AB0848 PARTICIPATION OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS AS INVESTIGATORS IN A RHEUMATOLOGIC COHORT: IMPACT ON DEPRESSION, ANXIETY & STRESS SCALE

Background:

Mental health was widely affected during the new coronavirus pandemic. In addition, some measures adopted by most countries in order to contain the virus spread, such as isolation and social distancing, leading to the interruption of routine activities, including partial or complete interruption of face-to-face classes may be associated with increased stress, depression and anxiety among undergraduate medical students (1). From March to September, 2020, the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology carried out the Mario Pinotti II Project (MPII), a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study designed to monitor the COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic disease on hydroxychloroquine, using periodic telephone calls performed by undergraduate medical students (2).

Objectives:

To compare the mental health status of medical students who were participating from the MPII with theirs colleagues not involved in this project.

Methods:

A web-based survey via google forms platform was developed by a panel composed of undergraduate medical students, rheumatologists, medical school professors, and a psychology professor. It included details on demographic and life habits data and domains regarding depression, anxiety and stress, using the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale), Brazilian version. Data collection occurred from July 20th to August 31st, 2020. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 20.0. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed to verify associations with the DASS-21, defined as dependent variable. A p-value < 0.05 was deemed as significant. This study was approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee.

Results:

A total of 684 undergraduate medical students were included in this study, of whom 228 as MPII volunteers (VG) and 456 as control group (CG). Median age was 23 years (IQ 21-24) and the CG was older than the VG (p<0.03). Most of them were white (68.8%) and women (63%). There were no significant differences regarding comorbidities, ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol intake and physical activity. Older age, male gender, participation of MPII study, absence of a worsening in sleep pattern during the pandemic and a lower number of prior comorbidities were associated with lower DASS21 scores, suggesting a better mental health (Table 1).

Conclusion:

Several aspects may be involved with mental health, including increased emotional maturity, gender and sleep pattern. Although with marginal independent association, medical students with participation in the MPII study had better mental health than their student colleagues not engaged with this research. Our data pointed out that voluntary participation in a research project which foresees interaction by telephone contact with rheumatic patients, professors, rheumatologists, and colleagues is associated with better mental health.

References:

[1]Meo SA, Abukhalaf AA, Alomar AA, Sattar K, Klonoff DC. Covid-19 pandemic: Impact of quarantine on medical students’ mental wellbeing and learning behaviors. Pakistan J Med Sci 2020;36(COVID19-S4):S43–8.

[2]Gomides A, Ferreira G, Kakehas A, Lacerda M, Marques C, Paiva E et al. Impact of chronic use of antimalarials on SARS-COV-2 infection in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases: protocol design for a multicentric observational cohort in Brazil. JMIR Research Protocols, 2020.Preprint

Table 1.

Univariate and multivariate analysis of predictors associated to the DASS-21 in undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Univariate analysisMultivariate analysisVariableB95%CIp-ValueB95%CIp-ValueAge-0.32-0.61 to -0.030.03-0.47-0.81 to -0.130.008Female gender4.883.021 to 6.76<0.001---Stable love relationship-2.49-4.35 to -0.640.008-2.5-4.4 to -0.590.01Number of previous comorbidities reported4.693.71 to 5.68<0.0014.823.73 to 5.92<0.001MP-II volunteering-2.81-4.74 to -0.860.005---Worsening in sleep pattern6.414.62 to 8.20<0.0015.013.07 to 6.96<0.001

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS1252 COVID-19 IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES ON CHRONIC USE OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE IN A LARGE BRAZILIAN COHORT – A 24-WEEK PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background:

The role of chronic use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in rheumatic disease (RD) patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still subject of discussion.

Objectives:

To compare the occurrence of COVID-19 and its outcomes between RD patients on HCQ use with individuals from the same household not taking the drug during community viral transmission in an observational prospective multicenter study in Brazil.

