Defining remission in childhood-onset lupus: PReS-endorsed consensus definitions by an international task force

OBJECTIVE

To derive childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) specific remission definitions for future treat-to-target (T2T) trials, observational studies, and clinical practice.

METHODS

The cSLE International T2T Task Force conducted Delphi surveys exploring paediatric perspectives on adult-onset SLE remission targets. A modified nominal group technique was used to discuss, refine, and agree on the cSLE remission target criteria.

RESULTS

The Task Force proposed two definitions of remission: 'cSLE clinical remission on steroids (cCR)' and 'cSLE clinical remission off steroids (cCR-0)'. The common criteria are: (1) Clinical-SLEDAI-2 K = 0; (2) PGA score < 0.5 (0-3 scale); (4) stable antimalarials, immunosuppressive, and biologic therapy (changes due to side-effects, adherence, weight, or when building up to target dose allowed). Criterion (3) in cCR is the prednisolone dose ≤0.1 mg/kg/day (maximum 5 mg/day), whereas in cCR-0 it is zero.

CONCLUSIONS

cSLE definitions of remission have been proposed, maintaining sufficient alignment with the adult-SLE definition to facilitate life-course research.

Neurological phenotype of adenosine deaminase 2 deficient patients: a cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients with adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2) deficiency can present with various neurological manifestations due to vasculopathies and autoinflammation. These include ischaemic and hemorrhagic stroke, but less clearly defined neurological symptoms have also been reported.

METHODS

In this cohort study, patients with confirmed ADA2 deficiency from seven university hospitals in the Netherlands were included. The frequency and recurrence rates of neurological manifestations before and after initiation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibiting therapy were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were included with a median age at presentation of 5 years (interquartile range 1-17). Neurological manifestations occurred in 19/29 (66%) patients and were the presenting symptom in 9/29 (31%) patients. Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/ischaemic stroke occurred in 12/29 (41%) patients and was the presenting symptom in 8/29 (28%) patients. In total, 25 TIAs/ischaemic strokes occurred in 12 patients, one after initiation of TNF-α inhibiting therapy and one whilst switching between TNF-α inhibitors. None was large-vessel occlusion stroke. Two hemorrhagic strokes occurred: one aneurysmatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and one spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Most neurological symptoms, including cranial nerve deficits, vertigo, ataxia and seizures, were caused by TIAs/ischaemic strokes and seldom recurred after initiation of TNF-α inhibiting therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological manifestations, especially TIA/ischaemic stroke, are common in patients with ADA2 deficiency and frequently are the presenting symptom. Because it is a treatable cause of young stroke, for which antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy are considered contraindicated, awareness amongst neurologists and pediatricians is important. Screening for ADA2 deficiency in young patients with small-vessel ischaemic stroke without an identified cause should be considered.

Clinical Symptoms, Laboratory Parameters and Long-Term Follow-up in a National DADA2 Cohort

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase-2 (DADA2) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease with an extremely variable disease presentation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the Dutch DADA2 cohort. We performed a retrospective cohort study in 29 ADA2-deficient patients from 23 families with a median age at inclusion of 26 years. All patients had biallelic pathogenic variants in the ADA2 gene. The most common clinical findings included cutaneous involvement (79.3%), (hepato)splenomegaly (70.8%) and recurrent infections (58.6%). Stroke was observed in 41.4% of the patients. The main laboratory abnormalities were hypogammaglobulinemia and various cytopenias. Patients presented most often with a mixed phenotype involving vasculopathy, immunodeficiency and hematologic manifestations (62.1%). In this cohort, malignancies were reported in eight patients (27.6%), of whom five presented with a hematologic malignancy and two with a basal cell carcinoma. Four patients developed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or an HLH-like episode, of whom three passed away during or shortly after the occurrence of HLH. TNF-inhibitors (TNFi) were effective in treating vasculopathy-associated symptoms and preventing stroke, but were hardly effective in the treatment of hematologic manifestations. Three patients underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation and two of them are doing well with complete resolution of DADA2-related symptoms. The overall mortality in this cohort was 17.2%. In conclusion, this cohort describes the clinical, genetic and laboratory findings of 29 Dutch DADA2 patients. We describe the occurrence of HLH as a life-threatening disease complication and report a relatively high incidence of malignancies and mortality.

Towards development of treat to target (T2T) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: PReS-endorsed overarching principles and points-to-consider from an international task force

OBJECTIVES

Application of 'treat-to-target' (T2T) in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) may improve care and health outcomes. This initiative aimed to harmonise existing evidence and expert opinion regarding T2T for cSLE.

METHODS

An international T2T Task Force was formed of specialists in paediatric rheumatology, paediatric nephrology, adult rheumatology, patient and parent representatives. A steering committee formulated a set of draft overarching principles and points-to-consider, based on evidence from systematic literature review. Two on-line preconsensus meeting Delphi surveys explored healthcare professionals' views on these provisional overarching principles and points-to-consider. A virtual consensus meeting employed a modified nominal group technique to discuss, modify and vote on each overarching principle/point-to-consider. Agreement of >80% of Task Force members was considered consensus.

