Use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic or anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs and risk of hospitalized infection in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of hospitalized infection among initiators of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHOD: We studied AS patients, new users of anti-TNF drugs and/or DMARDs between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2011. Cohort entry was defined as the date of first prescription of any of these drugs. We used Cox regression with three time-varying drug exposures: current use of DMARDs without biologics, current use of anti-TNF agents alone or in combination with DMARDs (anti-TNF ± DMARDs), and current non-use. Models were adjusted for baseline patient sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, outpatient visits and procedures, previous infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids. Hospitalized infection was defined on the basis of hospitalization discharge diagnoses (primary or non-primary) coding for infection. RESULTS: The cohort included 747 AS patients, with a mean age of 51.1 years (sd 14.6), and 466 (62.4%) were men. During the median follow-up of 1.98 years, 57 hospitalized infections occurred, for an incidence rate of 2.9/100 person-years. The adjusted hazard ratio of infection (relative to unexposed) was 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-2.11] for the anti-TNF ± DMARDs group and 0.96 (95% CI 0.45-2.04) for DMARDs alone. Use of healthcare, corticosteroids, and previous hospitalized infections were associated with infection. CONCLUSION: We found no clear evidence that the risk of hospitalized infection was linked to DMARD and/or anti-TNF drug use. Because of scarce published literature on infection risk in AS patients, our results have important implications for clinicians.

Development of a health index in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (ASAS HI): final result of a global initiative based on the ICF guided by ASAS.

OBJECTIVES: The burden of disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be considerable. However, no agreement has been reached among expert members of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) to define severity of AS. Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), a core set of items for AS has been selected to represent the entire spectrum of possible problems in functioning. Based on this, the objective of this study was to develop a tool to quantify health in AS, the ASAS Health Index. METHODS: First, based on a literature search, experts' and patients' opinion, a large item pool covering the categories of the ICF core set was generated. In several steps this item pool was reduced based on reliability, Rasch analysis and consensus building after two cross-sectional surveys to come up with the best fitting items representing most categories of the ICF core set for AS. RESULTS: After the first survey with 1754 patients, the item pool of 251 items was reduced to 82. After selection by an expert committee, 50 items remained which were tested in a second cross-sectional survey. The results were used to reduce the number of items to a final set of 17 items. This selection showed the best reliability and fit to the Rasch model, no residual correlation, and absence of consistent differential item function and a Person Separation Index of 0.82. CONCLUSIONS: In this long sequential study, 17 items which cover most of the ICF core set were identified that showed the best representation of the health status of patients with AS. The ASAS Health Index is a linear composite measure which differs from other measures in the public domain.

Association study of genes related to bone formation and resorption and the extent of radiographic change in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic associations with severity of radiographic damage in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHOD: We studied 1537 AS cases of European descent; all fulfilled the modified New York Criteria. Radiographic severity was assessed from digitised lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). A two-phase genotyping design was used. In phase 1, 498 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 688 cases; these were selected to capture >90% of the common haplotypic variation in the exons, exon-intron boundaries, and 5 kb flanking DNA in the 5' and 3' UTR of 74 genes involved in anabolic or catabolic bone pathways. In phase 2, 15 SNPs exhibiting p<0.05 were genotyped in a further cohort of 830 AS cases; results were analysed both separately and in combination with the discovery phase data. Association was tested by contingency tables after separating the samples into 'mild' and 'severe' groups, defined as the bottom and top 40% by mSASSS, adjusted for gender and disease duration. RESULTS: Experiment-wise association was observed with the SNP rs8092336 (combined OR 0.32, p=1.2×10(-5)), which lies within RANK (receptor activator of NFκB), a gene involved in osteoclastogenesis, and in the interaction between T cells and dendritic cells. Association was also found with the SNP rs1236913 in PTGS1 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1, cyclooxygenase 1), giving an OR of 0.53 (p=2.6×10(-3)). There was no observed association between radiographic severity and HLA-B*27. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support roles for bone resorption and prostaglandins pathways in the osteoproliferative changes in AS.