Methods:

Participants were enrolled and monitored through 24-week (From March 29th to Sep 30th, 2020) regularly scheduled phone calls performed by trained medical professionals. Epidemiological and demographic data, as well as RD disease activity status and current treatment data, specific information about COVID-19, hospitalization, need for intensive care, and death was recorded in both groups and stored in the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database. COVID-19 was defined according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMH) criteria. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM-SPSS v.20.0 software. Group comparisons were made using the Man-Whitney, Chi-Square and Fisher Exact Test, as well as multivariate regression models adjusted to confounders. Survival curves were performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results:

A total of 10,427 participants mean age (SD) of 44.04 (14.98) years were enrolled, including 6004 (57.6%) rheumatic disease patients, of whom 70.8% had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 6.7% rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 4% primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), 1.8% mixed connective tissue disease (DMTC), 1% systemic sclerosis (SSc) and others (15.9), including overlap syndromes. In total, 1,132 (10.8%) participants fulfilled criteria for COVID-19, being 6.7% RD patients and 4.1% controls (p=0.002). A recent influenza vaccination had a protective role (p<0.001). Moderate and severe COVID-19 included the need for hospitalization, intensive care, mechanical ventilation or death. Infection severity was not different between groups (p=0.391) (Table 1). After adjustments for multiple confounders, the main risk factors significantly associated with COVID-19 were higher education level (OR=1.29 95%CI 1.05-1.59), being healthcare professionals (OR=1.91; 95%CI 1.45-2.53), presence of two comorbidities (OR=1.31; 95%CI 1.01-1.66) and three or more comorbidities associated (OR=1.69; 95%CI 1.23-2.32). Interestingly, age >=65 years (OR=0.20; 95%CI 0.11-0.34) was negatively associated. Regarding RD, the risk factors associated with COVID-19 diagnosys were SLE (OR= 2.37; 95%CI 1.92-293), SSc (OR=2.25; 95%CI 1.05-4.83) and rituximab use (OR=1.92; 95%CI 1.13-3.26). In addition, age >=65 years (OR=5.47; 95%CI 1.7-19.4) and heart disease (OR=2.60; 95%CI 1.06-6.38) were associated with hospitalization. Seven female RD patients died, six with SLE and one with pSS, and the presence of two or more comorbidities were associated with higher mortality rate.

Conclusion:

Chronic HCQ use did not prevent COVID-19 in RD compared to their household cohabitants. Health care profession, presence of comorbidities LES, SSc and rituximab were identified as main risk factors for COVID-19 and aging and heart disease as higher risk for hospitalization. Our data suggest these outcomes could be considered to manage them in clinical practice.

Table 1.

Frequency and severity of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases on chronic use of hydroxychloroquine compared to their household controls

COVID-19 outcomesTotal(%)GroupsPPatients(%)Controls (%)DiagnosisNo9256 (89.1)5300 (88.3)3956 (90.2)0.002Yes1132 (10.9)704 (11.7)428 (9.8)SeverityMild1059 (93.6)662 (94.0)397 (92.8)0.391Moderate52 (4.6)32 (4.5)20 (4.7)Severe21 (1.9)10 (1.4)11 (2.6)

HCQ: hydroxychloroquine.

Moderate and severe COVID-19 included the need for any of the following: hospitalization, intensive care, mechanical ventilation or death.

Acknowledgements:

To the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for technical support and rapid nationwide mobilization.

To all the 395 interviewers (medical students and physicians) who collaborated in the study and the participants

To CNPq (Number 403442/2020-6)

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Recommendations for interventional pulmonology during COVID-19 outbreak: a consensus statement from the Portuguese Pulmonology Society

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. Its capacity for human-to-human transmission through respiratory droplets, coupled with a high-level of population mobility, has resulted in a rapid dissemination worldwide. Healthcare workers have been particularly exposed to the risk of infection and represent a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases in the worst affected regions of Europe. Like other open airway procedures or aerosol-generating procedures, bronchoscopy poses a significant risk of spreading contaminated droplets, and medical workers must adapt the procedures to ensure safety of both patients and staff. Several recommendation documents were published at the beginning of the pandemic, but as the situation evolves, our thoughts should not only focus on the present, but should also reflect on how we are going to deal with the presence of the virus in the community until there is a vaccine or specific treatment available. It is in this sense that this document aims to guide interventional pulmonology throughout this period, providing a set of recommendations on how to perform bronchoscopy or pleural procedures safely and efficiently.

SAT0086 THE PRESENCE OF COMORBIDITIES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH BAD PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES (PROS)

Background:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have more cardiovascular comorbidities which contributes to hospitalization and mortality.

Objectives:

.This study aims to investigate whether there is an association between cardiovascular comorbidities in RA with subgroup of patients and clinical findings of the disease

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional part of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Real Life (REAL), which is a multicenter prospective study conducted in Brazil, involving 13 centers specialized in the care of patients with RA. All subjects met the ARA (1987) or ACR/EULAR (2010) RA classification criteria. Subjects were submitted to clinical interview with physical exam and review of medical records. A sample of 1116 patients was selected for convenience. The association between cardiovascular comorbidities (systemic arterial hypertension (HA), diabetes mellitus (DM) type2, dyslipidemia, stroke and heart failure), the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters of RA was evaluated through chi-square hypothesis tests, Student`s t-test, Fischer exact test, correlations test and ANOVA. Also, correction Bonferoni test was used for multiple comparisons. Differences were considered statistically significant only when p ≤ 0.05.

Results:

89% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 58 years. 62% of patients with RA had comorbidities, with HA the most prevalent. There were statistically significant association between cardiovascular comorbidities with age (61.71±9.69years old vs 53.03±12.10) (p <0.001), lower educational level (n=282±66.5vs 143±33,5) (p <0.001), lower physical activity (n=132±73.3 vs 48±26.7) (p <0.001), disease duration (18.5±9.75 years vs 14.4±8.61) (p <0.001), positive anti-CCP test (60.5% vs 39.5%) (p = 0.027), high clinical disease activity index CDAI) (65.9%vs 34.1%) (p <0.001), DAS28VHS (3.72±1.46 vs 3.45±1.58) (p = 0.008) and HAQ score (1.00±0.76) vs 0.83±0.77 (p <0.001).

Conclusion:

The frequency of cardiovascular comorbidities is high in RA patients and is associated with age, disease duration and positive anti-CCP test. It is also important to see that these comorbidities are more common in patients with lower frequency of physical activity and lower functional capacity, higher disease activity score and lower level of education. Better control of disease activity and extensive information to patients about the importance of exercise should be parallel objectives in RA.

Disclosure of Interests:

Ivanio Pereira Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Thayse Coan: None declared, G Castro: None declared, Geraldo Castelar Grant/research support from:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Consultant of:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Paid instructor for:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Speakers bureau:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Ana Beatriz Vargas-Santos Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for international medical events from AbbVie and Janssen, Cleandro Albuquerque Grant/research support from: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Consultant of: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Ana Paula Gomides Consultant of: Abvvie, Manoel Bertolo Grant/research support from: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Paulo Louzada Jr Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Rina Giorgi: None declared, Sebastião Radominsky Grant/research support from: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Maria Fernanda Guimarães: None declared, Karina Bonfiglioli Consultant of: Roche, Abbvie, Pfizer, Janssen and BMS, Maria de Fátima Sauma: None declared, Claiton Brenol: None declared, Evandro Coutinho: None declared, Licia Mota Grant/research support from: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB., Speakers bureau: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB.

AB0191 DECREASING DELAY TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: STILL DIFFICULT TO TREAT WITHIN THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

Background:

The need for early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment for better outcomes is widely accepted. Is that goal being achieved in real-life settings?

Objectives:

To evaluate changes in the delay to RA diagnosis and treatment, and in the proportions of patients being treated early along the last decades in Brazil.

Methods:

This study was drawn from the REAL cohort, designed to assess RA management under real-life conditions. Patients ≥ 18 years old attending public hospitals in Brazil and meeting RA classification criteria were included. Subjects were stratified according to the year their symptoms began. Delays from symptoms onset to RA diagnosis and treatment were inquired. Early RA diagnosis and treatment was assessed using three different cut points: ≤3, ≤6 and ≤12 months of symptoms onset. Mann-Kendall’s trend test, chi-square tests, Welch’s ANOVA and Games-Howell’s post-hoc tests were used to test hypotheses, at 0.05 significance level.

Results:

1116 RA patients were included; 89.4% female; 56.8% white; mean (SD) age 57.1 (11.5) years. A downward trend was found in the delay to RA diagnosis (tau = -0.677, p < 0.001) and treatment (tau = -0.695, p < 0.001) from 1990 to 2015 (Figures 1 and 2). The year of symptoms onset was associated with the frequency of early treatment for all defined cut points: ≤3 months (χ2= 11.25, p = 0.001), ≤6 months (χ2= 34.84, p < 0.001), and ≤12 months (χ2= 64.79, p<0.001). The more recent the year of symptoms onset, the higher the proportions of individuals treated early (Table 1). Groups stratified according to successive periods of symptoms onset differed in the mean delay to RA treatment [F(5, 372.8) = 41.9; p < 0.001]. Patients with symptoms initiated more recently (2011-2015) had significantly lower delays compared to all other groups. Nonetheless, only 36.3% of these patients with more recent disease started treatment within 6 months of symptoms onset, and 17.2% within 3 months.

Table 1.

Proportions of individuals with RA receiving the first DMARD within different time intervals from symptoms onset, according to the year their symptoms began.

Symptoms beginning (year)Interval from symptoms onset to first DMARDN≤ 3 months≤ 6 months≤ 12 months≤ 1990 8.5%14.9%33.3%1411991 – 1995 5.3%15.8%34.7% 951996 – 200012.3%24.7%44.5%1462001 – 200511.5%26.3%49.8%2172006 – 201017.2%38.9%61.1%2392011 – 201517.2%36.3%72.0%157Figure 1.

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic delay according to the year of symptoms beginning, from 1990 to 2015 in Brazil

Figure 2.

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment delay according to the year of symptoms beginning, from 1990 to 2015 in Brazil.

Conclusion:

Delays to RA diagnosis and treatment have decreased, and more patients have been treated within defined windows for early RA management in the last decades in Brazil. Despite all improvements, it was still difficult to attain early RA treatment. Additional efforts are warranted in pursuit of that goal.

Disclosure of Interests:

Cleandro Albuquerque Grant/research support from: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Consultant of: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Ana Paula Gomides Consultant of: Abvvie, Ana Beatriz Vargas-Santos Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for international medical events from AbbVie and Janssen, Claiton Brenol: None declared, Ivanio Pereira Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Karina Bonfiglioli Consultant of: Roche, Abbvie, Pfizer, Janssen and BMS, Manoel Bertolo Grant/research support from: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Maria Fernanda Guimarães: None declared, Maria Sauma: None declared, Paulo Louzada Jr Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Rina Giorgi Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Sebastião Radominsky Grant/research support from: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Licia Mota Grant/research support from: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB., Speakers bureau: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB., Geraldo Castelar Grant/research support from:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Consultant of:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Paid instructor for:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Speakers bureau:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche

THU0333 CARDIOVASCULAR COMORBIDITIES ARE COMMON IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WHO PRACTICE LESS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WHO HAVE WORSE FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY

Background:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have more cardiovascular comorbidities which contributes to hospitalization and mortality.

