FREQUENCY OF BONE EROSION ON COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPGHY SCAN IN ALLERGIC FUNGAL RHINOSINUSITIS

Objective: To analyze the frequency and sites of bone erosion on computerized tomograghy scan in Allergic Fungal Rhinosinustis in Pakistan. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Lahore, Malir Karachi and Rawalpindi, from Jan 2010 to Dec 2019. Methodology: Total 230 cases of Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis were screened, out of which 85 patients having bone erosions on computerized tomograpghy scan were included in the study. Bone erosion in different paranasal sinuses and their sub sites were evaluated. Depending upon the number of bone erosion, patients were divided into three categories as mild, moderate and severe. Those having erosion at a single site were labelled as mild, those with two sub sites of erosion as moderate and those with more than two subsites of erosion were labelled as severe cases. Results: Detailed evaluation of computerized tomography scan of paranasal sinuses revealed bone erosion in 85/230 (36.9%) cases. Mean affected age was 23.96 ± 12.71 years. There were 52 (61.1%) males and 33 (38.9%) females. Ethmoid sinus was the most commonly involved sinus to have bone erosions 55 (38.19%) followed by maxillary sinus 38 (26.38%) then sphenoid sinus 27 (18.75%) and lastly frontal sinus 24 (16.6%). Out of 85 patients 48 (56.1%) were having mild, 22 (25.8%) moderate and 15 (17.6%) had severe disease. Conclusion: Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis has high frequency of bone erosion. Computerized tomography scan is an important and effective investigation in finding these bony erosions and ethmoid sinus is the.....

Dactylitis is an indicator of a more severe phenotype independently associated with greater SJC, CRP, ultrasound synovitis and erosive damage in DMARD-naive early psoriatic arthritis

ObjectiveTo characterise the impact of dactylitis in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive early psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsPatients with early PsA meeting the classification criteria for PsA (CASPAR) were recruited. Clinical outcomes were recorded, and ultrasonography was conducted to assess grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) synovitis, periarticular cortical bone erosions and enthesitis. The cohort was dichotomised by the presence or absence of dactylitis.ResultsOf 177 patients with PsA, those with dactylitis (dactylitic PsA (81/177, 46%)) had higher tender joint count (p<0.01), swollen joint count (SJC) (p<0.001) and C reactive protein (CRP) (p<0.01) than non-dactylitic PsA. Dactylitis was more prevalent in toes (146/214 (68.2%)) than fingers (68/214 (31.8%)); ‘hot’ dactylitis was more prevalent than ‘cold’ (83.6% vs 16.4%). Ultrasound (US) synovitis and erosions were significantly more prevalent in dactylitic PsA (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Exclusion of dactylitis in dactylitic PsA confirmed significantly greater SJC (3 vs 1, p=0.002), US synovitis (GS ≥2: 20.6% vs 16.1%, p<0.001, or PD ≥1: 5.1% vs 3.3%, p<0.001) and erosions (1.1% vs 0.5% joints, p=0.008; 26.1% vs 12.8% patients, p=0.035%) than non-dactylitic PsA. Synovitis (GS ≥2 and/or PD ≥1) occurred in 53.7% of dactylitis. No substantial differences were observed for US enthesitis.ConclusionDactylitis signifies a more severe disease phenotype independently associated with an increased disease burden with greater SJC, CRP, US-detected synovitis and bone erosions in DMARD-naive early PsA and may be a useful discriminator for early risk stratification.

Distribution of bony erosions in feet and performance of two bone erosion scores: A dual-energy computed tomography study of 61 patients with gout

Objectives To assess the distribution of bone erosions and two erosion scores in the feet of patients with gout and analyze the association between erosion scores and monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT). Materials and methods We included all patients who underwent DECT of both feet between 2016 and 2019 in our radiology department, with positive detection of MSU deposits. Data on sex, age, treatment, serum urate, and DECT urate volumes were obtained. CT images were analyzed to score bone erosions in 31 sites per foot by using the semi-quantitative method based on the Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Scoring (RAMRIS) system and the Dalbeth-simplified score. Reproducibility for the two scores was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Correlations between clinical features, erosion scores and urate crystal volume were analyzed by the Spearman correlation coefficient (r). Results We studied 61 patients (mean age 62.0 years); 3,751 bones were scored. The first metatarsophalangeal joint and the midfoot were the most involved in terms of frequency and severity of bone erosions. The distribution of bone erosions was not asymmetrical. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was similar for the RAMRIS and Dalbeth-simplified scores (ICC 0.93 vs 0.94 and 0.96 vs 0.90). DECT urate volume was significantly correlated with each of the two erosion scores (r = 0.58–0.63, p < 0.001). There was a high correlation between the two scores (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). Conclusions DECT demonstrates that foot erosions are not asymmetric in distribution and predominate at the first ray and midfoot. The two erosion scores are significantly correlated with DECT urate volume. An almost perfect correlation between the RAMRIS and Dalbeth-simplified scores is observed.

