AB0229 ACHIEVING GLUCOCORTICOID FREE MIGHT DECREASE RISK FOR CLINICAL FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - TEN-YEAR FINDINGS FROM THE TOMORROW STUDY

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have muscle weakness and stiff or painful joints might be at increased risk of falls and fractures.

Objectives

The present study prospectively investigates correlations between decreasing doses of glucocorticoid (GC) and the incidence of clinical fractures in patients with RA based on the ten-year findings of the TOMORROW study (UMIN000003876) that started in 2010.

Methods

We evaluated anthropometric parameters, bone mineral density, disease activity, RA medication, and the incidence of clinical fractures over a period of ten years in 202 patients with RA (mean age, 58.6 years; mean disease duration, 14.0 years). We also investigated the effects of GC doses on the incidence of clinical fractures over the same period in patients with RA using multivariate regression analysis.

Results

The incidence of clinical fractures for ten years in patients with RA was 0.036/person-year. There were 89 patients (44.1%) treated with GC at least once during ten years. The incidences of clinical fractures in patients with RA treated with and without GC during ten years were 0.052 and 0.026/person-year, respectively. After adjusting for fracture risk factors including age, sex, smoking, and body mass index, cox proportional hazard model revealed that GC dose of ≥ 2 mg/day at baseline was a significant risk factor for clinical fractures (Hazard ratio [HR]:2.430; 95%CI, 1.040-5.675, p=0.040). Although the risk for clinical fractures did not decrease by just reducing the dose of GC (HR:4.505; 95%CI, 0.589-34.457, p=0.147), it was significantly lower if the dose of GC could be reduced to zero during ten years (HR:0.407; 95%CI, 0.194-0.857, p=0.018).

Conclusion

Medication with even low dose of GC are apparently significantly associated with an increased frequency of clinical fractures among patients with RA. However, if the dose of GC was reduced to free during ten years, the clinical fracture risk could become lower. We concluded that we should decrease the dose of GC to free after controlling disease activity of RA.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0290 THE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT RESPONSE AND RISK FACTOR TO INHIBIT THE CLINICAL RESPONSE IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFICULT-TO-TREAT RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TREATED WITH IL-6 RECEPTOR INHIBITOR, ABATACEPT AND JAK INHIBITOR

Background

Recently, the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was improved due to the ‘treat-to-target’ strategy. However, some patients remain various symptoms despite recommended treatment was performed. Then, the term of ‘difficult-to-treat RA (D2TRA)’ is widely recognized. It is unknown how the difference of type of biological disease-modifying anti rheumatic dugs (bDMARDs)/Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) will affect clinical efficacy in patients with D2TRA. Moreover, the risk factor to inhibit the clinical response in patients with D2TRA is unknown.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment response in patients with D2TRA who were treated with interleukin 6 receptor inhibitor (IL-6Ri), abatacept and JAKi.

Methods

This study used the multicenter database included 673 RA patients treated with bDMARDs/JAKi (tocilizumab 240, sarilumab 67, abatacept 146, tofacitinib 101, baricitinib 83, upadacitinib 20, peficitinib 14, filgotinib 2). Two hundred forty-two patients were treated as first line bDMARDs/JAKi (IL-6Ri 117, abatacept 63, JAKi 62), 211 patients were treated as second line bDMARDs/JAKi (IL-6Ri 117, abatacept 37, JAKi 57), 220 patients were treated as third and more bDMARDs/JAKi. In these 220 patients, 82 patients did not meet D2TRA criteria (IL-6Ri 42, abatacept 15, JAKi 25) and 138 patients met D2TRA criteria (IL-6Ri 31, abatacept 31, JAKi 76). In all patients, we analyzed 138 patients with D2TRA (113 female, mean age was 63.1 ± 13.7 years). Drug retention rate and effectiveness of bDMARDs/JAKi in patients with D2TRA were evaluated for 24 weeks. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to clarify the risk factors to inhibit the clinical response.

Results

Drug retention rate of patients with D2TRA at 24 weeks was 67.7% in IL-6Ri group, 74.2% in abatacept group, 61.8% in JAKi group. Drug retention rate in patients with D2TRA was not different between groups (IL-6Ri vs abatacept: p=0.86, IL-6Ri vs JAKi group: p=0.39, abatacept vs JAKi group: p=0.33). DAS28-CRP at 4, 12, 24 weeks decreased in all group (Figure 1). Abatacept showed lower improvement ratio of DAS28-CRP at 24 weeks compared to IL-6Ri group (IL-6Ri vs abatacept: p<0.01, IL-6Ri vs JAKi: p=0.1, abatacept vs JAKi: p=0.07). Good responder (defined as decrease in DAS28-CRP score > 1.2 with a score < 3.2) was 52.4% patients in IL-6Ri, 17.4% patients in abatacept, 29.8% patients in JAKi. SDAI and CDAI at 4, 12, 24 weeks decreased in all group (Figure 1). There were no diferences between the groups in improvement ratio of SDAI (IL-6Ri vs abatacept: p=0.11, IL-6Ri vs JAKi: p=0.81, abatacept vs JAKi: p=0.08) and CDAI (IL-6Ri vs abatacept: p=0.31, IL-6Ri vs JAKi: p=0.82, abatacept vs JAKi: p=0.13) at 24 weeks. HAQ was 1.42, 1.15, 1.39 at baseline, 1.27, 1.07, 1.22 at 4 weeks, 1.17, 1.07, 1.17 at 12 weeks, 1.26, 1.06, 1.14 at 24 weeks in IL-6Ri group, abatacept and JAKi, respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that high HAQ (β=0.28, p=0.02) and high dosage of glucocorticoid (β=0.67, p<0.01) inhibited the improvement of DAS28-CRP. Type of bDMARDs/JAKi (β=-0.09, p=0.36) did not affect the DAS28-CRP improvement for 24 weeks.

Table 1.

Multivariate linear regression analysis of risk factor to inhibit the clinical response in patients with D2TRA.

β95% CIpAge (years)-0.037-0.025, 0.0170.74male-0.047-0.788, 0.4860.64Disease durations (years)-0.048-0.028, 0.0170.63RF (IU/ml)-0.082-0.0004, 0.00020.41Anti CCP antibody (U/ml)0.111-0.0005, 0.0020.26DAS28-CRP-0.063-0.265, 0.1420.55HAQ0.2790.059, 0.7170.02MTX (mg/day)0.136-0.018, 0.0810.21Glucocorticoid dose (mg/day)0.6690.174, 0.324< 0.01Type of bDMARDs/JAKi-0.088-0.415, 0.1510.36

Conclusion

Drug retention rate and clinical efficacy of D2TRA patients were not different among IL-6Ri, abatacept and JAKi. DT2RA patient with functional disorder and high dosage of glucocorticoid were risk factor to inhibit the clinical response.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0225 FRAX ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PREDICTED THE REAL INCIDENCE OF CLINICAL FRACTURES FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE RESULTS OF THE 10-YEAR TOMORROW STUDY

Background

To investigate if FRAX in patients with RA can predict the incidence of new clinical fractures for 10 years by using the 10-year data of the TOMORROW study (UMIN000003876) which is a prospective cohort study.

