Oxidative stress and viral Infections: rationale, experiences, and perspectives on N-acetylcysteine

This article explores current evidence on the role of oxidative stress in viral infections, and on the use of antioxidant drugs as adjunctive treatment. MEDLINE/PubMed was searched for appropriate keywords, and preclinical and clinical studies with reviews were retrieved and examined by authors. Old and current evidence shows that GSH content reduction is the main mechanism of redox imbalance in viral-infected cells. Clinical studies found that GSH levels are depleted in patients with viral infections such as HIV and SARS-CoV. Viral infections activate inflammation through different pathways, and several of these mechanisms are related to oxidative stress. NAC is a precursor of GSH, and many of its intracellular effects are mediated by GSH replenishment, but it also activates some anti-inflammatory mechanisms. NAC has an excellent safety profile and better oral and topical bioavailability than GSH. These characteristics make NAC a suitable option as a repurposed drug. Adjunctive antioxidant treatment may improve the outcomes of antiviral therapies. Current evidence supports the rationale for this practice and some clinical experience showed encouraging results.

SAT0321 CURRENT PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES (PROS) POORLY REFLECT CHANGES IN LUNG FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background:

Lung involvement is very common is systemic sclerosis (SSc). Approximately one quarter of patients develops pulmonary problems within the first 3 years of diagnosis and still represents the leading cause of death in these patients. In a recent clinical trail, the reduction of FVC was not accompanied by a benefit with respect to health-related quality of life and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Objectives:

To assess how the change in Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs) parameters correlates with the Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) in an observational cohort of patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of 330 clinic episodes from 121 unselected patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis according to EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria, in annual follow-up (for a total of 165 patients/year) with PFTs, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (sHAQ), Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale (Borg) and Cochin Hand Function Score (CHFS). We assessed the correlation between the HAQ and the Visual Analogical Scale 1-7 at baseline (VAS1 pain, VAS2 disease severity, VAS3 arthritis activity, VAS4 intestinal problems, VAS5 dyspnea, VAS6 Raynaud’s phenomenon, VAS7 digital ulcers). We evaluated the correlation of PFTs with PROs at every time period and the correlation between the change of PFTs parameters (δFVC, δDLCO) with the change of the PROs over a year of follow-up. Following analysis of distribution, Spearman or Pearson Test were used to determine correlation coefficients, as appropiate (Prism 7).

Results:

The median disease duration was 5 years (IQR 3-10). The median of 12 months δFVC% and δDLCO% were 0 (IQR -5.81 to 3.28) and -2.439 (IQR -8.76 to 5.98), respectively. The analysis evidenced a strong positive correlation between VAS1-7 and HAQ. We observed also significant correlation between FVC%, DLCO% and HAQ-DI (r= - 0.355 and -0.266, respectively; p<0.0001 for both), Borg (r= -0.403 and -0.379, respectively; p<0.0001) and CHFS (r = -0.355 and -0.256, respectively; p<0.0001). Nevertheless, in longitudinal setting there was no significant correlation between δPROs and changes lung function, as continuous variables, neither there was any significant PROs difference in patients that did or did not lose more than 10% of FVC and DLCO over a year of follow-up.

Conclusion:

This analysis of a monocentric non-selected population evidenced that the current commonly used PROs in SSc while showing a good correlation with lung function are poorly sensitive to change or to reflect changes in lung function over 12 months. In this sense, prudent interpretation of the lack of correlation between FVC and patient-reported outcomes in studies of phase 3 is warranted.

References:

[1]Rahimi S., Nintedanib for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2020)

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

THU0341 DIGITAL ARTERY VOLUME INDEX (DAVIX©) PREDICTS THE ONSET OF FUTURE DIGITAL ULCERS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background:

Neointima proliferation is a key pathologic feature of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), causing arterial vessel narrowing and being the recognised culprit pathological lesion in Digital Ulcers (DUs), pulmonary artery hypertension and renal crisis. Nevertheless, there are no validated imaging techniques to assess the severity of vascular involvement in SSc. Digital Artery Volume index (DAVIX ©) is an MRITime of flight angiographybased quantitative score of digital arteries flow, without the need to administer contrast.

Objectives:

To determine the value of DAVIX in predicting the onset of digital ulcers (DUs), the worsening of patient reported outcomes (PROs) and clinical parameters in SSc patients.

Methods:

We enrolled 91 consecutive patients affected by Raynaud’s phenomenon, 63 of which fulfilled the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc and 28 had a score <9. The data collected included: pulmonary function tests (PFTs), nailfold capillaroscopy, modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (sHAQ-DI). DAVIX of the dominant hand was calculated as % mean of the 4 fingers, employing IAG proprietary algorithm. The distribution was analysed with D’Agostino-Pearson normality test. Medians were compared by Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test, correlation with clinical parameters was performed using Spearman’s or Pearson test, as appropriate (Prism 7).

Results:

78/91 patients were females and median disease duration was 4 years (IQR1.91-9). Complete historical and prospective follow-up data were available for 68 patients. DAVIX© correlated with mRSS (r=-0.258, p=0.017), DLCO% (r=0.338, p=0.008) and capillaroscopy pattern (r=-0.388, p=0.001). In patients with DUs, DAVIX© showed a stronger correlation with DLCO% (r=0.786, p=0.048). DAVIX© predicted the worsening of HAQ-DI (r=-0.295, p=0.029), sHAQ (r =-0.333, p=0.029) and VAS pain (r=-0.269, p=0.038) independently of the presence of DUs. In the context of DU, 7 patients had DUs at baseline (5 with a positive history for DUs). 12 patients developed DUs within 12 months, 3 of them had DUs at baseline. 38 patients did not have either previous or current DUs, neither did they develop new DUs within 12 months. DAVIX of patients with current DUs was 3-fold lower than DAVIX of patients without DUs (0.18 vs 0.63 p=0.0093). Further, DAVIX of patients with positive history of DUs was 50% lower than in patient with a negative history (median 0.34 vs 0.64, p=0.0052). In patients without current DUs, DAVIX of patients who developed new DUs within 12 months of follow-up was 3-fold lower than in patients who didn’t develop DU (0.21 vs 0.65, p=0.0156). ROC curve analysis indicated that DAVIX threshold <0.49 conferred a 4 times higher risk of developing new DUs (67%) compared to overall risk of our population 17.6%.

Conclusion:

Outcome measures of vascular involvement in SSc are scanty. We demonstrated that DAVIX© is a promising and feasible surrogate outcome measure of neointima proliferation in SSc and a useful imaging biomarker of vascular disease activity. The predictive value of DAVIX for the future onset of DU could be employed as a useful stratification tool in clinical trials. The value of DAVIX in predicting the worsening of PROs and clinical parameters in overall patients, may offer insights on the role of vascular disease activity in the overall progression of SSc.

References:

[1]Lettieri G, Abignano G, et al Digital artery volume index: the first objective, automated, non-invasive imaging diagnostic of macrovascular involvement in ssc.Annals Rheum Dis2018

Disclosure of Interests:

Klodian Gjeloshi: None declared, Fiammetta Danzo: None declared, Giovanni Lettieri: None declared, Giuseppina Abignano: None declared, Mark Hinton: None declared, Anne-Maree Dean: None declared, Giovanna CUOMO: None declared, Olga Kubassova Shareholder of: IAG, Image Analysis Group, Consultant of: Novartis, Takeda, Lilly, Employee of: IAG, Image Analysis Group, Francesco Del Galdo: None declared

FRI0241 INFLUENCE OF PATIENT REPORTED ‘’ARTHRITIS ACTIVITY’’ IN DETERMINING SHAQ, HAQ-DI AND COCHIN SCORES IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background:

Arthritic involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a common manifestation impacting on the quality of life. A wide range of articular involvement is recognised including from arthralgia to inflammatory joint and tendon disease.

Objectives:

To assess the weight of patient reported ‘’arthritis activity’’ in determining Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in an observational cohort of SSc patients.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study of 330 clinic episodes from 121 unselected patients diagnosed with SSc according to EULAR/ACR 2013 classification criteria, in annual follow-up (for a total of 165 patients/year) with Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (sHAQ) and Cochin Hand Function Score (CHFS). Hand disability index was assessed by CHFS and global disability index was assessed by HAQ and sHAQ. Patient reported arthritis activity was assessed by Visual Analogical Scale for Arthritis Activity (VAS3). Based on the median of VAS3, patients were classified in two groups and the evaluation of global and hand disability index was performed for each group. Furthermore, we assessed the correlation between the change of VAS3 and the modification of disability scores (ΔHAQ, ΔSHAQ, ΔCHFS) over 12 months of follow-up. Following analysis of distribution, Spearman or Pearson Test were used to determine correlation coefficients, as appropriate (Prism 7).

Results:

The median disease duration was 5 years (IQR 3-10). The median of VAS3 was 35 (IQR 2 - 66). In patients with VAS3 <35 and VAS ≥35 the HAQ-DI medians were 0.625 (IQR 0.25 - 1.5) and 1.75 (IQR 1.125-2.25) respectively, (p<0.0001); the sHAQ medians were 0.628 (IQR 0.255 - 1.114) and 1.701 (IQR 1.234-2.059), respectively, (p<0.0001); and the CHFS medians were 4 (IQR 0 – 19) and 28 (IQR 10 – 46) respectively, (p<0.0001). A significant correlation was observed between VAS3 and HAQ (r= 0.463, p<0.0001), SHAQ (r=0.651, p<0.0001), CHFS (r=0.497, p<0.0001); between ΔVAS3 and ΔSHAQ (r=0.493, p<0.0001).

Conclusion:

This analysis of a monocentric non-selected population supports the key role of joint involvement in determining global patient reported functional and hand disability in SSc. Severity of musculoskeletal involvement should be carefully considered when interpreting PROs in patients with SSc.

References:

[1]Sandler RD, Matucci-Cerinic M, Hughes M. Musculoskeletal hand involvement in systemic sclerosis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism (2019)

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0800 CLINICAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN URIC ACID/25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D SERUM LEVELS RATIO IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background:

The association between hyperuricemia and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is actually generally accepted. Previous studies have demonstrated that uric acid suppress 25(OH)D metabolism [1]. More evidence is required to demonstrate the immune modulatory effects in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. In particular, the potential association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels and PsA still remains unknown.

Objectives:

To assess a clinical association between uric acid/25(OH)D serum levels ratio related to PASI, BASDAI and DAPSA, if any, in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Methods:

We retrospectively observed 61 patients with psoriatic arthritis referred to our outpatients clinic, independently from already being on therapy or naïve. All selected patients underwent only conventional non-biological therapy at baseline and none received vitamin D supplementation and either allopurinol or febuxostat previously. Blood samples were drawn from all participants for assessment of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and uric acid serum levels. Disease activity of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis were assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). We assessed the covariates of interest by the Wilcoxon non parametric test, through the SPSS 24 Software.

Results:

We observed 61 patients, mainly females (83.6%). At the univariate analysis, the uric acid/25(OH)D serum levels ratio revealed significantly associated with DAPSA and BASDAI indexes (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively), whilst no significant association emerged with the PASI index (p=0.462).

Conclusion:

Data in the literature about these associations in the context of psoriatic arthritis are really poor. As a consequence, our findings, though preliminary, suggest us to hypothesize a potential role of uric acid/25(OH)D serum levels ratio as potential inflammation marker in order to better assess the disease activity. However, future larger studies are needed to investigate more in depth this association.

[1]Charoenngam N, Ponvilawan B, Ungprasert P. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are associated with a higher level of serum uric acid: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mod Rheumatol. 2019 Mar 4:1-6.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared