How Should We Measure Peripheral Spondyloarthritis?

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is recognized as an overarching spectrum of disease characterized by axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, and dactylitis. Despite significant overlap, patients are often characterized as having predominantly peripheral or axial involvement.

Nail disease in psoriatic arthritis. Data from the Russian Psoriatic Arthritis Registry

Objective of the study – to compare, in real clinical practice, according to the data of the Russian Psoriatic Arthritis Registry, characteristics of two groups of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients: with and without nail psoriasis.Material and methods. 588 PsA patients (277 males and 311 females) with PsA according to CASPAR criteria were included in the Russian Psoriatic Arthritis Registry. Patients’ age was 48.6±0.5 years, disease duration – 7.0±0.3 years. Patients underwent standard clinical examination of PsA activity. Disease activity measures evaluated in this study included DAPSA (Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis), BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) and ASDAS-СRP (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score). Enthesitis was measured using LEI (Leeds Enthesitis Index) index. Dactylitis was detected, the number of digits with acute dactylitis was defined. Skin lesion severity was evaluated in terms of BSA (Body Surface Area) affected, and PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index); PASI was calculated in case BSA > 3%. The criteria of minimal disease activity (MDA) had been used to assess the treatment efficiency. MDA was achieved if a patient met ≥5 of the 7 following categories: tender joint count (TJC) ≤1, swollen joint count (SJC) ≤1, PASI≤1 or BSA≤3%, patient pain VAS ≤15, patient global activity (PGA) VAS ≤20, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ) ≤0.5, and tender entheseal points ≤1. Patients were split into two groups: those with nail psoriasis (group 1), and those without nail psoriasis (group 2).Results. 312 (53.1%) patients had nail psoriasis and 276 (46.9%) did not. Patients’ age in group 1 was 45.7±11.9 years, in group 2 – 48.8±13.2 years (р>0.05). PsA duration in groups 1 and 2 did not differ, it was 7.1±6.6 and 7.0±6.2 years respectively (р>0.05). Higher proportions of patients with nail psoriasis were male, disabled from working and chronic smokers compared to patients without nail psoriasis: 51.9% vs 44.1% (р=0.013), 37.20% vs 26.40% (р<0.01) and 18.9% vs 8.7% (р<0.01) respectively. Patients with nail psoriasis had more severe erosive peripheral arthritis compared to patients without nail psoriasis. Median TJC was 8 [4–15] vs 5 [2–12] (р=0.002), SJC – 5 [1–9] vs 2 [0–7] (р=0.003), and erosive radiographic arthritis of feet was found in 45.0% vs 31.2% of patients (р=0.003) respectively. Group 1 patients had higher disease activity measured by DAPSA – 25 [15–39] vs 20 [12–33] (p=0.001) and ASDAS-CRP – 3.1 [2.2–4.0] vs 2.8 [1.8–3.5] (р=0.004), compared to group 2 patients. Patients with nail psoriasis had higher frequency of heel enthesitis and dactylitis; axial disease was diagnosed more often among them, compared to patients without nail psoriasis. Heel enthesitis was detected in 53 (17.0%) vs 28 (10.1%; р=0.016), dactylitis – in 76 (24.4%) vs 46 (16.7%; р=0.022), spondylitis – in 109 (35.0%) vs 73 (26.4%; р=0.025) patients respectively. Patients in group 1 had worse skin psoriasis than in group 2. Patients with nail psoriasis significantly more often had moderate and severe skin psoriasis according to BSA, compared to patients without nail psoriasis (39.9% vs 26.1% and 14.8 vs 1.1% respectively; р<0.01 for both comparisons); group 2 patients significantly more often had limited skin psoriasis compared to group 1 patients – in 72.8% vs 45.3% of cases respectively (р<0.01). Median PASI index in groups 1 and 2 was 6 [2–14] vs 3 [1–6] respectively (р<0.01). Group 1 patients gave worse assessment of their disease than group 2 patients; median PGA was 50 [40–70] mm vs 50 [30–65] mm VAS respectively (р=0.044). Less patients with nail psoriasis compared to patients without nail psoriasis had achieved MDA throughout the whole study. At the first visit MDA was detected in 3% vs 9% (р=0.006) of patients, at the second – in 12% vs 27% (р<0.001), at the third – in 14% vs 28% (р=0.011), at the fourth – in 17% vs 38% (р<0.001) and at the fifth in 27% vs 52% (р=0.004) of patients respectively. Patients with and without nail psoriasis were given equivalent therapy with diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological agents (bDMARDs). DMARDs were given to 78.2% and 80.1% of patients respectively (р>0.05), it was mostly methotrexate (MTX); MTX was used in 66.0% and 64.1% of cases respectively (р>0.05). bDMARDs were prescribed to 22.1% and 28.3% (р>0.05) of patients, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors – in 67% and 63% of cases, interleukin (IL) inhibitors – in 33% and 37% of cases (р>0.05 for both comparisons). Taking into account the similar disease duration and equivalent therapy in both groups, it could be concluded that patients with nail psoriasis achieved MDA less frequently due to greater disease severity.Conclusion. Nail involvement is identified in more than half (53%) of PsA patients of the Russian Psoriatic Arthritis Registry. Nail psoriasis is associated with significantly worse disease status as measured by severe peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, spondylitis and skin lesions; higher frequency of erosive arthritis was detected in this category of patients. Patients with nail psoriasis had achieved MDA less frequently compared to patients without nail psoriasis. Nail involvement is associated with worse response to therapy and patients’ disability. These data emphasize the importance of accurate diagnostics of nail psoriasis and optimization of treatment approach, including “targeted” therapy.

Experience of guselkumab usage in the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis in real clinical practice

The article presents an analysis of literature on the efficacy and safety of a new biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drug usage, the interleukin 23 inhibitor – guselkumab (GUS) – in the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Two own clinical observations of GUS therapy are described. It has been demonstrated that in PsA of moderate activity and in severe to moderate psoriasis with nail damage, the use of GUS (100 mg at weeks 0 and 4, and then every 8 weeks), allows to achieve remission of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis and psoriasis by the 20th week of treatment as in the monotherapy regimen and in combination with methotrexate. When GUS is re-prescribed (re-treat) after a long break (10 months), its effectiveness is quickly and completely restored. The safety of GUS was confirmed in patients with comorbid pathology, in particular, Gilbert's syndrome, hyperuricemia, metabolic disorders (abdominal obesity).

Inflammatory Foot Involvement in Spondyloarthritis: From Tarsitis to Ankylosing Tarsitis

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group that includes a wide spectrum of clinically similar diseases manifested by oligoarticular arthritis and axial or peripheral ankylosis. Although axial SpA is predominant in Caucasians and adult-onset patients, juvenile-onset and Latin American patients are characterized by severe peripheral arthritis and particularly foot involvement. The peripheral involvement of SpA can vary from tarsal arthritis to the most severe form named ankylosing tarsitis (AT). Although the cause and etiopathogenesis of axSpA are often studied, the specific characteristics of pSpA are unknown. Several animal models of SpA develop initial tarsitis and foot ankylosis as the main signs, emphasizing the role of foot inflammation in the overall SpA spectrum. In this review, we attempt to highlight the clinical characteristics of foot involvement in SpA and update the knowledge regarding its pathogenesis, focusing on animal models and the role of mechanical forces in inflammation.

Spondyloarthritis and Strength Training: A 4-Year Report

Peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) has predominant peripheral (arthritis, enthesitis, or dactylitis) involvement. The severity of the symptoms can have a significant impact on the quality of life. There is no therapeutic gold standard, and physical exercise, with the opposition of resistance, remains controversial. Herein, we report the case of a woman who, at the age of 50, comes to our center with evident motor difficulties. She was previously diagnosed with SpA and was in therapy with a biological drug (adalimumab) for over one year. The training program and the nutritional intervention plan improved her condition, as pointed out by WOMAC, SQS, RAD-36 questionnaire, and BIA analysis, suspending biological therapy for almost two years. During this period, she achieved in sequence: (i) the Italian master deadlift championship, and (ii) the Italian master powerlifting championship, both for two consecutive years.

Ultrasound-Verified Peripheral Arthritis in Patients with HLA-B*35 Positive Spondyloarthritis

Background: We aimed to investigate possible association between the HLA-B*35 allele and peripheral arthritis, tenosynovitis and enthesitis. Methods: Ultrasound of peripheral joints and tendons was performed in 72 HLA-B*35 positive patients with preliminary diagnosis of undifferentiated axial form of spondyloarthitis and joint and tendon pain. Patients with other known types of axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis were excluded as well as patients with other known types of arthritis. Results: Pathological changes were found in the joints of 33 (46%) patients and on the tendons in 13 (18%) patients. The most common ultrasound findings were joint effusion and synovial proliferation with positive power Doppler signal grade 1. The most common ultrasound finding in patients with painful tendons was tenosynovitis. A higher disease activity and an increased incidence of elevated CRP (≥5 mg/L) were more often observed in the group with positive ultrasound findings. Conclusion: In this study, we showed that the HLA-B*35 allele could be a potential risk factor for developing peripheral arthritis, but not for tenosynovits and enthesitis in patients with the undifferentiated axial form of spondyloarthritis. This result may influence the follow up of these patients, especially since it gives us an opportunity to consider the use of different types of DMARDs in the treatment of these patients.

Similarities and Differences Between Juvenile and Adult Spondyloarthropathies

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions occurring from childhood to middle age. Key features of SpA include axial and peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, extra-articular manifestations, and a strong association with HLA-B27. These features are common across the ages but there are important differences between juvenile and adult onset disease. Juvenile SpA predominantly affects the peripheral joints and the incidence of axial arthritis increases with age. Enthesitis is important in early disease. This review article highlights the similarities and differences between juvenile and adult SpA including classification, pathogenesis, clinical features, imaging, therapeutic strategies, and disease outcomes. In addition, the impact of the biological transition from childhood to adulthood is explored including the importance of musculoskeletal and immunological maturation. We discuss how the changes associated with adolescence may be important in explaining age-related differences in the clinical phenotype between juvenile and adult SpA and their implications for the treatment of juvenile SpA.

AB0551 TREATMENT WITH IXEKIZUMAB FOLLOWING SECUKINUMAB FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE FROM A RESISTANT POPULATION

Background:Anti-IL17 agents, such as Secukinumab (SEC) and Ixekizumab (IXE) have been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of psoriasis and PsA12. In the field of psoriasis, there is growing evidence of a successful switching between the two anti-IL-17 agents in case of an insufficient response to one of the treatments3 There is no information on the efficacy of switching between anti IL17 agents in PsA.Objectives:To assess the clinical response to IXE in patients with PsA following SEC failure.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted in two rheumatology centers in Israel, including PsA patients with a history of treatment with SEC, further treated with IXE for a minimum of 3 months. Lack of efficacy, loss of efficacy, and side effects over time were reported as a reason for switching to another anti-IL17 agent. The mean difference between the beginning of the follow up period and the different follow up points (6 and 12 months) was tested using a one-sample t-test. Time until treatment failure was estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves, and compared using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the Cox proportional-hazards model to test the association between each variable and the time to treatment failure.Results:The study included 23 PsA patients (11♀/12♂), mean age 58.7 years±13.4 SD. Most patients (n=20, 86%) received 2+ TNFi and 10 patients (43%) received both TNFi and ustekinumab. Median number of biologics prior to SEC was 3 (IQR 2-4). There was a significant improvement in TJC at 6 and 12 months (-2.16 [-4.0, -0.3]; p=0.025 and-1.69 [-3.09, -0.28]; p=0.022, respectively). SJC was significantly improved at 6 months but not at 12 months (-2.68 [-5.3, -0.04]; p= 0.046 and -1.50 [-4.25,1.25]; p=0.26, respectively). CDAI score was significantly improved at 6 months (-10.19, [-16.26, -4.1], p=0.002) and at 12 months (-9.29 [-14.8, -3.71], p=0.003) as was SDAI score (-10.13 [-16.4, -3.8], p=0.003 and -12.2 [-17.1, -7.2], p=0.0002). At six months, PASI50 was achieved by 81% (13 patients), PASI75 was achieved by 63% (10 patients), PASI90 was achieved by 50% (8 patients) and PASI100 by 31% (10 patients). At 12 months, PASI50 and PASI75 was achieved by 57% (8 patients), PASI90 was achieved by 43% (6 patients) and PASI100 by 21% (3 patients).Over time, of the 23 patients treated with IXE, 15 patients (65%) had experienced treatment failure, with a median treatment period of 8 months (IQR 6.5-13.5), of which 4 (17%) had primary treatment failure and 11 patients (48%) secondary treatment failure. Reasons for treatment cessation were: worsening psoriasis (4 patients (27%)), worsening peripheral arthritis (4 patients (27%)), both (7 patients (47%)), worsening of axial disease (2 patients (13%)) and adverse events (1 patient, 6%).Conclusion:patients after failure of multiple biologic treatments experienced significant response of peripheral arthritis and dermatologic disease on IXE after they had previously failed SEC. . However, in this refractory cohort of PsA, the effect was limited on time with 65% failure after a median time of 8 months.Within class switch from SEC to IXE is a plausible therapeutic option in PsA patients following secukinumab failure.References:[1]Mease PJ, McInnes IB, Kirkham B, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(14):1329-1339.[2]Nash P, Kirkham B, Okada M, et al. Lancet Lond Engl. 2017;389(10086):2317-2327.[3]Bokor-Billmann T, Schäkel K. J Dermatol Treat. 2019;30(3):216-220Disclosure of Interests:None declared.