Carotid Plaque Characteristics and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne G. Semb ◽  
Silvia Rollefstad ◽  
Sella A. Provan ◽  
Tore K. Kvien ◽  
Einar Stranden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Index Disease ◽  
Active Disease

Objective.Carotid plaques (CP) are predictive of acute coronary syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting that atherosclerotic plaques in these patients are vulnerable. The objective of our study was to characterize vulnerability of CP in patients with RA compared to a control population, and between RA patients with different levels of disease activity.Methods.Ultrasound examination of carotid arteries was performed in 152 patients with RA and 89 controls. CP echolucency was evaluated by the Gray-Scale Median (GSM) technique. Lower GSM values indicate higher vulnerability of plaques. CP characteristics were compared between RA patients with active disease and in remission, and between patients and controls. All analyses were performed with adjustment for confounding factors (sex, age, smoking, and blood pressure). Poisson regression analysis was used for count data, mixed modeling for GSM and area per plaque, and analysis of covariance for minimum GSM value per patient.Results.Patients with RA more frequently had CP (median 2, range 0, 4) compared with controls (median 1, range 0, 3; p < 0.001), after adjustment for age and sex. Patients with active RA disease according to the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) had lower median GSM (p = 0.03), minimum GSM (p = 0.03), and a larger CP area (although the latter finding was not significant; p = 0.27), compared with patients with RA in remission. These findings were not confirmed for other disease measures (Simplified Disease Activity Index, Disease Activity Score-28, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate).Conclusion.Patients with RA had more CP compared with controls and patients in CDAI remission, and controls had more stable CP than patients with active disease; these findings point to the importance of achieving remission in RA.

scholarly journals Serum Serotonin Differentiates Between Disease Activity States in Crohn’s Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1607-1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R Manzella ◽  
Dulari Jayawardena ◽  
Wilfredo Pagani ◽  
Ye Li ◽  
Waddah A Alrefai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Refractory Disease ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Active Disease

Abstract Background Diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) utilize invasive methods including endoscopy and tissue biopsy, with blood tests being less specific for IBDs. Substantial evidence has implicated involvement of the neurohormone serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the pathophysiology of IBDs. The current study investigated whether serum 5-HT is elevated in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods Serum samples were obtained from a German cohort of 96 CD and UC patients with active disease, refractory disease, or remission of disease based upon their disease activity index (DAI) and disease history. High pressure liquid chromatography with tandemmass spectrometry was used to measure 5-HT, tryptophan (TRP), and kynurenine (KYN) levels in the serum samples, and Luminex Multiplex ELISA was used to measure cytokine levels. Intestinal mucosal biopsies were obtained from a separate cohort of healthy and CD patients, and the immunoreactivity of the serotonin transporter (SERT) was determined. Results There was no statistically significant difference in TRP or KYN levels between disease categories in either UC or CD. Interestingly, 5-HT levels were significantly elevated in patients with active CD but not active UC when compared with the levels in remission or refractory disease. Serum 5-HT was superior to C-reactive protein and circulating cytokines in differentiating between disease categories in CD. Additionally, SERT immunoreactivity was decreased in the ileum and colon of patients with CD compared to healthy controls. Conclusion We have shown that the serum 5-HT can differentiate between active disease and refractory disease or remission among CD patients, emphasizing the potential suitability of serum 5-HT as an auxiliary measure in diagnosing active CD.

scholarly journals Double-blinded randomized controlled trial to reveal the effects of Brazilian propolis intake on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity index; BeeDAI

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0252357
Author(s):  
Yoshinari Matsumoto ◽  
Kanae Takahashi ◽  
Yuko Sugioka ◽  
Kentaro Inui ◽  
Tadashi Okano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Primary Endpoint ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Adverse Event Rate ◽  
Secondary Endpoints ◽  
Brazilian Propolis ◽  
Double Blinded

Background and aims Brazilian propolis reportedly contributed to suppressing disease activity in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting new treatment options using Brazilian propolis. However, only results from animal experiments have been available, and the suppressive effects of Brazilian propolis on disease activity in humans with RA remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to clinically validate how Brazilian propolis intake changes disease activity in RA patients. Methods This study was conducted as a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 80 women with RA (median age, 61.5 years; interquartile range, 56.0 to 67.3 years) showing moderate disease activity on Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). Test tablets containing Brazilian propolis were used in Group P (40 patients), and Brazilian propolis-free placebo tablets were used as control in Group C (40 patients). Group P received 5 tablets of propolis (508.5 mg of propolis) daily, and Group C received 5 tablets of placebo daily. The intervention lasted 24 weeks, with change in DAS28-ESR set as the primary endpoint. As secondary endpoints, other disease activity assessment (DAS28 using C-reactive protein, simplified disease activity index, clinical disease activity index), ultrasonographic evaluation of synovitis, activities of daily living, quality of life, changes in cytokine levels, and adverse events over the course of the study were also assessed. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of covariance. Results No significant differences in the primary endpoint were identified between groups (Group P vs Group C, effect: 0.14, 95% confidence interval: -0.21 to 0.49, p = 0.427). Likewise, no significant differences were seen between groups for any secondary endpoints. The adverse event rate during the study period was 28% in Group P and 33% in Group C. Conclusions Brazilian propolis exerted no effects on disease activity in patients with RA.

scholarly journals Clinical Advantage of Attaining Index-Based Remission Criteria prior to Composite Remission in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ichiro Yoshii ◽  
Tatsumi Chijiwa ◽  
Naoya Sawada
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Activity Score ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Remission Criteria ◽  
Clinical Advantage ◽  
Rate Of Failure ◽  
Activity Indices

Background and objectives: The clinical advantage of targeting index-based remission criteria (IR) prior to Boolean remission (BR) was evaluated retrospectively. Materials and Methods: A total of 578 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who were treated for more than three years, were recruited. Patients who were treated to targeted IR and composite measure remission criteria such as BR from the first consultation were divided according to the turn of attaining BR and IR: IB-R, a group that matched IR at the same time BR is attained or earlier; BI-F, a group that attained BR followed by IR or failed; IR-BF, a group that could not attain BR despite attaining IR; Both-F, a group that failed to attain either BR or IR. Background factors were statistically compared among groups. The BR rate in patients who attained IR (BRR) and the rate of failure to attain IR in patients who failed to attain BR (BFR) were statistically evaluated. Results: Groups made of 225, 231, and 482 in IB-R; 160, 154, and 8 in BI-F; 18, 18, and 75 in IR-BF; and 175, 175, and 13 in Both-F when indexing the clinical disease activity index (CDAI), simplified disease activity index (SDAI), and 28-joints disease activity score with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), respectively. Disease activity indices&rsquo; scores after BR demonstrated significantly higher in the BI-F group than in the IB-R group. BRR was 92.6%, 92.8%, and 86.5%, while BFR was 71.3%, 71.3%, and 13.8% when indexing CDAI, SDAI, and DAS28-CRP, respectively. Conclusions: Targeting CDAI and SDAI remission prior to BR contributes to a stable clinical course.

Implication of baseline levels and early changes of C-reactive protein for subsequent clinical outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 874-882
Author(s):  
Inbal Haya Shafran ◽  
Farideh Alasti ◽  
Josef S Smolen ◽  
Daniel Aletaha
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Therapeutic Success ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Early Ra

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by clinical joint swelling and elevation of acute phase reactant levels, typically measured by the C-reactive protein (CRP). Clinical and inflammatory responses are usually concordant, except for inhibition of IL-6, which often disproportionally reduces the CRP due to direct inhibition of its hepatic production. We investigated whether pre-treatment CRP is a useful marker that can guide a preferential treatment choice towards IL-6 inhibition.MethodsData of 1126 treatment courses with tocilizumab (TCZ; early RA), 250 courses of rituximab (RTX; established RA) and 249 courses of methotrexate (MTX; established RA) were analysed. We compared clinical disease activity index (CDAI) values and change along 24 weeks’ follow-up to CRP values at baseline or its early change. We validated the results using data from a separate TCZ trial in early RA.ResultsCRP levels in the TCZ group on average dropped by 74% within 4 weeks. Patients who attained CDAI remission at 24 weeks on TCZ had the highest baseline CRP levels while patients in high disease activity had the lowest; this association was reverse in the RTX and MTX groups. TCZ patients who achieved remission at 24 weeks showed the largest reductions of CRP levels by week 4 compared with those reaching higher disease activity states. Early CRP non-response was indicative of a risk of not achieving clinical treatment goals (p=0.038).ConclusionBaseline CRP appears to have a positive association with reaching the therapeutic target on TCZ treatment, but is a negative predictor for RTX and MTX. Patients on TCZ without an early CRP response have a lower chance of achieving remission. CRP and its early course may inform, to some extent, the estimation of potential therapeutic success in patients with RA.

Baseline predictors of different types of treatment success in rheumatoid arthritis

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-220853
Author(s):  
Dafne Capelusnik ◽  
Daniel Aletaha
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
Lower Disease Activity

ObjectiveTo perform a comprehensive analysis on predictors of achieving disease activity outcomes by change, response and state measures.MethodsWe used data from three rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trials (one for main analysis, two for validation) to analyse the effect of patient and disease characteristics, core set measure and composite indices on the achievement of different outcomes: response outcomes (% of patients achieving a relative response margin); state outcomes (remission or low disease activity, LDA) and change outcomes (numerical change on metric scales).ResultsWe included patients from the ASPIRE trial (for analysis) and from the ATTRACT and GO-BEFORE trials (for validation). While lower disease activity components at baseline—except acute phase reactants—were associated with achievement of state outcomes (such as LDA by the Simplified Disease Activity Index, SDAI), higher baseline values were associated with change outcomes (such as SDAI absolute change). A multivariate analysis of the identified predictors of state outcomes identified best prediction by a combination of shorter disease duration, male gender and lower disease activity. For prediction of response, no consistently significant predictors were found, again, with exception of C reactive protein, for which higher levels at baseline were associated with better responses.ConclusionPrediction of treatment success is limited in RA. Particularly in early RA, prediction of state targets can be achieved by lower baseline levels of diseases activity. Gender and disease duration may improve the predictability of state targets. In clinical trials, included populations and choice of outcomes can be coordinated to maximise efficiency from these studies.

scholarly journals Olokizumab, a monoclonal antibody against interleukin 6, in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis inadequately controlled by methotrexate: efficacy and safety results of a randomised controlled phase III study

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-219876
Author(s):  
Evgeniy Nasonov ◽  
Saeed Fatenejad ◽  
Eugen Feist ◽  
Mariana Ivanova ◽  
Elena Korneva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Acr20 Response

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of olokizumab (OKZ) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite treatment with methotrexate (MTX).MethodsIn this 24-week multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, patients were randomised 1:1:1 to receive subcutaneously administered OKZ 64 mg once every 2 weeks, OKZ 64 mg once every 4 weeks, or placebo plus MTX. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response at week 12. The secondary efficacy endpoints included percentage of subjects achieving Disease Activity Score 28-joint count based on C reactive protein <3.2, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index at week 12, ACR50 response and Clinical Disease Activity Index ≤2.8 at week 24. Safety and immunogenicity were assessed throughout the study.ResultsA total of 428 patients were randomised. ACR20 responses were more frequent with OKZ every 2 weeks (63.6%) and OKZ every 4 weeks (70.4%) than placebo (25.9%) (p<0.0001 for both comparisons). There were significant differences in all secondary efficacy endpoints between OKZ-treated arms and placebo. Treatment-emergent serious adverse events (TESAEs) were reported by more patients in the OKZ groups compared with placebo. Infections were the most common TESAEs. No subjects developed neutralising antidrug antibodies.ConclusionsTreatment with OKZ was associated with significant improvement in signs, symptoms and physical function of rheumatoid arthritis without discernible differences between the two regimens. Safety was as expected for this class of agents. Low immunogenicity was observed.Trial registration numberNCT02760368.

scholarly journals AB0669 PARTICULARITIES OF TUNISIAN FEMALE AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1629.2-1629
Author(s):  
K. Ben Abdelghani ◽  
Y. Gzam ◽  
A. Fazaa ◽  
S. Miladi ◽  
K. Ouenniche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background:Axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) is a chronic rheumatic disease that mainly affects men. However, the female form of ax-SpA remains insufficiently studied.Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, the disease activity and the functional impact of female ax-SpA in comparison with male ax-SpA.Methods:This is a retrospective study including patients diagnosed with ax-SpA fulfilling the criteria of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 2009.Clinical parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) were compared between groups of female and male ax-SpA.Results:Two hundred ax-SpA patients were included with 31% of female (n=62) and a mean age of 43,3 ± 11,2 years.The mean age at onset of symptoms was 31,8 ± 8,9 years for women and 25,3 ± 9,1 years for men (p <0,0001). The mean age at diagnosis was 36,4 ± 9,6 years for women and 31,7 ± 10,4 years for men (p = 0,003). Ax-SpA with juvenile onset was noted in 1,7% of women and 12,1% of men (p = 0,02). Male ax-SpA were significantly more smokers (46.8% vs 5.4%; p <0.001). The mean duration of morning stiffness was 11,3 ± 9,2 minutes for women versus 21,6 ± 19,3 minutes for men (p = 0,005).The mean ESR was 42,4 ± 29,8 mm for women and 28,3 ± 23,4 mm for men (p = 0,001). Radiographic sacroiliitis was present in 69,3% of women versus 84,7% of men (p = 0,01). The use of anti-TNF alpha was less frequent in women (29% vs 48,5%; p = 0,01).Our study didn’t found a statistically significant difference in peripheral manifestations, extraarticular manifestations, CRP, BASDAI and BASFI between the two groups.Conclusion:Female ax-SpA seems to have a better prognosis than male with older age in disease onset, less inflammation, less radiographic sacroiliitis and less use of biological treatments.References:[1]Rusman T, et al. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2018; 20(6).[2]Siar N, et al. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2019;Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Effect of Remission Definition on Healthcare Cost Savings Estimates for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Biologic Therapies

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1600-1606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Barnabe ◽  
Nguyen Xuan Thanh ◽  
Arto Ohinmaa ◽  
Joanne Homik ◽  
Susan G. Barr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Healthcare Cost ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Sustained Remission ◽  
American College Of Rheumatology

Objective.Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results in healthcare utilization cost savings. We evaluated the variation in estimates of savings when different definitions of remission [2011 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Boolean Definition, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤ 3.3, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤ 2.8, and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) ≤ 2.6] are applied.Methods.The annual mean healthcare service utilization costs were estimated from provincial physician billing claims, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations, with linkage to clinical data from the Alberta Biologics Pharmacosurveillance Program (ABioPharm). Cost savings in patients who had a 1-year continuous period of remission were compared to those who did not, using 4 definitions of remission.Results.In 1086 patients, sustained remission rates were 16.1% for DAS28, 8.8% for Boolean, 5.5% for CDAI, and 4.2% for SDAI. The estimated mean annual healthcare cost savings per patient achieving remission (relative to not) were SDAI $1928 (95% CI 592, 3264), DAS28 $1676 (95% CI 987, 2365), and Boolean $1259 (95% CI 417, 2100). The annual savings by CDAI remission per patient were not significant at $423 (95% CI −1757, 2602). For patients in DAS28, Boolean, and SDAI remission, savings were seen both in costs directly related to RA and its comorbidities, and in costs for non-RA-related conditions.Conclusion.The magnitude of the healthcare cost savings varies according to the remission definition used in classifying patient disease status. The highest point estimate for cost savings was observed in patients attaining SDAI remission and the least with the CDAI; confidence intervals for these estimates do overlap. Future pharmacoeconomic analyses should employ all response definitions in assessing the influence of treatment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document