Objectives

To investigate if FRAX in patients with RA can predict the incidence of new clinical fractures for 10 years by using the 10-year data of the TOMORROW study (UMIN000003876) which is a prospective cohort study.

Methods

We calculated ten-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture (FRAX) in 208 RA patients and 205 sex- and age-matched volunteers (Vo), and compared FRAX with the incidence of clinical fractures for 10 years.

Results

The mean FRAX were 14.5 and 8.8% in 175 RA patients and 168 Vo, respectively, in whom we could calculate FRAX at baseline and complete to investigate the incidence of clinical fractures for 10 years from baseline. The mean FRAX in RA patients was significantly higher than that in Vo (P<0.001). The actual incidence of clinical fractures for 10 years in RA patients was significantly higher than that in Vo (33.9 vs 22.9%, P=0.031). In both groups, the actual incidence of clinical fractures was higher than FRAX prediction. Logistic regression analysis revealed that FRAX and FRAX≧15% were the significant risk factors for clinical fractures for 10 years in both groups (Odds ratio (OR), 1.055, P<0.001, 2.943, P=0.043, respectively). The mean FRAX in RA patients with and without clinical fractures for 10 years were 18.5 and 12.5%, respectively (P=0.002). In RA patients, FRAX was also the significant risk factor for clinical fractures (OR, 1.046, P=0.004).

Conclusion

FRAX and the incidence of clinical fractures for 10 years were significantly higher in RA patients than them of Vo. We confirmed that FRAX was the risk factor for clinical fractures in actual clinical practice.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0405 JAK INHIBITORS IMPROVE PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES SUCH AS PAIN AND HAQ EARLIER THAN ANTI-IL-6 INHIBITORS

Background

Clinical feature of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor is recognized as not only suppress inflammation but also improve patient-reported outcomes (PRO) such as pain and health assessment questioner (HAQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This representative clinical feature was known as a results of phase 3 trial compared to TNF inhibitor. One of the mechanisms of JAK in RA is to suppresses interleikin-6 (IL-6). However, the effect for PRO in JAK inhibitor compared to IL-6 inhibitor have not been known.

Objectives

We investigated the effect for patient-reported outcomes such as pain and HAQ in patients with RA treated with JAK inhibitor compared to IL-6 inhibitor.

Methods

This study was analysed a multicenter database included RA patients treated with biological disease-modifying anti rheumatic dugs (bDMARDs) and JAK inhibitors. In 307 patients treated with IL-6 inhibitor (tocilizumab 240 and sarilumab 67) and 220 patients with JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib 101, baricitinib 83, upadacitinib 20, peficitinib 14 and filgotinib 2), 155 patients were treated as first-line bDMARDs/JAK inhibitor (IL-6R inhibitor 104 and JAK inhibitor 51). In this first-line patients, patients treated with IL-6R inhibitor and JAK inhibitor were matched using the propensity score adjusted for gender, age, RA disease duration, baseline charactristics of disease activity, CRP level, and MMP-3 level. The beaseline data and the change of clinical and laboratory data at 4, 12 and 24 weeks were compared between IL-6 inhibitor and JAK inhibitor.

Results

Thirty-six patients in each group were matched and analyzed. The average age was 62.4 and 62.6 years and the average disease duration of RA was 13.2 and 10.1 years in IL-6 inhibitor and JAK inhibitor. The baseline characteristics were not significantly different in both groups. At week 4, tender joint count (TJC) was significantly improved in JAK inhibitor than IL-6 (IL-6: -1.86 vs JAK: -4.12, p= 0.036) and HAQ was significantly improved in JAK inhibitor than IL-6 (IL-6: -0.04 vs JAK: -0.27, p= 0.041). Moreover, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was also improved in JAK inhibitor than IL-6 (IL-6: -6.6 vs JAK: -10.9, p= 0.026) at week 4. However, pain VAS and patient global VAS were not significantly different in each group in week4. TJC, HAQ and CDAI was not different in both groups at week 12 and week 24. On the other hand, ESR was significantly decreased in IL-6 inhibitor than JAK inhibitor at week 4, 12 and 24 (IL-6: -26.6 vs JAK: -14.1, p=0.018 at week 4, IL-6: -32.7 vs JAK: -16.5 p=0.004 at week 12, IL-6: -31.3vs JAK: -17.7 p=0.014 at week 24).

Conclusion

In a comparison between IL-6 inhibitor and JAK inhibitor as a first-line molecular-targeted drug matched baseline charactristics of disease activity, TJC and HAQ was improved in JAK inhibitor earlier than IL-6 inhibitors. JAK inhibitor suppress multi cytokine that might be the reason why JAK inhibitor improve pain. Improvement of patient reported outcome in JAK inhibitor was found also in comparison with IL-6 inhibitor.

References

[1]Taylor PC, Keystone EC, van der Heijde D, et al. Baricitinib versus Placebo or Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2017;376:652-62.

[2]Fleischmann R, Pangan AL, Song IH, et al. Upadacitinib Versus Placebo or Adalimumab in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate: Results of a Phase III, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019;71:1788-1800.

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Atsuko Kamiyama and Tomoko Nishimura for clinical assistant, and all member of Team RA.

Disclosure of Interests

Tadashi Okano Speakers bureau: Asahi Kasei, Astellas, Abbvie, Amgen, Ayumi, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Novartis, Ono, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB, Grant/research support from: Asahi Kasei, Abbvie, Chugai, Eisai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Tatsuya Koike Speakers bureau: Takeda Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Abbott Japan, Teijin Pharma, Banyu Pharmaceutical and Ono Pharmaceutical, Kentaro Inui Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Astellas Pharma Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Abbvie GK, Pfizer Inc., Eisai Co.,Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Astellas Pharma Inc., Sanofi K.K., Abbvie GK, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., QOL RD Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Eisai Co.,Ltd., Masahiro Tada: None declared, Kenji Mamoto: None declared, Yutaro Yamada: None declared, kazuki Orita: None declared, Koji Mandai: None declared, Shohei Anno: None declared, Takahiro Iida: None declared, Hiroaki Nakamura: None declared

AB0262 PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WHO DEVELOP SARCOPENIA FALL FREQUENTLY: 5-YEAR DATA FROM THE CHIKARA STUDY

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are likely to have sarcopenia due to decreased muscle mass and physical function. Some patients develop sarcopenia even if disease activity is well-controlled. We previously reported that 13.2% of RA patients without sarcopenia at baseline developed sarcopenia over a year1.

Objectives

The aim was to longitudinally investigate sarcopenia status and the characteristics of RA patients using data from the prospective, observational CHIKARA study.

Methods

Body composition, laboratory data, disease activity, physical function (HAQ), treatment, and history of falls and fractures were investigated in 100 RA patients who participated in the CHIKARA study at baseline and at 5 years. They were divided into 4 groups depending on their sarcopenia status: no sarcopenia developed (N group; sarcopenia absent at baseline and 5 years); sarcopenia developed (S group; sarcopenia absent at baseline, but present at 5 years); cured (C group; sarcopenia present at baseline, but absent at 5 years); and persistent (P group; sarcopenia present at baseline and at 5 years).