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

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

Development and reliability of a multi-modality scoring system for evaluation of disease progression in pre-clinical models of osteoarthritis: celecoxib may possess disease-modifying properties.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop a comprehensive scoring system for evaluation of pre-clinical models of osteoarthritis (OA) progression, and use this to evaluate two different classes of drugs for management of OA. METHODS: Post-traumatic OA (PTOA) was surgically induced in skeletally mature rats. Rats were randomly divided in three groups receiving either glucosamine (high dose of 192 mg/kg) or celecoxib (clinical dose) or no treatment. Disease progression was monitored utilizing micro-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro-computed tomography (CT) and histology. Pertinent features such as osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, joint effusion, bone marrow lesion (BML), cysts, loose bodies and cartilage abnormalities were included in designing a sensitive multi-modality based scoring system, termed the rat arthritis knee scoring system (RAKSS). RESULTS: Overall, an inter-observer correlation coefficient (ICC) of greater than 0.750 was achieved for each scored feature. None of the treatments prevented cartilage loss, synovitis, joint effusion, or sclerosis. However, celecoxib significantly reduced osteophyte development compared to placebo. Although signs of inflammation such as synovitis and joint effusion were readily identified at 4 weeks post-operation, we did not detect any BML. CONCLUSION: We report the development of a sensitive and reliable multi-modality scoring system, the RAKSS, for evaluation of OA severity in pre-clinical animal models. Using this scoring system, we found that celecoxib prevented enlargement of osteophytes in this animal model of PTOA, and thus it may be useful in preventing OA progression. However, it did not show any chondroprotective effect using the recommended dose. In contrast, high dose glucosamine had no measurable effects.

14-3-3η: a novel biomarker platform for rheumatoid arthritis.

14-3-3 proteins are a conserved family of 7 isoforms with diverse cellular functions found predominantly intracellularly. The 14-3-3η isoform is expressed extracellularly in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and expression in both serum and joint fluid correlates strongly with expression of metalloproteinases. 14-3-3η activates proinflammatory signalling cascades and inflammatory mediators relevant to the pathogenesis of RA. A new ELISA based assay has diagnostic utility for RA with sensitivity of 63.6% and specificity of 92.6% using the optimal cut-off from ROC analysis of 0.19ng/ml. Adding 14-3-3η to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) resulted in an identification rate of 72% compared to 59% for ACPA alone. Adding rheumatoid factor (RF) to ACPA increased diagnostic capture from 59% to 72% and this increased further to 78% when 14-3-3η was added. Positive 14-3-3η status is also significantly associated with radiographic progression in early RA at years 1, 3 and 5 indicating prognostic utility. Extracellular 14-3-3η elicits the production of autoantibodies to the native protein, which also possess diagnostic utility. These do not correlate with expression of the protein and have complementary diagnostic utility. The presence of either the protein or its autoantibodies is observed in 90% of patients with early RA. Together with RF and/or ACPA this may result in identification of 95% of patients with early RA.

Pitfalls in MR morphology of the sterno-costo-clavicular region using whole-body MRI.

AIM: To analyse the imaging findings at the sterno-costo-clavicular (SCC) joint region using whole-body (WB) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in healthy individuals to minimize misinterpretation as changes due to spondyloarthritis (SpA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of a cross-sectional study of 122 SpA patients, 75 healthy individuals (42/33 males/females; median age 30.3 years; range 17.7-63.8 years) were scanned using sagittal and coronal WB short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and T1-weighted MRI sequences. The SCC region was analysed independently by seven readers for bone marrow oedema (BMO), erosions, subchondral fat signal intensity (FSI), and joint fluid accumulation. RESULTS: SCC changes simulating inflammation were reported by four or more of the seven readers in 15 (20%) healthy individuals (12 male/three female; median age 32.1 years; range 20.2-48 years). Thirteen individuals (17%) had changes at the manubriosternal joint (MSJ); five had BMO, one BMO + erosion, four erosion, two erosion + FSI, and one FSI only. Changes at the sternoclavicular joint occurred in three individuals (4%) encompassing erosion, erosion + FSI + BMO, and joint fluid accumulation, respectively. One patient had both MSJ and sternoclavicular joint changes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings mimicking inflammatory changes occurred in healthy individuals, particularly in the MSJ. Awareness of this is important in recognition of SCC inflammation in SpA.

Validation of the ASAS criteria and definition of a positive MRI of the sacroiliac joint in an inception cohort of axial spondyloarthritis followed up for 8 years.

