Incidence Rate and Factors Associated With Fractures Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Ankylosing Spondylitis in the United States

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the incidence rate and factors associated with fractures among adults with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study with data from the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness registry linked to Medicare claims from 2016 to 2018. Patients were required to have two AS International Classification of Diseases codes 30 or more days apart and a subsequent Medicare claim. Then, 1 year of baseline characteristics were included, after which patients were observed for fractures. First, we calculated the incidence rate of fractures. Second, we constructed logistic regression models to identify factors associated with the fracture, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, body mass index, Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibility, area deprivation index, Charlson comorbidity index, smoking status, osteoporosis, historical fracture, and use of osteoporosis treatment, glucocorticoids, and opioids.

RESULTS

We identified 1,426 adults with prevalent AS. Mean ± SD age was 69.4 ± 9.8 years, 44.3% were female, and 77.3% were non-Hispanic White. Fractures occurred in 197 adults with AS. The overall incidence rate of fractures was 76.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 66.4-88.6) per 1,000 person-years. Older age (odds ratio [OR] 2.8, 95% CI 1.39-5.65), historical fracture (OR 5.24, 95% CI 3.44-7.99), and use of more than 30 mg morphine equivalent (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.08-3.19) conferred increased odds of fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large sample of Medicare beneficiaries with AS, increasing age, historical fracture, and use of opioids had higher odds of fracture. Men and women were equally likely to have a fracture. Because opioid use was associated with fracture in AS, this high-risk population should be considered for interventions to mitigate risk.

Structural disease modification in axial spondyloarthritis

"Disease modification" in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) seeks to not only alleviate clinical symptoms but also alter the disease's natural course by impeding new bone formation. Recent years have witnessed the effectiveness of treatments, including biologics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in managing axSpA symptoms. Emerging evidence points toward their potential impact on slowing structural disease progression. This comprehensive review centers on the pivotal role of inhibiting new bone formation in axSpA disease modification. It delves into the significance of imaging techniques for assessing disease progression and explores the disease-modifying properties of available axSpA treatments, encompassing NSAIDs, TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors. This article offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of disease modification strategies in axial spondyloarthritis, highlighting the multifaceted approaches used to attain these objectives.

ASAS consensus definition of early axial spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVES

To develop a consensual definition for the term 'early axial spondyloarthritis-axSpA'-and 'early peripheral spondyloarthritis-pSpA'.

METHODS

The ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Spondyloarthritis EARly definition) steering committee convened an international working group (WG). Five consecutive steps were followed: (1) systematic literature review (SLR); (2) discussion of SLR results within the WG and ASAS community; (3) a three-round Delphi survey inviting all ASAS members to select the items that should be considered for the definition; (4) presentation of Delphi results to the WG and ASAS community and (5) ASAS voting and endorsement (2023 annual meeting).

RESULTS

Following the SLR, consensus was to proceed with an expert-based definition for early axSpA (81% in favour) but not for pSpA (54% against). Importantly, early axSpA should be based on symptom duration taking solely axial symptoms into account. 151-164 ASAS members participated in the Delphi surveys. Consensus was achieved for considering the following items within early axSpA definition: duration of symptoms ≤2 years; axial symptoms defined as cervical/thoracic/back/buttock pain or morning stiffness; regardless of the presence/absence of radiographic damage. The WG agreed that in patients with a diagnosis of axSpA 'early axSpA' should be defined as a duration of ≤2 years of axial symptoms. Axial symptoms should include spinal/buttock pain or morning stiffness and should be considered by a rheumatologist as related to axSpA. The ASAS community endorsed this proposal (88% in favour).

CONCLUSIONS

Early axSpA has newly been defined, based on expert consensus. This ASAS definition should be adopted in research studies addressing early axSpA.

Characteristics associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes in people with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis: data from the COVID-19 PsoProtect and Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registries

OBJECTIVES

To investigate factors associated with severe COVID-19 in people with psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

METHODS

Demographic data, clinical characteristics and COVID-19 outcome severity of adults with PsO, PsA and axSpA were obtained from two international physician-reported registries. A three-point ordinal COVID-19 severity scale was defined: no hospitalisation, hospitalisation (and no death) and death. ORs were estimated using multivariable ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 5045 cases, 18.3% had PsO, 45.5% PsA and 36.3% axSpA. Most (83.6%) were not hospitalised, 14.6% were hospitalised and 1.8% died. Older age was non-linearly associated with COVID-19 severity. Male sex (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.83), cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic and cancer comorbidities (ORs 1.25-2.89), moderate/high disease activity and/or glucocorticoid use (ORs 1.39-2.23, vs remission/low disease activity and no glucocorticoids) were associated with increased odds of severe COVID-19. Later pandemic time periods (ORs 0.42-0.52, vs until 15 June 2020), PsO (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.65, vs PsA) and baseline exposure to TNFi, IL17i and IL-23i/IL-12+23i (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.73; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.87; OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.98; respectively; vs no disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) were associated with reduced odds of severe COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Older age, male sex, comorbidity burden, higher disease activity and glucocorticoid intake were associated with more severe COVID-19. Later pandemic time periods, PsO and exposure to TNFi, IL17i and IL-23i/IL-12+23i were associated with less severe COVID-19. These findings will enable risk stratification and inform management decisions for patients with PsO, PsA and axSpA during COVID-19 waves or similar future respiratory pandemics.

Recapture and retreatment rates with ixekizumab after withdrawal of therapy in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: results at week 104 from a randomised placebo-controlled withdrawal study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the recapture of response with open-label (OL) ixekizumab (IXE) retreatment at week 104 in patients with axial spondyloarthritis who flared after withdrawal of IXE therapy.

METHODS

COAST-Y (NCT03129100) is a phase III extension study that included a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised withdrawal-retreatment period (RWRP). Patients who achieved remission (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) <1.3 (inactive disease, ID) at least once at week 16 or 20 and <2.1 (low disease activity, LDA) at both visits) were randomised 2:1 at week 24 to continue IXE or withdraw to placebo. Patients who subsequently flared were switched to OL IXE every 2 or 4 weeks (Q2W or Q4W) at the next visit. The proportions of patients who recaptured ASDAS LDA and ID were summarised for those who experienced flare.

RESULTS

Of the 155 patients who entered the RWRP (placebo, n=53; IXE Q4W, n=48; IXE Q2W, n=54), 138 (89%) completed week 104. Of the placebo-treated patients (n=53), 28 (53%) experienced a flare during weeks 24-104; of these, 4 (14%) recaptured ASDAS LDA before retreatment with OL IXE, and 23 (82%) recaptured ASDAS LDA and 19 (68%) met ASDAS ID after retreatment. Of the continuously treated IXE patients (n=102), 13 experienced flare; 7 of 13 (54%) recaptured ASDAS LDA before switching to OL IXE retreatment, while 5 of 13 (38%) recaptured ASDAS LDA and 4 of 13 (31%) met ID after switching.

CONCLUSIONS

Ninety-six per cent of patients withdrawn to placebo recaptured at least ASDAS LDA and 71% recaptured ASDAS ID with IXE retreatment at week 104. This may provide support to patients who may require a brief interruption in therapy.

ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis: 2022 update

OBJECTIVES

To update the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

METHODS

Following the EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures, two systematic literature reviews were conducted on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of axSpA. In a task force meeting, the evidence was presented, discussed, and overarching principles and recommendations were updated, followed by voting.

RESULTS

Five overarching principles and 15 recommendations with a focus on personalised medicine were agreed: eight remained unchanged from the previous recommendations; three with minor edits on nomenclature; two with relevant updates (#9, 12); two newly formulated (#10, 11). The first five recommendations focus on treatment target and monitoring, non-pharmacological management and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as first-choice pharmacological treatment. Recommendations 6-8 deal with analgesics and discourage long-term glucocorticoids and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for pure axial involvement. Recommendation 9 describes the indication of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs, that is, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i)) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs, ie, Janus kinase inhibitors) for patients who have Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score ≥2.1 and failed ≥2 NSAIDs and also have either elevated C reactive protein, MRI inflammation of sacroiliac joints or radiographic sacroiliitis. Current practice is to start a TNFi or IL-17i. Recommendation 10 addresses extramusculoskeletal manifestations with TNF monoclonal antibodies preferred for recurrent uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease, and IL-17i for significant psoriasis. Treatment failure should prompt re-evaluation of the diagnosis and consideration of the presence of comorbidities (#11). If active axSpA is confirmed, switching to another b/tsDMARD is recommended (#12). Tapering, rather than immediate discontinuation of a bDMARD, can be considered in patients in sustained remission (#13). The last recommendations (#14, 15) deal with surgery and spinal fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2022 ASAS-EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance on the management of patients with axSpA.

ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis: 2022 update

OBJECTIVES

To update the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

METHODS

Following the EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures, two systematic literature reviews were conducted on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of axSpA. In a task force meeting, the evidence was presented, discussed, and overarching principles and recommendations were updated, followed by voting.

RESULTS

Five overarching principles and 15 recommendations with a focus on personalised medicine were agreed: eight remained unchanged from the previous recommendations; three with minor edits on nomenclature; two with relevant updates (#9, 12); two newly formulated (#10, 11). The first five recommendations focus on treatment target and monitoring, non-pharmacological management and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as first-choice pharmacological treatment. Recommendations 6-8 deal with analgesics and discourage long-term glucocorticoids and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for pure axial involvement. Recommendation 9 describes the indication of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs, that is, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i)) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs, ie, Janus kinase inhibitors) for patients who have Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score ≥2.1 and failed ≥2 NSAIDs and also have either elevated C reactive protein, MRI inflammation of sacroiliac joints or radiographic sacroiliitis. Current practice is to start a TNFi or IL-17i. Recommendation 10 addresses extramusculoskeletal manifestations with TNF monoclonal antibodies preferred for recurrent uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease, and IL-17i for significant psoriasis. Treatment failure should prompt re-evaluation of the diagnosis and consideration of the presence of comorbidities (#11). If active axSpA is confirmed, switching to another b/tsDMARD is recommended (#12). Tapering, rather than immediate discontinuation of a bDMARD, can be considered in patients in sustained remission (#13). The last recommendations (#14, 15) deal with surgery and spinal fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2022 ASAS-EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance on the management of patients with axSpA.

Instrument selection for the ASAS core outcome set for axial spondyloarthritis

OBJECTIVES

To define the instruments for the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology (ASAS-OMERACT) core domain set for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

METHODS

An international working group representing key stakeholders selected the core outcome instruments following a predefined process: (1) identifying candidate instruments using a systematic literature review; (2) reducing the list of candidate instruments by the working group, (3) assessing the instruments' psychometric properties following OMERACT filter 2.2, (4) selection of the core instruments by the working group and (5) voting and endorsement by ASAS.

RESULTS

The updated core set for axSpA includes seven instruments for the domains that are mandatory for all trials: Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score and Numerical Rate Scale (NRS) patient global assessment of disease activity, NRS total back pain, average NRS of duration and severity of morning stiffness, NRS fatigue, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index and ASAS Health Index. There are 9 additional instruments considered mandatory for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) trials: MRI activity Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) sacroiliac joints and SPARCC spine, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis assessed as recommended by ASAS, 44 swollen joint count, Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score, dactylitis count and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score. The imaging outcomes are considered mandatory to be included in at least one trial for a drug tested for properties of DMARD. Furthermore, 11 additional instruments were also endorsed by ASAS, which can be used in axSpA trials on top of the core instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

The selection of the instruments for the ASAS-OMERACT core domain set completes the update of the core outcome set for axSpA, which should be used in all trials.

Genomewide Association Study of Acute Anterior Uveitis Identifies New Susceptibility Loci

Purpose

Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is a common intraocular inflammatory disease. AAU occurs in 30% to 50% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and both conditions are strongly associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27, implying a shared etiology. This study aims to apply genomewide association study (GWAS) to characterize the genetic associations of AAU and their relationship to the genetics of AS.

Methods

We undertook the GWAS analyses in 2752 patients with AS with AAU (cases) and 3836 patients with AS without AAU (controls). There were 7,436,415 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) available after SNP microarray genotyping, imputation, and quality-control filtering.

Results

We identified one locus associated with AAU at genomewide significance: rs9378248 (P = 2.69 × 10⁻⁸, odds ratio [OR] = 0.78), lying close to HLA-B. Suggestive association was observed at 11 additional loci, including previously reported AS loci ERAP1 (rs27529, P = 2.19 × 10⁻⁷, OR = 1.22) and NOS2 (rs2274894, P = 8.22 × 10⁻⁷, OR = 0.83). Multiple novel suggestive associations were also identified, including MERTK (rs10171979, P = 2.56 × 10⁻⁶, OR = 1.20), KIFAP3 (rs508063, P = 5.64 × 10⁻⁷, OR = 1.20), CLCN7 (rs67412457, P = 1.33 × 10⁻⁶, OR = 1.25), ACAA2 (rs9947182, P = 9.70 × 10⁻⁷, OR = 1.37), and 5 intergenic loci. The SNP-based heritability is approximately 0.5 for AS alone, and is much higher (approximately 0.7) for AS with AAU. Consistent with the high heritability, a genomewide polygenic risk score shows strong power in identifying individuals at high risk of either AS with AAU or AS alone.

Conclusions

We report here the first GWAS for AAU and identify new susceptibility loci. Our findings confirm the strong overlap in etiopathogenesis of AAU with AS, and also provide new insights into the genetic basis of AAU.

Maintenance of clinical remission in early axial spondyloarthritis following certolizumab pegol dose reduction

Background

The best strategy for maintaining clinical remission in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) has not been defined. C-OPTIMISE compared dose continuation, reduction and withdrawal of the tumour necrosis factor inhibitor certolizumab pegol (CZP) following achievement of sustained remission in patients with early axSpA.

Methods

C-OPTIMISE was a two-part, multicentre phase 3b study in adults with early active axSpA (radiographic or non-radiographic). During the 48-week open-label induction period, patients received CZP 200 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W). At Week 48, patients in sustained remission (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) <1.3 at Weeks 32/36 and 48) were randomised to double-blind CZP 200 mg Q2W (full maintenance dose), CZP 200 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W; reduced maintenance dose) or placebo (withdrawal) for a further 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was remaining flare-free (flare: ASDAS ≥2.1 at two consecutive visits or ASDAS >3.5 at any time point) during the double-blind period.

Results

At Week 48, 43.9% (323/736) patients achieved sustained remission, of whom 313 were randomised to CZP full maintenance dose, CZP reduced maintenance dose or placebo. During Weeks 48 to 96, 83.7% (87/104), 79.0% (83/105) and 20.2% (21/104) of patients receiving the full maintenance dose, reduced maintenance dose or placebo, respectively, were flare-free (p<0.001 vs placebo in both CZP groups). Responses in radiographic and non-radiographic axSpA patients were comparable.

Conclusions

Patients with early axSpA who achieve sustained remission at 48 weeks can reduce their CZP maintenance dose; however, treatment should not be completely discontinued due to the high risk of flare following CZP withdrawal.

Trial registration number

NCT02505542, ClinicalTrials.gov.

P284 Certolizumab pegol-treated patients with non-radiographic axSpA demonstrate improvements in sleep quality and other patient reported outcomes

Background

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) treatment has demonstrated improvements in multiple manifestations of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), including patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Here, we report PROs for nr-axSpA patients treated with CZP or placebo in CaxSpAnd - the first 52-week placebo-controlled study to investigate the efficacy of an anti-TNF agent in patients with active nr-axSpA and objective signs of inflammation.

Methods

C-axSpAnd (NCT02552212) is a 3-year, phase 3, multicenter study including a 52-week double-blind, placebo-controlled period (completed); patients who had an inadequate response to ≥ 2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were randomized 1:1 to placebo or CZP (400mg at Weeks 0/2/4, then 200mg every 2 weeks). Clinical PROs included: Sleep Problems Index scores I (6 items) and II (9 items) from the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (assesses sleep disturbance, adequacy, somnolence, quantity, snoring, and awakening short of breath or with a headache), nocturnal spinal pain (numerical rating scale [NRS]), fatigue (BASDAI Q1), and morning stiffness (average of BASDAI Q5 + 6). Post-hoc analyses of minimal clinically important differences (MCID [≥1-point improvement]) for fatigue and nocturnal spinal pain were conducted. Variables were analyzed using an ANCOVA model including baseline score as a covariate and fixed effects for treatment group, region and MRI/CRP classification. P-values were nominal. Missing values following discontinuation of double-blind treatment were imputed using last observation carried forward.

Results

317 patients with nr-axSpA were randomised to CZP (n = 159) or placebo (n = 158); 125 (79%) and 54 (34%) patients, respectively, completed Week 52. CZP-treated patients showed greater improvements (indicated by higher scores) in Sleep Problems Index II scores vs placebo-treated patients at Week 12 (mean change from baseline: 4.8 [CZP] vs 2.2 [placebo]; p &lt; 0.001). Improvements were also seen in other clinical PROs (Table). By Week 12, greater proportions of patients treated with CZP vs placebo experienced at least MCID response in fatigue (85.4% vs 57.6%, respectively) and nocturnal spinal pain (82.8% vs 58.9%, respectively); results were sustained through Week 52.

Conclusion

CZP-treated nr-axSpA patients showed substantial improvements in sleep quality and other clinical outcomes important to patients; future analyses of these data will explore associations between sleep quality and other clinical PROs.

Disclosures

R. Sengupta: Other; R.S. has received speaker fees, support for conference attendance and grants from Abbvie, Biogen, Celgene, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma. L. Gensler: Grants/research support; AbbVie, Amgen, Novartis, UCB Pharma; consulting fees from Galapagos, Eli Lilly and Janssen. J. Kay: Consultancies; AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celltrion Healthcare, Horizon Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme, MorphoSys, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz and UCB Pharma. Grants/research support; Gilead Sciences, Novartis AG, Pfizer and UCB Pharma. W. Maksymowych: Other; Consultant and/or speaker fees and/or grants from AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Synarc, Sanofi and UCB Pharma. N. Haroon: Consultancies; Abbvie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and UCB Pharma. L. Bauer: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. B. Hoepken: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. N. de Peyrecave: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. T. Kumke: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. A. Deodhar: Consultancies; AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxo Smith and Klein, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. Grants/research support; BMS, Eli Lilly, Glaxo Smith & Kline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB.

P242 CZP improves work and household productivity and social participation over 1 year of treatment in patients with non-radiographic axSpA

Background

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) treatment has been shown to significantly improve work and household productivity and social participation compared to placebo in active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients up to 24 weeks. Here, we report the impact of CZP in combination with non-biologic background medication (NBBM) on signs and symptoms of nr-axSpA compared to placebo+NBBM.

Methods

C-axSpAnd (NCT02552212) is a 3-year, phase 3, multicentre study including a 52-week double-blind, placebo-controlled period (completed). Patients had active nr-axSpA, objective signs of inflammation (OSI; elevated CRP and/or positive MRI of the sacroiliac joint), previous inadequate response to ≥ 2 NSAIDs and were randomised 1:1 to CZP (400 mg at Weeks 0/2/4, then 200 mg every 2 weeks) or placebo. The validated arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey (WPS) assessed the impact of nr-axSpA on work and household productivity and social participation. Missing data were imputed using last observation carried forward (LOCF) post hoc in the Full Analysis Set (randomised patients who received ≥1 dose of CZP).

Results

317 patients were randomised (CZP: 159; placebo: 158). Mean age at baseline was 37.3 years and 51.4% of patients were female. At baseline, most patients were employed (CZP: 124 [77.8%]; placebo: 123 [78.0%]) and reported a mean 3.7 (CZP) and 3.5 (placebo) workdays missed per month due to disease (Table 1). By Week 12, work absenteeism substantially improved in the CZP group compared with placebo (0.9 vs 2.1 days missed per month, LOCF), with further improvements at Week 52 (0.3 vs 2.0 days missed per month, LOCF). Between Week 12 and Week 52, most placebo patients (104, 65.8%) switched to open-label CZP, impacting Week 52 imputed outcomes. Despite this, similar patterns of improvement following CZP treatment were seen for absenteeism, workdays with impaired productivity, household days with missed/reduced productivity and social participation between imputed and observed case data (Table 1). Improvements were similar between male and female patients (data not shown).

Conclusion

CZP treatment resulted in improvements in work and household productivity and social participation for nr-axSpA patients as early as Week 12 compared to background medication only, with benefits maintained to Week 52.

Disclosures

K. Gaffney: Other; Research Grants/Consultancy Fees from Abbvie, Biogen, Celgene, Gilead, Izana, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB Pharma. A. Deodhar: Consultancies; AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Glaxo Smith and Klein, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. Grants/research support; BMS, Eli Lilly, Glaxo Smith & Kline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. L. Gensler: Consultancies; Galapagos, Eli Lilly and Janssen. Grants/research support; AbbVie, Amgen, Novartis, UCB Pharma. J. Kay: Consultancies; AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celltrion Healthcare, Horizon Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme, MorphoSys, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz and UCB Pharma. Grants/research support; Gilead Sciences, Novartis AG, Pfizer and UCB Pharma. W. Maksymowych: Other; Consultant and/or speaker fees and/or grants from AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Synarc, Sanofi and UCB Pharma. N. Haroon: Consultancies; Abbvie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and UCB Pharma. R. Landewé: Consultancies; Abbott, Ablynx, Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Centocor, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, Wyeth. Member of speakers’ bureau; Abbott, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Centocor, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, Wyeth. Grants/research support; Abbott, Amgen, Centocor, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB Pharma, Wyeth. M. Rudwaleit: Consultancies; Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB Pharma. S. Hall: Other; Consulting fees/ research grants from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and UCB Pharma. L. Bauer: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. B. Hoepken: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. N. de Peyrecave: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. T. Kumke: Other; Employee of UCB Pharma. D. van der Heijde: Consultancies; AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Daiichi, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Other; Director of Imaging Rheumatology BV.

Validity and Responsiveness of a 10-Item Patient-Reported Measure of Physical Function in a Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinic Population

OBJECTIVE

We assessed implementation of the 10-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function form (PF-10a) in routine practice in a racially and ethnically diverse population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objectives were to determine feasibility of implementing PF-10a in the electronic health record (EHR) and PF-10a validity and longitudinal responsiveness.

METHODS

Clinical and demographic data were abstracted from EHRs for all RA patients seen at a university-based rheumatology clinic between February 2013 and February 2015. We evaluated floor and ceiling (edge) effects and construct validity of PF-10a in a subgroup of patients with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores (n = 189). We used linear mixed-effects models to assess responsiveness of PF-10a to longitudinal changes in the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) for patients in the entire clinical cohort, with both scores recorded on at least 2 encounters (n = 326).

RESULTS

Half of the patients were nonwhite, and 15% were non-English speakers. Over a 2-year period, PF10a was successfully implemented; 97% of patients and 89% of encounters had at least 1 measurement performed. PF-10a had fewer ceiling (defined as best) effects than the HAQ (8% versus 22%), and convergent validity was high (r = -0.85). PF-10a was sensitive to expected differences (older versus younger patients, more versus less active disease). Longitudinal changes in PF-10a were highly associated with changes in the CDAI score (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

PF-10a was feasible to implement in a diverse RA population. It strongly correlates with the HAQ but has fewer ceiling effects and is responsive to changes in RA disease activity, suggesting its validity for use in routine clinical practice.

National Lupus Hospitalization Trends Reveal Rising Rates of Herpes Zoster and Declines in Pneumocystis Pneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therapeutic practices have evolved over the past 15 years, but effects on infectious complications of SLE are unknown. We evaluated trends in hospitalizations for severe and opportunistic infections in a population-based SLE study.

METHODS

Data derive from the 2000 to 2011 United States National Inpatient Sample, including individuals who met a validated administrative definition of SLE. Primary outcomes were diagnoses of bacteremia, pneumonia, opportunistic fungal infection, herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus, or pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). We used Poisson regression to determine whether infection rates were changing in SLE hospitalizations and used predictive marginals to generate annual adjusted rates of specific infections.

RESULTS

We identified 361,337 SLE hospitalizations from 2000 to 2011 meeting study inclusion criteria. Compared to non-SLE hospitalizations, SLE patients were younger (51 vs. 62 years), predominantly female (89% vs. 54%), and more likely to be racial/ethnic minorities. SLE diagnosis was significantly associated with all measured severe and opportunistic infections. From 2000 to 2011, adjusted SLE hospitalization rates for herpes zoster increased more than non-SLE rates: 54 to 79 per 10,000 SLE hospitalizations compared with 24 to 29 per 10,000 non-SLE hospitalizations. Conversely, SLE hospitalizations for PCP disproportionately decreased: 5.1 to 2.5 per 10,000 SLE hospitalizations compared with 0.9 to 1.3 per 10,000 non-SLE hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with SLE, herpes zoster hospitalizations are rising while PCP hospitalizations are declining. These trends likely reflect evolving SLE treatment strategies. Further research is needed to identify patients at greatest risk for infectious complications.

Updates in adult-onset Still disease: Atypical cutaneous manifestations and associations with delayed malignancy

Adult-onset Still disease (AOSD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder that is clinically characterized by a heterogeneous constellation of symptoms and signs. Though an evanescent eruption is the classic cutaneous finding, recent literature has highlighted atypical rashes associated with Still disease. A second emerging concept in presentations of AOSD is its association with malignancy. This review focuses on these concepts: the clinical spectrum of atypical skin manifestations and AOSD as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. PubMed-MEDLINE was screened for peer-reviewed articles describing atypical presentations of AOSD and cases associated with malignancy. Erythematous, brown or violaceous, persistent papules and plaques were the most common cutaneous finding (28/30 [93%]). Linear configurations were also rarely described. Of these patients, 81% concurrently had the typical evanescent skin eruption. There were 31 patients with associated malignancies, most commonly breast cancer and lymphoma. The diagnosis of malignancy did not precede or immediately follow a clinical presentation otherwise consistent with AOSD in a considerable subset of patients (42%). Understanding the cutaneous spectrum of AOSD and heightened awareness for its delayed association with malignancy may lead to improved recognition of cutaneous variants and reinforce the need for diagnostic evaluation and long-term follow-up for malignancy in patients with this clinical presentation.

Genetic dissection of acute anterior uveitis reveals similarities and differences in associations observed with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVE

To use high-density genotyping to investigate the genetic associations of acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in patients with and those without ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

We genotyped samples from 1,711 patients with AAU (either primary or combined with AS), 2,339 AS patients without AAU, and 10,000 control subjects on an Illumina Immunochip Infinium microarray. We also used data for AS patients from previous genome-wide association studies to investigate the AS risk locus ANTXR2 for its putative effect in AAU. ANTXR2 expression in mouse eyes was investigated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A comparison between all patients with AAU and healthy control subjects showed strong association over HLA-B, corresponding to the HLA-B27 tag single-nucleotide polymorphism rs116488202. The association of 3 non-major histocompatibility complex loci, IL23R, the intergenic region 2p15, and ERAP1, reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10(-8)). Five loci harboring the immune-related genes IL10-IL19, IL18R1-IL1R1, IL6R, the chromosome 1q32 locus harboring KIF21B, as well as the eye-related gene EYS, were also associated, reaching a suggestive level of significance (P < 5 × 10(-6)). Several previously confirmed AS associations demonstrated significant differences in effect size between AS patients with AAU and AS patients without AAU. ANTXR2 expression varied across eye compartments.

CONCLUSION

These findings of both novel AAU-specific associations and associations shared with AS demonstrate overlapping but also distinct genetic susceptibility loci for AAU and AS. The associations in IL10 and IL18R1 are shared with inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting common etiologic pathways.

Neutrophilic urticaria with systemic inflammation: a case series

IMPORTANCE

Predominantly neutrophilic infiltrates are seen in a subset of patients with urticaria. The lesions tend to be less itchy and poorly responsive to standard therapy, including antihistamines. We describe 2 patients having neutrophilic urticaria with systemic inflammation (NUSI) without known connective tissue disorder or malignancy. We propose the term NUSI to help classify a previously undefined multisystemic inflammatory entity likely mediated by interleukin 1 (IL-1).

OBSERVATIONS

Patient 1, a 47-year-old woman, was seen with urticaria and associated night sweats, fevers, and polyarticular arthritis. Acute-phase reactants were elevated with worsening of symptoms. Initial treatment with a combination of topical and systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, and immunosuppressants was unsuccessful. A 100% clinical resolution was achieved with anakinra, an IL-1 receptor antagonist. Patient 2, a 24-year-old woman, was seen with urticaria and associated joint pain and swelling. Initial treatment included a combination of antihistamines, colchicine, and dapsone. Only colchicine provided moderate benefit but was stopped because of significant gastrointestinal tract discomfort. Anakinra was initiated; the patient achieved 100% control while receiving daily therapy.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The diagnosis of NUSI is important to consider in patients who are seen with antihistamine-resistant urticaria in combination with systemic inflammatory symptoms. Interleukin 1 blockade is a viable option for therapy.

Recognition and treatment of juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to discuss the classification, diagnosis and management of juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis.

RECENT FINDINGS

There have been changes in the classification criteria for juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis and magnetic resonance imaging has allowed for earlier detection of disease. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers have been shown to be effective in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. There is evidence to suggest that early treatment may lead to better response. A high percentage of patients with enthesitis-related arthritis progress to develop ankylosing spondylitis within 10 years after presentation. Patients with juvenile-onset ankylosing spondylitis appear to have poorer functional outcomes.

SUMMARY

Juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis has variable clinical features that may lead to significant impairments. Improved classification criteria exist, but better techniques that are more sensitive are needed to diagnose disease earlier. New therapies appear to improve outcomes, but randomized controlled trials are needed in this population of patients.