Clinical significance of the anti-Nucleolar Organizer Region 90 antibodies (NOR90) in systemic sclerosis: Analysis of the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) cohort and a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

The anti-Nucleolar Organizer Region 90 antibodies (NOR90) are rare antinuclear antibodies (ANA) reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Especially due to low prevalence, the clinical relevance of NOR90 in SSc remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the clinical associations of NOR90 in patients with SSc in a multicentric cohort.

METHODS

Post-hoc, cross-sectional study of prospectively collected data from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database, with additional information on NOR90. Further, we performed a systematic literature search, using the terms "systemic sclerosis" and "NOR90" across three databases: Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and Thomson Reuters' Web of Science Core Collection, from inception to November 1st, 2023.

RESULTS

Overall, 1318 patients with SSc were included (mean age 58.3 ± 13.7 years, 81.3 % female), of whom 44 (3.3 %) were positive for NOR90. Of these, 32 were also positive for one of the SSc-criteria antibodies: 9/44 (20.5 %) for anti-topoisomerase I, 18/42 (42.9 %) for anti-centromere, and 5/40 (12.5 %) for anti-RNA polymerase III. NOR90-positive patients were more frequently female, had lower modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), and lower prevalence of upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms compared to NOR90-negative patients. In multivariable analysis, NOR90 remained significantly associated with lower mRSS and less frequent GI symptoms. The literature search identified 17 articles, including a total number of 87 NOR90-positive out of 3357 SSc patients, corresponding to an overall prevalence of 2.6 %.

CONCLUSION

To our best knowledge, this is the largest SSc cohort tested for NOR90 to date, confirming the NOR90 prevalence in SSc patients is around 3 %.

Therapeutic management of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis patients - an analysis from the Swiss EUSTAR cohort

OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease leading to microvascular and fibrotic manifestations in multiple organs. Several treatment options and recommendations from different European countries are available. In this study, for which the ambit is Switzerland specifically, we aim to describe the treatment patterns of systemic sclerosis patients with fibrotic manifestations.

METHODS

Systemic sclerosis patients were selected from six Swiss tertiary centres recorded in the multicentre, prospective European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) registry. Patients fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR systemic sclerosis classification criteria at baseline were included. To determine the differences in treatment of varying degrees of fibrosis, four groups were identified: (1) patients with a modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) >0; (2) those with mRSS ≥7; (3) those with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), diagnosed by either chest X-Ray or high-resolution computed tomography; and (4) patients fulfilling one of the additional criteria for extensive interstitial lung disease, defined as interstitial lung disease involvement of >20% in high-resolution computed tomography, dyspnea NYHA-stage 3/4, or a predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) of <70%.

RESULTS

A total of 590 patients with systemic sclerosis fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In this cohort, 421 (71.4%) had mRSS >0, of whom 195 (33.1%) had mRSS ≥7; interstitial lung disease was diagnosed in 198 of 456 (43.4%), of whom 106 (18.0 %) showed extensive interstitial lung disease. Regarding non-biologic disease-modifying medications (DMARDs), the most frequently prescribed was methotrexate, followed by hydroxychloroquine and mycophenolate mofetil. Rituximab and tocilizumab were most frequently used among the biologic DMARDs. Specifically, 148/372 (39.8%) of treated patients with skin fibrosis received methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil or rituximab, and 80/177 (45.2%) with interstitial lung disease received cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, tocilizumab or rituximab. Most patients received a proton-pump inhibitor, and few patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, in Switzerland, a wide range of medications is prescribed for systemic sclerosis patients. This includes modern, targeted treatments for which randomised controlled clinical trial have been recently reported.

[Rheumatology: what's new in 2023]

In rheumatology, this year has been characterized by a broader knowledge of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and mechanisms involved in the onset and persistence of low back pain. Studies relevant to the management of of gout, axial spondyloarthritis, autoinflammatory diseases and systemic vasculitides were published. New data on the safety of JAK inhibitors have been published. The ASAS-EULAR recommendations for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis were updated, and the 2023 EULAR/PReS guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult-onset Still's disease are now available. New molecules and different glucocorticoid sparing strategies were introduced for giant cell arteritis.

Induction failure in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a nationwide case-control study of risk factors and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To identify characteristics of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) associated with induction failure, describe salvage therapies and their efficacy.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide retrospective case-control study of GPA with induction failure between 2006 and 2021. Each patient with induction failure was randomly paired to three controls matched for age, sex and induction treatment.

RESULTS

We included 51 patients with GPA and induction failure (29 men and 22 women). At induction therapy, median age was 49 years. Twenty-seven patients received intravenous cyclophosphamide (ivCYC) and 24 rituximab (RTX) as induction therapy. Patients with ivCYC induction failure more frequently had PR3-ANCA (93% vs 70%, P = 0.02), relapsing disease (41% vs 7%, P < 0.001) and orbital mass (15% vs 0%, P < 0.01) compared with controls. Patients with disease progression despite RTX induction therapy more frequently had renal involvement (67% vs 25%, P = 0.02) with renal failure (serum creatinine >100 µmol/l in 42% vs 8%, P = 0.02) compared with controls. After salvage therapy, remission was achieved at 6 months in 35 (69%) patients. The most frequent salvage therapy was switching from ivCYC to RTX (or vice versa), showing an efficacy in 21/29 (72%). Remission was achieved in nine (50%) patients with inappropriate response to ivCYC, while in patients with progression after RTX induction, remission was achieved in four (100%) who received ivCYC (with or without immunomodulatory therapy), but only in three (50%) after adding immunomodulatory therapy alone.

CONCLUSION

In patients with induction failure, characteristics of GPA, salvage therapies and their efficacy vary according to induction therapy and failure modality.

Can efficacy and safety data from clinical trials of rituximab in RA be extrapolated? Insights from 1984 patients from the AIR-PR Registry

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the efficacy and safety data from drug-registration trials can be extrapolated to real-life RA patients receiving RTX.

METHODS

The AIR-PR registry is a French multicentre, prospective cohort of RA patients treated with RTX in a real-life setting. We compared treatment responses at 12 months and serious AEs between eligible and non-eligible patients, by retrieving the eligibility criteria of the three rituximab-registration trials. We determined critical eligibility criteria and modelled the benefit-risk ratio according to the number of fulfilled critical eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

Among 1984 RA patients, only 9-12% fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Non-eligible patients had less EULAR response at 12 months (40.3% vs 46.9%, p= 0.044). Critical inclusion criteria included SJC ≥ 4, TJC ≥ 4, CRP ≥ 15 mg/l, and RF positivity. Critical exclusion criteria were age >80 years, RA-associated systemic diseases, ACR functional class IV, other DMARD than methotrexate, and prednisone > 10 mg/day. Only 20.8% fulfilled those critical eligibility criteria. During the first year, serious AEs occurred for 182 (9.2%) patients, (70.3% serious infections) and patients with ≥1 critical exclusion criterion were at higher risk (HR 3.03; 95%CI 2.25-4.06; for ≥ 3 criteria vs 0). The incremental risk-benefit ratio decreased with the number of unmet critical inclusion criteria and of fulfilled exclusion criteria.

CONCLUSION

Few real-life RA patients were eligible for the drug-registration trials. Non-eligible patients had lower chance of response, and higher risk of serious AEs. Efficacy and safety data obtained from those trials may not be generalizable to RA patients receiving RTX in real-world clinical practice.

Reporting and Representativeness of Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status in Systemic Sclerosis Randomized Trials: An Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess how and to what extent socioeconomic status and ethnicity/race of participants are reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to estimate the representativeness of different ethnic/racial groups in SSc RCTs.

