Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-negative Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Complicated with Peripheral Neuropathy that Underwent Remission Induction with Mepolizumab Monotherapy

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with numbness in her lower extremities and hypereosinophilia. She was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). On admission, she was suspected of being complicated with pneumonia and sepsis; therefore, treatment with mepolizumab monotherapy was begun, resulting in partial improvement. After the possibility of a complicating infection was ruled out, corticosteroids were initiated, followed by intravenous gamma globulin therapy. Although the induction of remission of EGPA with mepolizumab monotherapy is not usually recommended, induction with mepolizumab monotherapy may be an option in terms of safety and clinical efficacy in some cases.

Measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters from the T2K experiment using 3.6×1021 protons on target

The T2K experiment presents new measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters using 19.7 ( 16.3 ) × 10 20 protons on target (POT) in (anti-)neutrino mode at the far detector (FD). Compared to the previous analysis, an additional 4.7 × 10 20 POT neutrino data was collected at the FD. Significant improvements were made to the analysis methodology, with the near-detector analysis introducing new selections and using more than double the data. Additionally, this is the first T2K oscillation analysis to use NA61/SHINE data on a replica of the T2K target to tune the neutrino flux model, and the neutrino interaction model was improved to include new nuclear effects and calculations. Frequentist and Bayesian analyses are presented, including results on sin 2 θ 13 and the impact of priors on the δ CP measurement. Both analyses prefer the normal mass ordering and upper octant of sin 2 θ 23 with a nearly maximally CP-violating phase. Assuming the normal ordering and using the constraint on sin 2 θ 13 from reactors, sin 2 θ 23 = 0 . 561 - 0.032 + 0.021 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and Δ m 32 2 = 2 . 494 - 0.058 + 0.041 × 10 - 3 eV 2 using constant Δ χ 2 intervals. The CP-violating phase is constrained to δ CP = - 1 . 97 - 0.70 + 0.97 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and δ CP = 0 , π is excluded at more than 90% confidence level. A Jarlskog invariant of zero is excluded at more than 2 σ credible level using a flat prior in δ CP , and just below 2 σ using a flat prior in sin δ CP . When the external constraint on sin 2 θ 13 is removed, sin 2 θ 13 = 28 . 0 - 6.5 + 2.8 × 10 - 3 , in agreement with measurements from reactor experiments. These results are consistent with previous T2K analyses.

Risk factors associated with relapse after methotrexate dose reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving golimumab and methotrexate combination therapy

AIM

To identify risk factors for relapse after methotrexate (MTX) dose reduction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving golimumab (GLM)/MTX combination therapy.

METHOD

Data on RA patients ≥20 years old receiving GLM (50 mg) + MTX for ≥6 months were retrospectively collected. MTX dose reduction was defined as a reduction of ≥12 mg from the total dose within 12 weeks of the maximum dose (≥1 mg/wk average). Relapse was defined as Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) score ≥3.2 or sustained (≥ twice) increase of ≥0.6 from baseline.

RESULTS

A total of 304 eligible patients were included. Among the MTX-reduction group (n = 125), 16.8% of patients relapsed. Age, duration from diagnosis to the initiation of GLM, baseline MTX dose, and DAS28-CRP were comparable between relapse and no-relapse groups. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of relapse after MTX reduction was 4.37 (95% CI 1.16-16.38, P = 0.03) for prior use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the aORs for cardiovascular disease (CVD), gastrointestinal disease and liver disease were 2.36, 2.28, and 3.03, respectively. Compared to the non-reduction group, the MTX-reduction group had a higher proportion of patients with CVD (17.6% vs 7.3%, P = 0.02) and a lower proportion of prior use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (11.2% vs. 24.0%, P = 0.0076).

CONCLUSION

Attention should be given to RA patients with history of CVD, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, or prior NSAIDs-use when considering MTX dose reduction to ensure benefits outweigh the risks of relapse.

Abatacept ameliorates both glandular and extraglandular involvements in patients with Sjögren's syndrome associated with rheumatoid arthritis: Findings from an open-label, multicentre, 1-year, prospective study: The ROSE (Rheumatoid Arthritis with Orencia Trial Toward Sjögren's Syndrome Endocrinopathy) and ROSE II trials

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the efficacy and safety of intravenous abatacept for glandular and extraglandular involvements in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed an open-label, prospective, 1-year, observational multicenter study (ROSE and ROSE II trials). The primary endpoint was the remission rate as measured by SDAI at 52 weeks. The secondary endpoints included the changes in the Saxon's test, Schirmer's test, ESSDAI and ESSPRI. Adverse events and adherence rates were also analyzed.

