Factors influencing spinal sagittal balance, bone mineral density, and Oswestry Disability Index outcome measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Atlantoaxial Instability in the Course of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Relation to Selected Parameters of Sagittal Balance

Background: Atlantoaxial instability is the most common cervical instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its course may differ in different patients and may have different degrees of severity and symptoms. Methods: There are a number of studies on systemic factors associated with the development of this instability, but there are few publications in the scientific literature on the influence of biomechanical factors on the development of cervical instability. One of the areas that allows the study of biomechanical factors influencing spine pathologies is the analysis of sagittal balance using radiological parameters. The study of radiological parameters of sagittal balance has contributed to understanding the pathology of selected spine diseases and is currently an indispensable tool in planning surgical treatment. Results: The presented study, conducted on a group of RA patients with cervical instability, was performed to look for a relationship between C1-C2 instability and sagittal balance parameters. Conclusions: Among the examined selected parameters, a statistically relationship between C1-C2 instability and the Cobb angle C1-C7 and OD-HA parameters has been found. This confirms the need for further in-depth research on this areas.

Low Hounsfield unit values on computed tomography as a potential predictor of vertebral fracture in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: The KURAMA cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Hounsfield units (HU) measured using computed tomography (CT) have gained considerable attention for the detection of osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate whether opportunistic CT could predict vertebral fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

A total of 233 patients with RA who underwent chest CT were included in this study. The HU values of the anterior 1/3 of the vertebral bodies based on the sagittal plane at T11-L2 after reconstruction were measured. The incidence of vertebral fractures was investigated with respect to the HU value.

RESULTS

Vertebral fractures were identified in 32 patients during a mean follow-up period of 3.8 years. In patients who experienced vertebral fractures within 2 years of CT imaging, the HU values of the vertebral bodies (T11-L2) were lower than those in patients who did not experience fractures. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that a T11 HU value of <125 was a risk factor for vertebral fracture within 2 years. Multivariate analysis showed that a T11 HU value of <125 and the existence of prevalent vertebral fractures were significant risk factors for fracture.

CONCLUSION

HU measurements of the anterior 1/3 of the vertebral body are a potential predictor for vertebral fractures in patients with RA.

Relationship between Cervical Instability in the Course of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pelvic Parameters of Sagittal Balance

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to search for a relationship between cervical instability in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pelvic parameters of sagittal balance and lumbar lordosis (LL).

METHODS

The study included 47 patients with rheumatoid arthritis with instability of the cervical segment, who were referred for a consultation to assess indications for surgical treatment. The patients underwent a radiological functional examination of the cervical region and postural examination of the entire spine. The basic parameters of the lumbar section and pelvis of these patients were compared with the population values. Then, using statistical methods, the correlation between radiological parameters of various types of instability and lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic parameters (PI, SS, PT), as well as the patient's age and duration of the disease was assessed.

RESULTS

A statistical correlation was found between the instability in the cervical spine C2-C3 level and the value of the PT and PI angles. A statistically significant correlation was discovered between C1-C2 instability and younger patient age. There was no significant difference in the values of the pelvic parameters and lumbar lordosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to the population values.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results suggest that there is a relationship between selected pelvic parameters and the development of instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This may be important in planning treatment and assessing disease progression. Further studies on a larger group of patients are needed, as well as studies evaluating the correlation between other sagittal balance parameters and cervical instability in patients with RA.

Spinal Deformity in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Focus on Musculocontractural Type

Spinal deformity in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an important symptom that can lead to trunk balance deterioration, respiratory dysfunction, and digestive disorders as the deformity progresses, thereby reducing a patient's quality of life and activities of daily living. The severity of the deformity varies widely, with treatment depending on the extent and the presence of associated complications. The present review addressed the current state of clinical research and treatment of spinal deformities in EDS with a specific focus on the musculocontractural type. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of spinal deformity in EDS.

Risk Factors for Low Back Pain Increase in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analysis of a 7-year Follow-up Study

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have demonstrated that low back pain (LBP) is related to disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is no longitudinal research. This study aimed to determine the impacts and risk factors for LBP increase in RA in a longitudinal cohort study.

METHODS

The study evaluated 113 patients with RA who completed the secondary survey. LBP increase was defined as ≥1 standard deviation of mean change in visual analog scale (VAS) between the baseline and secondary surveys. The impacts of LBP increase on quality of life (QOL) and psychological status were evaluated. Risk factors were assessed among patient demographic characteristics, radiological changes.

RESULTS

Mean change in VAS for LBP was -0.8±30.4 mm during a mean 7-year follow-up. LBP increase was defined as ≥30-mm increase in VAS for LBP. Patients with LBP increase had significantly lower QOL and worse mental status than patients without. Poor control of RA was identified as an independent risk factor for LBP increase (odds ratio, 9.82, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with poor control of RA were likely to experience LBP increase in the long-term. Control of RA disease activity is important for control of LBP, QOL, and mental status.

Radiological and clinical comparisons of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis operated with rigid and dynamic instrumentation systems due to lumbar degenerative spinal diseases

BACKGROUND

It is extremely difficult to treat spine disorders with stabilization in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because revision rates are significantly higher in rigid stabilization. To date, there is no data about patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with dynamic stabilization. Our aim was to compare the radiological and clinical results of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent lumbar rigid stabilization or dynamic stabilization with Polyetheretherketone rod (PEEK).

METHODS

Patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent dynamic stabilization between 2013 and 2015 and rigid stabilization between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated radiologically for adjacent segment disease, proximal junctional kyphosis, system problem (nonunion, screw loosening, instrumentation failure, pull out). It was also compared according to both the revision rates and the Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores at the 12th month and 24th month.

RESULTS

The difference of decrease in Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores from preoperative to 12th month between patients who underwent dynamic stabilization and rigid stabilization was statistically insignificant. However, there was a significant difference of increase in Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores between the 12th month and 24th month of patients who underwent rigid stabilization, compared with patients with dynamic stabilization. In patients with dynamic stabilization, the problems of instrumentation were seen less frequently. Revision rates were high in patients with rigid stabilization when compared the patients with dynamic stabilization.

CONCLUSION

Radiological and clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis operated with dynamic stabilization are more significant when compared to rigid stabilization. These patients have lower pain and disability scores in their follow up periods. Revision rates are lower in patients with dynamic stabilization.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Extra-Articular Neurological Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the global population, with a female–male ratio of 3:1. RA preferably affects the joints, with consequent joint swelling and deformities followed by ankylosis. However, evidence has accumulated showing that patients suffering from RA can also develop extra-articular manifestations, including cardiovascular disease states, neuropathies, and multiorgan dysfunction. In particular, peripheral nerve disorders showed a consistent impact in the course of the disease (prevalence about 20%) mostly associated to vasculitis of the nerve vessels leading to vascular ischemia, axonal degeneration, and neuronal demyelination. The pathophysiological basis of this RA-associated microvascular disease, which leads to impairment of assonal functionality, is still to be better clarified. However, endothelial dysfunction and alterations of the so-called brain-nerve barrier (BNB) seem to play a fundamental role. This review aims to assess the potential mechanisms underlying the impairment of endothelial cell functionality in the development of RA and to identify the role of dysfunctional endothelium as a causative mechanism of extra-articular manifestation of RA. On the other hand, the potential impact of lifestyle and nutritional interventions targeting the maintenance of endothelial cell integrity in patients with RA will be discussed as a potential option when approaching therapeutic solutions in the course of the disease.

The Association of Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, and Hydroxychloroquine Use With Fracture in Postmenopausal Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Findings From the Women's Health Initiative

This study was conducted to evaluate the extent to which disease‐modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs) used as part of a triple therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine are associated with fractures in postmenopausal women with RA. Incident fractures following use of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and/or hydroxychloroquine in postmenopausal women with RA in the Women's Health Initiative were estimated by Cox proportional hazards using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs after consideration of potential confounders. There were 1201 women with RA enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative included in these analyses, of which 74% were white, 17% were black, and 9% were of other or unknown race/ethnicity. Of the women with RA, 421 (35%) had not used methotrexate, sulfasalazine, or hydroxychloroquine, whereas 519 (43%) women had used methotrexate, 83 (7%) sulfasalazine, and 363 (30%) hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination at some time during study follow‐up. Over a median length of 6.46 years of follow‐up, in multivariable adjusted models, no statistically significant association was found between methotrexate (HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8–1.6), sulfasalazine (HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.2–1.5), or hydroxychloroquine (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.7–1.5) use and incident fractures or between combination therapy with methotrexate and sulfasalazine or methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine use (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5–1.6) and incident fractures. In conclusion, postmenopausal women with RA receiving any component of triple therapy should not be expected to have any substantial reduction in fracture risk from use of these DMARDs. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Drugs Causing Bone Loss

Drugs may cause bone loss by lowering sex steroid levels (e.g., aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer, GnRH agonists in prostate cancer, or depot medroxyprogestone acetate - DMPA), interfere with vitamin D levels (liver inducing anti-epileptic drugs), or directly by toxic effects on bone cells (chemotherapy, phenytoin, or thiazolidinedions, which diverts mesenchymal stem cells from forming osteoblasts to forming adipocytes). However, besides effects on the mineralized matrix, interactions with collagen and other parts of the unmineralized matrix may decrease bone biomechanical competence in a manner that may not correlate with bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy absorptiometry (DXA).Some drugs and drug classes may decrease BMD like the thiazolidinediones and consequently increase fracture risk. Other drugs such as glucocorticoids may decrease BMD, and thus increase fracture risk. However, glucocorticoids may also interfere with the unmineralized matrix leading to an increase in fracture risk, not mirrored in BMD changes. Some drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), paracetamol, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may not per se be associated with bone loss, but fracture risk may be increased, possibly stemming from an increased risk of falls stemming from effects on postural balance mediated by effects on the central nervous system or cardiovascular system.This paper performs a systematic review of drugs inducing bone loss or associated with fracture risk. The chapter is organized by the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification.

The Relationship Between Demographic Characteristics and Noninflammatory Complaints in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients on Remission

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the noninflammatory complaints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on remission and the relationship between these complaints and disease characteristics.

METHODS

This is a medical records review study of 103 RA patients who sustained a remission period for at least 6 months. Clinical features and demographic characteristics of patients, such as laboratory parameters, current number of sensitive and swollen joints, pain level and Patient Global Assessment, previously used medications, and modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, were carefully recorded. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of noninflammatory complaints as patients with or without noninflammatory complaints (group 1, n = 56; group 2, n = 47, respectively).

RESULTS

The most common complaints with a decreasing frequency were as follows: low back pain (n = 13 [23.2%]), degenerative knee pain (n = 11 [19.6%]), and widespread body pain due to fibromyalgia (n = 7 [12.5%]). The mean age and age at diagnosis were higher in group 1 than in those in group 2 (p = 0.039, and p = 0.014, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Noninflammatory complaints can be observed in about 50% of RA patients on remission. These complaints were more common in elderly patients with old-age disease onset. Therefore, while evaluating and treating this patient population, noninflammatory complaints and disease-specific parameters should be considered carefully in order to fully improve the clinical outcomes.