Sexual function and pelvic floor function in men with systemic sclerosis compared to healthy controls: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the sexual function (SF) and pelvic floor function of men with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with age-matched healthy controls (HC) and to identify the implications of clinical features on SF.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Twenty SSc males and 20 HC aged 18-70 years completed eleven questionnaires assessing SF [International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ)]; sexual quality of life: Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Male (SQoL-M); pelvic floor function: Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7), fatigue, depression, physical fitness, functional disability, and quality of life. Clinical data were collected.

RESULTS

Significantly worse SF was observed in patients (median IIEF erectile function 12 in SSc versus 29 in HC, p < 0.001), with 70% reporting erectile dysfunction (ED) compared to 15% in HC. However, no significant difference was observed regarding pelvic floor function (median PFIQ7 8.8 in SSc versus 7.0 in HC, p = 0.141). Impaired SF was associated with higher disease activity, increased systemic inflammation, more pronounced fatigue, reduced physical fitness, severe depression, impaired overall quality of life, dyspepsia, and arthralgias (p < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in our SSc patients, whereas pelvic floor dysfunction is unlikely to be associated with these problems.

Sex Differences in the Effectiveness of First-Line Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in Psoriatic Arthritis: Results From the European Spondyloarthritis Research Collaboration Network

OBJECTIVE

Women with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may have reduced tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) effectiveness compared to men. We examined sex differences in treatment response and retention rates during 24 months of follow-up among patients with PsA initiating their first TNFi.

METHODS

Data from patients with PsA across 13 European Spondyloarthritis Research Collaboration Network registries starting their first TNFi were pooled. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between sex and treatment response using low disease activity (LDA) according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) (<3.2) at six months as the primary outcome. Analyses were adjusted for age, country, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment, and TNFi start year. Retention rates were explored using the Kaplan-Meier estimator.

RESULTS

We analyzed the treatment response of 7,679 patients with PsA (50% women) with available data on LDA at six months. At baseline, women and men had similar characteristics, including mean DAS28-CRP (women vs men, 4.4 [SD 1.2] vs 4.2 [SD 1.2]), though patient-reported outcome measures were worse in women. At six months, 64% of women and 78% of men had LDA (relative risk [RR] 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80-0.84). This difference was similar after adjustment (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.81-0.85). TNFi retention rates were evaluated in 17,842 patients with PsA. Women had significantly lower retention rates than men at all time points (women 79%, 64%, and 50% vs men 88%, 77%, and 64% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Despite comparable disease characteristics at baseline, women with PsA have reduced treatment response and retention rates to their first TNFi, highlighting the need to consider sex differences in PsA research and management.

S100A4-neutralizing monoclonal antibody 6B12 counteracts the established experimental skin fibrosis induced by bleomycin

OBJECTIVES

Our previous studies have demonstrated that the Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) protein, S100A4, is overexpressed in the involved skin and peripheral blood of patients with SSc. It is associated with skin and lung involvement, and disease activity. By contrast, lack of S100A4 prevented the development of experimental dermal fibrosis. Herein we aimed to evaluate the effect of murine anti-S100A4 mAb 6B12 in the treatment of preestablished experimental dermal fibrosis.

METHODS

The effects of 6B12 were assessed at therapeutic dosages in a modified bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis mouse model by evaluating fibrotic (dermal thickness, proliferation of myofibroblasts, hydroxyproline content, phosphorylated Smad3-positive cell count) and inflammatory (leukocytes infiltrating the lesional skin, systemic levels of selected cytokines and chemokines) outcomes, and transcriptional profiling (RNA sequencing).

RESULTS

Treatment with 7.5 mg/kg 6B12 attenuated and might even reduce pre-existing dermal fibrosis induced by bleomycin as evidenced by reduction in dermal thickness, myofibroblast count and collagen content. These antifibrotic effects were mediated by the downregulation of TGF-β/Smad signalling and partially by reducing the number of leukocytes infiltrating the lesional skin and decrease in the systemic levels of IL-1α, eotaxin, CCL2 and CCL5. Moreover, transcriptional profiling demonstrated that 7.5 mg/kg 6B12 also modulated several profibrotic and proinflammatory processes relevant to the pathogenesis of SSc.

CONCLUSION

Targeting S100A4 by the 6B12 mAb demonstrated potent antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects on bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis and provided further evidence for the vital role of S100A4 in the pathophysiology of SSc.

Predictors of DAPSA28 remission in patients with psoriatic arthritis initiating a first TNF inhibitor: results from 13 European registries

OBJECTIVES

In bio-naïve patients with PsA initiating a TNF inhibitor (TNFi), we aimed to identify baseline predictors of Disease Activity index for PsA in 28 joints (DAPSA28) remission (primary objective) and DAPSA28 moderate response at 6 months, as well as drug retention at 12 months across 13 European registries.

METHODS

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved and the three outcomes investigated per registry and in pooled data, using logistic regression analyses on multiply imputed data. In the pooled cohort, selected predictors that were either consistently positive or negative across all three outcomes were defined as common predictors.

RESULTS

In the pooled cohort (n = 13 369), 6-month proportions of remission, moderate response and 12-month drug retention were 25%, 34% and 63% in patients with available data (n = 6954, n = 5275 and n = 13 369, respectively). Five common baseline predictors of remission, moderate response and 12-month drug retention were identified across all three outcomes. The odds ratios (95% CIs) for DAPSA28 remission were: age, per year: 0.97 (0.96-0.98); disease duration, years (<2 years as reference): 2-3 years: 1.20 (0.89-1.60), 4-9 years: 1.42 (1.09-1.84), ≥10 years: 1.66 (1.26-2.20); men vs women: 1.85 (1.54-2.23); CRP of >10 vs ≤10 mg/l: 1.52 (1.22-1.89) and 1 mm increase in patient fatigue score: 0.99 (0.98-0.99).

CONCLUSION

Baseline predictors of remission, response and adherence to TNFi therapy were identified, of which five were common for all three outcomes, indicating that the predictors emerging from our pooled cohort may be considered generalizable from country level to disease level.

Impact of Upadacitinib on Laboratory Parameters and Related Adverse Events in Patients with RA: Integrated Data Up to 6.5 Years

INTRODUCTION

Upadacitinib (UPA) is a Janus kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an acceptable safety profile. We investigated laboratory parameter changes in UPA RA clinical trials.

METHODS

Pooled data from six randomized trials in the SELECT phase 3 program were included. Key laboratory parameters and safety data were measured for UPA 15 and 30 mg once daily (QD), adalimumab (ADA) 40 mg every other week + methotrexate (MTX), and MTX monotherapy. Exposure-adjusted event rates (EAERs) of adverse events were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 3209 patients receiving UPA 15 mg QD (10 782.7 patient-years [PY]), 1204 patients receiving UPA 30 mg QD (3162.5 PY), 579 patients receiving ADA + MTX (1573.2 PY), and 314 patients receiving MTX monotherapy (865.1 PY) were included, representing up to 6.5 years of total exposure. Decreases in mean levels of hemoglobin, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, and increases in mean levels of liver enzymes and creatinine phosphokinase were observed with UPA, with grade 3 or 4 changes observed in some patients. Mean low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios remained stable for patients receiving UPA 15 mg QD. EAERs of anemia and neutropenia occurred at generally consistent rates between UPA and active comparators (3.1-4.3 and 1.7-5.0 events [E]/100 PY across treatment groups, respectively). Rates of hepatic disorder were higher with MTX monotherapy, UPA 15 mg and UPA 30 mg (10.8, 9.7, and 11.0 E/100 PY, respectively) versus ADA + MTX (6.4 E/100 PY). Rates of lymphopenia were highest with MTX monotherapy (3.2 E/100 PY). Treatment discontinuations due to laboratory-related events were rare, occurring in 1.1% and 2.2% of patients treated with UPA 15 and 30 mg QD, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this integrated long-term analysis of laboratory parameters continue to support an acceptable safety profile of UPA 15 mg QD for moderate-to-severe RA.

Commonalities and differences in set-up and data collection across European spondyloarthritis registries - results from the EuroSpA collaboration

BACKGROUND

In European axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinical registries, we aimed to investigate commonalities and differences in (1) set-up, clinical data collection; (2) data availability and completeness; and (3) wording, recall period, and scale used for selected patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

METHODS

Data was obtained as part of the EuroSpA Research Collaboration Network and consisted of (1) an online survey and follow-up interview, (2) upload of real-world data, and (3) selected PROMs included in the online survey.

RESULTS

Fifteen registries participated, contributing 33,948 patients (axSpA: 21,330 (63%), PsA: 12,618 (37%)). The reported coverage of eligible patients ranged from 0.5 to 100%. Information on age, sex, biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug treatment, disease duration, and C-reactive protein was available in all registries with data completeness between 85% and 100%. All PROMs (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Functional Indices, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and patient global, pain and fatigue assessments) were more complete after 2015 (68-86%) compared to prior (50-79%). Patient global, pain and fatigue assessments showed heterogeneity between registries in terms of wording, recall periods, and scale.

CONCLUSION

Important heterogeneity in registry design and data collection across fifteen European axSpA and PsA registries was observed. Several core measures were widely available, and an increase in data completeness of PROMs in recent years was identified. This study might serve as a basis for examining how differences in data collection across registries may impact the results of collaborative research in the future.

Correction: Štorkánová et al. Inhibition of Hsp90 Counteracts the Established Experimental Dermal Fibrosis Induced by Bleomycin. Biomedicines 2021, 9, 650

In the original publication [...].

255th ENMC workshop: Muscle imaging in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. 15th January, 16th January and 22nd January 2021 - virtual meeting and hybrid meeting on 9th and 19th September 2022 in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

The 255th ENMC workshop on Muscle Imaging in Idiopathic Inflammatory myopathies (IIM) aimed at defining recommendations concerning the applicability of muscle imaging in IIM. The workshop comprised of clinicians, researchers and people living with myositis. We aimed to achieve consensus on the following topics: a standardized protocol for the evaluation of muscle images in various types of IIMs; the exact parameters, anatomical localizations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques; ultrasound as assessment tool in IIM; assessment methods; the pattern of muscle involvement in IIM subtypes; the application of MRI as biomarker in follow-up studies and clinical trials, and the place of MRI in the evaluation of swallowing difficulty and cardiac manifestations. The following recommendations were formulated: In patients with suspected IIM, muscle imaging is highly recommended to be part of the initial diagnostic workup and baseline assessment. MRI is the preferred imaging modality due to its sensitivity to both oedema and fat accumulation. Ultrasound may be used for suspected IBM. Repeat imaging should be considered if patients do not respond to treatment, if there is ongoing diagnostic uncertainty or there is clinical or laboratory evidence of disease relapse. Quantitative MRI is established as a sensitive biomarker in IBM and could be included as a primary or secondary outcome measure in early phase clinical trials, or as a secondary outcome measure in late phase clinical trials. Finally, a research agenda was drawn up.

Effect of an 8-Week Tailored Physiotherapy Program on Sexual Health in Women with Scleroderma and Myositis: A Controlled Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are very rare rheumatic diseases burdened by a high prevalence of sexual dysfunctions. However, no specific treatment has been proposed to date. To our knowledge, this is the first (pilot) study aiming to investigate the effect of an 8-week tailored physiotherapy program on the sexual health of women with SSc and IIM.

METHODS

In total, 12 women with SSc and 4 women with IIM were enrolled in the study. Based on the patients' capability to participate in the program, they were divided into an intervention group (IG) (mean ± SD age 46.8 ± 8.6 years) and a control group (CG) (mean ± SD age 46.3 ± 8.5 years). IG underwent the 8-week program (1 h of supervised physiotherapy twice weekly), whereas CG received no physiotherapy. At weeks 0 and 8, all patients filled in questionnaires assessing sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI], Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women [BISF-W]), sexual quality of life (Sexual Quality of Life-Female [SQoL-F]), functional ability (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]), quality of life (Medical Outcomes Short Form-36 [SF-36]), and depression (Beck's Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]). The changes were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Friedmann's test.

RESULTS

Compared to the statistically significant deterioration in CG over weeks 0-8, we found statistically significant improvements in the total scores of FSFI and BISF-W, and some of their domains, functional status, and the physical component of quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Our 8-week physiotherapy program not only prevented the natural course of progressive deterioration of functional ability but also led to a significant improvement in sexual function and quality of life in women with SSc and IIM. However, due to the lack of randomization and a relatively small sample size resulting from the strict inclusion criteria, further validation of our results is needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN91200867 (prospectively registered).

New pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-40 is produced by activated neutrophils and plays a role in the early stages of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin (IL)-40 is a new cytokine related to immune system function and malignancies. Recently, an association of IL-40 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and externalisation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETosis) was found. As neutrophils are implicated in RA development, we investigated IL-40 in early stages of RA (ERA).

METHODS

IL-40 was determined in serum of treatment naïve patients with ERA at baseline (n=60) and 3 months after initiation of conventional therapy and in healthy controls (HC; n=60). Levels of IL-40, cytokines and NETosis markers were measured by ELISA. NETosis was visualised by immunofluorescence. In vitro experiments were performed on peripheral blood neutrophils from ERA patients (n=14). Cell-free DNA was analysed in serum and supernatants.

RESULTS

Serum IL-40 was elevated in ERA compared with HC (p<0.0001) and normalised after 3 months of therapy (p<0.0001). Baseline serum IL-40 correlated with rheumatoid factor (IgM) (p<0.01), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (p<0.01) autoantibodies and NETosis markers (proteinase 3; neutrophil elastase (NE); myeloperoxidase) (p<0.0001). Levels of NE significantly decreased after therapy (p<0.01) and correlated with the decrease of serum IL-40 (p<0.05). In vitro, neutrophils enhanced IL-40 secretion following NETosis induction (p<0.001) or after exposure to IL-1β, IL-8 (p<0.05), tumour necrosis factor or lipopolysaccharide (p<0.01). Recombinant IL-40 up-regulated IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 (p<0.05 for all) in vitro.

CONCLUSION

We showed that IL-40 is significantly up-regulated in seropositive ERA and decreases after conventional therapy. Moreover, neutrophils are an important source of IL-40 in RA, and its release is potentiated by cytokines and NETosis. Thus, IL-40 may play a role in ERA.

Low copy numbers of complement C4 and C4A deficiency are risk factors for myositis, its subgroups and autoantibodies

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of autoimmune diseases characterised by myositis-related autoantibodies plus infiltration of leucocytes into muscles and/or the skin, leading to the destruction of blood vessels and muscle fibres, chronic weakness and fatigue. While complement-mediated destruction of capillary endothelia is implicated in paediatric and adult dermatomyositis, the complex diversity of complement C4 in IIM pathology was unknown.

METHODS

We elucidated the gene copy number (GCN) variations of total C4, C4A and C4B, long and short genes in 1644 Caucasian patients with IIM, plus 3526 matched healthy controls using real-time PCR or Southern blot analyses. Plasma complement levels were determined by single radial immunodiffusion.

RESULTS

The large study populations helped establish the distribution patterns of various C4 GCN groups. Low GCNs of C4T (C4T=2+3) and C4A deficiency (C4A=0+1) were strongly correlated with increased risk of IIM with OR equalled to 2.58 (2.28-2.91), p=5.0×10^-53 for C4T, and 2.82 (2.48-3.21), p=7.0×10^-57 for C4A deficiency. Contingency and regression analyses showed that among patients with C4A deficiency, the presence of HLA-DR3 became insignificant as a risk factor in IIM except for inclusion body myositis (IBM), by which 98.2% had HLA-DR3 with an OR of 11.02 (1.44-84.4). Intragroup analyses of patients with IIM for C4 protein levels and IIM-related autoantibodies showed that those with anti-Jo-1 or with anti-PM/Scl had significantly lower C4 plasma concentrations than those without these autoantibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

C4A deficiency is relevant in dermatomyositis, HLA-DRB1*03 is important in IBM and both C4A deficiency and HLA-DRB1*03 contribute interactively to risk of polymyositis.

AB0068 INTERLEUKIN 40 SERUM LEVELS ARE ELEVATED IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND ASSOCIATE WITH NEUTROPHIL ACTIVATION

Background

IL-40 is a newly described cytokine associated with immune system function and malignant transformation. We have recently shown that IL-40 is up-regulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and associates with disease activity, autoantibodies and NETosis1.

Objectives

As autoantibodies and neutrophil activation are factors thought to drive the pathological processes at early phase of RA development, we aimed to investigate IL-40 in relation to neutrophils and early stages of RA (ERA).

Methods

The levels of serum IL-40 were determined in a cohort of treatment naïve patients with ERA at baseline (n=60) and three months after initiation of conventional treatment (n=60). Serum IL-40 was also determined in sex- and age- matched healthy controls (n=60). Levels of IL-40, cytokines and NETosis markers (proteinase 3, PR3 and neutrophil elastase, NE) were measured by commercially available ELISA kits. The levels of autoantibodies were analysed by routine laboratory techniques. In vitro experiments were performed on peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with ERA (n=15).

Results

Levels of IL-40 were elevated in ERA patients at baseline compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001) and normalised after three months of the treatment (p<0.0001). Baseline serum IL-40 was associated with the levels of autoantibodies RF (IgM) (p<0.01) and anti-CCP (p<0.01) and markers of NETosis PR3 and NE) (both p<0.0001). Moreover, significant decreases in the serum IL-40 following the therapy correlated with the decrease of NETosis markers PR3 (p<0.01) and NE (p<0.05). In vitro, neutrophils from patients with ERA significantly enhanced the release of IL-40 following NETosis induction (p<0.05) or after exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-8 (p<0.05), TNF (p<0.01) or to LPS (p<0.05). Lastly, recombinant IL-40 induced the secretion of IL-1β (p<0.05) and TNF (p<0.05) by ERA neutrophils.

Conclusion

We demonstrated for the first time that IL-40 is upregulated in ERA and decreases after three months of conventional therapy. Moreover, we showed that neutrophils are an important source of IL-40 in RA and its release is potentiated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and NETosis. Our results suggest that IL-40 may play an important role in early stages of RA.

References

[1]Navrátilová A, Andrés Cerezo L, Hulejová H, Bečvář V, Tomčík M, Komarc M, et al. IL-40: A New B Cell-Associated Cytokine Up-Regulated in Rheumatoid Arthritis Decreases Following the Rituximab Therapy and Correlates With Disease Activity, Autoantibodies, and NETosis. Front Immunol. 2021 Oct 21;12:745523. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.745523.

Acknowledgements

Supported by AZV-NU21-05-00276, MHCR 023728, SVV 260 523 and BBMRI-CZ LM2018125

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0912 THE EFFECT OF A 24-WEEK TRAINING ON METABOLIC PARAMETERS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS DERIVED FROM PATIENTS WITH ESTABLISHED IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES

Background

Persistent muscle weakness after reduction of inflammation and resistance to immunosuppressive therapy in some patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) suggest that not only immune but also non-immune mechanisms, such as mitochondrial abnormalities and metabolic disturbance, contribute to the pathogenesis of myositis. Exercise improves muscle function in IIM patients.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of activities-of-daily-living, resistance and stability training on metabolic parameters of primary tissue culture myotubes established from muscle biopsies obtained from patients with established IIM.

Methods

Seven patients with established IIM underwent a 24-week supervised training focused on activities of daily living, muscle-strengthening and stability. Muscle biopsy was performed before and after the 24-week program in patients, and in healthy controls (n=9). Isolated skeletal muscle cells were grown and differentiated into myotubes for 6 days. After differentiation, the myotubes were cultured for another 24 hours in fresh medium, and then the conditioned media were collected, and the cells were harvested in TRIzol. A relative number of mitochondria was quantified by the ratio between mitochondrial gene (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1) and reference nuclear gene (lipoprotein lipase) and determined by qPCR. Glucose, pyruvate, lactate, citrate, and fumarate were assessed in a conditioned medium using the comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time of flight mass spectrometer.

Results

Patients significantly improved their muscle strength and endurance during the 24-week training [1]. There was no difference in the relative number of mitochondria in muscle tissue and myotubes between IIM patients and controls. A significant increase in the number of muscle tissue mitochondria was found in IIM patients after 24 weeks of training (p = 0.004), on average twofold. A similar effect was observed in cultured myotubes, with at least 4 of 7 IIM patients showing a twofold increase in mitochondria number.

Compared with myotubes from HC, myotubes derived from IIM patients consumed non-significantly more glucose and pyruvate from the culture medium; however, their glucose and pyruvate utilization were significantly reduced as a result of the 24-week training (p = 0.016 and p = 0.030, respectively). Skeletal muscle cells from IIM patients before training intervention did not differ from HC cells in the amount of released lactate; however, the lactate concentration in the conditioned medium from myotubes obtained from patients after the 24-week training was significantly lower (p = 0.016). When measuring citrate cycle products released into the culture medium, no difference in citrate and fumarate secretion was observed between myotubes of myositis patients and myotubes of healthy controls. In contrast, their release was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in myotubes from IIM patients after 24 weeks of training compared to muscle cells isolated prior to intervention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 24 weeks of rehabilitation training in patients with IIM significantly increases the number of mitochondria in muscle tissue. Lower release of lactate and citrate cycle intermediates (citrate and fumarate) by myotubes obtained from patients after training intervention indicates an increase in mitochondrial functional capacity and confirms a positive response to exercise in muscles previously affected by the inflammatory process in IIM.

References

[1]Špiritović M, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2021;23(1):173.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic grants nr. NU21-05-00322.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

OP0105 miRNOME PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Background

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating up to 60 % of human mRNAs, including genes related to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) (1).

Objectives

This study aims to profile miRNome and to identify candidate miRNAs determining disease severity in patietns with non-radiographic (nr) and radiographic (r) axSpA.

Methods

The miRNome profiling experiment included peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 96 subjects (38 patients with nr-axSpA, 38 patients with r-axSpA and 20 healthy controls). Firstly, massive parallel sequencing on NextSeq 500 (MPS, Illumina) was performed for miRNA screening. Selected candidate miRNAs were further validated using the qRT-PCR system (SmartChip) on the validation cohort of 141 subjects (47 patients with nr-axSpA, 44 patients with r-axSpA and 50 healthy controls). We employed the DESeq2 algorithm and generalized linear modelling with a negative binomial assumption (GLM-NB) to evaluate the association of candidate miRNAs to axSpA subtype and clinical disease activity (ASDAS and CRP).

Results

MPS revealed 432 unique miRNAs in all samples. We identified 13 differently expressed miRNAs in axSpA patients compared to healthy controls, and 14 differently expressed miRNAs in axSpA patients with high to very high ASDAS compared to patients with inactive disease. Data from validation cohort revealed that the expression level of miR-4286 was higher in patients with very high disease activity compared to patients with inactive disease. Simultaneously, miR-4286 positively correlated with ASDAS. miR-4286 has been recently associated with osteogenesis and angiogenesis (2). None of the validated miRNAs was associated with the levels of CRP.

Conclusion

In this study, we identified that miR-4286 is related to disease activity and could play a role in the pathogenesis of axSpA.

References

[1]Prajzlerová K, Grobelná K, Hušáková M, et al. Association between circulating miRNAs and spinal involvement in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. PLoS One. 2017 Sep 22;12(9):e0185323.

[2]Yu H, Wang K, Liu P, et al. miR-4286 functions in osteogenesis and angiogenesis via targeting histone deacetylase 3 and alleviates alcohol-induced bone loss in mice. Cell Prolif. 2021 Jun;54(6):e13054.

Acknowledgements

Supported by MHCR No. 023728, BBMRI-CZ LM2018125 and SVV 260 523.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0444 PROFILING OF CIRCULATING miRNAs IN DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

Biologic (b-) and targeted synthetic (ts-) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have brought significant progress in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but a significant proportion of RA patients still remain symptomatic despite treatment according to current recommendations. These patients have recently been defined as “difficult-to-treat (D2T)” RA (1). There is evidence that miRNA expression may play a role in the diagnosis and therapy of RA (2).

Objectives

In a retrospective study, we analyzed patients’ blood samples prior to b-/ts-DMARD treatment and profiled circulating miRNAs to predict the development of D2T-RA.

Methods

A total of 36 patients fulfilling the EULAR definition of D2T-RA (1) (mean age 59.1±10.7 yrs, 78% females), 36 patients with RA in sustained clinical remission on b-/ts-DMARDs at two consecutive examinations 12 wks apart (mean age 66.3±9.6 yrs, 78% females), and 36 healthy controls (mean age 61.1±7.7 yrs, 68% females) were included in the study. Blood samples were collected before initiation of b-/ts-DMARD. We profiled circulating miRNAs using the sequencing approach and differential expression analysis was performed using DESeq2 algorithm.

Results

The massive parallel sequencing of circulating miRNAs detected 814 quantifiable miRNAs and DESeq2 algorithm revealed 35 miRNAs with different concentrations in patients who developed D2T-RA compared to patients with RA who achieved sustained remission or healthy controls. Out of these miRNAs, miR-16-5p (1.5x) and miR-451a (2.1x) were downregulated and miR-126-3p (1.4x) was upregulated in D2T RA patients compared to controls. In addition, miR-101-3p (1.5x) was downregulated in D2T RA compared to RA patients. Except for miR-101-3p, these miRNAS have been previously associated with RA and might predict development of D2T disease prior to initiation of b-/ts-DMARD therapy.

Conclusion

We found four miRNAs as potential biomarkers differentiating patients who are at risk to develop difficult-to-treat disease compared to patients who have a chance of sustained remission even before initiation of biological or targeted synthetic DMARDs. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to validated these data.

References

[1]Nagy G, Roodenrijs NMT, Welsing PM, et al. EULAR definition of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Jan;80(1):31-35.

[2]Filková M, Jüngel A, Gay RE, Gay S. MicroRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis: potential role in diagnosis and therapy. BioDrugs. 2012 Jun 1;26(3):131-41.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the project SVV 260 523, BBMRI-CZ LM2018125, and a project of the MHCR for conceptual research development No. 023728.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

AB0678 Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Risk in Myositis Patients and Healthy Controls: Preliminary Data From a Single-center Cross-sectional Study

Background

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are associated with systemic inflammation, limited mobility, and glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, which can negatively impact metabolic disorders, atherogenesis, and increase the cardiovascular (CV) risk.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate CV risk in IIM patients compared to healthy controls (HC) and explore its associations with disease-specific features.

Methods

39 patients with IIM (32 females; mean age 56; mean disease duration 4.8 years; dermatomyositis 16, polymyositis 7, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy 8, antisynthetase syndrome 8) and 39 age-/sex-matched HC (32 females, mean age 56) were included. Subjects with a history of CV disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial vascular events) were excluded in both groups. Disease activity, damage, and muscle involvement (Manual Muscle Test (MMT)-8, Myositis Intention to Treat Activity Index (MITAX), Myositis Damage Index (MDI)) were assessed. Comorbidities and current treatment were recorded. All participants underwent examinations of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and body composition (densitometry: iDXA Lunar, bioelectric impedance: BIA2000-M). The risk of fatal CV events was evaluated by the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE and SCORE2, charts for the European population; modified mSCORE according to the 2015 EULAR recommendation for inflammatory arthritis - only in IIM patients).

Results

In IIM, disease activity and damage were predominantly mild (MITAX 0.13, MDI 0.05). Compared to HC, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of traditional risk factors. Only PWV was significantly increased in IIM compared to HC (p=0.015). No other significant difference was observed between the IIM and HC regarding the CV examinations (CIMT, ABI, carotid plaques) and calculated SCORE and SCORE2 (p>0.05 for all). In IIM, age and mean arterial pressure were the most significant parameters that correlated positively with SCORE, SCORE2, and mSCORE; arterial hypertension was significantly associated with a higher SCORE, carotid plaque count/thickness, and PWV. Lipid profile parameters, body composition, and disease activity were significantly associated with CIMT and carotid plaques (p<0.05 for all). Antihypertensive treatment was associated with an increase in carotid plaque count (p=0.020), higher (favorable) ABI (p=0.004), while hypolipidemic treatment was associated with an increase in carotid plaque count/thickness (p=0.009, p=0.008). Diabetes was associated with lower (worse) ABI values (p=0.034), prediabetes with a higher carotid plaque count (p=0.036) and thickness (p=0.011), and a worse ultrasound examination related CV risk (p=0.006). Anti-Jo-1 positivity was associated with a lower (better) CIMT and lower SCORE (p<0.05 for all). There were no significant associations of CV risk with clinical manifestations, immunosuppressive treatment, and GC cumulative dose. However, exposure time to GC therapy was significantly associated with the carotid plaques count (p<0.001) and the carotid plaque thickness (p=0.003). In multivariate analysis, the age of the patients was the most significant factor affecting most of the parameters analyzed (SCORE and its modifications, PVW, CIMT, and the total count of carotid plaques). Other significant predictors were total cholesterol and atherogenic index of plasma (for ABI), mean arterial pressure (for PWV), and disease duration (for the total count of carotid plaques).

Conclusion

No significant differences in CV risk factors between IIM patients and HC were observed.In IIM, CV risk was associated with age, disease duration, duration of glucocorticoid therapy, lipid profile, and body composition, but not with clinical manifestations and disease activity.

Acknowledgements

Supported by AZV NV18-01-00161A, MHCR-00023728, SVV-260523. GAUK 1578119

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0480 VITAMIN D AND ITS RECEPTOR (VDR) GENE EXPRESSION IN SKELETAL MUSCLE ASSOCIATE WITH DISEASE AND MUSCLE FUNCTION PARAMETERS IN IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES

Background

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are chronic inflammatory disorders characterised, apart from extramuscular manifestations, by symmetrical progressive muscle weakness that may persist even after pharmacological suppression of inflammation, suggesting a significant involvement of nonimmune mechanisms. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with several autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D is essential for the maintenance of skeletal muscle, and mounting evidence supports its relation to muscle damage, regeneration, and energy metabolism.

Objectives

The aim was to analyse vitamin D and the mediators of its function in muscle tissue of IIM patients, and to associate it with muscle health parameters.

Methods

A total of 46 IIM patients (40 females, 6 males; mean age 56.7±12.4; disease duration 6.5±6.0 years; dermatomyositis (21), polymyositis (18), necrotizing myopathy (7)) and 67 healthy controls (HC) (56 females, 11 males; mean age 50.9±14.7) were recruited. In total, 27 IIM patients participated in a 24-week intervention combining activities-of-daily-life, resistance and stability training [1]. Muscle biopsies from m. vastus lateralis (by Bergström needle) were obtained from 7 IIM patients before/after the 24-week training program, and from 13 control IIM patients, and 21 HC. Primary muscle cell cultures were established from these samples. Disease-associated parameters were evaluated by MYOACT/MITAX, MDI, VAS, HAQ, MMT8, FI-2 and CK, myoglobin, LD, ALT, AST, and CRP levels. Myostatin, as a myokine involved in muscle atrophy, was determined from serum samples by ELISA. Circulating concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D (calcidiol) and active 1,25(OH) vitamin D (calcitriol) were measured by routine biochemistry techniques. Gene expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), an enzyme catalysing calcidiol conversion to hormonally active calcitriol, was determined by real-time PCR in muscle tissue and primary muscle cell cultures. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

Results

Decreased levels of active 1,25(OH)D were observed in IIM patients compared to HC (125.0±45.4 vs. 164.7±49.2 pmol/l; p<0.0001). No difference was found for 25(OH)D. The 24-week training program did not have an effect on 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)D serum levels. 25(OH)D was significantly associated with CRP (r=-0.322, p=0.040), MITAX (r=-0.380, p=0.021) and HAQ (r=-0.370, p=0.017) in IIM patients, even after correction for BMI, gluccocorticoid (GC) and vitamin D daily supplementation dose. After 24 weeks of exercise, active 1,25(OH)D was positively associated with MMT8 (r=0.866, p<0.0001), FI2 (r=0.608, p=0.013) and HAQ (r=-0.537, p=0.032) (corrected for BMI, GC and vit.D supplementation). Numerically higher gene expression of VDR and CYP27B1 was found in muscle tissue and primary muscle cells in IIM compared to HC. After the 24-week training, gene expression of both VDR and CYP27B1 in primary muscle cells decreased (p=0.031 and p=0.078, respectively). Associations of VDR gene expression with myoglobin (IIM: r=0.510, p=0.026; HC: r=0.473, p=0.035), MMT8 (IIM: r=-0.559, p=0.013), myostatin (IIM: r=-0.519, p=0.023; HC: r=0.586, p=0.005), and CK (HC: r=0.484, p=0.031) were observed in muscle tissue. CYP27B1 gene expression in the muscle was also associated with myoglobin (HC: r=0.501, p=0.024), MMT8 (IIM: r=-0.555, p=0.011) and VDR (IIM: r=0.561, p=0.012; HC: r=0.632, p=0.002).

Conclusion

Decrease of the biologically active form of vitamin D in circulation suggests an impairment of its metabolism in IIM. Vitamin D serum levels and gene expression of its receptor and activating enzyme in muscle tissue associate with disease activity and muscle function parameters indicating an important role of vitamin D in physical fitness and disease manifestations in IIM patients.

References

[1]Špiritović M, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2021;23(1):173.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic grant nr. NU21-05-00322.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

OP0020 SEX DIFFERENCES IN EFFECTIVENESS OF FIRST-LINE TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR INHIBITORS IN AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS; RESULTS FROM FIFTEEN COUNTRIES IN THE EuroSpA RESEARCH COLLABORATION NETWORK

Background

Evidence reveals sex differences in physiology, disease presentation and response to treatment in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Pooled data from four randomized controlled trials demonstrated reduced treatment efficacy of a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) in females compared to males with ankylosing spondylitis1. However, real-life evidence confirming these data in large cohorts is scarce. We sought to validate prior studies using data from a large multinational cohort based on real-life clinical practice.

Objectives

To investigate sex differences in treatment response and drug retention rates in clinical practice among patients with axSpA, treated with their first TNFi.

Methods

Data from biologic-naïve axSpA patients initiating a TNFi in the EuroSpA registries were pooled. In the primary analysis, propensity-score weighting was applied to assess the causal effect of sex on clinically important improvement (CII) according to ASDAS-CRP at 6 months. A generalized linear regression model was used to estimate the causal risk difference (RD) and relative risk (RR) of sex on CII. Possible covariates influencing the outcome were determined a priori and selected based on availability in the database (<20% missing). The final covariates included in the model were country, age and TNFi start year. In the secondary analysis, drug retention was assessed over 24 months of follow-up by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test.

Results

In total, 6,451 axSpA patients with available data on ASDAS-CRP at baseline and 6 months were assessed for treatment response. Baseline characteristics are shown in the Table 1. In the adjusted analysis, the probability for females to have CII was 15% (RR, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82 to 0.89) lower compared to males and the difference in probability for having CII was 9.4 percentage points (RD, 0.094; 95% CI, 0.069 to 0.12). The survival analysis included 28,608 axSpA patients with available data on retention rates. The TNFi 6/12/24-month retention rates were significantly lower in females (81%/69%/58%) compared to males (89%/81%/72%), see Figure 1.

Table 1.FemaleMaleMean (SD), Median [IQR] or percentagesMean (SD), Median [IQR] or percentagesAge (years)42.0 (12.1)41.4 (12.3)Fulfilment of mNYC66%80%Disease duration (years)2.0 [1.0, 7.0]3.0 [1.0, 9.0]TNFi start year Start 1999-20097.2%9.8% Start 2010-201326%27% Start 2014-201637%36% Start 2017-202030%27%BASDAI, mm59 (20)54 (21)BASFI, mm48 (25)46 (24)ASDAS, units3.5 (0.9)3.5 (1.0)CRP (mg/L)6.7 [2.5, 16.0]11.9 [4.0, 25.0]SJC (0-28)0 [0, 0]0 [0, 0]TJC (0-28)0 [0, 2]0 [0, 1]VAS pain, mm63 (22)59 (24)VAS fatigue, mm65 (25)59 (26)

mNYC, modified New York criteria; TNFi, tumor necrosis factor inhibitor; BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Indexf; BASFI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; ASDAS, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score; CRP, C-reactive protein; SJC, swollen joint count; TJC, tender joint count; VAS, visual analogue scale.

Conclusion

Treatment efficacy and retention rates are lower among female patients with axSpA initiating their first TNFi. Females presented with lower C-reactive protein levels and higher scores on patient reported outcomes at baseline, reflecting differences in disease expression. Recognizing these sex differences is of relevance for customized patient care and may improve patient education.

References

[1]van der Horst-Bruinsma et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013 Jul;72(7):1221-4.

Acknowledgements

Novartis Pharma AG and IQVIA for supporting the EuroSpA collaboration.

Disclosure of Interests

Pasoon Hellamand Grant/research support from: Novartis, Marleen G.H. van de Sande Speakers bureau: UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Eli Lily, Novartis and UCB, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Janssen, UCB and Eli Lilly, Lykke Midtbøll Ørnbjerg Grant/research support from: Novartis, Thomas Klausch: None declared, Michael Nurmohamed Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Janssen and Celgene, Consultant of: Abbvie, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Pfizer, Galapagos, BMS, Ronald van Vollenhoven Consultant of: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Biogen, BMS, Galapagos, Janssen, Miltenyi, Pfizer, UCB and speaker fees from Abbvie, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen, Pfizer, R-Pharma and UCB, Grant/research support from: BMS, GSK and UCB, Dan Nordström Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Anna-Mari Hokkanen Grant/research support from: MSD, Maria Jose Santos Speakers bureau: Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, Elsa Vieira-Sousa Speakers bureau: MSD, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, Abbvie and Pfizer, Consultant of: MSD, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, Abbvie and Pfizer, Grant/research support from: MSD, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, Abbvie and Pfizer, Anne Gitte Loft Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Bente Glintborg Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie and BMS, Mikkel Østergaard Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Hospira, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo, Orion, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi and UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, BMS, Merck, Celgene and Novartis, Ulf Lindström: None declared, Johan K Wallman Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Novartis, Brigitte Michelsen Grant/research support from: Novartis, Adrian Ciurea Speakers bureau: AbbVie and Novartis, Michael J. Nissen Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssens, Novartis and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssens, Novartis and Pfizer, Catalin Codreanu Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ewopharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ewopharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, Corina Mogosan Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Ewopharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Ewopharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, Gary Macfarlane Grant/research support from: GSK, Gareth T. Jones Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Pfizer, UCB, Amgen and GSK, Karin Laas Speakers bureau: Amgen, Janssen, Novartis and Abbvie, Ziga Rotar Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Novartis, MSD, Medis, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, Lek and Janssen, Consultant of: Abbvie, Novartis, MSD, Medis, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sanofi, Lek and Janssen, Matija Tomsic Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Medis, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi and Sandoz-Lek, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Medis, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi and Sandoz-Lek, Isabel Castrejon Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, BMS, Janssen, MSD and Abbvie, Consultant of: Eli Lilly, BMS, Janssen, MSD and Abbvie, Manuel Pombo-Suarez Consultant of: Abbvie, MSD and Roche, Björn Gudbjornsson Speakers bureau: Amgen and Novartis, Consultant of: Amgen and Novartis, Arni Jon Geirsson: None declared, Eirik kristianslund: None declared, Jiří Vencovský Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Argenx, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Eli-Lilly, Gilead, MSD, Novartis, Octapharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Argenx, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Eli-Lilly, Gilead, MSD, Novartis, Octapharma, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Lucie Nekvindova: None declared, Semih Gulle: None declared, Berrin Zengin: None declared, Merete Lund Hetland Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Janssen Biologics B.V, Lundbeck Fonden, MSD, Medac, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung Biopies, Sandoz and Novartis, Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma Speakers bureau: BMS, AbbVie, Pfizer and MSD, Consultant of: Abbvie, UCB, MSD, Novartis and Lilly, Grant/research support from: MSD, Pfizer, AbbVie and UCB.

AB1277 POOR LONG-TERM OUTCOMES AND SUBSTANTIAL BURDEN OF COMORBIDITIES IN EUROPEAN PATIENTS WITH DERMATOMYOSITIS/POLYMYOSITIS: RESULTS FROM A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Background

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are rare heterogenous systemic autoimmune disorders of the skin, muscles and other organs that may have a devastating impact on patients’ lives. Despite various therapies used in clinical practice, a notable proportion of patients seem not to achieve sustainable remission. There is a need to better understand long-term outcomes and comorbidities in patients with DM/PM in Europe.

Objectives

To systematically review and summarize evidence on clinical burden of disease in patients with DM/PM in Europe.

Methods

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted in MEDLINE and Embase databases to identify studies in children and adults with DM/PM, published in the English language between 2011 and 2021. Primary studies enrolling 10 or more patients were included, irrespective of country or region. Each eligible article was independently reviewed by two reviewers. The title and study abstracts were reviewed to assess eligibility for full-text review. The current abstract summarizes SLR results on the long-term outcomes and comorbidities in patients with DM/PM in Europe.

Results

A total of 2,967 non-duplicated publications were retrieved from medical databases and analyzed against pre-defined study selection criteria. There were 2,574 records excluded at title and abstract screening. Remaining 393 records were analyzed in the full text with 208 papers considered relevant. Additional 21 papers were identified from searching reference list of relevant studies and conference proceedings. In total, 222 studies (229 publications) were included in data abstraction. Among 43 studies conducted across 14 European countries, 23 studies evaluated long-term outcomes of disease and burden of comorbidities. There were 14 longitudinal cohort studies, 7 cross-sectional analyses and 2 case-control studies. Only 29-44% of DM/PM adults achieved remission. Between 38% and 62% of adults with DM/PM required at least 3 different medications, suggesting inadequate response to initial and subsequent regimens. During a mean follow-up of 13.9 years, 69% patients with JDM had polycyclic or chronic disease characterized by periods of remission and recurrence or by permanently active disease for more than 2 years after diagnosis. A notable proportion of children (60.4%) showed evidence of damage in at least one body organ and 13-20% of patients had complications such as calcinosis, lipodystrophy, or muscle atrophy. Adults with DM/PM often suffered from interstitial lung disease (16-66%), serious infections leading to hospitalization or death (21-26.7%), and cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) (19-71%). Compared to age and gender matched controls without DM, patients with DM had 16-times higher risk of venous thromboembolism (HR=16.44, 95% CI: 7.54-35.86). Incidence of coronary heart disease, hemorrhagic stroke, or ischemic stroke during 10-year follow-up was approximately 1.5- to 2-times higher in DM/PM adults relative to general population. Multiple studies reported high rates of any malignancy in DM adults (7.5-33%) and in PM adults (8-11.7%). During approximately 24,000 patient-years of follow-up, adults with DM/PM had more than 4-times higher incidence of lung cancer compared to general population that also was one of the highest incidences among multiple other autoimmune diseases. Long-term prognosis in DM/PM was poor with 20-year survival below 70%. The most common causes of deaths were pulmonary-related, malignancies, and cardiac complications. Mortality due to lung cancer was more than 4-times higher than in general population (standardized mortality ratio=4.17, 95% CI: 3.03-5.60).

Conclusion

European patients with DM/PM suffer from substantial burden of comorbidities including serious infections, malignancies and CVDs that lead to poor long-term outcomes. A notable proportion of adult and juvenile patients do not achieve sustainable remission or experience relapse indicating high unmet need.

Disclosure of Interests

Jiří Vencovský Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, Boehringer, Eli Lilly, Gilead, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Werfen, Consultant of: Abbvie, Argenx, Boehringer, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Octapharma, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Konrad Pisarczyk Consultant of: Kezar Life Sciences, Richard Leff Shareholder of: Kezar Life Sciences, Consultant of: Kezar Life Sciences, Eunmi Park Shareholder of: Kezar Life Sciences, Employee of: Kezar Life Sciences, Kiruthi Palaniswamy Shareholder of: Kezar Life Sciences, Employee of: Kezar Life Sciences, Li Long Shareholder of: Kezar Life Sciences, Employee of: Kezar Life Sciences.

AB1275 SUGGESTED APPROACH TO UBA1 GENE MUTATION TESTING IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED VEXAS SYNDROME

Background

VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) is a recently identified autoinflammatory disease caused by de novo somatic mutations in the X-linked gene UBA1 (1). This disease is clinically characterized by inflammatory symptoms and bone marrow failure (2).

Objectives

The aim of our study was to identify genetic variants associated with VEXAS syndrome and to design an algorithm for detection of UBA1 gene mutations in patients with suspected VEXAS syndrome, which could be used for diagnosis.

Methods

We examined the UBA1 gene in 9 patients with clinically suspected VEXAS syndrome. We first focused on variants p.Met41Val, p.Met41Thr and p.Met41Leu with a known association with this disease (1). Samples of individual blood cell populations obtained by magnetic isolation were evaluated using RFLP, tetra-primer ARMS-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Subsequently, we analyzed the remaining exons of the UBA1 gene by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Using the above described method we have identified the previously described variants p.Met41Thr in two and p.Met41Leu in another two patients. In one patient, we discovered a new mutation p.Gly477Ala (c.1430G>C) in exon 14 that has not yet been identified. The presence of these variants and their allelic forms (heterozygous / homozygous) varied between cell populations in individual patients.

Conclusion

The increasing number of reports suggests that VEXAS syndrome is not rare. In patients with clinical suspicion, typically UBA1 sequencing analysis of haematopoietic cells is performed in hot spot sites of p.Met41 in exon 3 only. Our results suggest that other variants, such as the newly identified p.Gly477Ala variant, may also be associated with clinical features of VEXAS syndrome. We propose that an extended analysis of all coding regions of the UBA1 gene may uncover other mutations with putative functional consequences.

References

[1]Beck DB, et al. Somatic Mutations in UBA1 and Severe Adult-Onset Autoinflammatory Disease. N Engl J Med. 2020 Dec 31;383(27):2628-2638. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2026834.

[2]Grayson PC, et al. VEXAS syndrome. Blood. 2021 Jul 1;137(26):3591-3594. doi: 10.1182/blood.2021011455.

Acknowledgements

Supported by MH CZ: DRO (Institute of Rheumatology, 00023728), RVO (VFN, 64165), DRO (IHBT, 00023736), grant NV18-03-00227, and grant NU21-05-00522.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

OP0160 HLA-DRB1 ASSOCIATIONS WITH AUTOANTIBODY-DEFINED SUBGROUPS IN IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES (IIM)

Background

There is a gap between how IIM patients are classified in practice and current validated classification criteria1. Also, different associations with genetic variations in HLA can inform about different T-cell mechanisms involved in disease pathogenesis.

Objectives

We aimed to systematically study associations between HLA-DRB1 alleles, clinical manifestations, and autoantibody-defined IIM subgroups.

Methods

We included 1348 IIM patients from five European countries. An unsupervised cluster analysis was performed using 14 autoantibodies: anti-Jo1, -PL7, -PL12, -EJ, -OJ, -SRP, -U1RNP, -Ro52, -Mi2, -TIF1γ, -MDA5, -PMScl, -SAE1, and -NXP2 to identify patients’ subgroups. Logistic regressions were used to estimate the associations between HLA-DRB1 alleles, clinical manifestations and the identified subgroups.

Results

Eight subgroups were defined by the autoantibody status (Table 1). Three of the subgroups (1, 2 and 6) have overlapping autoantibodies, while four are almost monospecific (3,4,5 and 7), and one (8) has patients negative for tested autoantibodies. Figure 1 represents the significant associations between HLA-DRB1 alleles and the eight subgroups. Heliotrope rash and Gottron’s sign were significantly more frequent in subgroups 3 (OR:2.2 95%CI:[1.1-4.8], OR:2.6 95%CI:[1.3-5.9], respectively), 4 (OR:12 95%CI:[3.6-75], OR:7.8 95%CI:[2.8-33], respectively) and 7 (OR:22 95%CI:[4.5-385], OR:10 95%CI:[3.1-65], respectively), and Raynaud’s phenomenon was significantly more frequent in subgroup 6 (OR:3.3 95%CI:[1.2-11]).

Table 1.

Autoantibody-defined subgroups using an unsupervised cluster analysis.

Subgroups/ MedoidsVariables1 Ro522 U1RNP3 PMScl4 Mi25 Jo16 Jo1/Ro527 TIF18 None*Alln (%)137 (10)183 (14)107 (8)65 (5)119 (9)140 (10)78 (6)519 (39)1348 (100)Female (%)93 (68)116 (63)79 (74)45 (69)76 (64)96 (69)64 (82)313 (60)882 (65)Age at diagnosis, median (IQR)56 (16)51.5 (23)51 (25)57 (22.5)47.5 (23.25)52 (19.5)53.5 (21.75)58 (22)55 (23)AutoantibodiesAnti-Jo106 (3)01 (2)119 (100)140 (100)00266 (20)Anti-PL77 (5)13 (7)00000020 (1.5)Anti-PL125 (4)3 (2)1 (1)01 (1)00010 (0.7)Anti-EJ2 (2)00000002 (0.1)Anti-OJ07 (4)0000007 (0.5)Anti-TIF110 (7)2 (1)2 (2)00078 (100)092 (7)Anti-Mi21 (1)1 (1)1 (1)65 (100)02 (1)0070 (5)Anti-SAE18 (6)23 (13)00000031 (2)Anti-NXP21 (1)23 (13)1 (1)0000025 (2)Anti-MDA59 (7)10 (6)1 (1)1 (2)01 (1)0022 (2)Anti-SRP8 (6)32 (18)00000040 (3)Anti-Ro52137 (100)16 (9)000140 (100)00293 (22)Anti-PMScl11 (8)1 (1)107 (100)00000119 (9)Anti-U1RNP079 (43)0003 (2)0082 (6)

*IIM patients negative for the tested autoantibodies.

Figure 1.

Forest plot of significant associations of HLA. *DRB1 alleles with autoantibody-defined subgroups. Scandinavia includes patients from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that certain subgroups of IIM patients are characterized by overlap of myositis -specific and -associated autoantibodies, which in turn are associated with different HLA-DRB1 alleles including potential novel associations. These results point to different disease mechanisms in the subgroups, as well as suggest that IIM classification could be improved by integrating broader serological and genetic data.

References

[1]Parker MJS, Oldroyd A, Roberts ME, et al. The performance of the European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology idiopathic inflammatory myopathies classification criteria in an expert-defined 10 year incident cohort. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2019;58(3):468-475.

Acknowledgements

We thank all the patients who participated in the study.

Disclosure of Interests

Valerie Leclair: None declared, Angeles Shunashy Galindo-Feria: None declared, Simon Rothwell: None declared, Olga Kryštůfková: None declared, Heřman Mann: None declared, Louise Pyndt Diederichsen: None declared, helena andersson: None declared, Martin Klein: None declared, Sarah Tansley: None declared, Neil McHugh: None declared, Janine Lamb: None declared, Jiří Vencovský Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, Boehringer, Eli Lilly, Gilead, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Werfen, Consultant of: Abbvie, Argenx, Boehringer, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Octapharma, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Hector Chinoy: None declared, Marie Holmqvist: None declared, Leonid Padyukov: None declared, Ingrid E. Lundberg Shareholder of: Roche and Novartis, Consultant of: Corbus Pharmaceuticals Inc, Astra Zeneca, Bristol Myer´s Squibb, Corbus Pharmaceutical, EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Argenx, Octapharma, Kezaar, Orphazyme, and Janssen, Grant/research support from: Astra Zeneca, Lina M. Diaz-Gallo: None declared

OP0208-HPR EFFECT OF AN 8-WEEK SPECIALIZED PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM ON SEXUAL HEALTH IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS AND IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES: A PILOT STUDY

Background

Systemic rheumatic diseases like systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) may affect all aspects of life, including sexual health However, no non-pharmacological treatment has been proposed to date.

Objectives

This is the pilot project aiming to investigate the effect of an 8-week physical therapy program on sexual function in women with SSc and IIM.

Methods

In total, 12 women with SSc and 4 women with IIM, who fulfilled the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria for SSc and the Bohan/Peter 1975 criteria for DM/PM, respectively, were enrolled in the study. Based on patient’s possibilities and willingness to participate in the program, they were divided into an intervention group (IG) (6 SSc/2 IIM, mean age: 46.8±3.1 years) and a control group (CG) (6 SSc/2 IIM, mean age: 46.3±3.0 years). The IG underwent the 8-week tailored physiotherapy program, including the pelvic floor exercise and physiotherapy of musculoskeletal problems subjectively limiting the patient’s sexual function (1 hour supervised physiotherapy twice weekly), whereas the control group received no specialized therapy. At weeks 0 and 8, all patients filled in questionnaires assessing sexual function: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF-W); sexual quality of life: Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQoL-F); functional ability: Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); quality of life: Medical Outcomes Short Form-36 (SF-36) and depression: Beck’s Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). At the baseline, patients in IG were assessed by a physician (medical history, mRSS, ESSG activity score, MITAX, MYOACT) and by a physiotherapist (pelvic floor function assessment–PERFECT scheme, MMT-8, Functional Index-II). Normality of data was tested, and inter-group analysis was performed with 2-way ANOVA and intra-group analysis by Friedmann’s test.

Results

Compared to observed statistically significant deterioration in CG over the period of weeks 0-8, we found statistically significant improvement in both sexual function questionnaires: FSFI (p=0.043), BISF-W (p=0.040), functional status: HAQ (p=0.018), and quality of life: SF-36 Physical Somponent score (0.050). Only numerical improvement in IG compared to numerical deterioration in CG, which has not reached statistical significance, was observed in SQoL-F, BDI-II, and SF-36 Mental Component Score.

Conclusion

Our physiotherapy program not only prevented the natural course of progressive deterioration of functional abilities, but also led to a significant improvement in sexual function and overall quality of life in women with SSc and IIM. Physical therapy might become one of the possible therapeutic treatments for sexual problems in women with SSc and IIM.

Figure 1.

Acknowledgements

Supported by MHCR 023728, SVV–260523, GAUK-1578119.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Hsp90 Levels in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies and Their Association With Muscle Involvement and Disease Activity: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study

Background

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are chaperones playing essential roles in skeletal muscle physiology, adaptation to exercise or stress, and activation of inflammatory cells. We aimed to assess Hsp90 in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and its association with IIM-related features.

Methods

Hsp90 plasma levels were analyzed in a cross-sectional cohort (277 IIM patients and 157 healthy controls [HC]) and two longitudinal cohorts to assess the effect of standard-of-care pharmacotherapy (n=39 in early disease and n=23 in established disease). Hsp90 and selected cytokines/chemokines were measured by commercially available ELISA and human Cytokine 27-plex Assay.

Results

Hsp90 plasma levels were increased in IIM patients compared to HC (median [IQR]: 20.2 [14.3–40.1] vs 9.8 [7.5–13.8] ng/mL, p<0.0001). Elevated Hsp90 was found in IIM patients with pulmonary, cardiac, esophageal, and skeletal muscle involvement, with higher disease activity or damage, and with elevated muscle enzymes and crucial cytokines/chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of myositis (p<0.05 for all). Plasma Hsp90 decreased upon pharmacological treatment in both patients with early and established disease. Notably, Hsp90 plasma levels were slightly superior to traditional biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and creatine kinase, in differentiating IIM from HC, and IIM patients with cardiac involvement and interstitial lung disease from those without these manifestations.

Conclusions

Hsp90 is increased systemically in patients with IIM. Plasma Hsp90 could become an attractive soluble biomarker of disease activity and damage and a potential predictor of treatment response in IIM.