Results

Seventy RA patients completed the survey. There were no differences among the 4 groups in disease activity, physical function, and treatment. The N group, accounting for 67.1% of all patients, was young and had high body mass index, muscle mass, fat mass, estimated bone mass, and body metabolic rate at baseline. On the other hand, the S group, accounting for 4.3% of all patients, fell significantly more frequently (p=0.035), 3.3 times during 5 years. The P group, accounting for 18.6% of all patients, had significantly higher MMP-3 at baseline (p=0.006). The C group accounted for 10.0% of all patients (Table 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of 77 RA patients by sarcopenia status at baseline and at 5-year follow-up

no development (n=47)development (n=3)cured (n=7)persisted (n=13)p valueage, years63 (57.5, 70)76 (74.5, 81)66 (54, 70)73 (65, 82)0.006disease duration, years6.5 (1.1, 10.7)15.2 (14.9, 20.7)11.4 (7.2, 14.8)3.5 (1.1, 6.5)0.021MTX dose, mg/day8.1 ± 3.76.0 ± 2.07.4 ± 3.86.2 ± 4.80.406biologics use, %36.266.728.623.10.513GC use, %23.4028.615.40.701average GC dose, mg/day3.5 ± 1.103.7 ± 1.86.3 ± 1.80.833CRP, mg/dl0.1 (0.04, 0.18)0.04 (0.04, 0.23)0.2 (0.12, 0.47)0.19 (0.08,0.82)0.22MMP-3, ng/ml62.2 (50.3, 98.6)58.9 (47.8, 71.3)74.9 (58.3,147.2)160 (90.8,262)0.006DAS28ESR3.34 ± 0.914.11 ± 0.723.36 ± 1.383.79 ± 1.200.355mHAQ0.25 (0, 0.5)0.63 (0.56, 1.25)0.87 (0.25, 1.0)0.25 (0.13, 0.75)0.132BMI, kg/m223.22 ± 3.5121.4 ± 2.2518.69 ± 2.0819.56 ± 2.39<0.001SMI, kg/m26.73 ± 0.76.1 ± 0.25.51 ± 0.145.79 ± 0.6<0.001fat percentage, %30.39 ± 8.7730.03 ± 9.1225.04 ± 6.2323.75 ± 6.560.051estimated bone mass, kg2.2 (2, 2.4)1.9 (1.75, 1.95)1.6 (1.55, 1.9)1.9 (1.7, 2.2)0.001BMR, kcal1101 (1051, 1198)986 (934, 1010)896 (872, 994)978 (902,1107)<0.001ΔDAS28ESR-0.15 ± 0.84-0.43 ± 1.730.04 ± 0.89-0.59 ± 1.330.445ΔSMI, kg/m2-0.06 ± 0.34-0.38 ± 0.570.25 ± 0.220.08 ± 0.420.038fall, times1.63.331.290.380.045

Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median (25th, 75th percentile).

GC: glucocorticoids, MMP-3: matrix metalloproteinase 3, DAS: disease activity score, HAQ: health assessment questionnaire, BMI: body mass index, SMI: skeletal muscle mass index, BMR: body metabolization rate, Δ:change during 5 years.

Conclusion

Overall, 4.3% of RA patients developed sarcopenia and fell frequently during 5-year follow-up. Patients who develop sarcopenia require special care because they are at high risk of falls.

References

[1]Y Yamada, M Tada, K Mandai et al. Glucocorticoid use is an independent risk factor for developing sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: from the CHIKARA study. Clin Rheumatol 2020 Jun;39(6):1757-1764.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1146 ROMOSOZUMAB INCREASE BONE MINERAL DENSITY AT LUMBAR AND FEMORAL IRRESPECTIVE OF PREOSTEOPOROSIS TREATMENT, HISTORY OF FRAGILITY FRACTURE AND COMBINATION OF VITAMIN D

Background

Romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds sclerostin, increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption. Romosozumab has an excellent therapeutic effect on patients with osteoporosis. However, there are few reports investigated the efficacy and the effect of various factors relative to osteoporosis in real-world.

Objectives

We evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism marker (BMM) change in osteoporosis patients treated with romosozumab, and assessed the effect of various factors, such as preosteoporosis treatment, history of fragility fracture and combination of vitamin D.

Methods

This study included 141 osteoporosis patients (132 female, mean age: 78.8 ± 7.5 years, mean hight: 151.1 ± 7.5 cm, mean weight: 50.9 ± 8.9 kg) treated with romosozumab. BMD measurements using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and BMM measurements using N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (P1NP) were evaluated at 0, 4, 6, and 12 months after treatment. DXA were performed at the lumbar spine (n=92), at proximal femoral and femoral neck (n=92), and at distal third radius (n=49). We evaluated the influence of preosteoporosis treatment, history of fragility fracture and combination of vitamin D for BMD change.

Results

BMD at lumbar spine (5.2%: p<0.01, 9.2%: p<0.01, 10.8%: p<0.01), proximal femoral (1.3%: p=0.02, 2.8%: p<0.01, 4.5%: p<0.01) and femoral neck (2.0%: p=0.03, 2.7%: p=0.06, 5.0%: p=0.01) were significantly increased at 4, 8, 12 months after treatment. BMD at distal third radius (-1.5%: p<0.01, -0.8%: p=0.17, -1.0%: p=0.13) were not increased at 4, 8, 12 months after treatment. P1NP chane were 63% (p<0.01), 6.4% (p=0.55), -2.3% (p=0.2) at 4, 8, 12 months after treatment. There were no significant differences in 1 year improvement ratio of BMD at lumbar spine, proximal femoral and femoral neck between 38 patients with pretreatment of osteoporosis and 54 patients without pretreatment of osteoporpsis (13.5 vs 9.5%: p=0.1, 4.9 vs 4.4%: p=0.7, 6.1 vs 4.6%: p=0.67), between 33 patients with a history of fragility fracture and 59 patients without a history of fragility fracture (7.3 vs 11.7%: p=0.42, 0.8 vs 5.5%: p=0.08, -0.7 vs 6.6%: p=0.14), between 50 patients with romosozumab alone and 42 patients with romosozumab plus vitamin D (11.3 vs 10.0%: p=0.93, 4.1 vs 5.3%: p=0.59, 6.8 vs 2.3%: p=0.47). There were no significant differences in 1 year improvement ratio of BMD at distal third radius between 33 patients with pretreatment of osteoporosis and 16 patients without pretreatment of osteoporpsis (-1.1 vs -0.9%: p=0.63), between 31 patients with a history of fragility fracture and 18 patients without a history of fragility fracture (-1.5 vs -0.5%: p=0.3).

Conclusion

Romosozumab improved BMD at lumbar and femoral independently regardless of preosteoporosis treatment, history of fragility fracture and combination of vitamin D.

