Influence of the timing of biological treatment initiation on Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treatment is aimed at inducing remission to prevent joint destruction and disability. However, it is unclear what is the long-term impact on health-related outcomes of the timing of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) initiation in JIA. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term impact of the time between JIA onset and the initiation of a bDMARD in achieving clinical remission, on physical disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Adult JIA patients registered in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) and ever treated with bDMARD were included. Data regarding socio-demographic, JIA-related characteristics, disease activity, physical disability (HAQ-DI), HRQoL (SF-36), and treatments were collected at the last visit. Patients were divided into 3 groups (≤ 2 years, 2-5 years, or > 5 years), according to the time from disease onset to bDMARD initiation. Regression models were obtained considering remission on/off medication, HAQ-DI, SF-36, and joint surgeries as outcomes and time from disease onset to bDMARD start as an independent variable. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-one adult JIA patients were evaluated, with a median disease duration of 20.3 years (IQR 12.1; 30.2). 40.4% had active disease, 35.1% were in remission on medication, and 24.4% were in drug-free remission; 71% reported some degree of physical disability. Starting a bDMARD > 5 years after disease onset decreased the chance of achieving remission off medication (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.06, 0.92; p = 0.038). Patients who started a bDMARD after 5 years of disease onset had a higher HAQ and worse scores in the physical component, vitality, and social function domains of SF-36, and more joint surgeries when compared to an earlier start. CONCLUSION: Later initiation of bDMARDs in JIA is associated with a greater physical disability, worse HRQoL, and lower chance of drug-free remission in adulthood.

Assessment of calcinosis in Portuguese patients with systemic sclerosis - a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The study aims to define the clinical and subclinical calcinosis prevalence, the sensitivity of radiographed site and clinical method for its diagnosis, and the phenotype of Portuguese systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with calcinosis. METHOD: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted with SSc patients fulfilling Leroy/Medsger 2001 or ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria, registered in the Reuma.pt. Calcinosis was assessed through clinical examination and radiographs of hands, elbows, knees, and feet. Independent parametric or non-parametric tests, multivariate logistic regression, and sensitivity calculation of radiographed site and clinical method for calcinosis detection were performed. RESULTS: We included 226 patients. Clinical calcinosis was described in 63 (28.1%) and radiological calcinosis in 91 (40.3%) patients, of which 37 (40.7%) were subclinical. The most sensitive location to detect calcinosis was the hand (74.7%). Sensitivity of the clinical method was 58.2%. Calcinosis patients were more often female (p = 0.008) and older (p < 0.001) and had more frequently longer disease duration (p < 0.001), limited SSc (p = 0.017), telangiectasia (p = 0.039), digital ulcers (p = 0.001), esophageal (p < 0.001) and intestinal (p = 0.003) involvements, osteoporosis (p = 0.028), and late capillaroscopic pattern (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, digital ulcers (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.02-6.78, p = 0.045) predicted overall calcinosis, esophageal involvement (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.28-9.67, p = 0.015) and osteoporosis (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2-14.2, p = 0.027) predicted hand calcinosis, and late capillaroscopic pattern (OR 7.6, 95% CI 1.7-34.9, p = 0.009) predicted knee calcinosis. Anti-nuclear antibody positivity was associated with less knee calcinosis (OR 0.021, 95% CI 0.001-0477, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical calcinosis high prevalence suggests that calcinosis is underdiagnosed and radiographic screening might be relevant. Multifactorial pathogenesis may explain calcinosis predictors' variability. Key Points • Prevalence of subclinical calcinosis in SSc patients is substantial. • Hand radiographs are more sensitive to detect calcinosis than other locations or clinical method. • Digital ulcers were associated with overall calcinosis, esophageal involvement and osteoporosis were associated with hand calcinosis, and late sclerodermic pattern in nailfold capillaroscopy was associated with knee calcinosis. • Anti-nuclear antibody positivity may be a protective factor for knee calcinosis.

Arthritis or maybe not? Pachydermodactyly: the great mimicker of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Arthritis in the paediatric population is the hallmark of many rheumatic inflammatory diseases, as well as other cutaneous, infectious, or neoplastic conditions. It can be quite devastating, whereby prompt recognition and treatment of these disorders are essential. However, arthritis can sometimes be mistaken for other cutaneous or genetic conditions leading to misdiagnosis and overtreatment. Pachydermodactyly is a rare and benign form of digital fibromatosis, usually manifested by swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands, mimicking arthritis. The authors report a case of a 12-year-old boy with a one-year history of painless swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands that was referred to the Paediatric Rheumatology department due to the suspicion of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The diagnostic work-up was unremarkable, and the patient remained asymptomatic over an 18-month follow-up period. A diagnosis of pachydermodactyly was assumed and no treatment was introduced, given the benign nature of the disorder and absence of symptoms. Therefore, it was possible to safely discharge the patient from the Paediatric Rheumatology clinic.

Assessment of the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and young people followed at Portuguese pediatric rheumatology clinics.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) generally appears to have milder clinical symptoms and fewer laboratory abnormalities in children. It remains unknown whether children and young people with inflammatory chronic diseases who acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection have a more severe course, due to either underlying disease or immunosuppressive treatments. OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidemiological features and clinical outcomes of children and young people with inflammatory chronic diseases followed at Pediatric Rheumatology Clinics who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A multicentric prospective observational study was performed. Data on demographic variables, clinical features and treatment were collected between March 2020 and September 2021, using the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) and complemented with data from the hospital clinical records. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included, 62% were female, with a median age of 13 [8-16] years and a median time of inflammatory chronic disease of 6 [3-10] years. The most common diagnoses were juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=22, 64.7%), juvenile dermatomyositis (n=3, 8.8%) and idiopathic uveitis (n=3, 8.8%). Twenty patients were on conventional synthetic disease modifying drugs (csDMARDs) and 10 on biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). Five patients had an active inflammatory disease at the time of infection (low activity). Seven patients had an asymptomatic infection while 27 patients (79%) had symptoms: cough (n=12), fever (n=11), rhinorrhea (n=10), headache (n=8), malaise (n=8), fatigue (n=7), anosmia (n=5), myalgia (n=5),dysgeusia (n=4), odynophagia (n=4), chest pain (n=2), diarrhea (n=2), arthralgia (n=1), vomiting (n=1) and conjunctivitis (n=1). No patient required hospitalization or directed treatment, and all recovered without sequelae. In 8 patients there was a change in the baseline medication during the infection: suspension of bDMARDs (n=4), reduction of bDMARDs (n=1), suspension of csDMARDs (n=4) and reduction of csDMARDs (n=2). Only in one patient with juvenile dermatomyositis (who discontinued bDMARDs and csDMARDs), the underlying disease worsened. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study involving children with inflammatory chronic diseases followed at Rheumatology Clinics and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Portugal. In our cohort, mild illness was predominant, which is consistent with the literature. There was no need for hospitalization or specific treatment, and, in most cases, no worsening of the underlying disease was identified.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, a rare manifestation of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis.

Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a rare condition characterized by dermatomyositis skin lesions without clinically apparent muscle involvement. Respiratory involvement is common, occurring in about half of the cases. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PnM) is a rare, and often fatal, complication of CADM. We report a case of a 61-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with anti-melanoma differentiation- associated gene 5 antibody-associated CADM and interstitial lung disease. She developed an extensive spontaneous PnM with subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was treated with a conservative approach which was, initially, successful in reducing the size of the PnM. However, the patient died from an eventual nosocomial pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. This case illustrates that improving the management of CADM associated PnM, remains a major unmet need.

Spotlight on latent tuberculosis infection screening for juvenile idiopathic arthritis in two countries, comparing high and low risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic diseases are associated with an increase in overall risks of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of TB and the frequency of latent TB infection (LTBI), in clinical practice, for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients from high and low risk of TB incidence endemic countries. METHODS: This is an international, multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study of data collection from Brazil and Registry of Portugal at REUMA.PT. The inclusion criteria were patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) with age ≤ 18 years who underwent screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection [tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)]. Chest X-rays and history of exposure to TB were also assessed. RESULTS: 292 JIA patients were included; mean age 14.3 years, mean disease duration 7.5 years, 194 patients (66.4%) performed only TST, 14 (4.8%) only IGRA and 84 (28.8%) both. The frequency of LTBI (10.6%) and TB was similar between the two countries. The reasons for TB screening were different; in Brazil it was performed more often at JIA onset while in Portugal it was performed when starting Disease Modified Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD) treatment (p < 0.001). Isoniazid therapy was prescribed in 40 (13.7%) patients (31 with LTBI and 9 with epidemiologic risks and/or due to contact with sick people). Only three patients (1%) developed active TB. CONCLUSION: We found nearly 10% of patients with LTBI, a small percentage of patients with treatment due to epidemiologic risks and only 1% with active TB. Distinct reasons and screening methods for LTBI were observed between the two countries.

