[Castleman's disease in the rheumatological practice]

The term Castleman's disease encompasses a group of rare lymphoproliferative diseases that show histopathological similarities in lymph node biopsy. Diagnostic criteria and a specific ICD-10 code have been available for a few years. Case studies listed at the beginning illustrate that close cooperation between clinicians and pathologists is required to enable a reliable diagnosis. For an optimal histopathological assessment, the pathologist is also dependent on the removal of a complete lymph node. Before distinguishing a potentially fatal multicentric idiopathic Castleman's disease from the resectable unicentric form, which is important in terms of prognosis and treatment, early diagnosis presupposes that Castleman's disease is considered in the differential diagnosis. Various immune phenomena and overlaps with autoimmune diseases can increase the probability of misdiagnosis or undetected cases in the clinical routine of rheumatologists. The intention of the present overview is therefore to point out the similarities with autoimmune diseases that are relevant for differential diagnoses and to point out situations that justify a review of the previous diagnosis.

The Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas): subgroup analysis of 195 GCA patients

OBJECTIVES

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is one of the most common forms of vasculitis. There is an abundance of studies which are conducted in a randomised controlled trial setting but limited with respect to cohort size and follow-up time. GeVas is the first large-scale registry for vasculitides in German-speaking countries that enables to evaluate this rare disease. Herein we focus on the subgroup of GCA patients including follow-up data up to one year.

METHODS

GeVas is a prospective, web-based, multicentre registry for the documentation of organ manifestations, outcomes, and therapy regimens in vasculitides. Recruitment started in June 2019. By April 2023, 15 centres were initiated and have started to enrol patients.

RESULTS

After 4 years, 195 GCA-patients were included in the registry, of which 64% were female and 36% were male. The average age was 76 years at the time of recruitment (IQR=69-82). Seventy-nine percent were included in the registry because of a newly diagnosed GCA and 21% because of a relapse. At the first assessment most of the patients (89%) described general symptoms. Thirty-one percent stated ocular symptoms. Cranial symptoms were documented in 78% of the cases. All patients were documented with immunosuppressive treatment at start, of whom 95% received prednisolone, 16% cyclophosphamide, 20% methotrexate, and 48% tocilizumab. After three months 62% and after one year 91% of the patients achieved remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding demographics, clinical manifestations and diagnostics, our study showed a similar composition compared to other studies. However, our data differed in terms of treatment regimens.

The Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas): subgroup analysis of 266 AAV patients

OBJECTIVES

Prospective long-term observational data on the disease course of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) were missing in Germany to date. Therefore, the Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) has been established to follow the course of patients with AAV. The aim of this study is to present baseline data of patients with newly diagnosed and relapsing AAV enrolled in the GeVas registry.

METHODS

GeVas is a prospective, web-based, multicentre, clinician-driven registry for the documentation of organ manifestations, damage, long-term outcomes, and therapy regimens in various types of vasculitis. Recruitment started in June 2019.

RESULTS

Between June 2019 and October 2022, 266 patients with AAV were included in the GeVas registry: 173 (65%) with new-onset and 93 (35%) with relapsing AAV. One hundred and sixty-two (61%) patients were classified as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 66 (25%) as microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 36 (13%) as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and 2 (1%) as renal limited AAV. The median age was 59 years (51-70 years, IQR), 130 (51%) patients were female. Most patients were ANCA positive (177; 67%) and affected by general symptoms, pulmonary, ear nose throat (ENT), renal and neurological involvement. For induction of remission, the majority of patients received glucocorticoids (247, 93%) in combination with either rituximab (118, 45%) or cyclophosphamide (112, 42%).

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic characteristics are comparable to those in other European countries. Differences were found regarding ANCA status, frequencies of organ manifestations, and therapeutic regimens. The GeVas registry will allow longitudinal observations and prospective outcome measures in AAV.

[Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in Germany : A cross-sectional analysis of comorbidities and pharmacotherapy]

BACKGROUND

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) can lead to a substantial disease burden for those affected, in particular by the concomitant occurrence of other IMIDs or in the presence of comorbidities. The care of patients with IMIDs is complex and involves various medical disciplines.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the burden of disease and the current routine drug treatment of patients with IMID.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective cross-sectional analysis was based on statutory health insurance claims data from the InGef database. Prevalent patients with psoriasis (Pso), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), spondylarthritis (SpA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease (MC), ulcerative colitis (CU), or connective tissue disease were identified among 3,988,695 insured patients in 2018. The concomitant occurrence of different IMIDs and the extent to which patients with IMID are affected by other comorbidities compared to a reference population were investigated. The current routine drug treatment was described based on the use of predefined forms of treatment.

RESULTS

In the database 188,440 patients with IMID (4.7%) were identified. Compared to the reference population the prevalence of comorbidities, such as depressive episodes and cardiovascular risk factors was higher in patients with IMID. For MC, CU, RA, and PsA disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) and classical systemic forms of treatment were used most commonly. In Pso, SpA, and connective tissue disease nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) were the most frequently used treatment often in combination with other drugs.

CONCLUSION

A considerable number of patients with IMIDs (16.9-27.5%) suffer from different diseases of the IMID group. They are frequently affected by accompanying illnesses and require interdisciplinary medical treatment.

Innovative cellular therapies for autoimmune diseases: expert-based position statement and clinical practice recommendations from the EBMT practice harmonization and guidelines committee

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are characterized by loss of immune tolerance, high chronicity, with substantial morbidity and mortality, despite conventional immunosuppression (IS) or targeted disease modifying therapies (DMTs), which usually require repeated administration. Recently, novel cellular therapies (CT), including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), Chimeric Antigen Receptors T cells (CART) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), have been successfully adopted in ADs. An international expert panel of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation and the International Society for the Cell and Gene Therapy, reviewed all available evidence, based on the current literature and expert practices, on use of MSC, CART and Tregs, in AD patients with rheumatological, neurological, and gastroenterological indications. Expert-based consensus and recommendations for best practice and quality of patient care were developed to support clinicians, scientists, and their multidisciplinary teams, as well as patients and care providers and will be regularly updated.

Trends in health care of patients with vasculitides, including giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis and Behçet's disease: cross-sectional data of the German National Database 2007-2021

The aim of this study is to present the current care situation of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), Takayasu arteritis (TAK), ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and Behçet's disease (BD). Trends over the last 15 years will reflect improvements and remaining deficits in the management of vasculitides. Consecutive cross-sectional data from patients with vasculitides from the German National Database (NDB) of the Collaborative Arthritis Centres between 2007 and 2021 were included. Medication, physician- and patient-reported outcomes on disease activity and disease burden, inpatient stays and occupational participation are compared for different vasculitis entities and over time. Employment rates were compared to German population rates. Between 502 and 854 vasculitis patients were annually documented. GCA and AAV were the most common vasculitides. Median disease duration ranged from 2 to 16 years. Over the years, glucocorticoids decreased in proportion and dose, most markedly in GCA and TAK, while biologic therapies increased up to 27%. Physicians rated disease activity as low for the vast majority of patients, while patients-reported moderate outcomes in many dimensions. PROs remained largely unchanged. The proportion of employed patients (< 65 years) increased from 47 to 57%. In recent years, biologics are increasingly used in patients with vasculitides, while glucocorticoids decreased significantly. PRO's have not improved. Work participation increased but remains lower than that in the German population.

Impact of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease With and Without Pulmonary Hypertension on Survival: A Large Cohort Study of the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary involvement is the leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and may manifest as interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), or in combination of both (ILD with pulmonary hypertension [ILD-PH]). The aim of this analysis was to determine prevalence, clinical characteristics, and survival of these different forms within the registry of the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does SSc-associated ILD-PH or ILD without PH affect survival differently, and are there any risk factors that have an additional impact?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Clinical data of 5,831 patients with SSc were collected in the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis registry. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to compare overall survival in patients with SSc-associated ILD-PH and ILD without PH with patients without pulmonary involvement and those with PAH. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the influence of pulmonary involvement and other potential predictors on patient survival.

RESULTS

Clinical data of 3,257 patients with a mean follow-up time of 3.45 ± 1.63 years have been included in our analysis. At baseline, ILD was present in 34.5%, whereas PH without ILD had a lower prevalence with 4.5%. At the end of follow-up, 47.6% of patients with SSc had ILD, 15.2% had ILD-PH, and 6.5% had PAH. ILD was more frequent in the diffuse cutaneous form (57.3%), whereas PAH did not differ significantly between SSc subtypes. Significant differences in baseline characteristics between PAH vs ILD-PH vs ILD without PH were found for age at diagnosis, sex, SSc subsets, antibody status, FVC, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, and therapy. Overall survival at 5 years was 96.4% for patients without pulmonary involvement and differed significantly between patients with ILD without PH, PAH, and being worst in patients with ILD-PH. Female sex (hazard ratio [HR], 0.3), higher BMI (HR, 0.9), and higher diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide values (HR, 0.98) were associated with a lower mortality risk.

INTERPRETATION

ILD is the most prevalent pulmonary involvement in SSc, whereas the combination of ILD and PH is associated with the most detrimental survival.

Anti-acid therapy in SSc-associated interstitial lung disease: long-term outcomes from the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs frequently in patients with SSc. We investigated whether the presence of GERD and/or the use of anti-acid therapy, specifically proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), are associated with long-term outcomes, especially in SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed patients with SSc and SSc-ILD from the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis (DNSS) database (2003 onwards). Kaplan-Meier analysis compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with GERD vs without GERD (SSc and SSc-ILD), and PPI vs no PPI use (SSc-ILD only). Progression was defined as a decrease in either percentage predicted forced vital capacity of ≥10% or single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide of ≥15%, or death.

RESULTS

It was found that 2693/4306 (63%) registered patients with SSc and 1204/1931 (62%) with SSc-ILD had GERD. GERD was not associated with decreased OS or decreased PFS in patients in either cohort. In SSc-ILD, PPI use was associated with improved OS vs no PPI use after 1 year [98.4% (95% CI: 97.6, 99.3); n = 760 vs 90.8% (87.9-93.8); n = 290] and after 5 years [91.4% (89.2-93.8); n = 357 vs 70.9% (65.2-77.1); n = 106; P < 0.0001]. PPI use was also associated with improved PFS vs no PPI use after 1 year [95.9% (94.6-97.3); n = 745 vs 86.4% (82.9-90.1); n = 278] and after 5 years [66.8% (63.0-70.8); n = 286 vs 45.9% (39.6-53.2); n = 69; P < 0.0001].

CONCLUSION

GERD had no effect on survival in SSc or SSc-ILD. PPIs improved survival in patients with SSc-ILD. Controlled, prospective trials are needed to confirm this finding.

Sex influence on outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: a EUSTAR database analysis

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of sex on SSc-ILD.

METHODS

EUSTAR SSc patients with radiologically confirmed ILD and available percentage predicted forced vital capacity (%pFVC) were included. Demographics and disease features were recorded. A change in %pFVC over 12 months (s.d. 6) (cohort 1) was classified into stable (≤4%), mild (5-9%) and large progression (≥10%). In those with 2-year longitudinal %pFVC (cohort 2), the %pFVC change at each 12-month (s.d. 6) interval was calculated. Logistic regression analyses [odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI] and Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age and %pFVC were applied.

RESULTS

A total of 1136 male and 5253 female SSc-ILD patients were identified. Males were significantly younger, had a shorter disease duration, had a higher prevalence of CRP elevation and frequently had diffuse cutaneous involvement. In cohort 1 (1655 females and 390 males), a higher percentage of males had stable ILD (74.4% vs 69.4%, P = 0.056). In multivariable analysis, disease duration and %pFVC [OR 0.99 (95% CI 0.98, 0.99) and OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.95, 0.99), respectively] in males and age, %pFVC and anti-centromere [OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.00, 1.04), OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.96, 0.98) and OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.245, 0.63), respectively] in females were associated with large progression. The 1-year mortality rate was higher in males (5.1% vs 2.5%, P = 0.013). In cohort 2 (849 females and 209 males), a higher percentage of females showed periods of large progression (11.7% vs 7.7%, P = 0.023), the percentage of patients with none, one or two periods of worsening was not different. The overall death rate was 30.9% for males and 20.4% in females (P < 0.001). In the survival analysis, male sex was a predictor of mortality [OR 1.95 (95% CI 1.66, 2.28)].

CONCLUSIONS

Male SSc-ILD patients have a poorer prognosis and sex-specific predictors exist in SSc-ILD.

2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR Classification Criteria for Takayasu Arteritis

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate new classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

METHODS

Patients with vasculitis or comparator diseases were recruited into an international cohort. The study proceeded in 6 phases: 1) identification of candidate criteria items, 2) collection of candidate items present at diagnosis, 3) expert panel review of cases, 4) data-driven reduction of candidate items, 5) derivation of a points-based classification score in a development data set, and 6) validation in an independent data set.

RESULTS

The development data set consisted of 316 cases of TAK and 323 comparators. The validation data set consisted of an additional 146 cases of TAK and 127 comparators. Age ≤60 years at diagnosis and imaging evidence of large-vessel vasculitis were absolute requirements to classify a patient as having TAK. The final criteria items and weights were as follows: female sex (+1), angina (+2), limb claudication (+2), arterial bruit (+2), reduced upper extremity pulse (+2), reduced pulse or tenderness of a carotid artery (+2), blood pressure difference between arms of ≥20 mm Hg (+1), number of affected arterial territories (+1 to +3), paired artery involvement (+1), and abdominal aorta plus renal or mesenteric involvement (+3). A patient could be classified as having TAK with a cumulative score of ≥5 points. When these criteria were tested in the validation data set, the model area under the curve was 0.97 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.94-0.99) with a sensitivity of 93.8% (95% CI 88.6-97.1%) and specificity of 99.2% (95% CI 96.7-100.0%).