References

[1]Felicia Cosman et al. Romosozumab Treatment in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 2016; 375:1532-1543, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1607948

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0631 EVEN LOW-DOSE GLUCOCORTICOID USE IS A RISK FACTOR FOR CLINICAL FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: TEN-YEAR FINDINGS OF THE TOMORROW STUDY

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have sarcopenia and stiff or painful joints might be at increased risk of falls and fractures.

Objectives

The present study aimed to prospectively identify the incidence of clinical fractures and associated risk factors in patients with RA in a cohort study named the TOMORROW (UMIN000003876) that started in 2010.

Methods

We evaluated anthropometric parameters, bone mineral density (BMD), disease activity, RA medication at entry and observed the incidence of clinical fractures during ten years in 202 patients with RA (mean age, 58.6 y; medication with biological agents, 54.9%) and 202 age- and sex-matched non-RA volunteers (Vo) (mean age, 57.4 y). We compared the incidence of clinical fractures between patients with RA and Vo for ten years, and analyzed the risk factors for clinical fractures using Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The incidences of clinical fractures were 0.036 and 0.024/person-year in patients with RA and Vo, respectively. Cox proportional hazard model revealed that low BMD at the thoracic vertebrae (< 0.7 g/cm2) and history of fractures at entry were significantly associated with the incidence of clinical fractures (Hazard ratio [HR]1.737, p=0.020 and HR1.514, p=0.047, respectively) in all participants. RA morbidity, however, was not (HR1.398, p=0.112). In patients with RA, medication with GC at entry was a significant risk factor for clinical fractures (HR1.898, p=0.017). Additionally, a mean GC dose (≥ 2 mg/day) at entry and during the ten-year period increased risk for fractures (HR 2.189, p=0.004, 1.866, p=0.022, respectively).

Conclusion

RA per se was not a risk factor for clinical fractures in this cohort. Low BMD at the thoracic vertebrae at entry and the use of GC with even low dose at entry and during ten years were significantly associated with an increased frequency of clinical fractures among patients with RA.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

BOT-3 Prognostic Factors of CNS Germ Cell Tumors; Molecular and Histopathological Analyses on 154 Cases from the iGCT Consortium

Background: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) preferentially occurs in pediatric and young adult age groups. Chemo- and radiation therapies cause long-term sequelae in their later lives. We searched for clinical and histopathological features to predict the prognosis and affect treatment response, with a future goal of treatment stratification.Methods: A total of 154 GCT cases were included in the analysis. Total of 114 germinoma cases underwent measurement of tumor cell content on H-E specimen, and 82 GCT cases underwent 450K methylation analysis. 12p gain was determined on methylation-based copy number computation and FISH. Association with progression-free and overall survival (PFS/OS) was investigated. Results: The tumor cell content was widely distributed from <5% to 90% in the specimens, with a median value of 50%. Patients with a higher tumor cell content (>=50%) showed shorter PFS than those with a lower tumor cell content (<50 %) (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis with tumor location, tumor cell content was the sole statistically significant prognostic factor (p=0.04). 12p gain was found in 25-out-of-82 cases (30%) and was more frequent in NGGCTs, particularly in cases with malignant components. The presence of 12p gain correlated with shorter PFS and OS, even with histology and tumor markers incorporated in the multivariate analysis. Among NGGCTs, 12p gain still had prognostic significance for PFS and OS. The 12p copy number status was shared among histological components in mixed GCTs. Whole-genome amplification was suggested by FISH.Conclusions: We found that tumor cell content significantly affected the prognosis of germinomas. 12p gain predicts the presence of malignant components of NGGCTs, and poor prognosis of the patients. Furthermore, 12p is likely to be an early event in the tumorigenesis of CNS GCT. These potentially open the possibility of leveraging these pathological and molecular factors in the future clinical trials when stratifying the treatment intensity.

CS-7 A case of Lymphomatoid granulomatosis with skin, lung, and intracranial lesions due to multicentric development

Introduction: LYG is very rare tumor and composed of large EB-positive B cells and reactive T cells. In this study, we experienced a case of LYG with multiple intracranial, cutaneous, and pulmonary masses. We report the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of LYG, including a discussion of the literature. case: A 69-year-old female presented with a growing lump in her lower back that had been present for several years. Six months later, she was found to have multiple masses in her lungs and intracranial region and underwent surgical removal for diagnostic purposes. Intraoperative findings: The tumor was substantial, reddish to grayish-white in color, and the margins of the tumor were whitish and hard, with some areas that could not be detached. Pathological findings: There were no atypical lymphocytes, and a small number of EBER-positive cells were observed. IgVH PCR: IgVH PCR was performed on the skin lesions and intracranial lesions, and bands of different sizes were detected, suggesting that the IgVH clone was present in the polyclonal region. Finally, we diagnosed LYG grade 1. discussion: EB-associated lymphoproliferative disease can lead to polyclonal reactive growth or monoclonal neoplastic growth depending on the balance between morphology and host immunity. The results of IgVH PCR suggest that the skin lesions did not cause multiple metastases, but rather that the enlargement of the skin lesions triggered intracranial and pulmonary lesions in an allo-centric manner. The results of IgVH PCR suggested that the skin lesions did not cause multiple metastases, but rather that the skin lesions grew to cause intracranial and pulmonary involvement in an other-centric manner.

PEDT-5 Problem for the guideline of CNS germ cell tumors

Primary CNS germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare neoplasms, therefore, a clinical guideline has not been established so far. While better management has been achieved over recent decades by modifying radiation coverage and selecting appropriate chemotherapy, standardization of treatment remains challenging, partly due to the low volume of cases encountered in each institution. As the incidence is higher in East Asia, including Japan, the Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology established a multidisciplinary task force to create an evidence-based guideline for CNS GCTs. The Medical Information Network Distribution Service (Minds) guideline was referred to and utilized in the course of creating this guideline. We chose 6 topics and 10 clinical questions. This guideline provides recommendations for multiple dimensions of clinical management for CNS GCTs, with particular focus on diagnostic measures including serum markers, treatment algorithms including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and under-investigated but important areas such as treatment for recurrent cases, long-term follow-up protocols and long-term sequelae. International collaborations to set standards of clinical management for this rare tumor have proven fruitful, concurrently, many fields continue to show variance in clinical practice, partly due to the rarity of clinical encounters and the absence of documented standards. There still seem to be differences in the treatment concept between Japan and North America or Europe countries. This guideline serves the purpose of helping healthcare professionals keep up to date with current knowledge and standards of management for patients with this rare disease in daily clinical practice, as well as driving future translational and clinical research by recognizing unmet needs concerning this tumor. We discuss about the issues both already clarified and should be cleared in the future.

COT-9 Prognostic impact of hypercoagulation in glioblastoma and molecular mechanism thereof

Introduction: Pathological features of glioblastoma include intravascular thrombosis, suggesting that the thrombus formation in tumor microenvironment contributes to progression of gliomas. Meanwhile, glioblastoma has been known to be high risk malignant tumor for venous thromboembolism, however, it remains unclear how the coagulation-fibrinolysis system is disrupted, which essentially grow within the cranium in a localized manner, and how the disruption contributes to the malignant transformation.

