RESUMEN
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities. The association of CV diseases (CVD) and traditional CV risk factors has been debated, depending on patient and RA characteristics. This study aimed to find the prevalence of CVD and CV risk factors in patients with RA. A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed on RA patients using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) in September 2022. Socio-demographic, clinical, and follow-up data were collected. Myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disorders, congestive heart failure, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack were regarded as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). CVD was defined as the presence of at least one clinical situation of MACE. Group 1 and Group 2 included patients with and without CVD. Prevalence rates of CVD and traditional CV risk factors were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were the differences in the clinical characteristics between patients with and without CVD. An analysis of 724 patients with a mean age of 55.1 ± 12.8 years diagnosed with RA was conducted. There was a female preponderance (79.6%). The prevalence rate of CVD was 4.6% (n = 33). The frequencies of the diseases in the MACE category were ischemic heart disease in 27, congestive heart failure in five, peripheral vascular disorders in three, and cerebrovascular events in three patients. The patients with CVD (Group 1) were significantly male, older, and had higher BMI (p = 0.027, p < 0.001, and p = 0.041). Obesity (33.4%) and hypertension (27.2%) were the two CV risk factors most frequently. Male sex (HR = 7.818, 95% CI 3.030-20.173, p < 0.001) and hypertension (HR = 4.570, 95% CI 1.567-13.328, p = 0.005) were the independent risk factors for CVD. The prevalence of CVD in RA patients was 4.6%. Some common risk factors for CVD in the general population, including male sex, older age, and hypertension, were evident in RA patients. Male sex and hypertension were the independent risk factors for developing CVD in patients with RA.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Insuficiencia Cardíaca , Hipertensión , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Factores de Riesgo , Prevalencia , Estudios Transversales , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Artritis Reumatoide/epidemiología , Artritis Reumatoide/complicaciones , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/epidemiología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/complicaciones , Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedad Cardiaca , Sistema de RegistrosRESUMEN
The association between spondyloarthritis and cardiovascular (CV) diseases is complex with variable outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence rates of CV diseases and to analyze the impact of CV risk factors on CV disease in patients with spondyloarthritis. A multi-center cross-sectional study using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) database was performed on patients with spondyloarthritis. Socio-demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected. Patients with and without major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were grouped as Group 1 and Group 2. The primary outcome was the overall group's prevalence rates of CV disease and CV risk factors. The secondary outcome was the difference in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups and predictive risk factors for CV disease. There were 1457 patients with a mean age of 45.7 ± 10.9 years. The prevalence rate for CV disease was 3% (n = 44). The distribution of these diseases was coronary artery disease (n = 42), congestive heart failure (n = 4), peripheral vascular disorders (n = 6), and cerebrovascular events (n = 4). Patients in Group 1 were significantly male (p = 0.014) and older than those in Group 2 (p < 0.001). There were significantly more patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, dyslipidemia, and malignancy in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Smoking (36.7%), obesity (24.4%), and hypertension (13.8%) were the most prevalent traditional CV risk factors. Hypertension (HR = 3.147, 95% CI 1.461-6.778, p = 0.003), dyslipidemia (HR = 3.476, 95% CI 1.631-7.406, p = 0.001), and cancer history (HR = 5.852, 95% CI 1.189-28.810, p = 0.030) were the independent predictors for CV disease. A multi-center cross-sectional study using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) database was performed on patients with spondyloarthritis. Socio-demographic, laboratory, and clinical data were collected. Patients with and without major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were grouped as Group 1 and Group 2. The primary outcome was the overall group's prevalence rates of CV disease and CV risk factors. The secondary outcome was the difference in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups and predictive risk factors for CV disease. There were 1457 patients with a mean age of 45.7 ± 10.9 years. The prevalence rate for CV disease was 3% (n = 44). The distribution of these diseases was coronary artery disease (n = 42), congestive heart failure (n = 4), peripheral vascular disorders (n = 6), and cerebrovascular events (n = 4). Patients in Group 1 were significantly male (p = 0.014) and older than those in Group 2 (p < 0.001). There were significantly more patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, dyslipidemia, and malignancy in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Smoking (36.7%), obesity (24.4%), and hypertension (13.8%) were the most prevalent traditional CV risk factors. Hypertension (HR = 3.147, 95% CI 1.461-6.778, p = 0.003), dyslipidemia (HR = 3.476, 95% CI 1.631-7.406, p = 0.001), and cancer history (HR = 5.852, 95% CI 1.189-28.810, p = 0.030) were the independent predictors for CV disease. The prevalence rate of CV disease was 3.0% in patients with spondyloarthritis. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cancer history were the independent CV risk factors for CV disease in patients with spondyloarthritis.
Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria , Diabetes Mellitus , Dislipidemias , Insuficiencia Cardíaca , Hipertensión , Fallo Renal Crónico , Neoplasias , Espondiloartritis , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Estudios Transversales , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Factores de Riesgo , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Hipertensión/tratamiento farmacológico , Espondiloartritis/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiología , Diabetes Mellitus/tratamiento farmacológico , Dislipidemias/epidemiología , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/complicaciones , Obesidad/complicaciones , Sistema de RegistrosRESUMEN
To evaluate of hepatitis serology and reactivation frequency in patients with rheumatic disease receiving biologic agents. Our study included patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases from 23 centers, who were followed up with biological therapy. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, duration of drug use and hepatitis serology and the state of viral reactivation were analyzed. A total of 4060 patients, 2095 being males, were included in our study. Of the patients, 2463 had Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), 1154 had Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), 325 had Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), and 118 had other inflammatory rheumatic diseases. When the viral serology of the patients was evaluated, 79 patients (2%) who were identified as HBs Ag positive, 486 (12%) patients who were HBs Ag negative and anti-HBc IgG positive and 20 patients (0.5%) who were anti-HCV positive. When evaluated on a disease-by-disease basis, the rate of HBsAg was found to be 2.5% in RA, 2% in AS and 0.9% in PsA. Viral reactivation was detected in 13 patients while receiving biologic agents. HBs Ag was positive in nine patients with reactivation and negative in four patients. Anti-HBc IgG, however, was positive. Six of these patients had AS, four had RA, and three had PsA. The development of hepatitis reactivation in 11.4% of HBs Ag positive patients and 0.82% of anti-HBc IgG positive patients due to the use of biologic agents is an important problem for this group of patients. Antiviral prophylaxis is recommended to be started especially in patients who are HBs Ag positive and who are using biologic agents due to viral reactivation. Therefore, it is important to carry out hepatitis screenings before biologic agent treatment and to carefully evaluate the vaccination and prophylaxis requirements.
Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos , Artritis Psoriásica , Artritis Reumatoide , Enfermedades Reumáticas , Masculino , Humanos , Femenino , Virus de la Hepatitis B/fisiología , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Factores Biológicos/uso terapéutico , Artritis Psoriásica/tratamiento farmacológico , Antígenos de Superficie de la Hepatitis B , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Reumáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Inmunoglobulina G/uso terapéutico , Activación Viral , Antivirales/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To determine the seroconversion (SC) rate after CoronaVac and BNT162b2 vaccines in adults with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD). METHODS: Patients who were followed up with IRD and who received two doses of either CoronaVac or BNT162b2 vaccines were included in this prospective observational single-center study. Subjects with two doses of CoronaVac or BNT162b2 without known IRD were included in the healthy controls. The blood samples were taken at a minimum of two and a maximum of 12 weeks after the second dose of vaccine. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with IRD (61 CoronaVac, 20 BNT162b2) and 100 healthy controls (70 CoronaVac, 30 BNT162b2) were included. The SC rate was slightly lower among patients with IRD versus controls (84 vs 97%, p = 0.002). The SC rate was 100% in all participants who received BNT162b2 both in the patient and control group. The IgG antibody level after CoronaVac in the patient group was significantly lower than both the BNT162b2 (p = 0.031) and the healthy group (p < 0.001). Among patients with IRD, those on rituximab (RTX) (12/81,14.8%) had significantly less SC rate (5/12, 41.7%). The median neutralizing antibody titers were significantly higher in patients with BNT162b2 compared with CoronaVac (1.97 vs. 16.34, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that all patients with BNT162b2 vaccine developed immunogenicity in patients with IRD, while there was a decreased antibody response with CoronaVac vaccine compared to that of BNT162b2. In particular, RTX significantly reduces the SC rate.
