Rheumatoid arthritis in Latin America: pharmacotherapy and clinical challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) poses significant healthcare challenges in Latin America (LA) due to its high prevalence and unique healthcare dynamics. Despite global advancements, LA faces specific hurdles in effectively managing RA. AREAS COVERED: This review examines RA epidemiology, treatment strategies, and clinical challenges in LA. RA prevalence varies, with higher rates among indigenous populations. While conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) are recommended as first-line therapy, access remains inconsistent. Biologics and targeted synthetic DMARDs are available, but biosimilars have limited accessibility, with drug prices varying significantly. Key barriers include supply interruptions, diagnosis delays, and high non-adherence rates driven by socioeconomic factors. A severe shortage of rheumatologists, particularly in rural areas, affects patient care. Cardiovascular events, comorbidities, and endemic infections further complicate RA management. EXPERT OPINION: Although RA care in LA has improved through better use of csDMARDs and advanced treatments, major challenges persist, such as a shortage of specialists, limited medical education, and fragmented healthcare systems. Expanding training programs, enhancing telemedicine, and ensuring drug supply continuity are essential. Strengthening clinical research, improving access to affordable treatments, and developing comprehensive, region-specific strategies are crucial to closing the gap between LA and more developed regions in RA care..

The 1st GRAPPA International Meeting on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis - 1º Encontro Internacional do GRAPPA sobre Psoríase e Artrite Psoriásica.

The 1st GRAPPA International Meeting on Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis - 1° Encontro Internacional do GRAPPA Sobre Psoríase e Artrite Psoriásica was held on August 18-19, 2023, in São Paulo, Brazil, and marked a turning point in the management of psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in our country. This was an international collaboration, between Brazilian rheumatologists and dermatologists and the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), aiming to promote medical knowledge and particularly the optimal care and management of Brazilian patients with psoriatic disease (PsD).

Persistent Patient-Level Effect of Guselkumab at Consecutive 8-Week Dosing Visits and Over Time in Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis: Post Hoc Analysis of a 2-Year, Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: Group-level analyses from the phase 3 DISCOVER-2 trial of guselkumab demonstrated robust and durable improvements across psoriatic arthritis (PsA) domains. To specifically evaluate continuous disease control in individual patients, persistence of clinically relevant improvements was assessed, both at consecutive guselkumab dosing visits and over time. METHODS: Post hoc analyses included biologic-naïve patients randomized to 100 mg of guselkumab at week 0, week 4, and then every 8 weeks (Q8W). Improvements in joint (minimal clinically important improvement [MCII] in Disease Activity Index for PsA [DAPSA; ≥7.25], clinical DAPSA [cDAPSA; ≥5.7]), skin (Investigator's Global Assessment [IGA] 0/1), and overall disease activity (patient global assessment of arthritis and psoriasis [PtGA Arthritis+Psoriasis; MCII ≥ 15 mm], PsA Disease Activity Score [PASDAS; MCII ≥ 0.8]) were assessed. Proportions of patients with maintenance of DAPSA and cDAPSA MCII at consecutive Q8W guselkumab dosing visits (ie, at weeks 4 and 12, weeks 12 and 20, etc through week 52) and patient-level durability of response through week 100 (Kaplan-Meier) were determined. RESULTS: Among 248 patients randomized to guselkumab Q8W, 93% to 99% maintained clinical improvement in joint disease at consecutive Q8W dosing visits through week 52 across time periods. Among guselkumab patients achieving MCII by week 24, estimated probabilities of maintenance of clinical improvement 100 weeks post achievement ranged from 68% (IGA 0/1) to 89% (PASDAS MCII). Median times to loss of improvement were not reached; estimated mean weeks of maintenance of improvement were 58.6, 52.4, 75.7, 83.6, and 76.7, respectively, for DAPSA, cDAPSA, IGA, PtGA Arthritis+Psoriasis, and PASDAS. CONCLUSION: Guselkumab provided highly durable patient-level improvements, both at consecutive Q8W dosing visits for joint disease activity and over time across PsA domains according to physician- and patient-driven assessments.

Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis by Cigarette Smoking Status.

INTRODUCTION: Routine care studies of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) demonstrated attenuated responses to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in current/past versus never smokers. This post hoc analysis assessed tofacitinib efficacy and safety in patients with PsA or AS by cigarette smoking status at trial screening. METHODS: Pooled data from phase 3 and long-term extension (safety only) PsA trials and phase 2 and 3 AS trials were assessed by current/past versus never smoker status. Analysis included efficacy and safety data for tofacitinib 5 (PsA/AS) and 10 (PsA only) mg twice daily (BID) or placebo, and safety data in AS for tofacitinib 2 and 10 mg BID. Efficacy outcomes included American College of Rheumatology ≥ 50% responses (ACR50) and minimal disease activity (MDA) responses to month (M)6/M3 (tofacitinib/placebo) in PsA; and ≥ 40% improvement in Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society responses (ASAS40) and AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) < 2.1 responses to week (W)16 in AS. Safety was assessed to M48/W48 (PsA/AS), adjusted for treatment/smoking status/median body mass index (BMI) status/sex/trial/treatment-smoking status interaction. RESULTS: PsA/AS cohorts included 342/178 current/past and 572/194 never smokers. Tofacitinib efficacy was generally greater versus placebo to M3/W6 (PsA/AS), and comparable in current/past and never smokers to M6/W16 (PsA/AS). In patients receiving ≥ 1 tofacitinib dose, adjusted treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE)/serious AE (SAE)/discontinuation due to AE incidence rates (IRs) to M48 in PsA were higher in current/past versus never smokers; adjusted IRs to W48 in AS were higher in current/past versus never smokers for TEAEs, but similar for SAEs/discontinuation due to AEs. CONCLUSIONS: In both patients with PsA and AS, tofacitinib efficacy was greater versus placebo, and comparable across smoking categories. Adjusted IRs were higher in current/past versus never smokers for TEAEs, SAEs, discontinuation due to AEs in PsA, and for TEAEs in AS, complementing reports of associations between smoking and comorbidities in spondyloarthritis. Findings support increased surveillance/caution for patients with PsA or AS with smoking history. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01877668/NCT01882439/NCT03486457/NCT01976364/NCT01786668/NCT03502616.

Early Improvements with Guselkumab Associate with Sustained Control of Psoriatic Arthritis: Post hoc Analyses of Two Phase 3 Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Patterns of treatment response can inform clinical decision-making. This study assessed the course and impact of achieving minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) in clinical measures and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with guselkumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: Post hoc analyses evaluated 1120 patients with PsA receiving guselkumab every 4 or 8 weeks (Q4W/Q8W) or placebo from DISCOVER-1 (31% tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-experienced) and DISCOVER-2 (biologic-naïve). Achievement of MCII in clinical Disease Activity Index for PsA (cDAPSA), patient global assessment (PtGA) of arthritis, PtGA of psoriasis, patient-reported pain, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary score, PtGA Arthritis + Psoriasis, and PsA Disease Activity Score (PASDAS) was compared between the guselkumab and placebo groups using Cox regression. Logistic regression adjusting for baseline factors evaluated associations between early (W4/W8) MCII achievement and stringent response (≥%50/%70 improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria, cDAPSA low disease activity [LDA], PASDAS LDA, and minimal disease activity) at W24/W52 among guselkumab-randomized patients. RESULTS: Among patients with highly active PsA (baseline cDAPSA = 44.1-45.0, PASDAS = 6.4-6.5), times to MCII were significantly faster for guselkumab vs. placebo (hazard ratios 1.3-2.5; P < 0.05). Across measures, at first timepoint assessed, MCII rates were significantly higher with guselkumab (Q4W/Q8W 28-68%/29-65%) vs. placebo (19-47%; both P < 0.05). Early (W4/W8) MCII with guselkumab associated with higher odds of achieving stringent responses at W24/W52 (odds ratios 1.4-17.2/1.4-5.4). CONCLUSIONS: In a mixed PsA population, significant proportions of patients treated with guselkumab achieved early (W4/W8) MCII across clinical and PRO measures, which associated with a higher likelihood of attaining clinically relevant improvements and low levels of disease activity at W24/W52. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DISCOVER-1 (NCT03162796). DISCOVER-2 (NCT03158285).

Prevalence of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Young People With Chronic Low Back Pain at a Hospital-Based Health Management Organization: A 10-Year Database Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is scarce information on the prevalence of axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) using the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria and even less in Latin America. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of axSpA by applying the ASAS 2009 criteria to a medical records review study of young people with chronic low back pain (LBP) at a university hospital-based health management organization. METHODS: Electronic medical records from the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires health management organization were reviewed to estimate the prevalence of axSpA (radiographic axSpA [r-axSpA] and nonradiographic axSpA [nr-axSpA]) using the ASAS 2009 axSpA criteria in all patients with chronic LBP (≥3 months) aged <45 years at the first LBP appointment, observed between 2009 and 2019. RESULTS: Among 795 young people with CLBP, the estimated prevalence of axSpA was 5.78% (r-axSpA, 2.76%; nr-axSpA, 3.02%). Ten of 46 patients (21.74%) with axSpA (all nr-axSpA) were undiagnosed, with an undiagnosed axSpA prevalence of 1.26%. The median interval between the first LBP appointment and diagnosis was 34.6 months for axSpA (58.7 vs. 23.1 months for r-axSpA vs. nr-axSpA). Previously diagnosed r-axSpA and nr-axSpA patients had comparable use of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (45% vs. 36%) and delays between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug failure and bDMARD initiation (median, 2.76 vs. 2.66 months). CONCLUSION: In our cohort of young persons with chronic LBP, the prevalence of axSpA was approximately 6%, with a high prevalence of undiagnosed axSpA, which could explain the low prevalence of axSpA reported in previous studies in Latin America.

GRAPPA 2023: Major Projects, Key Advances, and Milestones.

At the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2023 annual meeting, members were updated on a number of ongoing activities during the key project update session. These activities included the Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis (AXIS) cohort, the Axial Psoriatic Arthritis Molecular and Clinical Characterization study, the Diagnostic Ultrasound Enthesitis Tool (DUET) study, the Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis of the Effectiveness of Advanced Therapies in Psoriatic Arthritis (SAGE-PsA) study, the Health Initiatives in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium European States (HIPPOCRATES), the GRAPPA slide library, and the GRAPPA treatment recommendations.

Deciphering difficult-to-treat psoriatic arthritis (D2T-PsA): a GRAPPA perspective from an international survey of healthcare professionals.

Objectives: This study contributes to the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)'s effort to define 'difficult-to-treat' PsA (D2T-PsA), leveraging insights of healthcare professionals who are GRAPPA members. The primary objective is to inform GRAPPA's D2T PsA project, ensuring the consensus definition reflects clinical experience and expertise. Methods: An online survey was conducted among GRAPPA's healthcare professionals managing PsA patients. The survey covered demographic details, structured questions, and open-ended queries to gather comprehensive insights into the experts' viewpoints. Results: About 223 physicians completed the survey, comprising 179 (80.2%) rheumatologists and 40 (17.9%) dermatologists. The majority, 184 (82.5%), favoured establishing distinct definitions for D2T-PsA and complex-to-manage PsA (C2M-PsA). Furthermore, 202 (90.5%) supported a definition that includes objective inflammation signs (clinical, laboratory, imaging, among others). However, opinions varied on the criteria for prior treatment failures, with most (93, 41.7%) favouring a definition that includes at least one conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug and two or more biological- or targeted-synthetic-DMARDs with different mechanisms of action. Conclusion: The survey reveals a majority opinion among GRAPPA experts favouring the differentiation between D2T-PsA and C2M-PsA, and the inclusion of objective inflammatory markers in these definitions. However, there is less than 50% agreement on the specific treatment failure criteria, particularly regarding the number of therapies needed to classify PsA as D2T. These findings suggest a need for continued discussion to reach a more unified approach in defining D2T-PsA, reflecting the complexity of the condition.

BASDAI versus ASDAS in evaluating axial involvement in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies.

Objective: In the absence of axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA)-specific tools, the BASDAI and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) are used to assess axial symptoms in patients with PsA. Here, we assessed the performance of BASDAI and ASDAS in patients with PsA. Methods: Patients with active PsA in DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03162796 and NCT03158285, respectively) with or without axPsA but with available baseline BASDAI information were analysed; those with investigator-identified axial symptoms and imaging-confirmed sacroiliitis comprised the axPsA cohort. Correlations between BASDAI/ASDAS and clinical variables were assessed with Pearson's coefficient (r). Longitudinal effects of enthesitis (Leeds Enthesitis Index [LEI]), swollen joint count and presence versus absence of axPsA on BASDAI/ASDAS (normalized 0-10 scale) were analysed with mixed models for repeated measures. Results: At baseline in the axPsA (n = 312) and non-axPsA (n = 124) cohorts, BASDAI scores showed no or weak correlation with swollen joint count (0.18-0.20), tender joint count (0.12-0.29), LEI (-0.04 to 0.24) and physician global assessment (0.35-0.43); moderate correlation with fatigue (both -0.56); and strong correlation with patient global assessment of disease activity (0.62-0.69) and patient-reported pain (0.66-0.70). Similar correlations were observed for ASDAS. Axial involvement versus non-involvement was associated with higher BASDAI scores and ASDAS (all ß ≥ 0.5), without differences between instruments; longitudinal associations between swollen joint count (ß ≤ 0.06)/LEI (ß ≤ 0.19) and BASDAI/ASDAS were clinically unimportant. Conclusion: BASDAI and ASDAS performed similarly in patients with active PsA and axial involvement, independent of peripheral disease involvement, supporting their performance in assessing axial disease activity. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03162796 and NCT03158285.

Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology Recommendations for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is chronic disease that compromises multiple domains and might be associated with progressive joint damage, increased mortality, functional limitation, and considerably impaired quality of life. Our objective was to generate evidence-based recommendations on the management of PsA in Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) countries. METHODS: We used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-ADOLOPMENT approach to adapt the 2019 recommendations of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology. A working group consisting of rheumatologists from various countries in Latin America identified relevant topics for the treatment of PsA in the region. The methodology team updated the evidence and synthesized the information used to generate the final recommendations. These were then discussed and defined by a panel of 31 rheumatologists from 15 countries. RESULTS: Theses guidelines report 15 recommendations addressing therapeutic targets, use of antiinflammatory agents and corticosteroids, treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (conventional synthetic, biologic, and targeted synthetic), therapeutic failure, optimization of biologic therapy, nonpharmacological interventions, assessment tools, and follow-up of patients with PsA. CONCLUSION: Here we present a set of recommendations to guide decision making in the treatment of PsA in Latin America, based on the best evidence available, considering resources, medical expertise, and the patient's values and preferences. The successful implementation of these recommendations should be based on clinical practice conditions, healthcare settings in each country, and a tailored evaluation of patients.

'It's about time'. Dissemination and evaluation of a global health systems strengthening roadmap for musculoskeletal health - insights and future directions.

Actions towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 typically focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) associated with premature mortality, with less emphasis on NCDs associated with disability, such as musculoskeletal conditions-the leading contributor to the global burden of disability. Can systems strengthening priorities for an underprioritised NCD be codesigned, disseminated and evaluated? A 'roadmap' for strengthening global health systems for improved musculoskeletal health was launched in 2021. In this practice paper, we outline dissemination efforts for this Roadmap and insights on evaluating its reach, user experience and early adoption. A global network of 22 dissemination partners was established to drive dissemination efforts, focussing on Africa, Asia and Latin America, each supported with a suite of dissemination assets. Within a 6-month evaluation window, 52 Twitter posts were distributed, 2195 visitors from 109 countries accessed the online multilingual Roadmap and 138 downloads of the Roadmap per month were recorded. Among 254 end users who answered a user-experience survey, respondents 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' the Roadmap was valuable (88.3%), credible (91.2%), useful (90.1%) and usable (85.4%). Most (77.8%) agreed or strongly agreed they would adopt the Roadmap in some way. Collection of real-world adoption case studies allowed unique insights into adoption practices in different contexts, settings and health system levels. Diversity in adoption examples suggests that the Roadmap has value and adoption potential at multiple touchpoints within health systems globally. With resourcing, harnessing an engaged global community and establishing a global network of partners, a systems strengthening tool can be cocreated, disseminated and formatively evaluated.

Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) comprises a spectrum of chronic inflammatory manifestations affecting the axial skeleton and represents a challenge for diagnosis and treatment. Our objective was to generate a set of evidence-based recommendations for the management of axSpA for physicians, health professionals, rheumatologists and policy decision makers in Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) countries. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation-ADOLOPMENT methodology was used to adapt existing recommendations after performing an independent systematic search and synthesis of the literature to update the evidence. A working group consisting of rheumatologists, epidemiologists and patient representatives from countries within the Americas prioritized 13 topics relevant to the context of these countries for the management of axSpA. This Evidence-Based Guideline article reports 13 recommendations addressing therapeutic targets, the use of NSAIDs and glucocorticoids, treatment with DMARDs (including conventional synthetic, biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs), therapeutic failure, optimization of the use of biologic DMARDs, the use of drugs for extra-musculoskeletal manifestations of axSpA, non-pharmacological interventions and the follow-up of patients with axSpA.

Proceedings of the GRAPPA 2022 Executive Retreat.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) leadership congregated for a strategic planning meeting before the 2022 GRAPPA annual meeting in New York, USA. Meeting aims were to review GRAPPA's performance in relation to its 2016 goals and identify successes and areas for further improvement, identify key GRAPPA priorities and activities for the next 5 years, and explore committee structures to best support these aims.

Can Early Aggressive Treatment of Psoriasis Prevent Psoriatic Arthritis? A Debate at the GRAPPA Annual Meeting.

In recent years, a number of studies have examined risk factors for development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with PsO. Most recently, 5 studies have examined the effect of biologic therapy on the development of PsA. However, the results have been mixed, with 3 studies suggesting a lower risk for PsA among those using a biologic therapy and 2 suggesting a higher risk for PsA. At the 2022 Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) meeting, Drs. Enrique Soriano and Alexis Ogdie conducted a debate to discuss the arguments for and against the use of biologic therapies in PsO for the purpose of preventing PsA.

GRAPPA 2021 Treatment Recommendations for Psoriatic Arthritis.

At the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2022 annual meeting, the recently published new GRAPPA recommendations were presented and their unique characteristics highlighted, including their truly international approach, the inclusion of patient views from the very beginning, the representation by both rheumatologists and dermatologists, consideration of the diverse domains of psoriatic arthritis, and the inclusion of comorbidities to inform possible adverse events and their potential influence on treatment choices.

GRAPPA 2021 Pilot Grant Award Reports.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) pilot grant awards help support young researchers starting their careers while also encouraging them to develop a focus on psoriatic disease. In this brief report, winners of the 2020 and 2021 awards present the results of their pilot projects.

Telehealth and Telemedicine in Latin American Rheumatology, a New Era After COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Telemedicine is the delivery of health care services by health care professionals using information and communication technologies to exchange valid information for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Telemedicine was further developed in Latin America during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, becoming the first line of defense for health professionals to stop the spread of infections and allow them to continue the care of their patients. During the pandemic, 79% of rheumatologists in Latin America reported the use of remote communication, the most frequent being the use of phone calls and WhatsApp voice messages. In contrast, 84% of the patients reported that telemedicine was appropriate for them during the pandemic, but only 54% considered telemedicine to be a valid option for rheumatic health care after the pandemic. Telemedicine and telehealth have advantages such as lower costs, improved access in rural areas, shortage of care providers, and reduction in waiting time for appointments. However, it also has some challenges, such as legal, technological, and organizational barriers. In this review, we explore the current state of telemedicine in Latin America and discuss its future.