A prospective survey on therapeutic inertia in psoriatic arthritis (OPTI'PsA).

OBJECTIVES: Clinical inertia, or therapeutic inertia (TI), is the medical behaviour of not initiating or intensifying treatment when recommended by clinical recommendations. To our knowledge, our survey is the first to assess TI around psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: Eight hundred and twenty-five French rheumatologists were contacted via email between January and March 2021 and invited to complete an online questionnaire consisting of seven clinical vignettes: five cases ('oligoarthritis', 'enthesitis', 'polyarthritis', 'neoplastic history', 'cardiovascular risk') requiring treatment OPTImization, and two 'control' cases (distal interphalangeal arthritis, atypical axial involvement) not requiring any change of treatment-according to the most recent PsA recommendations. Rheumatologists were also questioned about their routine practice, continuing medical education and perception of PsA. RESULTS: One hundred and one rheumatologists completed this OPTI'PsA survey. Almost half the respondents (47%) demonstrated TI on at least one of the five vignettes that warranted treatment optimization. The complex profiles inducing the most TI were 'oligoarthritis' and 'enthesitis' with 20% and 19% of respondents not modifying treatment, respectively. Conversely, clinical profiles for which there was the least uncertainty ('polyarthritis in relapse', 'neoplastic history' and 'cardiovascular risk') generated less TI with 11%, 8% and 6% of respondents, respectively, choosing not to change the current treatment. CONCLUSION: The rate of TI we observed for PsA is similar to published data for other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, gout or multiple sclerosis. Our study is the first to show marked clinical inertia in PsA, and further research is warranted to ascertain the reasons behind this inertia.

Chronic stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein does not trigger autoimmunity.

Autoimmune manifestations were reported in people infected with SARS-CoV-2. Repetitive exposure of mice to foreign antigen may lead to the onset of autoimmunity. We therefore investigated whether repetitive exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could result in autoimmunity. To address this hypothesis, we repeatedly immunized C57Bl/6 mice with spike protein injected intraperitoneally. At the end of the immunization, mice which received spike protein produced anti-spike IgG but none of them developed anti-dsDNA antibodies or proteinuria. In conclusion, repetitive immunization with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein does not induce autoimmunity in the present mice model. Albeit reassuring, these results need to be confirmed by large epidemiological study evaluating the incidence of autoimmune diseases in individuals with repetitive SARS-CoV-2 antigen exposure.

Identification of new candidate drugs for primary Sjögren's syndrome using a drug repurposing transcriptomic approach.

OBJECTIVES: To date, no immunomodulatory drug has demonstrated its efficacy in primary SS (pSS). We sought to analyse potential commonalities between pSS transcriptomic signatures and signatures of various drugs or specific knock-in or knock-down genes. METHODS: Gene expression from peripheral blood samples of patients with pSS was compared with that of healthy controls in two cohorts and three public databases. In each of the five datasets, we analysed the 150 most up- and downregulated genes between pSS patients and controls with regard to the differentially expressed genes resulting from the biological action on nine cell lines of 2837 drugs, 2160 knock-in and 3799 knock-down genes in the Connectivity Map database. RESULTS: We analysed 1008 peripheral blood transcriptomes from five independent studies (868 patients with pSS and 140 healthy controls). Eleven drugs could represent potential candidate drugs, with histone deacetylases and PI3K inhibitors among the most significantly associated. Twelve knock-in genes were associated with a pSS-like profile and 23 knock-down genes were associated with a pSS-revert profile. Most of those genes (28/35, 80%) were interferon-regulated. CONCLUSION: This first drug repositioning transcriptomic approach in SS confirms the interest of targeting interferons and identifies histone deacetylases and PI3K inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets.

