Synthesis and Isolation of a Homochiral Nanohoop Composed of a Tröger's Base and Hexaparaphenylene

Invited for the cover of this issue are Yusuke Yoshigoe, Hirotaka Shimada, and Shinichi Saito at the Tokyo University of Science, and Takuya Takaki and Yoshitane Imai at Kindai University. The image depicts a witch with a racemic pair of our nanohoops, TB[6]CPPs, chanting words shown in the font of a magical world. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202304059.

Synthesis and Isolation of a Homochiral Nanohoop Composed of a Tröger's Base and Hexaparaphenylene

The synthesis of a new nanohoop containing a stereogenic Tröger's base skeleton tethered to a curved hexaparaphenylene ([6]CPP) is reported. The TB[6]CPP nanohoop possesses a stable C2 symmetrical structure, which promotes the allowed transition that gives rise to pale blue emission with a quantum yield of ~0.69, surpassing the value of the more symmetrical [8]CPP. Moreover, TB[6]CPP shows chiroptical properties including circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence with a moderate dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of ~2.1×10-3.

Combined Social Frailty and Life-Space Activities Associated with Risk of Disability: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between social frailty and life-space activities, and determine whether a combined status of life-space activities and social frailty is associated with risk of disability among older adults.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The participants were 8,301 older adults (mean age 72.9 ± 5.6 years, women [53.3%]) from a community setting.

METHODS

Life-space activities were evaluated using the Active Mobility Index (AMI) to assess activities in each life-space (distance from the respondent's home: up to 1 km, 1-10 km, or greater than 10 km) during the past 1 month. Activities were also assessed according to physical or social activity. Social frailty and characteristics were measured at the baseline. Incident disability was assessed according to long term care insurance.

RESULTS

The lowest scoring group was based on the quartile in each of the AMI scores (Q1), with reference to the highest scoring group, which had a higher odds ratios for social frailty (AMI total score Q1: OR 4.32, 95% CI 3.43-5.45, AMI physical score Q1: 2.19, 95% CI 1.79-2.69, AMI social score Q1: 5.04, 95% CI 3.94-6.44). During the follow-up (mean 23.5 months), 330 participants had incident disability. Incident disability was associated with social frailty. Combined status of social frailty and low AMI increased the risk of disability (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.52-3.03), with reference to non-frailty and higher AMI scores.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Social frailty or reduced activity in life-space assessment were identified as risk factors for incident disability. To decrease the risk of disability, the development of an intervention program to enhance activities and cope with social frailty is required.

Predictive Validity of Different Walking Measures to Identify the Incident Long-Term Care Needs in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

A comfortable walking speed is a suitable measurement of functional status in older adults. In addition to assessing their comfortable walking speed, two complex walking tests were administered to a cohort of older people, assuming that these tests would be a more sensitive predictor of the incident long-term care needs than comfortable walking speed.

DESIGN

A prospective observational study was conducted to collect data.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Among the initial 5,563 community-dwelling independent older adults (aged ≥ 65 years), 935 were excluded and the data of 4,628 (mean age, 73.9 ± 5.5 years, 65-94 years; 2,052 men, 2,576 women) older adults were finally analyzed.

METHODS

Three walking tasks were administered: comfortable, complicated balance, and Go-stop walking. Complicated balance walking was measured under comfortable walking conditions, with participants having to walk with their hands crossed at the shoulder joint at 90°. For the Go-stop walking test, the time taken to walk 2 meters was measured using a stopwatch. For two years following baseline assessments, participants received monthly follow-ups for incident certification of the need for care under the long-term care insurance (LTCI) system.

RESULTS

Low performance in comfortable, complicated balance, and Go-stop walking were 29.8%, 37.7%, and 35.1%, respectively. During the 24-month follow-up period, 246 participants (5.3%) required LTCI certification. The Youden Index was used to determine the cut-points of the incident long-term care needs in the comfortable, complicated balance, and Go-stop walking conditions, which were 1.055 m/s, 0.936 m/s, and 3.205 seconds, respectively. Participants classified as exhibiting low performance included 1,381 (29.8%) under comfortable walking, 1,746 (37.7%) under complicated balance walking, and 1,623 (35.1%) under the Go-stop walking tests. The C-indices of the comfortable, complicated balance, and Go-stop walking tests were 0.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.76), 0.71 (95% CI 0.67-0.74), and 0.65 (95% CI 0.61-0.69), respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed significant relationships between the incident long-term care needs and the comfortable (hazard ratio (HR) 2.14, 95% CI 1.62-2.84), complicated balance (1.81, 1.36-2.41), and Go-stop (1.46, 1.12-1.91) walking conditions.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The findings suggest that slow walking speed has a considerably greater impact on the incident long-term care needs in older adults. However, the complex walking task did not improve the predictive performance. Comfortable walking speed tests, which can easily be measured to predict the future incident long-term care needs, are effective tools in community health promotion and primary care.

AB0313 CLINICAL FEATURE OF 100 CASES OF METHOTREXATE ASSOCIATED LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS WITH RA PATIENT

Background

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), including malignant lymphoma, are known to occur in RA patients treated with disease modified antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In particular, LPD associated with methotrexate (MTX)-treated RA is often referred to as MTX-associated LPD (MTX-LPD). MTX-LPD have various clinical feature and histological findings1). We have accumulated MTX-LPD cases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (MTX-RA-LPD).

Objectives

We clarified the clinical characteristics of MTX-RA-LPD. In addition, we examine the prognosis of MTX-LPD in RA patients.

Methods

We enrolled 100 RA patients who diagnosed MTX-LPD from 2005 to 2021. We collected as follow data based on clinical reports retrospectively; 1) age, 2) gender, 3) duration from RA onset to LPD onset, 4) total dose of MTX, 5) duration of MTX administration, 6) presence of extranodal lesion 7) histological findings, 8) treatment for LPD, 9) 5-year survival rate.

Results

The mean age of 100 MTX-RA-LPD patients (M:F=30:70) were 66.7 ± 10.7 years old, and the duration from RA onset to LPD onset were 25.2 ± 11.0 years. The total dose of MTX and duration of MTX administration were over 2,600mg and over 5 years, respectively. The extranodal lesions were found in 51%, and diffuse large B cell lymphoma was the most common histological findings. Spontaneous regression was observed in 68%. The 5-year survival rate of MTX-RA-LPD was as high as over 85%.

Conclusion

The clinical features of MTX-RA-LPD were similar to those previous reports. Furthermore, we suggested a good prognosis for MTX-RA-LPD.

References

[1]Harigai M. Lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the era of widespread use of methotrexate: A review of the literature and current perspective. Mod Rheumatol. 2018 Jan;28(1):1-8.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1220 HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 VACCINE IN JAPANESE RHEUMATIC DISEASE PATIENTS RECEIVING IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY: A MONOCENTRIC STUDY

Background

Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are inherently susceptible to infections and are at high risk of developing COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatoid and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) is strongly recommended [1]. BNT162b2 is the most used COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. The safety and efficacy of this vaccine has been demonstrated in the general population [2], but patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy were excluded from the study. Although data on the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccine in the immunocompromised adult population is rapidly increasing, the immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in RMD patients receiving medication has been reported in various and still inadequate ways. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may vary depending on the medication. In addition, most of these data were reported from Western countries, and data on Japanese patients with RMD are limited.

Objectives

To investigate serum antibody titre against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein following BNT162b2 vaccination in Japanese RMD patients on various immunomodulatory treatment.

Methods

Two hundred and twelve RMD outpatients undergoing treatment at Kagawa University Hospital and 43 healthy volunteers, who had received two doses of BNT162b2, were included in the study. Serum sample was collected at least 14 days after the second dose. Antibody titer against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in serum was measured by ELISA (Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S RUO). We analyzed the relationship between clinical characteristics, including the type of disease and treatment of RMD, and antibody titer against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Results

The antibody titer against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in RMD patients was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects. In the analysis with therapeutic agents, the mean antibody titer in RMD patients treated with rituximab (RTX) was much lower than that in healthy controls. Patients treated with baricitinib, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, abatacept, TNF inhibitors, cyclosporine, IL-6 inhibitors, methotrexate (MTX), or glucocorticoids (GC) had only moderately lower antibody titers. Patients treated with tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug commonly used for treatment in Japan, showed a slight decrease in antibody titer, but the difference was not significant compared with healthy subjects. IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors did not impair the humoral response. In addition, the combination of MTX with various immunosuppressive agents reduced titers, although this was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Many of the immunosuppressants impaired the immunogenicity to BNT162b2 in Japanese RMD patients. The degree of decline of antibody titers differed according to immunosuppressant. MTX potentially impairs the immunogenicity of BNT162b2 also in the case of concomitant use with other immunosuppressant.

References

[1]Curtis JR, et al. American College of Rheumatology Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: Version 3. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021;73:e60-e75.

[2]Polack FP, et al. Safety and efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:2603–15.

Figure 1.

RMD diagnosis of study patients, n

Table 1.

Serum antibody titre against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein according to the use of immunosuppressive treatments in comparison with controls

Immunosuppressive treatments, nSerum antibody titre, mean±SD, U/mLP valueControl, n=43939 ± 973-Patients with RMD, n=212572 ± 9500.023Without immunosuppressant, n=271074 ± 7580.485IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors, n=71653 ± 24710.035Tacrolimus, n=32614 ± 9200.095GC, n=103481 ± 9270.009MTX, n=78310 ± 493<0.001IL-6 inhibitors, n=10303 ± 2010.030Cyclosporine, n=8261 ± 2280.035TNF inhibitors, n=26201 ± 252<0.001Abatacept, n=10186 ± 3200.010Mycophenolate mofetil, n=11183 ± 3570.007Azathioprine, n=13150 ± 1590.003Baricitinib, n=6101 ± 970.021RTX, n=620 ± 320.012

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1362 THE EFFICACY AND CYTOKINE PROFILES DURING TREATMENT WITH APREMILAST IN PATIENTS WITH BEHÇET ‘S DISEASE

Background

Apremilast has been shown to be effective in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) in domains other than oral ulcers; however, its long-term efficacy is yet to be determined. Although serum cytokine modulation by increasing intracellular cAMP levels has been suggested as a mechanism for the efficacy of apremilast on skin areas of psoriasis [1], the relationship between efficacy and cytokine on various domains in BD has not been fully investigated.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of apremilast in BD and its effect on serum cytokines.

Methods

In this study, patients with BD who received apremilast for active oral ulcers were included. For 12 months, the improvement rates of oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and arthritis were assessed every three months. Serum levels of cytokines, including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and IL-17A were determined using Simple Plex (Protein Simple, CA, USA) at baseline and three months after apremilast treatment. Other cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), IL-6, IL-8, and IL-23, were also measured in serum using a multiplex immunoassay (Luminex Assay, R&D Systems).

Results

Fifteen patients were included in this study. Table 1 shows the characteristics of the patients who participated in this study. Oral ulcers disappeared in 66.7% and 92.3% of the patients after 3 and 6 months of apremilast treatment, respectively. Genital ulcers disappeared in all patients after 6 months of apremilast treatment and were maintained for 12 months. The efficacy of apremilast in oral ulcers could be divided between two groups: 8 patients in the oral ulcer remission group (OU-R group) whose oral ulcers completely disappeared after 3 months of apremilast administration and persisted for 1 year, and 7 patients in the oral ulcer non-remission group (OU-NR group) whose oral ulcers persisted after 3 months of apremilast treatment. Genital ulcers improved more rapidly in the OU-R group than in the OU-NR group, and completely disappeared within 3 months. Skin and joint lesions generally improved after 6 months, but recurred after 9 months.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of the studied patients with Behçet’s disease

CharacteristicsN = 15Age (years), mean ± SD46.7 ± 13.0Sex (female), n (%)11 (73.3)Disease duration (years), mean ± SD10.4 ± 8.8Active Behçet’s disease manifestation at the time of enrollment, n (%) Oral ulcer15 (100) Genital ulcer5 (33.3) Skin lesion (erythema nodosum or pustules)10 (66.7) Arthralgia9 (60.0) Arthritis5 (33.3) Ocular involvement0 (0) Gastrointestinal involvement1 (6.7) Neurological involvement0 (0) Vascular involvement0 (0)

SD, standard deviation; n, number.

Serum cytokines could be analyzed in seven of the 15 cases. There was no significant association between serum baseline cytokine levels and the presence of lesions or severity of disease. Compared to baseline, TNF-α and IL-23 levels were significantly lower after apremilast treatment and IFN-γ levels were trending upwards; however, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels showed no constant trend (TNF-α and IL-23: p <0.05, IFN-γ: p = 0.078). In addition, the rate of decrease in serum IL-6, IL-10, and IL-23 levels was significantly greater in the OU-R group than in the OU-NR group (Figure 1). However, the rate of change in serum cytokines was not associated with efficacy of apremilast for skin lesions, arthralgia, or arthritis.

Figure 1.

The rate of change in serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-23 levels up to 3 months after apremilast treatment in the oral ulcer remission group and the oral ulcer non-remission group.

Conclusion

Apremilast has shown long-term efficacy in the treatment of oral and genital ulcers in patients with BD. The efficacy of apremilast against oral ulcers in BD may be attributed to its modulatory effect on serum cytokines as previously reported. Future exploratory studies for biomarkers associated with the presence of efficacy against genital ulcer and arthritis are needed.

References

[1]Gottlieb AB, Matheson RT, Menter AM, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12:888-97.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0442 EVEN IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS THAT HAS ACHIEVED SUSTAINED LLDAS, ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

Background

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy is recommended as a baseline treatment for all patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to its various benefits (1). However, it is not clear to what extent HCQ contributes to improvement in SLE patients with stable disease activity. It has also been reported that HCQ is effective in improving the prognosis of life caused by atherosclerotic lesions in SLE, but the mechanism of this effect has not been fully elucidated.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the benefit of additional HCQ administration in SLE with controlled disease activity, who achieved the sustained LLDAS.

