Synovial and serum B-cell signature of autoantibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis versus autoantibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Autoantibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differs from autoantibody-positive RA in several clinical aspects, possibly underpinned by pathogenetic differences. At present, the role of adaptive immune responses in autoantibody-negative RA remains unclear. Here, we investigated the synovial and serum immunophenotype indicative of B-lymphocyte involvement across the spectrum of autoantibody-positive and -negative chronic arthritides. METHODS: Ultrasound-guided synovial biopsies were retrieved from 131 patients: 43 autoantibody-positive RA, 35 autoantibody-negative RA, 25 polyarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 28 oligoarticular PsA. Samples were analysed for the degree of histological inflammation, B-lymphocyte infiltration and the distribution of different pathotypes (lympho-myeloid, myeloid, pauci-immune). Serum levels of the B-cell chemoattractant CXCL13 were compared among groups. RESULTS: Synovitis scores and CD68+ sublining macrophage infiltration were comparable irrespective of clinical diagnosis and disease subtype. In contrast, the degree of B-lymphocyte infiltration and the frequency of lympho-myeloid synovitis in autoantibody-negative RA were lower than those of autoantibody-positive RA (mean [SD] 1.8 [1] vs 2.4 [0.6], p = 0.03 and 38.2% vs 62.9%, p = 0.07, respectively), and similar to polyarticular PsA. Oligoarticular PsA had the lowest B-cell scores. Serum CXCL13 was associated with lympho-myeloid synovitis and followed a similar gradient, with the highest levels in autoantibody-positive RA, intermediate and comparable levels in autoantibody-negative RA and polyarticular PsA, and low levels in oligoarticular PsA. CONCLUSIONS: The synovial and serum immunophenotype indicative of B-lymphocyte involvement in autoantibody-negative RA differs from autoantibody-positive RA and more closely resembles that observed in polyarticular PsA. The pathobiological stratification of chronic inflammatory arthritides beyond clinical diagnosis may fuel personalised treatment strategies.

Anti-SSA/Ro positivity and congenital heart block: obstetric and foetal outcome in a cohort of anti-SSA/Ro positive pregnant patients with and without autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Neonatal lupus (NL) is an acquired disease caused by the transplacental passage of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. The rate of congenital heart block (CHB), its most serious manifestation, ranges from 1 to 5%. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the prevalence of CHB in anti-SSA/Ro positive pregnant women with or without systemic autoimmune diseases from 2010 to 2020. METHODS: Patients underwent monthly visit and a shared follow-up programme of weekly (16th-24th week) foetal heart rate assessment by obstetric ultrasound. RESULTS: 322 pregnancies in 258 anti-SSA/Ro patients were included; 314 were followed from the beginning of pregnancy because of the known presence of anti-SSA/Ro autoantibodies and 1 case of CHB occurred in an anti-SSA/Ro+ asymptomatic subject (0.3%). In the same period, 8 additional patients were referred to our clinics after in utero CHB diagnosis and subsequent discovery of anti-SSA/Ro without a disease diagnosis. Globally, 9 cases of congenital CHB (2.8%) occurred: 7 complete, 1 II-III degree and 1 rst degree CHB. Anti-SSB/La positivity was associated with a higher risk of CHB (7.8% vs. 1.2%; p=0.0071). No differences in maternal or foetal outcomes were found in comparison with a large cohort of unselected pregnancies except for caesarian section. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was used in 58.3% pregnancies, with a different prevalence according with maternal diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that anti-SSA/Ro positive patents with a de ned systemic autoimmune disease undergoing a strict follow-up since positive pregnancy test display a low risk of pregnancy complications, including but not limited to NL.

