Classification Criteria in Axial Spondyloarthritis: What Have We Learned; Where Are We Going?

Immunogenicity and adverse events of the COVID-19 vaccines in healthy and individuals with autoimmune diseases in an Iranian population

Introduction: Recent studies have proposed various COVID-19 vaccines to control the disease and protect susceptible individuals. However, immunogenicity and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in various populations are not well identified yet. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of the BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccines in healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune diseases.Methods: Study population included 121 healthy subjects and 100 patients with autoimmune diseases. Immunization was performed based on the national vaccination protocols. Of the 221 volunteers, 201 subjects received Sinopharm and 20 cases were vaccinated with Oxford-AstraZeneca. During a 1-year follow-up, the immunogenicity was measured by ELISA before primary vaccination and 1 to 3 months after secondary immunization. Side effects were studied before entering the study and 1 week after the second dose.Results: Vaccination had a positive impact on the induction of immunogenic response (p < .0001). The rates of seropositive vaccine responses were 80% and 75% in subjects vaccinated with the Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca, respectively. The neutralizing antibody values were significantly higher in subjects with autoimmune diseases than those without autoimmunity (p < .05). The rate of adverse events were 38% and 42% in subjects vaccinated with the Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca, respectively. The rates of immunogenic responses induced with the Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca were, respectively, 76% and 81.5% in seropositive subjects, while they were 63.8% and 79.1% in seronegative subjects vaccinated with the Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca, respectively. Individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed a significant reduction in the value of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies compared with seronegative subjects (p < .01-.05). Seropositive individuals vaccinated with the Sinopharm had significantly higher the percentages of vaccine-related adverse events than seronegative persons (p < .05). There was no significant difference between seronegative and seropositive individuals vaccinated with the Oxford-AstraZeneca.Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the Sinopharm and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines are effective in the production of neutralizing antibodies in healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune disorders undergoing immunosuppressive therapies without considerable reactogenicity.

Advanced practice physiotherapists in Scottish primary care: Axial Spondyloarthropathy epidemiology, time to diagnosis, and referrals to rheumatology

OBJECTIVES

(1) Generate empirical knowledge of a Musculoskeletal (MSK) Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) Service in Scottish Primary Care; (2) Identify the incidence and baseline time to diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthropathy (AxSpA); (3) Identify APP Rheumatology referral fulfilment of the NICE 2017 Guidelines and Spondylarthritis Diagnosis Evaluation (SPADE) Tool; (4) Calculate APP Rheumatology referral conversion rates for AxSpA diagnosis and further investigation; (5) Contribute towards the current body of literature for informing analysis of MSK APP services within Scottish Primary Care.

METHODS

An audit and evaluation approach was undertaken over a 3-year period (May 2019-April 2022). Relevant clinical cases from the whole-service data-set were identified and analysed, using retrospective electronic healthcare record review and descriptive statistical techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 37,656 primary care MSK APP consultations took place, with N = 19 suspected AxSpA referrals made to Rheumatology. N = 6 cases of AxSpA were diagnosed by a Rheumatologist (31.6%). The mean age of individuals diagnosed with AxSpA was 39.6 ± 8.8, and 66.7% (4/6) were female. Mean time to diagnosis was 3.4 years, and incidence per-10,000 person-years was 1.6. Compliance of referrals with the NICE 2017 Guidelines and SPADE Tool Criteria was 78.9%. Of those diagnosed with AxSpA, 66.7% met both referral criterion sets.

CONCLUSION

Those referred by an MSK APP from primary care had a 5.1 year shorter time to diagnosis than the previous reported UK average of 8.5 years. APPs identified relevant AxSpA features in referring to Rheumatology, and supported effective implementation of the local secondary care pathway.

Comparison of Sacroiliitis Grade Readings on the Same Plain Radiographs by the Same Observer at Different Periods

BACKGROUND

 This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference between the readings of plain sacroiliac radiographs of patients with sacroiliitis by the same observer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 In the study, we included patients diagnosed with sacroiliitis through sacroiliac MRI who had undergone plain radiographs at our center between 2015 and 2022. The radiographic grading of patients was conducted by transferring their demographic and clinical information into a computerized environment so that these details would not be identifiable. The plain radiographs were numbered, and the responses were graded as grade 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 for the right and left sacroiliac joints. The next day, using the same procedure, the same clinician re-evaluated the same plain radiographs in a different order without viewing the previous responses. This method was employed to prevent bias. The results (kappa value) were evaluated (0.00-0.20: slight agreement, 0.21-0.40: fair agreement, 0.41-0.60: moderate agreement, 0.61-0.80: substantial agreement, 0.81-1.00: perfect agreement).

RESULTS

 The study population included 478 patients and 956 sacroiliac joints from plain radiographs, both on the right and left. Following the observer's classification of the sacroiliac joints into 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, a moderate level of agreement was found in the second evaluation of the same observer a day later with the same grades (p<0.001, kappa: 0.576). When categorized as grade 0-1 and grade 2-4, there was moderate agreement (p<0.001, kappa: 0.519), and categorization into grades 0-2 and 3-4 showed substantial agreement (p<0.001, kappa: 0.715). Analyzing the categorization into grades 0-3 and grade 4 revealed a higher kappa value, indicating substantial agreement (p<0.001, kappa: 0.766).

CONCLUSION

Intraobserver interpretation of radiographs may be more accurate than the interpretation of different specialists. While interpreting plain radiographs, we observed variability between adjacent grades but less variability between distant grades. However, these results need to be validated.

Spondyloarthritides

The spondyloarthritides are a diverse group of distinct yet interrelated disease processes with overlapping clinical features. They are ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Genetically, these disease processes have been linked by the presence of HLA-B27. They manifest with axial and peripheral symptoms, such as inflammatory back pain, enthesitis, oligoarthritis, and dactylitis. The onset of symptoms can begin before the age of 45; however, because of the wide range of signs and symptoms, diagnosis can be delayed, leading to unchecked inflammation, structural damage, and later, restriction in physical mobility.

Immunogenicity and safety of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases undergoing immunosuppressive therapy in a monocentric cohort

INTRODUCTION

Vaccination plays a fundamental role in mastering the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting vulnerable groups. Persons with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) requiring immunosuppressive therapies are prioritized for vaccination. However, data concerning immunogenicity and safety of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine in immunosuppressed patients are not found. This study presents data on the efficacy and safety of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine in immunosuppressed patients compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

Study population consisted of 100 healthy controls and 100 patients with AIIRD. Vaccination was performed according to national guidelines with the BBIBP-CorV vaccine. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before initial vaccination and 1-3 months after secondary vaccination. Adverse events were assessed before study initiation and 7 days after the second dose. Disease activity was studied before entering the study and 3-8 weeks after the second dose.

RESULTS

Vaccination-induced positive immunogenic response rates and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers were significantly lower in the AIIRD patients than healthy subjects (p < .05). There are significant differences in neutralizing antibody titers among patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis, and ankylosing spondylitis (p < .01-.05). The rates of seropositive vaccine responses were similarly distributed across all diseases. Healthy and AIIRD individuals had a similar profile in adverse events. No significant difference was observed in SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers between subjects suffering from side effects and those who did not have. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels were significantly higher in subjects with a history of COVID-19 infection than seronegative individuals (p < .01-0.05). Seropositive subjects had a significant increase in the percentage of vaccine-related adverse events compared to seronegative persons (p < .05). Despite a minor change in the disease activity of patients with RA and SLE, disease activity indices were overall stable in the AIIRD patients.

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed that the BBIBP-CorV vaccine is effective in the development of neutralizing antibodies in immunosuppressed patients without considerable reactogenicity or induction of disease flares.

Can Bone Erosion in Axial Spondyloarthropathy be Detected by Ultrashort Echo Time Imaging? A Comparison With Computed Tomography in the Sacroiliac Joint

BACKGROUND

Structural lesion evaluation in axial spondyloarthropathy (SpA) can improve accuracy of diagnosis. However, structural lesions (bone erosions) are difficult to be assessed using conventional MRI compared to computed tomography (CT).

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrashort echo time (UTE) for detecting bone erosion in axial SpA compared to T1WI and three-dimensional double-echo steady-state (3D DESS) imaging using CT as the reference standard.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective.

POPULATION

Fourteen patients (eight females, 57.1%) and 14 healthy controls (seven females, 50.0%) who underwent sacroiliac (SI) joint MRI and CT.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

3 T; TSE T1WI, 3D DESS, 2D UTE.

ASSESSMENT

The bilateral SI joints were assessed for bone erosion. Three observers scored bone erosion for all three sequences of MRI. CT was used as the gold standard. Diagnostic confidence in axial SpA was measured based on a four-point confidence score.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Correlation of erosion scores between CT and MRI were evaluated using Spearman's correlation test. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive-negative predictive values were calculated. Confidence scores were compared using the Wilcoxon sum rank test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Compared with erosion scores of CT, the correlation coefficients for each MRI sequence showed significant low-to-high positive correlations (0.39-0.72). UTE imaging showed the highest correlation coefficients for all observers (0.70, 0.72, and 0.67, respectively). The specificity of UTE imaging was equal or higher than those of T1WI and 3D DESS for all observers (0.86 vs. 0.71 vs. 0.57; 0.93 vs. 0.71 vs. 0.57; 0.79 vs. 0.79 vs. 0.43). All observers had the highest confidence in interpreting UTE imaging for detecting bone erosion among the three sequences (3.5, 3.4, and 3.3 for UTE; 3.1, 3.0, and 2.6 for T1WI; and 3.2, 2.7, and 2.4 for DESS).

DATA CONCLUSION

UTE imaging can detect bone erosions in patients with axial SpA and show higher specificity than conventional T1WI and 3D DESS.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

How good is the agreement between clinical diagnoses and classification criteria fulfilment in axial spondyloarthritis? Results from the SPARTAKUS cohort

OBJECTIVES

To study the agreement between clinical axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) diagnoses and fulfilment of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) axSpA and modified New York (mNY) classification criteria, and to compare disease/health status between axSpA subtypes.

METHOD

Patients with prevalent, clinical axSpA attending a rheumatology clinic were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Assessments included physical evaluation, laboratory testing, questionnaires, and appropriate imaging, allowing classification. Standard axSpA outcome measures were compared between patients fulfilling mNY/radiographic versus non-radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA/nr-axSpA) criteria.

RESULTS

Of 239 consecutively included patients, 141 fulfilled ASAS r-axSpA and/or mNY criteria, while 57 fulfilled nr-axSpA criteria. The agreement between r-axSpA and mNY criteria fulfilment was 94%. The positive predictive value (PPV) of a clinical ankylosing spondylitis (AS) diagnosis for mNY criteria fulfilment was 71%; the PPV of an undifferentiated axSpA (u-axSpA) diagnosis for fulfilment of nr-axSpA criteria was 30% and 40% for mNY criteria. Patients with r-axSpA/AS were older, more often men, and had longer disease duration, more uveitis, and worse spinal mobility than nr-axSpA patients, who had more enthesitis and dactylitis.

CONCLUSION

We found an overall good concordance between clinical axSpA diagnoses and classification criteria fulfilment, with 83% fulfilling ASAS axSpA and/or mNY criteria. Regarding axSpA subtypes, the concordance was weaker, and although the ICD-10 code for AS correctly identified patients meeting mNY criteria in 71% of cases, one-third of mNY-positive patients lacked an AS diagnosis. Moreover, clinical u-axSpA diagnoses could not serve as a proxy to identify nr-axSpA, highlighting the importance of thorough classification in research on axSpA subtypes.

MRI in axial spondyloarthritis: understanding an 'ASAS-positive MRI' and the ASAS classification criteria

In 2009, the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) published a definition of 'active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for classification of axial spondyloarthritis'. This new definition of an 'ASAS-positive MRI' was integral to new classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis that were published in the same year. The ASAS MRI definition had the considerable advantage of simplicity and the definition gained popularity as guidance for interpreting MRI of the sacroiliac joints in clinical practice. However, classification criteria are not designed for use in clinical practice with the consequence that overreliance on the presence of bone marrow edema, which is the principal determinant of an 'ASAS-positive MRI', may result in a tendency to overcall inflammatory sacroiliitis in the clinical setting. This article aims to inform the reader about the rationale behind the ASAS definition of a positive MRI and ASAS classification criteria, their proper use in research and why they should not be used in clinical practice. The article also contains guidance for an updated imaging protocol and interpretation of images including typical imaging findings, differential diagnosis, and common pitfalls.

Spondyloarthritides

The spondyloarthritides are a diverse group of distinct yet interrelated disease processes with overlapping clinical features. They are ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Genetically, these disease processes have been linked by the presence of HLA-B27. They manifest with axial and peripheral symptoms, such as inflammatory back pain, enthesitis, oligoarthritis, and dactylitis. The onset of symptoms can begin before the age of 45; however, because of the wide range of signs and symptoms, diagnosis can be delayed, leading to unchecked inflammation, structural damage, and later, restriction in physical mobility.

'Can you touch your toes?' spondyloarthropathies and acute anterior uveitis for primary eyecare practitioners

The rheumatological diseases known as spondyloarthropathies (SpAs) are reviewed with respect to the current classifications of SpAs and from the perspective of ophthalmic practitioners. The focus is on the most common spondyloarthropathy, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and the key symptoms, such as inflammatory back pain. The association with HLA-B27 and acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and the major clinical considerations for primary eye care practitioners are reviewed. An atypical case study illustrates difficulties in the detection and diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.

Axial spondyloarthritis: concept, construct, classification and implications for therapy

The axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) disease concept has undergone substantial change from when the entity ankylosing spondylitis was defined by the modified New York criteria in 1984. Developments in imaging, therapy and genetics have all contributed to changing the concept of axSpA from one of erosions in the sacroiliac joints to a spectrum of disease with and without changes evident on plain radiographs. Changes to the previously held concept and construct of the disease have also necessitated new classification criteria. The use of MRI, primarily of the sacroiliac joints, has substantially altered the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of axSpA. Many in the axSpA community believe that the current classification criteria lack specificity, and the CLASSIC study is underway to examine this area. Although much about the evolving axSpA disease concept is universally agreed, there remains disagreement about operationalizing aspects of it, such as the requirement for the objective demonstration of axial inflammation for the classification of axSpA. New imaging technologies, biomarkers and genetics data will probably necessitate ongoing revision of axSpA classification criteria. Advances in our knowledge of the biology of axSpA will settle some differences in opinion as to how the disease concept is applied to the classification and diagnosis of patients.