Methods

The study included patients with SLE who started additional HCQ treatment between January 2016 and December 2019 at our institution, those who sustained LLDAS achievement for at least 3 months prior to starting HCQ treatment. These patients did not change their immunosuppressant and glucocorticoid regimens for more than three months after starting HCQ. The effect of HCQ was assessed at the beginning and 3 months after administration. The disease activity was measured by SELENA-SLEDAI, SLE-DAS, and immunoserological parameters including serum complement levels and anti-DNA antibodies. The factors that are known to associated with pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, such as serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, S100A8, and S100A9, were measured by ELISA.

Results

Of the 110 SLE patients who received additional HCQ at our institution, 27 patients who had achieved LLDAS from at least 3 months prior to HCQ administration were included in this study. Patient characteristics are represented in Table 1. SLEDAI scores, SLE-DAS scores and serum anti-dsDNA antibodies were observed to be significantly reduced after HCQ treatment compared to baseline. After 3 months of HCQ treatment, serum lipid markers such as triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and atherosclerotic index, which are associated with the development of atherosclerosis, were significantly reduced compared to baseline (TG, LDL and atherosclerotic index: p<0.05). Cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, S100A8, S100A9, leptin, and resistin were found to be significantly decreased, and serum adiponectin was significantly increased. (TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, leptin: p < 0.05. S100A8, S100A9, adiponectin, resistin: p < 0.0001, Figure 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of patients with SLE enrolled in this study.

CharacteristicsN = 27Female, no. (%)24 (88.9)Age, years, mean ± SD44.4 ± 11.6Disease duration, years, mean ± SD18.3 ± 12.2BMI, mean ± SD21.9 ± 3.0Concomitant immunosuppressive treatmentsPrednisone, no. (%)n = 23Median dosage, mg/day#5 (3.0–5.0)Triglyceride, mg/dL#102 (73–149)High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, mg/dL#59 (43–66.5)Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, mg/dL#108 (96–122)Arteriosclerotic index#2 (1.7–2.5)Disease activitySLEDAI score#4 (2–4)SLE-DAS score#2.076 (1.12–3.50)Anti-dsDNA antibody, IU/ml#5.2 (5–15.6)dsDNA positive, no. (%)10 (37.0)C3, mg/dL#76 (61–100)C4, mg/dL#14 (10–22)CH50, U/mL#34.1 (29.7–39.6)

#Nonparametric distributions were represented as median (interquartile range). Anti-dsDNA positive means that anti-dsDNA titer increases to >12 IU/mL.

Figure 1.

Serum cytokine levels before and after hydroxychloroquine treatment

Serum levels of the indicated cytokines and factors were measured at baseline and after 3 months (3M) of treatment with HCQ. The gray lines show the values for individual patients, and the thick red line shows the average value. P-values were determined using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Conclusion

The addition of HCQ medication to SLE patients who achieve the clinical therapeutic goal of LLDAS without HCQ may prevent progression of atherosclerosis in addition to further reducing disease activity.

References

[1]Fanouriakis A, Kostopoulou M, Alunno A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78:736-745.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0915 MYOSITIS-SPECIFIC AND ASSOCIETED ANTIBODIES, ESPECIALLY ANTI-ARS ANTIBODIES AND ANTI-Ro52 ANTIBODY MAY PREDICT THE CHARACTERISTICS AND FIBROSING PROGRESS OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE WITH DERMATOMYOSITIS / POLYMYOSITIS

Background

Myositis-associated antibodies (MAA) and myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) have been associated with clinical manifestations of dermatomyositis and polyneuropathy, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), myopathy, malignancy, arthritis, and skin rashes. Among them, anti-ARS and anti-MDA5 antibodies are strongly associated with complications of ILD that are associated with life expectancy. It has been reported that anti-Ro52 antibody affects severity of myositis and ILD. (1) Based on these findings, it is possible that autoantibodies possessing features of ILD associated with dermatomyositis and polymyositis may be predictive.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between MSA/MAA and clinical features of ILD complicated by dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed IIMs patients diagnosed according to Peter & Bohan’s diagnostic criteria in our hospital from 2011 to 2018. The presence of 14 MSA / MAA (Jo1, PL12, PL7, EJ, OJ, KS, Mi2, MDA5, TIF1γ, SRP, PM-Scl70, 100, Ku, Ro52) was measured using ELISA (MESACUP, MBL, Japan) and line blot (EUROLINE myositis profile3, EUROimmun, Germany). Clinical characteristics, including HRCT imaging findings, were extracted from medical records. HRCT imaging findings were analyzed by multiple radiologists. The association between the extracted clinical features and the MSA / MAA held was analyzed.

Results

Seventy-eight cases of IIM were included in the analysis. The frequency of ILD complications was 53/78 (68%), and 60% of ILD complications were ARS antibody positive. The complication rate of ILD in MDA5- and ARS-positive cases was 100% (3/3 cases) and 94% (32/34 cases), respectively. These MDA5- and ARS-positive patients with ILD had rapidly progressive ILD. One of the three MDA5 antibody-positive RPILD cases died, but none of the four ARS antibody-positive RPILD cases died. However, in patients with multiple MSA or MAA including ARS, three case had rapidly progressive ILD, and none died. n the analysis of the presence of Ro52 antibody, it was detected in 46% (36 cases) of all cases, but in 74% of anti-ARS antibody positive cases.

In the analysis of ILD patterns by radiologists using HRCT, fibrosing NSIP (fNSIP), fibrosing OP (fOP), and UIP were the most frequent in that order. analysis of the association between ILD patterns and MSA / MAA showed that there was no MSA / MAA associated with each ILD pattern. No MSA/MAA was found to be associated with each ILD pattern. ARS antibody-associated ILD, the most common type of ILD, had a worse prognosis than other MSA / MAA positive ILD. Death due to ILD was observed in 5 patients (PL7: 3cases, PL12: 1case, PM-Scl75: 1case). Oxygen was required for ILD progression in 3 Jo1-positive patients, 1 PL7-positive patients, and 1 PL12-positive patient, respectively. The frequency of UIP, which is considered to have a poor prognosis in other rheumatic diseases, was higher in patients with anti-ARS and anti-Ro52 antibodies.

Conclusion

The prognosis of anti-ARS antibody-positive lLD associated with dermatomyositis and polymyositis was associated with fibrosis by analysis of HRCT patterns, and the prognosis was confirmed to be poor.In addition, the UIP pattern, which is strongly associated with fibrosis, was found to be associated with anti-Ro52 antibody. In the treatment of ILD, which is strongly associated with the prognosis of dermatomyositis and polymyositis, it may be necessary to consider antifibrotic treatment for patients with anti-ARS antibody and anti-Ro52 antibody positivity.

References

[1]Tamara Vojinovic et al. Predictive Features and Clinical Presentation of Interstitial Lung Disease in Inflammatory Myositis. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology (2021) 60:87–94

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0438 EFFICACY OF BELIMUMAB TREATMENT FOR SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AT OUR HOSPITAL

Background

Belimumab (BEL), a monoclonal antibody against the soluble counterpart of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) has been recommended to be added in patients with SLE who do not respond adequately to standard therapy [1]. In addition to antibody production, belimumab may also affect other functions of B cells, such as antigen presentation and excretion of inflammatory cytokines. Belimumab may also have an effect on immune cells other than B cells, as they express BAFF receptors. These facts suggest that BEL administration in SLE may have an effect on various pathological conditions including cytokine production, not just antibody production. However, there are few reports on whether cytokine production is actually related to the efficacy of BEL administration in SLE.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of BEL administration in patients with SLE and its effect on cytokines.

Methods

Patients with SLE who were started on BEL between December 2018 and December 2021 at our institution were included in this study. We retrospectively analyzed the reasons for additional BEL administration, adverse events, disease activity indicators (SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2K, lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) achievement rate, anti-dsDNA antibody titer, serum complement titer, and treatment agents including glucocorticoid dose. Serum cytokine (interferon-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-17A) levels were measured using ELISA at the start of BEL administration, 3 months, and 6 months later.

Results

Five cases of SLE were included in the study. Four of the five patients were female, with a mean age of 51.4±9.6 years and a mean duration of disease of 17.4±10.0 years.

The reasons for additional BEL administration were glucocorticoid reduction in five patients, refractory pericarditis in one patient, skin rash and arthritis in two patients, and immunological activity in two patients. Four of the five patients had decreased renal function below eGFR50 at the baseline. Concomitant medications at the time of BEL induction included steroids in five patients (mean prednisolone dose 12.2±12.2 mg/day), hydroxychloroquine in three patients, mycophenolate mofetil in three patients, tacrolimus in one patient, and methotrexate in one patient. The mean disease activity before the introduction of BEL was SLEDAI 4±4, and LLDAS was achieved in three patients.

Twelve weeks after the start of BEL treatment, two patients had improved SLEDAI, including one patient who achieved LLDAS.

Immunological activity parameters improved in one of the two patients.

However, two patients flared after BEL administration and were treated with increased glucocorticoid doses.

One patient with SLE on hemodialysis had thrombocytopenia, an adverse event that may have been related to belimumab treatment.

Conclusion

At our institution, BEL was additionally administered to SLE patients with refractory disease and was effective; with the exception of one case. Serum cytokine analysis before and after BEL treatment will be included in the discussion.

References

[1]Fanouriakis A, Kostopoulou M, Alunno A, et al. 2019 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2019;78:736–745.

[2]Parodis I, Åkerström E, Sjöwall C, et al. Autoantibody and Cytokine Profiles during Treatment with Belimumab in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21:3463.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0397 DISEASE ACTIVITY OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED BY SWITCHING JAK INHIBITOR TO ANOTHER JAK INHIBITOR

Background

With the availability of multiple Jak inhibitors (JAKi) for treatment, patients with RA who have had inadequate response to conventional therapies, including biologics, can now achieve favorable outcomes such as remission and low disease activity.

However, it is also true that no single JAKi therapy is effective for all RA.

Some RA treatment guidelines recommend a switch strategy from current JAKi to other JAKi or biologics in patients with inadequate response to JAKi therapy [1].

There is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of switching to another JAKi in patients with inadequate JAKi response (JAKi-IR).

Objectives

The aim of this study is to clarify the effectiveness of the strategy of controlling disease activity by switching to other JAKi in RA cases with JAKi-IR and to analyze the effect on serum cytokines related to the pathogenesis of RA.

Methods

RA patients who switched to other JAKi during treatment with JAKi between September 2017 and January 2022 were included in this retrospective study.

The clinical characteristics of the included RA patients were collected from their medical records.

The efficacy of the JAKi switch strategy was assessed by changes in composite measure scores of disease activity, including DAS28-CRP, SDAI, and CDAI, at 4 and 12 weeks after the switch.

In addition, changes of serum cytokines associated with RA pathogenesis (IL-6, TNF-α) were measured and analyzed by ELISA (Simple Plex, Protein Simple).

Results

Twenty-nine RA patients who received the JAKi switch treatment strategy were included in the analysis. The clinical characteristics of the included patients are shown in Table 1. All patients were receiving JAKi due to inadequate response to biologics. JAKi were switched to control disease activity including 3 cases (10%) who achieved temporary remission.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of the 29 patients enrolled this study

Clinical characteristicsn=29Age57 [48.0-66.0]Sex (F/M)22/7 (75.9)Disease duration, years13 [8.6-18.8]RF positive26 (89.7)ACPA positive, (n=22)20(90.0)Concomitant medicationsMethotrexate, dose(mg/week)10 (34.5), 8.0 [6.0-10.5]Corticosteroid, dose(mg/day)17 (59.0), 4.0 [2.0-5.0]Disease activity  DAS28-CRP3.77 [3.2-4.6]  SDAI15.5 [9.8-21.1]  CDAI14.5 [9.5-20.0]Patient global assessment of disease activity (mm)40 [25-58]Provider global assessment of disease activity (mm)32 [15-40]CRP (mg/dl)0.9 [0.1-1.7]TJC/SJC4 [2-5], 2[2-5]Date are n (%) or median [IQR].

Figure 1 shows the effect of the JAKi switch strategy on the disease activity category.

Evaluation using SDAI showed that 65% of patients achieved the immediate treatment goal of low disease activity at 4 weeks after switch, and 69% of patients maintained this goal at 12 weeks. SDAI remission was also observed in 17% of patients at 4 weeks and 31% at 12 weeks, demonstrating the efficacy of the JAKi switch strategy. The efficacy of the JAKi switch strategy was also observed in other measures of disease activity.

Changes in serum cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) associated with disease activity in RA before and after JAKi switch were analyzed in 10 patients. Regardless of the type of JAKi, serum IL-6 was decreased by JAKi switch in most cases at 12weeks (average change of serum IL-6: -27.25pg/ml).

However, no trend was observed for changes in serum TNF- disease acti（average change of serum TNF-ed for change）.

There was no clear association between changes in these two cytokines and the efficacy of the JAKi switch strategy.

Conclusion

The composite disease activity index showed that about 60% of JAKi-IR patients achieved low disease activity, one of the treatment goals, at 4 weeks after switching to JAKi, and the effect was maintained up to 12 weeks. This effect did not appear to be related to the type of JAKi.

The effects of biologic therapy on serum cytokines associated with RA activity differed from the effects of the JAKi switch strategy.

