Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine in Hand Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

A comprehensive review of phase 2/3 trials in osteoarthritis: an expert opinion

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative, and debilitating disease associated with significant long-term morbidity and disability. The pathogenesis of OA is not completely understood but involves an interplay between environmental risk factors, joint mechanics, abnormal pain pathways and upregulation of inflammatory signaling pathways. Current therapeutic options for patients are limited to conservative management, minimal pharmacological options or surgical management, with significant caveats to all approaches.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we have set out to investigate current phase II/III clinical trials by undertaking a PubMed search. Examined clinical trials have explored a myriad of potential therapeutics from conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologics usually used in the treatment of inflammatory arthritides, to more novel approaches targeting inflammatory pathways implicated in OA, cartilage degeneration or pain pathways.

EXPERT OPINION

Unfortunately, most completed phase II/III clinical trials have shown little impact on patient pain scores, with the exception of the traditional DMARD methotrexate and Sprifermin. Methotrexate has been shown to be beneficial when used in the correct patient cohort (MRI proven synovitis). Sprifermin has the longest follow-up data of 5 years and has been shown to reduce loss of MRI-measured cartilage thickness and pain scores.

Repurposing drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Currently, no disease-modifying therapies for osteoarthritis (OA) exist, and attempts to identify novel cellular targets have been challenging. Risk factors for OA include advanced age, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. This creates an attractive opportunity to repurpose existing drugs that are used to treat comorbidities commonly encountered in patients with OA, if those drugs possess OA disease modifying properties.

METHODS

This narrative review incorporates findings from knee or hand OA randomized clinical trials, post-hoc clinical trial analyses, prospective cohort studies, and observational data.

RESULTS

Drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (methotrexate; TNFa, IL-1, and IL-6 pathway inhibitors; hydroxychloroquine), atopic/allergic disease (anti-histamines), osteoporosis (bisphosphonates and vitamin D), type 2 diabetes (metformin and GLP-1 agonists), and cardiovascular disease (atorvastatin, fish oil, and beta blockers) were reviewed for their potential benefit in OA. This review outlines the successful attributes of repurposed drugs, the challenges in repurposing drugs, and strategies for future clinical trials to support OA drug repurposing. Potential drug candidates for OA may be identified through the use of existing datasets and via collaborations with researchers in other fields to include OA endpoints in future clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Given the association of OA with several commonly treated comorbidities, drug repurposing is an appealing approach that could provide a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio for chronic OA treatment.

Inflammation as a therapeutic target for osteoarthritis: A literature review of clinical trials

The burden of osteoarthritis (OA) is rapidly increasing with population aging, but there are still no approved disease-modifying drugs available. Accumulating evidence has shown that OA is a heterogeneous disease with multiple phenotypes, and it is unlikely to respond to one-size-fits-all treatments. Inflammation is recognized as an important phenotype of OA and is associated with worse pain and joint deterioration. Therefore, it is believed that anti-inflammatory treatments may be more effective for OA with an inflammatory phenotype. In this review, we summarized clinical trials that evaluated anti-inflammatory treatments for OA and discussed whether these treatments are more effective in inflammatory OA phenotypes compared to general OA patients.

Hydroxychloroquine-Chloroquine, QT-Prolongation, and Major Adverse Cardiac Events: A Meta-analysis and Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the high-quality literature on the frequency and nature of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) associated with either hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine (CQ).

DATA SOURCES

We searched Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Cochrane Central from 1996 onward using search strategies created in collaboration with medical science librarians.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English language from January 1996 to September 2022, involving adult patients at least 18 years of age, were selected. Outcomes of interest were death, arrhythmias, syncope, and seizures. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed with a Treatment Arm Continuity Correction for single and double zero event studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

By study drug, there were 31 HCQ RCTs (n = 6677), 9 CQ RCTs (n = 622), and 1 combined HCQ-CQ trial (n = 105). Mortality was the most commonly reported MACE at 220 of 255 events (86.3%), with no reports of torsades de pointes or sudden cardiac death. There was no increased risk of MACE with exposure to HCQ-CQ compared with control (risk ratio [RR] = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.69-1.17, I2 = 0%).

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

These findings have important implications with respect to patient reassurance and updated guidance for prescribing practices of these medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite listing as QT-prolonging meds, HCQ-CQ did not increase the risk of MACE.

Hand osteoarthritis: A fresh look

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) has been the subject of numerous publications in recent years, particularly in the fields of imaging and therapeutics. The imaging studies revealed a good correlation between the presence of synovitis and/or subchondral edema and arthritic joint pain. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have assessed the efficacy of biologics and conventional DMARDs in patients with symptomatic hand OA. No less than six RCTs have evaluated the symptomatic and, in some cases, structural efficacy of anti-IL-1, anti-TNF or anti-IL-6 drugs. Overall, the results of these trials were disappointing - none of them demonstrated superiority over placebo. There were also two negative trials with hydroxychloroquine. In the end, the only trial that was positive evaluated 10mg oral prednisone versus placebo for 6 weeks in patients with flares of hand OA and synovitis visible on ultrasound. While that trial confirms the role of inflammation in hand OA, it should obviously not encourage the long-term use of corticosteroids as a symptomatic treatment.

Report of similar placebo response in one internet versus onsite randomised controlled trials from the literature

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude and the predictors of the placebo response in an internet versus onsite randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in people with hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

Method

This study is a post-hoc analysis based on one internet RCT (RADIANT) and previously published onsite RCTs for HOA identified through a rigorous searching and selection strategy. The magnitude of the placebo response in the two different types of RCTs were compared using heterogeneity statistics and forest plots visualisation. Classic placebo predictors as well as a combined model, defined with data from onsite RCTs, were tested to predict the placebo response.

Results

We analysed the dataset from RADIANT and fourteen previously published onsite RCTs. None of the analyses showed a significant difference between the placebo response for the internet versus onsite RCTs. The "classic" placebo predictors combined in a multivariate predictive model correlated significantly with the placebo response measured in RADIANT study.

Conclusion

Despite the absence of face-to-face interactions with the study personnel, there is no evidence that either the magnitude or the predictors of the placebo response of this internet RCT differ from those of onsite RCTs. This analysis is considered as a first step towards evaluating the difference between these designs and strengthens the argument that internet RCTs remain an acceptable alternative way to assess the efficacy of an active treatment in comparison to a placebo.

The Pharmacological Potential of Resveratrol in Reducing Soft Tissue Damage in Osteoarthritis Patients

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage and bone underneath the joint to break down. This causes pain and stiffness. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in various vegetables, fruits, and red wine, has been studied for its beneficial effects on osteoarthritis. Resveratrol has been shown to target a variety of pathways, including the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and AMPK pathways. In particular, resveratrol has been studied for its potential use in treating osteoarthritis, and it has been shown to reduce inflammation, reduce cartilage degradation, and improve joint function. In this review, we discuss the evidence for the pharmacological use of resveratrol in minimizing soft tissue damage associated with osteoarthritis. We summarize the studies on how resveratrol has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects, as well as effects on cartilage degradation, osteoblast and synoviocyte proliferation, and cytokine production. We also discuss the possible mechanisms of action of resveratrol in osteoarthritis and its potential as a therapeutic agent. Finally, we discuss the potential risks and adverse effects of long-term resveratrol supplementation. Overall, resveratrol has been found to be a possible treatment for osteoarthritis because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties, and its ability to control the production of enzymes that break down cartilage, osteoblasts, and synoviocytes. Although numerous clinical studies have demonstrated resveratrol's efficacy as an osteoarthritis management agent, further long-term studies are needed to better understand the safety and potential benefits of using resveratrol for osteoarthritis management.

What is new in pharmacological treatment for osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease in which structural changes of hyaline articular cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, capsule, synovium, muscles, and periarticular changes are involved. The knee is the most commonly affected joint, followed by the hand, hip, spine, and feet. Different pathological mechanisms are at play in each of these various involvement sites. Although systemic inflammation is more prominent in hand OA, knee and hip OA have been associated with excessive joint load and injury. As OA has varied phenotypes and the primarily affected tissues differ, treatment options must be tailored accordingly. In recent years, ongoing efforts have been made to develop disease-modifying options that halt or slow disease progression. Many are still in clinical trials, and as insights into the pathogenesis of OA evolve, novel therapeutic strategies will be developed. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the novel and emerging strategies in the management of OA.

An update on the use of conventional and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in hand osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide associated with pain, progressive disability, reduced participation in social activities, and impaired quality of life. Despite its growing burden, the therapeutic options are still limited and almost exclusively addressed to symptoms' management, while no disease-modifying OA drugs able to prevent or retard disease progression are actually available. For these reasons, in the last decades, relevant efforts to find new potential therapeutic targets in OA have been made and a number of existing conventional and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), methotrexate (MTX), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6 inhibitors, commonly used to treat inflammatory rheumatic diseases, have been repurposed for the treatment of OA and explored also in hand osteoarthritis (HOA). The current narrative review was aimed to provide a comprehensive and updated understanding of the possibilities and the criticisms related to the treatment of HOA with conventional and biological DMARDs. Unfortunately, therapy with conventional and biologic drugs in HOA has not achieved the expected success, despite a rationale for their use exists. Thus, our findings outline the urgent need to enhance the exploration of HOA basic molecular mechanisms to find new potential therapeutic targets, personalized for each patient, and appropriate for the different subsets of HOA and for the different phases of disease.

Osteoarthritis of hand joints: prevalence, risk factors, phenotypes, diagnosis, treatment

Osteoarthritis is the most common rheumatic disease, accompanied by constant pain and dysfunction of the joints, the progression of which leads to a deterioration in the quality of life and often to disability of patients. The article presents the prevalence, predictors of development and progression of osteoarthritis of the hand joints (OHJ). Clinical classification of OHJ, clinical picture depending on the localization of the process, topical features of involvement of the hand joints in different types of OHJ are given. Clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods for diagnosing of the disease, classification and diagnostic criteria are described, much attention is paid to modern principles of OHJ therapy in accordance with Russian clinical guidelines, as well as EULAR and ACR recommendations.

Effect of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA) displays features of systemic and local inflammation, suggesting that DMARDs used in rheumatoid arthritis could potentially also be effective in OA. However, studies of the effects of DMARDs in OA have yielded conflicting data, and have been insufficiently large to draw conclusions. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to estimate the effect of DMARDs - such as methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, TNF, and IL-1 inhibitors - on OA.

METHODS

We searched for relevant articles of randomized controlled trials published up to March 2022, using Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Studies were reviewed in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The effects of DMARDs on OA outcomes (symptoms, quality of life, ESR) were expressed as the standardized mean difference.

RESULTS

We retrieved 29 references. Among these, 23 randomized controlled trials compared the effects of DMARDs versus placebo or other treatments on disease activity, including 1143 DMARD-treated OA patients and 1155 OA patients in the control group. We found statistically significant improvement of pain and stiffness with methotrexate, especially in knee OA. TNF inhibitors improved the swollen joint count in hand OA, and inflammation parameters, without change in pain, stiffness, or function. Hydroxychloroquine and IL-1 inhibitors were not effective.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the presently available data regarding the effects of DMARDs on OA symptoms intensity are disappointing. Only methotrexate might have an analgesic effect, especially in knee OA, which warrants further investigation.

Management of hand osteoarthritis: from an US evidence-based medicine guideline to a European patient-centric approach

Hand osteoarthritis is the most common joint condition and is associated with significant morbidity. It is of paramount importance that patients are thoroughly assessed and examined when complaining of hand stiffness, pain, deformity or disability and that the patient's concerns and expectations are addressed by the healthcare professional. In 2019 the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation (ACR/AF) produced guidelines which included recommendations for the treatment of hand osteoarthritis. An ESCEO expert working group (including patients) was convened and composed this paper with the aim to assess whether these guidelines were appropriate for the treatment of hand osteoarthritis therapy in Europe and whether they met with the ESCEO patient-centered approach. Indeed, patients are the key stakeholders in healthcare and eliciting the patient's preference is vital in the context of an individual consultation but also for informing research and policy-making. The patients involved in this working group emphasised the often-neglected area of aesthetic changes in hand osteoarthritis, importance of developing pharmacological therapies which can alleviate pain and disability and the need of the freedom to choose which approach (out of pharmacological, surgical or non-pharmacological) they wished to pursue. Following robust appraisal, it was recommended that the ACR/AF guidelines were suitable for a European context (as described within the body of the manuscript) and it was emphasised that patient preferences are key to the success of individual consultations, future research and future policy-making.

Prescription-grade crystalline glucosamine sulfate as an add-on therapy to conventional treatments in erosive osteoarthritis of the hand: results from a 6-month observational retrospective study

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of prescription-grade Crystalline Glucosamine Sulfate (pCGS) as an add-on treatment to conventional therapy, compared to usual therapy alone, in patients with erosive osteoarthritis of the hand (EHOA).

Methods

This 6-month retrospective case–control study included patients with concomitant knee osteoarthritis and symptomatic EHOA. Participants were stratified into two groups based on whether or not pCGS (1500 mg/day) was added to the conventional therapy (education and training in ergonomic principles, exercise and use on-demand of symptomatic drugs) for hand osteoarthritis. Patients were evaluated at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. Primary outcomes were the change from baseline to month 6 in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) hand pain and in Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) score. A set of secondary parameters was also evaluated.

Results

123 patients were included as follows: 67 treated with pCGS in addition to conventional therapy (pCGS Group) and 56 with conventional therapy alone (Control Group). After 6 months a significant difference in VAS and in FIHOA score (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) was observed in favor of pCGS Group. Similar results were found for morning stiffness duration (p < 0.05), health assessment questionnaire (p < 0.01) and physical and mental component score of 36-item short form (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). A significant reduction of symptomatic drug consumption at 3 and 6 months was reported in the pCGS Group (p < 0.001). No serious adverse event was recorded in both groups.

Conclusions

Despite all the limitations inherent to an observational study, our results suggest the potential effectiveness of pCGS, when used in combination with conventional therapy in EHOA. Further randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm these positive findings.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, date of registration: February 2, 2022, NCT05237596. The present trial was retrospectively registered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-022-02151-7.

Repurposed and investigational disease-modifying drugs in osteoarthritis (DMOADs)

In spite of a major public health burden with increasing prevalence, current osteoarthritis (OA) management is largely palliative with an unmet need for effective treatment. Both industry and academic researchers have invested a vast amount of time and financial expense to discover the first diseasing-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), with no regulatory success so far. In this narrative review, we discuss repurposed drugs as well as investigational agents which have progressed into phase II and III clinical trials based on three principal endotypes: bone-driven, synovitis-driven and cartilage-driven. Then, we will briefly describe the recent failures and lessons learned, promising findings from predefined post hoc analyses and insights gained, novel methodologies to enhance future success and steps underway to overcome regulatory hurdles.

Allergic Skin Rash Caused by Iguratimod: A Report of Two Cases

Iguratimod has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Herein, we report two cases of skin allergic reactions caused by iguratimod in our hospital. Case 1 was a woman with SS who developed diffuse pruritus erythema after three weeks of combination therapy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and iguratimod. When the patient was again prescribed iguratimod after the rash subsided, the pruritus erythema reappeared. Case 2 was a 23-year-old girl treated with prednisone, HCQ, and mycophenolate mofetil for systemic lupus erythematosus and SS. In the follow-up treatment, mycophenolate mofetil was replaced by iguratimod. On the 20th day of treatment, a pruritic erythematous maculopapular rash appeared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the characteristics of an allergic rash caused by iguratimod. It is better to administer HCQ and iguratimod successively rather than simultaneously to a patient.