Female Sexual Dysfunction and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function Associated with Systemic Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Only a few studies have addressed sexual health in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study aimed to compare female sexual function and pelvic floor muscle function in SSc patients with healthy controls (HC) matched by age, and to identify the potential implications of clinical features on sexual function. Our cohort included 90 women with SSc and 90 HC aged 18-70 years that completed six well-established and validated questionnaires assessing sexual function (Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women, Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female, Sexual Function Questionnaire) and pelvic floor function (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7 and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire Short Form). Results from women with SSc and HC were contrasted and correlated with relevant clinical features. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 73% in SSc patients (vs. 31% in HC). Women with SSc reported significantly worse pelvic floor function and sexual function than HC. Impaired sexual function was correlated with higher disease activity, the presence of dyspnea and interstitial lung disease, increased systemic inflammation, reduced physical activity, functional disability, more severe depression, more pronounced fatigue, and impaired quality of life. We demonstrate that sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among women with SSc. This aspect of the disease deserves more attention both in clinical care and at the level of international research collaboration.

Sexual function in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To date, there is almost no information concerning the sexual health of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). This cross-sectional study aimed to compare sexual function in patients with IIM to age-/sex-matched healthy controls (HC) and determine the potential impact of clinical features on sexual function.

METHODS

In total, 122 women (61 with IIM, 61 age-matched HC) and 22 men (11 with IIM, 11 age-matched HC) aged 18-80 years completed gender-specific selection of 7 well-established and validated questionnaires assessing sexual health and function (Female Sexual Function Index, Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women, Sexual Function Questionnaire, Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female, International Index of Erectile Function, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Male). Results were compared between patients and HC and correlated with selected disease-related features.

RESULTS

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in IIM was 59% in women (vs 40% in HC), and 64% (vs 9% in HC) in men. Men and women with IIM reported significantly impaired sexual function compared with sex-/age-matched HC. Decreased sexual function was associated with muscle weakness, disability, physical inactivity, fatigue, depression and decreased quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that sexual dysfunction is common among IIM patients and more attention should be paid to this aspect of the disease.

IL-40: A New B Cell-Associated Cytokine Up-Regulated in Rheumatoid Arthritis Decreases Following the Rituximab Therapy and Correlates With Disease Activity, Autoantibodies, and NETosis

Background

Interleukin 40 (IL-40) is a newly identified B cell-associated cytokine implicated in humoral immune responses and B cell homeostasis. As B cells play a pivotal role in autoimmunity, we investigated the function of IL-40 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

IL-40 expression was determined in the synovial tissue from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. IL-40 was analysed in the serum/synovial fluid of patients with RA (n=50), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=69), OA (n=44), and healthy controls (HC, n=50). We assessed the changes of IL-40 levels in RA patients following the B cell depletion by rituximab (n=29) or after the TNF inhibition by adalimumab (n=25). We examined the relationship between IL-40, disease activity, autoantibodies, cytokines, and NETosis markers. Effect of IL-40 on synovial fibroblasts was determined.

Results

IL-40 was overexpressed in RA synovial tissue, particularly by synovial lining and infiltrating immune cells. The levels of IL-40 were up-regulated in the synovial fluid of RA versus OA patients (p<0.0001). Similarly, IL-40 was increased in the serum of RA patients compared to HC, OA, or SLE (p<0.0001 for all) and decreased after 16 and 24 weeks (p<0.01 and p<0.01) following rituximab treatment. No significant effect of adalimumab on IL-40 was observed. IL-40 levels in RA patients correlated with rheumatoid factor-IgM and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) in the serum (p<0.0001 and p<0.01), as well as in the synovial fluid (p<0.0001 and p<0.001). Synovial fluid IL-40 was also associated with disease activity score DAS28 (p<0.05), synovial fluid leukocyte count (p<0.01), neutrophil attractants IL-8 (p<0.01), MIP-1α (p<0.01), and markers of neutrophil extracellular traps externalization (NETosis) such as proteinase 3 (p<0.0001) and neutrophil elastase (p<0.0001). Synovial fibroblasts exposed to IL-40 increased the secretion of IL-8 (p<0.01), MCP-1 (p<0.05), and MMP-13 (p<0.01) compared to the unstimulated cells.

Conclusions

We show the up-regulation of IL-40 in RA and its decrease following B cell depleting therapy. The association of IL-40 with autoantibodies, chemokines, and markers of NETosis may imply its potential involvement in RA development. Moreover, IL-40 up-regulates the secretion of chemokines and MMP-13 in synovial fibroblasts, indicating its role in the regulation of inflammation and tissue destruction in RA.

The effect of a 24-week training focused on activities of daily living, muscle strengthening, and stability in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a monocentric controlled study with follow-up

BACKGROUND

The structural and functional changes of the skeletal muscles in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) caused by inflammation and immune changes can be severely disabling. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a 24-week program combining a supervised training of activities of daily living (ADL), resistance, and stability with home exercise for improving muscle function, compared to a daily home-based exercise representing the regular outpatient care.

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients with IIM were consecutively and non-selectively enrolled in an intervention (IG, n = 30) or control (CG, n = 27) group. Both groups were provided a standard-of-care pharmacological treatment and follow-up. Only the IG underwent the supervised intervention twice a week for 1 h per session. At baseline, 12, 24, and 48 weeks, all patients were assessed by an assessor blinded to the intervention for primary outcomes: muscle strength (Manual Muscle Testing of eight muscle groups [MMT-8]) and endurance (Functional Index-2 [FI-2]), and secondary outcomes: stability and body composition. Secondary outcomes also included questionnaires evaluating disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ]), quality of life (Short Form 36 [SF-36]), depression (Beck's Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]), and fatigue (Fatigue Impact Scale [FIS]), and analysis of the systemic and local inflammatory response and perceived exertion to assess the safety of the intervention.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients in the IG and 23 in the CG completed the entire program and follow-up. At week 24, compared to deterioration in the CG, we found a significant improvement in the IG in muscle strength (mean % improvement compared to baseline by 26%), endurance (135%), disability (39%), depression (26%), stability (11%), and basal metabolism (2%) and a stabilization of fitness for physical exercise. The improvement was clinically meaningful (a 24-week change by >20%) in most outcomes in a substantial proportion of patients. Although the improvement was still present at 48 weeks, the effect was not sustained during follow-up. No significant increase in the systemic or local expression of inflammatory markers was found throughout the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This 24-week supervised intervention focused on ADL training proved to be safe and effective. It not only prevented the progressive deterioration, but also resulted in a significant improvement in muscle strength, endurance, stability, and disability, which was clinically meaningful in a substantial proportion of patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN35925199 (retrospectively registered on 22 May 2020).

Inhibition of Hsp90 Counteracts the Established Experimental Dermal Fibrosis Induced by Bleomycin

Our previous study demonstrated that heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is overexpressed in the involved skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in experimental dermal fibrosis. Pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 prevented the stimulatory effects of transforming growth factor-beta on collagen synthesis and the development of dermal fibrosis in three preclinical models of SSc. In the next step of the preclinical analysis, herein, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), in the treatment of established experimental dermal fibrosis induced by bleomycin. Treatment with 17-DMAG demonstrated potent antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties: it decreased dermal thickening, collagen content, myofibroblast count, expression of transforming growth factor beta receptors, and pSmad3-positive cell counts, as well as leukocyte infiltration and systemic levels of crucial cytokines/chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of SSc, compared to vehicle-treated mice. 17-DMAG effectively prevented further progression and may induce regression of established bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis to an extent comparable to nintedanib. These findings provide further evidence of the vital role of Hsp90 in the pathophysiology of SSc and characterize it as a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis with translational implications due to the availability of several Hsp90 inhibitors in clinical trials for other indications.

OP0128 INTEGRATED LABORATORY ABNORMALITY PROFILES OF UPADACITINIB WITH UP TO 4.5 YEARS OF EXPOSURE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATED IN THE SELECT PHASE 3 PROGRAM

Background:

Upadacitinib (UPA) is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor approved for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The safety and efficacy of UPA has been evaluated across a spectrum of patients (pts) with RA in the phase 3 SELECT clinical program.1,2

Objectives:

To describe long-term laboratory profiles (cutoff date: June 30, 2020) associated with exposure to UPA, adalimumab (ADA), and methotrexate (MTX) in pts with RA treated in the SELECT trials.

Methods:

Data were analyzed from 6 randomized controlled UPA RA trials.1,2 The proportions of pts experiencing potentially clinically significant laboratory changes at a single time point were summarized for the following groups: pooled UPA 15 mg once daily (QD; UPA15; 6 trials), pooled UPA 30 mg QD (UPA30; 4 trials), ADA 40 mg every other week (EOW; 1 trial), and MTX monotherapy (1 trial). Pts received UPA with/without background conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Treatment-emergent adverse events are reported as exposure-adjusted event rates (events/100 pt-years [E/100 PY]). Toxicity was graded per OMERACT criteria, or NCI CTCAE for creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatinine.

Results:

4413 pts received ≥1 dose of UPA (UPA15, n=3209; UPA30, n=1204). Exposures were comparable between treatment groups (Table). Proportions of pts with Grade (Gr) 3 and 4 decreases in hemoglobin were highest with UPA30 and MTX (Table). Rates of anemia, as reported by the investigator, were comparable between UPA15, ADA, and MTX groups (Figure); the frequency of UPA-treated pts who discontinued due to anemia was low in all arms. Gr 3 and 4 decreases in neutrophils and lymphocytes with UPA were dose-dependent and higher vs ADA or MTX. Discontinuations due to neutropenia and lymphopenia were rare (<0.1%). Transaminase elevations were more frequent with UPA and MTX vs ADA; however, the proportion of pts who discontinued due to increases in alanine (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were comparable between UPA15 and ADA, and numerically higher with UPA30 and MTX. CPK elevations were more frequent with UPA (Figure). Most events were asymptomatic, and the 1 case of rhabdomyolysis in the UPA30 group was unrelated to study drug (attributed to influenza).

Table 1.

Pts with potentially clinically significant laboratory changes

Variable, n (%)MTX monotherapy (n=314; 637.4 PY)ADA 40 mg EOW (n=579; 1051.8 PY)UPA 15 mg QD (n=3209; 7023.8 PY)UPA 30 mg QD (n=1204; 3091.6 PY)Mean (SD) exposure, weeks106 (67)95 (70)114 (64)134 (66)Median (range) exposure, weeks144 (1, 221)118 (2, 231)136 (0, 232)160 (0, 231)Hemoglobin, g/LGr 3 (70–<80 or decreased 21–<30)28a (9.0)24b (4.2)254d (7.9)169f (14.2)Gr 4 (<70 or decreased ≥30)16a (5.1)16b (2.8)101d (3.2)78f (6.5)Neutrophils, 109/LGr 3 (0.5–<1.0)3a (1.0)3b (0.5)40d (1.2)37g (3.1)Gr 4 (<0.5)1a (0.3)1b (0.2)10d (0.3)5g (0.4)Lymphocytes, 109/LGr 3 (0.5–<1.0)74a (23.7)53b (9.2)802d (25.1)423g (35.5)Gr 4 (<0.5)5a (1.6)3b (0.5)75d (2.3)47g (3.9)ALT, U/LGr 3 (3.0–8.0 × ULN)26a (8.3)13c (2.3)152e (4.8)71h (5.9)Gr 4 (>8.0 × ULN)5a (1.6)4c (0.7)26e (0.8)10h (0.8)AST, U/LGr 3 (3.0–8.0 × ULN)15a (4.8)9c (1.6)101e (3.2)36h (3.0)Gr 4 (>8.0 × ULN)1a (0.3)5c (0.9)18e (0.6)8h (0.7)CPK, U/LGr 3 (>5.0–10.0 × ULN)2a (0.6)3c (0.5)65e (2.0)36i (3.0)Gr 4 (>10.0 × ULN)0a (0)3c (0.5)27e (0.8)15i (1.3)Creatinine, μmol/LGr 3 (>3.0–6.0 × ULN)0a (0)1c (0.2)3e (<0.1)2j (0.2)Gr 4 (>6.0 × ULN)0a (0)4c (0.7)8e (0.3)1j (<0.1)

an=312. bn=576. cn=577. dn=3201. en=3199. fn=1193. gn=1192. hn=1195. in=1196. jn=1197

ULN, upper limit of normal

Conclusion:

This long-term analysis of UPA-treated pts with RA showed dose-dependent relationships for several laboratory abnormalities. Incidences of these with UPA15 were typically higher than with ADA but similar to MTX, except for increased CPK elevations. Treatment discontinuations due to laboratory abnormalities were infrequent and similar across all treatment groups.

References:

[1]Tanaka Y. Mod Rheumatol 2020;30:779–87; 2. Rubbert-Roth A, et al. N Engl J Med 2020;383:1511–21.

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie funded this study; contributed to its design; participated in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and participated in the writing, review, and approval of the abstract. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Russell Craddock, PhD, of 2 the Nth (Cheshire, UK), and was funded by AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests:

Christina Charles-Schoeman Consultant of: AbbVie, Gilead, Pfizer, and Sanofi/Regeneron, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Pfizer, Jon T Giles Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Nancy Lane Consultant of: Amgen, Mallinckrodt, Pfizer, and Roche, Ernest Choy Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biocon, Biogen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, R-Pharm, and Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Bio-Cancer, Biogen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Daniel Furst Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Continuing Medical Education, and Novartis, Consultant of: Actelion, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corbus, Galapagos, Novartis, and Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corbus, Galapagos, GSK, NIH, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, and Sanofi, Jiří Vencovský Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Gilead, and Octapharma, Anthony G Wilson: None declared, Gerd Rüdiger Burmester Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Tim Shaw Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Yanna Song Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Heidi Camp Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Nasser Khan Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jillian Yee Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Samuel Anyanwu Shareholder of: May own stock or options in AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB

OP0008 A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED PHASE III TRIAL OF IVIG 10% IN PATIENTS WITH DERMATOMYOSITIS. THE PRODERM STUDY: RESULTS ON EFFICACY AND SAFETY

Background:

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare chronic systemic autoimmune disease with characteristic skin rash and progressive proximal muscle weakness. Current therapies encompass corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), however, none of these therapies are proven by randomized controlled phase 3 studies. There have been no large randomized clinical trials supporting the efficacy and safety of IVIg in DM.

Objectives:

The ProDERM study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety/tolerability of IVIg in DM patients in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, international multi-center, phase III clinical trial.

Methods:

The trial consisted of a double-blind, placebo-controlled First Period (16 weeks), in which adult patients with definite or probable DM (according to Bohan and Peter criteria) were randomized 1:1 to either high dose IVIg (2g/kg every 4 weeks) or placebo. Patients on placebo and patients without clinical worsening while on IVIg treatment entered the open label Extension Period (24 weeks) and received 2g/kg IVIg infusions every 4 weeks. To be included, subjects must have active disease with a manual muscle testing-8 (MMT-8) score < 142/150. Patients who showed clinical worsening (defined according to Oddis et al, 2013 - with slight adaptation) at 2 consecutive visits between week 8 and week 16 were switched to the alternate treatment arm.

Primary endpoint was the proportion of responders in the IVIg vs. placebo arm at week 16, where response was defined per 2016 ACR/EULAR Myositis response criteria of at least minimal improvement [Total Improvement Score (TIS) ≥ 20 points)] and without clinical worsening at 2 consecutive visits up to week 16.

Results:

A total of 95 adult DM patients (mean age: 53 years; 75% females; 92% Caucasian) were enrolled, with 47 and 48 randomized to IVIg and placebo, respectively. Baseline clinical characteristics (including medical history and prior DM medication) were balanced between the 2 arms.

The study met the primary endpoint at week 16, with the proportion of responders being significantly higher in the IVIg group (37/47; 78.7%) as compared to the placebo group (21/48; 43.8%; p-value 0.0008; Table 1).

Table 1.

Total Improvement Score – Analysis of Proportion of Responders at Week 16 (Full Analysis Set, N=95)

TIS Responseoctagam 10%N=47PlaceboN=48Difference octagam 10% – placeboNumber (%) of responders37 (78.72%)21 (43.75%)Difference in response rates34.97[95% CI] p-valuea[16.70, 53.24] 0.0008

aCochran-Mantel-Haenszel TestCI=confidence interval; N=number of patients; TIS=total improvement score

In the analysis of responders per improvement category at Week 16, a 45.2% higher response rate for at least moderate improvement (TIS ≥n40 points; p < 0.0001) and a 23.6% higher response rate for at least major improvement (TIS ≥060 points; p < 0.0062) was observed in the IVIG group as compared to the placebo group.

The mean (SD) TIS was significantly higher in IVIg group [48.4 (24.4)] than in placebo arm [21.6 (20.2)] at week 16 (Fig 1).

Figure 1.

After switching to IVIG in the Extension Period the placebo group attained a similar response rate at Week 40 as did the IVIg treated patients at Week 16, i.e approx. 70% for minimal improvement.

In line with the overall primary endpoint, secondary end points including all of the sub-components of TIS except muscle enzyme (MMT-8, MD global, Extramuscular global, patient global, HAQ,) as well as CDASI (Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index), also showed statistically significant improvement under IVIg treatment compared to placebo treatment.

The safety and tolerability profile of IVIg was consistent with previously reported safety outcomes for IVIg administration.

Conclusion:

This is the first large international phase III randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrating the efficacy and safety of IVIg as a treatment for patients with DM.

References:

[1]Oddis, C. V. et al. Arthritis Rheum (2013), 65, 314–324

Acknowledgements:

Acknowledgments to all participating investigators, centers and patients and their families

Disclosure of Interests:

Rohit Aggarwal Consultant of: Q32, Alexion, Argenx, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, Csl Behring, EMD Serono, Janssen, Kezar, Mallinckrodt, Kyverna, Octapharma, Orphazyme, Pfizer., Grant/research support from: BMS, Mallinckrodt, Pfizer, EMD Serono, Christina Charles-Schoeman Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Octapharma, Gilead, Regeneron-Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Abbvie, Octapharma, Joachim Schessl Speakers bureau: Octapharma, Grifols, CSL Behring, Consultant of: Octapharma, Zsuzsanna Bata-Csorgo Speakers bureau: Novartis, Sanofi-Genzyme, Ewopharma, Consultant of: Sanofi-Genzyme, Novartis, Ewopharma, Mazen Dimachkie Consultant of: ArgenX, Catalyst, Cello, CSL-Behring, EcoR1, Kezar, Momenta, NuFactor, Octapharma, RaPharma/UCB, RMS Medical, Sanofi Genzyme, Shire Takeda, Spark Therapeutics and UCB Biopharma., Grant/research support from: Alexion, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Amicus, Biomarin, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Catalyst, Corbus, CSL-Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Genentech, Grifols, Kezar, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Novartis, Octapharma, Orphazyme, Ra Pharma/UCB, Sanofi Genzyme, Sarepta Therapeutics, Shire Takeda, Spark Therapeutics, UCB Biopharma, Viromed/Healixmith., Zoltán Griger Speakers bureau: Abbvie, CSL-Behring, Eli-Lilly, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Octapharma, Sergey Moiseev: None declared, Chester V Oddis Consultant of: EMD Serono; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Grant/research support from: Genentech (Clinical trial support); Bristol Myers Squibb (Clinical trial support), Elena Schiopu Consultant of: Octapharma, Grant/research support from: Octapharma, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), BMS, Pfizer, Abbvie, Jirˇí Vencovský Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Boehringer, Eli Lilly, Octapharma, Gilead, Irene Beckmann Employee of: Octapharma, Todd Levine Shareholder of: Corinthian Reference Labs, CND Life Sciences, Consultant of: Grifols, Octapharma, Alexion, Elisabeth Clodi Employee of: Octapharma PPG, Vienna Austria, and the ProDERM Investigators: None declared

POS0388 INTERLEUKIN 40 (IL-40) IS UP-REGULATED IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) AND ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY, LEVELS OF AUTOANTIBODIES AND CHEMOKINES

Background:

Interleukin 40 (IL-40) is newly identified B cell - associated cytokine implicated in humoral immune responses and in B cell development. As B cells play a pivotal role in autoimmunity, we aimed to investigate the function of IL-40 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives:

The aim of our study was to determine the function of IL-40 in RA.

Methods:

IL-40 expression in the synovial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence (n=4-5). IL-40 was analysed in the serum/synovial fluid of patients with RA (n=69), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; n=69), osteoarthritis (OA; n=44), and in healthy controls (HC; n=25). Given the association of IL-40 with B cells, we analysed the effect of rituximab therapy on the serum IL-40 in 19 patients with RA after 16 and 24 weeks of the therapy. The clinical activity of patients with RA was assessed according to the 28 joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and autoantibodies were measured by routine laboratory techniques. In vitro experiments were performed in RA synovial fibroblasts (n=9). Levels of cytokines and inflammatory mediators were determined in serum, synovial fluid and supernatants using ELISA or multiplex immunoassay.

Results:

IL-40 was overexpressed in RA synovial tissue compared to OA, particularly by synovial fibroblasts and immune cells such as B and T lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. The levels of IL-40 were significantly higher in the synovial fluid of RA patients compared to OA (33.2 (6.6-68.9) vs. 0.7 (0.1-2.4) ng/ml; p<0.0001). In addition, IL-40 was increased in the serum of RA patients compared to SLE, OA or HC (4.8 (1.7-24.9) vs. 1.4 (1.0-1.9), 1.6 (0.6-3.1) or 1.5 (0.7-2.7) ng/ml; p<0.0001 for all) and decreased after 16 (p<0.01) and 24 weeks (p<0.001) in a subgroup of rituximab treated patients with RA. IL-40 levels in RA patients correlated with autoantibodies rheumatoid factor (IgM) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) in the serum (p<0.0001 and p<0.01) as well as in the synovial fluid (p<0.0001 and p<0.001). IL-40 in RA synovial fluid was also significantly associated with DAS28 (p<0.05), synovial fluid leukocyte count (p<0.01), number of swollen joints (p<0.05) and neutrophil attractants IL-8 (p<0.01) and MIP-1α (p<0.01). RA synovial fibroblasts exposed to recombinant IL-40 increased secretion of IL-8 (p<0.01), MCP-1 (p<0.05) and MMP-13 (p<0.01) compared to unstimulated cells in in vitro conditions.

Conclusion:

Our results show for the first time that IL-40 is elevated in RA and decreases following B-cell depletion therapy. The association of IL-40 with autoantibodies and chemokines may imply its potential involvement in RA development. Moreover, IL-40 up-regulates the secretion of chemokines and MMP-13 by synovial fibroblasts, indicating its role in the regulation of inflammation and tissue destruction in RA.

Acknowledgements:

Supported by MHCR 023728 a SVV 260 523

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0412 LIPID PROFILE IN IIM PATIENTS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY, DURATION, AND GLUCOCORTICOID TREATMENT

Background:

Systemic inflammation, limited mobility, and glucocorticoid treatment in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) can have a negative impact on intermediate metabolic pathways, especially on lipid metabolism.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the lipid profile of IIM patients and healthy controls (HC) and the association with disease-specific features.

Methods:

133 patients with IIM (106 females; mean age 60.3; disease duration 2.2 years; DM 47 / PM 41 / IMNM 45) and 133 age-/sex-matched HC (106 females, mean age 60.2) were included. Patients with DM and PM fulfilled the Bohan/Peter criteria for PM/DM; patients with IMNM fulfilled the ENMC criteria. Levels of selected parameters of lipid metabolism were measured in sera. In IIM patients, disease activity, damage, and muscle involvement were evaluated (MITAX, MDI, MMT-8); comorbidities and current treatment were recorded. Data are presented as median.

Results:

Several differences in disease activity, the dose of glucocorticoids, prevalence of comorbidities, and serum lipid levels were observed in IIM compared to HC, and among the three subtypes of IIM; the most significant changes were observed in IMNM. All the differences in lipid profile between IIM and HC, as well as the correlations of lipid profile parameters with disease-specific features in IIM patients, are demonstrated in the table 1.

Conclusion:

We have observed significant alterations in serum lipid parameters in our IIM patients compared to healthy age-/sex-matched individuals. Differences were also found among the three subtypes of IIM. These alterations were associated with laboratory parameters of disease activity and the current dose of corticosteroids.

Table 1.

Lipidogram in IIM patients compared to healthy controls

Parameter of lipidogram, medianIIM(n = 133)DM(n = 47)PM(n = 41)IMNM(n = 45)HC(n = 133)p-valueIM-HC; DM-HC;PM-HC; IMNM-HCTC (mmol/L);5.795.365.656.35.14<0.001; 0.135; 0.040; <0.001TG (mmol/L);2.021.911.882.271.28<0.001; <0.001; 0.002; <0.001LDL-C (mmol/L);3.132.953.123.582.820.005; 0.436; 0.131; <0.001Apo-B (g/L);1.061.020.981.260.91<0.001; 0.160; 0.017; <0.001Non-HDL-C (mmol/L);4.44.254.155.13.9<0.001; 0.262; 0.040; <0.001Lp(a) (g/L);0.10.10.10.120.150.098; 0.733; 0.242; 0.032HDL-C (mmol/L);1.1221.131.181.361.20.913; 0.917; 0.503; 0.928Apo-A (g/L);1.71.761.751.681.80.073; 0.782; 0.267; 0.025AI (log(TG/ HDL-C);3.853.93.853.73.150.003; 0.425; 0.071; 0.002Significant correlations of lipid profile parameters and disease-specific features in all IIM patients (n=133)Correlated parametersSpear-man’s rp-valueCorrelated parametersSpearman’s rp-valueTC: Disease duration; LD; PED; Age; CK; Myoglobin-0.322; 0.343; 0.292; 0.193; 0.198; 0.249<0.001; <0.001; <0.001; 0.027; 0.025; 0.007non-HDL-C: Disease duration; LD; BMI; CK; Myoglobin; PED-0.303; 0.322; 0.202; 0.214;0.270; 0.275<0.001; <0.001; 0.027; 0.015;0.003; 0.002TG: Disease duration; PED; BMI-0.326; 0.316; 0.271<0.001; <0.001; 0.003HDL-C: CRP-0.2300.010LDL-: Disease duration; LD; Age; CK; Myoglobin;-0.310; 0.359; 0.212; 0.257; 0.289<0.001; <0.001; 0.015; 0.003; 0.002Apo-A: CRP; CK; Myoglobin-0.293; -0.214; -0,258<0.001; 0.016; 0.005Apo-B: Disease duration; LD; PED; Age; BMI; MMT-8; CK; Myoglobin; Glycemia-0.311; 0.348; 0.307; 0.220; 0.239; -0.214; 0.256; 0.307; 0.201<0.001; <0.001; <0.001; 0.012; 0.009; 0.017; 0.004; <0.001; 0.031AI: BMI0.2090.021

Acronyms: TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein; Apo-B, apolipoprotein B; non-HDL-C, non-high-density lipoprotein (TC minus measured HDL-C); Lp(a), lipoprotein A; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein; Apo-A, apolipoprotein A; AI, atherogenic index of plasma = log(TG/ HDL-C); LD, lactate dehydrogenase; PED, current prednisolone equivalent dose; CK, creatine kinase; BMI, body mass index; MMT-8, manual muscle testing-8; CRP, C-reactive protein

Acknowledgements:

AZV NV18-01-00161A, MHCR-00023728, GAUK-312218

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0038 CIRCULATING MICRORNAS IN HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS

Background:

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can ignite the degradation of mRNAs or inhibit the protein translation and are therefore essential for several physiological and pathological functions. miRNAs can regulate up to 60 % of human mRNA, including genes related to cartilage development, homeostasis, and OA pathology. For example, miR-9 inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 13 or miR-140 expression level correlates with the disease progression of knee OA (Zhang et al.; Chao et al.). Under certain circumstances, miRNAs can be released into the body fluids and easily be detected in the blood samples. Therefore, miRNAs are hot candidates as biomarkers for early diagnosis or structural progression of OA.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating miRNAs in patients with hand osteoarthritis (HOA) and healthy individuals. Simultaneously, we studied specific miRNAs in order to differentiate between erosive and non-erosive subsets of the disease.

Methods:

Eight patients with HOA (erosive: n=4, 3 females, mean age=63.7±7 yrs; non-erosive: n=4, 3 females, mean age= 62.4±6 yrs) and 4 healthy controls (3 females, mean age=63.5±7 yrs) were included in this study. Firstly, Advance TaqMan low-density assay (TLDA) was performed for the purpose of miRNA high-throughput screening. Differently expressed miRNAs were further verified by real-time qPCR on the validation cohort in 31 patients with hand OA (19 females, mean age=66.2±7 yrs, erosive: n=9, non-erosive: n=10, healthy controls: n=12).

Results:

TLDA profiling displayed 346 circulating miRNAs in plasma of patients with HOA and healthy controls. We demonstrated 40 differently expressed circulating miRNAs in patients with HOA compared with healthy controls. Using a real-time qPCR, we verified increased expression levels of 10 circulating miRNAs in patients with HOA compared with healthy controls, e.g. miR-191-5p (3.4 fold), miR-151a-3p (3.4 fold) or miR-222-3p (2.4 fold). We did not find any specific miRNA, which could distinct erosive from a non-erosive subset of the disease.

Conclusion:

Extensive profiling of circulating miRNAs revealed several miRNAs that can be associated with HOA and can help to better understand OA pathogenesis.

References:

[1]Chao, Yu, et al. “Expression of MiR-140 and MiR-199 in Synovia and Its Correlation with the Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis.” Medical Science Monitor, vol. 26, 2020, pp. 1–6, doi:10.12659/MSM.918174.

[2]Zhang, Hongxin, et al. “Downregulation of MicroRNA-9 Increases Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 Expression Levels and Facilitates Osteoarthritis Onset.” Molecular Medicine Reports, vol. 17, no. 3, 2018, pp. 3708–14, doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.8340.

Acknowledgements:

Supported by AZV NV18-01-00542, MHCR No. 023728

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0063 DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A BIOMARKER SCREENING PILOT STUDY

Background:

Despite modern therapeutic approaches, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain symptomatic after several cycles of treatment and may become so called Difficult-To-Treat (D2T)1. D2T RA is a multifactorial condition in which different factors may be major determinants of the persistence of signs and symptoms, which is seldom caused by drug resistance only2. Discovering new biomarkers is necessary to develop tailored therapies that will be effective in an individual patient at each stage of the disease.

Objectives:

The primary aim of this pilot study was to validate a target proteomic technique for the proteome profiling of the two cohorts of RA patients and controls. Moreover, we searched for potential plasma biomarker(s) predicting D2T RA.

Methods:

Seven RA patients with persistent remission on biological therapy in two consecutive examinations 12 wks apart (mean age 59.6±14 yrs), seven D2T RA patients fulfilling proposed EULAR definition of D2T RA1 (mean age 59.3±13 yrs), and six healthy controls (mean age 58.8±15 yrs) were included in this study. All subjects were females and their samples were collected before starting biological therapy. We employed Thermo Orbitrap Fusion paired with nano-flow UHPLC Dionex Ultimate 3000. Prior to quantification, 125 plasma proteins were modified by Peptiquant Plus Human kit to increase the sensitivity. Data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey`s posthoc test with false-discovery-rate adjustment.

Results:

The target proteome profiling reliably quantified 92 from 125 labelled proteins. Our follow-up statistical analysis revealed ten plasma proteins, which significantly differed among groups. Notably, we found significantly different plasma levels of paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 (PON1), an esterase with an antioxidant characteristic preventing lipid peroxidation3, between RA patients and controls and between RA patients with persistent remission and D2T RA patients.

Conclusion:

Using target proteome profiling technique, we demonstrated PON1 as a potential biomarker of D2T RA. However, these results have to be validated on a larger cohort.

References:

[1]Nagy G, Roodenrijs NMT, Welsing PMJ, et al. EULAR definition of difficult-To-Treat rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2021;80:31-5.

[2]de Hair MJH, Jacobs JWG, Schoneveld JLM, van Laar JM. Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: an area of unmet clinical need. Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 2018 Jul 1;57(7):1135-1144.

[3]Isik A, Koca SS, Ustundag B, Celik H, Yildirim A. Paraoxonase and arylesterase levels in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical Rheumatology 2007;26:342-8.

Acknowledgements:

This research was supported by MHCR No. 023728 and authors thank Proteomics Service Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Charles University for performing the LC–MS/MS analysis.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0849 SEXUAL FUNCTION IS IMPAIRED IN WOMEN WITH IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES COMPARED TO HEALTHY CONTROLS

Background:

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are rare diseases characterized by chronic muscle inflammation and multiple organ involvement. These serious clinical manifestations can be associated with significant impairment of quality of life, including sexual life.

Objectives:

This study aimed to compare sexual function in patients with IIM to age-/sex-matched healthy controls (HC) and determine the potential impact of clinical features on sexual function.

Methods:

In total, 62 women with IIM [mean age: 53.1, disease duration: 5.2 years, dermatomyositis (DM, 29)/ polymyositis (PM, 27)/ necrotizing myopathy (IMNM, 5)/ inclusion body myositis (IBM, 1)], who fulfilled the Bohan/Peter 1975 criteria for DM/PM, or ENMC criteria for IMNM or IBM, and 62 healthy controls (HC) (mean age: 53.1) without rheumatic diseases filled in 11 well-established and validated questionnaires assessing sexual function (FSFI, SFQ28, BISF-W, SQoL-F), pelvic floor function (PFIQ-7, PISQ-12), fatigue (FIS, Fatigue Impact Scale), physical activity (HAP, Human Activity Profile), disability (HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire), depression (BDI-II, Beck’s Depression Inventory-II), and quality of life (SF-36, Medical outcomes study Short Form 36 – PCS, Physical Component Summary; MCS, Mental Component Summary). A routine laboratory testing was performed. Data are presented as median (IQR).

Results:

Patients with IIM reported significantly greater prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction (FSFI, BISF-W, SFQ28, SQoL-F) and pelvic floor dysfunction (PISQ-12, PFIQ-7) compared to HC (Table 1). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with IIM according to the FSFI cut-off score was 59%. Worse scores in IIM patients were associated with greater muscle weakness of m. gluteus maximus [MMT: FSFI (r=0.289, p=0.035), PFIQ-7 (r=-0.407, p=0.003)], m. gluteus medius [MMT: PFIQ-7 (r=-0.381, p=0.005)], more pronounced fatigue [FIF: SQoL-F (r=-0.412, p=0.003)], severer depression [BDI-II: SQoL-F (r=-0.459, p=0.0007)], worse functional disability [HAQ: FSFI (r=-0.436, p=0.005)], reduced physical activity [HAP: FSFI (r=0.403, p=0.001), SQoL-F (r=0.368, p=0.007)], and decreased quality of life [SF-36 PCS: FSFI-total (r=0.381,p=0.002), SF-36 MCS: SQoL-F (r=0.407, p=0.002)]. We did not observe any associations with disease duration, the current prednisone dose, or serum levels of muscle enzymes.

Conclusion:

Women with IIM reported significantly impaired sexual function and pelvic floor function compared to age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Worse scores in IIM were associated with disease-related features.

Table 1.

Sexual function and pelvic floor function in women with IIM and healthy controls

Questionnaire: score range (meaning)IIM (n=62)HC (n=62)p-valueFSFI: Female Sexual Function Index: 2 (worst) - 36 (best)18.2 (3.2-28.5)28.4 (14.4-32.1)p=0.006BISF-W: Brief Index of Sexual Function forWomen: -16 (worst) - 75 (best)18.6 (2.7-32.3)34.0 (8.0-44.7)p=0.004SQoL-F: Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire – Female: 0 (worst) - 100 (best)60.0 (41.4-83.6)86.7 (70.8-95.6)p<0.0001PISQ–12: Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form: 0 (best) - 48 (worst)14.5 (9.0-18.0)8.0 (5.0-12.0)p<0.0001PFIQ7: Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire – short form 7: 0 (best) - 300 (worst)4.8 (0.0-23.8)0.0 (0.0-4.8)p=0.052SFQ-28: Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-28 desire: 5 (worst) - 31 (best)18.0 (13.3-20.0)19.0 (17.0-22.0)p=0.042SFQ-28 arousal sensation: 4 (worst) - 20 (best)9.5 (7.0-11.0)12.0 (9.0-14.3)p=0.082SFQ-28 arousal lubrication: 2 (worst) - 10 (best)6.0 (4.0-8.0)7.0 (5.0-9.0)p=0.112SFQ-28 arousal cognitive: 2 (worst) - 10 (best)6.0 (4.3-7.0)6.0 (5.0-7.3)p=0.235SFQ-28 orgasm: 1 (worst) - 15 (best)11.0 (8.0-13.0)12.0 (9.8-13.0)p=0.279SFQ-28 pain: 2 (worst) - 15 (best)12.0 (10.0-15.0)15.0 (13.0-15.0)p=0.004SFQ-28 enjoyment: 6 (worst) - 30 (best)19.0 (14.3-24.3)23.0 (19.0-25.0)p=0.027SFQ-28 partner: 2 (worst) - 10 (best)9.0 (8.0-10.0)10.0 (9.0-10.0)p=0.012

Acknowledgements:

Supported by MHCR 023728, GA UK 1578119, and SVV 260373

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0410 S100A4 PLASMA LEVELS CORRELATE WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY, SKIN FIBROSIS AND INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Background:

In our previous study we demonstrated that S100A4 is overexpressed in scleroderma (SSc) skin, SSc fibroblasts and preclinical models of SSc in a TGF-β dependent manner. We showed that S100A4 is a new regulator of TGF-β signalling and its inhibition prevents the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β. Inactivation of S100A4 prevented dermal fibrosis induced by bleomycin and in Tsk-1 mice

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate S100A4 in the peripheral blood of SSc patients and characterize its potential association with SSc-related features.

Methods:

A total of 33 patients (29 females; mean age 52.8; disease duration 4.2 years; dcSSc/lcSSc = 8/25) who met the 2013 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SSc and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals were included in this study. Plasma levels of S100A4 were measured using ELISA (CUSABIO, Houston, USA). Data are presented as median (IQR).

Results:

S100A4 plasma levels were significantly increased in SSc patients compared to healthy controls (78.6(32.3-146.5) vs. 43.4(32.3-53.4)ng/mL,p=0.011). Patients with diffuse cutaneous (dc)SSc had significantly higher levels of S100A4 than patients with limited cutaneous (lc)SSc or healthy controls (168.5(81.5-347.5) vs. 63.4(30.9-130.6),p=0.017,p=0.001, respectively). Plasma levels of S100A4 positively correlated with mRSS (r=0.556,p=0.001). Furthermore, S100A4 negatively correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) (r=- 0.362,p=0.038;r=-0.414,p=0.029, respectively). S100A4 levels positively correlated with ESSG activity score (r=0.750,p<0.001). However, only correlations between S100A4 and mRSS, and ESSG activity score were approved at corrected level of statistical significance after Bonferroni’s correction (p<0.01). In a prospective analysis of patients (n=40) with progressive SSc-ILD treated with 6 (n=24) or 12 (n=16) monthly i.v. pulses of cyclophosphamide (CPA, 500 mg/m2), we observed a significant decrease in plasma S100A4 levels between the baseline samples (month 0) and blood drawn after 6 months of CPA treatment (76.3(52.9–98.6) vs. 73.2(44.4–98.6)ng/mL,p=0.013). Furthermore, baseline S100A4 levels predicted the change (m0-m6) in CRP and ESR levels after 6 months of CPA therapy (r=0.472,p=0.004;r=0.528,p=0.003, respectively).

Conclusion:

We demonstrate that plasma S100A4 levels are significantly increased in SSc patients compared with healthy controls. Increased S100A4 is associated with the dcSSc subset, skin involvement, deteriorated parameters of interstitial lung disease and higher disease activity. In patients with progressive SSc-ILD, S100A4 declines after 6 months of cyclophosphamide therapy and predicts the systemic inflammatory response. These data further support our previous findings on the role of S100A4 as a regulator of TGF-β induced fibrosis in SSc.

Acknowledgements:

Supported by MHCR023728, SVV–260373.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0846 SEXUAL FUNCTION IS IMPAIRED IN WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS COMPARED TO HEALTHY CONTROLS

Background:

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem, connective tissue disorder characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organ involvement, which can influence all aspects of life, including sexual life.

Objectives:

This study aimed to compare sexual function in patients with SSc to age-/sex-matched healthy controls (HC) and determine the potential impact of clinical features on sexual function.

Methods:

In total, 90 women with SSc (mean age: 49.1, disease duration: 6.1 years, lcSSc/dcSSc: 62/28, mRSS: 9.3, ESSG activity index: 2.1), who fulfilled the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria, and 90 healthy controls (mean age: 49.1) without rheumatic diseases filled in 12 well-established and validated questionnaires assessing sexual function (FSFI, BISF-W, SFQ-28, SQoL-F), pelvic floor function (PISQ-12, PFIQ-7), fatigue (FIS, Fatigue Impact Scale), physical activity (HAP, Human Activity Profile), disability (HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire), depression (BDI-II, Beck’s Depression Inventory-II) and quality of life (SF-36, Medical outcomes study Short Form 36 – PCS, Physical Component Summary; MCS, Mental Component Summary). A routine laboratory testing was performed. Data are presented as median (IQR).