References

[1]György Nagy, et al. EULAR points to consider for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2022;81:20-33.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0689 Clinical courses and pregnancy outcomes of eight cases complicated with Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis (PM/DM) in single center

Background

Pregnancies complicated by a number of rheumatic diseases are known to be at high risk for the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). There have been several reports on the risk of APOs in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, but few reports on polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM) pregnancies. There are also insufficient reports on changes in the activity of PM/DM during pregnancy. Based on the findings reported in other rheumatic diseases, it is suggested that increased activity during pregnancy is associated with APOs in PM/DM (1-3).

However, the risk factors for pregnancy outcome in pregnancies complicated by PM/DM, including the presence or absence of worsening of disease activity, have not been clarified.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to analyze a case series of PM/DM complicated pregnancies in a single center to determine the changes in disease activity during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

PM/DM patients who were managed from pregnancy to delivery at Kagawa University Hospital from March 2006 to May 2021 were included in this study. Clinical indices including duration of illness, disease activity, and treatment were extracted from medical records and retrospectively analyzed for association with pregnancy outcome.

Results

Eight PM/DM pregnancies were included in the analysis. The mean age at delivery was 28.3±3.8 years and the mean duration of disease was 6.3±3.2 years.

Treatment at the time of pregnancy included glucocorticoids (GC) in 7 cases and immunosuppressive drugs in 5 cases.

Creatinine phosphokinase (CK) levels were normal in all patients at the time of pregnancy, but increased during pregnancy in 4 (50%) patients. These 4 patients with elevated CK required treatment with increasing doses of GC, and the mean GC dose during pregnancy was 10.9 ± 6.0 mg/day.

Table 1 shows the pregnancy outcomes of the 8 patients. There was one spontaneous abortion and seven live births. Among the live births, 2 were preterm and 4 were low birth weight. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35.3±5.2 weeks and the mean birth weight was 2297.7±1041.4g.

Table 1.

Pregnancy outcomes of eight cases

Case no.OutcomeMode of deliveryGestational age at delivery (weeks)Birth weight of the newborn (grams)Adverse pregnancy outcomes1Live birthCesarean section26590Preterm birth, LFD, HELLP syndrome2Spontaneous abortion3Live birthTransvaginal delivery301,299Preterm birth, LBW4Live birthCesarean section382,765Hypertensive disorder5Live birthTransvaginal delivery373,290−6Live birthTransvaginal delivery372,492LBW7Live birthTransvaginal delivery393,456−8Live birthTransvaginal delivery402,192LBW7 live births 1 abortion35.3±5.22,297.7±1,041.4

The birth outcomes of the 2 patients who received continuous immunosuppressive therapy were full-term and normal weight infants. APOs, such as preterm delivery and low birth weight, occurred in cases with increased CK levels and increased GC doses.

Conclusion

In pregnancies of PM/DM patients, pregnancy outcome was less than favorable.

An association between disease activity and the development of APOs during pregnancy in PM/DM was suggested. An association was also suggested between GC dose and the risk of developing APOs.

As in other rheumatic disease pregnancies, continued use of pregnancy-appropriate immunosuppressive drugs and control of disease activity with lower glucocorticoid doses in PM/DM pregnancies may be important to achieve good pregnancy outcomes.

References

[1]Nagy-Vincze M, Vencovsky J, Lundberg IE, Danko K (2014) Pregnancy outcome in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy patients in a multicenter study. J Rheumatol 41:2492-2494.

[2]Zhong Z, Lin F, Yang J, Zhang F, Zeng X, You X (2017) Pregnancy in polymyositis or dermatomyositis: retrospective results from tertiary centre in China. Rheumatology (Oxford) 56:1272-1275.

[3]Kolstad KD, Fiorentino D, Li S, Chakravarty EF, Chung L (2018) Pregnancy outcomes in adult patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 47:865-869.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0497 IMMUNOLOGICAL DISEASE ACTIVITY PARAMETERS AT CONCEPTION ARE RISK FACTORS FOR PRETERM BIRTH AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are known to have more difficulty in achieving a successful pregnancy than healthy women. They have a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) including preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW). (1,2). Many reports revealed that these APOs are related to uncontrolled high disease activity (3,4). Therefore, it is important for SLE women who hope to conceive to control disease activity strictly. However, it is not clear to what extent disease activity should be strictly controlled, including serum parameters such as complement levels and anti-dsDNA antibodies.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine whether disease activity parameters at conception could be a risk factor for PB or LBW among APOs in patients with SLE.

Methods

Disease activity parameters including SLEDAI score, LLDAS achievement rate, serum complement levels (C3, C4, CH50), and anti-dsDNA antibody titer were retrospectively collected from medical records. We then collected information related to each APOs (PB and LBW), and analyzed the association with disease activity parameters.

Results

The subjects were 60 pregnancies of 45 patients. As for a comprehensive disease activity index at conception, SLEDAI score or the rate of LLDAS achievement became risk factors for PB (both of p<0.01, Table 1), and SLEDAI score was also a risk factor for LBW (P=0.04, Table 1). Analysis of immunological disease activity parameters showed that low C3 or high titer of anti-dsDNA antibody were risk factors for PB (P=0.03 and 0.01, respectively, Table 1). In the logistic regression analysis of PB, the cut-off levels of C3 and anti-dsDNA antibody were 62 mg/dl and 5.4 IU/ml, respectively (Figure 1 [1]-A, [1]-D). The risk of PB was significantly higher in the cases with low serum C3 and high anti-dsDNA antibody titer at conception (P=0.02).Similarly, low C3 or CH50 were risk factors for LBW (P=0.02 and 0.03, respectively, Table 1). Logistic regression analysis for LBW showed the cut-off level of C3 as 87 mg/dl, and CH50 as 41.8 IU/ml (Figure 1 [2]-A, [2]-C). Cases with low C3 and low CH50 were at higher risk for LBW (P=0.03).

Table 1.

Association between disease activity parameters and PB or LBW

Preterm birth (PB)Low birth weight (LBW)PB (+)(n = 14)PB (-)(n = 46)P valueLBW (+)(n = 23)LBW (-)(n = 37)P value Achievement of LLDAS, n (%)##5 (41.7)30 (71.4)0.0912 (63.2)23 (65.7)1.00 Achievement of LLDAS without a glucocorticoid dose, n (%)##5 (41.7)37 (88.1)< 0.01*13 (68.4)29 (82.9)0.31 SLEDAI score#3.5±2.91.1±1.3<0.01*2.3±2.11.3±2.00.04* C3, mg/dl#77.3±19.094.7±21.20.03*80.5±16.396.7±22.70.02* C4, mg/dl#16.1±9.019.2±6.30.1617.6±6.319.1±7.40.56 CH50, IU/ml#37.3±10.641.1±8.50.1736.5±6.642.2±9.70.03* Anti-dsDNA antibody, IU/ml#32.5±68.55.5±11.10.01*20.7±55.87.0±12.20.34

(Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation or number (%). #Wilcoxon rank sum test; ##Fisher’s exact test; *P < 0.05.)

Figure 1.

Logistic regression analysis of cut-off value of PB and LBW for C3, C4, CH50 and anti-dsDNA antibody.

(ROC curves based on logistic regression analysis of cut-off levels for disease activity parameters, including C3, C4, CH50, and anti-dsDNA antibody titer. [1] showed ROC curves for PB, and [2] showed those for LBW.)

Conclusion

We revealed that disease activity parameters of SLE at coception are strongly associated with negative pregnancy outcomes; PB and LBW. These include low serum C3 and CH50 levels and high anti-dsDNA antibody titers. In particular, low serum complement is a risk factor for both PB and LBW. Therefore, it is important to strictly control these disease activity parameters at conception in women with SLE.

References

[1]Clowse ME, Jamison M, Myers E, James AH. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008;199:127.e1-6.

[2]Bundhun PK, Soogund MZ, Huang F. J Autoimmun. 2017;79:17-27.

[3]Deguchi M, Maesawa Y, Kubota S, Morizane M, Tanimura K, Ebina Y, et al. J Reprod Immunol. 2018;125:39-44.

[4]Clowse ME, Magder LS, Petri M. J Rheumatol. 2011;38:1012-6.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Prognostic value of machine learning for acute heart failure

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

At onset of acute heart failure (AHF), various clinical fundamental parameters including vital sign, laboratory data, or initial treatment were investigated, and we can roughly estimate the prognosis. However, machine learning method for prediction of the prognosis was not studied.

Purpose

To elucidate prognostic value of machine learning for AHF comparing conventional statistical model.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 300 patients with AHF (79.5 ± 12.1 years, 158 Males). Patients with acute coronary syndrome, mechanical circulatory support cases, and cardio-pulmonary arrest cases were excluded. The patients were randomly divided into 80% (240 cases) and 20% (60 cases), and the former was used as train data, and the latter as validation data. Objective variable was set as cardiac death in one year. First, logistic regression analysis with Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) was performed, and extracted predictive parameters. The predictive model for the cardiac prognosis was constructed by cut-off value of ROC curve analysis of propensity score was calculated. Next, machine learning (random forest method and deep learning) to build predictive model was performed with the predictors. Finally, accuracy of each predictive model was compared.

Results

Thirty cases showed cardiac death in one year. Logistic regression with AIC extracted 8  predictors, and the cut off-value of propensity score with the 6 parameters was 0.110. The accuracy was 0.714 and area under ROC (AUROC) was 0.836. Conversely, random forest method demonstrated the accuracy as 0.927, AUROC 0.860. On deep learning, the accuracy was 0.937 and AUROC 0.901. 

The top 4 high feature importance of random forest were Cl/red blood cell count/pH/Anion Gap. However, accuracy of those predictors was lower than that of machine learning.

Conclusion

Machine learning was a powerful tool to predict cardiac prognosis of AHF, comparing with conventional statistical model. Abstract Figure. Statistical model

Study Protocol of a Comprehensive Activity Promotion Program for the Prevention of Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

BACKGROUND

Several technical devices are available to monitor and promote changes in behavior toward higher activity. In particular, smartphones are becoming the primary platform for recognizing human activity. However, the effects of behavior change techniques that promote physical, cognitive, and social activities on incident dementia in older adults remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of behavior change techniques on the prevention of dementia among community-dwelling older adults using a smartphone as a behavior change tool.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Community in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

The study cohort comprises 3,498 individuals, aged ≥60 years, randomized into two groups: the smartphone group (n = 1,749) and the control group (n = 1,749).

INTERVENTION

The smartphone group will be asked to use smartphone applications for at least 30 minutes daily to self-manage and improve their physical, cognitive, and social activities. The smartphone group will perform 60-minute group walking sessions using application-linked Nordic walking poles with cognitive stimulation twice a week during the intervention period. The walking poles are a dual-task exercise tool that works with a smartphone to perform cognitive tasks while walking, and the poles are equipped with switches to answer questions for simple calculation and memory tasks. The smartphone and control groups will receive lectures about general health that will be provided during the baseline and follow-up assessments.

MEASUREMENTS

Incident dementia will be detected using cognitive tests (at baseline, after 15 months, and after 30 months) and by preparing diagnostic monthly reports based on data from the Japanese Health Insurance System. Participants without dementia at baseline who will be diagnosed with dementia over the 30-month follow-up period will be considered to have incident dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has the potential to provide the first evidence of the effectiveness of information communication technology and Internet of Things in incident dementia. If our trial results show a delayed dementia onset for self-determination interventions, the study protocol will provide a cost-effective and safe method for maintaining healthy cognitive aging.

Association of Daily Physical Activity with Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With/Without Chronic Kidney Disease

OBJECTIVES

Physical activity is recommended for disability prevention in the older adult population; however, the level of physical activity required for older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unknown. This study aimed to examine the associations between daily physical activity and disability incidence in older adults with and without CKD to determine relevant daily physical activity levels.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

3,786 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years.

MEASUREMENTS

Mean daily times spent in light- (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using triaxial accelerometers. CKD was defined by a creatinine estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Disability incidence was identified as long-term care insurance certification during a 60-month follow-up period. Associations between physical activity and disability incidence were examined using Cox proportional hazard models stratified by the CKD status. Non-linear and linear associations were tested using the restricted cubic spline.

RESULTS

A total of 1,054 individuals were identified to have CKD. Disability incidence was higher in the CKD group than in the non-CKD group. The adjusted cox proportional hazard models indicated that a 10-minute increase in MVPA time was associated with lower disability incidence in the non-CKD group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.838; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.764-0.918) and the CKD group (HR, 0.859; 95% CI: 0.766-0.960). Linear associations were observed in MVPA for the non-CKD and CKD groups.

CONCLUSION

Increasing MVPA was associated with lower disability incidence in older adults with and without CKD. These findings can help devise disability prevention strategies for older CKD patients.

Association between Non-Face-to-Face Interactions and Incident Disability in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

This observational prospective cohort study, conducted between September 2015 and February 2019, aimed to investigate the association between the incidence of disability and non-face-to-face interactions among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

DESIGN

Participants reported their interaction status using a self-report questionnaire. Face-to-face interactions comprised in-person meetings, while virtual interactions (e.g., via phone calls or emails) were defined as non-face-to-face interactions. We examined the relationship between their interaction status at baseline and the risk of disability incidence at follow-up. We also considered several potential confounding variables, such as demographic characteristics.

SETTING

The National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 1159 adults from Takahama City aged ≥75 years (mean age ± standard deviation = 79.5 ± 3.6 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Interaction status was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire consisting of two sections (face-to-face and non-face-to-face interactions), and four questionnaire items. Based on the responses we categorized study participants into four groups: "both interactions," "face-to-face only," "non-face-to-face only," and "no interactions."