CONCLUSION

The 2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for TAK are now validated for use in research.

Functional autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: influence of autologous stem cell transplantation and correlation with clinical outcome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of autologous stem cell transplantation (aSCT) on functional antibodies (abs) to the angiotensin II type-1-receptor (AT1R) and topoisomerase-I(topo-I) in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-patients and to analyse their prognostic relevance.

METHODS

Forty-three SSc-patients in whom aSCT was performed were analysed. Thirty-one patients had a favourable outcome after aSCT (group 1), 12 patients showed no response or relapse (group 2). Patients' sera were tested for anti-AT1R and anti-topo-I-antibodies by ELISA and in a luminometric assay (LA) using AT1R-expressing Huh7-cells for inhibitory or stimulatory anti-AT1R antibodies before and after aSCT (4-217 months, median 28 months). Anti-topo-I-antibodies were also analysed for their capacity to inhibit enzyme function.

RESULTS

70% of the SSc-patients had anti-topo-I- and 51% anti-AT1R-antibodies in the ELISA before aSCT. In all instances, anti-topo-I-antibodies inhibited topo-I-enzyme function. In the LA, 40% had stimulatory and 12% inhibitory anti-AT1R-antibodies. Anti-topo-I- and anti-AT1R-reactivity (ELISA) significantly decreased after aSCT. Before aSCT, anti-topo-I-reactivity was significantly higher in group 2- than in group 1-patients(p< 0.001), while there was no difference between both groups for anti-AT1R-antibodies detected by ELISA. Stimulatory anti-AT1R antibodies detected by LA were confined to group 1-patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Reactivity of functionally active anti-AT1R-antibodies was not influenced by aSCT, while anti-topo-I-antibodies decreased after aSCT. The fact that anti-topo-I antibodies inhibited enzyme function in all instances supports the hypothesis of a pathogenetic role of the topo-I antigen/antibody-system in SSc. High anti-topo-I reactivity before aSCT was associated with an unfavourable, presence of stimulatory anti-AT1R antibodies with a favourable course after aSCT.

Sex-specific analysis in Behçet's disease reveals higher genetic risk in male patients

OBJECTIVES

Behçet's disease tends to be more severe in men than women. This study was undertaken to investigate sex-specific genetic effects in Behçet's disease.

METHODS

A total of 1762 male and 1216 female patients with Behçet's disease from six diverse populations were studied, with the majority of patients of Turkish origin. Genotyping was performed using an Infinium ImmunoArray-24 BeadChip, or extracted from available genotyping data. Following imputation and extensive quality control measures, genome-wide association analysis was performed comparing male to female patients in the Turkish cohort, followed by a meta-analysis of significant results in all six populations. In addition, a weighted genetic risk score for Behçet's disease was calculated and compared between male and female patients.

RESULTS

Genetic association analysis comparing male to female patients with Behçet's disease from Turkey revealed an association with male sex in HLA-B/MICA within the HLA region with a GWAS level of significance (rs2848712, OR = 1.46, P = 1.22 × 10-8). Meta-analysis of the effect in rs2848712 across six populations confirmed these results. Genetic risk score for Behçet's disease was significantly higher in male compared to female patients from Turkey. Higher genetic risk for Behçet's disease was observed in male patients in HLA-B/MICA (rs116799036, OR = 1.45, P = 1.95 × 10-8), HLA-C (rs12525170, OR = 1.46, P = 5.66 × 10-7), and KLRC4 (rs2617170, OR = 1.20, P = 0.019). In contrast, IFNGR1 (rs4896243, OR = 0.86, P = 0.011) was shown to confer higher genetic risk in female patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Male patients with Behçet's disease are characterized by higher genetic risk compared to female patients. This genetic difference, primarily derived from our Turkish cohort, is largely explained by risk within the HLA region. These data suggest that genetic factors might contribute to differences in disease presentation between men and women with Behçet's disease.

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

OBJECTIVES

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSIONS

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

[Digitally supported rheumatological screening consultation : How useful is a questionnaire scoring system (RhePort)?]

Regarding scarce capacities an early detection consultation (EDC) was established to discriminate patients in an outpatient setting with inflammatory from non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases. A total of 500 patients suspected of having a rheumatic disease received an appointment within 2 weeks. They were interviewed with the help of a digital questionnaire (RhePort), briefly physically examined followed by a determination of CRP. The questionnaire answers were scored using an algorithm within RhePort (from 0 = non-inflammatory to 4 = highly probably inflammatory). Likewise, after completion of the EDC, the rheumatologists scored the overall assessment. The RhePort score and EDC score were compared with the "true" diagnosis made in a detailed second examination after an average of 10 weeks. In 490 evaluable patients 133 inflammatory (27%) and 357 noninflammatory rheumatic diseases (73%) were diagnosed. A classification based solely on the RhePort questionnaire (score > 1) identified 103 out of 129 as inflammatory (sens. 80%) and 125 out of 355 as non-inflammatory (spec. 35%) resulting in an AUC of 0.62 after ROC analysis. With a score > 1, the rheumatological assessment after EDC classified 130 out of 133 patients as inflammatory (sensitivity 98%) and 261 out of 357 as non-inflammatory (specificity 73%). The combined EDC can decisively increase the sensitivity and specificity compared to an "automated" survey by means of a digital questionnaire alone. In addition to the early identification and treatment of inflammatory patients, rapid identification of patients who are not in need of rheumatological treatment can create capacities for care.

POS1374 LONG-TERM SAFETY OF CANAKINUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOINFLAMMATORY DISEASES - INTERIM ANALYSIS OF THE RELIANCE REGISTRY

Background

Autoinflammatory diseases (AID) are characterized by severe systemic and organ inflammation as well as high burden of disease for patients and their families. Treatment with the monoclonal antibody canakinumab (CAN), an interleukin-1β inhibitor, has been proven to be safe and effective in clinical trials and real-life.

Objectives

The present study explores the long-term efficacy and safety of CAN in routine clinical practice conditions in pediatric (age ≥2 years) and adult patients with CAPS (cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes), FMF (familial Mediterranean fever), TRAPS (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome) and HIDS/MKD (hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency).

Methods

RELIANCE is a prospective, non-interventional, observational study based in Germany. Patients with clinically confirmed diagnoses of AID routinely receiving CAN are enrolled. Besides efficacy parameters regarding disease activity and remission, safety parameters were recorded at baseline and assessed at 6-monthly intervals.

Results

Here, we present the interim analysis of patients with AID (N=199) enrolled in the RELIANCE Registry between October 2017 and December 2021. Mean age in this cohort was 24.4 years (2–79 years) and the proportion of female patients was 53% (N=104). At baseline, median duration of prior CAN treatment was 2 years (0–12 years).

A total of 123 patients (62%) experienced any AE (N=653) among which nasopharyngitis, increase of inflammatory markers and pyrexia were the most frequent AE with incidence rates per 100 patient years (IR) of 8.3, 6.2, and 6.2, respectively.

29 patients (15%) were affected by severe AE (SAE, total number N=90) including 11 patients (6%) with SAE suspected to be drug-related (SADR; total number N=30) with IR from 0.2 to 0.7 (Table 1). Overall, 16 AE comprised upper respiratory tract infections (URI). One death (COVID-19, not related) and one malignancy (skin papilloma, not related) were reported. No vertigo and no hypersensitivity reactions were observed. N=10 (IR 2.36) vaccination reactions were reported (no SAE).

Table 1.

Overview of the CAN safety data of the RELIANCE study across all study indications (N=199 patients).

Type of eventNumber of eventsIR‡AE total653154.43AE non-serious563133.15AE, non-serious, not related31774.97AE, URI163.78AE, non-serious adverse drug reaction24658.18SAE, total9021.28SAE, not related6014.19SADR#, total307.09

#Abdominal pain; Alport’s syndrome, appendicitis, arthralgia, blister, cardiovascular disorder, chest pain, circulatory collapse, dehydration, diplopia, dyspnoea, erythema, febrile convulsion, gastroenteritis, glomerulonephritis, Haemophilus test positive, myalgia, oedema, pneumonia, premature delivery, skin discoloration, tachycardia, tonsillitis bacterial, tonsillitis streptococcal, vision blurred (each n=1 event, IR 0.24‡), tonsillectomy (2 events, IR 0.47‡), pyrexia (3 events, IR 0.71‡), not yet coded (hospital admission due to exsiccosis upon gastroenteritis, 1 event, IR 0.35‡)

‡IR, incidence rate per 100 patient years; AE, adverse event; URI, upper respiratory tract infection; SAE, severe adverse event, SADR, severe adverse drug reaction

Incidence rate = number of events * 36,525 / sum of observation days (=154,442)

Conclusion

The interim data from the RELIANCE study, the longest running real-life canakinumab registry, confirm safety of long-term canakinumab treatment across the entire study population. A trend for dose-related increase of SAE/SADR requires continuous close monitoring and awareness in patient groups (children, severe phenotypes, certain genotypes) requiring greater than standard dose treatment regimens.

Disclosure of Interests

J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Jörg Henes Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Roche, Janssen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche, Birgit Kortus-Goetze Consultant of: Novartis, Tilmann Kallinich Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Prasad Oommen Grant/research support from: Novartis, Jürgen Rech Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, MSD; Mylan, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Mylan, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Tobias Krickau Speakers bureau: Novartis, Consultant of: Novartis, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Frank Weller-Heinemann: None declared, Gerd Horneff Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bayer, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Ales Janda: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Novartis, Hexal, Medac, Pfizer, Catharina Schuetz: None declared, Frank Dressler Consultant of: Abbvie, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Michael Borte Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Shire, Markus Hufnagel Consultant of: Novartis and SOBI, Florian Meier Speakers bureau: Novartis, Michael Fiene: None declared, Julia Weber-Arden Employee of: Novartis, Norbert Blank Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Lilly, Pfizer, Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Actelion, UCB, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi

POS0221 LONG-TERM EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF CANAKINUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH TRAPS (TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR RECEPTOR-ASSOCIATED PERIODIC SYNDROME) – INTERIM ANALYSIS OF THE RELIANCE REGISTRY

Background

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare hereditary autoinflammatory disease characterized by periodic fever as well as severe systemic and organ inflammation. Successful treatment was achieved with the interleukin-1β inhibitor canakinumab (CAN) in a pivotal phase 3 study, in which 45% of patients reached clinical remission after 16 weeks (primary endpoint)1. CAN has been approved and applied for the treatment of TRAPS patients since 20172.

Objectives

The present study explores the long-term efficacy and safety of CAN under routine clinical practice conditions in pediatric (age ≥2 years) and adult TRAPS patients.

Methods

RELIANCE is a prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, observational study based in Germany. Patients with clinically confirmed diagnosis of TRAPS who routinely receive CAN are enrolled in order to evaluate efficacy and safety of CAN under standard clinical practice conditions at baseline and at 6-monthly intervals.

Results

The interim analysis of TRAPS patients enrolled by December 2021 includes baseline (N=19, 1 patient with atypical TRAPS) and preliminary 24-month data. Of these patients, N=12 (63%) were females and median age at baseline was 16 years (3–43 years).

Preliminary results indicate stable remission by physicians´ assessment and laboratory parameters. Disease control by patients´ assessment showed no major changes over time (Table 1). In total, N=7 adverse drug reactions where observed, of which none was classified as severe.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics and interim analysis data of patients with TRAPS.

Baseline(N=19)12 months(N=15)24 months(N=8)Number (%) of patients in disease remission (physician assessment)9 (53)11 (79)4 (67)Physician assessment of disease activity, percentage of absent/mild-moderate/severe rating35 / 59 / 057 / 36 / 767 / 33 / 0Patient´s assessment of current disease activity; 0–10, median (min; max)1.5 (0; 8)1.0 (0; 6)0 (0; 7)Patient´s assessment of current fatigue; 0–10, median (min; max)1.0 (0; 8)1.0 (0; 8)0 (0; 8)Number (%) of patients without impairment of social life by the disease5 (56)4 (44)2 (100)Number (%) of patients with days absent from work/school during last 6 months8 (44)6 (40)1 (14)CRP, median (mg/dl)0.20.10.2SAA, median (mg/dl)0.50.40.4ESR, median (mm/h)7.05.56.0SAENumber of eventsIncidence rate# per 100 patient yearsAll types of SAE924.2SADR00.0

CRP, c-reactive protein; SAA, serum amyloid A; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; #Numbers/percentage do not sum up to N=19/100%, due to unknown weight of some patients

Conclusion

Baseline characteristics and interim data of TRAPS patients are available from the RELIANCE study. Further interim and end-of-study data will be analyzed to assess efficacy and safety of long-term treatment as well as dosing effects in TRAPS patients.

