Prevalence of Type 2 and Type 1 Diabetes in Psoriatic Arthritis: An Italian Study

Infections in psoriatic arthritis: association with treatment

Serious infections (SIs) remain one of the most significant comorbidities in patients with inflammatory arthritides including psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Apart from methotrexate (MTX) and biologics such as tumor necrosis factor (TNFi), interleukin-12/23 (IL-12/23i), and IL-17 inhibitors (IL-17i), traditionally used for the treatment of PsA, recently biologics such as IL-23i and targeted synthetic agents like JAK inhibitors (JAKi) have been introduced in the daily clinical practice for the treatment of this disease. Although overall the incidence of SIs in patients with PsA treated with these agents is lower compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, still a number of unresolved issues regarding their safety remain. Current evidence is reassuring regarding the safety profile of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, such as MTX. The increased risk for reactivation of latent infections, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) with the use of TNFi, is well described; nevertheless, it is significantly ameliorated with the appropriate screening and prophylaxis. Regarding IL-12/23i and IL-17i, there are no significant safety signals, except from an increased incidence of usually mild Candida infections with the latter class. Newer biologics such as IL-23i and targeted synthetic agents like JAKi have been recently introduced in the daily clinical practice for the treatment of this disease. While IL-23i has not been shown to increase the risk for common or opportunistic infections, a well-established association of JAKi with herpes zoster warrants the attention of rheumatologists. In this narrative review, we summarize the infectious complications of available treatment options by drug class in patients with PsA.

Prevalence and characteristics of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in Italy

Purpose

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a benign condition characterized by ossification of the spine and prominent enthesopathies. Highly heterogeneous epidemiological figures have been reported in the literature, while in Italy the largest study has been conducted in 1992. The aim of our research is to contribute updated information about prevalence of DISH in Italy and to describe the clinical and radiographic characteristics associated with the disorder.

Material and methods

A retrospective review of lumbosacral spine, thoracic spine and pelvis radiographs was performed. Consecutive patients visiting the emergency department of our Institution over 3 years were enrolled. Presence of DISH was evaluated applying the Resnick and Niwayama criteria. Clinical and radiological features were also assessed.

Results

We included 1012 individuals (60.6% women), and DISH was present in 130 cases. The overall prevalence of DISH was 12.8% (95% CI 10.8–15.1), with higher figures in the male sample (16.8%) than in females (10.3%). In binary logistic regression adjusted for age, BMI (OR 1.50, p < 0.001) diabetes (OR 1.85, p = 0.003), hypertension (OR 2.04, p = 0.007) ischiopubic enthesopathy (OR 7.08, p < 0.001), iliac crest enthesopathy (OR 4.63, p < 0.001) and greater trochanter enthesopathy (OR 3.51, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with the condition.

Conclusion

The prevalence of DISH observed in our study is consistent with previous literature, and we confirm that the disorder is more frequently retrieved in men and that it is associated with the presence of metabolic disorders and pelvic enthesopathy. Knowledge about the epidemiology and characteristics of DISH is needed to properly identify the condition.

The Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Inflammatory Arthritis and Cardiovascular Health in Rheumatic Conditions: A Mini Review

The principle of ketogenic diet (KD) is restriction of carbohydrates to a maximum of 5-10% of the total daily caloric intake, aiming at shifting body metabolism toward ketone bodies. Different studies suggested promising results of KD to help patients to lose weight, to reduce insulin requirements in diabetes, to supplement cancer protocols, to treat neurological conditions and to optimize control of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, literature about the anti-inflammatory properties of KD in rheumatic diseases is still limited. The beneficial effects of weight loss in patients with inflammatory arthritis can be explained by biomechanical and biochemical factors. Obesity is associated with macrophage activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1b, and IL-6. The clinical effect of KD may be primarily attributed to improvement of insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is associated with an increase of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and leptin. Moreover, reduction of body's adipose tissue and weight loss account for part of the anti-inflammatory effects and for the impact of KD on cardiovascular health. In rheumatoid arthritis, fasting was shown to be effective in reducing disease symptoms, possibly through the production of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the main ketone body. BHB may exert inhibitory effects also on IL-17 and intermittent fasting improved the clinical manifestations of psoriatic arthritis. In ankylosing spondylitis, current literature doesn't allow to draw conclusion about the effects of KD. Future prospective studies will be needed to elucidate the potential beneficial effects of KD on specific domains and clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis.