First pilot study of extracellular volume MRI measurement in peripheral muscle of systemic sclerosis patients suggests diffuse fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: Peripheral muscle involvement in SSc may comprise myositis or a non-inflammatory myopathy. There is little understanding of the nature of SSc myopathy. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the presence of diffuse fibrosis in the peripheral muscle of patients with SSc by determining extracellular volume (ECV) MRI measurement. METHODS: SSc patients, with either suspected myopathy or no muscle involvement, and healthy controls (HCs) had native T1 and ECV MRI quantification of the thigh and creatine-kinase (CK) measured. Suspected myopathy was defined as current / history of minimally raised CK (>320; <600 IU/l) ± presence of clinical signs/symptoms (including proximal lower-limb muscle weakness and/or myalgia) ± a Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) 8 score of <5 in the thighs. RESULTS: Twelve SSc patients and 10 HCs were recruited. Of the 12 patients, 9 had limited cutaneous SSc, 4 had interstitial lung disease, and 7 had suspected myopathy. The higher skeletal muscle ECV was recorded for SSc patients compared with HCs [mean (s.d.) 23 (11)%, vs 11 (4)%, P = 0.04]. Peripheral muscle ECV was associated with CK (rho = 0.554, P = 0.061) and was higher in SSc patients with myopathy than in those with no myopathy [mean (s.d.) 28 (10) vs 15 (5), P = 0.023]. It was determined that an ECV of 22% best identified myopathy (with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 80%). CONCLUSION: This hypothesis-generating study showed higher ECV in SSc patients compared with HCs, as well as association of ECV with suspected myopathy, suggesting the presence of diffuse fibrosis in the peripheral muscle of SSc patients. Further studies are needed to understand the nature of SSc myopathy.

Predictors of subclinical systemic sclerosis primary heart involvement characterised by microvasculopathy and myocardial fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: SSc primary heart involvement (SSc-pHI) is a significant cause of mortality. We aimed to characterize and identify predictors of subclinical SSc-pHI using cardiovascular MRI. METHODS: A total of 83 SSc patients with no history of cardiovascular disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension and 44 healthy controls (HCs) underwent 3 Tesla contrast-enhanced cardiovascular MRI, including T1 mapping and quantitative stress perfusion. High-sensitivity troponin I and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were also measured. RESULTS: Cardiovascular MRI revealed a lower myocardial perfusion reserve in the SSc patients compared with HCs {median (interquartile range (IQR)] 1.9 (1.6-2.4) vs 3 (2-3.6), P < 0.001}. Late gadolinium enhancement, indicating focal fibrosis, was observed in 17/83 patients but in none of the HCs, with significantly higher extracellular volume (ECV), suggestive of diffuse fibrosis, in SSc vs HC [mean (s.d.) 31 (4) vs 25 (2), P < 0.001]. Presence of late gadolinium enhancement and higher ECV was associated with skin score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.115, P = 0.048; R2 = 0.353, P = 0.004], and ECV and myocardial perfusion reserve was associated with the presence of digital ulcers at multivariate analysis (R2 = 0.353, P < 0.001; R2 = 0.238, P = 0.011). High-sensitivity troponin I was significantly higher in patients with late gadolinium enhancement, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was associated with ECV (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subclinical SSc-pHI is characterized by myocardial microvasculopathy, diffuse and focal myocardial fibrosis but preserved myocardial contractile function. This subclinical phenotype of SSc-pHI was associated with high-sensitivity troponin I, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, SSc disease severity and complicated peripheral vasculopathy. These data provide information regarding the underlying pathophysiological processes and provide a basis for identifying individuals at risk of SSc-pHI.

European multicentre study validates enhanced liver fibrosis test as biomarker of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: To validate enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test and its components-amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and HA-as biomarkers of fibrosis in SSc in an independent, international, multicentre cohort. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-four SSc patients from six Rheumatology Centres were included. Sera were collected and stored according to EUSTAR biobanking recommendations and analysed through automated high throughput diagnostics. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. Results: Two hundred and forty-seven SSc patients (mean age 55.7 ± 13.9 years, 202 F) were analysed. ELF score, TIMP-1 and PIIINP levels were higher in males (P = 0.0197, P = 0.0107, P = 0.0108 respectively) and in dcSSc (P = 0.001, P = 0.0008, P < 0.0001 respectively). ELF score and the single markers significantly correlated with modified Rodnan skin score (r = 0.37, P < 0.0001), disease activity and severity (P < 0.0001 for all markers, except for HA P = 0.0001) and inversely with forced vital capacity, (FVC) % (TIMP-1, r = -0.21, P = 0.0012; PIIINP, r = -0.26, P = 0.0001), TLC% (ELF score, r = -0.20, P = 0.0036; TIMP-1, r = -0.32, P < 0.0001; PIIINP, r = -0.28, P < 0.0001), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) % (P < 0.0001 for all markers, except for HA P = 0.0115). Multivariate analysis indicated that age (P < 0.001), modified Rodnan skin score (P < 0.001) and DLCO% (P = 0.005) were independently associated with ELF score. Conclusion: Between the first and this validation studies, the value of the ELF score as independent marker of skin and lung involvement in SSc is confirmed in 457 patients. A longitudinal study is on-going to identify an SSc specific algorithm with predictive value for skin and lung progression.

Incidental significant arrhythmia in scleroderma associates with cardiac magnetic resonance measure of fibrosis and hs-TnI and NT-proBNP.

OBJECTIVES: To screen for significant arrhythmias with an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in patients with SSc and no known cardiovascular disease, and identify associated disease phenotype, blood and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) biomarkers. METHODS: Twenty patients with SSc with no history of primary SSc heart disease, traditional cardiovascular disease, diabetes or maximum one traditional cardiovascular risk factor underwent clinical assessment, contrast-enhanced CMR and ILR insertion. RESULTS: ILR data were available for 19 patients: 63% female, mean (s.d.) age of 53 (12) years, 32% diffuse SSc. Eight patients had significant arrhythmias over 3 years: one complete heart block, two non-sustained ventricular tachycardia [all three dcSSc, two anti-topoisomerase antibodies (Scl70) positive, three interstitial lung disease and two previous digital ulceration] and five atrial arrhythmias of which four were with limited SSc. These required interventions with one permanent pacemaker implantation, four anti-arrhythmic pharmacotherapy, one anticoagulation.Patients with significant arrhythmia had higher baseline high-sensitivity troponin I and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [mean difference (95% CI) 117 (-11, 245) and 92 (-30, 215) ng/l, respectively], and CMR-extracellular volume [mean (s.d.) 32 (2) vs 29 (4)%]. Late gadolinium enhancement was observed in five patients, only one with significant arrhythmia. CONCLUSION: This first ILR study identified potentially life-threatening arrhythmias in asymptomatic SSc patients attributable to a primary SSc heart disease. Disease phenotype, CMR-extracellular volume (indicating diffuse fibrosis) and cardiac biomarkers may identify at-risk patients that would benefit from ILR screening. Future studies can inform a risk model and provide insights into SSc-associated arrhythmia pathogenesis.

Association of Oral-Health Related Quality of Life and General Health Assessment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) on general health in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one patients with RA (mean age 52.82 ± 11 years, 75.82% female, 20.87% smokers) and 30 systemically healthy patients (control) were evaluated for their OHRQoL by means of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaires. Self-perceived RA status was assessed using the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3). RESULTS: The mean SC-GOHAI score was 3.69 ± 2.47 for RA subjects and 1.36 ± 2.69 in the control group. Statistically significant differences were seen between RA and control groups (p < 0.05). RA patients with and without periodontitis (PA) exhibited similar SC-GOHAI (Simple Count GOHAI) scores (p = 0.980). No statistically significant differences were observed between any of the groups, either for the OHIP 14-extent or for the OHIP 14-prevalence. RAPID3 scores showed that the majority of the RA patients (65.93%) had high disease severity (RAPID3 >12, mean RAPID3 score 14.39 ± 5.14). Statistically significantly higher values were recorded for general health assessment (PTGE, p = 0.009) and fatigue (FT, p = 0.004) in RA with PA as compared to those without. SC-GOHAI with values between 5 and 8 was statistically significantly associated with high severity health impairment (RAPID3 >12, p = 0.014, OR: 8.64). CONCLUSION: Within their limits, the present findings indicate that: a) moderate OHRQoL as assessed by GOHAI may contribute to high severity impairment of health in RA patients, and b) the GOHAI questionnaire may represent a more adequate tool than OHIP-14 for assessing OHRQoL in patients suffering from RA.

Consensus best practice pathway of the UK Systemic Sclerosis Study group: management of cardiac disease in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Cardiac disease in SSc can manifest in various ways and is associated with a poor prognosis. There is little evidence on how best to detect and manage cardiac disease in SSc. Our objective was to produce an expert consensus best practice pathway for the management of cardiac disease in SSc. Methods: The UK Systemic Sclerosis Study Group set up several working groups to develop a number of consensus best practice pathways for the management of SSc-specific complications, including cardiac disease. A multidisciplinary task force was convened. The guidelines were partly informed by a comprehensive literature review. Results: A best practice pathway for cardiac disease (with a focus on primary cardiac disease) in SSc is presented, including approaches for early detection and standard pharmacological and device therapies. Due to the benefits, shared care and a multidisciplinary approach are recommended. A future research agenda has been formulated in response to the relative lack of understanding of the natural history of primary cardiac disease that was highlighted by the initiative. Conclusion: The physician should be alert to the possibility of cardiac disease in SSc; it is best managed within a multidisciplinary team including both rheumatologists and cardiologists. This pathway provides a reference for all physicians managing patients with SSc.

A prospective, single-centre, randomised study evaluating the clinical, imaging and immunological depth of remission achieved by very early versus delayed Etanercept in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (VEDERA).

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis, with significant impact on quality of life and functional status. Whilst biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD) such as tumour necrosis factor-inhibitor (TNFi) agents have revolutionised outcomes in RA, early diagnosis with immediate conventional therapy, titrated in a treat to target approach is also associated with high remission rates. The main aim of the VEDERA study (Very Early versus Delayed Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis) is to assess the depth of remission, sustainability of remission and immunological normalisation induced by very early TNFi with etanercept (ETN) or standard of care +/- delayed ETN. METHODS/DESIGN: VEDERA is a pragmatic, phase IV single-centre open-label randomised superiority trial of 120 patients with early, treatment-naive RA. Patients will be randomised 1:1 to first-line ETN and methotrexate (MTX) or MTX with additional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (sDMARDs) according to a treat to target (TT) protocol with further step up to ETN and MTX after 24 weeks if remission is not achieved. Participants will have regular disease activity assessments and imaging evaluation including musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI. The main objective of this study is to assess the proportion of patients with early RA that achieve clinical remission at 48 weeks, following either treatment strategy. In addition, the participants are invited to take part in a cardio-vascular sub-study (Coronary Artery Disease in RA, CADERA), which aims to identify the incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities in early RA. DISCUSSION: The hypothesis underlining this study is that very early treatment with first-line ETN increases the proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis achieving clinical remission, in comparison to conventional therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02433184 , 23/04/2015.

Subclinical Systemic Sclerosis Primary Heart Involvement by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Shows No Significant Interval Change.

OBJECTIVE: Subclinical systemic sclerosis (SSc) primary heart involvement is commonly described. Whether these findings progress over time is not clear. The study aimed to investigate cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) interval change of subclinical SSc primary heart involvement. METHODS: Patients with SSc with no cardiovascular disease underwent two CMR scans that included T1 mapping and quantitative stress perfusion. The CMR change (mean difference) and association between CMR measures and clinical phenotype were assessed. The study had a prospective design. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with SSc participated, with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 33 (17-37) months (10 [32%] in the diffuse subset, 16 [52%] with interstitial lung disease [ILD], and 11 [29%] who were Scl-70+). Four of thirty-one patients had focal late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at visit 1; one of four had an increase in LGE scar mass between visits. Two patients showed new focal LGE at visit 2. No change in other CMR indices was noted. The three patients with SSc with increased or new LGE at visit 2 had diffuse cutaneous SSc with ILD, and two were Scl-70+. A reduction in forced vital capacity and total lung capacity was associated with a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (ρ = 0.413, P = 0.021; ρ = 0.335, P = 0.07) and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) (ρ = 0.543, P = 0.007; ρ = 0.627, P = 0.002). An increase in the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level was associated with a reduction in MPR (ρ = -0.448, P = 0.042). Patients on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) had an increase in native T1 (mean [SD] 1208 [65] vs. 1265 [56] milliseconds, P = 0.008). No other clinically meaningful CMR change in patients receiving DMARDs or vasodilators was noted. CONCLUSION: Serial CMR detects interval subclinical SSc primary heart involvement progression; however, this study suggests abnormalities remain largely stable with follow-up.