RESULTS

Individuals with both kinds of interactions (49.3/1000 person-years) or only one kind of interaction (face-to-face = 57.7/1000 person-years; non-face-to-face = 41.2 person-years) had lower incidence of disability than those with no interactions (88.9/1000 person-years). Moreover, the hazard ratios adjusted for potential confounding factors for the incidence of disability in the both interaction, face-to-face-only, and non-face-to-face only groups were 0.57 (confidence interval = 0.39-0.82; p = 0.003), 0.66 (confidence interval = 0.44-0.98; p = 0.038), and 0.47 (confidence interval = 0.22-0.99; p = 0.048), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Considering the interaction status of older adults in their day-to-day practice, clinicians may be able to achieve better outcomes in the primary prevention of disease by encouraging older adults to engage in any form of interaction, including non-face-to-face interactions.

Diagnostic performance of deep learning on 12-leads electrocardiography for recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Background

Several patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (per-AF) suffer from recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Various methods to predict the recurrence were tried, but deep learning on 12-leads electrocardiography (ECG) after PVI was not studied.

Purpose

To elucidate diagnostic performance of deep learning on 12-leads ECG after PVI in patients with per-AF

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 109 patients with per-AF who underwent PVI (68.8±10.0 years, 83 males) excluding failure cases. We defined recurrence in 3–12 months after PVI. From the ECG just after PVI, five beats of each lead were sampled separately. Deep learning (convolutional neural network on bitmap ECG image) was performed by transfer learning of Inception-Resnet-V2 model. Gradient weighted class activation color mapping (GradCam) was performed to detect convolutional importance in the lead.

Results

Thirty-six patients showed recurrence in the period. Lead II (accuracy 0.701), aVR (0.690) were the top 2 leads of prediction, which showed larger accuracy than statistical accuracies of Non PV foci = SVC (accuracy = 0.541) and left atrial diameter &gt;50mm (0.596). In lead II, GradCam spotlighted strong convolution of latter half of P wave in recurrent case, and former half of P wave and T wave in no-recurrent case.

Conclusions

Deep learning on ECG was a powerful tool to predict recurrence of per-AF after PVI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Results of deep learningResults of GradCam

The Japan-Multimodal Intervention Trial for Prevention of Dementia (J-MINT): The Study Protocol for an 18-Month, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background/Objectives

The Japan-multimodal intervention trial for prevention of dementia (J-MINT) is intended to verify the effectiveness of multi-domain interventions and to clarify the mechanism of cognitive improvement and deterioration by carrying out assessment of dementia-related biomarkers, omics analysis and brain imaging analysis among older adults at high risk of dementia. Moreover, the J-MINT trial collaborates with partnering private enterprises in the implementation of relevant interventional measures. This manuscript describes the study protocol.

Design/Setting

Eighteen-month, multi-centered, randomized controlled trial.

Participants

We plan to recruit 500 older adults aged 65–85 years with mild cognitive impairment. Subjects will be centrally randomized into intervention and control groups at a 1:1 allocation ratio using the dynamic allocation method with all subjects stratified by age, sex, and cognition.

Intervention

The multi-domain intervention program includes: (1) management of vascular risk factors; (2) group-based physical exercise and self-monitoring of physical activity; (3) nutritional counseling; and (4) cognitive training. Health-related information will be provided to the control group every two months.

Measurements

The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up. The primary outcome is the change from baseline to 18 months in a global composite score combining several neuropsychological domains. Secondary outcomes include: cognitive change in each neuropsychological test, incident dementia, changes in blood and dementia-related biomarkers, changes in geriatric assessment including activities of daily living, frailty status and neuroimaging, and number of medications taken.

Conclusions

This trial that enlist the support of private enterprises will lead to the creation of new services for dementia prevention as well as to verify the effectiveness of multi-domain interventions for dementia prevention.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.14283/jpad.2021.29 and is accessible for authorized users.

A Japanese Multicenter Study on PET and Other Biomarkers for Subjects with Potential Preclinical and Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

PET (positron emission tomography) and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) provide the "ATN" (Amyloid, Tau, Neurodegeneration) classification and play an essential role in early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

OBJECTIVE

Biomarkers were evaluated in a Japanese multicenter study on cognitively unimpaired subjects (CU) and early (E) and late (L) mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients.

MEASUREMENTS

A total of 38 (26 CU, 7 EMCI, 5 LMCI) subjects with the age of 65-84 were enrolled. Amyloid-PET and FDG-PET as well as structural MRI were acquired on all of them, with an additional tau-PET with 18F-flortaucipir on 15 and CSF measurement of Aβ1-42, P-tau, and T-tau on 18 subjects. Positivity of amyloid and tau was determined based on the positive result of either PET or CSF.

RESULTS

The amyloid positivity was 13/38, with discordance between PET and CSF in 6/18. Cortical tau deposition quantified with PET was significantly correlated with CSF P-tau, in spite of discordance in the binary positivity between visual PET interpretation and CSF P-tau in 5/8 (PET-/CSF+). Tau was positive in 7/9 amyloid positive and 8/16 amyloid negative subjects who underwent tau measurement, respectively. Overall, a large number of subjects presented quantitative measures and/or visual read that are close to the borderline of binary positivity, which caused, at least partly, the discordance between PET and CSF in amyloid and/or tau. Nine subjects presented either tau or FDG-PET positive while amyloid was negative, suggesting the possibility of non-AD disorders.

CONCLUSION

Positivity rate of amyloid and tau, together with their relationship, was consistent with previous reports. Multicenter study on subjects with very mild or no cognitive impairment may need refining the positivity criteria and cutoff level as well as strict quality control of the measurements.

TRENDS IN THE PREVALENCE OF FRAILTY IN JAPAN: A META-ANALYSIS FROM THE ILSA-J

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether age-specific prevalence of frailty in Japan changed between 2012 and 2017.

DESIGN

This study performed meta-analyses of data collected from 2012 to 2017 using the Integrated Longitudinal Studies on Aging in Japan (ILSA-J), a collection of representative Japanese cohort studies.

SETTING

The ILSA-J studies were conducted on community-living older adults.

PARTICIPANTS

ILSA-J studies were considered eligible for analysis if they assessed physical frailty status and presence of frailty in the sample. Seven studies were analyzed for 2012 (±1 year; n = 10312) and eight studies were analyzed for 2017 (±1 year; n = 7010). Five studies were analyzed for both 2012 and 2017.

MEASUREMENTS

The study assessed the prevalence of frailty and frailty status according to 5 criteria: slowness, weakness, low activity, exhaustion, and weight loss.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of physical frailty was 7.0% in 2012 and 5.3% in 2017. The prevalence of frailty, especially in people 70 years and older, tended to decrease in 2017 compared to 2012. Slight decreases were found in the prevalence of frailty subitems including weight loss, slowness, exhaustion, and low activity between 2012 and 2017, but change in the prevalence of weakness was weaker than other components.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of physical frailty decreased from 2012 to 2017. There are age- and gender-related variations in the decrease of each component of frailty.

POS1358 THE EFFECTS AND SAFETY OF APREMILAST AND CYTOKINE EXPRESSION IN BEHCET’S DISEASE PATIENTS

Background:

Apremilast, the small-molecule phosphodiesterase (PDE) -4 inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of recurrent oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease (BD) in Japan from September 2019, following the success of the phase 3 RELIEF study (1). However, the efficacy of apremilast on domains other than oral ulcers in BD patients is unclear. On the other hand, it has been reported that apremilast may decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokine and increase the production of anti-inflammatory mediators in psoriasis (PS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (2).

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects and safty of apremilast on clinical symptoms and the changing of serum cytokine expression.

Methods:

BD patients who had treated with apremilast for active oral ulcers were included in the study. We investigated the improvement rate of oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, arthritis. In addition, serum cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-8, and TNF-α) before and after apremilast treatment were measured using a multiplex immunoassay (Luminex Assay, R&D Systems).

Results:

Fourteen patients (3 males and 11 females) were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 46.6 ± 13.0 years and the mean duration of disease was 10.2 ± 8.8 years. All patients had active oral ulcers, five had genital ulcers, six had skin lesions, and four had arthritis. Three months after the treatment with apremilast, oral ulcers improved in 13 patients (92.9%). The improvement rates of genital ulcers, skin lesions and arthritis were 60%, 25% and 25%, respectively. Changes in serum cytokines were different from those previously reported in PS. Adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea in 6 patients and sensorineural deafness in 1 patient. Medication was reduced in 2 patients, and discontinued in 1 patient due to nausea and diarrhea.

Conclusion:

Apremilast is useful not only for oral ulcers, but also for other lesions in BD patients. The effect of apremilast for other domain such as genital ulcers, skin lesions, arthritis was not comparable to that of active oral ulcers. Additionally, BD may have different cytokine profile from PS and PsA.

References:

[1]Hatemi G, Mahr A, Ishigatsubo Y, et al. Trial of Apremilast for Oral Ulcers in Behcet’s Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(20):1918-28

[2]Schafer P. Apremilast mechanism of action and application to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Biochem Pharmacol. 2012;83(12):1583-1590

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0556 USEFULNESS OF FDG-PET/CT FOR PREDICTING SPONTANEOUS REGRESSION IN MTX ASSOCIATED LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Recently, there are many reports from Japan about methotrexate associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD). We are investigating the predictive factor of spontaneous regression (SR) in MTX-LPD. On the other hand, FDG-PET/CT is used for diagnosis of LPD including malignant lymphoma. In addition, it was reported that imaging biomarkers such as metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) could predict the prognosis of malignant tumor (1, 2). However, there is no report that these imaging biomarkers could predict the SR of MTX-LPD.

Objectives:

We investigate the usefulness of FDG-PET/CT for predictive factor of SR in MTX-LPD.

Methods:

We enrolled 24 RA patients who diagnosed MTX-LPD and performed FDG-PET/CT from 2005 to 2019. We divided these cases into spontaneous regression cases (SR group; 15 cases) and cases that treated with chemotherapy after MTX discontinuation (CTx group; 9 cases), and compared the difference as follow subjects between two groups; clinical data including histopathological findings, SUVmax to evaluate malignant tumor activity by FDG-PET/CT, MTV and TLG which refer to metabolically active volume of the tumor segmented FDG-PET/CT. In addition, we analyzed cut off levels, sensitivity and specificity using statistical software JMP.

Results:

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) were 5 and 1 cases in SR group, and 1 and 5 cases in CTx group. In addition, MTV and TLG by FDG-PET/CT was significantly lower in SR group, although SUVmax is no difference between two groups (figure 1). Cut off levels of MTV and TLG were 103.12 ml (sensitivity; 88.9%, specificity; 86.7%) and 361.75 ml (sensitivity; 88.9%, specificity; 86.7%), respectively.

Conclusion:

We suggested that MTV and TLG were useful for predict of SR in MTX-LPD.

References:

[1]Chen HH, Chiu NT, Su WC. et al. Prognostic value of whole-body total lesion glycolysis at pretreatment FDG PET/CT in non-small cell lung cancer. Radiology. 2012 Aug;264(2):559-66.

[2]Chu KP, Murphy JD, La TH. et al. Prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume and velocity in predicting head-and-neck cancer outcomes. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2012 Aug 1;83(5):1521-7.

Figure 1.

Comparison of the level of MTV(a) and TLG (b).

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0443 BIOMARKER SUCH AS IL-17, IL-21 AND TIMP-1, IS USEFUL FOR PREDICTING THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE-ASSOCIATED PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Background:

Connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary hypertension (CTD-PH) is constructed by a variety of pathologies, including cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular involvement, as well as immune abnormalities. Because of its various constructs, it is difficult for many respiratory physicians, cardiologists, and rheumatologists to determine a treatment strategy for CTD-PH. In addition, CTD-PH has different pathologies from iPAH, and there are cases in which immunosuppressive therapy is effective. These suggests that the two PAHs may have different pathogenesis, including inflammation in the pulmonary artery. However, there are not enough biomarkers to distinguish pathologies. On the other hand, it has been reported that various cytokines such as TIMP-1, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and IL-21 are involved in the pathogenesis of CTD-PH or vasculitis. (1,2) However, the relationship between these cytokine expression and the pathogenesis or treatment of CTD-PH has not been fully clarified.

Objectives:

To clarify the relationship between cytokine profile and clinical features, change in cytokines and hemodynamics by treatment, association with the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods:

Patients suspected PH was included. At the time of cardiac catheterization(RHC), sera in pulmonary pre and post-capillary were collected and TIMP-1, MCP-1, IL-17 and IL-21, IL-12p70 and IL-6 were analyzed by ELISA(ABCAM UK, Ella simple plex USA). The following clinical data were collected: age, gender, underlying disease, complication of interstitial lung disease, treatment (immunosuppressant and pulmonary vasodilator), hemodynamics. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between cytokines and clinical data.

Results:

15 cases of CTD-PH, 13 cases of non-CTD-PH, and 6 cases of non-PH were analyzed. (SSc 12 cases, MCTD 7cases, SLE 2 cases, and others 13 cases) 28 cases were diagnosed with PH by RHC. There was a positive correlation between IL-6 and mean pulmonary arterial pressure in all PH case. In addition, MCP-1, IL-6, and TIMP-1 tend to be high in SSc-PH cases. On the other hand, in Non-SSc-PH, IL-12p70 and IL-17 were high. In cases who pulmonary vascular hemodynamics improved by treatment, IL-17, IL-21, and TIMP-1 decreased.

Conclusion:

Biomarker profiles in pulmonary capillaries may differ depending on the disease. Furthermore, it suggested that IL-17, IL-21 and TIMP-1 may be biomarkers of therapeutic effect.

References:

[1]Hashimoto-Kataoka T. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 May 19;112(20):E2677-86.

[2]Jun Ishizaki et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2017 Sep 29;19(1):218.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

AB0287 EFFECTS OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD CYTOKINE EXPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background:

In systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), a higher frequency of atherosclerotic lesions is associated with a poor life prognosis (1). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been reported to improve the prognosis of life and dyslipidemia in SLE (2), and the mechanism has been unclear.

