Predictors of good response to conventional synthetic DMARDs in early seronegative rheumatoid arthritis: data from the ESPOIR cohort

Curcumin and its anti-colorectal cancer potential: From mechanisms of action to autophagy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression, one of the most common cancers globally, is supported by specific mechanisms to escape cell death despite chemotherapy, including cellular autophagy. Autophagy is an evolutionarily highly conserved degradation pathway involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and clearance of foreign bodies, and its imbalance is associated with many diseases. However, the role of autophagy in CRC progression remains controversial, as it has a dual function, affecting either cell death or survival, and is associated with cellular senescence in tumor therapy. Indeed, numerous data have been presented that autophagy in cancers serves as an alternative to cell apoptosis when the latter is ineffective or in apoptosis-resistant cells, which is why it is also referred to as programmed cell death type II. Curcumin, one of the active constituents of Curcuma longa, has great potential to combat CRC by influencing various cellular signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation in a safe and cost-effective approach. This review discusses the efficacy of curcumin against CRC in vitro and in vivo, particularly its modulation of autophagy and apoptosis in various cellular pathways. While clinical studies have assessed the potential of curcumin in cancer prevention and treatment, none have specifically examined its role in autophagy. Nonetheless, we offer an overview of potential correlations to support the use of this polyphenol as a prophylactic or co-therapeutic agent in CRC.

Autoantibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis: still a challenge for the rheumatologist

Increased research over the past 30 years has greatly improved the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical aspects of autoantibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis, resulting in improved management and outcomes. In contrast, the subset of rheumatoid arthritis that does not have autoantibodies (such as rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies) remains less well defined in its pathogenic mechanisms. Autoantibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis continues to pose diagnostic challenges, might respond differently to therapies, and appears to be burdened with different comorbidities and outcomes. The clear separation of rheumatoid arthritis according to serotypes is still a subject of uncertainty and controversy, and studies specifically focused on comparing rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis-like arthritides that do not have autoantibodies remain scarce. The purpose of this Review is to summarise the peculiarities that make autoantibody-negative rheumatoid arthritis different from its autoantibody-positive counterpart, with the aim of generating debate and stimulating further research on this challenging condition.

Clinical Factors and the Outcome of Treatment with Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Role of Rheumatoid Factor, Erosive Disease and High Level of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

To identify the clinical factors predicting the outcome of treatment with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis, we examined 312 patients (253 females, 59 males) with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. All patients included in this analysis began treatment with a regimen of oral MTX 7.5 mg weekly, with the dosage increasing to 15 mg weekly after 4 weeks, in combination with folic acid (1 mg daily). Good responders were defined as patients who had a DAS28 of ≤2.4 at 6 months (patients with remission of disease symptoms). Poor responders were defined as patients who had a DAS28 of >2.4. In this study, we analyzed the association between clinical parameters such as sex of patients, age of patients, age at disease onset, disease duration, rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, ESR values, presence of joints erosions, presence of extra-articular manifestations and the response to MTX in RA patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed four independent factors significantly associated with good response to MTX treatment: older age at disease onset, low ESR, no erosive disease and negative RF. The results of our study suggest that a younger age at disease onset, the presence of RF, erosive disease, as well as a high level of ESR are associated with worse response to MTX therapy.

Male Sex Predicts a Favorable Outcome in Early ACPA-Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis: Data From an Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the relationship between sex and clinical outcomes in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) varies by autoantibody status.

METHODS

Two inception cohorts of consecutive patients with early RA (ie, symptom duration ≤ 12 months) in the southern region of Sweden were investigated. Patients were stratified by anticitrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) status. The primary outcome was remission (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints [DAS28] < 2.6) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were remission at 6 months and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology good response at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline. In logistic regression models, which were adjusted for age, DAS28 values, and Health Assessment Questionnaire values at baseline, the relationship between sex and clinical outcomes, stratified by ACPA status, was investigated.

RESULTS

In total, 426 patients with early RA were included: 160 patients were ACPA negative and 266 patients were ACPA positive. At 12 months, 27.1% (38/140) of females and 24.1% (13/54) of males with ACPA-positive RA achieved DAS28 remission. In ACPA-negative RA, 16.0% (13/81) of females and 48.6% (18/37) of males achieved DAS28 remission at 12 months. Males had higher odds of reaching remission at 12 months in the ACPA-negative patient group (pooled adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.79, 95% CI 1.97-11.6), but not in the ACPA-positive group (pooled adjusted OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.49-2.30).

CONCLUSION

Male sex was associated with better clinical outcomes in ACPA-negative early RA, but not in ACPA-positive early RA. The poor outcomes in females with early seronegative RA suggest that this represents a difficult-to-treat patient group.

A positive faecal immunochemical test result and its association with the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriatic arthritis: an analysis of one-million national colorectal cancer screening programme results

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence now indicates that the presence of faecal haemoglobin, in the absence of gastrointestinal bleeding, may be an indicator of systemic inflammation and is linked to the development of human diseases. We evaluated whether a positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is associated with the development of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).

METHODS

Data from the nationwide colorectal cancer screening programme from 2009 to 2013 were used. Participants (n=8,646,887) were divided into FIT (+) and FIT (-) groups by performing a 1:1 random sampling matched by age and sex. Participants with concurrent haemorrhoids, colorectal cancer (CRC), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and missed CRC and IBD were excluded using the colonoscopy results, ICD-10 codes, and the special exemption code (V code). Endpoints were the incidence of IMIDs (rheumatoid arthritis [RA], systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], and psoriatic arthritis [PsA]) after FIT.

RESULTS

Of the 1,044,955 eligible participants, 229,594 and 815,361 individuals were included in the FIT (+) and the FIT (-) groups, respectively. During the mean follow-up period of 7.59 years, a total of 7645 (incidence rate [IR] 9.56/10,000 person-years [PY]), 208 (IR 0.26/10,000 PY), and 101 (IR 0.13/10,000 PY) patients were diagnosed with RA, SLE, and PsA, respectively. An adjusted Cox analysis demonstrated that FIT positivity conferred a 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.24, p<0.001) times greater risk of developing RA. Kaplan-Meier analysis in the 1:2 propensity-score matched population also confirmed these results (hazard ratio [HR] 1.18, 95% CI 1.10-1.27, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive FIT is associated with increased risk of RA in the general population, corroborating that aberrancies of gut mucosa are associated with the development of IMIDs. Vigilant monitoring and early referral to a specialist upon medical suspicion is required in this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered.

Positive impact on 10-year outcome of the window of opportunity for conventional synthetic DMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the ESPOIR cohort

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on 10-year outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Patients with RA from the ESPOIR cohort with complete data on Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) at 10 years (n=418) and complete radiographic data at baseline and 10 years (n=343) were included in this study. Outcomes were favourable outcome (FavOut) at 10 years, defined as DAS28 of <2.6 and HAQ score of <0.5 at 10 years, and absence of structural damage progression (AbsSDP) at 10 years, defined as change in Sharp-van der Heijde Score less than the smallest detectable change at 10 years (11.5 points). Three multivariate logistic regression models predicting 10-year outcome were built, considering (1) baseline variables only, (2) baseline variables and DMARD exposure (ever exposed, yes/no) and (3) baseline variables and DMARD exposure as weighted cumulative exposure (WCE) variables.

RESULTS

Overall, 196/418 (46.9%) patients showed FavOut and 252/343 (73.5%) AbsSDP. WCE models had the best predictive performance, with area under the curve=0.80 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.87) for FavOut and 0.87 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.92) for AbsSDP. In the WCE model, the odds of FavOut and AbsSDP were reduced with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) initiation at 12 months versus at baseline (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.94, and OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.98, respectively). Early biologics initiation was not significantly associated with either outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

WCE models can identify and quantify the long-term benefit of early csDMARD initiation on 10-year functional and structural outcomes in patients with RA.

Clinical management and discontinuation of treatment in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis in a rheumatology consultation

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has changed dramatically in recent years, especially with the use of disease modifying drugs (DMARDs). Data on the management of this disease in clinical trials are abundant, but not so in real life. The aim of our study is to describe the management of an early RA cohort in daily clinical practice, especially DMARD discontinuations and reasons.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of patients with RA diagnosed between 01/07 and 12/14 followed up to 01/17, using >1 DMARD ≥ 3 months.

VARIABLES

sociodemographic, clinical, treatment, DMARD discontinuation and reason. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics. Discontinuation incidence rate (DIR) due to survival techniques, expressed in 100 patients*year with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

814 patients were included with 2388 courses of treatment, 77% women, mean age 57.5 years. First course: monotherapy (92.75%), especially Methotrexate (56.06%). In later courses there was increased combined therapy and use of biologicals (mainly Etanercept). There were 1094 discontinuations (29.5 [27.8-31.3]). The DIR was higher for adverse events (15.9 [14.7-17.3]), biologicals (49.6 [43.1-57.2]) and combined therapy. The DMAR with the lowest DIR was MTX (25.8 [23.8-28.1]).

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate was the most used drug, biologicals increased throughout the follow-up, the most frequent being Etanercept. The DMARD DIR was 29*100 patients per year, mainly due to adverse events. It seems to be higher in the therapies that include biologicals and combined therapies. MTX is the drug with the lowest DIR.

Factors associated with treatment satisfaction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: data from the biological register RABBIT

Objective

To assess satisfaction with the effectiveness and tolerability of treatments in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Patients from the RABBIT register, starting a biological (b) or targeted synthetic (ts) disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), or a conventional synthetic (cs)DMARD treatment after ≥1 csDMARD failure, were included. Treatment satisfaction was measured after 1 year of treatment in four categories and binarised for analysis. Logistic regression models were performed to calculate ORs for factors associated with treatment satisfaction.

Results

Data of 10 646 patients (74% women, mean 58 years) were analysed. At baseline, 55% of the patients were satisfied with the efficacy and 68% with the tolerability of their previously given treatments. After 1 year, 85% of the patients were satisfied with treatment effectiveness and 90% with tolerability. Baseline satisfaction (OR 2.98, 95% CI 2.58 to 3.44), seropositivity (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.57), reduction of DAS28 (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.46) and pain (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.31), and the improvement of physical capacity (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.29) were positively associated with treatment satisfaction at follow-up while glucocorticoids (GCs) >5 mg/day, depression, fibromyalgia, obesity, prior bDMARDs and therapy changes were negatively associated. The impact of GC on satisfaction was dose-dependent, becoming strongest for GC >15 mg (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.34). A 5 mg/day reduction within 12 months was positively associated with satisfaction regarding efficacy (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.27) and tolerability (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.21).

Conclusion

Most patients were satisfied with their treatment’s effectiveness and tolerability after 1 year of treatment. Tapering GCs was positively associated with the improvement of patients’ satisfaction.

Limiting factors to Boolean remission differ between autoantibody-positive and -negative patients in early rheumatoid arthritis

Background:

The patient global assessment of disease activity (PGA) is the major limiting factor to Boolean remission in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated the limiting variables to disease remission in patients with early RA treated with conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, also in relation to autoantibody status.

Methods:

Data were retrieved from 535 early RA patients (<12 months of symptoms) with an observation period of 6–12 months upon initiation of therapy with methotrexate aimed at the achievement of low disease activity based on the 28-joints disease activity score. Near-remission was defined as any of the four core items of Boolean remission >1 with the remaining three all ⩽1. Reasons for missing Boolean remission and predictors of near-remission subcategories were analyzed in relation to baseline disease variables.

Results:

After 6 and 12 months, near-remission was two-times more frequent than Boolean remission (25.6% and 26.9% at the two time-points). A 28-swollen joint count (SJC28) >1 was responsible for the majority of near-remission (56.2% and 57.6% at 6 and 12 months, respectively), and PGA > 1 accounted for approximatively 35% of the cases. Autoantibody-positivity independently predicted the risk of missing remission because of SJC28 > 1 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.81 (1.59–4.9) at 6 months and 1.73 (1.01–3.01) at 12 months], whilst autoantibody-negativity was an independent predictor of PGA near-remission [adjusted OR (95% CI) 2.45 (1.25–4.80) at 6 months and 5.71 (2.47–13.2) at 12 months].

Conclusion:

In early RA, Boolean remission is more frequently missed because of persistent swollen joints. However, barriers to full-remission vary in relation to the autoantibody status. Autoantibody-positive patients more commonly experience residual swollen joints, whilst PGA more frequently impairs remission in autoantibody-negative patients. Efforts to target full-remission in early RA may thus require different strategies according to autoantibody profile.

Prognostic Factors for Radiographic Progression in Patients with Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

(1) Background: It has long been suggested that seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a clinical entity quite distinct from that of seropositive. However, analytical studies of seronegative RA dedicated to clinical outcomes regarding radiographic progression and related risk factors are scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate radiographic outcome and prognostic factors for radiographic progression in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. (2) Methods: Subjects included RA patients reported as seronegative for both rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibody, who were treated at Jeju National University Hospital in South Korea between 2003 and 2016, including follow-up of at least 2 years. All patients fulfilled 1987 ACA or 2010 ACR/EULAR RA criteria. Radiographic progression was measured by yearly change in the Sharp van der Heijde (SvdH) score during follow-up periods. Medical records, laboratory and radiographic data were retrospectively analyzed, and linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic factors for radiographic progression in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. (3) Results: In total, 116 patients with seronegative RA were observed and 43 (37.1%) patients demonstrated radiographic damage during follow-up period. Mean age at diagnosis was 48 years and 86 (74.1%) patients were female. Symptom duration at diagnosis was 1.3 years and mean follow-up duration was 5.2 years. Patients with radiographic damage at diagnosis were 14 (12.1%) and mean SvdH score was 6.8 at diagnosis. Radiographic damage and SvdH at diagnosis significantly correlated with radiographic progression in patients with seronegative RA after adjusting age, sex, symptom duration, number of active synovitis, and CRP at diagnosis (β-coefficient 6.5 ± 1.84; p = 0.001 and β-coefficient 0.12 ± 0.02; p < 0.001, respectively). (4) Conclusions: This study determined that radiographic damage and SvdH at diagnosis were predictive factors in progression of radiographic damage in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. A large comparative study dedicated to this issue in seronegative RA is required.

Clinical Management and Discontinuation of Treatment in Patients with Recent Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Rheumatology Consultation

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has changed dramatically in recent years, especially with the use of disease modifying drugs (DMARDs). Data on the management of this disease in clinical trials are abundant, but not so in real life. The aim of our study is to describe the management of an early rheumatoid arthritis cohort in daily clinical practice, especially DMARD discontinuations and reasons.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed between 01/07 and 12/14 followed up to 01/17, using>1 DMARD≥3 months.

VARIABLES

sociodemographic, clinical, treatment, DMARD discontinuation and reason. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics. Discontinuation incidence rate (DIR) due to survival techniques, expressed in 100 patients/year with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

814 patients were included with 2,388 courses of treatment, 77% women, mean age 57.5 years. First course: monotherapy (92.75%), especially methotrexate (56.06%). In later courses there was increased combined therapy and use of biologicals (mainly etanercept). There were 1,094 discontinuations (29.5 [27.8-31.3]). The DIR was higher for adverse events (15.9 [14.7-17.3]), biologicals (49.6 [43.1-57.2]) and combined therapy. The DMAR with the lowest DIR was methotrexate (25.8 [23.8-28.1]).

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate was the most used drug, biologicals increased throughout the follow-up, the most frequent being Etanercept. The DMARD DIR was 29/100 patients per year, mainly due to adverse events. It seems to be higher in the therapies that include biologicals and combined therapies. Methotrexate is the drug with the lowest DIR.