Impact of obesity and overweight on C-reactive protein concentrations and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This study aims to assess the association of obesity and CRP concentrations in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and its influence on measures of disease activity. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, from the time of their inception to November 2021. Observational studies that evaluated the association between CRP concentrations and obesity or overweight in patients with RA were considered eligible. Correlation coefficients were pooled using the inverse variance method, while effect sizes were pre-calculated for adjusted standardized regression coefficients (ß). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies, which comprised 4024 patients, were included in this systematic review. Individually, most studies report a significant association between CRP concentrations and a higher body mass index or other adiposity measures, but the statistical significance was not sustained when pooling their data together. Through the estimates provided in the present review, it is noted that CRP tends to be more elevated in female patients with RA that have a higher BMI. However, this association is not present in men. CONCLUSION: CRP tends to be elevated in female patients with RA that have a higher BMI. Further research is required to assess this possible sex-related difference and to aid shared decision-making in order to avoid over-treatment and increased burden in patients with obesity and RA. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022314580.

Silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases: How does current evidence add to the no-association consensus? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the current state of the evidence regarding the association of silicone breast implantation with the onset of connective tissue diseases, constitutional symptoms, and rheumatic serological profile in adult women. A comprehensive search was carried out using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus, from inception to September 2, 2020. Cohort studies assessing the clinical and serological profile of women with cosmetic breast implants were included. Meta-analyses were conducted using risk ratios. A total of 10 cohorts with overall moderate quality of evidence were included in this systematic review. Exposure to silicone breast implants was slightly associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis [RR: 1.35; (95% CI 1.08 to 1.68); P = .008; I2 = 0%]. However, no significant differences were exhibited between the breast implant-exposed population and controls regarding the rest of the outcomes. In adult women, exposure to silicone breast implantation is not associated with the onset of constitutional symptoms and most connective tissue diseases. A marginal association with rheumatoid arthritis was exhibited, but the certainty of this result is jeopardized by the significant amount of self-reported data for this outcome. Further research is required to adequately explore the clinical significance of these results.

Cardiovascular risk reclassification according to six cardiovascular risk algorithms and carotid ultrasound in psoriatic arthritis patients.

The objective was to compare the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk (CVR) reclassification using six CVR algorithms and a carotid ultrasound in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and controls. The method was cross-sectional study. A total of 81 patients aged 40-75 years, who fulfilled the 2006 CASPAR criteria and 81 controls matched by age, gender, and comorbidities were recruited. CVR was evaluated according to six CVR algorithms, including Framingham Risk Score (FRS)-lipids, FRS-body mass index (BMI), Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Algorithm, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), QRISK3, and Reynolds Risk Score (RRS). A carotid ultrasound was performed to identify the presence of carotid plaque (CP) defined as a carotid intima media thickness ≥ 1.2 mm or a focal narrowing of the surrounding lumen ≥ 0.5mm. Patients with presence of CP, classified in the low-moderate risk by the CVR algorithms, were reclassified to a higher risk category. CP was more prevalent in PsA patients (44.4% vs 24.7%, p = 0.008), as was subclinical atherosclerosis (51.9% vs 33.3%, p = 0.017). When comparing the CVR reclassification to a higher risk category, a difference was found in the six CVR algorithms. The reclassification was more prevalent in PsA patients: 30.8% vs 12.3%, p = 0.004 with FRS-lipids; 28.4% vs 9.9%, p = 0.003 with FRS-BMI; 40.7% vs 19.8%, p = 0.003 with SCORE; 30.9% vs 16.0%, p = 0.026 with ASCVD algorithm; 37.0% vs 19.8%, p = 0.015 with RRS; and 33.3% vs 16.0%, p = 0.011 with QRISK3. The CVR algorithms underestimate the actual CVR of PsA patients. A carotid ultrasound should be considered as part of the CVR evaluation of PsA patients. KEY POINTS: • Subclinical atherosclerosis was more prevalent in psoriatic arthritis patients than controls. • Cardiovascular risk reclassification, through a carotid ultrasound, according to traditional cardiovascular risk algorithms was more common in psoriatic arthritis patients. • The cardiovascular risk algorithm that showed the lowest reclassification rate in psoriatic arthritis patients was the FRS-BMI. • All cardiovascular risk algorithms underestimate the actual risk of psoriatic arthritis patients, preventing the initiation of an adequate cardiovascular treatment.

