Systematic review and meta-analysis: anti-tumor necrosis factor α therapy and cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis

Autoimmune diseases and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Autoimmune diseases are associated with a dramatically increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its clinical manifestations. The increased risk is consistent with the notion that atherogenesis is modulated by both protective and disease-promoting immune mechanisms. Notably, traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidaemia and hypertension alone do not explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with autoimmune diseases. Several mechanisms have been implicated in mediating the autoimmunity-associated cardiovascular risk, either directly or by modulating the effect of other risk factors in a complex interplay. Aberrant leukocyte function and pro-inflammatory cytokines are central to both disease entities, resulting in vascular dysfunction, impaired resolution of inflammation and promotion of chronic inflammation. Similarly, loss of tolerance to self-antigens and the generation of autoantibodies are key features of autoimmunity but are also implicated in the maladaptive inflammatory response during atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, immunomodulatory therapies are potential efficacious interventions to directly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and biomarkers of autoimmune disease activity could be relevant tools to stratify patients with autoimmunity according to their cardiovascular risk. In this Review, we discuss the pathophysiological aspects of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with autoimmunity and highlight the many open questions that need to be answered to develop novel therapies that specifically address this unmet clinical need.

Inflammation and aging-related disease: A transdisciplinary inflammaging framework

Inflammaging, a state of chronic, progressive low-grade inflammation during aging, is associated with several adverse clinical outcomes, including frailty, disability, and death. Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of aging and is linked to the pathogenesis of many aging-related diseases. Anti-inflammatory therapies are also increasingly being studied as potential anti-aging treatments, and clinical trials have shown benefits in selected aging-related diseases. Despite promising advances, significant gaps remain in defining, measuring, treating, and integrating inflammaging into clinical geroscience research. The Clin-STAR Inflammation Research Interest Group was formed by a group of transdisciplinary clinician-scientists with the goal of advancing inflammaging-related clinical research and improving patient-centered care for older adults. Here, we integrate insights from nine medical subspecialties to illustrate the widespread impact of inflammaging on diseases linked to aging, highlighting the extensive opportunities for targeted interventions. We then propose a transdisciplinary approach to enhance understanding and treatment of inflammaging that aims to improve comprehensive care for our aging patients.

The association of TNF inhibitor use with incident cardiovascular events in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

BACKGROUND

Whether tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) use is cardioprotective among individuals with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), who have heightened cardiovascular (CV) risk, is unclear. We tested the association of TNFi use with incident CV outcomes in r-axSpA.

METHODS

We identified a r-axSpA cohort within a Veterans Affairs database between 2002 and 2019 using novel phenotyping methods and secondarily using ICD codes. TNFi use was assessed as a time-varying exposure using pharmacy dispense records. The primary outcome was incident CV disease identified using ICD codes for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction or stroke. We fit Cox models with inverse probability weights to estimate the risk of each outcome with TNFi use versus non-use. Analyses were performed in the overall cohort, and separately in two periods (2002-2010, 2011-2019) to account for secular trends.

RESULTS

Using phenotyping we identified 26,928 individuals with an r-axSpA diagnosis (mean age 63.4 years, 94 % male); at baseline 3633 were TNFi users and 23,295 were non-users. During follow-up of a mean 3.3 ± 4.2 years, 674 (18.6 %) TNFi users had incident CVD versus 11,838 (50.8 %) non-users. In adjusted analyses, TNFi use versus non-use was associated with lower risk of incident CVD (HR 0.34, 95 % CI 0.29-0.40) in the cohort overall, and in the two time periods separately.

CONCLUSION

In this r-axSpA cohort identified using phenotyping methods, TNFi use versus non-use had a lower risk of incident CVD. These findings provide reassurance regarding the CV safety of TNFi agents for r-axSpA treatment. Replication of these results in other cohorts is needed.

Exploring Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the peripheral diarthrodial joints symmetrically and also presenting many extra-articular manifestations. Morbidity and mortality in RA patients are higher compared to the general population. Cardiovascular (CV) disease is one of the most common causes of death in these patients. Classical or traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis development occur more frequently in RA patients compared to those without this condition. Studies have showed that RA patients often present comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and obesity. However, the high incidence of CV events occurring in RA patients is not explained by the presence of traditional risk factors. Systemic inflammation, as it is expressed with the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and increased acute phase reactants, may contribute to the development of premature atherosclerosis in these patients. In this review, we explore the risk factors for CV disease, the generation of dyslipidemia, the lipid paradox and the role of systemic inflammation in the atherosclerotic process in RA. We discuss also the role of early therapeutic intervention that suppresses inflammation which may have beneficial effects on CV disease in RA patients.

Increased risk of cardiovascular events under the treatments with Janus kinase inhibitors versus biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective longitudinal population-based study using the Japanese health insurance database

OBJECTIVES

To compare the risk of cardiovascular events among Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKIs), biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFIs) and non-TNFIs) and methotrexate (MTX) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Using Japanese claims data, patients with RA were enrolled in this study if they had at least one ICD-10 code (M05 or M06), were new users of JAKIs, bDMARDs or MTX between July 2013 and July 2020 and being 18 years old or older. The incidence rate (IR), IR ratio and adjusted hazard ratio (aHR (95% CI)) of cardiovascular events including venous thromboembolism, arterial thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction and stroke were calculated. A time-dependent Cox regression model adjusted for patient characteristics at baseline was used to calculate aHR.

RESULTS

In 53 448 cases, IRs/1000 patient-years of the overall cardiovascular events were 10.1, 6.8, 5.4, 9.1 and 11.3 under the treatments with JAKIs, bDMARDs, TNFIs, non-TNFIs and MTX, respectively. The adjusted HRs of JAKIs for overall cardiovascular events were 1.7 (1.1 to 2.5) versus TNFIs without MTX and 1.7 (1.1 to 2.7) versus TNFIs with MTX.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with RA, individuals using JAKIs had a significantly higher risk of overall cardiovascular events than TNFIs users, which was attributed to the difference in the risk between JAKIs and TNFIs versus MTX. These data should be interpreted with caution because of the limitations associated with the claims database.

Designing target trials using electronic health records: A case study of second-line disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and cardiovascular disease outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

Emulation of the "target trial" (TT), a hypothetical pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT), using observational data can be used to mitigate issues commonly encountered in comparative effectiveness research (CER) when randomized trials are not logistically, ethically, or financially feasible. However, cardiovascular (CV) health research has been slow to adopt TT emulation. Here, we demonstrate the design and analysis of a TT emulation using electronic health records to study the comparative effectiveness of the addition of a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) to a regimen of methotrexate on CV events among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

METHODS

We used data from an electronic medical records-based cohort of RA patients from Northwestern Medicine to emulate the TT. Follow-up began 3 months after initial prescription of MTX (2000-2020) and included all available follow-up through June 30, 2020. Weighted pooled logistic regression was used to estimate differences in CVD risk and survival. Cloning was used to handle immortal time bias and weights to improve baseline and time-varying covariate imbalance.

RESULTS

We identified 659 eligible people with RA with average follow-up of 46 months and 31 MACE events. The month 24 adjusted risk difference for MACE comparing initiation vs non-initiation of a DMARD was -1.47% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -4.74, 1.95%), and the marginal hazard ratio (HR) was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.23). In analyses subject to immortal time bias, the HR was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.29-1.44).

CONCLUSION

In this sample, we did not observe evidence of differences in risk of MACE, a finding that is compatible with previously published meta-analyses of RCTs. Thoughtful application of the TT framework provides opportunities to conduct CER in observational data. Benchmarking results of observational analyses to previously published RCTs can lend credibility to interpretation.

Reducing cardiovascular risk in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors compared to conventional therapies-A systematic review and meta-analysis

Immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) patients including psoriasis, inflammatory arthritides and bowel diseases have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) diseases compared to the general population. The increased CV risk may be promoted by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-mediated immunological processes, which are present both in the pathomechanism of IMIDs and atherosclerosis. Our objective was to comprehensively investigate the effect of TNF inhibitors (TNFi) on CV risk compared with conventional therapies in IMIDs. The systematic literature search was conducted in three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) on 14 November 2022. Randomized controlled trials, cohort and case-control studies were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes consisted of the incidence of CV events, with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) as a main endpoint. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed by pooling fully adjusted multivariate hazard ratios (HR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) comparing TNFis with conventional systemic non-biologicals (CSNBs). Of a total of 8724 search results, 56 studies were included overall, of which 29 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis, and 27 were involved in the systematic review. Including all IMIDs, the TNFi group showed a significantly reduced risk of MACE compared with the CSNB group (HR = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.95, p = 0.025; IRR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.88, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of Pso, PsA patients by pooling IRRs also confirmed the significantly decreased risk of MACE in TNFi-treated patients compared with CSNB groups (IRR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98). The observational nature of most included studies leading to high heterogeneity represents a limitation. Based on the results, TNFis may reduce the risk of CV events compared to CSNBs. Therefore, earlier use of TNFis compared to conventional systemic agents in the therapeutic sequence may benefit CV risk in IMID patients.

Combined use of QRISK3 and SCORE2 increases identification of ankylosing spondylitis patients at high cardiovascular risk: Results from the CARMA Project cohort after 7.5 years of follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To establish the predictive value of the QRESEARCH risk estimator version 3 (QRISK3) algorithm in identifying Spanish patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and CV mortality. We also sought to determine whether to combine QRISK3 with another CV risk algorithm: the traditional SCORE, the modified SCORE (mSCORE) EULAR 2015/2016 or the SCORE2 may increase the identification of AS patients with high-risk CV disease.

METHODS

Information of 684 patients with AS from the Spanish prospective CARdiovascular in ReuMAtology (CARMA) project who at the time of the initial visit had no history of CV events and were followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics of tertiary centers for 7.5 years was reviewed. The risk chart algorithms were retrospectively tested using baseline data.

RESULTS

After 4,907 years of follow-up, 33 AS patients had experienced CV events. Linearized rate=6.73 per 1000 person-years (95 % CI: 4.63, 9.44). The four CV risk scales were strongly correlated. QRISK3 correctly discriminated between people with lower and higher CV risk, although the percentage of accumulated events over 7.5 years was clearly lower than expected according to the risk established by QRISK3. Also, mSCORE EULAR 2015/2016 showed the same discrimination ability as SCORE, although the percentage of predicted events was clearly higher than the percentage of actual events. SCORE2 also had a strong discrimination capacity according to CV risk. Combining QRISK3 with any other scale improved the model. This was especially true for the combination of QRISK3 and SCORE2 which achieved the lowest AIC (406.70) and BIC (415.66), so this combination would be the best predictive model.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients from the Spanish CARMA project, the four algorithms tested accurately discriminated those AS patients with higher CV risk and those with lower CV risk. Moreover, a model that includes QRISK3 and SCORE2 combined the best discrimination ability of QRISK3 with the best calibration of SCORE2.

Chronic TNF exposure induces glucocorticoid-like immunosuppression in the alveolar macrophages of aged mice that enhances their susceptibility to pneumonia

Chronic low-grade inflammation, particularly elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels, occurs due to advanced age and is associated with greater susceptibility to infection. One reason for this is age-dependent macrophage dysfunction (ADMD). Herein, we use the adoptive transfer of alveolar macrophages (AM) from aged mice into the airway of young mice to show that inherent age-related defects in AM were sufficient to increase the susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive bacterium and the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia. MAPK phosphorylation arrays using AM lysates from young and aged wild-type (WT) and TNF knockout (KO) mice revealed multilevel TNF-mediated suppression of kinase activity in aged mice. RNAseq analyses of AM validated the suppression of MAPK signaling as a consequence of TNF during aging. Two regulatory phosphatases that suppress MAPK signaling, Dusp1 and Ptprs, were confirmed to be upregulated with age and as a result of TNF exposure both ex vivo and in vitro. Dusp1 is known to be responsible for glucocorticoid-mediated immune suppression, and dexamethasone treatment increased Dusp1 and Ptprs expression in cells and recapitulated the ADMD phenotype. In young mice, treatment with dexamethasone increased the levels of Dusp1 and Ptprs and their susceptibility to infection. TNF-neutralizing antibody reduced Dusp1 and Ptprs levels in AM from aged mice and reduced pneumonia severity following bacterial challenge. We conclude that chronic exposure to TNF increases the expression of the glucocorticoid-associated MAPK signaling suppressors, Dusp1 and Ptprs, which inhibits AM activation and increases susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia in older adults.

Factors associated with change in arterial stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the JointHeart study

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) predominantly affects women and is associated with hypertension and arterial stiffness. We explored factors associated with change in arterial stiffness in patients with RA treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy.

METHODS

Seventy-seven outpatients with RA (age 55 ± 11, 69% women), with indication for treatment with biological or targeted synthetic DMARDs, were included. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx) and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) were measured at baseline and after a mean of 22 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

At follow-up, 83% used DMARDs and 73% had achieved remission or low disease activity. DAS28 decreased from 3.8 ± 1.3 to 2.8 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001). Mean PWV increased from 7.8 ± 1.6 m/s at baseline to 8.5 ± 1.8 m/s at follow-up (p < 0.001), while AP and AIx were stable. Increase in PWV during follow-up was associated with increase in systolic blood pressure (BP), diabetes, higher DAS28 and body mass index (BMI) at baseline, independent of achieved remission/low disease activity and use of DMARDs at follow-up. In multivariable analyses at follow-up, female sex was associated with higher AP and AIx, but with lower PWV, after adjusting for possible confounders.

CONCLUSION

In patients with RA, higher disease activity, BMI and diabetes at baseline, together with increase in office systolic BP were associated with an increase in arterial stiffness during follow-up, despite DMARD therapy. This highlights the need for management of cardiovascular risk factors in addition to reducing the inflammatory load in patients with RA to preserve arterial function.

Incidence and risk factors of major cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis: A population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.

