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Verstappen M, Matthijssen XME, Connolly SE, Maldonado MA, Huizinga TWJ, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. ACPA-negative and ACPA-positive RA patients achieving disease resolution demonstrate distinct patterns of MRI-detected joint-inflammation. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 62:124-134. [PMID: 35583256 PMCID: PMC9788814 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although sustained DMARD-free remission (SDFR; sustained absence of clinical-synovitis after DMARD-discontinuation) is increasingly achievable in RA, prevalence differs between ACPA-negative (40%) and ACPA-positive RA (5-10%). Additionally, early DAS remission (DAS4months<1.6) is associated with achieving SDFR in ACPA-negative, but not in ACPA-positive RA. Based on these differences, we hypothesized that longitudinal patterns of local tissue inflammation (synovitis/tenosynovitis/osteitis) also differ between ACPA-negative and ACPA-positive RA patients achieving SDFR. With the ultimate aim being to increase understanding of disease resolution in RA, we studied MRI-detected joint inflammation over time in relation to SDFR development in ACPA-positive RA and ACPA-negative RA. METHODS A total of 198 RA patients (94 ACPA-negative, 104 ACPA-positive) underwent repeated MRIs (0/4/12/24 months) and were followed on SDFR development. The course of MRI-detected total inflammation, and synovitis/tenosynovitis/osteitis individually were compared between RA patients who did and did not achieve SDFR, using Poisson mixed models. In total, 174 ACPA-positive RA patients from the AVERT-1 were studied as ACPA-positive validation population. RESULTS In ACPA-negative RA, baseline MRI-detected inflammation levels of patients achieving SDFR were similar to patients without SDFR but declined 2.0 times stronger in the first year of DMARD treatment [IRR 0.50 (95% CI; 0.32, 0.77); P < 0.01]. This stronger decline was seen in tenosynovitis/synovitis/osteitis. In contrast, ACPA-positive RA-patients achieving SDFR, had already lower inflammation levels (especially synovitis/osteitis) at disease presentation [IRR 0.45 (95% CI; 0.24, 0.86); P = 0.02] compared with patients without SDFR, and remained lower during subsequent follow-up (P = 0.02). Similar results were found in the ACPA-positive validation population. CONCLUSION Compared with RA patients without disease resolution, ACPA-positive RA patients achieving SDFR have less severe joint inflammation from diagnosis onwards, while ACPA-negative RA patients present with similar inflammation levels but demonstrate a stronger decline in the first year of DMARD therapy. These different trajectories suggest different mechanisms underlying resolution of RA chronicity in both RA subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Verstappen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Tom W J Huizinga
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Verstappen M, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. Sustained DMARD-free remission in rheumatoid arthritis - about concepts and moving towards practice. Joint Bone Spine 2022; 89:105418. [PMID: 35636705 PMCID: PMC7615888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2022.105418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sustained DMARD-free remission (SDFR) is the best possible outcome in RA. It is characterized by sustained absence of clinical arthritis, which is accompanied by resolution of symptoms and restoration of normal physical functioning. Therefore it's the best proxy for cure in RA. The mechanisms underlying SDFR-development are yet unidentified. Hypothetically, there are two possible scenarios. The first hypothesis is based on the concept of regaining immune-tolerance, which implies that RA-patients are similar at diagnosis and that disease-processes during the disease-course shift into a favorable direction, resulting in regaining a state in which arthritis is persistently absent. This could imply that SDFR is theoretically achievable for all RA-patients. The alternative hypothesis is that RA-patients who achieve SDFR are intrinsically different from those who cannot. This would imply that DMARD-cessation could be restricted to a subgroup of RA-patients. Since the 1990s, DMARD-discontinuation and SDFR have been increasingly studied as long-term-outcome in RA. In this review, we describe hitherto results of clinical, genetic, serological, histological and imaging studies and looked for arguments for the first or second hypothesis in both auto-antibody-positive and auto-antibody-negative RA. In auto-antibody-negative RA, SDFR is presumably restricted to a subgroup of patients with high serological-markers of inflammation at diagnosis and a rapid and sustained decrease in inflammation after treatment-start. Identifying these RA-patients could be helpful in realizing personalized-medicine. In auto-antibody-positive RA, only few patients achieve SDFR and no definite conclusions can be drawn, but data could suggest that SDFR-patients might be a subgroup with relatively low inflammation from disease-presentation onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Verstappen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Choida V, Madenidou AV, Sen D, Hall-Craggs MA, Ciurtin C. The role of whole-body MRI in musculoskeletal inflammation detection and treatment response evaluation in inflammatory arthritis across age: A systematic review. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2022; 52:151953. [PMID: 35038643 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.151953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relation between whole-body MRI (WBMRI) outcomes and disease activity measures, including clinical examination, composite scores, and other imaging outcomes, and the ability of WBMRI to detect treatment response in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) across age. METHODS Human studies published as full text or abstract in the PubMed and MEDLINE and Cochrane databases from inception to 11th April 2021 were systematically and independently searched by two reviewers. Studies including patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or unclassified inflammatory arthritis (UA) who underwent WBMRI and which reported on disease outcomes were included. RESULTS Nineteen full-text studies were eligible for inclusion: 2 interventional, 7 retrospective and 10 prospective observational studies, comprising 540 participants (SpA 38.7%, RA 24.8%, JIA 17.8%, PsA 11.5%, healthy controls 5.9%, UA 1.3%). Abstracts of 6 conference papers were reported separately. Five studies in PsA and SpA and 4 in RA measured the frequency of WBMRI-detected and clinically-detected synovitis, and all found the former to be more frequent. Less enthesitis was detected by WBMRI than clinical examination in 5/8 studies. After biologic treatment, the WBMRI inflammation scores declined in 3 studies in SpA and 2 in RA, whilst in 3 studies the results were equivocal. CONCLUSION The ability of WBMRI to assess disease activity and treatment response in IA was adequate overall. Further studies are needed to corroborate WBMRI findings with IA outcomes and investigate the clinical value of subclinical inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara Choida
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, 2nd Floor Charles Bell House, 43-45 Foley Street, London W1W 7TS, UK; Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK; Department of Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 3rd Floor 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK
| | - Anastasia-Vasiliki Madenidou
- Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK; Department of Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 3rd Floor 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK
| | - Debajit Sen
- Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK; Department of Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 3rd Floor 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK
| | - Margaret A Hall-Craggs
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, 2nd Floor Charles Bell House, 43-45 Foley Street, London W1W 7TS, UK; Department of Radiology, University College London Hospital, Ground Floor 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU, UK
| | - Coziana Ciurtin
- Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK; Department of Rheumatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 3rd Floor 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK.
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Verstappen M, van Steenbergen HW, de Jong PHP, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. Unraveling heterogeneity within ACPA-negative rheumatoid arthritis: the subgroup of patients with a strong clinical and serological response to initiation of DMARD treatment favor disease resolution. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:4. [PMID: 34980246 PMCID: PMC8722281 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02671-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a heterogeneous disease, as evidenced by the differences in long-term outcomes. This applies especially to anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA)-negative RA, where a proportion achieves sustained DMARD-free remission (SDFR; sustained absence of synovitis after DMARD cessation). Differentiation of RA patients who will achieve SDFR can guide personalized treatment/tapering strategies. Although this subgroup remains scarcely discerned, previous research demonstrated that these RA patients are characterized by an early clinical response (DAS remission after 4 months) after DMARD start. We studied whether, in addition to this clinical response, a specific biomarker response can further distinguish the subgroup of RA patients most likely to achieve SDFR. METHODS In 266 RA patients, levels of 12 biomarkers (SAA/CRP/MMP-1/MMP-3/resistin/leptin/IL-6/TNF-R1/YKL-40/EGF/VEGF/VCAM-1), in the first 2 years after diagnosis, were studied in relation to SDFR, stratified for ACPA status. Subsequently, biomarkers associated with SDFR development were combined with early DAS remission to study its additional value in defining subgroups. Since most biomarker levels are not routinely measured in clinical practice, we explored how this subgroup can be clinically recognized. RESULTS ACPA-negative RA patients achieving SDFR were characterized by high baseline levels and stronger decline in MMP-1/MMP-3/SAA/CRP after DMARD-start, respectively 1.30×/1.44×/2.12×/2.24× stronger. This effect was absent in ACPA-positive RA. In ACPA-negative RA, a strong biomarker decline is associated with early DAS remission. The combination of both declines (clinical, biomarker) was present in a subgroup of ACPA-negative RA patients achieving SDFR. This subgroup can be clinically recognized by the combination of high baseline CRP levels (≥ 3 times ULN), and early DAS remission (DAS4 months < 1.6). This latter was replicated in independent ACPA-negative RA patients. CONCLUSIONS ACPA-negative RA patients with early DAS remission and a strong biomarker response (or baseline CRP levels ≥ 3× ULN) are most likely to achieve SDFR later on. This could guide personalized decisions on DMARD tapering/cessation in ACPA-negative RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Verstappen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - H W van Steenbergen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - P H P de Jong
