Glucocorticoid sparing effect of Janus Kinase inhibitors compared to biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in rheumatoid arthritis, a single-center retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoid sparing in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is crucial to minimizing adverse effects associated with long-term use. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) could potentially offer a more potent glucocorticoid-sparing effect than biological Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of RA patients treated with JAKi or bDMARDs. Glucocorticoid tapering, rescue therapy and discontinuation were analyzed through mixed-effects models, Poisson regression, and multivariable logistic regression, respectively, adjusting for baseline disease activity, demographic factors, and treatment line. RESULTS: A total of 716 RA patients treated with JAKi (n = 156) or bDMARDs (n = 560) were evaluated. JAKi treatment was associated with a more rapid reduction in glucocorticoid dose within the first 6 months and 60% higher odds of discontinuation compared with bDMARDs (adjusted odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.02-2.60, p 0.039). Despite a higher baseline glucocorticoid dose, over 50% of JAKi-treated patients discontinued glucocorticoids after 12 months, vs ∼40% for bDMARDs. The need for glucocorticoid rescue therapy was significantly higher in the bDMARD group (rate ratio 2.66 (95% CI, 1.88-3.74)). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that JAK inhibitors facilitate more rapid glucocorticoid tapering compared with bDMARDs in RA patients. These results underscore the potential of JAK inhibitors to reduce long-term glucocorticoid exposure, highlighting their value in RA management strategies, including minimizing glucocorticoid-related adverse effects.

Long-Term Bone Mineral Density Changes in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated with Denosumab: A Retrospective Study with Nonequivalent Control Group.

Data on the effectiveness of denosumab on osteoporosis after kidney transplantation are limited. We investigated the long-term bone mineral density (BMD) changes in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) treated with denosumab compared to untreated KTRs. We enrolled KTRs treated with denosumab 60 mg/6 months for 4 years. An untreated group of sex and age-matched KTRs with a 1:1 ratio was included. The primary outcome was BMD changes assessed by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry over 4 years. Data on serum creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were collected. All patients received oral cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation. 23 denosumab-treated KTRs were enrolled, and 23 untreated KTRs. The median time from transplant to the start of denosumab was 4 years (range 0:24). The denosumab group showed a significant increase from baseline in BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) (9.0 ± 10.7%, p < 0.001), and total hip (TH) (3.8 ± 7.9%, p = 0.041). The untreated group showed a significant decrease at all sites (- 3.0 ± 7%, p = 0.041 at the LS; - 6.3 ± 9.2%, p = 0.003 at the TH; - 6.7 ± 9.3%, p = 0.003 at the FN). The between-group differences in percent BMD changes were statistically significant at all sites. Similar results were found for the respective Z-scores. The ALP serum levels significantly decreased from baseline only in the denosumab group, with a significant between-group difference (p = 0.032). No significant differences in serum creatinine, hypocalcaemic events or acute graft rejection rates were observed. Four years of denosumab therapy were associated with increased BMD in KTRs, while untreated KTRs showed significant BMD losses at all sites.

Italian recommendations for the assessment of cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis: a position paper of the Cardiovascular Obesity and Rheumatic DISease (CORDIS) Study Group of the Italian Society for Rheumatology.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. The aim of this position paper is to provide Italian rheumatologists with an easy, feasible and time-saving CV risk assessment in their daily clinical practice. METHODS: A narrative review of the literature and an assessment of the methodological strength underlying the current evidence on CV risk assessment in patients with RA were performed. The evidence-based results were shared among the members of the steering committee of the CORDIS study group of the Italian Society of Rheumatology. Subsequently, a unanimously agreed-upon algorithm was discussed and finally approved by the experts. RESULTS: RA patients should have their CV profile monitored using the Italian 'Progetto Cuore' chart, according to the current EULAR recommendations for CV risk management, at least every 5 years. In the presence of high disease activity, or a multi-drug failure condition, when prolonged treatment with glucocorticoids and/or NSAIDs is required, or if hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or diabetes mellitus are concomitant, a more stringent CV risk assessment should be considered. When moderate CV risk is documented, patients should undergo intima-media thickening measurement. The condition of high CV risk requires a cardiological evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: This position paper provides five Italian recommendations for CV risk assessment in RA patients. A general and uniform approach to CV risk profiling may be useful to identify those patients who should undertake intensive preventive strategies to improve their CV outcomes.

Long-term effectiveness and predictors of bisphosphonate treatment in type I complex regional pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful disease that leads to chronic pain and disability. Bisphosphonates are largely used in the real-life for the treatment of CRPS, but data on long-term effectiveness and its predictors are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal observational study on patients with type I CRPS treated with IV neridronate (100 mg on 4 occasions). Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected at baseline, after 3 months (M3) and after 12 months (M12). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine the factors associated with long-term response to treatment. RESULTS: 103 patients with type I CRPS treated with IV neridronate were included in the study. Mean VAS pain at baseline was 79.1 mm and decreased significantly at M3 (-45.9 mm, 95% CI 40.1 to 51.8) and M12 (-61.6 mm, 95% CI 55.3 to 67.9). Hyperalgesia and allodynia resolved in 84.3% and 88.1% of patients at M12. Loss of motion resolved in 53.5% of patients. The predictors of excellent response were gender (male better), predisposing event to CRPS (no event being better than any predisposing event), site of CRPS (lower limb being better), and early response at M3 on VAS pain (2.5 times the chance of being excellent responder every 10 mm decrease). CONCLUSIONS: In this real-life study neridronate was associated with rapid and progressive improvement of symptoms of CRPS which was maintained up to 3 years of follow-up. The predictors of excellent response were early response, lower limb localisation, absence of predisposing events and male gender.

Radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry and DXA for the evaluation of bone mineral density in a peritoneal dialysis setting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this real-life cross-sectional explorative study was to compare radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry (REMS) with dual-energy X-rays absorptiometry (DXA) in the BMD assessment of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between lumbar aortic calcifications (AOCs) and the DXA lumbar measurements. METHODS: Consecutive patients referring to the PD clinic of our hospital were included. Lumbar spine and femur scans were acquired with both techniques (including lumbar laterolateral DXA scans). The risk assessment of two fracture risk algorithms (FRAX® and DeFRA®) were compared. Cohen's k coefficients were used to assess the inter-technique agreement in the classification of patients as osteoporotic. Lumbar AOCs were estimated semi-quantitatively on laterolateral DXA scans. RESULTS: 41 patients were enrolled. No significant differences were documented between the BMD T-scores measured through DXA or REMS at the femur. At the lumbar spine, the DXA anteroposterior mean T-score (- 0.49 ± 1.98) was significantly higher than both the laterolateral DXA (- 1.66 ± 0.99) and the REMS (- 2.00 ± 1.94) measurements (p < 0.01 vs both). No significant differences were found between the DXA and REMS fracture risk estimates with both algorithms. The inter-technique Cohen's k coefficient (for the worst T-score, any site) was 0.421, p < 0.001. The discrepancy between the DXA laterolateral and anteroposterior lumbar T-score was positively associated with the AOCs extent and severity (r = 0.402, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a promising agreement, in a real-life PD setting, between DXA and REMS BMD assessment and in the consequent fracture risk estimation and confirm the AOCs interference on the diagnostic accuracy of lumbar DXA.

Pharmacological treatment in adult patients with CRPS-I: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Several pharmacological treatments have been proposed for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome type-I (CRPS-I) in adults, but data regarding the efficacy of various agents for this disease is scarce. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to analyse the efficacy of the various pharmacological approaches in adults with CRPS-I. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from the inception date to 30 June 2021 to identify placebo-controlled or active-controlled RCTs using bisphosphonates, ketamine, CSs, anti-epileptics, NSAIDs/COXIBs, opiates, antidepressants, scavengers/magnesium sulphate or IVIGs for the treatment of CRPS-I. The primary outcomes included changes in the visual analogue scale (VAS) or numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain before and after treatment. RESULTS: We included 20 placebo-controlled or active-controlled RCTs (including a total of 818 adults with CRPS-I) that used bisphosphonates (n = 7), ketamine (n = 2), CSs (n = 2), anti-epileptics (n = 1), NSAIDs/selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COXIBs) (n = 2), scavengers/magnesium sulphate (n = 5), or IVIGs (n = 1) to treat CRPS-I during a median follow-up of 26 weeks. Treatment with bisphosphonates showed a significant reduction in the values of the VAS/NRS pain scale compared with placebo or reference therapy (random effects weighted mean difference [WMD]: -23.8, 95% CI: -28.0 to -19.6; I2 = 36.4%). Treatment with ketamine also documented a reduction in the values of the VAS/NRS for pain (random effects WMD: -8.27, 95% CI: -12.9 to -3.70; I2 = 0%). Treatment with other agents did not reduce the values of the VAS/NRS assessments of pain. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis supports the recommendation of parenteral bisphosphonates as the first-line agent in the treatment of CRPS-I. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework registries, https://osf.io/et9gu/, osf.io/et9gu.

Retention rate of IL-1 inhibitors in Schnitzler's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Schnitzler's syndrome is a rare autoinflammatory disease. Clinical response to IL-1 inhibitor drugs has been described, but limited information is available on the long-term efficacy and safety of these agents in Schnitzler's syndrome. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients with Schnitzler's syndrome fulfilling Strasbourg diagnostic criteria followed in 9 Italian centres. The retention rate of IL-1 inhibitors was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen of 20 patients with Schnitzler's syndrome were treated with IL-1 inhibitors: in total, they received 16 courses of anakinra (median duration 20.0 months [6.0-58.3]), and 8 courses of canakinumab (median duration 19.0 months [13.5-31.0]). The retention rate of IL-1 inhibitors was 73.4% [SE 9.4] at 1 year and 63.6% [SE 10.4] at 2 years. There was no significant difference between the retention rate of anakinra and canakinumab. The retention rate was higher in patients with a definite diagnosis according to the Strasbourg criteria as compared with those with a probable diagnosis (p=0.03). At the last follow-up visit, all patients who started therapy with IL-1 inhibitors were still on treatment, although in some cases with an increased dosage compared to the start of therapy. A sparing effect on the use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and a significant reduction of prednisone dosage (p=0.02) and of serum amyloid A (SAA) levels (p=0.03) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The retention rate of IL-1 inhibitors in patients with Schnitzler's syndrome was high, particularly in patients with a definite diagnosis according to the Strasbourg criteria, reflecting their effectiveness in the treatment of this syndrome.

A real-world economic analysis of biologic therapies for psoriatic arthritis in Italy: results of the CHRONOS observational longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, immune-mediated, spondyloarthropathy characterised by musculoskeletal signs and symptoms with associated joint pain and tenderness. The average worldwide PsA prevalence is 133/100,000, while in the Italian population is 90-420/100,000. Traditionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoid, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have been used in the treatment of PsA. However, for those patients who are not adequately controlled with conventional therapies, the new biologics compounds represent a valid option. Biologic therapies have been shown to be more effective but also more expensive than conventional systemic treatments. Based on the CHRONOS study, the economic analyses presented in this paper aim to assess the annualised direct costs and the cost-per-responder of biologics in a real-world context assuming the Italian National Health System perspective. METHODS: The economic assessments were carried out on the overall cohort of patients, and on the tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) and the secukinumab subgroup, the most prescribed biologic therapies within the CHRONOS study. RESULTS: The annual economic impact of PsA in the overall group was €12,622, €11,725 in the secukinumab subgroup, and €12,791 in the TNFi subgroup. Biologics absorbed the main expenditure costs in the treatment of PsA accounting for about the 93% of total costs. At 6 months, secukinumab performed better in all the considered outcomes: cost-per-responder according to EULAR DAS28 and ACR50 response criteria were €12,661- €28,975, respectively, while they were €13,356 - €33,368 in the overall cohort and €13,138 - €35,166 in the TNFi subgroup. At 12 months secukinumab remained the subgroup with the lowest cost-per-responder ratio in EULAR DAS28 and ACR50 response criteria, while TNFi subgroup was the lowest one considered the ACR20. CONCLUSION: Despite some potential methodological limitations, our cost-per-response analysis provides physicians and payers additional insights which can complement the traditional risk-benefit profile assessment and drive treatment decisions.

Association between environmental air pollution and rheumatoid arthritis flares.

OBJECTIVES: Environmental air pollution has been linked to the pathogenesis of RA. Nevertheless, evidence linking higher concentrations of air pollutants with the risk of RA reactivations is missing. The objective of the present study was to determine the association between RA flares and air pollution. METHODS: We collected longitudinal data of patients affected by RA and of the daily concentration of air pollutants in the Verona area. We designed a case-crossover study. We compared the exposure to pollutants in the 30-day and 60-day periods preceding an arthritic flare referent to the 30-day and 60-day preceding a low-disease activity visit. RESULTS: The study included 888 patients with RA with 3396 follow-up visits; 13 636 daily air pollution records were retrieved. We found an exposure-response relationship between the concentration of air pollutants and the risk of having abnormal CRP levels. Patients exposed to greater concentrations of air pollutants were at higher risk of having CRP levels ≥5 mg/l. Concentrations of CO, NO, NO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5 and O3 were higher in the 60-day period preceding a flare. CONCLUSIONS: We found a striking association between air pollution and RA disease severity and reactivations in a cohort of patients followed over a 5-year period. The exposure to high levels of air pollutants was associated with increased CRP levels and a higher risk of experiencing a flare of arthritis. This excessive risk was evident at very low levels of exposure.

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) in Type 2 Diabetes: A New Imaging Possibility and a New Biomarker.

We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) through Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) in a group of post-menopausal women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). We also explored several biomarkers of bone turnover metabolism, including Wnt pathway modulators. DXA-VFA was performed to detect the presence of DISH. Serum samples were collected from all patients at the time of study recruitment. 16 different serum biomarkers were tested between the two subgroups. Given the exploratory nature of the study, we did not adjust for multiplicity. At VFA analysis, among 96 individuals enrolled in the study 20 (20.8%) showed features of DISH. No statistically significant difference was found for BMD values, between the DISH and NO-DISH subgroups. Concerning blood biomarkers, DISH patients showed a significant difference only in the sclerostin serum levels (32 vs 35.5 pmol/L, for the DISH and NO-DISH subgroup, respectively; p = 0.010). After adjustment for confounding factors, sclerostin serum levels remained significantly lower in DISH group (p = 0.002). We demonstrated a non-negligible prevalence of DISH in a population of post-menopausal women affected by T2DM and suggested low serum sclerostin as a possible key feature associated with DISH presence. In addition, we propose DXA-VFA analysis, whose radiation dose is considerably lower than conventional radiography, as a viable diagnostic and prognostic mean to obtain data not only on bone health, but also for the screening for DISH in subjects at risk.

Relationship between common carotid distensibility/aortic stiffness and cardiac left ventricular morphology and function in a group of patients affected by chronic rheumatic diseases: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIAs), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are characterised by high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, partly due to endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness of the carotid artery and aorta. The aim of the present study is to determine whether ultrasonography measures of carotid and aortic stiffness are correlated with left ventricular mass and function in patients affected by CIAs. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we consecutively enrolled outpatients diagnosed with CIAs with no overt CVD. For each participant we assessed disease characteristics, CVD risk factors, medications, including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), blood pressure, lipids and glucose levels. Carotid ultrasonography was performed in all patients using carotid distensibility (CD) and aortic stiffness index (AoSI) as measures of arterial stiffness. Participants underwent the same day a full echocardiographic study including assessment of left ventricular function and mass (LVM). RESULTS: The study population comprised 208 CIAs patients (mean age 57.4±11.4 y; females 63.9%), including 137 (65.9%) RA, 42 (20.2%) PsA and 29 (13.9%) AS patients. In multiple regression analysis, CD correlated with age (ß=-0.198, p<0.0001), mean arterial pressure (ß=-0.281, p<0.0001) and treatment with DMARDs (ß=-1.976, p=0.021), while AoSI was not associated with any anthropometric, haemodynamic or clinical covariates. CD was inversely related to LVM (r=-0.20, p=0.005), whereas AoSI was directly correlated with diastolic function of the left ventricle (E/E'; r=0.191, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our results underline the strict correlation between arterial stiffness and left ventricular mass and function in patients with CIAs.

Efficacy and safety of baricitinib in 446 patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a real-life multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Baricitinib, an oral Janus kinase (JAK) 1-2 inhibitor, is currently used along biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) after the failure of methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in real life. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 446 RA patients treated with baricitinib from 11 Italian centres. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. They were arrayed based on previous treatments as bDMARD-naïve and bDMARD-insufficient responders (IR) after the failure or intolerance to bDMARDs. A sub-analysis differentiated the effects of methotrexate (MTX) and the use of oral glucocorticoids (OGC). RESULTS: Our cohort included 150 (34%) bDMARD-naïve and 296 (66%) bDMARD-IR patients, with 217 (49%) using baricitinib as monotherapy. Considering DAS-28-CRP as the primary outcome, at 3 and 6 months, 114/314 (36%) and 149/289 (51.6%) patients achieved remission, while those in low disease activity (LDA) were 62/314 (20%) and 46/289 (15.9%), respectively; finally at 12 months 81/126 (64%) were in remission and 21/126 (17%) in LDA. At all-timepoints up to 12 months, bDMARDs-naïve patients demonstrated a better clinical response, independently of MTX. A significant reduction in the OGC dose was observed at 3 and 12 months in all groups. The serum positivity for both rheumatoid factors (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) conferred a lower risk of stopping baricitinib due to inefficacy. Fifty-eight (13%) patients discontinued baricitinib due to adverse events, including thrombotic events and herpes zoster reactivation. CONCLUSIONS: Real-life data confirm the efficacy and safety profiles of baricitinib in patients with RA and provide evidence that drug survival is higher in bDMARDs-naïve and seropositive patients.

Acute Effects of Glucocorticoid Treatment, TNFα or IL-6R Blockade on Bone Turnover Markers and Wnt Inhibitors in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α and Interleukin (IL)-6 play a fundamental role in bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), partly due to the inhibition of the Wnt canonical pathway. The aim of our study was to investigate the short-term effects of three different treatments on Wnt inhibitors (Dkk-1 and sclerostin) and on bone turnover markers (BTMs): N-propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ß-CTX-I). We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. We enrolled women affected by early RA (< 12 months) with active disease (DAS28 ≥ 2.6) despite a 6-month treatment with methotrexate (10-15 mg/week), who then started certolizumab pegol, tocilizumab, or methyl-prednisolone (8 mg/daily). Patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment. Blood samples were collected at baseline, week 1, and week 4. We selected 14 patients treated with certolizumab pegol, 14 patients with tocilizumab, and 20 patients with methyl-prednisolone. No difference between any of the tested parameters was found at baseline. ß-CTX-I, Dkk-1, and sclerostin decreased after 1 week of treatment with certolizumab pegol (- 27% ± 21.5, - 50% ± 13.2, and - 30% ± 30.4, respectively, p < 0.05). Methyl-prednisolone induced similar changes, albeit less marked, on ß-CTX-I and Wnt inhibitors, with a decrease in PINP (- 16.1% ± 16.5, p < 0.05). Tocilizumab did not significantly affect BTMs or Wnt inhibitors. No significant changes were found for PTH and 25OHD. In the first four weeks of treatment, TNFα inhibition showed strong effects on BTMs and Wnt inhibitors, differently from IL-6 blockade. Glucocorticoids induced similar changes; nonetheless, they showed undesired effects on bone formation.

Incidence and predictors of adverse clinical events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are exposed to impairment in left ventricular (LV) function, which is a prognosticator of poorer clinical outcomes. In this study we assessed prevalence and factors associated with adverse outcomes in patients with RA and asymptomatic LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD). METHODS: We prospectively analysed 102 RA patients with asymptomatic LVSD consecutively selected by a pool of 418 RA patients referred to the Division of Rheumatology, University of Verona, between March 2014 and March 2015. LVSD was defined as impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by echocardiography. The pre-specified study end-points were all-cause death/hospitalisation, and death/hospitalisation for cardiovascular cause. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 35 [13-54] months, all-cause death/hospitalisation occurred in 40 patients (39%). No patient died during the follow-up, 18 patients (18% of the study population) had a cardiovascular event which required hospitalisation, while 22 (22% of patients) required hospitalisation, but this was unrelated to CV. Multiple Cox regression analysis identified worse renal function, more frequent use and a higher number of biologic DMARDs used before enrolment as independent predictors of all-causes hospitalisation. The same variables together with higher LV mass predicted CV hospitalisation. Prognostic cut-off points were 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 for glomerular filtration rate and 49 g/m2.7 for LV mass. CONCLUSIONS: RA patients with asymptomatic LVSD have a very high rate of all-cause and cardiovascular hospitalisation at mid-term follow-up, predicted by worse renal function, higher LV mass, more frequent use and higher number of biologic DMARDs used before enrolment, suggesting that biologic DMARDs refractory is a proxy of adverse events.

An observational prospective study on predictors of clinical response at six months in patients with active psoriatic arthritis treated with golimumab.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, research has been focused on the identification of predictors of response to treatment in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The objective of this study was to develop a model to predict the clinical response at 6 months in patients with PsA starting the anti-tumour necrosis factor-α golimumab. METHODS: This prospective observational study explored a range of factors, including demographic data and baseline characteristics of the disease, measures of disease activity and functional disability, and potential laboratory biomarkers in the prediction of response, defined as the achievement of modified-minimal disease activity (mMDA), to golimumab in PsA patients. RESULTS: We studied 151 PsA patients starting golimumab because of their active disease. After 6 months, the rate of drug persistence on golimumab was 80%, and mMDA was achieved in 44.3% of patients. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, lower disease activity in PsA score (DAPSA) at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-0.96, p<0.001) was independent predictor of mMDA at 6 months. High sensitivity C-reactive protein value (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.00-1.13, p=0.026) at baseline also was a predictive factor of mMDA achievement at 6 months in the laboratory-enhanced prediction model. Golimumab was safe and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of factors predictive of response to treatment may help in better understanding the response to golimumab and in identifying PsA patients that are most likely to achieve mMDA following therapy with golimumab.

Role of Colchicine Treatment in Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS): Real-Life Data from the AIDA Network.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the potential role of colchicine monotherapy in patients with tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in terms of control of clinical and laboratory manifestations. METHODS: Patients with TRAPS treated with colchicine monotherapy were retrospectively enrolled; demographic, clinical and therapeutic data were collected and statistically analysed after having clustered patients according to different times at disease onset, penetrance of mutations, dosage of colchicine, and different disease manifestations. RESULTS: 24 patients (14 males; 15 with pediatric disease onset) treated with colchicine monotherapy were enrolled. Colchicine resulted in a complete response in 3 (12.5%) cases, partial response in 14 (58.3%) patients, and lack of response in 7 (29.2%) patients. There were not significant differences in colchicine response between pediatric and adult disease onset (p = 0.42), between low- and high-penetrance mutations (p = 0.62), and according to different dosages (p = 0.66). No significant differences were identified in the frequency of specific disease manifestations between patients experiencing any response to colchicine and patients with lack of response. CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine monotherapy is useful in a low percentage of TRAPS patients; nevertheless, it could be attempted in patients with milder phenotypes and at a lower risk of developing reactive amyloidosis.

Clinical Features at Onset and Genetic Characterization of Pediatric and Adult Patients with TNF-α Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS): A Series of 80 Cases from the AIDA Network.

This study explores demographic, clinical, and therapeutic features of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in a cohort of 80 patients recruited from 19 Italian referral Centers. Patients' data were collected retrospectively and then analyzed according to age groups (disease onset before or after 16 years) and genotype (high penetrance (HP) and low penetrance (LP) TNFRSF1A gene variants). Pediatric- and adult-onset were reported, respectively, in 44 and 36 patients; HP and LP variants were found, respectively, in 32 and 44 cases. A positive family history for recurrent fever was reported more frequently in the pediatric group than in the adult group (p < 0.05). With reference to clinical features during attacks, pericarditis and myalgia were reported more frequently in the context of adult-onset disease than in the pediatric age (with p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), while abdominal pain was present in 84% of children and in 25% of adults (p < 0.01). Abdominal pain was significantly associated also to the presence of HP mutations (p < 0.01), while oral aphthosis was more frequently found in the LP variant group (p < 0.05). Systemic amyloidosis occurred in 25% of subjects carrying HP variants. As concerns laboratory features, HP mutations were significantly associated to higher ESR values (p < 0.01) and to the persistence of steadily elevated inflammatory markers during asymptomatic periods (p < 0.05). The presence of mutations involving a cysteine residue, abdominal pain, and lymphadenopathy during flares significantly correlated with the risk of developing amyloidosis and renal impairment. Conversely, the administration of colchicine negatively correlated to the development of pathologic proteinuria (p < 0.05). Both NSAIDs and colchicine were used as monotherapy more frequently in the LP group compared to the HP group (p < 0.01). Biologic agents were prescribed to 49 (61%) patients; R92Q subjects were more frequently on NSAIDs monotherapy than other patients (p < 0.01); nevertheless, they required biologic therapy in 53.1% of cases. At disease onset, the latest classification criteria for TRAPS were fulfilled by 64/80 (80%) patients (clinical plus genetic items) and 46/80 (57.5%) patients (clinical items only). No statistically significant differences were found in the sensitivity of the classification criteria according to age at onset and according to genotype (p < 0.05). This study describes one of the widest cohorts of TRAPS patients in the literature, suggesting that the clinical expression of this syndrome is more influenced by the penetrance of the mutation rather than by the age at onset itself. Given the high phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease, a definite diagnosis should rely on both accurate working clinical assessment and complementary genotype.

Anti-interleukin-1 treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes (TRACK): A multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory contribution to type 2 diabetes (T2D) has suggested new therapeutic targets using biologic drugs designed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On this basis, we aimed at investigating whether interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibition with anakinra, a recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist, could improve both glycaemic and inflammatory parameters in participants with RA and T2D compared with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (TNFis). METHODS AND FINDINGS: This study, designed as a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial, enrolled participants, followed up for 6 months, with RA and T2D in 12 Italian rheumatologic units between 2013 and 2016. Participants were randomised to anakinra or to a TNFi (i.e., adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, infliximab, or golimumab), and the primary end point was the change in percentage of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c%) (EudraCT: 2012-005370-62 ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02236481). In total, 41 participants with RA and T2D were randomised, and 39 eligible participants were treated (age 62.72 ± 9.97 years, 74.4% female sex). The majority of participants had seropositive RA disease (rheumatoid factor and/or anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody [ACPA] 70.2%) with active disease (Disease Activity Score-28 [DAS28]: 5.54 ± 1.03; C-reactive protein 11.84 ± 9.67 mg/L, respectively). All participants had T2D (HbA1c%: 7.77 ± 0.70, fasting plasma glucose: 139.13 ± 42.17 mg). When all the enrolled participants reached 6 months of follow-up, the important crude difference in the main end point, confirmed by an unplanned ad interim analysis showing the significant effects of anakinra, which were not observed in the other group, led to the study being stopped for early benefit. Participants in the anakinra group had a significant reduction of HbA1c%, in an unadjusted linear mixed model, after 3 months (ß: -0.85, p < 0.001, 95% CI -1.28 to -0.42) and 6 months (ß: -1.05, p < 0.001, 95% CI -1.50 to -0.59). Similar results were observed adjusting the model for relevant RA and T2D clinical confounders (male sex, age, ACPA positivity, use of corticosteroids, RA duration, T2D duration, use of oral antidiabetic drug, body mass index [BMI]) after 3 months (ß: -1.04, p < 0.001, 95% CI -1.52 to -0.55) and 6 months (ß: -1.24, p < 0.001, 95% CI -1.75 to -0.72). Participants in the TNFi group had a nonsignificant slight decrease of HbA1c%. Assuming the success threshold to be HbA1c% ≤ 7, we considered an absolute risk reduction (ARR) = 0.42 (experimental event rate = 0.54, control event rate = 0.12); thus, we estimated, rounding up, a number needed to treat (NNT) = 3. Concerning RA, a progressive reduction of disease activity was observed in both groups. No severe adverse events, hypoglycaemic episodes, or deaths were observed. Urticarial lesions at the injection site led to discontinuation in 4 (18%) anakinra-treated participants. Additionally, we observed nonsevere infections, including influenza, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, and diarrhoea in both groups. Our study has some limitations, including open-label design and previously unplanned ad interim analysis, small size, lack of some laboratory evaluations, and ongoing use of other drugs. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed an apparent benefit of IL-1 inhibition in participants with RA and T2D, reaching the therapeutic targets of both diseases. Our results suggest the concept that IL-1 inhibition may be considered a targeted treatment for RA and T2D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered with EU Clinical Trials Register, EudraCT Number: 2012-005370-62 and with ClinicalTrial.gov, number NCT02236481.

Effects of biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs on bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis.

Bone loss is a typical consequence of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It occurs not only locally, affecting the inflamed joints (erosions), but also systemically, leading to osteopenia and/or overt osteoporosis, with increased risk of fragility fractures. This complication, often underestimated, can worsen the burden of disability in RA patients. Moreover, systemic and local bone loss are closely intertwined as osteoporosis per se can facilitate the development of erosions. A fundamental role in this process is played by the osteoimmunologic dysregulation typical of RA and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The poor response to the DMARDs, in terms of progression of bone erosions, might depend on the concomitant osteoporosis and on other determinants of bone loss. Thus, we need a deeper investigation in RA patients of bone health and effects of DMARDs on it and, eventually, a specific anti-osteoporotic treatment, other than DMARDs, for the prevention of both fragility fractures and bone erosions. The present review summarizes the most relevant evidence on systemic bone loss of biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs.

Secukinumab produces a quick increase in WNT signalling antagonists in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is an important cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of bone lesions of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The aim of our study was to explore the short-term effects (≤6 months) of secukinumab (an anti-IL-17 antibody) on the serum levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) and on the inhibitors of the WNT signalling pathway. METHODS: The study sample consisted of patients with PsA starting treatment with secukinumab 150 mg every month, and healthy controls (HCs). For the PsA group, the DAS28 score was recorded, and serum samples were collected at baseline, and then at Month 1, 3 and 6 of therapy. As for the HCs, a single observation was performed, with the relevant serum collection. Intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I-I), Dickkopf-related protein-1 (Dkk-1) and sclerostin were administered. RESULTS: 28 patients with PsA and 43 HCs were enrolled. Neither PINP nor CTX-I serum levels showed any significant variation during the observation period. Baseline mean Dkk-1 serum levels for the PsA arm were significantly lower than in the HC (p<0.05). Dkk-1 and sclerostin serum levels increased at Month 6 during the treatment with secukinumab (p<0.05 vs. baseline). When the PsA arm was compared to the HC, the difference between the serum levels of Dkk-1 lost significance at Month 6. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with secukinumab does not have any significant short-term effect on BTMs, but may influence some fine regulators of the bone cell activity, such as the WNT inhibitors.