Does current evidence on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for psoriatic arthritis reinforce an effect on radiographic progression? Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to estimate the effect of synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on radiographic progression and quality of life in adult patients with psoriatic arthritis. A comprehensive search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT). Clinical trials comparing DMARDs with placebo for ≥ 12 weeks were included. The meta-analysis was conducted with a random-effects model using mean differences (MD). A total of 16 trials with overall moderate quality of evidence were included. Exposure to a biologic agent reduced radiographic progression at 24 weeks of treatment (MD: - 0.66; [95% CI - 0.97 to - 0.34]; P < .00001; I2 = 100%). The reduction of the baseline score was more than two times higher for TNF blockers compared with IL-17 and IL-12/IL-23 inhibitors (MD: - 0.94 vs - 0.41). Improvement in health-related quality of life scores was observed in biologic-treated populations (MD: - 0.21; [95% CI - 0.25 to - 0.18]; P < .00001; I2 = 97%). No sufficient data were available regarding conventional synthetic agents. Our data analyses suggest a better control of radiological damage with bDMARDs, as compared to placebo, after 24 weeks of treatment. However, the accuracy of these results in real life are jeopardized by the exceedingly high level of heterogeneity exhibited within and across included studies, and the true intervention effect cannot be determined with confidence. Further research is required to assess long-term outcomes and to control heterogeneity in the evaluation of treatments for psoriatic arthritis. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019122223. Key Points • Radiographic progression is not the primary outcome for most efficacy studies in psoriatic arthritis; hence, baseline data are substantially diverse in major clinical trials. • The best available evidence on this particular outcome is currently at a moderate risk of bias. • Existing reports of the effect of DMARDs on structural damage must be taken with caution. • Further research is required to assess long-term outcomes and to control heterogeneity between studies.

Gender differences among patients with primary ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitis associated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease in an iberoamerican spondyloarthritis cohort.

The aim of the study was to compare clinical manifestations, disease activity, functional capacity, spinal mobility, and radiological findings between men and women from a multicenter, multiethnic Ibero-American cohort of patients with Spondyloarthritis (SpA).This observational cross-section study included 1264 consecutive SpA patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data were evaluated. Categorical data were compared by X or Fisher's exact tests and continuous variables by ANOVA with post-hoc tests.Primary AS was diagnosed in 1072 patients, psoriatic spondylitis in 147, and spondylitis associated to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in 45 patients. Overall, male patients were significantly younger, had longer diagnostic delay, lower disease activity, worse spinal mobility, better quality of life, and more severe radiologic damage. Dactylitis and enthesitis, as well as swollen joint count, were significantly more common among women. In primary AS, there was a marked male predominance (76.2%). Among patients with psoriatic spondylitis, male predominance was lower (57.8%), but was also associated with worse spinal mobility and more severe radiologic damage. In the total population, male patients with primary AS referred higher permanent work disability (13.2% vs 6.9%; P < 0.05), although no difference was observed in psoriatic or IBD spondylitis according to the gender.Among Ibero-American SpA patients, there are some differences in clinical and radiological manifestations, men showing more structural damage, whereas women more active disease. These data suggest that the phenotype of SpA differs between genders. This can influence the subsequent diagnostic approach and therapeutic decisions.

Actualización de la Guía Mexicana para el Tratamiento Farmacológico de la Artritis Reumatoide del Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología / Update of the Mexican College of Rheumatology Guidelines for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Antecedentes: El manejo de la artritis reumatoide ha tenido avances muy importantes en los últimos a˜nos. Las guías de práctica clínica requieren una actualización constante. Recientemente se han publicado diversas guías internacionales para el manejo farmacológico de la artritis reumatoide que difícilmente se adaptan a la realidad mexicana, en especial por la heterogénea disponibilidad de los medicamentos en las diversas instituciones del sector salud. Por ello, debido a la importancia de unificar el criterio de manejo con los tratamientos disponibles, el Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología decidió revisar las guías existentes e incorporar nueva evidencia actualizada y adaptada a la realidad del sistema de salud mexicano. Objetivo: Revisar, actualizar y adaptar la guía del manejo farmacológico de la artritis reumatoide y emitir recomendaciones adaptadas al sistema de salud de México, de acuerdo con manejos disponibles hasta diciembre de 2012. Método: Participaron en la elaboración de la guía 30 reumatólogos certificados con experiencia y juicio clínico. Las recomendaciones se basaron en niveles de evidencia de las guías de tratamiento previamente establecidas, ensayos clínicos controlados y guías estandarizadas para población adulta con artritis reumatoide. Resultados: Durante la conformación del documento, cada grupo de trabajo estableció la evidencia existente sobre los diferentes temas a tratar según su campo de mayor experiencia clínica, siendo enriquecida por la opinión de los demás expertos. Al final, toda la evidencia y las decisiones tomadas se unificaron en un manuscrito, se desarrolló un algoritmo de tratamiento y se resumieron en tablas estandarizadas por medicamento. onclusiones: La actualización de la Guía Mexicana para el Tratamiento Farmacológico de la Artritis Reumatoide integra la mejor información disponible para la toma de decisiones y contextualiza su empleo al complejo y heterogéneo sistema de salud mexicano (AU)

