scholarly journals AB0648 REACTIVE ARTHRITIS IN SYPHILIS MIMICKING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A CASE REPORT

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1357.1-1357
Author(s):  
S. M. Lao ◽  
J. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Reactive Arthritis ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Morning Stiffness ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Igg Antibody

Background:Reactive arthritis is a form of spondyloarthritis with aseptic joint involvement occurring after a gastrointestinal or urogenital infection. Most commonly associated with Chlamydia trachomatis, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Yersinia. Syphilis is an infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum and is not usually associated with reactive arthritis. Syphilis is a great imitator of other diseases due to its broad presentation including painless chancre, constitutional symptoms, adenopathy, rash, synovitis, neurological and ocular findings.Objectives:To discuss a patient who presented with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but was later diagnosed with syphilis.Methods:31 year old male, former tobacco smoker, referred to Rheumatology for sudden onset joint pains, elevated anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), and elevated inflammatory markers. He reported pain in bilateral wrists, fingers, and right elbow for 6 weeks. Associated with 45 minutes of morning stiffness and new onset lower back pain without stiffness. He denied trauma, fever, chills, skin rash, dysuria, or diarrhea. Initiated trial naproxen 500mg twice a day only to have minimal relief. Patient is sexually active with men and was recently diagnosed with oropharyngeal gonorrhea treated with azithromycin 4 months prior. All other STI screening including syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV were negative at that time. Patient is on emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. He denied family history of immune mediated conditions. Exam was significant for mild synovitis of both wrists and bilateral 2nd metacarpophalangeal joints. Initial labs revealed weakly positive anti-CCP 21 (normal <20), sedimentation rate 64 (normal ESR 0-15 mm/hr), C-reactive protein 24 (normal CRP 0-10 mg/L), and negative RF, ANA, HLA B27. During a short trial of prednisone taper, there was temporary improvement in symptoms, however synovitis recurred upon completion. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 200mg twice a day was started for possible RA and he was referred to Ophthalmology for baseline retinopathy screening. Incidentally, he developed right sided blurry vision 2 weeks after initiation of HCQ. He was diagnosed with panuveitis of the right eye with inflammation of the optic nerve head and prednisone 40mg daily was initiated for presumed ocular manifestation of RA. However, further workup of panuveitis revealed reactive Treponema pallidum antibody and RPR quantity 1:32. Prednisone was immediately discontinued and he was referred to the emergency department for possible neurosyphilis.Results:Lumbar puncture showed cerebral spinal fluid with 260 red blood cells, 1 white blood cell, 27mg/dL protein, 60mg/dL glucose, non reactive VDRL, reactive pallidum IgG antibody, and negative cultures. Meningitis and encephalitis panels were negative. Patient completed a 14 day course of IV penicillin G with complete remission of joint pain, visual symptoms, and normalization of anti-CCP, ESR, and CRP.Conclusion:This case highlights how syphilis may mimic signs and symptoms of RA including symmetrical small joint pain, morning stiffness, elevated inflammatory markers, and positive anti-CCP. Anti-CCP is >96% specific for RA but was a false positive in this patient. There have only been few reported cases noting positive anti-CCP with reactive arthritis. This is a rare case of reactive arthritis secondary to syphilis with resolution of symptoms upon treating the syphilis.References:[1]Carter JD. Treating reactive arthritis: insights for the clinician. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2010 Feb;2(1):45-54.[2]Cohen SE, Klausner JD, Engelman J, Philip S. Syphilis in the modern era: an update for physicians. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2013 Dec;27(4):705-22.[3]Singh Sangha M, Wright ML, Ciurtin C. Strongly positive anti-CCP antibodies in patients with sacroiliitis or reactive arthritis post-E. coli infection: A mini case-series based review. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Jan;21(1):315-321.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals AB0713 EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1388.1-1388
Author(s):  
N. Zhuravleva ◽  
L. Karzakova ◽  
S. Kudryashov ◽  
E. Petrova
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Medical Therapy ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Morning Stiffness ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Clinical Indicators ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Basic Medical

Background:Despite the fact that the introduction of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic medicines (bDMARDs) and the early start of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can effectively stop the inflammatory process in RA, a fairly large number of patients continue to experience joint pain [1]. It is assumed that in some cases, joint pain in patients with RA is not associated with the inflammation, so it requires consideration of the possibility of using alternative strategies for the treatment of RA.Objectives:The aim of the research is to study the effectiveness of laser therapy in the treatment of RA.Methods:114 patients with RA aged from 32 to 53 years have been monitored for 6 months. There were 82 women (71.9 %) and 32 men (28.1%) among them. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group of patients (57 people) received basic medical therapy with methotrexate 15 mg intramuscularly once a week and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) on demand. The dose of methotrexate was selected taking into account the disease activity index DAS 28. The second group of patients (57 people) received basic medical therapy with methotrexate 15 mg intramuscularly once a week and NSAIDs on demand. In addition, the cutaneous low-intensity laser irradiation of the joints was added along the projection of the joint gap in a pulse mode with a wavelength of 0.89 microns. The pulse frequency is 80-1500 Hz, the pulse power is 5 W, the exposure time in the field is 1-2 minutes and the total radiation time per session is no more than 10 minutes [2]. The course of treatment consisted of 10 procedures (the device “Milta F-8 RD”, Russia, Moscow). The course of laser therapy was repeated after 4 weeks. To assess clinical indicators, patients were examined using the SF-36 questionnaire before treatment and 6 months after the start of treatment.Results:The survey after 6 months revealed the significant decrease in the severity of pain on the VAS from the initial average indicator 4.5±0.2 to 3.69±0.2 points (p<0.01) and morning stiffness from 60±5 to 40.8±4 minutes (p<0.01). In the first group, the dynamics of clinical indicators were not statistically significant: the intensity of pain decreased from 4.6±0.2 to 4.2±0.3 points (p>0.05) and the duration of morning stiffness reduced from 62±7 to 58.6±6 minutes (p>0.05). In the second group the decrease in the need for NSAIDs was observed in 21 patients, while in the first group the same was observed only in 10 patients (px2 = 0.020).Conclusion:Laser therapy in the treatment of patients with RA enabled to decrease the frequency of the need for NSAIDs and reduce morning stiffness. We recommend using laser therapy in patients with RA at the second radiological stage as an addition to basic therapy.References:[1]Altawil R et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2016; 68(8): 1061-1068.[2]Burger M et al. Physiother Theory Pract. 2017; 33(3): 184-197.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Combination Therapy with Nintedanib and Sarilumab for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis Related Interstitial Lung Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Vacchi ◽  
Andreina Manfredi ◽  
Giulia Cassone ◽  
Carlo Salvarani ◽  
Stefania Cerri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Sustained Remission ◽  
Systemic Inflammatory Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease characterized by joint and extra-articular involvement. Among them, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common and severe extra-articular manifestations, with a negative impact on both therapeutic approach and overall prognosis. ILD can occur at any point of the natural history of RA, sometimes before the appearance of joint involvement. Since no controlled studies are available, the therapeutic approach to RA-ILD is still debated and based on empirical approaches dependent on retrospective studies and case series. Here, we report the case of a 75-year-old patient affected by RA complicated by ILD successfully treated with a combination therapy of an antifibrotic agent, nintedanib, and an inhibitor of IL-6 receptor, sarilumab. We obtained a sustained remission of the joint involvement and, simultaneously, a stabilization of the respiratory symptoms and function, with a good safety profile. To date, this is the first report describing a combination therapy with nintedanib and a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for the management of RA complicated by ILD. Future prospective studies are needed to better define efficacy and safety of this approach in the treatment of these subjects.

scholarly journals CLINICAL EVALUATION OF VAITARANA BASTI ALONG WITH DHANWANTARA TAILA MATRA BASTI IN AMAVATA: A CASE SERIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
Sheetal G Lodha ◽  
Ruchika S Karade
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Rheumatoid Factor ◽  
Morning Stiffness ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
The Other ◽  
Knee Joints ◽  
The Common

Amavata is one of the common and most crippling joint disorders. It is a chronic, degenerative disease of the connective tissue mainly involving the joints. The clinical features of Amavata such as pain, swelling and stiffness of joints, fever and general disability are very much close to the Rheumatological disorder called rheumatoid arthritis. Ama associated with aggravated vata plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of Amavata. According to its pathophysiology, one should treat the morbid doshas involve in are kapha and vata simultaneously. In the present study, four clinically diagnosed cases of Amavata with swelling of knee joints and morning stiffness , pain in multiple joints, raised rheumatoid factor and anti CCP factor are treated with Vaitarana basti along with Dhanwantara taila Matra basti on same day and changes are observed in subjective and objective criteria. Significant improvement is observed in reducing signs and symptoms of Amavata and in rheumatoid arthritis factor and anti CCP. Vaitarana basti eradicate Ama and kapha dosha as the drugs of Vaitarana basti having Ama pachaka, vatakapha shamaka and Anulomaka properties. On the other hand, Matra basti of Dhanwantara taila pacifies the vatadosha and reduced the pain and swelling. It also acts as neuroprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and anti-paralytic. The combination of Vaitarana basti and Dhanwantara taila Matra basti can be an effective treatment for Amavata.

scholarly journals Neurosyphilis presenting with myelitis-Case series and literature review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Wu ◽  
Wenqing Wu
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Delayed Treatment ◽  
Systemic Corticosteroids ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Abstract Background Neurosyphilis is a great imitator because of its various clinical symptoms. Syphilitic myelitis is extremely rare manifestation of neurosyphilis and often misdiagnosed. However, a small amount of literature in the past described its clinical manifestations and imaging features, and there was no relevant data on the prognosis, especially the long-term prognosis. In this paper, 4 syphilis myelitis patients admitted to our hospital between July 2012 and July 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. In the 4 patients, 2 were females, and 2 were males. We present our experiences with syphilitic myelitis, discuss the characteristics, treatment and prognosis. Case presentation The diagnosis criteria were applied: (1) diagnosis of myelitis established by two experienced neurologist based on symptoms and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) at the cervical and thoracic levels mimicked neuromyelitis optic (NMO) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ; (2) Neurosyphilis (NS) was diagnosed by positive treponema pallidum particle assay (TPPA) and toluidine red untreated serum test (TRUST) in the serum and CSF; (3) negative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Likewise, all patients were negative for serum anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP-4), as well as negative bacterial, fungal, virus, or mycobacterium tuberculosis in the CSF. Treatment included intravenous penicillin G, with 24 million units of penicillin G per day administered intravenously for 14 days, and three patients were also treated with systemic corticosteroids. Neurological examination, serologic syphilis diagnostic tests (TPPA, TRUST) and cerebrospinal fluid tests (TPPA, TRUST) were examined approximately every 12~24 weeks after treatment. The follow-up time ranged from 12 to 70 months, with an average of 36.6 months. The prognosis was well in 3 cases who received early anti-syphilis treatment, but 1 case who received delayed treatment due to misdiagnose had no improvement. Conclusions Neurosyphilis should be considered when there are long hyperintensity lesions in the MRI spinal cord. Prompt diagnosis and combined antibiotics-corticosteroid therapy may improve neurological prognosis.

scholarly journals OP0326 ACPA-INDUCED PAIN-BEHAVIOR, BONE LOSS AND TENDON INFLAMMATION IN MICE: A NOVEL MODEL FOR THE PRE-DISEASE PHASES OF ACPA-POSITIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 200.2-200
Author(s):  
A. Krishnamurthy ◽  
Y. Kisten ◽  
A. Circiumaru ◽  
K. Sakurabas ◽  
P. Jarvolli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Bone Loss ◽  
Joint Inflammation ◽  
Tendon Sheath ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Subclinical Inflammation ◽  
Core Motif ◽  
Dixon Method ◽  
Hind Limbs ◽  
Predicting Factor

