Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis following COVID-19 vaccination: Results from a nationwide survey.

We conducted a national in-depth analysis including pharmacovigilance reports and clinical study to assess the reporting rate (RR) and to determine the clinical profile of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in COVID-19-vaccinated individuals. First, based on the French pharmacovigilance database, we estimated the RR of PMR and GCA cases in individuals aged over 50 who developed their initial symptoms within one month of receiving the BNT162b2 mRNA, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines. We then conducted a nationwide survey to gather clinical profiles, therapeutic management, and follow-up data from individuals registered in the pharmacovigilance study. A total of 70 854 684 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered to 25 260 485 adults, among which, 179 cases of PMR (RR 7. 1 cases/1 000 000 persons) and 54 cases of GCA (RR 2. 1 cases/1 000 000 persons) have been reported. The nationwide survey allowed the characterization of 60 PMR and 35 GCA cases. Median time to the onset of first symptoms was 10 (range 2-30) and 7 (range 2-25) days for PMR and GCA, respectively. Phenotype, GCA-related ischemic complications and -large vessel vasculitis as well as therapeutic management and follow-up seemed similar according to the number of vaccine shots received and when compared to the literature data of unvaccinated population. Although rare, the short time between immunization and the onset of first symptoms of PMR and GCA suggests a temporal association. Physician should be aware of this potential vaccine-related phenomenon.

Limb arteries involvement assessed by FDG/PET CT at diagnosis of giant cell arteritis and risk of relapse: An observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Steroids and anti-IL6 biotherapy are highly effective in obtaining remission in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) but the risk of relapses remains high. We aimed to identify predictors of relapse in GCA. METHODS: All consecutive patients admitted with a new diagnosis of GCA - according to the 2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria - between May 2011 and May 2022 were eligible for this study. The primary outcome was the GCA relapse rate over the 36-months follow up. Factors associated with the primary outcome and time to first relapse were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and eight patients (74 [69-81] years, 64.8% women) with a new diagnosis of GCA were studied. GCA was biopsy-proven in 65 (60.2%) cases. Ninety-eight (90.7%) FDG/PET CT scans performed at diagnosis were available for review. All patients received steroids given for 21.0 [18.0-28.5] months, associated with methotrexate (n=1, 0.9%) or tocilizumab (n=2, 1.9%). During a median follow-up of 27.5 [11.4-35.0] months, relapse occurred in 40 (37%) patients. Multivariable Cox regression model, including general signs, gender, aortic wall thickness, FDG uptake in arterial wall and IV steroid pulse as covariates, showed that both general signs (HR 2.0 [1.0-4.0, P<0.05) and FDG uptake in limb arteries (HR 2.7 [1.3-5.5], P<0.01) at diagnosis were associated with GCA relapse. CONCLUSION: FDG uptake in limb arteries at diagnosis is a predictor of relapse in newly diagnosed GCA.

Recommendations of the French Society of Rheumatology for the management in current practice of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.

OBJECTIVE: To develop recommendations for the routine management of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). METHODS: Following standard procedures, a systematic review of the literature by five supervised junior rheumatologists, based on the questions selected by the steering committee (5 senior rheumatologists), was used as the basis for working meetings, followed by a one-day plenary meeting with the working group (15 members), leading to the development of the wording and determination of the strength of the recommendations and the level of agreement of the experts. RESULTS: Five general principles and 19 recommendations were drawn up. Three recommendations relate to diagnosis and the use of imaging, and five to the assessment of the disease, its activity and comorbidities. Non-pharmacological therapies are the subject of one recommendation. Three recommendations concern initial treatment based on general corticosteroid therapy, five concern the reduction of corticosteroid therapy and follow-up, and two concern corticosteroid dependence and steroid-sparing treatments (anti-IL-6). CONCLUSION: These recommendations take account of current data on PMR, with the aim of reducing exposure to corticosteroid therapy and its side effects in a fragile population. They are intended to be practical, to help practitioners in the day-to-day management of patients with PMR.

2023 EULAR recommendations on imaging in diagnosis and management of crystal-induced arthropathies in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To formulate evidence-based recommendations and overarching principles on the use of imaging in the clinical management of crystal-induced arthropathies (CiAs). METHODS: An international task force of 25 rheumatologists, radiologists, methodologists, healthcare professionals and patient research partners from 11 countries was formed according to the EULAR standard operating procedures. Fourteen key questions on the role of imaging in the most common forms of CiA were generated. The CiA assessed included gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and basic calcium phosphate deposition disease. Imaging modalities included conventional radiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI. Experts applied research evidence obtained from four systematic literature reviews using MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL. Task force members provided level of agreement (LoA) anonymously by using a Numerical Rating Scale from 0 to 10. RESULTS: Five overarching principles and 10 recommendations were developed encompassing the role of imaging in various aspects of patient management: making a diagnosis of CiA, monitoring inflammation and damage, predicting outcome, response to treatment, guided interventions and patient education. Overall, the LoA for the recommendations was high (8.46-9.92). CONCLUSIONS: These are the first recommendations that encompass the major forms of CiA and guide the use of common imaging modalities in this disease group in clinical practice.

Higher Levels of SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variation in Immunocompromised Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: A severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection lasts longer in immunocompromised hosts than in immunocompetent patients. Prolonged infection is associated with a higher probability of selection for novel SARS-CoV-2 mutations, particularly in the spike protein, a critical target for vaccines and therapeutics. METHODS: From December 2020 to September 2022, respiratory samples from 444 immunocompromised patients and 234 health care workers positive for SARS-CoV-2, diagnosed at 2 hospitals in Paris, France, were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing using Nanopore technology. Custom scripts were developed to assess the SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity between the 2 groups and within the host. RESULTS: Most infections were SARS-CoV-2 Delta or Omicron lineages. Viral genetic diversity was significantly higher in infections of immunocompromised patients than those of controls. Minor mutations were identified in viruses sequenced from immunocompromised individuals, which became signature mutations for newer SARS-CoV-2 variants as the epidemic progressed. Two patients were coinfected with Delta and Omicron variants. The follow-up of immunocompromised patients revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 genome evolution differed in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients is associated with higher genetic diversity, which could lead to the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with possible immune evasion or different virulence characteristics.

Retention, safety and efficacy of off-label conventional treatments and biologics for chronic calcium pyrophosphate crystal inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Very little is known on the efficacy and safety of drugs for the management of chronic calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal inflammatory arthritis. The objectives of this work were to describe the drugs used in the management of chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis in expert European centres, and to examine treatment retention. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Charts from patients with a diagnosis of persistent inflammatory and/or recurrent acute CPP crystal arthritis were reviewed in seven European centres. Baseline characteristics were collected, and visits at months 3, 6, 12 and 24 included an assessment of treatment response and safety. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-four treatments were initiated in 129 patients. Colchicine (used first-line in n = 73/86), methotrexate (used first-line in n = 14/36), anakinra (n = 27) and tocilizumab (n = 25) were the most prescribed treatments, while long-term corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, canakinumab and sarilumab were used occasionally. The 24-month on-drug retention was higher for tocilizumab (40%) than anakinra (18.5%) (P < 0.05), while the difference between colchicine (29.1%) and methotrexate (44.4%) was not statistically significant (P = 0.10). Adverse events led to 14.1% of colchicine discontinuations (100% of diarrhoea), 4.3% for methotrexate, 31.8% for anakinra and 20% for tocilizumab; all other discontinuations were related to insufficient response or losses to follow-up. Efficacy outcomes did not differ significantly between treatments throughout follow-up. CONCLUSION: Daily colchicine is the first-line therapy used in chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis, which is considered efficient in a third to half of cases. Second-line treatments include methotrexate and tocilizumab, which have higher retention than anakinra.

Ankle retinacula abnormalities as features of psoriatic arthritis: An ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ultrasonography (US) assessment of the retinacula of ankles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included RA or PsA patients with ankle pain and healthy controls. The following US features were recorded: presence of synovitis, tenosynovitis and abnormalities of two retinacula (the superior peroneal retinaculum [SPR] and the flexor retinaculum [FR] evaluated in mode B and power Doppler). RESULTS: Among the 80 included patients, 37 (46%) and 23 (29%) had RA and PsA; 20 (25%) patients were healthy controls. The FR was thicker in PsA than RA ankles 0.96±0.39 vs. 0.64±0.15, P<0.001 with no difference between RA patients and HCs. Other FR abnormalities such as hypoechogenicity, PD positivity or periostosis were more frequent in PsA than RA patients, P<0.001. On receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis, a cut-off of 1mm FR thickness provided a sensitivity of 49% and specificity of 97% for the diagnosis of PsA. Overall, 39 and 3% of PsA and RA ankles exhibited retinaculitis of FR (thickness≥1mm with hypervascularization or hypoechogenicity). The two disease groups did not differ in the evaluation of SPR. CONCLUSIONS: US abnormalities of FR were more frequent in PsA than RA and appeared to be specific for PsA. US assessment of FR might be useful to distinguish RA and PsA.

Diagnosis and treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease: Data from the French Tw-IRD registry.

OBJECTIVES: Tropheryma whipplei infection can manifest as inflammatory joint symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic disease and the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. We investigated the impact of diagnosis and treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease. METHODS: We initiated a registry including patients with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs-treated inflammatory rheumatic disease who were subsequently diagnosed with Tropheryma whipplei infection. We collected clinical, biological, treatment data of the inflammatory rheumatic disease, of Tropheryma whipplei infection, and impact of antibiotics on the evolution of inflammatory rheumatic disease. RESULTS: Among 73 inflammatory rheumatic disease patients, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs initiation triggered extra-articular manifestations in 27% and resulted in stabilisation (51%), worsening (34%), or improvement (15%) of inflammatory rheumatic disease. At the diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei infection, all patients had rheumatological symptoms (mean age 58 years, median inflammatory rheumatic disease duration 79 months), 84% had extra-rheumatological manifestations, 93% had elevated C-reactive protein, and 86% had hypoalbuminemia. Treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection consisted mainly of doxycycline plus hydroxychloroquine, leading to remission of Tropheryma whipplei infection in 79% of cases. Antibiotic treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection was associated with remission of inflammatory rheumatic disease in 93% of cases and enabled disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoid discontinuation in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: Tropheryma whipplei infection should be considered in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients with extra-articular manifestations, elevated C-reactive protein, and/or hypoalbuminemia before disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs initiation or in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients with an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Positive results of screening and diagnostic tests for Tropheryma whipplei infection involve antibiotic treatment, which is associated with complete recovery of Tropheryma whipplei infection and rapid remission of inflammatory rheumatic disease, allowing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoid discontinuation.

Increased mortality in patients with RA-associated interstitial lung disease: data from a French administrative healthcare database.

OBJECTIVES: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objectives of this study were to estimate mortality rate in patients with RA-ILD and identify factors affecting mortality. METHODS: Data from a French national claims database (Système National des Données de Santé) from 2013 to 2018 were analysed. Adults with an RA diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes M05, M06.0, M06.8 and M06.9) were included. ILD diagnosis was defined with ICD-10 code J84. Mortality rates were compared between patients with RA with and without ILD, using Cox proportional hazards regression, after matching 1:1 for age, sex, age at RA-ILD onset and RA duration. RESULTS: Among 173 132 patients with RA, 4330 (3%) also had ILD (RA-ILD). After matching, RA-ILD was associated with an increased mortality rate (HR 3.4, 95% CI 3.1 to 3.9). The HR for mortality was greater for: patients aged <75 years (HR 4.8, 95% CI 3.9 to 5.9) versus ≥75 years (HR 3.0, 95% CI 2.6 to 3.5); patients with ILD onset occurring before RA onset (HR 8.4, 95% CI 5.5 to 13.0) versus ILD onset occurring after RA onset (HR 2.9, 95% CI 2.6 to 3.3); and men (HR 5.2, 95% CI 4.4 to 6.2) versus women (HR 3.6, 95% CI 3.0 to 4.2). CONCLUSION: In this nationwide cohort study, RA-ILD was associated with increased mortality rate (vs in patients with RA without ILD), notably for those aged <75 years, those whose ILD preceded RA onset and men.

