The biological activity of serum bacterial lipopolysaccharides associates with disease activity and likelihood of achieving remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Dysbiotic intestinal and oral microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the mechanisms how microbiota could impact disease activity have remained elusive. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the biological activity of serum lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with disease activity and likelihood of achieving remission in RA patients. METHODS: We measured Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-stimulating activity of sera of 58 RA patients with a reporter cell line engineered to produce secreted alkaline phosphatase in response to TLR4 stimulation. Levels of LPS-binding protein, CD14, and CD163 were determined by ELISA assays. RESULTS: The patient serum-induced TLR4 activation (biological activity of LPS) was significantly associated with inflammatory parameters and body mass index at baseline and at 12 months and with disease activity (DAS28-CRP, p<0.001) at 12 months. Importantly, baseline LPS bioactivity correlated with disease activity (p=0.031) and, in 28 early RA patients, the likelihood of achieving remission at 12 months (p=0.009). The level of LPS bioactivity was similar at baseline and 12-month visits, suggesting that LPS bioactivity is an independent patient-related factor. Neutralization of LPS in serum by polymyxin B abrogated the TLR4 signaling, suggesting that LPS was the major contributor to TLR4 activation. CONCLUSION: We describe a novel approach to study the biological activity of serum LPS and their impact in diseases. The results suggest that LPS contribute to the inflammatory burden and disease activity on patients with RA and that serum-induced TLR4 activation assays can serve as an independent prognostic factor. A graphical summary of the conclusions of the study.

Immunogenicity of subcutaneous TNF inhibitors and its clinical significance in real-life setting in patients with spondyloarthritis.

KEY MESSAGES: Considerable proportion of patients with SpA have been immunized to the subcutaneous anti-TNF drug they are using. Concomitant use of MTX protects from immunization, whereas SASP does not. Patients with SpA using subcutaneous anti-TNF drugs can benefit from monitoring of the drug trough levels. Immunization to biological drugs can lead to decreased efficacy and increased risk of adverse effects. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the extent and significance of immunization to subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients in real-life setting. A serum sample was taken 1-2 days before the next drug injection. Drug trough concentrations, anti-drug antibodies (ADAb) and TNF-blocking capacity were measured in 273 patients with axSpA using subcutaneous anti-TNF drugs. The clinical activity of SpA was assessed using the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Maastricht AS Entheses Score (MASES). ADAb were found in 11% of the 273 patients: in 21/99 (21%) of patients who used adalimumab, in 0/83 (0%) of those who used etanercept, in 2/79 (3%) of those who used golimumab and in 6/12 (50%) of those who used certolizumab pegol. Use of methotrexate reduced the risk of formation of ADAb, whereas sulfasalazine did not. Presence of ADAb resulted in decreased drug concentration and reduced TNF-blocking capacity. However, low levels of ADAb had no effect on TNF-blocking capacity and did not correlate with disease activity. The drug trough levels were below the consensus target level in 36% of the patients. High BMI correlated with low drug trough concentration. Patients with low drug trough levels had higher disease activity. The presence of anti-drug antibodies was associated with reduced drug trough levels, and the patients with low drug trough levels had higher disease activity. The drug trough levels were below target level in significant proportion of patients and, thus, measuring the drug concentration and ADAb could help to optimize the treatment in SpA patients.

Pretreatment resistin levels are associated with erosive disease in early rheumatoid arthritis treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and infliximab.

OBJECTIVE: Resistin is an adipocytokine related to insulin resistance and inflammation. We investigated whether resistin is associated with disease activity and inflammation in disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, whether it has predictive value for radiological disease progression, and whether tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is involved in these effects. METHOD: Ninety-nine patients with early, DMARD-naïve RA participated in the NEO-RACo study. Patients were treated for the first 4 weeks with a combination of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisolone (FIN-RACo treatment). Thereafter, they were randomized to receive either infliximab or placebo added to the combination for 6 months. Patients were followed for 5 years. Disease activity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, radiographs were scored with the modified Sharp-van der Heijde method, and plasma resistin concentrations were measured by immunoassay. Human THP-1 macrophages were used in the in vitro studies. RESULTS: A high resistin level at baseline was associated with active inflammatory disease and predicted more rapid radiological progression during 5 year follow-up. Adding infliximab to the DMARD combination delayed radiological progression and overcame the poor predictive value of resistin. Resistin increased TNF-α production in human macrophages, indicating a possible connection between resistin and TNF-α. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that high resistin concentration may be a useful marker to distinguish patients with an increased risk of erosive disease in early active RA, and that adding TNF-α antagonist to the traditional DMARD combination may delay radiological progression of the disease in these patients. The study has been registered at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov(NCT00908089).

Major reduction of ultrasound-detected synovitis during subcutaneous tocilizumab treatment: results from a multicentre 24 week study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Few studies have investigated the efficacy of subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ-SC) on ultrasound-detected inflammation. This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of TCZ-SC treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the response by ultrasound compared to Composite Disease Activity Scores (CDAS).Method: This open-label, single-arm study enrolled RA patients with inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs initiating TCZ-SC 162 mg once weekly for 24 weeks, with clinical assessments at baseline, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Ultrasound examinations [semi-quantitative score (0-3) of 36 joints and four tendons] were performed at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. CDAS and American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) response, and sum scores of ultrasound grey scale/Doppler were calculated. Changes during follow-up were explored by the Mann-Whitney test and correlations by Spearman's rho.Results: In total, 133 patients (mean ± sd age 55.9 ± 12.0 years) were assessed clinically and 110 patients were also examined with ultrasound. All clinical and ultrasound scores decreased significantly after 4 weeks (p < 0.001). At 24 weeks there was EULAR good response in 87.7% and ACR 70% response in 47.4%. Ultrasound scores had no or low correlations with patient-reported outcomes. At 24 weeks, CDAS remission was achieved in 27.4-83.5% and a sum score Doppler of 0 was found in 53.3%.Conclusions: Clinical and ultrasound scores decreased rapidly. Ultrasound scores were not associated with patient-reported variables. Half of the patients reached ultrasound remission, while there were large discrepancies in the percentage of patients reaching remission based on different CDAS.Trial registration: Study ML28691, registered 28 January 2014, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02046616.

Induction of remission in female rheumatoid arthritis patients is associated with stabilization of myocardial abnormalities: a prospective cardiac magnetic resonance follow-up study.

Objectives: To study whether female patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have myocardial abnormalities and whether progression of myocardial involvement can be attenuated by disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).Method: Cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR; 1.5 or 3.0 T), including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), T1 relaxation time, and ventricular functions, was performed in 30 patients with untreated active early RA starting first DMARDs, and 28 patients with chronic RA with inadequate response to conventional synthetic DMARDs starting biological DMARDs. cMR was repeated in RA patients 1 year later. cMR was conducted once in 22 fibromyalgia (FM) subjects and in 35 healthy volunteers serving as controls. All subjects were non-smoking females without coronary heart disease, heart failure, or diabetes.Results: Compared with controls, 58 RA patients had slightly lower ventricular function, although in the normal range, and longer T1 time at baseline. None of the FM subjects had LGE, but it was frequent in RA (67%). During the 1 year DMARD treatment, Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count-C-reactive protein declined, ventricular functions tended to improve, but the number of patients with LGE remained unchanged. However, the number of LGE-positive heart segments either decreased or stayed the same in 91% of RA patients. In early RA patients, achieving tight remission was associated with LGE stabilization, after adjustment for age, metabolic syndrome, baseline inflammatory activity, and leisure-time physical activity.Conclusion: Treatment targeted to tight remission in early stages of RA seems to be important to prevent not only joint damage but also myocardial abnormalities.

The effect of cryotherapy on total antioxidative capacity in patients with active seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant levels, and impaired antioxidant capacity. Cold treatments are used to relieve joint inflammation and pain. Therefore, we measured the effect of cold treatments on the antioxidative capacity of RA patients with active disease. Sixty patients were randomized to (1) whole body cryotherapy at -110 °C, (2) whole body cryotherapy at -60 °C, or (3) local cryotherapy. Each treatment was given three times daily for 7 consecutive days in addition to the conventional rehabilitation. Blinded rheumatologist evaluated disease activity before the first and after the last cryotherapy. We collected plasma samples daily immediately before the first and after the second cryotherapy and measured total peroxyl radical trapping antioxidant capacity of plasma (TRAP), which reflects global combined antioxidant capacity of all individual antioxidants in plasma. Baseline morning TRAP levels (mean, 95% CI), adjusted for age, body mass index, disease activity, and dose of prednisolone, were 1244 (1098-1391) µM/l in the local cryotherapy, 1133 (1022-1245) µM/l in the cryotherapy at -60 °C, and 989 (895-1082) µM/l in the cryotherapy at -110 °C groups (p = 0.006). After the first treatment, there was a rise in 1-h TRAP of 14.2 (-4.2 to 32.6) µM/l, 16.1 (-7.4 to 39.6) µM/l, and 23.6 (4.1-43.2) µM/l, respectively. The increase was significant in the whole-body cryotherapy -110 °C group (p < 0.001) but not significant between the groups (p = 0.78). When analyzed for the whole week, the daily morning TRAP values differed significantly between the treatment groups (p = 0.021), but there was no significant change within each treatment group. Whole-body cryotherapy at -110 °C induced a short-term increase in TRAP during the first treatment session with but not during other treatment modalities. The effect was short and the cold treatments did not cause a significant oxidative stress or adaptation during 1 week.

Somatic mutations in clonally expanded cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

Somatic mutations contribute to tumorigenesis. Although these mutations occur in all proliferating cells, their accumulation under non-malignant conditions, such as in autoimmune disorders, has not been investigated. Here, we show that patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis have expanded CD8+ T-cell clones; in 20% (5/25) of patients CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells, harbour somatic mutations. In healthy controls (n=20), only one mutation is identified in the CD8+ T-cell pool. Mutations exist exclusively in the expanded CD8+ effector-memory subset, persist during follow-up, and are predicted to change protein functions. Some of the mutated genes (SLAMF6, IRF1) have previously been associated with autoimmunity. RNA sequencing of mutation-harbouring cells shows signatures corresponding to cell proliferation. Our data provide evidence of accumulation of somatic mutations in expanded CD8+ T cells, which may have pathogenic significance for RA and other autoimmune diseases.

Impaired Akt Phosphorylation in Monocytes of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

It has been proposed that the Akt kinase pathway provides a regulatory mechanism to limit the inflammatory response. We examined the activation of Akt upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in monocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and correlated it with disease activity. Twelve subjects with recent-onset, DMARD-naïve RA, thirteen patients with chronic, DMARD therapy-non-responding RA and 27 healthy volunteers provided whole blood samples for phosphospecific flow cytometric measurement of unstimulated and LPS-stimulated Akt phosphorylation at serine 473 in monocytes, determined in relative fluorescence units (RFU). Activation capability, that is responsiveness of monocytes, was determined as the difference between stimulated and unstimulated samples and compared between groups using Mann-Whitney test. CRP and ESR, swollen and tender joint counts, patients' global assessment of disease activity, DAS28 score and plasma IL-6 determined by ELISA were correlated with Akt activation using Spearman method. Median (interquartile range) Akt activation capability was significantly lower in DMARD-naïve (379 RFU [285, 432], P = 0.016) and even lower in DMARD-non-responding RA (258 RFU [213, 338], P < 0.001), compared to healthy controls (505 RFU[408, 639]) and showed a negative correlation with swollen joint count (r = -0.48, CI -0.78 to -0.05, P = 0.014), CRP (r = -0.42, CI -0.80 to -0.02, P = 0.039) and plasma IL-6 levels (r = -0.44, CI -0.65 to -0.17, P = 0.001). In conclusion, Akt activation capability of monocytes is low in early untreated RA and even lower in chronic, DMARD-non-responding RA, suggesting a role for Akt pathway in the pathogenesis of RA.

Impact of physicians' adherence to treat-to-target strategy on outcomes in early rheumatoid arthritis in the NEO-RACo trial.

OBJECTIVES: It is well recognized that medication adherence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is often poor. As less attention has been paid to physicians' adherence to targeted treatment, we aimed to investigate how it affects outcomes in aggressively treated early RA patients. METHOD: In the new Finnish RA Combination Therapy (NEO-RACo) trial, 99 patients with early active RA were treated, targeting remission, with a combination of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, and low-dose prednisolone for 2 years, and randomized to receive infliximab or placebo for the initial 6 months. After 2 years, therapy was unrestricted while remission was still targeted. Patients were divided into tertiles by physicians' adherence to treat-to-target, which was evaluated with a scoring system during the initial 2 years. After 5 years of follow-up, the between-tertile differences in remission rates, 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) levels, radiological changes, cumulative days off work, and the use of anti-rheumatic medication were assessed. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 93 patients. Physicians' good adherence was associated with improved remission rates at 2-4 years and lower DAS28 levels throughout the follow-up. In a multivariable model, physicians' adherence was the most important predictor of remission at 3 months and 2 years (p < 0.001 for both). Between 2 and 5 years, biologics were used more often in the tertile of low adherence compared with the other two groups (p = 0.024). No significant differences were observed in radiological progression and cumulative days off work. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' good adherence is associated with improved remission rates and lesser use of biologics in early RA.

Education, employment, absenteeism, and work disability in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: To study education, employment, absenteeism, and work disability (WD) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to population controls. METHOD: The study included 181 women of working age with SLE (mean age 44.0 years, disease duration 12.7 years) and 549 female population controls matched for age living in the same metropolitan area of Helsinki. Data regarding education, employment, absenteeism, and WD in patients and controls were obtained by questionnaire and personal interview. RESULTS: Basic education, vocational, or academic degrees and occupational categories in patients with SLE were similar to those in controls. In total, 62% of the patients were employed, compared to 77% of the controls (p < 0.001). During the preceding 12 months, employed SLE patients had been on sick leave for 25.4 days vs. 10.2 days in controls (p < 0.001). Subjective work ability regarding physical and mental demands of the job were lower in SLE patients than in controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively). The rate of permanent WD, defined as receiving disability benefits, was 34.3% in SLE patients vs. 10.3% in controls (p < 0.001). Cumulative WD due to SLE 5, 10, and 20 years after the clinical diagnosis was 13, 22, and 47%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SLE does not seem to affect educational achievements and the employment rate for SLE patients is reasonably high. Absenteeism and work disability are, however, 2-3 times more common than in controls. Less than half of the patients were on permanent disability pension due to SLE 20 years after diagnosis of the disease.

Impact of rheumatic diseases on oral health and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of rheumatic diseases on oral symptoms, health habits, and quality of life in subjects with and without rheumatic diseases. The hypothesis was that patients with rheumatic diseases have more oral symptoms impairing their quality of life than healthy controls. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1500 members of the Finnish Rheumatism Association, including those with and without rheumatic diseases. We focused on symptoms of the mouth and temporomandibular area, and health habits. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP14) was used to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life. We analyzed differences between subjects with and without rheumatic diseases, controlled for age, gender, smoking, and non-rheumatic chronic diseases. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 995 participants (response rate 66%). Of them, 564 reported rheumatic disease, 431 were used as controls. The patients reported significantly more all orofacial symptoms than controls. Severe dry mouth was reported by 19.6% of patients and 2.9% of controls (P < 0.001), and temporomandibular joint symptoms by 59.2% and 27.2% (P < 0.001), respectively. In the OHIP-14 questionnaire, the mean total score was significantly higher in patients (8.80 ± 11.15) than in controls (3.93 ± 6.60; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study hypothesis was confirmed by showing that the patients with rheumatic diseases reported oral discomfort and reduced quality of life more often when compared with controls.

Which spinal lesions are associated with new bone formation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with anti-TNF agents? A long-term observational study using MRI and conventional radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of spinal inflammation and fatty degeneration (FD) as detected by MRI and new bone formation seen on conventional radiographs (CRs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: CRs at baseline, 2 years and 5 years and spinal MRIs at baseline and 2 years of 73 AS patients treated with infliximab in European AS Infliximab Cohort were available. Relative risks (RR) were calculated with a general linear model after adjustment for within-patient variation. RESULTS: In a total of 1466 vertebral edges (VEs) without baseline syndesmophytes, 61 syndesmophytes developed at 5 years, the majority of which (57.4%) had no corresponding detectable MRI lesions at baseline. VEs with both inflammation and FD at baseline had the highest risk (RR 3.3, p=0.009) for syndesmophyte formation at 5 years, followed by VEs that developed new FD or did not resolve FD at 2 years (RR=2.3, p=0.034), while inflammation at baseline with no FD at 2 years had the lowest risk for syndesmophyte formation at 5 years (RR=0.8). Of the VEs with inflammation at baseline, >70% resolved completely, 28.8% turned into FD after 2 years, but only 1 syndesmophyte developed within 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Parallel occurrence of inflammation and FD at baseline and development of FD without prior inflammation after 2 years were significantly associated with syndesmophyte formation after 5 years of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. However, the sequence 'inflammation-FD-new bone formation' was rarely observed, an argument against the TNF-brake hypothesis. Whether an early suppression of inflammation leads to a decrease of the risk for new bone formation remains to be demonstrated.

Co-morbidities in Finnish patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 15-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence and importance of co-morbidities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at the time of the diagnosis and after a 15-year follow-up, focusing on the relationship between co-morbidity and disease activity. METHOD: The study population comprised 87 patients with early RA (mean age 44 years, 79% female, and 65% rheumatoid factor positive) collected from the Helsinki area between 1986 and 1989. Data for co-morbidities were collected at baseline and at a 15-year examination or at the time of death, and the age-weighted Charlson co-morbidity index (CCIa) at baseline was calculated for each patient. The disease activity score based on 28 joints (DAS28) was assessed with three parameters at baseline and during the first year (DAS28 AUC0-12). The relationship between co-morbidity and activity of RA was studied in groups CCIa 0, CCIa 1-2, and CCIa ≥ 3. RESULTS: Adequate data were available in 80 patients with a mean age of 60 years and a mean disease duration of 15.4 years. At baseline, 20% of patients had at least one co-morbid condition (CC). At endpoint, 60% of the patients had some co-morbidity: 34% had one CC, 19% two, 5% three, and 2% four CCs. The most common end-point CCs were hypertension (30%), cardiovascular diseases (14%), and malignancies (11%). DAS28 AUC0-12 and DAS28 at end-point were higher in groups CCIa1-2 and CCIa ≥ 3 than in CCIa 0. CONCLUSIONS: Co-morbidities increased during the 15 years of RA and the patients with high baseline CCIa showed higher disease activity both in early disease and at end-point.

Frequency of and risk factors for symptomatic bone fractures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: To study risk factors for symptomatic bone fractures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare the frequency of fractures between SLE patients and population controls. METHOD: The study included 222 SLE patients [mean age 47.0 years, disease duration 13.1 years, 204 (92%) women] and 720 population controls living in the metropolitan area of Helsinki. The history of symptomatic bone fractures in SLE patients and controls was recorded by interview, and demographic and clinical data of SLE patients were obtained by interview, clinical examination, and chart review. RESULTS: A history of at least one symptomatic bone fracture was recorded in 93 (42%) of all 222 patients with SLE. The risk of any fracture in 204 women with SLE compared to controls was 1.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.4] and fractures in the ankle, hip, and vertebral column were more common than in female controls, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.7), 5.1 (95% CI 1.2-21.5), and 4.0 (95% CI 1.8-8.6), respectively. In 18 men with SLE, compared to male controls, no difference in the frequency of fractures was observed (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.3-2.0). Risk factors for bone fractures in women with SLE were age (p = 0.008), comorbidity (p = 0.050), and the duration of corticosteroid use (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic bone fractures, especially in the ankle, hip, and vertebral column, are common in women with SLE. Special attention should be paid to preventing fractures in elderly female patients with comorbidities and a long duration of corticosteroid use.

Normal inflammasome activation and low production of IL-23 by monocyte-derived macrophages from subjects with a history of reactive arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of reactive arthritis (ReA) is incompletely understood but may involve aberration(s) in the host's innate immune response towards infecting microbes. We therefore studied the production of interleukin (IL)-1ß, a marker of inflammasome activation, and of IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, promoters of T-cell differentiation, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNs) and monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy subjects with a history of ReA. METHOD: The study included 10 human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-positive healthy subjects with previous ReA triggered by Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 infection and 20 healthy reference subjects, of whom 10 were HLA-B27 positive. PBMNs and macrophages were cultured for 18 h with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), muramyl dipeptide (MDP), Yersinia, or their appropriate combinations. PBMNs were also stimulated with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Cytokine levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Luminex system. RESULTS: IL-1ß secretion was similar from cells of the ReA group and from the HLA-B27-positive and -negative reference groups. TNF-α production from macrophages upon co-stimulation of LPS and MDP increased in the order ReA group < HLA-B27-positive reference group < HLA-B27-negative reference group (p for a trend = 0.027). Similarly, Yersinia-induced TNF-α and IL-23 production increased in the same order (p for trend for TNF-α = 0.036; p for trend for IL-23 = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: PBMNs and macrophages from healthy subjects with previous ReA show normal inflammasome activation and low TNF-α and IL-23 production. This low cytokine production may impair bacterial elimination and thereby contribute to the triggering of ReA.

Reactive arthritis following Salmonella infection: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence and clinical picture of Salmonella-associated reactive arthritis (ReA), as well as other reactive musculoskeletal symptoms and the arthritogenicity of various Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serotypes in the population. METHOD: We sent a questionnaire on enteric and extraintestinal (especially musculoskeletal) symptoms to 999 consecutive subjects with a Salmonella-positive stool culture. Analysis of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms was supplemented with a clinical examination of subjects with recent symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 999 Salmonella-positive subjects, 496 (50%) returned the questionnaire. Of these, 4.4% (22/496) had ReA and 13.7% (68/496) had other reactive musculoskeletal symptoms [tendinitis, enthesopathy, or bursitis (ReTe)]. Among the ReA patients, all adults, Salmonella Enteritidis was the most common causative serotype. The clinical picture of patients with ReA was mostly monoarticular or oligoarticular. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 was positive in 42% of patients with ReA. The Salmonella O antigens of the 496 subjects belonged to eight groups (B, C, D1, E, G, I, L, and O), all with different major O antigenic determinants. All 22 patients with ReA and all 68 patients with ReTe were in O antigen groups B, C, D1, or E. However, the occurrence of musculoskeletal complications showed no statistically significant difference in relation to different O antigen groups (p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: ReA occurred in 4.4% of patients after Salmonella infection, with an annual incidence of 1.8/100,000 in Finland. We found no differences in arthritogenicity between different Salmonella serotypes that trigger musculoskeletal complications.

Cardiovascular diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To study cardiovascular autopsy findings and the lifetime prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: In 369 RA patients and their reference cases without any rheumatic disease (non-RA), we studied CVDs recorded on autopsy reports at consecutive autopsies from 1952 to 1991. From autopsy referrals by clinicians, we recorded lifetime CVDs. In RA patients autopsied from 1973, we evaluated clinical data. RESULTS: From 1952 to 1991, RA patients had, compared with non-RA, myocardial infarction (MI; 26% vs. 41%) and cerebral infarction (14% vs. 28%) less frequently but cardiac amyloidosis (28% vs. 3%), pericarditis (27% vs. 8%), and diffuse myocardial abnormality (21% vs. 11%) more frequently reported at autopsy. Of RA patients autopsied from 1973, 40% had had a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) and coronary heart disease (CHD) during their lifetime. The RA patients with CHF had a higher mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) than those without CHF. In RA patients, MI or myocardial abnormality at autopsy had no such correlation. In RA, male sex, ischaemic electrocardiogram changes, diabetes, hypertensive disease, and severe radiographic changes typical for RA were associated with MI detected at autopsy. No such associations emerged with respect to diffuse myocardial abnormality. When disorders potentially causing diffuse myocardial damage were excluded, RA patients had, on autopsy reports, compared to non-RA, diffuse myocardial abnormality more frequently (21% vs. 12%, p = 0.002). Cardiac amyloidosis showed no correlation to this. CONCLUSION: RA patients seem to have an increased risk for myocardial damage. The influence of inflammation on the myocardium in RA needs further studies.

Signalling profiles of circulating leucocytes in patients recovered from reactive arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a sterile joint inflammation triggered by a remote infection and associated with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but abnormal response to microbial structures or endogenous inflammatory mediators may be involved. We studied responses in leucocyte signalling profiles in patients with previous ReA after a full recovery. METHOD: The study comprised 10 HLA-B27-positive healthy subjects with a history of Yersinia enterocolitica-triggered ReA (B27+ReA+) and 20 healthy reference subjects, of whom 10 carried HLA-B27 (B27+ReA-) and 10 did not (B27-ReA-). Phosphospecific fluorescent monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry were used to determine activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) 1, 3, 5, and 6, and two mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, in monocytes, lymphocytes, lymphocyte subsets, and neutrophils. B27+ReA+ and B27-ReA- whole-blood samples were incubated with Yersinia with or without infliximab to study the role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in lymphocyte subset activation. Samples of the three subject groups were studied using soluble bacterial or endogenous stimuli. Fluorescence levels were determined as relative fluorescence units (RFU) and the proportion of positively fluorescing cells. RESULTS: The intracellular activation of circulating leucocytes in response to soluble stimuli was consistently comparable in B27+ReA+, B27+ReA-, and B27-ReA- subjects. Infliximab inhibited Yersinia-induced lymphocyte NF-κB phosphorylation similarly in B27+ReA+ and B27-ReA- groups. CONCLUSIONS: ReA susceptibility is not reflected in leucocyte signalling profiles elicited by phlogistic stimuli. However, the possibility remains that aberrations occur in response to combinations of stimuli, such as those associated with leucocyte adhesion.