Speciality training in rheumatology: Promotion, repetition and dropout rates in the city of Buenos Aires

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the trajectory of students enrolled in the specialty training in rheumatology.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis (2009-2016). Promotion, repetition, and dropout rates were determined. Analysis was performed to define variables associated with academic success.

RESULTS

Out of 119 students, the actual promotion rate was 66.4%, 11.8% failed an exam (at least) and completed the course after the stipulated time, and the dropout rate was 7.6%. Among residents, the promotion rate was 82.5% vs. 48.2% among the rest (p < 0.001), the lagging students' repetition rate was 3.2% vs. 21.4% among the rest (p 0.005), and the dropout rate was 3.2% vs. 12.5% among the rest (p = 0.06). A higher average score in medical school increased the chances of success in the postgraduate programme (OR 3.41 CI 95% 2.0-6.4; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The residency was associated with higher rates of academic success in postgraduate studies. The average score in medical school can help identify students at risk of failure.

Active lupus in Argentina: Results of a multicenter and national registry

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between patients' characteristics and disease activity in an Argentine lupus registry.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. Disease activity was stratified into: Remission off-treatment: SLEDAI = 0, without prednisone and immunosuppressive drugs. Low disease activity Toronto Cohort (LDA-TC): SLEDAI ≤2, without prednisone or immunosuppressive drugs. Modified lupus low disease activity (mLLDAS): SLEDAI score of ≤4, with no activity in major organ systems and no new features, prednisone of ≤10 mg/day and/or immunosuppressive drugs (maintenance dose) and Active disease: SLEDAI score of >4 and prednisone >10 mg/day and immunosuppressive drugs. A descriptive analysis and logistic regression model were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1346 patients were included. Of them, 1.6% achieved remission off steroids, 0.8% LDA-TC, 12.1% mLLDAS and the remaining 85.4% had active disease. Active disease was associated with younger age (p ≤ 0.001), a shorter time to diagnosis (p ≤ 0.001), higher frequency of hospitalizations (p ≤ 0.001), seizures (p = 0.022), serosal disease (p ≤ 0.001), nephritis (p ≤ 0.001), higher SDI (p ≤ 0.001), greater use of immunosuppressive therapies and higher doses of prednisone compared to those on mLLDAS. In the multivariable analysis, the variables associated with active disease were the presence of pleuritis (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.9; p = 0.007), persistent proteinuria (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.5; p ≤ 0.011), nephritis (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.6; p = .018) and hospitalizations (OR 8.9, 95% CI 5.3-16.0; p ≤ 0.001) whereas age at entry into the registry was negatively associated with it (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9-1.0; p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Active disease was associated with shorter time to diagnosis, worse outcomes (SDI and hospitalizations) and renal, neurological and serosal disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis monotherapy in the Jak inhibitors Era. Current prevalence and associated factors in a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Combined therapy constitutes the standard of care in RA. Jak inhibitors (Jaki) have shown efficacy in monotherapy, a modality used in cases where it is not possible to use Disease-Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (csDMARDs).

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence (total and by drug), reason for using and the increase over the time of bDMARDs or tsDMARDs as monotherapy after the availability of the Jaki. To analyze the differential characteristics between patients with monotherapy vs combined therapy.

METHODS

Cross-sectional multicenter study. Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of RA (ACR/EULAR 2010) under treatment with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs started from 2013 were included. Socio-demographic, clinic, and therapeutic data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 505 RA patients were included. Since 2013, the prevalence of monotherapy usage was (any) 49%. The drugs used as monotherapy were Jaki in 41% and TNF-blockers in 30%. The leading causes of monotherapy use were intolerance/adverse events (62%), medical decision or lack of adherence (37.7%). The highest socioeconomic level and a better functional status at diagnosis were predictors of monotherapy use. The use of the second line of treatments and less polypharmacy were independent factors associated with this therapeutic modality.

CONCLUSIONS

The current prevalence of monotherapy in RA was 49%, the Jaki were the most used drug in this modality. Monotherapy increases from year to year. There are differential characteristics in patients using monotherapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis monotherapy in the Jak inhibitors Era. Current prevalence and associated factors in a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Combined therapy constitutes the standard of care in RA. Jak inhibitors (Jaki) have shown efficacy in monotherapy, a modality used in cases where it is not possible to use Disease-Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs (csDMARDs).

