Prevalence estimates of tuberculosis infection in adults in Denmark: a retrospective nationwide register-based cross-sectional study, 2010 to 2018.

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) elimination requires identifying and treating persons with TB infection (TBI).AimWe estimate the prevalence of positive interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) tests (including TB) and TBI (excluding TB) in Denmark based on TBI screening data from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD).MethodsUsing nationwide Danish registries, we included all patients with IBD or IRD with an IGRA test performed between 2010 and 2018. We estimated the prevalence of TBI and positive IGRA with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in adolescents and adults aged 15-64 years after sample weighting adjusting for distortions in the sample from the background population of Denmark for sex, age group and TB incidence rates (IR) in country of birth.ResultsIn 13,574 patients with IBD or IRD, 12,892 IGRA tests (95.0%) were negative, 461 (3.4%) were positive and 221 (1.6%) were indeterminate, resulting in a weighted TBI prevalence of 3.2% (95% CI: 2.9-3.5) and weighted positive IGRA prevalence of 3.8% (95% CI: 3.5-4.2) among adults aged 15-64 years in the background population of Denmark. Unweighted TBI prevalence increased with age and birthplace in countries with a TB IR higher than 10/100,000 population.ConclusionEstimated TBI prevalence is low in Denmark. We estimate that 200,000 persons have TBI and thus are at risk of developing TB. Screening for TBI and preventive treatment, especially in persons born in high TB incidence countries or immunosuppressed, are crucial to reduce the risk of and eliminate TB.

Absolute risk estimation of new-onset proteinuria in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a Danish nationwide cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Kidney involvement and medical compliance are frequent challenges in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Additional data reporting such as absolute risk estimates may strengthen risk stratification and compliance. This study provides absolute risk estimations of risk of new-onset proteinuria among SLE patients. METHODS: Danish SLE centres provided clinical data on first time observations of proteinuria and other clinical parameters listed in the 1997 American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for SLE. Time from first occurring non-renal manifestation to new-onset proteinuria or censoring defined time at risk. Multivariate Cox-regression models were used to identify risk factors for new-onset proteinuria and to calculate risk of proteinuria stratified by risk factor debut age, duration, and sex. RESULTS: The patient population consisted of 586 patients with SLE, mainly Caucasian (94%) women (88%), mean age at inclusion of 34.6 years (standard deviation, SD=14.4 years), observed for a mean of 14.9 years (SD=11.2 years). The cumulative prevalence of proteinuria was 40%. Discoid rash, HR =0.42 (p=0.01) and lymphopenia HR=1.77 (p=0.005) were associated with new-onset proteinuria. Male patients with lymphopenia had the highest predictive risks of proteinuria with a 1-, 5- and 10-year risk of proteinuria ranging from 9-27%, 34-75% and 51-89%, depending on the age at presentation (debut at 20, 30, 40 or 50 years). The corresponding risk profiles for women with lymphopenia were 3-9%, 8-34% and 12-58%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Large differences in absolute risk estimates for new-onset proteinuria were identified. The differences may aid risk stratification and patient compliance among high-risk individuals.

Nationwide, large-scale implementation of an online system for remote entry of patient-reported outcomes in rheumatology: characteristics of users and non-users and time to first entry.

AIMS: In May 2020, a nationwide, web-based system for remote entry of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in inflammatory rheumatic diseases was launched and implemented in routine care (DANBIO-from-home). After 1.5 years of use, we explored clinical characteristics of patients who did versus did not use the system, and the time to first entry of PROs. METHODS: All patients followed in DANBIO were informed about DANBIO-from-home by electronic invitations or when attending their clinic. Characteristics of patients who did/did not use DANBIO-from-home in the period after implementation were explored by multivariable logistic regression analyses including demographic and clinical variables (gender, age group, diagnosis, disease duration, use of biological disease-modifying agent (bDMARD), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Patient Acceptable Symptom Scale (PASS)). Time from launch to first entry was presented as cumulative incidence curves by age group (<40/40-60/61-80/>80 years). RESULTS: Of 33 776 patients, 68% entered PROs using DANBIO-from-home at least once. Median (IQR) time to first entry was 27 (11-152) days. Factors associated with data entry in multivariate analyses (OR (95% CI)) were: female gender (1.19 (1.12 to 1.27)), bDMARD treatment (1.41 (1.33 to 1.50)), age 40-60 years (1.79 (1.63 to 1.97)), 61-80 years (1.87 (1.70 to 2.07), or age >80 years (0.57 (0.50 to 0.65)) (reference: age <40 years), lower HAQ (0.68 (0.65 to 0.71)) and PASS 'no' (1.09 (1.02 to 1.17). Diagnosis was not associated. Time to first entry of PROs was longest in patients <40 years of age (119 (24-184) days) and shortest in the 61-80 years age group (25 (8-139) days). CONCLUSION: A nationwide online platform for PRO in rheumatology achieved widespread use. Higher age, male gender, conventional treatment and disability were associated with no use.

