Levels of anti-topoisomerase I antibody correlated with short onset of cardiopulmonary involvement in Thai systemic sclerosis patients

Anti-topoisomerase-I antibody (ATA) is associated with disease severity and internal organ involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The correlation between ATA levels and the clinical course of SSc is unclear. We aimed to determine the correlation between ATA level and survival time and the onset of internal organ fibrosis in SSc patients. This historical cohort study was conducted in adult SSc patients with quantitative tests of ATA between January 2019 and December 2022. Patients with overlap syndrome and no quantitative ATA test were excluded. According to the sample size calculation, and 10% compensated for missing data, a total of 153 patients were needed. The respective mean age on the study date and median ATA level was 59.9 ± 11.3 years and 370 U/mL (range 195-652). Most cases (107 cases; 69.9%) were the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset. According to a multivariable analysis, the ATA titer had a negative correlation with the onset of cardiac involvement (Rho - 0.47, p = 0.01), and had a positive correlation with skin thickness progression (Rho 0.39, p = 0.04). Eleven cases exhibited ATA levels < 7 U/mL and outlier ATA levels were excluded, 142 cases were included in the sensitivity analysis, and multivariable analysis showed the correlation between early onset of ILD and cardiac involvement (Rho - 0.43, p = 0.03 and Rho - 0.51, p = 0.01, respectively). The ATA level was correlated with neither the survival time nor the onset of renal crisis in both analyses. High ATA levels were correlated with a short onset of ILD and cardiac involvement and the presence of extensive skin tightness. Quantitative tests of ATA could serve as an effective tool for identifying patients at risk of an unfavorable prognosis.

Clinical course and factors associated with progressive acro-osteolysis in early systemic sclerosis: a retrospective cohort study

To examine clinical course of early systemic sclerosis (SSc) and identify factors for progression of acro-osteolysis by a retrospective cohort study. Dual time-point hand radiography was performed at median interval (range 3.0 ± 0.4 years) in 64 recruited patients. Progressive acro-osteolysis was defined as the worsening of severity of acro-osteolysis according to rating scale (normal, mild, moderate, and severe). Incidence of the progression was determined. Cox regression was analyzed for the predictors. A total of 193.6 per 100 person-years, 19/64 patients had progressive acro-osteolysis with incidence of 9.8 per 100-person-years (95% CI 6.3-15.4). The median time of progressive acro-osteolysis was 3.5 years. Rate of progression increased from 1st to 3rd years follow-up with the progression rate at 1-, 2- and 3-years were 0, 2.0 and 18.3%, respectively. Patients with positive anti-topoisomerase I tended to have more progressive acro-osteolysis but no significant predictors on Cox regression. 44%, 18%, and 33% of who had no, mild, and moderate acro-osteolysis previously developed progression and 10 turned to be severe acro-osteolysis. In conclusion, the incidence of progressive acro-osteolysis was uncommon in early SSc but the rate of progression was pronouncedly increasing after three years follow-up. A half of the patients progressed to severe acro-osteolysis.

Incidence of Systemic Vasculitis and Clinical Outcomes in Systemic Sclerosis: 2-Years Follow-Up of Asymptomatic Positive for Anti-Neutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody

Purpose

Anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) overlap with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is uncommon. We aimed to determine the incidence of AAV and define clinical outcomes relevant to asymptomatic screening positive for ANCA in SSc after 2 years of follow-up.

Patients and Methods

The study was a cohort study of 185 Thai adult SSc patients testing for ANCA and having a 2-year follow-up at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. The incidence of AAV and outcomes of those who tested positive for ANCA were evaluated.

Results

A total of 185 SSc patients were tested for ANCA, of whom 21.6% were positive for either cytoplasmic ANCA, perinuclear ANCA (p-ANCA), anti-myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO), or anti-proteinase3 antibody. Only one 52-year-old female patient with dcSSc, negative for initial ANCA test, developed AAV (microscopic polyangiitis) 7 months after the first ANCA test for an incidence of AAV of 0.27 per 100-person-years (95% CI 0.01-1.5). She was positive for p-ANCA and anti-MPO. Eight of those who had an initial test were positive for ANCA and underwent a repeated test. Only two cases persisted as positive for ANCA (1 anti-MPO and 1 anti-PR3) and had no clinicals suspicious of vasculitis. Four cases that had ANCA turned to a negative result.

Conclusion

AAV is a rare complication in SSc, so ANCA may not have any role as a screening test for AAV as it cannot predict the development of AAV in SSc. We suggest testing for ANCA only in SSc patients with clinicals suspicious of AAV.

Incidence and Prevalence of Septic Arthritis in Thailand: A Database from the Ministry of Public Health

Background

A better understanding of the epidemiological profile of septic arthritis or pyogenic arthritis in Thais could improve care and provide information for better infectious control. We aimed to determine the incidence and prevalence of septic arthritis in Thailand between 2017 and 2020.

Methods

A descriptive epidemiological study was performed using demographic data from patients over 18 years of age having a primary diagnosis of M00 pyogenic arthritis between 2017 and 2020. Data were sourced from the Information and Communication Technology Center, Ministry of Public Health database. The incidence and prevalence of septic arthritis were calculated, and their respective 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The number of patients with septic arthritis in 2017 was 26,878 from a total Thai population of 65,204,797. The prevalence of septic arthritis in 2017 was 41.2 per 100,000 (95% CI 40.7-41.7). The prevalence of septic arthritis among women was slightly higher than among men (42.2 vs 40.2 per 100,000). The incidence of septic arthritis slightly increased from 2018 to 2019 but was stable in 2020 (22.6, 23.3, and 23.1 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). The incidence was highest in the southern region between 2018 and 2019 but highest in the northeast in 2020. The peak was in the elderly population 60 and older (56.4, 59.5, and 57.3 per 100,000 person-years in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively). The incidence increased with age and the maximum rate was in those ≥ 70 years (70.2 per 100,000 person-years in 2019).

Conclusion

Septic arthritis commonly presents in the elderly and is comparable between men and women. The disease was found mainly in the northeastern and southern regions. The incidence remained stable during the study period.

Cost-effectiveness of alginic acid in combination with proton pump inhibitor for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in systemic sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients often become refractory to proton pump inhibitors (PPI)-a standard treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-and intolerant to PPI in combination with domperidone. PPI with alginic acid is an alternative treatment option, but alginic acid is costly.

OBJECTIVES

We compared the costs and effectiveness of alginic acid plus PPI versus standard treatments (PPI with/without antacids as needed and lifestyle modifications) for GERD in SSc patients unsuitable for, or intolerant to, domperidone.

METHODS

An economic evaluation using the Markov model was conducted among SSc patients aged between 40 and 65 years with GERD, having a partial or non-response to 4 weeks of standard-dose omeprazole (40 mg/day) and being unsuitable for or intolerant to domperidone. Using a societal perspective, we computed the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in terms of Thai baht (THB) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) between a combination of alginic acid plus PPI and standard treatment for GERD. The lifetime time horizon was used.

RESULTS

The ICER for alginic acid plus PPI versus standard treatments was 377 101 THB/QALY. According to the one-way sensitivity analysis, the cost of alginic acid was the most impactful parameter. If the market prices of alginic acid plus PPI were reduced by 61%, this treatment option would become cost-effective at the willingness-to-pay threshold of 160 000 THB/QALY (34.68 THB/USD data on 25 May 2023). Furthermore, if alginic acid were included in the public health insurance program, the national budget would be increased by 66 313 THB per patient, resulting in an overall budget increase of 5 106 101 to 8 885 942 THB compared with the standard treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Alginic acid plus PPI does not represent good value for money compared with the standard treatment among such SSc patients in Thailand unless its price is reduced significantly.

Sleep quality and clinical association with sleep disturbance in systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep quality is a common and potentially debilitating problem in systemic sclerosis (SSc). To date, no data clarifies the potential factors related to poor sleep quality and the clinical associations with sleep disturbance among Thais with SSc-mainly the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) subset. We aimed to evaluate sleep quality and identify the clinical association with sleep disturbance among SSc patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2021 and September 2021. Adult SSc patients were enrolled at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. All patients had their neck circumference measured, underwent airway evaluation using the Mallampati classification, had sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Berlin and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 completed. In addition, the clinical association with poor sleep quality (or sleep disturbance) was investigated using the PSQI.

