AB0537 PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS BURDEN, QUALITY OF LIFE AND FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IMPAIRMENTS IN PATIENTS INITIATED ON APREMILAST IN THE ROUTINE CARE IN GREECE: INTERIM RESULTS FROM THE MULTICENTER PROSPECTIVE STUDY “APROACH”

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with substantial psychosocial burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional ability impairments.

Objectives:

To characterize the profile of patients with PsA initiating therapy with apremilast in routine care settings, in terms of the physician-assessed clinical disease burden and the patient-reported generic and disease-related HRQoL and functional disability.

Methods:

This is an ongoing 52-week multicenter, prospective study conducted in the Greek healthcare environment. Eligible patients are bio-naïve adults with active peripheral PsA, inadequate (within the first 12 months of treatment) response/intolerance to a prior conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD), and no prior use of tofacitinib, initiating apremilast as per the approved label. Data are being collected by physician assessments, as performed in routine clinical practice, and by patient-reported outcomes. 170 patients enrolled in the study; data at apremilast initiation (baseline) from the first 100 eligible consenting patients are presented in this interim analysis as per protocol.

Results:

99 evaluable patients were consecutively enrolled in 19 rheumatology departments between 15-Apr-2019 and 13-Jan-2020. At baseline (Table 1) [mean (SD) age: 53.8 (11.7) years], 43.4% of the patients had at least one (30.3% had ≥2) ongoing comorbidity other than PsA/PSO. The median [interquartile range (IQR)] PsA and psoriasis duration were 1.9 (1.0-3.5) and 7.5 (3.9-16.8) years, respectively. All subjects were on csDMARD while 24.2% received combination therapy, oral non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (32.3%), topical treatments (20.2%) and systemic steroids (11.1%). Based on the Clinical Disease Activity in PsA (cDAPSA) score, 58.6% of the patients had moderate, and 29.3% high disease activity. In the EuroQol (EQ) 5-Dimensions (5D) 5-Levels questionnaire, 93.9, 82.8, 82.8, 73.7, and 51.5% of the patients reported problems in ‘pain/discomfort’, ‘anxiety/depression’, ‘usual activities’, ‘mobility’, and ‘self-care’, respectively. The median (IQR) baseline UK-weighted EQ-5D index and EQ-Visual Analogue Scale scores were 0.55 (0.44-0.70) and 50.0 (40.0-70.0), respectively. The median (IQR) Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and mean (SD) PsA Impact of Disease 12-item (PsAID12) scores were 1.0 (0.5-1.4) and 4.6 (2.0), respectively.

Conclusion:

More than 8 out of 10 bio-naïve patients initiated on apremilast in the routine clinical care in Greece have at least moderate disease activity, active psoriasis, and problems with pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, and performance of usual activities at a median of 2 years post-diagnosis. HAQ-DI and PsAID12 scores indicate moderate impairment of physical functionality and PsA-related HRQoL. The findings underscore considerable disease burden early in the disease course.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics

N%/Mean/MedianWomen, %57/9957.6Peripheral joint involvement only, %92/9992.9Polyarthritis (≥5 joints), %69/9969.7cDAPSA (range: 0-154), median (IQR)9922.0 (16.0-29.0)Number of SJC (0-66) / TJC (0-68), median (IQR)994 (2-8) / 6 (2-10)Active psoriasis (BSA>0%), %83/9983.8BSA score, median (IQR)77/835.0 (2.0-12.0)Nail involvement, %38/9639.6Enthesitis and/or dactylitis, %30/9531.6Dactylitis, %11/9511.6Finger and toe Dactylitis Severity Score (DSS) (range: 0-60), median (IQR)10/112.0 (1.0-6.0)Enthesitis, %22/9523.2 LEI score (range: 0-14), median (IQR)222.0 (1.0-2.0)Extra-articular manifestations (mainly fatigue), %10/9910.1Comorbidities in ≥15% of the patientsHypertension, Essential hypertension, %23/9923.2Dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, (type V) hyperlipidemia, %15/9915.2Total PsAID12 score (range: 0-10), mean (SD)984.6 (2.0)Total HAQ-DI score (range: 0-3), median (IQR)991.0 (0.5-1.4)

Disclosure of Interests:

PELAGIA KATSIMPRI Speakers bureau: Janssen, Genesis pharma, Novartis, Abbvie, UCB, Hospital Line, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Consultant of: Janssen, Genesis pharma, Novartis, Abbvie, UCB, Hospital Line, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, GenesisPharma, Νovartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Janssen, MSD, Gkikas Katsifis Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Aenorasis, Amgen, Genesis Pharma, Bausch Health, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Aenorasis, Amgen, Genesis Pharma, Bausch Health, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, UCB, GEORGIOS VOSVOTEKAS Speakers bureau: MSD, Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Dimitrios Bogdanos Speakers bureau: Menarini, Novartis, Consultant of: Fresenius Kabi Hellas, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Aenorasis, Elpen, Genesis Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lilly, Prodromos Sidiropoulos Grant/research support from: University of Crete Special Account for Research and pharma, Periklis Vounotrypidis Speakers bureau: Genesis Pharma, MSD, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Genesis Pharma, MSD, Novartis, Athanasios Georgountzos Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Genesis Pharma, Janssen, Mylan SAS, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Andreas Bounas: None declared., Alexandros Garyfallos Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BGP, Roche, Consultant of: Genesis Pharma, UCB, Pfizer, Sousana Gazi: None declared., Panagiotis Georgiou Grant/research support from: Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, UCB, Evaggelia Kataxaki Speakers bureau: Novartis, Charalampos Papagoras Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Novartis, Genesis, Lilly, Biogen, Aenorasis, GSK, Pfizer, ANTONIA ELEZOGLOU: None declared., Stamatis-Nick Liossis: None declared., Athanasios Tzioufas Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Genesis Pharma, GSK, Horizon, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Paraskevi Voulgari Speakers bureau: GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, UCB, Consultant of: GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, UCB, FOTEINI SATRA TZOUFRA Employee of: GENESIS PHARMA S.A., ZAFEIRIOS ANAGNOSTOPOULOS Employee of: GENESIS PHARMA S.A., NIKOLAOS ANTONAKOPOULOS Employee of: GENESIS PHARMA S.A., Petros Sfikakis Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, GenesisPharma, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, GenesisPharma, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, GenesisPharma, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB.

AB0208 ASSOCIATION OF RHEUMATOID FACTOR, HLA-DRB1 SHARED EPITOPE (SE) AND SMOKING WITH RADIOGRAPHIC OUTCOME IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Genetic and environmental factors interact in aetiopathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, it remains unclear whether current smoking, presence of Rheumatoid factor (RF) and HLA-DRB1 SE influence the radiographic outcome.

Objectives:

To clarify the possible associations between radiographic outcome, HLA-DRB1 SE, RF and smoking status in patients with longstanding RA.

Methods:

An observational study of 240 consecutive Greek patients with RA, whose mean age and mean disease duration was 65.31±12.5 and 12.7±11.8 years respectively. Among them 74.17% were female, 40% were smokers, 60.42% had positive RF and 68.33% possessed at least one SE allele. HLA-DRB1 alleles were typed by molecular techniques (PCR-SSOP and SSP). X-rays of hands and feet were performed and scored by the Sharp-van der Hejde score (SHS) method.

Results:

Results were stratified by RF and smoking status and analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Overall, the mean SHS was significantly higher in RF positive than RF negative patients and in smokers than non-smokers (52.76±31.1 vs 38.4±31.96, p: 0.0007, 55.33±38.56 vs 26.8±22.32, p <0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, patients that possessed at least one SE allele had higher SHS than SE negative (35.49±24.76 vs 25.74±19.22, p: 0.0013). An association between radiographic severity and SE was found in RF positive patients. More specifically, seropositive patients carrying at least one SE allele had higher SHS than those lacking SE (40.85±33.21 vs 29.23±24.72, p: 0.037). On the other hand, smokers with at least one SE allele had higher SHS when compared to smokers without SE (29.27±25.20 vs 20±17.22, p: 0.048). Among RF negative and non-smokers RA patients, no significant association was found between the presence of HLA-DRB1 SE and radiographic severity.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate that in longstanding RA there is an association between RF positivity, the presence of SE, current smoking status and radiographic outcome.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB1201 INCREASING RATES OF INFLUENZA VACCINATION COVERAGE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: DATA FROM A MULTICENTER, LONGITUDINAL COHORT STUDY OF 1,406 PATIENTS

Background:

Despite the increased incidence of influenza infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, vaccination coverage has been shown to be suboptimal. Prospective data regarding the current rate and predictors of influenza vaccination adherence in RA patients are limited.

Objectives:

To calculate the current rate and predictors of influenza vaccination in a real-life, prospective, longitudinal RA cohort.

Methods:

Data regarding demographics, disease characteristics, treatments and co-morbidities from a multi-center, longitudinal cohort of Greek RA patients were collected at baseline and ~ 3 years later. Disease and patient characteristics were compared between patients with at least one influenza vaccine administration and non-vaccinated ones, during the 3 year follow-up period.

Results:

From a cohort of 1,569 RA patients, 1,406 with available vaccination data at baseline and 3 years later (mean interval: 2.9 years) were included; (women: 80.4%, mean age: 61.8 years, mean disease duration: 9.7 years, RF and/or anti-CCP positive: 50.4%, mean DAS-28 = 3.33, mean HAQ: 0.44, bDMARD use: 44.8%). At baseline, 54.2% of patients reported influenza vaccination in the past (31.8% during the previous season), while during the 3 year follow-up period, 81% had ≥1 influenza vaccinations (p=<0.001). Patients who received ≥1 influenza vaccine were older (63.5 vs. 54.7 years, p<0.001), were more likely to be seropositive (59.2% vs. 45.2%, p<0.001), had higher HAQ (0.46 vs. 0.36, p=0.02) and BMI (27.7 vs. 26.9, p=0.02) at baseline, more likely to be treated with bDMARDs (46.8% vs. 36.4%, p<0.001) and more likely to have chronic lung disease (9.7% vs. 5.3%, p=0.02), dyslipidemia (36.4% vs. 24.2%, p<0.001), hypertension (46.1% vs. 29.2%, p<0.001) and to report vaccination against influenza the previous season before baseline evaluation (34.9% vs. 18.2%, p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, history of influenza vaccination during the last season before baseline (OR=1.87, CI: 1.27-2.74, p=0.001), bDMARD treatment (OR=1.51, CI: 1.07-2.13, p=0.018) and age (OR=1.05, CI: 1.04-1.06, p<0.001) were independent predictors of influenza vaccination.

Conclusion:

In this ongoing, longitudinal, prospective, real-life RA cohort study, a significant increase in the influenza vaccination coverage was noted (from 53% to 81%). Influenza vaccination was independently associated with recent history of influenza vaccination, older age, and bDMARD treatment.

Acknowledgments:

Supported by grants from the Greek Rheumatology Society and Professional Association of Rheumatologists.

Disclosure of Interests:

Konstantinos Thomas: None declared, Argyro Lazarini: None declared, Evripidis Kaltsonoudis: None declared, Alexandros Drosos: None declared, ARGYRO REPA: None declared, Prodromos Sidiropoulos: None declared, Kalliopi Fragkiadaki: None declared, Maria Tektonidou Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis and Pfizer, Petros Sfikakis Grant/research support from: Grant/research support from Abvie, Novartis, MSD, Actelion, Amgen, Pfizer, Janssen Pharmaceutical, UCB, Panagiota Tsatsani: None declared, Sousana Gazi: None declared, Pelagia Katsimbri: None declared, Dimitrios Boumpas: None declared, Evangelia Argyriou: None declared, Kyriaki Boki: None declared, Gerasimos Evangelatos: None declared, Alexios Iliopoulos: None declared, Konstantina Karagianni: None declared, Lazaros Sakkas: None declared, Konstantinos Melissaropoulos: None declared, Panagiotis Georgiou: None declared, Eleftheria Grika: None declared, PANAYIOTIS VLACHOYIANNOPOULOS: None declared, Theodoros Dimitroulas: None declared, Alexandros Garyfallos Grant/research support from: MSD, Aenorasis SA, Speakers bureau: MSD, Novartis, gsk, Constantinos Georganas: None declared, Periklis Vounotrypidis: None declared, Konstantinos Ntelis: None declared, Maria Areti: None declared, George D Kitas: None declared, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos: None declared

Magnetic activated cell sorting: an effective method for reduction of sperm DNA fragmentation in varicocele men prior to assisted reproductive techniques

Semen parameters of varicocele men have been usually suspected to exhibit higher levels of abnormalities including DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic markers. Negative correlation between increased level of DNA fragmentation and assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome has been studied by several authors. In the current study, we aim to evaluate the possible value of magnetic activated cell sorting (MACs) technology in reduction of DNA fragmentation in infertile varicocele patients prior to ART. Semen samples, collected from 36 varicocele patients, were prepared by density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Every sample was subsequently divided into two aliquots. One aliquot was kept untouched as pre-MACs control while the other aliquot was subjected to MACs technique, for depletion of apoptotic spermatozoa, and serves as post-MACs test. Sperm count, motility and DNA fragmentations were evaluated for both control and test samples. Post-MACs samples showed no deleterious reduction in total sperm motility (80.64 ± 6.97%) compared with control samples (80.97 ± 7.74%) while sperm DNA fragmentations were significantly reduced in post-MACs samples (9.61 ± 5.62%) compared with pre-MACs controls (12.43 ± 6.29%) (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that MACs technique is a simple, noninvasive, technique that can efficiently reduce DNA fragmentation in infertile varicocele patients prior to ART.

AC conductivity of a niobium thin film in a swept magnetic field

We report results of measurements of the ac conductivity of a Nb superconducting thin film in a swept dc magnetic field. In the mixed state the swept dc field creates vortices at the film surface which pass through the film and form the observed ac conductivity. Vortex rate generation does not depend on the value of the dc field and there is a large plateau-like region of dc magnetic fields where the dissipation is approximately constant. A proposed phenomenological model describes quite well the main features of the ac response in these fields, including its dependency on the sweep rate, ac amplitude, frequency, and value of the second and third harmonics.

The effect of olive oil and fish consumption on rheumatoid arthritis--a case control study

In an interview based, case control study of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 168 cases and 137 controls were included. Patients and controls were interviewed with regard to a variety of socioeconomic, medical and dietary factors. During univariate analysis it was found that RA cases consumed significantly less olive oil and fish and adhered more rarely to the dietary restrictions traditional in Orthodox lent than controls. Applying multiple logistic analysis though (by which several variables were controlled for), only the association with olive oil consumption and lent adherence remained significant. More specifically; an increase in olive oil consumption by two times per week, resulted in a Relative Risk (RR) for development of RA of 0.49, whereas adherence to lent during the 27 weeks per year prescribed by the Orthodox Church, resulted in a RR of 0.33. We conclude that olive oil consumption and adherence to Orthodox lent may have a protective effect on the development and/or the severity of RA. This is a hypothesis generated by the present study that needs verification.

The natural history of the osteoporotic vertebral fracture

The clinical picture of the osteoporotic fractures of the spine presents an heterogeneity in their intensity and duration. In 210 cases of osteoporotics with acute pain and radiological evidence of spinal fracture we separate their clinical picture in two groups. In Type I (121 cases) pain is acute and severe, improving gradually; the vertebral wedging is obvious from the beginning and remain unchanged. The duration of this event exceeds 4-8 weeks. In Type II (89 cases) pain is less and of shorter duration, but after 6-16 weeks a new attack of acute pain presents. This picture can be repeated for 6-18 months. Radiologically the fracture is not clear during the first attack but wedging gradually developed during the next months. Bone density of the lumbar spine (DPA) was measured in all cases. Type I had a significantly lower BMC than Type II. We suggest that patients with unclear vertebral fractures, minor symptoms and relatively high bone mass must classified in Group II and deterioration can occur during the next months. Long term treatment and additional orthopaedic prevention is needed. In Group I a short term calcitonin treatment helps early relief and mobilization.