BACKGROUND: The new Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria classify axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) into human leucocyte antigen-B27 and/or imaging-based arms. To aid implementation, ASAS has proposed a definition of a positive MRI for active sacroiliitis. OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to test the diagnostic and predictive value of the ASAS criteria and definition of a 'positive' MRI. METHODS: Baseline MRI scans on 29 patients with early inflammatory back pain and 18 controls were read independently by four experienced rheumatologists. Both arms of the criteria were tested against a 'gold standard' of physician diagnosis of SpA. MRI abnormalities were assessed according to a global assessment of MRI and the ASAS definition. Sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios for individual and concordant reader data were calculated for axial SpA diagnosis at baseline and the development of radiographic sacroiliitis, fulfilling the modified New York criteria at 8 years. RESULTS: All patients were classified as having axial SpA, with more patients fulfilling the imaging arm (83%, n=24/29) than the human leucocyte antigen B27 arm (62%, n=18/29). Concordant reader data showed that the baseline MRI had high diagnostic utility for SpA according to global assessment (sensitivity/specificity: 66%/94%, LR+ (positive likelihood ratio) 11.8, LR- (negative likelihood ratio) 0.4) and ASAS definition (sensitivity/specificity: 79%/89%, LR+ 7.1, LR- 0.2). Likewise, a positive baseline MRI had 100% sensitivity for subsequent radiographic sacroiliitis by either assessment, although specificity was lower (56% for global assessment and 33% for ASAS definition). CONCLUSION: Both arms of the ASAS criteria have good diagnostic utility in early SpA, although they are of limited value for the prediction of radiographic progression. This may be due to the definition of a positive MRI for sacroiliitis that lacks specificity at baseline.

Potential mechanism of alendronate inhibition of osteophyte formation in the rat model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis: evaluation of elemental strontium as a molecular tracer of bone formation.

OBJECTIVE: To employ elemental Strontium as a tracer of bone turnover, in the presence (or absence) of the bisphosphonate drug Alendronate, in order to spatially map osteophytogenesis and other bone turnover in rats developing post-traumatic secondary osteoarthritis (PTOA). METHODS: PTOA was induced in rats by medial meniscectomy surgery. We utilized in-vivo microfocal computed tomography (CT) to follow bony adaptations in groups for 8 weeks after surgery, either with or without alendronate treatment. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) was used to detect Strontium incorporation in mineralizing tissues. Histologic studies were conducted on the same samples using Safranin-O/fast green and Tetrachrome staining of decalcified sections to examine articular cartilage health and osteophyte formation at the sites of elemental Strontium deposition. RESULTS: EPMA revealed uniform incorporation of Strontium over actively remodeling trabecular surfaces in normal control rats. That pattern was significantly altered after meniscectomy surgery resulting in greater Strontium signal at the developing osteophyte margins. Alendronate treatment inhibited osteophyte development by 40% and 51% quantified by micro-CT volumetric measurements at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, respectively. Osteophytes in the alendronate group were more cartilaginous in composition [i.e., lower bone mineral density (BMD)] compared to the untreated group. Histological analysis confirmed the osteophyte inhibitory effect of alendronate, and also verified reduced degeneration of the articular cartilage compared to untreated rats. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that alendronate administration will reduce osteophyte formation in a rat model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, partially through the inhibition of secondary remodeling of osteophytes. Our study is the first to employ elemental Strontium as a tracer of bone turnover in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and to assess the efficacy of bisphosphonate antiresorptive drug interventions on osteophytogenesis.

2010 update of the ASAS/EULAR recommendations for the management of ankylosing spondylitis.

This first update of the ASAS/EULAR recommendations on the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is based on the original paper, a systematic review of existing recommendations and the literature since 2005 and the discussion and agreement among 21 international experts, 2 patients and 2 physiotherapists in a meeting in February 2010. Each original bullet point was discussed in detail and reworded if necessary. Decisions on new recommendations were made - if necessary after voting. The strength of the recommendations (SOR) was scored on an 11-point numerical rating scale after the meeting by email. These recommendations apply to patients of all ages that fulfill the modified NY criteria for AS, independent of extra-articular manifestations, and they take into account all drug and non-drug interventions related to AS. Four overarching principles were introduced, implying that one bullet has been moved to this section. There are now 11 bullet points including 2 new ones, one related to extra-articular manifestations and one to changes in the disease course. With a mean score of 9.1 (range 8-10) the SOR was generally very good.

Oral bisphosphonates are associated with reduced mortality after hip fracture.

