Factors associated with discrepancies in disease activity as assessed by SDAI and RAPID3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Data from a multicenter observational study (T-FLAG).

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine discrepancies between assessments based on Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) and Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) in RA patients with controlled disease activity. METHODS: Data from 464 RA patients in SDAI remission or low disease activity (REM/LDA) were analyzed. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, including Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and Kihon checklist (KCL), were assessed. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with RAPID3 moderate or high disease activity (MDA/HDA). Cutoff values of RAPID3 MDA/HDA for each PRO evaluation item were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Among RA patients in SDAI REM/LDA, 84.9% were in RAPID3 REM/LDA. Multivariable analysis revealed that HAQ-DI, GLFS-25, and KCL were independently associated with RAPID3 MDA/HDA. Subdomain analysis of KCL revealed that activities of daily living, physical function, cognitive function, and depressive mood were significantly associated with RAPID3 MDA/HDA. Cutoff values for HAQ-DI and KCL were 0.38 and 8, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In RA patients with controlled disease activity, discrepancies between RAPID3 and SDAI assessments were observed, with factors such as HAQ-DI, GLFS-25, and KCL being independently associated with RAPID3 MDA/HDA.

Usefulness of the FilmArray blood culture identification panel for identifying causative pathogens of bone and joint infections.

As bone and joint infections (BJIs) require long-term treatment, identifying their causative pathogens is vital. However, the detection rate of conventional culturing remains inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the FilmArray blood culture identification (BCID) panel for identifying causative pathogens in patients with BJIs. We tested a BCID panel using collected samples, in addition to conventional cultures. The primary outcome was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the BCID panel, calculated using conventional culturing methods. A total of 44 patients who underwent BJI-related specimen collection were enrolled. Of the 44 patients, 22 were diagnosed with a BJI. Conventional culture identified 15 of 22 organisms (68.2%), whereas the BCID panel identified 14 of 22 organisms (63.4%). The overall sensitivity and specificity of the BCID panel were 73.3% and 57.1%, respectively, compared to those of the conventional culture. However, the sensitivity reached 100% when only pathogens included in the BCID panel were considered. In seven culture-negative cases, the BCID panel identified three organisms (42.9%). The BCID panel also indicated the appropriate therapy against a BJI caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by detecting the mecA gene. This study demonstrated that the BCID panel has the potential for early and accurate diagnosis of the causative organism of BJI using specimens such as joint fluid and bone tissue. Our results suggest that BCID panels, in addition to routine culture, may improve our ability to diagnose the causative microorganisms of BJI in clinical practice, thereby contributing to the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents.

Increased prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in rheumatoid arthritis patients with moderate/high disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) nasal carriage is a well-known risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI) after total joint arthroplasty. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage between patients with osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, and those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, who underwent total joint arthroplasty, and to investigate the influence of RA disease activity on nasal carriage rate. METHODS: This retrospective study targeted 508 OA and 107 RA patients who underwent S. aureus nasal screening prior to primary total knee and/or hip arthroplasty. RA patients were divided into two groups based on disease activity: the remission/low disease activity (REM/LDA) group and the moderate/high disease activity (MDA/HDA) group. Factors associated with S. aureus nasal carriage were assessed with multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of all 615 patients, 155 (25%) carried S. aureus in their nares. Compared to OA patients, RA patients had a significantly higher rate of S. aureus nasal carriage (24% vs. 33%, p = 0.049). Compared to the REM/LDA group (n = 39), the MDA/HDA group (n = 58) had a significantly higher rate of S. aureus nasal carriage (21% vs. 41%, p = 0.032). Multivariate analysis revealed that the MDA/HDA group, but not the REM/LDA group, had a significantly higher odds of S. aureus nasal carriage compared to the OA group (odds ratio: 2.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-7.12). CONCLUSION: Preoperative nasal screening for S. aureus is beneficial, especially in RA patients with moderate/high disease activity.