Infliximab biosimilar-to-biosimilar switching in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease: clinical outcomes in real-world patients from the DANBIO registry.

OBJECTIVE: Successful uptake of biosimilars in rheumatology is limited by lack of real-world evidence regarding effectiveness of biosimilar-to-biosimilar switching. We investigated infliximab biosimilars CT-P13-to-GP1111 switching among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). METHODS: Observational cohort study from the DANBIO registry. Patients were classified as originator-naïve or originator-experienced. Retention rates of 1-year GP1111 treatment were explored (Kaplan-Meier). We identified baseline factors (at the time of switch) associated with withdrawal of GP1111 (multivariable Cox-regression analyses with HRs including originator treatment history). Changes in subjective and objective measures of disease activity 4 months before and after the switch were assessed in individual patients. RESULTS: Of 1605 patients (685 RA, 314 PsA and 606 AxSpA, median disease duration was 9 years, 37% in Clinical Disease Activity Index/Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score remission), 1171 were originator-naïve. Retention rates at 1-year were 83% (95% CI: 81% to 85%) and 92% (95% CI: 90% to 95%) for the originator-naïve and originator-experienced, respectively. GP1111 retention rates were higher in originator-experienced compared to originator-naïve with RA (HR=0.4 (95% CI: 0.2 to 0.7)) and PsA (HR=0.2 (95% CI: 0.1 to 0.8)), but not significantly for AxSpA: HR=0.6 (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.2). Lower disease activity was associated with higher retention. Changes in disease activity preswitch and postswitch were close to zero. CONCLUSION: This real-world observational study of more than 1600 patients with inflammatory arthritis showed high 1-year retention following a nationwide infliximab biosimilar-to-biosimilar switch. Retention was higher in originator-experienced and in patients with low disease activity, suggesting outcomes to be affected by patient-related rather than drug-related factors.

Long-term Behavioral Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact of Vaccination in Patients With Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore anxiety and self-isolation in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD)15 months into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including attitudes toward and effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. METHODS: A nationwide online survey was conducted at 3 timepoints: May 2020, November 2020, and May 2021. Patients with IRD followed in the Danish Rheumatology Quality Registry (DANBIO) were asked about the effects of the pandemic, including SARS-CoV-2 infection and their behavior, anxiety, and concerns. The May 2021 survey included attitudes toward SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccination. Characteristics associated with self-isolation in May 2021 were explored with adjusted logistic regression analyses that included patient characteristics and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status. RESULTS: Respondents to surveys 1, 2, and 3 included 12,789; 14,755; and 13,921 patients, respectively; 64% had rheumatoid arthritis and 63% were female. Anxiety and concerns were highest in May 2020 and decreased to stable levels in November 2020 and May 2021; 86%, 50%, and 52% of respondents reported self-isolation, respectively. In May 2021, 4% of respondents self-reported previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine acceptance rate was 86%, and the proportion of patients vaccinated against influenza had increased from 50% in winter 2019-2020 to 64% in winter 2020-2021. The proportion of patients with anxiety appeared similar among those vaccinated and unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. In multivariable analyses, being unvaccinated, female gender, receiving biologic drugs, and poor quality of life were independently associated with self-isolation. CONCLUSION: Levels of anxiety and self-isolation decreased after the initial lockdown period in patients with IRD. Half of the patients reported self-isolation in May 2021, a phase that included widespread reopening of society and large-scale vaccination. The lack of prepandemic data prevented a full understanding of the long-term effects of the pandemic on anxiety and self-isolation in patients with IRD.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treat-to-target strategies and physical consultations in >7000 patients with inflammatory arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treat-to-target strategies (disease activity, remission rates) and access to physical consultations in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease, as well as to explore characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations in the clinic and the impact of early vs established disease. METHODS: Patients with RA, PsA or axial SpA (axSpA) prospectively followed in the nationwide DANBIO registry answered online questionnaires and reported patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in June and November 2020. Patient characteristics, disease activity and physical consultations in the clinic before and during the pandemic were identified in DANBIO [all patients and subgroups with early disease (disease duration ≤2 years)]. In individual patients, changes in PROs before and during the pandemic were calculated. Characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations were described (age, gender, education level, comorbidities, disease duration, treatment). RESULTS: We included 7836 patients (22% of eligible patients), 12% of which had early disease. PROs were stable before and during the pandemic, with median changes approximating zero, as well as in patients with early disease. Remission rates were stable. The relative decrease in the number of patients with physical consultations was 21-72%, which was highest in axSpA. Characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations were similar. Self-reported satisfaction with treatment options and access was >70%; the preferred contact form was physical consultation (66%). CONCLUSION: In this nationwide study performed during the first 8 months of the pandemic, patient satisfaction was high and the PROs and remission rates remained stable despite the remarkable reduction in physical consultations, as well as in patients with early disease. Characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations appeared similar.

