Experiencia de la vida real con pirfenidona en la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática en Argentina. Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico / Real-Life Experience with Pirfenidone in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Argentina. A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Introducción: La pirfenidona fue el primer fármaco antifibrótico aprobado en Argentina para fibrosis pulmonar idiopática. Los resultados de los ensayos clínicos podrían ser diferentes a los de la vida real. El objetivo primario fue estudiar la tolerancia de la pirfenidona en la vida real. El objetivo secundario analizar la eficacia y los motivos de suspensión. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo realizado en 4 centros especializados de Argentina. Se analizaron las historias clínicas de pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar idiopática que recibieron pirfenidona entre junio de 2013 y setiembre de 2016. Se analizaron efectos adversos y las variables que podrían influir en la ocurrencia de los mismos. Se comparó además la evolución de capacidad vital forzada (CVF%) entre los periodos prepirfenidona y pospirfenidona. Resultados: Cincuenta pacientes, 38 (76%) hombres, edad media (DE) 67,8 (8,36) años. La media (DE) de exposición a pirfenidona fue 645,68 (428,19) días, con una dosis diaria media (DE) de 2.064,56 mg (301,49). Se reportaron 19 eventos adversos en 15 pacientes (30%): náuseas (14%), astenia (10%) y rash cutáneo (8%). Dieciocho pacientes (36%) interrumpieron el tratamiento, uno definitivamente. El motivo más frecuente fue la falta de entrega de proovedores en 9 (18%). Comparamos la evolución de CVF% entre los períodos prepirfenidona y pospirfenidona, con una declinación media (DE) de CVF% de 4,03% (7,63) prepirfenidona y 2,64% (7,1) pospirfenidona, (p=0,534). Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio la pirfenidona fue bien tolerada y ha demostrado un enlentecimiento en la declinación de la CVF, aunque sin alcanzar significación estadística

Introduction: Pirfenidone was the first antifibrotic drug approved in Argentina for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Outcomes in real life may differ from the results of clinical trials. The primary endpoint was to study the tolerance of pirfenidone in real life. Secondary endpoints were to analyze effectiveness and reasons for discontinuation. Materials and methods: Retrospective observational study conducted in 4 specialized centers in Argentina. We analyzed the medical records of patients with IPF who received pirfenidone between June 2013 and September 2016. Adverse events (AE) and the variables that could influence these results were analyzed. Forced vital capacity (FVC%) parameters were also compared between the pre-pirfenidone and post-pirfenidone periods. Results: Fifty patients were included, 38 (76%) men, with mean age (SD) 67.8 (8.36) years. Mean (SD) exposure to pirfenidone was 645.68 (428.19) days, with a mean daily dose (SD) of 2,064.56 mg (301.49). Nineteen AEs in 15 patients (30%) were reported: nausea (14%), asthenia (10%) and skin rash (8%). A total of 18 patients (36%) interrupted treatment, only 1 definitively. The most frequent reason for discontinuation was failure of suppliers to provide the drug (9 subjects; 18%). We compared the evolution of FVC% between the pre-pirfenidone and post-pirfenidone periods, and found a mean (SD) FVC% decline of 4.03% (7.63) pre-pirfenidone and 2.64% (7.1) post-pirfenidone (P=.534). Conclusions: In our study, pirfenidone was well tolerated and associated with a reduction in FVC decline, although without reaching statistical significance

Real-Life Experience with Pirfenidone in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Argentina. A Retrospective Multicenter Study. / Experiencia de la vida real con pirfenidona en la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática en Argentina. Estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico.

INTRODUCTION: Pirfenidone was the first antifibrotic drug approved in Argentina for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Outcomes in real life may differ from the results of clinical trials. The primary endpoint was to study the tolerance of pirfenidone in real life. Secondary endpoints were to analyze effectiveness and reasons for discontinuation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study conducted in 4 specialized centers in Argentina. We analyzed the medical records of patients with IPF who received pirfenidone between June 2013 and September 2016. Adverse events (AE) and the variables that could influence these results were analyzed. Forced vital capacity (FVC%) parameters were also compared between the pre-pirfenidone and post-pirfenidone periods. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included, 38 (76%) men, with mean age (SD) 67.8 (8.36) years. Mean (SD) exposure to pirfenidone was 645.68 (428.19) days, with a mean daily dose (SD) of 2,064.56mg (301.49). Nineteen AEs in 15 patients (30%) were reported: nausea (14%), asthenia (10%) and skin rash (8%). A total of 18 patients (36%) interrupted treatment, only 1 definitively. The most frequent reason for discontinuation was failure of suppliers to provide the drug (9 subjects; 18%). We compared the evolution of FVC% between the pre-pirfenidone and post-pirfenidone periods, and found a mean (SD) FVC% decline of 4.03% (7.63) pre-pirfenidone and 2.64% (7.1) post-pirfenidone (P=.534). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, pirfenidone was well tolerated and associated with a reduction in FVC decline, although without reaching statistical significance.

Correlation between Lung and Joint Involvement in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Interstitial Lung Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect the lungs in different manners, with interstitial lung disease (ILD) as the most serious manifestation. Although lung and joint compromise could be thought to evolve in parallel, there are data suggesting the opposite. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between lung and joint involvement in RA ILD. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study of RA ILD patients evaluated from January 2015 to February 2017. Joint disease assessment included number of tender and swollen joints, patient's global assessment of disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein, and disease activity score (DAS28). Lung disease assessment included forced vital capacity, diffusion capacity (DLCO), and Goh high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score for total extent, ground glass, and reticular pattern. We studied the correlation between both components of the disease. RESULTS: We included 46 patients, 14 (30.4%) men, with a mean (SD) of the age of 59.9 years (11.89). 12 (26.09) patients were in remission or had low disease activity measured with DAS28. The HRCT showed usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern in 10 (21.7%), possible UIP in 18 (39.1%), and inconsistent with UIP in 18 (39.1%). We found a good correlation between the ESR and the ground glass score in the HRCT (r = 0.39; p = 0.03). However, we found no correlation between lung function tests or HRCT scores and the other components of the DAS28. CONCLUSIONS: We only found a good correlation between ESR and ground glass score. It is possible that different pathways of the immune response mediate damage in lungs and joints.