Objectives:

To determine the effect of HCQ treatment on serum cytokines associated with atherosclerosis in SLE.

Methods:

SLE patients who received additional HCQ and maintained low disease activity between January 2016 and September 2020 were included in this study. Disease activity was assessed by SLEDAI, CLASI and LLDAS, and serum complement titers, anti-ds-DNA antibodies, serum insulin and serum cytokines (adiponectin, resistin and leptin) were analyzed before and after HCQ treatment.

Results:

Fifty-four patients (3 males, 51 females, mean age 41.9±12.8 years) were included (Table 1). Thirty-two patients achieved LLDAS at baseline. Serum adiponectin and insulin levels were significantly increased after 3 months of HCQ treatment compared to baseline, and serum resistin levels were significantly lower (Figure 1). Patients with a history of renal disease had greater degree of changes in serum adiponectin and resistin levels. Among SLE patients who did not achieve LLDAS at baseline, those who still did not achieve LLDAS after 3 months had significantly lower serum leptin levels before HCQ treatment than those who achieved it after 3 months.

The change of serum resistin levels correlated with those of serum S100A8 levels (r=0.5, p=0.0001).

Conclusion:

Additional HCQ treatment in SLE patients improves lipid abnormalities. HCQ may improve prognosis by controlling disease activity in SLE and reducing risk factors for atherosclerosis.

References:

[1]Gregory Katz, et al. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Increased Prevalence of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Hospitalized Patients. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019; 94:1436-1443.

[2]Laura Durcan, et al. Longitudinal Evaluation of Lipoprotein Parameters in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Reveals Adverse Changes with Disease Activity and Prednisone and More Favorable Profiles with Hydroxychloroquine Therapy. J Rheumatol. 2016; 43: 745–750.

Table 1.

Characteristics of SLE patients enrolled in this study

Characteristicsn=54, no.(%)Female, no(%)51(94)Age, years, mean±SD41.9±12.8Disease duration, years, mean±SD15.1±11.1Past involvementRenal involvement23 (43)NPSLE5 (9)ComplicationAPS10 (19)Dyslipidemia2 (4)Diabetes 1 (2)Concomitant immunosuppressive treatmentsPrednisone No.(%)46 (85) Median Dosage, mg/day (range)5.0 (1-10)Disease activitySLENA-SLEDAI score3.9±2.0 Current skin involvement30 (56) anti-dsDNA positive, no(%)21 (39)low complement, no(%)29 (54)

Anti-dsDNA positive means anti ds-DNA titer increases over 12 IU/ml

Low complement means any of C3, C4 and CH50 decreases to less 68mg/dl, less 12mg/dl, 30U/ml.

APS: Anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, NPSLE: neuropsychiatric SLE,

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0390 CHARACTERISTICS AND PROGNOSIS OF AGE-DEPENDED ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS IN JAPAN

Background:

It is known that most of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients are elderly. A cohort study showed that the mean age of onset was 71.1 years, especially in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)1). However, the characteristics and prognosis of age-depended AAV patients are still unclear.

Objectives:

To clarify the differences in age-related characteristics and prognosis between Japanese patients with AAV.

Methods:

We enrolled 44 patients with AAV who underwent remission induction therapy at our hospital from January 2016 to December 2020. They were divided with under 70 years old group (<70 yo group, n=12) and over 70 years old group (≥70 yo group, n=32). We investigated between two groups as follows; clinical characteristics and laboratory data at diagnosis, rates of complete remission (CR) at 6 months, defined as Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS)=0 and prednisone ≤7.5 mg/day, adverse events, and relapse free survival.

Results:

Mean age were 61.9 ± 9.74 years old in <70 yo group and 77.5 ± 4.61 years old in ≥70 yo group (p<0.01). There were significantly fewer newly diagnosed cases in the <70 yo group, and half of the patients with relapsing disease. There was no difference in the type of ANCA, organ involvement, or BVAS. Remission induction therapy was performed with CY or RTX, and no difference was observed between these two groups. In addition, there was also no difference in maintenance therapy (Table 1). CR rate in <70 yo group and in ≥70 yo group were 55% and 46 % respectively (p=0.73). Severe infections occurred with no patient (0%) in <70 yo group and with 5 patients (16%) in ≥70 yo group (p=0.30). 5 patients of relapse were observed in the <70 yo group and 1 patient in the ≥70 yo group, and relapse free survival was significantly lower in the <70 yo group (p=0.001) (Figure 1).

<70 yo (n=12)≥70 yo (n=32)p valueAge (year)61.9 ± 9.7477.5 ± 4.61< 0.01*Female, n (%)10 (83)28 (87)0.66AAV typeMPA, n (%) / GPA, n (%)6 (50) / 6 (50)26 (81) / 6 (19)0.06Newly diagnosed, n (%)6 (50)27 (84)0.045*ANCA positivity MPO, n (%) / PR3, n (%)11 (92) / 0 (0)30 (94) / 3 (9)1 / 0.55 negative, n (%)1 (8)1 (3)0.48CRP (mg/dl)3.34 ± 4.018.15 ± 6.860.03*eGFR (mL/min)55.8 ± 25.357.7 ± 24.70.93BVAS12.0 ± 8.014.8 ± 6.80.23Remission induction therapyCY, n (%) / RTX, n (%)5 (42) / 7 (58)16 (50) / 16 (50)0.74Maintenance therapy AZA, n (%)7 (58)14 (44)0.50 RTX, n (%)1 (8)6 (19)0.65 others, n (%)2 (17)3 (9)0.60 without IS, n (%)2 (17)9 (28)0.70

The p-value was estimated using Fisher’s exact or Wilcoxson rank sum test. yo, years old; AAV, ANCA-associated vasculitis; MPA, microscopic polyangiitis; GPA, granulomatosis with polyangiitis; CY, cyclophosphamide; RTX, rituximab; AZA, azathioprine; IS, immunosuppressants. *p<0.05

Conclusion:

There was no difference in remission rate between two groups. Severe infections were observed only in the ≥70 yo group. We suggest that younger AAV patients need attention to relapse after the remission because of lower relapse free survival in <70 yo group.

References:

[1]Sada KE, et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2014; 16: R101.

Figure 1.

Relapse free survival Relapse free survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. *p<0.05

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0826 IMPORTANCE OF PRECONCEPTION CARE AND PLANNING FOR PREGNANCY IN WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE COMPLICATED WITH CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES

Background:

Previous reports showed that connective tissue disease (CTD) have a high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) such as preterm birth, light-for-date, or preeclampsia1). It was revealed that these APOs were associated with high disease activity or treatment agents, particularly in glucocorticoid2). Some patients, who have no or insufficient preconception care and became unplanned pregnant, exacerbate the underlying disease, and lead to disappointing pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, preconception care and planning for pregnancy is very important to control disease activities and manage the appropriate treatment agents, including glucocorticoid, immunosuppressants, biologics, hydroxychloroquine, and anticoagulants3).

Objectives:

We investigate whether the presence or absence of preconception care before pregnancy affects clinical disease course and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods:

We examined 200 CTD women who delivered their newborns in our institution from March 2006 to January 2021. We analyzed the association between preconception care and the clinical course of underlying diseases during pregnancy or pregnancy outcomes.

Results:

Of all 200 cases, 133 (55.9%) cases had preconception care in our institution, while the others had no or insufficient preconception care. We showed the comparison of treatment agents and pregnancy outcomes between the cases with and without preconception care in Table 1. There was no significant difference in the rate of glucocorticoid use and the mean prednisolone dose during pregnancy between these two groups. However, the rate of increased dose of glucocorticoid or pulse therapy was significantly higher in the cases without preconception care. As for pregnancy outcomes, there was no significant difference in the live birth rate. On the other hand, the gestational weeks at delivery were significantly shorter, and the rate of preterm birth was higher in the cases without preconception care. In addition, the rate of the hospitalization of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was also significantly higher in the cases without preconception care.

Conclusion:

We revealed that preconception care before pregnancy reduced the need for intensified treatment such as increasing dose of glucocorticoid or pulse therapy. The rate of preterm birth and NICU hospitalization was also shown to decrease. Therefore, it is important for our rheumatologists to provide an appropriate preconception care for CTD women of childbearing age and to make a plan for pregnancy.

References:

[1]Tsuda S, Sameshima A, Sekine M, Kawaguchi H, Fujita D, Makino, et al. Mod Rheumatol 2019:24;1-10.

[2]Clowse ME, Magder LS, Petri M. J Rheumaotol 2011;38:1012-1016.

[3]Sammaritano LR, Bermas BL, Chakravarty EE, Chambers C, Clowse MEB, Lockshin MD, et al. Arthritis Care Res 2020;72:461-488.

Table 1.

Comparison of treatment agents and pregnancy outcomes between the cases with and without preconception care

Preconception care (+) (n=113)Preconception care (-) (n=89)P valueTreatment agents during pregnancy Glucocorticoid use (n (%))64 (56.6)50 (56.2)1.00  Mean glucocorticoid dose (mg/day)6.3±3.98.4±6.10.09  Dose-up of glucocorticoid (n (%))11 (9.7)26 (29.2)<0.01*  Glucocorticoid pulse therapy (n (%))0 (0)8 (9.0)0.01* Immunosuppressant (n (%))14 (12.5)4 (4.5)0.08 Hydroxychloroquine (n %))7 (6.2)6 (6.7)1.00 Anticoagulant therapy (n (%))21 (18.8)16 (17.8)1.00Pregnancy outcome Spontaneous abortion (n (%))8 (7.1)6 (6.7)1.00 Live birth (n (%))100 (88.5)78 (87.6)1.00  Gestational weeks at delivery (week)38.7±1.437.3±3.50.01*  Birth weight of newborn (gram)2888.8±453.72678.4±732.60.25 Adverse pregnancy outcomes (n (%))26 (26.0)28 (35.0)0.20  Preterm birth (n (%))5 (5.0)19 (23.8)<0.01*  Light-for-date (n (%))10 (10.0)9 (11.3)0.81  Hypertensive disorder (n (%))5 (5.0)8 (10.0)0.25  NICU management (n (%))13 (13.0)24 (30.0)<0.01*

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Cerebral Microbleeds, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and Neuroimaging Markers in Clinical Subtypes of Alzheimer's Disease

Lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) due to vascular amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits. However, the relationship between lobar CMBs and clinical subtypes of AD remains unknown. Here, we enrolled patients with early- and late-onset amnestic dominant AD, logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) and posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) who were compatible with the AD criteria. We then examined the levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers [Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40, Aβ1-38, phosphorylated tau 181 (P-Tau), total tau (T-Tau), neurofilament light chain (NFL), and chitinase 3-like 1 protein (YKL-40)], analyzed the number and localization of CMBs, and measured the cerebral blood flow (CBF) volume by ^99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computerized tomography (^99mTc ECD-SPECT), as well as the mean cortical standard uptake value ratio by ¹¹C-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B-positron emission tomography (¹¹C PiB-PET). Lobar CMBs in lvPPA were distributed in the temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes with the left side predominance, while the CBF volume in lvPPA significantly decreased in the left temporal area, where the number of lobar CMBs and the CBF volumes showed a significant inversely correlation. The CSF levels of NFL in lvPPA were significantly higher compared to the other AD subtypes and non-demented subjects. The numbers of lobar CMBs significantly increased the CSF levels of NFL in the total AD patients, additionally, among AD subtypes, the CSF levels of NFL in lvPPA predominantly were higher by increasing number of lobar CMBs. On the other hand, the CSF levels of Aβ1-38, Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, P-Tau, and T-Tau were lower by increasing number of lobar CMBs in the total AD patients. These findings may suggest that aberrant brain hypoperfusion in lvPPA was derived from the brain atrophy due to neurodegeneration, and possibly may involve the aberrant microcirculation causing by lobar CMBs and cerebrovascular injuries, with the left side dominance, consequently leading to a clinical phenotype of logopenic variant.

Association between Sarcopenia, Its Defining Indices, and Driving Cessation in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

Driving a car is essential for older adults to support their activities of daily living and maintain their quality of life. However, physical function - which often declines with age - is a key factor to determine whether older adults can continue driving safely. As such, we sought to examine the association between sarcopenia and driving cessation in older adults.

DESIGN

A prospective study.

SETTING

A community setting.

PARTICIPANTS

We conducted a study including 2,874 older adult participants from the community (mean age: 71.0 ± 4.7 years [range: 65-93 years], women: 36.3%).

MEASUREMENTS

We assessed whether they were still driving at baseline examination as well as their degree of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was assessed according to the clinical definition provided by the EWGSOP2 by measuring muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance represented by gait speed. Driving cessation was determined based on driving status at the initial visit and at a follow-up examination approximately 15 months later.

RESULTS

At the baseline assessment, there were 62 participants (2.2%) with confirmed sarcopenia and 23 participants (0.8%) with severe sarcopenia. Participants were classified into either the ongoing driving (n = 2816) or driving cessation (n = 58) group. Low muscle strength and low muscle mass were associated with driving cessation (low muscle strength: odds ratio [OR] 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-3.87; low muscle mass: OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.04-3.85). Slow gait was not associated with driving cessation (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.68-2.69). Significantly, sarcopenia was associated with driving cessation (confirmed sarcopenia: OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.63-12.29; severe sarcopenia: OR 4.46, 95% CI 1.21-16.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is associated with an increased likelihood of driving cessation in community-dwelling older adults. Evaluation of physical function related to sarcopenia would be useful for judgment of the ability to drive safely among older adults.

Physio-Cognitive Decline Syndrome as the Phenotype and Treatment Target of Unhealthy Aging

In this era of unprecedented longevity, healthy aging is an important public health priority. Avoiding or shortening the period of disability or dementia before death is critical to achieving the defining objectives of healthy aging, namely to develop and maintain functional capabilities that enable wellbeing in older age. The first step is to identify people who are at risk and then to implement effective primary interventions. Geriatricians have identified a distinct clinical phenotype of concurrent physical frailty and cognitive impairment, which predicts high risk of incident dementia and disability and is potentially reversible. Differing operational definitions for this phenotype include "cognitive frailty", "motoric cognitive risk syndrome" and the recently proposed "physio-cognitive decline syndrome (PCDS)". PCDS is defined as concurrent mobility impairment no disability (MIND: slow gait or/and weak handgrip) and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND: ≥1.5 SD below the mean for age-, sex-, and education-matched norms in any cognitive domain but without dementia). By these criteria, PCDS has a prevalence of 10-15% among community-dwelling older persons without dementia or disability, who are at increased risk for incident disability (HR 3.9, 95% CI 3.0-5.1), incident dementia (HR 3.4, 95% CI 2.4-5.0) and all-cause mortality (HR 6.7, 95% CI 1.8-26.1). Moreover, PCDS is associated with characteristic neuroanatomic changes in the cerebellum and hippocampus, and their neurocircuitry, which are distinct from neuroimaging features in normal aging and common dementia syndromes. Basic research and longitudinal clinical studies also implicate a hypothetical muscle-brain axis in the pathoetiology of PCDS. Most important, community-dwelling elders with PCDS who participated in a multidomain intervention had significant improvements in global cognitive function, and especially in the subdomains of naming and concentration. Our proposed operational definition of PCDS successfully identifies an appreciable population of at-risk older people, establishes a distinct phenotype with an apparently unique pathoetiology, and is potentially reversible. We now need further studies to elucidate the pathophysiology of PCDS, to validate neuroimaging features and muscle-secreted microRNA biomarkers, and to evaluate the effectiveness of sustained multidomain interventions.

Prediction for cardiac prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure by machine learning on dual-isotope myocardial semiconductor SPECT

Background

Dual-isotope (low doze 201TlCl and 123I-β-methyl-P-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP)) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is utilized to estimate myocardial damage in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). However, predictive model construction on the SPECT for cardiac death by machine learning was not studied.

Purpose

To elucidate predictive value of machine learning model on dual-isotope SPECT for CHF.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 310 patients who admitted with CHF (77.1±3.1 years, 164 males). After initial treatment, they underwent electrocardiography gated SPECT and observed in median 507 days [IQR: 165, 1032]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis for cardiac death was performed, and predictive model was constructed by ROC curve analysis and machine learning (Random Forest and Deep Learning). The accuracies (= [True positive + True negative] / Total) of the prediction models were compared with ROC curve model.

Results

Thirty-six patients fell into cardiac death. Cox analysis showed Age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), summed rest score (SRS) of BMIPP, and mismatch score were significant predictors (Hazard ratio: 1.068, 0.970, 1.032, 1.092, P value: &lt;0.001, 0.014, 0.002, &lt;0.001, respectively). ROC curve analysis of them revealed the accuracy of the cut-off value was 0.479–0.773. Conversely, machine learning model demonstrated higher accuracy for cardiac death (Random Forest: 0.895, Deep Learning: 0.935). The top 4 feature importance of the random forest were LVEF (0.299), SRS BMIPP (0.263), Age (0.262), and mismatch score (0.160).

Conclusion

Machine learning model on SPECT was superior to conventional statistic model for predicting cardiac death in patients with CHF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

The comparison of the chronic-phase vascular healing between bioabsorbable and durable polymer drug eluting stent by using optical coherence tomography

Background

Bioabsorbable polymer drug eluting stents (BP-DESs) were designed to reduce a vascular inflammatory reaction compared to durable polymer drug eluting stents (DP-DESs). However, few studies have compared vascular responses to BP-DESs and DP-DESs.

Methods

We enrolled 88 consecutive patients with single culprit coronary artery lesions (31 lesions with acute coronary syndrome) undergoing a single stent-implantation. BP-DESs and DP-DESs were implanted in 50 (57%) and 38 patients (43%), respectively. All lesions underwent optical coherence tomography examination at chronic phase and intrastent OCT findings at the follow-up were evaluated in every 1-mm cross-sections (CSs).

Results

A total of 1887 CSs (BP-DES: 1096, DP-DES: 791) were analyzed. The median period of follow-up OCT was 293 (250–374) days. There were no differences in the patient, lesion, and initial clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). BP-DESs had significantly higher percent neointimal hyperplasia area, defined as neointimal hyperplasia area divided by stent area x 100 (18.4±9.0% vs. 16.1±9.9%, p&lt;0.001), fewer malapposed struts (1.7% vs. 3.9%, p=0.005), fewer uncovered struts (3.6% vs. 5.8%, p=0.02) but higher frequency of superficial low intensity neointima (LIN) (7.7% vs. 3.4%, p&lt;0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that BP-DES (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.49–4.08, p&lt;0.001) and the initial clinical presentation of ACS (OR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.47–3.62, p&lt;0.001) are independent predictive factors for LIN.

Conclusion

BP-DESs showed homogenous neointimal growth and complete stent coverage quantitatively. Meanwhile, the significant relationships of BP-DES with LIN may suggest that the neointimal quality remains immature in BP-DESs in this period.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Optical coherence tomography findings in healed vulnerable plaques in patients with coronary artery disease

Background

Histopathological analysis or intracoronary image assessment of healed plaques (HPs) has been reported both in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients. However, background characteristics or lesion morphologies of HPs could not be fully clarified and their differences according to the clinical status remain undetermined.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the clinical and morphological characteristics and compare their differences among ACS and SAP patients in order to clarify the clinical significance in HPs lesions.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 201 patients with 213 native coronary artery lesions (139 lesions with SAP, 42 ST elevation-ACS (STE-ACS) and 32 non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) undergoing pre-intervention optical coherence tomography (OCT). HPs was defined as layered phenotype on OCT. Clinical and angiography characteristics and lesion morphologies on OCT were assessed.

Results

HPs were observed in 110 lesions (51.6%) and their prevalence were not different according to the clinical status (SAP:55.1%, STE-ACS:38.1%, NSTE-ACS:56.3%, p=0.14). Lesions with HPs had higher frequencies of angiography-eccentric lesions (62.7% vs. 35.9%, p&lt;0.001) and OCT-macrophages (65.5% vs. 43.1%, p&lt;0.001), and greater OCT-lumen area stenosis (%-AS) (77.1±10.2% vs. 73.6±10.6%, p=0.01) than those without HPs. Of lesions with HPs, OCT-thin-cap fibroatheroma (SAP 14.4%, STE-AC43.8%, NSTE-ACS 16.7%, p=0.03), plaque rupture (5.3%; 37.5%; 11.1%, p&lt;0.001) and thrombus (6.6%, 75.0%, 22.2%, p=0.007) were more frequently observed in STE-ACS than in SAP patients, whereas OCT-microvessels were more frequent in SAP than in ACS patients (19.7%, 0.0%, 0.0%, p=0.02). Other OCT findings such as macrophages, cholesterol crystal, multiple layered phenotype, and %-AS were not significantly different according to the clinical status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the angiography-eccentric lesions (odds ratio (OR): 2.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.68–5.25, p&lt;0.001) and OCT macrophages (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.36–4.27, p=0.003) as independent related factors for the existence of HPs.

Conclusions

The present study showed that HPs lesions had eccentric and large plaque burden, and persistent plaque inflammations regardless of clinical status, which might lead to future coronary events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Optical coherence tomography and coronary angioscopy assessment of healed vulnerable plaque components in patients with coronary artery lesions undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Many vulnerable plaques would progress without clinical events and might result in healed plaques (HPs). Histopathological or intracoronary image assessment of HPs has been reported. However, the morphological characteristics of HPs remain unclear yet.

Purpose

We sought to assess the healed vulnerable plaque components in patients with coronary artery lesions using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary angioscopy (CAS).

Methods

We enrolled 47 patients with 50 native coronary artery lesions with angiographical severe stenosis (&gt;90% diameter-stenosis) and without severe calcification (36 lesions with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 14 acute coronary syndrome (ACS)) undergoing pre-intervention OCT and CAS. HPs was defined as layered phenotype on OCT. Lesion morphologies and plaque characteristics in lesions with HPs were assessed using OCT and CAS images.

Results

HPs were observed in 27 lesions (54.0%) and their prevalence were similar among each clinical status (SAP 52.8%, ACS 57.1%, p=1.00). Lesions with HPs had higher prevalence of OCT-macrophage (88.0% vs. 52.0%, p=0.01), CAS-red thrombus (88.8% vs. 52.2%, p=0.004) and CAS-low grade-yellow plaque (grade 1) (55.6% vs. 21.7%, p=0.02) than those without. SAP lesions with HPs had higher prevalence of CAS-yellow plaque (35.3% vs. 5.9%, p=0.09) and OCT-thin-cap fibroatheroma (42.1% vs. 5.9%, p=0.04) than SAP without HPs. ACS lesions with HPs had less CAS-red thrombus (0.0% vs. 50.0%, p=0.03) and OCT-plaque rupture (12.5% vs. 66.7%, p=0.04) than ACS without HPs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that OCT-macrophages (odds ratio (OR): 6.65, 95%-confidence intervals: 1.07–41.5, p=0.043), CAS-red thrombus (OR 8.77, 95% CI 1.33–57.8, p=0.02), and low grade-yellow plaque (OR 13.05, 95% CI 1.97–86.5, p=0.008) were independently related with the existence of HPs lesions. Combination of these 3 factors showed a high predictive value of OCT-HPs lesions (90.9%).

Conclusions

HPs lesions showed the lower lesion vulnerability than common ACS lesions but had more intraplaque inflammatory condition compared with common SAP lesions. Combined CAS and OCT examination might be useful to clarify the plaque components of HPs lesions in vivo, leading to help us understand the clinical significance of HPs.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Differences of ST level at J-point on 12-lead electrocardiography can distinguish takotsubo syndrome and acute anterior myocardial infarction

Background

Qualitative difference of ST elevation/depression on 12-leads electrocardiography (ECG) at onset was reported in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) and acute anterior myocardial infarction (ant AMI). However, quantitative difference of those was not elucidated.

Purpose

To investigate differences of ST level at J point on ECG between TTS and ant AMI by automated calculating system.

Methods

We firstly enrolled consecutive 40 patients of TTS, and among 500 ant AMI patients, one to two random matching was done by their age and gender. Finally, 40+80 patients (74.5±11.2 years, 87 females) were enrolled. ECG at onset of both group was measured by automated system (ECAPs12c: Nihon-Koden).

Results

ST level of TTS at J-point in I/II/V4–6 lead was significantly elevated comparing to that of ant AMI. Conversely, Conversely, significant ST depression in aVR and no ST elevation in V1 of TTS was observed in TTS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ST elevation in I lead and no ST elevation in V1 lead showed high odds ratio and low P value.

Conclusion

Automated measured ST level at J-point was a powerful tool to distinguish TTS and ant AMI at onset.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Diagnostic performance of 18-leads electrocardiography to distinguish takotsubo syndrome and acute anterior myocardial infarction

Background

Electrocardiographic (ECG) features on acute phase of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is recognized to mimic that of acute anterior myocardial infarction (ant AMI). However, the difference of synthesized 18-leads ECG of both diseases was not elucidated.

Purpose

To elucidate diagnostic performance of 18-leads ECG to distinguish TTS and acute anterior AMI.

Methods

We firstly enrolled consecutive 40 patients of TTS, and among 500 ant AMI patients, one to two matching was done by their age and gender. Finally, 40+80 patients (74.5±11.2 years, 87 females) were enrolled, and ECG at onset of both group was estimated. Because of multicollinearity, all significant differences were compared by machine learning (Random Forest method).

Results

Prevalence of Q wave had no difference. Conversely, ST depression in TTS and ST elevation in ant AMI were significant differences in V7–9 leads. T-wave polarity of V3R-V9 leads were significantly different (flat T-wave in TTS and positive in ant AMI). Machine learning revealed T wave polarity in V7 lead had the highest feature importance.

Conclusion

18-leads ECG at onset had powerful diagnostic performance to distinguish the two diseases.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

AB0787 EFFECTIVENESS OF IL-17 INHIBITORS REVEALED BY MINIMAL DISEASE ACTIVITY (MDA) ACHIEVEMENT OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background:

Recently, several type of biologics such as TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-12/23 (p40) inhibitors and IL-23 (p19) inhibitors are approved for PsA. Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) 2015 Treatment Recommendation suggests the treat-to-target strategy for PsA1), however, this recommendation does not indicate how to determine which biologics to use. Recent reports revealed that IL-17 inhibitors were as effective as TNF inhibitors2). On the other hand, based on the Tight Control of Psoriatic Arthritis (TICOPA) study, present treatment strategies for PsA aim to reach on minimal disease activity (MDA)3).

Objectives:

We investigate the effectiveness of IL-17 inhibitors focusing on MDA achievement which were administered for the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) patients in our institution.

Methods:

We examined 46 patients whom were diagnosed and treated in our institution. We analyzed DAS28-CRP as the evaluation of arthritis and Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) achievement as that of overall disease activity.

Results:

Biologics were administered in 30 cases (65.2%) of all 46 cases. In 30 cases, 19 cases (63.3%) initiated TNF inhibitors (TNFi) and 7 cases (23.3%) were IL-17 inhibitors (naïve group). In 9 cases, TNFi were switched into Il-17 inhibitors (switch group), 7 cases continued TNFi (TNFi group). Patients characteristics in the cases which could collect the data were shown in Table 1. As for arthritis, DAS28-CRP has significantly improved at fourth weeks in naïve and TNFi group. In switch group, DAS28-CRP has not demonstrated significant improvement, however, IL-17 inhibitors were effective for the cases to which they were initiated for arthritis. As for MDA, 71% and 78% have also achieved MDA at twentieth weeks in both naïve and switch groups. In the TNFi group, 67% have not achieved MDA at twentieth weeks because of no improvement of rash (Figure 1). In switch group, all cases to which IL-17 inhibitors were initiated for either arthritis or rash have achieved MDA, however, 40% of cases which were introduced for both arthritis and rash have not achieved MDA.