Osteoporosis and risk of fracture in heart transplant patients.

Introduction: Significant bone loss occurs after heart transplantation, predominantly in the first year, with increased risk of incident fractures. The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fragility fractures in a population of heart transplantation patients and to identify the independent risk factors for fractures. Methods: This was a prospective monocentric study that included patients with heart transplantation occurring < 10 years who were undergoing heart transplantation monitoring. All patients underwent bone mineral density evaluation by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and radiographies to establish the presence of vertebral fractures. Results: We included 79 patients (61 men); the mean age was 56.8 ± 10.8 years. The mean time between transplantation and inclusion was 32.3 ± 35.0 months. Incident fractures were diagnosed in 21 (27%) patients after heart transplantation. Vertebral fractures were the most frequent (30 vertebral fractures for 15 patients). Osteoporosis was confirmed in 22 (28%) patients. Mean bone mineral density at the femoral neck and total hip was lower with than without fracture (femoral neck: 0.777 ± 0.125 vs 0.892 ± 0.174 g/cm2, p<0.01; total hip: 0.892 ± 0.165 vs 0.748 ± 0.07 g/cm2, p<0.001), with a significant result on multivariate analysis. The mean time from transplantation to the first fracture was 8.0 ± 7.6 months. Discussion: Our study confirmed a high vertebral fracture risk in heart transplant patients, especially during the first year after transplantation.

Association between radiographic and functional outcome in vertebral osteomyelitis SPONDIMMO, a 6-month prospective multicenter cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe radiographic and functional evolution over 6 months in a large cohort of VO patients. METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients with VO from 2016 to 2019 in 11 French centers. X-rays were performed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to assess progression using structural and static criteria. Functional impairment was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-two patients were included. Mean age was 67.8±14 years, mostly men (67.6%). After 3 months, there was a significant increase in vertebral fusion (16.4% vs 52.7%), destruction of vertebral bodies (10.1% vs 22.8%), and of all the static features (frontal angulation (15.2% vs 24.4%), segmental (34.6% vs 56%) and regional (24.5% vs 41%) kyphosis). From 3 to 6 months, among the different X-ray abnormalities, only the complete fusion progressed significantly (16.6% vs 27.2%). Median ODI showed significant improvement from 3 to 6 months (24, IQR [11.5-38] vs 16, IQR [6-34]). At 6 months, 14.1% of the patients had a severe disability, 2% a major disability. The persistence of vertebral destruction at 6 months was associated with a higher ODI (16, IQR [7.5-30.5] vs 27, IQR [11.5-44.5]). No differences in radiological progression were observed with immobilization using a rigid brace. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates structural and static radiographic progression after 3 months. Only the complete fusion progressed over the long-term. Functional impairment was associated with persistence of vertebral destruction.

NKX2.1 mutation revealed by a lymphoid interstitial pneumonia in an adult with rheumatoid arthritis.

This is the first case of a 37-year-old female patient carrier of a heterozygous NKX2.1 mutation associated with RA-ILD with a histological pattern of LIP. This case illustrates the wide panel of ILD subtypes associated with NKX2.1 mutations. https://bit.ly/3F49OTS.

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in polymyalgia rheumatica: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease with a diagnosis that is sometimes difficult to establish. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) might be helpful. We analysed the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the diagnosis of PMR. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study of individuals with PMR who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and a control group. We assessed clinical and 18F-FDG PET/CT characteristics. Sixteen sites were studied. The number of sites with significant FDG uptake, the mean maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) and the highest SUVmax value were assessed for each patient. RESULTS: Data for 123 patients with PMR (37 with corticosteroids [CSTs] use) were analysed; 85 had new-onset PMR. As compared with the 75 controls, patients with new-onset PMR had higher mean ± SD number of sites with significant FDG uptake (11.3 ± 3.3 vs. 0.9 ± 1.1, p<0.001) and higher SUVmax scores (p<0.001). A cut-off of 5 hypermetabolic sites provided sensitivity of 96.5% and specificity 100%. For the total SUVmax score, a cut-off of 3 had the best sensitivity (92.6%) and specificity (86.1%). As compared with PMR patients using CSTs, those who were CST-naive had significantly higher CRP level (p<0.001), number of sites with significant FDG uptake (p<0.001) and SUVmax scores (p<0.01). In contrast, large-vessel vasculitis was more frequent in patients receiving CSTs than CST-naive patients (27% vs. 8%, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The number of hypermetabolic sites or SUVmax quantification might be useful for PMR diagnosis, and CSTs might affect the results of 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Efficacy and safety of combination targeted therapies in immune-mediated inflammatory disease: the COMBIO study.

BACKGROUND: Use of a combination of targeted therapies (COMBIO) in patients with refractory/overlapping immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) has increased, but reported data remain scarce. We aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of COMBIO in patients with IMIDs. METHODS: We conducted a French ambispective multicenter cohort study from September 2020 to May 2021, including adults' patients with 1 or 2 IMIDs and treated at least 3-month with COMBIO. RESULTS: Overall, 143 patients were included. The most common IMIDs were Crohn's disease (63.6%), axial spondyloarthritis (37.7%), and ulcerative colitis (14%). Half of patients had only one IMID, of which 60% were Crohn's disease. Mean duration of COMBIO was 274.5±59.3 weeks, and COMBIO persistence at 104 weeks was estimated at 64.1%. The most frequent COMBIOs combined anti-TNF agents with vedolizumab (30%) or ustekinumab (28.7%). Overall, 50% of patients achieved significant and 27% mild-to-moderate improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Extended duration of COMBIO (aOR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.14; p=0.002) and diagnoses of two IMIDs (aOR=3.46; 95%CI: 1.29-9.26; p=0.013) were associated with significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Incidence of serious infection during COMBIO was 4.51 per 100 person-years (95% CI 2.20-8.27) and 5 COMBIOs were discontinued due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: COMBIO can be effective and safe in patients with refractory/overlapping IMIDs.

Screening for spondyloarthritis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) can be associated with various musculoskeletal (IBD-MSK) manifestations that could be difficult to classify for gastroenterologists. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients with IBD-MSK and the prevalence of spondyloarthritis (SpA). In this observational cross-sectional study, we included patients with IBD-MSK complaints (peripheral or back pain). All patients underwent a standardized rheumatology evaluation including clinical, biological and imaging evaluations (MRI of spine and sacroiliac joints and ultrasonography of enthesis). We included 183 IBD patients (60.7% women; median [interquartile range] age 45 [36-56] years); 159 (87%) had joint pain. In 43 (23.5%) and 25/175 (14.3%) patients, enthesis abnormalities were found on ultrasonography and sacroiliitis on MRI, respectively. SpA was diagnosed in 54 (29.5%) patients. IBD-related arthralgia and degenerative spine disease were diagnosed in 105 (57.4%) and 72 (39.3%) patients. Sixteen (29.6%) SpA patients initiated a new conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). A biologic DMARD was initiated in 10 patients or changed in 3. More than half of IBD-MSK patients had IBD-related arthralgia, and about one-third had definite SpA. Ultrasonography of enthesis and systematic MRI of sacroiliac joints seem useful for SpA classification and differential diagnosis in these patients who often have musculoskeletal pain complaints. Therapeutics were changed in most patients, which highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach for managing IBD with extra-intestinal symptoms.

Evaluating the safety and short-term equivalence of colchicine versus prednisone in older patients with acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis (COLCHICORT): an open-label, multicentre, randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis causes intense joint pain mainly affecting older people. Because guidance and evidence remain scarce, management of this disease relies on expert opinion. We therefore aimed to compare the safety and short-term equivalence of low-dose colchicine with oral prednisone in older patients with acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis. METHODS: We did an open-label, multicentre, randomised, trial (COLCHICORT) at six hospitals in Paris and northern France. We enrolled patients who were admitted to hospital who were 65 years or older and who presented with acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis with a symptom duration of less than 36 h. Diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis was made by the identification of calcium pyrophosphate crystals on synovial fluid analysis or typical clinical presentation (onset of joint pain and swelling). Key exclusion criteria included absence of calcium pyrophosphate crystals on synovial fluid analysis or a history of gout. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1), using a centralised electronic treatment group allocation module, to receive either colchicine 1·5 mg on day 1 and 1 mg on day 2 (ie, the colchicine group) or oral prednisone 30 mg on days 1 and 2 (ie, the prednisone group). The primary outcome was change in joint pain (measured by visual analogue scale [VAS] from 0 mm to 100 mm) at 24 h. Equivalence was determined whether the 95% CI of the between-group difference at 24 h was within the -13 mm to +13 mm margin in the per-protocol analysis. Adverse events were recorded using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0). This trial is completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03128905. FINDINGS: Between Feb 5, 2018, and May 7, 2022, 111 patients who were admitted to hospital were randomly assigned (57 [51%] to the colchicine group and 54 [49%] to the prednisone group). 95 (86%) of 111 patients were included in the per-protocol analysis (49 [52%] in the colchicine group and 46 [48%] in the prednisone group). The median age was 88·0 years (IQR 82·0-91·0) and 69 (73%) of 95 participants were women and 26 (27%) were men. Acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis affected mainly the knee in 46 (48%) of 95 participants, the wrist in 19 (20%), and the ankle in 12 (13%). Pain VAS at baseline was 68 mm (SD 17). At 24 h, change in pain VAS was -36 mm (SD 32) in the colchicine group and -38 mm (SD 23) in the prednisone group. The between-group difference in change in pain VAS at 24 h was -1 mm (95% CI -12 to 10), showing equivalence between the two drugs. In the colchicine group, 12 (22%) of 55 patients had diarrhoea, one (2%) had hypertension, and none had hyperglycaemia. In the prednisone group, three (6%) of 54 had diarrhoea, six (11%) had hypertension, and three (6%) had hyperglycaemia. No deaths occurred in the colchicine group; two deaths occurred in the prednisone group, which were deemed unrelated to prednisone (one due to infectious valvular endocarditis leading to heart failure, and one due to a stroke). INTERPRETATION: Colchicine and prednisone exhibit equivalent short-term efficacy for the treatment of acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis, with different safety profiles in the older population. FUNDING: French Inter-regional Hospital Program of Clinical Research.

Anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibodies are increased in IPF patients.

INTRO: An increased prevalence of serum anti-MCV antibody is observed in the serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) but the clinical relevance of these antibodies is unknown. METHODS: Patients from our center with a diagnosis of IPF according to the 2018 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT guidelines and at least one anti-MCV assay available were selected. All patients were part of the prospective cohort European IPF registry and selected between 03/2010 and 03/2018. We constituted two groups of patients according to the anti-MCV status at baseline to compare their characteristics at baseline and the evolution of lung function, survival and/or transplantation status. RESULTS: Anti-MCV data were available for 101 patients, of whom 86 had complete clinical data available. Twenty-nine (34 %) patients had a positive anti-MCV assay (MCV+), at a low level in most patients (29 UI/mL [IQR 25-40]), and 57 (66 %) patients a negative assay (MCV-). MCV+ patients were 20 men and 9 women, with a median age of 73 years [IQR 67-78]. MCV- patients were 49 men and 8 women with a median age of 72 years [IQR 64-77]. Sixty-two (75 %) patients were ex-smokers and 5 (6 %) were active smokers. Median cumulative tobacco smoke exposure was 22.5 (15.0-38.6) and was similar in both groups. Lung function test results and HRCT pattern distribution was similar in both groups at baseline. The median duration of follow-up was 3.5 years [IQR 2.1-5.0]. Lung function decline was similar in both groups. During the study period, 31 (36 %) patients died or have been transplanted with no difference in transplant-free survival status between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Low level anti-MCV autoimmunity was prevalent in IPF patients.

Tolerance and efficacy of targeted therapies prescribed for off-label indications in refractory systemic autoimmune diseases: data of the first 100 patients enrolled in the TATA registry (TArgeted Therapy in Autoimmune Diseases).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the tolerance and efficacy of targeted therapies prescribed off-label in refractory low-prevalence autoimmune and inflammatory systemic diseases. METHODS: The TATA registry (TArgeted Therapy in Autoimmune Diseases) is a prospective, observational, national and independent cohort follow-up. The inclusion criteria in the registry are as follows: age >18 years; low-prevalence autoimmune and inflammatory systemic disease treated with off-label drugs started after 1 January 2019. RESULTS: Hundred (100) patients (79 women) were enrolled. The median age was 52.5 years (95% CI 49 to 56) and the median disease duration before enrolment was 5 years (3 to 7). The targeted therapies at enrolment were as follows: Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription inhibitors (44%), anti-interleukin (IL)-6R (22%), anti-IL-12/23, anti-IL-23 and anti-IL-17 (9%), anti-B cell activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family (5%), abatacept (5%), other targeted treatments (9%) and combination of targeted treatments (6%). 73% of patients were receiving corticosteroid therapy at enrolment (median dose 10 mg/day). The current median follow-up time is 9 months (8 to 10).Safety: 11 serious infections (incidence rate of 14.8/100 patient-years) and 1 cancer (1.3 cancers/100 patient-years) were observed. Two patients died from severe COVID-19 (2.7 deaths/100 patient-years).Efficacy: the targeted treatment was considered effective by the clinician in 56% of patients and allowed, in responders, a median reduction of oral corticosteroids of 15 (9 to 21) mg/day, below 7.5 mg/day in 76% of patients, while 28% discontinued. CONCLUSION: These initial results of the TATA registry confirm the diversity of targeted treatments prescribed off-label in refractory autoimmune diseases and their corticosteroid-sparing effect when effective. Tolerance was acceptable in these refractory patients with a long history of treatment with immunosuppressive drugs.

Simple Application and Adherence to Gout Guidelines Enables Disease Control: An Observational Study in French Referral Centres.

Background: In a context of therapeutic inertia, the French Society of Rheumatology (SFR) published its first recommendations on gout in 2020, which were deliberately simple and concise. The objectives of the study were to determine the profile of patients referred to French gout-expert centres, and to examine the results of their management and the factors leading to those results. Methods: Three hundred patients attending a first visit for gout management in three French referral centres were retrospectively and randomly included in this multicentre observational study. Visits were performed at baseline (M0) and scheduled for month 6 (M6), month 12 (M12), and month 24 (M24). Results: Patients were 81% male and had a mean age 62.2 ± 15.2 years. Management followed French recommendations after the baseline visit in 94.9% of cases. SU levels were below 6.0 mg/dL in 59.4% of patients at M6, 67.9% at M12, and 78.6% at M24, with increasing clinical improvement (i.e., flare decrease) over 2 years of follow-up. At M24, 50% of patients were treated with allopurinol (313 ± 105 mg/d), which exceeded renal restrictions of doses in 61.5% of them, and 48.2% received febuxostat (84 ± 36 mg/d). The need for a sufficient dosage of ULT was the only predictive factor found for successful achievement of SU levels < 6.0 mg/dL at a given visit. Conclusions: Simple application of gout-management guidelines is feasible in clinical practice and is efficient, with a majority of patients achieving SU targets and clinical improvement.