References

[1]De Benedetti F, et al. Canakinumab for the treatment of autoinflammatory recurrent fever syndromes. N Engl J Med 2018;378:1908–19

[2]Ilaris, INN-canakinumab (europa.eu)

Disclosure of Interests

Norbert Blank Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Lilly, Pfizer, Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Actelion, UCB, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Catharina Schuetz: None declared, Jörg Henes Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Roche, Janssen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche, Tilmann Kallinich Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Prasad Oommen Grant/research support from: Novartis, Michael Borte Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Shire, Markus Hufnagel Grant/research support from: Novartis, Ales Janda: None declared, Julia Weber-Arden Employee of: Novartis, J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi

OP0043 TOCILIZUMAB SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES SERUM AMYLOID A IN PATIENTS WITH FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER – DATA FROM THE PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND TOFFIFE STUDY

Background

Uncontrolled inflammation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) can lead to severe organ failure due to amyloidosis. Colchicine is still the standard treatment and the only therapy that has been proven to reduce the risk for amyloidosis. Besides colchicine the Interleukin (IL)1-antagonists Anakinra and Canakinumab are approved, but new treatment options are still needed. The IL-6 antagonist Tocilizumab (TCZ) effectively reduces inflammation and is approved in several other rheumatic indication. Here we present data from our phase II study TCZ for the treatment of FMF – TOFFIFE.

Objectives

To explore the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in FMF.

Methods

The TOFFIFE study was a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of TCZ in patients with colchicine resistant (cr)FMF. The physician’s global assessment of disease activity (PGA) based on a 5 point-scale for 6 symptoms (range 0-24) was used as a clinical score and had to be >2 at screening. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either receive monthly TCZ intravenously with 8 mg/kg bodyweight or placebo over a period of 24 weeks. Patients with inadequate response after week 12 had the opportunity to receive open label TCZ at week 16. The primary endpoint was the number of patients achieving an adequate response to treatment at week 16, defined as a PGA ≤ 2 + normalized ESR or CRP (the item that led to inclusion had to be normalized) + normalized SAA. Secondary endpoints included normalization of SAA during treatment and safety of TCZ in FMF patients.

Results

25 patients were randomized with a median age of 31 years (range 18 - 53y), of which 14 (56%) were female. At week 16, which was the timepoint for the primary end point, 2 (15.4%) patients in the TCZ arm reached the primary end point with a PGA ≤ 2 and normalization of SAA and CRP and/or ESR but none of the patients in the placebo arm. Therefore, the superiority of TCZ compared to placebo could be shown concerning the pre-specified significance level of α=0.2 (p=0.089). SAA levels normalized with TCZ but not with PBO. This difference between TCZ und PBO was highly significant; SAA p < 0.015. At week 28 with 17 remaining patients and after having had the opportunity for a rescue treatment at week 16, the responder rates (PGA ≤ 2 + normalization of SAA, ESR and/or CRP) were 25% (n=1) in those patients who changed from placebo to TCZ (n=4) and 20% (n=2) in those patients who continued with TCZ (n=10). Of note, all 3 patients remaining on PBO were non-responders (p= 0.642). In 75% of patients (n=3) CRP and in 50% SAA (n=2) normalized after changing to TCZ. No new safety aspects occurred.

Conclusion

In this first randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients with active crFMF TCZ significantly reduced and normalized SAA levels. The trial met the primary endpoint to demonstrate the superiority of TCZ over PBO although only a small numerical difference was found. Nevertheless, the proportion of patients with a successful TCZ-therapy was lower than expected due to very strict response criteria; patients had to achieve a complete remission with a PGA ≤2 (on a 0-24 scale) and normalization of the inflammatory parameters (CRP/ESR and SAA). This required no or only mildest symptoms during the last 4 weeks. A larger multicenter study is therefore justifiable and needs to clarify the benefit of TCZ treatment in FMF.

Figure 1.

Secondary endpoint: Serum Amyloid A over time, showing a clear reduction in the TCZ but not in the PBO arm and rerise of SAA after discontinuation after week 28. Normal SAA value = < 10mg/l. Outliers > 100mg/l were excluded in this graph.

Disclosure of Interests

Jörg Henes Speakers bureau: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Consultant of: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Grant/research support from: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Sebastian Saur: None declared, David M Kofler: None declared, Claudia Kedor: None declared, Christoph Meisner: None declared, Martin Krusche Speakers bureau: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Ina Kötter Speakers bureau: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Consultant of: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Theodoros Xenitidis: None declared, Hendrik Schulze-Koops Speakers bureau: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Consultant of: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Eugen Feist Speakers bureau: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai, Consultant of: SOBI, Novartis, Roche/Chugai.

AB0680 Psychological impact of autologous stem cell transplantation in systemic sclerosis patients and influence of support and coping strategies

Background

In severe cases of systemic sclerosis (SSc), autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is superior compared to cyclophosphamide with respect to effect on skin and lung manifestations, survival and quality of life. Nevertheless, major physical and psychological impacts have been found in a first qualitative study by Spierings et al. (2020) 1.

Objectives

Assessment of subjectively experienced physical and psychological impacts of aHSCT and exploration of potential interrelations of those impacts.

Methods

A SSc sample was assessed retrospectively after aHSCT in a two-step-approach. In the first step, 6 questionnaires were used: Global physical and mental health (SF-36 and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire = SHAQ), body image (Adapted Satisfaction with Appearance Scale = ASWAP), coping strategies (Freiburger Fragebogen zur Krankheitsverarbeitung = FKV-15), resilience (Resilienzskala = RS-11), and control beliefs (Fragebogen zur Erfassung von Kontrollüberzeugung zu Krankheit und Gesundheit = KKG). In the second step, semi-structured interviews based on Spierings et al. (2020) 1 were conducted and analysed via mixed methods qualitative content analysis following Mayring (2014).

Results

19 patients (12 female, 7 male, mean age 53.47 years (SD = 9.50)) completed all questionnaires and interviews in a mean time of 6.56 years after aHSCT (SD = 3.90, range 1-12 years). A strong correlation was found between perceived physical impairment (SHAQ) and body image dissatisfaction (ASWAP) (Pearson’s r = .63, p < .001). There was also a strong negative correlation between body image dissatisfaction (ASWAP) and the physical component of SF-36 (pcSF-36; r = -.59, p = .004) and a smaller correlation for the mental component of SF-36 (mcSF-36: r = -.38, p = .054). Depressive coping was negatively associated with SF-36 (pcSF-3: r = -.605, p = .003; mcSF-36: r = -.808, p < .001) (see Figure 1), whereas resilience was associated with a positive impact (pcSF-36: r = .622, p = .002; mcSF-36 r = .595, p = .004). In the qualitative content analysis of the interviews, all patients reported symptom improvements (mainly skin), which were associated with their coping strategies (depressive coping with fewer improvements, active coping with more improvements). Describing their emotional state during aHSCT, 7 patients verbalized “despair”, 6 “loss of control”, 5 “emotional instability”, 4 ”distress due to distance from home”, 4 “loneliness”, 3 “listlessness”, 2 “concern for feelings of relatives”, and 2 “depersonalisation”. As valuable professional emotional support during aHSCT, 6 patients named nurses and 8 named physicians, while the crucial role of daily ward rounds of the specialised transplant team rather than the primary care team was emphasised. The additional support by a psychology team was not deemed necessary by 7 patients, while 4 patients would have wished such a support. 7 patients rated their physical and mental recovery after aHSCT as satisfying, 4 as better than expected, 4 as disappointing, and 3 as causing impatience.

Figure 1.

Correlation of SF-36 (physical and mental component) and FVK-15 (Depressive Coping Score) by Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient

Conclusion

A transient negative impact of aHSCT on mental wellbeing of the majority of SSc patients is evident, but can be relieved by professional teams highly specialised in this particular treatment option.

References

[1]Julia Spierings, et al. From “being at war” to “getting back on your feet”: A qualitative study on experiences of patients with systemic sclerosis treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders, vol. 5, 3: pp. 202-209.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0914 LATE SKIN FIBROSIS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: A STUDY FROM THE EUSTAR COHORT

Background

Skin fibrosis is a cardinal feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and associated with significant disability. The early trajectory of skin fibrosis provides insights into the course of the disease including mortality; however, little is known about late skin fibrosis in SSc.

Objectives

The aims of our study were to ascertain the prevalence and characteristics of late skin fibrosis in SSc.

Methods

We developed and tested three conceptual scenarios of late (>5 years after 1st non-RP sign or symptom) skin fibrosis (Figure 1):

Figure 1.

Conceptual models/scenarios of late skin fibrosis in SSc. A: worsening and then improvement (>3 mRSS) during the first 5 years, and then worsened again after 5 years. B: worsening for the first time after 5 years. C: worsening in the first 5 years and stayed high after 5 years (i.e., failure to improve).

A. Worsening and then improvement (>3 mRSS) during the first 5 years, and then worsened again after 5 years.

B. Worsening for the first time after 5 years.

C. Worsening in the first 5 years and stayed high after 5 years (i.e., failure to improve).

We defined skin worsening as modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) ≥ 5 units or ≥ 25%. Using strict inclusion criteria including complete mRSS, we identified 1,043 (out of 19,115) patients within the EUSTAR database for our analysis. We further restricted analysis within 887 (out of 1,043) patients who had limited (lcSSc) or diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) at baseline.

Results

One-fifth of patients among the whole cohort (n=208/1043, 19.9%) including in patients with lcSSc or dcSSc at baseline (n=193/887, 21.8%) developed late skin fibrosis. This was largely due to new skin worsening or failure to improve. Patients with lower baseline mRSS and lcSSc were more likely to develop late skin fibrosis. Anti-Scl-70 antibodies (Table 1) were associated with progression from baseline lcSSc to dcSSc, and anticentromere antibodies were protective.

Table 1.

Impact of autoantibody status on progression from baseline limited to diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc).

Skin worsening after 5 years (Scenario B) (n=70)Skin worsening within 5 years and failed to improve after 5-year window (Scenario C) (n=61)Progressed to dcSSc (n=23)Not progressed to dcSSc(n=47)P-valueProgressed to dcSSc (n=37)Not progressed to dcSSc(n=24)P-valueAnticentromere+ve2/22 (9.1%)19/42 (45.2%)0.00346/34 (17.6%)14/21 (66.7%)0.0002-ve20/22 (90.9%)23/42 (54.8%)28/34 (82.4%)7/21 (33.3%)Anti-Scl-70+ve15/23 (65.2%)14/44 (31.8%)0.008822/36 (61.1%)8/23 (34.8%)0.0485-ve8/23 (34.8%)30/44 (68.2%)14/36 (38.9%)15/23 (65.2%)Anti-RNA-Polymerase-III+ve0/12 (0.0%)1/22 (4.5%)1.00000/6 (0.0%)0/14 (0.0%)---ve12/12 (100%)21/22 (95.5%)6/6 (100%)14/14 (100%)

Conclusion

Late skin fibrosis affects approximately 20% of SSc patients >5 years after onset of disease. We have identified different patterns relevant to clinical practice and trial design. Late skin fibrosis is usually due to new worsening or failure of skin to improve. Progression from baseline limited to diffuse cutaneous SSc was associated with anti-Scl-70 antibodies, and anticentromere antibodies were protective. Late skin fibrosis is a neglected manifestation of SSc and warrants further investigation including to determine clinical outcomes and optimal therapeutic strategy.

Acknowledgements

On behalf of EUSTAR collaborators.

Disclosure of Interests

Michael Hughes Speakers bureau: Speaking fees from Actelion pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer, outside of the submitted work, Suiyuan Huang: None declared, Juan Jose Alegre Sancho Speakers bureau: Speaking and/or investigational fees from Actelion pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and GSK, outside of the submitted work, Grant/research support from: Speaking and/or investigational fees from Actelion pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and GSK, outside of the submitted work, Patricia Carreira: None declared, Merete Engelhart: None declared, Eric Hachulla Speakers bureau: Received consulting fees/meeting fees from Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, GSK, Roche-Chugai, Sanofi-Genzyme; speaking fees from Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Roche-Chugai; and research funding from CSL Behring, GSK, Roche-Chugai and Johnson & Johnson., Consultant of: Received consulting fees/meeting fees from Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, GSK, Roche-Chugai, Sanofi-Genzyme; speaking fees from Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Roche-Chugai; and research funding from CSL Behring, GSK, Roche-Chugai and Johnson & Johnson., Jörg Henes Speakers bureau: Lectures for CHUGAI, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Eduardo Kerzberg: None declared, Maria Rosa Pozzi: None declared, Gabriela Riemekasten: None declared, Vanessa Smith: None declared, Gabriella Szucs: None declared, Marie Vanthuyne: None declared, Elisabetta Zanatta: None declared, Oliver Distler: None declared, Armando Gabrielli: None declared, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold: None declared, Viginia Steen: None declared, Dinesh Khanna Shareholder of: DK has stock options in Eicos Sciences, Inc., Consultant of: Consultant for Acceleron, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Chemomab, Genentech/Roche, Horizon, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Prometheus, Talaris., Grant/research support from: Has received grants from Bayer, BMS, Horizon and Pfizer (to University of Michigan).

POS0809 CHARACTERIZATION OF RELAPSES IN PATIENTS WITH GIANT CELL ARTERITIS (GCA) PATIENTS- DATA FROM THE REAL-LIFE TREATMENT AND SAFETY (REATS)-GCA COHORT

Background

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has the tendency to relapse once treatment is tapered or stopped. Such relapses represent a potential threat to GCA patients as they can lead to severe symptoms and organ damage.

Objectives

To assess the frequency and type of relapses in patients with GCA

Methods

The Real-Life Treatment and Safety (REATS)-GCA cohort has been established by extracting the data on clinical presentation, inflammatory markers, imaging, comorbidities, treatments and serious adverse events of GCA patients from 6 specialized centres in Germany. We undertook descriptive and survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier), and compared baseline characteristics of participants with vs. without relapse. Ethical approval for the cohort was obtained.

Results

We included 395 patients with a mean age of 71 years, including 264 (66.8 %) females and 129 (32.7%) males. Diagnosis of GCA was supported by temporal artery ultrasound in 37%, 18F-FDG-PET/CT in 29%, temporal artery biopsy in 14% of patients and by MRI or clinically in the remaining patients. 31% of patients presented with an isolated cranial manifestation and 18% with isolated extracranial manifestations. Most common presenting symptoms were headache (57%), fatigue (55%), weight loss (42%) and polymyalgia (38%) (Table 1). The most common comorbidities at the time of study inclusion were arterial hypertension (68%), followed by osteoporosis (26%). Within a median total follow-up duration of 22.2 (11.7-40.6) months, 97 of the 395 patients relapsed including 15 patients who relapsed more than once. The median (IQR) time to first relapse was 12.5 (7.1-21.8) months. Median relapse-free survival was 7.8 years with a relapse risk of 12% (CI, 9 to 15%) at 1 year and 38% (CI, 30 to 45%) at 5 years (Figure 1). Most common symptoms at relapse were headache (35%), polymyalgia (23%), fatigue (19%) and night sweats (12%) (Table 1). Three patients relapsed with sudden loss of vision. Among the 114 relapses observed, 94 (83%) occurred under prednisolone treatment with a median dose of 7.0 mg/day (IQR 4.0-12.5). 26 (23%) occurred under methotrexate and 14 (12%) under tocilizumab treatment. Comparing the baseline characteristics that were documented in this study, we did not find a statistically significant difference in relapsing versus non-relapsing GCA patients.

Table 1.Symptom at disease onsetN=395 (%)Symptom at relapseN=97 (%)Headache216 (54.7)Headache35 (30.7)Fatigue208 (52.7)Polymyalgia (PMR)23 (20.2)Weight loss159 (40.3)Fatigue19 (16.7)Polymyalgia (PMR)144 (36.5)Vision impairment13 (11.4)Night sweats140 (35.4)Night sweats12 (10.5)Headache in the temple area125 (31.6)Headache in the temple area12 (10.5)Jaw pain121 (30.6)Jaw pain11 (9.6)Vision impairment118 (29.9)Morning stiffness7 (6.1)Morning stiffness89 (22.5)Weight loss7 (6.1)Fever80 (20.3)Claudication upper limb6 (5.3)Swelling temporal arteries77 (19.5)Arthralgia6 (5.3)Vision loss57 (14.4)Claudication lower limb5 (4.4)Scalp tenderness38 (9.6)Vision loss3 (2.6)Claudication upper limb38 (9.6)Arthritis3 (2.6)Claudication lower limb34 (8.6)Scalp tenderness2 (1.8)Arthralgia28 (7.1)Fever2 (1.8)Arthritis3 (0.8)Swelling temporal arteries2 (1.8)Figure 1.

Conclusion

About one fourth of GCA patients relapsed and the overwhelming majority of relapses occurred before patients were able to stop glucocorticoids. The leading symptoms at relapse are headache and fatigue, while loss of vision is rare (0.76%). Baseline characteristics seem to be poorly informative about the risk of relapse, therefore regular monitoring of GCA patients is necessary.

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by Roche Pharma Ag and Chugai Pharma Europe Ltd.

Disclosure of Interests

Verena Schönau Speakers bureau: Novartis, Janssen, Grant/research support from: Roche, Chugai, Giulia Corte: None declared, Sebastian Ott: None declared, Koray Tascilar: None declared, Fabian Hartmann: None declared, Bernhard Manger: None declared, Bernhard Hellmich: None declared, Alexander Pfeil: None declared, Peter Oelzner: None declared, Wolfgang A. Schmidt: None declared, Andreas Krause: None declared, Marc Schmalzing: None declared, Matthias Fröhlich: None declared, Michael Gernert: None declared, Nils Venhoff: None declared, Jörg Henes: None declared, Jürgen Rech Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Lilly, MSD; Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB,, Consultant of: Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Grant/research support from: Sobi, Novartis, Georg Schett: None declared

AB0041 THE PHENOTYPE OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD DENDRITIC CELLS OF PATIENTS WITH ADULT-ONSET STILL´S DISEASE COMPARED TO HEALTHY DONORS AND PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

Background

Adult-onset still´s disease (AOSD) is a rare autoinflammatory disease. A triad of high fever, arthritis and skin rash is described, but multiple forms of manifestation, as the lack of detectable biomarkers, aggravate making the diagnosis (1).

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), another autoimmune disease with jointal manifestation, affects approximately 30% of all patients with psoriasis (2).

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells linking adaptive and innate immunity. In various autoimmune diseases alterations of DCs were detected (4).

Objectives

The etiology and effect of peripheral blood DCs on the arthritis in both diseases is not cleared yet (1,3). This project tried to examine alterations of DCs in AOSD patients compared to those with PsA and a healthy control group (HC).

Methods

13 patients with AOSD were analysed and compared.

Leukocytes were separated with density gradient centrifugation and sorted with flow cytometry. The contingent of DC subsets in the peripheral blood (pDCs, CD1c+DCs, CD141+DCs) was compared between AOSD patients and the other two groups (n=12).

Monocytes of the peripheral blood were incubated with IL-4 and GM-CSF to differentiate to DCs. The addition of lipopolysaccharides helped gaining immature (n=11) and mature (n=9) DCs. Their phenotype was characterized by CD1a, CD206, Osteoactivin (OA), CCR7, CD14, DC sign, CCR7, CD14, CD40, HLA-DR, CD80, CD83, CD86. The expression levels of the surface proteins were again compared.

Results

The DC subset rates did not differ significantly between AOSD patients and both other groups.

The surface markers showed a significant difference in expression of CD80 on mature DCs of AOSD patients and those with PsA. Immature DCs presented a significantly different level of OA on patients with AOSD and HCs. All other measured surface markers did not vary between the groups.

Conclusion

The DC subsets analysis did not show significant differences. An arthritic manifestation in AOSD might not depend on the fraction of DCs in the peripheral blood.

OA inhibits T cell responses strongly as coinhibitory molecule on antigen presenting cells. The lower expression of OA on DCs of patients with AOSD might represent a lower inhibition of T cells in comparison to HCs (5).

The interaction of CD80 and CD86 with CD28 is necessary to produce IL-6. The pro-inflammatory effect is limited by CD80/ CD86 itself (6). CD80, in contrast to CD86, is expressed differently in patients with AOSD and PsA. As CD80 and CD86 function as cofactors, an alteration of both might have been expected.

References

[1]Efthimiou P, Kontzias A, Hur P, Rodha K, Ramakrishna GS, Nakasato P. Adult-onset Still’s disease in focus: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and unmet needs in the era of targeted therapies. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2021;51(4):858-74.

[2]Henes JC, Ziupa E, Eisfelder M, Adamczyk A, Knaudt B, Jacobs F, et al. High prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in dermatological patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatol Int. 2014;34(2):227-34.

[3]Veale DJ, Fearon U. The pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. Lancet. 2018;391(10136):2273-84.

[4]Takenaka MC, Quintana FJ. Tolerogenic dendritic cells. Semin Immunopathol. 2017;39(2):113-20.

[5]Gutknecht M, Geiger J, Joas S, Dörfel D, Salih HR, Müller MR, et al. The transcription factor MITF is a critical regulator of GPNMB expression in dendritic cells. Cell Commun Signal. 2015;13:19.

[6]Lanier LL, O’Fallon S, Somoza C, Phillips JH, Linsley PS, Okumura K, et al. CD80 (B7) and CD86 (B70) provide similar costimulatory signals for T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and generation of CTL. J Immunol. 1995;154(1):97-105.

Disclosure of Interests

Sarah Schnitte Grant/research support from: The project was financially supported by Novartis., Tanja Funk: None declared, Jörg Henes: None declared, Sebastian Saur: None declared

AB0622 The Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) – subgroup analysis of 113 GPA-patients

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is the second most frequent vasculitis in Germany with an annual incidence of 34 per million and a prevalence of 210 per million [1]. GPA is characterized by its chronic course, frequent relapses, significant overall morbidity and mortality, and substantial socio-economic impact. Multiorgan involvement affecting the respiratory tract, kidney, and other organs is common. Limited variants also occur [2]. So far, prospective long-term observational data on the disease course of GPA are missing in Germany. Therefore, the Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) has been established to follow the course of patients recently diagnosed with vasculitis or a change of their treatment due to a relapse (inception cohort). The GeVas registry allows long-term follow-up of a substantial cohort of vasculitis patients in a multicenter setting.

Objectives

To present the first data on the follow-up of newly diagnosed and relapsing GPA enrolled in the GeVas registry.

Methods

GeVas is a prospective, web-based, multicenter, clinician-driven registry for the documentation of organ manifestations, damage, long-term outcomes, and therapy regimens in various types of vasculitis. Recruitment started in June 2019. By January 2022, 17 centers in Germany were initiated and started enrolling patients. Meanwhile, more than 350 patients have been documented in the registry. Sites in Austria and the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland will be integrated soon [3].

Results

By mid-October 2021, the participating centers included 113 patients with GPA. The majority of patients were PR3-ANCA positive and affected by general symptoms, ENT, lung, renal, and neurological involvement. Patients commonly received cyclophosphamide or rituximab in combination with glucocorticoids for the induction of remission. Fewer patients received methotrexate or other immunosuppressants. Patient characteristics and therapy are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

Patient characteristics (n = 113). *Unless otherwise specified.

CategoryFeaturen (%)*AgeAge (years); median [range]60 [51 - 70]GenderMale61 (54.0)Female52 (46.0)Reason for inclusion in the registryNewly diagnosed vasculitis57 (51.4)Relapse56 (49.6)ANCA statusPR3-ANCA99 (87.6)MPO-ANCA4 (3.6)ANCA negative9 (7.9)Organ manifestationGeneral symptoms86 (76.1)ENT69 (61.1)Lung/chest66 (58.4)Renal35 (31.0)Cardiovascular7 (6.2)GI3 (2.7)Neurological27 (23.9)TherapyGlucocorticoid102 (90.3)Rituximab56 (49.6)Cyclophosphamide37 (32.7)Methotrexate and other immunosuppressants, respectively26 (23.0) and 19 (16.8), respectively

Conclusion

Here, we present the first interim analysis of the GeVas registry. Clinical manifestations of GPA reported herein show less frequent renal involvement in comparison with a recent report from another European registry (POLVAS) and an UK study [4, 5]. This is potentially related to the predominance of recruiting rheumatology centers thus far. By contrast, respiratory tract involvement is more frequent and PR3-ANCA less common in Japan [5]. Further data are prospectively documented and a follow up analysis is in progress.

References

[1]Hellmich B, et al. New insights into the epidemiology of ANCA-associated vasculitides in Germany: results from a claims data study. Rheumatology 2021;60:4868-73.

[2]Kitching AR, et al. ANCA-associated vasculitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2020;6:71.

[3]Iking-Konert C, et al. The Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) – a prospective, multicenter registry for the follow-up of long-term outcomes in vasculitis. BMC Rheumatol 2021;5:40.

[4]Wójcik K, et al. Clinical characteristics of Polish patients with ANCA-asscoiated vasculitides – retrospective analysis of POLVAS registry. Clin Rheumatol 2019;38:2553-63.

[5]Furuta S, et al. Comparison of the phenotype and outcome of granulomatosis with polyangiitis between UK and Japanese cohorts. J Rheumatol 2017;44:216-22.

Acknowledgements

GeVas was supported by unrestricted grants by: DGRh, John Grube Foundation, Vifor and Roche Pharma

Disclosure of Interests

Sabrina Arnold: None declared, Pia Wallmeier: None declared, Fabian Schubach: None declared, Gabriele Ihorst: None declared, Peer Aries: None declared, Raoul Bergner Consultant of: VIFOR, Jan Philip Bremer: None declared, Norman Görl: None declared, Bernhard Hellmich: None declared, Jörg Henes: None declared, Bimba Hoyer: None declared, Antje Kangowski: None declared, Ina Kötter: None declared, Claudia Metzler: None declared, Ulf Müller-Ladner: None declared, Matthias Schaier: None declared, Ulf Schönermark: None declared, Jens Thiel: None declared, Leonore Unger: None declared, Nils Venhoff Speakers bureau: Roche and Vifor: speaker honoraries, Consultant of: Roche and Vifor: advisory boards, Grant/research support from: John-Grube Research Award 2021, Julia Weinmann-Menke: None declared, Jana Petersen: None declared, Christof Iking-Konert Speakers bureau: Lecture fees from: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor, Consultant of: Consulting fees from: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor, Grant/research support from: Research grants for GeVas: Roche, Vifor, DGRh, John Grube Foundation, Peter Lamprecht Speakers bureau: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor, Consultant of: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor, Grant/research support from: DGRh, John Grube Foundation, Roche, and Vifor

POS0800 THE JOINT VASCULITIS REGISTRY IN GERMAN-SPEAKING COUNTRIES (GeVas) – SUBGROUP ANALYSIS OF 131 GCA-PATIENTS REFERENCES:

Background

The most frequent form of vasculitis in elderly people is giant cell arteritis (GCA) with an annual incidence rate less than 10 per 100,000 persons over the age of 50. Like most vasculitides, GCA is characterized by chronicity and relapses, leading to significant overall morbidity and higher mortality in a subset of patients with aortic involvement and dissection. Most studies carried out so far have been retrospective, used monocentric study designs and small patient cohorts. Therefore, the Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) has been established to record patients, who have been recently diagnosed with vasculitis or who have changed their treatment due to a relapse (inception cohort). The GeVas-Registry allows a long-term follow-up of a substantial cohort of vasculitis patients in a prospective and multicenter manner.

Objectives

To describe the subgroup of GCA and its characteristics within the GeVas registry.

Methods

GeVas is a prospective, web-based, multicenter, clinician-driven registry for the documentation of organ manifestations, damage, long-term outcomes, and therapy regimens in various types of vasculitis. Recruitment started in June 2019. By January 2022, 17 centers in Germany were initiated and have begun enrolling patients. Meanwhile, more than 350 patients have been documented in the registry. Sites in Austria and the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland will be integrated soon (1).

Results

By mid-October 2021, the participating centers recruited 131 GCA patients into the registry. 21.7% of patients (n=28) were enrolled in the registry due to relapse, and 78.3% (n=101) due to a first-time diagnosis. In accordance with long-standing epidemiology data, the majority of patients (67,2%), were female (n=88), and 32.8% (n=43) were male. Mean age was 74 years (max. 92y, min. 52y). The most frequently recorded organ manifestations in GCA patients addressed cranial and ophthalmic symptoms, and the cardiovascular system. However, vascular lung/chest involvement was also observed in 3% of cases (n=4). Out of the 131 patients, 97.7% (n=128) received immunosuppressive therapy, three refused to take any medication. An equal number of patients were treated with glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. While about two equal parts were treated by stable long term oral GC therapy (47,7%, n=62) or by i.v. pulse therapy followed by tapering (49,2%, n=64), only about 2.3% (n=3) were treated by oral GC therapy with intermittent i.v. pulses. 48.5% (n=63) of patients received tocilizumab as additional immunosuppressive therapy, 19.2% (n=25) methotrexate, and 18.5% (n=24) cyclophosphamide i.v. pulses.

Conclusion

In June 2019, we successfully established the prospective multicenter vasculitis registry GeVAS. It describes the first systematically recorded prospective GCA cohort in German-speaking countries. Its characteristics correspond to those that can be expected from the literature, with some unexpected finding e.g. the high proportion of patients treated with cyclosphosphamid, probably reflecting a sicker patient population with e.g. aortic or central nervous involvement. After 2.5 years of follow-up documentation, the first long-term results will be systematically evaluated and interpreted. The newly acquired data on disease manifestation, diagnostics and therapy regimens will provide important insights into the treatment of GCA patients in Germany and may generate further research goals.

References

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien): DRKS00011866. Registered 10 May 2019. 3

[1]C Iking-Konert; P Wallmeier; S Arnold; S Adler; K de Groot; B Hellmich; B Hoyer; K Holl-Ulrich; Ihorst; M Kaufmann; I Kötter; U Müller-Ladner; T Magnus; J. Rech; H. Schulze-Koops; N. Venhoff; T. Wiech; P. Villiger; F. Schubach; P. Lamprecht. The Joint Vasculitis Registry in German-speaking countries (GeVas) – a prospective, multicenter registry for the follow-up of long-term outcomes in vasculitis. BMC Rheumatol. 2021 Jul 31;5(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s41927-021-00206-2.

Acknowledgements

GeVas was supported by unrestricted grants by: DGRh, John Grube Foundation, Vifor and Roche Pharma

Disclosure of Interests

Pia Wallmeier: None declared, Sabrina Arnold: None declared, Fabian Schubach: None declared, Gabriele Ihorst: None declared, Peer Aries: None declared, Raoul Bergner Consultant of: Advisory Board VIFOR, Grant/research support from: John-Grube Research Award 2021, Jan Philip Bremer: None declared, Norman Görl: None declared, Bernhard Hellmich: None declared, Jörg Henes: None declared, Bimba Hoyer: None declared, Antje Kangowski: None declared, Ina Kötter: None declared, Tim Magnus: None declared, Claudia Metzler: None declared, Ulf Müller-Ladner: None declared, Matthias Schaier: None declared, Ulf Schönermark: None declared, Jens Thiel: None declared, Leonore Unger: None declared, Nils Venhoff Speakers bureau: Roche and Vifor, Consultant of: Roche and Vifor, Grant/research support from: John-Grube Research Award 2021, Julia Weinmann-Menke: None declared, Jana Petersen: None declared, Peter Lamprecht Speakers bureau: Lecture fees from: Chugai, GSK, Roche, Consultant of: Consulting & lecture fees from: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor., Grant/research support from: Research grants for GeVas: DGRh, John Grube Foundation, Roche, and Vifor, Christof Iking-Konert Speakers bureau: lecture fees from: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor., Consultant of: Consulting fees from: Chugai, GSK, Roche, and Vifor., Grant/research support from: Research grants for GeVas: DGRh, John Grube Foundation, Roche, and Vifor;

OP0042 LONG-TERM EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF CANAKINUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER (FMF) - INTERIM ANALYSIS OF THE RELIANCE REGISTRY

Background

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever as well as serositis and bears the risk of serious complications (e. g. amyloidosis). Treatment of FMF according to EULAR aims to control acute attacks and subclinical inflammation as well as to improve patient´s quality of life1. Clinical data indicate that the inhibition of interleukin-1β with canakinumab (CAN) is effective in controlling and preventing flares in FMF patients2.

Objectives

The present study explores the long-term efficacy and safety of canakinumab in routine clinical practice conditions in pediatric (age ≥2 years) and adult FMF patients.

Methods

RELIANCE is a prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, observational study based in Germany with a 3-year follow-up period. Patients with clinically confirmed FMF diagnosis who routinely receive canakinumab are enrolled in order to evaluate effectiveness and safety of canakinumab. Disease activity and remission by physicians´ assessment, disease activity, fatigue and impact on social life by patients’ assessment, inflammatory markers and AIDAI (Auto-Inflammatory Diseases Activity Index) score were recorded at baseline and assessed at 6-monthly intervals within the 3-year observation period of the study.

Results

This interim analysis of FMF patients (N=74) enrolled by December 2021 includes baseline as well as 6- to 24-month data. Mean age in this cohort was 25 years (2−61 years) and the proportion of female patients was 51 % (N=38). At baseline, median duration of prior CAN treatment was 1.0 years (0−6 years).

At month 24, physician ratings report around 63% of patients in disease remission and patient-reported disease activity (mean PPA) decreased from moderate (3.0) to low (2.6) during the observation period. Other disease activity parameters also decreased (Table 1). A total of 18 serious adverse events were reported, of which 2 (1 case of tonsillectomy and 1 case of tachycardia) were classified as drug - related.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics and 4th interim analysis data of patients with FMF

Baseline12 months24 monthsNumber of patients, N744624Number (%) of patients with days absent from work/school during last 6 months6 (8)11 (24)9 (38)Number (%) of patients in disease remission (physician assessment)22 (45)23 (72)12 (63)Patient’s assessment of current disease activity; 0–10, median (min; max)2.0 (0; 10)2.0 (0; 7)2.0 (0; 10)Patient’s assessment of current fatigue; 0–10, median (min; max)5.0 (0; 10)2.0 (0; 10)4.0 (0; 10)Number (%) of patients without impairment of social life by the disease27 (50)28 (80)8 (67)CRP (mg/dl) | SAA (mg/dl) | ESR (mm/h); median0.2 | 0.7 | 8.00.2 | 0.5 | 4.00.2 | 0.7 | 6.0Number (%) of patients with disease-related symptomsprior to inclusion into the study | at baseline12 months24 monthsFever68 (93) | 14 (29)8 (25)3 (16)Abdominal pain67 (92) | 20 (41)10 (31)4 (21)Thoracic pain45 (62) | 5 (10)3 (9)1 (5)Headache34 (47) | 11 (22)7 (22)5 (26)Myalgia23 (32) | 6 (12)4 (13)2 (11)Arthralgia/arthritis39 (54) | 16 (33)9 (28)5 (26)Dermal symptoms (urticarial, maculopapulose)15 (21) | 5 (10)3 (9)0 (0)SAENumber of eventsIncidence rate# per 100 patient yearsAll types of SAE1814.03SADR21.56

Incidence rate = number of events * 36,525 / sum of observation days (=46,848).

CRP, c-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; n. a., not annotated; SAA, serum amyloid A; SADR, serious adverse drug reaction; SAE, serious adverse events.

Conclusion

Interim data of FMF patients from the RELIANCE study, the longest running real-life canakinumab registry confirm efficacy and safety of long-term canakinumab treatment.

References

[1]Ozen S, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of familial Mediterranean fever. Ann Rheum Dis 2016;75:644–651. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208690

[2]De Benedetti F, et al. Canakinumab for the treatment of autoinflammatory recurrent fever syndromes. N Engl J Med 2018;378:1908–19.

Disclosure of Interests

Jörg Henes Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Roche, Janssen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche, J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Tobias Krickau Speakers bureau: Novartis, Consultant of: Novartis, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Tilmann Kallinich Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Frank Dressler Consultant of: Abbvie, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Gerd Horneff Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bayer, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Florian Meier Speakers bureau: Novartis, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Novartis, Hexal, Medac, Pfizer, Frank Weller-Heinemann: None declared, Birgit Kortus-Goetze Consultant of: Novartis, Markus Hufnagel Grant/research support from: Novartis, Jürgen Rech Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, MSD; Mylan, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Biogen, BMS, Chugai, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Mylan, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, UCB, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Prasad Oommen Grant/research support from: Novartis, Julia Weber-Arden Employee of: Novartis, Norbert Blank Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Lilly, Pfizer, Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Actelion, UCB, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi.

Topical Rosmarinus officinalis L. in Systemic Sclerosis-Related Raynaud's Phenomenon: An Open-Label Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

An effective and well tolerated topical treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon is needed. The aim of this pilot study was to determine change in skin temperature and self-reported warmth perception from topical rosemary essential oil in patients with systemic sclerosis and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon were consecutively enrolled in an open-label pilot study at a university outpatient rheumatology clinic. Each patient received an application of olive oil to both hands as a control and 3 hours later an application of a 10% essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Clinical severity and subjective warmth perception were assessed; skin temperature was measured by infrared thermography.

RESULTS

Skin temperature increased significantly after both olive oil and rosemary oil but differences between oils did not reach significance. Self-reported warmth perception increased after rosemary oil but not after olive oil. No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Topical rosemary essential oil increased warmth perception in patients with systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon but did not increase finger skin temperature more than the olive oil control.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improves long-term survival-data from a national registry

BACKGROUND

Current recommendations on the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) suggest that autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy (HSCT) can be a rescue therapy for patients with rapidly progressive SSc.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety and efficacy of HSCT for patients with SSc and to compare these with non-HSCT patients in a control cohort with adjusted risk factors.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of data from the multicentric German network for systemic scleroderma (DNSS) with 5000 patients with SSc. Control groups consisted of all patients with diffuse cutaneous (dc)-SSc (group A) and an adjusted high-risk cohort of male patients with Scl70-positive dc-SSc (group B).

RESULTS

Eighty SSc patients received an HSCT 4.1 ± 4.8 years after SSc diagnosis. Among them, 86.3% had dc-SSc, 43.5% were males, and 71.3% were positive for Scl70 antibodies. The control group A (n=1513) showed a significant underrepresentation of these risk factors for mortality. When the survival of the control group B (n=240) was compared with the HSCT group, a lower mortality of the latter was observed instead. Within 5 years after HSCT, we observed an improvement of the mRSS from 17.6 ± 11.5 to 11.0 ± 8.5 (p=0.001) and a stabilization of the DLCO. We did not see differences in transplant-related mortality between patients who received HSCT within 3 years after SSc diagnosis or later.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis of real-life data show that the distribution of risk factors for mortality is critical when HSCT cohorts are compared with non-HSCT control groups.

Functionally Active Antibodies to the Angiotensin II Type 1-Receptor Measured by a Luminometric Bioassay Do Not Correlate With Clinical Manifestations in Systemic Sclerosis: A Comparison With Antibodies to Vascular Receptors and Topoisomerase I Detected by ELISA

Objectives

1) To detect functionally active antibodies(abs) to the angiotensin II type-1-receptor (AT₁R) by a novel luminometric assay. 2) To assess their prevalence in systemic sclerosis (SSc), other collagen disorders, as well as in further chronic inflammatory disorders including autoimmune, toxic and chronic viral diseases. 3) To compare these abs with anti-AT1R antibodies by ELISA as well as with antibodies to endothelin-type-A receptors (ET_A1) and to topoisomerase I (topo-I) with respect to their specificity and clinical relevance.

Methods

Sera from 98 SSc-patients, 110 patients with other chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, 97 patients with autoimmune liver diseases, 57 patients with toxic or chronic viral liver diseases and 36 healthy controls were analyzed. A luminometric bioassay was established with Huh-7-cells constitutively expressing the AT₁R. Patients’ sera were also tested by commercially available ELISA for anti-AT₁R, -ET_A1- and by an in-house ELISA for anti–topo-I-abs.

Results

Fifty-two percent of the SSc-patients had functionally active anti-AT₁R-abs with stimulatory (34%) or inhibitory capacity (18%). They were present also in up to 59% of patients with other rheumatic diseases but only 22% of healthy individuals (sensitivity 52%, specificity 53%). The functionally active antibodies detected by the luminometric assay did not correlate with anti-AT₁R-, -ET_A1- or -topo-I-abs measured by ELISA, but there was a strong correlation between anti-topo-I-, AT₁R-, and -ET_A1-ab reactivity measured by ELISA. Sensitivities of 55%, 28% and 47% and specificities of 66%, 87%, and 99% were calculated for these anti-AT₁R-, -ET_A1-, and anti-topo-I-abs, respectively. Functionally active abs did not correlate with disease severity or any organ manifestation. In contrast, abs to topo-I, AT₁R, and ET_A1 were associated with digital ulcers, pulmonary- and esophageal manifestation.

Conclusions

Functionally active anti-AT₁R-abs can be detected in SSc-patients but do not correlate with disease activity. They are not specific for this disease and occur also in other autoimmune disorders and even viral or toxic diseases. Also, the vascular antibodies detected by ELISA are not SSc-specific but correlated with disease manifestations. In contrast, anti-topo-I-abs were confirmed to be a highly specific biomarker for both, diagnosis and organ manifestations of SSc.

Sexual dysfunction and depression in Behçet's disease in comparison to healthy controls

Behçet’s disease (BD) can affect the genital system and is more common in Middle Eastern countries and Asia but also occurs in Caucasian people. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and depression in patients with BD compared to a healthy control group (HCG). In addition, differences with regard to depression and patients’ origin were evaluated. This prospective, monocentric study included 106 consecutive patients from our specialized BD outpatient clinic. Patients were asked to fill out the paper based standardized and validated questionnaires International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). In addition, 206 healthy controls were asked to fill out the questionnaires. 106 patients with BD were evaluated and 206 participants in the HCG. The mean age in BD group was 40.5 years as compared to 44.4 years in the HCG. Half of the patients had Middle Eastern and half Caucasian origin. SD was found in 24.5% of all subjects. Only 6.9% of male patients showed signs of SD, while half of the women’s group was suffering from SD. The prevalence for SD was significantly higher in women with Middle Eastern ethnic origin compared to women with Caucasian origin (75 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.024). Erectile Dysfunction occurred in 55% of all male patients which was not statistical different from the HCG. Genital ulcers affected 73.6% of all patients. Depression was found in 36.7% of all subjects as compared to 6.25% in the HCG (p < 0.001). Both, SD and depression correlated positively in males (p = 0.017) and females (p = 0.013). SD and depression are very common problems in BD and should be addressed by the treating physician. Both manifestations are intensifying each other. Depression especially is more prevalent compared to the healthy population.

Shear Wave Elastography for Assessment of Muscular Abnormalities Related to Systemic Sclerosis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To assess muscular abnormalities related to systemic sclerosis (SSc) using shear wave elastography and correlate results with those of clinical tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 55 patients (mean age: 50.4 years; range: 18-88; 34 female) with SSc before treatment and choose muscle groups based on cutaneous involvement and functional impairment [forearms (9); thighs (41); thenar/hypothenar (5)]. We performed shear wave elastography in two orientations to access heterogeneity using virtual touch IQ and mean shear wave velocity values (SWV) and measured skin and fascia thickness. We compared SWVs to the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). Twenty-two healthy controls (mean age: 52.0; range: 19-88; 7 female) underwent the same protocol.

RESULTS

SWV pattern analysis (homogeneous vs heterogeneous) detected SSc with sensitivity/specificity/negative predictive value/positive predictive value0.79/0.81/0.91/0.62 in transverse and 0.75/0.18/0.91/0.56 in longitudinal orientation. In patients we found poor correlation between SWVs and mRSS but a cutoff of mRSSE = 20 separated them significantly (p < 0.01). Skin and muscle fascia were significantly thicker in patients vs. controls (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SSc involves more than increased skin and fascial thickness which is not fully represented by mRSS. Elasticity differs in muscles with and without SSc. The former shows higher SWV and increased heterogeneity in transversal planes of muscular fibers.

The Utility of Shear-Wave Elastography in the Evaluation of Myositis

Changes in muscle elasticity are expected in patients with untreated myositis. The purpose of this study was to define the accuracy of shear-wave elastography (SWE) in diagnosing myositis. This case control study included 21 patients (mean age, 49.4 y; 12 women) with myositis who underwent SWE, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy of the involved muscle group. SWE was performed accordingly in a control group (n = 24; mean age, 51.2 y; 8 women). Blood tests consisted of creatine kinase (CK) and aldolase. Two operators performed SWE in longitudinal and transverse planes of muscular fibers, quantifying the mean shear-wave velocity (SWV) and the pattern of stiffness. On MRI, short-TI inversion recovery (STIR) signal hyperintensity and T1 contrast enhancement of muscle was considered diagnostic for myositis. The patient group suffered from different types of myositis (nine patients with polymyositis, eight with dermatomyositis and four with other types of myositis). Blood tests showed significantly increased CK and aldolase values in patients with myositis (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0001). MRI showed a sensitivity of 0.95. In the patient group, the mean SWVs of longitudinal and transverse measurements were 2.8 ± 1.4 m/s and 3.1 ± 1.2 m/s, respectively. In the control group, SWVs were 2.3 ± 0.5 m/s and 2.4 ± 0.5 m/s, respectively. The difference between transverse measurements was significant (p = 0.02). Increased heterogeneity as a marker for myositis in transverse SWE showed a sensitivity of 0.8, specificity of 0.79, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.76 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.82. Inter-observer difference was very low (κ = 0.92). Increased heterogeneity in both planes compared with histologic results showed a sensitivity of 0.56, specificity of 0.93, PPV of 0.91 and NPV of 0.62. Spearman correlation between CK <1000 U/L and SWE was 0.54. In conclusion, transverse orientation SWE may serve as an imaging biomarker for the diagnosis of myositis through the display of a heterogeneous pattern and increased absolute SWV values of inflamed muscles.

The Role of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in COVID-19

Purpose of the Review

Elevated levels of anti-phospholipid (aPL) antibodies are the most important criterion in the diagnosis of anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) and are usually responsible for promoting the risk of thrombotic complications. Now, in the course of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, measurable aPL antibodies have also been detected in a noticeable number of patients showing a variety ranging from studies with only isolated positive tests to cohorts with very high positivity. Thus, the question arises as to whether these two different clinical pictures may be linked.

Recent Findings

The ambivalent results showed a frequent occurrence of the investigated aPL antibodies in COVID-19 patients to an individually varying degree. While some question a substantial correlation according to their results, a number of studies raise questions about the significance of a correlation of aPL antibodies in COVID-19 patients. Within the scope of this review, these have now been described and compared with each other.

Summary

Ultimately, it is necessary to conduct further studies that specifically test aPL antibodies in a larger context in order to make subsequent important statements about the role of APS in COVID-19 and to further strengthen the significance of the described comparisons.

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

OBJECTIVES

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

Genetic Association of a Gain-of-Function IFNGR1 Polymorphism and the Intergenic Region LNCAROD/DKK1 With Behçet's Disease

OBJECTIVE

Behçet's disease is a complex systemic inflammatory vasculitis of incompletely understood etiology. This study was undertaken to investigate genetic associations with Behçet's disease in a diverse multiethnic population.

METHODS

A total of 9,444 patients and controls from 7 different populations were included in this study. Genotyping was performed using an Infinium ImmunoArray-24 v.1.0 or v.2.0 BeadChip. Analysis of expression data from stimulated monocytes, and epigenetic and chromatin interaction analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We identified 2 novel genetic susceptibility loci for Behçet's disease, including a risk locus in IFNGR1 (rs4896243) (odds ratio [OR] 1.25; P = 2.42 × 10-9 ) and within the intergenic region LNCAROD/DKK1 (rs1660760) (OR 0.78; P = 2.75 × 10-8 ). The risk variants in IFNGR1 significantly increased IFNGR1 messenger RNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes. In addition, our results replicated the association (P < 5 × 10-8 ) of 6 previously identified susceptibility loci in Behçet's disease: IL10, IL23R, IL12A-AS1, CCR3, ADO, and LACC1, reinforcing the notion that these loci are strong genetic factors in Behçet's disease shared across ancestries. We also identified >30 genetic susceptibility loci with a suggestive level of association (P < 5 × 10-5 ), which will require replication. Finally, functional annotation of genetic susceptibility loci in Behçet's disease revealed their possible regulatory roles and suggested potential causal genes and molecular mechanisms that could be further investigated.

CONCLUSION

We performed the largest genetic association study in Behçet's disease to date. Our findings reveal novel putative functional variants associated with the disease and replicate and extend the genetic associations in other loci across multiple ancestries.

Digital pitting scars are associated with a severe disease course and death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EUSTAR cohort

OBJECTIVE

Digital pitting scars (DPS) are frequent, but little studied in SSc to date.

METHODS

An analysis of SSc patients enrolled in the EUSTAR database. Primary objectives were to 1) examine DPS prevalence, 2) whether DPS are associated with digital ulcers (DUs) and active digital ischaemia (DUs or gangrene), and 3) describe other associations with DPS including internal organ complications. Secondary objectives were whether DPS are associated with 1) functional impairment, 2) structural microvascular disease, 3) and mortality. Descriptive statistics and parametric/non-parametric tests were used. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between DPS and DUs, active digital ischaemia, and mortality.

RESULTS

9671 patients were included with reported DPS at any time point (n = 4924) or 'never' DPS (n = 4747). The majority (86.9%) were female and mean age was 55.7 years. DPS were associated with longer disease and Raynaud's duration (both P = <0.001). DPS were associated with interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, conduction blocks, telangiectases, calcinosis (all P = <0.001) and joint synovitis (P = <0.021). Patients were more likely to have more severe capillaroscopic abnormality and greater hand functional impairment. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that DPS were associated (OR) with DUs: 22.03 (19.51 to 24.87), active digital ischaemia: 6.30 (5.34 to 7.42), and death: 1.86 (1.48 to 2.36).

CONCLUSION

DPS are associated with a severe disease course including death. The impact of DPS on hand function and ischaemia is significant. The presence of DPS should alert the clinician to a poor prognosis and need to optimise the therapeutic strategy.

POS1380 LONG-TERM EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF CANAKINUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH TRAPS (TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR RECEPTOR-ASSOCIATED PERIODIC SYNDROME) - INTERIM ANALYSIS OF THE RELIANCE REGISTRY

Background:

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare autoinflammatory condition characterized by severe systemic and organ inflammation. In a phase 3 pivotal trial (CLUSTER study), TRAPS patients have been successfully treated with the interleukin-1β inhibitor canakinumab. 45% of patients reached clinical remission after 16 weeks (primary endpoint)1. Canakinumab has been approved and applied for the treatment of TRAPS patients since 20172.

Objectives:

The present study explores the long-term efficacy and safety of canakinumab under routine clinical practice conditions in pediatric (age ≥2 years) and adult TRAPS patients.

Methods:

RELIANCE is a prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, observational study based in Germany with a 3-year follow-up period. Patients with clinically confirmed diagnoses of TRAPS, CAPS, FMF or HIDS/MKD who routinely receive canakinumab are enrolled in order to evaluate efficacy and safety of canakinumab under standard clinical practice conditions. Disease activity and remission by physician assessment, disease activity and fatigue by patient assessment, days absent from school/work due to study indication, inflammatory markers, and AIDAI (Auto-Inflammatory Diseases Activity Index) score were assessed at baseline and at 6-monthly intervals.

Results:

The interim analysis of TRAPS patients enrolled by December 2020 includes baseline (N=16, including 1 patient with atypical TRAPS) and preliminary 18-month data. Mean age in this cohort was 23 years (3−43 years) and the median duration of prior CAN treatment was 1.0 year (0−4 years).

Physician assessment indicated 60-80% remission and laboratory parameters were within normal range. Disease control by patient assessment showed no major changes regarding the analyzed parameters (Table 1, Figure 1). Of the three serious adverse events reported none was classified as drug-related.

Conclusion:

Preliminary analysis of 18 month interim data of TRAPS patients treated with CAN available from the RELIANCE study indicate stable efficacy and safety of CAN long-term treatment.

References:

[1]De Benedetti F, et al. Canakinumab for the treatment of autoinflammatory recurrent fever syndromes. N Engl J Med 2018;378:1908–19.

[2]Ilaris, INN-canakinumab (europa.eu)

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics and interim analysis data of patients with TRAPS

Baseline6 months12 months18 monthsNumber of patients, N1613106Median age, years (min; max)23 (3; 43)17 (3; 43)16 (4; 38)25 (4; 43)Females (%)11 (69)9 (69)7 (70)3 (50)Median duration of prior CAN therapy at baseline, years (min; max)1.0 (0; 4)1.0 (0; 4)1.0 (0; 4)1.5 (0; 2)Number (%) of patients in disease remission (physician assessment)9 (60.0)9 (81.8)7 (77.8)4 (80.0)Physician Global Assessment, percentage of absent/mild-moderate/severe rating40 / 53 / 082 / 9 / 044 / 44 / 1180 / 20 / 0Patient assessment of current disease activity; 0–10, median (min; max)1.5 (0; 5)1.0 (0; 4)1.0 (0; 6)0.0 (0; 3)Patient assessment of current fatigue; 0–10, median (min; max)2.0 (0; 8)1.0 (0; 7)2,5 (0; 8)4.0 (0; 7)Number (%) of patients without impairment of social life by the disease4 (50)5 (63)2 (33)3 (60)Number (%) of patients with days absent from work/school during last 6 months8 (50)5 (39)5 (56)3 (50)CRP, median (mg/dl)0.10.10.10.0SAA, median (mg/dl)0.50.40.40.3ESR, median (mm/h)7.05.05.05.0SAENumber of eventsIncidence rate per 100 patient yearsTotal314.7Circulatory collapse (non fatal)14.9Dizziness14.9Headache14.9

CRP, c-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; SAA, serum amyloid A; SAE, serious adverse event

Disclosure of Interests:

Norbert Blank Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Lilly, Pfizer, Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Actelion, UCB, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Jörg Henes Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Roche, Janssen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche, Tilmann Kallinich Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Prasad Oommen Grant/research support from: Novartis, Catharina Schuetz: None declared, Michael Borte Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Shire, Julia Weber-Arden Employee of: Novartis, J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi

POS0877 THE EFFECT OF PLATELET INHIBITORS ON DIGITAL ULCERS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS - A DERIVATION AND VALIDATION EUSTAR STUDY

Background:

Digital ulcers (DUs) affect half of the patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and can be complicated by gangrene and amputation. The direct involvement of platelets in the development of DUs has been suggested by in vitro studies, which encouraged physicians to consider platelet inhibitors as a therapeutic option in the management of DUs. However, until now, there is no clinical study to assess the efficacy of platelet inhibitors for DUs in SSc patients.

Objectives:

To demonstrate a possible relationship between treatment with platelet inhibitors and the occurrence of DUs at the next follow-up visit in patients with SSc.

Methods:

This study used prospectively collected data from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) registry. Patients fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR SSc classification criteria with complete longitudinal data on the presence of DUs and platelet inhibitors were included in the analysis. Multiple imputation using a random forest algorithm was implemented to handle missing values.

The dataset was split into a derivation and validation cohort. To investigate the response for the binary dependent variable of DUs, a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was developed in the derivation cohort and validated using ROC analysis and Brier scores to address discrimination and calibration, respectively.

Results:

Of 3,463 patients (2,961 in the derivation cohort, 722 in the validation cohort), 453 had current DUs at the baseline and 245 were exposed to platelet inhibitors (table 1).

Our GLMM revealed that the exposure to platelet inhibitors is associated with a reduced risk of DUs at the next follow up visit (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = [0.13 to 0.82]). Further factors associated with absence or presence of DUs at the next follow-up visit are shown in figure 1. This confirmed the previously identified risk factors for the presence of DUs, supporting the overall robustness and the validity of our model.

The performance was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and showed an AUC = 97.97% (95% CI = [96.93% to 97.67%]) for the derivation cohort and AUC = 77.3% (95% CI = [74.01% to 81.39%]) for the validation cohort, respectively, showing an acceptable discrimination. The Brier score was 0.05 in the derivation cohort and 0.07 in the validation cohort, suggesting a good calibration of the model.

Conclusion:

Our model, with acceptable discrimination and good calibration, suggests a positive treatment effect of platelet inhibitors on DUs in clinical practice.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of patients before imputation

CharacteristicsOverallDerivation setValidation setn3,4632,691772Age (median [IQR])56.00 [47.00, 66.00]56.00 [47.00, 65.00] 57.00 [48.00, 67.00]Disease duration (median [IQR]) 9.00 [4.00, 16.00] 9.00 [4.00, 16.00] 8.00 [4.00, 15.00]Disease subset = Limited cutaneous SSc (%) 1562 (65.2) 1164 (64.6) 398 (66.9)DUs (%): Current 453 (13.1) 378 (14.0) 75 (9.7)DUs (%): Never 1783 (51.5) 1326 (49.3) 457 (59.2)DUs (%): Previously 1227 (35.4) 987 (36.7) 240 (31.1)mRSS (median [IQR]) 5.00 [2.00, 11.00] 6.00 [2.00, 12.00] 4.00 [1.00, 11.00]Joint Contractures = Yes (%) 881 (26.8) 770 (29.4) 111 (16.5)LVEF (median [IQR])62.00 [60.00, 65.00]60.00 [60.00, 65.00] 65.00 [60.00, 67.00]Dyspnea NYHA III and IV (%)300 (9.5)214 (8.6)86 (12.7)Pulmonary hypertension = Yes (%) 244 (10.7) 200 (11.3) 44 (8.4)Lung fibrosis on HRCT = Yes (%) 685 (46.6) 600 (47.7) 85 (39.7)FVC % predicted (median [IQR])97.00 [82.00, 111.00]95.00 [81.00, 110.00]101.00 [85.00, 115.00]Serum creatinine mg/dl (median [IQR]) 0.70 [0.60, 0.90] 0.70 [0.60, 0.90] 0.70 [0.70, 0.90]Anti-Scl-70 positive = Yes (%) 1147 (33.1) 958 (35.6) 189 (24.5)CRP elevation = Yes (%) 639 (21.1) 490 (20.8) 149 (22.1)Platelet inhibitors therapy = Yes (%) 245 (7.1) 206 (7.7) 39 (5.1)Oral anti-coagulants therapy = Yes (%) 53 (1.5) 50 (1.9) 3 (0.4)

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS1379 LONG-TERM EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF CANAKINUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER (FMF) - INTERIM ANALYSIS OF THE RELIANCE REGISTRY

Background:

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and serositis as well as elevated inflammatory markers. FMF treatment goals according to EULAR are to control acute attacks and subclinical inflammation and to improve patients´ quality of life1. In a phase 3 pivotal study (CLUSTER study), FMF patients treated with the interleukin-1β inhibitor canakinumab met all these goals2.

Objectives:

The present study explores the long-term efficacy and safety of canakinumab (CAN) in routine clinical practice in pediatric (age ≥2 years) and adult FMF patients.

Methods:

RELIANCE is a prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, observational study based in Germany with a three-year follow-up period. Patients with clinically confirmed diagnosis of FMF who routinely receive CAN were enrolled in order to evaluate effectiveness and safety of CAN under standard clinical practice conditions. Disease activity and remission by physicians´ assessment, disease activity, fatigue and impact on social life by patients’ assessment, inflammatory markers and AIDAI (Auto-Inflammatory Diseases Activity Index) score were recorded at baseline and were assessed at 6-monthly intervals within the three-year observation period of the study.

Results:

This interim analysis of FMF patients (N=54) enrolled by December 2020 includes baseline as well as 6-, 12- and 18-month data. Mean age in this cohort was 25 years (4−56 years) and the proportion of female patients was 46 % (N=25). At baseline, median duration of prior CAN treatment was 2.0 years (0−6 years).

While physician ratings report around 62% of patients in disease remission, 52% with absent and 34% with mild-moderate disease activity, patient-reported disease activity decreased from moderate (PPA 3.0) to low (PPA 2.0) during the observation period. A decrease was observed regarding disease activity parameters, in particular in patients without prior CAN therapy (Table 1, Figure 1). A total of 11 serious adverse events was reported, of which one case of tonsillectomy was classified as drug-related.

Conclusion:

Interim data of FMF patients from the RELIANCE study, the longest running real-life CAN registry, confirm efficacy and safety of long-term CAN treatment.

References:

[1]Ozen S, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of familial Mediterranean fever. Ann Rheum Dis 2016;75:644–651. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208690

[2]De Benedetti F, et al. Canakinumab for the treatment of autoinflammatory recurrent fever syndromes. N Engl J Med 2018;378:1908–19.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics and third interim analysis data of patients with FMF

Baseline6 months12 months18 monthsAll patients | patients without prior CAN therapyNumber of patients, N5411357275163Number (%*) of patients in disease remission (physician assessment)18 (48.6)1 (20.0)19 (73.1)3 (75.0)13 (65.0)1 (50.0)8 (61.5)1 (100.0)Physician Global Assessment, percentage* of absent/mild-moderate/severe rating43/38/110/40/6065/27/050/50/055/35/00/50/046/46/00/100/0Patient assessment of current disease activity; 0–10, median (min; max)3.0 (0; 10)7.0 (0; 10)2.5 (0; 7)2.0 (0; 5)2.0 (0; 7)2.0 (0; 2)2.0 (0; 6)0.5 (0; 1)Patient assessment of current fatigue; 0–10, median (min; max)5.0 (0; 10)5.0 (0; 9)3.5 (0; 10)3.0 (1; 6)3.0 (0; 10)0.0 (0; 4)3.0 (0; 7)0.5 (0; 1)Number (%*) of patients without impairment of social life by the disease19 (46.3)3 (37.5)18 (66.7)3 (75.0)14 (66.7)4 (80.0)5 (55.6)2 (66.7)CRP, median (mg/dl)0.21.10.20.10.20.00.10.5SAA, median (mg/dl)0.76.80.80.40.80.60.60.7ESR, median (mm/h)9.018.56.05.05.54.08.05.0SAENumber of eventsIncidence rate per 100 patient yearsTotal1116.23Arthritis57.38SARS-CoV-2 infection22.95Familial Mediterranean Fever11.48Intestinal Hemorrhage11.48Pyrexia11.48Tonsillectomy (SADR)11.48

*not reported for all patients

CRP, c-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; n. a., not annotated; SAA, serum amyloid A; SADR, serious adverse drug reaction; SAE, serious adverse event

Disclosure of Interests:

Jörg Henes Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Roche, Janssen, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche, J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner Consultant of: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Grant/research support from: Novartis, AbbVie, Sobi, Tilmann Kallinich Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Frank Dressler Consultant of: Abbvie, Mylan, Novartis, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Frank Weller-Heinemann: None declared, Birgit Kortus-Goetze Consultant of: Novartis, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Novartis, Gerd Horneff Speakers bureau: bbVie, Bayer, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Markus Hufnagel Grant/research support from: Novartis, Florian Meier Speakers bureau: Novartis, Julia Weber-Arden Employee of: Novartis, Norbert Blank Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Lilly, Pfizer, Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Actelion, UCB, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Roche, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi

POS0834 LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF SSC ASSOCIATED ILD: IMPROVED SURVIVAL IN PPI TREATED PATIENTS

Background:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs frequently in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). PPI use has to been shown to improve survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, whereas to date there are no data on the use of PPI in SSc-ILD.

Objectives:

This study was aimed to assess whether use of PPI is associated with progression of SSc-ILD and survival.

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed 1931 patients with SSc and SSc-ILD from the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis (DNSS) database (2003 onwards). Kaplan–Meier analysis compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with vs. without GERD (SSc and SSc-ILD), and PPI vs. no PPI use (SSc-ILD only). Progression was defined as a decrease in either % predicted forced vital capacity ≥10% or single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ≥15%, or death.

Results:

GERD was not associated with decreased OS or PFS in patients with either SSc or SSc-ILD. In patients with SSc-ILD, PPI use was associated with improved OS vs. no PPI use after 1 year (98.4% [95% confidence interval: 97.6–99.3]; n=760 vs. 90.8% [87.9–93.8]; n=290) and after 5 years (91.4% [89.2–93.8]; n=357 vs. 70.9% [65.2–77.1]; n=106; p<0.0001). PPI use was also associated with improved PFS vs. no PPI use after 1 year (95.9% [94.6–97.3]; n=745 vs. 86.4% [82.9–90.1]; n=278) and after 5 years (66.8% [63.0–70.8]; n=286 vs. 45.9% [39.6–53.2]; n=69; p<0.0001).

Conclusion:

GERD had no effect on survival in SSc or SSc-ILD. PPIs improved survival in patients with SSc-ILD; however, controlled, prospective trials are needed to confirm this finding.

Disclosure of Interests:

Michael Kreuter Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Consultant of: Boehringer, Grant/research support from: Boehringer, Francesco Bonella Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Roche, GSK, Consultant of: Boehringer, Roche, GSK, Grant/research support from: Boehringer, Kuhr Kathrin: None declared, Jörg Henes Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Boehringer, Chugai, Roche, Janssen, Novartis, SOBI, Pfizer and UCB, Consultant of: Boehringer, Celgene, Chugai, Roche, Janssen, Novartis, SOBI, Grant/research support from: Chugai, Roche, Janssen, Novartis, SOBI, Pfizer, Elise Siegert: None declared, Gabriela Riemekasten Speakers bureau: Novartis, Janssen, Roche, GSK, Boehringer, Consultant of: Janssen, Actelion, Boehringer, Norbert Blank Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, UCB, MSD, Pfizer, Actelion, Abbvie, Boehringer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Christiane Pfeiffer: None declared, Ulf Müller-Ladner: None declared, Alexander Kreuter Speakers bureau: MSD, Boehringer, InfectoPharm, Paid instructor for: MSD, PETER KORSTEN Consultant of: Glaxo, Abbvie, Pfizer, BMS, Chugai, Sanofi, Lilly, Boehringer, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Glaxo, Aaron Juche: None declared, Marc Schmalzing Speakers bureau: Chugai Roche, Boehringer, Celgene, Medac, UCB, Paid instructor for: Novartis, Abbvie, Astra Zeneca, Chugai Roche, Janssen, Consultant of: Chugai Roche, Hexal Sandoz, Gilead, Abbvie, Janssen, Boehringer, Margitta Worm Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Ilona Jandova Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Novartis, Abbvie, Laura Susok Speakers bureau: MSD, Novartis, BMS, Sunpharma, Consultant of: MSD, Tim Schmeiser Consultant of: Abbvie, Boehringer, Novartis, UCB, Claudia Guenther Paid instructor for: Advisory Board Boehringer January 2020, Employee of: Novartis 2002-2005, Gernot Keyszer Consultant of: Boehringer, Jan Ehrchen Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Janssen, Chugai, Sobi, Employee of: Pfizer, Actelion (now Janssen), Andreas Ramming Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant of: Boehringer, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, Ina Kötter Speakers bureau: several companies, Consultant of: several companies, Grant/research support from: several companies, Hanns-Martin Lorenz Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Astra Zeneca, Actelion, Alexion Amgen, Bayer Vital, Baxter, Biogen, Boehringer, BMS, Celgene, Fresenius, Genzyme, GSK, Gilead, Hexal, Janssen, Lilly, Medac, MSD, Mundipharm, Mylan, Novartis, Octapharm, Pfizer, Roche Chugai, Sandoz, Sanofi, Shire SOBI, Thermo Fischer, UCB, Grant/research support from: basic research studies: Pfizer, Novartis, Abbvie, Gilead, Lilly, MSD, Roche Chugai, Pia Moinzadeh Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Actelion, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Nicolas Hunzelmann Speakers bureau: Boehringer Janssen, Roche, Sanofi, Consultant of: Boehringer

OP0318 TREATMENT TAPERING AND WITHDRAWAL IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH STABLE REMISSION - FINAL ANALYSIS OF THE RETRO STUDY

Background:

Due to better treatment strategies and higher remission rates the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in sustained remission is of increasing interest (1). The Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ongoing Remission (RETRO) study investigated the possibility to taper and stop disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Objectives:

To compare one-year remission and relapse rates in rheumatoid arthritis patients randomized to continued treatment, reduced treatment or gradual treatment withdrawal after stable remission under routine care.

Methods:

Primary data of the phase III, randomized, controlled RETRO trial in RA patients with stable conventional synthetic and/or biologic DMARD treatment in sustained (>6 months) DAS28-ESR remission (<2.6 units). Patients were randomized 1:1:1 into three strategy arms (continuation of 100% DMARD dose, CONT; tapering to 50% DMARD dose, TAP; 50% tapering followed by withdrawal of DMARDs, STOP). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients in sustained DAS28-ESR remission after 1 year.

Results:

316 RA patients in sustained remission were included, 303 were randomized (CONT: N=100; TAP: N=102; STOP: N=101) and 282 (93%) had complete data sets after 1 year (CONT:N=93; TAP: N=93; STOP: N=96; Table 1). After 1 year, 81.2%, 58.6%, 43.3% of patients, maintained their remission state over 1 year in the CONT, TAP and STOP arms, respectively (p=0.0004 with log rank test for trend; Figure 1). Hazard ratios for flare were 3.02 (95%CI 1.69 to 5.40) and 4.34 (95%CI 2.48 to 7.60) for the TAP and STOP arms. RA patients who flared were more likely to be female, have longer disease duration, RF/ACPA positivity and higher baseline DAS-28 scores with standardized mean differences >0.2. Serious adverse events were reported in 10.8%, 7.5%, and 13.5% in the CONT, TAP and STOP arms, respectively.

Table 1.

Baseline Characteristics

GroupControlReduceReduce/StopOverallN939396282Age, mean(SD)55.9 (12.7)56.9 (13.0)56.5 (13.3)56.5 (13.0)Female, n (%)53 (57.0)57 (62.0)57 (59.4)167 (59.4)RF, n (%)52 (55.9)58 (62.4)52 (54.2)162 (57.4)ACPA, n (%)53 (57.0)50 (54.9)55 (57.3)158 (56.4)Disease duration, years, mean(SD)7.6 (6.9)7.8 (6.9)6.8 (8.1)7.4 (7.3)Remission duration, months, mean(SD)20.6 (18.0)16.5 (15.9)22.7 (30.4)20.0 (22.6)Biologics, n (%)39 (41.9)44 (47.3)39 (40.6)122 (43.3)Methotrexate, n (%)71 (76.3)67 (72.0)75 (78.1)213 (75.5)Other DMARDs, n (%)24 (25.8)20 (21.5)16 (16.7)60 (21.3)Glucocorticoids, n (%)27 (29.0)23 (24.7)17 (17.7)67 (23.8)CRP, mg/L, mean(SD)0.3 (0.3)0.5 (0.5)0.5 (0.6)0.4 (0.5)ESR, mm/h, mean(SD)11.3 (8.4)12.2 (8.8)13.0 (10.0)12.2 (9.1)Tender joint count, mean(SD)0.2 (0.6)0.0 (0.2)0.1 (0.3)0.1 (0.4)Swollen joint count, mean(SD)0.1 (0.3)0.1 (0.3)0.1 (0.4)0.1 (0.3)Physician VAS,mm, mean(SD)1.8 (4.2)2.6 (4.4)2.0 (3.9)2.1 (4.2)Patient VAS,mm, mean(SD)6.4 (9.0)5.5 (8.3)4.5 (8.4)5.5 (8.6)HAQ, standard, mean(SD)0.2 (0.4)0.2 (0.3)0.2 (0.4)0.2 (0.4)HAQ, alternative, mean(SD)0.2 (0.4)0.1 (0.3)0.2 (0.3)0.2 (0.3)DAS-28, mean(SD)1.7 (0.7)1.7 (0.6)1.7 (0.6)1.7 (0.6)SDAI, mean(SD)1.4 (1.5)1.4 (1.5)1.3 (1.3)1.3 (1.4)DAS-28 remission, n (%)91 (97.8)93 (100.0)95 (99.0)279 (98.9)SDAI remission, n (%)79 (87.8)79 (84.9)88 (92.6)246 (88.5)Boolean remission, n (%)69 (75.8)71 (76.3)76 (79.2)216 (77.1)

Conclusion:

This randomized controlled study shows that half of RA patients in sustained remission relapse when tapering/stopping their DMARDs. Presence of autoantibodies, higher baseline DAS28-ESR and female sex are predictors for flares.

References:

[1]Schett G et al. Tapering biologic and conventional DMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: current evidence and future directions. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Aug;75(8):1428-37.

Disclosure of Interests:

Melanie Hagen Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Koray Tascilar Speakers bureau: advisory board, Michaela Reiser: None declared, Larissa Valor: None declared, Judith Haschka Speakers bureau: advisory board, Arnd Kleyer Speakers bureau: advisory board, Axel Hueber Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Bernhard Manger Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Jayme Cobra Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Camille Figuereido Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Stephanie Finzel Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Hans-Peter Tony Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Joerg Wendler Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Stefan Kleinert Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Florian Schuch Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Monika Ronneberger: None declared, Martin Feuchtenberger Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Martin Fleck Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Karin Manger: None declared, Wolfgang Ochs: None declared, Matthias Schmitt-Haendle: None declared, Hanns-Martin Lorenz Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Rieke Alten Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Jörg Henes Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Klaus Krueger Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Jürgen Rech Speakers bureau: advisory boards, Georg Schett Speakers bureau: advisory boards.

Older age onset of systemic sclerosis - accelerated disease progression in all disease subsets

Objectives

Systemic sclerosis is a heterogeneous, multisystem disease. It can occur at any age, but most patients develop the disease between the age of 40 to 50 years. There is controversial evidence on whether/how the age at disease onset affects their clinical phenotype. We here investigate the relationship between age at disease onset and symptoms in a large cohort of SSc patients (lcSSc, dcSSc and SSc-overlap syndromes).

Methods

Clinical data of the registry of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma including 3281 patients were evaluated and subdivided into three age groups at disease onset (<40 years, 40–60 years, >60 years).

Results

Among all SSc patients, 24.5% developed their first non-Raynaud phenomenon symptoms at the age <40 years, and 22.5% were older than 60 years of age. In particular, older patients at onset developed the lcSSc subset significantly more often. Furthermore, they had pulmonary hypertension more often, but digital ulcerations less often. Remarkably, the course of the disease was more rapidly progressing in the older cohort (>60 years), except for gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal involvement. No significant difference was found for the use of corticosteroids. However, significantly, fewer patients older than 60 years received immunosuppressive treatment.

Conclusion

In this large registry, ∼25% of patients developed SSc at an age above 60 years with an increased frequency of lcSSc. In this age group, an onset of internal organ involvement was significantly accelerated across all three subsets. These findings suggest that, in the elderly cohort, more frequent follow-up examinations are required for an earlier detection of organ complications.

Incidence and risk factors for gangrene in patients with systemic sclerosis from the EUSTAR cohort

OBJECTIVE

In patients with SSc, peripheral vasculopathy can promote critical ischaemia and gangrene. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for gangrene in the EUSTAR cohort.

METHODS

We included patients from the EUSTAR database fulfilling the ACR 1980 or the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria for SSc, with at least one visit recording data on gangrene. Centres were asked for supplementary data on traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We analysed the cross-sectional relationship between gangrene and its potential risk factors by univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Longitudinal data were analysed by Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

1757 patients were analysed (age 55.9 [14.5] years, disease duration 7.9 [10.3] years, male sex 16.7%, 24.6% diffuse cutaneous subset [dcSSc]). At inclusion, 8.9% of patients had current or previous digital gangrene, 16.1% had current digital ulcers (DUs) and 42.7% had ever had DUs (current or previous). Older age, DUs ever and dcSSc were statistically significant risk factors for gangrene in the cross-sectional multivariable model. During a median follow-up of 13.1 months, 16/771 (0.9%) patients developed gangrene. All 16 patients who developed gangrene had previously had DUs and gangrene. Further risk factors for incident gangrene were the dcSSc subset and longer disease duration.

CONCLUSION

In unselected SSc patients, gangrene occurs in about 9% of SSc patients. DUs ever and, to a lesser extent, the dcSSc subset are strongly and independently associated with gangrene, while traditional cardiovascular risk factors could not be identified as risk factors.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune diseases in the time of COVID-19: EBMT guidelines and recommendations

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents one of the biggest challenges of 21st century, threatening public health around the globe. Increasing age and presence of co-morbidities are reported risk factors for severe disease and mortality, along with autoimmune diseases (ADs) and immunosuppressive treatments such as haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which are also associated with adverse outcomes. We review the impact of the pandemic on specific groups of patients with neurological, rheumatological, and gastroenterological indications, along with the challenges delivering HSCT in adult and pediatric populations. Moving forward, we developed consensus-based guidelines and recommendations for best practice and quality of patient care in order to support clinicians, scientists, and their multidisciplinary teams, as well as patients and their carers. These guidelines aim to support national and international organizations related to autoimmune diseases and local clinical teams delivering HSCT. Areas of unmet need and future research questions are also highlighted. The waves of the COVID-19 pandemic are predicted to be followed by an "endemic" phase and therefore an ongoing risk within a "new normality". These recommendations reflect currently available evidence, coupled with expert opinion, and will be revised according to necessary modifications in practice.

[How long should treatment with tocilizumab be carried out for giant cell arteritis and how should it be ended (discontinue/taper off)?]

The revised S2 guidelines for treatment of giant cell arteritis have recently been published. Glucocorticosteroids remain the standard first line treatment. For severe or relapsing courses of the disease, the IL‑6 antagonist tocilizumab, a potent antibody, is now available as a therapeutic option; however, how long this treatment should be continued after having achieved a stable remission remains a matter of discussion. For patients with a complicated course and a high risk of relapse, a continuous treatment would be the safest way; however, with a milder course of disease for approximately half of the patients, treatment without relapse can be discontinued again.

[Reality of inpatient vasoactive treatment with prostacyclin derivatives in patients with acral circulation disorders due to systemic sclerosis in Germany]

Hintergrund

Das Raynaud-Phänomen und die damit häufig einhergehenden digitalen Ulzerationen stellen für Patienten mit systemischer Sklerose (Sklerodermie [SSc]) ein frühes und sehr belastendes Symptom mit bedeutenden Einschränkungen der Arbeitsfähigkeit und Lebensqualität dar. Der Einsatz vasoaktiver Medikamente (insbesondere intravenöser Prostazyklinderivate) soll helfen, das Risiko hypoxischer Gewebeschäden bis hin zum Verlust der Finger zu reduzieren.

Methoden

Um Aufschluss über die aktuelle Versorgung von Patienten mit Prostazyklinderivaten im klinischen Alltag in Deutschland zu erhalten, führten wir eine Umfrage unter den im Deutschen Netzwerk für systemische Sklerodermie (DNSS) zusammengeschlossenen Kliniken durch. Zusätzlich erfolgte eine separate Patientenbefragung über die Sklerodermie Selbsthilfe e. V., die sich nur auf die Symptome „Raynaud-Phänomen“ und „Digitale Ulzera“ und den Einsatz intravenöser Prostazyklinderivate bezog.

Ergebnisse

Von den befragten 433 Patienten gaben 56 % an, dass sie bereits aufgrund ihrer Erkrankung und Symptome mit Prostazyklinderivaten behandelt wurden. Insgesamt 61 % erhielten die Therapie aufgrund starker Raynaud-Symptomatik und 39 % aufgrund digitaler Ulzerationen. Die meisten Befragten erfuhren durch die Therapie nicht nur eine Verbesserung des Raynaud-Phänomens und der digitalen Ulzera, sondern auch eine wesentliche Verbesserung von Einschränkungen im Alltag. Sie gaben zudem an, wesentlich weniger fremde Hilfe in Anspruch genommen sowie wesentlich weniger Fehlzeiten bei der Arbeit gehabt zu haben.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Patienten empfanden durchweg einen positiven Effekt der Therapie mit Prostazyklinderivaten auf das Raynaud-Phänomen, ihre digitalen Ulzerationen, Schmerzen und Alltagseinschränkung und fühlten sich durch die stationäre Therapie gut und sicher betreut. Diese positiven Effekte in der Patientenwahrnehmung sind eine eindrückliche Stütze und bestätigen nachdrücklich die auf europäischer und internationaler Ebene erarbeiteten Therapieempfehlungen.

Zusatzmaterial online

Die Online-Version dieses Beitrags (10.1007/s00393-019-00743-9) enthält die 2 Fragebögen, die für die Befragung verwendet wurden. Beitrag und Zusatzmaterial stehen Ihnen auf www.springermedizin.de zur Verfügung. Bitte geben Sie dort den Beitragstitel in die Suche ein, das Zusatzmaterial finden Sie beim Beitrag unter „Ergänzende Inhalte“.