Impact of pregnancy on sacroiliac imaging in women with axial spondyloarthritis: results of the analysis of the DESIR cohort.

OBJECTIVE: In postpartum healthy women, inflammatory lesions of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) can appear and mimic sacroiliitis. However, the impact of delivery on imaging abnormalities in women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of delivery on SIJ imaging in early axSpA. METHOD: Women with axSpA from the French prospective cohort DESIR were included, with a follow-up of 5 years. Demographic and disease characteristics, and SIJ imaging abnormalities at baseline, were described in all women and then according to nulliparous status. Changes on imaging over time were analysed in the 38 women who were nulliparous at baseline and had their first pregnancy with delivery during follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, nulliparous women were younger and had a higher educational level than other women with axSpA. The presence of sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray was more frequent in nulliparous women (16.9% vs 9.9% and 33.8% vs 19.4%, respectively). When focusing on first incident deliveries, these patients had more sacroiliitis on X-ray and MRI at baseline than nulliparous patients at the end of follow-up, but lower Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP). Only the modified New York score on the left SIJ was statistically different after delivery. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy with delivery does not seem to aggravate imaging in women with. Following axSpA patients who had their first delivery showed a mild increase in left sacroiliitis on X-ray after delivery, but without other signs of structural or inflammatory aggravation on imaging.

[Implementation, of multidisciplinary consultations for patients with inflammatory arthritis and treated with subcutaneous biologic DMARDs: Assessment at one year and outlook]. / Mise en place de consultations pluridisciplinaires pour des patients atteints de rhumatisme inflammatoire chronique et traités par biothérapie sous-cutanée : bilan à un an et perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Biologics (bDMARDs) have revolutionized the prognosis of patients with inflammatory arthritis, but are not without serious side effects. The patient must be able to identify them, acquire self-care abilities or skills and adhere to their treatment. Multidisciplinary consultations, including a pharmaceutical consultation could improve the care of these patients. The pharmaceutical presence make it easier to switch to a biosimilar with etended patient support thanks to the community-hospital network. The return on investment is possible thanks to the more frequent use of biosimilars and the pricing of this type of consultation by the "Forfait de Prestation Intermédiaire". METHODOLOGY: Eligible patients are patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis, treated with subcutaneous bDMARDs. The criteria assessed were patient's knowledge of their biotherapy using the Biosecure score, their medication adherence using the CQR-5, the total of switch to biosimilars perform and the financial statement of the consultations. An assessment of the actions deployed for the community-hospital network. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-five patients (47.4%) benefited multidisciplinary consultation. The mean score of the Biosecure score was 69.6/100 (moderate knowledge) and 261 patients (88.5%) were highly adherent. 57 patients (73%) accepted the switch to biosimilar. 197 pharmacy were contacted, all of witch for patients who receive the switch. Overall patient's satisfaction was 26.9/28. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary consultations with involvement of the pharmacist should optimized patient care and the management of outpatients treated with bDMARDs. Patients have already expressed their satisfaction with this course of care and the return on investment is positive.

Factors associated with the orthopaedic surgeon's decision to recommend total joint replacement in hip and knee osteoarthritis: an international cross-sectional study of 1905 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with orthopaedic surgeons' decision to recommend total joint replacement (TJR) in people with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in eleven countries. For consecutive outpatients with definite hip or knee OA consulting an orthopaedic surgeon, the surgeon's indication of TJR was collected, as well as patients' characteristics including comorbidities and social situation, OA symptom duration, pain, stiffness and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]), joint-specific quality of life, Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) joint space narrowing (JSN) radiographic grade (0-4), and surgeons' characteristics. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with the indication of TJR, adjusted by country. RESULTS: In total, 1905 patients were included: mean age was 66.5 (standard deviation [SD], 10.8) years, 1082 (58.0%) were women, mean OA symptom duration was 5.0 (SD 7.0) years. TJR was recommended in 561/1127 (49.8%) knee OA and 542/778 (69.7%) hip OA patients. In multivariable analysis on 516 patients with complete data, the variables associated with TJR indication were radiographic grade (Odds Ratio, OR for one grade increase, for knee and hip OA, respectively: 2.90, 95% confidence interval [1.69-4.97] and 3.30 [2.17-5.03]) and WOMAC total score (OR for 10 points increase: 1.65 [1.32-2.06] and 1.38 [1.15-1.66], respectively). After excluding radiographic grade from the analyses, on 1265 patients, greater WOMAC total score was the main predictor for knee and hip OA; older age was also significant for knee OA. CONCLUSION: Radiographic severity and patient-reported pain and function play a major role in surgeons' recommendation for TJR.

EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory joint disorders (IJD) have increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with the general population. In 2009, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) taskforce recommended screening, identification of CVD risk factors and CVD risk management largely based on expert opinion. In view of substantial new evidence, an update was conducted with the aim of producing CVD risk management recommendations for patients with IJD that now incorporates an increasing evidence base. A multidisciplinary steering committee (representing 13 European countries) comprised 26 members including patient representatives, rheumatologists, cardiologists, internists, epidemiologists, a health professional and fellows. Systematic literature searches were performed and evidence was categorised according to standard guidelines. The evidence was discussed and summarised by the experts in the course of a consensus finding and voting process. Three overarching principles were defined. First, there is a higher risk for CVD in patients with RA, and this may also apply to ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Second, the rheumatologist is responsible for CVD risk management in patients with IJD. Third, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids should be in accordance with treatment-specific recommendations from EULAR and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society. Ten recommendations were defined, of which one is new and six were changed compared with the 2009 recommendations. Each designated an appropriate evidence support level. The present update extends on the evidence that CVD risk in the whole spectrum of IJD is increased. This underscores the need for CVD risk management in these patients. These recommendations are defined to provide assistance in CVD risk management in IJD, based on expert opinion and scientific evidence.

Predictive risk factors of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with abatacept in common practice: results from the Orencia and Rheumatoid Arthritis (ORA) registry.

OBJECTIVES: Little data are available regarding the rate and predicting factors of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with abatacept (ABA) in daily practice. We therefore addressed this issue using real-life data from the Orencia and Rheumatoid Arthritis (ORA) registry. METHODS: ORA is an independent 5-year prospective registry promoted by the French Society of Rheumatology that includes patients with RA treated with ABA. At baseline, 3 months, 6 months and every 6 months or at disease relapse, during 5 years, standardised information is prospectively collected by trained clinical nurses. A serious infection was defined as an infection occurring during treatment with ABA or during the 3 months following withdrawal of ABA without any initiation of a new biologic and requiring hospitalisation and/or intravenous antibiotics and/or resulting in death. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and comorbidities: among the 976 patients included with a follow-up of at least 3 months (total follow-up of 1903 patient-years), 78 serious infections occurred in 69 patients (4.1/100 patient-years). Predicting factors of serious infections: on univariate analysis, an older age, history of previous serious or recurrent infections, diabetes and a lower number of previous anti-tumour necrosis factor were associated with a higher risk of serious infections. On multivariate analysis, only age (HR per 10-year increase 1.44, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.76, p=0.001) and history of previous serious or recurrent infections (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.20, p=0.009) were significantly associated with a higher risk of serious infections. CONCLUSIONS: In common practice, patients treated with ABA had more comorbidities than in clinical trials and serious infections were slightly more frequently observed. In the ORA registry, predictive risk factors of serious infections include age and history of serious infections.

European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2015 update.

BACKGROUND: Since the publication of the European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in 2012, new evidence and new therapeutic agents have emerged. The objective was to update these recommendations. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed regarding pharmacological treatment in PsA. Subsequently, recommendations were formulated based on the evidence and the expert opinion of the 34 Task Force members. Levels of evidence and strengths of recommendations were allocated. RESULTS: The updated recommendations comprise 5 overarching principles and 10 recommendations, covering pharmacological therapies for PsA from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to conventional synthetic (csDMARD) and biological (bDMARD) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, whatever their mode of action, taking articular and extra-articular manifestations of PsA into account, but focusing on musculoskeletal involvement. The overarching principles address the need for shared decision-making and treatment objectives. The recommendations address csDMARDs as an initial therapy after failure of NSAIDs and local therapy for active disease, followed, if necessary, by a bDMARD or a targeted synthetic DMARD (tsDMARD). The first bDMARD would usually be a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. bDMARDs targeting interleukin (IL)12/23 (ustekinumab) or IL-17 pathways (secukinumab) may be used in patients for whom TNF inhibitors are inappropriate and a tsDMARD such as a phosphodiesterase 4-inhibitor (apremilast) if bDMARDs are inappropriate. If the first bDMARD strategy fails, any other bDMARD or tsDMARD may be used. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations provide stakeholders with an updated consensus on the pharmacological treatment of PsA and strategies to reach optimal outcomes in PsA, based on a combination of evidence and expert opinion.