Predictive factors of relapse after methotrexate discontinuation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients with inactive disease.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors of relapse after discontinuation of Methotrexate (MTX) in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients with inactive disease. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study of patients diagnosed with JIA using real world data from the Portuguese national register database, Reuma.pt. Patients with JIA who have reached JADAS27 inactive disease and discontinued MTX before the age of 18 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1470 patients with JIA were registered in Reuma.pt. Of the 119 bionaive patients who discontinued MTX due to inactive disease, 32.8% have relapsed. Median time of persistence (using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests) with inactive disease was significantly higher in patients with more than two years of remission before MTX discontinuation and in those who did not use NSAIDs at time of MTX discontinuation. In Cox regression analyses and after adjustment for age at diagnosis, MTX tapering and JIA category, the use of NSAIDs at the time of MTX discontinuation (HR, 1.98 95%CI 1.03-3.82) and remission time of less than two years before suspension (HR, 3.12 95%CI 1.35-7.13) remained associated with relapse. No association was found between JIA category or the regimen of MTX discontinuation and the risk of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort we found that the use of NSAIDs at the time of MTX discontinuation was associated with a two times higher likelihood of relapse. In addition, longer duration of remission before MTX withdrawal reduces the chance of relapse in bionaive JIA patients.

Portuguese recommendations for the use of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis - 2020 update.

OBJECTIVE: To update the recommendations for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs and tsDMARDs), endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR). METHODS: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists taking into account previous recommendations, new literature evidence and consensus opinion. At a national meeting, in a virtual format, three of the ten previous recommendations were re-addressed and discussed after a more focused literature review. A first draft of the updated recommendations was elaborated by a team of SPR rheumatologists from the SPR rheumatoid arthritis study group, GEAR. The resulting document circulated among all SPR rheumatologists for discussion and input. The level of agreement with each of all the recommendations was anonymously voted online by all SPR rheumatologists. RESULTS: These recommendations cover general aspects such as shared decision, treatment objectives, systematic assessment of disease activity and burden and its registry in Reuma.pt. Consensus was also achieved regarding specific aspects such as initiation of bDMARDs and tsDMARDs, assessment of treatment response, switching and definition of persistent remission. CONCLUSION: These recommendations may be used for guidance of treatment with bDMARDs and tsDMARDs in patients with RA. As more evidence becomes available and more therapies are licensed, these recommendations will be updated.

Arthritis in cat scratch disease: an unusual manifestation.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a zoonosis caused by Bartonella henselae, which is usually transmitted to humans through scratches or bites from infected cats. It is primarily a disease of children and adolescents, although it can affect individuals of any age. In approximately 10% of cases, patients can present atypical manifestations that may involve the musculoskeletal system. Herein, we report a case of a healthy 51-year-old man that developed low-grade fever and regional lymphadenopathy, followed by erythema nodosum and oligoarthritis. He had been scratched and bitten by his cat before the onset of symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed serologically by the presence of high titers of specific IgG antibodies. Bartonella henselae was also detected in the blood of the owner's cat by PCR and DNA sequencing.

Spotlight on latent tuberculosis infection screening for juvenile idiopathic arthritis in two countries, comparing high and low risk patients

