COVID-19 in Patients with Systemic Inflammatory Diseases: Impact on Disease Activity.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic, an international emergency, raised concerns about the interaction of this infection and disease-modifying drugs used in the treatment of Systemic inflammatory diseases (SID). Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 and disease activity is crucial to adapt the treatment. AIM: The aim of our study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the disease activity of rheumatic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study, including patients with SID (rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA)). Disease activity was evaluated during the last check-up before COVID-19 and within the period of 6 months after the infection. Activity scores were assessed with Disease Activity Score (DAS28) for RA and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) for SpA. Correlation and regression coefficients were used to evaluate associations among the variables. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Totally, thirty-two patients were included; twenty followed for RA and twelve for axial SpA. The mean disease duration of the underlying rheumatic disease was 10.2 years (2-30). RA was seropositive and erosive in 61% and 31%, respectively. Seventeen patients were on csDMARDs: 14 were on Methotrexate and three patients were on Salazopyrine. Ten patients (31%) were treated with bDMARDs; Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors were used in eight cases. Rituximab and secukinumab were prescribed for one patient each. In 70%, COVID-19 was pauci-symptomatic. A severe form with a need for hospitalization was noted in 9%. Two patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Overall, treatment with DMARDs was interrupted in all cases: when COVID-19 symptoms began in 82% and when PCR was positive in 18%. Both RA and axial SpA were not active after a mean period of 6 months after COVID-19 infection (p = 0.818 and p = 0.626, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although our patients interrupted their DMARDs, our study demonstrates that disease activity as assessed by ASDAS and DAS28 in SpA and RA remained unchanged after COVID-19.

Zoledronate-Associated Seizure in Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is an auto-inflammatory disease characterised by sterile bone lesions. We report a case of a seven-year-old female patient who presented at a university hospital in 2010 and 2018 with CRMO. While the most promising results have been observed in patients under treatment with bisphosphonates (BPs), the initial decision to treat the current patient with a dose of zoledronic acid every six months was recalled as the patient developed tonic-clonic seizures immediately following the second dose BP administration. Following recall, the patient maintained a prompt response at follow-up and her disease remained controlled with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The current case report speculates a possible relationship between BP use and a possible seizure threshold reduction, thereby emphasising the need for closer monitoring when BPs are used.

Validity of Remission Criteria in Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared to Ultrasound-Defined Remission.

Objectives: Remission is the ultimate purpose of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, even when the most stringent composite scores are used, structural damages can occur; hence, ultrasonography (US) appears to be the best way to assess real remission. This study aimed to investigate the validity of different RA remission scores using US as a reference. Methods: An analytic diagnostic study, of 30 RA patients in remission (according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints [DAS28]) and a control group with active RA, was conducted between January and October 2018 at Mongi Slim Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia. Among them, patients in remission were identified according to their Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Boolean American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism activity index (ACR/EULAR) remission scores. The validity of each activity score for remission was calculated by considering the absence of power Doppler (PD) signals as a gold standard. Results: All patients were in remission according to the DAS28, with an average score of 2.03 (1.1-2.6). US examination showed PD signals in 57% of patients. A total of 26 patients were in remission according to the CDAI; a Doppler signal was detected in 58% of those cases. SDAI remission was accomplished in 19 patients, with PD activity in 53% of cases. Of the 14 patients in remission according to the Boolean ACR/EULAR criteria, synovial hyper-vascularisation was found in 64%. Considering true remission as the absence of PD signals, the most sensitive and specific score was the DAS28 (93% and 68%, respectively). Conclusion: Considering remission in RA as the absence of vascularised synovitis, the DAS28 is the most sensitive and most specific score.

[Vaccinations for patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatism during a pandemic]. / Vaccinations des patients atteints de rhumatisme inflammatoire chronique en période pandémique.

Vaccinations for patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatism during a pandemic.

Vaccinations des patients atteints de rhumatisme inflammatoire chronique en période pandémique La pandémie du sars-cov-2 est une source de préoccupations pour la prise en charge des patients atteints de rhumatisme inflammatoire.