Specific descriptions of axial involvement are associated with radiographic damage development after 2 years in psoriatic arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Investigating the association between different definitions of axial involvement and syndesmophytes development over 2 years in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: Patients from a prospective multicentre cohort (Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study) involving 17 Belgian rheumatology practices were recruited between December 2012 and July 2014 and included when fulfilling the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis. Axial involvement included six clinical and two radiographic oriented definitions.Two calibrated central readers evaluated radiographic damage by assessing the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score and modified New York criteria. New syndesmophytes after 2 years were described conditional on axial involvement at baseline. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between syndesmophyte development and axial involvement. All definitions of axial involvement were evaluated separately. RESULTS: From 150 patients, a 2-year follow-up of spinal radiographs was obtained. There are 11 patients with new syndesmophytes after 2 years. For the clinical definitions of axial involvement 'global assessment', 'detailed assessment', 'back pain (BP)' and 'inflammatory BP (IBP)' the probabilities of developing syndesmophytes ranged between 0.06 and 0.08 and were similar for the presence or absence of the definition. When including elevated C reactive protein (CRP) to the definitions the probability of developing syndesmophytes over 2 years increased two times for CBP and seven times for IBP.With radiographic axial involvement a similar trend was seen; radiographic sacroiliitis as definition showed a probability three times higher. When combined with elevated CRP there would be a 14 times higher chance to develop syndesmophytes in 2 years. The ORs varied from 0.83 to 13.80, though none of them were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of syndesmophyte formation in PsA is low. The probability of developing syndesmophytes is much higher when axial involvement is determined radiographically rather than clinically, particularly in the context of high CRP.

Biomarkers in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Where Are We Now?

At the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2023 annual conference and trainee symposium, the status of psoriatic disease (PsD) biomarkers was discussed in a workshop. The significant heterogeneity of PsD causes disease management to be very challenging, but biomarkers can prove helpful in disease diagnosis, stratification, and precision medicine. Although a few potential biomarkers have been discovered, none have been fully validated. Recent studies have used omic technologies that show promise but need further verification and validation. Many challenges remain, but the anticipated results of studies being conducted by recently established large consortia may lead to the identification of clinically actionable biomarkers.

GRAPPA 2023 Basic Science Workshop: What to Expect From Animal Models for Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis.

Animal models help to drive research into psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), particularly when studies in humans are not feasible. There are no animal models that perfectly mimic psoriatic disease (PsD) and so the pros and cons of each existing model must be considered for appropriate experimental design. Roughly, the existing animal models for PsD can be divided into 4 categories: (1) spontaneous models, (2) transgenic models, (3) inducible models, and (4) xenotransplantation models. Animal models in PsD are extremely important for dissecting and understanding molecular mechanisms of the disease process and for developing novel drugs. Animal models remain highly valuable for research in PsD in 2 scenarios. The first scenario is when complex interventions or analyses are required that are not feasible in humans due to technical, safety, or economic reasons. The second is when well-controlled study environments are required, such as dietary modifications, that would be challenging in humans. This topic was presented as part of the basic science workshops during the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2023 annual meeting.

GRAPPA 2023 Collaborative Research Network Meeting.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Collaborative Research Network (CRN)/research committee met during the GRAPPA 2023 annual meeting. Updates were provided on GRAPPA research projects, including the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS), Axial Psoriatic Arthritis Molecular and Clinical Characterisation Study, Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET), and Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis of the Effectiveness of Advanced Therapies (SAGE) studies, as well as the Health Initiatives in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium European States (HIPPOCRATES) and Elucidating the Landscape of Immunoendotypes in Psoriatic Skin and Synovium (ELLIPSS) studies. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation and discussion on the use of digital tools to study psoriatic disease.

Advances in Psoriatic Disease Research: Insights From GRAPPA Pilot Research Awardees.

Research progress from the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) pilot award program was presented and discussed at the GRAPPA 2023 annual meeting. Topics included identification of protein biomarkers associated with enthesitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the role of HLA-B27 on gut microbial dysbiosis in PsA, single-cell profiling of synovial fluid vs psoriatic skin lesions in PsA, and the role of mechanotransduction in hyperactivation of transforming growth factor-ß via αVß6 integrin in psoriatic epidermis.

Long-term effectiveness and persistence of ustekinumab and TNF inhibitors in patients with psoriatic arthritis: final 3-year results from the PsABio real-world study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate real-world persistence and effectiveness of the IL-12/23 inhibitor, ustekinumab or a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) for psoriatic arthritis over 3 years. METHODS: PsABio (NCT02627768), a prospective, observational study, followed patients with PsA prescribed first-line to third-line ustekinumab or a TNFi. Persistence and effectiveness (achievement of clinical Disease Activity for PSA (cDAPSA) low disease activity (LDA)/remission and minimal disease activity/very LDA (MDA/VLDA)) were assessed every 6 months. Safety data were collected over 3 years. Analyses to compare the modes of action were adjusted on baseline differences by propensity scores (PS). RESULTS: In 895 patients (mean age 49.8 years, 44.7% males), at 3 years, the proportion of patients still on their initial treatments was similar with ustekinumab (49.9%) and TNFi (47.8%). No difference was seen in the risk of stopping/switching; PS-adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) for stopping/switching ustekinumab versus TNFi was 0.87 (0.68 to 1.11). In the overall population, cDAPSA LDA/remission was achieved in 58.6%/31.4% ustekinumab-treated and 69.8%/45.0% TNFi-treated patients; PS-adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 0.89 (0.63 to 1.26) for cDAPSA LDA; 0.72 (0.50 to 1.05) for remission. MDA/VLDA was achieved in 41.4%/19.2% of ustekinumab-treated and 54.2%/26.9% of TNFi-treated patients with overlapping PS-adjusted ORs. A greater percentage of TNFi-treated patients achieved effectiveness outcomes. Both treatments exhibited good long-term safety profiles, although ustekinumab-treated patients had a lower rate of adverse events (AEs) versus TNFi. CONCLUSION: At 3 years, there was generally comparable persistence after ustekinumab or TNFi treatment, but AE rates were lower with ustekinumab.

Gender-specific differences in patients with psoriatic arthritis receiving ustekinumab or tumour necrosis factor inhibitor: real-world data.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate effects of gender on disease characteristics and treatment impact in patients with PsA. METHODS: PsABio is a non-interventional European study in patients with PsA starting a biological DMARD [bDMARD; ustekinumab or TNF inhibitor (TNFi)]. This post-hoc analysis compared persistence, disease activity, patient-reported outcomes and safety between male and female patients at baseline and 6 and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: At baseline, disease duration was 6.7 and 6.9 years for 512 females and 417 males respectively. Mean (95% CI) scores for females vs males were: clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA), 32.3 (30.3, 34.2) vs 26.8 (24.8, 28.9); HAQ-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), 1.3 (1.2, 1.4) vs 0.93 (0.86, 0.99); total PsA Impact of Disease-12 (PsAID-12) score, 6.0 (5.8, 6.2) vs 5.1 (4.9, 5.3), respectively. Improvements in scores were smaller in female than male patients. At 12 months, 175/303 (57.8%) female and 212/264 (80.3%) male patients achieved cDAPSA low disease activity, 96/285 (33.7%) and 137/247 (55.5%), achieved minimal disease activity (MDA), respectively. HAQ-DI scores were 0.85 (0.77, 0.92) vs 0.50 (0.43, 0.56), PsAID-12 scores 3.5 (3.3, 3.8) vs 2.4 (2.2, 2.6), respectively. Treatment persistence was lower in females than males (P ≤ 0.001). Lack of effectiveness was the predominant reason to stop, irrespective of gender and bDMARD. CONCLUSIONS: Before starting bDMARDs, females had more severe disease than males and a lower percentage reached favourable disease states, with lower persistence of treatment after 12 months. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these differences may improve therapeutic management in females with PsA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02627768.