Abstract Background: Rheumatic diseases are associated with an increase in overall risks of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of TB and the frequency of latent TB infection (LTBI), in clinical practice, for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients from high and low risk of TB incidence endemic countries. Methods: This is an international, multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study of data collection from Brazil and Registry of Portugal at REUMA.PT. The inclusion criteria were patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) with age ≤ 18 years who underwent screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection [tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)]. Chest X-rays and history of exposure to TB were also assessed. Results: 292 JIA patients were included; mean age 14.3 years, mean disease duration 7.5 years, 194 patients (66.4%) performed only TST, 14 (4.8%) only IGRA and 84 (28.8%) both. The frequency of LTBI (10.6%) and TB was similar between the two countries. The reasons for TB screening were different; in Brazil it was performed more often at JIA onset while in Portugal it was performed when starting Disease Modified Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD) treatment (p < 0.001). Isoniazid therapy was prescribed in 40 (13.7%) patients (31 with LTBI and 9 with epidemiologic risks and/or due to contact with sick people). Only three patients (1%) developed active TB. Conclusion: We found nearly 10% of patients with LTBI, a small percentage of patients with treatment due to epide-miologic risks and only 1% with active TB. Distinct reasons and screening methods for LTBI were observed between the two countries.

Health-related quality of life and disability in adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: comparison with adult-onset rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare physical disability, mental health, fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories in adulthood and between JIA and adult-onset rheumatic diseases. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis nested in a cohort of adult patients with JIA registered in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt). Physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index), mental health symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F)) and HRQoL (EuroQol-5D (EQ5D) and Short Form (SF-36)) were compared across JIA categories. Patients with polyarticular JIA and enthesis-related arthritis (ERA) JIA were compared respectively to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), matched for gender and age, adjusted for disease duration and activity. RESULTS: 585 adult patients with JIA were included. Comparison across JIA categories showed that persistent oligoarthritis and patients with ERA reported a higher score in EQ5D and SF-36 physical component when compared with other JIA categories.Polyarticular JIA reported less disability and fatigue than patients with RA (median Health Assessment Questionnaire of 0.25 vs 0.63; p<0.001 and median FACIT-F score 42 vs 40 ; p=0.041). Polyarticular JIA had also better scores on EQ5D and all domains of SF-36, than patients with RA. Patients with ERA reported less depression and anxiety symptoms (0% vs 14.8%; p=0.003% and 9% vs 21.3%; p=0.002) and less fatigue symptoms (45 vs 41; p=0.01) than patients with SpA. CONCLUSION: Persistent oligoarticular JIA and ERA are the JIA categories in adulthood with better HRQoL. Overall, adult polyarticular and patients with ERA JIA have lower functional impairment and better quality-of-life than patients with RA and SpA.

Direct tissue-sensing reprograms TLR4+ Tfh-like cells inflammatory profile in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

CD4+ T cells mediate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis through both antibody-dependent and independent mechanisms. It remains unclear how synovial microenvironment impinges on CD4+ T cells pathogenic functions. Here, we identified a TLR4+ follicular helper T (Tfh) cell-like population present in the blood and expanded in synovial fluid. TLR4+ T cells possess a two-pronged pathogenic activity whereby direct TLR4+ engagement by endogenous ligands in the arthritic joint reprograms them from an IL-21 response, known to sponsor antibody production towards an IL-17 inflammatory program recognized to fuel tissue damage. Ex vivo, synovial fluid TLR4+ T cells produced IL-17, but not IL-21. Blocking TLR4 signaling with a specific inhibitor impaired IL-17 production in response to synovial fluid recognition. Mechanistically, we unveiled that T-cell HLA-DR regulates their TLR4 expression. TLR4+ T cells appear to uniquely reconcile an ability to promote systemic antibody production with a local synovial driven tissue damage program.

Impact of the mandatory confinement during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic in Portuguese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the COVID in RA (COVIDRA) survey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-reported impact of mandatory confinement occurring in the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Portuguese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a means to improve care during this and in future pandemics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The web-based survey COVIDRA was developed to assess 5 domains including RA symptoms, attitudes towards medication, employment status, physical exercise and mental health. The questionnaire was sent to RA patients through e-mail and social media of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology and two patient associations; and it was filled locally at two rheumatology centers in Lisbon. Recruitment took place during June and July 2020. RESULTS: We obtained 441 valid questionnaires. Most respondents were female (88.4%), caucasian (93.6%) with a mean age of 58 years. The majority had disease lasting >10 years and were treated with csDMARDs (63.2%) and/or bDMARDs/tsDMARDS (23.7%). Over 40% experienced symptom worsening during confinement, almost half considered moderate or severe. Mobility restriction and increased stress, anxiety or depression were responsible for this worsening. Only 2.5% reduced or withheld their immunosuppressive medication due to fear of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. After confinement, 16.2% of those previously employed were in a lay-off regime and 3% lost their jobs. Most employed RA patients practiced telework during confinement. The majority of patients decreased or did not practice any physical exercise (80.5%). Symptoms of anxiety and depression developed or worsened in 67.3% and 51.9% respectively, approximately one third were considered moderate or severe. CONCLUSIONS: Portuguese RA patients experienced significant symptom worsening, anxiety and depression during the first wave confinement. Only a minority changed their immunosuppressive treatment for fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Published literature on these matters shows results very similar to ours.