The joint involvement in adult onset Still's disease is characterised by a peculiar magnetic resonance imaging and a specific transcriptomic profile

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic autoinflammatory disease, characterised by fever, arthritis, and skin rash, and joint involvement is one of its clinical manifestations. The aims of this work were to assess joint involvement, to describe main patterns of involvement, and associated clinical characteristics. In this work, we aimed at assessing the joint involvement in AOSD by using MRI, to describe main patterns and associated clinical characteristics. In addition, we aimed at assessing the global transcriptomic profile of synovial tissues in AOSD to elucidate possible pathogenic pathways involved. We also evaluated the global transcriptomic profile of synovial tissues to elucidate possible pathogenic pathways involved in the disease. Thus, AOSD patients, who underwent to MRI exam on joints, were assessed to describe patterns of joint involvement and associated clinical characteristics. Some synovial tissues were collected for RNA-sequencing purposes. The most common MRI finding was the presence of synovitis on 60.5%, mainly in peripheral affected joints, with low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-fat-saturated weighted and STIR images. Bone oedema and MRI-bone erosions were reported on 34.9% and 25.6% MRI exams, respectively. Patients with MRI-bone erosions showed a higher prevalence of splenomegaly, a more frequent chronic disease course, lower levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and ferritin. In AOSD synovial tissues, a hyper-expression of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and TNF pathways was shown together with ferritin genes. In conclusion, in AOSD patients, the most common MRI-finding was the presence of synovitis, characterised by intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-fat-saturated weighted and STIR images. MRI-bone erosions and bone oedema were also observed. In AOSD synovial tissues, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF pathways together with ferritin genes resulted to be hyper-expressed.

POS1349 THE JOINT INVOLVEMENT IN ADULT ONSET STILL’S DISEASE IS CHARACTERISED BY A PECULIAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND A SPECIFIC TRANSCRIPTOMIC PROFILE

Background:Adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic autoinflammatory disease and joint involvement is one of its clinical manifestations [1]. Arthritis, either oligoarthritis or bilateral symmetrical rheumatoid arthritis-like polyarthritis, is another common clinical feature of AOSD, with a migrating pattern at the beginning and becoming stable over the time [1].Objectives:The aims of the study were to assess joint involvement in AOSD by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to describe main patterns of involvement, and associated clinical characteristics, and to evaluate the global transcriptomic profile of synovial tissues in AOSD to elucidate possible pathogenic pathways involved with.Methods:AOSD patients, who underwent to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam on joints, were assessed to describe patterns of joint involvement and associated clinical characteristics. Some synovial tissues were collected for RNA-sequencing purposes.Results:In this study, 31 patients with AOSD (mean age 42.3 ± 15.2 years, 54.8% male gender), who underwent to at least one MRI exam on joints, were assessed. The most common MRI finding was the presence of synovitis on 60.5%, mainly in peripheral affected joints. MRI revealed a mild to moderate proliferative synovitis, as thickening of the synovial membrane, with low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-fat saturated weighted and STIR images, suggesting the presence of a hyperplastic than of a hypertrophied synovial tissue. Bone oedema and bone erosions were reported on 34.9% and 25.6% MRI exams, respectively. In all patients but one, bone erosions were synchronous with bone oedema, overlapping completely the locations. Assessing clinical characteristics in patients with MRI-erosions, a higher prevalence of splenomegaly, a more frequent chronic disease course, lower levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ferritin was observed.Assessing the synovial tissues of some AOSD patients, a moderate perivascular mononuclear infiltrate in the sub-lining stroma of hip synovial tissues was observed, whereas the lining cells were relatively unremarkable. In addition, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, TNF, and heavy ferritin subunit (FeH) were found on AOSD synovial tissues.An RNA-sequencing analysis assessed the global transcriptomic profile of synovial tissues on AOSD patients and matched-controls. Assessing IL-1 pathway, we found an increased expression of il1a, il1b, il1rap, il1r1, il18r1, and Il18bp on AOSD tissues when compared with controls. In IL-6 pathway, we found an increased expression of il6 and il6st/gp130 on AOSD synovial tissues whereas an increased expression of il6r was shown on the controls. Among genes involved in TNF pathway, tnf, traf1, traf2, tnfaip3 and tnfrsf1a resulted to be more expressed in AOSD synovial tissues than in controls. Finally, fth1 and ftl were more expressed in AOSD patients than controls, when we explored the iron uptake and transport pathway.Conclusion:A peculiar MRI pattern of joint involvement in AOSD was reported; the most common finding was the presence of synovitis, characterised by intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-fat-saturated weighted and STIR images. Bone erosions and bone oedema were also observed. This MRI pattern was associated with a hyper-activation of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF pathways together with a hyper-expression of ferritin genes on AOSD synovial tissues.References:[1]Giacomelli R, Ruscitti P, Shoenfeld Y. A comprehensive review on adult onset Still’s disease. J Autoimmun. 2018;93:24-36.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