Cardiovascular comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis: epidemiology and risk factors in two different European populations.

OBJECTIVES: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, frequently associated with cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities. Our aim was to compare the prevalence of CV comorbidities between two groups of PsA patients from different European countries: Belgium and Italy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of two longitudinal cohorts in which 803 PsA patients were enrolled (463 from Belgium and 340 from Italy). All enrolled patients were ≥18 years old and fulfilled the ClASsification criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR criteria). For each patient, demographics, clinical assessments, smoking habits, the presence of arterial hypertension (AH), obesity (BMI ≥30), type 2 diabetes (T2D), CV diseases (acute myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischaemic attack), dyslipidaemia (Italy only) and hypercholesterolaemia (Belgium only) were collected. RESULTS: The most prevalent comorbidities among Italian patients with PsA were: AH (45.1%), dyslipidaemia (38.6%) and obesity (30.8%), and among Belgian patients were: hypercholesterolaemia (30.9%), obesity (27%) and AH (26.4%). Moreover, the prevalence of T2D and CV diseases was respectively 14.2% and 7.1% among Italian patients and 7.6% and 3.5% among Belgian patients. When comparing the two groups, AH, T2D and CV diseases were significantly more prevalent in Italian PsA patients. After controlling for different confounders, Italian patients, regardless of age, sex, smoking habits, PsA duration, other CV comorbidities, therapy, disease activity and function, had a higher risk to be hypertensive (OR 2.00, p=0.007). Instead of the country in which patients lived was not a predictor for the risk of T2D and CV diseases. Obesity prevalence was not different between the two groups. The lipid profile was unfavourable in both populations (even if not comparable between the two groups, due to the different way of collection), as is often the case in PsA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AH, T2D and CV diseases were higher in Italian patients rather than Belgians. Moreover, among patients with PsA, the risk of AH was higher in the Italian cohort compared to the Belgian cohort. These results suggest that further research is needed to evaluate potential extrinsic factors (geography and sociocultural aspects) that may contribute to CV risk.

Persistence and effectiveness of the IL-12/23 pathway inhibitor ustekinumab or tumour necrosis factor inhibitor treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis: 1-year results from the real-world PsABio Study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated real-world treatment persistence and effectiveness at 1 year following initiation of IL-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab or a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: PsABio (NCT02627768), a prospective, observational study, followed patients with PsA prescribed first-line to third-line ustekinumab or TNFi. Drug persistence, effectiveness (achievement of clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) low disease activity (LDA)/remission and minimal disease activity/very low disease activity (MDA/VLDA)), and safety were assessed every 6 months. In addition to descriptive statistics, propensity score (PS)-adjusted comparisons across cohorts were performed. RESULTS: At 1 year, overall persistence was similar in the ustekinumab (n=317/438, 72.4%) and TNFi (n=321/455, 70.5%) groups. PS-adjusted HR (95% CI) for stopping/switching ustekinumab versus TNFi was 0.82 (0.60; 1.13). cDAPSA LDA (including remission)/remission was achieved in 55.9%/22.1% of ustekinumab-treated and 67.1%/31.7% of TNFi-treated patients; PS-adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 0.80 (0.57; 1.10) for cDAPSA LDA and 0.73 (0.49; 1.07) for remission. MDA/VLDA was achieved in 34.2%/11.9% of ustekinumab-treated and 43.1%/12.6% of TNFi-treated patients; PS-adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 0.89 (0.63; 1.26) for MDA and 0.90 (0.54; 1.49) for VLDA. The safety profiles were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: In the real-world PsABio Study, after 1 year of treatment, although unadjusted persistence was numerically slightly higher for ustekinumab versus TNFi and unadjusted effectiveness was numerically slightly higher for TNFi versus ustekinumab, the PS-adjusted comparisons demonstrated comparable overall persistence, effectiveness and safety for both modes of action in PsA.