Association of body mass index with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis disease activity: a Portuguese and Brazilian collaborative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and disease activity in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Patients with JIA, aged ≤18 years, registered at the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) in Portugal and Brazil were included. Age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles were calculated based on WHO growth standard charts and categorized into underweight (P <3), normal weight (3≤P≤85), overweight (85

97). Disease activity was assessed by Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS-27). Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 275 patients were included. The prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity was 6.9%, 67.3%, 15.3% and 10.5%, respectively. Underweight patients had significantly higher number of active joints (p <0.001), patient's/parent's global assessment of disease activity (PGA) (p=0.020), physician's global assessment of disease activity (PhGA) (p <0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.032) and overall higher JADAS-27 (p <0.001), compared to patients with normal weight, overweight and obesity. In the multivariate regression, underweight persisted significantly associated with higher disease activity, compared to normal weight (B=-9.430, p <0.001), overweight (B=-9.295, p=0.001) and obesity (B=-9.120, p=0.001), when adjusted for age, gender, country, ethnicity, JIA category and therapies used. The diagnosis of RF- (B=3.653, p=0.006) or RF+ polyarticular JIA (B=5.287, p=0.024), the absence of DMARD therapy (B=5.542, p <0.001) and the use of oral GC (B=4.984, p=0.002) were also associated with higher JADAS-27. CONCLUSION: We found an independent association between underweight and higher disease activity in patients with JIA. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of this association.

Eligibility criteria for biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in axial spondyloarthritis: going beyond BASDAI.

OBJECTIVES: To compare definitions of high disease activity of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in selecting patients for treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). METHODS: Patients from Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) with a clinical diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) were included. Four subgroups (cross-tabulation between ASDAS (≥2.1) and BASDAI (≥4) definitions of high disease activity) were compared regarding baseline characteristics and response to bDMARDs at 3 and 6 months estimated in multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Of the 594 patients included, the majority (82%) had both BASDAI≥4 and ASDAS ≥2.1. The frequency of ASDAS ≥2.1, if BASDAI<4 was much larger than the opposite (ie, ASDAS <2.1, if BASDAI≥4): 62% vs 0.8%. Compared to patients fulfilling both definitions, those with ASDAS ≥2.1 only were more likely to be male (77% vs 51%), human leucocyte antigen B27 positive (79% vs 65%) and have a higher C reactive protein (2.9 (SD 3.5) vs 2.1 (2.9)). Among bDMARD-treated patients (n=359), responses across subgroups were globally overlapping, except for the most 'stringent' outcomes. Patients captured only by ASDAS responded better compared to patients fulfilling both definitions (eg, ASDAS inactive disease at 3 months: 61% vs 25% and at 6 months: 42% vs 25%). CONCLUSION: The ASDAS definition of high disease activity is more inclusive than the BASDAI definition in selecting patients with axSpA for bDMARD treatment. The additionally 'captured' patients respond better and have higher likelihood of predictors thereof. These results support using ASDAS≥2.1 as a criterion for treatment decisions.

Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) complicated with post-viral arthritis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Europe in the beginning of February 2020. Typical symptoms included fever, cough and dyspnea, and not much was known about the clinical evolution of the disease. Herein, we report a case of a late complication of COVID-19 infection in a 41-year-old female. The patient presented with a 4-day history of myalgia, low fever, rhinorrhea and loss of smell. COVID-19 was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patient recovered with conservative treatment, and PCR for COVID-19 turned negative after 5 weeks. However, at 4 weeks after the beginning of the viral symptoms, the patient developed severe arthralgia of some interphalangeal joints of the hands, that lasted for 4 weeks. Laboratory workup revealed no significant changes, and the symptoms resolved with a short course of oral steroids. Reactive viral arthritis might be a late complication of COVID-19.