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Boeters DM, van der Helm–van Mil AHM. Response to: “Does ACPA-negative RA consist of subgroups related to sustained DMARD-free remission and serological markers at disease presentation” by Masi and Fleischmann. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:55. [PMID: 32197624 PMCID: PMC7082976 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02152-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Verstappen M, Niemantsverdriet E, Matthijssen XME, le Cessie S, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. Early DAS response after DMARD-start increases probability of achieving sustained DMARD-free remission in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:276. [PMID: 33228814 PMCID: PMC7684730 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sustained DMARD-free remission (SDFR) is increasingly achievable. The pathogenesis underlying SDFR development is unknown and patient characteristics at diagnosis poorly explain whether SDFR will be achieved. To increase the understanding, we studied the course of disease activity scores (DAS) over time in relation to SDFR development. Subsequently, we explored whether DAS course could be helpful identifying RA patients likely to achieve SDFR. Methods 772 consecutive RA patients, promptly treated with csDMARDs (mostly methotrexate and treat-to-target treatment adjustments), were studied for SDFR development (absence of synovitis, persisting minimally 12 months after DMARD stop). The course of disease activity scores (DAS) was compared between RA patients with and without SDFR development within 7 years, using linear mixed models, stratified for ACPA. The relation between 4-month DAS and the probability of SDFR development was studied with logistic regression. Cumulative incidence of SDFR within DAS categories (< 1.6, 1.6–2.4, 2.4–3.6, ≥ 3.6) at 4 months was visualized using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results In ACPA-negative RA patients, those achieving SDFR showed a remarkably stronger DAS decline within the first 4 months, compared to RA patients without SDFR; − 1.73 units (95%CI, 1.28–2.18) versus − 1.07 units (95%CI, 0.90–1.23) (p < 0.001). In APCA-positive RA patients, such an effect was not observed, yet SDFR prevalence in this group was low. In ACPA-negative RA, DAS decline in the first 4 months and absolute DAS levels at 4 months (DAS4 months) were equally predictive for SDFR development. Incidence of SDFR in ACPA-negative RA patients was high (70.2%) when DAS4 months was < 1.6, whilst SDFR was rare (7.1%) when DAS4 months was ≥ 3.6. Conclusions In ACPA-negative RA, an early response to treatment, i.e., a strong DAS decline within the first 4 months, is associated with a higher probability of SDFR development. DAS values at 4 months could be useful for later decisions to stop DMARDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Verstappen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - E Niemantsverdriet
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - X M E Matthijssen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - S le Cessie
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - A H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Nasonov EL, Olyunin YA, Lila AM. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: THE PROBLEMS OF REMISSION AND THERAPY RESISTANCE. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.14412/1995-4484-2018-263-271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an immunoinflammatory (autoimmune) rheumatic disease of unknown etiology, which is characterized by chronic erosive arthritis and systemic visceral organ damage that results in early disability and shorter patient survival. Despite RA treatment advances associated with the design of novel drugs and the improvement of treatment strategies to achieve remission in many patients, there are still many theoretical and clinical problems concerning both the definition of the concept of remission, its characteristics and types and approaches to the optimum policy of symptomatic and pathogenetic drug therapy at different stages of the disease, the use of which will be able to rapidly induce and maintain remission in the long-term. Further investigations are needed to study the nature of heterogeneity of pathogenetic mechanisms of RA and approaches to early diagnosis, to improve methods for monitoring disease activity and biomarkers for the efficiency of and resistance to therapy and, finally, to develop differentiation therapy, including those related to a search for new therapeutic targets.
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