Comparative effectiveness of two adalimumab biosimilars in 1318 real-world patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease mandated to switch from originator adalimumab: nationwide observational study emulating a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: In 2018, a nationwide mandatory switch from originator to biosimilar adalimumab was conducted in Denmark. The available biosimilar was GP2017 (Hyrimoz) in Eastern regions and SB5 (Imraldi) in Western regions. We aimed to assess the comparative effectiveness of GP2017 versus SB5 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)/psoriatic arthritis (PsA)/axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). METHODS: Observational cohort study based on the DANBIO registry with geographical cluster pseudo-randomisation, analysed by emulating a randomised clinical trial. Main outcome was adjusted 1-year treatment retention (Cox regression). Furthermore, 6 months' remission rates (logistic regression), reasons for withdrawal and back-switching to originator were investigated (overall and stratified by indication). RESULTS: Overall, of 1570 eligible patients, 1318 switched and were included (467 RA/321 PsA/530 AxSpA); 623 (47%) switched to GP2017, 695 (53%) to SB5. Baseline characteristics of the two clusters were largely similar, but some differences in registration practice were observed. The combined 1-year retention rate for the two biosimilars was 89.5%. Compared with SB5, estimated risk of withdrawal for GP2017 was lower (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.86) and 6 months' remission rate was higher (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.25 to 2.37). Stratified analyses gave similar results (statistically significant for RA). During 1 year, 8.5% and 12.9% withdrew GP2017 and SB5, respectively (primarily lack of effect and adverse events), of whom 48 patients (3.6%) back-switched. CONCLUSION: This head-to-head comparison of GP2017 versus SB5 following a mandatory switch from the originator indicated differences in effectiveness in routine care. This may reflect a true difference, but other explanations, for example, differences in excipients, differences between clusters and residual confounding cannot be ruled out.

Self-protection strategies and health behaviour in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: results and predictors in more than 12 000 patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases followed in the Danish DANBIO registry.

AIMS: In Danish patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases to explore self-protection strategies and health behaviour including adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic treatment (DMARD) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and again after the reopening of the society started. Furthermore, to identify characteristics of patients with high levels of anxiety and self-isolation. METHODS: Patients in routine care followed prospectively in the nationwide DANBIO registry were invited to answer an online questionnaire regarding disease activity and COVID-19 infection, behaviour in March and June 2020. Responses were linked to patient data in DANBIO. Characteristics potentially associated with anxiety, self-isolation and medication adherence (gender/age/diagnosis/education/work status/comorbidity/DMARD/smoking/EQ-5D/disease activity) were explored with multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: We included 12 789 patients (8168 rheumatoid arthritis/2068 psoriatic arthritis/1758 axial spondyloarthritis/795 other) of whom 65% were women and 36% treated with biological DMARD. Self-reported COVID-19 prevalence was 0.3%. Patients reported that they were worried to get COVID-19 infection (March/June: 70%/45%) and self-isolated more than others of the same age (48%/38%). The fraction of patients who changed medication due to fear of COVID-19 were 4.1%/0.6%. Female gender, comorbidities, not working, lower education, biological treatment and poor European Quality of life, 5 dimensions were associated with both anxiety and self-isolation. CONCLUSION: In >12 000 patients with inflammatory arthritis, we found widespread anxiety and self-isolation, but high medication adherence, in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This persisted during the gradual opening of society during the following months. Attention to patients' anxiety and self-isolation is important during this and potential future epidemics.

Validity and completeness of rheumatoid arthritis diagnoses in the nationwide DANBIO clinical register and the Danish National Patient Registry.

OBJECTIVES: In Denmark, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are registered in the nationwide clinical DANBIO quality register and the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). The aim was to study the validity of the RA diagnosis and to estimate the completeness of relevant RA cases in each registry. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Patients registered for the first time in 2011 with a diagnosis of RA were identified in DANBIO and DNPR in January 2013. For DNPR, filters were applied to reduce false-positive cases. The diagnosis was verified by a review of patient records. We calculated the positive predictive values (PPVs) of the RA diagnosis registrations in DANBIO and DNPR, and estimated the registry completeness of relevant RA cases for both DANBIO and DNPR. Updated data from 2011 to 2015 from DANBIO were retrieved to identify patients with delayed registration, and the registry completeness and PPV was recalculated. RESULTS: We identified 1,678 unique patients in DANBIO or in DNPR. The PPV (2013 dataset) was 92% in DANBIO and 79% in DNPR. PPV for DANBIO on the 2015 update was 96%. The registry completeness of relevant RA cases was 43% in DANBIO, increasing to 91% in the 2015 update and 90% in DNPR. CONCLUSION: DANBIO held a high proportion of true RA cases (96%) and was found to be superior to the DNPR (79%) with regard to the validity of the diagnosis. Both registries were estimated to have a high completeness of RA cases treated in hospital care (~90%).

Multifactorial intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular morbidity is a major burden in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we compare the effect of a targeted, intensified, multifactorial intervention with that of conventional treatment of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with early RA fulfilling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is a prospective, randomised, open label trial with blinded end point assessment and balanced randomisation (1:1) conducted in 10 outpatient clinics in Denmark. The primary end point after 5 years of follow-up is a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke and cardiac revascularisation. Secondary outcomes are: the proportion of patients achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.5 mmol/L, glycated haemoglobin <48 mmol/mol, blood pressure <140/90 mm  Hg for patients without diabetes and <130/80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes and normoalbuminuria (urinary albumin creatinine ratio <30 mg/g) after 1 year of follow-up and the proportion of patients in each treatment group achieving low RA disease activity after 1 year, defined as a disease activity score C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) <3.2 and a DAS28-CRP score <2.6 after 12, 24 and 60 months. Furthermore, all hospitalisations for acute and elective reasons will be adjudicated by the event committee after 12, 24 and 60 months. Three hundred treatment-naive patients with early RA will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either conventional treatment administered and monitored by their general practitioner according to national guidelines (control group) or a stepwise implementation administered and monitored in a quarterly rheumatological nurse-administered set-up of behaviour modification and pharmacological therapy targeting (1) hyperlipidaemia, (2) hypertension, (3) hyperglycaemia and (4) microalbuminuria (intervention group). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol is approved by the local ethics committee (DK-S-2014007) and The Danish Health and Medicines Authority. Dissemination will occur through presentations at National and International conferences and publications in international peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02246257.

Changes in plasma IL-6, plasma VEGF and serum YKL-40 during Treatment with Etanercept and Methotrexate or Etanercept alone in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Despite Methotrexate Therapy.

Changes in plasma IL-6, plasma VEGF and serum YKL-40 were determined in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients during treatment with etanercept alone or in combination with methotrexate. Twenty-five patients with active RA (DAS28 >/= 3.2) were randomized to receive etanercept (25 mg sc. biweekly) plus methotrexate (n = 12) or etanercept alone (n = 13). Plasma IL-6, plasma VEGF and serum YKL-40 were determined by ELISA. The 3 biomarkers and DAS28 scores were evaluated at baseline and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of treatment. At inclusion all patients had significantly (p < 0.001) elevated plasma IL-6, plasma VEGF and serum YKL-40 compared to healthy subjects. Eighteen patients responded to treatment (pooled data from both treatment groups), and they had significant (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) decreases in plasma IL-6, plasma VEGF, serum YKL-40, ESR and DAS28 after 4 weeks of treatment and throughout the study (except serum YKL-40 at week 16). Plasma IL-6 showed the largest reductions. Non-responders had unchanged biomarkers. At week 16 the patients with DAS28 < 3.2 had lower levels compared to baseline values in plasma IL-6 (p = 0.005), plasma VEGF (p = 0.014), and ESR (p = 0.024).Plasma IL-6, plasma VEGF and serum YKL-40, which reflect different aspects of the inflammatory process, may provide useful information regarding early differentiation of responders from non-responders.