UNLABELLED: Intravenous bisphosphonates reduce mortality following hip fracture. We determined whether new use of oral bisphosphonates was also associated with reductions in mortality in 209 hip fracture patients. Oral bisphosphonate exposure led to relative reduction of 8% per month of use (p = 0.001) or about a 60% reduction in mortality per year of use. INTRODUCTION: Intravenous bisphosphonates reduce mortality following hip fracture. Using prospectively collected long-term data from a randomized trial of osteoporosis quality improvement for hip fracture, we determined whether new use of oral bisphosphonates was associated with reductions in mortality or the composite outcome of death or new fracture. METHODS: Originally, 220 hip fracture patients were randomized to case manager (n = 110) or usual care followed by facilitated bone mineral density (BMD) testing (n = 110) interventions. All were eligible for bisphosphonate treatment. Post-randomization, we followed patients for 3 years and ascertained bisphosphonate treatment, medication adherence and persistence, all-cause mortality, and new clinical fractures. Proportional hazards analyses with time-varying treatment status were undertaken. RESULTS: The final study cohort included 209 patients: 136 (65%) females, 104 (50%) older than 75 years, 90 (43%) with poor self-reported health, and 38 (18%) underweight. Of these, 76 (36%) had a previous fracture before hip fracture and 132 (81%) had low BMD. A total of 101 (46%) patients started oral bisphosphonates and 65 (64%) remained on treatment at the final evaluation. Overall, 24 (11%) patients died, 19 (9%) had new fractures, and 42 (20%) reached the composite outcome of death or fracture. Compared to no treatment, bisphosphonate exposure was independently associated with reduced mortality (17[16%] vs. 7[7%]; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.92 per month treated; 95%CI, 0.88-0.97) and composite endpoints (28[26%] vs. 5[15%]; aHR = 0.94 per month treated; 95%CI, 0.91-0.97). CONCLUSION: Like intravenous bisphosphonates after hip fracture, our study suggests that oral bisphosphonates may be associated with reductions in all-cause mortality.

Cost-effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve quality of osteoporosis care after wrist fracture.

UNLABELLED: In a randomized trial, a multifaceted intervention tripled rates of osteoporosis treatment in older patients with wrist fracture. An economic analysis of the trial now demonstrates that the intervention tested "dominates" usual care: over a lifetime horizon, it reduces fracture, increases quality-adjusted life years, and saves the healthcare system money. INTRODUCTION: In a randomized trial (N = 272), we reported a multifaceted quality improvement intervention directed at older patients and their physicians could triple rates of osteoporosis treatment within 6 months of a wrist fracture when compared with usual care (22% vs 7%). Alongside the trial, we conducted an economic evaluation. METHODS: Using 1-year outcome data from our trial and micro-costing time-motion studies, we constructed a Markov decision-analytic model to determine cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with usual care over the patients' remaining lifetime. We took the perspective of third-party healthcare payers. In the base case, costs and benefits were discounted at 3% and expressed in 2006 Canadian dollars. One-way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 60 years, 77% were women, and 72% had low bone mineral density (BMD). The intervention cost $12 per patient. Compared with usual care, the intervention strategy was dominant: for every 100 patients receiving the intervention, three fractures (one hip fracture) would be prevented, 1.1 quality-adjusted life year gained, and $26,800 saved by the healthcare system over their remaining lifetime. The intervention dominated usual care across numerous one-way sensitivity analyses: with respect to cost, the most influential parameter was drug price; in terms of effectiveness, the most influential parameter was rate of BMD testing. The intervention was cost saving in 80% of probabilistic model simulations. CONCLUSIONS: For outpatients with wrist fractures, our multifaceted osteoporosis intervention was cost-effective. Healthcare systems implementing similar interventions should expect to save money, reduce fractures, and gain quality-adjusted life expectancy.

Nurse case-manager vs multifaceted intervention to improve quality of osteoporosis care after wrist fracture: randomized controlled pilot study.

UNLABELLED: Few outpatients with fractures are treated for osteoporosis in the years following fracture. In a randomized pilot study, we found a nurse case-manager could double rates of osteoporosis testing and treatment compared with a proven efficacious quality improvement strategy directed at patients and physicians (57% vs 28% rates of appropriate care). INTRODUCTION: Few patients with fractures are treated for osteoporosis. An intervention directed at wrist fracture patients (education) and physicians (guidelines, reminders) tripled osteoporosis treatment rates compared to controls (22% vs 7% within 6 months of fracture). More effective strategies are needed. METHODS: We undertook a pilot study that compared a nurse case-manager to the multifaceted intervention using a randomized trial design. The case-manager counseled patients, arranged bone mineral density (BMD) tests, and prescribed treatments. We included controls from our first trial who remained untreated for osteoporosis 1-year post-fracture. Primary outcome was bisphosphonate treatment and secondary outcomes were BMD testing, appropriate care (BMD test-treatment if bone mass low), and costs. RESULTS: Forty six patients untreated 1-year after wrist fracture were randomized to case-manager (n = 21) or multifaceted intervention (n = 25). Median age was 60 years and 68% were female. Six months post-randomization, 9 (43%) case-managed patients were treated with bisphosphonates compared with 3 (12%) multifaceted intervention patients (relative risk [RR] 3.6, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.1-11.5, p = 0.019). Case-managed patients were more likely than multifaceted intervention patients to undergo BMD tests (81% vs 52%, RR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.4, p = 0.042) and receive appropriate care (57% vs 28%, RR 2.0, 95%CI 1.0-4.2, p = 0.048). Case-management cost was $44 (CDN) per patient vs $12 for the multifaceted intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A nurse case-manager substantially increased rates of appropriate testing and treatment for osteoporosis in patients at high-risk of future fracture when compared with a multifaceted quality improvement intervention aimed at patients and physicians. Even with case-management, nearly half of patients did not receive appropriate care. TRIAL REGISTRY: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00152321.

Atlas of MRI findings of sacroiliitis in pediatric sacroiliac joints to accompany the updated preliminary OMERACT pediatric JAMRIS (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis MRI Score) scoring system: Part I: Active lesions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an increasingly important tool for identifying involvement of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The key feature for diagnosing active sacroiliitis is bone marrow edema (BME), but other features of active arthritis such as joint space inflammation, inflammation in an erosion cavity, capsulitis and enthesitis can be seen as well. Structural changes may also be seen. Systematic MRI assessment of inflammation and structural damage may aid in monitoring the disease course, choice of therapeutics and evaluating treatment response. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate normal MRI findings and growth-related changes of the SIJ in the pediatric population, as well as the different MRI features of SIJ inflammation. This atlas demonstrates fundamental MRI disease features of active inflammation in a format that can serve as a reference for assessing SIJ arthritis according to the updated preliminary JAMRIS (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis MRI Score) scoring system proposed by the MRI in JIA working group of Outcome Measures in Rheumatology and Clinical Trials (OMERACT). The atlas is intended to be read in conjunction with its companion Part 2, Structural Lesions.

Atlas of MRI findings of sacroiliitis in pediatric sacroiliac joints to accompany the updated preliminary OMERACT pediatric JAMRIS (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis MRI Score) scoring system: Part II: Structural damage lesions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for identifying sacroiliitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Besides active lesions of sacroiliitis, of which bone marrow edema (BME) is the key feature, structural damage lesions can also be detected. Structural changes include erosion, sclerosis, fat lesion, backfill and ankylosis, and are more common at later stages. Systematic MRI assessment of inflammation and structural damage may aid in monitoring the course of the disease and evaluating treatment options. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate normal MRI findings and growth-related changes of the SIJ in the pediatric population, as well as the different MRI features of structural damage of sacroiliitis. This atlas can serve as a reference for assessing structural lesions of SIJ arthritis according to the updated preliminary JAMRIS (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis MRI Score) scoring system proposed by the MRI in JIA working group of Outcome Measures in Rheumatology and Clinical Trials (OMERACT). The atlas is intended to be read in conjunction with its companion Part 1, Active Lesions.

The ASAS-OMERACT core domain set for axial spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The current core outcome set for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has had only minor adaptations since its development 20 years ago. Considering the significant advances in this field during the preceding decades, an update of this core set is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To update the ASAS-OMERACT core outcome set for AS into the ASAS-OMERACT core outcome set for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: Following OMERACT and COMET guidelines, an international working group representing key stakeholders (patients, rheumatologists, health professionals, pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agency representatives) defined the core domain set for axSpA. The development process consisted of: i) Identifying candidate domains using a systematic literature review and qualitative studies; ii) Selection of the most relevant domains for different stakeholders through a 3-round Delphi survey involving axSpA patients and axSpA experts; iii) Consensus and voting by ASAS; iv) Endorsement by OMERACT. Two scenarios are considered based on the type of therapy investigated in the trial: symptom modifying therapies and disease modifying therapies. RESULTS: The updated core outcome set for axSpA includes 7 mandatory domains for all trials (disease activity, pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, physical function, overall functioning and health, and adverse events including death). There are 3 additional domains (extra-musculoskeletal manifestations, peripheral manifestations and structural damage) that are mandatory for disease modifying therapies and important but optional for symptom modifying therapies. Finally, 3 other domains (spinal mobility, sleep, and work and employment) are defined as important but optional domains for all trials. CONCLUSION: The ASAS-OMERACT core domain set for AS has been updated into the ASAS-OMERACT core domain set for axSpA. The next step is the selection of instruments for each domain.