Can efficacy and safety data from clinical trials of rituximab in RA be extrapolated? Insights from 1984 patients from the AIR-PR Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the efficacy and safety data from drug-registration trials can be extrapolated to real-life RA patients receiving RTX. METHODS: The AIR-PR registry is a French multicentre, prospective cohort of RA patients treated with RTX in a real-life setting. We compared treatment responses at 12 months and serious AEs between eligible and non-eligible patients, by retrieving the eligibility criteria of the three rituximab-registration trials. We determined critical eligibility criteria and modelled the benefit-risk ratio according to the number of fulfilled critical eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Among 1984 RA patients, only 9-12% fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Non-eligible patients had less EULAR response at 12 months (40.3% vs 46.9%, p= 0.044). Critical inclusion criteria included SJC ≥ 4, TJC ≥ 4, CRP ≥ 15 mg/l, and RF positivity. Critical exclusion criteria were age >80 years, RA-associated systemic diseases, ACR functional class IV, other DMARD than methotrexate, and prednisone > 10 mg/day. Only 20.8% fulfilled those critical eligibility criteria. During the first year, serious AEs occurred for 182 (9.2%) patients, (70.3% serious infections) and patients with ≥1 critical exclusion criterion were at higher risk (HR 3.03; 95%CI 2.25-4.06; for ≥ 3 criteria vs 0). The incremental risk-benefit ratio decreased with the number of unmet critical inclusion criteria and of fulfilled exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: Few real-life RA patients were eligible for the drug-registration trials. Non-eligible patients had lower chance of response, and higher risk of serious AEs. Efficacy and safety data obtained from those trials may not be generalizable to RA patients receiving RTX in real-world clinical practice.

Sex influence on outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: a EUSTAR database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of sex on SSc-ILD. METHODS: EUSTAR SSc patients with radiologically confirmed ILD and available percentage predicted forced vital capacity (%pFVC) were included. Demographics and disease features were recorded. A change in %pFVC over 12 months (s.d. 6) (cohort 1) was classified into stable (≤4%), mild (5-9%) and large progression (≥10%). In those with 2-year longitudinal %pFVC (cohort 2), the %pFVC change at each 12-month (s.d. 6) interval was calculated. Logistic regression analyses [odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI] and Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age and %pFVC were applied. RESULTS: A total of 1136 male and 5253 female SSc-ILD patients were identified. Males were significantly younger, had a shorter disease duration, had a higher prevalence of CRP elevation and frequently had diffuse cutaneous involvement. In cohort 1 (1655 females and 390 males), a higher percentage of males had stable ILD (74.4% vs 69.4%, P = 0.056). In multivariable analysis, disease duration and %pFVC [OR 0.99 (95% CI 0.98, 0.99) and OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.95, 0.99), respectively] in males and age, %pFVC and anti-centromere [OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.00, 1.04), OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.96, 0.98) and OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.245, 0.63), respectively] in females were associated with large progression. The 1-year mortality rate was higher in males (5.1% vs 2.5%, P = 0.013). In cohort 2 (849 females and 209 males), a higher percentage of females showed periods of large progression (11.7% vs 7.7%, P = 0.023), the percentage of patients with none, one or two periods of worsening was not different. The overall death rate was 30.9% for males and 20.4% in females (P < 0.001). In the survival analysis, male sex was a predictor of mortality [OR 1.95 (95% CI 1.66, 2.28)]. CONCLUSIONS: Male SSc-ILD patients have a poorer prognosis and sex-specific predictors exist in SSc-ILD.

Validity Evidence of A Screening Tool for Early Detection of Clinical Crisis-Related Anxiety Amongst Medical Students.

Construct: Psychological distress among students is a growing concern in medical education, even more so with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety is among students' mental health issues. High and persistent anxiety has many negative impacts on students' academic and personal life. Early detection is essential for timely intervention. Background: Currently, medical student anxiety is assessed using tools primarily designed for psychiatric purposes. Despite their excellent validity evidence, these tools contain sensitive items and do not explore stressors related to clinical activities. There is a need for contextualized tools to better identify anxiety-provoking factors specific to the medical education environment. Approach: We previously developed the Crisis Experience Rating Scale (CERS-7), a short screening tool to identify early on anxious students participating in clinical activities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study sought to produce further validity evidence for the CERS-7. Medical students in their clinical years at two Swiss and one French medical school, all involved in COVID-19 clinical activity during the second wave of the pandemic, completed the CERS-7 and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-A), the best known and widely used tool to measure for general anxiety. We evaluated internal structure using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and relation to other variables using linear regression (LR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with thresholds defined using the Youden index. Findings: There were 372 participants. CFA confirmed the two-factor structure of the CERS-7 scale from first-wave dataset. The CERS-7 total scale and subscales demonstrated validity evidence in relationship to the STAI-A scores and categories. A CERS-7 total scale score < 27.5 identified 93% of severely anxious students. Conclusion: The CERS-7 produces reliable scores to use for monitoring anxiety status when assigning students to clinical settings as well as for improving training conditions during clinical crisis.