Associations of frailty with RA-ILD and poor control of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multi-center retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate factors associated with frailty in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: A total of 656 RA patients were evaluated using data from an observational study in 2022. Among these patients, 152 with frailty were assigned to the frailty group, and 504 without frailty were assigned to the non-frailty group. Patient characteristics were compared between the two groups by univariate analysis, and factors associated with frailty were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Patient characteristics were also compared between patients with RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) (n = 102) and those without RA-ILD (n = 554). RESULTS: The frailty group was older (mean: 73.6 vs. 66.8 years) and had a higher DAS28-ESR (3.67 vs. 2.66), a higher HAQ-DI (1.13 vs. 0.32), and a higher rate of RA-ILD (25.0 vs. 12.7 %) than the non-frailty group. Age (OR: 1.03, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.05), HAQ-DI (3.22, 2.28-4.56), DAS28-ESR (1.44, 1.19-1.75), and RA-ILD (2.21, 1.24-3.94) were associated with frailty. RA patients with RA-ILD were older (73.3 vs. 67.5 years) and had a higher DAS28-ESR (3.30 vs. 2.80), a higher HAQ-DI (1.19 vs. 0.32), a higher proportion of frail patients (37.3 vs. 20.6 %), lower MTX use (26.5 vs. 62.9 %), and higher steroid use (44.1 vs. 26.8 %) than those without RA-ILD. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining reasonable control of disease activity is necessary for RA patients, including those with RA-ILD, to recover from frailty.

Choice of and response to treatment in patients with early-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis: Real-world data from an inception cohort in Japan (NICER-J).

OBJECTIVE: Various guidelines recommend that patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) try to achieve clinical remission within 6 months, and early therapeutic intervention is important to this end. This study aimed to investigate short-term treatment outcomes of patients with early-diagnosed RA in clinical practice and to examine predictive factors for achieving remission. METHODS: Of the 210 patients enrolled in the multicenter RA inception cohort, 172 patients who were followed up to 6 months after treatment initiation (baseline) were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the impact of baseline characteristics on achievement of Boolean remission at 6 months. RESULTS: Participants (mean age, 62 years) initiated treatment after a mean of 19 days from RA diagnosis. At baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment initiation, proportions of patients using methotrexate (MTX) were 87.8%, 89.0%, and 88.3%, respectively, and rates of Boolean remission were 1.8%, 27.8%, and 34.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that physician global assessment (PhGA) (Odds ratio (OR): 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.99) and glucocorticoid use (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.10-0.65) at baseline were independent factors that predicted Boolean remission at 6 months. CONCLUSION: After a diagnosis of RA, satisfactory therapeutic effects were achieved at 6 months after the initiation of treatment centered on MTX according to the treat to target strategy. PhGA and glucocorticoid use at treatment initiation are useful for predicting the achievement of treatment goals.

Predictive factors for achievement of treatment goals in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with denosumab.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate efficacy of long-term treatment with denosumab and predictive factors for achievement of treatment goals in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). METHODS: We enrolled 111 PMO patients who had T-scores ≤-2.5 either at the lumbar spine (L-) or femoral neck (FN-), who had never been treated for osteoporosis, and who could be followed for at least 3 years. We first evaluated changes in bone mineral density (BMD) for up to 7 years. We next defined the treatment goal as the achievement of a T-score >-2.5 at month 36 and performed multivariate analysis to identify predictive factors for achievement of the goal. RESULTS: Lumbar spine- and femoral neck bone-mineral density increased yearly for 7 years. Among 87 patients with baseline L-T-scores ≤-2.5, better baseline L-T-scores predicted achievement of L-T-scores >-2.5 at month 36. The cut-off value for baseline L-T-score was -3.4. Among 76 patients with baseline FN-T-scores ≤-2.5, better baseline FN-T-scores predicted achievement of FN-T-scores >-2.5 at month 36. The cut-off value for baseline FN-T-scores was -2.8. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with denosumab was effective in PMO patients. As better baseline T-score predicted achievement of T-scores >-2.5, early initiation of treatment will contribute to better outcome.