RESULTS

68 patients (36 in ROSE and 32 in ROSE II, all women) were enrolled. SDAI decreased significantly from 23.6 ± 13.2 at baseline to 9.9 ± 9.5 at 52 weeks. Patients with SDAI remission increased from 0 (0 weeks) to 19 patients (27.9%) at 52 weeks. Saliva volume increased significantly at 24 weeks. Tear volume increased significantly at 52 weeks. Both ESSDAI and ESSPRI were significantly decreased at 12 weeks, and these responses were maintained up to 52 weeks. The rate of adherence to abatacept over the 52-week period was 83.8%. Twenty-two adverse events occurred in 15 patients.

CONCLUSION

Abatacept ameliorated both glandular and extraglandular involvements, as well as the systemic disease activities and patient-reported outcomes based on composite measures, in SS associated with RA.

Successful Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination-related Activation of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Positive Findings for Epstein-Barr Virus

We herein report a 60-year-old woman who experienced severe flare of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity following administration of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-type severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. Since 40 years old, she had been in long-term remission of anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive RA. Ten days after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, she presented with a high fever and polyarthritis, active synovitis on joint ultrasound, a clinical disease activity index of 35, and positivity for anti-early antigen, diffuse type and restricted type (EA DR) IgG and EBV deoxyribonucleic acid (EBV-DNA). Tocilizumab was introduced to treat RA. The RA disease activity disappeared, and anti-EA DR IgG and EBV-DNA became negative.

AB0239 HOW SOLID MALIGNANCIES ARE DETECTED IN JAPANESE PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

According to a meta-analysis reported in 20151), among solid malignancies (cancers), only lung cancer was at an increased risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with the general population. A Japanese cohort study reported that the incidence of cancers in patients with RA treated with biological DMARDs was not significantly elevated compared to the Japanese general population2). However, in recent years, malignancy has been one of the major causes of death in Japanese patients with RA3). It has been reported that there was an increased incidence of malignancies in patients treated with tofacitinib compared to TNF-alpha inhibitors. Clinicians need to pay more attention to emerging malignancies.

Objectives

We explored how to detect cancer early in patients attending rheumatology outpatient clinics.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we studied 545 patients with RA who visited our rheumatology clinic between April 2011 and December 2021. Forty-five cases of cancer in 38 patients (31 women, 7 men) with RA were reviewed.

Results

Cancer types: 9 breast, 8 lung, 6 colon, 5 uterus, 4 stomach, 2 prostate, 2 pancreas and 9 others. Five female patients had metachronous or simultaneous double cancers and one male patient had metachronous triple cancers. The median age at diagnosis of 45 cancers was 72 years old (IQR 63–76.5) and the median duration of RA prior to cancer diagnosis was 10 years (IQR 5–20.5).

Lung: Seven cases were found by chest CT at the outpatient clinics; two at the start of bDMARDs and five during RA treatment.

Stomach and Colon: Two cases of four stomach cancers were discovered due to the progression of anemia. Both patients were at an advanced stage with distant metastasis and died 2 months after diagnosis. On the other hand, four of six colon cancers were detected by the fecal occult blood test, and three were in remission.

Of the 45 cases, only 8 cases were detected by cancer screening. In 15 cases, blood samples or imaging tests were the triggers cancer detection. Eight of the 15 cases were detected by routine examinations in the rheumatology outpatient clinic, but five cases were already in the advanced stage.

Table 1.

Forty-five cancers in 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Site of cancer nClue to cancer diagnosis and prognosis at the final visit (death - under treatment - remission)noticing symptomsVarious tests in outpatient clinic symptoms(-)Cancer ScreeningBreast98(1-4-3)　1(0-0-1)Lung81(1-0-0)7(2-3-2)　Colon6　1(1-0-0)5(0-1-4)Stomach41(0-0-1)3(3-0-0)　Cervix uteri31(0-0-1)　2(0-0-2)Corpus uteri22(0-2-0)　　Pancreas2　2(0-2-0)　Prostate22(0-1-1)　　Skin*22(0-0-2)　　Oral/throat22(0-2-0)　　Duodenum11(0-0-1)　　Biliary tract11(0-1-0)　　Anus1　　1(0-0-1)Bladder1　1(0-0-1)　Brain1　1(0-1-0)　Total4521(2-10-9)15(6-6-3)9(0-1-8)

Conclusion

We have been performing cancer screening before RA treatment and performing routine blood, urine, and imaging tests to identify adverse effects. However, they cannot always find cancers at the early stage. Screening procedures for malignancy are strongly recommended4), but the consultation rates for breast and cervical cancer screening are lower in Japan than in European nations. We should encourage our patients to undergo usual age- and sex-appropriate cancer screening.

