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Objective@#Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis that primarily affects elderly individuals. However, data regarding Korean patients with GCA are scarce owing to its extremely low prevalence in East Asia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with GCA and their outcomes, focusing on relapse. @*Methods@#The medical records of 27 patients with GCA treated at three tertiary hospitals between 2007 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. @*Results@#Seventeen (63.0%) patients were females, and the median age at diagnosis was 75 years. Large vessel involvement (LVI) was detected in 12 (44.4%) patients, and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was present in 14 (51.9%) patients. Twelve (44.4%) patients had fever at onset. The presence of LVI or concurrent PMR at diagnosis was associated with a longer time to normalization of the C-reactive protein level (p=0.039) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.034). During follow-up (median: 33.8 months), four (14.8%) patients experienced relapse. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that relapse was associated with visual loss (p=0.008) and the absence of fever (p=0.004) at onset, but not with LVI or concurrent PMR. @*Conclusion@#Concurrent PMR and LVI were observed in approximately half of Korean patients with GCA, and the elapsed time to normalization of inflammatory markers in these patients was longer. The relapse rate in Korean GCA is lower than that in Western countries, and afebrile patients or patients with vision loss at onset have a higher risk of relapse, suggesting that physicians should carefully monitor patients with these characteristics.
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Background/Aims@#This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate biologics treatment disparities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients based on socioeconomic status (SES). @*Methods@#Data from the KOrean Observational Study Network for Arthritis (KORONA) database were analyzed to assess various factors associated with SES, health behaviors, and biologics use. Logistic regression and structured equation modeling (SEM) were utilized for data analysis. @*Results@#Among 5,077 RA patients included, 393 (7.7%) patients were identified as biologics users. Within the entire cohort, 31.8% of the participants were in the low-income and low-education groups, and 39.3% of the participants were in the high-income and high-education groups. Despite the patients with low income or low education experienced higher disease activity at diagnosis, had more comorbidities, exhibited higher medication compliance, underwent more check-ups, and had more hospital admissions than their counterparts, the odds of patients with low-income receiving biologics were 34% lower (adjusted odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval: 0.60–0.96, p = 0.021) after adjustment for demographics and comorbidities. SEM and pathway analyses confirmed the negative impact of low SES on biologics use. @*Conclusions@#The findings suggest that SES plays a significant role in biologics use among RA patients, indicating potential healthcare inefficiencies for low SES patients. Moreover, adverse healthcare habits negatively affect biologics use in RA patients. The study highlights the importance of considering socioeconomic factors while discussing biologics use and promoting equitable access to biologics for optimal RA management.
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We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for treating axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) in Korea. The development committee was constructed, key clinical questions were determined, and the evidence was searched through online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, and KMbase. Systematic literature reviews were conducted, quality of evidence was determined, and draft recommendations were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology. Recommendations that reached 80% consensus among a voting panel were finalized. Three principles and 21 recommendations were determined. Recommendations 1 and 2 pertain to treatment strategies, regular disease status assessment, and rheumatologist-steered multidisciplinary management. Recommendations 3 and 4 strongly recommend patient education, exercise, and smoking cessation. Recommendations 5~12 address pharmacological treatment of active disease using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors.Recommendations 13~16 address treatment in stable disease. We suggest against spa and acupuncture as therapies (Recommendation 17). Recommendations 18 and 19 pertain to total hip arthroplasty and spinal surgery. Monitoring of comorbidities and drug toxicities are recommended (Recommendations 20 and 21). Recommendations for axSpA treatment in a Korean context were developed based on comprehensive clinical questions and evidence. These are intended to guide best practice in the treatment of axSpA.
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Behçet syndrome (BS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with multiorgan manifestations. However, muscular involvement in BS has rarely been reported. Herein, we report the case of a 30-year-old male with BS who had recurring pain and swelling of the lower legs. The patient was administered antibiotics on several occasions as the condition was misinterpreted to be infectious myositis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed myofascial involvement with focal necrotic lesions, and muscle biopsy revealed acute suppurative myositis with perivascular infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. His symptoms improved after treatment with corticosteroids. Azathioprine and colchicine therapy was beneficial for preventing further relapse after short-term corticosteroid treatment. Therefore, BS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal suppurative myofasciitis.
