Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Ankylosing Spondylitis: From Traditional Scores to Machine Learning Assessment

Introduction

The performance of seven cardiovascular (CV) risk algorithms is evaluated in a multicentric cohort of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Performance and calibration of traditional CV predictors have been compared with the novel paradigm of machine learning (ML).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from an AS cohort has been performed. The primary outcome was the first CV event. The discriminatory ability of the algorithms was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), which is like the concordance-statistic (c-statistic). Three ML techniques were considered to calculate the CV risk: support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN).

Results

Of 133 AS patients enrolled, 18 had a CV event. c-statistic scores of 0.71, 0.61, 0.66, 0.68, 0.66, 0.72, and 0.67 were found, respectively, for SCORE, CUORE, FRS, QRISK2, QRISK3, RRS, and ASSIGN. AUC values for the ML algorithms were: 0.70 for SVM, 0.73 for RF, and 0.64 for KNN. Feature analysis showed that C-reactive protein (CRP) has the highest importance, while SBP and hypertension treatment have lower importance.

Conclusions

All of the evaluated CV risk algorithms exhibit a poor discriminative ability, except for RRS and SCORE, which showed a fair performance. For the first time, we demonstrated that AS patients do not show the traditional ones used by CV scores and that the most important variable is CRP. The present study contributes to a deeper understanding of CV risk in AS, allowing the development of innovative CV risk patient-specific models.

AB0640 LONG-TERM EFFECTIVENESS AND DRUG SURVIVAL OF GOLIMUMAB IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS WITH CUTANEOUS INVOLVEMENT

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated disease associated with psoriasis (PsO). Overexpression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plays a key role in the pathogenic mechanisms. Golimumab (GLM) is a fully human monoclonal antibody IgG1k neutralizing TNF-α approved for PsA and PsO, but effectiveness evaluation in real life remains a crucial issue.

Objectives:

In a real-life setting, to determine the survival rate of GLM (drug survival) at 48 months in the global population, in different clinical settings, and the effectiveness of GLM in improving joint symptoms and cutaneous manifestations in patients affected by moderate to severe PsA with cutaneous involvement.

Methods:

We collected retrospectively from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019 data from 105 patients affected by PsA, according to the Classification for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria, who started treatment with GLM. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years and had a diagnosis of PsA > 6 months, the presence of peripheral arthritis (at least one active joint) and active PsO. Relevant anamnestic, clinical, biochemical data and biological treatment line were collected at baseline (T0) and after 6 (T6), 12 (T12), 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) months of GLM treatment. Comparisons between baseline and 48 months continuous variables were performed using a paired t-test or a Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired samples. The drug survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Drug survival rates were read from the Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Differences in drug survival between groups were analyzed using a log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test, by stratifying for sex, BMI, smoking habit and line of treatment. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:

Peripheral arthritis was present in 67 (63.8%) cases, axial disease in 37 (35.3%), enthesitis and PsO as prominent manifestations in 82 (78%) and 84 (80%) patients respectively. Erosive disease was present in 38 (36.2%) of patients at baseline. The most frequent comorbidities were MetS described in 20 (19%) patients and cardiovascular disease described in 33 (31.4%) patients, probably due to the high incidence of smokers (33 (31.4%) of patients) and to the elevate BMI score (27.1±6.0). At 48 months, the 42% (44 of 105) (figure 1A) of the patients have discontinued therapy; the most frequent reason was insufficient response/loss of efficacy (30 patients (28.6%) out of 105). Unexpectedly, no statistical significant difference emerged according to gender (p=0.652), BMI (p=0.655), smoking habit (p=0.466) and line of treatment (p=0.208) (figure 1B-E). Finally, the effectiveness of GLM in improving joint symptoms and cutaneous manifestations was confirmed once again, with a statistical significant improvement at 48 months in clinical (BASDAI p<0.0001; PASI p<0.01; DAPSA p<0.0001) and biochemical (CRP<0.05) data.

Conclusion:

This multicentric study revealed a high drug persistence of GLM in real-life patients, although the presence of comorbidities. Unlike what is known in literature, our study population presented no differences in terms of clinical response and efficacy between male and female, smokers and no-smokers, obese and health-weight patients, different line of treatment. On the other hand, efficacy and safety of GLM has been demonstrated once again also in real-life treatments.

References:

No references.

Disclosure of Interests:

giulia lavinia fonti: None declared, Maria Sole Chimenti: None declared, Arianna D’Antonio: None declared, miriam teoli: None declared, Francesco Caso: None declared, Luisa Costa: None declared, marco tasso: None declared, Augusta Ortolan: None declared, Mariagrazia Lorenzin: None declared, Paola Conigliaro: None declared, paola triggianese: None declared, Raffaele Scarpa: None declared, Roberto Perricone: None declared, Roberta Ramonda Speakers bureau: Novartis, Celgene, Janssen, Pfizer, Abbvie, Lilly

Effectiveness of steroid injection for hand psoriatic dactylitis: results from a multicentre prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of steroid injection (local treatment, LT) into the digital flexor tendon sheath of dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients as compared with systemic treatment (ST).

METHODS

Forty-six PsA patients with a total of 73 dactylitic fingers were assessed in an observational, multicentre, prospective study by the Leeds Dactylitis Index basic (LDI-b) score and evaluated for local pain (visual analogue scale-VAS pain) and functional impairment (VAS-FI). Steroid injection was proposed to all patients. Patients refusing LT were treated with oral NSAIDs. Both the groups continued baseline csDMARDs and/or corticosteroids therapy. The clinical outcomes were measured at baseline, 1 month (T1) and 3 months (T3).

RESULTS

The reduction of VAS-pain, VAS-FI and LDI-b values was statistically significant higher in the LT group (24 patients, 38 dactylitic fingers) as compared with the ST group (22 patients, 35 dactylitic fingers), both at T1 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively) and at T3 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). A clinically meaningful treatment response (defined as a contemporary reduction of at least 5 points in VAS-pain and VAS-FI or as values of VAS-pain and VAS-FI were both ≤ 2) was observed at T1 in 33 (87%) digits in LT group and in 6 (17%) digits in ST group (p < 0.001). At T3, clinical response improved significantly in both the groups, with significant difference (94% vs 31%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we show the effectiveness of steroid injection into the digital flexor tendon sheath in improving clinical aspects of hand psoriatic dactylitis. Key Points • Therapy with steroid injection (local treatment, LT), into the digital flexor tendon sheath for the treatment of active dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis patients, is more effective when compared with systemic treatment (ST) alone. • The reduction of VAS-pain, VAS-functional impairment (VAS-FI) and Leeds Dactylitis Index basic values was statistically significant higher in the LT group as compared with the ST group, both at T1and at T3. • A clinically meaningful response was observed at T1 in 87% of digits of patients treated with steroid injection and in 17% of digits of the systemic treatment group (p < 0.001). At T3, clinical response improved significantly in both the groups, with significant difference. • For the first time, findings from this study show that the use of steroid injections into the digital flexor tendon sheath for psoriatic dactylitis could be an effective and safe first-line therapy for psoriatic dactylitis.

Retention rates and identification of factors associated with anti-TNFα, anti-IL17, and anti-IL12/23R agents discontinuation in psoriatic arthritis patients: results from a real-world clinical setting

INTRODUCTION

Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) play a pivotal role in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Despite this, their discontinuation due to inefficacy or adverse events is often observed. The aims of this study are to describe retention rates and treatment trends of anti-TNFα, anti-IL17, and anti-IL12/23R agents in patients with PsA and to identify factors associated with bDMARDs discontinuation in a real-world clinical setting.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study based on the analysis of the three Italian prescription cohorts of patients with PsA has been performed. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional-hazards model.

RESULTS

During the follow up, which lasted 25.5 (12-60) months, 68 patients discontinued a bDMARD: 13 for primary failure, 12 for secondary failure, 15 for adverse events, 5 for remission, 12 because of lost at follow-up, and 11 for other causes. Cox proportional-hazards demonstrated that a shorter disease duration (HR 0.994991, 95% CI 0.9910336-0.9989647, p = 0.014) and first-line bDMARD (HR 0.5090986, 95% CI 0.3073519-0.8432722, p = 0.009) have a protective role on bDMARD retention rate, while the multivariable analysis failed in demonstrating an independent protective role of male sex on drug retention rate (p = 0.083). No significant differences in retention rate have been found regarding biologic drugs, combination therapy or monotherapy, and class of bDMARD (anti-TNFα or anti-pIL12/23R and anti-IL-17).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a shorter disease duration and treatment with a first-line bDMARD are predictors of bDMARDs retention rate, further highlighting the importance of early diagnosis of PsA. Key Points • No significant difference in retention among patients treated with anti-IL17A, anti-IL12/23R, and anti-TNFα agents has been demonstrated. • A shorter disease duration and first-line bDMARD treatment are associated with persistence in biologic treatment.

Mediterranean diet and Psoriatic Arthritis activity: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Diet is a modifiable factor implicated in chronic systemic inflammation, and the mediterranean dietary pattern is considered to be a healthy model in terms of morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to the mediterranean diet in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and its impact on disease activity. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a cohort of 211 consecutive PsA patients. We evaluated PsA activity by disease activity index for PSoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) and composite psoriatic disease activity index (CPDAI). The NCEP-ACT III criteria were used to identify subjects with MetS, and in each subject, we evaluated body mass index (BMI). A validated 14-item questionnaire for the assessment of adherence to the mediterranean diet (PREDIMED) was recorded for all the enrolled subjects. Patients showed a median age of 55 (48-62) and disease duration was 76 (36-120) months. 27.01% of patients were classified as having MetS. The median of the mediterranean diet score (MDS) was 7 (6-9). A moderate adherence to mediterranean diet was found in 66.35% of the entire cohort; 15.64% and 18.01% of the patients showed low- and high adherence to the dietary pattern, respectively. We found a negative association between DAPSA and adherence to mediterranean diet (B = - 3.291; 95% CI - 5.884 to - 0.698). DAPSA was positively associated with BMI (B = 0.332; 95% CI 0.047-0.618) and HAQ ( B = 2.176; 95% CI 0.984-3.368). Results from our study evidenced that in PsA patients, higher levels of disease activity as measured by DAPSA correlated with low adherence to mediterranean diet, suggesting potential benefit of antinflammatory properties of this dietary pattern.

Predominant ultrasonographic extracapsular changes in symptomatic psoriatic dactylitis: results from a multicenter cross-sectional study comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic hand dactylitis

OBJECTIVE

Despite diffuse digital swelling, dactylitis may sometimes be asymptomatic. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and ultrasonographic features of symptomatic with asymptomatic psoriatic arthritis (PsA) dactylitis.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-five hand dactylitis were evaluated in a multicenter cross-sectional study for the presence of pain, subjective functional limitation, and tenderness (4-points scale) with the calculation of a Leeds Dactylitis Index (LDI) score. Fingers were subsequently investigated using high-frequency ultrasound (US) both in gray-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD), for the presence and grading of flexor tenosynovitis, soft tissue edema, subcutaneous PD signal (PDUS), extensor tendon involvement, and joints synovitis. Clinical and US characteristics of symptomatic dactylitic fingers were compared with the asymptomatic dactylitic ones.

RESULTS

Symptomatic fingers (n = 80) had a significantly lower dactylitis duration compared to asymptomatic fingers (n = 36) (p < 0.001). Values of LDI, patient VAS-pain, and VAS-functional score were significantly higher in fingers with symptomatic dactylitis (p < 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). Symptomatic dactylitis had a higher prevalence of flexor tenosynovitis of grade > 2, soft tissue edema and subcutaneous PDUS signal (p < 0.001). Asymptomatic dactylitis showed a greater prevalence of joint synovitis (both in GS and in PD) than symptomatic dactylitis (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Digital tenderness and pain are linked to US tenosynovitis of grade > 2 and extra synovial abnormalities and conversely asymptomatic dactylitis is associated with joint-based synovitis.Key Points• Digital tenderness and local pain in psoriatic arthritis dactylitis are strongly associated with flexor tenosynovitis of grade> 2, soft tissue edema, and subcutaneous PD signal.• In psoriatic arthritis, asymptomatic dactylitis showed a greater prevalence of joint synovitis than symptomatic dactylitis.• In psoriatic arthritis, ultrasound inflammatory abnormalities are present in about 70% of cold dactylitis which is linked for disease chronicity.• In psoriatic arthritis, the flexor tendon and adjacent soft tissues play a significant role in symptomatic dactylitis.

Biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated disease. It is associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia), giving a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Patients with PsA have an increased incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study is to perform a review of the biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with PsA.

Methods: A search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase) up until July 2017. Studies were considered if they included data on biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in PsA, and each article was then reviewed for quality and clinical relevance. After completing the literature search, all screened literature was summarized and discussed in our study group (CaRRDs study group).

Results: The initial search produced 532 abstracts, which were limited to 258 potentially relevant articles by preliminary review of the titles and by excluding review articles and case reports (n=274). A further 102 articles were deemed ineligible after examining the abstracts. Full texts of the remaining 156 articles were retrieved. Most articles were excluded because they were not relevant to the biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriasis and/or PsA. In the end, 54 articles were deemed eligible for this review.

Conclusion: Patients with PsA showed more severe atherosclerotic disease compared with patients with only psoriasis. This may have been due to the higher systemic inflammatory burden from the combination of both diseases. In patients with PsA some molecules may be considered as markers of atherosclerotic disease, and their detection may be a prognostic marker, in addition to imaging procedures, for the development of atherosclerotic disease, and could be suitable for the management of patients with PsA.

Ultrasonographic Evidence of Predominance of Acute Extracapsular and Chronic Intrasynovial Patterns in 100 Cases of Psoriatic Hand Dactylitis

OBJECTIVE

To use ultrasonography to study whether the duration of psoriatic dactylitis was associated with different patterns of extracapsular and synovial-based involvement.

METHODS

One hundred cases of hand dactylitis from 85 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) were consecutively enrolled in a multicenter cross-sectional study and divided into 2 groups according to dactylitis duration (shorter or longer than the median: 20 weeks). All dactylitis fingers were investigated using high-frequency ultrasound both in greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD), evaluating the presence of flexor tenosynovitis, soft tissue edema, subcutaneous PD signal (PDS), extensor tendon involvement, and joint synovitis.

RESULTS

Cases with a shorter dactylitis duration (< 20 weeks) had a significantly higher prevalence of GS flexor tenosynovitis of grade > 2, PD flexor tenosynovitis, soft tissue edema, and subcutaneous PDS (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p = 0.001, respectively). However, the presence of synovitis in GS and PD mode (in both cases at proximal interphalangeal level) was more frequent in patients with longer dactylitis duration (p < 0.001). When detected in the chronic form, flexor tenosynovitis was grade 2 or lower.

CONCLUSION

In a large cohort of PsA hand dactylitis, we found a predominant extracapsular inflammation (flexor tenosynovitis and soft tissue edema) in early cases and a high prevalence of joint synovitis at proximal interphalangeal level in the chronic form. However, longitudinal imaging studies are needed to clarify these aspects.

Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that affects 14%- 30% of patients with skin and/or nail psoriasis, leading to severe physical limitations and disability. It has been included in the group of spondyloarthropathy with which it shares clinical, radiologic, and serologic features in addition to familial and genetic relationship. Beyond skin and joint involvement, psoriatic arthritis is characterized by a high prevalence of extra-articular manifestation and comorbidities, such as autoimmune, infectious and neoplastic diseases. In particular, an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidity has been observed in psoriatic arthritis patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE) up until January 2017. Studies were included if they contained data on CV disease and/or risk factors in PsA and each article was then reviewed for quality and clinical relevance. After completing the literature search all screened literature was summarized and discussed in our study group (CaRDDs study group). All literature and comments were included in the systematic review.

RESULTS

The initial search produced 278 abstracts, which were narrowed to 83 potentially relevant articles by preliminary review of the titles and by excluding review articles and case report (n = 195). Thirty articles were deemed ineligible after examining the abstracts. Full texts of the remaining 53 articles were retrieved. The majority of articles excluded were due to only providing data on patients with psoriasis or due to being not relevant to the CV risk in PsA. In the end, 32 articles were deemed eligible for this review.

CONCLUSION

Psoriatic arthritis appeared significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction and, in turn, with an increased cardiovascular risk. Thus, patients with psoriatic arthritis may benefit from a periodic assessment of surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk. This could help to establish more specific cardiovascular prevention strategies for these patients.

Prostate Cancer: Transrectal High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Local Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy or Radiotherapy

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as salvage therapy for locally recurrent prostate cancer after external beam radiotherapy or recurrences located in the region of vesicourethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy.

Methods

Transrectal biopsy of the prostate (recurrence after radiotherapy) or in the region of vesicourethral anastomosis (recurrence after prostatectomy) was performed in all cases at the time of biochemical relapse. Only patients with positive biopsy were treated. Systemic disease was excluded by PET-CT and bone scan. All treatments were carried out under spinal anesthesia. The device used was Ablatherm (EDAP, Lion, France). The patients were followed with PSA measurement every 3 months and clinical examination every 6 months. In case of biochemical relapse we performed re-biopsy.

Results

From 2002 to 2008 we treated 19 patients with local recurrence after radiotherapy. The mean follow-up was 30 months for each patient (range 6–72 months). 9 patients (47%) are disease-free at last follow-up, with PSA < 1 ng/mL. 9 patients experienced biochemical failure: 8 were treated with androgen deprivation, 1 with salvage prostatectomy. 2 patients died of the disease. Adverse events related to HIFU included 1 rectourethral fistula (observed before the use of specific parameters dedicated to this patient population) and mild incontinence (2–3 pads/die) in 4 patients. From 2002 to 2008 we treated 27 patients with a local recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Mean pre-HIFU PSA was 2.17 ng/mL (range 0.5–8 ng/ml); the Gleason score ranged from 5 to 8. All patients reached a minimum follow-up of 20 months (range 20–80 months). Median PSA nadir was 0.2 ng/ml. The disease-free rate was 51% (14/27); these patients have a median PSA of 0.2 ng/ml at last follow-up. 81% (22/27) of control biopsies were negative. There were no intra-operative or post-operative complications.

Conclusions

The small number of patients in our series limits our ability to draw any definitive conclusions. We believe that HIFU may be a potentially useful treatment option for patients who develop prostate cancer recurrence after external beam radiotherapy or in the region of vesicourethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy. The procedure is safe, side effects are acceptable and do not add significant morbidity to the previous radical treatment. HIFU lesions are targeted only to the area of recurrence. It is important to remember that, in case of failure, the patient can undertake any other therapies.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression of literature studies evaluating the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) and on the prevalence of carotid plaques. Studies evaluating the relationship between RA and markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk (CCA-IMT and prevalence of carotid plaques) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases. A total of 59 studies (4,317 RA patients and 3,606 controls) were included in the final analysis, 51 studies with data on CCA-IMT (52 data-sets on 3,600 RA patients and 3,020 controls) and 35 studies reporting on the prevalence of carotid plaques (2,859 RA patients and 2,303 controls). As compared to controls, RA patients showed a higher CCA-IMT (mean difference [MD]: 0.10 mm; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.07, 0.12; p < 0.00001), and an increased prevalence of carotid plaques (odds ratio [OR]: 3.61; 95 %CI: 2.65, 4.93; p< 0.00001). Interestingly, when analysing studies on early RA, the difference in CCAIMT among RA patients and controls was even higher (MD: 0.21 mm; 95 %CI: 0.06, 0.35; p=0.006), and difference in the prevalence of carotid plaques was entirely confirmed (OR: 3.57; 95 %CI: 1.69, 7.51; p=0.0008). Meta-regression models showed that male gender and a more severe inflammatory status [as expressed by disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] significantly impacted on CCA-IMT. In conclusion, RA appears significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk. These findings can be useful to plan adequate prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches.

Small molecule therapy for managing moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis

INTRODUCTION

The majority of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients experience a good clinical response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biologic therapies (bDMARDs). However, treatment failure with these drugs can represent a relevant clinical problem. Moreover, in daily clinical practice, the appropriate identification of patients eligible for these agents can be conditioned by numerous aspects, mainly represented by comorbidities, such as history of malignancies, chronic and recurrent infectious diseases. Areas covered: We searched in the PUBMED database and review published data on the efficacy and safety profile of the small molecules, inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4, apremilast, and of JAK/STAT pathways, tofacitinib, in PsA. Moreover, we report data on the other JAK inhibitor, baricitinib, and the A(3) adenosine receptors agonist, CF101, emerging by studies conducted in psoriasis patients. Expert opinion: In Psoriatic Arthritis, apremilast appears promising for PsA and recent studies have shown a good efficacy and an acceptable safety profile. Data on tofacitinib in PsA are limited. Studies on the small molecules, baricitinib and CF101 are still incomplete and limited to trials conducted in Rheumatoid Arthritis and in psoriasis. Further studies on small molecules and on their underlining mechanisms are advocated in PsA.

Clinical assessment of endothelial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis of literature studies

BACKGROUND

Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Flow-mediated (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) are considered non-invasive methods to assess endothelial function and surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression of literature studies evaluating the impact of RA on FMD and NMD. Studies evaluating the relationship between RA and markers of CV risk (FMD and NMD) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases. The random-effect method was used for analyses and results were expressed as mean difference (MD).

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies (852 RA patients, 836 controls) were included in the final analysis. In detail, 20 studies with data on FMD (852 cases, 836 controls) and 5 studies with data on NMD (207 cases, 147 controls) were analyzed. Compared to controls, RA patients showed a significantly lower FMD (MD: -2.16%; 95% CI: -3.33, -0.98; P=0.0003), with no differences in NMD (MD: -0.41%; 95% CI: -2.89, 2.06; P=0.74). Interestingly, a lower FMD (MD: -2.00%; 95% CI: -3.20, -0.80; P=0.001) and no differences in NMD (P=0.49) were confirmed when excluding data on patients with early-RA. Meta-regression models showed that a more severe inflammatory status was associated with a more significant impairment in FMD.

CONCLUSIONS

RA patients show impaired FMD, which is currently considered an independent predictor of CV events. The presence of endothelial dysfunction in RA should be taken into account to plan adequate prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches.

Cardiovascular risk markers in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A meta-analysis of literature studies

INTRODUCTION

Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We performed a meta-analysis on the impact of PsA on major markers of CV risk.

METHODS

Studies on the relationship between PsA and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), prevalence of carotid plaques, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE databases.

RESULTS

Sixteen case-control studies (898 cases, 1,140 controls) were included. Compared to controls, PsA patients showed a higher CCA-IMT (MD 0.07 mm; 95% CI 0.04, 0.11; P < 0.0001), and a higher frequency of carotid plaques (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.03, 9.39; P = 0.04). Moreover, a lower FMD was found in PsA subjects than in controls (MD -2.56%; 95% CI -4.17, -0.94; P = 0.002), with no differences in NMD (MD -0.40%; 95% CI -1.19, 0.39; P = 0.32). Because of the low number of studies, no meta- analytical evaluation was performed for PWV, AIx, and ABI. Despite heterogeneity among studies, PsA appears significantly associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk.

DISCUSSION

These findings could help to establish more specific CV prevention strategies in this clinical setting.

Non-invasive assessment of arterial stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature studies

INTRODUCTION

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are non-invasive methods to assess arterial stiffness, a marker of CV risk. We performed a meta-analysis evaluating the impact of RA on aortic-PWV, brachial-PWV, brachial-ankle (ba-) PWV, AIx, and AIx normalized to a 75 beats/minute heart rate (AIx@75).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studies evaluating the relationship between RA and aortic-PWV, brachial-PWV, ba-PWV, AIx, and AIx@75 were systematically searched. A total of 25 studies (1,472 RA patients, 1,583 controls) were included.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, RA patients showed a significantly higher aortic-PWV (mean difference 1.32 m/s; 95% CI 0.77, 1.88; P < 0.00001), ba-PWV (MD 198.42 cm/s; 95% CI 45.79, 342.76; P = 0.01), AIx (MD 11.50%; 95% CI 5.15, 17.86; P = 0.0004), and AIx@75 (MD 6.99%; 95% CI 4.92, 9.06; P < 0.00001), with a trend toward a higher brachial-PWV (MD 0.34 m/s; 95% CI -0.03, 0.70; P = 0.07). When analyzing studies on early RA, the difference in aortic-PWV among RA patients and controls was even higher (MD 2.30 m/s; 95% CI 1.15, 3.45; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Meta-regression showed that a more severe inflammatory status impacted on aortic-PWV, AIx, and AIx@75. Arterial stiffness, a recognized marker of CV risk, is increased in RA patients. This alteration is associated with the severity of the inflammatory status and is present even in early-stage disease.

[Prostate cancer: transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of local recurrence after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy]

OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as salvage therapy for locally recurrent prostate cancer after external beam radiotherapy or recurrences located in the region of vesicourethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy. METHODS. Transrectal biopsy of the prostate (recurrence after radiotherapy) or in the region of vesicourethral anastomosis (recurrence after prostatectomy) was performed in all cases at the time of biochemical relapse. Only patients with positive biopsy were treated. Systemic disease was excluded by PET-CT and bone scan. All treatments were carried out under spinal anesthesia. The device used was Ablatherm (EDAP, Lion, France). The patients were followed with PSA measurement every 3 months and clinical examination every 6 months. In case of biochemical relapse we performed re-biopsy. RESULTS. From 2002 to 2008 we treated 19 patients with local recurrence after radiotherapy. The mean follow-up was 30 months for each patient (range 6-72 months). 9 patients (47%) are disease-free at last followup, with PSA < 1 ng/mL. 9 patients experienced biochemical failure: 8 were treated with androgen deprivation, 1 with salvage prostatectomy. 2 patients died of the disease. Adverse events related to HIFU included 1 rectourethral fistula (observed before the use of specific parameters dedicated to this patient population) and mild incontinence (2-3 pads/die) in 4 patients. From 2002 to 2008 we treated 27 patients with a local recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Mean pre-HIFU PSA was 2.17 ng/mL (range 0.5-8 ng/ml); the Gleason score ranged from 5 to 8. All patients reached a minimum follow-up of 20 months (range 20-80 months). Median PSA nadir was 0.2 ng/ml. The disease-free rate was 51% (14/27); these patients have a median PSA of 0.2 ng/ml at last follow-up. 81% (22/27) of control biopsies were negative. There were no intra-operative or post-operative complications. CONCLUSIONS. The small number of patients in our series limits our ability to draw any definitive conclusions. We believe that HIFU may be a potentially useful treatment option for patients who develop prostate cancer recurrence after external beam radiotherapy or in the region of vesicourethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy. The procedure is safe, side effects are acceptable and do not add significant morbidity to the previous radical treatment. HIFU lesions are targeted only to the area of recurrence. It is important to remember that, in case of failure, the patient can undertake any other therapies.