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Tanaka Y, Ikeda K, Kaneko Y, Ishiguro N, Takeuchi T. Why does malaise/fatigue occur? Underlying mechanisms and potential relevance to treatments in rheumatoid arthritis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:485-499. [PMID: 38224064 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2306220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fatigue and malaise are commonly associated with a wide range of medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Evidence suggests that fatigue and malaise can be overwhelming for patients, yet these symptoms remain inadequately-managed, largely due to an incomplete elucidation of the underlying causes. AREAS COVERED In this assessment of the published literature relating to the pathogenesis of fatigue or malaise in chronic conditions, four key mechanistic themes were identified. Each theme (inflammation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, dysautonomia, and monoamines) is discussed, as well as the complex network of interconnections between themes which suggests a key role for inflammatory cytokines in the development and persistence of fatigue. EXPERT OPINION Fatigue is multifaceted, poorly defined, and imperfectly comprehended. Moreover, the cause and severity of fatigue may change over time, as a consequence of the natural disease course or pharmacologic treatment. This detailed synthesis of available evidence permits us to identify avenues for current treatment optimization and future research, to improve the management of fatigue and malaise in RA. Within the development pipeline, several new anti-inflammatory therapies are currently under investigation, and we anticipate that the next five years will herald much-needed progress to reduce the debilitating nature of fatigue in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Kei Ikeda
- Department of Rheumatology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yuko Kaneko
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Felis-Giemza A, Massalska M, Roszkowski L, Romanowska-Próchnicka K, Ciechomska M. Potential Mechanism of Fatigue Induction and Its Management by JAK Inhibitors in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:3949-3965. [PMID: 37706062 PMCID: PMC10497048 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s414739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that fatigue is a highly disabling symptom commonly observed in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs). Fatigue is strongly associated with a poor quality of life and seems to be an independent predictor of job loss and disability in patients with different rheumatic diseases. Although the pathogenesis of fatigue remains unclear, indirect data suggest the cooperation of the immune system, the central and autonomic nervous system, and the neuroendocrine system in the induction and sustainment of fatigue in chronic diseases. Fatigue does not correspond with disease activity and its mechanism in IRDs. It is suggested that it may change over time and vary between individuals. Abnormal production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferons (IFNs), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), TNF, IL-15, IL-17 play a role in both IRDs and subsequent fatigue development. Some of these cytokines such as IL-6, IFNs, GM-CSF, and common gamma-chain cytokines (IL-15, IL-2, and IL-7) activate the Janus Kinases (JAKs) family of intracellular tyrosine kinases. Therapy blocking JAKs (JAK inhibitors - JAKi) has been recently proven to be an effective approach for IRDs treatment, more efficient in pain reduction than anti-TNF. Therefore, the administration of JAKi to IRDs patients experiencing fatigue may find rational implications as a therapeutic modulator not only of disease inflammatory symptoms but also fatigue with its components like pain and neuropsychiatric features as well. In this review, we demonstrate the latest information on the mechanisms of fatigue in rheumatic diseases and the potential effect of JAKi on fatigue reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Felis-Giemza
- Biologic Therapy Center, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation (NIGRiR), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Massalska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation (NIGRiR), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Leszek Roszkowski
- Department of Outpatient Clinics, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation (NIGRiR), Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Romanowska-Próchnicka
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Ciechomska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation (NIGRiR), Warsaw, Poland
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Boeren AMP, Verstappen M, Looijen AEM, de Jong PHP, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. Rheumatoid arthritis presenting with mono- or oligo-arthritis and high VAS remains most fatigued during 5-years follow-up. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023:kead429. [PMID: 37632771 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The severity of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has hardly improved in recent decades, leaving a large unmet need. Fortunately, not all RA-patients suffer from persistent fatigue, but the subgroup of patients who suffer the most is insufficiently recognizable at diagnosis. As disease activity is partly coupled to fatigue, Disease-Activity-Score (DAS)-components may associate with the course of fatigue. We aimed to identify the RA-patients who remain fatigued by studying DAS-components at diagnosis in relation to the course of fatigue over a 5-year follow-up period in two independent early RA-cohorts. METHODS 1560 consecutive RA-patients included in the Leiden Early Arthritis Cohort and 415 RA-patients included in the tREACH-Cohort were studied. Swollen joint count, tender joint count, ESR and Patient Global Assessment (Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),0-100 mm) were studied in relation to fatigue(VAS, 0-100mm) during 5-years using linear mixed models. RESULTS Higher TJC and PGA at diagnosis were associated with a more severe course of fatigue. The SJC, in contrast, showed an inverse association; patients with mono- or oligo-arthritis at diagnosis remained more fatigued. The combination of aforementioned characteristics revealed that patients presenting with a mono- or oligo-arthritis and PGA ≥ 50 remained the most fatigued over time(+20mm vs polyarthritis with PGA < 50), whilst the DAS-course over time was not different. This subgroup comprised 14% of the early RA-population. Data from the tREACH-cohort showed similar findings. CONCLUSION RA-patients who remain the most fatigued are characterized by mono- or oligo-arthritis and high PGA(VAS ≥ 50) at diagnosis. This understanding may enable early-intervention with non-pharmacological approaches in dedicated patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M P Boeren
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marloes Verstappen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Annette H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Rheumatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lindgren LH, Thomsen T, de Thurah A, Aadahl M, Hetland ML, Kristensen SD, Esbensen BA. Newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (NISMA)-development of a complex self-management intervention. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:123. [PMID: 36750937 PMCID: PMC9902823 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-09007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (IA) request regular consultations and support from health professionals to manage physiological, emotional, and social challenges. Evidence suggests that providing a tailored multi-component self-management program may benefit disease management. However, there is a lack of evidence of effective interventions with multiple components targeting the needs of this group. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a self-management intervention targeting newly diagnosed patients with IA, following the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing complex interventions. METHODS The development of the complex self-management intervention covered three steps. First, the evidence base was identified through literature reviews, in which we described a preliminary nurse-led intervention. Secondly, we chose Social Cognitive Theory as the underlying theory along with Acceptance and Commitment Theory to support our communication strategy. Thirdly, the preliminary intervention was discussed and further developed in workshops to ensure that the intervention was in accordance with patients' needs and feasible in clinical practice. RESULTS The developed intervention comprises a 9-month nurse-led intervention (four individual and two group sessions). A physiotherapist and an occupational therapist will attend the group sessions along with the nurse. All sessions should target IA-specific self-management with a particular focus on medical, role, and emotional management. CONCLUSION Through the workshops, we involved all levels of the organization to optimize the intervention, but also to create ownership and commitment, and to identify barriers and shortcomings of the preliminary intervention. As a result, from the existing evidence, we believe that we have identified effective mechanisms to increase self-management in people newly diagnosed with IA. Further, we believe that the involvement of various stakeholders has contributed significantly to developing a relevant and feasible intervention. The intervention is a nurse-led complex self-management intervention embedded in a multidisciplinary team (named NISMA). The intervention is currently being tested in a feasibility study.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. H. Lindgren
- grid.475435.4Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 17, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
| | - T. Thomsen
- grid.475435.4Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 17, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark ,grid.512917.9Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A. de Thurah
- grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M. Aadahl
- grid.512917.9Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M. L. Hetland
- grid.475435.4Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 17, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - B. A. Esbensen
- grid.475435.4Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Valdemar Hansens Vej 17, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kozłowska KA, Formanowicz D, Bączyk G. The Link between the Demographic and Clinical Factors and Fatigue Symptoms among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14681. [PMID: 36429400 PMCID: PMC9690362 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic disease of connective tissue with periods of exacerbation and remission. Fatigue is excessive strain throughout the body that is disproportionate or unrelated to an activity or lifestyle. Fatigue is an integral part of RA in most patients. The study aimed to assess the level of fatigue in RA patients and establish the relationship between fatigue and demographic and clinical factors. The study group consisted of 128 RA patients according to European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue and -Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) vitality scores were used to assess the severity of fatigue symptoms. The analyzed variables were gender, age, disease duration, education, marital status, place of residence, work and residence status, pharmacological treatment, pain, morning stiffness, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), compression soreness, Richie Articular Index, and DAS28 disease activity. The examined patients experience chronic fatigue-the mean value on the FACIT-F scale was 24.1 ± 9.1 points and on the SF-36 Vitality score was 14.2 ± 1.8 points. There is a relationship between the level of fatigue and pain, long-lasting morning stiffness, active disease, increased soreness of joints, and low hemoglobin values. When analyzing the symptom of fatigue, each patient should be approached individually, using the existing questionnaires or asking key questions to recognize the situation. The presence of fatigue symptoms should be considered during therapy and patient care by searching for and eliminating additional, intensifying stimuli and increasing its level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorota Formanowicz
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| | - Grażyna Bączyk
- Department of Nursing Practices, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
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6
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Single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3736228 and rs4988321) in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-5 gene with predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis. Gene X 2022; 851:147025. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Doumen M, Pazmino S, Bertrand D, De Cock D, Joly J, Westhovens R, Verschueren P. Longitudinal trajectories of fatigue in early RA: the role of inflammation, perceived disease impact and early treatment response. Ann Rheum Dis 2022; 81:1385-1391. [PMID: 35725296 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-222517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fatigue is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to explore its longitudinal course, predictors and association with disease activity in early RA. METHODS Data came from the 2-year treat-to-target trial CareRA (Care in early RA) and its 3-year extension. Fatigue was measured on Visual Analogue Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and Short Form-36 (SF-36) vitality. Longitudinal fatigue trajectories were identified with multivariate growth mixture modelling. Early predictors of fatigue and the association of fatigue and its trajectories with disease activity and clinical/psychosocial outcomes were studied with linear mixed models and multilevel mediation. RESULTS We included 356 and 244 patients in the 2-year and 5-year analyses, respectively. Four fatigue trajectories were identified: rapid, gradual, transient improvement and early deterioration, including 10%, 14%, 56% and 20% of patients. Worse pain, mental health and emotional functioning were seen in the early deterioration group. Higher pain, patient global assessment (PGA) and disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire), lower SF-36 mental components, and fewer swollen joints at baseline predicted higher fatigue over 5 years, while early disease remission strongly improved 5-year fatigue. The association between Simple Disease Activity Index and fatigue was mediated by PGA, pain, mental health and sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS Although fatigue evolves dynamically over time in early RA, most patients do not achieve sustained fatigue improvement despite intensive disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. Higher 5-year fatigue levels were seen in patients with more perceived disease impact and fewer swollen joints at baseline. Conversely, early inflammatory disease control strongly improved long-term fatigue, pointing towards an early window of opportunity to prevent persistent fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Doumen
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium .,Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofia Pazmino
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Delphine Bertrand
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diederik De Cock
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Joly
- Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - René Westhovens
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Verschueren
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Rheumatology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Synovial Fluid Interleukin Levels Cannot Distinguish between Prosthetic Joint Infection and Active Rheumatoid Arthritis after Hip or Knee Arthroplasty. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051196. [PMID: 35626351 PMCID: PMC9140440 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory arthritis affects the level of synovial inflammatory factors, which makes it more difficult to diagnose prosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients with inflammatory arthritis. The aim of this study was to analyze synovial interleukin levels to distinguish between PJI and active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after a hip or knee arthroplasty. From September 2019 to September 2021, we prospectively enrolled patients with joint pain after arthroplasty due to aseptic prosthesis loosening (n = 39), acute RA (n = 26), and PJI (n = 37). Synovial fluid from the affected joint is obtained and tested with a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was analyzed for each biomarker. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 showed promising value in differentiating of aseptic loosening from PJI, with areas under the curves (AUCs) of 0.9590, 0.9506, and 0.9616, respectively. Synovial IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 showed limited value in distinguishing between PJI and acute episodes of RA after arthroplasty, with AUCs of 0.7507, 0.7069, and 0.7034, respectively. Interleukins showed satisfactory efficacy in differentiating aseptic loosening from PJI. However, when pain after arthroplasty results from an acute episode of RA, current synovial interleukin levels do not accurately rule out the presence of PJI.
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Bartlett SJ, Bingham CO, van Vollenhoven R, Murray C, Gruben D, Gold DA, Cella D. The impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a post hoc analysis of data from Phase 3 trials. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:83. [PMID: 35382883 PMCID: PMC8981846 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02724-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fatigue, a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is detrimental to health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We evaluated the impact of tofacitinib on fatigue, sleep, and HRQoL and explored associations between fatigue, related patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and disease activity in RA patients.
Methods This post hoc analysis pooled data from three Phase 3 studies of tofacitinib (ORAL Scan; ORAL Standard; ORAL Sync) in RA patients. Patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily, placebo, or adalimumab (active control; ORAL Standard only, not powered for superiority) with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Assessed through Month (M)12 were changes from baseline in disease activity, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale (MOS-SS), and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) composite/domain scores, and proportions of patients reporting improvements from baseline in FACIT-F total and SF-36 domain scores ≥ minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) or ≥ population normative values. Pearson correlations examined associations among PROs at M6. Treatment comparisons were exploratory, with p < 0.05 considered nominally significant. Results Generally, active treatment led to significant improvements from baseline in FACIT-F total, and MOS-SS and SF-36 composite/domain scores vs placebo, observed by M1 and maintained through M6 (last placebo-controlled time point). Through M6, more patients achieved improvements from baseline ≥ MCID and achieved scores ≥ population normative values in FACIT-F total and SF-36 domain scores with tofacitinib vs placebo. Through M12, some nominally significant improvements with tofacitinib vs adalimumab were observed. With active treatment at M6, FACIT-F scores were moderately (0.40–0.59) to highly (≥ 0.60) correlated with SF-36 composite/domain scores (particularly vitality), moderately correlated with most MOS-SS domain scores, and highly correlated with MOS-SS Sleep Problems Index I scores. Disease activity correlations were moderate with FACIT-F scores and low (0.20–0.39) to moderate with SF-36 general health domain/composite scores. Conclusion Tofacitinib and adalimumab generally conferred significant, clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, sleep, and HRQoL (including vitality) vs placebo through M6, with improvements maintained to M12. M6 correlations between FACIT-F, PROs of sleep, HRQoL, and disease activity underscore the interrelatedness of multiple PROs and disease activity in RA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT00847613 (registered: February 19, 2009); NCT00853385 (registered: March 2, 2009); NCT00856544 (registered: March 5, 2009). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02724-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Bartlett
- McGill University, 5252 de Maisonneuve Blvd Ouest, 3D.57, Montreal, QC, H4A 3S5, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - David Cella
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Pettersson S, Demmelmaier I, Nordgren B, Dufour AB, Opava CH. Identification and Prediction of Fatigue Trajectories in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatol 2021; 4:111-118. [PMID: 34758517 PMCID: PMC8843747 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify groups demonstrating different long-term trajectories of fatigue among people with rheumatoid arthritis and determine baseline predictors for these trajectories. METHODS Our study included 2741 people aged 18 to 75 years who were independent in daily living. Data were collected from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register and questionnaires at baseline, 14 months, and 26 months. Fatigue was rated on a 100-mm visual analog scale. K-means cluster analysis was used to identify fatigue trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals for potential predictors of trajectory membership. RESULTS The mean age was 60 years, 73% of participants were female, and the mean baseline fatigue level was 39. Three distinct fatigue trajectories were identified, representing mild (mean 15, n = 1024), moderate (mean 41, n = 986), and severe (mean 71, n = 731) fatigue. Consistent patterns indicated that poorer health perception (ORs 1.68-18.40), more pain (ORs 1.38-5.04), anxiety/depression (ORs 0.85-6.19), and activity limitation (ORs 1.43-7.39) were associated with more severe fatigue. Those in the severe fatigue group, compared with those in the mild fatigue group, were more likely to be college educated than university educated (OR 1.56) and less likely to maintain physical activity (OR 0.54). Those in the severe fatigue group, compared with those in both the moderate (OR 0.67) and mild (OR 0.59) fatigue groups, were less likely to have one additional adult in the household. CONCLUSION This study identified stable fatigue trajectories, predicted by health perception, pain, anxiety/depression, activity limitation, educational level, maintained physical activity, and household composition. Interventions aimed at reducing these disabilities and supporting physical activity behaviors may help reduce fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Pettersson
- Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Demmelmaier
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Nordgren
- Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alyssa B Dufour
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and Harvard Medical School, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christina H Opava
- Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Holten K, Paulshus Sundlisater N, Lillegraven S, Sexton J, Nordberg LB, Moholt E, Hammer HB, Uhlig T, Kvien TK, Haavardsholm EA, Aga AB. Fatigue in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis undergoing treat-to-target therapy: predictors and response to treatment. Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 81:344-350. [PMID: 34389605 PMCID: PMC8862091 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Fatigue is a frequent symptom in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has high impact on quality of life. We explored associations between disease activity and fatigue in patients with early RA during the initial 24 months of modern treat-to-target therapy and predictors of fatigue after 24 months of follow-up. Methods Data were obtained from the treat-to-target, tight control Aiming for Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Randomised Trial Examining the Benefit of Ultrasound in a Clinical Tight Control Regime (ARCTIC) trial. Fatigue was measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 mm and defined as clinically relevant if VAS was ≥20 mm. Baseline predictors of fatigue at 24 months were analysed by multivariable logistic regression. Results 205 patients with fatigue data at baseline and 24 months were included. Median (25th, 75th percentiles) symptom duration was 5.4 months (2.8, 10.4), fatigue VAS 37.0 mm (13.0, 62.0) and mean Disease Activity Score (DAS) 3.4 (SD 1.1) at baseline. Prevalence of fatigue declined from 69% at baseline to 38% at 24 months. Fewer swollen joints (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.98, p=0.006), lower power Doppler ultrasound score (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.99, p=0.027) and higher patient global assessment (PGA) (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.04, p<0.001) increased the risk of clinically relevant fatigue at 24 months. Not achieving remission at 6 months was associated with a higher risk of reporting fatigue at 24 months. Conclusions Fatigue in patients with early RA was prevalent at disease onset, with a rapid and sustained reduction during treatment. Low objective disease activity and high PGA at baseline were predictors of clinically relevant fatigue at 24 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Holten
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Siri Lillegraven
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joseph Sexton
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ellen Moholt
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Berner Hammer
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Till Uhlig
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore K Kvien
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Espen A Haavardsholm
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna-Birgitte Aga
- Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Ko PY, Yeh DM, Wei JCC. Health Assessment Questionnaire at One Year Predicts All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 74:176-177. [PMID: 34224646 DOI: 10.1002/art.41916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
With great interest, we read the article by Fatima et al [1], which concluded that higher HAQ and disease activity score at 1 year were significantly associated with all-cause mortality in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We agree with the use of discrete multivariate analysis on the cohort dataset. However, we would like to propose some methodological issues of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Yun Ko
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Education, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 10491, Taiwan
| | - Da-Ming Yeh
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.,School of Medical Imaging and Radiological Science, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - James Cheng-Chung Wei
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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13
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Rheumatoide Arthritis: Fatigue-Besserung folgt der Remission mit Verzögerung. AKTUEL RHEUMATOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1416-9447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Die Mehrzahl der Patientinnen und Patienten mit einer rheumatoiden Arthritis (RA) leidet an Fatigue, welche die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen erheblich einschränkt. Welcher zeitliche Zusammenhang besteht zwischen der Krankheitsaktivität und der Fatigue? Dieser und weiteren Fragen ging ein kanadisches Forscherteam anhand eines Kollektivs von Personen mit einer RA im Frühstadium nach.
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14
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Matthijssen XME, Wouters F, Sidhu N, van der Helm-van Mil AHM. Value of imaging detected joint inflammation in explaining fatigue in RA at diagnosis and during the disease course: a large MRI study. RMD Open 2021; 7:e001599. [PMID: 34135114 PMCID: PMC8211062 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is hypothesised to be caused by inflammation. Still ~50% of the variance of fatigue in RA cannot be explained by the Disease Activity Score (DAS), nor by background or psychological factors. Since MRI can detect joint inflammation more sensitively than the clinical joint counts as incorporated in the DAS, we hypothesised that inflammation detected by MRI could aid in explaining fatigue in RA at diagnosis and during the follow-up. METHODS 526 consecutive patients with RA were followed longitudinally. Fatigue was assessed yearly on a Numerical Rating Scale. Hand and foot MRIs were performed at inclusion, after 12 and 24 months in 199 patients and were scored for inflammation (synovitis, tenosynovitis and osteitis combined). We studied whether patients with RA with more MRI-inflammation were more fatigued at diagnosis (linear regression), whether the 2-year course of MRI-inflammation associated with the course of fatigue (linear mixed models) and whether decrease in MRI-inflammation in year 1 associated with subsequent improvement in fatigue in year 2 (cross-lagged models). Similar analyses were done with DAS as inflammation measure. RESULTS At diagnosis, higher DAS scores were associated with more severe fatigue (p<0.001). However, patients with more MRI-inflammation were not more fatigued (p=0.94). During 2-year follow-up, DAS decrease associated with improvement in fatigue (p<0.001), but MRI-inflammation decrease did not (p=0.96). DAS decrease in year 1 associated with fatigue improvement in year 2 (p=0.012), as did MRI-inflammation decrease (p=0.039), with similar effect strength. CONCLUSION Sensitive measurements of joint inflammation did not explain fatigue in RA at diagnosis and follow-up. This supports the concept that fatigue in RA is partly uncoupled from inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- X M E Matthijssen
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Fenne Wouters
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Navkiran Sidhu
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - A H M van der Helm-van Mil
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
- Rheumatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
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