Predictors of Remission and Low Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Results From the Follow-up of a Real-World Peruvian Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Clinical remission is the goal in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management; however, this can be difficult to achieve in several parts of the world. Our objective was to determine predictors of remission and remission/low disease activity (LDA) in RA. METHODS: A longitudinal real-setting RA cohort was followed up (January 2016-2020). Predictors examined were sex, age at diagnosis, disease duration, socioeconomic status, tobacco use, rheumatoid factor titer, comorbidities (Charlson index), Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) score, disability (Multidimensional Disease Health Assessment Questionnaire), health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 questionnaire), glucocorticoid dose, biological/target synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and conventional DMARD (c-DMARD) use. Univariable and multivariable generalized estimating equation models were done to determine predictors of remission (at a given visit) and sustained remission (2 consecutives visits), using the SDAI definition (0 or <3.3). Similarly, remission/LDA (SDAI <11) predictors were examined. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty RA patients included the following: 160 patients (30.2%) achieved remission in at least 1 visit, and 126 patients (23.77%) achieved sustained remission. On the multivariable analysis glucocorticoid dose (odds ratio [OR], 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.027-1.094; p = 0.004) and current (OR, 2.293; 95% CI, 1.811-2.903; p < 0.001) or past (OR, 1.383; 95% CI, 1.127-1.698; p = 0.002) use of c-DMARDs predicted remission/LDA in at least 1 visit, whereas the SDAI (OR, 0.951; 95% CI, 0.942-0.959; p < 0.001), Multidimensional Disease Health Assessment Questionnaire (OR, 0.648; 95% CI, 0.549-0.764; p < 0.001), and age at diagnosis (OR, 0.994; 95% CI, 0.990-0.998; p = 0.004) were negative predictors. As to sustained remission/LDA, current (OR, 2.012; 95% CI, 1.458-2.776: p < 0.001) or past (OR, 1.517; 95% CI, 1.155-1.993; p = 0.003) use of c-DMARDs, having a better Short Form-36 questionnaire physical component summary (OR, 1.022; 95% CI, 1.014-1.029; p < 0.001), and older age at diagnosis (OR, 1.013; 95% CI, 1.003-1.022; p = 0.008) predicted it, whereas SDAI (OR, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.933-0.965; p < 0.001) and medium low/low socioeconomic status (OR, 0.674; 95% CI, 0.500-0.909; p = 0.010) were negative predictors. CONCLUSION: During follow-up of this real-world RA cohort, c-DMARD use predicted remission and remission/LDA. In contrast, disease activity was a negative predictor.

Health-Related Quality of Life and fatigue are associated with a higher work productivity impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods: A total of 133 consecutive working patients with SLE were assessed between October 2017 and December 2018, using a standardized data collection form. Sociodemographic, disease, and work-related variables were collected. Work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) was assessed with the respective questionnaire; absenteeism and presenteeism due to overall health and symptoms during the past 7 days were scored. Linear regression models were performed to determine the factors associated with absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment. Potential factors included were age at diagnosis, gender, socioeconomic status, educational level, SLEDAI, SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI), FACIT-Fatigue, and the domains of the LupusQoLResults: The mean age at diagnosis was 32.2 years (11.8); 121 (91.7%) were female. Nearly all patients were Mestizo. The mean percent of time for absenteeism was 5.0 (12.9), it was 28.5 (26.4) for presenteeism, and it was 31.3 (27.2) for overall work impairment. In the multiple regression analysis, factors associated with absenteeism were disease duration (B = -0.34; SE = 0.12; p = 0.007), pain (B = -0.14; SE = 0.06; p = 0.046), intimate relationship (B = -0.07; SE = 0.03; p = 0.046), and emotional health (B = 0.16; SE = 0.06; p = 0.006); factors associated with presenteeism were physical health (B = -0.43; SE = 0.14; p = 0.002) and FACIT (B = -0.87; SE = 0.30; p = 0.005); and factors associated with overall work impairment were pain (B = -0.40; SE = 0.11; p = 0.001) and FACIT-Fatigue (B = -0.74; SE = 0.28; p = 0.010).Conclusion: A poor HRQoL and higher levels of fatigue were associated with a higher percentage of absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment in SLE patients.

Predictors of hospitalization for COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: results from a community cohort follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The identification of risk factors for COVID-19 adverse course in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) is of the utmost importance when approaching patient management; however, data are scarce in relation to the Latin American population. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients from an ARD community cohort. METHODS: A real setting longitudinal study (March to November 2020) in an ARD community cohort was carried out. Potential predictors of hospitalization for COVID-19 examined included (1) sociodemographic variables (age, gender, education, tobacco use, socioeconomic status, and co-inhabitants), (2) comorbidities, (3) time to COVID-19 diagnosis, and (4) ARD's features: clinical (disease type, disease duration, activity), treatment [corticosteroids use/doses, use of synthetic DMARDs (cDMARDs, tsDMARDs, and bDMARDs)], treatment schedule and non-adherence, and the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ). Univariable and multivariable regression analysis were conducted; OR and 95% CI (p < 0.05) were determined. RESULTS: One thousand and one hundred forty-eight patients with ARDs were included; 154 had COVID-19; of these 139 (90.3%) were women, aged 52.5 (13.7) years; 33.1% had hypertension and 61.0% an affected organ by ARD. Infection was detected 8.4 (10.1) days after symptoms started; there were 33 hospitalized patients (rate 21.4%). Predictors of hospitalization by multivariable analysis were age (OR: 1.06; CI: 1.01-1.10; p: 0.01), comorbidities: hypertension (OR: 3.95; 95% CI: 1.40-10.95, p: 0.01) and neoplasm (OR: 9.0; 95% CI: 1.6-52.3; p: 0.01), number of organs involved by ARD (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.16-4.41; p: 0.02), and infection diagnosis delay (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03-1.80; p: 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In our ARD patients with COVID-19, older age, comorbidities (neoplasm and hypertension), and a delay in COVID-19 diagnosis were predictors of hospitalization. The only ARD-associated predictor feature was the number of organs involved. Key Points • Patients with ARD and COVID-19 have an adverse course in comparison to the general population. • Previous predictors of COVID-19 hospitalization, including known risk factors (such as older age and comorbidities) and systemic manifestations, should be taken into account in the management of these patients. • Delayed diagnosis of COVID-19 impacts negatively on prognosis. • Availability of diagnostic tests is of utmost importance.

Correction to: Homocysteine levels are independently associated with damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus patients from a Latin-American cohort.

The affiliations of Manuel F. Ugarte-Gil, one of the author of the above article has a discrepancy between the online version of the publisher's internet portal ( Springerlink.com ) and the online pdf version.

Homocysteine levels are independently associated with damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus patients from a Latin-American cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of homocysteine levels on damage accrual in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted in consecutive patients seen every 6 months at our Rheumatology Department since 2012. Patients with available homocysteine levels and who had at least one subsequent visit were included. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were done to determine if homocysteine levels were predictive of damage accrual as per the SLICC Damage Index (SDI). The multivariable model was adjusted for pertinent variables (age at diagnosis, gender, socioeconomic status, disease duration, disease activity (SLEDAI), Framingham score, antimalarial and immunosuppressive drug use, average daily dose, and exposure time to prednisone (PDN)). RESULTS: One hundred forty-five patients were included; their mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 43.70 (12.09) years, 136 (93.8%) were female, and nearly all were Mestizo. At baseline, disease duration was 7.55 (6.73) years; patients were followed for 3.54 (1.27) years. The SLEDAI was 5.60 (4.34), and the SDI 0.97 (1.35). The average daily PDN dose was 7.30 (5.78) mg/day and the time of PDN exposure was 7.36 (6.73) years. Mean homocysteine levels were 10.07 (3.71) µmol/L. The highest tertile of homocysteine levels predicted new damage accrual in the univariable and multivariable models [HR 1.78 (95% CI, 1.042-3.039); p = 0.035 and HR 2.045 (95% CI, 1.077-3.883); p = 0.029, respectively]. Increased levels (> 15 µmol/L) were found in 12 (8.3%) patients; 75 (51.7%) patients increased ≥ 1 SDI point. CONCLUSION: In SLE patients, homocysteine levels predicted damage accrual independently of other well-known risk factors for such occurrence.

Factores asociados a infecciones serias en pacientes hospitalizados con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Factors associated with serious infections in patients hospitalized with systemic lupus erythematosus

RESUMEN Introducción. En pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) existe incremento de infecciones debido a la propia enfermedad, al uso de inmunosupresores y corticoides. Objetivo. Identificar los factores asociados a infecciones serias en pacientes lúpicos en un hospital de referencia nacional. Estudio retrospectivo, analítico, de casos y controles en el Servicio de Reumatología del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Perú. Métodos. Se analizó el registro de pacientes hospitalizados en el periodo de estudio, los casos fueron pacientes en los que se demostró la etiología de la primera infección durante su hospitalización. Los controles fueron pacientes lúpicos hospitalizados sin infecciones en el mismo periodo de estudio. Se analizaron variables asociadas al desarrollo de infecciones. Resultados. 61 pacientes de 390 hospitalizados desarrollaron infecciones durante su hospitalización. 48 desarrollaron 1 solo evento infeccioso (en 40 se demostró etiología). Los casos tuvieron mayor actividad, daño y comorbilidad en comparación con los controles. En el análisis univariado, el salario (p=0,031), el uso de inmunosupresores a la admisión (previo: p=0,004 y actual: p=0,004), el uso de glucocorticoides (<30 días: p=0,015 y >30-360 días: p=0,028), la actividad (p=0,029) y el daño (p=0,026) producido por la enfermedad, y el tiempo de hospitalización (p=0,045) tuvieron asociación estadísticamente significativa. En el análisis multivariado, los días de hospitalización se asociaron al desarrollo de infecciones. Conclusiones. Existió asociación entre días de hospitalización y el desarrollo de infecciones serias en pacientes lúpicos durante el periodo de estudio.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Lupus patients have an increased risk of developing infections due to the disease, use of immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. Objective. To identify the associated factors for serious infections in lupus patients in a national referral hospital. Retrospective, analytical, case-control study in the Rheumatology Service of the Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen National Hospital, Lima, Peru. Methods. The registry of hospitalized patients in the study period was analyzed, the cases were patients in whom the etiology of the first infection developed their hospitalization. Controls were hospitalized lupus patients without infections in the same study period. Variables predisposing to the development of infections were analyzed. Results. 61 patients out of 390 hospitalized developed infections during their hospitalization. 48 developed 1 only infectious event (in 40 an etiology developed). The cases had higher damage, activity and comorbidity compared to the controls. In the univariate analysis, salary (p = 0.031), use of immunosuppressants upon admission (previous: p = 0.004 and current: p = 0.004), use of glucocorticoids (<30 days: p = 0.015 and> 30-360 days: p = 0.028), activity (p = 0.029) and damage (p = 0.026) produced by the disease and length of hospitalization (p = 0.045), had a statistically significant association. In the multivariate analysis, the days of hospitalization were associated with the development of infections. Conclusions. There is an association between days of hospitalization and the development of serious infections in lupus patients in the study period.