Efficacy and safety of filgotinib in Japanese patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis: Subgroup analyses of a global phase 3 study (FINCH 2).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate efficacy and safety of filgotinib in Japanese RA patients who have failed or were intolerant to one or more biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) from the global FINCH 2 study (NCT02873936). METHODS: This subgroup analysis was performed using the predefined statistical analyses. The FINCH 2 study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study in adult RA patients with inadequate response to bDMARDs. The randomized patients were treated with once-daily filgotinib 200 mg, filgotinib 100 mg or placebo on a background of csDMARDs for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Of 449 patients enrolled in the overall population, 40 patients were enrolled from Japan. In the Japanese population, the American College of Rheumatology 20% response rates at week 12 (primary endpoint) were 83.3% and 53.3% for filgotinib, 200 mg and 100 mg, respectively, vs 30.8% for placebo. Filgotinib was well tolerated, similar to the overall population. CONCLUSIONS: Both doses of once-daily filgotinib 200 mg and filgotinib 100 mg were effective, and generally well-tolerated in Japanese patients with active refractory RA.

Effectiveness of IL-12/23 inhibition (ustekinumab) versus tumour necrosis factor inhibition in psoriatic arthritis: observational PsABio study results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate 6-month effectiveness of ustekinumab versus tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), analysing predictors of low disease activity (LDA)/remission. METHODS: PsABio is a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) at 92 sites in eight European countries, who received first-line to third-line ustekinumab or a TNFi. Comparative achievement at 6 months of clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) LDA/remission, and minimal disease activity (MDA)/very LDA using propensity score (PS)-adjusted multivariate logistic regression was assessed. RESULTS: In the final analysis set of 868 participants with 6-month follow-up data (ustekinumab, n=426; TNFi, n=442), with long-standing disease and a high mean cDAPSA score (31.0 vs 29.8, respectively), proportions of patients in ustekinumab/TNFi treatment groups achieving cDAPSA LDA at 6 months were 45.7%/50.7%. cDAPSA remission was achieved in 14.9%/19.2%, and MDA in 26.4%/30.8% of patients. PS-adjusted odds ratios (OR; 95% confidence interval (CI)) of reaching cDAPSA LDA and MDA were 0.73 (0.46 to 1.15) and 0.87 (0.61 to 1.25) with ustekinumab versus TNFi, indicating no significant difference. High baseline body mass index or high cDAPSA were associated with a lower chance (OR (95% CI)) of reaching cDAPSA LDA with TNFi (0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) and 0.64 (0.52 to 0.79), respectively). Predictive factors were similar to previously published evidence, with cDAPSA and 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease scores and chronic widespread pain at baseline appearing as new risk factors for unfavourable outcome. Safety data were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment targets were reached similarly after 6 months of treatment with ustekinumab and TNFi.

The burden of psoriatic arthritis in the biologics era: data from the Belgian Epidemiological Psoriatic Arthritis Study.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the frequency of PsA subtypes, estimate the severity based on damage and inflammation and estimate the impact of PsA on patients' health-related quality of life. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal observational study in 17 academic and non-academic centres in Belgium. Patients with PsA fulfilling Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis were recruited. Three visits were scheduled: at baseline (T0), at 1 year (±1 month; T1) and at 2 years (±1 month; T2) of follow-up. Demographics, clinical data and patient-reported outcome measures were collected at T0, T1 and T2. X-rays of the hands and feet were collected yearly (T0, T1 and T2). X-rays of the spine were collected at T0 and T2. Here we report on the burden of disease based on the clinical data and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 461 patients were recruited; 73.5% had combined peripheral and axial involvement and 13.7% had hip involvement. Plaque psoriasis was predominant (83.9%). At inclusion, 42.7% and 58.8% had no tender or swollen joints, respectively. Dactylitis and enthesitis were still present in 13.7% and 24.1% of the patients, respectively. Patients was treated with DMARDs (68%) and/or anti-TNF (44.2%). Forty-three per cent of the patients had a state of minimal disease activity and 62% considered the actual state as satisfactory. The mean HAQ score was 0.7%, with 32.5% of patients having a normal score (<0.3). CONCLUSION: Despite the availability of different treatment options, including biologics (anti-TNF), a substantial number of patients have active disease and have a high disease burden.

GRAPPA 2019 Research Recipient Awards Report.

A summary of the research conducted by the recipients of the 2019 Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Research Awards is presented. Dr. Alla Ishchenko's project was "Role of Metabolomics in Diagnosis, Disease Severity, and Progression in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: A 2-year Prospective Pilot Study" and Dr. Zhenrui Shi's project was "Preclinical Analysis of CCR6 and CCL20 in Mouse and Human Joints, Respectively, as Targets of Therapeutic Intervention in Psoriatic Arthritis."

Effect of Filgotinib vs Placebo on Clinical Response in Patients With Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy: The FINCH 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) therapy need treatment options. Objective: To evaluate the effects of filgotinib vs placebo on the signs and symptoms of RA in a treatment-refractory population. Design, Setting, and Participants: A 24-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational phase 3 trial conducted from July 2016 to June 2018 at 114 sites internationally, randomizing 449 adult patients (and treating 448) with moderately to severely active RA and inadequate response/intolerance to 1 or more prior bDMARDs. Interventions: Filgotinib, 200 mg (n = 148); filgotinib, 100 mg (n = 153); or placebo (n = 148) once daily; patients continued concomitant stable conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the proportion of patients who achieved 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at week 12. Secondary outcomes included week 12 assessments of low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints-C-reactive protein [DAS28-CRP] ≤3.2) and change in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Physical Component, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scores, as well as week 24 assessment of remission (DAS28-CRP <2.6) and adverse events. Results: Among 448 patients who were treated (mean [SD] age, 56 [12] years; 360 women [80.4%]; mean [SD] DAS28-CRP score, 5.9 [0.96]; 105 [23.4%] with ≥3 prior bDMARDs), 381 (85%) completed the study. At week 12, more patients receiving filgotinib, 200 mg (66.0%) or 100 mg (57.5%), achieved ACR20 response (placebo, 31.1%; difference vs placebo: 34.9% [95% CI, 23.5%-46.3%] and 26.4% [95% CI, 15.0%-37.9%], respectively; both P < .001), including among patients with prior exposure to 3 or more bDMARDs (70.3%, 58.8%, and 17.6%, respectively; difference vs placebo: 52.6% [95% CI, 30.3%-75.0%] for filgotinib, 200 mg, and 41.2% [95% CI, 17.3%-65.0%] for filgotinib, 100 mg; both P < .001). The most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis (10.2%) for filgotinib, 200 mg; headache, nasopharyngitis, and upper respiratory infection (5.9% each) for filgotinib, 100 mg; and RA (6.1%) for placebo. Four uncomplicated herpes zoster cases and 1 retinal vein occlusion were reported with filgotinib; there were no opportunistic infections, active tuberculosis, malignancies, gastrointestinal perforations, or deaths. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with active RA who had an inadequate response or intolerance to 1 or more bDMARDs, filgotinib, 100 mg daily or 200 mg daily, compared with placebo resulted in a significantly greater proportion achieving a clinical response at week 12. However, further research is needed to assess longer-term efficacy and safety. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02873936.

Bone Disease in Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory skeletal disorder with an important burden of disease, affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints and typically presenting in young adults. Ankylosing spondylitis, diagnosed by the presence of structural changes to the skeleton, is the prototype of this disease group. Bone disease in axial spondyloarthritis is a complex phenomenon with the coexistence of bone loss and new bone formation, both contributing to the morbidity of the disease, in addition to pain caused by inflammation. The skeletal structural changes respectively lead to increased fracture risk and to permanent disability caused by ankylosis of the sacroiliac joints and the spine. The mechanism of this new bone formation leading to ankylosis is insufficiently known. The process appears to originate from entheses, specialized structures that provide a transition zone in which tendon and ligaments insert into the underlying bone. Growth factor signaling pathways such as bone morphogenetic proteins, Wnts, and Hedgehogs have been identified as molecular drivers of new bone formation, but the relationship between inflammation and activation of these pathways remains debated. Long-standing control of inflammation appears necessary to avoid ankylosis. Recent evidence and concepts suggest an important role for biomechanical factors in both the onset and progression of the disease. With regard to new bone formation, these processes can be understood as ectopic repair responses secondary to inflammation-induced bone loss and instability. In this review, we discuss the clinical implications of the skeletal changes as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms, the relation between inflammation and new bone formation, and the potential role of biomechanical stress.

Characterization and Application of a Unique Panel of Monoclonal Antibodies Generated against Etanercept.

The clinical response in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with biologic agents can be influenced by pharmacokinetic variability among and within these patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring is seen as a valuable tool to improve patient care. The aim of this study was to generate a panel of mAbs toward etanercept (ETN) and to determine ETN and anti-ETN concentrations in AS patients. mAbs against ETN (MA-ETN) were generated using hybridoma technology. For quantification of ETN concentrations, a mAb-based TNF-coated ELISA and a mAb/mAb-based sandwich-type ELISA were developed. For evaluation of the anti-ETN Ab response, a bridging ELISA, as well as a functional cell-based assay, were constructed. Disease activity of the AS patients was measured with the AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Active disease was defined as ASDAS ≥ 2.1. A total of 59 of 76 generated mAbs were ETN specific and were characterized further. Fifty-one mAbs revealed inhibitory properties in a cell-based assay. Analysis of serum concentrations of 21 ETN-treated AS patients with the TNF/MA-ETN68C5-HRP ELISA and the MA-ETN63C8/MA-ETN61C1-HRP ELISA revealed a good Pearson's r (+0.974) but a poor intraclass correlation coefficient (+0.528) as the result of underestimation of the values in the former ELISA. At 24 wk, ETN concentrations were similar in patients with ASDAS < 2.1 and ≥ 2.1. Anti-ETN Abs were not detected in any of the patient samples tested. In conclusion, highly sensitive mAb-based immunoassays were developed for quantification of ETN and anti-ETN concentrations. The impact of these methods needs to be evaluated further in clinical practice.

Limited association between scalp psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis severity and treatment response.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated whether scalp psoriasis (PsO) is associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) severity and/or with treatment response to etanercept. METHODS: Patients with moderate-to-severe PsO and active PsA received etanercept 50 mg once weekly for 24 weeks. Patients were stratified according to whether scalp PsO was present at baseline. Demographics and disease characteristics were compared at baseline and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment with etanercept. RESULTS: Scalp PsO was present in 273/373 (73.2%) patients; they were significantly younger and a higher proportion were male versus those without scalp PsO. At baseline, the patient global assessment psoriasis score was significantly higher for patients with scalp PsO versus without (67.0 vs. 57.9, p<0.01); tender joint count was significantly higher for patients without scalp PsO (6.0 vs. 5.0, p<0.05). A higher proportion of patients without versus with scalp PsO achieved enthesitis ≤1 at Week 12 (91.5% vs. 81.7%, p<0.05) and dactylitis ≤1 at week 24 (93.9% vs. 85.6%, p<0.05). Patients with scalp PsO showed significantly greater improvements in fatigue and joint pain at weeks 12 and 24, and a greater proportion achieved a score ≤0.5 in the health assessment questionnaire at week 12 (65.2% vs. 53.0%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Scalp PsO was not clearly associated with PsA severity, and it did not affect treatment response. Patients without scalp PsO exhibited greater improvements in objective joint outcomes, whereas patients with scalp PsO experienced better outcomes in patient-reported outcomes.

Diverging illness perceptions between physicians about patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis: a vignette-based study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are complex chronic auto-immune diseases characterized by multiple organ involvement, comorbidities, and complications. This complexity results in a need for a multidisciplinary management and treatment of SLE and SSc by physicians from a number of medical disciplines, all of who may have different perceptions concerning the condition of a particular patient. The aim of this study was to explore differences in physicians' perceptions on the illness of SLE and SSc patients. Physicians from nine disciplines working at three hospitals in Belgium completed illness perception questionnaires for healthcare professionals based on four patient vignettes, i.e., two vignettes per disease (SLE-SSc). Statistical analysis was carried out by a k-means clustering technique for clustering physicians according to their illness perceptions. Fifty physicians, 62% men with a mean age of 42.8 years (SD 11.3) and mean working experience of 12.7 years (SD 11.6), participated. For each disease, three clusters of physicians with different scores in illness perceptions were identified. For SLE, these clusters were specified as the 'optimistic' group, the 'realistic' group, and the 'overwhelming impact by disease' group. For SSc, the clusters were characterized as the 'optimistic' group, the 'realistic' group, and the 'skeptical' group. We found divergent illness perceptions across physicians of the same and other disciplines. Our study yielded three clusters of physicians per disease with a large variability in illness perceptions. Further studies should focus on the factors that determine these differences and their consequences for patient care.

Maintenance of remission and monotherapy status over 66 months in patients with psoriatic arthritis receiving etanercept.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who achieved remission within 6 months with etanercept (ETN) treatment (with or without methotrexate) were able to maintain remission over 66 months. Monotherapy status over the study duration was also monitored. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of PROVE (NCT00938015), a multicentre, observational study into the long-term adherence of ETN performed in rheumatology clinics in Belgium. To be included in PROVE, patients had active PsA and were either already receiving ETN treatment or had recently been prescribed it. Patients who achieved remission (defined as zero joints with synovitis) after 6 months of ETN treatment were monitored for maintenance of remission at each subsequent visit. In addition, patients on ETN monotherapy at Month 6 were observed. RESULTS: 303 patients participated and 156 (51.5%) patients completed 66 months of ETN treatment. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) disease duration was 7.5 (7.4) years and the majority had polyarticular-type PsA (87.1%). Overall, 142 patients achieved remission after 6 months of ETN treatment. Among the 83 patients who were in remission at Month 6 and remained in the study until the end, 72 (86.7%) were still in remission at Month 66. After 6 months, 66 patients were receiving ETN monotherapy and the majority continued with it until Month 66 (n=22/26; 84.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Within this patient population, remission was achieved quickly and was sustained in the long-term. Of those patients who were receiving monotherapy, most continued with this treatment strategy for the duration of the study.

Clinical experience with the European Ankylosing Spondylitis Infliximab Cohort (EASIC): long-term extension over 7 years with focus on clinical efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge on the long-term effects of anti-TNF therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is still limited. Our objective was to study the long-term efficacy and safety of anti-TNF therapy in AS. METHODS: After having completed the first part of the EASIC trial a total of 71 patients were enrolled into this 96-week extension study. Patients were treated with the same dosages and dosing intervals of infliximab as in the EASIC core study. Efficacy was assessed by using standardised assessment tools such as BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, patient global assessment, CRP levels and the proportion of patients without any sign of enthesitis or arthritis. Long-term safety was assessed by documenting adverse events (AE), serious adverse events (SAE) and reasons for dropping out. RESULTS: Of the 71 patients included, 64 (90.1%) completed the trial , and 7 discontinued: one was lost to follow-up, 3 withdrew informed consent and in 3 patients therapy was stopped for different reasons: secondary loss of response, recurrent infections and basal cell carcinoma of the skin. The completers showed rather stable low scores of BASDAI (mean 2.4, median 2.52), BASFI (mean 3.1, median 2.76) and BASMI (mean 3.2, median 3) as well as patients global assessment and CRP. The vast majority of patients did not have enthesitis or arthritis. A total of 476 AE were observed, 13 of which were SAE. The majority of these were infections and most of them affected the respiratory tract. Two malignancies occurred: one basal cell carcinoma and one malignant melanoma. These were the only SAE judged to be possibly related to the study drug. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNF treatment with infliximab is efficacious over long periods of time in patients with AS. The observation of two skin related malignancies, including one melanoma, during the whole study period of 7 years is in line with reports from previous large AS data sets.