Enfermedad indiferenciada del tejido conectivo y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial: intentando definir patrones / Undifferentiated connective tissue disease and interstitial lung disease: trying to define patterns

Objetivos. Agrupar a los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) asociada a enfermedad indiferenciada del tejido conectivo (EITC) según la presencia o no de ciertas manifestaciones clínicas o inmunológicas, esperando encontrar diferentes expresiones tomográficas o funcionales. Métodos. Estudio de cohortes retrospectivas. Se incluyeron pacientes que cumplían criterios de Kinder para EITC. Se consideraron variables predictoras: manifestaciones «altamente específicas de enfermedad del tejido conectivo (ETC)» (Raynaud, xeroftalmia o artritis), títulos altos de anticuerpos antinucleares (ANA) (mayores a 1:320) y patrones específicos de ANA (centromérico, citoplásmico y nucleolar). El cambio en la capacidad vital forzada% (CVF%) en el tiempo y el patrón en TCAR fueron las variables de resultado estudiadas. Resultados. Se incluyeron 66 pacientes. Veintinueve presentaron al menos una manifestación «altamente específica de ETC» (43,94%), 16 ANA específico (28,57%) y 29 ANA alto título (43,94%). Aquellos con manifestaciones «altamente específicas de ETC» presentaron menor frecuencia de sexo masculino (10,34% vs 48,65%, p<0,001), menor edad en años (media 52 [DE14,58] vs 62,08 [9,46], p<0,001) y menor mediana de declinación de CVF% (1[RIC −1 a 10] vs −6 [RIC −16 a −4], p<0,006). En el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple la presencia de manifestaciones «altamente específicas de ETC» se asoció con mejoría en CVF% (coeficiente B de 13,25 [IC95% 2,41 a 24,09]). No encontramos asociaciones en cuanto al patrón en TACAR. Conclusiones. La presencia de manifestaciones «altamente específicas de ETC» se asoció con sexo femenino, menor edad al inicio y una evolución más favorable en cuanto a la CVF%, lo cual evidencia el impacto de las manifestaciones clínicas en la evolución de estos pacientes (AU)

Objectives. To identify clinical or immunological features in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), in order to group them and recognize different functional and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) behavior. Methods. Retrospective cohort study. Patients meeting Kinder criteria for UCTD were included. We defined the following predictive variables: ‘highly specific’ connective tissue disease (CTD) manifestations (Raynaud's phenomenon, dry eyes or arthritis), high antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer (above 1: 320), and ‘specific’ ANA staining patterns (centromere, cytoplasmic and nucleolar patterns). We evaluated the following outcomes: change in the percentage of the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) during the follow-up period, and HRCT pattern. Results. Sixty-six patients were included. Twenty-nine (43.94%) showed at least one ‘highly specific’ CTD manifestation, 16 (28.57%) had a ‘specific’ ANA staining pattern and 29 (43.94%) high ANA titer. Patients with ‘highly specific’ CTD manifestations were younger (mean [SD] 52 years [14.58] vs 62.08 years [9.46], P<.001), were more likely men (10.34% vs 48.65%, P<.001) and showed a smaller decline of the FVC% (median [interquartile range] 1% [−1 to 10] vs -6% [−16 to −4], P<.006). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of highly specific manifestations was associated with improvement in the FVC% (B coefficient of 13.25 [95% confidence interval, 2.41 to 24.09]). No association was observed in relation to the HRCT pattern. Conclusion. The presence of ‘highly specific’ CTD manifestations was associated with female sex, younger age and better functional behavior. These findings highlight the impact of the clinical features in the outcome of patients with UCTD ILD (AU)

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease and interstitial lung disease: Trying to define patterns. / Enfermedad indiferenciada del tejido conectivo y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial: intentando definir patrones.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical or immunological features in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), in order to group them and recognize different functional and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) behavior. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Patients meeting Kinder criteria for UCTD were included. We defined the following predictive variables: 'highly specific' connective tissue disease (CTD) manifestations (Raynaud's phenomenon, dry eyes or arthritis), high antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer (above 1: 320), and 'specific' ANA staining patterns (centromere, cytoplasmic and nucleolar patterns). We evaluated the following outcomes: change in the percentage of the predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) during the follow-up period, and HRCT pattern. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included. Twenty-nine (43.94%) showed at least one 'highly specific' CTD manifestation, 16 (28.57%) had a 'specific' ANA staining pattern and 29 (43.94%) high ANA titer. Patients with 'highly specific' CTD manifestations were younger (mean [SD] 52 years [14.58] vs 62.08 years [9.46], P<.001), were more likely men (10.34% vs 48.65%, P<.001) and showed a smaller decline of the FVC% (median [interquartile range] 1% [-1 to 10] vs -6% [-16 to -4], P<.006). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of highly specific manifestations was associated with improvement in the FVC% (B coefficient of 13.25 [95% confidence interval, 2.41 to 24.09]). No association was observed in relation to the HRCT pattern. CONCLUSION: The presence of 'highly specific' CTD manifestations was associated with female sex, younger age and better functional behavior. These findings highlight the impact of the clinical features in the outcome of patients with UCTD ILD.