Table 1.

Comparison of clinical characteristics at baseline in 3 groups.

Il-17 naïve group (n=7)IL-17 switch group (n=9)TNF group (n=7)p valueAge, year60.7 ± 18.953.8 ± 15.450.7 ± 13.6N.SDisease duration, year20.3 ± 25.817.4 ± 9.59.9 ± 12.4N.SMale, n (%)3 (43)6 (67)5 (71)N.SMTX, n (%)2 (29)4 (44)5 (71)N.SCRP(mg/dl)0.41 ± 0.501.87 ± 3.131.07 ± 1.77N.SSwollen joint count6.7 ± 7.33.6 ± 4.26.2 ± 6.9N.STender joint count6.6 ± 7.02.2 ± 2.66.9 ± 9.0N.SPatient pain VAS55.7 ± 22.347.1 ± 34.935.4 ± 13.6N.SBSA (%)12.5± 17.37.7 ± 14.87.4 ± 7.2N.SBiologics, nSecukinumab: 2Ixekizumab: 5secukinumab: 3Ixekizumab: 5Brodalumab: 1Infliximab: 3Adalimumab:3Etanercept:1

TNF: Tumor Necrosis Factor, MTX: Methotrexate, VAS: visual analog scale, BSA: body surface area, N.S: not significant

Conclusion:

In our study, IL-17 inhibitors could bring high rate of MDA achievement for both naïve and switch from TNFi. We suggest that TNFi should be switched into IL-17 inhibitors rapidly in the case of ineffective for TNFi.

References:

[1]Coates LC, Kavanaugh A, Mease PJ, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016;68:1060-71.

[2]Miyagawa I, Nakayamada S, Tanaka Y. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2019 20;21:21.

[3]Coates LC, Moverley AR, McParland L, et al. Lancet. 2015 19;386:2489-98.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0065 CLINICAL FEATURES OF METHOTREXATE ASSOCIATED LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS AND INFLUENCE OF CD8 POSITIVE LYMPHOCYTE INFILTRATION

Background:

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) that develop in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with MTX (MTX-LPD) is one of the important complications for RA patients. We have previously epidemiologically demonstrated an association between MTX and the development of LPD in RA patients1). MTX-LPD has varied pathologies including various clinical symptom and histological finding. Therefore, we need more information about MTX-LPD. In addition, it is one of the characteristics for MTX-LPD that spontaneous regression (SR) after MTX discontinuation. However, the mechanism of SR is not clarified.

Objectives:

We collect the information such as clinical symptom and histological finding of MTX-LPD with RA patients, and clarify the clinical features of MTX-LPD. In addition, we investigated the difference between SR cases and cases that treated with chemotherapy after MTX discontinuation (CTx cases).

Methods:

We enrolled 90 MTX-LPD patients from Kagawa Prefecture, Japan between June 2005 and December 2019. Patients were diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987 classification criteria or ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2010 classification criteria, and treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including MTX. We collected as follow information; age, gender, duration of RA, laboratory data (lymphocyte counts and sIL-2R) and treatment of MTX-LPD. In addition, we divided 16 MTX-LPD cases diagnosed histological into two groups (SR:CTx group; n=10:6), and analyzed the histological findings (CD4, CD8, CD163 and CD47) using the staining in immunohistochemistry (IHC) between the two groups. Each positive cell analyzed using virtual viewer soft ImageScope.

Results:

Characteristics of 90 MTX-LPD patients are as follow; mean age 66.5±11.2 years,63 female, duration of RA 18.5±19.4 years. 65 patients (72.2%) were spontaneously improved by discontinuing MTX. 58 patients (64.4%) were proven MTX-LPD histologically. In these patients, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most frequent histological type of MTX-LPD (56.9%). Infiltration of CD8 positive lymphocyte in the lesion was significant less in the SR cases than in the CTx cases (Figure 1). However, CD4, CD163 and CD47 positive cells had no significant difference between two groups.

Figure 1.

CD8 positive lymphocytes in the specimen of lesion using the staining in immunohistochemistry (IHC) between SR and CTxgroup.

Conclusion:

We revealed clinical features of MTX-LPD with RA patients. In addition, CD8 positive lymphocytes are involved in tumor immunity. In this study, we suggested that the extent of CD8 positive lymphocyte infiltration may predict SR of MTX-LPD. Further study is necessary on revealing the mechanism of SR in MTX-LPD.

References:

[1]Kameda T. et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2014 Sep;66(9):1302-9.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0391 EFFECT OF HCQ ON LLDAS ACHIEVEMENT IN SLE PATIENTS

Background:

HCQ for SLE in Japan has been administered in many cases after approval. Therefore, the effect of additional administration of HCQ on low disease activity of SLE was considered to be clearer.

Objectives:

To clarify the effect of HCQ treatment on the control of disease activity in SLE patients.

Methods:

All SLE patients with low disease activity (LDA) enrolled in this study started additional HCQ treatment from January 2016. All patients with LDA enrolled in this study started HCQ treatment and had been receiving oral HCQ continuously for at least 3 months without using other immunosuppressive treatments or glucocorticoids. Disease activity was evaluated by SLEDAI, CLASI, and LLDAS, and serum complement values, anti-DNA antibodies, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed as immunological biomarkers before and after HCQ treatment.

Results:

52 of 100 patients were enrolled in this study (M:F; 4:48, average age; 40.6±13.4). 24 lupus nephritis patients were in sustained remission. 29 patients (56%) achieved LLDAS and 3 patients (6%) achieved clinical remission (CR) before HCQ administration.

Of the 20 patients (38%) who did not achieve LLDAS before HCQ administration, the LLDAS achievement rates at 3, 6, and 12 months after additional HCQ were 47%, 59%, and 81% (including 12.5% of CR achievement rates), respectively.

Serum levels of MRP8, MRP14, TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF-A, IL-1ra, MIP-1a and IL-2 decreased significantly 3 months after additional HCQ treatment. In addition, serum levels of MRP8, MRP14, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-2 also decreased significantly 3 months after additional HCQ treatment despite achieving LLDAS or CR. The expressions of IFN-α didn’t decrease significantly in 9 cases that could be detected.

The magnitude of the changes in serum MRP8, MRP14, IL-8 and Il-1ra levels in patients with a history of LN was significantly higher than in those without a history of LN. The magnitude of the reduction in serum MCP-1 levels in patients not achieving LLDAS with a history of LN was significantly higher than in those without a history of LN(p=0.046).

The change of CLASI activity score was correlated with the change in serum levels of MRP14 and MCP-1 with univariate analysis (MRP14: r=-0.41, p=0.017, MCP-1: r=-0.58, p=0.0006). The change of serum C3 levels had a negative correlation with MCP-1(r=-0.33, p=0.022).

The magnitude of the change in serum levels of MRP14, TNF-α, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1a and IL-1ra in patients achieving LLDAS were correlated with the change of CLASI activity score with univariate analysis (MRP14: r=-0.49, p=0.041, TNFα: r=0.74, p=0.0038, IL-1ra: r=0.66, p=0.038, MIP-1a: r=0.63, p=0.037, Figure 1). Moreover, the change of serum C3 and C4 levels in them had a negative correlation with the change of serum MCP-1 levels (Figure 2).

Figure 1.

Correlation between change of CLASI activity scores and serum MCP-1 levels in SLE patients with LLDAS (IL-8: r=0.77,p=,0.0007, MCP-1: r=0.80,p=,0.0001).

Figure 2.

Correlation between change of serum C3 and C4 levels and serum MCP-1 levels in SLE patients with LLDAS (C3: r=-0.40, p=0.028, C4: r=-0.37, p=0.047).

Conclusion:

Additional administration of HCQ is useful for cytokine control even in LLDAS-achieved cases, and particularly contributes to the improvement of skin lesion.

In addition, regulation of IL-8 and MCP-1 is important for control of renal lesions of SLE, and more control of the activity of SLE

The effect of HCQ on IL-8 and MCP-1 is related to the control of renal lesions in SLE, so that disease activity of more SLE patients might be more controlled disease activity.

References:

[1]R Wakiya, et al. Hydroxychloroquine modulates elevated expression of S100 proteins in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2019;28:826-833

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0254 SERUM IL-17 AND IL-21 AFFECT THE HEMODYNAMICS IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE ASSOCIATED-PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Background:

Pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease (CTD-PH) has complicated pathology including immune abnormalities, cardiac and pulmonary lesions. Therefore, it is difficult for rheumatologist to manage CTD-PH. We hesitate to use immunosuppressants in addition to pulmonary vasodilators to treat CTD-PH. Although there is a report that the cytokine such as Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17 and IL-21 are involved in the development of PH1), changes in the hemodynamics of theses cytokines with treatment are not clear.

Objectives:

We investigate serum cytokine profile and clinical appearance in CTD-PH, and clarify the relationship between change in cytokines and hemodynamics before and after treatment.

Methods:

14 cases of CTD-PH (8 cases in Scleroderma; SSc-PH group, 4 cases in Mixed connective tissue disease; MCTD-PH group, 2 cases in Systemic lupus erythematosus; SLE-PH group), 6 cases in Other-PH group, and 2 cases of SSc without PH as controls were included. The following clinical data were collected: age, gender, underlying disease, complication of interstitial lung disease, treatment (immunosuppressant and pulmonary vasodilator). Serum samples in pre- and post-capillary before and after treatment were collected during cardiac catheterization examination. Serum cytokines (MCP-1, IL-6, IL-17 and IL-21) of these samples were measured by ELISA (ABCAM, UK).

Results:

Serum MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-21 levels were higher in SSc-PH group than in the other groups. Conversely, serum IL-17 levels tended to be higher in non-SSc group compared to SSc-PH group. Additionally, serum MCP-1 levels in SSc-PH group decreased in post-capillary as compared to pre-capillary. Furthermore, patients with decreased serum IL-17 and IL-21 levels before and after treatment showed improved pulmonary hemodynamics.

Conclusion:

SSc-PH had a different cytokine profile compared with non-SSc-PH. We suggested that the serum IL-17 and IL-21 levels effect the hemodynamics in CTD-PH.

References:

[1]Hashimoto-Kataoka T. et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 May 19;112(20):E2677-86.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0392 THE EFFECT OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE ON THE RISK FACTORS FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS DEVELOPMENT

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients, especially patients with lupus nephritis have poor vascular endothelial function and increased cardiovascular(CV) mortality.

Meanwhile, several studies showed hydroxychloroquine(HCQ) has effect on reduction in lipids and thrombosis(1), but the mechanism is unclear.

Objectives:

We examined effect of HCQ on adipocytokine expression in SLE patients.

Methods:

52 SLE patients with low disease activity started with HCQ were analyzed before and 3 months after HCQ treatment. 21 SLE patients has past history of lupus nephritis. Serum S100 proteins and adipocytokines were measured by ELISA, and serum inflammatory ctytokine levels were evaluated by Multiplex assay (TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF-A).

Results:

Serum adiponectin level was increased significantly 3 months after HCQ treatment compared with those at baseline (mean change 1.35, Figure 1). SLE patients who achieved LLDAS had a greater increase than those who did not. Additionally, the changes of serum adiponectin levels were associated with those of TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF-A and S100A9 protein, which plays an important role of SLE pathogenesis.

Figure 1.

Serum adiponectin levels at baseline were compared with levels after 3 months of HCQ treatment. Serum adiponectin levels significantly decreasing during HCQ treatment in SLE patients. For statistical analyses *p<0.0001,Pvalue: Wilcoxon signed-rank test

Conclusion:

A HCQ could reduce the risk factors for atherosclerosis along with control of SLE disease activity.

References:

[1]Wallace DJ, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients with rheumatic disease: reversal of deleterious effects of steroids on lipids. Am J Med. 1990; 89: 322-6.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0493 COMPARISON OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY BETWEEN RITUXIMAB AND CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN REMISSION INDUCTION THERAPY FOR JAPANESE ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS(AAV) PATIENTS; A SINGLE CENTER RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Background:

Rituximab(RTX) and Cyclophosphamide(CY) has been indicated for ANCA-associated vasculitis(AAV) as remission induction therapy. However, older age and renal disfunction were independent predictor of treatment related adverse effects in remission induction with CY in recent reports1). Japanese AAV patients are characterized by the predominance of elderly, and the study about comparison of efficacy and safety between RTX and CY in elderly Japanese AAV patients are limited.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy and safety between RTX versus CY as remission induction therapy in Japanese AAV patients.

Methods:

We analyzed 40 cases (20 cases received RTX and 20 cases received CY) who received remission induction therapy in our hospital between January 2016 and August 2019. Clinical and laboratory variables at diagnosis, rates of complete remission(CR) at 6 months, defined as Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS)=0 and prednisone 7.5 mg/day, AAV relapse at 12 months, and adverse effects were investigated.

Results:

Of 40 patients, mean age was 73.5±9.6 years (6 males and 34 females). Diagnosis of MPA and GPA were 30 cases and 10 cases, respectively. 37 cases (93%) were positive for MPO-ANCA. Treatment regimen was determined by attending physician. Baseline characteristic of each group (RTX group and CY group) are shown in Table1. Baseline charactor, disease activity, organ involvement, and the proportion of patients with relapsing disease were similar in the two treatment groups. At 6 months, there was no difference of remission rate between two groups (RTX: CY = 62%: 44%, p=0.35) (Figure 1). However, mean PSL dosage at 3 months was significantly lower in RTX group (10.0±4.6mg/day) as compared to CY group (15.8±9.5mg/day; p=0.025) (Figure 2). At 12 months, 1 case in CY group and no case in RTX group had relapse. Adverse effects through 12 months are shown in Table 2. 8 infections (30%) in CY group and 7 infections (35%) occurred in RTX group (p=0.64), respectively. 1 case in RTX group had died due to renal failure.

Table 1.

Comparison of clinical characteristics at baseline between RTX and CY groups.

RTX(n=20)CY(n=20)p valueDeath, n (%)1 (5)0 (0)0.50Infections, n (%)7 (35)8 (30)0.46Serious (grade 3), n (%)4 (15)3 (10)0.50Malignancy, n (%)1 (5)0 (0)0.50VTE, n (%)1 (5)0 (0)0.50AMI, n (%)1 (5)0 (0)0.50Leukopenia, n (%)3 (15)3 (10)0.70Necrosis of femoral head, n (%)0 (0)1 (5)0.50Mediastinal emphysema0 (0)1 (5)0.50

VTE: venous thrombotic emboli, AMI: acute myocardial infarction

Conclusion:

We indicated that PSL was tapered more rapidly in RTX group, although there was no difference of remission rate at 6 months and infection at 12 months between RTX and CY therapy. Therefore, remission induction therapy with RTX might be more safety for elderly Japanese AAV patients.

References:

[1]Little MA, Nightingale P, Verburgh CA, Hauser T, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2010; 69:1036–1043.

Table 2.

Adverse effects through 12 months. % = patients with 1 effects

RTX(n=20)CY(n=20)p valueAge, year72.3 ± 11.074.8 ± 8.010.55female, n (%)16 (80)18 (90)0.33AAV type0.14 MPA, n (%)13 (65)17 (85) GPA, n (%)7 (35)3 (15)Newly diagnosis, n (%)7 (35)4 (20)0.24ANCA positivity MPO, n (%)20 (100)17 (85)0.12 PR3, n (%)1 (5)2 (10)0.50 negative, n (%)0 (0)2 (10)0.24 eGFR (mL/min)55.0 ± 29.558.1 ± 21.50.45Organ involvement General, n (%)14 (70)19 (95)0.046* Cutaneous, n (%)1 (5)3 (15)0.30 Eyes, n (%)4 (20)1 (5)0.17 ENT, n (%)5 (25)5 (25)1.00 Pulmonary, n (%)14 (70)15 (75)0.50 Renal, n (%)14 (70)13 (65)0.50 Neurologic, n (%)8 (40)4 (20)0.15BVAS13.8 ± 6.614.1 ± 7.60.73

RTX: Rituximab, CY: Cyclophosphamide, ANCA: antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody, AAV: ANCA-associated vasculitis, GPA: granulomatosis with polyangiitis, MPA: microscopic polyangiitis, ENT: Ear, Nose, and Throat, BVAS Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, * p <0.05

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0592 NAILFOLD CAPILLARY ABNORMALITIES PREDICT INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE (ILD) COMPLICATION IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Background:

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) have various organ involvements including pulmonary hypertension (PH), digital ulcers (DU), and interstitial lung disease (ILD). On the other hand, Nailfold capillary (NFC) abnormalities (enlarged/giant capillaries, fresh or old hemorrhages, avascular areas, ramified/bushy capillaries) detected by capillaroscopy are included in ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc as one of important findings. In addition, many studies have reported the relationship between NFC abnormalities and organ involvements (DU, PH) [1][2]. However, there are a few reports about the relationship between NFC abnormalities and ILD.

Objectives:

We clarify the association with NFC abnormalities and ILD in SSc patients.

Methods:

We enrolled SSc patients without PH from January 2016 to December 2019 in our institution. SSc patients were diagnosed according to EULAR classification criteria in 2013. ILD was detected by chest CT scans. We assessed severity of ILD with pulmonary function tests (PFT). Abnormal PFT was defined as vital capacity (%VC) or diffusion capacity (DLCO) < 70%. NFC abnormalities were detected with “OptiPiX capillaroscopy Clinic 1.7.x” and the number of capillaries was measured per 1mm in 2nd to 5th fingers of both hand. We defined enlarged and giant capillaries as >30 µm and >50 µm, respectively.

Results:

We enrolled 59 SSc patients (54 females, 5 males). Mean age is 65.0 ± 8.0 years. Thirty-one patients (52.5%) were complicated with ILD. Mean capillary counts are 6.6/mm. The number of patients with each NFC abnormalities (enlarged capillaries, giant capillaries, microhemorrhages, ramified, avascular areas) are 42, 32, 48, 38, and 33 cases, respectively. Two cases did not have NFC abnormalities. SSc patients with giant capillaries had fewer ILD complications (p <0.05, odds ratio 0.183 [0.059 – 0.57]). Other NFC abnormalities were not associated with ILD in SSc patients. We inspected %VC of 23 patients and DLCO of 20 patients with ILD. Eleven patients had abnormal PFT (5 patients had abnormal %VC and 9 patients had abnormal DLCO). Most of them had not enlarged capillaries than patient with normal PFT (odds ratio 0.11 [0.016 – 0.81]). Other NFC abnormalities including giant capillaries were not associated with abnormal PFT.

Conclusion:

We investigated the relationship between NFC abnormalities and ILD conplications in SSc patients. NFC abnormalities are associated with ILD complicacion and severity of ILD. It was suggested that no giant capillary in SSc patients may predict ILD complication. Moreover, no enlarged capillary may predict the severe ILD.

References:

[1]Valeria Riccieri et al. Systemic sclerosis patients with and without pulmonary arterial hypertension: a nailfold capillaroscopy study. Rheumatology, Volume 52, Issue 8, 1 August 2013, Pages 1525–1528

[2]Maurizio Cutolo et al. Nailfold Videocapillaroscopic Features and Other Clinical Risk Factors for Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis: A Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 Oct; 68(10): 2527–2539.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Visceral Fat Accumulation Is Associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Women

OBJECTIVES

Visceral fat accumulation is detrimental for brain health and is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. The objectives of the present study were to examine the association between visceral fat accumulation and prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and its subtypes.

DESIGN

a cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

This study enrolled 6,109 community-dwelling older adults, including 3,434 women (mean age: 74.4 years) and 2,675 men (mean age: 74.3 years). Individuals with dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, Mini-Mental State Examination scores ≤23, and who could not perform basic activities of daily living independently were excluded.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants underwent neurocognitive assessments to assess mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its subtypes. Visceral fat area (VFA) was measured using abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis. Participants were divided into quartile groups by VFA.

RESULTS

There were 731 (21.3%) women and 562 (21.0%) men with MCI, and the median VFA values were 63.3 cm2 and 96.3 cm2, respectively. Women participants in the second (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.54-0.94), third (aOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47-0.92), and fourth quartiles of VFA (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41-0.93) had a significantly lower risk of MCI than those in the first quartile. Higher VFA quartiles in women were associated with lower risk of non-amnestic MCI. There were no significant differences in men between quartiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Visceral fat accumulation was associated with MCI, especially non-amnestic MCI, in community-dwelling older Japanese women. These results suggest that visceral fat accumulation is partially protective against cognitive impairment.

Cognitive Frailty as a Risk Factor for Incident Disability During Late Life: A 24-Month Follow-Up Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVES

Association between cognitive frailty as identified by a new operational definition and incident disability in the community setting remains unclear. This will be the catalyst for preventive interventions designed to treat adverse health problems among elderlies.

DESIGN

A 24-month follow-up longitudinal study on a community-based cohort.

SETTING

Community-setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included a total of 9,936 older adults aged 65 years or older.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was characterized as slow walking speed or/and muscle weakness represented by grip strength. Cognitive function was assessed according to several tests. Cognitive impairment was defined below the age-education reference threshold. Participants were categorized into the four groups: robust, cognitive impairment alone, frailty alone, and cognitive frailty (both frail and cognitive impairment). Incident disability data was extracted from the Japanese Long-Term Care system.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cognitive frailty was 11.2%. The cumulative incidence rates of incident disability in each group were also estimated (robust, 9.6/1,000 person-years (95% CI 7.9 to 11.7); cognitive impairment, 21.3/1,000 person years (95% CI 16.3 to 27.7); frailty, 45.4/1,000 person years (95% CI 39.5 to 52.3); and cognitive frailty, 79.9/1,000 person years (95% CI 68.6 to 93.1)). Adjusted Cox proportional hazard model revealed that the cognitive frailty group had the highest hazard ratio (HR 3.86, 95%CI 2.95 - 5.05, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A proper operational definition was developed to determine cognitive frailty among elderlies. Cognitive frailty is more associated with incident disability in community-setting than cognitive impairment or physical frailty alone.

Combined Impact of Physical Frailty and Social Isolation on Rate of Falls in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the combination of physical frailty and social isolation on falling in community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of data obtained at registration in a randomized control trial.

SETTING

Community-based study of participants recruited from Toyota, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

380 community-dwelling older adults (47.9% women, mean age = 72.3 ± 4.6 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants were categorized as non-frail or pre-frail/frail based on the Fried frailty criteria (slowness, weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and weight loss). Social isolation was examined using the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6), and scores lower than 12 points indicated social isolation. Participants were divided into four groups depending on pre-frail/frail status and social isolation, and experiences of multiple falls over the past year were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Participants were classified into robust (n = 193), physical frailty (PF; n = 108), social isolation (SI; n = 43), and PF with SI (PF+SI; n = 36) groups. A total of 38 (10.0%) participants reported multiple falls. Logistic regression analysis showed that PF and SI groups were not independently associated with falling (PF: OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.65-4.16, SI: OR 2.25, 95% CI 0.77-6.58), while PF+SI group was significantly associated with falling compared with the robust group (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.00-9.34, p = 0.049) after controlling for confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the assertion that coexistence with physical frailty and social isolation were associated with falling in the older adults.

Cognitive Frailty and Incidence of Dementia in Older Persons

BACKGROUND

Cognitive frailty may be a preventive or therapeutic target for preventing dementia and functional decline with age.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between physical and cognitive frailty and the incidence of dementia in community-living older persons.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

General community in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 4072 persons aged ≥ 65 years.

SETTING

A community in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 4072 community-dwelling older persons aged ≥ 65 years participated in the study.

MEASUREMENTS

We characterized physical frailty as ≥ 3 of the following criteria: slow walking speed, muscle weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and weight loss. We used the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Functional Assessment Tool, which includes tests of word list memory, attention, and executive function, and processing speed to screen for cognitive frailty. The presence of ≥ 2 cognitive impairments, indicated by an age-adjusted score of at least 1.5 standard deviations below the reference threshold, was defined as cognitive frailty. The incidence of dementia was determined using data collected by the Japanese Health Insurance System over 24 months.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence rates of physical frailty, cognitive impairment, and cognitive frailty (i.e., coexistence of frailty and cognitive impairment) were 5.1%, 5.5%, and 1.1%, respectively. During the follow-up period, 81 participants (2.0%) developed dementia. We found significant relationships between the incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment (hazard ratio (HR): 3.85, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.09-7.10) and cognitive frailty (HR: 6.19, 95% CI: 2.7-13.99). However, the association between dementia and physical frailty did not reach significance (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.97-3.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with cognitive frailty had the highest risk of dementia. Future research should implement dementia prevention strategies among older persons with cognitive frailty.

P4386Prognostic value of pressure-strain curve analysis by echocardiography for cardiac death in patients with congestive heart failure

Background

Pressure-strain curve analysis (PS-curve) is novel method of echocardiographic evaluation for left ventricular (LV) systolic myocardial work including the effect of blood pressure. However, the prognostic value of PS-curve for prospective cardiac death in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Purpose

To elucidate the prognostic value of PS-curve analysis for cardiac death in patients with CHF.

Methods

We enrolled 63 consecutive sinus-rhythm patients with CHF admission who were evaluated by PS-curve analysis before discharge (76.0±13.3 years, 39 males). Endpoint was set as all cardiac death.

Results

Observation period was median 327 days [25%: 91, 75%: 656 days], and the longest period was 1004 days. Five patients died for cardiac causes. Multivariate Cox regression analysis (stepwise regression) revealed diastolic blood pressure (BP) and global constructive work (GCW) were independent predictors (Hazard ratio: 0.854, 0.996, P value: 0.016, 0.019, respectively). ROC curve analysis demonstrated GCW ≤601 had high diagnostic performance for cardiac death (specificity 0.891, sensitivity 0.800, area under ROC 0.824). Kaplan-Meyer curve analysis indicated the group with GCW ≤601 was worse cardiac prognosis (Logrank P<0.001).

Cox Hazard Regression Analysis Univariate Multivariate (stepwise regression) Hazard Ratio 95% CI P Hazard Ratio 95% CI P BP systole (mmHg) 0.915 0.85–0.99 0.026 BP diastole (mmHg) 0.915 0.84–0.99 0.043 0.854 0.75–0.97 0.016 LVDd (mm) 1.064 1.01–1.12 0.025 NA LVDs (mm) 1.066 1.01–1.12 0.016 LVEF (%) 0.963 0.91–1.02 0.221 LAD (mm) 1.197 1.06–1.36 0.005 GWE 0.937 0.88–0.99 0.041 GWI 0.998 0.99–0.99 0.041 NA GCW 0.998 0.99–0.99 0.037 0.996 0.99–0.99 0.019 GWW 0.996 0.98–1.01 0.502 Considering multicollinearity, we excluded GWI and LVDd (correlation coefficient: GWI and GCW = 0.979, LVDd and LVDs = 0.942).

Conclusion

Pressure-strain curve analysis had powerful predictive value for cardiac death in patients with CHF.