RESULTS

A total of 88 patients were enrolled. Forty-eight (54.6%) patients experienced poor sleep quality (95%CI 43.6-65.2). Digital ulcers and dyspepsia were associated with poor sleep quality as per a logistic regression (OR 10.73: 95%CI 1.09-106.15 and 4.60: 95%CI 1.01-20.89), respectively. Overall pain-evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS)-was positively correlated with the PSQI score (Rho 0.2586; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Around half of the SSc patients reported poor sleep quality, and the significantly associated factors were digital ulcers and dyspepsia. The PSQI scores positively correlated with overall pain as evaluated by VAS. With early assessment and treatment of digital ulcers, stomach symptoms, and pain control, sleep problems might be reduced among SSc patients.

Incidence and prevalence of systemic sclerosis in Thailand in year 2017-2020: a database from the Ministry of Public Health

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of the epidemiological profile of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Thais could improve care, human resource deployment, and public health budgeting.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the incidence and prevalence of SSc in Thailand between 2017 and 2020.

METHODS

A descriptive epidemiological study was performed using the Information and Communication Technology Center, Ministry of Public Health database, comprising all types of healthcare providers during the study period. Demographic data of patients having a primary diagnosis of M34 systemic sclerosis and over 18 years of age between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed. The incidence and prevalence of SSc were calculated as well as their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The number of SSc cases in 2017 was 15,920 from a total Thai population of 65,204,797. The prevalence of SSc in 2017 was 24.4 per 100,000 populations (95% CI 24.0-24.8). The prevalence of SSc among women was 2 times greater than among men (32.7 vs. 15.8 per 100,000). The incidence of SSc was stable from 2018 to 2019 but dropped slightly in 2020 (7.2, 7.6, and 6.8 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). Most SSc cases were in northeastern Thailand (11.6, 12.1, and 11.1 per 100,000 person-years from 2018 to 2020, respectively) and the peak was between 60 and 69 years of age (24.6, 23.8, and 20.9 per 100,000 person-years from 2018 to 2020, respectively).

CONCLUSION

SSc is a rare disease among Thais. The disease was commonly revealed in late middle-aged women with a peak at age 60-69 years, mainly from the northeast regions. The incidence remained stable during the study period, albeit during the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic a slight decline was recorded. Key Points • The incidence and prevalence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) vary across ethnic populations. • There is a lack of epidemiology research of SSc since the 2013 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Scleroderma was adopted among Thais included Asia-Pacific population as the population has some different clinical features than those reported among Caucasians. • SSc is a rare connective disease among Thais and commonly presents in late middle-aged group of both genders, mainly in Thailand's northern and northeastern regions. • When compare to the epidemiology of SSc in Asia-Pacific, the prevalence of SSc in Thais was higher than among East Asians and the Indian population and the incidence of SSc among Thais was greater than the other Asia-Pacific population including Australian.

Incidence and Predictors of an Abnormal Liver Function Test Among 674 Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Cohort Study

Background

Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) can indicate cirrhosis or liver cancer leading to mortality among systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. No recent studies have investigated the clinical predictors of an abnormal LFT in SSc. We aimed to determine the incidence of abnormal LFT (including from hepatitis and cholestasis) and to identify its clinical predictors in SSc patients.

Methods

An historical cohort was conducted on 674 adult SSc patients who attended the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between January 2012 and November 2019 and who underwent routine screening for LFT. A Cox regression was used to analyze the clinical predictors of abnormal LFT.

Results

Four hundred and thirty cases, representing 4190 person-years, had abnormal LFTs (viz, from hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis) for an incidence rate of 10.2 per 100 person-years. The respective incidence of hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis was 20.5, 12.9, and 20.4 per 100 person-years. The respective median first-time detection of hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis was 3.0, 5.9, and 2.8 years, and none had signs or symptoms suggestive of liver disease. According to the Cox regression analysis, the predictors of an abnormal LFT in SSc were elderly onset of SSc (hazard ratio (HR) 1.02), alcoholic drinking (HR 1.74), high modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) (HR 1.03), edematous skin (HR 2.94), Raynaud's phenomenon (HR 1.39), hyperCKaemia (HR 1.88), and methotrexate use (HR 1.55). In contrast, current sildenafil treatment (HR 0.63) and high serum albumin (HR 0.70) were protective factors.

Conclusion

Occult hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis can be detected in SSc patients using LFT screening, especially in cases of early disease onset. The long-term outcome is uncertain, and more longitudinal research is required.

Attitudes and factors affecting decision-making regarding COVID-19 vaccination among autoimmune rheumatic disease patients

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy is a significant threat to the success of COVID-19 vaccination programs.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess attitudes and factors affecting the decision-making vis-à-vis COVID-19 vaccination among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs).

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey of adults with ARDs was conducted between January 2022 and April 2022. All enrolled ARDs patients were asked to answer a questionnaire about their attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

Three hundred patients were included with a female-to-male ratio of 2.5:1. The mean age of the patients was 49.2 ± 15.6 years. Around 37% of patients who hesitated to get the COVID-19 vaccination were apprehensive regarding potential adverse events from the vaccine. About 25% (76 cases) were hesitant about vaccination, of which 15% were uncertain about the vaccine's efficacy, and 15% thought the vaccine was unnecessary because they lived in rural areas where they practiced social distancing. "Family role as a non-working member" was the only factor strongly associated with hesitancy for vaccination (odds ratio of 2.42; 95% CI 1.06-5.57). The attitudes to vaccination showed that the patients were concerned about disease flaring and believed all medicine should be stopped before vaccination.

CONCLUSION

Around one-quarter of ARDs sufferers hesitated to get COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, some patients were disinclined to get vaccinated because they were worried about its efficacy and/or associated adverse events. The findings help healthcare providers plan to counter negative attitudes toward vaccination in ARDs patients to protect them during the COVID-19 era.

Management review of scleroderma renal crisis: An update with practical pointers

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) represents severe, fatal internal organ involvement brought on by systemic sclerosis. A high rate of renal replacement therapy and mortality persists despite various treatments. Depending on the stage of SRC, a vasodilator called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is the treatment of choice. The efficacy of various other vasodilators (i.e. endothelin-1 receptor antagonist) and complement cascade blocker for SRC have been investigated; however, no randomized control trial has been conducted. A new approach has been proposed for the management of SRC, categorized by specific clinical features of narrowly defined SRC and systemic sclerosis-thrombotic microangiopathy. SRC prophylaxis using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor might be harmful, leading to a poor renal outcome, so the pathogenesis of SRC needs to be clarified in order to identify other possible preventions or therapies.

Fingerprint comparison between before disease onset and after systemic sclerosis diagnosis: a monocentric cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Skin tightness is a hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), and the fingers are an affected body part, so much so that fingerprints can be significantly affected among those with extensive skin tightness of the finger.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the difference between the current and past (pre-disease onset) fingerprints of SSc patients.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study among adult SSc patients who attended the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between October 2019, and September 2020. All eligible patients consented to obtaining their current and previous prints from the Central Registration Bureau, Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of the Interior. The current prints were obtained using the Crossmatch (Lite UE) live scan from the Central Institute of Forensic Science of Thailand. We investigated the concordance between the prints before disease onset and the current (enroll date) via the Printquest AFIS system with officers from the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Thailand.

RESULTS

One hundred SSc patients, according to the sample size calculation, were enrolled (mean age 59.4 ± 9.6 years; 66% female). Most (70%) had the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset. A respective 59%, 55%, and 6% presented acro-osteolysis, hand deformities, and digital ulcers. Some challenges were experienced in obtaining prints from patients with loss of the fingertip fat pad, finger joint contracture, and/or acro-osteolysis; notwithstanding, all fingerprints were usable and without individualized changes.

CONCLUSION

Fingerprints were affected by fingertip lesions and finger joint contractures; notwithstanding, the prints remained usable for personal identification. Key Points • Skin involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) affects the prints, particularly at the fingertip. • Despite disease onset, the fingerprints of SSc patients do not change significantly. • Fingerprints are inadequate for personal identification among SSc patients with hand deformities due to poor quality or difficulty acquiring them.

Prevalence and clinical association of sarcopenia among Thai patients with systemic sclerosis

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have some potential factors associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. There has been currently no study to examine such associations in SSc patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among SSc patients and examine its association with clinical manifestations and laboratory tests. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 180 adult SSc patients at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, between July 2019 and April 2020. Clinical data, laboratory tests for inflammatory markers, serology, hormone, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, handgrip strength, functional lower extremity strength, and usual gait speed were collected and measured. Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. One hundred and eighty patients were recruited. Ninety-four cases (52.2%) were the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset. The respective mean age and duration of disease was 58.8 ± 9.4 and 6.2 ± 5.3 years. Sarcopenia was revealed in 41 SSc patients for a prevalence of 22.8% (95% CI 12.1-34.8), while the prevalence was higher in patients with the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) compared to the limited cutaneous SSc. BMI at the onset of SSc and C-reactive protein > 5 mg/dL were significantly associated with sarcopenia with a respective OR of 0.60 (95% CI 0.48-0.75) and 3.18 (1.06-9.54). Sarcopenia is common in patients with SSc, but the prevalence is more pronounced in the dcSSc. Inflammatory markers, particularly the CRP level, are strongly associated. BMI at the onset had a negative association with sarcopenia among SSc patients.

Predictors for Dry Eye Diseases in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Purpose

To evaluate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with both limited and diffuse subtypes of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to determine the predictive factors associated with the occurrence of DED.

Patients and Methods

This was a prospective consecutive cross-sectional study of patients with SSc. Each patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used to assess the symptoms of DED. Tear break up time (TBUT), Schirmer I and ocular surface staining (OSS) were used for objective tests. Patients were diagnosed DED using the DEW II diagnostic method which included both symptom and objective tests. The collected data of patients with and without DED were compared to find out possible associated factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effects of these factors.

Results

Eighty-four SSc patients (25 limited and 59 diffuse subtypes) were studied. The prevalence of DED in SSc patients was 52.38%. The OSDI, tear break up time (TBUT), Schirmer I and ocular surface staining (OSS) were not significantly different between SSc subtypes. Among the 46 symptomatic patients, DED was noted in 44 (52.38%). Most patients (61.4%) were mixed aqueous deficiency-evaporative dry eye type (both TBUT and Schirmer I test positive). The mean age and the median of disease duration in DED patients were higher than those without DED with statistically significant difference (P = 0.004 and 0.019).

Conclusion

DED was common in patients with SSc. The predictors for the occurrence of DED were older age and longer disease duration. Therefore, OSDI and objective tests for DED should be evaluated in all SSc patients, particularly those with older age and longer disease duration.

Prevalence and clinical associations with primary hypogonadism in male systemic sclerosis

Background

Systemic sclerosis may affect male and female fertility. Premature ovarian failure has been reported in female systemic sclerosis patients, but the effects on male fertility in systemic sclerosis have not been studied.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical associations with primary hypogonadism among male systemic sclerosis patients.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional pilot study, including 30 adult male systemic sclerosis patients attending the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University. Testosterone deficiency symptoms were assessed using the Aging Males' Symptoms Rating Scale, urological examination, and blood testing (for total testosterone, free testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone). We excluded patients with congenital hypogonadism and any acquired disorders of the testes and genitalia. The definition of primary hypogonadism was based on the International Society for the Study of the Aging Male 2015 diagnostic criteria for hypogonadism.

Results

Seven patients met the definition of primary hypogonadism-a prevalence of 23.3% (95% confidence interval: 9.9-42.3). The respective mean age and mean systemic sclerosis duration was 59.4 ± 11.9 and 5.5 ± 4.7 years. Older age at onset, high triglyceride level, and older age starting corticosteroid treatment were significantly associated with primary hypogonadism (p = 0.02, 0.02, and 0.03, respectively). Systemic sclerosis subset, disease severity, and immunosuppressant use were not associated with primary hypogonadism among Thai male systemic sclerosis patients.

Conclusion

Around one-quarter of male systemic sclerosis patients had primary hypogonadism. Elderly onset of systemic sclerosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and late corticosteroid treatment were risk factors for developing primary hypogonadism.

Factors Associated With Refractoriness to an Up to Fourfold Dosage of Antihistamines in Isolated Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

BACKGROUND

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin disease and has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. The aim of treatment is complete symptom control.

AIM

To identify potential factors associated with antihistamine-refractory isolated CSU and to determine the factors that predict response to second-generation H₁ antihistamines at dosages from one- to fourfold.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study, which included adult patients diagnosed with isolated CSU and had complete symptom control. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between the patients who were responsive to second-generation H₁ antihistamines (< fourfold) and those who were refractory to a fourfold dose. Clinical and laboratory data were compared by dosage in the antihistamine-responsive group.

RESULTS

There were 182 isolated CSU patients who met the study criteria, of whom 150 (82.4%) were responsive to treatment with up to a fourfold dose of second-generation H₁ antihistamines, while 32 (17.6%) were refractory. In univariate analysis, age at onset, body mass index, baseline Urticaria Activity Score-7 (UAS7), white blood cell count, total neutrophil count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, and new generation antihistamines were significantly higher in the antihistamine-refractory group. According to multivariate analysis, baseline UAS7 was the only independent factor associated with antihistamine-refractory isolated CSU (odds ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.28, P = .03). In the antihistamine-responsive group, white blood cell count tended to predict response to antihistamine treatment (P < .001, 0.04, 0.34 between onefold and twofold, twofold and threefold, and threefold and fourfold, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Baseline UAS7 was an independent factor associated with antihistamine-refractory isolated CSU.

Skin thickness affects the result of tuberculin skin test in systemic sclerosis

Background

Skin thickness is a prominent clinical feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc), but there is no consensus on the cut-off for a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) size and the limitation of the TST for a diagnosis of tuberculosis in SSc. We aimed to identify the cut-off size of an indurated TST and the sensitivity and specificity of the test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in SSc patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 168 adult Thai SSc patients was conducted. The TST was done using 0.1 ml of purified protein derivatives via intradermal injection. The test was interpreted 72 h after testing.

Results

The median age was 57.2 years. The majority (71.8%) had the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset. All the patients had a BCG vaccination at birth, and 17 (10.1%) had a tuberculosis infection. An indurated skin reaction size of 20 mm had the highest specificity for tuberculosis (99.3%: 95%CI 96.4–100) (ROC 0.53). The skin thickness—assessed using the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS)—had a significant negative correlation with the reaction size (Rho -0.23; p = 0.003).

Conclusion

The TST is not sufficiently sensitive for detecting TB infection in SSc patients, albeit a skin induration of ≥ 15 mm indicates a high specificity for tuberculosis infection. A high mRSS resulted in a smaller skin reaction size when using the TST, which has limited utility as a diagnostic for tuberculosis among SSc patients with severe skin thickness.

The manuscript was presented as a poster presentation at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology EULAR 2019 Madrid 12–15 June 2019. (Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(suppl 2): abstract FRI0347) http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-eular.1456

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41927-022-00278-8.

POS0849 DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A MACHINE LEARNING FOR MORTALITY IN THAI SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background

Clinical predictors of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are diversely reported due to different healthcare conditions and populations. A universal and simplified predictive model for SSc mortality is needed so that practitioners can be used for managing their patients appropriately.

Objectives

We aimed to develop and validate a simple predictive model for predicting mortality among patients with SSc.

Methods

Prognostic research with a historical cohort study design was conducted between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, in adult SSc patients and attending the Scleroderma Clinic at a university hospital in Thailand. The data were extracted from the Scleroderma Registry Database. A deep learning algorithm with Adam optimizer and different machine learning algorithms (including Decision tree, AdaBoost, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost) was used to classify SSc mortality. In addition, the model’s performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (auROC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) and values in the confusion matrix.

Results

The analysis and predictive model development included 658 SSc patients, 416 (63.2%) females, 452 (69.1%) had dcSSc, and 218 died. The final model included the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and the WHO functional class (WHO-FC) ≥II (model 1). The final model provided the highest predictive performance, followed by model 2 (mRSS and WHO-FC ≥III). After internal validation, the accuracy and auROC were good, and the specificity was high in models 1 and 2 (81.1%, 0.84, and 95.5% in model 1 vs. 82.7%, 0.82, and 87.1% in model 2).

Table 1.

Generalizability of selected model(s) presented as accuracy, area under ROC, positive predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, specificity, and sensitivity

Selected ModelAccuracyAUC (95%)PPV (95%)+LR (95%CI)Specificity (95%)Sensitivity (95%)Model 1 mRSS and WHO FC ≥ II81.183.6 (77.5 – 89.6)84.6 (69.5 - 94.1)11.3 (5.0-25.7)95.5 (90.4 - 98.3)51.6 (38.7 - 64.2)Model 2 mRSS and WHO FC ≥ III82.782.4 (75.8 - 88.9)73.4 (60.9 - 83.7)5.7 (3.6-9.187.1 (87.2 - 92.3)73.4 (60.9 - 83.7)

95%CI 95% confidence interval, AUC Area Under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC), mRSS modified Rodnan skin score

Conclusion

This simplified machine learning model for predicting mortality among patients with SSc could guide early referrals to specialists and help rheumatologists with close monitoring and management planning. External validation across multi-SSc clinics should be considered for further study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank (a) Thailand’s National Science, Research, and Innovation Fund for funding support, (b) the Scleroderma Research Group for research assistance, and (c) Mr. Bryan Roderick Hamman—under the aegis of the Publication Clinic Khon Kaen University, Thailand—for assistance with the English-language presentation.

Disclosure of Interests

Chingching Foocharoen Speakers bureau: By Boeringer Ingelheim, Bandit Thinkhamrop: None declared, Wilaiphorn Thinkhamrop: None declared, Nathaphop Chaichaya: None declared, Ajanee Mahakkanukrauh Speakers bureau: By Boeringer Ingelheim, Norvatis, Johnson & Johnson, Siraphop Suwannaroj Speakers bureau: By Boeringer Ingelheim, Johnson & Johnson, Norvatis

Musculoskeletal ultrasound of the shoulder in systemic sclerosis

Objectives:

To explore shoulder findings by ultrasonography and to find factors associated with shoulder ultrasonographic abnormalities in systemic sclerosis patients.

Methods:

A series of systemic sclerosis patients who attended the scleroderma clinic, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, were prospectively evaluated for baseline characteristics, physical examination, and ultrasonography of both shoulders.

Results:

Seventy-four systemic sclerosis patients were enrolled in this study. Diffuse cutaneous type of systemic sclerosis was the most common type (62.2%). The three common systemic sclerosis–associated symptoms were skin tightness (28.5%), salt–pepper appearance (20.9%), and telangiectasia (11.6%). The prevalence of shoulder pain in systemic sclerosis patients was 43.2% (32/74). Sixty-eight patients (92%) had abnormal ultrasonographic findings. The most common ultrasonographic abnormalities were unilateral calcification inside the glenohumeral joint (45.9%), bilateral calcification inside the glenohumeral joint (36.5%), and bilateral supraspinatus tendinosis (28.9%). Skin edematous was the only factor associated with abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings. No association between shoulder pain and abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings was detected.

Conclusion:

Ultrasonographic abnormalities in the shoulder were common in the systemic sclerosis patients. The most frequent ultrasonographic finding of shoulder joints in systemic sclerosis patients was calcification inside the glenohumeral joint. Moreover, asymptomatic shoulder ultrasonographic abnormalities were prevalent in individuals with systemic sclerosis.

Clinical outcomes of asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis patients after a 2-year follow-up (extended study)

BACKGROUND

Asymptomatic cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been reported. Long-term follow-up might elucidate the clinical implications of these abnormalities. The aim was to identify the clinical outcomes of asymptomatic cardiac involvement in SSc patients after 2 years of follow-up.

METHODS

A cohort study was done at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, on adult patients with SSc who completed the preliminary study. Repeated investigations included electrocardiography, chest radiography, echocardiography, and blood tests for creatine kinase-MB, high sensitivity cardiac troponin-T, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide.

RESULTS

Seventy-four of the 103 patients from the previous study were enrolled. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.1±0.9 years. Five patients developed symptomatic cardiac involvement-all of whom had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The incidence of symptomatic cardiac involvement for the combined 315 person-years was 1.6 per 100-person-years (95%CI 0.7-3.4). Fourteen patients died resulting in a mortality incidence of 4.4 per 100-person-years (95%CI 4.3-5.4). Persistent cardiac involvement was found in 35 patients for an incidence of 11.1 per 100-person-years (95%CI 8.0-15.5). Two of the patients who had persistent elevated cardiac enzyme developed PAH at a respective 3.7 and 39.4 months after the initial evaluation. None of the clinical parameters were predictive of symptomatic and persistent cardiac involvement. Only male sex was associated with mortality (hazard ratio 3.70; 95%CI 1.22-11.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac involvement in SSc can progress slowly or even be reversed. Based on a previous test, the incidence of symptomatic cardiac involvement after 2 years was low despite its being a persistent involvement. If symptomatic cardiac involvement develops, PAH is the most prevalent symptom.

Prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in Thai systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease and several SSc-associated factors may increase the risk of osteoporosis and its related fractures. To determine the prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in Thai SSc, a cross-sectional study was designed in adult SSc patients at Scleroderma clinic, Khon Kaen University Hospital. The prevalence of osteoporosis with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined and the odds ratio (OR) with 95%CI were assessed the clinical association with osteoporosis. A total of 205 SSc patients were recruited with the female to male ratio of 2.7:1. The majority of cases were diffuse SSc subset (83.4%) with a disease duration < 5 years (62.9%). The overall prevalence of osteoporosis was 29.3% (95%CI 23.1-36.0). After an age adjusted analysis, the respective prevalence of osteoporosis at lumbar spine (LS) in women and men was 26.3% and 10%, while the prevalence of osteoporosis at the femoral neck (FN) in women and men was 11% and 2.1%. Low BMI (≤ 18.5 kg/m²) and menopause were associated with osteoporosis at both the LS and FN. Using multivariate analysis, low BMI and menopause were associated with osteoporosis at LS (OR 7.78 and 5.32, respectively), while low BMI was also associated with osteoporosis at LS in pre-menopausal women. In conclusion, the prevalence of osteoporosis in Thai SSc was 29.3%. Osteoporosis at the LS is more common than FN in both men and women. Low BMI was associated with osteoporosis in overall SSc and pre-menopausal women, while only menopause was associated with osteoporosis at the FN.

Prevalence and clinical association with calcinosis cutis in early systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Calcinosis cutis is often found with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However the calcinosis cutis and its clinical association among SSc patients is limited. Our aims were to assess the prevalence of calcinosis cutis and its association with clinical features of SSc patients at early onset of the disease.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study on clinical characteristics and hand radiographs of 120 newly diagnosed SSc patients with the onset less than four years were evaluated. Calcinosis cutis was described based on the anatomical regions, density (level 1-3) and shapes (net, plate, stone, and amorphous).

RESULTS

Among all SSc patients enrolled, 62.5% were females and 56.1% were diffuse cutaneous SSc. The mean disease duration was 2.0 ± 1.3 years. Calcinosis cutis was detected in 60 patients with the prevalence of 50% (95%confidence interval (CI), 0.41-0.59), of which 53.3% occurred at distal phalanx, 96.7% had stone shape and 48.3% were high density. Univariate analysis revealed that calcinosis cutis was associated with age (p = .02) and high-density calcinosis cutis was associated with Raynaud's phenomenon (p = .02), ischemic ulcer (p = .04), and telangiectasis (p = .02). Logistic regression analysis revealed that calcinosis cutis at distal phalanx was negatively associated with edema at the onset (odds ratio, 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Occult calcinosis cutis can be detected by hand radiograph in one half of SSc patients at early onset of the disease. Elderly patient has a risk for calcinosis cutis development and Raynaud's phenomenon was associated with high density calcinosis cutis. Calcinosis cutis, particularly at distal phalanx was less likely to be detected in an edematous phase of disease.

Prevalence and clinical association of the presence of anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody in systemic sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) has been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Some clinical features of SSc can also be presented with ANCA-associated vasculitis. Objectives were to determine the prevalence and clinical associations with ANCA among Thais with SSc.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of Thai adult SSc patients was conducted. According to the sample size calculation, 185 patients were included. Clinical and laboratory tests for serology and others for evaluation of the clinical association with ANCA were done simultaneously on the study date.

RESULTS

The female to male ratio was 2 : 1. The majority had the diffuse SSc subset (71.2%). The respective prevalence of having a) at least 1 serological test for ANCA (viz., perinuclear ANCA, cytoplasmic ANCA, anti-myeloperoxidase, or anti-proteinase3), b) positive for either p-ANCA or c-ANCA, c) positive for either anti-MPO or anti-PR3, d) p-ANCA and anti-MPO and e) c-ANCA and anti-PR3 was 21.6% (95% CI: 15.9-28.3), 11.9% (95% CI: 7.6-17.4) and 13.0% (95% CI: 8.5-18.7) and 1% (95% CI: 0.1-3.9). By multivariate analysis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate elevation was significantly associated with the presence of the antibody (OR = 11.36, 95% CI: 1.44-83.65), while elevation of high sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT) was significantly associated with the presence of either p-ANCA or c-ANCA (OR = 4.25, 95% CI: 1.41-15.34). None of the patients had clinical features of systemic vasculitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Around one-fifth of SSc patients have detectible ANCA without any features of vasculitis. The presence of ANCA is associated with inflammation and myocardial injury. ANCA is not antibody specific for vasculitis in SSc.

Increased serum IL-31 levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria and psoriasis with pruritic symptoms

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common pruritic skin condition, the pathogenesis of which remains unclear. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a major pruritogenic cytokine that plays a role in inducing pruritus in various skin diseases.

Aim.

To 1) compare serum IL-31 levels among CSU patients, psoriasis patients with pruritic symptoms, and healthy subjects, 2) examine the correlations between serum IL-31 levels and disease severity, and 3) compare IL-31 levels in patients with and without CSU-associated auto-antibodies.

Methods

Patients with CSU, psoriasis with pruritic symptoms, and healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Serum IL-31 levels were measured with commercial kits. Baseline characteristics, urticaria activity score, psoriasis area severity index, pruritic intensity score, and related laboratory results were collected.

Results

Sixty-five CSU patients, 30 psoriasis patients who had pruritus, and 31 healthy subjects participated in our study. The CSU patients had significantly higher mean serum IL-31 levels than the psoriasis patients (252.4 ± 115.5 vs 121.4 ± 16.6 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Both CSU and psoriasis patients also had significantly higher mean serum IL-31 when compared with the healthy subjects. Serum IL-31 levels of CSU and psoriasis patients did not differ significantly according to disease or itching severity. Thyroid antibodies and antinuclear antibodies were positive in 22 (33.8%) and 28 (43.1%) CSU patients, respectively. The CSU patients with ANA titers ≥1:160 had significantly higher mean serum IL-31 levels than in those who were negative for ANA and those with titers of 1:80 (P < 0.003 and P < 0.008, respectively).

Conclusion

Higher serum IL-31 levels were found in patients with CSU and psoriasis with pruritic symptoms. This suggests that IL-31 has a possible role in the pathogenesis of CSU and psoriasis with pruritic symptoms.

Prevalence and clinical associations with premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, and low ovarian reserve in systemic sclerosis

The low prevalence of pregnancy in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is due to multi-factorial causes, including premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The study aimed to determine the prevalence of POI, early menopausal status, and any clinical associations of these among Thai female SSc patients. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among female SSc patients between 18 and 45 years of age. The eligible patients underwent blood testing for follicle stimulating hormone and anti-mullerian hormone levels, gynecologic examination, and transvaginal ultrasound for antral follicle count. We excluded patients having surgical amenorrhea, previous radiation, and history of hormonal contraception < 12 weeks and pregnancy. A total of 31 patients were included. The majority (67.7%) had diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Three patients were POI with a prevalence of 9.7%. The factors associated with POI were a high cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide (CYC) (p = 0.02) and the long duration of CYC used (p = 0.02). After excluding POI, early menopause was detected in 10 patients with a prevalence of 35.7%. The factors associated with early menopause were long disease duration (p = 0.02), high cumulative dose of CYC (p = 0.03), and high cumulative dose of prednisolone (p = 0.02). Low ovarian reserve according to POSEIDON definition was found in 28 patients with the prevalence of 90.3%. POI in Thai SSc was uncommon, whereas early menopause and low ovarian reserve were frequently revealed. A high cumulative dose of CYC was associated with both POI and early menopause. Physicians should be aware of reproductive outcomes and advise patients at risk. Key Points • POI is revealed in patients with SSc particularly in who received high cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide, while early menopause and low ovarian reserve were major reproductive problem among SSc. • Prescriptions for CYC for female SSc-both for young patients of reproductive age and premenopausal middle-aged women-should be concerned of the long-term effects on gonadal function.

Associated factors of early-onset pulmonary hypertension and clinical difference between early- and late-onset pulmonary hypertension in Thai systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a major cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Detection of early-onset PH and its associated factors would be helpful for improving patient care. Our aims were to determine the factors associated with early-onset PH and to define the differences between early- and late-onset PH among SSc patients.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted of 409 adult SSc patients who had followed-up between January 2014 and December 2016. Early-PH is defined when the onset of PH is diagnosed within 5 years of the disease. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the factors associated with early-PH.

RESULTS

In 3409 person-years, we diagnosed 50 cases with PH confirmation by right heart catheterization, of whom 26 were early-PH (incidence 0.7 per 100 person-years; 95%CI:0.5-1.1). Among SSc with early-PH, 69.2% had the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset and the most common PH classification was PH due to interstitial lung disease (18 cases;69.2%). According to a logistic regression analysis, early-PH was associated with a WHO functional class (WHO-FC) II and higher, cardiomegaly according to chest radiography, and tricuspid regurgitation jet maximum velocity (TRVmax)>2.8 m/s with the respective OR of 20.12 (95%CI:1.59-255.35), 7.42 (95%CI:1.35-40.88), and 8.20 (95%CI:1.17-57.64). To contrast, early-PH had a negative association with gastrointestinal involvement (OR 0.08; 95%CI:0.01-0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Early-PH is prevalent among SSc patients and the most common cause is interstitial lung disease. A poor WHO-FC, cardiomegaly, and a high TRVmax are associated with early-PH. Gastrointestinal involvement is a protective factor for early-PH in SSc.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of 566 Thais with systemic sclerosis: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Most Thai patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) unlike most Caucasians and some Asians. A longitudinal cohort study among Thai dcSSc is needed.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine the overall clinical characteristics, define the clinical difference between limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and dcSSc, and ascertain the mortality rate and the factors associated with mortality.

METHOD

We conducted a cohort study including 566 Thai adult SSc patients between January 2013 and June 2019. Clinical difference between lcSSc and dcSSc was investigated using generalized estimating equations (GEE).

RESULTS

Females presented more than males (356 vs 210 cases). The majority of cases were dcSSc (411; 72.6%). The median duration of disease at the time of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) detection was 2.5 years, pulmonary arterial hypertension 8.1 years, and renal crisis 4.1 years. By GEE analysis, dcSSc was significantly associated with salt-and-pepper skin, hand deformity, and every 1-point increase in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). A greater mortality risk was associated with age at onset >60 years (hazards ratio [HR] 5.5), a World Health Organization functional class (FC) III (HR 5.1), FC IV (HR 34.8), edematous skin (HR 11.4), early onset of PF (HR 1.7), each 5-point increase in the mRSS (HR 4.5), and ≥2 internal organ involvements (HR 10.1).

CONCLUSION

dcSSc is a common SSc subset among Thais. PF was an early complication in SSc and earlier PF detection was associated with a poorer prognosis. Elderly onset, high FC, severe skin tightness, and multiple organ involvements were associated with a greater mortality risk.

Prevalence and predictors of proton pump inhibitor partial response in gastroesophageal reflux disease in systemic sclerosis: a prospective study

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) twice daily dosing is a standard therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) but there is no data on its response rate or the predictors of PPI-partial response GERD. Aims were to determine the prevalence of PPI-partial response GERD in SSc and to define its predictors. A prospective study was conducted in SSc patients with GERD. The patients were treated with omeprazole 20 mg bid for 4 weeks. The severity of symptom-grading by visual analogue scale (VAS) and frequency of symptoms by frequency scale for symptoms of GERD (FSSG) were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment. PPI-partial response GERD was defined as less than 50% improvement in the VAS for severity of symptom as well as acid reflux score by FSSG after treatment. According to the sample size calculation, 243 SSc-GERD patients were enrolled; of whom 166 (68.3%) had the diffuse cutaneous SSc. PPI-partial response GERD was found in 131 SSc patients (prevalence 53.9%; 95%CI 47.4–60.3). The multivariate analysis revealed that esophageal dysphagia was an only predictor the PPI-partial response GERD (OR 1.82; 95%CI 1.01–3.29) while neither SSc subset nor severity of skin tightness were significantly associated with PPI-partial response GERD. Half of the SSc patients were PPI-partial response GERD. Esophageal dysphagia was the only predictor of PPI-partial response GERD in SSc patients. Screening for dysphagia before starting GERD treatment is helpful for assessment the risk of PPI refractoriness GERD in SSc patients.

Acral Cutaneous Ulcerations and Livedo Reticularis with Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease in Anti-MDA5 Antibody-Positive Classical Dermatomyositis

Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) and its distinctive cutaneous features are highly associated with the presence of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) antibody in patients with dermatomyositis (DM), leading to a poor prognosis. We describe the case of a 25-year-old man who developed progressive proximal muscle weakness with RP-ILD and had unusual cutaneous findings (cutaneous ulcerations and livedo reticularis) accompanied by classical cutaneous features (heliotrope rash, Gottron's papules, Gottron's sign, and flagellate erythema). Blood test was positive for anti-MDA5 antibody. He was treated with intravenous corticosteroids and immunoglobulin, but passed away due to respiratory failure within 1 month after admission. Our case highlights that the presence of cutaneous ulcerations and livedo reticularis, in addition to RP-ILD, are useful clinical clues that may aid in the detection of anti-MDA5 antibody, early initiation of combined immunosuppressants, and prognosis prediction in patients with classical DM.

Effect of season on clinical outcomes of Thai systemic sclerosis: Analysis of the Thai national healthcare database

Objectives: We aimed to determine rate of admission, mortality rate, and causes of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients after stratifying by season.Method: A cross-sectional analysis was performed of patients over 15 in the national database with a primary diagnosis of SSc (ICD-10:M34) covered by the National Health Security Office hospitalized between 2014 and 2018. The seasons were stratified into hot, rainy, and Cool dry seasons.Results: Included were 2480 SSc patients with 3684 admissions: most (64.3%) were female. The respective mean age and median length of stay was 56.9 ± 12.3 years and 3 days (IQR 2-6). The admission rate was highest during the rainy season (1574 visits, 42.7%), followed by the cool dry season (1183 visits, 32.1%) then the hot season (927 visits, 25.2%). During the 13,180 person-days, 1660 SSc patients died resulting in a mortality rate of 12.1 per 100 person-days. The proportion of SSc patients who died in the Cool dry season was significantly higher than in the hot or rainy season (p = .04). Pulmonary involvement in SSc was the most common cause of death in the hot season, which is greater than in the other seasons (p = .004). By comparison, death due to cardiac involvement in SSc was common during the rainy season and cool dry seasons (p = .04).Conclusion: The admission rate among Thai SSc patients was greatest during the rainy season, while mortality was highest during the cool dry season. The most common causes of death were SSc-related irrespective of season, particularly cardiopulmonary involvement.

Clinical and laboratory predictions of myocardial inflammation as detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with systemic sclerosis: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating cardiac fibrosis from inflammation. There is no data on the clinical and laboratory association or prediction of myocardial inflammation in systemic sclerosis-a major organ involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to ascertain the clinical and laboratory associations with myocardial inflammation in SSc patients as detected by cardiac MRI.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Thai adult SSc patients who had: disease onset <4 years; a New York Heart Association functional class ≥ II; and followed up at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between June 2018 and January 2019. We excluded patients who were taking steroids and/or immunosuppressants or had a diagnosed heart disease before being diagnosed with SSc. All enrolled patients underwent cardiac MRI, and clinical and laboratory assessments the same date. Myocardial inflammation was defined by cardiac MRI per the Lake Louise Criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 30 SSc patients were enrolled. The female-to-male ratio was 1.8:1. The majority (73%) had diffuse cutaneous SSc. The respective mean age and median duration of disease was 57 ± 8 and 2.0 years (interquartile range 1.5-2.7). Myocardial inflammation was detected in 22 patients (73.3%). The multivariate analysis revealed that every 5 years of increased age at onset and every 5-point increase in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) at onset was significantly associated with myocardial inflammation (odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.22-0.98; and 2.64 95% CI 1.04-6.74, respectively). Neither the SSc subset, internal organ involvement, inflammatory markers, nor cardiac and muscle enzymes were associated with myocardial inflammation in SSc.

CONCLUSION

Myocardial inflammation is common in early-onset SSc. An increased risk of myocardial inflammation was associated with young age and high mRSS at onset. Cardiac MRI is the suggested evaluation for high-risk SSc patients experiencing dyspnea on exertion.

1690. Risk Factors of Invasive Aspergillosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Background

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We assessed the risk factors of invasive aspergillosis in SLE patients.

Methods

A retrospective age- and sex-matched case–control study with ratio 3:1 in adult SLE patients from January 2002- December 2017 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, KhonKaen, Thailand has been conducted. We excluded the patients who were overlap with other immunocompromised condition.

Results

Of 1,585 SLE patients, 22 patients (1.4%) had invasive aspergillosis and 66 controls were included in the study. The mean age was 36.9 ± 11.8 years and 76 (86.4%) patients were female. SLE patients who developed IA had statistically significant lower median total absolute lymphocyte count than control (503 vs. 1342 cells/mm³, P = 0.05) and history of steroid treatment (adjusted OR 21.43, P = 0.006) were the risk factor of IA.

Conclusion

There was a low prevalence of IA in SLE patients. Low total lymphocyte count, renal impairment and history of steroid treatment were significantly associated with invasive aspergillosis in SLE patients.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.

Renal pathology and clinical associations in systemic sclerosis: a historical cohort study

Background

The information guiding the treatment decision(s) for renal diseases in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is the renal pathological finding. This study aimed to evaluate the renal pathological diagnosis and its clinical feature among SSc.

Method

A historical cohort study was performed on adult Thai SSc patients who underwent renal biopsy during January 2005-December 2016. The renal pathologic findings and patient clinical characteristics were reviewed. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was applied to analyze the association between clinical manifestation and renal pathology.

Results

Of the 26 SSc patients identified (77% female), 46% had the diffuse cutaneous SSc subtype. The mean age at the time of biopsy was 53.2±14.4 years and median duration of disease was 2.4 years (IQR 0.5-7.0). Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) was the most common renal manifestation (53.9%) followed by nephrotic syndrome (19.2%) and nephritis (11.5%). The pathological diagnosis included lupus nephritis (LN) class IV (26.9%), LN class V (19.2%), scleroderma renal crisis (SRC; 19.3%), progressive renal disease in scleroderma (7.7%), and IgA nephropathy (7.7%). The nephrotic syndrome was the most common renal feature among LN class V patients, whereas RPGN was the commonest renal presentation among LN class IV and SRC patients (p=0.001). Dialysis treatment at the time of kidney biopsy was significantly higher in SRC patients than in the other groups (p<0.001). The SRC tended to have more frequent cardiac involvement, pulmonary fibrosis, and shorter disease duration than the other groups.

Conclusion

This is the first report of renal pathologic findings in Thai SSc patients. RPGN is the commonest renal manifestation among SSc who underwent kidney biopsy; for whom LN was the most common pathological finding. Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical feature of glomerular diseases other than renal involvement in SSc.

Prevalence and associated factors of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth among systemic sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) results in nutrient malabsorption and malnutrition, thereby increasing the morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors of SIBO in SSc patients.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2015 and January 2016 in SSc patients over 18, using the glucose H₂ /CH₄ breath test to evaluate SIBO.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine SSc patients (30 male and 59 female) underwent the glucose H₂ /CH₄ breath test. The mean age was 54.4. Twelve participants were positive for the glucose H₂ /CH₄ breath test, yielding a SIBO prevalence of 13.5% (95% CI 7.2-22.4) among SSc patients. A multivariate analysis revealed that duration of disease >5 years was significantly associated with SIBO (adjusted odds ratio 9.38; 95% CI 1.09-80.47).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of SIBO, using the glucose H₂ /CH₄ breath test, is not common among Thai SSc patients. However, a positive result was associated with longer duration of disease.

Bladder Malakoplakia in Systemic Sclerosis Patient: A Case Report and Review Literature

Malakoplakia, an anecdotal reactive granulomatous lesion, is a rare pathologic entity but relatively more common in genitourinary tracts. Here we report a case of malakoplakia in the urinary bladder in systemic sclerosis. The patient was a 66-year-old female treated with long-term corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide. She presented with gross hematuria, and cystoscopy and biopsy revealed malakoplakia. There was no tumor and the stains for infectious organism were all negative. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of malakoplakia in a systemic sclerosis patient.

Clinical characteristics and mortality rate of Thai elderly-onset systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

To identify the clinical differences and mortality rate between adult and elderly onset systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

We conducted a historical cohort study of SSc patients during January 2007-December 2011. The SSc patients were 60 and over classified as elderly onset SSc. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of survival and for assessing the factors associated with mortality.

RESULTS

The medical records of 350 SSc patients were reviewed; 53 (15.1%) had elderly onset SSc. According to the multivariate analysis, elderly onset SSc has a higher WHO functional class, more frequent weakness, more frequent hyperCKaemia, and less pulmonary fibrosis than adult onset SSc (p=0.004, 0.02, 0.02, 0.02, respectively). The incidence of mortality was 3.8 per 100 person-year with a median survival rate of 15.9 years (95%CI 12.4-17.3). The mortality rate of elderly SSc onset was significantly higher than that of adult SSc onset (HR 5.71; 95%CI 3.54-9.20). The median survival of elderly and adult onset SSc was 4.9 years and 16.1 years, respectively. The Cox regression analysis indicated that presence of digital ulcer and tendon friction rub had a respective HR of 7.39 (95%CI 1.28-42.60) and 37.23 (95%CI 2.10-659.09) for predicting mortality of elderly onset SSc.

CONCLUSIONS

Myopathy and limitation of physical activity were frequently found among elderly onset SSc over against pulmonary involvement than in adult onset SSc. Mortality of elderly onset SSc was 5.7 times higher, and median survival was 11 years shorter, than adult onset SSc.

Phototherapy in systemic sclerosis: Review

Systemic scleroderma-also known as systemic sclerosis (SSc)-is a chronic systemic connective tissue disease characterized by collagen deposition in cutaneous and internal organs, leading to skin sclerosis and multiple organ fibrosis. The pathogenesis is complex and remains poorly understood. Treatment is based on organ involvement and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Skin sclerosis can cause disability, leading to decreasing quality of life. Various systemic antifibrotic therapies have been used; however, most have unsatisfactory results. Recently, phototherapy and in particular ultraviolet A (UVA) has been used to treat skin sclerosis in SSc patients with satisfactory results. The main mechanisms include lymphocyte apoptosis, cytokine alteration, inhibition of collagen synthesis and increased collagenase production, and neovascularization, leading to the breakdown of collagen fibrils resulting in skin softening or even healing digital ulcers. Most studies reported that psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) and UVA1 phototherapy improved clinical outcomes vis-à-vis skin sclerosis, joint mobility, ulcers, and histopathology. PUVA and UVA1 phototherapy therefore have potential as an alternative or adjunctive therapy for patients with SSc.

Relevance of clinical and autoantibody profiles in systemic sclerosis among Thais

OBJECTIVE

Autoantibody profiles in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and their relative clinical association vary between studies. The rate for being anti-topoisomerase-I (ATA) positive and the association with diffuse cutaneous the SSc subset (dcSSc) is higher among Thais than among Caucasians. The objective was to evaluate the relevance of clinical presentation, namely being positive for one or more autoantibodies among Thai SSc patients.

METHOD

A retrospective, cohort study was performed among SSc patients over 18 years of age at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, during January 2006 to December 2013. Autoantibodies comprising 13 SSc-specific antigens were evaluated using the EUROIMMUN AG (Lübeck, Germany) in order to define their clinical association(s).

RESULTS

Two hundred and eighty-five scleroderma patients (200 female; 85 male) were included. The majority (66.7%) were dcSSc subset. ATA was the most common antibody profile in our patients (231 cases; 81.1%), followed by anti-Ro 52 (87 cases; 30.5%). Eleven of our patients (3.9%) were negative for all antibody profiles and 44 cases (15.4%) were negative for ATA and anti-centromere antibody (anti-CENP). Almost 40% (112 cases) were positive for at least two autoantibodies. There was an association between the presence of ATA and hand deformity (odds ratio [OR] 3.94; 95% CI 1.12-13.84), anti-CENP and hand deformity (OR 0.20; 95% CI 0.02-0.90), anti-Ku and scleroderma-polymyositis overlap syndrome (OR 6.58; 95% CI 2.16-19.39) and the absence of both ATA and anti-CENP with female sex (OR 2.90; 95% CI 1.12-7.51), limited cutaneous SSc subset (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.30-5.55) and scleroderma-polymyositis overlap syndrome (OR 2.53; 95% CI 1.04-6.16). Neither ATA nor anti-CENP were associated with the SSc subset.

CONCLUSIONS

ATA and anti-CENP were not helpful in differentiating the SSc subset in Thai SSc patients, albeit they were good for predicting hand function. Coexisting ATA and anti-CENP negativity were associated with less extensive skin tightness and SSc overlap syndrome.

Effectiveness of add-on therapy with domperidone vs alginic acid in proton pump inhibitor partial response gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in systemic sclerosis: randomized placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Twice-daily dosing of proton pump inhibitor (PPI), the standard therapy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is an effective therapy for GERD in SSc. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of omeprazole in combination with domperidone vs in combination with algycon in reducing the severity and frequency of reflux symptoms of PPI partial response (PPI-PR) GERD in SSc.

METHODS

Adult SSc patients having PPI-PR GERD were randomly assigned to receive domperidone plus algycon placebo or algycon plus domperidone placebo in a 1:1 ratio plus omeprazole for 4 weeks. The assessment included severity of symptom grading by visual analogue scale, frequency of symptoms by frequency scale for symptoms of GERD and quality of life (QoL) by EuroQol five-dimensions questionnaire scoring.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight SSc-GERD patients were enrolled, of whom 88 had PPI-PR. Eighty cases were randomized for either domperidone (n = 38) or algycon (n = 37) therapy. The majority in both groups had the diffuse SSc subset. At the end of the study, no significant difference in symptom grading was found between groups. After treatment and compared with baseline, the severity of symptoms, frequency scale for symptoms of GERD and QoL significantly improved in both groups. Five (13.2%) and 8 (21.6%) respective cases in the domperidone and algycon groups did not respond.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of PPI-PR GERD is common. Domperidone and algycon are equally effective treatments in combination with omeprazole. However, ∼17% of patients were non-responsive, so the effectiveness of domperidone, algycon and PPI combination therapy should be further investigated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01878526).

Self-assessment of skin tightness severity by scleroderma patients

AIMS

Skin tightness progression determines the severity and mortality of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) is a skin tightness assessment tool, albeit inter-physician variability is a limitation. Our objectives were to evaluate the correlation and agreement of skin tightness assessment between patient self-assessment and physician-assessment.

METHODS

A descriptive study was conducted on the masked, self-assessments of mRSS (at week 0, 4 and 12) by 23 Thai adult SSc patients seen at Srinagarind Hospital, KhonKaen University, between March 2014 and February 2015. Correlation between the physician and patient assessments was estimated using Pearson's. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and limit of agreement by Bland-Altman were determined.

RESULTS

We included 23 SSc patients (female to male ratio being 1.1:1). All had the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset. The skin thickness assessment correlation was moderate at baseline (Pearson's r = 0.68) and improved to a good correlation at week 4 and 12 (r = 0.78 and 0.86, respectively). The ICC showed good agreement (0.761) at week 0 and increased to excellent at week 4 (0.846) and 12 (0.910). The patient self-assessment score was higher than the physician assessment, which slightly decreased over time: mean difference = 4.30 (95% LOA;-9.54 to 18.14) at week 0, then 3.78 (95% LOA,-10.20 to 17.77) at week 4, and 3.16 (95% LOA,-7.78 to 14.10) at week 12.

CONCLUSION

The respective modified Rodnan skin score assessment by patient versus the physician was highly correlated with a high level of agreement. Validation of generalized patient self-assessment needs to be confirmed.

Correlation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Between Renal Scan and Estimation Equation for Patients With Scleroderma

BACKGROUND

Renal involvement in scleroderma is life-threatening. Early detection of a deterioration of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is needed to preserve kidney function.

OBJECTIVES

To (A) determine the correlation between (1) estimated GFR (eGFR) using 4 different formulae and (2) measured GFR (mGFR) using isotopic renal scan in Thai patients with scleroderma with normal serum creatinine and (B) to define the factors influencing eGFR.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was performed in adult Thai patients with scleroderma at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, between December 2013 and April 2015. GFR was measured using the gold standard Tc-99m DTPA (Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) renal scan. We compared the latter with the eGFR, calculated using the Cockroft-Gault formula, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and creatinine clearance equation.

RESULTS

A total of 76 patients with scleroderma (50 women and 26 men) with median age 54.8 years (interquartile range: 47.4 to 58.9) were enrolled. Mean disease duration was 5.6 ± 4.5 years. Median value of mGFR was 100.1 ± 27.6mL/minute/1.73m². There was a correlation between mGFR from the Tc-99m DTPA renal scan and the eGFR using the Cockroft-Gault formula, MDRD and CKD-EPI equation (P = 0.01, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively), but no correlation with eGFR using the creatinine clearance equation (P = 0.27). Body weight, prednisolone use and systolic blood pressure (SBP) had a negative association with mGFR (P = 0.01, 0.01 and 0.007, respectively). After multivariate analysis, SBP was the only clinical parameter that influenced mGFR (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The Cockroft-Gault formula, MDRD study equation and CKD-EPI were useful formulae for assessing GFR in Thai patients with scleroderma. Higher SBP was associated with a lower GFR.

Causes and prevalence of inadequate pulmonary function testing among patients with systemic sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Spirometry is a screening tool for evaluating the degree of restrictive lung disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Observations indicated that some patients could not complete the test. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence, causes and clinical predictors of an inadequate pulmonary function test (PFT) in SSc.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed among SSc patients over 18 years old followed up at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand, during January 2006-December 2012. The adequacy of the PFT was based on the acceptable blow criteria as set out by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society 2005 Standardizations of Spirometry.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty-nine patients were included (female to male ratio was 2 : 1). The mean age at performing PFT was 51.4 ±11.1 years (range: 19.6-79.5). Median duration of disease at performing PFT was 2 years (IQR: 0.6-4.4). Inadequate PFT occurred in 73 cases (prevalence 29.3%: 95% CI: 23.6-35.0); the majority (60 cases; 82.2%) had an expiration time < 6 s and the others were due to plateau < 1 s (11 cases; 15%), air leak around mouth piece (1 case; 1.4%) and hesitation (1 case; 1.4%). Thirteen of 73 (17.8%) had an unusable graph with the overall prevalence of 5.2% (95% CI: 2.4-8.0). The factor associated with inadequate PFT was docy mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m(2) (OR = 2.17: 95% CI: 1.49-3.17); the same factor was associated with an unusable graph, which was confirmed by the multivariate analysis (OR = 5.21; 95% CI: 1.60-16.95).

CONCLUSIONS

One-third of Thai SSc patients had an inadequate pulmonary function test - the majority because of inadequate time for expiring. Low BMI influenced the effectiveness of the test, leading to an incomplete graph for evaluating lung disease in SSc.

Inter- and Intra-Observer Reliability of Modified Rodnan Skin Score Assessment in Thai Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Validation for Multicenter Scleroderma Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Assessment of the severity of skin tightness by the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) for systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been found feasible, valid, and reliable. Despite being a major clinical outcome, it has not yet been validated by Scleroderma Research Group.

OBJECTIVE

To (a) determine the inter-observer variability vis-à-vis mRSS assessment by members ofthe Scleroderma Research Group before and after mRSS-assessment training by an experienced rheumatologist and (b) determine intra-observer variability.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Between June and August 2013, we conducted a descriptive study of Thai adult SSc patients and all rheumatologists in the Scleroderma Research Group at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Northeast Thailand. Eleven rheumatologists assessed the mRSS of 22 SSc patients three times (i.e., before and after training, and eight weeks after training). The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and its 95% CI were estimated at week 8 after training.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation (SD) of mRSS for inter-observer variability analysis was slightly decreased from before training, after training (by an experienced rheumatologist), and at week 8 after training (17.3 ± 11.9, 16.5 ± 11.1, and 16.2 ± 10.3, respectively). Intra-observer variability had moderate agreement before training (ICC 0.59; 95% CI 0.38-0.78), which increased to good agreement after training and at week 8 after training (ICC 0.60; 95% CI 0.42-0.76 vs. 0.68; 95% CI 0.53-0.82, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Inter-observer variability for mRSS assessment decreased after training and the reduction persisted for eight weeks after training. The ICC rose from moderate agreement at baseline to good agreement at the end of the study. The mRSS assessment by members of the Scleroderma Research Group was reliable.

Aspiration of the elbow joint for treating radial head fractures

BACKGROUND

Radial head fracture is the most common fracture of the elbow. It usually results from a fall onto an outstretched arm. In 1954, Mason classified these fractures into type 1 (undisplaced), type 2 (simple displaced), and type 3 (comminuted fractures). Aspiration of the elbow joint aims to relieve pressure in the elbow joint and has been used as an initial treatment option for radial head fractures. However, it is an invasive technique with the potential for complications such as infection and injury to nerves and vessels.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of elbow joint aspiration for treating radial head fracture in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (14 April 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (14 April 2014), MEDLINE (1946 to April Week 1 2014) and EMBASE (1980 to 2014 Week 15), trial registries, bibliographies and conference proceedings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled clinical trials comparing aspiration versus no aspiration for treating radial head fractures in adults.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected articles, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. Where appropriate, we pooled results of comparable studies using fixed-effect meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two trials that involved 126 participants but provided results for only 108 participants. Most participants were adults, typically over 30 years of age. Both trials were at high risk of selection, performance, detection and reporting bias. Reflecting this high risk of bias, we downgraded the quality of evidence two levels for study limitations and a further level for imprecision. Thus we judged the evidence for all outcomes to be 'very low' quality, meaning that we are very uncertain about these estimates.One trial included participants with Mason type 1, 2 or 3 radial head fractures and also a few cases of traumatic elbow hemarthrosis without fracture. The other trial included participants with Mason type 1 and 2 fractures. All participants were managed non-surgically.Neither trial reported functional outcome based on validated patient-reported outcome measures of function or pain using validated measures such as a visual analogue scale. Very low quality evidence (108 participants, two trials) indicates little difference between aspiration and no aspiration in impaired function (unable to carry heavy loads; discomfort when carrying loads) at 12 months (9/51 in aspiration group versus 7/57 in the no aspiration group; risk ratio 1.43 favouring no aspiration, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 3.58). Very low quality evidence (two trials) suggests a beneficial effect of aspiration on pain relief immediately after aspiration. Very low quality evidence (one trial, 28 participants) shows less pain after aspiration at three weeks, but it is unclear whether this applies subsequently. Neither trial reported on adverse events (for example, nerve and vascular injuries; deep or superficial infection) from the procedure, but aspiration was reported as being unsuccessful in three participants (7.9%) in one trial. Very low quality evidence indicates little difference in range of motion (based on elbow extension) between the two groups at six weeks (28 participants, one trial) or 12 months (108 participants, two trials). The report of adverse events was incomplete, but one trial (80 participants) reported the absence of three specific complications: myositis ossificans, joint instability or late displacement of the fracture.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of joint aspiration for the initial treatment of radial head fracture in terms of function, pain and range of motion or to determine the safety of the procedure. An examination of current aspiration use, the prospective collection of adverse events and consultation with patients as to their preferences and values would be helpful in guiding decisions about the future design of a multicentre randomised trial aiming to obtain definitive evidence on the use of aspiration for treating radial head fractures.

GERD questionnaire for diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is clinically-identified in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The GERD-questionnaire (GERD-Q) score is a sensitive, non-invasive, diagnostic screening tool for diagnosis of GERD in general patients, but it has been not investigated for use in SSc. Our aim was to evaluate the proper cut-off GERD-Q score, sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of GERD in SSc patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using the GERD-Q was performed during May 2012-January 2013 on patients over 18 with the diffuse SSc subset. Both esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) and 24-hr pH-monitoring (24hr-pH) were performed as the gold standard tests for both symptomatic and asymptomatic GERD.

RESULTS

A total of 75 SSc patients completed the GERD-Q, EGD and 24hr-pH. We identified 22 males (29.3%), 53 females (70.7%) with a mean age of 54.2 years. The respective number of symptomatic and asymptomatic GERD was 69 and 6 cases. For a GERD diagnosis, a cut-off GERD-Q score of 4 provided the best balance between sensitivity and specificity (96.9% and 50%, respectively). Of 48 participants (69.6%) with symptomatic GERD (i.e. positive for both EGD and 24hr-pH), 65 (94.2%) were positive for either EGD or 24hr-pH, and 4 (5.8%) were negative for both EGD and 24hr-pH. A respective majority (83%) vs. one-third of the asymptomatic group had reflux as detected by 24hr-pH vs.

EGD CONCLUSIONS

A GERD-Q score of 4 or higher indicates a high sensitivity for a diagnosis of GERD in SSc. It can thus be used as a non-invasive screening tool for diagnosing GERD in cases where EGD and 24hr-pH are unavailable.

Clinical differences between Thai systemic sclerosis patients with positive versus negative anti-topoisomerase I

BACKGROUND

Anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA) carries an increased risk of systemic sclerosis (SSc) internal organ involvement. There have been no published comparisons of the clinical characteristics of patients positive and negative for ATA in Thailand, where the positive rate for ATA is higher than among Caucasians.

OBJECTIVE

To define the clinical differences between SSc, positive versus negative, for ATA.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed among SSc patients over 18 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, during January 2006-December 2013. SSc-overlap syndrome was excluded.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-four SSc patients were included (female : male 2.5 : 1). The majority (68.6%) were the diffuse cutaneous SSc subset (dcSSc). ATA was positive in 252 patients (85.7%), among whom 71.7% had dcSSc and 28.2% limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc). Using a multivariate analysis, hand deformity had a significantly positive association with ATA (odds ratio [OR] 7.01; 95% CI 1.02-48.69), whereas being anti-centromere (ACA) positive had a negative association (OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.03-0.92). After doing a subgroup analysis of the SSc subset, the median duration of disease at time of pulmonary fibrosis detection among ATA positive dcSSc was significantly shorter than the ATA negative group (1.05 vs. 6.77 years, P = 0.01). Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) at onset was significantly more frequent in lcSSc sufferers who were ATA negative than those who were ATA positive (90.5% vs. 56.9%, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of ATA positivity was found among Thai SSc patients and this was associated with a high frequency of hand deformity, ACA negativity, a short duration of pulmonary fibrosis in dcSSc and a lower frequency of RP in lcSSc.