POS1066 IS ENTHESITIS A SONOGRAPHIC BIOMARKER OF DISEASE SEVERITY IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS? THE LINK BETWEEN ULTRASOUND ENTHESEAL ABNORMALITIES AND PERIPHERAL JOINT EROSIVE DAMAGE

Background:Enthesitis is one of the hallmark of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Ultrasound (US) accurately detects morphostructural abnormalities indicative of entheseal inflammation and structural damage. Interestingly, in a recent study, US-detected entheseal pathology appeared to be a potential marker of disease severity, being associated with higher radiographic score of structural damage at peripheral joint level. (1) However, a sub-analysis of the impact of each elementary finding of US enthesitis was not performed. Moreover, some US entheseal abnormalities (hypoechogenicity, thickening and calcification/enthesophyte) have been described as frequent findings in healthy subjects and patients with dysmetabolic conditions, undermining their specificity. (2) Thus, we hypothesized that their role as a sonographic biomarker of joint disease severity could be questioned.Objectives:The main aim of the present study was to explore the association between the US elementary findings of enthesitis defined by OMERACT [i.e. hypoechogenicity, thickening, Doppler signal, calcification/enthesophyte and bone erosion at enthesis] (3) and the presence of US-detected joint bone erosions in patients with PsA.Methods:Consecutive patients with PsA (CASPAR criteria) were included in this cross-sectional single-centre study. The scanning protocol included bilateral assessment of the main entheses of the lower limbs [plantar fascia, quadriceps, patellar (proximal and distal) and Achilles tendons]. The presence of US joint bone erosions was investigated in the following areas: 2nd and 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, ulnar head and 5th metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, bilaterally, as well as the most inflamed joint at the physical examination. The US examination was carried out with a 6-18 MHz probe. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to identify predictors of US joint bone erosions.Results:A total of 74 PsA patients were enrolled. The mean disease duration was 7.9±8.0 years. Joint bone erosions were found in 36/75 patients (48.0%), and in 71/600 joints (11.8%), most frequently in the 5th MTP joint (in 26/75 patients, 34.7%). The univariate analysis showed that entheseal bone erosions [odds ratio (OR) 27.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3-220.2, p value <0.01] and Doppler signal (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3 - 9.4, p value 0.01) were associated with joint bone erosions. Only entheseal bone erosions remained significantly associated with joint bone erosions in the multivariate analysis (Table 1).Table 1.Multivariate regression analysis: predictive value of the entheseal US findings for the presence of joint bone erosions.OR (95% CI)P valueHypoechogenicity0.5 (0.1-3.4)0.45Thickening2.2 (0.6-8.3)0.27Doppler signal3.2 (0.9-10.8)0.06Calcification/enthesophyte1.1 (0.1-11.2)0.99Entheseal bone erosion24.2 (2.7-216.2)<0.01Conclusion:Entheseal bone erosion and, to a lesser extent, Doppler signal, were the only entheseal abnormalities correlated with the presence of US-detected joint bone erosions, representing potential sonographic biomarkers of disease severity in PsA.References:[1]Polachek A, Cook R, Chandran V, Gladman DD, Eder L. The association between sonographic enthesitis and radiographic damage in psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2017; 15;19:189.[2]Balint PV, Terslev L, Aegerter P, Bruyn GAW, Chary-Valckenaere I, Gandjbakhch F, et al. Reliability of a consensus-based ultrasound definition and scoring for enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: An OMERACT US initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 2018; 77(12):1730-5.[3]Di Matteo A, Filippucci E, Cipolletta E, Martire V, Jesus D, Musca A, et al. How normal is the enthesis by ultrasound in healthy subjects? Clin Exp Rheumatol 2020;38:472-8.Disclosure of Interests:Gianluca Smerilli: None declared, Edoardo Cipolletta: None declared, Giulia Maria Destro Castaniti: None declared, Andrea Di Matteo: None declared, Marco Di Carlo: None declared, Erica Moscioni: None declared, Francesca Francioso: None declared, Walter Grassi Speakers bureau: W.G. has received speaking fees from AbbVie, Celgene, Grünenthal, Pfizer and UCB Pharma., Emilio Filippucci Speakers bureau: E.F. has received speaking fees from Abbvie, BMS, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma.