References

[1]Simon TA, et al. Incidence of malignancy in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis. Arthritis Research and Therapy 2015; 17:212

[2]Harigai M, et al. Risk for malignancy in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs compared to the general population: A nationwide cohort study in Japan. Modern Rheumatology 2016; 26:642

[3]Nakajima A, et al. Mortality and cause of death in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on a large observational cohort, IORRA. Scand J Rheumatol 2010; 39:360

[4]Baillet A, et al. Points to consider for reporting, screening for and preventing selected comorbidities in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease in daily practice: a EULAR initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 75:965

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Successful Treatment for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Causing Severe Myocarditis Followed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

A 38-year-old woman had a history of asthma for 20 years. Bullous lesions had appeared in her left side of the back. Two months before admission, and biopsy revealed eosinophilic cellulitis. She experienced numbness in both legs one month later. She was admitted to our hospital for emergency treatment due to chest pain and loss of consciousness. Emergency coronary angiography revealed triple-vessel vasospasm. She had cardiac arrest for four minutes during the examination. We suspected eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis due to pulmonary infiltrate, eosinophilia, and a history of illness. We therefore started methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Although her condition and laboratory findings improved, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging performed on day 16 showed myocardial edema and myocardial fibrosis on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Coronary angiography on day 35 revealed no spasm, and myocardial biopsy showed absence of vasculitis. There was no improvement in myocardial edema. CMR showed enlargement of LGE and formation of ventricular aneurysm. As myocarditis did not improve sufficiently, five courses of intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy were administered. CMR on day 152 showed disappearance of the myocardial edema. We report a unique case of successful treatment of severe myocarditis and the usefulness of follow-up CMR.

Suppression of blood glucose level elevation and promotion of GLP-1 secretion by ingestion of Undaria pinnatifida sporophylls (Mekabu): Open-label crossover design

Background: It has been confirmed that the daily consumption of seaweed such as Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) and Kombu (Saccharina japonica) has an inhibitory effect on the rise in postprandial blood glucose levels. Similar effects can also be expected for Mekabu, which is Wakame sporophylls and contains large quantities of water-soluble dietary fiber. In this study, we examined the effects of preprandial intake of Mekabu on postprandial blood glucose levels and blood glucose regulation-related hormones in healthy young women.Methods: The subjects were ten healthy young adult women. Mekabu was eaten, followed by rice only. Blood was sampled five times: while fasting (0 min), and 15, 30, 90, and 120 minutes after eating. Measurements were taken of blood glucose level and blood glucose regulation-related hormones.Result: Eating Mekabu before rice resulted in a significant reduction of Δglucose and Δinsulin at 30 minutes after ingestion (p = 0.034, p = 0.049, respectively). The concentration of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in plasma was higher 30 minutes after eating (p = 0.044), 60 minutes (p = 0.0.31), and 120 minutes (p = 0.019) when Mekabu was eaten preprandially.Conclusions: In the present study, GLP-1 secretion was sustained by eating Mekabu, which is Wakame sporophylls, before rice. Our results suggest that ingesting Mekabu, which contains large amounts of viscous alginic acid, prior to a meal not only suppresses postprandial blood glucose level, but supports the extended secretion of GLP-1, providing a sustainable incretin effect.

Massive calcification around large joints in a patient subsequently diagnosed with adult-onset hypophosphatasia

We report a 64-year-old Japanese woman with a history of progressive loss of motor function and painful swelling of large joints. At the age of 54, profound calcification appeared around the shoulder and hip joints, which did not heal after repeated surgical resections. Iliac bone biopsy revealed osteomalacic changes. Laboratory data showed low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and a high urine phosphoethanolamine (PEA) concentration with normal serum calcium, phosphate, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels. Subsequent genetic analysis of the ALPL gene confirmed the diagnosis of hypophosphatasia (HPP) with the identification of a heterozygous single nucleotide deletion, c.1559delT (p.Leu520ArgfsX86). We started a mineral-targeted enzyme replacement therapy, asfotase alfa (AA), to treat the patient's musculoskeletal symptoms. A follow-up bone biopsy after 12 months of AA treatment showed improvement of osteomalacia. Calcified deposits around the large joints were unchanged radiographically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with an adult-onset HPP who presented with profound calcification around multiple joints. Nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms in patients with adult-onset HPP often result in delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. We propose that bone biopsy and genetic analysis should be considered along with laboratory analysis for all patients with ectopic calcification around joints of unknown etiology for accurate diagnosis and better treatment.

Adequate Protein Intake on Comprehensive Frailty in Older Adults: Kyoto-Kameoka Study

OBJECTIVES

Defining an adequate protein intake in older adults remains unresolved. We examined the association between calibrated protein intake and comprehensive frailty by sex in the Kyoto-Kameoka study.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of baseline data.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included 5679 Japanese participants aged 65 years or older.