Background: The pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis has progressed substantially over the past years. It is therefore desirable that existing information be periodically updated. There are several published international guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that hardly adapt to the Mexican health system because of its limited healthcare resources. Hence, it is imperative to unify the existing recommendations and to incorporate them to a set of clinical, updated recommendations;the Mexican College of Rheumatology developed these recommendations in order to offer an integral management approach of rheumatoid arthritis according to the resources of the Mexican health system. Objective: To review, update and improve the available evidence within clinical practice guidelines on the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis and produce a set of recommendations adapted to the Mexican health system, according to evidence available through December 2012. Methods: The working group was composed of 30 trained and experienced rheumatologists with a high quality of clinical knowledge and judgment. Recommendations were based on the highest quality evidence from the previously established treatment guidelines, meta-analysis and controlled clinical trials for the adult population with rheumatoid arthritis. Results: During the conformation of this document, each working group settled the existing evidence from he different topics according to their experience. Finally, all the evidence and decisions were unified into a single document, treatment algorithm and drug standardization tables. Conclusions: This update of the Mexican Guidelines for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis provides the highest quality information available at the time the working group undertook this review and contextualizes its use for the complex Mexican health system (AU)

Update of the Mexican College of Rheumatology guidelines for the pharmacologic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis has progressed substantially over the past years. It is therefore desirable that existing information be periodically updated. There are several published international guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that hardly adapt to the Mexican health system because of its limited healthcare resources. Hence, it is imperative to unify the existing recommendations and to incorporate them to a set of clinical, updated recommendations; the Mexican College of Rheumatology developed these recommendations in order to offer an integral management approach of rheumatoid arthritis according to the resources of the Mexican health system. OBJECTIVE: To review, update and improve the available evidence within clinical practice guidelines on the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis and produce a set of recommendations adapted to the Mexican health system, according to evidence available through December 2012. METHODS: The working group was composed of 30 trained and experienced rheumatologists with a high quality of clinical knowledge and judgment. Recommendations were based on the highest quality evidence from the previously established treatment guidelines, meta-analysis and controlled clinical trials for the adult population with rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: During the conformation of this document, each working group settled the existing evidence from the different topics according to their experience. Finally, all the evidence and decisions were unified into a single document, treatment algorithm and drug standardization tables. CONCLUSIONS: This update of the Mexican Guidelines for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis provides the highest quality information available at the time the working group undertook this review and contextualizes its use for the complex Mexican health system.

Registro Iberoamericano de Espondiloartritis (RESPONDIA): México / RESPONDIA. Iberoamerican Registry of Spondyloarthritis: México

Objetivo: Describir las características principales de las espondiloartritis en la población mexicana. Material y métodos: Se trata de un análisis descriptivo y transversal de la información recogida y almacenada entre enero de 2006 y diciembre de 2007, y almacenada en línea en la página electrónica del grupo de Registro de Espondiloartropatías de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología (REGISPONSER). La metodología general se expone en otro artículo de este número. Resultados: Se incluyó a 172 pacientes (102 varones, [59,3%] con una edad media desviación estándar de 38 14 años). La mayoría tenía espondilitis anquilosante; luego, espondiloartritis indiferenciada. La edad al inicio fue 28 14 años; el 30% empezó antes de los 16 años. El tiempo hasta el diagnóstico fue de 5 años. La forma de inicio más frecuente fue la combinación de artritis periférica y síntomas axiales (72,7%); el 18% había tenido uveítis. El tratamiento incluyó bloqueadores del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa en el 12%. El Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index fue de 4,5 y el Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Activity Index, de 4,0. Las diferencias entre espondilitis anquilosante, espondiloartritis indiferenciada y artritis psoriásica fueron: distribución por sexo, tiempo de evolución en el momento del diagnóstico, síntomas y signos por afección del esqueleto axial, artritis en las extremidades superiores, afección coxofemoral, tarsitis e intensidad del dolor. Conclusión: En pacientes mexicanos, las espondiloartropatías parecen tener un perfil caracterizado por la combinación de manifestaciones axiales y periféricas (AU)

Objective: To describe the main features of spondylarthritis (SpA) in Mexicans. Material and methods: This is a cross sectional, descriptive study of the information was collected and stored on-line in the Registro de Espondiloartropatías de la Sociedad Española de Reumatología (REGISPONSER) between January, 2006 and December, 2007. Methods are described elsewhere in this number. Results: We included 172 patients (102 males [59.3%]; mean age standard deviation 38 14 years). Most patients had ankylosing spondylitis; then, undifferentiated SpA. Age at onset was 28 14 years; 30% had onset < 16 years; time to diagnosis was 5 years. Combined peripheral arthritis and axial involvement was the commonest disease pattern at onset (72.7%); 18% had uveitis. Treatment included tumour necrosis factor in 12%. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index were 4.5 and 4.0. Differences between ankylosing spondylitis, undifferentiated SpA, and psoriatic arthritis consisted of sex distribution, time to diagnosis, axial symptoms, upper limb arthritis, hip disease, tarsitis, and pain. Conclusion: The pattern of SpA in Mexicans is characterized by combined axial and peripheral involvement (AU)