Cross-cultural validation of the ICOAP and physical function short forms of the HOOS and KOOS in a multi-country study of patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the internal consistency and construct validity of the Physical Function short-forms for the Hip and Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS) and the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) in a nine country study of patients consulting for total hip or knee replacement (THR or TKR). METHODS: Patients completed HOOS-PS or KOOS-PS, ICOAP and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and physical function subscales at their consultation visit. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The association of HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS and ICOAP with WOMAC pain and function subscales was calculated with Spearman correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS and ICOAP demonstrated high internal consistency across countries (alpha 0.75-0.96 (hip) and 0.76-0.95 (knee)). Both HOOS-PS and KOOS-PS demonstrated high correlations (0.76-0.90 and 0.75-0.91, respectively) with WOMAC function in all countries. ICOAP exhibited moderate to high correlations with WOMAC pain and function subscales (0.53-0.84 (hip) and 0.43-0.84 (knee)). CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of the HOOS-PS/KOOS-PS, and ICOAP were maintained across all countries.

Comparison of the long-term outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis with persistent moderate disease activity or disease remission during the first year after diagnosis: data from the ESPOIR cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if patients with early RA with persistent moderate disease activity during the first year after diagnosis have a worse 3-5 year outcome than those who achieve sustained clinical remission within the first year, in a daily life setting. METHODS: The ESPOIR cohort included patients with early arthritis of <6 months' duration. Treatment was the standard of care. We had 5-year follow-up data for 573 patients. This study compared patients who had persistent moderate disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28)>3.2 and ≤5.1) at both the 6- and 12-month visits, with those who were in sustained DAS28 remission. The primary outcome was radiographic progression at the 36-month visit. Secondary endpoints were clinical remission (DAS28 score, Simplified Disease Activity Index, ACR/EULAR criteria), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and number of missed workdays at months 36 and 60. A Fisher exact test was used to compare categorical variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis test for quantitative variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Patients were aged 48.1±12.5 years and their duration of symptoms was 103.2±52.1 days. Mean baseline DAS28 was 5.1±1.3. Persistent moderate disease activity (107 patients) rather than sustained remission (155 patients) during the first year was associated with increased radiographic disease progression at 3 years (OR=1.99 (95% CI 1.01 to 3.79)), increased HAQ-DI at 3 and 5 years (5.23 (2.81 to 9.73) and 4.10 (2.16 to 7.80), respectively), a 7-11 times smaller chance of achieving clinical remission and a five times greater number of missed workdays. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early RA with persistent moderate disease activity during the first year had a worse outcome than patients who achieved sustained clinical remission. Persistent moderate disease activity affects long-term structure, remission rate and functional and work disability. Such patients may benefit from intensive treatment.

Bone mineral density in patients with symptoms suggestive of spondyloarthritis.