Background:In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are associated with bone loss and pain. Recently, tenosynovitis has been suggested as a predicting factor for arthritis progression in individuals at-risk for RA.Objectives:We aimed to investigate if transfer of human ACPAs into mice could induce tenosynovitis and/or subclinical inflammation.Methods:Monoclonal ACPA (1325:04C03 and 1325:01B09) and control (1362:01E02) antibodies (mAbs) were generated from synovial plasma or memory B cells of RA patients. 2mg of combination of monoclonal ACPAs or control antibody were injected in BALB/c female mice (age 12-16 weeks) (n= 9). Pain-like behavior was monitored by measuring mechanical hypersensitivity using von Frey filaments every 3 days and estimation by up-down Dixon method. Bone morphometrics was analyzed by micro-CT. Using specially designed mobilization casts, dedicated mouse MRI coils, and gadolinium enhanced contrast medium, the hind limbs of these mice were scanned in a 9.4 T scanner and resulting T1-weighted images were evaluated for signs of soft tissue joint inflammation. The MRI images were scored for the presence of joint involvement and tendon inflammatory changes by 3 readers in a blinded manner.Figure 1.NAPA performed on healthy donor mo-DCs incubated with native, PAD2-citrullinated, and PAD4-citrullinated fibrinogen. Alpha, beta, and gamma chains of fibrinogen are shown separately. Each colored line represents a unique peptide. Nested peptides with a common core motif are shown in the same color. Grey bar denotes peptides with identical core motif between samples.Results:ACPAs (1325:04C03 and 1325:01B09) induced pain-like behavior (lasting for at least 4 weeks) and reduction of the trabecular and cortical bone thickness in the hind limbs as compared to control monoclonal antibodies (p<0.05). While no macroscopic or MRI signs of synovial inflammation were detected, MRI subclinical inflammation of the tendon sheaths was present in mice injected with ACPAs, but not in those injected with control mAb. Semi-quantitative scoring of the inflammatory tendon changes showed significant higher values in mice injected with ACPA (median of 1, range 0 to 2) than those injected with control mAb (median of 0, range 0 to 1).Conclusion:We show that ACPA induces pain-like behavior, bone loss and tendon sheath inflammation in mice, a model that mimics the preclinical state of ACPA positive RA.References:[1]Harre, U. et al. J Clin Invest (2012)[2]Krishnamurthy, A. et al. Ann Rheum Dis (2016, 2019), JI 2019[3]Wigerblad, G. et al. Ann Rheum Dis (2016, 2019)[4]KleyerA, Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism (2016)Disclosure of Interests:Akilan Krishnamurthy: None declared, Yogan Kisten: None declared, Alexandra Circiumaru: None declared, Koji Sakurabas: None declared, Patrik Jarvolli: None declared, Juan Jimenez Jimenez Andrade: None declared, Peter Damberg: None declared, Heidi Wähämaa: None declared, Vivianne Malmström Grant/research support from: VM has had research grants from Janssen Pharmaceutica, Lars Klareskog: None declared, Camilla Svensson: None declared, Bence Réthi: None declared, Anca Catrina: None declared

scholarly journals POS0486 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONOTROPIC RESPONSE IN PEOPLE WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 475.2-476
Author(s):  
A. Osailan
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Exercise Intolerance ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Chronotropic Response ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The University

Background:People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and CVD mortality. Reduced Chronotropic response (CR), which produces exercise intolerance, is known as a contributing factor to CVD and mortality. Studies have shown that people with RA have reduced CR. However, knowledge about the factors associated with CR in people with RA is limited.Objectives:To explore the factors associated with CR including CVD risk factors, inflammatory markers and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak).Methods:106 people with RA completed a treadmill exercise tolerance test while heart rate (HR) was monitored via 12 leads ECG. CR was defined as the percentage of [(achieved peak HR minus resting HR) divided by (age-predicted maximum HR minus resting HR)]. Serological CVD risk factors and inflammatory markers including lipids profile, markers of insulin resistance and sensitivity (HOMA, QUICKi), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen and white blood cells (WBC) were examined via a fasted blood sample. VO2 peak was assessed via breath-by-breath gas analysis.Results:34% had reduced CR based on the cut-off value (≤ 80%) and the average CR was 86.2 ± 21%. Body mass index (r=-0.33, p=.001), HOMA (r=-0.26, p=.009), hsCRP (r=-0.23, p=.02), ESR (r=-0.21, p=.04), fibrinogen (r=-0.2, p=.05), WBC (r=-0.21, p=.04) were inversely associated with CR, whereas, high density lipoprotein (HDL) (r=0.43, p<.001), QUICKi (r=0.31, p=.002), and VO2 peak (r=0.4, p<.001) were positively associated with CR. When all the variables were entered into a stepwise linear regression, HDL (p<.001) and VO2 peak (p=.009) were independently associated with CR.Conclusion:The current findings suggest that CR in RA was associated with many CVD risk factors, inflammatory markers, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Among all the varibales, HDL and cardiorespiratory fitness were moderately and independently associated with CR. Future studies should investigate the effect of improving these associated variables on CR in people with RA via exercise training programes.Acknowledgements:Thanks to physical activity in Rheumatoid arthritis research team and Research department in Dudley Hospital. Sincere appreciation and gratitude to Dr Jet Veldhuizen van Zanten, Prof. Joan Duda, and Prof. George Kitas from the University of Birmingham and Prof. George Metsios from the University of Wolverhampton.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals FRI0445 HLA-B27 IN POSTSTREPTOCOCCAL REACTIVE ARTHRITIS WITH ENTHESITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 820.1-820
Author(s):  
I. Naishtetik ◽  
L. Khimion ◽  
O. Yashchenko ◽  
P. Dolinskiy
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Reactive Arthritis ◽  
Streptococcal Infection ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Hla B27 ◽  
Aseptic Inflammation ◽  
Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus ◽  
Common Diagnosis ◽  
Poststreptococcal Reactive Arthritis ◽  
Rheumatology Practice

Background:Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (PSRA) is a very common diagnosis in rheumatology practice, which develops after recent pharyngeal streptococcal infection and characterized by aseptic inflammation in one or more joints and periarticular involvement. Now no diagnostic criteria have been agreed [2,4]; association of the expression of HLA-B27 and PSRA is not clear [1,3].Objectives:In our study we analyzed the features of PSRA in presence of HLA-B27.Methods:88 patients (48 female and 40 male) aged between 18-55 years with complains of pain, tender and swollen joints developed after recent pharyngeal streptococcal infection underwent standard physical and laboratory rheumatological examinations. Acute rheumatic fever and other inflammatory arthritis were excluded.Results:60 patients (68,2%) had oligo-polyarthralgia, 10 patients (11,4%) - monoarthritis, 24 patients (27,3%) had asymmetrical olygoarthritis, 4 patients (4,5%) had polyarthritis, enthesitis was found in 4 (4,5%) patients, tenosynovitis of the palmar flexor tendons in 10 cases (11,4%) and the peroneal tendons of the ankles in 5 patients (5,7%), one-sided sacroiliitis (confirmed by MRI) in 5 patients (5,7%).The mean level of ASL-O was 542 U/ml, CRP -15 mg/L, ESR - 34 mm/H; HLA-B27 was present in 24 (30,7%) patients. HLA-B27 positivity was connected to enthesitis, sacroiliitis, more joint involvement with higher levels of ESR and CRP.Conclusion:30% of patients with poststreptococcal reactive arthritis are HLA-B27 positive, the presence of HLA-B27 leads to more frequent development of enthesitis, polyarthritis and sacroiliitis with higher level of inflammatory activity which dictate the need for longer supervision of such patients for possible triggering of ankylosing spondylitis development.References:[1]Ahmed S, Ayoub EM, ScorniK JC, Wang C-Y, She J-X. Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis. Clinical characteristics and association with YLA-DR alleles. Arthritis Rheum 1998; 41:1096-102.9[[2]Gibofsky A, Khanna A, Suh E, et al. The genetics of rheumatic fever: Relationship to streptococcal infection and autoimmune disease. J Rheumatol Suppl. 1991;30:1–5. [PubMed] [Google Scholar][3]Leitch DN, Holland CD/ Reactive arthritis, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Br J Rheumatol 1996;35:912.[4]Mackie SL, Keat A. Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis: what is it and how do we know? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2004;43:949–54. 10.1093/rheumatology/keh225 [PubMed].Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals EP10 Hyperinflammatory syndrome in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Ong ◽  
Mark Gibson ◽  
Gerald Coakley
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Case Report ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Biological Therapies ◽  
Oxygen Requirement

Abstract Case report - Introduction Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus that can lead to an excessive immune activation and cytokine response known as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which predominantly affects the lungs. Patients with chronic inflammatory disease on biological immunosuppressive treatments may be at a higher risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. However, it is yet to be determined whether immunomodulatory medications used in inflammatory diseases have protective capabilities against severe outcomes. Case report - Case description A 51-year old female with a 13-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presented to hospital with fever, exertional breathlessness, and a non-productive cough. She was diagnosed with seropositive erosive RA at the age of 38 and was on 6-monthly Rituximab infusions and Leflunomide on admission. She had relatively stable pulmonary fibrosis (diagnosed in 2010). Her chest CTs in 2010 and 2018 noted bilateral basal subpleural ground glass change with limited honeycombing and spirometry study revealed FEV1 of 2.2 (82% predicted), VC of 2.7 (87% predicted), DLCO of 7.0 (78% predicted) and kCO of 1.6 (78% predicted). On admission in March 2020, she was hypoxic (oxygen saturation of 88% in room air) and had raised inflammatory markers (CRP 341mg/dL, d-Dimer 914ng/ml, Ferritin 3141ng/ml, LDH 672U/L). Her last Rituximab infusion was 3 months prior and leflunomide was withheld on admission. SARS-CoV-2 PCR nasopharyngeal swab was positive, and she was recruited to the RECOVERY trial, being randomized to Lopinavir-Ritonavir for 10 days. Her oxygen requirements increased, and a CT pulmonary angiogram excluded pulmonary embolism but revealed ground glass changes and extensive multilobar consolidation. She was eligible for recruitment into RECOVERY-2 (tocilizumab) given the ongoing oxygen requirement and elevated CRP, but she was randomised to usual care. She was commenced on 80mg of IV methylprednisolone, a dose chosen because of its proven effectiveness in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. She clinically improved and was discharged from hospital 20 days after starting Methylprednisolone with a CRP of 17mg/dL. Two months after discharge, the patient had repeat spirometry study which noted FEV1 of 1.4 (57% predicted), VC of 1.5 (52% predicted), DLCO of 2.4 (28% predicted) and kCO of 1.0 (47% predicted). A repeat high-resolution chest CT reported significant improvement of peripheral ground glass changes and consolidation, but she is still fatigued and more breathless than previously. Case report - Discussion The RECOVERY trial concluded that Dexamethasone reduced mortality in intubated patients and in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 with a high oxygen requirement. The results were published after this patient was discharged. A hyperinflammatory response to COVID-19 is seen in a subset of patients, and our own hospital data suggest that this condition affects around 5% of admitted COVID-19 patients, but that extreme hyperferritinaemia above 10,000 is extremely rare. Similar responses (known as Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis [HLH]) are seen with a variety of viral and bacterial infections, in malignancy and in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (Macrophage Activation Syndrome [MAS]), but typically HLH and MAS patients have ferritin &gt; 10,000. It appears unlikely that true HLH is a significant manifestation of COVID-19 infection, but moderate hyperferritinaemia is not uncommon and the results of this study, taken together with case reports and series from China and Italy suggest that similar treatments to those used in HLH may transform the prognosis for COVID-19 patients in this subset. It is unknown whether the recent Rituximab infusion had a role in reducing the “cytokine storm” and delaying progression to severe COVID-19. However, it may be argued that the remaining T cells in B cell depleted patients are sufficient for viral clearance. The long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pulmonary function is still unclear. Our patient had a major deterioration in her lung function when compared to her baseline. There was severe reduction in gas transfer post COVID-19. However, her repeat high resolution CT chest reported substantial improvement in ground glass changes and consolidation. The long-term prognosis is still uncertain. Initial fears that patients on DMARDs and biological therapies for inflammatory rheumatic disease would be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 have not been confirmed, but patients with extra-articular manifestations on combinations of DMARDs and biological therapies may be a subset at higher risk. Case report - Key learning points Our Intensivist colleagues, early in the COVID-19 outbreak, were understandably cautious about using heavily immunosuppressive treatments for a life-threatening viral infection. Using a multi-disciplinary approach at a time when knowledge of how to treat this condition was rudimentary, along with informed consent from an intelligent and thoughtful patient, we were able to plot a middle path to suppress hyperinflammation without using massively immunosuppressive doses of steroid, with a successful outcome. This patient illustrates one aspect of the hyper-inflammatory response seen in a subset of the most critically ill patients with COVID-19. At the time of writing, the RECOVERY 2 trial is yet to be published, but the rapid improvement in inflammatory markers including CRP and Ferritin, along with a dramatic improvement in clinical state, suggest that relatively modest doses of parenteral steroid have life-saving potential at far lower cost and greater worldwide availability than biological therapies such as Tocilizumab or Anakinra. Trials of Tocilizumab in RECOVERY2 and of Anakinra coordinated by the Hyperinflammation Histio UK Haemophagocytosis Across Specialty Collaboration (HASC), as well as international randomised controlled trials will be critical in determining the optimal treatment strategy for this subset of critically ill COVID-19 patients. The experience of our patient suggests that one arm of such studies should include a relatively modest dose of parenteral steroid, be that Dexamethasone or Methylprednisolone, particularly given that COVID-19 is affecting countries across the developing, as well as the developed, world.

scholarly journals POS0495 LARGE JOINT DISEASE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND THE ROLE OF RHEUMATOID FACTOR. RESULTS FROM THE EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 480-480
Author(s):  
S. S. Zhao ◽  
E. Nikiphorou ◽  
A. Young ◽  
P. Kiely
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Rheumatoid Factor ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treat To Target ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Aggressive Treatment ◽  
Joint Surgery ◽  
Large Joint ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Over Time

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classically described as a symmetric small joint polyarthritis with additional involvement of large joints. There is a paucity of information concerning the time course of damage in large joints, such as shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle, from early to established RA, or of the influence of Rheumatoid Factor (RF) status. There is a historic perception that patients who do not have RF follow a milder less destructive course, which might promote less aggressive treatment strategies in RF-negative patients. The historic nature of the Ealy Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS) provides a unique opportunity to study RA in the context of less aggressive treatment strategies.Objectives:To examine the progression of large joint involvement from early to established RA in terms of range of movement (ROM) and time to joint surgery, according to the presence of RF.Methods:ERAS was a multi-centre inception cohort of newly diagnosed RA patients (<2 years disease duration, csDMARD naive), recruited from 1985-2001 with yearly follow-up for up to 25 (median 10) years. First line treatment was csDMARD monotherapy with/without steroids, favouring sulphasalazine for the majority. Outcome data was recorded at baseline, at 12 months and then once yearly. Patients were deemed RF negative if all repeated assessments were negative. ROM of individual shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and hindfeet joints was collected at 3, 5, 9 and 12-15 years. The rate of progression from normal to any loss of ROM, from years 3 to 14 was modelled using GEE, adjusting for confounders. Radiographs of wrists taken at years 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 were scored according to the Larsen method. Change in the Larsen wrist damage score was modelled using GEE as a continuous variable, while the erosion score was dichotomised into present/absent. Surgical procedure data were obtained by linking to Hospital Episodes Statistics and the National Joint Registry. Time to joint surgery was analysed using multivariable Cox models.Results:A total of 1458 patients from the ERAS cohort were included (66% female, mean age 55 years) and 74% were RF-positive. The prevalence of any loss of ROM, from year 3 through to 14 was highest in the wrist followed by ankle, knee, elbow and hip. The proportion of patients at year 9 with greater than 25% loss of ROM was: wrist 30%, ankle 12%, elbow 7%, knee 7% and hip 5%. Odds of loss of ROM increased over time in all joint regions, at around 7 to 13% per year from year 3 to 14. There was no significant difference between RF-positive and RF-negative patients (see Figure 1). Larsen erosion and damage scores at the wrists progressed in all patients; annual odds of developing any erosions were higher in RF-positives OR 1.28 (95%CI 1.24-1.32) than RF-negatives OR 1.17 (95%CI 1.09-1.26), p 0.013. Time to surgery was similar according to RF-status for the wrist and ankle, but RF-positive cases had a lower hazard of surgery at the elbow (HR 0.37, 0.15-0.90), hip (HR 0.69, 0.48-0.99) and after 10 years at the knee (HR 0.41, 0.25-0.68). Adjustment of the models for Lawrence assessed osteoarthritis of hand and feet radiographs did not influence these results.Figure 1.Odds of progression to any loss of ROM (from no loss of ROM) per year in the overall population and stratified by RF status.Conclusion:Large joints become progressively involved in RA, most frequently affecting the wrist followed by ankle, which is overlooked in some composite disease activity indices. We confirm a higher burden of erosions and damage at the wrists in RF-positive patients, but have not found RF-negative patients to have a better prognosis over time with respect to involvement of other large joints. In contrast RF-negative patients had more joint surgery at the elbow, hip, and knee after 10 years. There is no justification to adopt a less aggressive treatment strategy for RF-negative RA. High vigilance and treat-to-target approaches should be followed irrespective of RF status.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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