Role of contextual factors in health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: In the bio-psycho-social model of health, the role of contextual factors, either environmental or personal, is recognised. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a number of contextual factors on self-reported disease-specific and generic health-related quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: 522 patients with AS from Canada and Australia completed a postal questionnaire including sociodemographic variables, disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)) function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI)) health-related quality of life (ASQoL and EQ-5D) and Rheumatoid Attitudes Index Helplessness Subscale. The contribution of contextual factors (nationality, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment and helplessness) in addition to functioning and disability (BASDAI and BASFI) to health-related quality of life was analysed using multivariate regression analyses. Interactions between contextual variables were explored. RESULTS: Contextual factors explained 37% and 47% of the variance in EQ-5D and ASQoL, respectively. Helplessness and employment were the most important contextual factors. Their role was independent of the strong effect of disease activity (BASDAI) and functional limitations (BASFI). When ASQoL was the outcome, an interaction was seen between employment and education and when EQ-5D was the outcome, an interaction was seen between helplessness and education. CONCLUSIONS: Of the contextual factors explored in this study, helplessness and employment had an important and independent contribution to health-related quality of life. In patients with lower education, the effect of not being employed on ASQoL and the effect of helplessness on EQ-5D were stronger. Contextual factors, especially helplessness and employment, should receive more attention when interpreting data on health-related quality of life.

ASAS/WHO ICF Core Sets for ankylosing spondylitis (AS): how to classify the impact of AS on functioning and health.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the results of a standardised consensus process agreeing on concepts typical and/or relevant when classifying functioning and health in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF). METHODS: Experts in AS from different professional and geographical backgrounds attended a consensus conference and were divided into three working groups. Rheumatologists were selected from members of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS). Other health professionals were recommended by ASAS members. The aim was to compose three working groups with five to seven participants to allow everybody's contribution in the discussions. Experts selected ICF categories that were considered typical and/or relevant for AS during a standardised consensus process by integrating evidence from preceding studies in alternating working group and plenary discussions. A Comprehensive ICF Core Set was selected for the comprehensive classification of functioning and a Brief ICF Core Set for application in trials. RESULTS: The conference was attended by 19 experts from 12 countries. Eighty categories were included in the Comprehensive Core Set, which included 23 Body functions, 19 Body structures, 24 Activities and participation and 14 Environmental factors. Nineteen categories were selected for the Brief Core Set, which included 6 Body functions, 4 Body structures, 7 Activities and participation and 2 Environmental factors. CONCLUSION: The Comprehensive and Brief ICF Core Sets for AS are now available and aim to represent the external reference to define consequences of AS on functioning.

Peripartum issues in the inflammatory arthritis patient: A survey of the RAPPORT registry.

Childbearing women with rheumatoid (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have significant peripartum issues. A retrospective anonymous RedCAP survey of peripartum period in females with RA/PsA in the RAPPORT registry was performed. Completed analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test. 162 patients (133 RA/29 PsA) completed the survey (103 women having 234 pregnancies), 164 pregnancies occurring before and 70 pregnancies occurring after diagnosis. Pregnancy outcomes from 103 patients included: 96% live births, 1.9% stillbirths, 23% miscarriages, and 15% therapeutic abortions. A third of patients had fewer children than desired due to disease activity, medications and other reasons. For 63 pregnancies after diagnosis: (1) 49% of pregnancies received pre-conception counseling; (2) 65% described good disease control during pregnancy but 74% flared in the first 3 months postpartum; (3) 79% of pregnancies discontinued IA medications; (4) 35% of pregnancies occurred on biologic therapy at or prior to conception. Gestational age at time of delivery was 37-40 weeks in 58% (33/57) post-arthritis vs 66% (83/126) pre-arthritis pregnancies. No statistically significant differences occurred between pregnancies before or after RA/PsA diagnosis for: pregnancy planning, fertility treatment, pregnancy and labour/delivery complications, birth defect frequency or neonatal complications. Neonatal ICU admissions were significantly lower in pre- compared to post-arthritis pregnancies (3.2% vs 14.5%). No pregnancy complications were noted in 24/54 pregnancies on medications compared to 6/9 pregnancies not on medications. The impact of RA/PsA before, during and after pregnancy varied considerably in this cohort emphasizing the importance of informed-decision making at all stages.