Consensus on the assessment of systemic sclerosis-associated primary heart involvement: World Scleroderma Foundation/Heart Failure Association guidance on screening, diagnosis, and follow-up assessment.

Introduction: Heart involvement is a common problem in systemic sclerosis. Recently, a definition of systemic sclerosis primary heart involvement had been proposed. Our aim was to establish consensus guidance on the screening, diagnosis and follow-up of systemic sclerosis primary heart involvement patients. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to investigate the tests used to evaluate heart involvement in systemic sclerosis. The extracted data were categorized into relevant domains (conventional radiology, electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory, and others) and presented to experts and one patient research partner, who discussed the data and added their opinion. This led to the formulation of overarching principles and guidance statements, then reviewed and voted on for agreement. Consensus was attained when the mean agreement was ⩾7/10 and of ⩾70% of voters. Results: Among 2650 publications, 168 met eligibility criteria; the data extracted were discussed over three meetings. Seven overarching principles and 10 guidance points were created, revised and voted on. The consensus highlighted the importance of patient counseling, differential diagnosis and multidisciplinary team management, as well as defining screening and diagnostic approaches. The initial core evaluation should integrate history, physical examination, rest electrocardiography, trans-thoracic echocardiography and standard serum cardiac biomarkers. Further investigations should be individually tailored and decided through a multidisciplinary management. The overall mean agreement was 9.1/10, with mean 93% of experts voting above 7/10. Conclusion: This consensus-based guidance on screening, diagnosis and follow-up of systemic sclerosis primary heart involvement provides a foundation for standard of care and future feasibility studies that are ongoing to support its application in clinical practice.

Primary systemic sclerosis heart involvement: A systematic literature review and preliminary data-driven, consensus-based WSF/HFA definition.

Introduction: Primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis may cause morpho-functional and electrical cardiac abnormalities and is a common cause of death. The absence of a clear definition of primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis limits our understanding and ability to focus on clinical research. We aimed to create an expert consensus definition for primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis. Methods: A systematic literature review of cardiac involvement and manifestations in systemic sclerosis was conducted to inform an international and multi-disciplinary task force. In addition, the nominal group technique was used to derive a definition that was then subject to voting. A total of 16 clinical cases were evaluated to test face validity, feasibility, reliability and criterion validity of the newly created definition. Results: In total, 171 publications met eligibility criteria. Using the nominal group technique, experts added their opinion, provided statements to consider and ranked them to create the consensus definition, which received 100% agreement on face validity. A median 60(5-300) seconds was taken for the feasibility on a single case. Inter-rater agreement was moderate (mKappa (95% CI) = 0.56 (0.46-1.00) for the first round and 0.55 (0.44-1.00) for the second round) and intra-rater agreement was good (mKappa (95% CI) = 0.77 (0.47-1.00)). Criterion validity showed a 78 (73-84)% correctness versus gold standard. Conclusion: A preliminary primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis consensus-based definition was created and partially validated, for use in future clinical research.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of myocardial involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

The prevalence of undiagnosed cardiac involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is unknown. In this prospective study we investigated the utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to identify myocardial abnormalities in GPA and their correlation with disease phenotype. Twenty-six patients with GPA and no cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus underwent contrast-enhanced CMR, including late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE), T1-mapping for native T1 and extra-cellular volume (ECV) quantification for assessment of myocardial fibrosis, cine imaging and tissue tagging for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. Twenty-five healthy volunteers (HV) with comparable age, sex, BMI and arterial blood pressure served as controls. Patients with GPA had similar cardiovascular risk profile to HV. A focal, non-ischaemic LGE pattern of fibrosis was detected in 24% of patients and no controls (p = 0.010). Patients with myocardial LGE were less frequently PR3 ANCA (7% vs 93%, p = 0.007), and had involvement of the lower respiratory tract and skin. LGE scar mass was higher in patients presenting with renal involvement. Native T1 and ECV were higher in patients with GPA than HV; ECV was higher in those with relapsing disease, and native T1 was inversely associated with PR3 ANCA (ß = - 0.664, p = 0.001). Peak systolic strain was slightly reduced in GPA compared to controls; LV ejection function was inversely correlated with disease duration (ß = - 0.454, p = 0.026). Patients with GPA have significant myocardial abnormalities on CMR. ANCA, systemic involvement and disease severity were associated with myocardial fibrosis. CMR could be a useful tool for risk stratification of myocardial involvement in GPA.

Cardiovascular outcomes in systemic sclerosis with abnormal cardiovascular MRI and serum cardiac biomarkers.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the prognostic value of subclinical cardiovascular (CV) imaging measures and serum cardiac biomarkers in systemic sclerosis (SSc) for the development of CV outcomes of primary heart involvement (pHI). METHODS: Patients with SSc with no clinical SSc-pHI and no history of heart disease underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and measurement of serum high-sensitivity-troponin I (hs-TnI) and N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Follow-up clinical and CV outcome data were recorded. CV outcomes were defined as myocarditis, arrhythmia and/or echocardiographic functional impairment including systolic dysfunction and/or diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with a median (IQR) age of 57 (49, 63) years, 32% diffuse cutaneous SSc, 39% interstitial lung disease, 30% Scl70+ were followed up for median (IQR) 22 (15, 54) months. Ten patients developed CV outcomes, comprising one patient with myocarditis and systolic dysfunction and nine arrhythmias: three non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and six supraventricular arrhythmias. The probability of CV outcomes was considerably higher in those with NT-proBNP >125 pg/mL versus normal NT-proBNP (X2=4.47, p=0.035). Trend for poorer time-to-event was noted in those with higher extracellular volume (ECV; indicating diffuse fibrosis) and hs-TnI levels versus those with normal values (X2=2.659, p=0.103; X2=2.530, p=0.112, respectively). In a predictive model, NT-proBNP >125 pg/mL associated with CV outcomes (OR=5.335, p=0.040), with a trend observed for ECV >29% (OR=4.347, p=0.073). CONCLUSION: These data indicate standard serum cardiac biomarkers (notably NT-proBNP) and CMR indices of myocardial fibrosis associate with adverse CV outcomes in SSc. This forms the basis to develop a prognostic model in larger, longitudinal studies.

Feasibility of MRI based extracellular volume fraction and partition coefficient measurements in thigh muscle.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of extracellular volume-fraction (ECV) measurement, and time to achieve contrast equilibrium (CE), in healthy muscles, and to determine whether in-flow and partial-volume errors in the femoral artery affect measurements, and if there are differences in the partition coefficient (λ) between muscles. METHODS: T1 was measured in the biceps femoris, vastus intermedius, femoral artery and aorta of 10 healthy participants. This was repeated alternately between the thigh and aorta for ≥25 min following a bolus of gadoterate meglumine. λ was calculated for each muscle/blood measurement. Time to CE was assessed semi-quantitatively. RESULTS: 8/10 participants achieved CE. Time to CE = 19±2 min (mean ± 95% confidence interval). Measured λ: biceps femoris/aorta = 0.210±0.034, vastus intermedius/aorta = 0.165±0.015, biceps femoris/femoral artery = 0.265±0.054, vastus intermedius/femoral artery = 0.211±0.026. There were significant differences in λ between the muscles when using the same vessel (p < 0.05), and between λ calculated in the same muscle when using different vessels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ECV measurements in the thigh are clinically feasible. The use of the femoral artery for the blood measurement is associated with small but significant differences in λ. ECV measurements are sensitive to differences between muscles within the healthy thigh. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This paper determines the time to contrast equilibrium in the healthy thigh and describes a method for measuring accurately ECV in skeletal muscle. This can aid in the diagnosis and understanding of inflammatory auto-immune diseases.