METHODS

A population-based retrospective cohort of RA and PsA patients was identified in a citywide database. All patients recruited from Jan 2006 to Dec 2015 were followed until the end of 2018. The outcome was the occurrence of a first MACE. Covariates of interest included traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, inflammatory markers and pharmacotherapies. The independent predictors of MACE were identified by the time-dependent cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

A total of 13,905 patients (12,233 RA and 1,672 PsA) were recruited. After a total of 119,571 patient-years of follow-up, 934 (6.7%) patients developed a first MACE. RA and PsA patients had similar adjusted incidence (incidence rate ratio 0.96, 95 % CI 0.75-1.22, p = 0.767). After adjusting for traditional CV risk factors, the time-varying erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and the use of glucocorticoids were independently associated with higher risk of MACE in both the RA and PsA cohorts. In RA, the use of methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were associated with fewer MACE. The use of biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was not associated with MACE in both RA and PsA.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of MACE was similar in RA and PsA. Systemic inflammation and glucocorticoid use independently increased the risk of MACE in inflammatory arthritis, while methotrexate and NSAIDs use were protective against the development of MACE in RA.

Cardiovascular Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disorder that characteristically affects the joints. RA has extra-articular manifestations that can impact multiple organ systems including the heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and brain. Cardiovascular involvement is a leading cause of mortality in RA. Cardiovascular manifestations of RA include accelerated atherosclerosis, heart failure, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, rheumatoid nodules, and amyloidosis. Inflammation is an important mediator of endothelial dysfunction and is a key driver of cardiovascular risk and complications in patients with RA. Prompt identification of cardiac pathologies in patients with RA is essential for appropriate management and treatment. Choosing the most appropriate treatment regimen is based on individual patient factors. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and medical management of cardiovascular manifestations of RA. We also discuss the relationship between anti-rheumatic medications, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, methotrexate, statins, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, interleukin-6 inhibitors, Janus kinase inhibitors, and cardiovascular disease.

Long-term safety of biologic and targeted synthetic disease modifying drugs in rheumatology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The landscape for treatment of rheumatic diseases is ever evolving, with several new drugs recently approved across diseases and more in the pipeline. This timely review aims to highlight the latest literature on long-term safety profiles of salient established and emerging biologic (b) and targeted synthetic (ts) disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

RECENT FINDINGS

The risk of infection remains elevated with the use of most b and tsDMARDs, with specifically risk of hepatitis B reactivation with rituximab and zoster infection with JAK inhibitors (JAKi). The results of the ORAL surveillance trial led to new black box warnings for JAKi and evoked critical risk-benefit discussions surrounding JAKi and DMARDs overall.

SUMMARY

Such well conducted trials are needed to gather long term comparative safety data of DMARDs. In the interim, real world observational studies also have a role to play in our understanding of long-term drug safety, provided that detailed attention is paid to minimize biases inherent in observational studies.

Stroke risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients: exploring connections and implications for patient care

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can independently increase the risk of stroke, affecting both young and adult RA patients. Recent attention has been drawn to the association between stroke and RA, supported by mounting evidence. Given that stroke is a significant and an urgent public health concern, this review aims to highlight the relationship between stroke and RA, covering mechanisms, underlying risk factors, early detection tools, and treatment implications. By uncovering the connection that links RA to stroke, we can pave the way for targeted healthcare practices and the development of preventive strategies for individuals with RA. Therefore, further research is imperative to deepen our understanding of this association and, ideally, guide treatment decisions for individuals at risk of both RA and stroke.

Systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis (eczema): Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition with multiple systemic treatments and uncertainty regarding their comparative impact on AD outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to systematically synthesize the benefits and harms of AD systemic treatments.

METHODS

For the 2023 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters AD guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and GREAT databases from inception to November 29, 2022, for randomized trials addressing systemic treatments and phototherapy for AD. Paired reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Random-effects network meta-analyses addressed AD severity, itch, sleep, AD-related quality of life, flares, and harms. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach informed certainty of evidence ratings. This review is registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/e5sna).

RESULTS

The 149 included trials (28,686 patients with moderate-to-severe AD) evaluated 75 interventions. With high-certainty evidence, high-dose upadacitinib was among the most effective for 5 of 6 patient-important outcomes; high-dose abrocitinib and low-dose upadacitinib were among the most effective for 2 outcomes. These Janus kinase inhibitors were among the most harmful in increasing adverse events. With high-certainty evidence, dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab were of intermediate effectiveness and among the safest, modestly increasing conjunctivitis. Low-dose baricitinib was among the least effective. Efficacy and safety of azathioprine, oral corticosteroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, phototherapy, and many novel agents are less certain.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with moderate-to-severe AD, high-certainty evidence demonstrates that high-dose upadacitinib is among the most effective in addressing multiple patient-important outcomes, but also is among the most harmful. High-dose abrocitinib and low-dose upadacitinib are effective, but also among the most harmful. Dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab are of intermediate effectiveness and have favorable safety.

Sex-specific differences in cardiovascular risk factors and implications for cardiovascular disease prevention in women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for women globally. Sex differences exist in the relative risks conferred by traditional CVD risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking. Additionally, there are female-specific risk factors, including age of menarche and menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility and the use of assisted reproductive technology, spontaneous pregnancy loss, parity, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, as well as female-predominant conditions such as autoimmune diseases, migraines, and depression, that enhance women's cardiovascular risk across the lifespan. Along with measurement of traditional risk factors, these female-specific factors should also be ascertained as a part of cardiovascular risk assessment to allow for a more comprehensive overview of the risk for developing cardiometabolic disorders and CVD. When present, these factors can identify women at elevated cardiovascular risk, who may benefit from more intensive preventive interventions, including lifestyle changes and/or pharmacotherapy such as statins. This review describes sex differences in traditional risk factors and female-specific/female-predominant risk factors for CVD and examines the role of coronary artery calcium scores and certain biomarkers that can help further risk stratify patients and guide preventive recommendations.

Dyslipidemia in rheumatoid arthritis: the possible mechanisms

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, of which the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in RA decrease especially under hyperinflammatory conditions. It is conflictive with the increased risk of CVD in RA, which is called "lipid paradox". The systemic inflammation may explain this apparent contradiction. The increased systemic proinflammatory cytokines in RA mainly include interleukin-6(IL-6)、interleukin-1(IL-1)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α). The inflammation of RA cause changes in the subcomponents and structure of HDL particles, leading to a weakened anti-atherosclerosis function and promoting LDL oxidation and plaque formation. Dysfunctional HDL can further worsen the abnormalities of LDL metabolism, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the specific mechanisms underlying lipid changes in RA and increased CVD risk remain unclear. Therefore, this article comprehensively integrates the latest existing literature to describe the unique lipid profile of RA, explore the mechanisms of lipid changes, and investigate the impact of lipid changes on cardiovascular disease.

[Drug therapy of rheumatoid arthritis: where do biologics and novel synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs stand today?]