Results:

Patients with SSc reported significantly greater prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction (FSFI, BISF-W, SFQ28 – in all subscales as well as total scores), worse sexual quality of life (SQoL-F) and pelvic floor dysfunction (PISQ-12, PFIQ-7) compared to HC (table 1). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with SSc according to the FSFI cut-off score was 77%. Worse scores in SSc patients were associated with longer disease duration [BISF-W-total (r=-0.243,p=0.026), FSFI-lubrication (r=-0.229,p=0.035)], higher disease activity [ESSG activity index: BISF-W-total (r=-0.291,p=0.010), FSFI-arousal (r=-0.299,p=0.007)], increased inflammation [CRP: BISF-W-receptivity/initiation (r=-0.301,p=0.007)], more pronounced fatigue [FIS-total: BISF-W-total (r=-0.412,p<0.0001)], more severe depression [BDI-II: FSFI-total (r=-0.506,p<0.0001), SQoL-F (r=-0.369, p<0.0001)], worse functional disability [HAQ: FSFI-total (r=-0.394,p<0.0001)], reduced physical activity [HAP: FSFI-total (r=0.535,p<0.0001)], and decreased overall quality of life [SF-36 PCS: FSFI-total (r=0.428,p<0.0001), SF-36 MCS: SQoL-F (r=0.472, p<0.0001)].

Conclusion:

Women with SSc reported significantly impaired sexual function and pelvic floor function compared to age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Worse scores in SSc were associated with disease-related features.

Table 1.

Sexual function and pelvic floor function in women with SSc and healthy controls

Questionnaire: score range (meaning)SSc (n=90)HC (n=90)p-valueFSFI: Female sexual function index: 2 (worst) - 36 (best)19.4 (3.9-26.8)30.1 (23.1-32.9)p<0.0001BISF-W: Brief Index of Sexual Function for Women: -16 (worst) - 75 (best)14.3 (2.1-35.1)38.2 (19.3-46.2)p<0.0001SQoL-F: Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire-Female: 0 (worst) - 100 (best)61.1 (34.4-81.1)91.1 (70.0-96.7)p<0.0001PISQ-12: Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form: 0 (best) - 48 (worst)13.0 (9.0-17.0)7.0 (5.0-12.0)p<0.0001PFIQ-7: Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire: 0 (best) - 300 (worst)9.5 (0.0-48.8)0.0 (0.0-8.3)p<0.0001SFQ-28: Sexual Functioning Questionnaire-28 desire: 5 (worst) - 31 (best)17.0 (12.0-20.0)21.0 (17.0-23.0)p<0.0001SFQ-28 arousal sensation: 4 (worst) - 20 (best)10.0 (8.0-13.0)12.0 (9.0-15.0)p=0.0031SFQ-28 arousal lubrication: 2 (worst) - 10 (best)5.0 (4.0-7.0)8.0 (5.2-9.0)p<0.0001SFQ-28 arousal cognitive: 2 (worst) - 10 (best)5.0 (4.0-6.0)7.0 (5.0-8.0)p<0.0001SFQ-28 orgasm: 1 (worst) - 15 (best)10.0 (6.5-12.0)12.0 (10.0-13.0)p<0.0001SFQ-28 pain: 2 (worst) - 15 (best)12.0 (9.5-15.0)15.0 (13.0-15.0)p<0.0001SFQ-28 enjoyment: 6 (worst) - 30 (best)19.0 (12.5-24.0)24.0 (20.0-25.8)p<0.0001SFQ-28 partner: 2 (worst) - 10 (best)9.0 (8.0-10.0)10. (9.0-10.0)p=0.0182

Acknowledgements:

Supported by MHCR 023728, GA UK 1578119, and SVV 260373.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Clusterin serum levels are elevated in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and predict disease activity and treatment response

Clusterin (CLU) is a molecular chaperone that participates in a variety of biological processes. Recent studies indicate its possible involvement in the development of bone erosions and autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to investigate its serum concentrations in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore their potential relationship with disease activity and treatment response. Serum levels of CLU were measured in 52 patients before and 3 months after the initiation of treatment and in 52 healthy individuals. CLU levels at baseline were significantly increased in patients with early RA compared with healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). After 3 months of treatment, the levels of CLU decreased and reached concentrations comparable to those in controls. Even though there was no relationship between CLU levels and disease activity at baseline, CLU levels positively correlated with disease activity at months 3, 6 and 12 after treatment initiation. Using ROC analysis, lower CLU baseline levels predicted achieving the therapeutic target of low disease activity and remission at months 3, 6 and 12. In summary, we found increased serum concentrations of clusterin in treatment-naïve patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, and we suggest clusterin as a predictive biomarker of disease activity and treatment response.

The dysregulation of monocyte subpopulations in individuals at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

Individuals carrying antibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA) are at high risk of developing RA. EULAR provided a clinical definition of individuals with arthralgia suspicious for progression to RA (clinically suspect arthralgia, CSA). The alteration of monocyte subpopulations in patients with established RA has been previously described. We analysed peripheral blood monocyte subpopulations in individuals with arthralgia at risk of RA.

METHODS

We included 70 at-risk individuals, defined as having arthralgia without arthritis and being either ACPA+ or meeting the clinical CSA definition, 23 patients with early RA (ERA) and 19 healthy controls (HCs). Monocytes classified as classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+/++) and nonclassical (CD14-/+CD16++) were analysed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Of the 70 at-risk individuals, 46 were ACPA+ and 45 met the CSA definition. The at-risk individuals and, especially, ERA patients had a lower percentage of classical monocytes and a higher percentage of nonclassical monocytes than the HCs. ACPA positivity had no effect on the difference in the distribution of the monocyte subsets between at-risk individuals and ERA patients, but a difference was determined in those reaching the ERA phase. However, when compared with HCs, the shift of monocyte subsets was more significant in ACPA+ than in ACPA- individuals with arthralgia. This trend was observed in individuals who did not meet the CSA definition. This finding was, however, determined by a selection bias, as these individuals were solely ACPA+.

CONCLUSION

The shift from classical to nonclassical monocyte subpopulations was observed already in individuals at risk of developing RA.

S100A11 (calgizzarin) is released via NETosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and stimulates IL-6 and TNF secretion by neutrophils

S100A11 (calgizzarin), a member of S100 family, is associated with several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of RA and in the externalization of some S100 family members. Therefore, we aimed to determine the association between S100A11 and NETs in RA. For this purpose, the levels of S100A11 and NETosis markers were detected in the RA synovial fluid by immunoassays. The expression of S100A11 by neutrophils in the RA synovial tissue was assessed. Neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood were exposed to S100A11 or stimulated to release NETs. The levels of NETosis- and inflammation-associated proteins were analysed by immunoassays. NETs were visualized by immunofluorescence. We showed that S100A11 was expressed by the neutrophils in the RA synovial tissue. Moreover, S100A11 in the RA synovial fluid correlated with several NETosis markers. In vitro, S100A11 was abundantly released by neutrophils undergoing NETosis compared to untreated cells (p < 0.001). Extracellular S100A11 increased the secretion of IL-6 (p < 0.05) and TNF (p < 0.05) by neutrophils but did not induce NETosis. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the release of S100A11 is dependent on NETosis and that extracellular S100A11 augments the inflammatory response by inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils.

Circulating miR-145 as a marker of therapeutic response to anti-TNF therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Circulating miRNAs appear promising therapeutic and prognostic biomarkers. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of circulating miRNAs on the disease outcome following anti-TNF therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our study included 19 AS patients assessed at baseline (M0), after three (M3) and twelve months (M12) of therapy. Total RNA was isolated from plasma. A comprehensive analysis of 380 miRNAs using TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA) was followed by a single assay validation of selected miRNAs. All AS patients had high baseline disease activity and an excellent response to anti-TNF therapy at M3 and M12. TLDA analysis revealed the dysregulation of 17 circulating miRNAs, including miR-145. Single assay validation confirmed that miR-145 is significantly downregulated at M3 compared to baseline. The decrease in the levels of miR-145 from M0 to M3 negatively correlated with the change in BASDAI from M0 to M3; and positively correlated with disease activity improvement from M3 to M12 as per BASDAI and ASDAS. The predictive value of the early change in miR-145 and levels of miR-145 at M3 were further validated by Receiver operating curves analysis. We show thatthe early change in circulating miR-145 may be a predictor for the future outcome ofAS patients treated with TNF inhibitors. Patients with a more significant decrease in miR-145 levels may show further significant improvement of disease activity after 12 months. Monitoring the expression of miR-145 in plasma in AS patients may, therefore, influence our therapeutic decision-making.

Alterations in activin A-myostatin-follistatin system associate with disease activity in inflammatory myopathies

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the systemic and skeletal muscle levels of atrophy-associated myokines in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and their association with clinical characteristics of myositis.

METHODS

A total of 94 IIM patients and 162 healthy controls were recruited. Of those, 20 IIM patients and 28 healthy controls underwent a muscle biopsy. Circulating concentrations of myostatin, follistatin, activin A and TGF-β1 were assessed by ELISA. The expression of myokines and associated genes involved in the myostatin signalling pathway in muscle tissue was determined by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

We report decreased levels of circulating myostatin (median 1817 vs 2659 pg/ml; P = 0.003) and increased follistatin (1319 vs 1055 pg/ml; P = 0.028) in IIM compared with healthy controls. Activin A levels were also higher in IIM (414 vs 309 pg/ml; P = 0.0005) compared with controls. Myostatin was negatively correlated to muscle disease activity assessed by physician on visual analogue scale (MDA) (r = -0.289, P = 0.015) and positively to manual muscle testing of eight muscles (r = 0.366, P = 0.002). On the other hand, follistatin correlated positively with MDA (r = 0.235, P = 0.047). Gene expression analysis showed higher follistatin (P = 0.003) and myostatin inhibitor follistatin-like 3 protein (FSTL3) (P = 0.008) and lower expression of activin receptor type 1B (ALK4) (P = 0.034), signal transducer SMAD3 (P = 0.023) and atrophy marker atrogin-1 (P = 0.0009) in IIM muscle tissue compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

This study shows lower myostatin and higher follistatin levels in circulation and attenuated expression of myostatin pathway signalling components in skeletal muscle of patients with myositis, a newly emerging pattern of the activin A-myostatin-follistatin system in muscle wasting diseases.

Plasma Hsp90 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis and relation to lung and skin involvement: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Our previous study demonstrated increased expression of Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to evaluate plasma Hsp90 in SSc and characterize its association with SSc-related features. Ninety-two SSc patients and 92 age-/sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for the cross-sectional analysis. The longitudinal analysis comprised 30 patients with SSc associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) routinely treated with cyclophosphamide. Hsp90 was increased in SSc compared to healthy controls. Hsp90 correlated positively with C-reactive protein and negatively with pulmonary function tests: forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). In patients with diffuse cutaneous (dc) SSc, Hsp90 positively correlated with the modified Rodnan skin score. In SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide, no differences in Hsp90 were found between baseline and after 1, 6, or 12 months of therapy. However, baseline Hsp90 predicts the 12-month change in DLCO. This study shows that Hsp90 plasma levels are increased in SSc patients compared to age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Elevated Hsp90 in SSc is associated with increased inflammatory activity, worse lung functions, and in dcSSc, with the extent of skin involvement. Baseline plasma Hsp90 predicts the 12-month change in DLCO in SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide.

Switching first-line targeted therapy after not reaching low disease activity within 6 months is superior to conservative approach: a propensity score-matched analysis from the ATTRA registry

Background

Treat-to-target (T2T) is a widely accepted strategy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It recommends attaining a goal of at least low disease activity (LDA) within 6 months; otherwise, the current therapy should be modified. We aimed to investigate whether switching a first-line targeted therapy (TT) in patients not reaching LDA within 6 months leads to a higher probability of meeting LDA at the 12-month visit in daily clinical practice using data from Czech registry ATTRA.

Methods

We included patients with RA starting the first-line TT from 1 January 2012 to 31 January 2017 with at least 1-year follow-up. We created four mutually exclusive cohorts based on (1) switching to another TT within the first year and (2) reaching a treatment target (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2) at the 6-month visit. The primary outcome was the comparison of odds for reaching remission (REM) or LDA at the 12-month visit between patients switching and not switching TT after not reaching treatment target at 6 months. Before using logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio, we employed the propensity score to match patients at the 6-month visit.

Results

A total of 1275 patients were eligible for the analysis. Sixty-two patients switched within the first 5 months of the treatment before evaluating treatment response at the 6-month visit (C1); 598 patients reached the treatment target within 6 months of therapy (C2); 124 patients did not reach treatment response at 6-month visit and switched to another therapy (C3), and 491 patients continued with the same treatment despite not reaching LDA at the 6-month visit (C4). We matched 75 patients from cohort C3 and 75 patients from C4 using the propensity score. Patients following the T2T principle (C3) showed 2.8 (95% CI 1.4–5.8; p = 0.005) times increased likelihood of achieving REM/LDA at the 12-month visit compared to patients not following the T2T strategy (C4).

Conclusions

In daily clinical practice, the application of the T2T strategy is underused. Switching TT after not reaching REM/LDA within the first 6 months leads to a higher probability of achieving REM/LDA in RA patients at the 12-month visit.

Chemokine and Cytokine Profiles in Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis

Background: The development of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) and its progression into the erosive subset are unclear, but inflammation is suspected to be the main source. To verify the involvement of inflammation in HOA pathogenesis, we evaluate serum inflammatory mediators and their association with HOA-related clinical features in patients. Methods: 153 participants (50 non-erosive HOA patients, 54 erosive HOA patients, and 49 healthy control subjects) were included in this study. All patients underwent clinical examination, which included assessment of tender and swollen small hand joints, ultrasound (US) examination, and self-reported measures (e.g., AUSCAN or algofunctional indexes). Serum inflammatory mediators were quantified using human cytokine 27-plex immunoassay. We employed linear modelling, correlation analysis, and resampling statistics to evaluate the association of these mediators to HOA. Results: We identified increased levels of nine inflammatory mediators (e.g., eotaxin, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interleukin-8, and tumour necrosis factor) in HOA patients compared to healthy controls. Increased mediators correlated with ultrasound findings as well as with clinically tender and swollen joint counts in patients with erosive HOA. However, none of the mediators distinguished between erosive and non-erosive HOA subtypes. Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis on the involvement of inflammation in HOA.