Humoral and T Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and T cell response after a two-dose regimen of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: In this observational study, patients with RA who are ≥18 years of age and vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 according to the Argentine National Health Ministry's vaccination strategy were included. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies (ELISA-COVIDAR test), neutralizing activity (cytotoxicity in VERO cells), and specific T cell response (IFN-γ ELISpot Assay) were assessed after the first and second dose. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients with RA were included. Mostly, homologous regimens were used, including Gam-COVID-Vac (27.5%), ChAdOx1 (24.2%), and BBIBP-CorV (22.5%). The most frequent combination was Gam-COVID-Vac/mRNA-1273 (21.7%). After the second dose, 81.7% presented with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 70.0% presented with neutralizing activity, and 65.3% presented with specific T cell response. The use of BBIBP-CorV and treatment with abatacept (ABA) and rituximab (RTX) were associated with undetectable antibodies and no neutralizing activity after two doses. BBIBP-CorV was also associated with the absence of T cell response. The total incidence of adverse events was 357.1 events per 1,000 doses, significantly lower with BBIBP-CorV (166.7 events per 1,000 doses, P < 0.02). CONCLUSION: In this RA cohort vaccinated with homologous and heterologous regimens against COVID-19, 2 out of 10 patients did not develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, 70% presented with neutralizing activity, and 65% presented with specific T cell response. The use of BBIBP-CorV was associated with deficient humoral and cellular response, whereas treatment with ABA and RTX resulted in an impaired anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG formation and neutralizing activity.

Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Third Vaccine in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Who Had No Seroconversion After Primary 2-Dose Regimen With Inactivated or Vector-Based Vaccines.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the immune response after a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with undetectable antibody titers after the primary regimen of 2 doses. METHODS: Patients with RA with no seroconversion after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and who received a third dose of either an mRNA or vector-based vaccine were included. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, neutralizing activity, and T cell responses were assessed after the third dose. RESULTS: A total of 21 nonresponder patients were included. At the time of vaccination, 29% were receiving glucocorticoids and 85% biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (including 6 taking abatacept [ABA] and 4 taking rituximab [RTX]). The majority (95%) received the BNT162b2 vaccine and only one of them received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. After the third dose, 91% of the patients presented detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and 76% showed neutralizing activity. Compared to other treatments, ABA and RTX were associated with the absence of neutralizing activity in 4 out of 5 (80%) patients and lower titers of neutralizing antibodies (median 3, IQR 0-20 vs 8, IQR 4-128; P = 0.20). Specific T cell response was detected in 41% of all patients after the second dose, increasing to 71% after the third dose. The use of ABA was associated with a lower frequency of T cell response (33% vs 87%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In this RA cohort, 91% of patients who failed to seroconvert after 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine presented detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG after a third dose. The use of ABA was associated with a lower frequency of specific T cell response.

Factors associated with disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze disability determinants in a cohort of Argentine patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with RA, according to ACR'87 criteria, were recruited from 6 rheumatology centers. Demographic and socioeconomic data, family history, comorbid diseases, extra-articular manifestations and information about received treatments were provided. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)-A was used for the functional capacity. Hand and feet radiographs were assessed using Sharp-van der Heijde score. RESULTS: A total of 640 patients with RA were included, of which 85.2% were females. Mean age was 53 years (interquartile range [IQR], 44-62) and mean disease duration was 8 years (IQR, 4-14). DAS 28 mean was 2.72 (IQR, 1.7-3.7) and HAQ-A mean was 0.62 (IQR, 0.13-1.25). Multiple linear regression showed that the main variables associated with disability were DAS 28, radiologic damage and age. Main predictors of functional disability in the multiple logistic regression using severe HAQ (>2) as dependent variable were DAS 28 (OR, 2; P < 0.0001); age (OR, 1; P = 0.008); and structural damage (OR, 1; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population, the disease activity was the variable that showed the highest impact on the physical function. Radiologic damage affected HAQ as the disease progressed.

La ultrasonografía (US), una amiga para no olvidar / Ultrasonography (US), a friend not to forget

En los últimos años, numerosas publicaciones ponderaron el uso de la US en el manejo diario de los pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea (AR). Sin embargo, existe una tendencia actual de poner en dudas las diferentes posibilidades que brinda esta técnica, basados en algunas publicaciones, fortaleciendo el manejo clínico como principal sostén de nuestra práctica diaria

Validation and crosscultural adaptation of an argentine spanish version of the health assessment questionnaire disability index.

BACKGROUND: The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is one of the most frequently used instruments to assess functional capacity in activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine the reproducibility and validity of an Argentinean version of the HAQ disability index (HAQ-DI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Consecutive adult patients with RA from 3 different provinces in Argentina were included. The original English version of the HAQ-DI was translated and adapted into Spanish by 3 rheumatologists and the final version back translated into English by a bilingual person. The reproducibility of the questionnaire was assessed in 30 patients who came for a second visit 3 to 5 days later. The cross-sectional construct validity was assessed by comparing the HAQ with classic parameters of disease activity (number of swollen and tender joints, patient and physician visual analog scale for pain and activity as well as functional class, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. RESULTS: Two hundred patients with RA were included. The reproducibility was r = 0.97 (P = 1 x 10-5); intraitem correlation analysis did not show any redundancy. Correlation between HAQ-A and parameters of disease activity were all significant. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the main variables associated with HAQ-A scores were visual analog scale for pain and duration of morning stiffness. A weak although significant negative correlation was found between the HAQ-A and economic level (r = -0.21, P = 0.03). The median time to complete the questionnaire was 5 minutes and there were no problems with any questions. CONCLUSION: This version of the HAQ-DI would allow for more availability so that Spanish-speaking countries can select the version most suitable to their sociocultural environment.

Effects of functional electrostimulation on pain, muscular strength, and functional capacity in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common cause of chronic disability in patients with quadriceps muscle weakness. Beneficial effects have been proposed for functional electrostimulation (FES) and exercise at the muscle level. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to begin to compare the effects of both therapeutic modalities on quadriceps muscle strength, pain, and functional capacity in patients with OA of the knee and to prove whether the combination of these modalities provides greater benefits than the use of each therapeutic modality alone. METHODS: This pilot study included 37 patients with OA of the knee who were assessed at baseline and at 8 weeks, accounting for the following variables: body mass index, knee pain (measured using a VAS), WOMAC, quadriceps strength (measured using a dynamometer) and 6-minute walk test. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: (A) 8 patients who received FES 3 times per week; (B) 10 patients recruited into a twice-a-week physical training program; and (C) 8 patients under combined therapy; 29.7% of patients were lost to follow-up due to noncompliance with the treatment plan, leaving a total of 26 patients at 8 weeks. RESULTS: Pain and WOMAC improved in all 3 groups; strength improved significantly in the exercise-only group; the FES + exercise combination improved strength significantly when compared with the individual therapeutic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: FES merits a larger placebo-controlled study as it may prove to be useful patients with OA of the knee; the combination with exercise was helpful in improving muscle strength. This technique may be considered in patients who are unable to carry out physical activity due to health problems or in those who are not interested in physical activity.

Acidificación urinaria y artritis reumatoidea / Urinary acidification and rheumatoid arthritis

Con el objetivo de investigar anormalidades subclínicas de la función renal relacionadas con daño tubular (ATRd) en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea (AR) se estudiaron en forma prospectiva 25 pacientes: Grupo 1:15 pacientes con AR con una edad promedio de 44 años (28-60) y un tiempo promedio de evolución de 6,5 años (1-22); Grupo 2: 10 pacientes con AR y síndrome de Sjögren (SS) con una edad promedio de 48,5 años (42-54) y un tiempo promedio de evolución de 5,2 años (1-20). Se utilizó como grupo control 20 voluntarios sanos con una edad promedio de 37 años (20-65) sin evidencia de enfermedad renal ni reumática (Grupo 3). Los pacientes de los grupos 1 y 2 no tenían otros antecedentes ni enfermidades que pudieran afectar al parénquima renal ni el medio interno. La función renal era normal. Todos los pacientes recibían antiinflamatorios no esteroides y ninguno sales de oro y/o D-Penicilamina. En todos los casos se realizó un examen clínico, serológico (FR,FAN, Ro, La), estudio oftalmológico, evalución de la secreción salival y en 18/25 biopsia de glándula salival menor. Se valoró la capacidad para acidificar la orina mediante la determinación del gradiente PCO2 urinaria menos la PCO2 venosa (U-B PCO2). Se consideró patológico al gradiente (U-B2 PCO2) menor de 30. Los resultados del gradiente PCO2 U-B (x + 2 ds) fueron: Grupo 1 = 47 + 26 Grupo 2 = 49,8 + 8,4; Grupo 3 = 52,5 + 12,2. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas (F= 1,228727) entre las medias de los tres grupos. De toda la población estudiada sólo un paciente del Grupo 1 (6,6 por ciento) presentó un gradiente PCO2 U-B menor de 30 (el valor fue 5), el tiempo de evolución de su AR era prolongado y se encontraba activa al momento del estudio. En los grupos 2 y 3 no se encontraron alteraciones del gradiente. Concluimos que a pesar de la alta sensibilidad del método utilizado para el diagnóstico precoz del compromiso tubular, nuestra población en estudio no evidenció anormalidades significativas. Además no se encontró correlación entre la serología, el estudio de biopsia de glándula salivar menor y el daño tubular. Tampoco se observó asociación entre la ingesta prolongada de antiinflamatorios no esteroides y la ATRd.