Radiologist-rheumatologist multidisciplinary approach in the management of axial spondyloarthritis: a Delphi consensus statement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a Delphi consensus statement between rheumatologists and radiologists for the diagnosis and monitoring of axial spondyloarthritis (axial-SpA). METHODS: Following an extensive literature search to identify unmet needs and potential goals for a multidisciplinary approach, a scientific board comprising 28 Italian hospital-based rheumatologists (n=19) and radiologists (n=9) identified 8 "starting points", resulting in the development of 23 consensus statements covering issues from current practice guidelines to specific MRI protocols for the assessment of axial-SpA. Each participant anonymously expressed a level of agreement for each statement using a 5-point Likert scale (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree") via an online Delphi method.Total cumulative agreement (TCA) was defined as the sum of the percentage of response to items 4 ("agree") and 5 ("absolutely agree"). Consensus was defined as ≥80% total cumulative agreement for each statement. RESULTS: After the first round of voting (28 participants), positive consensus was reached for 28/31 (90.3%) statements. Statements without consensus (n=3) were discussed in a face-to-face plenary session prior to the second vote (28 participants). After the second round voting, positive consensus was attained for all 31 statements, with mean final TCA of 95.5% (range 82.1-100%). CONCLUSIONS: This Delphi consensus statement provides an aid to rheumatologists and radiologists for the diagnosis and monitoring of axial-SpA.

2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of Behçet's syndrome.

Several new treatment modalities with different mechanisms of action have been studied in patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS). The aim of the current effort was to update the recommendations in the light of these new data under the auspices of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Standing Committee for Clinical Affairs. A task force was formed that included BS experts from different specialties including internal medicine, rheumatology, ophthalmology, dermatology, neurology, gastroenterology, oral health medicine and vascular surgery, along with a methodologist, a health professional, two patients and two fellows in charge of the systematic literature search. Research questions were determined using a Delphi approach. EULAR standardised operating procedures was used as the framework. Results of the systematic literature review were presented to the task force during a meeting. The former recommendations were modified or new recommendations were formed after thorough discussions followed by voting. The recommendations on the medical management of mucocutaneous, joint, eye, vascular, neurological and gastrointestinal involvement of BS were modified; five overarching principles and a new recommendation about the surgical management of vascular involvement were added. These updated, evidence-based recommendations are intended to help physicians caring for patients with BS. They also attempt to highlight the shortcomings of the available clinical research with the aim of proposing an agenda for further research priorities.

Switch or swap strategy in rheumatoid arthritis patients failing TNF inhibitors? Results of a modified Italian Expert Consensus.

Objective: To establish evidence-based and experts' opinion filtered statements on the optimal treatment choice between cycling (switch) and changing mode of action strategies (swap) in RA patients failing TNF inhibitors (TNFis). Methods: The relevant question (switch vs swap) was rephrased into a research question according to the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) strategy, considering all the available scientific evidence published from the 2013 EULAR set of recommendations up to mid-January 2016. Final statements derived from the retrieved scientific evidence and experts' consensus, with eventual rephrasing through a Delphi method during a national consensus of Italian rheumatologists. Results: From a total of 365 records, 12 studies were finally included. The final statements argued that, until head-to-head comparison data are available, switch and swap can be still considered suitable strategies in RA patients failing first TNFi, even though some data seem to lend more support to a different mode of action-targeted strategy. Conclusion: After failure of first TNFi course, switch and swap can be currently considered as alternative suitable approaches in RA patients.

Management of major organ involvement of Behçet's syndrome: a systematic review for update of the EULAR recommendations.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of treatment modalities for major organ involvement of Behçet's syndrome (BS), in order to inform the update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of BS. Methods: A systematic literature review of all randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, or open label trials assessing eye, vascular, nervous system or gastrointestinal system involvement of BS was performed. If controlled trials were not available for answering a specific research question, uncontrolled studies or case series were also included. Results: We reviewed the titles and abstracts of 3927 references and 161 studies met our inclusion criteria. There were only nine randomized controlled trials. Observational studies with IFN-α and monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies showed beneficial results for refractory uveitis. Meta-analysis of case-control studies showed that immunosuppressives decreased the recurrence rate of deep vein thrombosis significantly whereas anticoagulants did not. CYC and high dose glucocorticoids decreased mortality in pulmonary arterial aneurysms and postoperative complications in peripheral artery aneurysms. Beneficial results for gastrointestinal involvement were obtained with 5-ASA derivatives and AZA as first line treatment and with thalidomide and/or monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies in refractory cases. Observational studies for nervous system involvement showed improved outcome with immunosuppressives and glucocorticoids. Meta-analysis of case-control studies showed an increased risk of developing nervous system involvement with ciclosporin-A. Conclusion: The majority of studies related to major organ involvement that informed the updated EULAR recommendations for the management of BS were observational studies.

Standardization of red flags for referral to rheumatologists and ophthalmologists in patients with rheumatic diseases and ocular involvement: a consensus statement.

Ocular involvement is a common manifestation of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, often requiring a multidisciplinary collaboration between rheumatologists and ophthalmologists. The aim of this study was to standardize "red flags" for referral for rheumatologists and ophthalmologists using a Delphi consensus for the management of rheumatic diseases with ocular involvement. The scientific board comprised 11 Italian hospital-based rheumatologists (N = 6) and ophthalmologists (N = 5). A systematic review identified potential red flags for referral. The panel developed 19 statements consisting of (a) referral from ophthalmologist to rheumatologist (b) referral from rheumatologist to ophthalmologist and (c) overarching principles relating to multidisciplinary roles/goals and management. Voting was performed anonymously using an online Delphi method. Each participant expressed a level of agreement on each statement using a 5-point scale (1="strongly disagree"; 5="strongly agree"). Total cumulative agreement was defined as the sum of the percentage of response to items 4 ("agree") and 5 ("absolutely agree"), consensus defined as ≥ 80% cumulative agreement for each statement. Positive consensus among 11 participants was reached for 15/19 (78.9%) statements. Statements not reaching consensus were discussed in a face-to-face meeting prior to the second vote (10 participants). Positive consensus was reached for all 19 statements, with final total cumulative agreement of 90-100%. This is the first Delphi consensus undertaken to standardize red flags for referral to rheumatologists and ophthalmologists for patients with rheumatic diseases and ocular involvement.

Behcet's syndrome in nonendemic regions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Behcet's syndrome is more common in certain geographic regions, however, can be seen outside of these areas and need to be included in the differential diagnosis of many patients, as it has overlapping features with many rheumatologic conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: Especially in regions with immigrant populations, there seem to be similarities to originating countries in Behcet's prevalence, but the syndrome is not limited to those from certain backgrounds and can be seen in others also. There is emerging evidence that even though the prevalence of Behcet's may be similar to that of endemic areas, in nonendemic regions the condition may be less severe, suggesting potential environment agents in determining the severity of the disease. In addition, women seem to be overrepresented in nonendemic areas and may explain part of the reason for less severe symptoms, as Behcet's tends to be more severe in men. SUMMARY: The somewhat different presentation of Behcet's syndrome in nonendemic areas needs to be considered when thinking about Behcet's in the differential diagnosis of patients. Research into potentially less severe form of the disease in nonendemic areas may provide new clues to the pathogenesis of this condition.

Complement C3 and fatty liver disease in Rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggested a potential role of complement fraction C3 as a biomarker of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general population. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of C3 for prediction of NAFLD in RA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the present study, consecutive RA patients were recruited. NAFLD was diagnosed according to predefined ultrasonographic (US) criteria. For comparison, the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) was calculated. RESULTS: Of 164 consecutive RA patients, 41 (25%) were diagnosed with NAFLD. The NAFLD group had a significant lower proportion of females (P = 0·04), higher BMI (P < 0·0001), C-reactive protein (P = 0·04), complement C3 (P = 0·001) and HSI (P = 0·003). In a logistic regression model, only male sex (OR 2·65, 95% CI: 1·08-6·50, P = 0·03), increasing BMI (OR 1·22, 95% CI: 1·02-1·46, P = 0·03) and complement C3 (OR 5·05, 95% CI: 1·06-23·93, P = 0·04) were associated with higher likelihood of being diagnosed with NAFLD. Finally, we built ROC curves for BMI, complement C3 and their combination for prediction of having NAFLD. The best cut-off for BMI was 28·5 kg/m2 and yielded a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 71%; the best cut-off for complement C3 was 1·23 g/L and yielded a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 64% for classification of NAFLD cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide preliminary evidence for a potential role of complement C3 as a surrogate biomarker of NAFLD in RA patients.

A national survey on the management of psoriatic arthritis using the Delphi method.

OBJECTIVES: Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is essential to avoid unnecessary morbidity. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the current approach to the management of PsA among rheumatologists. METHODS: A 16-item online questionnaire, produced using the Delphi method, was submitted to a panel of rheumatologists who anonymously expressed their opinions on a scale from 1 (maximum disagreement) to 5 (maximum agreement). Positive consensus was defined by ≥66% of the respondents scoring an item 3, 4 or 5. Negative consensus was defined by ≥66% of the respondents scoring an item 1 or 2. RESULTS: The surveyed rheumatologists agreed that in its early stage, PsA is characterised by the involvement of few joints and/or entheses and that psoriasis, although possibly absent, will be present in a patient's past personal or family history. There was no consensus among the rheumatologists regarding normalisation of C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates defining remission. The specialists believed that clinical remission was achieved more frequently and for longer among patients with PsA than rheumatoid arthritis. The participants believed that neutralising antibodies altered the efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor agents and that monoclonal antibodies induced greater production of neutralising antibodies than receptor proteins. However, knowledge was somewhat lacking in relation to the prophylaxis of latent tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: The data collected showed that the surveyed rheumatologists had a good knowledge of the diagnosis of early-stage PsA and a good understanding of its management in relation to its clinical phenotype, with the exception of the form having predominantly axial involvement.

Serum complement C3 strongly correlates with whole-body insulin sensitivity in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by an excess of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk, attributable to a synergy between under-diagnosed traditional risk factors (i.e. insulin resistance) and inflammatory disease activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between inflammatory measures and insulin sensitivity in RA patients. METHODS: Forty non-diabetic RA patients (19 males) were recruited. All patients underwent anthropometric measurements, laboratory evaluation and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated with the equation proposed by Matsuda et al., from dynamic values of glucose and insulin obtained during OGTT. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, lnISI correlated inversely with age, BMI, waist circumference, sBP, ESR, lnCRP and complement C3, but not with disease duration, dBP or complement C4. In non-obese patients (BMI <30 kg/m2, n=28), only age, BMI, lnCRP and C3 maintained their correlation with lnISI. In a stepwise multiple regression using lnISI as the dependent variable and BMI, age, lnCRP and complement C3 as predictors, only BMI and C3 entered the equation and accounted for 38.2% of the variance in lnISI. In non-obese patients, only C3 entered the regression equation, accounting for 32.2% of the variance in lnISI. Using a ROC curve, we identified the best cut-off for complement C3 of 1.22 g/L that yielded a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 79% for classification of insulin resistant patients. CONCLUSIONS: In RA patients, complement C3 correlates strongly with insulin sensitivity, in both obese and non-obese individuals.

Recommendations for the use of biologics and other novel drugs in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: 2017 update from the Italian Society of Rheumatology.

OBJECTIVES: To update the 2011 Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) recommendations for the use of biologics and other novel agents in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: To create this new set of recommendations, the SIR "Spondyloartritis and Psoriatic Arthritis study group - A. Spadaro" went through the following steps: literature search, identification of the items of interests for each of the four previously identified clinical domains of PsA and the different treatment phases, achievement of the consensus on all topics, and generation of the recommendations. RESULTS: An update on the available evidence on all of the biologics and new small molecules tested in PsA is reported, comprising the data for each of the individual articular manifestation. Indications for therapy inclusion criteria, choice of the drug, disease assessment, response definition, therapy failure management, and disease remission management for PsA peripheral joint arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and spondylitis are provided. Suggestions for the treatment of patients with PsA and concomitant extra-articular manifestations are also given. CONCLUSIONS: These evidence-based recommendations may be used for guidance in the complex and fast-evolving field of the treatment of PsA.

Therapies of Early, Advanced, and Late Onset Forms of Axial Spondyloarthritis, and the Need for Treat to Target Strategies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study aims to provide an update on current status of pharmacological therapies in early and advanced stages of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), as well as its late onset forms, and to discuss the need for treat to target strategies in this entity. RECENT FINDINGS: Efficacy of TNF inhibitors has been assessed in randomized controlled trials in axSpA, which included patients who had non-radiographic axSpA according to the ASAS classification criteria. The role of IL17/23 pathway as a therapeutic target in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been the focus of phase III studies of secukinumab (named MEASURE 1 and MEASURE 2) and a proof-of-concept study of ustekinumab. Potential efficacy of novel small molecules such as apremilast and tofacitinib has been explored in recent phase II trials. All the trials of TNF inhibitors in non-radiographic axSpA have achieved their primary endpoints, which resulted in their approval for this indication in Europe, but not in USA. The phase III trials of secukinumab have demonstrated significant therapeutic benefit as compared to placebo, resulting in its approval as the first non-TNF biologic for the treatment of AS, both by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

Predictive validity of the ASAS classification criteria for axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis after follow-up in the ASAS cohort: a final analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the predictive validity of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) spondyloarthritis (SpA) classification criteria. METHODS: 22 centres (N=909 patients) from the initial 29 ASAS centres (N=975) participated in the ASAS-cohort follow-up study. Patients had either chronic (>3 months) back pain of unknown origin and age of onset below 45 years (N=658) or peripheral arthritis and/or enthesitis and/or dactylitis (N=251). At follow-up, information was obtained at a clinic visit or by telephone. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the baseline classification by the ASAS criteria was calculated using rheumatologist's diagnosis at follow-up as external standard. RESULTS: In total, 564 patients were assessed at follow-up (345 visits; 219 telephone) with a mean follow-up of 4.4 years (range: 1.9; 6.8) and 70.2% received a SpA diagnosis by the rheumatologist. 335 patients fulfilled the axial SpA (axSpA) or peripheral SpA (pSpA) criteria at baseline and of these, 309 were diagnosed SpA after follow-up (PPV SpA criteria: 92.2%). The PPV of the axSpA and pSpA criteria was 93.3% and 89.5%, respectively. The PPV for the 'clinical arm only' was 88.0% and for the 'clinical arm'±'imaging arm' 96.0%, for the 'imaging arm only' 86.2% and for the 'imaging arm'+/-'clinical arm' 94.7%. A series of sensitivity analyses yielded similar results (range: 85.1-98.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The PPV of the axSpA and pSpA criteria to forecast an expert's diagnosis of 'SpA' after more than 4 years is excellent. The 'imaging arm' and 'clinical arm' of the axSpA criteria have similar predictive validity and are truly complementary.

Efficacy, safety and cost per responder of biologics in the treatment of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents are recommended as second-line therapy for patients with axial spondyloarthropathies. This analysis reviewed data on studies investigating the efficacy and tolerability of anti-TNF agents in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who had failed first-line non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) treatment. Efficacy data from RCTs were used to calculate the number needed to treat (NNT) for individual anti-TNFs and then the cost per responder was determined to provide an indication of the value of each therapy. A systematic literature review and analysis of search results over the period January 2008 to September 2014 identified four randomised placebo-controlled trials that were included in the analysis. Adalimumab, etanercept and certolizumab pegol were all effective and well tolerated in patients with nr-axSpA. A patient was more likely to reach ASAS20 or ASAS40 when treated with etanercept or adalimumab, the NNT was lowest for adalimumab, and the risk of adverse events was higher with certolizumab pegol 200 mg every 2 weeks. The cost per responder (NNT) was lowest for adalimumab, followed closely by certolizumab 400 mg every 4 weeks, intermediate for certolizumab 200 mg every 2 weeks and highest for etanercept. Although all anti-TNF agents were associated with clinical improvement in patients with nr-axSpA, adalimumab presented a better cost per responder than etanercept and certolizumab pegol.

Current approach to the management of psoriatic arthritis according to a sample of Italian rheumatologists.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to have an overview of the current approach to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by a group of Italian rheumatologists. METHODS: Rheumatologists from all around Italy were asked to participate in a survey to give their opinion on a number of statements made by a panel of rheumatologists who are experts in PsA. The survey was conducted through two rounds using a Delphi-like method. The two rounds yielded a consensus on the management of PsA. RESULTS: Fifty rheumatologist from 50 rheumatology centres participated in the survey. Of the 117 proposed statements, only 10 did not reach the 66% concordance threshold. The main results of the survey were that diagnosis of PsA should be made using both the CASPAR criteria and clinical judgment, that all of the features of the psoriatic disease are relevant in the assessment and therapy of PsA, that treatment recommendations are taken into account, that all of the available biological agents may be used in bio-naïve patients, that anti-drug antibody testing is still not used in daily practice, that both switching or swapping are useful options in the case of bio-failure because of lack or loss of efficacy, and that swapping is considered the best choice in the case of bio-failure due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey showed that a comprehensive evaluation of the patient and a therapy choice based on both patient clinical features and evidence of drug efficacy and safety are considered the current best of care for PsA patients.

Long-term costs and outcomes in psoriatic arthritis patients not responding to conventional therapy treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: the extension of the Psoriatic Arthritis Cost Evaluation (PACE) study.

OBJECTIVES: Poor information on long-term outcomes and costs on tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are available. Our aim was to evaluate long-term costs and benefits of TNF- inhibitors in PsA patients with inadequate response to conventional treatment with traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (tDMARDs). METHODS: Fifty-five out of 107 enrolled patients included in the study at one year, completed the 5-year follow-up period. These patients were enrolled in 8 of 9 centres included in the study at one year. Patients aged older than 18 years, with different forms of PsA and failure or intolerance to tDMARDs therapy were treated with anti-TNF agents. Information on resource use, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), disease activity, function and laboratory values were collected at baseline and through the 5 years of therapy. Costs (expressed in Euro 2011) and utility (measured by EQ-5D instrument) before TNF inhibitor therapy and after 1 and 5 years were compared. RESULTS: The majority of patients (46 out of 55; 83.6%) had a predominant or exclusive peripheral arthritis and 16.4% had predominant or exclusive axial involvement. There was a statistically significant improvement of the most important clinical variables after 1 year of follow-up. These improvements were maintained also after 5 years. The direct costs increased by approximately €800 per patient-month after 1 year, the indirect costs decreased by €100 and the overall costs increased by more than €700 per patient-month due to the cost of TNF inhibitor therapy. Costs at 5 year were similar to the costs at 1 year. The HRQoL parameters showed the same trends of the clinical variables. EQ-5D VAS, EQ-5D utility and SF-36 PCS score showed a significant improvement after 1 year, maintained at 5 years. SF-36 MCS showed an improvement only at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that TNF blockers have long-term efficacy. The higher cost of TNF inhibitor therapy was balanced by a significant improvement of HRQoL, stable at 5 years of follow-up. Our results need to be confirmed in larger samples of patients.

Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor monotherapy vs combination with MTX in the treatment of PsA: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review the available evidence on TNF inhibitor monotherapy vs combination therapy with MTX in PsA. METHODS: A literature search was conducted up to and including October 2013 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing TNF inhibitor monotherapy vs combination therapy with MTX in patients with PsA. Key information was extracted from the abstracts and/or full text of the articles retrieved. RESULTS: Eleven published articles and three conference abstracts were retrieved, reporting on six RCTs of four TNF inhibitors. Most RCTs found no differences in efficacy for peripheral arthritis between patients treated with or without MTX. However, the studies were not powered to answer this question. Some data suggest that concomitant MTX may reduce the progression of structural damage. No significant differences in other outcomes have been reported. Data on TNF inhibitor monotherapy vs MTX combination therapy were reported from six registries. Three registries reported that the use of concomitant MTX did not affect the efficacy of TNF inhibitor therapy. Data from three European Union registries suggest that TNF inhibitor (especially mAbs) drug survival is superior in patients taking concomitant MTX, while one Canadian registry reported no difference. CONCLUSION: Available evidence on the efficacy and safety of TNF inhibitor monotherapy vs add-on MTX therapy shows little or no improvement with combination therapy, although the use of concomitant MTX appears to prolong TNF inhibitor drug survival of mAb TNF inhibitors. Registries and observational studies have the potential to fill some of the knowledge gaps in this area.

Quality of life and unmet needs in patients with inflammatory arthropathies: results from the multicentre, observational RAPSODIA study.

OBJECTIVE: The observational RAPSODIA (RA, PsA and spondylitis including AS) study was planned to assess, in patients with RA, AS and PsA, their involvement in medical decisions, quality of life and unmet needs 15 years after the introduction of biologic therapies in Italy. METHODS: Patients completed a questionnaire during their scheduled rheumatology consultation. They rated their satisfaction with disease knowledge on a 5-point scale (1 = not at all satisfied, 5 = totally satisfied). Self-efficacy, defined as judgement of one's own ability to achieve given levels of performance and exercise control over events, was measured using the pain subscale of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale. Patients' global assessments of pain, fatigue and disease activity were recorded on 100 mm visual analogue scales (0 = best status, 100 = worse status). Disease activity status was assessed using standard tools. Health status was measured using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and the Italian version of the HAQ. RESULTS: Ninety-eight per cent of patients reported that their health care practitioner used understandable terms to explain their condition. Joint issues and general symptoms (e.g. fatigue and malaise) were common. All measures of disease activity and self-efficacy scores were markedly better in patients receiving biologic vs conventional therapy. Biologic therapy recipients were more productive at work. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that some patients with rheumatic diseases are not satisfied with the level of information they receive about their treatments. Biologic therapy appears to be an important advance, with patients receiving this form of treatment having improved symptoms and productivity. However, patients still report unmet needs. Thus further research, and perhaps new and more effective therapies, along with better education and multidisciplinary collaboration, are required to improve outcomes.

Relationship of Psoriatic Arthritis to Other Spondyloarthritides.

In the early 1970s, Moll and co-workers formulated the unified concept of spondyloarthritides, a group of conditions sharing similar clinical features. Subsequently, criteria for their classification have been proposed by Amor and coworkers, the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group, and the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society. Opinion, however, is divided between those who believe that the different entities of the complex represent the variable expression of the same disease ("lumpers") and those who think that these should be considered separately but under the same umbrella ("splitters"). Several sets of criteria have been proposed for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the most recent being the ClASsification for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria. According to some authors, there are persuasive arguments to support the view of PsA as a distinct entity.

The Definition and Measurement of Axial Psoriatic Arthritis.

This review seeks to update the state of the art of axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA). The definition and assessment of axPsA can be problematic because no agreement and no definitive data on this topic have been published, resulting in uncertainty as to the best approach to deal with these patients. A few recent scientific reports show new data on the possible coincidence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and axPsA, as well as on the radiological assessment as measured with the validated instruments for axPsA. Moreover, the role of magnetic resonance imaging has also been evaluated for this intriguing subset. All data confirmed that radiological assessment is a useful tool to detect typical findings of axPsA, while other imaging techniques remain to be validated. Finally, there is no evidence to support treatment of axPsA with traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, while a "leap" to biologic agents is the only treatment after failure with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Treating spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, to target: recommendations of an international task force.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic targets have been defined for diseases like diabetes, hypertension or rheumatoid arthritis and adhering to them has improved outcomes. Such targets are just emerging for spondyloarthritis (SpA). OBJECTIVE: To define the treatment target for SpA including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and develop recommendations for achieving the target, including a treat-to-target management strategy. METHODS: Based on results of a systematic literature review and expert opinion, a task force of expert physicians and patients developed recommendations which were broadly discussed and voted upon in a Delphi-like process. Level of evidence, grade and strength of the recommendations were derived by respective means. The commonalities between axial SpA, peripheral SpA and PsA were discussed in detail. RESULTS: Although the literature review did not reveal trials comparing a treat-to-target approach with another or no strategy, it provided indirect evidence regarding an optimised approach to therapy that facilitated the development of recommendations. The group agreed on 5 overarching principles and 11 recommendations; 9 of these recommendations related commonly to the whole spectrum of SpA and PsA, and only 2 were designed separately for axial SpA, peripheral SpA and PsA. The main treatment target, which should be based on a shared decision with the patient, was defined as remission, with the alternative target of low disease activity. Follow-up examinations at regular intervals that depend on the patient's status should safeguard the evolution of disease activity towards the targeted goal. Additional recommendations relate to extra-articular and extramusculoskeletal aspects and other important factors, such as comorbidity. While the level of evidence was generally quite low, the mean strength of recommendation was 9-10 (10: maximum agreement) for all recommendations. A research agenda was formulated. CONCLUSIONS: The task force defined the treatment target as remission or, alternatively, low disease activity, being aware that the evidence base is not strong and needs to be expanded by future research. These recommendations can inform the various stakeholders about expert opinion that aims for reaching optimal outcomes of SpA.