Objectives:

This study aims to investigate whether there is an association between cardiovascular comorbidities in RA with subgroup of patients and clinical findings of the disease

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional part of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Real Life (REAL), which is a multicenter prospective study conducted in Brazil, involving 13 centers specialized in the care of patients with RA. All subjects met the ARA (1987) or ACR/EULAR (2010) RA classification criteria. Subjects were submitted to clinical interview with physical exam and review of medical records. A sample of 1116 patients was selected for convenience. The association between cardiovascular comorbidities (systemic arterial hypertension (HA), diabetes mellitus (DM) type2, dyslipidemia, stroke and heart failure), the clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters of RA was evaluated through chi-square hypothesis tests, Student`s t-test, Fischer exact test, correlations test and ANOVA. Also, correction Bonferoni test was used for multiple comparisons. Differences were considered statistically significant only when p ≤ 0.05.

Results:

89% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 58 years. 62% of patients with RA had comorbidities, with HA the most prevalent. There were statistically significant association between cardiovascular comorbidities with age (61.71±9.69years old vs 53.03±12.10) (p <0.001), lower educational level (n=282±66.5vs 143±33,5) (p <0.001), lower physical activity (n=132±73.3 vs 48±26.7) (p <0.001), disease duration (18.5±9.75 years vs 14.4±8.61) (p <0.001), positive anti-CCP test (60.5% vs 39.5%) (p = 0.027), high clinical disease activity index CDAI) (65.9%vs 34.1%) (p <0.001), DAS28VHS (3.72±1.46 vs 3.45±1.58) (p = 0.008) and HAQ score (1.00±0.76) vs 0.83±0.77 (p <0.001).

Conclusion:

The frequency of cardiovascular comorbidities is high in RA patients and is associated with age, disease duration and positive anti-CCP test. It is also important to see that these comorbidities are more common in patients with lower frequency of physical activity and lower functional capacity, higher disease activity score and lower level of education. Better control of disease activity and extensive information to patients about the importance of exercise should be parallel objectives in RA.

Disclosure of Interests:

Ivanio Pereira Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Gabriela Ribas: None declared, G Castro: None declared, Geraldo Castelar Grant/research support from:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Consultant of:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Paid instructor for:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Speakers bureau:: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Ana Beatriz Vargas-Santos Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for international medical events from AbbVie and Janssen, Cleandro Albuquerque Grant/research support from: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Consultant of: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Ana Paula Gomides Consultant of: Abvvie, Manoel Bertolo Grant/research support from: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Paulo Louzada Jr Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Rina Giorgi: None declared, Maria Fernanda Guimarães: None declared, Sebastião Radominsky Grant/research support from: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Karina Bonfiglioli Consultant of: Roche, Abbvie, Pfizer, Janssen and BMS, Maria de Fátima Sauma: None declared, Claiton Brenol: None declared, Evandro Coutinho: None declared, Licia Mota Grant/research support from: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB., Speakers bureau: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB.

AB0190 DO IT FAST! EARLY ASSESSMENT BY A RHEUMATOLOGIST INCREASES THE CHANCES OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BEING TREATED WITHIN THE “WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY”

Background:

The current concept of treating rheumatoid arthritis RA patients emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and early initiation of disease-modifying drugs (DMARD) for a better prognosis of these patients.

Objectives:

To evaluate the impact of rheumatologic evaluation on the diagnosis of RA patients, as well as on the initiation of DMARD and on the clinical control of disease activity of these patients under real-life conditions.

Methods:

The REAL study included RA patients attending eleven public hospitals, from different regions of Brazil. All subjects met the ARA (1987) or ACR/EULAR (2010) RA classification criteria. Subjects were submitted to clinical interview with physical exam and review of medical records. Specialized assessment was defined as sequentially “early”, when the rheumatologist was the 1stor 2ndconsulted physician, and sequentially “late”, when the rheumatologist was consulted after two or more other doctors. Welch’st, Mann-Whitney’s U, chi-square and Spearman’s rho tests were used to test hypotheses, at significance level of 0.05. The study was approved by local ethics committees and all participants granted informed consent.

Results:

1057 RA patients were assessed; 89.4% (n=945) female; 56.5% (n=597) white; mean (SD) age of 56.9 (11.5) years; mean (SD) disease duration of 173.1 (114.5) months. Median [IQR] delay from symptoms onset to RA diagnosis and to the first DMARD both equaled 12 [6, 36] months. Only 28.7% received a DMARD within 6 months of symptoms onset, and 13.1% within 3 months. Most patients (64.6%) sought a general practitioner first, but 80.7% were finally diagnosed only upon rheumatologist consultation. For 28.8%, the rheumatologist was consulted after two or more other doctors. Early specialized assessment resulted in higher chances of receiving a DMARD within 6 months (OR 2.77; 95%CI [1.93, 3.97]) and within 3 months (OR 2.57; 95%CI [1.54, 4.27]) of RA onset. Late assessment was associated with lower chances of being in remission or low disease activity upon study inclusion (OR 0.53; 95%CI [0.39, 0.72]). Patients assessed early by the rheumatologist, compared to those assessed late, showed lower (mean [SD]) HAQ scores (0.877 [0.715] vs. 1.074 [0.857]; p<0.001) and DAS28-CRP scores (3.20 [1.32] vs. 3.45 [1.48]; p=0.02), and shorter delays to RA diagnosis (26.9 [46.7] vs. 44.6 [60.1] months; p<0.001) and to use the first DMARD (32.5 [58.5] vs. 50.6 [69.9] months; p<0.001). The delay to initiate a DMARD was strongly correlated to that of diagnosing RA (rho 0.816; p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Most RA patients missed the window of opportunity to early treatment. Treatment delay strongly correlated with delay in diagnosis, which critically depended on the input from the rheumatologist. Late rheumatologist assessment was associated with lower chances of early RA treatment and with worse outcomes. Failure in direct transition from primary to specialized care was a common problem that needs to be solved.

Disclosure of Interests:

Cleandro Albuquerque Grant/research support from: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Consultant of: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received personal fees and/or non-financial support from Pfizer, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis and UCB, Ana Paula Gomides Consultant of: Abvvie, Ana Beatriz Vargas-Santos Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for international medical events from AbbVie and Janssen, Claiton Brenol: None declared, Ivanio Pereira Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Eli-Lilly, Abbvie and Janssen, Karina Bonfiglioli Consultant of: Roche, Abbvie, Pfizer, Janssen and BMS, Manoel Bertolo Grant/research support from: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Consultant of: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has participated in clinical and/or experimental studies related to this work and sponsored by Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie and Pfizer, Maria Fernanda Guimarães: None declared, Maria Sauma: None declared, Paulo Louzada Jr Grant/research support from: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Has received supporting for internationals congresses from Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB and consulting fees from Pfizer, Rina Giorgi Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees, speaking fees and supporting for internationals congresses from Roche, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Eli-Lilly, AbbVie, Abbott and EMS, Sebastião Radominsky Grant/research support from: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Consultant of: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Paid instructor for: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting and speaking fees from Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Licia Mota Grant/research support from: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB., Speakers bureau: Has received personal or institutional support from AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer and Roche; has delivered speeches at events related to this work and sponsored by AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche and UCB., Geraldo Castelar-Pinheiro Grant/research support from: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Consultant of: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche, Speakers bureau: Has received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxosmithkline, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Roche

Antiphospholipid antibodies in haemophilia patients with severe bleeding tendency: cause, consequence or a consequential cause?

The prevalence, cause and the impact of antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) on the clinical severity in haemophilia patients is poorly studied. We studied 72 severe seronegative (negative for HIV, HBsAg, HCV) haemophilia patients for the presence of four common APAs. Twenty-six (36.1%) were positive for any one of the APAs studied of which eight were positive only for anticardiolipin antibodies, three for beta2 glycoprotein (beta2GP1), four for prothrombin (PT) and six for anti annexin antibodies. Remaining six patients showed multi-specific antibodies. Further, clinically severe haemophilia patients (n = 37) showed higher prevalence of APAs as compared with the clinically milder group (n = 35) suggesting that these antibodies do not contribute in alleviating the clinical severity in haemophilia patients as has been observed with other inherited thrombophilia markers. The study of in vitro thrombin generation showed a higher endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) i.e. almost normal, in case of beta2GP1-positive patients as compared with patients with other types of APAs. High prevalence of APAs in clinically severe haemophilia patients may be a consequence of continuing tissue damage in the clinically severe group; as in India, clotting factor concentrates cannot be used ad lib because of financial constraints. Higher thrombin-generating potential in case of patients positive for beta2GP1 did not seem to have any impact on the clinical severity of haemophilia patients.

Histological evaluation of healing and revascularization of the subepithelial connective tissue graft

BACKGROUND

The goal of this investigation was to histologically evaluate the healing and revascularization of the subepithelial connective tissue graft in dogs.

METHODS

Six beagle dogs were used in this study. Recession defects were surgically created on maxillary left P2 and right P2, and maxillary and mandibular left central and lateral incisors. The defects were left untreated for 35 days. After elevating a split thickness flap, the graft was harvested from the palate and placed over the denuded root surfaces. The flap was then coronally repositioned and sutured. Three dogs provided the specimens for 7- and 14-day time points and 3 dogs for 28- and 60-day time points. The animals were sacrificed and the blocks obtained were divided in half. One half was processed following the Spalteholtz method and the other was processed for routine histologic examination.

RESULTS

At 7 days, a clot was present at the demarcation zones and it was more organized at 14 days. At 28 days, the junctional epithelium was formed and the demarcation zones could not be delineated. At 60 days, the oral epithelium had regained its normal appearance. The attachment of the graft to the root surface was mediated by a combination of epithelial downgrowth and connective tissue attachment. Minimal new bone and cementum formation was observed. The vascularization of the graft at 7 days originated from the periodontal plexus and the overlying flap. At 14 days, the graft was completely vascularized. At 28 and 60 days, normal vascularization was present.

CONCLUSIONS

The vascularization of the connective tissue graft originates from the periodontal plexus, the supraperiosteal plexus, and the overlying flap. The attachment of the graft to the root surface appears to be mediated by a combination of epithelial downgrowth and connective tissue attachment. There is little potential for new cementum and new bone formation.

Healing patterns in recession defects treated with ePTFE membranes and with free connective tissue grafts. A histologic and histometric study in the beagle dog

This study focussed on the biologic success of 2 different procedures for root coverage. In the maxillary canines of 7 beagle dogs, buccal recessions were created and treated on one side with an ePTFE membrane (GTR-group) and on the contralateral side with a free connective tissue graft from the palate (CT-group). 2 areas served as negative controls. After 4 months of healing, histologic sections were processed and histologically analyzed. The evaluated parameters were coverage height, bone, cementum and connective tissue attachment regeneration, length of the epithelium, resorption, and ankylosis. Histologically, both GTR-group and CT-group produced more new bone, new cementum and new connective tissue attachment than the two control teeth. When histologically evaluated, the amount of new bone was more pronounced in the GTR-group than in the CT-group, however, no statistical differences in any of the evaluated parameters could be detected between the 2 procedures tested. Frequency and distribution of resorption and ankylosis were similar in the GTR-group and in the CT-group. Within the limits of this study, no differences in terms of the biologic rehabilitation between those recessions treated with ePTFE membranes and those treated with a free connective tissue graft could be found.

Non-human primate models for testing the efficacy and safety of periodontal regeneration procedures

Experimentally-produced defects in the non-human primate are preferred for testing the efficacy and safety of periodontal regenerative therapies. These animals closely resemble the human in dental anatomy and periodontal wound healing physiology. Defects can be produced which do not display spontaneous regeneration and which are contralaterally identical. Thus, within animals, untreated controls can be obtained to indicate the level of supporting tissues prior to therapy. The use of non-human primate models is recommended for science transfer experiments involving invasive surgery and the testing of potentially harmful new devices and pharmaceuticals.