METHODS

We searched all published RCTs on SSc indexed in PubMed. We retrieved information on main features of RCTs published from 2000 onward and recorded for each study whether race/ethnicity was reported; how ethnicity/race was defined and assigned; and the number of patients included for each racial/ethnic group. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with race/ethnicity reporting. Proportion of races/ethnicities included in US-based RCTs on SSc was examined and compared with US demographic data.

RESULTS

We included 106 studies, mostly conducted in Europe (42%) or North America (25%), published after 2010 (74%), and enrolling a total of 6,693 patients. About one-third of studies provided information about race/ethnicity, with no improved reporting over time. Only 2 papers reported patient's socioeconomic status. Study location (US or intercontinental) was the only significant factor associated with a better reporting of race/ethnicity in multivariable analysis. In studies where race/ethnicity was reported, White patients were mostly represented (79%), followed by Asian (7%), and African American (6%). In the sensitivity analysis limited to studies from the US, underrepresentation of African American patients was observed in the 2000-2010 time period, but not later.

CONCLUSION

Documentation of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status is poor in RCTs on SSc. More effort should be made to document race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status and to promote diversity in SSc RCTs.

Time to Publication and Time-Lag Publication Bias for Randomized Trials on Connective Tissue Diseases

OBJECTIVE

To assess the time from completion to publication of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on connective tissue diseases (CTDs), investigate the factors associated with, and explore the influence of significance of study results on time to publication (time-lag publication bias).

METHODS

We included interventional, phase 2/3, 3, or 4 RCTs on CTDs registered in Clinicaltrials.gov from 2000 to 2016, whose results had been published in a peer-review journal less than 5 years after their completion. Main trial features, including the significance of primary outcome results, were collected. Time to publication was the time from study completion to the earliest publication date. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify factors associated with time to publication.

RESULTS

We included 62 studies, mostly phase 3 (61%) trials on pharmacologic treatments (94%); we recruited patients with systemic lupus (55%) or systemic sclerosis (23%) and planned to enroll a median of 131 (IQR [interquartile range]: 61-288) patients. Twenty-two (35%) reported at least a statistically significant primary outcome. Median time to publication was 28 months (IQR: 17-36). In a multivariable analysis, time to publication progressively improved over time (faster publication in recent years, with the average time to publication decreasing by 1.3 [95% CI: 0.3-2.3] months per year) and was not influenced by the significance of primary outcome results, funder, impact factor of the journal, number of recruiting countries, and comparator.

CONCLUSION

A high proportion of CTDs-RCTs is published beyond 2 years from completion. We did not find evidence of time-lag publication bias, and time to publication improved over time.

Management of giant-cell arteritis in Switzerland: an online national survey

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To assess current practices in diagnosing, treating, and following-up giant-cell arteritis by specialists in Switzerland and to identify the main barriers to using diagnostic tools.

METHODS

We performed a national survey of specialists potentially caring for patients with giant-cell arteritis. The survey was sent by email to all members of the Swiss Societies of Rheumatology and for Allergy and Immunology. A reminder was sent to nonresponders after 4 and 12 weeks. Its questions covered the following dimensions: respondents' main characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and imaging's role during follow-up. The main study results were summarized using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Ninety-one specialists, primarily aged 46-65 years (n = 53/89; 59%), working in academic or nonacademic hospitals or private practice, and treating a median of 7.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-12) patients with giant-cell arteritis per year participated in this survey. Ultrasound of temporal arteries/large vessels (n = 75/90; 83%) and positron-emission-tomography-computed tomography (n = 52/91; 57%) or magnetic resonance imaging (n = 46/90; 51%) of the aorta/extracranial arteries were the most common techniques used to diagnose giant-cell arteritis with cranial or large vessel involvement, respectively. Most participants reported a short time to obtain imaging tests or arterial biopsy. The glucocorticoid tapering scheme, glucocorticoid-sparing agent, and glucocorticoid-sparing treatment duration varied among the participants. Most physicians did not follow a predefined repeat imaging scheme for follow-up and mainly relied on structural changes (vascular thickening, stenosis, or dilatation) to drive treatment choice.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey indicates that imaging and temporal biopsy are rapidly accessible for diagnosing giant-cell arteritis in Switzerland but highlights heterogeneous practice in many disease management areas.

[What's new in the management of systemic sclerosis]

This review of the literature highlights the results of the recent randomized controlled trials about the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its complications. The latest randomized studies have failed to demonstrate the utility against placebo of the injections of botulinum toxin A to achieve a better control of Raynaud's phenomenon and the efficacy of the adipose-derived cell transplantation for the treatment of hand dysfunction. Rituximab allows a significant improvement of cutaneous induration. The injections of mesenchymal stromal cells are well tolerated and should encourage future randomized trials to evaluate their efficacy. Finally, nintedanib and tocilizumab allow a reduction in the rate of decline of lung function, as well as a possible stabilization with tocilizumab.

[Rheumatology : what's new in 2022]

In rheumatology, this year has seen an expansion of knowledge about the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, with the availability of results from randomized trials evaluating a new molecule targeting IL-6, and regarding the safety profile of tofacitinib compared to TNF-alpha inhibitors. Interesting data on the outcome of pregnancy in patients with spondylarthritis have also been published. New molecules and different treatment strategies have shown promising results in psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The utility of botulinum toxin A injections for Raynaud's phenomenon and the efficacy of transplantation of autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells for the treatment of hand dysfunctions have been questioned by 2 randomized controlled trials of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Hydroxychloroquine daily dose, hydroxychloroquine blood levels and the risk of flares in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Recent guidelines for SLE recommend using a hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose less than 5.0 mg/kg/day to reduce the risk of retinopathy. To determine if this dose reduction would have an impact on the clinical course of SLE, we compared flare incidence in a cohort of patients with SLE treated with two different oral HCQ dosages (≤5 mg/kg/day or >5 mg/kg/day). As a secondary analysis, we compared HCQ blood levels between the two different oral dosages, and evaluated the frequency of non-adherence in patients with SLE treated with HCQ.

METHODS

We identified a cohort of patients with SLE taking HCQ for at least 6 months and followed for 24 months. At study entry and 6 months later, a blood venous sample was taken to measure HCQ blood levels by liquid chromatography. Incidence of new SLE flares after recruitment was put in relation to daily HCQ dose and mean HCQ blood levels. Cox regression analysis served to identify factors associated with SLE flares.

RESULTS

83 patients were enrolled. We observed 11 (16%) flares that developed in mean 14.8 months of follow-up. The difference in terms of flare rate and mean HCQ blood levels between the two oral dosages was not statistically significant. There was a trend (p=0.08) for high HCQ dose being associated with a lower flare rate. At Cox analysis, higher HCQ blood levels and older age at baseline were protective against flare occurrence, while concomitant immunosuppressant therapy showed significant positive association. HCQ blood levels did not correlate with prescribed HCQ dose.

CONCLUSION

Patients with low oral HCQ dosage tend to have more flares, although the difference was not statistically significant. Higher HCQ blood levels were protective against flare occurrence. The risks and benefits must be balanced in choosing HCQ dose.

Rituximab vs Cyclophosphamide Induction Therapy for Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis

IMPORTANCE

Results of randomized clinical trials have demonstrated rituximab's noninferiority to cyclophosphamide as induction therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV), with neither treatment having a specific advantage for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). However, post hoc analysis results have suggested that rituximab might be more effective than cyclophosphamide in inducing remission in patients with proteinase 3-positive AAV.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of rituximab and cyclophosphamide in inducing GPA remission in a large population of unselected patients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This comparative effectiveness study used multicenter target trial emulation observational data from 32 French hospitals in the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry. Groups were determined according to treatments received, without any intervention from the investigators. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to correct for baseline imbalance between groups. Participants included patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing GPA who satisfied American College of Rheumatology classification criteria and/or Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature. Data were analyzed from October 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022.

EXPOSURES

At least 1 infusion of rituximab or cyclophosphamide for induction therapy between April 1, 2008, and April 1, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was remission rate at month 6 (±2 months), with remission defined as a Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) of 0 and prednisone dose of 10 mg/d or less. The BVAS is a validated tool for small-vessel vasculitis and used to assess the level of disease activity, with a numerical weight attached to each involved organ system. The BVAS has a range of 0 to 63 points; a score of 0 indicates no disease activity. Subgroup analyses included the primary outcome for patients with a new diagnosis, for most recently treated patients, and for patients with myeloperoxidase-ANCA positivity.

RESULTS

Among 194 patients with GPA included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 54 [15] years; 110 men [56.7%]), 165 (85.1%) had a new diagnosis, and 147 of 182 with data available (80.8%) had proteinase 3-ANCA positivity. Sixty-one patients received rituximab and 133 received cyclophosphamide for induction therapy. In the weighted analysis, the primary outcome was reached for 73.1% of patients receiving rituximab vs 40.1% receiving cyclophosphamide (relative risk [RR], 1.82 [95% CI, 1.22-2.73]; risk difference, 33.0% [95% CI, 12.2%-53.8%]; E value for RR, 3.05). Similar results were observed in the subgroup of patients with newly diagnosed GPA and those with a more recent treatment. In the subset of 27 patients with myeloperoxidase-ANCA-positive GPA, 8 of 10 rituximab recipients and 8 of 17 cyclophosphamide recipients met the primary end point (unweighted RR, 1.73 [95% CI, 0.96-3.11]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this comparativeness effectiveness study using clinical data, rituximab induction therapy for GPA was more frequently associated with remission than cyclophosphamide. These results inform clinical decision-making concerning the choice of remission induction therapy for this subset of patients with AAV.

Effectiveness of TNF-inhibitors, abatacept, IL6-inhibitors and JAK-inhibitors in 31 846 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 19 registers from the 'JAK-pot' collaboration

BACKGROUND

JAK-inhibitors (JAKi), recently approved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have changed the landscape of treatment choices. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of four current second-line therapies of RA with different modes of action, since JAKi approval, in an international collaboration of 19 registers.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, patients initiating tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-6 inhibitors (IL-6i), abatacept (ABA) or JAKi were included. We compared the effectiveness of these treatments in terms of drug discontinuation and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) response rates at 1 year. Analyses were adjusted for patient, disease and treatment characteristics, including lines of therapy and accounted for competing risk.

RESULTS

We included 31 846 treatment courses: 17 522 TNFi, 2775 ABA, 3863 IL-6i and 7686 JAKi. Adjusted analyses of overall discontinuation were similar across all treatments. The main single reason of stopping treatment was ineffectiveness. Compared with TNFi, JAKi were less often discontinued for ineffectiveness (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.75, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.83), as was IL-6i (aHR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.85) and more often for adverse events (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.33). Adjusted CDAI response rates at 1 year were similar between TNFi, JAKi and IL-6i and slightly lower for ABA.

CONCLUSION

The adjusted overall drug discontinuation and 1 year response rates of JAKi and IL-6i were similar to those observed with TNFi. Compared with TNFi, JAKi were more often discontinued for adverse events and less for ineffectiveness, as were IL-6i.

Glucocorticoids prescribing practices in systemic sclerosis: an analysis of the EUSTAR database

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the long-term exposure to glucocorticoids (GC), the factors associated with, and the variations in prescribing practices over time and across recruiting countries.

METHODS

We included patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) having a visit in the EUSTAR database from January 2013 onward. We analyzed the prevalence and the main features of GC users, the exposure to GC over time, and the respective dosages. Multivariable linear regression analysis identified factors associated with GC intake duration. Time trends, and variations in GC utilization across recruiting countries were explored. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation with chained equations.

RESULTS

The 9819 patients included were mostly females (85%), lcSSc (73%), median age 58 years. At baseline, 34% of patients (n = 2769/8109) (48% dcSSc vs. 29% lcSSc) were on GC, median dose 7.5 mg/day. GC users were more frequently males, dcSSc, anti-Scl70 positive, with a more severe disease. On average, GC users spent 25% of their follow-up time (median 33.2 months) on GC, with no significant between-subsets difference. Notably, 33% (n = 971/2959) and 22% (n = 647/2959) of patients followed-up for >1 year, had received GC for >6 and >12 months, respectively. In multivariable analysis, patient and disease's characteristics poorly explained the variability of GC exposure (adjusted-R2 = 0.06, P < 0.001). GC utilization varied within and across countries, and gradually decreased over time (36% in 2013 vs. 23% in 2018).

CONCLUSIONS

GC are widely and long-term prescribed in SSc, with significant between- and within-country(ies) differences. A gradual decrease in their utilization is observed.

AB0736 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ERYTHROCYTE DISTRIBUTION WIDTH AND SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS-ASSOCIATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Background

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) account for 60% of deaths related to scleroderma (SSc). The erythrocyte distribution width (RDW) has been used as a marker of poor prognosis in different pathologies. In SSc, RDW has been found to be elevated in PAH and has been proposed as a predictor of cardiorespiratory compromise.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between increased RDW and the presence of EPI in patients with SSc.

Methods

This is a multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with SSc (ACR/EULAR 2013) from January 2011 to August 2021. Other concomitant autoimmune diseases, malignancy, active infections, iron-deficiency or pernicious anaemia and transfused patients were excluded. The diagnosis of PID was made by high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) and the extension evaluated by Goh criteria. A review of medical records was conducted, collecting clinical and demographic characteristics, interstitial pattern by HR-CT, assessed, acute phase reactants, capillaroscopy, functional respiratory tests (PFT) and echocardiographic resolution. Patients diagnosed with PAH by right heart catheterization were not excluded in this study but recorded.

Results

Seventy-five patients were included, with a mean age of 59.4 (SD 14.1 CI95% 56-6), from which 67 (89%) were women. A median of 8 years of disease evolution was observed RIC 8). Limited SS was observed in 50 (66%) and diffuse SS in 24 (32%). EPI was observed in 50 (66%) of which NSIP 25 (33%), NSIP-f 15 (20%) and UIP 10 (13%). The extension of the disease was limited in 25 (33%) and extensive in 19 (25%). Capillaroscopic findings were normal in 2 (3.4%), nonspecific in 1 (1.7%), early SD in 9 (15.3%), active SD in 22 (37.3%), and late SD in 25 (42.4%); in sixteen patients there was no capillaroscopy.

We observed an increase in RDW in the EPI group with a statistically significant difference OR 6.06 CI95% 2-17 (p 0.001).

The median RDW is higher in patients with ILD and PAH than in healthy people (p<0.0001).

We found a low negative correlation between RDW / FVC r (63) -.25 p 0.042 and RDW / FEV1 r (63) .30 p 0.015.

Conclusion

In the present study we have been able to evidence that there is a statistically significant relationship between the percentage of RDW and the presence of PID. When analysing the association between patients without pulmonary compromise, ILD and PAH and the percentage of RDW, we were able to find a statistically significant difference between the three groups. It is necessary to continue with studies with a larger number of patients to grant robustness to the results.

References

[1]Muangchan, et al: 15% rule in SSc. The Journal of Rheumatology 2013; 40; 9; doi:10.3899/jrheum.121380.

[2]Cottin and Brown. Interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis (Ssc-ILD) Respiratory Research (2019) 20:13

[3]Thayer, T. E. et al. Unbiased Phenome-wide Association Studies of Red Cell Distribution Width Identifies Key Associations with Pulmonary Hypertension. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. doi:10.1513/annalsats.201809-594oc.

[4]Zhao J,Mo H, Guo X,Wang Q, Xu D, Hou Y, Tian Z, Liu Y,Wang H, Lai J, Li M, ZengX (2018) Red blood cell distribution width as a related factor of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis. Clin Rheumatol 37:979–985.

[5]Goh NSL, Desai SR, Veeraraghavan S, et al. Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: A Simple Staging System. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2008. June;177(11):1248–54.

[6]Hax V, Bredemeier M, Didonet Moro AL, et al. Clinical algorithms for the diagnosis and prognosis of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2017. October;47(2):228–34.

[7]Peralta S. Guías Argentinas De Consenso En Diagnóstico Y Tratamiento De La Hipertensión Pulmonar. Sociedad Argentina de Cardiología. Área de Consensos y Normas. Vol 85 Suplemento 3. Octubre 2017.

Acknowledgements

Participating centers

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Comparative study of granulomatosis with polyangiitis subsets according to ANCA status: data from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry

Objective

To investigate whether antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-negative and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA–positive granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) differ from proteinase-3 (PR3)-ANCA–positive GPA.

Methods

Diagnostic characteristics and outcomes of newly diagnosed French Vasculitis Study Group Registry patients with ANCA-negative, MPO-ANCA–positive or PR3-ANCA–positive GPA satisfying American College of Rheumatology criteria and/or Chapel Hill Conference Consensus Nomenclature were compared.

Results

Among 727 GPA, 62 (8.5%) were ANCA-negative, 119 (16.4%) MPO-ANCA–positive and 546 (75.1%) PR3-ANCA–positive. ANCA-negative patients had significantly (p<0.05) more limited disease (17.7% vs 5.8%) and less kidney involvement (35.5% vs 58.9%) than those PR3-ANCA–positive or MPO-ANCA–positive, with comparable relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS). MPO-ANCA–positive versus PR3-ANCA–positive and ANCA-negative patients were significantly more often female (52.9% vs 42.1%), older (59.8 vs 51.9 years), with more frequent kidney involvement (65.5% vs 55.2%) and less arthralgias (34.5% vs 55.1%), purpura (8.4% vs 17.1%) or eye involvement (18.5% vs 28.4%); RFS was similar but OS was lower before age adjustment. PR3-positive patients’ RFS was significantly lower than for ANCA-negative and MPO-positive groups combined, with OS higher before age adjustment. PR3-ANCA–positivity independently predicted relapse for all GPA forms combined but not when comparing only PR3-ANCA–positive versus MPO-ANCA–positive patients.

Conclusions

Based on this large cohort, ANCA-negative versus ANCA-positive patients more frequently had limited disease but similar RFS and OS. MPO-ANCA–positive patients had similar RFS but lower OS due to their older age. PR3-ANCA–positive GPA patients’ RFS was lower than those of the two other subsets combined but that difference did not persist when comparing only PR3 versus MPO-ANCA–positive patients.

Influence of hydroxychloroquine blood levels on adhesion molecules associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

Patients with SLE have an endothelial dysfunction (ED), which is considered the earliest marker of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Endothelial cell activation induced by proinflammatory cytokines is defined by the endothelial expression of cell-surface adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum endothelial adhesion molecule levels are influenced by blood hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) levels in SLE.

Methods

Consecutive patients with SLE taking a stable dose of HCQ were investigated. At study entry and 6 months later HCQ blood levels were quantified by tandem mass spectrometry. Serum levels of P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were also measured using a Luminex 200 instrument. Comparison of endothelial soluble adhesion molecules in groups with different HCQ blood levels was performed by t-test.

Results

83 patients with SLE were enrolled. Correlation were demonstrated between mean blood HCQ concentrations and endothelial soluble adhesion molecules (E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1). Moreover, serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly lower in the patients with SLE with HCQ blood levels >500 ng/mL (83.67±52.8 ng/mL vs 158.81±125.1 ng/mL and 8.9±2.2 ng/mL vs 10.4±2.3 ng/mL). Serum levels of E-selectin were nearly significantly lower in the patients with SLE with HCQ blood levels >500 ng/mL (64.7±30.2 ng/mL vs 71.6±42.2 ng/mL, p=0.06). No significant difference in concentration of P-selectin was detected.

Conclusions

In the present study, there was a trend towards higher adhesion molecules levels with lower HCQ blood levels in patients with SLE. Further longitudinal studies will determine whether changes in endothelial biomarkers reflect decreased clinical CV events.

[Rheumatology: 2021 update]

In rheumatology, this year has seen an expansion of knowledge about the effects of COVID and the vaccine response in patients with autoimmune diseases, but also a re-examination of the usual doses of glucocorticoids in vasculitides and new treatments strategies for diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, spondylarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. New criteria for imaging assessment in spondylarthritis and new management guidelines for patients with low back pain have also been proposed.

Extent of and reasons for discontinuation and nonpublication of interventional trials on connective tissue diseases: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the proportion, the reasons, and the factors associated with discontinuation or nonpublication of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on connective tissue diseases (CTDs).

METHODS

We searched all interventional RCTs on CTDs registered in Clinicaltrials.gov since 2000. Two reviewers selected studies according to pre-specified eligibility criteria. Completion status, publication status, reported reasons for discontinuation or nonpublication, were retrieved on Clinicaltrials.gov, through literature search, and by contacting investigators. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with study noncompletion and nonpublication.

RESULTS

We included 175 studies, mostly phase 3, placebo-controlled trials on pharmacologic treatments, recruiting patients with systemic lupus (51%), systemic sclerosis (20%), Sjögren syndrome (12%) or other CTDs. Fifty-eight (33%) had been discontinued, mainly for insufficient patient accrual, with no differences in discontinuation rates across the CTDs (P>0.5). Forty-six (35%) of 130 studies having included at least 1 patient resulted unpublished, and 86 (65%) were published in a peer-reviewed journal after a median of 24 months (IQ 15-41) from completion, with a significant higher publication rate in completed vs. discontinued studies (81% vs 22%; P<0.001). We were able to obtain reasons for nonpublication in one-third of cases. Small sample size (< 100 participants) was the only factor associated with study noncompletion and nonpublication.

CONCLUSIONS

One of three registered CTD-RCTs fails to be completed or published. This represents a waste of resources and raises ethical concerns regarding hidden clinical data and unfruitful participation by patients.

Adult-onset Acute Calcific Discitis

Acute calcific discitis is a rare condition of unknown etiology, observed mainly in childhood.¹ Few cases have been described in adults, and most of these involve the thoracic spine.².

Localised Versus Systemic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Data from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry

OBJECTIVE

To describe the main features at diagnosis and evolution over time of patients with localised granulomatosis with polyangiitis (L-GPA) compared to those of systemic GPA (S-GPA).

METHODS

EULAR definitions of L-GPA, i.e., upper and/or lower respiratory tract involvement, and S-GPA were applied to patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry. L-GPA and S-GPA patients' characteristics at diagnosis and long-term outcomes were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

Among the 795 Registry patients, 79 (10%) had L-GPA. Their main clinical manifestations were rhinitis, lung nodules, sinusitis and otitis. L-GPA versus S-GPA patients at diagnosis, respectively, were younger, more frequently had saddle nose deformity or subglottic stenosis and were less often PR3-ANCA-positive. L-GPA versus S-GPA induction therapy less frequently included cyclophosphamide but more often a combination of methotrexate and glucocorticoids; 64% of methotrexate-treated patients experienced disease progression within 18 months post-diagnosis. L- and S-GPA patients' estimated relapse-free-survival probabilities, relapse rates and refractory disease rates at each time point were comparable, but L-GPA patients had more frequent ENT and lung relapses, and higher overall survival rates (P <0.02). Over a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 18 (22.8%) L-GPA progressed to S-GPA, either as a relapse after a period in remission or more frequently in the context of refractory disease. L-GPA patients experienced more ENT-related damage.

CONCLUSIONS

The relapse risks of L-GPA and S-GPA were similar, but relapse patterns differed and L-GPA overall survival rate was higher. About one-quarter of L-GPA patients developed S-GPA over time, but without end-stage organ involvement.

The burden of systemic sclerosis in Switzerland - the Swiss systemic sclerosis EUSTAR cohort

OBJECTIVES

Characteristics of Swiss patients with systemic sclerosis have not been described so far. The aim of the current study was to identify unmet needs in comparison with other European countries that could inform specific interventions to improve the care of systemic sclerosis patients.

METHODS

We analysed Swiss and other European systemic sclerosis patients registered in European Scleroderma Trials And Research (EUSTAR) and the Very Early Diagnosis Of Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS) cohort. Demographics, clinical profiles, organ involvement and survival of established, early/mild and very early / very mild systemic sclerosis patients were described and compared between the cohorts.

RESULTS

We included 679 Swiss and 8793 European systemic sclerosis patients in the analysis. Over 95% of patients in both cohorts were Caucasian, disease subsets were similar, and no age difference was found. The Swiss cohort had more male patients (25% vs 16% European, p = 0.005) and higher prevalence of early/mild and very early / very mild patients (26.1 vs 8.5% European and 14.9% vs 6.7% European, respectively, both p &lt;0.0001). Disease duration in established systemic sclerosis patients at first presentation was numerically shorter but not significant in the Swiss cohort: 5.0 years (1&ndash;12) Swiss vs 6.0 years (2&ndash;12) years European, p = 0.055). Despite the earlier referral of Swiss patients to systemic sclerosis expert centres, they showed evidence of more severe disease, particularly in the limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis subset, but no differences in overall survival on longitudinal follow-up were observed.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the national Swiss EUSTAR cohort. It identifies earlier referral to systemic sclerosis expert centres, before major organ damage occurs, and when outcome can still be modified, as a priority to improve care of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Significance of eosinophilia in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: data from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry

OBJECTIVE

To describe disease presentation and long-term outcome of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients according to blood eosinophils count (Eos) at vasculitis diagnosis.

METHODS

Data from newly diagnosed GPA patients registered in the French Vasculitis Study Group database with available eosinophil count at diagnosis were reviewed. Disease characteristics, rate and type of relapses and overall survival were analyzed according to Eos, categorized as normal (<500/mm3), mild-to-moderate hypereosinophilia (HE) between 500 and 1500/mm3 and severe HE > 1500/mm3.

RESULTS

Three hundred and fifty-four patients were included. At diagnosis, 90 (25.4%) patients had HE ≥ 500/mm3; they were more likely male (73% vs 56%, p= 0.006) and had more frequent cutaneous manifestations (49% vs 33%, p= 0.01), peripheral neuropathy (32% vs 17%, p= 0.004) and higher BVAS (21 vs 18, p= 0.01), compared with those with Eos <500/mm3. Patients with severe HE (n = 28; median Eos 2355, range 1500-9114) had more frequent renal function worsening at presentation (p= 0.008). After a median follow-up of 3.95 (IQR 1.95-6.76) years, no difference was found in overall relapse rates according to baseline Eos, but those with HE experienced more neurologic (p= 0.013) and skin (p= 0.024) relapses and had more frequently peripheral neuropathy as damage at last follow-up (p= 0.02). Overall survival difference was not significantly different in patients with normal Eos or HE at diagnosis. (p= 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Blood HE at diagnosis, observed in about one quarter of GPA patients, identifies a subgroup of patients with a more severe disease and higher rate of skin and neurological involvement both at presentation and during follow-up.

AB0279 THE IMPACT OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE DAILY DOSE IN THE PREVENTION OF FLARES IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS IN REMISSION

Background:

The EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) suggest a hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose of ≤5.0 mg/kg/day instead of 6.5 mg/kg/day to reduce the risk of HCQ-induced retinopathy (1). This change in HCQ dose may potentially lead to undertreatment with blood levels below the presumed therapeutic range.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare flare rates and HCQ blood levels between the two different oral dosages in patients with SLE in remission.

Methods:

Eligible patients were SLE patients in clinical remission according to the preliminary Definitions of Remission in SLE (DORIS) criteria for at least one year and treatment with stable dose of HCQ for at least six months and stable dose of glucocorticoids and/or immunosuppressants (2). Flares were defined by SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index (3). A venous blood sample was collected on two different occasions from all patients, reflecting actual therapeutic adherence. The biosamples were analyzed in a UPLC-MS/MS system composed of a Nexera chromatograph (Shimadzu) coupled with a Q-trap 6500 spectrometer (AB Sciex). A mean [HCQ] value ([HCQm]) for each patient was then calculated. Predictors of flares were analyzed by Cox regression.

Results:

We selected 66 patients who were stratified according to HCQ oral dose in two groups (Table 1). We observed 23 (35%) flares that developed in mean 26,0 (±15,1) months: 8/32 (25%) patients taking HCQ 5 mg/kg/day; 15/34 (44%) in the other group. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two group in number of flares (p=0,106), mean time of occurrence (p=0,904) and median [HCQm] (p=0,983). At regression analysis, older age at baseline was protective against flare occurrence (HR 0,93), while concomitant immunosuppressive therapy showed significant positive association (HR 3,66).

Conclusion:

Our study suggests that low dosage of HCQ (5 mg/kg/day) may safely be prescribed in SLE patients in remission, without significant differences in terms of blood concentration and impact on the clinical course of SLE.

References:

[1]Fanouriakis A, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78:736-745.

[2]van Vollenhoven R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:554-561.

[3]Petri M, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 2012;64(8):2677-2686.

Table 1.

Demographic, clinical and therapeutic features of the cohort and follow up data.

All patients (n= 66)HCQ≤5mg/Kg/die(n=32)HCQ6,5mg/Kg/die (n=34)PSex, female65 (99)31 (97)34 (100)0,3026Age, y, mean (SD)42,00±11,2741,80±10,2542,10±12,300,9140Disease duration, y, mean (SD)15,70 (9,02)17,80 (8,01)13,67 (9,50)0,0624SLEDAI, median (range)2 (0-4)1 (0-4)2 (0-4)0,6480SLICC, median (range)0 (0-2)0 (0-2)0 (0-1)0,8556[HCQm] ng/mL, median (range)512,60(104,41-3105,66)457,16(104,41-3105,66)538,49(149,24-1239,15)0,5989[DCQ] ng/mL,median (range)73,41(4,16-649,84)66,84(4,16-649,84)66,31(10,75-258,41)0,9380Time remission, y, median (range)2,00 (1-11)2,96 (1-10)2,00 (1-11)0,6588Previous renal involvement31 (47)15 (47)16 (47)0,9882Time HCQ, y, median (range)5 (0-32)8 (0-26)5 (1-32)0,2391Glucocorticoids33 (50)18 (56)15 (44)0,4700Mycophenolate mofetil6 (9)2 (6)4 (12)0,4396Azathioprine7 (11)4 (14)3 (9)0,6305Methotrexate1 (2)01 (3)0,3320Cyclosporine2 (3)1 (3)1 (3)0,9655Belimumab1 (2)01 (3)0,3320Follow up time, m, median (range)49 (4-67)52 (7-67)43 (4-67)0,1115Number of flares23 (35)8 (25)15 (44)0,1060Time to flare, m, mean (SD)26,0 (±15,1)26,6 (±16,4)25,8 (±14,9)0,9042Ocular alterations6 (9)4 (12)2 (6)0,0947Figure 1.

Predictors of flares analyzed by Cox regression. *Serena Fasano and Valentina Messiniti contributed equally to this abstract

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0316 MODELLING SHORT-TERM FVC CHANGES FROM SENSCIS TO LONG-TERM FVC COURSE IN SSc-ILD DEMONSTRATES CLINICALLY MEANINGFUL REDUCTION OF FVC DECLINE AND SURVIVAL BENEFITS

Background:

Nintedanib has shown to slow FVC decline by 41ml over 52 weeks in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). However, the long-term effect of nintedanib treatment on ILD progression and mortality in SSc patients is so far unknown.

Objectives:

Here, the 52-week treatment efficacy of nintedanib was modeled and extrapolated on the long-term FVC course and survival in SSc-ILD patients from the European Scleroderma Trial and Research (EUSTAR) database.

Methods:

SSc patients from the EUSTAR database fulfilling the inclusion criteria of the SENSCIS trial (SSc classification criteria, ILD confirmed by imaging, disease duration of <7 years, FVC≥40%pred, diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) 30-89%pred); and matched for baseline characteristics as well as matched for the 52-week FVC change of SENSCIS patients were included (n=236). Linear mixed models including time, risk factors at baseline (sex, age, dyspnea class, DLCO%, CRP, modified Rodnan skin score, SSc subtype, SSc auto-antibodies, disease duration, synovitis and muscle weakness) were used to estimate the natural FVC course over time. On this natural course of FVC, the observed effect from the SENSCIS trial representing the absolute 52-week difference of FVC decline between the nintedanib and the placebo group was applied as continuous annual effect (SENSCIS effect model). Survival was estimated for both the natural course as well as the SENSCIS effect model using Cox regression.

Results:

Of the 236 included patients, 75% were females, 65% had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Mean age was 50.6 years, mean FVC 78.2%pred and DLCO 56.3%pred at time of inclusion. Mean FVC change after 12±3 months was -2.3 ±6.9%pred. These parameters were largely similar to the characteristics of the SENSCIS population.

In the longitudinal follow up of this population, the natural course of FVC showed a total FVC decline of -16.3%pred over 5 years. With assumed SENSCIS effects (effects of nintedanib treatment reported in SENSCIS), the 5-year FVC decline was reduced to -10.3%pred (Figure 1).

The reduced FVC progression translated into an improved survival. The natural 5-year survival of this SSc-ILD population was 88.2%. When extrapolating also a severe FVC decline early in the course, frequently terminated by early mortality of SSc patients excluding them from long-term outcome assessment, the estimated 5-year survival was reduced to 81.6%. When the SENSCIS effects on FVC were considered, the 5-year extrapolated survival was increased to 86.3% (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

Long-term experience of nintedanib treatment in SSc-ILD patients is lacking so far, therefore we modeled and extrapolated the 52-week treatment efficacy of nintedanib on the long-term FVC course and survival in SSc-ILD patients from the EUSTAR database. We could demonstrate a significant reduction of FVC decline by extrapolating the annual treatment effects of nintedanib from the SENSCIS trial from 1 to 5 years in EUSTAR. Translating these reductions of FVC decline into survival, the 5-year mortality rate was reduced from 18% to 13%.

Disclosure of Interests:

Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Roche, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Lilly, Consultant of: Actelion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Bayer, Merck Sharp & Dohme, ARXX, Lilly and Medscape, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Dörte Huscher: None declared, Paolo Airò Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Novartis, Elisabetta Zanatta Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, GSK, Paid instructor for: GSK, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Patricia Carreira Speakers bureau: Actelion, Boehringer Ingellheim, Janssen, GSK, Paid instructor for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, VivaCell, Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals, Gesynta Pharma, Sanofi Genzyme, Grant/research support from: Roche, GSK, Yannick Allanore Consultant of: Honorarium received from Boehringer, Medsenic

Sanofi, Menarini, Grant/research support from: Grants received from Alpine, Ose Immunogenetics, Ulf Müller-Ladner Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Alessandro Giollo: None declared, Maria Rosa Pozzi: None declared, CAROLINA SOUZA MULLER Speakers bureau: Boehinger Ingelheim, Janssen, Roche, LIBBS, Bristol-Myers-Squib, Radim Bečvář Consultant of: Actelion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Michele Iudici: None declared, Dominik Majewski Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim - 2 x paid as a speaker, Armando Gabrielli Grant/research support from: Pfizer, CSL Behring, Margarida Alves Employee of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Nils Schoof Employee of: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Oliver Distler Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, IQone, Roche, Consultant of: Abbvie, Acceleron Pharma, Amgen, AnaMar, Arxx Therapeutics, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, ChemomAb, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, CSL Behring, Galapagos NV, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, GSK, Horizon (Curzion) Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, iQvia, Italfarmaco, Kymera Therapeutics, Lilly, Medac, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Serodapharm, Topadur, Target Bioscience and UCB, Grant/research support from: Kymera Therapeutics, Mitsubishi Tanabe

Representativeness of Systemic Sclerosis Patients in Interventional Randomized Trials: an analysis of the EUSTAR database

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the extent of and the reasons for ineligibility in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients included in the EUSTAR database, and to determine the association between patient's features and generalizability of study results.

METHODS

We searched Clinicaltrials.gov for all records on interventional SSc-RCTs registered from January 2013 to January 2018. Two reviewers selected studies, and information on the main trial features were retrieved. Data from 8046 patients having a visit in the EUSTAR database since 2013 were used to check patient's eligibility. The proportion of potentially eligible patients per trial, and the risk factors for ineligibility were analyzed. Complete-, worst- and best-case analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 37 RCTs included, 43% were conducted in Europe, 35% were industry-funded, and 87% investigated pharmacological treatments. Ninety-one percent of 8046 patients included could have participated in at least one RCT. In complete-case analysis, the median [range] proportion of eligible patients having the main organ complication targeted by each study was 60% [10-100] in the overall sample of trials, ranging from 50% [32-79] for trials on skin fibrosis to 90% [34-77] for those targeting Raynaud's phenomenon. Among the criteria checked, treatment- and safety-related but not demographic were the main barriers to patient's recruitment. Older age, absence of Raynaud's phenomenon, and lower mRSS were independently associated with the failure to fulfill criteria for any of the included studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient's representativeness in SSc-RCTs is highly variable and is driven more by treatment- and safety-related rather than demographic criteria.

[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and COVID-19]

This article synthesizes the main aspects of the management of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic based on published literature. We will therefore develop on topics such as the risk of getting infected, the differences in COVID-19 clinical course and severity compared to general population, the role of antiphospholipid antibodies in thrombotic complications, and treatment strategies.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis: Study of 795 patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group registry

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) from the French Vasculitis Study Group database.

METHODS

Patients' clinical and laboratory characteristics, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS)-assessed disease activity, malignancies, opportunistic infections, and vital status were collected at diagnosis and each visit. Estimated probabilities and predictors of overall (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by Cox regression.

RESULTS

We enrolled 795 newly diagnosed patients, followed for a median of 3.5 years. Initial clinical manifestations involved ear, nose & throat (ENT; 80%), lungs (68%) and kidneys (56%). Among the 728 available ELISA results, 75.0% were PR3-ANCA-positive, 16.5% MPO-ANCA-positive and 62 (8.5%) ANCA-negative. Relapses occurred in 394 (50%) patients, involving ≥1 organ(s) affected at onset in 179 (46%), mainly ENT, lungs and kidneys, with mean BVAS 10.2 points below that at diagnosis (p<0.001). Five- and 10-year RFS rates were 37% and 17%, respectively. PR3-ANCA-positivity independently predicted relapse (p = 0.05) and prolonged survival (p = 0.038). OS-but not RFS-improved significantly over time (p<0.001); 10-year OS reached 88.2% (95% CI 83.9 to 92.7) for the 660 patients diagnosed after 2000. Infections were the main causes of death. Malignancy or opportunistic infection each occurred in ≤5% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Survival has improved dramatically over the last decades but the high relapse rate remains a major concern for GPA patients, once again stressing the need for therapeutic strategy optimization to lower it. PR3-ANCA-positivity was associated with increased probability of relapse and survival.

Significance of PR3-ANCA positivity in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)

OBJECTIVES

Only a third of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) are ANCA-positive, mainly directed against MPO. ANCA directed against PR3 are rarely found in EGPA. We aimed to examine the significance of PR3-ANCA in EGPA.

METHODS

We set up a retrospective European multicentre cohort including 845 patients. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were analysed and compared according to ANCA status.

RESULTS

ANCA status was available for 734 patients: 508 (69.2%) ANCA-negative, 210 (28.6%) MPO-ANCA and 16 (2.2%) PR3-ANCA. At baseline, PR3-ANCA patients, compared with those with MPO-ANCA and ANCA-negative, less frequently had active asthma (69% vs 91% and 93%, P = 0.003, respectively) and peripheral neuropathy (31% vs 71% and 47%, P < 0.0001), more frequently had cutaneous manifestations (63% vs 38% and 34%, P = 0.03) and pulmonary nodules (25% vs 10% and 8%, P = 0.046), and lower median eosinophil count (1450 vs 5400 and 3224/mm3, P < 0.0001). Vasculitis relapse-free survival was shorter for PR3-ANCA (hazard ratio 6.05, P = 0.005) and MPO-ANCA patients (hazard ratio 1.88, P = 0.0002) compared with ANCA-negative patients.

CONCLUSION

PR3-ANCA EGPA patients differ from those with MPO-ANCA and negative ANCA, and share clinical features with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. This suggests that PR3-ANCA EGPA could be a particular form of PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Sustained Remission of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis After Discontinuation of Glucocorticoids and Immunosuppressant Therapy: Data From the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry

OBJECTIVE

Data on sustained remission of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) after discontinuation of therapy (referred to as GPA with sustained remission off-therapy [SROT]) are scarce. In the present study, SROT among GPA patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry was evaluated to identify factors associated with its occurrence and durability.

METHODS

For inclusion of patients in the study, the diagnosis of GPA had to meet the GPA classification criteria defined by the American College of Rheumatology and/or the revised Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature for vasculitis. SROT was defined as achievement of remission (a Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score of 0) that was sustained for ≥6 consecutive months after having discontinued glucocorticoid (GC) and immunosuppressant treatments. The characteristics of the patients at baseline and treatments received were compared at 3, 5, and 10 years postdiagnosis according to whether or not SROT had been reached and maintained.

RESULTS

Among 795 patients with GPA, 92 GPA patients with SROT at 3 years postdiagnosis were compared to 342 control subjects who had experienced disease relapse and/or were still receiving GCs or immunosuppressants. No baseline differences were found, but patients with SROT at 3 years postdiagnosis had more frequently received intravenous cyclophosphamide as induction therapy compared to control subjects (P = 0.01), with a higher median number of infusions (P = 0.05). At 5 years postdiagnosis, no baseline differences were observed between groups, but patients with SROT at 5 years postdiagnosis had received more cyclophosphamide infusions compared to control subjects (P = 0.03). More patients with SROT had received rituximab as maintenance therapy than control subjects at 3 years and 5 years postdiagnosis (P = 0.09 and P < 0.001, respectively). Of the 74 patients enrolled in the GPA Registry with 10-year follow-up data after having received conventional maintenance therapy, 15 (20%) had reached SROT at 3 years, and 5 (7%) maintained SROT at 10 years postdiagnosis.

CONCLUSION

After conventional therapies, 7% of GPA patients had reached SROT at 10 years postdiagnosis. No baseline vasculitis characteristics distinguished patients who achieved/maintained SROT from those who experienced disease relapse and/or those who continued to receive GCs or immunosuppressant therapy, but patients with SROT had received more intensive induction therapy and rituximab as maintenance therapy more frequently.

OP0030 GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS SUSTAINED REMISSION OFF-THERAPY: DATA FROM THE FRENCH VASCULITIS STUDY GROUP REGISTRY

Background:

Data on granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) sustained remission off-therapy (SROT) are limited and it is unknown whether disease characteristics or treatment regimen may affect it.

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess SROT of GPA patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group registry, and identify factors associated with its occurrence and durability during follow-up.

Methods:

GPA had to satisfy the 1990 ACR classification criteria and/or revised Chapel Hill Nomenclature for study inclusion. SROT was defined as remission (BVAS=0) without glucocorticoids (GC) or immunosuppressants (IS), the latter for ≥6 months (ie 2 consecutive visits). SROT and its duration were extracted from the database. Data from patients with 3-, 5- and 10-year SROT were analyzed. Baseline characteristics of patients with 3-year GPA SROT were compared to those of registry GPA patients with available data at 3 years but not in SROT (controls), and 3-year SROT achieving 5-year SROT vs those who relapsed between 3 & 5 years. Patients with 3-year GPA SROT follow-up +7 years were analyzed according to maintained SROT or not.

Results:

Among 795 database patients with new-onset GPA, 259 achieved at least 1 SROT at some time during their disease, after a median [IQR] of 36 [28–63] months post-diagnosis. The first SROT lasted a median of 14 [I8-32] months. Among 202 of those patients who had follow-up, 73 (36%) remained in SROT for a median follow-up of 34 [14-45] months post-SROT. Among 434 (54%) patients followed for ≥3 years post-diagnosis, 82% had received GC and cyclophosphamide induction therapy. At 3 years post-diagnosis, 92 (21%) patients in SROT were compared to 342 (79%) controls who had relapsed or were still taking GC or IS. Patients achieving 3-year SROT vs controls, respectively, had more frequently received intravenous cyclophosphamide as induction therapy (89% vs 77%, P=0.01), with a higher median number of infusions (7.5 vs 6; P=0.05); no other clinical or biological baseline difference was found. Among those 92 3-year SROT patients, 74 had ≥2 years of additional follow-up: 46 (62%) attained 5-year SROT and 28 (38%) had relapsed after a mean follow-up of 13 months. Baseline clinical and biological characteristics of patients achieving 5-year SROT did not differ from those of 3-year SROT patients who relapsed. Among those 92 3-year SROT patients, 16 had ≥7 additional years of follow-up: 6 (38%) achieved 10-year SROT, ie 8% of 75 GPA with available data at 10 years, and 10 (63%) had relapsed a mean 35 ± 28 months after achieving 3-year SROT.

Conclusion:

Only 8% of GPA patients achieved 10-year SROT after conventional induction and maintenance therapies. No baseline clinical or biological characteristics helped distinguish patients achieving or maintaining SROT and those who relapsed. However, patients achieving 3-year SROT had received more intensive induction therapy than those who relapsed or were still on GC or IS at 3 years.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

[Targeted therapies for connective tissue diseases and vasculitis]

Targeted therapies are nowadays commonly used in connective tissue diseases and vasculitis. Experts recommend the use of belimumab and rituximab in refractory and/or severe cases of lupus. Rituximab can be also considered in difficult to treat cases of Sjögren's disease or myositis. Nintedanib seems a very promising weapon in the management of systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Regarding vasculitis, rituximab has become the preferred treatment for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. Finally, tocilizumab is recommended as a steroid-sparing agent in giant cell arteritis. Further clinical trials are warranted to study the efficacy of other targeted therapies in connective tissue diseases and vasculitis.

Time-dependent biases in observational studies of comparative effectiveness research in rheumatology. A methodological review

Objective

To assess to what extent time-dependent biases (ie, immortal time bias (ITB) and time-lag bias (TLB)) occur in the latest rheumatology observational studies, describe their main mechanisms and increase the awareness on this topic.

Methods

We searched PubMed for observational studies on rheumatic diseases published in leading medical journals in the last 5 years. Only studies with a time-to-event analysis exploring the association of one or more interventional strategies with an outcome were included. Each study was labelled as free from bias, at risk of TLB, at risk of misclassified ITB if the period of immortal time was incorrectly attributed to an intervention group, or at risk of excluded ITB if the immortal time was discarded from the analysis.

Results

We included 78 papers. Most studies were performed in Europe or North America (46% each), were not industry funded (62%) and had a safety primary outcome (59%). In total, 13 (17%) studies were considered at risk of time-dependent biases. Among the studies at risk of ITB (n=8; 10%), in 5 (6%), waiting time to receive treatment was wrongly attributed to the treatment exposure group, which indicated misclassified ITB. Five (6%) studies were at risk of TLB: patients on conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD; first-line drugs) were compared with patients on biologic DMARDs (second or third-line drugs) without accounting for disease duration or prior medication use.

Conclusions

One in six comparative effectiveness observational studies published in leading rheumatology journals is potentially flawed by time-dependent biases.

Childhood- versus Adult-Onset Polyarteritis Nodosa Results from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry

OBJECTIVE

To investigate differences between childhood (cPAN)- and adult-onset polyarteritis nodosa (aPAN) patients.

METHODS

cPAN patients' clinical findings at onset and outcomes were compared to those of aPAN patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group registry matched for year of enrollment and initial systemic versus cutaneous disease. Their information on medications, disease activity and damage were collected. Kaplan-Meier relapse-free survival curves and the log-rank test were used to analyze cPAN versus aPAN differences for predefined outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-one children with systemic and 13 with cutaneous PAN were compared with 84 systemic- and 27 cutaneous-matched aPAN patients. Median follow-up exceeded 5 years for both groups. At study entry, mononeuritis multiplex was less frequent in systemic cPAN than systemic aPAN (P = 0.04), and purpura and myalgias were less frequent in cutaneous cPAN than cutaneous aPAN (P < 0.03). During follow-up, systemic cPAN relapsed more often than matched systemic aPAN (P < 0.0001), while relapse rates were similar for cutaneous disease (P > 0.05). Mostly minor relapses, predominantly involving the skin, occurred in all 4 groups. At last visit, damage accrual was comparable for cPAN and aPAN patients, but fewer systemic cPAN patients were treatment-free (15% versus 42%; P = 0.03). Two (6%) cPAN and 8 (7%) aPAN patients died.

CONCLUSION

Systemic PAN is equally severe in children and adults and carries a higher risk of relapse. The main cutaneous PAN features seem not to be influenced by age at disease onset.

Childhood- versus adult-onset ANCA-associated vasculitides: A nested, matched case-control study from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry

OBJECTIVE

To investigate differences between childhood-onset ANCA-associated vasculitides (cAAVs) and matched adult-onset controls (aAAVs).

METHODS

cAAV clinical pictures at onset and outcomes were compared to a randomly selected sample of aAAV patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group Registry. Cases and controls were matched for AAV (granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA], microscopic polyangiitis [MPA] or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis [EGPA]), sex and year of enrollment. Medications, disease activity and damage were prospectively recorded. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were used to analyze case-vs.-control differences for predefined outcomes.

RESULTS

Comparing 35 cAAVs (25 GPA, 4 MPA, 6 EGPA) to 151 aAAVs (106 GPA, 17 MPA, 28 EGPA), their respective median follow-up durations were 71 and 64months (P=0.49), and, at baseline, children had less frequent myalgias (P=0.005) and peripheral neuropathy (P<0.001) but were more frequently febrile (P<0.05). Rates of renal involvement were comparable (13 [37%] cAAVs vs. 73 [48%] aAAVs; P=0.31). Initial GPA-associated ischemic abdominal pain and nasal cartilage damage were more common in cAAVs than aAAVs (P<0.05). During follow-up, the cAAV relapse rate was higher (24.5 vs. 18.7 flares per 100 patient-years; P<0.05) and, at last visit, cases had accumulated more damage, mostly ear, nose & throat sequelae (P=0.001), associated with longer maintenance therapy (P=0.03), than aAAV controls. Four (11.4%) cAAV and 13 (8.6%) aAAV patients died (P=0.53).

CONCLUSION

cAAVs are severe diseases, characterized by a higher relapse rate, more accrued damage and longer maintenance therapy than for aAAVs.

Longterm Hydroxychloroquine Therapy and Low-dose Aspirin May Have an Additive Effectiveness in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thromboprophylaxis with low-dose aspirin (ASA) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) seems promising in SLE. We investigated the effects of HCQ cumulative dosages (c-HCQ) and the possible synergistic efficacy of ASA and HCQ in preventing a first CV event (CVE) in patients with SLE.

METHODS

Patients consecutively admitted to our center who, at admission, satisfied the 1997 American College of Rheumatology and/or 2012 Systemic Lupus Collaborating Clinics classification criteria for SLE, and had not experienced any CVE, were enrolled. The occurrence of a thrombotic event, use of ASA, and c-HCQ were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the c-HCQ associated with a lower incidence of CVE. Cox regression analysis served to identify factors associated with a first CVE.

RESULTS

For the study, 189 patients with SLE were enrolled and monitored for 13 years (median). Ten CVE occurred during followup. At Kaplan-Meier analysis, the CVE-free rate was higher in ASA-treated patients administered a c-HCQ > 600 g (standard HCQ dose for at least 5 yrs) than in patients receiving ASA alone, or with a c-HCQ dose < 600 g (log-rank test chi-square = 4.01, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that antimalarials plus ASA protected against thrombosis (HR 0.041 and HR 0.047, respectively), while antiphospholipid antibodies (HR 17.965) and hypertension (HR 18.054) increased the risk of a first CVE.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that prolonged use of HCQ plus ASA is thromboprotective in SLE and provides additional evidence for its continued use in patients with SLE.