METHODS

Calibration coefficients were estimated from food frequency questionnaires and 7-day dietary records as a reference. Comprehensive frailty was evaluated using the 25-item Kihon Checklist (KCL) and defined as a total KCL score of ≥7points. Sex-specific calibrated protein intakes were presented as % of energy, per kg of actual body weight (BW), and per kg of ideal BW.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that calibrated protein intake is inversely associated with comprehensive frailty. The association between protein intake and comprehensive frailty was also evaluated using curve fitting with non-linear regression, a weak U-shaped association was found in males and an L-shaped association in females. Men had a low prevalence of frailty at a calibrated protein intake of 15-17% energy from protein, 1.2 g/kg actual BW/day, or 1.4 g/kg ideal BW/day, and women had a low prevalence of frailty at 17-21% energy from protein or 1.6 g/kg ideal BW/day, with the prevalence of frailty remaining unchanged at higher protein intakes. Meanwhile, the inverse relationship between protein intake per ABW and frailty showed a gradual decrease at 1.4 g/kg ABW/day for protein in women.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A non-linear relationship was found between calibrated protein intake and frailty, with a U-shaped association in men and an L-shaped association in women. Adequate protein intake in healthy Japanese older adults was higher than the current recommended daily allowance.

Asymptomatic myocardial dysfunction was revealed by feature tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

AIM

To evaluate subclinical left ventricular (LV) regional dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) using feature tracking cardiac magnetic resonance (FT-CMR) imaging and to identify pSS characteristics independently associated with LV regional dysfunction.

METHOD

Fifty patients with pSS and 20 controls without cardiovascular disease underwent non-contrast CMR imaging. Labial gland biopsy was performed in 42 patients (84%). Disease activity was assessed using the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI). LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global radial strain (GRS) were measured using FT-CMR.

RESULTS

No significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors were found between the pSS group and controls. The pSS group had significantly lower GLS (P = .015) and GCS (P = .008) than the control group. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that GCS was significantly associated with Raynaud's phenomenon (P = .015), focus score ≥2 (P = .032), and total ESSDAI score ≥8 (P = .029).

CONCLUSION

FT-CMR can reveal subclinical LV regional dysfunction in patients with pSS without cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, patients with pSS and Raynaud's phenomenon, a focus score ≥2, or an ESSDAI score ≥8 were considered to be at high risk for myocardial dysfunction.

Successful early introduction of mepolizumab for peripheral neuropathy with a peripheral circulatory disorder in a patient with myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

A 26-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and progressive paralysis in the lower limbs. She had a history of bronchial asthma and experienced sinusitis, progressive peripheral neuropathy, polyarthritis, and leukocytosis with prominent eosinophilia. The patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Abdominal pain was considered to be an ischaemic enteritis associated with EGPA. She was administered 1,000 mg/day of methylprednisolone for 3 days and intravenous immunoglobulin (400 mg/kg/day of γ-globulin for 5 days) followed by 50 mg (1 mg/kg)/day of oral prednisolone due to rapidly progressing peripheral neuropathy. Her symptoms temporarily improved; however, peripheral neuropathy recurred after a week, and the eosinophil count increased. Eighteen days after following the resumed treatment, 300 mg of mepolizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody, was administered. Subjective symptoms, nerve conduction velocity, and skin perfusion pressure (an index of peripheral circulation in the lower extremities) improved after 4 weeks. Although mepolizumab has been approved for EGPA, there is no evidence of its efficacy against peripheral neuropathy. Early introduction of mepolizumab may contribute to an the early improved progressive peripheral neuropathy with eosinophilia.

Primary bone adult T cell lymphoma with multiple skeletal lesions and debilitating painful osteolysis: a case report

There have been only a limited number of reports on primary adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATL) in the bone. This is a case report of a 75-year-old patient initially reporting multiple bone pains that were attributed to osteolytic ATL. The patient developed spontaneous chest/back pain and visited a local hospital. Laboratory tests showed high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and computed tomography (CT) revealed skeletal lesions with osteolysis. Although multiple myeloma was initially suspected, the results of bone marrow aspiration and bone biopsy were inconsistent. After he was referred to our hospital, mild hypercalcemia (10.4 mg/dL) with low-normal intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) (27 pg/mL), low parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), and elevated 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25OH₂D) levels (136 pg/mL) narrowed the differential diagnosis down to lymphomatous and granulomatous diseases, and then, the high serum soluble IL-2 receptor (3,450 U/mL) and the flower cells recognized in the peripheral blood sample suggested the involvement of ATL. Finally, the reevaluation of the iliac bone biopsy sample led us to the histological diagnosis of ATL infiltration in the bone. The subsequent two courses of chemotherapy in addition to denosumab resulted in an objective partial metabolic response indicated in 18-fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Although very rare, the bone involvement of ATL could be used for the differential diagnosis for local osteolytic bone pain in addition to multiple myeloma and metastatic bone diseases.