Benign transient hyperphosphatasemia in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: a case report.

Benign transient hyperphosphatasemia of infancy and early childhood is a self-limiting condition characterized by transiently increased serum alkaline phosphatase in the absence of liver, kidney or metabolic bone diseases. It is often accidentally found in children under five years old and it might be associated with a variety of underlying clinical disorders. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. Herein, we report a case of a 4-year-old girl with a 1-year history of persistent oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, who was found to have transient hyperphosphatasemia during a periodic check-up. This clinical case underlines the importance of promptly recognizing this benign condition, which avoids unnecessary extensive investigations.

The Portuguese Society of Rheumatology position paper on the use of biosimilars - 2017 update.

Biosimilars are new and more affordable similar versions of previously approved reference biological drugs. Following the approval of the first monoclonal antibody biosimilar in 2013, the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology issued a position paper on the use of biosimilars in rheumatic conditions covering efficacy, safety, extrapolation, interchangeability, substitution and pharmacovigilance. However, as this is a rapidly evolving field, it was felt that the knowledge and evidence gathered since then justified an update of these statements. Literature searches on these issues were performed and the search results were presented and discussed in a national meeting. Portuguese rheumatologists considered that affordability should be taken into consideration when initiating a biological drug, but other factors were equally important. In patients already on reference biological treatment, switch to a more affordable biosimilar is desirable, provided a set of conditions is rigorously met. Automatic substitution is not acceptable and current evidence is insufficient to support interchangeability. Extrapolation of clinical indications is endorsed by Portuguese rheumatologists, and the statements on safety, pharmacovigilance and traceability are in accordance with the previous position paper.

Reuma.pt contribution to the knowledge of immune-mediated systemic rheumatic diseases.

Patient registries are key instruments aimed at a better understanding of the natural history of diseases, at assessing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, as well as identifying rare events or outcomes that are not captured in clinical trials. However, the potential of registries goes far beyond these aspects. For example, registries promote the standardization of clinical practice, can also provide information on domains that are not routinely collected in clinical practice and can support decision-making. Being aware of the importance of registries, the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology developed the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register- Reuma.pt - which proved to be an innovative instrument essential to a better understanding of systemic immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To describe the contribution of Reuma.pt to the knowledge of systemic immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. RESULTS: Reuma.pt is widely implemented, with 77 centres actively contributing to the recruitment and follow-up of patients. Reuma.pt follows in a standardized way patients with the following systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (n=6218), psoriatic arthritis (n=1498), spondyloarthritis (n=2529), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n =1561), autoinflammatory syndromes (n=122), systemic lupus erythematosus (n =1718), systemic sclerosis (n=180) and vasculitis (n=221). This platform is intended for use as an electronic medical record, provides standardized assessment of patients and support to the clinical decision, thereby contributing to a better quality of care of rheumatic patients. The research based on Reuma.pt identified genetic determinants of susceptibility and response to therapy, characterized in detail systemic rheumatic diseases and their long-term impact, critically appraised the performance of instruments for monitoring the disease activity, established the effectiveness and safety of biologic therapies and identified predictors of response, and proactively engaged patients in the management of their disease. CONCLUSION: Reuma.pt is an innovative tool, widely established in the country that contributes to a clinical practice of excellence and simultaneously to increase the knowledge of systemic immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. Additionally, Reuma.pt fosters patients' participation in the management of the disease.

Portuguese Recommendations for the use of biological therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis- 2016 update.

OBJECTIVE: To update the recommendations for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) with biological therapies, endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR). METHODS: These treatment recommendations were formulated by Portuguese rheumatologists based on literature evidence and consensus opinion. At a national meeting the 10 recommendations were discussed and updated. The document resulting from this meeting circulated to all Portuguese rheumatologists, who anonymously voted online on the level of agreement with the recommendations. RESULTS: These recommendations cover general aspects as shared decision, prospective registry in Reuma.pt, assessment of activity and RA impact and treatment objective. Consensus was also achieved regarding specific aspects as initiation of biologic therapy, assessment of response, switching and definition of persistent remission. CONCLUSION: These recommendations may be used for guidance of treatment with biological therapies in patients with RA. As more evidence becomes available and more therapies are licensed, these recommendations will be updated.