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence (total and by drug), reason for using and the increase over the time of bDMARDs or tsDMARDs as monotherapy after the availability of the Jaki. To analyze the differential characteristics between patients with monotherapy vs combined therapy.

METHODS

Cross-sectional multicenter study. Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of RA (ACR/EULAR 2010) under treatment with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs started from 2013 were included. Socio-demographic, clinic, and therapeutic data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 505 RA patients were included. Since 2013, the prevalence of monotherapy usage was (any) 49%. The drugs used as monotherapy were Jaki in 41% and TNF-blockers in 30%. The leading causes of monotherapy use were intolerance/adverse events (62%), medical decision or lack of adherence (37.7%). The highest socioeconomic level and a better functional status at diagnosis were predictors of monotherapy use. The use of the second line of treatments and less polypharmacy were independent factors associated with this therapeutic modality.

CONCLUSIONS

The current prevalence of monotherapy in RA was 49%, the Jaki were the most used drug in this modality. Monotherapy increases from year to year. There are differential characteristics in patients using monotherapy.

Primary Sjögren syndrome and development of another autoimmune rheumatic disease during the follow-up

Background

Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with its main target being exocrine glands, and is the connective tissue disease more frequently associated with other autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of another autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) developed in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) patients and to describe it’s clinical, serological and histologic characteristics.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. Data of patients with pSS diagnosis (American-European criteria 2002), included in the GESSAR database (Grupo de Estudio Síndrome de Sjögren, Sociedad Argentina de Reumatología) were analyzed. The development of a second ARD was registered during the follow up.

Results

681 patients were included, 94.8% female. The mean age was 54 (SD 14) years and mean age at diagnosis of 50 (SD 13) years. The mean follow-up was 4.7 (SD 4.9) years; 30 patients (4.41%, CI 95%: 3.1–5.7) developed a second ARD during the follow up, incidence rate was 9.1/1000 patients-year (IR 95%: 5.8–12.4/1000 patients-year), the most frequent being rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 96% out of these 30 patients had xerophthalmia, 86.2% xerostomia, 92% positive Schirmer test, 88.24% positive Rosa Bengala test, lisamine green or Ocular Staining Score, 81.2% positive unstimulated salivary flow, 82.1% Ro(+) and 33.33% La(+). Minor salivary gland biopsy had been performed in 14 of the 30 patients, 12 with positive results. There were no statistically significant differences respect baseline characteristics when comparing the patients who developed another ARD to the ones that did not.

Conclusions

Of all the patients analyzed, 4.4% presented another ARD during their follow-up. It is important to be aware of this, to make an early and proper diagnosis and treatment of our patients.

AB0389 EVOLUTION OF MONOTHERAPY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: IMPACT OF THE RISE OF JAK INHIBITOR

Background

According to different international registries, the frequency of use of biological agents in monotherapy in RA ranges from 12 to 39%. Targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs-Jaki) have shown great efficacy when used as monotherapy. The rationale for this study is based on the fact that the frequency has increased with the appearance of the Jaki.

Objectives

To estimate the frequency and reason of the use of biological drugs (bDMARDs) or tsDMARDs in monotherapy since 2013 (Year the Jaki were available in Argentina). To describe the frequency of monotherapy by treatment class and analyze the differential characteristics.

Methods

Retrospective and cross-sectional multicenter study (10 reference centers from Argentina). Consecutive patients, ≥18 years, diagnosis of RA (ACR / EULAR 2010), who were under treatment with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs, started after 2013. Socio-demographic, disease and therapeutic data were collected.

Statistical analysis

descriptive statistics, Chi2 test, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s T test and Mann Whitney were performed, according to the nature of the variables. A p <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Total 505 patients were included, 87.7% women, with a mean age 58 years (SD ± 13.5) and disease duration of 13 years (SD ± 7.8). Treatment: TNF blocker 42.1%, JAKi 30.3%, IL-6 blocker 10.9% and other treatments 16.8%.

Since 2013, the frequency of monotherapy was 49% (95% CI: 45-53), in the last visit the current frequency was 41% (95% CI 37-45),of this 40% received JAKi. JAKi and IL-6 blocker were the treatments that were used more frequently in monotherapy vs combination modality (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

The main causes of monotherapy were intolerance (39.9%), adverse event (22%), physician’s decision (20.2%) and lack of adherence (17.7%) to DMARDs. Patients who were active workers (64% vs 55%, p <0.05), with higher socioeconomic status (31.4% vs 17.2% p <0.01), better mean HAQ at diagnosis (1.1 vs 1.3, p <0.05) an association was observed with monotherapy. In addition, an association was observed with the use of monotherapy in patients in the 2nd biological line or higher vs 1st line (53% vs 33%, p <0.01), lower polypharmacy (45.6% vs 60%, p <0.02) and a shorter mean time of biological treatment (47 months vs 39 months, p <0.01). These variables were entered in a logistic regression model, the results of the independently associated variables are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.VariablepORCI 95%Employment status (active).0,1911,3270,8682,029Socioeconomic level (medium-high stratum)0,0022,151,3233,494HAQ at diagnosis, M (SD)0,0190,7040,5240,944First Line of biological treatment or Jaki (yes)0,020,4590,30,7Polypharmacy (>4 drugs) (yes)0,0180,6030,3950,918bDMARDs or tsDMARDs exposure time (months)0,0540,9940,9871

Conclusion

The frequency of monotherapy, since the Jaki’s emergence, was 49% (all follow-up) and 41% (current-last visit). Intolerance to cDMARDs doctor and the patient decision were the main cause. The monotherapy use pattern was greater in those who received JAKi and anti IL6. The use of monotherapy was associated with work activity, socioeconomic status, and functional capacity at diagnosis. An association was also observed with less polypharmacy.

References

[1]Smolen JS, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79:685–699.

[2]Emery P, Sebba A, Huizinga TW. Ann Rheum Dis.2013;72(12):1897–904.

[3]F. Sommerfleck et al. Rev Arg Reumatol. 2013;24(4): 30-36

[4]Aletaha D, Neogi T, Silman AJ,et al. Arthritis Rheum 2010. 2010;62(9):2569–81.

Disclosure of Interests

Rodrigo Garcia Salinas Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Lilly, BMS, Jassen, Novartis, boehringer ingelheim, Consultant of: Lilly, Jassen, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Fernando Sommerfleck Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Janssen, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Alfredo Vargas Caselles: None declared, Luis Palomino Romero: None declared, Javier Rosa: None declared, Mariana Benegas: None declared, Etel Saturansky: None declared, Pamela Giorgis: None declared, Florencia Martinez: None declared, Marcelo Abdala: None declared, Jimena Sanchez Alcover: None declared, Emma Estela Civit De Garignani: None declared, Gabriela Vanesa Espasa: None declared, Verónica Inés Bellomio: None declared, Juan Manuel Bande: None declared, Silvia Papasidero: None declared, Veronica Saurit: None declared, Leticia Ibañez Zurlo: None declared, Emilio Buschiazzo: None declared

POS0707 POTENTIAL USE OF BELIMUMAB IN LUPUS PATIENTS FROM ARGENTINE COHORT ACCORDING DISEASE ACTIVITY STATE

Background

The goal of targeted treatment in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is to achieve clinical remission or low disease activity, with the best quality of life, low damage rates and better survival 1-4. RELESSAR is a multicenter, cross-sectional study registry of ≥18 years SLE (ACR 97) patients 5.

Objectives

To describe demographic, clinical characteristics and treatments in SLE patients according to disease activity state. To evaluate the proportion of SLE and refractory SLE patients that are potentially candidates for Belimumab treatment (Active SLE despite standard treatment including increased acDNA autoantibodies and low complement).

Methods

We evaluated demographic and clinical data, treatments, score of damage (SLICC), activity (SLEDAI) and comorbidity (Charlson), hospital admissions and severe infections. The patients were compared according to disease activity: remission (SLEDAI = 0 and without corticosteroids), low disease activity (LDA, SLEDAI> 0 and ≤4 and without corticosteroids) and non-optimal control (SLEDAI> 4 and any dose of corticosteroids). Refractory SLE was defined according to Rituximab (RTX) use, non-response to cyclophosphamide or two or more immunosuppressant or splenectomized patients. Potential use of Belimumab according approved prescription in Argentina was analyzed.

Results

Overall, 1277 patients were analyzed: 299 (23.4%) were in remission, 162 (12.7%) in LDA and 816 (63.9%) with non-optimal control of the disease.

Patients in non-optimal control group were younger, less frequently female and they showed less time of disease and lower socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). They were also more prevalent mestizos (p= 0.004), had higher SLEDAI and SLICC indexes (p <0.001) and higher use of immunosuppressant therapy (p <0.001). There was no difference regarding biologic treatment (RTX p= 0.547 and Belimumab p= 0.08). This group had higher proportion of hospital admissions and severe infections (p<0.001, respectively).

Two hundred and one SLE patients fulfilled the use of Belimumab prescription criteria but only 45/201 patients (22,3%) received it in the last visit. Malar rash was the only clinical variable associated with the use of Belimumab (72.7% vs 29.8% p= 0.005).

Seventy-six patients classified as refractory SLE (15.7%) and 56/76 (75.7%) never received Belimumab. Patients on Belimumab therapy were associated to treatment with lower doses of corticoids (p= 0.018) and lower rate of hospital admission caused by SLE flare (p= 0.027).

Conclusion

A high percentage of patients had uncontrolled disease upon entry into the registry and were potential candidates for treatment with Belimumab. The patients who received biologic treatment showed the benefit of requiring fewer doses of corticosteroids and having a lower rate of hospitalizations.

References

[1]Mok CC. Treat-to-target in systemic lupus erythematosus: Are we there yet? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2016;9(5).

[2]Morand EF, Mosca M. Treat to target, remission and low disease activity in SLE. Vol. 31, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology. 2017.

[3]Golder V, Tsang-A-Sjoe MWP. Treatment targets in SLE: Remission and low disease activity state. Rheumatol (United Kingdom). 2020;59.

[4]Ruiz-Irastorza G, Bertsias G. Treating systemic lupus erythematosus in the 21st century: new drugs and new perspectives on old drugs. Vol. 59, Rheumatology (United Kingdom). 2021.

[5]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum [Internet]. 1997;40(9):1725. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9324032

Disclosure of Interests

Rosana Quintana: None declared, Lucila Garcia: None declared, Paula Alba: None declared, Susana Roverano: None declared, Analia Alvarez: None declared, Cesar Graf: None declared, Cecilia Pisoni: None declared, Alberto Spindler: None declared, Catalina Gomez: None declared, Heber Matias Figueredo: None declared, Silvia Papasidero: None declared, Raul Horacio Paniego: None declared, Maria DeLaVega: None declared, Emma Estela Civit De Garignani: None declared, Luciana Gonzalez Lucero: None declared, Victoria Martire: None declared, Rodrigo Águila Maldonado: None declared, Sergio Gordon: None declared, Carla Gobbi: None declared, Romina Nieto: None declared, Gretel Rausch: None declared, Vanina Góngora: None declared, Maria Agustina D´Amico: None declared, Diana Dubinsky: None declared, Alberto Omar Orden: None declared, Johana Zacariaz: None declared, Julia Romero: None declared, Mariana Alejandra Pera: None declared, Oscar Rillo: None declared, Roberto Baez: None declared, Valeria Arturi: None declared, Andrea Gonzalez: None declared, Florencia Vivero: None declared, Marcela Schmid: None declared, Victor Caputo: None declared, Maria Silvia Larroude: None declared, Graciela Gomez: None declared, Graciela Rodriguez: None declared, Josefina Marin: None declared, Maria Victoria Collado: None declared, Marisa Jorfen: None declared, Zaida Bedran: None declared, Judith Sarano: None declared, David Zelaya: None declared, MONICA SACNUN: None declared, Pablo Finucci: None declared, Romina Rojas Tessel: None declared, Maria Emilia Sattler: None declared, MAXIMILIANO MACHADO ESCOBAR: None declared, Pablo Astesana: None declared, Ursula Vanesa Paris: None declared, Alberto Allievi: None declared, Juan Manuel Vandale: None declared, Bernardo Pons-Estel: None declared, Guillermo Pons-Estel: None declared, Mercedes García Grant/research support from: GSK grant

AB0511 SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS DISEASE ACTIVITY SCORE (SLE- DAS) VALIDATION IN ARGENTINIAN PATIENTS

Background

Many activity indices have been developed for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. However, they present important limitations due to the multi-organ compromise.

The SLEDAI score and its different versions are widely used in daily practice and in clinical research.

Diogo Jesus et al (2018) developed the SLE-DAS (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Score), that include 17 items, 4 of them continuous. SLE-DAS assesses disease activity in the 28 previous days using an online calculator, with clinical characteristics non-evaluated by SLEDAI. It showed greater precision to measure disease activity, greater sensitivity to detect clinically significant changes and better performance to predict accumulated damage than SLEDAI. It has not yet been validated in Argentina.

Objectives

To determine the validity of the SLE-DAS score in a population of patients with SLE from Argentina.

Methods

A multicenter observational study was conducted. Outpatients and hospitalized patients with SLE from 9 Argentinian centers were included between July to August 2021. Socio-demographic and disease variables were studied and SLE activity was measured by physician’s global assessment (PGA), SLEDAI 2K and SLE-DAS. The disease activity categories used for SLE-DAS were: remission ≤2.08; mild activity >2.08 to 7.10, moderate and severe activity >7.10. For SLEDAI 2K, remission was considered 0, mild activity 1 to 5, moderate 6 to 10, high 11 to 19, very high >20 points.

To determine construct validity and criterion validity, SLEDAI 2K and PGA were used as the gold standard and correlation between scores was analyzed with the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity of the points that define each of the activity levels were established by ROC curves to determine the discriminative capacity of SLE-DAS.

Results

A multicenter observational study was conducted. Outpatients and hospitalized patients with SLE from 9 Argentinian centers were included between July to August 2021. Socio-demographic and disease variables were studied and SLE activity was measured by physician’s global assessment (PGA), SLEDAI 2K and SLE-DAS. The disease activity categories used for SLE-DAS were: remission ≤2.08; mild activity >2.08 to 7.10, moderate and severe activity >7.10. For SLEDAI 2K, remission was considered 0, mild activity 1 to 5, moderate 6 to 10, high 11 to 19, very high >20 points.

To determine construct validity and criterion validity, SLEDAI 2K and PGA were used as the gold standard and correlation between scores was analyzed with the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity of the points that define each of the activity levels were established by ROC curves to determine the discriminative capacity of SLE-DAS.

Conclusion

In this population of lupus patients from Argentina, the SLE-DAS allowed to discriminate between remission and disease activity, being a useful and practical tool.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Multicenter lupus register from Argentina, the RELESSAR database: Influence of ethnicity on disease phenotype

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to describe the main characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Argentina and to examine the influence of ethnicity on the expression of the disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

RELESSAR is a multicentre register carried out by 106 researchers from 67 rheumatologic Argentine centres. It is a cross-sectional study of SLE (1982/1997 ACR) patients. RELESSAR electronic database includes demographic, cumulative SLE manifestations, SELENA-SLEDAI, SLICC-SDI, Katz's severity and Charlson's comorbidity indexes and treatment patterns.