Efficacy and safety of abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone in patients with early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who failed first-line androgen-deprivation therapy: a single-arm, phase 4 study

Aim

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone in patients with chemotherapy-naïve early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who failed first-line androgen deprivation therapy.

Methods

Patients with early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with confirmed prostate-specific antigen progression within 1-year or prostate-specific antigen progression without having normal prostate-specific antigen level (<4.0 ng/mL) during first-line androgen deprivation therapy were enrolled and administered abiraterone acetate (1000 mg) plus prednisolone (10 mg). A minimum of 48 patients were required according to Simon’s minimax design. The primary endpoint was prostate-specific antigen response rate (≥50% prostate-specific antigen decline by 12 weeks), secondary endpoints included prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival and overall survival. Safety parameters were also assessed.

Results

For efficacy, 49/50 patients were evaluable. Median age was 73 (range: 55–86) years. The median duration of initial androgen deprivation therapy was 32.4 (range: 13.4–84.1) weeks and 48 patients experienced prostate-specific antigen progression within 1-year after initiation of androgen deprivation therapy. prostate-specific antigen response rate was 55.1% (95% confidence interval: 40.2%–69.3%), median prostate-specific antigen–progression-free survival was 24.1 weeks, and median overall survival was 102.9 weeks (95% confidence interval: 64.86 not estimable [NE]). Most common adverse event was nasopharyngitis (15/50 patients, 30.0%). The most common ≥grade 3 adverse event was alanine aminotransferase increased (6/50 patients, 12.0%).

Conclusions

Abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone demonstrated a high prostate-specific antigen response rate of 55.1%, suggesting tumor growth still depends on androgen synthesis in patients with early metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, prostate-specific antigen–progression-free survival was shorter than that reported in previous studies. Considering the benefit–risk profile, abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone would be a beneficial treatment option for patients with chemotherapy-naive metastatic prostate cancer who show early castration resistance.

Observation of Coulomb-Assisted Nuclear Bound State of Ξ^{-}-^{14}N System

In an emulsion-counter hybrid experiment performed at J-PARC, a Ξ^{-} absorption event was observed which decayed into twin single-Λ hypernuclei. Kinematic calculations enabled a unique identification of the reaction process as Ξ^{-}+^{14}N→_{Λ}^{10}Be+_{Λ}^{5}He. For the binding energy of the Ξ^{-} hyperon in the Ξ^{-}-^{14}N system a value of 1.27±0.21  MeV was deduced. The energy level of Ξ^{-} is likely a nuclear 1p state which indicates a weak ΞN-ΛΛ coupling.

Suppression of gastric acid secretion decreased cardiovascular events independent of severe bleeding events in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention – sub-analysis from multicenter registry

Background

Suppression of gastric acid secretion by proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) has recently been developed as a standard strategy for preventing gastrointestinal bleeding for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there has been limited evidences on the association between PPI/P-CAB administration and adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing PCI.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the prescription of PPI/P-CAB on clinical outcomes in patients after PCI.

Methods

This study is a subanalysis from the TWINCRE registry that is a multicentral prospective cohort including patients who underwent PCI at 12 hospitals in Japan between 2017 and 2019. Among registered patients, we ultimately evaluated 1,428 patients who were followed-up. They were divided into two groups by the prescriptions of PPI or P-CAB at discharge for the index PCI; the PPI/P-CAB group (n=1,023), and the Non-PPI/P-CAB group (n=407). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including death, acute coronary syndrome, stent thrombosis, hospitalization due to heart failure and ischemic stroke. Secondary endpoints was major bleeding events defined BARC3, 4 and 5.

Results

The average age of the study population was 70.3 years and 80.3% were male. Baseline clinical profiles were comparable between the groups, except that the PPI/P-CAB group included significantly higher rate of patients who had history of prior PCI (28.4% vs 18.7%, P=0.02). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy between the PPI/P-CAB group and Non-PPI/P-CAB group (average duration; 287±8 vs. 285±8 days, P=0.66). Overall, MACCE was developed in 132 patients (9.3%), and bleeding event was observed in 24 patients (1.7%) during 574 days of median follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the PPI/P-CAB group had a significantly lower rate of MACCE than those in the Non-PPI/P-CAB group (Log-rank test, p=0.0003, Figure 1A). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the prescription of PPI/P-CAB still was independently associated with the primary endpoint (hazard ratio 0.532, 95% confidence interval 0.369–0.766, p=0.0007), even after the adjustment by diverse covariates. Whereas, there was no significant difference in the bleeding event (p=0.64, Figure 1B).

