Adiponectin Is Negatively Associated With Disease Activity and Sharp Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Cross-sectional Study on Treatment-naïve Han Chinese Patients

Background: The association and potential role of the protein hormone adiponectin in autoimmune diseases causing musculoskeletal disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are controversial. Conflicting results may arise from the influences of confounding factors linked to genetic backgrounds, disease stage, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and patients’ metabolic characteristics. Here, we examined serum level of adiponectin and its relationship with disease activity score 28 with erythrocytes sedimentation rate (DAS28[ESR]) and Sharp score in a treatment-naïve Han Chinese RA population.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 125 RA patients. Serum level of total adiponectin was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Other important clinical and laboratory parameters were collected from the hospital database. DAS28(ESR) was calculated according to the equation previously published. Sharp score was evaluated based on hands radiographs by an independent radiologist. The correlation between serum adiponectin level and DAS28(ESR) or the Sharp score was investigated by univariable and multivariable regression analyses. Multiple imputation by chained equations was used to account for missing data.Results: Univariable analyses showed significant positive correlation between DAS28(ESR) and age or C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (both p = 0.003), while serum adiponectin level was negatively correlated with DAS28(ESR) (p = 0.015). The negative correlation between adiponectin level and DAS28(ESR) remained true in multivariable analyses adjusted for confounders. In addition, the univariable analyses revealed positively correlations of Sharp score to disease duration (p < 0.001), CRP (p = 0.023) and ESR (p < 0.001). In the multivariable model adjusted for confounders, adiponectin was negatively correlated with Sharp score (p = 0.044).Conclusion: In this single-institution cross-sectional study, serum adiponectin level in treatment-naive RA patients is negatively correlated with DAS28(ESR) and the Sharp score after adjustment for prominent identified confounders. Serum adiponectin may be potentially useful for assessing disease activity and radiographic progression of RA.

Effective factors on Sharp Score in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective study

Background This study aims to describe the association between sharp score and clinical indexes, bone metabolism indexes, Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and sociodemographic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Data were collected from the HIS (hospital information system), a national inpatient database in China, with information on the patients hospitalized during the period from 2012 to 2019. The association between sharp score and effective factors were identified using multinomial logistic regression and association rule mining (ARM). Results Three thousand eight hundred and forty patients were included: 82.66% males, 17.34% females, mean (SD) age 56.95 (12.68) years and symptom duration 3.45 (1.09) years. Spearman correlation analysis and Association rules analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between sharp score and effective factors. Logistic regression analysis presented that erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) were risk factors of sharp score. In the analysis of individual outcomes, sex, age, symptom duration, DSA28 score, RF, ever drinker, and radiographic grading of hands were influence factors of sharp score. Conclusion Sharp score should be taken into consideration in formulating treatment strategies in RA.

SPECTRUM OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS PRESENTING TO A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PAKISTAN

Objective: To describe the demographic, clinical, serological and radiological scores in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presenting in a tertiary hospital in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Rheumatology, Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), Rawalpindi, from Sep 2018 to Feb 2019. Methodology: The study included 52 female patients with RA between the ages of 18 and 80 years. Data were obtained from FFH Rawalpindi's outpatient department. Demographic details, reference data, and serological status were recorded. The joints involved in the onset of the disease, joint deformities, clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and overall functional status were evaluated. Extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis have also been examined during a detailed physical examination. The patient's bone mineral density was calculated by the use of dual energy absorptiometry (DEXA scan). Radiological scores were evaluated using modified sharp score. Results: Mean age of the patient was 55.08 ± 8.79 and mean duration of disease 9 .73 ± 7.54. The most common co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis patients was hypertension 20 (38.5%). Twenty four (11.7%) patients had osteoporosis. Wrist was the first joint involved in 17 (32.7%) patients. Ulnar deviation was the most common deformity in 12 (23.1%) patients. Sharp score for joint space narrowing was 61.09 ± 36.90 and sharp score joint erosions were 36.90 ± 42.41. Most common extra articular manifestation was anemia. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis as a variable spectrum of disease with different manifestations. Patients had radiological damage as demonstrated by high sharp score even before starting.................

AB0144 PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF SUSTAINED CLINICAL REMISSION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:Sustained remission (SR) is an ultimate treatment goal in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1) and is associated with better RA prognosis, reflected by the quality of life, physical function and radiographic progression (2).Objectives:To investigate the prevalence and predictors of SR in RA patients.Methods:A longitudinal prospective study of patients with RA. At the inclusion, the patients were in remission DAS28 ESR≤ 2.6 for at least 6 months. A B-mode and power doppler (PD) ultrasound of 42 joints and 20 tendons was performed. Synovial hypertrophy (SH) and tenosynovitis in B-mode and PD were defined and scored from 0 to 3 using the OMERACT. The CDAI, SDAI, Boolean remission criteria, the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and the radiological Sharp score were calculated. Then, the DAS28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was evaluated at 6 and 12 months. SR was defined as the persistence of a DAS28 ESR≤2.6 at 6 or 12 months without any change in RA therapy during the follow-up. Unstable remission (UR) was defined either as DAS28 ESR > 2.6 at 6 or 12 months or an increase in RA therapy because of a relapse during the follow-up.Results:At baseline, thirty-seven patients were included. At 6 and 12 months, 28 and 24 patients completed follow-up, respectively. In decreasing order, Boolean remission (92.2%), DAS28ESRremission (85.7%), SDAI remission (85%) and CDAI remission (83.3%) achieved SR at 6 months. At 12 months, SR was found in 100% in Boolean remission, 87.5% in SDAI remission, 86.7% in CDAI remission and in 79.7% in DAS28 ESR remission. At 6 months, only the ESR (17mm/1h in SR versus 32 mm/1h in UR, p=0.04) was associated with SR. The disease duration, remission duration, swollen and tender joints, DAS28ESR, HAQ, rheumatoid factor, radiological Sharp score and ultrasound parameters weren’t associated with SR. At 12 months, the squeeze test (15% in SR vs 80% in UR, P=0.01), the ESR (15 mm/1h in SR versus 30 mm/1h in UR, p=0.03), the Boolean remission (61.1% in SR versus 0% in UR, p=0.04) and the DAS28ESR (mean: 1.8 in SR versus 2.5 in UR, P=0.01) were associated with SR. However, no association was found with radiological Sharp score and ultrasound parameters. On multivariate analysis, the ESR (OR=1.13, CI95%=1.01-1.2, p=0.03) and the Squeeze test (OR=21.3, CI95%=1.7-263, p=0.01) were predictors of SR, at 12 months.Conclusion:At 6 and 12 months, 79.7%-85.7% of patients in DAS28 ESR remission achieved sustained remission, respectively. Boolean and DAS28 ESR remission were associated with SR. Unlike DAS28 ESR, Boolean remission seems to reflect more the SR. The squeeze test and the ESR were predictors’ factor. However, the radiological and the ultrasound parameters didn’t show any association.References:[1]Ajeganova S, Huizinga T. Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis: latest evidence and clinical considerations. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2017;9(10):249-62.[2]Xie W, Li J, Zhang X, Sun X, Zhang Z. Sustained clinical remission of rheumatoid arthritis and its predictive factors in an unselected adult Chinese population from 2009 to 2018. Int J Rheum Dis. 2019;22(9):1670-8.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

AB0134 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLAMMATORY RATIOS AND RADIOGRAPHIC JOINT DAMAGE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:The tight control strategy is recommended in rheumatoid arthritis to tailor treatment for patients. This strategy requires regular monitoring of both disease activity and structural damage. However, radiographic assessement cannot be performed frequently and the modified Sharp score is rarely evaluated in current practice. Besides, no biomarker was able to mirror structural damage (1).Objectives:Our study aimed to assess the relationship between the modified Sharp score and the inflammatory ratios (platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR) and CRP to albumin ratio (CAR)).Methods:We performed a cross-sectional study including 53 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A cell blood count, fibrinogen and an albumin blood test were measured for each patient. Inflammatory ratios were also measured (PLR, NLR, LMR, FAR, and CAR). Modified Sharp score and its components (erosion score and joint space narrowing score) were evaluated using the radiograph of hand and foot.Patients with infectious or hematological diseases were excluded from the study.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).Results:Of the 53 patients, 39 were female (Sex Ratio: 2.8). The mean age was 53.9 ± 12.7 years. The mean disease duration was 10.1 ± 8.2 years.The average age of the onset of the disease was 43.8±13.5 years.The mean DAS 28-ESR score was 4.64 ± 1.23. Forty three patients had a score higher than 3.2 (patients with moderate or high disease activity).The mean values of PLR, NLR, LMR, FAR and CAR were 161.62 ± 86.59, 2.84 ± 2.39, 4.99 ± 3.23, 0.12 ± 0.06 and 1.15 ± 1.38.The mean scores of joint erosion and joint space narrowing were respectively 12.76 ± 15.05 and 33.57 ± 25.80. The mean modified Sharp score was 46.33 ± 37.74.There was a positive correlation between modified Sharp score and following ratios: PLR (r: 0.501; p <10-3), NLR (r: 0.302; p:0.031), FAR (r: 0.300; p:0.030), CAR (r:0.286; p:0.042).Moreover, a positive correlation between joint space narrowing score and these ratios was identified: PLR (r: 0.558; p <10-3), NLR (r: 0.428; p:0.002), FAR (r: 0.371; p:0.007), CAR (r:0.387; p:0.005).Joint erosion score correlated with PLR (r: 0.299; p:0.033).No correlation was found between LMR and radiographic score.Conclusion:Our study showed that the modified Sharp score correlated with PLR, NLR, FAR and CAR in patients with RA. This finding suggests that these ratios could be used as inexpensive and reliable markers to reflect radiographic joint damage.Longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm our results.References:[1]Syversen SW, Landewe R, Van Der Heijde D, Bathon JM, Boers M, Bykerk VP, et al. Testing of the OMERACT 8 draft validation criteria for a soluble biomarker reflecting structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature search on 5 candidate biomarkers. J Rheumatol. 2009;36(8):1769-84.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

AB0148 CHARACTERISTICS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WITH HIP INVOLVEMENT

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects both small and large joints. Hip involvement is an evolutionary turning point in RA and significantly alters the patient’s quality of life.Objectives:This study aimed to assess characteristics of RA patients with hip involvement.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study, including patients with RA (according to 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria).We divided patients into two groups: G0 patients without hip involvement, G1 patients with hip involvement. Hip involvement was defined with a limited movement during examination with abnormalities on standard radiographs. We collected the following data: age, the disease activity score (DAS28), the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Rheumatoid Factor (RF), and Anti Citrullinated Peptides Antibodies (ACPA), and SHARP score (A scoring system used to assess the radiological changes in patients with RA. It describes erosions and narrowing of the joint space of 27 small joints of the hands, including the carpal bones and feet).Results:Among the 224 patients included, 25had hip involvement (11%). The male / female sex-ratio was higher in G1 (0.66 vs 0.22, p=0.017).Patients in G1 were younger at disease onset (44,16±16,11 years vs 51.9±13.9 years, p= 0.022) and had a longer disease duration (12,28 ± 11,49 years vs 6,2010 ± 6,45 years, p=0.02). They had also higher HAQ(1,7692 vs 1,3054, p=0.05).SHARP score was higher in G1 (176.32 vs. 106.88, p=0.011). Atlantoaxial subluxation was more common in G1 (32% vs 14%,p=0.035).When comparing the groups we did not find any significant difference regarding age (56.12 ± 11.88 years vs 58,24±12,26 years, p=0.341), disease activity (DAS28-ESR:5.41 vs. 5.65, p=0.380; DAS28-CRP: 5.19 vs. 5.51, p=0.290), ESR (53.88 vs. 46.95, p=0.237), CRP:23,8894 vs 22,89, p=0.975), and in the serological profile (RF; G1:68% vs G0: 70.8%, p=0.817, ACPA; G1: 60% vs G0:69%, p=0.366).Conclusion:Patients with hip involvement were commonly male, were younger at disease onset and had more functional impairment based on the HAQ score. C1-C2 dislocation wasalso more common in this group.The SHARP score was also significantly higher in G1, which shows a severe and destructive disease.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Sind röntgenologische Scoring-Methoden als Parameter zur Verlaufsbeurteilung der rheumatoiden Arthritis noch zeitgemäß?

ZusammenfassungDie radiologische Progression beschreibt das Ausmaß der Gelenkzerstörung im Verlauf einer rheumatoiden Arthritis. Zur Quantifizierung der radiologischen Progression werden Scoring-Methoden (z. B. van der Heijde Modifikation des Sharp-Score) eingesetzt. In verschiedenen Studien zu biologischen- bzw. target-synthetischen Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs gelang nur unzureichend eine Differenzierung der radiologischen Progression. Zudem finden die Scores oft keinen routinemäßigen Einsatz in der klinischen Entscheidungsfindung. Durch die computerbasierte Analyse von Handröntgenaufnahmen ist eine valide Quantifizierung der radiologischen Progression und die zuverlässige Bewertung von Therapieeffekten möglich. Somit stellen die computerbasierten Methoden eine vielversprechende Alternative in der Quantifizierung der radiologischen Progression dar.

Effective Factors on Sharp Score in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Study

Background: This study aims to describe the association between Sharp Score and clincial indexes, bone metabolism indexes, Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and sociodemographic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: Data were were collected from the HIS (hospital information system), a national inpatient database in China, with information on the patients hospitalized during the period from 2012 to 2019. The association between Sharp Score and effective factors were identified using multinomial logistic regression and association rule mining (ARM).Results: Three thousand eight hundred and forty patients were included: 82.66% males, 17.34% females, mean (SD) age 56.95 (12.68) years and symptom duration 3.45 (1.09) years. Spearman correlation analysis and Association rules analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between Sharp Score and effective factors. Logistic regression analysis presented that erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) were risk factors of Sharp Score. In the analysis of individual outcomes, sex, age, symptom duration, DSA28 score, RF, ever drinker, radiographic grading of hands were influencents of Sharp Score.Conclusion: Sharp Score should be taken into consideration in formulating treatment strategies in RA.

Coagulation indicators and their association with apoptosis ,flammatory indicators and Sharp scores of rheumatoid arthritis

Background Recent studies have shown that coagulations indicators hava a strong correlation with apoptosis ,flammatory indexes.In the present study, we measured coagulation indicators such PAF,PGI2 and TXB2 in patients with RA and investigated their association with apoptosis,flammatory indicators and Sharp scores of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A total of 90 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled for comparisons. The clinical and laboratory data of patients were retrospectively reviewed. The X-ray findings of both hands were scored according to Sharp's criteria. In addition, the statistics of patients with apoptosis indicator,coagulation indicator and flammatory indicator. Explored the relationship between coagulation indiccators and the above indicators. Results In this study,there was a strong correlation between the abnormal increase of apoptosis parameters,immune inflammation indicators,Sharp Score and the increase of coagulation indicator in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the increase of Sharp Scores,Caspase-3,FasL indexes or the decrease of C-reactive protein (CRP)could be risk factors for the development of RA. The higher the coagulation indicator, the higher the Sharp score,and the high parameters of hypercoagulable state RA. Conclusions Higher coagulation indicators are associated with RA disease activity, as well as apoptosis ,flammatory indicators and decreased physical activity. Moreover, coagulation indicator are associated with Sharp scores.Coagulation indicator are important for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and are potential markers of activity and hypercoagulable state in RA patients.

Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies in premenopausal rheumatoid arthritis women: relation to disease activity and bone loss

Objectives Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (anti-CarP Abs) are present in patients with RA, however, their association with bone loss is not confirmed. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between the serum level of anti-CarP Abs in premenopausal RA women and disease activity and bone loss. Methods This case–control study was conducted on 48 premenopausal women with RA and 48 matched healthy premenopausal women. All RA women were subjected to clinical examination, disease activity assessment using the 28-joint DAS (DAS28) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), functional assessment using the HAQ, physical activity assessment using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), fatigue assessment using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), serological tests as well as anti-CarP Abs using ELISA. Moreover, the BMD was measured by DXA and plain X-ray of both hands was done to assess juxta-articular osteopenia and erosions. Results The anti-CarP Abs level was significantly higher in RA patients than in healthy controls. The serum level of anti-CarP Abs had a significant positive correlation with the RA DAS28, CDAI, HAQ, MFIS and original Sharp score, while a significant negative correlation was present with the IPAQ. Anti-CarP Abs were negatively correlated with either spine BMD or Z-score and positively correlated with the original Sharp score. Conclusion Anti-CarP Abs were higher in premenopausal RA women compared with older and BMI matched healthy women. Anti-CarP Abs are associated with higher RA disease activity, increased disability and fatigability and decreased physical activity. Moreover, anti-CarP Abs are associated with systemic trabecular bone loss as well as local bone loss.