POS1077 CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SEROPOSITIVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background:Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) are two highly specific laboratory markers for rheumatoid arthritis. However, they can also be found in other chronic inflammatory arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis (Psa).Objectives:The aim of our study is to analyze the different epidemiological and paraclinical characteristics of seropositive psoriatic arthritis.Methods:Descriptive and analytical retrospective study from January 2010 to December 2020 conducted in the Department of Rheumatology of the University Hospital of Ibn Rochd, Casablanca.Inclusion criteria: patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis according to the CASPAR or ASAS 2009 criteria, regardless of the immunological status (RF/anti-CCP).The patients were then divided into two groups: seropositive (positive anti-CCP and / or positive RF) and seronegative. A univariate analytical study was performed by jamovi version 1.2.27Results:80 patients were enrolled. 22 patients were seropositive (Group 1) and 58 were seronegative (Group 2). In the group 1, the mean age was 51.1 years (+/- 9.45). The sex ratio M/F was 0.29, the mean age of onset was 43.5 years (+/- 10.4), the mean duration of disease was 9.55 +/- 8 years. All patients had skin involvement. Polyarticular involvement was present in all cases; axial involvement was present in 68.18% of cases and enthesitis in 68.18% of cases. All patients were HLA B 27 negative. The presence of X-ray and / or ultrasound bone erosions in addition to signs of destruction was in 81.8% of cases. The response to treatment with (corticosteroids / NSAIDs / DMARDs) was partial in 70.58%. In group 2, the mean age was 50.7 years (+/- 15.8). The sex ratio M/F was 1.14, the mean age of onset was 37.4 years (+/- 16.5), the mean duration of disease was 13.3 years (+/- 9.5). Skin involvement was present in 50% of patients. Polyarticular involvement was present in all cases, axial involvement was present in 67.24% of cases and enthesitis in 56.9% of cases. All patients were HLA B 27 negative. The presence of X-ray and / or ultrasound bone erosions in addition to signs of destruction was in 56.9% of cases. The response to treatment with (corticosteroids / NSAIDs / DMARDs) was partial in 57.14%.Conclusion:The presence of anti-CCP according to several studies is linked to the presence of deformities, dactylites and radiological erosions (1,2). In our series, seropositivity was accompanied by the erosive nature of the destruction, as well as a tendency to resistance to treatment.References:[1]Kim KY, Lee YH. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody in psoriatic arthritis: a meta-analysis of its frequency and association with clinical features. Z Rheumatol. mai 2020;79(4):397-403.[2]Hagiwara S, Tsuboi H, Terasaki T, Terasaki M, Toko H, Shimizu M, et al. Association of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody with clinical features in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Modern Rheumatology. 3 mars 2020;30(2):365-72.Table 1.Comparison of characteristics of seropositive and seronegative PsA patientsItemsGroup 1Seropositive patients (n=22)Group 2Seronegative patients(n=58)p-valueAge (years)51.1 +/-9.4550.7 +/- 15.80.9Sex ratio M/F0.291.140.013Age onset (years)43.5 +/- 10.437.4+/- 16.50.123Skin involvement (%)100500.009Bone erosions (%)81.156.9<0.001Response to treatment (%)70.5851.14<0.001Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

Bone Erosions Detected by Ultrasound Are Prognostic for Clinical Arthritis Development in Patients With ACPA and Musculoskeletal Pain

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) often precede onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by years, and there is an urgent clinical need for predictors of arthritis development among such at-risk patients. This study assesses the prognostic value of ultrasound for arthritis development among ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain. We prospectively followed 82 ACPA-positive patients without clinical signs of arthritis at baseline. Ultrasound at baseline assessed synovial hypertrophy, inflammatory activity by power Doppler, and erosions in small joints of hands and feet. We applied Cox regression analyses to examine associations with clinical arthritis development during follow-up (median, 69 months; range, 24–90 months). We also compared the ultrasound findings among the patients to a control group of 100 blood donors without musculoskeletal pain. Clinical arthritis developed in 39/82 patients (48%) after a median of 6 months (range, 1–71 months). One or more ultrasound erosions occurred in 13/82 patients (16%), with none in control subjects (p &lt; 0.001). Clinical arthritis development was more common among patients with baseline ultrasound erosions than those without (77 vs. 42%, p = 0.032), and remained significant in a multivariable Cox regression analysis that included previously described prognostic factors (HR 3.9, 95% CI 1.6–9.4, p = 0.003). Ultrasound-detected tenosynovitis was more frequent among the patients and associated with clinical arthritis development in a univariable analysis (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–5.7, p = 0.031), but did not remain statistically significant in multivariable analysis. Thus, bone erosions detected by ultrasound are independent predictors of clinical arthritis development in an ACPA-positive at-risk population.Trial Registration: Regional Ethics Committee in Linköping, Sweden, Dnr M220-09. Registered 16 December 2009, https://etikprovningsmyndigheten.se/.