Erosive hand osteoarthritis: latest findings and outlook

Osteoarthritis (OA) most commonly affects knee joints, and the next most commonly affected sites are the hands and hips. Three distinct hand OA phenotypes have been described: erosive hand OA (EHOA), nodal hand OA - also known as non-erosive hand OA (non-EHOA) - and first carpometacarpal joint OA. EHOA predominantly affects women and is the most aggressive form of hand OA, characterized by a severe clinical onset and progression, leading to joint damage, disability and reduction of quality of life. Clinical signs of inflammation associated with EHOA include the acute onset of pain, swelling and redness. Moreover, EHOA is characterized by radiographic features such as central erosion, saw-tooth and gull-wing lesions and, rarely, ankylosis. The aim of this Review is to report the latest findings on epidemiology, clinical features, pathology and aetiopathogenesis, biomarkers, imaging modalities and treatments for EHOA. The ongoing development of new hand OA classification criteria should facilitate standardization between studies.

Efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine in osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs have been trialed in osteoarthritis (OA). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which has shown its effectiveness in rheumatoid arthritis, has been trialed for the treatment of OA; however, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate efficacy and safety of HCQ for the treatment of OA.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were searched from inception through June 2020. Two reviewers independently screened for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HCQ with placebo or other active-comparators for the treatment of knee, hand, or hip OA, extracted data, and performed Cochrane risk of bias assessments.

RESULTS

Six RCTs, four in hand OA, two in knee OA, consisting of 842 patients (436 in HCQ arm, 406 in control arm) were included. RCTs were conducted between 2012 and 2020, one each at UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Iran, and Egypt; follow-up period ranged 24 to 52 weeks. High-quality evidence showed no clinically important pain reduction with HCQ compared to placebo/active-control in hand OA (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.20 to 0.48). Effect on pain reduction in knee and hand OA was small and non-significant (SMD, -0.09; 95% CI, -0.44 to 0.25). High-quality evidence showed no improvement in dysfunction with HCQ compared to placebo in hand OA patients (SMD, 0.08; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.40). Effect on dysfunction improvement in knee and hand OA was modest and statistically non-significant (SMD, -0.20; 95% CI,-0.57 to 0.18). No improvement in quality of life was observed in hand OA.

CONCLUSION

HCQ has no benefit in reducing pain and improving physical function in hand or knee OA patients.

New developments in osteoarthritis pharmacological therapies

OA is an increasingly common, painful condition with complex aetiology and limited therapies. Approaches to expanding our therapeutic armamentarium have included repurposing existing therapies used for other rheumatological conditions, modifying existing OA preparations to enhance their benefits, and identifying new therapeutics. HCQ and low-dose MTX have been unsuccessful in improving hand OA pain or reducing structural progression. Anti-IL-6 and anti-GM-CSF also did not improve symptoms in hand OA trials, but IL-1 remains an intriguing target for large-joint OA, based on reduced joint replacements in a post hoc analysis from a large cardiovascular disease trial. The peripheral nociceptive pathway appears an attractive target, with mAbs to nerve growth factor and IA capsaicin demonstrating efficacy; tropomyosin receptor kinase A inhibitors are at an earlier stage of development. Limited evidence suggests pharmacological therapies can modify cartilage and bone structural progression, though evidence of synchronous symptom benefits are lacking.

Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): A safety perspective

The goal of this review is to report a balanced perspective of current evidence for efficacy of treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) against the historical safety of these treatments as of May 2021. We preselected therapies of interest for COVID-19 based on national guidelines and modified over time. We searched PubMed and Medline for these specific COVID-19 treatments and data related to their efficacy. We also searched for prior randomized controlled trials of each therapy to assess adverse effects, and we obtained the Food and Drug Administration Approval label for this information. Several drugs have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19, and many more are under study. This includes dexamethasone, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, lopinvir/ritonavir, interferon or interleukin inhibitors, convalescent plasma and several vitamins and minerals. The strongest evidence for benefit is mortality benefit with dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19 and hypoxemia, although there is a signal of harm if this is started too early. There are several other promising therapies, like interleukin inhibitors and ivermectin. Hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, lopinvir/ritonavir, and convalescent plasma do not have enough evidence of benefit to outweigh the known risks of these drugs.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the safety of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine from randomized controlled trials on malarial and non-malarial conditions

BACKGROUND

Despite the expectations regarding the effectiveness of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) management, concerns about their adverse events have remained.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety of CQ and HCQ from malarial and non-malarial randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

METHODS

The primary outcomes were the frequencies of serious adverse events (SAEs), retinopathy, and cardiac complications. Search strategies were applied to MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Trip databases. We used a random-effects model to pool results across studies and Peto's one-step odds ratio (OR) for event rates below 1%. Both-armed zero-event studies were excluded from the meta-analyses. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system to evaluate the certainty of evidence.

RESULTS

One hundred and six RCTs were included. We found no significant difference between CQ/HCQ and control (placebo or non-CQ/HCQ) in the frequency of SAEs (OR: 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76-1.26, 33 trials, 15,942 participants, moderate certainty of evidence). However, there was a moderate certainty of evidence that CQ/HCQ increases the incidence of cardiac complications (RR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10-2.38, 16 trials, 9908 participants). No clear relationship was observed between CQ/HCQ and retinopathy (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: - 0.4-6.57, 5 trials, 344 participants, very low certainty of evidence).

CONCLUSIONS

CQ and HCQ probably do not increase SAEs, with low frequency of these adverse events on malarial and non-malarial conditions. However, they may increase cardiac complications especially in patients with COVID-19. No clear effect of their use on the incidence of retinopathy was observed.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020177818.

Prospects for Therapies in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Management of OA involves pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Conventional pharmacological treatments have limited efficacy and are associated with a number of side-effects, restricting the number of patients who can use them. New pharmacological therapies for managing OA are required and a number have been developed targeting different tissues in OA: bone and cartilage, synovium and nerves. However, there has been overall limited success. Disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) are a putative class of therapies aimed at improving OA structural pathologies and consequent symptoms. Recent DMOAD studies have demonstrated some promising therapies but also provided new considerations for future trials.

Hydroxychloroquine in patients with inflammatory and erosive osteoarthritis of the hands: results of the OA-TREAT study-a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, investigator-initiated trial

OBJECTIVES

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition characterised by cartilage degradation and frequently erosive changes. Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for symptomatic relief but are often poorly tolerated or contraindicated. Previous publications suggest hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a possible treatment for hand OA. The OA-TREAT study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of HCQ in patients with inflammatory and erosive hand OA (EOA).

METHODS

OA-TREAT was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled trial. Patients with inflammatory and EOA, according to the ACR criteria, with radiographically erosive disease were randomised 1:1 to HCQ 200-400 mg/day or PBO for 52 weeks (W52). Both groups received stable standard therapy. The primary endpoint was Australian Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index (AUSCAN) for pain and hand disability at W52.

RESULTS

75 patients were randomised to HCQ and 78 to PBO. At W52, mean AUSCAN pain was 26.7 in HCQ and 26.5 in PBO patients (p=0.92). Hand disability measured by AUSCAN function (mean) was 48.1 in HCQ and 51.3 in PBO patients (p=0.36). Changes in radiographic scores did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between treatment groups. There were 7 serious adverse events in the HCQ and 15 in the PBO group.

CONCLUSIONS

OA-TREAT is the first large randomised PBO controlled trial focusing on EOA. HCQ was no more effective than PBO for changes in pain, function and radiographic scores in the 52-week period. Overall safety findings were consistent with the known profile of HCQ.

Methotrexate treatment in hand osteoarthritis refractory to usual treatments: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of methotrexate (MTX) on pain and structural progression in symptomatic erosive hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

METHODS

This 1-year prospective, single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (www.ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT01068405) followed up patients with symptomatic erosive HOA. Patients were randomised into two groups based on the drug that was administered: 10 mg methotrexate (MTX) per week or a placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in pain (determined using a visual analogue scale [VAS]) from baseline to 3 months. The secondary endpoints were pain VAS score at 12 months, clinical features (pain VAS score and function), radiographic features (the anatomical radiographic Verbruggen-Veys [VV] score and Gent University Score System), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 12 months.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients with HOA were randomised into either the placebo or MTX group. At 3 months, there was no significant difference in the mean decrease in the pain VAS score (mm) (MTX: 21.1 [standard deviation, 27.4], placebo: 11.7 [24.3]; p = 0.2). At 12 months, according to the VV score, erosive joints progressed significantly more to a remodelling phase in the MTX group than in the placebo group (27% vs 15%; p = 0.03). Joints with space loss appeared to be eroding less in the MTX group compared to the placebo group (8% vs 29%; p = 0.2). Synovitis on MRI at baseline could be associated with the erosive structural evolution of non-erosive joints (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Weekly doses of 10-mg MTX showed no superiority over the placebo in terms of pain relief at 3 or 12 months.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

This study was registered at www.ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT01068405).

Peripheral pain mechanisms in osteoarthritis

There is a well-established historical observation that structural joint damage by plain X-ray correlates poorly with symptomatic disease in osteoarthritis (OA). This is often attributed to the inability to visualise soft-tissue pathology within the joint and the recognition of heterogeneous patient factors that drive central pain sensitisation. A major issue is the relative paucity of mechanistic studies in which molecular pathogenesis of pain is interrogated in relation to tissue pathology. Nonetheless, in recent years, three broad approaches have been deployed to attempt to address this: correlative clinical studies of peripheral and central pain outcomes using magnetic resonance imaging, where soft-tissue processes can be visualised; molecular studies on tissue from patients with OA; and careful molecular interrogation of preclinical models of OA across the disease time course. Studies have taken advantage of established clinical molecular targets such as nerve growth factor. Not only is the regulation of nerve growth factor within the joint being used to explore the relationship between tissue pathology and the origins of pain in OA, but it also provides a core model on which other molecules present within the joint can modulate the pain response. In this narrative review, how molecular and pathological tissue change relates to joint pain in OA will be discussed. Finally, a model for how tissue damage may lead to pain over the disease course will be proposed.

Choice of control group treatments in hand osteoarthritis trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess how patient characteristics and study design influence the effectiveness of control interventions in hand OA trials.

METHODS

The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020163473). Two authors independently searched four electronic databases from their inception to December 31, 2019. Randomized and non-randomized controlled hand OA trials were included if pain intensity was assessed using a validated scale. We allocated control groups into one of the following: placebo, add-on treatment, no treatment, or active treatment. The standardized mean differences (d) of pain, as well as subjective function and hand strength, were pooled with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and 90% prediction intervals using random-effects models. Meta-regression and post-hoc subgroup analyses were performed to investigate which factors potentially impacted placebo analgesia and between-study heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Thirty-one placebo, 11 add-on, 12 no-treatment, and 10 active-treatment controls were included in meta-analyses. Effective pain relief was observed in placebo (d = -0.50, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.37), add-on (d = -0.35, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.12), and active-treatment (d = -0.92, 95% CI -1.35 to -0.48) groups. In subjective function, these treatments had smaller but beneficial effects; hand strength, contrastingly, was not improved. Placebo effects were larger when flare designs were used (d = -0.96) and more homogeneous when minimum pain thresholds were set (d = -0.46, 90% prediction intervals -0.79 to -0.14).

CONCLUSION

Placebo, add-on, and active control treatments were more effective than the no treatment control in relieving hand pain and improving subjective function. By choosing minimum pain thresholds and flare requirements at patient enrollment, moderate pain relief may be replicated among control participants in future randomized placebo-controlled trials.

New Trends in Pharmacological Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of function loss and disability among the elderly, with significant burden on the individual and society. It is a severe disease for its high disability rates, morbidity, costs, and increased mortality. Multifactorial etiologies contribute to the occurrence and development of OA. The heterogeneous condition poses a challenge for the development of effective treatment for OA; however, emerging treatments are promising to bring benefits for OA management in the future. This narrative review will discuss recent developments of agents for the treatment of OA, including potential disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) and novel therapeutics for pain relief. This review will focus more on drugs that have been in clinical trials, as well as attractive drugs with potential applications in preclinical research. In the past few years, it has been realized that a complex interaction of multifactorial mechanisms is involved in the pathophysiology of OA. The authors believe there is no miracle therapeutic strategy fitting for all patients. OA phenotyping would be helpful for therapy selection. A variety of potential therapeutics targeting inflammation mechanisms, cellular senescence, cartilage metabolism, subchondral bone remodeling, and the peripheral nociceptive pathways are expected to reshape the landscape of OA treatment over the next few years. Precise randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are expected to identify the safety and efficacy of novel therapies targeting specific mechanisms in OA patients with specific phenotypes.

Safety of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 and other diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 53 randomized trials

INTRODUCTION

Many concerns still exist regarding the safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19 and other diseases by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the safety of HCQ in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were retrieved starting from the establishment of the database till June 5, 2020. Literature screening, data extraction, and assessment of risk bias were performed independently by two reviewers.

RESULTS

We identified 53 eligible studies involving 5496 patients. The meta-analysis indicated that the risk of adverse effects (AEs) in the HCQ group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group (RD 0.05, 95%CI, 0.02 to 0.07, P = 0.0002), and the difference was also statistically significant in the COVID-19 subgroup (RD 0.15, 95%CI, 0.07 to 0.23, P = 0.0002) as well as in the subgroup for other diseases (RD 0.03, 95%CI, 0.01 to 0.04, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

HCQ is associated with a high total risk of AEs compared with the placebo or no intervention in the overall population. Given the small number of COVID-19 participants included, we should be cautious regarding the conclusion stating that HCQ is linked with an increase incidence of AEs in patients with COVID-19, which we hope to confirm in the future through well-designed and larger sample size studies.

Efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in hand osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Symptoms of hand osteoarthritis result in activity limitations and lower quality of life. Hydroxychloroquine, which has been used successfully in the treatment of many autoimmune diseases, can suppress inflammation and might also be beneficial in hand osteoarthritis.

METHODS

We plan to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trial to determine the symptom-modifying effect of hydroxychloroquine in hand osteoarthritis. We will search PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science using a comprehensive strategy. The related conference proceedings and reference lists of the included studies will also be checked to identify additional studies. Two reviewers will screen retrieved records, extract information and assess the risk of bias independently. Stata v15.1 software will be used to conduct data synthesis.

RESULTS

This study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

CONCLUSION

We hope it will provide a relatively comprehensive reference for clinical practice and future relevant clinical trials.

INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY2020110005.

Of mice and men: converging on a common molecular understanding of osteoarthritis

Despite an increasing burden of osteoarthritis in developed societies, target discovery has been slow and there are currently no approved disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs. This lack of progress is due in part to a series of misconceptions over the years: that osteoarthritis is an inevitable consequence of ageing, that damaged articular cartilage cannot heal itself, and that osteoarthritis is driven by synovial inflammation similar to that seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Molecular interrogation of disease through ex-vivo tissue analysis, in-vitro studies, and preclinical models have radically reshaped the knowledge landscape. Inflammation in osteoarthritis appears to be distinct from that seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Recent randomised controlled trials, using treatments repurposed from rheumatoid arthritis, have largely been unsuccessful. Genome-wide studies point to defects in repair pathways, which accords well with recent promise using growth factor therapies or Wnt pathway antagonism. Nerve growth factor has emerged as a robust target in osteoarthritis pain in phase 2-3 trials. These studies, both positive and negative, align well with those in preclinical surgical models of osteoarthritis, indicating that pathogenic mechanisms identified in mice can lead researchers to valid human targets. Several novel candidate pathways are emerging from preclinical studies that offer hope of future translational impact. Enhancing trust between industry, basic, and clinical scientists will optimise our collective chance of success.

Bone Mass, Bone Microstructure and Biomechanics in Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis

The impact of primary hand osteoarthritis (HOA) on bone mass, microstructure, and biomechanics in the affected skeletal regions is largely unknown. HOA patients and healthy controls (HCs) underwent high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). We measured total, trabecular, and cortical volumetric bone mineral densities (vBMDs), microstructural attributes, and performed micro-finite element analysis for bone strength. Failure load and scaled multivariate outcome matrices from distal radius and second metacarpal (MCP2) head measurements were analyzed using multiple linear regression adjusting for age, sex, and functional status and reported as adjusted Z-score differences for total and direct effects. A total of 105 subjects were included (76 HC: 46 women, 30 men; 29 HOA: 23 women, six men). After adjustment, HOA was associated with significant changes in the multivariate outcome matrix from the MCP2 head (p < .001) (explained by an increase in cortical vBMD (Δz = 1.07, p = .02) and reduction in the trabecular vBMD (Δz = -0.07, p = .09). Distal radius analysis did not show an overall effect of HOA; however, there was a gender-study group interaction (p = .044) explained by reduced trabecular vBMD in males (Δz = -1.23, p = .02). HOA was associated with lower failure load (-514 N; 95%CI, -1018 to -9; p = 0.05) apparent in males after adjustment for functional status. HOA is associated with reduced trabecular and increased cortical vBMD in the MCP2 head and a reduction in radial trabecular vBMD and bone strength in males. Further investigations of gender-specific changes of bone architecture in HOA are warranted. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Sulfurous-arsenical-ferruginous balneotherapy for osteoarthritis of the hand: results from a retrospective observational study

Balneotherapy (BT) is a complementary therapy widely used in several rheumatic conditions, however, the evidence in hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is still scarce. The aim of this preliminary study is to retrospectively evaluate the symptomatic effects of a cycle of mud-bath therapy in HOA patients. Two hundred twelve outpatients with primary bilateral HOA treated with 12 daily local mud packs and generalized thermal baths with a sulfurous-arsenical-ferruginous mineral water added to usual treatment were included in the study. Each patient was examined at baseline and at the end of thermal therapy (2 weeks). Primary outcome measures were global spontaneous hand pain on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) score; secondary outcomes were handgrip strength, duration of morning stiffness, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), tolerability and patients' and physicians' global impression of treatment efficacy and tolerability. Our results demonstrated that the efficacy of mud-bath therapy was significant in all the assessed parameters at the end of therapy, except for the physical component score of SF-12. The thermal treatment was well tolerated. The patient's and the physician's global assessments showed a high level of satisfaction in terms of efficacy and safety. In conclusion, our results may suggest a short-term effectiveness of mud-bath therapy in controlling pain and improving functionality in HOA patients, supporting the role of this treatment as a complementary strategy in the management of HOA; however, further randomized controlled trials with a long-term follow-up are needed.

Hydroxychloroquine safety: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is currently being examined for COVID-19. No previous meta-analysis has evaluated its side effects versus placebo. We conducted this meta-analysis to compare the safety of HCQ versus placebo.

Methods

Two authors independently searched PubMed and EMBASE databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults comparing the adverse events (AEs) of HCQ versus placebo for any indication. Peto odds ratios (Peto ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on random-effects models. The heterogeneity (I²) was assessed using Cochran's Q test.

Results

Nine RCTs (eight were double-blind) with a total of 916 patients were included. HCQ caused significantly more skin pigmentation than placebo (Peto OR, 4.64; 95% CI, 1.13 to 19.00; P-value = 0.033; I² = 0%). The increase in other AEs did not reach statistical significance: rash (Peto OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.3 to 3.77; P-value = 0.03; I² = 0%); gastrointestinal AEs (Peto OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.55 to 3.72; P-value = 0.46; I² = 15.17%); headache (Peto OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 0.65 to 5.78; P-value = 0.23; I² = 9.99%); dizziness (Peto OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.49 to 3.52; P-value = 0.58; I² = 0%); fatigue (Peto OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.76 to 5.98; P-value = 0.15; I² = 0%); and visual AEs (Peto OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.76 to 3.41; P-value = 0.22; I² = 0%). Cardiac toxicity was not reported.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis of RCTs found a significantly higher risk of skin pigmentation in HCQ users versus placebo. More data are needed to evaluate HCQ in the context of COVID-19 treatment.

A retrospective observational study of glucosamine sulfate in addition to conventional therapy in hand osteoarthritis patients compared to conventional treatment alone

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is still challenging.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of glucosamine sulfate (GS) in addition to conventional therapy compared to conventional therapy alone in HOA.

METHODS

This 6-month retrospective study included 108 patients with concomitant knee and hand OA. Fifty-five patients (GS Group) were treated for six consecutive months with crystalline GS (1500 mg once/day) in addition to conventional therapy for HOA [exercise combined with acetaminophen and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)] and 53 patients (Control Group) with the conventional therapy alone. Primary outcomes were the difference between groups in the change of hand pain on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and in the Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes were Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), medical outcomes study 36-item short form (SF-36) and symptomatic drug consumption.

RESULTS

The patients who received GS presented a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in VAS pain and FIHOA scores compared with the Control Group at 3 and 6 months. Furthermore, GS therapy was associated to a significant improvement of HAQ score and to a significant reduction of acetaminophen and NSAID consumption during the follow-up. No differences in the number of side effects were observed between the groups.

DISCUSSION

GS could represent a potential successful therapy for HOA and should be tried in large randomized placebo and active controlled trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of GS with conventional treatment seems to be more effective in improving pain and function than conventional HOA treatment alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov date of registration: April 9, 2019, NCT03911570. The present trial was retrospectively registered.

Recent advances in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most debilitating diseases and is associated with a high personal and socioeconomic burden. So far, there is no therapy available that effectively arrests structural deterioration of cartilage and bone or is able to successfully reverse any of the existing structural defects. Efforts to identify more tailored treatment options led to the development of strategies that enabled the classification of patient subgroups from the pool of heterogeneous phenotypes that display distinct common characteristics. To this end, the classification differentiates the structural endotypes into cartilage and bone subtypes, which are predominantly driven by structure-related degenerative events. In addition, further classifications have highlighted individuals with an increased inflammatory contribution (inflammatory phenotype) and pain-driven phenotypes as well as senescence and metabolic syndrome phenotypes. Most probably, it will not be possible to classify individuals by a single definite subtype, but it might help to identify groups of patients with a predominant pathology that would more likely benefit from a specific drug or cell-based therapy. Current clinical trials addressed mainly regeneration/repair of cartilage and bone defects or targeted pro-inflammatory mediators by intra-articular injections of drugs and antibodies. Pain was treated mostly by antagonizing nerve growth factor (NGF) activity and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA). Therapies targeting metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and senescence/aging-related pathologies are not specifically addressing OA. However, none of these therapies has been proven to modify disease progression significantly or successfully prevent final joint replacement in the advanced disease stage. Within this review, we discuss the recent advances in phenotype-specific treatment options and evaluate their applicability for use in personalized OA therapy.

Therapeutic options for targeting inflammatory osteoarthritis pain

Pain is the major symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) and is an important factor in strategies to manage this disease. However, the current standard of care does not provide satisfactory pain relief for many patients. The pathophysiology of OA is complex, and its presentation as a clinical syndrome is associated with pathologies of multiple joint tissues. Inflammation is associated with both OA pain and disease outcome and is therefore a major treatment target for OA and OA pain. Unlike TNF inhibitors and IL-1 inhibitors, established drugs such as glucocorticoids and methotrexate can reduce OA pain. Although central nociceptive pathways contribute to OA pain, crosstalk between the immune system and nociceptive neurons is central to inflammatory pain; therefore, new therapies might target this crosstalk. Newly identified drug targets, including neurotrophins and the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-CC-chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) chemokine axis, offer the hope of better results but require clinical validation.

Mechanisms of action of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine: implications for rheumatology

Despite widespread clinical use of antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases, insights into the mechanism of action of these drugs are still emerging. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are weak bases and have a characteristic 'deep' volume of distribution and a half-life of around 50 days. These drugs interfere with lysosomal activity and autophagy, interact with membrane stability and alter signalling pathways and transcriptional activity, which can result in inhibition of cytokine production and modulation of certain co-stimulatory molecules. These modes of action, together with the drug's chemical properties, might explain the clinical efficacy and well-known adverse effects (such as retinopathy) of these drugs. The unknown dose-response relationships of these drugs and the lack of definitions of the minimum dose needed for clinical efficacy and what doses are toxic pose challenges to clinical practice. Further challenges include patient non-adherence and possible context-dependent variations in blood drug levels. Available mechanistic data give insights into the immunomodulatory potency of hydroxychloroquine and provide the rationale to search for more potent and/or selective inhibitors.

Hand osteoarthritis: clinical phenotypes, molecular mechanisms and disease management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent condition, and the hand is the most commonly affected site. Patients with hand OA frequently report symptoms of pain, functional limitations and frustration in undertaking everyday activities. The condition presents clinically with changes to the bone, ligaments, cartilage and synovial tissue, which can be observed using radiography, ultrasonography or MRI. Hand OA is a heterogeneous disorder and is considered to be multifactorial in aetiology. This Review provides an overview of the epidemiology, presentation and burden of hand OA, including an update on hand OA imaging (including the development of novel techniques), disease mechanisms and management. In particular, areas for which new evidence has substantially changed the way we understand, consider and treat hand OA are highlighted. For example, genetic studies, clinical trials and careful prospective imaging studies from the past 5 years are beginning to provide insights into the pathogenesis of hand OA that might uncover new therapeutic targets in the disease.

Update on novel pharmacological therapies for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic painful arthritis with increasing global prevalence. Current management involves non-pharmacological interventions and commonly used pharmacological treatments that generally have limited analgesic efficacy and multiple side effects. New treatments are therefore required to relieve patient symptoms and disease impact. A number of existing pharmacological therapies have been recently trialled in OA. These include extended-release triamcinolone and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis; generally, DMARDs have not shown a benefit in treating OA. Novel analgesic therapies are in development, including those targeting peripheral pain pathways. Disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) target key tissues in the OA pathophysiology process and aim to prevent structural progression; a number of putative DMOADs are in phase II development. There is preliminary evidence of structural improvement with some of these therapies but without concomitant symptom improvement, raising new considerations for future DMOAD trials.