Pharmacological treatment of spondyloarthritis: exploring the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological therapies

The effects of baduanjin qigong exercise via telerehabilitation in ankylosing spondylitis: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Baduanjin qigong exercises have previously been reported to improve Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 12-week Baduanjin qigong exercises in patients with AS.

METHOD

Fifty-nine patients with AS aged 18-64 were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups. The intervention group performed Baduanjin qigong online exercise program, control group received home exercises for 45 min twice a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the 12-week exercise program, patients were evaluated using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)-Functional Index (BASFI)-Metrology Index (BASMI), chest expansion measurement, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL).

RESULTS

When the groups were compared after the intervention, there was a significant difference in favor of the intervention group in the BASMI (p: 0.00-0.04), FSS (p:0.01), and chest expansion (p:0.04). Also, the delta values of the groups were compared; the intervention group was found to be superior in terms of PSQI (p:0.01), BASFI (p:0.00), and BASMI (p:0.04).

CONCLUSION

Baduanjin qigong should be added to rehabilitation programs as a complementary method to improve fatigue levels, chest expansion, flexibility, functionality, and quality of life in patients with AS.

Systematic review: Methotrexate-A poorly understood and underused medication in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate, an immunosuppressant used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for over 30 years, remains underused compared to thiopurines.

AIMS

To review the efficacy, safety, optimal dosing and delivery regimens of methotrexate in adults with IBD.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of studies involving patients with IBD treated with methotrexate from inception to August 2023. All studies were included from the MEDLINE database via PubMed.

RESULTS

For Crohn's disease, we included eight randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 17 observational studies. Parenteral methotrexate effectively increased remission rates in steroid-dependent patients at 25 mg/week for 16 weeks and at 15 mg/week for maintenance. Methotrexate can be used in combination with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents to reduce immunogenicity. Data comparing thiopurines and methotrexate remain scarce. For ulcerative colitis (UC), we included five RCTs and 10 observational studies were included; there was no evidence to support the use of methotrexate in (UC). We extracted safety data from 17 studies; mild-to-moderate adverse effects were common. The incidence of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis was low.

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate is effective at inducing and maintaining remission in steroid-refractory Crohn's disease and can reduce anti-TNF-induced immunogenicity when used in combination therapy. Data regarding tolerance and safety are reassuring. These findings challenge preconceived ideas on methotrexate and suggest that it is a valid first-line conventional option for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease.

Role of the Gut Microbiota in Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Spondylarthritis: An Update on the Gut-Joint Axis

Dysregulation of the gut microbiota and their metabolites is involved in the pathogenic process of intestinal diseases, and several pieces of evidence within the current literature have also highlighted a possible connection between the gut microbiota and the unfolding of inflammatory pathologies of the joints. This dysregulation is defined as the "gut-joint axis" and is based on the joint-gut interaction. It is widely recognized that the microbiota of the gut produce a variety of compounds, including enzymes, short-chain fatty acids, and metabolites. As a consequence, these proinflammatory compounds that bacteria produce, such as that of lipopolysaccharide, move from the "leaky gut" to the bloodstream, thereby leading to systemic inflammation which then reaches the joints, with consequences such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondylarthritis. In this state-of-the-art research, the authors describe the connections between gut dysbiosis and osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondylarthritis. Moreover, the diagnostic tools, outcome measures, and treatment options are elucidated. There is accumulating proof suggesting that the microbiota of the gut play an important part not only in immune-mediated, metabolic, and neurological illnesses but also in inflammatory joints. According to the authors, future studies should concentrate on developing innovative microbiota-targeted treatments and their effects on joint pathology as well as on organizing screening protocols to predict the onset of inflammatory joint disease based on gut dysbiosis.

The growing role of precision medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases; results of a systematic review of literature and Experts' Consensus

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) share similar serological, clinical, and radiological findings, but, behind these common features, there are different pathogenic mechanisms, immune cells dysfunctions, and targeted organs. In this context, multiple lines of evidence suggest the application of precision medicine principles to AIDs to reduce the treatment failure. Precision medicine refers to the tailoring of therapeutic strategies to the individual characteristics of each patient, thus it could be a new approach for management of AIDS which considers individual variability in genes, environmental exposure, and lifestyle. Precision medicine would also assist physicians in choosing the right treatment, the best timing of administration, consequently trying to maximize drug efficacy, and, possibly, reducing adverse events. In this work, the growing body of evidence is summarized regarding the predictive factors for drug response in patients with AIDs, applying the precision medicine principles to provide high-quality evidence for therapeutic opportunities in improving the management of these patients.