Asunto(s)
Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Enfermedades Reumáticas , Vacunas , Adulto , Humanos , Vacuna BNT162 , COVID-19/prevención & control , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Reumáticas/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
The rheumatoid arthritis impact of disease (RAID) score was developed as a patient-derived composite response index for the evaluation of the disease impact on cases with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and performance of RAID score in the real-life settings. Cases with RA from our multi-center, nationwide registry called Biologic and targeted Synthetic antirheumatic drugs Registry RA (BioStaR RA) were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Demographic data, disease duration, pain, patient's global assessment (PGA) and physician's global assessment (PhyGA) were recorded. DAS28-ESR, DAS28-CRP, the simplified disease activity index (SDAI) and the clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were assessed as disease activity evaluations. The health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) and RAID were completed by all the participants. The construct validity was tested by the analysis of correlations between RAID score and scores of PGA, disease activity indexes and HAQ-DI. We also evaluated the discriminatory ability of RAID to distinguish patients with different levels of disease activity and disability and the cut-off values were calculated by ROC analysis. 585 cases with RA were included in this investigation. The RAID score was significantly positively correlated with PGA, all disease activity indexes and HAQ-DI (p < 0.001). The discriminatory ability of RAID score in different disease activity and disability groups was also demonstrated (p < 0.001). To estimate DAS28-ESR (remission/low + moderate + high), RAID score cut-off points were 2.88 (sensitivity 73%, specificity 62%), 3.23 (sensitivity 75%, specificity 60%) and 3.79 (sensitivity 74%, specificity 58%), respectively. Our study indicated that RAID was a reliable tool in daily clinical practice by presenting its correlations with disease activity and disability assessments and by showing its discriminatory ability in these parameters in the real-life experiences.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/fisiopatología , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Calidad de Vida , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Adulto , Anciano , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Sistema de Registros , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to detect the frequency and course of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection among our rheumatology outpatients and to investigate how patient follow-up differed during Covid-19 pandemic in a tertiary University Hospital in the capital of Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) registered in our rheumatology clinic were assessed during their routine outpatient follow-up control or contacted via phone between July and December 2020. Patients' demographics, diagnosis, medication, comorbidities, frequency of going outside during the pandemic, work status, whether patients could attend their routine follow-up, treatment changes, access to drugs during the pandemic, and the incidence of Covid-19 infection were collected. RESULTS: A total of 320 patients with IRD were analysed; 114 (35.6%) patients were treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) (methotrexate/leflunomide/sulfasalazine), 93 (29.1%) patients with biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs), 113 (35.3%) patients with glucocorticoids, and 103 (32.2%) patients with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). A total of 15.9% of patients on HCQ experienced problems in medication supply. Only 87 (27.2%) patients presented for their routine follow-up appointment, and 38 (11.9%) of the patients changed their treatment without professional health advice. While 53 (57%) patients on biological agents continued their treatment, 31 patients (33.3%) interrupted the treatment with doctor's recommendation and 9 patients (9.6%) on their initiative, and 23 of these 31 patients had to restart treatment because of disease activation. The nasopharyngeal swab collected from 30 patients with a suspected Covid-19 contact but without any symptoms was negative. In total, there were 33 patients diagnosed with Covid-19; none of whom had severe respiratory complications or death. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with rheumatic diseases are left without disease monitoring during the pandemic. There was no increased risk of severe Covid-19 infection among patients with IRD.
Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos , COVID-19 , Enfermedades Reumáticas , Reumatología , Atención Ambulatoria , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Pandemias , Enfermedades Reumáticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Reumáticas/epidemiología , SARS-CoV-2 , Turquía/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Although it is well known that acromegaly causes enlargement in the extremities, studies investigating the effects of acromegaly on tendons, muscles and soft tissue are limited. The aims of our study were to investigate tendons, the presence of enthesitis, soft tissue, muscle groups in terms of thickness and pennation angle (PA) which is an indicator of microstructure and strength of the muscle, of the lower extremities. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with acromegaly and thirty-nine healthy control subjects similar for age, sex and body mass index were enrolled. Lower extremity tendons, skin, muscle groups were evaluated by ultrasound. RESULTS: The thicknesses of heel skin, heel pad, plantar fascia and Achilles tendon were higher in acromegaly than the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence of Achilles enthesitis were increased in the acromegaly group (p < 0.05). The thicknesses of the gastrocnemius medial head, vastus medialis, lateralis muscles for both sides and the left rectus femoris muscle were found to be lower in the acromegaly patients than controls (p < 0.05). However, thicknesses of vastus intermedius, gastrocnemius lateral head and soleus were similar between the acromegaly and control groups (p > 0.05). PA values of the right and left vastus medialis and the right vastus lateralis were found to be decreased in the acromegaly group (p < 0.05). Myostatin levels were lower in acromegaly group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acromegaly may cause to an increase in tendon and soft tissue thickness, enthesitis formation, decrease in the thickness of some muscles, and deterioration in microstructures in lower extremity.
Asunto(s)
Acromegalia/diagnóstico por imagen , Adenoma/diagnóstico por imagen , Adenoma Hipofisario Secretor de Hormona del Crecimiento/diagnóstico por imagen , Músculo Esquelético/diagnóstico por imagen , Tendones/diagnóstico por imagen , Tendón Calcáneo/diagnóstico por imagen , Acromegalia/metabolismo , Acromegalia/terapia , Adenoma/metabolismo , Adenoma/terapia , Adulto , Antineoplásicos Hormonales/uso terapéutico , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Entesopatía/diagnóstico por imagen , Femenino , Adenoma Hipofisario Secretor de Hormona del Crecimiento/metabolismo , Adenoma Hipofisario Secretor de Hormona del Crecimiento/terapia , Humanos , Factor I del Crecimiento Similar a la Insulina/metabolismo , Extremidad Inferior , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Músculo Esquelético/patología , Miostatina/metabolismo , Procedimientos Neuroquirúrgicos , Tamaño de los Órganos , Fragmentos de Péptidos/metabolismo , Procolágeno/metabolismo , Músculo Cuádriceps/diagnóstico por imagen , Músculo Cuádriceps/patología , Piel/diagnóstico por imagen , Piel/patología , Somatostatina/análogos & derivados , Tendones/patología , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is used as a new instrument in measuring the function, disability and health of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). However, the real-world evidence of ASAS HI is very limited. In the present study, our objective is to evaluate the psychometric properties and performance of ASAS HI in the real-world setting as well as comparing ASAS HI with the current instruments to assess the construct validity and determine the cut-off points in patients with both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). A total of 991 patients with axSpA who fulfilled either the ASAS classification criteria for axial SpA (axSpA) or the Modified New York Criteria (mNY) for AS were recruited from the Biologic and targeted Synthetic antirheumatic drugs Registry (BioStaR) SpA. The construct validity of ASAS HI against the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activities Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein (ASDAS-CRP) the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional index (BASFI) was performed. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis, the cut-off points were calculated. Of all the recruited patients, 851 (85.9%) were AS and 140 (14.1%) were nr-axSpA. The difference in the mean ASAS HI scores of the patients with AS and the ones with nr-axSpA were not statistically significant (6.12 ± 4.29 and 6.42 ± 4.86, respectively). The mean ASAS HI score was significantly higher in females and small city residents. The ASAS HI had a strong construct validity against ASDAS-CRP, BASDAI and BASFI. A cut-off point of ≤ 4 was determined to discriminate good and moderate, as well as ≥ 12 to discriminate moderate and poor health status. In conclusion, ASAS HI is a reliable instrument to evaluate health and functioning for both patients with AS and nr-axSpA in clinical practice.
Asunto(s)
Actividades Cotidianas , Calidad de Vida , Espondilitis Anquilosante/fisiopatología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Psicometría , Sistema de Registros , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Espondiloartropatías/diagnóstico por imagen , Espondiloartropatías/fisiopatología , Espondilitis Anquilosante/diagnóstico por imagen , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TurquíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To explore patterns of real-world early RA (ERA) care across countries. METHODS: An online survey was disseminated to practising rheumatologists across Europe and the US, also made accessible on social media between April and May 2015. Survey questions (n=38) assessed the structure and setting of ERA clinics, times to diagnosis and treatment, patient monitoring, guideline use and data recording. RESULTS: A total of 212 rheumatologists from 39 countries (76% European) completed the survey. 62% had an ERA clinic based at a university hospital. Patient referral to rheumatology was mainly (78%) via primary care; 44% had an agreed ERA local referral pathway, 15% a national pathway. Only 16% had dedicated ERA clinics, the majority being practitioners in Northern Europe with access to a local or national referral pathway. Data for research were collected by 42%. Treatment guidelines were followed by the majority, especially rheumatologists practising in Europe. Variations existed in the use of initial DMARDs with treatment decisions reported to be influenced by international/national guidelines in 71%/61%. No significant relationship between country gross national income and the availability of ERA clinics was seen. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comparative benchmark information regarding the global provision of ERA care. Substantial variations exist in referral and early assessment pathways with guidelines having a most apparent impact in Northern Europe. Provision of an ERA service does not appear to be constrained by cost, with conceptual factors, e.g. clinician engagement, perhaps playing a role. These initial insights could potentially help harmonise ERA management across countries.
Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Prestación Integrada de Atención de Salud/tendencias , Disparidades en Atención de Salud/tendencias , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/tendencias , Reumatólogos/tendencias , Corticoesteroides/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Artritis Reumatoide/epidemiología , Productos Biológicos/uso terapéutico , Vías Clínicas/tendencias , Estudios Transversales , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , Adhesión a Directriz , Encuestas de Atención de la Salud , Humanos , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Derivación y Consulta/tendencias , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Objectives: This study aimed to objectively and quantitatively exhibit morning stiffness by using electrophysiological methods. Patients and methods: The prospective, controlled study was conducted with 52 participants between February 2013 and February 2014. Of the participants, 26 were recruited among RA patients (3 males, 23 females; mean age: 55.9±11.2 years; range, 24 to 74 years) followed at the rheumatology clinic, and 26 were healthy subjects (4 males, 22 females; mean age: 54.9±8.3 years; range, 41 to 70 years) for the control group. Duration and severity of morning stiffness were recorded for all participants. Activity of disease and functional status were evaluated by the Disease Activity Score 28 and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), respectively. Electrophysiological reaction times, severity of pain (Visual Analog Scale), HAQ, and grip strength were measured for each participant twice in 24 h in the morning (08:00-09:00 am) and afternoon (03:00-05:00 pm). Results: In the RA group, motor reaction and response times and severity of pain values were significantly lower in the afternoon compared to the morning (p=0.030, p=0.031, and p=0.002, respectively), and hand grip strengths were significantly higher in the afternoon (p=0.007). In the control group, no change was observed between morning and afternoon measurements in the strength and reaction time variables. Conclusion: Our hypothesis that stiffness would slow down the movements in the morning in RA was supported by the prolonged motor and response times in the morning compared to the afternoon. However, in the control group (no morning stiffness), there was no difference in reaction time variables between the morning and afternoon, objectively demonstrating the concept of morning stiffness in this study.
RESUMEN
Angiogenesis is controlled by a variety of angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors. The increased power Doppler (PD) signals determined by ultrasonography is an indirect marker of synovial vascularity in arthritis. We aimed to investigate relationship between ultrasonographic findings and synovial angiogenesis modulators. Thirteen Behcet's disease (BD), 15 spondyloarthropathy, 21 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 15 osteoarthritis (OA) patients with knee arthritis were included. Cumulative effusion, synovial hypertrophy, and PD signal scores were calculated in arthritic joints. In synovial fluid samples, angiogenesis inhibitors (angiostatin, thrombospondin-1, and endostatin) and stimulators [bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), angiopoietin-1] were studied. The comparisons between groups were made by Kruskal-Wallis test, and correlation analysis was calculated with Pearson and Spearman tests. Effusion scores were significantly higher in inflammatory arthritis than in OA. Synovial hypertrophy scores were higher in RA and spondylarthritis than in OA and BD. PD scores were not different between the groups. Synovial angiostatin and bFGF levels were significantly higher in patients with inflammatory arthritis than in OA. Cumulative effusion scores were positively correlated with angiopoietin-1, angiostatin, and bFGF and negatively correlated with thrombospondin-1 levels. Synovial hypertrophy scores were positively correlated with angiostatin and bFGF levels and negatively correlated with thrombospondin-1. No correlation was found between PD scores and modulators of angiogenesis. In large joints like knee, detecting PD signals alone was not sufficient to assess the angiogenesis. However, cumulative activity scores were positively correlated with angiogenesis stimulators. Therefore, when investigating the angiogenesis, PD technique should be added to gray-scale examinations.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico por imagen , Síndrome de Behçet/diagnóstico por imagen , Articulación de la Rodilla/diagnóstico por imagen , Osteoartritis de la Rodilla/diagnóstico por imagen , Espondiloartropatías/diagnóstico por imagen , Líquido Sinovial/efectos de los fármacos , Adulto , Inductores de la Angiogénesis/farmacología , Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis/farmacología , Angiopoyetina 1/farmacología , Angiostatinas/farmacología , Endostatinas/farmacología , Femenino , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/farmacología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Trombospondina 1/farmacología , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
Renal involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is uncommon and usually secondary to amyloidosis or analgesic nephropathy. A 41-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with human leukocyte antigen-B27-positive AS 16 years ago was admitted to the rheumatology outpatient clinic with pretibial and pedal edema. She had nephrotic-range proteinuria. Renal biopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of membranous nephropathy. Extensive malignancy evaluation was negative. Edema regressed, renal functions stabilized, and proteinuria reduced within two months after immunosuppressive therapy.
RESUMEN
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prevalence and musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) findings of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with concomitant fibromyalgia (FM) according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) FM classification criteria or the 2016 ACR FM diagnostic criteria. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 63 patients (17 males, 46 females; mean age: 48.2±7.1 years; range, 18 to 62 years) with RA. Medical history and laboratory data were obtained from electronic records. Clinical examination, composite disease activity measures, functional status, and the German 7-joint ultrasound score were assessed to evaluate disease activity and synovial inflammation. The patients were divided into three groups: patients who met only the 2016 ACR criteria, patients who met only the 1990 ACR criteria, and patients who met both criteria. Results: In patients with RA, concomitant FM prevalence was 34.9% according to the 2016 ACR FM diagnostic criteria versus 23.8% according to the 1990 ACR FM classification criteria. Rheumatoid arthritis patients with FM had high tender joint count and disease activity scores, while musculoskeletal US findings were similar. Patients who met only the 2016 ACR FM diagnostic criteria had significantly higher gray-scale US and power Doppler US synovitis scores than patients who satisfied only ACR 1990 FM classification criteria (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). Conclusion: Synovial inflammation is a prominent sign in RA patients diagnosed with FM according to the 2016 ACR FM diagnostic criteria. The higher disease activity seen in the presence of FM in RA patients is associated with FM rather than synovitis.
RESUMEN
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate ulnar and median nerve cross-sectional areas (CSAs) by ultrasonography in RA patients who had no signs or symptoms of neurologic involvement. Patients and methods: This case-control study was conducted with 76 participants (72 females, 4 males; mean age: 53.2+10.9 years; range, 18 to 65 years) between April 2011 and April 2013. Of the participants, 38 were RA patients without any signs or symptoms of ulnar or median nerve involvement, and 38 were healthy subjects. All participants were evaluated with ultrasound. The median and ulnar nerve CSAs were measured at the proximal inlet of the carpal tunnel using the pisiform bone as a landmark. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between patients and controls in terms of median and ulnar CSAs (p>0.05). There were no correlations between median and ulnar CSAs of the dominant hand and age, height, weight, and disease duration. The median nerve CSA was >10 mm2 in 24% of the RA patients and 14% of controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.20). Conclusion: Similar median and ulnar CSAs were detected in RA patients and healthy controls. These findings cannot rule out a subclinical neurologic involvement.
RESUMEN
Objectives: This study aims to investigate skeletal muscle architecture and strength in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). Patients and methods: Between July 01, 2017 and November 30, 2017, 19 pSS patients (19 females; mean age: 54.1±6.6 years; range, 42 to 62 years) and 19 age-, body mass index-, and sex-matched healthy controls (19 females; mean age: 53.2±6.7 years; range 42 to 61 years) were included. Sjögren symptoms were assessed with the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). Muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length were measured at quadriceps femoralis, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Isokinetic muscle strength tests were performed at 60 and 180°/sec for knee and at 30 and 120°/sec for ankle. Anxiety and depression evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), fatigue with Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (MAF), and functionality with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: In the pSS group, the mean ESSPRI was 7.70±1.17. The mean scores of depression (10.05±3.09 vs. 4.47±2.29; p<0.0001), anxiety (8.26±4.28 vs. 3.79±2.42; p<0.0001), functionality (0.94±0.78 vs. 0.22±0.26; p<0.0001), and fatigue (37.69±5.47 vs. 17.69±5.26; p<0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with pSS. Only, the pennation angle of vastus medialis in dominant leg was significantly greater in healthy controls (p=0.049). Peak torques/body weight of knee and ankle muscles were found to be similar. Conclusion: Excluding a minor decrease of the pennation angle at vastus medialis, muscle structure of lower extremity of pSS patients were similar to healthy controls. In addition, isokinetic muscle strength did not significantly differ in patients with pSS compared to healthy controls. In patients with pSS, disease activity and fatigue level were negatively correlated with isokinetic muscle strength measurements.
RESUMEN
Objectives: Considering that the comorbid situations during the management of Spondyloarthritis (SpA) have been underlined in several recommendations, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the comorbid conditions of Turkish patients with SpA. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 1,242 SpA patients (844 males, 398 females; mean age: 43.9±11.0 years; range, 19 to 81 years) diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis or the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria. The patient data were collected from the Biologic and targeted Synthetic antirheumatic drugs Registry (BioStar) between February 1, 2019, and December 29, 2020. Clinical and demographic data, including, age, sex, disease duration, body mass index (BMI), pain, patient's global assessment, physician's global assessment, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, and Maastricht Enthesitis Score, were recorded. Comorbid conditions were recorded by filling out a questionnaire according to the clinical history or medical records. Charlson Comorbidity Index and Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index scores were calculated from the gathered comorbidity information. Results: Nine hundred thirteen patients had radiographic axial SpA, 153 had nonradiographic axial SpA, and 176 had peripheral SpA. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (HT) (n=167, 13.4%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=83, 6.7%), thyroid disorders (n=64, 5.6%), and depression (n=61, 4.9%). The comorbidities and the calculated comorbidity indices were significantly higher in females, in those with a BMI >25 kg/m2 , and those over 60 years of age. No relationship was found between smoking and alcohol use and comorbidities. A significantly higher prevalence of HT and DM in peripheral SpA patients and a lower prevalence of thyroid disorders in radiographic axial SpA patients were observed. Conclusion: The most commonly reported comorbidities were HT, DM, thyroid disorders, and depression in SpA patients according to the BioStar database. The frequency of comorbidities and composite comorbidity scores were higher among females, older (>60 years) patients, and overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2 ) patients.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To determine the direct and indirect costs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in Turkey. METHODS: An expert panel was convened to estimate the direct and indirect costs of care of patients with RA and AS in Turkey. The panel was composed of 22 experts chosen from all national tertiary care rheumatology units (n=53). To calculate direct costs, the medical management of RA and AS patients was estimated using 'cost-of-illness' methodology. To measure indirect costs, the number of days of sick leave, the extent of disability, and the levels of early retirement and early death were also evaluated. Lost productivity costs were calculated using the 'human capital approach', based on the minimum wage. RESULTS: The total annual direct costs were 2,917.03 Euros per RA patient and 3,565.9 Euros for each AS patient. The direct costs were thus substantial, but the indirect costs were much higher because of extensive morbidity and mortality rates. The total annual indirect costs were 7,058.99 Euros per RA patient and 6,989.81 for each AS patient. Thus, the total cost for each RA patient was 9,976.01 Euros and that for an AS patient 10,555.72 Euros, in Turkey. CONCLUSIONS: From the societal perspective, both RA and AS have become burden in Turkey. The cost of lost productivity is higher than the medical cost. Another important conclusion is that indirect costs constitute 70% and 66% of total costs in patients with RA and AS, respectively.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/economía , Costos de Hospital , Unidades Hospitalarias/economía , Reumatología/economía , Espondilitis Anquilosante/economía , Absentismo , Artritis Reumatoide/complicaciones , Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Artritis Reumatoide/mortalidad , Artritis Reumatoide/terapia , Costo de Enfermedad , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Humanos , Modelos Económicos , Pronóstico , Jubilación/economía , Ausencia por Enfermedad/economía , Espondilitis Anquilosante/complicaciones , Espondilitis Anquilosante/diagnóstico , Espondilitis Anquilosante/mortalidad , Espondilitis Anquilosante/terapia , TurquíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The primary goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) in patients with ultrasonography (USG)-confirmed enthesitis. The secondary aim of the study was to reveal the demographic, clinical, and ultrasonographic differences of patients diagnosed with pSpA. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients with USG-confirmed enthesitis were evaluated by a rheumatologist to evaluate if they met the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for pSpA. Elementary lesions assessed by USG were based on the definition of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology in Clinical Trials group which included hypoechogenicity, thickening, Doppler signal within 2 mm of bone, enthesophytes, bone erosions, and calcifications. For all patients, clinical and demographic data included: age, gender, smoking habits, body mass index, comorbid diseases, symptom duration, enthesitis region, the presence of bilateral enthesitis, entheseal pain visual analog scale (0-10), standardized enthesitis count following Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) and SPondyloArthritis Research Consortium Canada (SPARCC) enthesitis index. RESULTS: Eight (13.6%, 95% CI 6.0% to 25.0%) of 59 patients were diagnosed with pSpA according to the ASAS classification criteria. Participants diagnosed with pSpA had a longer duration of symptoms (54 vs 12 months), were more likely to present bilateral enthesitis (87.5% vs 49%) with higher SPARCC (11 vs 3) and MASES (6.5 vs 2) scores and higher C-reactive protein (7 vs 3.2 mg/L) concentrations. Entheseal Doppler signal and hypoechogenicity were also more frequently observed (50% vs 0% and 100% vs 49% respectively). CONCLUSION: Peripheral SpA is not uncommon among patients presenting with enthesitis and more likely in cases with prolonged, extensive, and bilateral enthesitis with entheseal hypoechogenicity and Doppler signal. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography can facilitate the diagnosis of pSpA in patients presenting with enthesitis.
Asunto(s)
Entesopatía , Espondiloartritis , Espondilitis Anquilosante , Estudios Transversales , Entesopatía/diagnóstico por imagen , Entesopatía/epidemiología , Humanos , Prevalencia , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Espondiloartritis/complicaciones , Espondiloartritis/diagnóstico por imagen , Espondiloartritis/epidemiología , Espondilitis Anquilosante/diagnóstico , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Factors associated with disease activity of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and switching of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs have not been clearly defined. We aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of patients with axSpA, factors related to remission in treat to target era and predictive factors for biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug switching. METHOD: A multicenter, observational cross-sectional study was performed between February 2019 and August 2019. We included all consecutive patients ≥ 18 years with axSpA. Demographic and clinical variables were prospectively recorded. Clinical tools included Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), and Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES). RESULTS: There were 969 patients with a mean age of 43.4 ± 10.8 years. There were 143 patients (14.8%) with remission and 223 (23.1%) patients with low disease activity. Male sex (p = 0.021), positive family history (p = 0.036), and human leukocyte antigen-B27 (p = 0.011) were predictors of remission by ASDAS-CRP. There were 654 patients (67.5%) who did not switch to another drug. The highest BASMI and MASES scores were calculated in patients with very high disease activity (p < 0.05). In patients with drug switching, the disease duration was significantly higher (p < 0.001) and the age at diagnosis was significantly lower (p = 0.016). There were significantly more patients with uveitis and higher scores of MASES and BASMI in patients who switch to another biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (p = 0.003, p = 0.009, and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with axSpA, male sex, younger age, and HLA-B27 positivity are associated with remission, while longer disease duration and accompanied uveitis appear to be related with drug switching. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE: NCT04139954/25.10.2019.
Asunto(s)
Antirreumáticos , Espondiloartritis Axial , Productos Biológicos , Espondiloartritis , Espondilitis Anquilosante , Adulto , Antirreumáticos/uso terapéutico , Productos Biológicos/uso terapéutico , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Estudios Transversales , Sustitución de Medicamentos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Sistema de Registros , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Espondiloartritis/tratamiento farmacológico , Espondilitis Anquilosante/diagnóstico , Espondilitis Anquilosante/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with different disease activity grades. Several registries have been designed to determine the appropriate regimens of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to obtain sustained clinical remission. We examined epidemiological and clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients using a clinical registry database (BioSTaR) and analyzed the differences in patients with sustained and switched therapies. METHODS: A multicenter, observational cross-sectional study for rheumatoid arthritis was performed between February 2019 and September 2020 using the BioStaR-RA registry. Demographic and clinical characteristics were prospectively recorded into a specifically designed electronic database. The patients were divided into three groups due to the heterogeneity of the study cohort. Patients were grouped as Group I (Initial; within the first 6 months of treatment with biological/targeted synthetic drugs), Group ST (Sustained Treatment; any first drug lasting for at least 6 months without any change), and Group S (Switch; any switching to another drug). Comparative analysis was performed between sustained treatment (Group ST) and drug switching (Group S) groups. RESULTS: The study included a total of 565 patients. The mean age was 53.7 ± 12.8 years, and the majority were female (80.4%). There were 104, 267, and 194 patients in Groups I, ST, and S, respectively. Erosive arthritis and hematological extra-articular involvement were more frequently detected in Group S than Group ST (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001). The patients in Group S had significantly higher disease activity scores (DAS28-CRP, CDAI, and SDAI) (p = 0.025, p = 0.010, and p = 0.003). There were significantly more patients with moderate disease activity in Group S (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The groups with sustained treatment and switching included patients with different disease activity status, although higher disease activity was determined in switchers. Overall, moderate disease activity and remission were the most common disease activity levels. Lower disease activity scores, lower hematologic manifestations, better functional status, and lesser radiographic damage are associated with sustained treatment.