Significance of Sjögren's syndrome and anti-cN1A antibody in myositis patients.

OBJECTIVE: We recently recorded a high prevalence of inclusion body myositis (IBM) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Whether myositis patients with SS differ from myositis patients without SS in terms of the characteristics of the myositis is currently unknown. Anti-cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1 A (cN1A) has recently been proposed as a biomarker for IBM but is also frequent in SS. Whether anti-cN1A is independently associated with IBM is still an open question. We aimed to assess the significance of SS and anti-cN1A in myositis patients. METHODS: Cumulative data on all myositis patients (EULAR/ACR 2017 criteria) screened for SS (ACR/EULAR 2016 criteria) in a single centre were analysed. Ninety-nine patients were included, covering the whole spectrum of EULAR/ACR 2017 myositis subgroups and with a median follow-up of 6 years (range 1.0-37.5). The 34 myositis patients with SS (myositis/SS+) were compared with the 65 myositis patients without SS (myositis/SS-). RESULTS: . IBM was present in 24% of the myositis/SS+ patients vs 6% of the myositis/SS- group (P = 0.020). None of the IBM patients responded to treatment, whether they had SS or not. Anti-cN1A was more frequent in myositis/SS+ patients (38% vs 6%, P = 0.0005), independently of the higher prevalence of IBM in this group (multivariate P value: 0.02). Anti-cN1A antibody specificity for IBM was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.87, 0.99) in the myositis/SS- group but dropped to 0.70 (95% CI: 0.48, 0.85) in the myositis/SS+ group. INTERPRETATION: In myositis patients, SS is associated with IBM and with anti-cN1A antibodies, independently of the IBM diagnosis. As a consequence, anti-cN1A has limited specificity for IBM in myositis patients with SS.

The history of lupus throughout the ages.

The word lupus (Latin term for the wolf) was used indistinctively since the Middle Ages for several types of diseases characterized by ulcerous lesions, mainly in the lower limbs. In the middle of the 18th century, the French dermatologist Cazenave mentioned for the first time the term "lupus érythémateux," while Kaposi reported discoid lupus as a separate entity. The true turning point in the history of lupus occurred at the beginning of the 19th century, when the distinction between lupus vulgaris and cutaneous lupus in its modern sense emerged slowly. Major subsequent contributions from Kaposi, Sequiera and Balean, and Osler enabled the recognition of the systemic nature of the disease, with its modern history being marked by the recognition of DNA as the main target of antinuclear antibodies and the central role of interferons. Although many nonpharmacologic treatments have been used throughout the ages, glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine, and immunosuppressive agents mainly appeared in the second half of the 20th century. The beginning of the 21st century is now characterized by an in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and the appearance of biologic and targeted treatments, paving the way for a better care of lupus patients.

Intrafamilial Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Associated with Cellular Immune Response without Seroconversion, France.

We investigated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific antibodies and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (HCoV) 229E and OC43 in 11 SARS-CoV-2 serodiscordant couples in Strausbourg, France, in which 1 partner had evidence of mild coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and in 10 unexposed healthy controls. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 were considered index patients and their partners close contacts. All index patients displayed positive SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and T-cell responses that lasted up to 102 days after symptom onset. All contacts remained seronegative for SARS-CoV-2; however, 6 reported COVID-19 symptoms within a median of 7 days after their partners, and 4 of those showed a positive SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell response against 3 or 4 SARS-CoV-2 antigens that lasted up to 93 days after symptom onset. The 11 couples and controls displayed positive T-cell responses against HCoV-229E or HCoV-OC43. These data suggest that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 can induce virus-specific T-cell responses without seroconversion.

MUC5B Promoter Variant and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Interstitial Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND: Given the phenotypic similarities between rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) (hereafter, RA-ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, we hypothesized that the strongest risk factor for the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the gain-of-function MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950, would also contribute to the risk of ILD among patients with RA. METHODS: Using a discovery population and multiple validation populations, we tested the association of the MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950 in 620 patients with RA-ILD, 614 patients with RA without ILD, and 5448 unaffected controls. RESULTS: Analysis of the discovery population revealed an association of the minor allele of the MUC5B promoter variant with RA-ILD when patients with RA-ILD were compared with unaffected controls (adjusted odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 5.2; P=9.7×10-17). The MUC5B promoter variant was also significantly overrepresented among patients with RA-ILD, as compared with unaffected controls, in an analysis of the multiethnic case series (adjusted odds ratio, 5.5; 95% CI, 4.2 to 7.3; P=4.7×10-35) and in a combined analysis of the discovery population and the multiethnic case series (adjusted odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.9 to 5.8; P=1.3×10-49). In addition, the MUC5B promoter variant was associated with an increased risk of ILD among patients with RA (adjusted odds ratio in combined analysis, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 5.4; P=7.4×10-5), particularly among those with evidence of usual interstitial pneumonia on high-resolution computed tomography (adjusted odds ratio in combined analysis, 6.1; 95% CI, 2.9 to 13.1; P=2.5×10-6). However, no significant association with the MUC5B promoter variant was observed for the diagnosis of RA alone. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the MUC5B promoter variant was associated with RA-ILD and more specifically associated with evidence of usual interstitial pneumonia on imaging. (Funded by Société Française de Rhumatologie and others.).

Interleukin 6 receptor inhibition in primary Sjögren syndrome: a multicentre double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: No immunomodulatory drug has been approved for primary Sjögren's syndrome, a systemic autoimmune disease affecting 0.1% of the population. To demonstrate the efficacy of targeting interleukin 6 receptor in patients with Sjögren's syndrome-related systemic complications. METHODS: Multicentre double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial between 24 July 2013 and 16 July 2018, with a follow-up of 44 weeks, involving 17 referral centres. Inclusion criteria were primary Sjögren's syndrome according to American European Consensus Group criteria and score ≥5 for the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease activity Index (ESSDAI, score of systemic complications). Patients were randomised to receive either 6 monthly infusions of tocilizumab or placebo. The primary endpoint was response to treatment at week 24. Response to treatment was defined by the combination of (1) a decrease of at least 3 points in the ESSDAI, (2) no occurrence of moderate or severe activity in any new domain of the ESSDAI and (3) lack of worsening in physician's global assessment on a Visual Numeric Scale ≥1/10, all as compared with enrolment. RESULTS: 110 patients were randomised, 55 patients to tocilizumab (mean (SD) age: 50.9 (12.4) years; women: 98.2%) and 55 patients to placebo (54.8 (10.7) years; 90.9%). At 24 weeks, the proportion of patients meeting the primary endpoint was 52.7% (29/55) in the tocilizumab group and 63.6% (35/55) in the placebo group, for a difference of -11.4% (95% credible interval -30.6 to 9.0) (Pr[Toc >Pla]=0.14). CONCLUSION: Among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, the use of tocilizumab did not improve systemic involvement and symptoms over 24 weeks of treatment compared with placebo. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01782235.

Patterns of fatigue and association with disease activity and clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of fatigue is high in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we used latent class analysis to reveal patterns of fatigue, anxiety, depression and organ involvement in a large international cohort of SLE patients. METHODS: We used the Lupus BioBank of the upper Rhein to analyse patterns of fatigue using latent class analysis (LCA). After determining the optimal number of latent classes, patients were assigned according to model generated probabilities, and characteristics of classes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 502 patients were included. Significant fatigue, anxiety and depression were reported by 341 (67.9%), 159 (31.7%) and 52 (10.4%) patients, respectively. LCA revealed a first cluster (67.5% of patients) with low disease activity [median (25th-75th percentile interquartile range) Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA)-SLEDAI: 2 (0-4)], significant fatigue (55.5%, P < 0.0001), low anxiety (11.8%, P < 0.0001) and depression (0.9%, P < 0.0001). Cluster 2 (25.3%) also comprised patients with low disease activity [SELENA-SLEDAI: 2 (0-6)], but those patients had a very high prevalence of fatigue (100%, P < 0.0001), anxiety (89%, P < 0.0001) and depression (38.6%, P < 0.0001). Cluster 3 (7.2%) comprised patients with high disease activity [SELENA-SLEDAI: 12 (8-17), P < 0.0001] and high fatigue (72.2%, P < 0.0001) with low levels of anxiety (16.7%, P < 0.0001) and no depression (0%, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: LCA revealed three patterns of fatigue with important practical implications. Based on these, it is crucial to distinguish patients with active disease (in whom remission will be achieved) from those with no or mild activity but high levels of fatigue, depression and anxiety, for whom psychological counselling should be prioritized.

Refining myositis associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome: data from the prospective cohort ASSESS.

OBJECTIVES: To refine the prevalence, characteristics and response to treatment of myositis in primary SS (pSS). METHODS: The multicentre prospective Assessment of Systemic Signs and Evolution in Sjögren's Syndrome (ASSESS) cohort of 395 pSS patients with ≥60 months' follow-up was screened by the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria for myositis. Extra-muscular complications, disease activity and patient-reported scores were analysed. RESULTS: Before enrolment and during the 5-year follow-up, myositis was suspected in 38 pSS patients and confirmed in 4 [1.0% (95% CI: 0.40, 2.6)]. Patients with suspected but not confirmed myositis had higher patient-reported scores and more frequent articular and peripheral nervous involvement than others. By contrast, disease duration in patients with confirmed myositis was 3-fold longer than without myositis. Two of the four myositis patients fulfilled criteria for sporadic IBM. Despite receiving three or more lines of treatment, they showed no muscle improvement, which further supported the sporadic IBM diagnosis. The two other patients did not feature characteristics of a myositis subtype, which suggested 'pure' pSS myositis. Steroids plus MTX was then efficient in achieving remission. CONCLUSIONS: Myositis, frequently suspected, occurs in 1% of pSS patients. Especially when there is resistance to treatment, sporadic IBM should be considered and might be regarded as a late complication of this disease.

Current favourable 10-year outcome of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: data from the ESPOIR cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To report the 10-year outcome of an inception cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the ESPOIR cohort, and predictors of outcome. METHODS: From 2003 to 2005, 813 patients were included if they had early arthritis (<6 months) with a high probability of RA and had never been prescribed DMARDs. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate predictors of outcome. RESULTS: In total, 521 (64.1%) RA patients were followed up for 10 years; 35 (4.3%) died, which appears to be similar to the French general population. Overall, 480 (92.1%) patients received a DMARD; 174 (33.4%) received at least one biologic DMARD, 13.6% within 2 years. At year 10, 273 (52.4%) patients were in DAS28 remission, 40.1% in sustained remission, 14.1% in drug-free remission, 39.7% in CDAI remission. Half of the patients achieved a health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) < 0.5. SF-36 physical component and pain were well controlled. Structural progression was weak, with a mean change from baseline in modified Sharp score of 11.0 (17.9). Only 34 (6.5%) patients required major joint surgery. A substantial number of patients showed new comorbidities over 10 years. Positivity for anti-citrullinated peptides antibodies (ACPA) was confirmed as a robust predictor of long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We report a very mild 10-year outcome of a large cohort of patients with early RA diagnosed in the early 2000s, which was much better than results for a previous cohort of patients who were recruited in 1993. This current favourable outcome may be related to more intensive care for real-life patients.

Cluster analysis reveals three main patterns of beliefs and intention with respect to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to understand the underlying behavioural determinants of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy in patients with autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). We aimed to analyse patterns of beliefs and intention regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in AIIRD patients, as a mean of identifying pragmatic actions that could be taken to increase vaccine coverage in this population. METHODS: Data relating to 1258 AIIRD patients were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, to identify variables associated independently with willingness to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Subsets of patients showing similar beliefs and intention about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were characterized using cluster analysis. RESULTS: Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three distinct clusters of AIIRD patients. Three predominant patient attitudes to SARS-COV-2 vaccination were identified: voluntary, hesitant and suspicious. While vaccine willingness differed significantly across the three clusters (P < 0.0001), there was no significant difference regarding fear of getting COVID-19 (P = 0.11), the presence of comorbidities (P = 0.23), the use of glucocorticoids (P = 0.21), or immunocompromised status (P = 0.63). However, patients from cluster #2 (hesitant) and #3 (suspicious) were significantly more concerned about vaccination, the use of a new vaccine technology, lack of long-term data in relation to COVID-19 vaccination, and potential financial links with pharmaceutical companies (P < 0.0001 in all) than patients from cluster #1 (voluntary). DISCUSSION: Importantly, the differences between clusters in terms of patient beliefs and intention was not related to the fear of getting COVID-19 or to any state of frailty, but was related to specific concerns about vaccination. This study may serve as a basis for improved communication and thus help increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage among AIIRD patients.

Evaluation of the impact of a nurse-led program of patient self-assessment and self-management in axial spondyloarthritis: results of a prospective, multicentre, randomized, controlled trial (COMEDSPA).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a nurse-led program of self-management and self-assessment of disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, controlled, open, 12-month trial (NCT02374749). Participants were consecutive axial spondyloarthritis patients (according to the rheumatologist) and nurses having participated in a 1-day training meeting. The program included self-management: educational video and specific video of graduated, home-based exercises for patients; and self-assessment: video presenting the rationale of tight monitoring of disease activity with composite scores (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease activity Score, ASDAS/Bath Ankyslosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, BASDAI). The nurse trained patients to collect, calculate and report (monthly) ASDAS/BASDAI. Treatment allocation was by random allocation to this program or a comorbidities assessment (not presented here and considered here as the control group). RESULTS: A total of 502 patients (250 and 252 in the active and control groups, respectively) were enrolled (age: 46.7 (12.2) years, male gender: 62.7%, disease duration: 13.7 (11.0) years). After the one-year follow-up period, the adherence to the self-assessment program was considered good (i.e. 79% reported scores >6 times). Despite a lack of statistical significance in the primary outcome (e.g. coping) there was a statistically significant difference in favor of this program for the following variables: change in BASDAI, number and duration of the home exercises in the active group, and physical activity (international physical activity score, IPAQ). CONCLUSION: This study suggests a short-term benefit of a nurse-led program on self-management and self-assessment for disease activity in a young axial spondyloarthritis population in terms of disease activity, exercises and physical activity.

Cardiovascular events and change in cholesterol levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab: data from the REGATE Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is responsible for excess mortality mainly due to cardiovascular disease. Studies have found elevated cholesterol levels in RA patients who received tocilizumab (TCZ). We studied the occurrence of major cardiovascular events in RA patients who received TCZ in current practice. We also analysed cholesterol level changes in these patients. METHODS: Data were collected from the French REGATE Registry, a multicentre observational study including patients with RA treated with TCZ. All cardiovascular complications were analysed. Changes in cholesterol levels were studied. Factors associated with major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were analysed by multivariate analysis, estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: During an exposure time of 5591 patient-years (PYs), 35 cardiovascular events occurred in 33 patients, corresponding to an incidence of 0.63/100 PYs. The incidence of ischaemic stroke and cardiac ischaemia was 0.41 and 0.21/100 PYs. Age and personal history of cardiovascular events were identified as risk factors associated with cardiovascular events: OR=1.06 [95% CI 1.02-1.09] and 4.10 [1.90-8.83]. Female sex was a protective factor (OR=0.29 [95% CI 0.14-0.64]). Glucocorticoids may play a role but was not statistically significant. All cholesterol variables were increased in level after the third month of treatment with TCZ, with a 15.4%, 18.9% and 13.4% increase for total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C, at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: In current practice, cardiovascular events occurring under TCZ treatment is in the range of what is expected in RA patients despite a global increase in cholesterol levels.

NKG2D ligands in inflammatory joint diseases: analysis in human samples and mouse models.

OBJECTIVES: NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are stress-inducible molecules involved in multiple inflammatory settings. In this work, we quantified MICA, an NKG2DL, in the synovial fluid of patients suffering various arthritides and measured Nkg2dLs gene expression in murine models of acute joint inflammation. METHODS: Soluble MICA (sMICA) was quantified by ELISA is synovial fluids harvested from patients suffering osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis, urate crystal arthritis and reactive arthritis. Transcripts encoding murine NKG2DLs were quantified by RT-qPCR in the joints of mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis, urate crystal arthritis and osteoarthritis. RESULTS: Marked overproduction of sMICA was observed in the synovial fluid of RA patients. Mouse studies highlighted the complex transcriptional regulation of Nkg2d ligands encoding genes depending on the inflammatory setting and microenvironment CONCLUSIONS: sMICA quantification could be an interesting biomarker to identify acute inflammation in RA patients in whom classical markers (i.e. anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, ACPA) are undetectable.

Long-Term Rituximab Use to Maintain Remission of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Biannual rituximab infusions over 18 months effectively maintain remission after a "standard" remission induction regimen for patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of prolonged rituximab therapy in preventing AAV relapses in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) who have achieved complete remission after completing an 18-month maintenance regimen. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02433522). SETTING: 39 clinical centers in France. PATIENTS: 68 patients with GPA and 29 with MPA who achieved complete remission after the first phase of maintenance therapy. INTERVENTION: Rituximab or placebo infusion every 6 months for 18 months (4 infusions). MEASUREMENTS: The primary end point was relapse-free survival at month 28. Relapse was defined as new or reappearing symptoms or worsening disease, with a Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score greater than 0. RESULTS: From March 2015 to April 2016, 97 patients (mean age, 63.9 years; 35% women) were randomly assigned, 50 to the rituximab and 47 to the placebo group. Relapse-free survival estimates at month 28 were 96% (95% CI, 91% to 100%) and 74% (CI, 63% to 88%) in the rituximab and placebo groups, respectively, an absolute difference of 22% (CI, 9% to 36%) with a hazard ratio of 7.5 (CI, 1.67 to 33.7) (P = 0.008). Major relapse-free survival estimates at month 28 were 100% (CI, 93% to 100%) versus 87% (CI, 78% to 97%) (P = 0.009), respectively. At least 1 serious adverse event developed in 12 patients (24%) in the rituximab group (with 9 infectious serious adverse events occurring among 6 patients [12%]) versus 14 patients (30%) in the placebo group (with 6 infectious serious adverse events developing among 4 patients [9%]). No deaths occurred in either group. LIMITATION: Potential selection bias based on previous rituximab response and tolerance. CONCLUSION: Extended therapy with biannual rituximab infusions over 18 months was associated with a lower incidence of AAV relapse compared with standard maintenance therapy. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: French Ministry of Health and Hoffmann-La Roche.

Reducing the initial number of rituximab maintenance-therapy infusions for ANCA-associated vasculitides: randomized-trial post-hoc analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The randomized, controlled MAINRITSAN2 trial was designed to compare the capacity of an individually tailored therapy [randomization day 0 (D0)], with reinfusion only when CD19+ lymphocytes or ANCA had reappeared, or if the latter's titre rose markedly, with that of five fixed-schedule 500-mg rituximab infusions [D0 + D14, then months (M) 6, 12 and 18] to maintain ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) remissions. Relapse rates did not differ at M28. This ancillary study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of omitting the D14 rituximab infusion on AAV relapse rates at M12. METHODS: MAINRITSAN2 trial data were subjected to post-hoc analyses of M3, M6, M9 and M12 relapse-free survival rates in each arm as primary end points. Exploratory subgroup analyses were run according to CYC or rituximab induction and newly diagnosed or relapsing AAV. RESULTS: At M3, M6, M9 and M12, respectively, among the 161 patients included, 79/80 (98.8%), 76/80 (95%), 74/80 (92.5%) and 73/80 (91.3%) from D0, and 80/81 (98.8%), 78/81 (96.3%), 76/81 (93.8%) and 76/81 (93.8%) from D0+D14 groups were alive and relapse-free. No between-group differences were observed. Results were not affected by CYC or rituximab induction, or newly diagnosed or relapsing AAV. CONCLUSIONS: We were not able to detect a difference between the relapse-free survival rates for up to M12 for the D0 and D0+D14 rituximab-infusion groups, which could suggest that omitting the D14 rituximab remission-maintenance dose did not modify the short-term relapse-free rate. Nevertheless, results at M12 may also have been influenced by the rituximab-infusion strategies for both groups.