Conclusion

PPI or P-CAB therapy was associated with better clinical outcomes after PCI, independent of the incidences of severe bleeding events.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Salivary Gland Focus Score Is Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis in Primary Sjögren Syndrome Assessed by a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Approach

Objective.

The risk of clinically manifested major cardiovascular (CV) events in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess myocardial fibrosis in pSS and investigate the associated disease characteristics by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI).

Methods.

We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with pSS without cardiac symptoms. Labial gland biopsy was documented in 44 patients (85%). Patients without CV risk factors underwent contrast-enhanced cMRI. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was used to assess myocardial fibrosis. Myocardial edema was assessed using T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). We compared the left ventricular (LV) geometry and function between the groups with and without LGE. Further, we explored the associations of cMRI abnormalities with pSS characteristics.

Results.

Fifty-two women with pSS (median age 55, IQR 47.0–65.7 yrs) were enrolled in the study. LGE was observed in 10 patients (19%), two of whom showed high intensity on T2WI. High intensity on T2WI was observed in 3 patients (5.8%). LV mass index and LV mass/end-diastolic volume tended to be higher in the LGE-positive group than in the LGE-negative group (P = 0.078 and 0.093, respectively). Salivary gland focus score (FS) ≥ 3 was independently associated with LGE-positive in the multivariable analysis (OR 11.21, 95% CI 1.18–106.80).

Conclusion.

Subclinical myocardial fibrosis, as detected by cMRI, was frequent in patients with pSS without cardiac symptoms. Abnormal cMRI findings were associated with salivary gland FS ≥ 3.

P1496Impact of electrical reverse remodeling by cardiac resynchronization therapy on adverse cardiac events in patients of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Background

Recently, structural reverse remodeling (SRR) and electrical reverse remodeling (ERR) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) have been reported in patients of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However the relationship between ERR and subsequent adverse cardiac events is still unknown. We aimed to elucidate the impact of ERR after CRT on the occurrence of heart failure events and ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods

A total of 36 HFrEF patients who underwent newly CRT implantation were investigated retrospectively. The intrinsic QRS duration (iQRSd) had been recorded before and more than 6 months after CRT implantation. Biventricular pacing was temporarily turned off during measurement of iQRSd. ERR was defined as positive shortening of iQRSd and SRR was defined as reduction of left ventricular end systolic volume by more than 15% after CRT implantation. The primary endpoint was a composite of all cause death, heart failure hospitalizations and ventricular tachyarrhythmia events.

Results

ERR was observed in 17 patients (47.2%) and SRR in 22 patients (61.1%). The group with ERR included more patients with lower NYHA class prior to CRT and patients with SRR. The primary endpoint was observed in 15 patients (51.4 %) for a median of 181 [63, 367] days during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the group without ERR was poor prognosis compared with the group with ERR (p = 0.022, Log-rank test).

Conclusion

Patients of HFrEF with ERR after CRT may have fewer adverse cardiac events such as worsening heart failure or ventricular arrhythmia events from this short-term study.

Abstract Figure. Adverse cardiac events and ERR

THU0293 PREDICTORS OF LONG-TERM THERAPY WITH GLUCOCORTICOID IN POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA

Background:

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory condition of elderly persons. Clinical symptoms respond to low-dose glucocorticoids (GC), but treatment is often required for several years. 2015 EULAR/ACR recommendations1)recommend considering early introduction of methotrexate (MTX) in addition to GC, particularly in patients at a high risk for relapse and/or prolonged therapy. However, risk factors for prolonged therapy are not clear yet.

Objectives:

We investigated predictive factors which corresponded to the long-term GC therapy.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study in a single general hospital in Japan. We reviewed the medical records of the Japanese patients with PMR between April 2011 and January 2020. Diagnosis of PMR was based on Bird’s criteria or 2012 EULAR/ACR Classification Criteria2). All patients were treated with prednisolone (PSL), according to the BSR and BHPR guidelines3), for more than 6 months. Patients treated with MTX and accompanied by the giant cell arteritis were excluded from this study. Relapse was defined as the reappearance of symptoms associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients receiving GC that required an increase in GC dose. Remission was defined as the absence of clinical symptoms and normal CRP with discontinuation of GC. We compared the clinical findings, laboratory data at baseline and clinical course between those who achieved remission within 2 years (early-remission group) and those who required GC therapy for more than 2 years (long-therapy group). Comparisons between groups were made using Student’s t-test and chi-square test (IBM SSPE statistics version 26). This study was approved by the ethics committee of Tokyo Medical University (T2019-0079).

Results:

As of January 2020, 89 patients have been treated with PSL for more than 6 months. 50 patients have achieved a remission, 29 were undergoing treatment, and 10 have transferred to other hospitals or died (Table 1). The median time required for the patients to achieve remission was 16 months (Interquartile Range 12-21). After one-year GC therapy, remission was achieved in 14% (11/77), 66% (41/62) after 2-year, 84% (47/56) after 3-year, and 91.0% (49/54) after 4-years. Forty-one patients, who achieved remission within 2 years, were included in the early-remission group. Twenty-one were included in the long therapy group (Table 1). There were no differences in sex, age at onset, body mass index, clinical features, and serum albumin at diagnosis. Serum CRP of long-therapy group was significantly higher than those of the early-remission group (Table 2). Mean relapse times in the full follow-up times were 0.4 in the early-remission group and 3.1 in the long-therapy group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that history of relapse till 6 months was significant predictors of the long-term GC therapy (odds ratio, 6.48; 95%CI 1.44-29.12).

Conclusion:

The remission rates of our study are lower than those of the previous reports. We have tapered GC gradually according to the BSR and BHPR guidelines3). However, some patients need the long-term therapy for more than 2 years. We might consider additional MTX therapy in patients who experience a relapse during the first six months.

References:

[1]Dejaco C, et al. 2015 recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica: a European League against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 2015; 74:1799-1807.

[2]Dasgupta B, et al: 2012 provisional classification criteria for polymyalgia rheumatica: a European League against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71: 484-492.

[3]Dasgupta, B, et al. BSR and BHPR guidelines for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica. Rheumatology 2010; 49:186-190.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

P1353Echocardiographic predictor of sick sinus syndrome following catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation

Funding Acknowledgements

Abbott Medical Japan, Medtronic Japan, Boston Scientific Japan, Biotronic Japan, Japan Life Line

Background / Introduction

Although sick sinus syndrome(SSS) can be associated with atrial fibrillation(AF), predictive factors of SSS following catheter ablation(CA) of persistent atrial fibrillation(perAF) are not well known.

Purpose

We investigated echocardiographic parameters to predict occurrence of SSS after restoration of sinus rhythm by CA for perAF patients.

Methods

Ninety-eight consecutive perAF patients from June 2014 to May 2018 treated with CA were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve patients(12%, SSS group) developed SSS after successful CA and 86 patients(88%, non-SSS group) did not. Baseline characteristics, blood exam, and echocardiographic findings(RA area size, LA area size, EF, etc) before AF CA were analyzed using Student’s t test, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test and Univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic analysis was then performed using those parameters. The atrial area size was calculated from 4 chamber view at the atrial end- systole.

Results

The multivariate analysis for predictive factors of SSS is shown in the table. Right atrium(RA) area could predict SSS(17.3 ± 4.8cm2 vs. 14.7 ± 3.6cm2, odds ratio 1.468; 95% confidence interval 1.088 to 1.981, p = 0.012). Gender (female) was also an independent predictor(4/12 (33%) vs. 8/86 (9%), odds ratio 39.832; 95% confidence interval 2.589 to 612.938, p = 0.008). The other echocardiographical findings(LA area size, EF, etc), baseline characteristics and blood exam results were not related to SSS after successful CA of perAF patients.

Conclusions

The large RA area size and gender (female) could predict SSS in perAF patients after restoration of sinus rhythm by successful CA. We may need to inform possible SSS after CA to female patients with a large RA before CA.

Multivariate Logistic analysis Total(N = 98) SSS group (N = 12) Non SSS group (N = 86) Odds ratio 95% CI P-value Age 64(58-69) 68(60-72) 63(57-69) 1.032 0.929-1.145 0.560 Gender/Female 12(12%) 4(33%) 8(9%) 39.832 2.589-612.938 0.008 CKD 27(28%) 6(50%) 21(24%) 1.264 0.179-8.945 0.814 BNP 91(53-180) 206(167-304) 82(48-169) 1.003 0.993-1.012 0.609 RDW 45.1 ± 3.9 46.4 ± 4.8 44.9 ± 3.8 1.242 0.971-1.588 0.085 RA area 15.1 ± 3.8 17.3 ± 4.8 14.7 ± 3.6 1.468 1.088-1.981 0.012 LA area 24.2(17.0-24.9) 24.4(17.7-26.3) 24.1(16.8-24.4) 0.967 0.803-1.165 0.726 Right atrium area and gender were the independent predictor of SSS in persistent atrial fibrillation patients after restoration of sinus rhythm

Colorectal cancer treated by resection and extended lymphadenectomy: patterns of spread in left- and right-sided tumours

BACKGROUND

Whether tumour side affects the anatomical extent and distribution of lymph node metastasis in colon cancer is unknown. The impact of tumour side on the anatomical pattern of lymphatic spread in colon cancer was assessed.

METHODS

Patients with stage III colon cancer from a Japanese multi-institutional database who underwent extensive (D3) lymphadenectomy, which is similar in concept to complete mesocolic excision with central venous ligation, were divided into groups with right- and left-sided tumours. Based on location, mesenteric lymph nodes were categorized as paracolic (L1), intermediate (L2) or central (L3). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and multivariable Cox models were used to evaluate the association between anatomical lymph node level, metastatic pattern and outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 4034 patients with stage III colon cancer (right 1618, left 2416) were included. Unadjusted OS was worse in patients with right colon cancer (hazard ratio 1·23, 95 per cent c.i. 1·08 to 1·40; P = 0·002), but DFS was similar. Right-sided tumours more frequently invaded L3 nodes than left-sided lesions (8·5 versus 3·7 per cent; P < 0·001). The proportion of patients with a skipped pattern of lymphatic spread was higher in right than in left colon cancer (13·7 versus 9·0 per cent; P < 0·001). In multivariable analysis, invasion of L3 nodes was associated with worse OS in left but not in right colon cancer. The presence of skipped metastasis was associated with worse DFS in left, but not right, colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

There are significant differences in the pattern of lymph node invasion between right- and left-sided stage III colon cancer, and in their prognostic significance, suggesting that tumour side may dictate the operative approach.

Nosocomial infection by human bocavirus and human rhinovirus among paediatric patients with respiratory risks

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial infections by respiratory viruses undetected by rapid tests are not often diagnosed. For paediatric patients with background diseases, nosocomial infection could be fatal.

AIM

To determine the relationship between developing symptoms by respiratory viruses undetectable by rapid tests and respiratory risks and to improve the management of infection control.

METHODS

Two episodes of nosocomial infection by human bocavirus (HBoV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) were retrospectively investigated in a tertiary hospital paediatric ward in Japan. Viruses were identified by polymerase chain reaction to determine infection control management. When viruses of the same species were detected from different patients, the virus homology was investigated. The relationship between respiratory risks and developing symptoms was statistically investigated.

FINDINGS

Three and four patients with respiratory risks in the HBoV and HRV outbreaks, respectively, developed respiratory symptoms. The nucleotide sequences of two patients in the HBoV outbreak and all four patients in the HRV outbreak were phylogenetically close. In both outbreaks, the patients with respiratory risks developed significantly more symptoms than those without any risk (P = 0.035 and 0.018, respectively). After the patients with respiratory infection were separated from those with respiratory risks, no additional nosocomial infection occurred.

CONCLUSION

Patients with respiratory risks easily develop respiratory symptoms and acquire severe symptoms of nosocomial infection by those viruses. In a paediatric ward, we should adopt not only standard precautions but also isolation management of the patients with respiratory symptoms, even if they have negative results in rapid tests.

Protein-losing gastroenteropathy in a patient with concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome

We report a female in her twenties who developed generalized edema. She was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) based on her physical manifestations and positive findings for antinuclear antibody and anti-SS-A/SS-B-antibody. Although she manifested hypoproteinemia, a possibility of lupus nephritis was denied due to a lack of significant abnormality in kidney function tests and urinalysis. The nature of hypoproteinemia and related symptoms was identified as protein losing gastroenteropathy (PLGE) based on α 1-antitrypsin clearance and histopathology findings. Physicians should be aware that PLGE may develop as an underlying cause of edema in SLE and SS.

Association of cardiac magnetic resonance-detected myocardial abnormalities with disease characteristics and brain natriuretic peptide levels in systemic sclerosis without cardiac symptoms

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the association between myocardial abnormalities and left ventricular (LV) geometry as assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients without cardiac symptoms.

METHODS

SSc patients without cardiac symptoms or cardiovascular risk factors underwent contrast CMRI. CMRI were assessed for structural and functional LV parameters and myocardial fibrosis based on myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The correlation between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and LGE status was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 49 patients, 27 (55%) showed LGE positivity. The most common identified LGE pattern was a linear pattern. LGE was not consistent with coronary artery distribution. There was no difference in ejection fraction between those with and without LGE. LV morphological changes were observed in 29% of SSc patients. An abnormal LV structure was detected in 44% and 14% of patients in the LGE+ and LGE- groups, respectively. The BNP levels were higher by 57% in the LGE+ group than in the LGE-group. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that BNP levels reliably detected myocardial abnormalities (area under the curve, 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial abnormalities were common in SSc patients without cardiac symptoms. We suggest that LV morphological changes may have resulted from myocardial abnormalities. BNP may be useful as a screening tool for the detection of myocardial abnormalities in SSc patients.