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We aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for treating axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) in Korea. The development committee was constructed, key clinical questions were determined, and the evidence was searched through online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, and Kmbase. Systematic literature reviews were conducted, quality of evidence was determined, and draft recommendations were formulated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluations methodology. Recommendations that reached 80% consensus among a voting panel were finalized. Three principles and 21 recommendations were determined. Recommendations 1 and 2 pertain to treatment strategies, regular disease status assessment, and rheumatologist-steered multidisciplinary management. Recommendations 3 and 4 strongly recommend patient education, exercise, and smoking cessation. Recommendations 5–12 address pharmacological treatment of active disease using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, sulfasalazine, biologics, and Janus kinase inhibitors. Recommendations 13–16 address treatment in stable disease. We suggest against spa and acupuncture as therapies (Recommendation 17). Recommendations 18 and 19 pertain to total hip arthroplasty and spinal surgery. Monitoring of comorbidities and drug toxicities are recommended (Recommendations 20 and 21). Recommendations for axSpA treatment in a Korean context were developed based on comprehensive clinical questions and evidence. These are intended to guide best practice in the treatment of axSpA.
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Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a fatal complication of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). Although anti-cytokine agents have been recommended for refractory AOSD or complicated with MAS, MAS cases have been rarely reported during anticytokine treatment. Herein, we describe the first AOSD case complicated with MAS during the treatment with tocilizumab in Korea. Two years after tocilizumab maintenance therapy, high fever and hypertransaminasemia recurred. MAS was diagnosed based on hyperferritinemia, elevated soluble IL-2 receptor levels, and the presence of hemophagocytic histiocytes in the bone marrow.However, she had normal white blood cell counts and acute phase reactant levels. High-dose glucocorticoid and anakinra therapies were not effective, but her disease improved with etoposide. This case shows that tocilizumab may not prevent MAS development and can modify clinical features making it challenging to diagnose. Cytotoxic therapy such as etoposide may be required in MAS cases that develop during anti-cytokine therapy.
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Objective@#To assess pre-biologic treatments with conventional synthetic disease-modifying drugs (csDMARDs) prior to biologics initiation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). @*Methods@#Using Korea National Health Insurance database, we examined pre-biologic treatments of RA patients on the following four items: whether 1) initial methotrexate (MTX) therapy was given, 2) MTX dose was escalated up to ≥15 mg/week within 1-year post-diagnosis, 3) prednisone-equivalent glucocorticoid was used at a dose of ≤7.5 mg/day, and 4) glucocorticoid was discontinued within 6 months of treatment. Multivariable logistic regressions identified predictors of items 2) and 4) fulfillment. @*Results@#Among 6,986 biologics initiators with RA, 54.9% used MTX as the 1st csDMARD. Within 1-year post-diagnosis, 85.2% used MTX with half of them achieving a dose of ≥15 mg/week. The majority (75.2%) of patients used glucocorticoids initially and 64.5% were still on glucocorticoids at 6 months, mostly at a dose of ≤7.5 mg/day. csDMARD combination was observed in 85.7%. Item 2) fulfillment was associated with males, younger age, glucocorticoid, combination therapy, cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, and viral hepatitis. Item 4) fulfillment was associated with males, MTX dose of ≥15 mg/week, combination therapy, viral hepatitis, and hospitalizations. @*Conclusion@#RA patients in Korea were predominantly treated with MTX-based csDMARD combination plus glucocorticoids before initiating biologics, without sufficient MTX dose escalation or glucocorticoid discontinuation. Items 2) and 4) fulfillments were associated with patient age and gender, concomitant treatments, and comorbidities.