Methods: Total 64 patients with glioblastoma between January 2014 and April 2021 who underwent a D-dimer test before the therapeutic intervention were divided into two groups: the high D-dimer group (D-dimer level >3.0μg/ml) and the low D-dimer group (D-dimer level <3.0μg/ml). We compared the two groups in the maximum gadolinium-enhanced MRI lesions, MIB-1 index, and gene abnormalities (IDH mutation, TERT promoter mutation, and MGMT promotor methylation). The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, in 23 patients who underwent a D-dimer test at recurrence, the time to death after recurrence was analyzed.

Results: The PFS in high D-dimer group was significantly shorter than that in the low D-dimer group (log-rank p = 0.0075). The D-dimer increase at the time of recurrence significantly correlated with the decrease in post-recurrence survival duration (log-rank p = 0.0226). Moreover, the gadolinium-enhanced lesions in the high D-dimer group were significantly larger.

Conclusion: The Pre-intervention D-dimer levels and PFS suggest that glioblastoma-induced systemic enhancement of the coagulation-fibrinolysis system plays a role in the malignant transformation. The D-dimer increase during the treatment was found to be a predictor of poor prognosis after recurrence. Furthermore, the MRI findings revealed a correlation between the D-dimer increase and the size of intratumoral necrosis. Meanwhile, no correlation with the MIB-1 index was found, suggesting that the mechanism of malignant transformation by hypercoagulation differ from enhanced cell proliferation.

Fibronectin plays a major role in hypoxia-induced lenvatinib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma PLC/PRF/5 cells

Resistance to lenvatinib mesylate (LEN), a systemic chemotherapy that can be administered orally, has been a major issue for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although HCC is the tumor that most exhibits intratumoral hypoxia, which has been shown to be involved in the development of treatment resistance, there are no reports of LEN resistance in HCC treatment under hypoxia. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the mechanism of treatment resistance to LEN under hypoxia using HCC cell lines. We confirmed LEN resistance under hypoxic conditions in HCC cell lines. There was a significant increase in the IC₅₀ value of PLC/PRF/5 cells from 13.0±0.8 μM in normoxia to 21.3±1.1 μM in hypoxia, but in HepG2 cells, the increase was not significant. To elucidate the LEN resistance mechanism of PLC/PRF/5 cells under hypoxia, we performed microarray analysis and extracted genes that are thought to be related to this mechanism. Furthermore, in-silico analysis confirmed significant changes in the extracellular matrix, and among them, FN1 encoding fibronectin was determined as the hub of the gene cluster. The expression of fibronectin in PLC/PRF/5 cells examined with immunofluorescence staining was significantly elevated in and outside of cells under hypoxia, and tended to decrease when cells were exposed to LEN under normoxia. Furthermore, the fibronectin concentration in the culture solution of PLC/PRF/5 cells examined by ELISA was 2.3 times higher under hypoxia than under normoxia under LEN(-) conditions, and 1.6 times higher under hypoxia than under normoxia under LEN(+) conditions. It is assumed that in PLC/PRF/5 cells, fibronectin is probably suppressed as an indirect effect of LEN under normoxia, but transcription factors such as HIF-1α are induced under hypoxia, thus enhancing the production of fibronectin and attenuating the effect of LEN, resulting in drug resistance. This behavior of fibronectin with LEN exposure under hypoxia is probably specific to PLC/PRF/5 cells. Further studies should verify the combined effective inhibition of fibronectin and the MAPK pathway as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance the value of LEN in HCC treatment.

The Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors

Primary CNS germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare neoplasms predominantly observed in the pediatric and young adult populations. In line with the hypothesis that the primordial germ cell is the cell-of-origin, histopathological examinations for this pathology involve a diverse range of components mirroring the embryogenic developmental dimensions. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the mainstays of treatment, with surgery having a limited role for diagnosis and debulking of residual tissue after treatment. While better management has been achieved over recent decades by modifying radiation coverage and selecting appropriate chemotherapy, standardization of treatment remains challenging, partly due to the low volume of cases encountered in each institution. As the incidence is higher in East Asia, including Japan, the Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology established a multidisciplinary task force to create an evidence-based guideline for CNS GCTs. This guideline provides recommendations for multiple dimensions of clinical management for CNS GCTs, with particular focus on diagnostic measures including serum markers, treatment algorithms including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and under-investigated but important areas such as treatment for recurrent cases, long-term follow-up protocols and long-term sequelae. This guideline serves the purpose of helping healthcare professionals keep up to date with current knowledge and standards of management for patients with this rare disease in daily clinical practice, as well as driving future translational and clinical research by recognizing unmet needs concerning this tumor.

Low tumor cell content predicts favorable prognosis in germinoma patients

Background

Germinoma preferentially occurs in pediatric and young adult age groups. Although they are responsive to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, the treatment may cause long-term sequelae in their later lives. Here, we searched for clinical and histopathological features to predict the prognosis of germinoma and affect treatment response.

Methods

A total of 114 germinoma cases were included in the analysis. We investigated the association between clinical factors, tumor cell content, and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

The tumor cell content was widely distributed from <5% to 90% in the specimens, with a median value of 50%. Female patients showed higher tumor cell content in the specimens (P = .002). Cases with lesions at atypical sites showed shorter PFS than those with lesions at other sites (P = .03). Patients with a higher tumor cell content (≥50%) showed shorter PFS than those with a lower tumor cell content (<50%) (P = .03). In multivariate analysis, tumor cell content was the only statistically significant prognostic factor (P = .04). Among the 7 cases treated with local radiation and chemotherapy, all 3 cases that recurred (2 outside of the radiation field, 1 unknown) had tumor cell content of ≥50% in the original specimen, whereas all 4 cases without recurrence had tumor cell contents of <50%.

Conclusions

We found that tumor cell content significantly affected the prognosis of germinomas. Although validation of these results using an independent and larger cohort is necessary, this potentially opens the possibility of leveraging this pathological factor in future clinical trials when stratifying the treatment intensity.

Mathematical Modeling and Mutational Analysis Reveal Optimal Therapy to Prevent Malignant Transformation in Grade II IDH-Mutant Gliomas

Isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant low-grade gliomas (IDHmut-LGG) grow slowly but frequently undergo malignant transformation, which eventually leads to premature death. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments prolong survival, but can also induce genetic (or epigenetic) alterations involved in transformation. Here, we developed a mathematical model of tumor progression based on serial tumor volume data and treatment history of 276 IDHmut-LGGs classified by chromosome 1p/19q codeletion (IDH^mut/1p19q^codel and IDH^mut/1p19q^noncodel) and performed genome-wide mutational analyses, including targeted sequencing and longitudinal whole-exome sequencing data. These analyses showed that tumor mutational burden correlated positively with malignant transformation rate, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy significantly suppressed tumor growth but increased malignant transformation rate per cell by 1.8 to 2.8 times compared with before treatment. This model revealed that prompt adjuvant chemoradiotherapy prolonged malignant transformation-free survival in small IDHmut-LGGs (≤ 50 cm³). Furthermore, optimal treatment differed according to genetic alterations for large IDHmut-LGGs (> 50 cm³); adjuvant therapies delayed malignant transformation in IDH^mut/1p19q^noncodel but often accelerated it in IDH^mut/1p19q^codel. Notably, PI3K mutation was not associated with malignant transformation but increased net postoperative proliferation rate and decreased malignant transformation-free survival, prompting the need for adjuvant therapy in IDH^mut/1p19q^codel. Overall, this model uncovered therapeutic strategies that could prevent malignant transformation and, consequently, improve overall survival in patients with IDHmut-LGGs. SIGNIFICANCE: A mathematical model successfully estimates malignant transformation-free survival and reveals a link between genetic alterations and progression, identifying precision medicine approaches for optimal treatment of IDH-mutant low-grade gliomas.

Ultrasound efficacy of targeted-synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: a multicenter prospective cohort study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effectiveness of treatment with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) assessed by ultrasonography (US) activity, and the influence of patient characteristics and previous treatments.

METHOD

This prospective study assessed 60 treatment initiations among 53 Japanese patients diagnosed with RA who underwent treatment with JAK inhibitors during June 2013 to February 2020. Of the 53 patients, seven patients were enrolled in duplicate because they were treated with two different JAK inhibitors at different periods. For each case, the improvement rate on the power Doppler (PD) score was assessed at 6 month follow-up. Median improvement rate of PD score was used to classify cases as either US responders or non-responders, and patient characteristics were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

All indicators of clinical disease activity and US activity showed a significant improvement at 3 months compared with baseline. Although the JAK inhibitor-cycler group and the interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitor inadequate response (IR) group tended to show a later improvement for US activity, all indicators of clinical disease activity and US activity showed a significant improvement at 6 months compared with baseline for both groups. Multivariate analysis showed that concomitant methotrexate use and an IR to the previous biologic or targeted-synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) treatment were independently and significantly associated with US responders.

CONCLUSION

Use of a JAK inhibitor in combination with methotrexate and an absence of IR to any previous b/tsDMARDs demonstrated superior effectiveness for patients with RA.

Primary Nondural Central Nervous System Marginal ZoneB-Cell Lymphoma of the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Type Mimicking CNS Inflammatory Diseases

Marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (MZBCLs) are non-Hodgkin lymphomas arising from postgerminal center marginal zone B cells. MZBCLs are subclassified into extranodal, nodal, and splenic MZBCLs. Primary nondural central nervous system (CNS) MZBCLs of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type are among the extranodal examples. Their clinicopathological features are not well characterized. Therefore, the clinicopathological features of 8 primary nondural CNS MZBCLs of the MALT type were assessed to establish their pathological diagnostic criteria. Histologically, all cases of primary nondural CNS MZBCLs of the MALT type showed perivascular expansive monotonous proliferation of small atypical B lymphoid cells with plasma cell differentiation, low Ki-67 labeling index, and minimal invasion from the perivascular space. In addition, no vascular changes such as glomeruloid changes, obliterative fibrointimal proliferation, and intramural lymphocytic infiltration were seen. These key histological characteristics should be considered when diagnosing cases that are suspected to be primary nondural CNS MZBCLs of the MALT type. Additionally, regarding PCR for the detection of immunoglobulin heavy variable gene and T-cell receptor γ gene rearrangements, the former is detected, but the latter is not detected in all cases. Therefore, PCR detection including sequence analysis should be added when diagnosing difficult cases based on the key histological characteristics.

POS1059 ULTRASOUND SYNOVITIS, UNLIKE ENTHESITIS OR CLINICAL JOINT ASSESSMENT, IS ASSOCIATED WITH JOINT DAMAGE PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background:

We previously reported that ultrasound assessment of enthesitis (US enthesitis) is not consistent with tenderness of the enthesis (clinical enthesitis) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Although US enthesitis reflects inflammatory condition and clinical enthesitis is associated with disease activity and physical function, each of them was not associated with joint destruction by cross-sectional analysis1. It is reported that the utility of US for predicting joint destruction remains unclear among patients with PsA2.

Objectives:

This study is aimed to longitudinally investigate the relationships between enthesitis or synovitis and joint damage progression in patients with PsA.

Methods:

Forty-seven patients with PsA (average age of 56.5 years) underwent US and clinical examination of wrist and finger joints and 14 entheses (the bilateral humeral medial epicondyles and insertions of the triceps, distal quadriceps, proximal/distal patella, Achilles tendons, and plantar fascia). Tender or swollen joint count (TJC/SJC), Gray Scale (GS) and Power Doppler (PD) score of the joints, and US/clinical enthesitis counts were calculated. The relationships between the yearly progression in modified total sharp score (ΔmTSS) at two-time points (baseline and average follow-up of 20.4 months) and US or clinical findings were investigated.

Results:

ΔmTSS was significantly correlated with age (r=0.44, p=0.01), joint GS score (r=0.44, p=0.01), and joint PD score (r=0.38, p=0.03). TJC, SJC, inflammatory marker, and disease activity showed no associations with ΔmTSS. US/clinical enthesitis counts also showed no associations with ΔmTSS (Table 1). The joint PD score, adjusted by age, was significant factor for ΔmTSS by multiple regression analysis (b=0.50, p<0.001).

Conclusion:

The joint PD score or US synovitis, unlike clinical joint assessment, was significant predictive factor for joint damage progression. It is important to assess joints by US as well as clinical examination.

References:

1) Yutaro Yamada et al. Ultrasound assessment, unlike clinical assessment, reflects enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2020 Apr 17. Online ahead of print.

2) van der Heijde et al. Assessing structural damage progression in psoriatic arthritis and its role as an outcome in research. Arthritis Res Ther. 2020, 22(1): 18.

Table 1.

Univariate analysis of predictive factors for joint damage progression in PsA patients.

mTSS at baselineΔmTSSR valuep valueR valuep valueage0.55<0.0010.440.01PASE0.040.810.120.52PASI-0.250.15-0.010.96DAS28CRP-0.050.750.070.71DAPSA-0.010.94-0.010.97HAQ0.170.27-0.070.73CRP-0.130.380.230.20MMP-30.040.800.290.12biologics use0.190.19-0.110.54Clinical enthesitis counts-0.010.97-0.190.30TJC-0.050.76-0.100.58SJC0.210.180.130.48US enthesitis counts0.120.44-0.130.48joint GS score0.080.600.440.01joint PD score0.080.600.380.03

PsA: psoriatic arthritis, mTSS: modified Total Sharp Score, PASE: Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation, PASI: Psoriasis Area Severity Index, DAPSA: Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis, DAS: Disease Activity Score, CRP: C-reactive protein, HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire, MMP-3: matrix metalloproteinase 3, TJC: tender joint counts, SJC: swollen joint counts, GS: Gray Scale, PD: Power Doppler

Disclosure of Interests:

Yutaro Yamada: None declared, Kentaro Inui Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Eisai, Chigai, Eli Lilly, Daiichi Sankyo, Mitusbishi Tanabe, Pfizer, UCB, Tadashi Okano Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Koji Mandai: None declared, Kenji Mamoto: None declared, Tatsuya Koike Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Chugai, Chiharu Tateishi: None declared, Daisuke Tsuruta Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Sanofi, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, UCB, Hiroaki Nakamura Grant/research support from: Astellas, Asahi Kasei

AB0813 DEVELOPING SARCOPENIA IS A RISK FACTOR FOR FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: 4-YEAR DATA FROM THE CHIKARA STUDY

Background:

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tend to have sarcopenia due to decreased muscle mass and function. We previously reported that 13.2% of RA patients without sarcopenia at baseline developed sarcopenia over a year using data from the prospective, observational CHIKARA study1.

Objectives:

The aim was to investigate sarcopenia status and the characteristics of RA patients longitudinally.

Methods:

Body composition, laboratory data, disease activity, physical function, treatment, and history of falls and fractures were investigated in 100 RA patients who participated in the CHIKARA study at baseline and at 4 years. The patients were divided into 4 groups depending on their sarcopenia status: no sarcopenia development (N group), sarcopenia development (S group), cured (C group), and persisted (P group).

Results:

Of the 77 RA patients who completed the survey, 48 were in the N group; their body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index, fat percentage, estimated bone mass, and body metabolization rate at baseline were significantly elevated. On the other hand, 6 patients were in the S group; 83.3% of them experienced fractures during the 4 years, significantly more than in the other groups. Ten patients were in the P group, and their baseline MMP-3 was significantly higher than in the other groups. Thirteen patients were in the C group. There were no differences among the 4 groups in disease activity and physical function (Table 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of 77 RA patients by sarcopenia status at baseline and at 4-year follow-up.

no development(n=48)development(n=6)cured(n=10)persisted(n=13)p valueBaseline age, years64.5 (57.8, 72)70.0 (65.5, 72.3)61.0 (54.5, 68.3)72 (68, 81)0.062 disease duration, years4.6 (1.1, 9.9)11.7 (2.8, 18.9)8.1 (4.2, 14.3)4.0 (2.2, 7.7)0.427 biologics use, %37.516.730.023.10.617 GC use, %27.116.710.023.10.678 MMP-3, ng/ml66.8 (51.8, 103)52.5 (40.0, 56.7)82.8 (57.8, 186)157.5 (90.8, 250)0.001 DAS28ESR3.43 ± 0.873.48 ± 1.323.36 ± 1.083.80 ± 1.270.661 mHAQ0.31 (0, 0.50)0.19 (0.03, 0.44)0.38 (0, 0.84)0.50 (0.25, 0.88)0.383 BMI, kg/m223.4 ± 3.621.6 ± 2.419.2 ± 1.619.5 ± 2.6<0.001 SMI, kg/m26.8 ± 0.86.2 ± 0.65.8 ± 0.55.7 ± 0.6<0.001 fat percentage, %30.4 ± 8.429.1 ± 9.123.9 ± 4.025.1 ± 8.30.046 estimated bone mass, kg2.2 (2.0, 2.4)1.9 (1.8, 2.1)2.0 (1.7, 2.1)1.7 (1.7, 1.9)0.012 BMR, kcal1100 (1031, 1197)1029 (918, 1070)1012 (917, 1057)934 (894, 1006)0.005Change during 4 years ΔDAS28ESR-0.34 ± 0.97-0.52 ± 0.98-0.60 ± 1.46-0.56 ± 1.140.834 ΔmHAQ0 (-0.25, 0.16)0.19 (0, 0.56)-0.06 (-0.44, 0.94)0 (-0.38, 0.38)0.357 ΔSMI, kg/m20.0 ± 0.3-0.6 ± 0.30.3 ± 0.4-0.0 ± 0.3<0.001 fall, %43.883.330.023.10.079 fracture, %14.683.320.023.10.002

Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median (25th, 75th percentile).

GC: glucocorticoids, BMI: body mass index, SMI: skeletal muscle mass index, BMR: body metabolization rate.

Conclusion:

Overall, 7.8% of RA patients developed sarcopenia during the 4-year follow-up period, and they developed fractures more frequently. Evaluation of sarcopenia is important for risk assessment of fractures.

References:

[1]Y Yamada, M Tada, K Mandai et al. Glucocorticoid use is an independent risk factor for developing sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: from the CHIKARA study. Clin Rheumatol 2020 Jun;39(6):1757-1764.

Disclosure of Interests:

Yutaro Yamada: None declared, Masahiro Tada: None declared, Koji Mandai: None declared, Noriaki Hidaka: None declared, Hiroaki Nakamura Grant/research support from: Astellas and Asahi Kasei

POS0532 AveRAGE PREDNISOLONE DOSE OF ONLY 1 MG PER DAY WAS RISK FACTOR FOR CLINICAL FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - NINE-YEAR FINDINGS OF THE TOMORROW STUDY

Background:

Previous cohort studies showed that the use of prednisolone (PSL) was a risk factor for clinical fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there are few reports on relationship between PSL dose and clinical fractures.

Objectives:

The present study aimed to determine the effect of PSL dose on the incidence of clinical fractures in the RA patients treated with PSL.

Methods:

We evaluated anthropoetric parameters, bone mineral density (BMD), disease activity score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), RA medication (methotrexate (MTX) dose, use of biologic disease modified anti-rheumatic-drugs (bDMARDs), and PSL dose) and the incidence of clinical fractures during nine years in RA patients who participant the TOMORROW study (UMIN000003876), which is a 10-years prospective cohort study. Data on clinical fracture was self-reported on the questionnaires. In this analysis, the data of RA patients treated with PSL at least once during nine-year period were evaluated. We analyzed the average dose of PSL until the incidence of the clinical fractures. The risk factor for clinical fractures were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazard model with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking history.

Results:

We analyzed the data of 67 RA patients treated with PSL. Among them, median age was 61.8 year, 56 patients (83.6%) were female, 47 patients (70.1%) were never smoker and median disease duration was 12.1 year. The number of patients treated with PSL at baseline was 48 (69.1%). During 9 years, 23 clinical fractures were observed in 67 patients, and the incidence of clinical fracture was 0.046/person-year. In 19 patients, who were not treated with PSL at baseline but treated with PSL at least once during 9 years, 5 clinical fractures were observed. In 67 RA patients, Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that baseline disease activities, BMD at thoracic vertebrae and medication were not significant risk factors for clinical fractures. However, average PSL dose of more than only 1 mg/day was a significant risk factor for the incidence of clinical fracture (hazard ratio (HR): 2.80; p=0.03) (Table 1).

Table 1.

Adjusted hazard ratio for clinical fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with PSL.

* Adjusted Hazard ratio95% Confidence intervalP valueCRP (mg/dL)1.290.88-1.910.19RF (IU/mL)0.990.99-1.000.07ACPA (U/mL)0.990.98-1.000.18DAS28-ESR0.990.71-1.390.97BMD at thoracic vertebrae (mg/cm2)0.020.00-1.000.05bDMARDs use0.550.23-1.320.18Bisphosphonate use2.330.95-5.710.07average dose of MTX (mg/week)1.020.92-1.120.74average score of DAS28-ESR1.150.76-1.750.52average dose of PSL more than 1mg/day2.81.09-7.240.03

*Hazard ratio was adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and smoking history. RF, Rheumatoid factor; ACPA, Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody; DAS28-ESR, disease activity score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate; BMD, Bone mineral density; bDMARDs, biologic disease modified anti-rheumatic-drugs; MTX, methotrexate; PSL, prednisolone.

Conclusion:

In RA patients treated with PSL, average PSL dose of only 1mg/day significantly increased the risk for the incidence of clinical fractures. Even for established RA patients, continuous use or initiation of low PSL dose was apparently significant risk factor for clinical fractures.

Disclosure of Interests:

Hitoshi Yoshimura: None declared, Tatsuya Koike Grant/research support from: Takeda Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Abbott Japan, Teijin Pharma, Banyu Pharmaceutical and Ono Pharmaceutical, Kenji Mamoto: None declared, Yuko Sugioka: None declared, Tadashi Okano: None declared, Masahiro Tada: None declared, Kentaro Inui Grant/research support from: Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. and Astellas Pharma Inc, Hiroaki Nakamura: None declared

POS0517 A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF SARCOPENIA, LOCOMOTIVE SYNDROME, AND FRAILTY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: FROM THE CHIKARA STUDY

Background:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a high frequency of sarcopenia, and they commonly have reduced physical function. We previously reported that the prevalence of sarcopenia was 28%, that of frailty was 18.9%, and that of pre-frailty was 38.9% in RA patients1,2, and 13.2% of RA patients developed sarcopenia within a year 3.

Objectives:

To investigate the risk factors for new onset of sarcopenia, locomotive syndrome, and frailty in patients with RA and the course of each disease.

Methods:

Two-year follow-up data from the rural group of the prospective, observational CHIKARA study were used. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2014, locomotive syndrome was diagnosed using locomotive 5, and frailty was diagnosed using the basic checklist. New onset of the disease over the 2-year follow-up period was studied, excluding cases that had the disease at baseline. Improvement was defined as cases with disease at baseline that no longer met the diagnostic criteria after 2 years. Differences in the characteristics of each disease were tested using the Chi-squared test and the paired t-test.

Results:

The 81 patients with RA (82.7% female) had mean age 66.9±11.5 years, mean DAS28-ESR 2.9±1.2, methotrexate use in 81.5% (with a dose of 9.9±2.7 mg/week), and glucocorticoid (GC) use in 22.2% (with a dose of 3.1±1.7 mg/week). The baseline prevalence was 44.4% for sarcopenia, 35.8% for locomotive syndrome, and 25.9% for frailty, and the new onset rate was 4.4% for sarcopenia, 15.4% for locomotive syndrome, and 13.3% for frailty. Of the patients with each disease at baseline, 36.1% had sarcopenia, 20.7% had locomotive syndrome, and 33.3% had frailty, and of those with each disease at 2 years, 36.1% had sarcopenia, 20.7% had locomotive syndrome, and 33.3% had frailty. The new onset sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome groups had significantly higher rates of GC use (p=0.036, p=0.007, paired t-test) and significantly higher doses (p=0.01, p=0.001, paired t-test) than the groups without new onset sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome. High baseline disease activity was an independent predictor of new onset of locomotive syndrome on multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR=3.21, p=0.015).

Conclusion:

The new onset rates at 2 years were 4.4% for sarcopenia, 15.4% for locomotive syndrome, and 13.3% for frailty. In the new onset sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome groups, both GC use and dosage were significantly higher.

References:

[1]Tada M, et al. Matrix metalloprotease 3 is associated with sarcopenia in rheumatoid arthritis - results from the CHIKARA study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Nov;21(11):1962-1969.

[2]Tada M, et al. Correlation between frailty and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the CHIKARA study. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2019 Dec;19(12):1220-1225.

[3]Yamada Y, et al. Glucocorticoid use is an independent risk factor for developing sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: from the CHIKARA study. Clin Rheumatol. 2020 Jun;39(6):1757-1764.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0115 COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND FINDINGS BETWEEN TNF INHIBITORS AND NON-TNF INHIBITORS AT FIRST BIOLOGICS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), biologics treatment is one of the effective treatment options. Usually, there is no difference in therapeutic effect regardless of which biologics is used, but the effect for joint synovitis is unknown. Recently, ultrasound (US) has played a role of sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with RA.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to compare the improvement of US findings between TNF inhibitors and non-TNF inhibitors at first biologics in patients with RA.

Methods:

Fifty-four RA patients who started the first biologics from September 2016 to December 2018 were included in this longitudinal study (SPEEDY study, UMIN000028260). All the patients were performed clinical examination, blood test and US examination at baseline, 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks. A US examination was performed at the bilateral first to fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, first interphalangeal (IP) and second to fifth proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints (three part of radial, medial and ulnar) and first to fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, by using HI VISION Ascendus (Hitachi Medical Corporation, Japan) with a multifrequency linear transducer (18-6 MHz). The gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) findings were assessed by the semi-quantitative method (0-3). GS score and PD score (both 0-108 points) were defined as the sum of each score. The change of disease activity and US findings were compared between TNF group and non-TNF group.

Results:

Among 54 cases, 32 patients were used TNF inhibitor and 22 were non-TNF inhibitor. Age and duration of RA were significantly higher in the non-TNF group, and MTX dose was significantly lower in the non-TNF group. The baseline inflammatory markers tended to be higher in the non-TNF group and the disease activity was also higher in the non-TNF group. However, the US findings showed no significant difference in both GS and PD between two groups at baseline. US improvement ratio was no difference between TNF group and non-TNF group at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks in both GS and PD score. Regardless of the type of biologics, patients with long-term disease duration tended to have poor improvement in US synovial fingings.

Table 1.

Baseline patient and disease characteristics

TNF (n=32)non-TNF (n=22)P valueFemale patients, n (%)21 (65.6)16 (72.7)0.767Age (years)63.5±15.471.0±9.00.030Disease duration (years)6.5±8.213.0±11.70.032CRP (mg/dl)1.8±2.53.0±3.20.170DAS28-ESR5.0±1.45.8±1.20.022GS score26.1±18.831.8±21.10.313PD score17.6±11.423.1±14.60.150Figure 1.

GS and PD improvement ratio at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks

Conclusion:

There was no difference in the US findings improvement between patients with TNF inhibitor and non-TNF inhibitor at first biologics in patients with RA.

References:

[1]Grassi W, Okano T, Di Geso L, Filippucci E. Imaging in rheumatoid arthritis: options, uses and optimization. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2015;11:1131-46.

[2]Nishino A, Kawashiri SY, Koga T, et al. Ultrasonographic Efficacy of Biologic andTargeted Synthetic Disease-ModifyingAntirheumatic Drug Therapy in RheumatoidArthritis From a Multicenter RheumatoidArthritis Ultrasound Prospective Cohort in Japan. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70:1719-26.

Acknowledgements:

We wish to thank Atsuko Kamiyama, Tomoko Nakatsuka for clinical assistant, Setsuko Takeda, Emi Yamashita, Yuko Yoshida, Rika Morinaka, Hatsue Ueda and Tomomi Iwahashi for their special efforts as a sonographer and collecting data.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared