scholarly journals OP0185 RADIOGRAPHIC PROGRESSION DESPITE PERSISTENT LDA OR REMISSION IS INFLUENCED BY CURRENT SMOKING RATHER THAN THE RESPECTIVE DAS 28 LEVEL, RESULTS OF THE SWISS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS REGISTER (SCQM)

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 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 477.2-477
Author(s):  
F. Hamdy ◽  
A. F. Enein ◽  
N. Morad ◽  
S. Tharwat ◽  
A. M. Abd el-Khalek ◽  
...  

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease which results in chronic inflammation that primarily involves synovial joints resulting in progressive joint destruction [1]. Detection of subclinical disease activity is important as radiographic progression was observed during remission course in some cases [2]. Ultrasound can detect subclinical activity and synovial inflammation, which predict relapse and radiographic progression [3].Matrix Metaloprotinase 3 (MMP-3) is an enzyme, which is involved in joint destruction in RA patients. MMP-3 was found to correlate with disease activity, joint erosions, radiographic progression, drug responsiveness and disease outcome in patients with active RA [4]. However no data about its role in detection of subclinical activity in patients with clinical remission.Objectives:To assess the role of MMP-3 as a marker to discriminate subclinical activity from ultrasound remission in rheumatoid arthritis patients with remission.Methods:This study was conducted on 45 RA patients fulfilling remission or low disease activity criteria according to DAS 28 AND 45 healthy controls. Ultrasound evaluation was done for all patients using modified German US7 score. According to US7 score patients were classified into two groups: group with sonographic remission in which GS is 0±1 and the other group with subclinical disease activity with higher GS. Both groups underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation including MMP-3.Results:Sonographic remission was achieved in 44% of patients (20 patients). There was no statistically significant difference as regard age, gender, smoking, disease duration, morning stiffness duration, CDAI, treatment and laboratory data apart from hemoglobin level between patients with subclinical disease activity and patients with remission. However, there is statistically significant difference between the two groups as regard joint deformity, extra articular manifestations, DAS 28, SDAI and hemoglobin level.There was statistically significant difference in serum MMP-3 between RA patients and healthy control group. Serum MMP-3 was higher in RA patients with subclinical activity than patients with sonographic remission but the difference was not statistically significant (figure 1). Serum MMP-3 was positively correlated with ESR and synovitis score.Figure 1.Conclusion:Serum MMP-3 has correlation with US synovitis score. However, serum MMP-3 was not able to differentiate patients with sonographic remission from patients with subclinical disease activity. Ultrasound is still the gold standard for detection of subclinical disease activity.References:[1]Ergin, S. (2000). “Romatoid Artrit ve Sjögren Sendromu.” Fiziksel Tip ve Rehabilitasyon, Güneş Kitapevi: 1549-1576.[2]Ogishima, H., H. Tsuboi, N. Umeda, M. Horikoshi, Y. Kondo, M. Sugihara, T. Suzuki, I. Matsumoto and T. Sumida (2014). “Analysis of subclinical synovitis detected by ultrasonography and low-field magnetic resonance imaging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.” Modern rheumatology24(1): 60-68.[3]Filippucci, E., E. Cipolletta, R. M. Mirza, M. Carotti, A. Giovagnoni, F. Salaffi, M. Tardella, A. Di Matteo and M. Di Carlo (2019). “Ultrasound imaging in rheumatoid arthritis.” La radiologia medica124(11): 1087-1100.[4]Lerner, A., S. Neidhöfer, S. Reuter and T. Matthias (2018). “MMP3 is a reliable marker for disease activity, radiological monitoring, disease outcome predictability, and therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis.” Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology32(4): 550-562.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


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. 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. 1463.2-1464
Author(s):  
S. Bayat ◽  
K. Tascilar ◽  
V. Kaufmann ◽  
A. Kleyer ◽  
D. Simon ◽  
...  

Background:Recent developments of targeted treatments such as targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs) increase the chances of a sustained low disease activity (LDA) or remission state for patients suffering rheumatoid arthritis (RA). tsDMARDs such as baricitinib, an oral inhibitor of the Janus Kinases (JAK1/JAK2) was recently approved for the treatment of RA with an inadequate response to conventional (cDMARD) and biological (bDMARD) therapy. (1, 2).Objectives:Aim of this study is to analyze the effect of baricitinb on disease activity (DAS28, LDA) in patients with RA in real life, to analyze drug persistance and associate these effects with various baseline characteristics.Methods:All RA patients were seen in our outpatient clinic. If a patient was switched to a baricitinib due to medical reasons, these patients were included in our prospective, observational study which started in April 2017. Clinical scores (SJC/TJC 76/78), composite scores (DAS28), PROs (HAQ-DI; RAID; FACIT), safety parameters (not reported in this abstract) as well as laboratory biomarkers were collected at each visit every three months. Linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements were used to analyze the time course of disease activity, patient reported outcomes and laboratory results. We estimated the probabilities of continued baricitinib treatment and the probabilities of LDA and remission by DAS-28 as well as Boolean remission up to one year using survival analysis and explored their association with disease characteristics using multivariable Cox regression. All patients gave informed consent. The study is approved by the local ethics.Results:95 patients were included and 85 analyzed with available follow-up data until November 2019. Demographics are shown in table 1. Mean follow-up duration after starting baricitinib was 49.3 (28.9) weeks. 51 patients (60%) were on monotherapy. Baricitinib survival (95%CI) was 82% (73% to 91%) at one year. Cumulative number (%probability, 95%CI) of patients that attained DAS-28 LDA at least once up to one year was 67 (92%, 80% to 97%) and the number of patients attaining DAS-28 and Boolean remission were 31 (50%, 34% to 61%) and 12(20%, 9% to 30%) respectively. Median time to DAS-28 LDA was 16 weeks (Figure 1). Cox regression analyses did not show any sufficiently precise association of remission or LDA with age, gender, seropositivity, disease duration, concomitant DMARD use and number of previous bDMARDs. Increasing number of previous bDMARDs was associated with poor baricitinib survival (HR=1.5, 95%CI 1.1 to 2.2) while this association was not robust to adjustment for baseline disease activity. Favorable changes were observed in tender and swollen joint counts, pain-VAS, patient and physician disease assessment scores, RAID, FACIT and the acute phase response.Conclusion:In this prospective observational study, we observed high rates of LDA and DAS-28 remission and significant improvements in disease activity and patient reported outcome measurements over time.References:[1]Keystone EC, Taylor PC, Drescher E, Schlichting DE, Beattie SD, Berclaz PY, et al. Safety and efficacy of baricitinib at 24 weeks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate. Annals of the rheumatic diseases. 2015 Feb;74(2):333-40.[2]Genovese MC, Kremer J, Zamani O, Ludivico C, Krogulec M, Xie L, et al. Baricitinib in Patients with Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis. The New England journal of medicine. 2016 Mar 31;374(13):1243-52.Figure 1.Cumulative probability of low disease activity or remission under treatment with baricitinib.Disclosure of Interests:Sara Bayat Speakers bureau: Novartis, Koray Tascilar: None declared, Veronica Kaufmann: None declared, Arnd Kleyer Consultant of: Lilly, Gilead, Novartis,Abbvie, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Lilly, David Simon Grant/research support from: Else Kröner-Memorial Scholarship, Novartis, Consultant of: Novartis, Lilly, Johannes Knitza Grant/research support from: Research Grant: Novartis, Fabian Hartmann: None declared, Susanne Adam: None declared, Axel Hueber Grant/research support from: Novartis, Lilly, Pfizer, EIT Health, EU-IMI, DFG, Universität Erlangen (EFI), Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Gilead, GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Speakers bureau: GSK, Lilly, Novartis, Georg Schett Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Roche and UCB


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 23.2-24
Author(s):  
V. Molander ◽  
H. Bower ◽  
J. Askling

Background:Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (1). Several established risk factors of VTE, such as age, immobilization and comorbid conditions, occur more often patients with RA (2). In addition, inflammation may in itself also increase VTE risk by upregulating procoagolatory factors and causing endothelial damage (3). Recent reports indicate an increased risk of VTE in RA patients treated with JAK-inhibitors (4), pointing to the need to better understand how inflammation measured as clinical RA disease activity influences VTE risk.Objectives:To investigate the relationship between clinical RA disease activity and incidence of VTE.Methods:Patients with RA were identified from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (SRQ) between July 1st2006 and December 31st2017. Clinical rheumatology data for these patients were obtained from the visits recorded in SRQ, and linked to national registers capturing data on VTE events and comorbid conditions. For each such rheumatologist visit, we defined a one-year period after the visit and determined whether a VTE event had occurred within this period or not. A visit followed by a VTE event was categorized as a case, all other visits were used as controls. Each patient could contribute to several visits. The DAS28 score registered at the visit was stratified into remission (0-2.5) vs. low (2.6-3.1), moderate (3.2-5.1) and high (>5.1) disease activity. Logistic regression with robust cluster standard errors was used to estimate the association between the DAS28 score and VTE.Results:We identified 46,311 patients with RA who contributed data from 320,094 visits. Among these, 2,257 visits (0.7% of all visits) in 1345 unique individuals were followed by a VTE within the one-year window. Of these, 1391 were DVT events and 866 were PE events. Figure 1 displays the absolute probabilities of a VTE in this one-year window, and odds ratios for VTE by each DAS28 category, using DAS28 remission as reference. The one-year risk of a VTE increased from 0.5% in patients in DAS28 remission, to 1.1% in patients with DAS28 high disease activity (DAS28 above 5.1). The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio for a VTE event in highly active RA compared to RA in remission was 2.12 (95% CI 1.80-2.47). A different analysis, in which each patient could only contribute to one visit, yielded similar results.Figure 1.Odds ratios (OR) comparing the odds of VTE for DAS28 activity categories versus remission. Grey estimates are from unadjusted logistic regression models, black estimates are from logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex. Absolute one-year risk of VTE are estimated from unadjusted models.Conclusion:This study demonstrates a strong association between clinical RA inflammatory activity as measured through DAS28 and risk of VTE. Among patients with high disease activity one in a hundred will develop a VTE within the coming year. These findings highlight the need for proper VTE risk assessment in patients with active RA, and confirm that patients with highly active RA, such as those recruited to trials for treatment with new drugs, are already at particularly elevated risk of VTE.References:[1]Holmqvist et al. Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and association with disease duration and hospitalization. JAMA. 2012;308(13):1350-6.[2]Cushman M. Epidemiology and risk factors for venous thrombosis. Semin Hematol. 2007;44(2):62-9.[3]Xu J et al. Inflammation, innate immunity and blood coagulation. Hamostaseologie. 2010;30(1):5-6, 8-9.[4]FDA. Safety trial finds risk of blood clots in the lungs and death with higher dose of tofacitinib (Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR) in rheumatoid arthritis patients; FDA to investigate. 2019.Acknowledgments:Many thanks to all patients and rheumatologists persistently filling out the SRQ.Disclosure of Interests:Viktor Molander: None declared, Hannah Bower: None declared, Johan Askling Grant/research support from: JA acts or has acted as PI for agreements between Karolinska Institutet and the following entities, mainly in the context of the ARTIS national safety monitoring programme of immunomodulators in rheumatology: Abbvie, BMS, Eli Lilly, Merck, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi, and UCB Pharma


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. 1080-1080
Author(s):  
N. Ziade ◽  
S. Al Emadi ◽  
M. Abu Jbara ◽  
S. Saad ◽  
L. Kibbi ◽  
...  

Background:Involving the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the assessment of their disease may increase their adherence to treatment, improve the disease outcomes and facilitate the application of telehealth. We previously reported an excellent concordance between the Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) performed by physicians and patients at the baseline visit of this prospective study (1).Objectives:To evaluate the persistence of the concordance between the physician’ and the patient’s assessment of disease activity in RA using DAS-28 after one year.Methods:At the baseline visit, patients with RA from 7 Middle Eastern Arab Countries (MEAC) were briefed about DAS-28 by their rheumatologist during a routine consultation and given smartphone access to a video in Arabic language explaining the performance of DAS-28. At 3, 6 and 12 months (± 3 months), the patients were asked to self-report DAS-28, blinded to the physician’s assessment. Concordance between the continuous DAS-28 at each visit was calculated using paired t-test numerically and the Bland-Altman method graphically. Agreement between physician- and patient-DAS categories (remission, low-, moderate- and high disease activity) was calculated at each visit using weighted kappa for category comparison. Weighted kappa of the different agreements were compared over time using their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Predictive factors of positive concordance between physician and patient-DAS were identified using binary logistic regression.Results:The study included 428 patients over a period of three years (2018 to 2020). The mean age of participants was 49.8 years, 82.5% were females, 44.3% had a university degree and the mean disease duration was 11.4 years.At baseline, the average patient-DAS was higher (4.06 (±1.52)) than the physician-DAS (3.97 (±1.52)). The mean difference was -0.09 [95%CI -0.14; -0.04] and most of the pairs were within the limit of agreement in the Bland-Altman graph, indicating a good concordance, particularly in cases of remission.During the study follow-up, 299 patients consulted for visit 2 (69.9% of the total population), 232 for visit 3 (54.2%) and 199 for visit 4 (46.5%). The weighted kappa was 0.80 [95%CI 0.76;0.85] at visit 1 and 0.79 [95%CI 0.72;0.88] at visit 4 (Figure 1 showing kappa for DAS-28, CDAI and SDAI as well). A minor numerical decrease in kappa was observed over time; however, the CIs were overlapping over the four visits and the agreement was considered stable, remaining in the excellent range. At visit 4, a positive concordance between the physician- and the patient-DAS was associated with the profession (lower in blue collar, p=0.001), the educational level (higher in high school and university, p=0.034) and the baseline physician’s DAS (higher in high disease activity, p=0.46).Conclusion:The agreement between the DAS-28 performed by the physician and by the patient was excellent at baseline and remained stable over one year. A positive concordance was associated with the profession, the educational level and the level of disease activity. The present study can help the rheumatologist make informed decisions about the patients who may be suitable for a remote evaluation of their disease activity, that can be of particular interest in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.References:[1]Ziade N, Saad S, al Mashaleh M, et al. Perceptions of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis about Self-Assessment of Disease Activity after Watching an Educational Video: Qualitative Pilot Results from the Auto-DAS in Middle Eastern Arab Countries Study [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018; 70 (suppl 10).Acknowledgements:The authors would like to acknowledge the patients for participating in the study and the assistants/ students/ nurses who assisted in the data collection: Dr. Fatima Abdul Majeed Al Hawaj, M. Atef Ahmed, M. Mohammad Alhusamiah, Ms Raquel De Guzman, Ms Lina Razzouk.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Khater ES

Aim: to determine ACPA IgG and IL-22 levels in RA patients and their relationship to the disease activity Place and duration of the study: A cross sectional study and prospective cohort study was performed from August 2020 to January 2021 in rheumatology outpatient clinic and laboratory of Al- Quwayiyah General hospital. Methodology: Forty five rheumatoid arthritis patients were included and 35 healthy participants free of any diseases considered as control group. The patients in this study met the American College of Rheumatology's 2010 guidelines. RA Disease activity was assessed for rheumatoid patients using DAS28 scoring. Serum samples collected from the patients and control to perform ESR, Hs-CRP, RF factors and also IL22 and ACPA IgG which were detected using sandwich ELISA and indirect solid phase enzyme immunoassay techniques respectively. Results: Out of the 45 RA patients, 34(75.6%) were females and 11(24.4%) were males aged from (28-67years) with median patient age 42 years. There was no statistically significant difference regarding age and sex between RA patients and control. Thirty (66.7%) of the 45 RA patients had low disease activity or remission, while 15 (33.3%) had moderate to extreme disease activity. Thirty two 32(71.1%) patients of the 45 RA patients had erosive disease. The level of ESR, hs-CRP and RF are increased in the patient group than control, in spite that there were significant differences in the Mean± SD among RA group and control group regarding RF, there was no significant statistical differences ESR, hs-CRP. in the study there was an increase in ACPA and IL-22 levels in patients suffering of RA; 21.52±1.29 U/ml and 71.22±10.63 pg\ml. respectively. While among control there was low serum levels; 14.06±2.01U/ml 33.25±2.41pg\ml and respectively. Significant statistical difference was observed regarding IL-22 and ACPA IgG levels among RA patients and control (P=0.038 and P=0.019 respectively). There is a significant positive relationship (positive correlation) detected between ACPA and IL-22 levels, (r=-0.810; p=0.597). The levels of IL-22 and ACPA were significantly associated with DAS 28. Their relationship was strong as the r value was 0.427 and 0.411 respectively. Conclusion: IL-22 and ACPA IgG levels were highly increased among RA patients in comparison to the control group. The IL-22 and ACPA IgG levels were strongly correlated with the rheumatoid disease activity, DAS 28. These results suggest that Il-22 can be used in association with ACPA IgG level as diagnostic and prognostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-41

Background and objectives: Among several noninvasive techniques available, a high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography is the widely used technique to measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with elevated cardiovascular risk. The present study was undertaken to explore the clinical relationship between CIMT and disease activity in patients with RA. Methods: This study involved 50 adult patients with RA. Demographic, physical, systemic, and clinical data and history of the patients were recorded. Investigations, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, renal and liver function tests, RA factor, and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody tests were performed. CIMT was assessed using highresolution B-mode ultrasonography and the disease severity was assessed based on disease activity score (DAS) 28. Results: The mean age of the RA patients was 49.88 ± 12.12 years with male predilection. The mean duration, mean European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria score, and mean DAS 28 score in RA patients were 3.62 ± 3.25 years, 8.10 ± 1.58, and 4.91 ± 1.11, respectively. The mean CIMT observed in RA patients was 0.94 ± 0.31 cm. Significant difference was observed in the mean CIMT values of different variables, including duration of joint pain (P = 0.007), tender joint count (P < 0.001), swollen joint count (P < 0.001), EULAR criteria score (P < 0.001), and DAS 28 score (P < 0.001). Also, CIMT correlated positively with tender joint count (r = 0.711; P < 0.001), swollen joint count (r = 0.673; P < 0.001), EULAR criteria score (r = 0.611; P < 0.001), and DAS 28 score (r = 0.729; P < 0.001). Conclusion: A strong correlation was observed between CIMT and disease activity in patients with RA. Hence, CIMT can be a useful surrogate marker for detecting atherosclerosis in patients with RA.


2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.200743
Author(s):  
Alan M. Rathbun ◽  
Bryant R. England ◽  
Ted R. Mikuls ◽  
Alice S. Ryan ◽  
Jennifer L. Barton ◽  
...  

Objective Depression is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, exacerbates disease activity, and may decrease response to first-line disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. This study aimed to determine if depression affects disease activity among Veterans with early RA prescribed methotrexate (MTX). Methods Participants included Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis registry with early RA (onset < 2 years) prescribed MTX. Depression was assessed at enrollment using International Classification of Diseases codes (296.2-296.39, 300.4, 311). Disease activity was measured using the 28 joint count disease activity score (DAS-28) and other core measures of RA disease activity. Propensity score weights were used to adjust depressed (n=48) and non-depressed (n=220) patients on baseline confounders within imputed datasets. Weighted estimating equations were used to assess standardized mean differences in disease activity between depressed and non-depressed patients at six months and one- and two-years follow-up. Results The analytic sample was composed of 268 Veterans with early RA prescribed MTX who were predominantly male (n=239; 89.2%) and older (62.7 years ± 10.6) than general population RA patients. Adjusted estimates indicated that depression was associated with significantly higher DAS-28 at six months (β=0.345; 95% CI: 0.007, 0.682) but not at one- or two-years follow-up. Also, depression was associated with significantly worse pain at six months (β=0.385; 95% CI: 0.040, 0.730) and one-year (β=0.396; 95% CI: 0.042, 0.750) follow-up. Conclusion In early RA, depression is associated with greater short-term disease activity during MTX treatment, as well as more persistent and severe pain.


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