Risk factors for denosumab discontinuation in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVES: Persistence with treatment is key to achieving successful treatment outcomes in patients with osteoporosis. We investigated risk factors for denosumab discontinuation in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). METHODS: A total of 333 patients with PMO who had never received osteoporosis treatment were included in this study. Baseline demographics and retention rate of denosumab were evaluated in all patients. Univariate analysis was performed in patients divided into two groups according to whether they had continued or discontinued denosumab. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine risk factors for denosumab discontinuation. RESULTS: The mean age was 80.7 years, the body mass index (BMI) was 21.5 kg/m2, and T-scores for the lumbar spine and femoral neck were -2.7 and -2.8, respectively. The retention rate of denosumab at 36 months was 50.3%. Patients who continued denosumab were younger and had higher BMI, serum albumin (Alb) levels, lumbar spine bone mineral density, and fewer vertebral fractures (VFs), compared with those who discontinued denosumab. The Cox proportional hazards model revealed that a low BMI, low serum Alb levels, and a high number of VFs are independent risk factors for denosumab discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: A low BMI, low serum Alb levels, and a high number of VFs were associated with denosumab discontinuation in patients with PMO.

Factors associated with frailty in rheumatoid arthritis patients with decreased renal function.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with frailty in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with decreased renal function. METHODS: RA patients who visited outpatient clinics from June to August 2021 were included (N = 625). Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were defined as having decreased renal function (N = 221) and divided into the non-frailty (N = 153) and frailty (N = 58) groups. Patient characteristics were compared between the two groups by univariate analysis. Significant factors in univariate analysis were assessed by logistic regression analysis to determine their association with frailty in patients with decreased renal function. RESULTS: Patients in the frailty group were older (74.0 vs.79.0 years) and had a longer duration of disease (11.1 vs. 17.8 years), higher Disease Activity Score erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR; 2.99 vs. 3.80), higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (0.42 vs. 1.43), and a lower rate of methotrexate (MTX) use (46.4% vs. 25.9) compared to those in the non-frailty group. Factors associated with frailty in patients with decreased renal function were age (odds ratio: 1.07), duration of disease (1.06), DAS28-ESR (1.85), and MTX use (0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Among factors associated with frailty in RA patients with decreased renal function, improving DAS28-ESR is likely to be the most feasible approach to promote recovery from frailty (200/200 words).

Age and symptoms at onset of ankylosing spondylitis in Japanese patients.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the age at onset and initial symptoms as clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis in Japanese patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 60 Japanese patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at our institute between January 2004 and June 2021. Initial symptoms were considered pain in axial joints and/or extra-axial joints. If a patient had initial symptoms at multiple sites, each site was counted. We assessed trends for the number of patients and sites of initial symptoms according to age at onset. RESULTS: Mean age (± standard deviation) at onset was 28.9 (± 14.3) years. Approximately one-third of patients experienced onset before age 20. The back was the most common site of initial symptoms (36.7%), followed by the hip (26.7%), knee (15%), buttocks (15%), neck (10%), finger (6.7%), shoulder (3.3%), and others (including overlapping sites). Thirty-two (53.3%) and 25 (41.7%) patients had initial symptoms only in axial joints and only in extra-axial joints, respectively. The proportion of patients with initial symptoms only in extra-axial joints significantly decreased with increasing age (p = .024). CONCLUSIONS: Sites of initial symptoms were frequently the back, hip, knee, and buttocks, and 41.7% had initial symptoms only in extra-axial joints. Younger onset patients frequently had extra-axial involvement.

Effectiveness of tacrolimus concomitant with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and tolerance of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) therapy administered concomitantly with tacrolimus (TAC) treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: 2792 patients who underwent therapy with five bDMARDs (etanercept: ETN, adalimumab, golimumab, tocilizumab, and abatacept: ABT) were enrolled. Among the study subjects, 1582 were concomitant methotrexate (MTX group), 147 were concomitant TAC (TAC group), and 1063 were non-concomitant MTX and TAC (non-MTX/TAC group). The primary outcome was the incident rate of discontinuation of bDMARDs by adverse events (AEs) or loss of efficacy. RESULTS: Concerning the analysis for each reasons of discontinuation, including AEs and loss of efficacy, the hazards ratio (HR) was significantly lower in the TAC group than in non-MTX/TAC groups (AEs: HR = 0.39, 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.68, loss of efficacy: HR = 0.49, 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.78). The loss of efficacy with the use of ETN and ABT was lower in the TAC group than in non-MTX/TAC groups. Concomitant TAC did not induce elevated risk for discontinuation of AEs in all bDMARD analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant TAC with ABT or ETN showed higher retention rates than bDMARDs therapy without TAC or MTX. AEs did not increase over long-term observation.

Safety and effectiveness of baricitinib for rheumatoid arthritis in Japanese clinical practice: 24-week results of all-case post-marketing surveillance.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and effectiveness of baricitinib treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: This ongoing all-case post-marketing surveillance study (starting September 2017) includes all patients with RA treated with baricitinib in Japan. Safety and effectiveness (disease activity) were assessed for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Safety analyses to February 2021 included 4731 patients (initial baricitinib dose: 4 mg/day, n = 3058; 2 mg/day, n = 1661; other, n = 12); 1059 (22.38%) were ≥75 years and 3362 (71.06%) previously received biologic therapy. The overall observational period was 1863.14 patient-years; 1174 (24.82%) patients discontinued baricitinib before Week 24, mostly for lack of effectiveness (n = 478; 10.10%). Adverse events occurred in 1271 (26.87%) patients [serious: 203 (4.29%); death: 18 (0.38%)]. The incidence of herpes zoster, hepatic function disorder, and serious infection was 3.09%, 2.77%, and 1.90%, respectively. Malignancy occurred in 17 patients (0.36%) and major adverse cardiovascular events in seven patients (0.15%). Among patients with effectiveness data, at least 26.57% (Boolean) achieved remission at Week 24. CONCLUSIONS: This large nationwide surveillance study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of 24 weeks of baricitinib for RA in real-world clinical practice. Continued surveillance of long-term safety is ongoing.

Reasons and risk factors for discontinuation of treatment with any biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A long-term observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually switch to a second biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) when the first has proven to be ineffective, although some may discontinue bDMARDs treatment altogether. We investigated the total rate of bDMARDs retention and the risk of bDMARDs discontinuation in patients with RA. METHODS: The study included 564 patients with RA who started bDMARDs treatment before 2008 (<65 years old, n = 413; ≥65, n = 151). The primary outcome was the incidence of bDMARDs discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs). Risk factors were examined using Fine and Gray regression models. RESULTS: Among 564 patients, 74 had discontinued bDMARDs treatment due to AEs. Male sex and Steinbrocker class 3-4 were more frequent, while rheumatoid factor and concomitant methotrexate treatment were less frequent, in those aged ≥65 years than in those aged <65 years, respectively. The subdistribution hazard ratio for discontinuation was significantly higher in the ≥65 group than in the <65 years group (hazard ratio = 3.53, 95% confidence interval = 2.07-6.03). Lack of concomitant treatment with MTX was risk factor for discontinuation in patients ≥65 years. Advanced Steinbrocker class was a risk factor in patients <65 years. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients are at higher risk of discontinuing bDMARDs treatment due to AEs than younger patients.

Disease activity at baseline is an independent predictor of frailty at one year in pre-frail patients with rheumatoid arthritis; a multicenter retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors predicting frailty for one year in pre-frail patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: A total of 298 RA patients who were pre-frail in 2020 were evaluated in this structured, retrospective observational study. Of the 298 patients, 42 who were frail and 256 who were not in 2021 were assigned to the frailty and non-frailty groups, respectively. After comparing characteristics of both groups using univariate analysis, predictive factors of frailty were assessed by logistic regression analysis. The proportion of frail patients in 2021 by DAS28-ESR level in 2020 was examined by the Cochran-Armitage trend test and chi-squared test. After dividing pre-frail patients into those with DAS28-ESR ≥3.2 and DAS28-ESR <3.2 in 2020, one-year change in DAS28-ESR in the frailty and non-frailty groups for both subgroups were compared by the paired t-test. RESULTS: The frailty group was older (mean: 71.0 vs. 65.4 years) and had a higher DAS28-ESR (mean: 3.22 vs. 2.70) than the non-frailty group. DAS28-ESR was identified as a predictive factor for frailty (OR: 1.49). Among patients with DAS28-ESR ≥3.2 in 2020, DAS28-ESR improved in the non-frailty group in 2021 (mean: 3.97 in 2020 vs. 3.13 in 2021) but did not in the frailty group (3.97 in 2020 vs. 3.81 in 2021). Among those with DAS28-ESR <3.2 in 2020, DAS28-ESR was unchanged in the non-frailty group in 2021 (2.15 in 2020 vs. 2.23 in 2021) but increased in the frailty group (2.53 in 2020 vs. 3.23 in 2021). CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity at baseline is an independent predictor of frailty one year later in pre-frail patients with RA.

Relationship between locomotive syndrome and frailty in rheumatoid arthritis patients by locomotive syndrome stage.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the association between locomotive syndrome (LS) and frailty in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Subjects were 538 RA patients (female, 72.9%; mean age ± standard deviation, 66.8 ± 13.4 years). LS and frailty were defined as ≥16 points on the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (Stage ≥2) and ≥8 points on the Kihon Checklist (KCL), respectively. RESULTS: There were 214 subjects with Stage ≥2 LS (39.8%) and 213 subjects with frailty (39.6%). Among subjects with Stage 0, 1, 2, and 3 LS, 11.0%, 21.9%, 48.3%, and 84.6% had frailty, respectively. The KCL points for cognitive and psychosocial factors had no significant differences across LS stages. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the Health Assessment Questionnaire was independently associated with frailty and LS stage, and the Clinical Disease Activity Index was associated with LS stage but not frailty. CONCLUSIONS: As LS worsens in RA patients, the likelihood of developing physical frailty increases. RA patients with a low LS stage can still develop frailty, and suppressing disease activity may not be sufficient to prevent frailty. These findings highlight the need to screen for frailty in RA patients and consider appropriate interventions based on each patient's condition, focusing on nonphysical factors.

Impact of social support on severity of depressive symptoms by remission status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the psychosocial characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by remission status and determine the impacts of social support on severity of depressive symptoms. METHODS: We enrolled RA patients aged 40-79 years who visited university hospitals' outpatient clinics. Severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II), physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire), and support were evaluated. Furthermore, RA disease activity was evaluated by 28-point Disease Activity Score (DAS28) calculation. The independent impacts of instrumental and emotional social support on depressive symptoms by remission status defined as DAS28 score < 2.6 were estimated by multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: This study included 360 RA patients. In the remission group, emotional support showed a statistically significant negative impact on depressive symptoms, whereas instrumental support had an extremely limited contribution to severity of depressive symptoms. In the non-remission group, instrumental support showed a negative tendency of impact on severity of depressive symptoms, whereas emotional support had a wide range of influence. CONCLUSIONS: Favourable association between emotional support and depressive symptoms is confirmed only among RA patients in remission status. The influence of emotional support in non-remission patients and that of instrumental support regardless of remission status are inconclusive.

Metabolic changes in synovial cells in early inflammation: Involvement of CREB phosphorylation in the anti-inflammatory effect of 2-deoxyglucose.

The involvement of metabolic reprogramming has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Glycolysis is enhanced in synovial cell metabolism in RA patients. Inhibitors of glycolysis are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. But, changes in the metabolism of normal synovial membranes or synovial cells during the early stages of inflammation remains unknown. Moreover, there are still many aspects of inflammatory signaling pathways altered by glycolysis inhibitors, that remain unclear. In this study we found that, in normal, non-pathological bovine synovial cells, most of ATP synthesis was generated by mitochondrial respiration. However, during the early of stages inflammation, initiated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure, synovial cells shifted to glycolysis for ATP production. The glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) reversed LPS induced increases in glycolysis for ATP production and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes. 2DG suppressed the phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) enhanced by LPS. Treatment with a CREB inhibitor reversed the expression of LPS-stimulated inflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes. This study showed that changes in metabolism occur during the early stages of inflammation of synovial cells and can be reversed by 2DG and signaling pathways associated with CREB phosphorylation.

Efficacy of add-on iguratimod in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who inadequately respond to either tocilizumab or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of add-on iguratimod (IGU) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA patients) who inadequately respond to either tocilizumab (TCZ) or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi). METHODS: Twenty-three RA patients treated with TCZ (the TCZ group) and 23 RA patients treated with TNFi (the TNFi group) were enrolled in this 24-week retrospective study from our multicenter registry. All inadequate responders to either TCZ or TNFi received add-on IGU. Baseline demographics and disease activity at 24 weeks after initiating add-on IGU were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Baseline clinical disease activity index (CDAI) values in the TCZ group and TNFi group were 14.1 and 11.8 (p = .24 between the two groups). At 24 weeks, CDAI values in the TCZ group and TNFi group were 5.1 and 7.5 (p = .002 and .002 compared to baseline, respectively) and ΔCDAI values were -9.0 and -4.3 (p = .007 between the two groups). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that add-on IGU in the TCZ group was associated with greater improvement in CDAI relative to the TNFi group. CONCLUSION: Add-on IGU was more effective in inadequate responders to TCZ than in inadequate responders to TNFi.

Relationship between disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and development of locomotive syndrome: A five-year longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to longitudinally evaluate the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and locomotive syndrome (LS) in RA patients using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). METHODS: Subjects were 58 RA patients (female, 48 (82.8%); mean age, 60.9 ± 10.9 years) who had GLFS-25 scores available for five consecutive years and who did not have LS at baseline (i.e. GLFS-25 < 16 points). Associations between DAS28-CRP and the development of LS were determined using linear regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into the LS group (n = 15, GLFS-25 ≥ 16 points) and non-LS group (n = 43, GLFS-25 < 16 points) based on GLFS-25 scores at the 5th year of the study period. In the LS group, DAS28-CRP worsened every year. The linear regression model adjusted for age and sex revealed that ΔGLFS-25 increased by 3.80 (95% confidence interval: 1.81-5.79) each time ΔDAS28-CRP increased by 1 (p<.001). Among patients in remission (DAS28-CRP < 2.3), 13.5% had LS. ROC curve analysis yielded a five-year mean DAS28-CRP of 1.99 (sensitivity, 86.7%; specificity, 62.8%) as the cut-off point for the development of LS. CONCLUSION: Tight control of RA disease activity for deeper remission may be needed to prevent the development of LS.

Depression, physical function, and disease activity associated with frailty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical and psychosocial backgrounds of frailty in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Patients with RA between 40 and 79 years of age who visited university hospitals in an urban area were recruited. Well-validated self-reported questionnaires were used to evaluate patient physical function (Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II), and frailty (Kihon Checklist). A 28-point Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) was calculated to evaluate RA disease activity. RESULTS: A total of 375 RA patients, 323 of whom were women, were enrolled (average age: 65.2 ± 9.7 years; average disease duration: 16.6 ± 11.9 years). The prevalence rates of frailty, working-age (40-64 years), young-old (65-74 years), and old-old (≥75 years) patients were 18.5, 28.8, and 36.6%, respectively. Higher age and longer disease duration were associated with frailty. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that HAQ, DAS-28, and BDI-II scores were independently associated with frailty in RA patients. CONCLUSION: Frailty is common, even among working-age RA patients. Physical function, disease activity, and depressive symptoms were independently associated with frailty. A multidisciplinary intervention approach, along with adequate pharmacological therapy, may promote successful aging in patients with RA.

Higher doses of methotrexate associated with discontinuation of oral glucocorticoids after initiation of biological DMARDs: A retrospective observational study based on data from a Japanese multicenter registry study.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoids are important drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. We recommend glucocorticoid discontinuation as soon as possible given the associated side-effects, but many patients continue to take oral glucocorticoids long-term. The present study aimed to explore factors associated with glucocorticoid discontinuation at 52 weeks after initiating biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). METHODS: Subjects were 564 patients from a Japanese multicenter registry who were administered glucocorticoids and methotrexate (MTX) followed by initiation of the first bDMARD. We examined the status of oral glucocorticoid use at 52 weeks after initiating the first bDMARD. RESULTS: By 52 weeks after bDMARD initiation, 164 patients (29.1%) discontinued glucocorticoids. Multivariable analysis identified age, MTX dose, and glucocorticoid dose as factors independently associated with glucocorticoid discontinuation. After adjusting for baseline characteristics using propensity score matching, among patient groups administered MTX ≤ 8 mg/week and MTX > 8 mg/week, 105 pairs remained. A significantly higher rate of glucocorticoid discontinuation (41.0%) was noted for patients administered MTX > 8 mg/week. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that glucocorticoids may be discontinued after initiating bDMARDs. Moreover, higher MTX doses (>8 mg/week) at the time of bDMARD initiation were associated with glucocorticoid discontinuation among patients treated with bDMARDs.