Experimental and Investigational Pharmacotherapy for Psoriatic Arthritis: Drugs of the Future

In recent years, different studies have shown in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the pathogenetic role of multiple cytokines other than tumor necrosis factor-α, such as interleukin-17 (IL-17), and IL-23 and dysfunction of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal family pathway. These molecules also represent the target of recently developed biologic (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (tsDMARDs) currently investigated in several Phase II and III randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This review examines the therapeutic efficacy and safety of most recent developed IL-17, IL-23 and JAK inhibitors and highlights how these new PsA therapies are going to revolutionize the management of PsA in the next few years. Ongoing RCTs of these molecules in PsA are also described. Available literature on new anti-IL-17 and anti-IL-23 agents and JAK inhibitors demonstrates the potential role of these molecules as effective therapeutic strategies across multiple PsA clinical domains, along with an acceptable tolerability and safety profile, thus expanding the treatment options available for PsA patients. Of note, other molecules are under investigation, and among those, potential therapeutic strategies seem to be represented by single antibodies blocking simultaneously two cytokines, the agents inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), receptor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγt), A3 adenosine receptor (A3 AR), and K⁺ channel voltage channel inhibitors. Remarkable progress has been made in PsA pharmacotherapy, and novel bDMARDs targeting IL17A and tsDMARDs (JAK-inhibitors) represent promising therapies. More clinical trials are needed to better characterize the efficacy and safety profile of these therapeutic agents in PsA treatment.

An Update for the Clinician on Biologics for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy typically associated with psoriasis (PsO). The pathogenesis is strictly related to the association among the presence of genetic risk alleles and innate and acquired immune response with dramatic consequences on bone remodeling. Clinically, PsA patients may present heterogenicity of articular and periarticular manifestations that may be associated with the presence of comorbidities making treatment decision challenging in patients management. The identification of patient-targeted therapies is still a critical issue. Actually, several biological and synthetic drugs are promising in terms of efficacy and safety profile. National and international treatment recommendations support clinicians in the decision of the best treatment, although they may have limits basically related to updates and different outcomes included in the clinical studies evaluated. The aim of this narrative review is therefore to give guidance for clinicians for PsA patients treatment. For this purpose, we evaluated evidence on biological therapies efficacy used for PsA treatment. Specifically, we reviewed data on biological therapies, Janus kinases (JAK) inhibitors, and drugs with a new mechanism of action that are part of the treatment pipeline. The concept of "switching" and "swapping" is also described, as well as data concerning special populations such as pregnant women and elderly patients.

One-year effectiveness, retention rate, and safety of secukinumab in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: a real-life multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Secukinumab (SEC) is effective for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in randomized trials, but real-life data are lacking.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Real-life, prospective observational study on 169 consecutive outpatients at baseline (T0) and at 6 (T6) and 12 months (T12) after starting SEC (39 AS, 23%; 130 PsA, 77%).

RESULTS

Significant improvement was seen at T6 and T12 for all clinical variables, including TJC, SJC, ESR, CRP, DAPSA, ASDAS-CRP, and BASDAI, as well as in patient-reported outcomes like VAS-pain. By multivariable regression analysis, in AS patients high BASDAI at T0 correlated with diagnostic delay (R² = 0.4; p = 0.009) and peripheral joint involvement (R² = 0.4; p = 0.04). During follow-up, reduction of BASDAI positively correlated with high ESR (R² = 0.65; p = 0.04). ASDAS-CRP at T0 positively correlated with high ESR (R² = 0.34; p = 0.004). Reduction of ASDAS-CRP from T0 to T6 correlated with current smoking status (R² = 0.42; p = 0.003). In PsA patients, reduction of DAPSA score from T0 to T12 is negatively correlated with the presence of metabolic syndrome (R² = 0.41; p = 0.0025). SEC was well tolerated; 10 patients discontinued treatment for non-severe adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Secukinumab is effective and safe in patients with AS and PsA in a real-life setting.

Metabolic Syndrome and psoriatic arthritis: considerations for the clinician

Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is strictly interconnected with systemic inflammation, and increased evidence has described a close link between this condition and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).Areas covered: This review summarizes main studies exploring clinical aspects and prevalence of MetS in PsA cohorts. Further, there is accumulating evidence showing shared inflammatory pathways between MetS, its components, and PsA.Expert opinion: The high prevalence of MetS in PsA highlights the need for screening, evaluation, and close monitoring of MetS and its components (namely, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) in psoriatic patients.Further studies should focus on the pathogenetic link between MetS and PsA. More studies are required to identify appropriate algorithms for the assessment and management of MetS in PsA patients.

Retention rates and identification of factors associated with anti-TNFα, anti-IL17, and anti-IL12/23R agents discontinuation in psoriatic arthritis patients: results from a real-world clinical setting

INTRODUCTION

Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) play a pivotal role in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Despite this, their discontinuation due to inefficacy or adverse events is often observed. The aims of this study are to describe retention rates and treatment trends of anti-TNFα, anti-IL17, and anti-IL12/23R agents in patients with PsA and to identify factors associated with bDMARDs discontinuation in a real-world clinical setting.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study based on the analysis of the three Italian prescription cohorts of patients with PsA has been performed. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional-hazards model.

RESULTS

During the follow up, which lasted 25.5 (12-60) months, 68 patients discontinued a bDMARD: 13 for primary failure, 12 for secondary failure, 15 for adverse events, 5 for remission, 12 because of lost at follow-up, and 11 for other causes. Cox proportional-hazards demonstrated that a shorter disease duration (HR 0.994991, 95% CI 0.9910336-0.9989647, p = 0.014) and first-line bDMARD (HR 0.5090986, 95% CI 0.3073519-0.8432722, p = 0.009) have a protective role on bDMARD retention rate, while the multivariable analysis failed in demonstrating an independent protective role of male sex on drug retention rate (p = 0.083). No significant differences in retention rate have been found regarding biologic drugs, combination therapy or monotherapy, and class of bDMARD (anti-TNFα or anti-pIL12/23R and anti-IL-17).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a shorter disease duration and treatment with a first-line bDMARD are predictors of bDMARDs retention rate, further highlighting the importance of early diagnosis of PsA. Key Points • No significant difference in retention among patients treated with anti-IL17A, anti-IL12/23R, and anti-TNFα agents has been demonstrated. • A shorter disease duration and first-line bDMARD treatment are associated with persistence in biologic treatment.

A Review on the Effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors on Structural Progression in Early Axial Spondyloarthritis Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

INTRODUCTION

Considering the progressive nature of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), it is important to determine whether tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors have an effect on early inflammatory and structural lesions detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE/PubMed for full-text, English-language articles on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, or infliximab published since January 2007 was conducted in February 2018 and again in December 2018. The collected articles reported on inflammatory or fatty lesion progression in the spine or sacroiliac joint (SIJ), determined using MRI, in a population that included at least 40% of patients with early axSpA, defined as non-radiographic axSpA.

RESULTS

Of the 105 articles retrieved, 19 were included in this review, of which the majority were on etanercept (n = 11). A majority of selected articles included information on inflammatory lesions (SIJ 15/19; spine 12/19). All five TNFα inhibitors showed benefits on inflammation, assessed by MRI, in patients with early axSpA for up to 204 weeks of treatment. Structural progression in SIJ and the spine was assessed in 6/19 and 3/19 articles, respectively, with mixed evidence on benefits of TNF-inhibitor treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, treatment with TNFα inhibitors reduces MRI-evident inflammatory lesions in the SIJ and spine of patients with early axSpA for up to 4 years. There is less evidence of benefits on structural lesions. Additional studies are required to determine whether TNFα-inhibitor therapy can limit or delay radiological progression in patients with early axSpA.

FUNDING

Pfizer.

Disease-Modifying Effects of Long-Term and Continuous Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis or spondyloarthropathy (SpA) is a group of related rheumatic disorders, which presents with axial and nonaxial features, affecting structures within the musculoskeletal system, as well as other bodily systems. Both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic options are available for SpA. For decades, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used as the first-line drugs to treat the disease. Research has shown that other than pain relief, NSAIDs have disease-modifying effects in SpA. However, to achieve these effects, continuous and/or long-term NSAID use is usually required. This review will give an overview of SpA, discuss NSAIDs and their disease-modifying effects in SpA, and highlight some of the important adverse effects of long-term and continuous NSAID use, particularly those related to the gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular systems.

Temporomandibular joint arthritis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, now what?

BACKGROUND

Arthritis involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complicates 40 - 96% of cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), potentially leading to devastating changes to form and function. Optimal evaluation and management of this joint remains a matter of ongoing discussion.

METHODS

We performed a PubMed search for all articles with keywords "temporomandibular" and "arthritis", covering the dates 2002 through February 28, 2018. A separate PubMed search was performed for all articles with keywords "temporomandibular joint", "arthritis", and "treatment" covering the same dates.

FINDINGS

The TMJ is a particularly challenging joint to assess, both clinically and with imaging studies. Clinical assessment of the TMJ is hampered by the low sensitivity of joint pain as well as the absence of physical exam findings early in the disease process. As with all joints, plain radiography and computed tomography only detect arthritic sequelae. Additionally, there is mixed data on the sensitivity of ultrasound, leaving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the optimal diagnostic modality. However, several recent studies have shown that non-arthritic children can have subtle findings on MRI consistent with TMJ arthritis, such as joint effusion and contrast enhancement. Consequently, there has been an intense effort to identify features that can be used to differentiate mild TMJ arthritis from normal TMJs, such as the ratio of the enhancement within the TMJ itself compared to the enhancement in surrounding musculature. With respect to treatment of TMJ arthritis, there is minimal prospective data on medical therapy of this complicated joint. Retrospective studies have suggested that the response to medical therapy of the TMJ may lag behind that of other joints, prompting use of intraarticular (IA) therapy. Although most studies have shown short-term effectiveness of corticosteroids, the long-term safety of this therapy on local growth as well as on the development of IA heterotopic bone have prompted recommendations to limit use of IA corticosteroids. Severe TMJ disease from JIA can also be managed non-operatively with splints in a growing child, as well as with surgery.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we summarize literature on the diagnosis and management of TMJ arthritis in JIA and suggest a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for children with refractory TMJ arthritis.

Small molecule therapy for managing moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis

INTRODUCTION

The majority of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients experience a good clinical response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and biologic therapies (bDMARDs). However, treatment failure with these drugs can represent a relevant clinical problem. Moreover, in daily clinical practice, the appropriate identification of patients eligible for these agents can be conditioned by numerous aspects, mainly represented by comorbidities, such as history of malignancies, chronic and recurrent infectious diseases. Areas covered: We searched in the PUBMED database and review published data on the efficacy and safety profile of the small molecules, inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4, apremilast, and of JAK/STAT pathways, tofacitinib, in PsA. Moreover, we report data on the other JAK inhibitor, baricitinib, and the A(3) adenosine receptors agonist, CF101, emerging by studies conducted in psoriasis patients. Expert opinion: In Psoriatic Arthritis, apremilast appears promising for PsA and recent studies have shown a good efficacy and an acceptable safety profile. Data on tofacitinib in PsA are limited. Studies on the small molecules, baricitinib and CF101 are still incomplete and limited to trials conducted in Rheumatoid Arthritis and in psoriasis. Further studies on small molecules and on their underlining mechanisms are advocated in PsA.

An evidence-based review of certolizumab pegol in the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis: place in therapy

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is a pegylated humanized tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi) approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Europe, the USA, and Latin American countries. CZP neutralizes TNF-α at its soluble and membrane portions. Due to the lack of Fc region, it does not induce complement or antibody-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro, unlike other TNFi. RAPID-PsA study, the only randomized clinical trial performed in PsA, is a Phase III clinical trial conducted in 409 PsA patients during 24 weeks. Patients were randomized to CZP (200 mg every 2 weeks or 400 mg every 4 weeks) or placebo. Patients in CZP arms reported improvements in skin disease, joint involvement, dactylitis, enthesitis, and quality of life. Safety profile was similar to that reported for other TNF-α inhibitors in PsA patients. This article summarizes the pharmacology and reviews the efficacy and tolerability of this drug in PsA. CZP is the newest TNFi with proved efficacy in all manifestations of psoriasis disease, except for axial involvement where the evidence has been derived from response to axial spondyloarthritis.

Progress in understanding and utilizing TNF-α inhibition for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis

The improved recognition of pathogenetic molecular mechanisms has led to the use of drugs targeting cytokines in different inflammatory arthropathies as well psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In particular, the progress in knowledge on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the pathogenesis of PsA has changed the therapeutic approach by use of direct and receptor cytokine antagonists. Currently, infliximab (IFX), adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and certolizumab pegol represent the five anti-TNF-α available for the treatment of PsA. This review describes evidence on treatment aimed at neutralizing TNF-α in PsA patients, from the first study in 2000 until today, mainly derived from randomized clinical trials. In comparison with traditional therapies, anti-TNF-α agents have shown to have more efficacy both in treating clinical aspects, including enthesitis, dactylitis, joint pain and swelling, axial involvement, nail and skin lesions, and in reducing radiographic progression. Moreover, anti-TNF-α agents have been demonstrated to be reasonably safe in PsA, as confirmed by data derived by different registries.