Biologics and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors play an important role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. As new therapeutic developments have emerged in recent decades, the morbidity and mortality of rheumatoid arthritis have been significantly reduced. The characterization of the structure and function of immune cell receptors has led to the development of biologics that specifically inhibit cytokines and immune cell receptors. An important therapeutic addition was the approval of JAK inhibitors, which act directly on intracellular signaling by tyrosine kinases. This article provides an overview of the current therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis with a special focus on indication, mechanism of action and the place in the treatment algorithm of biologics and JAK inhibitors.

Risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with conventional synthetic, biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: observational data from the German RABBIT register

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effects of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi), tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), other biologic(b) or conventional synthetic(cs) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Cohort study analysing episodes of DMARD-treatment initiated between January 2017 and April 2022 in the biologics register Rheumatoid Arthritis: Observation of Biologic Therapy. Incidence rates (IRs) per 100 patient-years with 95% CIs were calculated for overall patients and those with cardiovascular risk (age ≥50 years and ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor). MACE risk was estimated as HRs by inverse probability of treatment weight-adjusted Andersen-Gill models.

RESULTS

A total of 154 MACE occurred among 14 203 treatment episodes (21 218 patient-years). IRs were 0.68 (0.47; 0.95), 0.62 (0.45; 0.83), 0.76 (0.53; 1.06) and 0.95 (0.68; 1.29) for JAKi, TNFi, bDMARDs and csDMARDs, respectively. IRs were higher in cardiovascular risk patients. Adjusted HRs (95% CI) comparing JAKi, bDMARDs and csDMARDs with TNFi were 0.89 (0.52 to 1.52), 0.76 (0.45; to1.27) and 1.36 (0.85 to 2.19) in overall, and 0.74 (0.41 to 1.31), 0.75 (0.45 to 1.27) and 1.21 (0.74 to 1.98) in cardiovascular risk patients. HRs were not increased in patients ≥65 years, with cardiovascular history or smokers, and also not when using csDMARD as reference instead of TNFi. IRs for baricitinib, tofacitinib and upadacitinib were 0.49 (0.25 to 0.85), 0.98 (0.58 to 1.55) and 0.53 (0.15 to 1.36), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this German observational cohort study, MACE did not occur more frequently with JAKi compared with other DMARDs. However, individual JAKis showed different unadjusted IRs.

The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize experimental and clinical evidence on the association between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and discuss potential treatment considerations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Experimental evidence suggests that TNF-α is a cytokine with a critical role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Although, the production of TNF-α may be an early event during the course of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), TNF-α may play a more substantial role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NAFLD-associated fibrosis. Moreover, TNF-α may potentiate hepatic insulin resistance, thus interconnecting inflammatory with metabolic signals and possibly contributing to the development of NAFLD-related comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extra-hepatic malignancies. In clinical terms, TNF-α is probably associated with the severity of NAFLD; circulating TNF-α gradually increases from controls to patients with NAFL, and then, to patients with NASH. Given this potential association, various therapeutic interventions (obeticholic acid, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, probiotics, synbiotics, rifaximin, vitamin E, pentoxifylline, ursodeoxycholic acid, fibroblast growth factor-21, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, statins, angiotensin receptor blockers) have been evaluated for their effect on TNF-α and NAFLD. Interestingly, anti-TNF biologics have shown favorable metabolic and hepatic effects, which may open a possible therapeutic window for the management of advanced NAFLD. The potential key pathogenic role of TNF-α in NAFLD warrants further investigation and may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Five-year cardiovascular event risk in early rheumatoid arthritis patients who received treat-to-target management: a case-control study

OBJECTIVES

This study explored whether the excess cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) risk in RA could be ameliorated by suppression of inflammation using a treat-to-target (T2T) approach. We compared the CV event (CVE) incidence among ERA patients managed by a T2T strategy with a CV risk factor-matched non-RA population and a historical RA cohort (HRA).

METHODS

This was an observational study using the city-wide hospital data and the ERA registry. ERA patients received T2T management while HRA patients received routine care. Each ERA/HRA patient was matched to three non-RA controls according to age, gender and CV risk factors. Patients on antiplatelet/anticoagulant agents, with pre-existing CVD, chronic kidney disease or other autoimmune diseases were excluded. All subjects were followed for up to 5 years. The primary end point was the first occurrence of a CVE.

RESULTS

The incidence of CVE in the ERA cohort (n = 261) and ERA controls were similar with a hazard ratio of 0.53 (95% CI 0.15, 1.79). In contrast, the incidence of CVE in the HRA cohort (n = 268) was significantly higher than that of the HRA controls with a hazard ratio of 1.9 (95% CI 1.16, 3.13). The incidence of CVE in the ERA cohort was significantly lower than that of the HRA cohort and the difference became insignificant after adjusting for inflammation, the use of methotrexate and traditional CV risk factors.

CONCLUSION

ERA patients managed by a T2T strategy did not develop excess CVE compared with CV risk factor-matched controls over 5 years.

Cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with targeted synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: A multi-centre cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the cardiovascular safety of interleukin-6 inhibitors (IL-6i) and Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKi) to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using population-based electronic databases from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. We identified newly diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received b/tsDMARDs first time. We followed patients from b/tsDMARD initiation to the earliest outcome (acute coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, venous thromboembolism and systemic embolism) or censoring events (death, transformation of b/tsDMARDs on different targets, discontinuation and study end). Using TNFi as reference, we applied generalized linear regression for the incidence rate ratio estimation adjusted by age, sex, disease duration and comorbidities. Random effects meta-analysis was used for pooled analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 8689 participants for this study. Median (interquartile range) follow-up years were 1.45 (2.77) in Hong Kong, 1.72 (2.39) in Taiwan and 1.45 (2.46) in Korea. Compared to TNFi, the adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of IL-6i in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea are 0.99 (0.25, 3.95), 1.06 (0.57, 1.98) and 1.05 (0.59, 1.86) and corresponding aIRR of JAKi are 1.50 (0.42, 5.41), 0.60 (0.26, 1.41), and 0.81 (0.38, 1.74), respectively. Pooled aIRRs showed no significant risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) associated with IL-6i (1.05 [0.70, 1.57]) nor JAKi (0.80 [0.48, 1.35]) compared to TNFi.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in the risk of CVE among RA patients initiated with IL-6i, or JAKi compared to TNFi. The finding is consistent in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea.

Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Development of Atherosclerosis: A Review

Uncontrolled chronic inflammation results in cardiovascular disease and early death. In this review, we studied the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on the cardiovascular system, including the early and accelerated development of atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations, focusing on the inflammatory mechanisms leading to arterial wall damage, rapid atherosclerotic plaque formation, and thrombosis. Furthermore, the effect of medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis on the cardiovascular system was studied. The effect of chronic inflammation and medication on traditional cardiovascular risk factors is not the main subject of this review. We observed that uncontrolled chronic inflammation and some medications directly impact all the stages of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, reducing inflammation and maintaining long-term remission in rheumatoid arthritis may prevent early atherosclerosis. We believe that this review will encourage a better interdisciplinary approach to the management of these patients and further research in this field.

Novel Anti-Inflammatory Therapies in Coronary Artery Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes

Evidence suggests that inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerosis and the consequent clinical presentation, including stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The most essential elements are cytokines, proteins with hormone-like properties that are produced by the immune cells, endothelial cells, platelets, fibroblasts, and some stromal cells. Interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6), chemokines, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are the cytokines commonly associated with endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and atherosclerosis. These molecules can be targeted by commonly used therapeutic substances or selective molecules that exert targeted anti-inflammatory actions. The most significant anti-inflammatory therapies are aspirin, statins, colchicine, IL-1β inhibitors, and IL-6 inhibitors, along with novel therapies such as TNF-α inhibitors and IL-1 receptor antagonists. Aspirin and statins are well-established therapies for atherosclerosis and CAD and their pleiotropic and anti-inflammatory actions contribute to their efficacy and favorable profile. Colchicine may also be considered in high-risk patients if recurrent ACS episodes occur when on optimal medical therapy according to the most recent guidelines. Recent randomized studies have also shown that therapies specifically targeting inflammatory interleukins and inflammation can reduce the risk for cardiovascular events, but these therapies are yet to be fully implemented in clinical practice. Preclinical research is also intense, targeting various inflammatory mediators that are believed to be implicated in CAD, namely repeated transfers of the soluble mutant of IFN-γ receptors, NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, IL-10 delivery by nanocarriers, chemokine modulatory treatments, and reacting oxygen species (ROS) targeting nanoparticles. Such approaches, although intriguing and promising, ought to be tested in clinical settings before safe conclusions can be drawn. Although the link between inflammation and atherosclerosis is significant, further studies are needed in order to elucidate this association and improve outcomes in patients with CAD.

Shared inflammatory pathways of rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

The association between chronic inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well established. In the general population, inflammation is an established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and much interest is placed on controlling inflammation to reduce cardiovascular events. As inflammation encompasses numerous pathways, the development of targeted therapies in RA provides an opportunity to understand the downstream effect of inhibiting specific pathways on cardiovascular risk. Data from these studies can inform cardiovascular risk management in patients with RA, and in the general population. This Review focuses on pro-inflammatory pathways targeted by existing therapies in RA and with mechanistic data from the general population on cardiovascular risk. Specifically, the discussions include the IL-1, IL-6 and TNF pathways, as well as the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signalling pathway, and the role of these pathways in RA pathogenesis in the joint alongside the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Overall, some robust data support inhibition of IL-1 and IL-6 in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, with growing data supporting IL-6 inhibition in both patients with RA and the general population to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Risk of venous thromboembolism with janus kinase inhibitors in inflammatory immune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of venous thrombosis (VTE) associated with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in patients diagnosed with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PUBMED, Cochrane, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating venous thromboembolic incidence after administering JAK inhibitors in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The studies were screened according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and a meta-analysis was performed. Results: A total of 16 studies, enrolling 17,242 participants, were included in this review. Four approved doses of JAK inhibitors were administered in the included studies. The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in the incidence of VTE between patients receiving JAK inhibitors, a placebo, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (RR 0.72, 95% CI (0.33-1.55); RR 0.94, 95%CI (0.33-2.69)). Subgroup analysis showed a lower risk of VTE with lower doses of JAK inhibitors [RR 0.56, 95%CI (0.36-0.88)]. Compared with the higher dose of tofacitinib, the lower dose was associated with a lower risk of pulmonary embolism [RR 0.37, 95%CI (0.18-0.78)]. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials observed a potential increase in the risk of VTE in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases treated with JAK inhibitors compared to placebo or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, though statistical significance was not attained. Notably, a higher risk of pulmonary embolism was observed with high doses of tofacitinib. Our findings provide valuable insights for physicians when evaluating the use of JAK inhibitors for patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023382544, identifier CRD42023382544.

Insights into the Role of Inflammation in the Management of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the biological basis of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke, the leading causes of death in the world. After decades of studies, the understanding of atherosclerosis has evolved dramatically, and inflammation has been recognized as one of the most relevant pillars in all phases of atherosclerotic disease. Nevertheless, only recently, the trial CANTOS, and subsequent outcome studies with colchicine, finally provided proof-of-concept evidence that anti-inflammatory therapies were able to reduce cardiovascular events with no influence on lipid levels. These landmark studies inaugurated an era of clinical and pre-clinical studies of immunomodulatory strategies focused on reduction of cardiovascular risk. Although there are promising results in the field, selection of the most appropriate immunomodulatory therapy and identification of patients who could benefit the most, are still enormous challenges. Further research is imperative before we can finally advance towards regular use of anti-inflammatory agents to reduce atherosclerotic events in our clinical practice.

Effect of TNF inhibitors on arterial stiffness and intima media thickness in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Controlling inflammation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is hypothesized to reduce their cardiovascular risk. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of TNF inhibitors on arterial stiffness and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in RA. MEDLINE, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov , and WHO Clinical Trials Registry were searched up to September 2021 for randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, and nonrandomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of TNF inhibitors on pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and IMT in RA. A meta-analysis was performed to assess changes of these measures after therapy during different follow-up periods. Risk of bias assessment was performed using an adjusted Downs and Black checklist (INPLASY: 2022-1-0131). Thirty studies were identified from 1436 records, of which 23 were included in the meta-analysis. PWV and AIx showed a decrease after treatment (PWV: mean difference (MD) -0.51 m/s (95% CI: -0.96, -0.06), p=0.027; AIx: MD -0.57% (95% CI: -2.11, 0.96), p=0.463, sensitivity analysis AIx: MD -1.21% (95% CI: -2.60, 0.19), p=0.089). For IMT, there was a slight increase in the first months of follow-up, but this disappeared on the long-term (overall timepoints MD -0.01 mm (95% CI: -0.04, 0.02), p=0.615). Heterogeneity was high in the overall analyses and subgroups with long follow-up periods (≥12 months). The included studies showed mixed results of the effects of TNF inhibitors on the surrogate markers. The pooled results suggest that PWV and AIx decrease over time, while IMT remains stable. This indicates a favorable effect of TNF inhibitors on the cardiovascular disease risk, all the more since these markers also increase with age.

Examining the potential direct cardiovascular benefit of tumor-necrosis factor inhibitor in rheumatoid arthritis: Natural and controlled direct effect analyses

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) may have a direct benefit on cardiovascular (CV) disease beyond reducing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity measured by the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI).

METHODS

We compared TNFi initiators and methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy initiators from the CorEvitas RA registry. Two approaches to the "direct effect" of TNFi beyond CDAI were used. In the natural direct effect (NDE) analysis, the potential CV benefit of TNFi was partitioned into NDE and the natural indirect effect (NIE) mediated by CDAI during the first 6 months. We also estimated the controlled direct effects (CDE), corresponding to the direct benefit of TNFi when CDAI trajectories were hypothetically equalized between the initiators of TNFi and MTX monotherapy at a constant value. Estimates were given on the hazard ratio scale.

RESULTS

We identified 5764 initiators of TNFi and 3588 initiators of MTX monotherapy. TNFi initiators were younger (58 vs. 64 years) with a shorter disease duration. Our total effect estimates (TNFi vs. MTX [reference]) were protective in direction (0.76-0.91). The NDE estimate was 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59, 0.98], whereas the NIE estimate was 1.00 [95%CI 1.00, 1.00]. In the CDE analyses accounting for longitudinal CDAI, the CDE estimates was 1.27 [95%CI 0.60, 2.69].

CONCLUSIONS

We could not convincingly demonstrate a direct benefit of TNFi outside its impact on CDAI. At present, the emphasis should be on the stringent control of RA disease activity, a known important CV risk factor, regardless of medication choice.

Reducing cardiovascular risk with immunomodulators: a randomised active comparator trial among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Recent large-scale randomised trials demonstrate that immunomodulators reduce cardiovascular (CV) events among the general population. However, it is uncertain whether these effects apply to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and if certain treatment strategies in RA reduce CV risk to a greater extent.

METHODS

Patients with active RA despite use of methotrexate were randomly assigned to addition of a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor (TNFi) or addition of sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine (triple therapy) for 24 weeks. Baseline and follow-up 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT scans were assessed for change in arterial inflammation, an index of CV risk, measured as an arterial target-to-background ratio (TBR) in the carotid arteries and aorta.

RESULTS

115 patients completed the protocol. The two treatment groups were well balanced with a median age of 58 years, 71% women, 57% seropositive and a baseline disease activity score in 28 joints of 4.8 (IQR 4.0, 5.6). Baseline TBR was similar across the two groups. Significant TBR reductions were observed in both groups-ΔTNFi: -0.24 (SD=0.51), Δtriple therapy: -0.19 (SD=0.51)-without difference between groups (difference in Δs: -0.02, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.15, p=0.79). While disease activity was significantly reduced across both treatment groups, there was no association with change in TBR (β=0.04, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.10).

CONCLUSION

We found that addition of either a TNFi or triple therapy resulted in clinically important improvements in vascular inflammation. However, the addition of a TNFi did not reduce arterial inflammation more than triple therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02374021.

Approaches to optimising access to NICE-approved biologic anti-TNFs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis with moderately active disease

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with joint pain and stiffness. Biologics represent some of the most effective treatments for RA, but previous guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has limited their use to patients with severely active disease. This has meant patients with moderately active RA have been treated as if they have an acceptable disease state, despite many cases where the inflammation has a major impact on joint damage, mobility, pain and quality of life. However, recent guideline changes (NICE TA715) have approved the use of three biologics - adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab - for the treatment of moderately active RA.

MAIN BODY

In response to these changes, we have held discussions with medical teams from across the UK to consider the main implications for implementation of these new recommendations, as well as any differences in approach that may exist at a local level. Several key challenges were identified. These included establishing methods of educating both physicians and patients concerning the new availability of the biologic treatments, with suggestions of various organisations that could be approached to circulate informative material. Identifying which patients with moderately active RA stand to benefit was another discussion topic. Relying solely on scoring systems like Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28) was acknowledged to have limitations, and alternative complementary approaches such as ultrasound, as well as assessing a patient's co-morbidities, could also be useful tools in determining those who could benefit from biologics. An additional challenge for the process of patient identification has been the increase in the use of telemedicine consultations in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. More use of patient-reported outcomes was raised as one possible solution, and the importance of maintaining up-to-date databases on patient disease scores and treatment history was also stressed.

CONCLUSION

While challenges exist in education and identifying patients who may benefit from the use of biologics, the NICE TA715 recommendations hold great potential in addressing an unmet need for the treatment of moderate RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of end-stage renal disease: A nationwide, population-based study

Introduction

Despite the risk of incident chronic kidney disease among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the association of RA and the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has not been clearly elucidated. We aimed to investigate the association of RA and the risk of ESRD.

Materials and methods

A total of 929,982 subjects with (n = 154,997) or without (n = 774,985) RA from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database in Koreas (corresponding to the period between 2009 and 2017) were retrospectively analyzed. RA was defined by the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), codes plus any dispensing of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The primary outcome was incident ESRD, identified by a combination of the ICD-10-CM codes and a special code assigned to patients receiving maintenance dialysis for ≥ 3 months or those with a transplant kidney.

Results

Compared to the subjects without RA, the subjects with RA resulted in an increased incidence of ESRD (incidence rates of 0.374 versus 0.810 cases per 1,000 person-years). Accordingly, compared to the subjects without RA, the risk of ESRD was significantly increased among the subjects with RA (adjusted hazard ratio 2.095, 95% confidence interval 1.902-2.308). Subgroup analyses revealed that the risk of ESRD imposed by RA is relatively higher in relatively young and healthy individuals.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increase the risk of ESRD. As the risk of ESRD imposed by RA is relatively higher in relatively young and healthy individuals, kidney-protective treatment, such as biologic agents, should be preferentially considered among these patients with RA.

Evidence for Biologic Drug Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid Drugs and Association with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Mitigation in Inflammatory Arthritis

Systemic auto-immune inflammatory arthritides are associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to those without these conditions, and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Newer biologic drug modifying antirheumatoid drugs (bDMARD) and small molecules have transformed treatment paradigms enabling tighter control of disease activity and in some cases, remission. There is evidence to suggest that the majority of bDMARDs may also reduce cardiovascular risk, although prospective interventional data remain sparse. Additionally, recent results raise concern for treatments targeting specific pathways that may negatively affect cardiovascular risk. This review will cover key biologic pathways targeted in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondyloarthropathies.

Advances in immunotherapy modalities for atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is the pathological basis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Atherosclerosis is now understood to be a long-term immune-mediated inflammatory condition brought on by a complicated chain of factors, including endothelial dysfunction, lipid deposits in the artery wall, and monocyte-derived macrophage infiltration, in which both innate immunity and adaptive immunity play an indispensable role. Recent studies have shown that atherosclerosis can be alleviated by inducing a protective immune response through certain auto-antigens or exogenous antigens. Some clinical trials have also demonstrated that atherosclerotic is associated with the presence of immune cells and immune factors in the body. Therefore, immunotherapy is expected to be a new preventive and curative measure for atherosclerosis. In this review, we provide a summary overview of recent progress in the research of immune mechanisms of atherosclerosis and targeted therapeutic pathways.

Safety of synthetic and biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To perform a systematic literature review (SLR) concerning the safety of synthetic(s) and biological (b) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

SLR of observational studies comparing safety outcomes of any DMARD with another intervention in RA. A comparator group was required for inclusion. For treatments yet without, or limited, registry data, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were used.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine observational studies addressed the safety of DMARDs. Two studies (unclear risk of bias (RoB)) showed an increased risk of serious infections with bDMARDs compared with conventional synthetic (cs)DMARDs. Herpes zoster infections occurred more with JAKi than csDMARDs (adjusted HR (aHR): 3.66) and bDMARDs (aHR: 1.9-2.3) (four studies, two low RoB). The risk of malignancies was similar across bDMARDs (five studies) and with tofacitinib compared with bDMARDs (one study, low RoB). The risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was similar with bDMARDs and tofacitinib (two studies, one low RoB). Thirty studies reported safety from RCTs, with one, designed to evaluate safety, showing that malignancies (HR (95% CI): 1.48 (1.04 to 2.09)) and MACE (HR (95% CI): 1.33 (0.91 to 1.94)) occurred numerically more frequently with tofacitinib (5 mg and 10 mg doses combined) than with TNFi in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) was higher with tofacitinib 10 mg than with TNFi.

CONCLUSION

The safety profile of bDMARDs was further demonstrated. Whether the difference in incidence of malignancies, MACE and VTE between tofacitinib and TNFi applies to other JAKi needs further evaluation.

The Effect of Anti-rheumatic Drugs on the Skeleton

The therapeutic armamentarium for rheumatoid arthritis has increased substantially over the last 20 years. Historically antirheumatic treatment was started late in the disease course and frequently included prolonged high-dose glucocorticoid treatment which was associated with accelerated generalised bone loss and increased vertebral and non-vertebral fracture risk. Newer biologic and targeted synthetic treatments and a combination of conventional synthetic DMARDs prevent accelerated systemic bone loss and may even allow repair of cortical bone erosions. Emerging data also gives new insight on the impact of long-term conventional synthetic DMARDs on bone health and fracture risk and highlights the need for ongoing studies for better understanding of "established therapeutics". An interesting new antirheumatic treatment effect is the potential of erosion repair with the use of biologic DMARDs and janus kinase inhibitors. Although several newer anti-rheumatic drugs seem to have favorable effects on bone mineral density in RA patients, these effects are modest and do not seem to influence the fracture risk thus far. We summarize recent developments and findings of the impact of anti-rheumatic treatments on localized and systemic bone integrity and health.

The assessment of the cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients on anti TNF therapy

Auto-immune rheumatic diseases are characterised by high levels of inflammation that accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, increasing the cardiovascular risk. Direct evaluation of arteries such as of intima media thickness measurement is a simple test that asesses the cerebral and cardiovascular risk. In the initial stages, an increase of the intimal media thickness can be observed. Later on, atherosclerosis (plaques), stenosis and occlusion of the arteries can be identified. Indirect evaluation of the cardiovascular risk can be performed using serological markers - fibrinogen, C reactive protein, estimated sedimentation rate, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins, homocysteine levels etc. The presence of certain lifestyle factors that increase the risk, such as smoking, sedentarism and associated pathologies such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension were assesed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the study is to prove the relationship between anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy effect on the cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Perioperative and anesthetic management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Our understanding and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have greatly improved, but perioperative and anesthetic management remain challenging. RA is not limited to joints; systemic evaluation is thus required when planning perioperative management. Especially, careful airway evaluation is needed; management of airway-related arthritis is challenging. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to prevent complications without exacerbating RA disease activity. Guidelines published in 2017 are available for perioperative management of anti-rheumatic medication in patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing elective total hip or total knee arthroplasty. However, the guidelines focus only on anti- rheumatic medications, and do not consider all aspects of perioperative management (including anesthesia). Here, we discuss the perioperative and anesthetic management of patients with RA.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease-associated Fatty Liver Disease: the Potential Effect of Biologic Agents

Inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] exhibit intestinal and systemic manifestations. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is a common co-existing condition, possibly contributing to the cardio-metabolic burden and overall morbidity. Εmerging therapeutic choices of biologic agents have modified the clinical course of IBD; however, their impact on IBD-associated NAFLD has not been extensively evaluated. The prevalence of NAFLD varies among IBD patients, but it appears higher than in the general population in the majority of quality studies. In terms of pathogenetic and risk factors of NAFLD, they may vary with IBD activity. Dysbiosis, mucosal damage, and cytokine release have been implicated in the pathogenesis during the relapses, whereas metabolic risk factors seem to play a dominant role during the remissions of IBD. Considering biologics, although quality data are scarce, agents suppressing tumour necrosis factor may offer potential benefits in IBD-associated NAFLD, whereas anti-integrins do not appear to confer any therapeutic advantage. In conclusion, IBD-associated NAFLD possibly follows two different patterns, one manifested during the relapses and one during the remissions of IBD. Some, but not all, biologics may benefit NAFLD in patients with IBD. Further mechanistic and prospective cohort studies are warranted to illuminate the effects of various biologics on NAFLD.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors on risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

BACKGROUND

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to evaluate the effect of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) on the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with axSpA.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 450 patients with axSpA without pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The outcome was incident cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction or stroke) after the diagnosis of axSpA. The effect of TNFis on cardiovascular risk was analyzed in the total study population and in an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted population. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for cardiovascular disease, according to exposure to TNFis.

RESULTS

Of the 450 patients, 233 (51.8%) and 217 (48.2%) patients were and were not exposed to TNFis, respectively. Twenty cardiovascular diseases occurred during 2868 person-years of follow-up (incidence rate: 6.97/1000 person-years). In the total study population, exposure to TNFis was associated with a reduced cardiovascular risk when adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.85, p = 0.024). However, when time-averaged erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were additionally adjusted, this association was attenuated and lost statistical significance (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.12-1.12, p = 0.077). Furthermore, in the IPTW-adjusted population, exposure to TNFis showed no significant reduction in cardiovascular risk (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.23-1.54, p = 0.287).

CONCLUSIONS

Although controlling inflammation through TNFis could be beneficial in cardiovascular risk reduction, our data indicate no TNFi-specific reduction in cardiovascular risk in patients with axSpA.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that, if untreated or poorly controlled, can cause significant morbidity in terms of loss of physical function and higher mortality due to higher cardiovascular risk. The standard of care for this disease is the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However, patients unable to reach low disease activity or remission and patients unable to tolerate conventional DMARDs will be switched to biologic therapy, a subset of which includes anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors. Since tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNFi) inhibit the inflammatory cascade, they also play an essential role in dampening the progression of atherosclerosis and altering the risk of cardiovascular outcomes in RA. In this study, we assessed the risk of cardiovascular diseases, namely, congestive heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, and coronary artery disease. We carried out the analysis by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and conducted a literature search utilizing the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library. Using the search strategy, we found a total of 19 articles that fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria, in addition to passing the risk of bias assessment. This is composed of three systematic reviews with meta-analyses, three randomized control studies, four narrative reviews, and nine cohort studies. In this systematic review, it was found that treatment with TNFi causes a corresponding reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events. This review encourages further dissection into the inner workings of TNFi in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with RA.

Assessment of TNF-α expression in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis

The role of inflammatory cytokines is well researched in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but not in the presence of both conditions. This study aimed to compare TNF-α expression, serum TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP in ACS patients with RA (n = 46) with ACS patients without RA (n = 49) and healthy controls (n = 50). TNF-α expression was assessed from coronary artery samples, taken during coronary artery bypass surgery. Serum levels TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP were measured 24 and 48 h after cardiac surgery. Stronger TNF-α expression was observed in the ACS patients with RA versus the ACS patients without RA, p = 0.001. Serum TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP at the 24th h were significantly elevated in both patient groups and distinguished them from the healthy controls with accuracy ranging from 80 to 99%. At the 48th h, serum TNF-α and IL-6 in the ACS group without RA decreased to those of the healthy controls but remained high in the group with RA. ACS cases with RA could be correctly identified from the levels of IL-6 (AUC = 0.885, 95% CI 0.791 to 0.938) and TNF-α (AUC = 0.852, 95%CI 0.720 to 0.922). Our results suggest that the presence of RA in ACS cases is likely to provoke stronger TNF-α expression on atherosclerotic plaques, aggravate the pro-inflammatory response, and sustain it even after the cardiac stress is lowered. In ACS cases with RA, long-term monitoring and control of TNF-α and IL-6 levels can be a useful preventive strategy.

Managing Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Rheumatic Disease

Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or gout have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with the general population. This risk relates to a combination of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and disease-specific factors. Screening for CVD is important because CVD contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Management includes tight control of disease activity to reduce inflammation, but with care to minimize use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prolonged courses of high-dose corticosteroids. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors should be managed with a combination of lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy. The decision to start antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy should be based on individual CVD risk.

The Inflammatory Pattern of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia in Muscles: The TNF-α Hypothesis

Background: Vascular inflammation plays a crucial role in peripheral arterial disease (PAD), although the role of the mediators involved has not yet been properly defined. The aim of this work is to investigate gene expression and plasma biomarkers in chronic limb-threating ischemia (CLTI). Methods: Using patients from the GHAS trial, both blood and ischemic muscle samples were obtained to analyze plasma markers and mRNA expression, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by using univariate (Spearman, t-Student, and X²) and multivariate (multiple logistic regression) tests. Results: A total of 35 patients were available at baseline (29 for mRNA expression). Baseline characteristics (mean): Age: 71.4 ± 12.4 years (79.4% male); TNF-α: 10.7 ± 4.9 pg/mL; hsCRP:1.6 ± 2.2 mg/dL; and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR): 3.5 ± 2.8. Plasma TNF-α was found elevated (≥8.1) in 68.6% of patients, while high hsCRP (≥0.5) was found in 60.5%. Diabetic patients with a high level of inflammation showed significantly higher levels of NOX4 expression at baseline (p = 0.0346). Plasma TNF-α had a negative correlation with NOS3 (eNOS) expression (−0.5, p = 0.015) and plasma hsCRP with VEGFA (−0.63, p = 0.005). The expression of NOX4 was parallel to that of plasma TNF-α (0.305, p = 0.037), especially in DM. Cumulative mortality at 12 months was related to NLR ≥ 3 (p = 0.019) and TNF-α ≥ 8.1 (p = 0.048). The best cutoff point for NLR to predict mortality was 3.4. Conclusions: NOX4 and TNF-α are crucial for the development and complications of lower limb ischemia, especially in DM. hsCRP could have a negative influence on angiogenesis too. NLR and TNF-α represent suitable markers of mortality in CLTI. These results are novel because they connect muscle gene expression and plasma information in patients with advanced PAD, deepening the search for new and accurate targets for this condition.

Effect of Anti-Rheumatic Drugs on Cardiovascular Disease Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by erosive arthritis, which can involve multiple systems. Patients with RA may have a variety of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), lung cancer, lymphoma, infection, osteoporosis, fatigue, depression, colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Among these comorbidities, the incidence of CVD, lung cancer, lymphoma, infection, and osteoporosis is higher. CVD is a serious complication of RA. The risk of CVD and associated mortality rate in patients with RA is high, and the treatment rate is low. In addition to traditional risk factors, such as age, sex, blood pressure, and diabetes, RA is also associated with inflammation. Furthermore, therapeutic drugs for RA, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, have beneficial or harmful effects on cardiovascular events in patients with RA. This article discusses the effects of therapeutic drugs for RA on cardiovascular events.

Cardiovascular and Cancer Risk with Tofacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND

Increases in lipid levels and cancers with tofacitinib prompted a trial of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cancers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving tofacitinib as compared with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, open-label, noninferiority, postauthorization, safety end-point trial involving patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate treatment who were 50 years of age or older and had at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive tofacitinib at a dose of 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily or a TNF inhibitor. The coprimary end points were adjudicated MACE and cancers, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer. The noninferiority of tofacitinib would be shown if the upper boundary of the two-sided 95% confidence interval for the hazard ratio was less than 1.8 for the combined tofacitinib doses as compared with a TNF inhibitor.

RESULTS

A total of 1455 patients received tofacitinib at a dose of 5 mg twice daily, 1456 received tofacitinib at a dose of 10 mg twice daily, and 1451 received a TNF inhibitor. During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, the incidences of MACE and cancer were higher with the combined tofacitinib doses (3.4% [98 patients] and 4.2% [122 patients], respectively) than with a TNF inhibitor (2.5% [37 patients] and 2.9% [42 patients]). The hazard ratios were 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.94) for MACE and 1.48 (95% CI, 1.04 to 2.09) for cancers; the noninferiority of tofacitinib was not shown. The incidences of adjudicated opportunistic infections (including herpes zoster and tuberculosis), all herpes zoster (nonserious and serious), and adjudicated nonmelanoma skin cancer were higher with tofacitinib than with a TNF inhibitor. Efficacy was similar in all three groups, with improvements from month 2 that were sustained through trial completion.

CONCLUSIONS

In this trial comparing the combined tofacitinib doses with a TNF inhibitor in a cardiovascular risk-enriched population, risks of MACE and cancers were higher with tofacitinib and did not meet noninferiority criteria. Several adverse events were more common with tofacitinib. (Funded by Pfizer; ORAL Surveillance ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02092467.).

Effect of JAK inhibitors on high- and low-density lipoprotein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a new class of medication for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and such inhibitors alter levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in RA patients. However, the extent of such changes has not been systematically reviewed.

METHOD

A systematic review and network meta-analysis was performed on randomized trials in RA patients in response to JAKi identified from Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The primary outcome was mean change of HDL-C and LDL-C from baseline. Mean treatment differences and the rank of the effect of various JAKi on HDL-C and LDL-C were estimated.

RESULTS

Based on data from 18 unique studies involving five approved JAK inhibitors and 6697 RA patients (JAKi = 3341, placebo = 3356), such inhibitors led to a mean increase of 8.11 mg/dl (95% CI 6.65-9.58, I² = 82%) in HDL levels from baseline, and a mean increase of 11.37 mg/dl (95% CI 7.84-14.91, I² = 88%) in LDL levels from baseline. Cardiovascular disease risk did not differ significantly between patients who received JAK inhibitors or those who received placebo or active agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests that, at their recommended doses, all five JAK inhibitors lead to an increase in HDL and LDL levels in RA patients. Further long-term research is required to extend these results and understand whether changes in lipid levels in RA patients can affect cardiovascular risk. Key Points • This is the first systematic review and NMA examining the effect of all five clinically approved JAK inhibitors on lipid levels in RA patients. • Recommended doses of JAK inhibitors used for the treatment of RA patients can induce a significant increase in HDL and LDL levels. • Indirect pairwise comparisons suggest that only upadacitinib and peficitinib have significantly different ability to induce LDL change in RA patients.