RESULTS

We included 1,610 patients, 91.7% were female with a median age at diagnosis of 28.1 ± 12.8; 96.2% met ≥4 ACR 1982/97 criteria. Frequent manifestations were arthritis (83.5%), malar rash (79.5%), photosensitivity (75.3%), haematological (63.8%) and renal disease (47.4%), antinuclear antibodies (96%), anti-dsDNA (66.5%) and anti-Smith antibodies (29%). The mean Selena-SLEDAI score at last visit was 3.18 (SD 4.3) and mean SDI was 1 (SD 1.3). The accumulated treatments most frequently used were antimalarials (90.4%), corticosteroids (90%), azathioprine (31.8%), intravenous cyclophosphamide (30.2%), mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid (24.5%), methotrexate (19.3%), belimumab 5.3% and rituximab 5.1%. Refractory lupus was diagnosed in 9.3% of the cases. The main causes of death were lupus activity (25.0%), activity and concomitant infections (25.0%), infections (18.2%), vascular disease (13.6%) and cancer (4.5%). Mortality was associated with higher SLEDAI, Katz, damage indexes and comorbidities. Of the 1610 patients included, 44.6% were Caucasian, 44.5% Mestizo, 8.1% Amerindian and 1.2% Afro-Latin American. Mestizo patients had higher male representation, low socioeconomic status, more inadequate medical coverage, fewer formal years of education and shorter disease duration. Polyadenopathies and Raynaud's phenomenon were more frequent in Caucasians. In the logistic regression analysis higher damage index (OR 1.28, CI 95% 1.02-1.61, p = 0.03) remained associated to mestizo ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the largest number of adult patients with SLE studied in Argentina. Caucasian patients were differentiated by having Raynaud's phenomenon and polyadenopathy more frequently, while patients of Mestizo origin had higher damage indexes.

POS0763 PERFORMANCE OF THE NEW ACR/EULAR 2019 CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA FOR SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) IN A COHORT OF ARGENTINIAN PATIENTS

Background:

In 2019 ACR and EULAR published in joint collaboration the new classification criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Compared to the previous ones, these criteria have shown higher sensitivity and specificity in multiple cohorts. To our knowledge, its performance has not been evaluated in a cohort of patients with rheumatological diseases living in Argentina.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the ACR/ EULAR 2019 criteria in a cohort of patients with connective tissue diseases residing in Argentina. Secondary objectives were to determine the Likelihood Ratio (LR) of these criteria and the correlation of their global score with activity and damage indexes of the disease.

Methods:

Multicentre, retrospective and analytical study. Patients ≥ 18 years old with diagnosis of SLE (ACR 1997/SLICC 2012) without other associated collagen diseases (case group), and patients with other non-SLE connective tissue diseases (control group) were included. Those with active infectious disease, oncohematological disease, drug-induced lupus and overlap syndrome were excluded. Sociodemographic data, characteristics of the disease and treatment were recorded. In addition, activity and damage indexes were recorded in the group with SLE.

Three SLE experts, blinded to the diagnosis determined, for every individual if the patient had SLE or another rheumatological disease. An interrater agreement of 100% (including the 3 evaluators) was considered “defined SLE” and used as gold standard. In all cases, ACR 1997/SLICC 2012/ACR / EULAR 2019 criteria were applied and compared with the gold standard. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics was estimated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative LR of the criteria were determined. The association between the final score of the ACR-EULAR 2019 criteria and the disease activity and damage indexes were estimated with Spearman correlation test. STATA 15.0 was used for data analysis.

Results:

A total of 365 patients from 7 centres in Argentina were included. A One hundred and eighty-three belonged to the SLE group: 92.3% women, mean age 39 years (SD 13.3), median disease duration 92 months (IQR 37-150). The most frequent manifestations of the disease were mucocutaneous (94%), musculoskeletal (82.5%) and haematological (69%). All patients presented ANA +, 88% hypocomplementemia, 69.4% Anti-DNA and 19.5% antiphospholipid antibodies. Median SLEDAI and SLICC were 2 (IQR 0-6) and 0 (IQR 0-1), respectively.

In the control group, 182 patients were recruited: 84% women, mean age 53.6 years (SD 14.2) and median disease duration 82.5 months (IQR 38-151). The most frequent diseases were Rheumatoid Arthritis (46.1%), Scleroderma (18.1%) and Sjögren’s Syndrome (16.5%) and most common manifestations were musculoskeletal (81.9%), immunological (73.6%) and constitutional (25.3%). A total of 62.6% of patients presented ANA+, 8.6% hypocomplementemia, and 1.3% Antiphospholipid antibodies.

Ninety-one percent of patients in the case group were classified as defined SLE and 3.8% in the control group.

The ACR / EULAR 2019 Criteria showed a 99.4% sensitivity and an 89.1% specificity, with a LR+ of 9.1 and a LR- of 0.007. The sensitivity and specificity of SLICC 2012 criteria were 98.3% and 88%, respectively with a LR+ of 8.2 and a LR- of 0.02; and the ACR 1997 criteria showed a 93.96% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity, with LR + of 8.21 and LR - of 0.07.

The correlations between the ACR/EULAR 2019 Criteria global score, and activity and damage indexes were 0.19 and -0.006, respectively.

Conclusion:

The new ACR / EULAR 2019 criteria have shown high sensitivity, a specificity comparable to its predecessors, and a higher ability to distinguish SLE from other diseases and to exclude it in non-SLE patients. No correlation was observed between the criteria scores and activity and damage indexes.

References:

[1]Aringer M, Costenbader K, Daikh D, et al 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE. Ann Rheum 2019; 78: 1151-1159.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Evaluation of the Educational Needs in Argentine Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Using the SpENAT Questionnaire

BACKGROUND

The SpENAT, a Spanish version of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool, is a self-completed questionnaire that assesses educational needs (ENs) with the purpose of providing tailored and patient-centered information. It consists of 39 questions grouped into the 7 following domains: Pain management, Movement, Feelings, Arthritic process, Treatments, Self-help measures and Support system.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to describe the ENs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using the SpENAT and to determine the main sources of information consulted by these patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study. We included consecutive patients≥18 years with diagnosis of RA (ACR 87/ACR-EULAR 2010). Sociodemographic data, disease characteristics and clinimetric properties were recorded. All patients completed the SpENAT and were asked about the sources employed to obtain information about their disease.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Population characteristics were described. ENs were determined as percentages of the highest possible score for each domain. Needs for each domain according to sex, years of education, disease duration, use of biologicals and functional capacity were analyzed by means of ANOVA, and bivariate comparisons were made with Student's t-test and the Bonferroni correction. Correlation between domains was determined with the Spearman correlation coefficient. We compared patients' age by source of information with Student's t-test.

RESULTS

We included 496 patients from 20 centers across the country. More ENs were observed in the domains of Movement, Feelings and the Arthritic process. Patients with higher educational level (>7 years) reported more ENs in the Arthritic process and Self-help measure domains. A higher functional impairment (HAQ-A≥0.87) was associated with more ENs in every domain. Patients with high activity showed more ENs than those in remission in the domains of Pain management, Movement, Feelings, Treatments and Support system, as well as those with low activity in Self-help measures and Support system domains. All SpENAT domains showed positive correlations among each other (P<.0001), the most important being Pain management/Movement and Treatments/Arthritic process (r≥0.7). The source of information most frequently consulted was the rheumatologist (93.95%); those who made use of Internet were on average younger (P=.0004).

CONCLUSION

RA patients were very interested about knowing more about their disease. High functional impairment was associated with more ENs. Patients with high disease activity had higher EN levels in almost every domain. The rheumatologist was the main source of information for the patient with RA.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome: Extraglandular manifestations and hydroxychloroquine therapy

The use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS) has been assessed in different studies over the last years, with conflicting results regarding its efficacy in sicca syndrome and extraglandular manifestations (EGM). The goal of this study was to compare the incidence rate of EGM in pSS patients with and without HCQ therapy.We performed a multicenter retrospective study, including patients with pSS (European classification criteria) with at least 1 year of follow-up. Subjects with concomitant fibromyalgia, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis were excluded. Demographics and pSS characteristics were recorded. The EGM were defined by EULAR-SS disease activity index (ESSDAI). Patients were divided into two groups according to their use or not of HCQ therapy. We evaluated the use of HCQ and its relationship to EGM. HCQ therapy was defined as the continuous use of the drug for at least 3 months. A descriptive analysis of demographics and pSS characteristics was performed. We compared the incidence of EGM between groups defined by HCQ therapy using chi² test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 221 patients were included (97.3% women), mean age, 55.7 years (SD 14). Mean age at diagnosis, 48.8 years (SD 15); median disease duration, 60 months (IQR 35-84). One hundred and seventy patients (77%) received HCQ. About half of the patients had at least one EGM during the course of the disease, 20% of them developed an EGM before the onset of the sicca syndrome and 26% simultaneously with dryness symptom. Overall, EGM were less frequent in those on HCQ therapy (36.5% vs 63.5%, p < 0.001). Considering each EGM individually, the following manifestations were more frequent in the non-treated group: arthritis (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), purpura (p = 0.01), Raynaud phenomenon (p = 0.003), and hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.006). Immunosuppressive treatment was indicated on 28 patients (12.7%), 13 of which were receiving also HCQ. The first reason for those treatments was the presence of arthritis in 12/28 patients (42.8%), and the drug used in all the cases was methotrexate. Only three patients required immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide, due to the presence of glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, and interstitial lung disease. None of the patients received biologic therapy. The lower incidence of EGM was observed in patients on HCQ therapy supports its efficacy in pSS. However, further large scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Accrual of organ damage over time in Argentine patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a multi-centre study

The goals of this study were to ascertain damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from five rheumatologic centres in Argentina and to examine overall damage, damage by domain and damage by item within each domain. We performed a retrospective observational study including patients with SLE (ACR 1997 revised and modified criteria) from five rheumatology centres in Argentina. Organ damage was scored using the SLICC/ACR DI (SDI), ascertained at years 1, 2, 5 and 10. Three centres provided information up to the fifth year. Of the 197 patients, 88.3% were women and their mean age was 33.2 years. The mean disease duration and follow-up were 7.6 and 5.3 years, respectively. Damage accrued gradually over time with SDI ranging from 0.52 (+/-1.1) at year 1 up to 2.46 (+/-2.1) at year 10. The renal system was the most involved system, followed by the neuropsychiatric, the cardiovascular and the musculoskeletal systems. Proteinuria, cognitive impairment, pericarditis, avascular necrosis, cataract and alopecia were the predominant items in their respective systems. Systems such as peripheral vascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, diabetes, malignancy and premature gonadal failure were not frequent. Overall SDI had a gradual increase over time. Damage in each domain of SDI, except for diabetes, had a similar behaviour. Behaviour of items in each domain varied.

Peripheral Musculoskeletal Manifestations in Polymyalgia Rheumatica

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of the peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), evaluate if PMR with peripheral synovitis represents a subset with a more severe disease, and examine for clinical and laboratory characteristics at onset of PMR that might later predict rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were diagnosed with PMR according to the 1982 Chuang criteria. Patients were followed up between 1990 and 2002. The following musculoskeletal manifestations at onset and during the follow up were considered: peripheral synovitis, distal extremity swelling with pitting edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, and distal tenosynovitis.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight of the 74 patients (51%) showed distal musculoskeletal symptoms: 29 (39%) had peripheral synovitis, 4 (5%) presented pitting edema, 4 (5%) experienced carpal tunnel syndrome, and one (1.3%) had distal tenosynovitis. These manifestations resolved completely after corticosteroid therapy was initiated. Peripheral synovitis was oligoarticular and often transient. The joints most frequently involved were the wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and knee. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was normal in 7 patients. When comparing patients with PMR with and without peripheral synovitis, no statistically significant differences were found in the studied variables. Through the first year of follow up, 7 patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for RA, 2 patients developed giant cell arteritis, and 3 had associated malignancy. Patients who developed RA had statistically significantly increased presence of persistent synovitis and a smaller decrease in mean ESR after treatment with corticosteroids.

CONCLUSION

Fifty-one percent of the patients with PMR presented distal musculoskeletal manifestations, with peripheral synovitis being the most frequent one. Patients with PMR with peripheral synovitis did not represent a high-risk subgroup with more severe disease. Seven patients who developed criteria for seronegative RA within the first year of follow up had presented statistically significant persistent synovitis compared with those who continued as PMR and also showed a smaller initial decrease in mean ESR after steroid treatment was initiated. The absence of persistent arthritis and the benign course of the arthritis permit the distinction of PMR from other inflammatory arthropathies.