UNLABELLED: Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have an increased risk of osteoporosis related to inflammation. We evaluate the performance of low bone mineral density (BMD) in diagnosis of axSpA for patients with symptoms suggestive of the disease. A low BMD (T ≤ -2) could be an additional tool for the diagnosis of axSpA. INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can be challenging, especially in the absence of radiographic abnormalities. Patients with axSpA have an increased risk of osteoporosis related to inflammation. This study evaluated the performance of low bone mineral density (BMD) in diagnosis of axSpA for patients with symptoms suggestive of the disease. METHODS: Medical files of patients that visited a tertiary centre for symptoms suggestive of axSpA were reviewed. Two hundred and sixty-seven patients were classified in confirmed axSpA or unconfirmed axSpA according to the diagnosis of a senior rheumatologist. BMD measurements results and percentage of patients with a low BMD (T ≤ -2) at either spine or hip were compared between the two groups. Diagnostic performances of low BMD (specificity, sensitivity, positive, negative predictive values and positive likelihood ratio (LR+)) were assessed. RESULTS: Compared to patients with unconfirmed axSpA (n = 74), patients with confirmed axSpA (n = 193) had similar age, were more frequently male, with positive HLA B27, higher disease duration and higher C-reactive protein (CRP). Low BMD was more frequent at spine and hip, in patients with confirmed (40.3%) than unconfirmed axSpA (24.6%, p = 0.021). The LR+ of low BMD for an axSpA diagnosis was 2.60 and 3.12 at the spine and hip. In the subgroup of patients without any radiographic abnormalities (n = 128), the LR+ of low BMD for an axSpA diagnosis was 2.90 and 2.54 at the spine and hip. CONCLUSION: In patients with symptoms suggestive of axSpA, a low BMD (T ≤ -2) could be an additional tool for the diagnosis of axSpA.

Evaluation of collected outcome measures in axial spondyloarthritis in daily-care rheumatology settings: the experience of the RHEVER network.

OBJECTIVES: Nowadays, the recommended measures for optimal monitoring of axial Spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) disease activity are either BASDAI and CRP, or ASDAS-CRP. However, there could be a gap between recommendations and daily practice. We aimed to determine the measures collected by rheumatologists in an ax-SpA follow-up visit, and to determine the impact of a meeting (where rheumatologists reached a consensus on the measures to be collected) on the collection of such measures. METHODS: A consensual meeting of a local network of 32 rheumatologists proposed, four months later, to report at least the BASDAI score in the medical file of every ax-SpA patient at every follow-up visit. An independent investigator reviewed the medical files of 10 consecutive patients per rheumatologist, seen twice during the year (e.g. before and after the meeting). The most frequently collected measures were assessed, and then, the frequency of collection before and after the meeting was compared. RESULTS: A total of 456 medical files from 228 patients were reviewed. Treatment (>60%), CRP (51.3%) and total BASDAI (28.5%) were the most reported measures in medical files. Before/After the meeting, the frequencies of collected measures in medical files were 28.5%/51.7%, 51.3%/52.2%, 16.7%/31.6% and 0.9%/6.1% for BASDAI, CRP, BASDAI + CRP and ASDAS, respectively reaching a statistically significance for BASDAI, ASDAS and BASDAI+CRP (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a low rate of systematic report of the recommended outcome measures in ax-SpA. However, it suggests that a consensual meeting involving practicing rheumatologists might be relevant to improve the implementation of such recommendations.

Efficacy of certolizumab pegol on signs and symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis: 24-week results of a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled Phase 3 study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol (CZP) after 24 weeks in RAPID-axSpA (NCT01087762), an ongoing Phase 3 trial in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), including patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). METHODS: Patients with active axSpA were randomised 1:1:1 to placebo, CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or CZP 400 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W). In total 325 patients were randomised. Primary endpoint was ASAS20 (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 20) response at week 12. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) linear. RESULTS: Baseline disease activity was similar between AS and nr-axSpA. At week 12, ASAS20 response rates were significantly higher in CZP 200 mg Q2W and CZP 400 mg Q4W arms versus placebo (57.7 and 63.6 vs 38.3, p≤0.004). At week 24, combined CZP arms showed significant (p<0.001) differences in change from baseline versus placebo in BASFI (-2.28 vs -0.40), BASDAI (-3.05 vs -1.05), and BASMI (-0.52 vs -0.07). Improvements were observed as early as week 1. Similar improvements were reported with CZP versus placebo in both AS and nr-axSpA subpopulations. Adverse events were reported in 70.4% vs 62.6%, and serious adverse events in 4.7% vs 4.7% of All CZP versus placebo groups. No deaths or malignancies were reported. CONCLUSIONS: CZP rapidly reduced the signs and symptoms of axSpA, with no new safety signals observed compared to the safety profile of CZP in RA. Similar improvements were observed across CZP dosing regimens, and in AS and nr-axSpA patients.

Treating axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, to target: results of a systematic literature search to support an international treat-to-target recommendation in spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Current recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis are to monitor disease activity and adjust therapy accordingly. However, treatment targets and timeframes of change have not been defined. An international expert panel has been convened to develop 'treat-to-target' recommendations, based on published evidence and expert opinion. OBJECTIVE: To review evidence on targeted treatment for axial and peripheral SpA, as well as for psoriatic skin disease. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search covering Medline, Embase and Cochrane, conference abstracts and studies in http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. RESULTS: Randomised comparisons of targeted versus routine treatment are lacking. Some studies implemented treatment targets before escalating therapy: in ankylosing spondylitis, most trials used a decrease in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index; in psoriatic arthritis, protocols primarily considered a reduction in swollen and tender joints; in psoriasis, the Modified Psoriasis Severity Score and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index were used. Complementary evidence correlating these factors with function and radiographic damage at follow-up is sparse and equivocal. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for randomised trials that investigate the value of treat-to-target recommendations in SpA and psoriasis. Several trials have used thresholds of disease activity measures to guide treatment decisions. However, evidence on the effect of these data on long-term outcome is scarce. The search data informed the expert committee regarding the formulation of recommendations and a research agenda.

Which spinal lesions are associated with new bone formation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with anti-TNF agents? A long-term observational study using MRI and conventional radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of spinal inflammation and fatty degeneration (FD) as detected by MRI and new bone formation seen on conventional radiographs (CRs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: CRs at baseline, 2 years and 5 years and spinal MRIs at baseline and 2 years of 73 AS patients treated with infliximab in European AS Infliximab Cohort were available. Relative risks (RR) were calculated with a general linear model after adjustment for within-patient variation. RESULTS: In a total of 1466 vertebral edges (VEs) without baseline syndesmophytes, 61 syndesmophytes developed at 5 years, the majority of which (57.4%) had no corresponding detectable MRI lesions at baseline. VEs with both inflammation and FD at baseline had the highest risk (RR 3.3, p=0.009) for syndesmophyte formation at 5 years, followed by VEs that developed new FD or did not resolve FD at 2 years (RR=2.3, p=0.034), while inflammation at baseline with no FD at 2 years had the lowest risk for syndesmophyte formation at 5 years (RR=0.8). Of the VEs with inflammation at baseline, >70% resolved completely, 28.8% turned into FD after 2 years, but only 1 syndesmophyte developed within 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Parallel occurrence of inflammation and FD at baseline and development of FD without prior inflammation after 2 years were significantly associated with syndesmophyte formation after 5 years of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. However, the sequence 'inflammation-FD-new bone formation' was rarely observed, an argument against the TNF-brake hypothesis. Whether an early suppression of inflammation leads to a decrease of the risk for new bone formation remains to be demonstrated.

Comorbidity indices.

Comorbidities are conditions that coexist with a disease of interest, and may lead to a delayed diagnosis, be confounders in analysis of clinical status and course, and increase morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it appears desirable to summarise efficiently one or multiple comorbidities into a single score in an efficient manner, using comorbidity indices and self-administered comorbidity questionnaires. The two most commonly used comorbidity indices are the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the Elixhauser et al. comorbidity measure (ECM). The CCI was constructed based on the mortality rates of 607 patients admitted to the general internal medicine service over 1 month; sixteen diseases were included in this index, with different weights, and were selected and weighted based on the strength of their association with mortality. Elixhauser et al. used administrative data to identify the 30 comorbidities that had a major impact on short-term outcomes in acutely hospitalised patients. Although ECM appeared to have better performance in all aspects of validity, difficulty in terms of feasibility in collecting 30 comorbidities may encourage investigators to use the CCI. Self-administered questionnaires could be a valid and reliable alternative approach to assess comorbidities, and a tool to be included in prospective studies.

Performance of cut-offs of the ASAS Health Index to discriminate between treatment groups in patients with axial spondyloarthritis in the TICOSPA trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test trial and longitudinal known group discrimination of thresholds of meaning for improvement and health states of the ASAS Health Index (ASAS HI) in patients with active axSpA treated in a randomized study. METHODS: Data from baseline and week 48 from the tight-controlled, treat-to-target trial TICOSPA study were used. The performance of different thresholds to assess change or health states of the ASAS HI were evaluated between arms and against changes in patients' relevant outcomes and various external responder criteria. Analyses were performed by comparing the mean values t-tests or proportion of responders of continuous and dichotomous external criteria respectively. Trial discrimination of the ASAS HI thresholds were assessed by odds ratios and Phi coefficient in a large number of potential ASAS HI thresholds. Differences in health states in relevant external outcomes between ASAS HI responders and non-responders was assessed by comparing the best performing improvement and state thresholds by using t-tests and chi-square, as appropriate. Missing data on outcomes was handled by non-responder imputation (NRI). RESULTS: All 160 patients had available ASAS HI data. Trial discrimination was larger for absolute ASAS HI change of ≥2.0, ≥2.5, and ≥3.0 points followed by ASAS HI 20 % improvement. Odds ratio ranged between 1.27 and 1.75 for absolute and between 1.0 and 1.64 for relative improvement outcomes. Longitudinal discrimination of ASAS HI improvement ≥30 % or ≥ 3.0 points had a larger reduction in patient global and disease activity and reached more often remission compared to patients with no significant improvement in global functioning. Patients who achieved ASAS HI ≤ 5.0 compared with patients who did not achieve such states were more likely to have ASAS partial remission, ASDAS inactive disease or ASDAS low activity at week 48. CONCLUSIONS: The data-driven thresholds of the ASAS HI identified in a longitudinal observational setting perform well in the context of a randomized trial.

Metrologic properties of ultrasound versus clinical evaluation of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: results of a multicenter, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraobserver reliability, face validity, and discriminant capacity of different global ultrasound (US) scoring systems for measuring synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This study was ancillary to a 52-week, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group outpatient study conducted in patients with moderate RA who were randomized to receive either etanercept combined with methotrexate or various disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. A total of 66 different synovitis scoring systems were constructed and evaluated, including 11 different joint combinations; data derived from clinical findings, gray-scale US, and power Doppler US (PDUS); and both binary counts and semiquantitative scores. RESULTS: Due to discontinuation of the trial, only 62 patients, a subset of the initially planned number of patients, were included in this study. Reliability was found to be better for gray-scale US and PDUS than for clinical evaluation of synovitis in patients with stable disease between the screening and baseline visits (range for intraclass correlation coefficient 0.6, 0.95 for gray-scale US and 0.56, 0.93 for PDUS versus 0.31, 0.75 for clinical indices). The median (range) difference in the discriminant capacities of clinical indices versus gray-scale US and versus PDUS was 0.25 (-0.64, 0.96) and -0.025 (-0.59, 0.53), respectively, in the period from baseline to 12 weeks. No relevant differences in metrologic properties were observed regarding the number and composition of joints between the different scoring systems. Our findings suggested that a simplified scoring system referring to gray-scale US and PDUS findings might be sufficient. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that gray-scale US and PDUS have better reliability than generally used clinical indices for evaluating synovitis in RA. PDUS has at least as good discriminant capacity as clinical assessment of synovitis for distinguishing between treatment arms.

Level of agreement of the 1987 ACR and 2010 ACR/EULAR rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria: an analysis based on ESPOIR cohort data.

BACKGROUND: In 2010, new classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were developed. OBJECTIVE: To assess agreement between 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria and the potential source of discordance, based on ESPOIR cohort data. METHODS: 813 early arthritis patients were included in ESPOIR between 2002 and 2005. Between-criteria agreement was based on the κ coefficient. Discordance was explored by logistic regression. RESULTS: Data for 811 patients were available, with their main characteristics as follows: women 77%, swollen joint count 7.2, tender joint count 8.4, disease activity score in 28 joints 5.2, rheumatoid factor 46%, anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) 39%, structural damage 22%. At baseline, 579 (71.4%) patients met the 1987 ACR criteria and 641 (79.0%) the 2010 criteria. Agreement at baseline was discordant for 168 patients: 115 satisfied the 2010 criteria and 53 the 1987 criteria. Concordance between the two sets was fair, with a κ coefficient of 0.45 and 0.42 at baseline and year 2, respectively. The main sources of discordance were the number and symmetry of joint involvement, as well as ACPA status. CONCLUSION: 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria identified more patients with RA than did 1987 criteria. The 2010 criteria failed to identify RA patients with symmetrical seronegative arthritis and limited joint involvement.

Fcγ receptor type IIIA polymorphism influences treatment outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene of FCGR3A and the response to treatment with rituximab (RTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: SMART is a randomised open trial assessing two strategies of re-treatment in patients responding to 1 g infusion of RTX with methotrexate on days 1 and 15 after failure, intolerance or contraindication to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Among the 224 patients included, 111 could be genotyped and were included in an ancillary study of SMART. Univariate and multivariate analyses adjusted on disease activity score on 28 joints were performed to assess whether FCGR3A-158V/F polymorphism was associated with European League Against Rheumatism response at week 24. RESULTS: Among the 111 patients, 90 (81%) were responders of whom 30 (27%) were good responders. V allele carriage was significantly associated with a higher response rate (91% of responders vs 70%, OR 4.6 (95% CI 1.5 to 13.6), p=0.006). These results were also confirmed in rheumatoid factor-positive patients (93% vs 74%, p=0.025). In multivariate analysis, V allele carriage was independently associated with response to RTX (OR 3.8 (95% CI 1.2 to 11.7), p=0.023). CONCLUSION: The 158V/F polymorphism of FCGR3A seems to influence the response to RTX in patients with RA after failure, intolerance or contraindication to TNF blockers.

Positivity for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide is associated with a better response to abatacept: data from the 'Orencia and Rheumatoid Arthritis' registry.

OBJECTIVES: Very limited data are available regarding the efficacy of abatacept (ABA) in real life. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of ABA in rheumatoid arthritis and predicting factors of efficacy in common practice. METHODS: The Orencia and Rheumatoid Arthritis" (ORA) prospective registry, promoted by the French Society of Rheumatology, has included 1003 patients with RA. RESULTS: 773 patients had already fulfilled the 6-month follow-up visit. Only 21.3% of patients would have fulfilled inclusion criteria used in pivotal controlled trials. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response, was observed in 330 (59.1%) of the 558 assessed patients (good response: 20.4%, moderate response: 38.7%) and was similar in patients who did and in patients who did not fulfill inclusion criteria of controlled trials. Among EULAR responders, initial 28-joint disease activity score (5.4 (4.7-6.5) in responders vs 4.9 (4.0-6.0) in non responders, p< 0.0001), the proportion of rheumatoid factor (75.6% vs 66.7%, p= 0.03) and the proportion of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP)-positivity (75.9% vs 62.2%, p= 0.001) were significantly higher. In multivariate analysis adjusted on initial 28-joint disease activity score and CRP, anti-CCP positivity was associated with EULAR response (OR=1.9;95% CI=1.2 to 2.9, p=0.007), but not rheumatoid factor (OR=1.0;95% CI=0.6 to 1.6, p=0.9). Anti-CCP positivity was also significantly associated with a higher ABA retention rate at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Real life efficacy of ABA in the ORA registry was similar as that reported in clinical trials. Anti-CCP positivity was associated with a better response to ABA, independently from disease activity.

European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. Clear consensual treatment guidance focused on the musculoskeletal manifestations of PsA would be advantageous. The authors present European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the treatment of PsA with systemic or local (non-topical) symptomatic and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD). METHODS: The recommendations are based on evidence from systematic literature reviews performed for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), glucocorticoids, synthetic DMARD and biological DMARD. This evidence was discussed, summarised and recommendations were formulated by a task force comprising 35 representatives, and providing levels of evidence, strength of recommendations and levels of agreement. RESULTS: Ten recommendations were developed for treatment from NSAID through synthetic DMARD to biological agents, accounting for articular and extra-articular manifestations of PsA. Five overarching principles and a research agenda were defined. CONCLUSION: These recommendations are intended to provide rheumatologists, patients and other stakeholders with a consensus on the pharmacological treatment of PsA and strategies to reach optimal outcomes, based on combining evidence and expert opinion. The research agenda informs directions within EULAR and other communities interested in PsA.