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Background@#There is increasing interest in the quality of health care and considerable efforts are being made to improve it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that can result in favorable outcomes when appropriate diagnosis and treatment are provided. However, several studies have shown that RA is often managed inappropriately. Therefore, the Korean College of Rheumatology aimed to develop quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate and improve the health care of patients with RA. @*Methods@#Preliminary QIs were derived based on the existing guidelines and QIs for RA. The final QIs were determined through two separate consensus meetings of experts. The consensus was achieved through a panel of experts who voted using the modified Delphi method. @*Results@#Fourteen final QIs were selected among 70 preliminary QIs. These included early referral to and regular follow-up with a rheumatologist, radiographs of the hands and feet, early initiation and maintenance of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, periodic assessment of disease activity, screening for drug safety and comorbidities,including viral hepatitis and tuberculosis before biologic DMARD therapy, periodic laboratory testing, supplementation with folic acid, assessment of the risk for cervical spine instability before general anesthesia, patient education, and specialized nurse. @*Conclusion@#These QIs can be used to assess and improve the quality of health care for patients with RA.
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Objective@#The increase in mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) is well known. However, there are few studies on serum markers that can evaluate acute exacerbation or prognosis in RA-ILD patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between biomarkers and lung lesions in patients with RA-ILD. @*Methods@#We analyzed 153 patients with serum samples in a prospective, multicenter cohort of Korean RA-ILD patients. The serum levels of biomarkers, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-7), surfactant protein-D (SP-D), and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) were measured and correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the results of computed tomography (CT). CT results were interpreted semi-quantitatively according to the extent of lung lesions (grade 1, 0%∼ 25%; grade 2, 26%∼50%; grade 3, 51%∼75%; grade 4, 76%∼100%). @*Results@#MMP-7, SP-D, and KL-6 were negatively correlated with FVC (MMP-7, r=−0.267, p=0.001; SP-D, r=−0.250, p=0.002; KL-6, r=−0.223, p=0.006) and DLCO (MMP-7, r=−0.404, p＜0.001; SP-D, r=−0.286, p=0.001; KL-6, r=−0.226, p=0.007). In addition, MMP-7, SP-D, and KL-6 tended to increase with higher grades of lung lesions on CT (MMP-7, p=0.013; SP-D, p＜0.001; KL-6, p＜0.001). @*Conclusion@#MMP-7, SP-D, and KL-6 can be used to evaluate the functional and anatomical status of lung involvement in the RA-ILD patients.
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Background@#There is increasing interest in the quality of health care and considerable efforts are being made to improve it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that can result in favorable outcomes when appropriate diagnosis and treatment are provided. However, several studies have shown that RA is often managed inappropriately. Therefore, the Korean College of Rheumatology aimed to develop quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate and improve the health care of patients with RA. @*Methods@#Preliminary QIs were derived based on the existing guidelines and QIs for RA. The final QIs were determined through two separate consensus meetings of experts. The consensus was achieved through a panel of experts who voted using the modified Delphi method. @*Results@#Fourteen final QIs were selected among 70 preliminary QIs. These included early referral to and regular follow-up with a rheumatologist, radiographs of the hands and feet, early initiation and maintenance of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, periodic assessment of disease activity, screening for drug safety and comorbidities,including viral hepatitis and tuberculosis before biologic DMARD therapy, periodic laboratory testing, supplementation with folic acid, assessment of the risk for cervical spine instability before general anesthesia, patient education, and specialized nurse. @*Conclusion@#These QIs can be used to assess and improve the quality of health care for patients with RA.
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Objective@#The increase in mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) is well known. However, there are few studies on serum markers that can evaluate acute exacerbation or prognosis in RA-ILD patients. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between biomarkers and lung lesions in patients with RA-ILD. @*Methods@#We analyzed 153 patients with serum samples in a prospective, multicenter cohort of Korean RA-ILD patients. The serum levels of biomarkers, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-7), surfactant protein-D (SP-D), and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) were measured and correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the results of computed tomography (CT). CT results were interpreted semi-quantitatively according to the extent of lung lesions (grade 1, 0%∼ 25%; grade 2, 26%∼50%; grade 3, 51%∼75%; grade 4, 76%∼100%). @*Results@#MMP-7, SP-D, and KL-6 were negatively correlated with FVC (MMP-7, r=−0.267, p=0.001; SP-D, r=−0.250, p=0.002; KL-6, r=−0.223, p=0.006) and DLCO (MMP-7, r=−0.404, p＜0.001; SP-D, r=−0.286, p=0.001; KL-6, r=−0.226, p=0.007). In addition, MMP-7, SP-D, and KL-6 tended to increase with higher grades of lung lesions on CT (MMP-7, p=0.013; SP-D, p＜0.001; KL-6, p＜0.001). @*Conclusion@#MMP-7, SP-D, and KL-6 can be used to evaluate the functional and anatomical status of lung involvement in the RA-ILD patients.
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Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI), also known as diabetic myonecrosis, is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus (DM); hence, it is often underdiagnosed. Thus, timely diagnosis and treatment are essential for a better prognosis. We describe a 24-year-old woman with Prader-Willi syndrome and an 8-year history of uncontrolled type 2 DM, who presented with a sudden onset of fever and subacute painful swelling of her left thigh. She was finally diagnosed with DMI based on magnetic resonance imaging and muscle biopsy after excluding other infectious and inflammatory diseases of proximal muscles. The patient was treated with bed rest, strict glycemic control, and analgesics, and her symptoms gradually resolved. DMI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with poorly controlled DM, who present with subacute pain and swelling of lower extremity muscles, without a history of trauma.
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Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI), also known as diabetic myonecrosis, is a rare complication of diabetes mellitus (DM); hence, it is often underdiagnosed. Thus, timely diagnosis and treatment are essential for a better prognosis. We describe a 24-year-old woman with Prader-Willi syndrome and an 8-year history of uncontrolled type 2 DM, who presented with a sudden onset of fever and subacute painful swelling of her left thigh. She was finally diagnosed with DMI based on magnetic resonance imaging and muscle biopsy after excluding other infectious and inflammatory diseases of proximal muscles. The patient was treated with bed rest, strict glycemic control, and analgesics, and her symptoms gradually resolved. DMI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with poorly controlled DM, who present with subacute pain and swelling of lower extremity muscles, without a history of trauma.
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The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) in rheumatology allows a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease as well as early diagnosis and appropriate evaluation of the disease status and treatment responses. Despite the limited availability because of the high cost, there is growing evidence for the advantages and clinical application of these modalities to various rheumatic diseases. This review discusses the basic mechanisms and clinical applications of MRI and PET in certain rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, large vessel vasculitis, central nervous system disease associated with rheumatic diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica, adult-onset Still’s disease, and immunoglobulin G4-related disease.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS@#This study aimed to investigate the inf luence of poor sleep quality on clinical features of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS).@*METHODS@#Sleep quality was cross-sectionally assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from 115 Korean patients with pSS. The patients completed questionnaires on the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), quality of life (EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire [EQ-5D]), fatigue (fatigue severity score [FSS]), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] II]). Symptoms and patient global assessment (PGA) were evaluated with a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The EULAR sicca score (ESS), ESSPRI, and EULAR SS Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) were calculated at study enrollment.@*RESULTS@#Fifty-three patients (46.1%) had poor sleep quality and 32.4% of 71 patients without depression were poor sleepers. Poor sleepers had a significantly lower EQ-5D or ESSDAI and a significantly higher FSS, BDI-II, PGA, ESS, ESSPRI, or VAS scores for extra-glandular symptoms than good sleepers. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher and immunoglobulin G levels tended to decrease in poor sleepers. Additionally, PSQI was negatively correlated with EQ-5D and ESSDAI and positively with ESS, FSS, BDI-II, PGA, VAS scores for their symptoms, and ESSPRI. Multivariate analysis revealed that poor sleep quality remained the independent determinants of the unsatisfactory symptom state (ESSPRI ≥ 5).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results showed that poor sleep quality could significantly affect the patient-oriented outcomes and physician-reported activity index of pSS patients through the various effects of sleep quality on the psychological or somatic symptoms and the immune system.
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BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the performance of the 2015 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for gout in Korean patients with acute arthritis and to compare the performance of the ACR/EULAR criteria to that of other sets of criteria for gout classification. METHODS: Patients with acute arthritis who underwent diagnostic arthrocentesis at one of the four participating rheumatology clinics were consecutively enrolled between February and December 2017. Crystal-proven gout was diagnosed upon confirming the presence of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in patients with a clinical impression of gout as judged by the rheumatologist. The performance of the ACR/EULAR and other gout classification criteria, including the Rome, New York, American Rheumatism Association (ARA), Mexico, and Netherlands criteria, was analyzed regardless of the presence/absence of MSU crystals. RESULTS: The study enrolled 118 gout patients (all crystal-proven) and 95 non-gout patients. According to the area under the curve, the diagnostic performance was the highest for the ACR/EULAR classification criteria (sensitivity, 80.5%; specificity, 95.8%; area under the curve, 0.966), followed by the Netherlands, Rome, ARA, New York, and Mexico criteria. All six sets of criteria demonstrated lower sensitivity in patients exhibiting the first episode of acute arthritis. CONCLUSION: In Korean patients with acute arthritis, the ACR/EULAR classification criteria outperformed other sets of gout classification criteria even in the absence of information regarding the presence of MSU crystals. However, to enhance diagnostic sensitivity, synovial fluid analysis should be considered in patients with the first episode of acute arthritis.
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Humains , Arthrite , Arthrocentèse , Classification , Goutte , Mexique , Pays-Bas , Rhumatismes , Rhumatologie , Sensibilité et spécificité , Synovie , Acide uriqueRÉSUMÉ
Follicular bronchiolitis (FB) is an uncommon pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder that is characterized by the presence of peribronchiolar hyperplastic lymphoid follicles with reactive germinal centers. FB could be associated with systemic illnesses including immunodeficiency, infection, and autoimmune diseases. In Korea, a single case of FB with rheumatoid arthritis was recently described but there has been no report on FB associated with other rheumatic diseases. Herein, we describe the first case of FB presenting nodular ground-glass opacities (GGO), which mimicked lung cancer, in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The differential diagnosis of nodular GGO lesions should include FB although it is a rare manifestation in SS patients.
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Humains , Polyarthrite rhumatoïde , Maladies auto-immunes , Bronchiolite , Diagnostic différentiel , Centre germinatif , Corée , Maladies pulmonaires , Tumeurs du poumon , Poumon , Syndromes lymphoprolifératifs , RhumatismesRÉSUMÉ
OBJECTIVE: To investigate longitudinal changes in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI) and to study the clinical features associated with favorable ESSPRI changes in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: At baseline and after a median period of 6.6 years, 41 pSS patients were evaluated using the ESSPRI, EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), short-form 36, xerostomia inventory (XI), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for symptoms. The favorable subgroup included patients who were stable or showed improved to satisfactory symptom status (ESSPRI<5) and the unfavorable subgroup included those with stable or worsening to an unsatisfactory symptom status (ESSPRI ≥5). RESULTS: Median ESSPRI increased from 4.11 to 5.33 (p<0.05), although XI scores (p=0.01) and oral dryness (p<0.05) were significantly decreased. Serum immunoglobulin G level was significantly reduced (p<0.001) but ESSDAI scores were unchanged. Six (14.6%) patients showed clinical improvement in ESSDAI, and 11 (26.8%) showed improvement in ESSPRI. On comparing the favorable (n=17) and unfavorable (n=24) subgroups, the former exhibited significantly lower VAS scores for sicca and depression and XI and ESSPRI scores at baseline (all p<0.05) and more lacrimal flow (p<0.05). The favorable subgroup received a significantly lower cumulative dose of pilocarpine and glucocorticoids (both p<0.05). CONCLUSION: About 25% of pSS patients showed clinically significant ESSPRI improvement and about 40% showed a favorable ESSPRI course. Because the favorable subgroup had more lacrimal flow and less sicca symptoms at baseline, long-term patient-derived outcomes could depend on residual exocrine function at pSS diagnosis.
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Humains , Dépression , Diagnostic , Glucocorticoïdes , Immunoglobuline G , Évaluation des résultats des patients , Pilocarpine , Qualité de vie , Rhumatismes , Échelle visuelle analogique , Xérophtalmie , XérostomieRÉSUMÉ
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (IHES) is a rare disease that is characterized by otherwise unexplained persistent eosinophilia and organ damage caused by eosinophilic infiltration. Its manifestations are highly variable but clinically apparent arthritis is uncommonly observed. Although Korean cases of severe eosinophilia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or IHES concurrent with RA have been published, there are no reports of IHES with joint involvement. This paper reports a case of IHES presenting with persistent peripheral eosinophilia, fever, skin rash, multiple lymphadenopathy, and polyarthritis, including the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands.