoids and biological drugs were found to have more anxiety levels compared to other groups of patients. In such periods of public health crises, telemedicine is a great tool for patients to access healthcare without fear of going to hospital. There is a need to intensify the awareness and address the mental health issues of rheumatology patients during this COVID-19 pandemic.References:[1]Pope, J.E. What Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Mean for Rheumatology Patients?. Curr Treat Options in Rheum (2020).https://doi.org/10.1007/s40674-020-00145-y.[2]Oh H, Park K, Yoon S, Kim Y, Lee SH, Choi YY, et al. Clinical utility of beck anxiety inventory in clinical and nonclinical Korean samples. Front Psychiatry.2018;9:666.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00666Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Cardiovascular Effects of Biologic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 488-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Drakopoulou ◽  
Stergios Soulaidopoulos ◽  
George Oikonomou ◽  
Dimitrios Tousoulis ◽  
Konstantinos Toutouzas
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Underserved Area ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors ◽  
Cv Disease

The risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease is increased among patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases and remains an underserved area of medical need. Although traditional risk factors for CV disease, such as hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia and obesity contribute to endothelial dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), they are not enough on their own to explain the observed excess CV risk. Rather, systemic inflammation seems to play a pivotal role in both disease states. Considering the inflammatory process in autoimmune diseases, scientific interest has focused on recently introduced biologic disease-modifying agents (bDMARDS) such as inhibitors of Tumor Necrosis Factor- α (ΤΝF-α), Interleukins -1 (IL-1) and -6 (IL-6). Despite the widespread use of bDMARDS in RA and other chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases, their precise impact on CV disease and outcome remains to be elucidated, while prospective randomized control trials assessing their impact on hard CV endpoints are scarce. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning the effect of bDMARDs on CV outcome and on the risk of developing CV disease in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

scholarly journals Storage Conditions of Immunobiologicals and their Influence on the Efficacy and Safety in the Treatment of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Tássia Moraes de Assis Damasce ◽  
Vander Fernand ◽  
Cristhiane Almeida Leite da Silva ◽  
Ageo Mario Candido da Silva ◽  
Luciana Carolina Ishikawa Cezar Santo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Storage Temperature ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Temperature Range ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Rheumatic Disease Activity

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the influence of storage temperature on immunobiological efficacy and safety in autoimmune rheumatic disease treatment. Methods: This observational study included adult patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases who used immunobiologicals stored at home and were followed up at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the General University Hospital of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil, in 2017/2018. Patients were evaluated regarding disease activity and occurrence of adverse events, and a household survey of the temperature of the storage environment of these drugs was conducted. Results: Sixty patients with a mean age of 50.4 years were evaluated. Of these, 39 patients (65%) stored their biological drugs outside the recommended temperature range. Storage of the immunobiological at the incorrect temperature was 76% higher among patients with moderate/high rheumatic disease activity (p=0.003). Conclusion: Most patients stored their immunobiologicals outside the temperature range recommended in the package insert, and there was an association between incorrect storage temperature and moderate/high autoimmune rheumatic disease activity.

scholarly journals TNF-α -308 G>A and IL10 -1082A>G polymorphisms as potential risk factors for lymphoproliferative disorders in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manal Y. Tayel ◽  
Aida Nazir ◽  
Ibtessam M. Abdelhamid ◽  
Myriam A. S. Helmy ◽  
Nadia E. Zaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Disorders ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Group I ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Tgf Β1 ◽  
Distribution Frequency

Abstract Background Chronic inflammation with sustained unregulated immune stimulation in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) may be a risk factor for developing lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD). Markers of ARD activity as high erythrocyte sedimentation rate or erosive joint diseases and the development of B-symptoms were accounted as risk factors for LPD development. We investigated the association of five inflammatory cytokine genes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): TNF-α -308G>A; TGF-β1 gene codon 10 T>C and 25 G>C; IL-10 promoter SNPs -1082 A>G, -819T>C, and -592A>C; IL-6 -174G>C; and IFN-γ 874 T>A with the risk of LPD development in ARD patients. The study was conducted on 70 patients divided into group I, 25 ARD patients diagnosed as RA (n = 15) and SLE (n = 10) and with no history of malignancy; group II, 25 patients diagnosed with LPD and had no ARD; and group III, 20 patients diagnosed with both diseases: ARD and LPD. Cytokine genotyping was analyzed by PCR-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). Results ARD+LPD patients had significantly higher frequency of TNF-α -308A allele and AA+AG genotype (high TNF-α producers) and IL-10 -1082A allele and AA genotype (low IL-10 producers) than ARD patients (p = 0.003, p = 0.024, p = 0.003, p = 0.03, respectively) with a significantly increased risk of LPD development in ARD patients expressing the corresponding alleles and genotypes. No significant differences were detected in the distribution frequency of either TGF-β1, IL-6, or IFN-γ SNPs between groups I and III or any of the studied SNPs between groups II and III. The distribution frequency of IL-10 ATA haplotype was significantly increased in group III as compared to group I (p = 0.037). Conclusion The significantly increased frequency of the high-TNF-α- and low-IL-10-producing alleles and genotypes in ARD patients may participate in the provision of a proinflammatory milieu that eventually increases the risk of LPD development.

scholarly journals P052 Leflunomide and severe COVID-19 outcome: a cautionary observation from the COVID-19 Scottish Registry of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (SCAR-19)

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maira Karabayas ◽  
James Brock ◽  
Gillian Fordyce ◽  
Neil Basu
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
National Registry ◽  
Favourable Outcome ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Non Invasive Ventilation ◽  
Pcr Diagnosis ◽  
Related Symptom ◽  
Disease Modifying

Abstract Background/Aims  Leflunomide, a conventional disease modifying drug (csDMARD), is used in a variety of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) due to its immunomodulating, immunosuppressive and antiproliferative properties. This agent does however confer a greater infection risk and, due to its long half-life, drug washout procedures are often advised in the context of serious infections. Interestingly, Leflunomide is currently being tested as a potential therapy for COVID-19 in the general population. It is unknown whether leflunomide therapy is associated with a poor or favourable outcome among ARD patients infected with COVID-19. Methods  A Scottish-wide registry was rapidly developed in March 2020. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of infected cases were collated across all Scottish health boards. Eligible patients included any adult leflunomide treated ARD patients with a confirmed (clinically or PCR) diagnosis of COVID-19. Results  Of the 69 cases included in the registry, n = 4 were treated with leflunomide (75% female; mean age 61, SD 4.2). N = 2 were treated with combination baricitinib or hydroxychloroquine respectively, whilst n = 1 received recent corticosteroid therapy (intramuscular Kenalog). Comorbidities observed in this sub-cohort include diabetes mellitus n = 3, hypertension n = 2, cardiovascular disease n = 1, lung disease n = 1 and latent TB n = 1. At presentation, all patients (n = 4) experienced the established COVID-19 related symptom triad of dyspnoea, cough and fever and promptly developed acute respiratory syndrome. Diarrhoea was also recorded in n = 2 and constitutional upset n = 3. All patients suffered a serious COVID-19 disease outcome (defined as a requirement of invasive or non-invasive ventilation (n = 4) and/ or death (n = 2). P052 Table 1:Patient demographics, clinical characteristics and outcomesPatient 1Patient 2Patient 3Patient 4Age58635766SexFemaleFemaleMaleFemaleRheumatic diagnosisRheumatoid arthritisPsoriatic arthritisPsoriatic arthritisRheumatoid ArthritisComorbiditiesDiabetesHypertension Diabetes COPDNilIschaemic heart disease Hypertension Diabetes Latent TBClinical presentationDyspnoea Cough Fever Confusion Constitutional upsetDyspnoea Cough Fever Diarrhoea Constitutional upsetDyspnoea Cough Fever Constitutional upsetDyspnoea Cough Fever Diarrhoea Constitutional upsetAdditional csDMARD*NilNilNilHydroxychloroquinebDMARD**/ tsDMARD***BaricitinibNilNilNilSteroid therapyNilNilNilIM KenalogInvasive or non-invasive ventilationYesYesYesYesDeathNoNoYesYes* conventional disease modifying drug,**biologic disease modifying drug,***targeted synthetic disease modifying drug. Conclusion  Preliminary data from this Scotland-wide registry has identified only a small number of leflunomide treated ARD patients infected with COVID-19. However, it is concerning that all cases experienced a serious outcome. Given the relatively infrequent prescription of this drug, combining similar national registry data is necessary to ensure this observation is not spurious. If confirmed, leflunomide washout procedures should be encouraged among such patients when they first present with COVID-19. Disclosure  M. Karabayas: None. J. Brock: None. G. Fordyce: None. N. Basu: None.

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