Social Media Use Among Members of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society: Results of a Web-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: The use of social media in health care may serve as a beneficial tool for education, information dissemination, telemedicine, research, networking, and communications. To better leverage the benefits of social media, it is imperative to understand the patterns of its use and potential barriers to its implementation in health care. A previous study in 2016 that investigated social media use among young clinical rheumatologists (≤45 years) and basic scientists showed that there was substantial social media use among them for social and professional reasons. However, there is a limited inquiry into social media use in different areas of rheumatology, such as spondyloarthritis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the motivations, barriers, and patterns of social media use among an international group of experts in spondyloarthritis. METHODS: We distributed a web-based survey via email from March 2021 to June 2021 to 198 members of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society. It contained 24 questions about demographic characteristics, patterns of current social media use, and perceptions of utility. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the characteristics associated with use trends. RESULTS: The response rate was 78.8% (156/198). Of these, 93.6% (146/156) of participants used at least one social media platform. Apart from internet-based shopping and entertainment, the use of social media for clinical updates (odds ratio [OR] 6.25, 95% CI 2.43-16.03) and research updates (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.35-8.78) were associated with higher social media consumption. Among the respondents, 66% (103/156) used social media in a work-related manner. The use of social media for new web-based resources (OR 6.55, 95% CI 2.01-21.37), interaction with international colleagues (OR 4.66, 95% CI 1.21-17.90), and establishing a web-based presence (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.25-13.13) were associated with higher levels of consumption for work-related purposes. Time investment, confidentiality concerns, and security concerns were the top 3 challenges to a wider adoption of social media. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents (103/156, 66%) use social media in a work-related manner. Professional development, establishing a web-based presence, and international collaboration were associated with higher use. Challenges to social media adoption should be addressed to maximize its benefits.

Evaluation of the predictive validity of the ASAS axial spondyloarthritis criteria in the DESIR cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictive validity of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), Amor, European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) and modified New York (mNY) classification criteria. METHODS: Patients from the DESIR cohort (inflammatory back pain suggestive of axSpA for >3 months but <3 years duration), followed for up to 5 years. Positive predictive value (PPV) of the set of criteria collected at baseline (ASAS, and its arms, Amor, ESSG and mNY: fulfilled/not fulfilled) were tested against the rheumatologist's axSpA diagnosis (fulfilled/not fulfilled) after 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: In total, among the 708 patients included in the DESIR cohort at baseline, data on rheumatologist's diagnosis at 5 years was available in 411 patients; amongst them, 352 (85.6%) had an axSpA diagnosis according to the rheumatologist; 268 patients fulfilled the ASAS axial SpA (axSpA) criteria at baseline and of these, 245 were diagnosed as SpA after 5 years follow-up (PPV: 91%). The PPV of the ASAS "imaging" arm and "clinical" arm was 97% and 82%, respectively. Other criteria also showed similar PPV - Amor (91%), ESSG (90%) and mNY (99%). CONCLUSIONS: Positive predictive validity of the ASAS criteria for axSpA (including both arms) at 5 years was excellent; it is worth noting that the performances of the other criteria were also very good in the DESIR cohort.

An Assessment in SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS)-endorsed definition of clinically important worsening in axial spondyloarthritis based on ASDAS.

INTRODUCTION: In a previous phase, 12 draft definitions for clinically important worsening in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) were selected, of which 3 were based on absolute changes in Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP (ASDAS). The objective here was to select the best cut-off for ASDAS for clinically important worsening in axSpA for use in clinical trials and observational studies. METHODS: An international longitudinal prospective study evaluating stable patients with axSpA was conducted. Data necessary to calculate ASDAS were collected at two consecutive visits (spaced 7 days to 6 months). Sensitivity and specificity of the three cut-offs for change in ASDAS were tested against the patient's subjective assessment of worsening as the external standard (ie, the patient reporting that he had worsened and felt a need for treatment intensification). Final selection was made by a consensus and voting procedure among Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) members. RESULTS: In total, 1169 patients with axSpA were analysed: 64.8% were male and had a mean age of 41.7 (SD 12.4) years. At the second visit, 127 (10.9%) patients judged their situation as worsened.Sensitivity and specificity for an increase of at least 0.6, 0.9 and 1.1 ASDAS points to detect patient-reported worsening were 0.55 (Se) and 0.91 (Sp), 0.38 (Se) and 0.96 (Sp), and 0.33 (Se) and 0.98 (Sp), respectively. The ASAS consensus was to define clinically important worsening as an increase in ASDAS of at least 0.9 points. CONCLUSION: This data-driven ASAS consensus process resulted in an ASDAS-based cut-off value defining clinically important worsening in axSpA for use in trials.

Evaluation of extreme patient-reported outcome in early spondyloarthritis and its impact on the effect of TNF-α blockers treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of extreme patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in an early axial spondyloarthritis setting, to compare the phenotype of patients with/without extreme PRO and to evaluate the impact of extreme PRO on the effectiveness of TNF-α blockers (TNFb). METHODS: This analysis was performed in the DESIR cohort. Extreme PRO were measured at baseline and were defined as a score ≥8 on at least three of first five BASDAI items. Phenotype of patient's with/without extreme PRO was compared. Impact of extreme PRO on TNFb effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the retention rate of the first TNFb in both groups by survival curves analysis (log-rank and Cox analysis). RESULTS: Extreme PRO were present in 95 out of the 708 patients (13.4%). Patients with extreme PRO were older (mean (SD) age of 35.4(8.6) years vs. 33.5(8.7) years), more frequently females (65.3% vs. 51.9%), had higher BASDAI (7.1 vs. 4.1), reported more frequently history of depression (25.3% vs. 10.2%) and use of anti-depressive drugs (19.0% vs. 7.2%). TNFb treatment was more frequently initiated in the extreme PRO group (48.4% vs. 25.5%), while the proportion of patients still on TNFb at 2 years was significantly lower in the extreme PRO group 18.6% (n=8) vs. 39.5% (n=60). Presence of extreme PRO was independently associated with first TNFb discontinuation (HR 1.8, [95% CI 1.2;2.9], p=0.01)). CONCLUSIONS: Although presence of extreme PRO in this early axSpA setting was not very frequent, patients with extreme PRO were more likely to receive a TNFb and less likely to maintain the treatment at 2 years. Further studies evaluating the specific impact of extreme PRO on TNFb treatment in axSpA are warranted.

Management of Peripheral Arthritis in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: An Updated Literature Review Informing the 2021 GRAPPA Treatment Recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compile evidence for the efficacy and safety of therapeutic options for the peripheral arthritis domain of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) for the revised 2021 Group in Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) treatment recommendations. METHODS: A working group consisting of clinicians and patient research partners was convened. We reviewed the evidence from new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for PsA treatment from February 19, 2013, to August 28, 2020. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)-informed approach to derive evidence for the classes of therapeutic options for 3 patient groups: (1) naïve to treatment, (2) inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), and (3) inadequate response to biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). Recommendations were derived through consensus meetings. RESULTS: The evidence review included 69 RCTs. We derived GRADE evidence for each class of therapeutic options and achieved consensus for the recommendations. For patients naïve to treatment, the working group strongly recommends csDMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide) and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, and emphasizes regular assessment and early escalation to achieve treatment target. bDMARDs (tumor necrosis factor inhibitors [TNFi], interleukin 17 inhibitors [IL-17i], IL-12/23i, IL-23i) and Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are also strongly recommended. For patients with inadequate response to csDMARDs, we strongly recommend TNFi, IL-17i, IL-12/23i, IL-23i, and JAKi. For those who had prior experience with bDMARDs, we strongly recommend a second TNFi, IL-17i, IL-23i, and JAKi. The evidence supporting nonpharmacological interventions was very low. An expert panel conditionally recommends adequate physical activity, smoking cessation, and diet to control weight gain. CONCLUSION: Evidence supporting optimal therapy for the peripheral arthritis domain of PsA was compiled for the revised 2021 GRAPPA treatment recommendations.