The role of trimethoprim/sulfametoxazole in reducing relapses and risk of infections in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies including a control group regarding the role of trimethoprim/sulfametoxazole (TMP/SMX) in reducing the relapse rate in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and the risk of infections in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library databases, Scopus, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception until 15 January 2020 to identify controlled studies assessing the role of TMP/SMX in reducing the rate of relapse in patients with GPA (primary outcome) and the number and/or severity of infections in patients with AAV (secondary outcome). Two reviewers independently selected eligible studies and extracted data. Cumulative risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CI were calculated using a random effect meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eight studies were selected out of 2907 records. Seven studies (520 patients) (of which two were RCTs) assessed the role of TMP/SMX in the relapse rate in patients with GPA. TMP/SMX was not associated with a reduced risk of relapse (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.51, 2.55; I2 = 78.5%; P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis according to the dose of TMP/SMX (960 mg twice daily vs three times/week) confirmed the results. One retrospective cohort study (192 patients) was identified demonstrating a significant reduction of severe infections in patients with AAV receiving prophylaxis with TMP/SMX in association with rituximab. CONCLUSION: TMP/SMX was not associated with a reduced risk of relapse in patients with GPA. TMP/SMX might be useful in the reduction of infectious complications. PROSPERO DATABASE REGISTRATION CODE: CRD42019118983.

Novel Therapies for ANCA-associated Vasculitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to discuss the most recent evidence on the treatment innovations and future prospective in the management of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAVs). RECENT FINDINGS: In AAV, a growing body of research is available on novel treatment options for remission induction and to clarify some uncertainties concerning the optimal use of available drugs. Efforts are being made to reduce the toxicity associated with high-dose, prolonged glucocorticoids (GC) regimens. Despite major advances in the prognosis of AAV, relapses are still common and the intensity and duration of remission treatment constitute a great challenge in the management of these chronic conditions. A paradigm shift in practice in the management of AAV is being supported by recent evidence suggesting the comparable efficacy and improved safety profile of schemes with a reduced dose of GC for the induction and maintenance of remission in patients with severe granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Moreover, recent appraisal of pathogenetic mechanisms, including complement activation pathways, has introduced the revolutionary concept of an alternative to GC, such as avacopan. Plasma exchange failed to prevent end-stage renal disease and mortality in patients with severe renal involvement or pulmonary haemorrhage according to a large multicentre randomised trial. Intensified immunosuppressive strategies for patients with life-threatening manifestations, including the combination of rituximab (RTX) with cyclophosphamide (CYC) have revealed promising preliminary data. New evidence for the use of alternative immunosuppressive agents (e.g. mycophenolate mofetil or abatacept) for the induction of remission in patients with non-severe disease is emerging. Several studies have been recently published, or are ongoing, to assess the optimal strategy and duration of maintenance of remission with the available treatment options (GC, azathioprine, and RTX). Preliminary evidence supports the superiority of a more prolonged course of maintenance treatment. The management of refractory or relapsing eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) has been improved by the recent demonstration of efficacy and safety of an interleukin-5 inhibitor, mepolizumab. Ongoing randomised studies will clarify the role of RTX in patients with severe manifestations of EGPA.

The access route through the anatomical snuffbox in ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy of the wrist allows for a safe and effective collection of tissue samples in inflammatory arthritis.

BACKGROUND: A proof-of-concept study to evaluate the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive ultrasound (US)-guided synovial biopsy of the radiocarpal (RC) joint using the anatomical snuffbox as an access route. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with active chronic arthritis of the wrist underwent minimally invasive US-guided synovial biopsy of the RC joint using the anatomical snuffbox as the access route. Samples were retrieved from 3 predetermined biopsy target sites of the RC synovia (proximal, vault, and distal site), aiming for a minimum of 12 samples. The procedure's feasibility was evaluated based on the number and histological quality of retrieved tissue fragments tested on pre-defined histometric parameters. The safety and tolerability of the procedure were assessed through 1-week and 1-month follow-up clinical evaluations. RESULTS: A median number of 17 fragments (≥ 1 mm diameter size at macroscopic evaluation) per procedure was processed for histopathology (range 9-24) and dedicated to the study. At the histopathologic evaluation, a gradable tissue (visible lining layer and ≥ 4 fragments with IST) was recognized in 19/20 biopsies (95%), and all pre-defined histometric parameters were judged applicable and successfully measured in 19/19 gradable biopsies. All three biopsy target sites showed sampling accessibility. The entire procedure was generally well tolerated. At the 1-month follow-up, no patients showed infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: The access route through the anatomical snuff box in US-guided synovial biopsies of the RC joint allows for a safe and targeted collection of adequate tissue samples. This modification of the traditional access route may allow easier, repeatable, and safer sampling of anatomically distinct areas of the wrist in the course of arthritis.

Insights Into the Concept of Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare.

Identification of a pathological change in the course of systemic chronic immune-inflammatory diseases is key to delivering effective treatment strategies. In this context, one of the most compelling issues is the concept of flare. The multifaceted expression of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) makes it challenging to provide an omni-comprehensive definition of flare, encompassing the pathology's different objective and subjective domains. Our incomplete understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this process contributes to the partial comprehension of its potential clinical expression. This review focuses on the proposed pathophysiological processes underlying disease recrudescence in RA and the variable definitions adopted to capture flare in clinical practice through its objective, subjective, and temporal domains. Overall, what emerges is a complex landscape far from being unraveled.

Limiting factors to Boolean remission differ between autoantibody-positive and -negative patients in early rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The patient global assessment of disease activity (PGA) is the major limiting factor to Boolean remission in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated the limiting variables to disease remission in patients with early RA treated with conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, also in relation to autoantibody status. METHODS: Data were retrieved from 535 early RA patients (<12 months of symptoms) with an observation period of 6-12 months upon initiation of therapy with methotrexate aimed at the achievement of low disease activity based on the 28-joints disease activity score. Near-remission was defined as any of the four core items of Boolean remission >1 with the remaining three all ⩽1. Reasons for missing Boolean remission and predictors of near-remission subcategories were analyzed in relation to baseline disease variables. RESULTS: After 6 and 12 months, near-remission was two-times more frequent than Boolean remission (25.6% and 26.9% at the two time-points). A 28-swollen joint count (SJC28) >1 was responsible for the majority of near-remission (56.2% and 57.6% at 6 and 12 months, respectively), and PGA > 1 accounted for approximatively 35% of the cases. Autoantibody-positivity independently predicted the risk of missing remission because of SJC28 > 1 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.81 (1.59-4.9) at 6 months and 1.73 (1.01-3.01) at 12 months], whilst autoantibody-negativity was an independent predictor of PGA near-remission [adjusted OR (95% CI) 2.45 (1.25-4.80) at 6 months and 5.71 (2.47-13.2) at 12 months]. CONCLUSION: In early RA, Boolean remission is more frequently missed because of persistent swollen joints. However, barriers to full-remission vary in relation to the autoantibody status. Autoantibody-positive patients more commonly experience residual swollen joints, whilst PGA more frequently impairs remission in autoantibody-negative patients. Efforts to target full-remission in early RA may thus require different strategies according to autoantibody profile.

Disease-related malnutrition in outpatients with systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Disease-related malnutrition is known to negatively affect clinical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in a cohort of outpatients affected by Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and its association with clinical variables. METHODS: One hundred sixty SSc patients were consecutively evaluated. The following clinical variables were assessed: disease duration, activity and severity, treatments, functional status, gastrointestinal involvement. Nutritional assessment included: body mass index (BMI), weight loss (WL) history, nutritional intakes and serum prealbumin. Malnutrition was defined as BMI <20 kg/m² and/or previous 6-month WL ≥ 10%. RESULTS: Prevalence of malnutrition was 15% (10-21%). Logistic regression showed that malnutrition was independently associated with disease activity (OR 3.72; p < 0.001) and low serum prealbumin (OR 8.58; p < 0.001). The association with gastrointestinal involvement was not statistically significant, although a trend was detected (OR 1.88). CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is common in SSc outpatients. It appears associated with disease activity and not influenced by nutritional intakes; gastrointestinal involvement might contribute to its development over time. Serum prealbumin could be an early marker of malnutrition in SSc, whose role should be confirmed by further longitudinal investigations. Prospective studies are also required to clarify the clinical significance of the association between malnutrition and disease activity in SSc.