RESULTS

The Task Force agreed on four overarching principles and fourteen points-to-consider. It was agreed that both treatment targets and therapeutic strategies should be subject to shared decision making with the patient/caregivers, with full remission the preferred target, and low disease activity acceptable where remission cannot be achieved. Important elements of the points-to-consider included: aiming for prevention of flare and organ damage; glucocorticoid sparing; proactively addressing factors that impact health-related quality of life (fatigue, pain, mental health, educational challenges, medication side effects); and aiming for maintenance of the target over the long-term. An extensive research agenda was also formulated.

CONCLUSIONS

These international, consensus agreed overarching principles and points-to-consider for T2T in cSLE lay the foundation for future T2T approaches in cSLE, endorsed by the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society.

Dysregulated endothelial cell markers in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To perform a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on endothelial cell (EC) markers that are involved and dysregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in relation to disease activity, as EC dysregulation plays a major role in the development of premature atherosclerosis in SLE.

METHODS

Search terms were entered into Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane. Inclusion criteria were 1) studies published after 2000 reporting measurements of EC markers in serum and/or plasma of SLE patients (diagnosed according to ACR/SLICC criteria), 2) English language peer reviewed articles, and 3) disease activity measurement. For meta-analysis calculations, the Meta-Essentials tool by Erasmus Research Institute and of Management (ERIM) was used. Only those EC markers, which were 1) reported in at least two articles and 2) reported a correlation coefficient (i.e. Spearman's rank or Pearson's) between the measured levels of the EC marker and disease activity were included. For meta-analyses, a fixed effect model was used.

RESULTS

From 2133 hits, 123 eligible articles were selected. The identified SLE-related endothelial markers were involved in EC activation, EC apoptosis, disturbed angiogenesis, defective vascular tone control, immune dysregulation and coagulopathy. Meta-analyses of primarily cross-sectional studies showed significant associations between marker levels and disease activity for the following endothelial markers: Pentraxin-3, Thrombomodulin, VEGF, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, IP-10 and MCP-1. Dysregulated EC markers without associations with disease activity were: Angiopoeitin-2, vWF, P-Selectin, TWEAK and E-Selectin.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a complete literature overview for dysregulated EC markers in SLE comprising a wide range of different EC functions. SLE-induced EC marker dysregulation was seen with, but also without, association with disease activity. This study provides some clarity in the eminent complex field of EC markers as biomarkers for SLE. Longitudinal data on EC markers in SLE are now needed to guide us more in unravelling the pathophysiology of premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in SLE patients.

PReS-endorsed international childhood lupus T2T task force definition of childhood lupus low disease activity state (cLLDAS)

OBJECTIVE

To achieve a consensus-based definition of Low Disease Activity (LDA) for use in cSLE trials.

METHODS

The International cSLE T2T Task Force, comprising of paediatric rheumatologists/nephrologists, and adult rheumatologists undertook a series of Delphi surveys/consensus meetings to discuss, refine, and vote upon cSLE LDA criteria.

RESULTS

The Task Force agreed that LDA should be based upon the adult-SLE Lupus Low Disease Activity State definition (LLDAS), with modifications to make it applicable to cSLE (cLLDAS). They agreed upon five cLLDAS criteria: (1) SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2 K ≤4, with no activity in major organ systems; (2) no new features of lupus disease activity compared with the last assessment; (3) Physician Global Assessment score of ≤1 (0-3 scale); (4) prednisolone dose of ≤0.15 mg/kg/day, 7.5 mg/day/maximum; while on (5) stable antimalarials, immunosuppressives, and biologics.

CONCLUSIONS

A cSLE-appropriate definition of cLLDAS has been generated, maintaining alignment with the adult-SLE definition to promote life-course research.

Targeted multiomics in childhood-onset SLE reveal distinct biological phenotypes associated with disease activity: results from an explorative study

OBJECTIVE

To combine targeted transcriptomic and proteomic data in an unsupervised hierarchical clustering method to stratify patients with childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) into similar biological phenotypes, and study the immunological cellular landscape that characterises the clusters.

METHODS

Targeted whole blood gene expression and serum cytokines were determined in patients with cSLE, preselected on disease activity state (at diagnosis, Low Lupus Disease Activity State (LLDAS), flare). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering, agnostic to disease characteristics, was used to identify clusters with distinct biological phenotypes. Disease activity was scored by clinical SELENA-SLEDAI (Safety of Estrogens in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index). High-dimensional 40-colour flow cytometry was used to identify immune cell subsets.

RESULTS

Three unique clusters were identified, each characterised by a set of differentially expressed genes and cytokines, and by disease activity state: cluster 1 contained primarily patients in LLDAS, cluster 2 contained mainly treatment-naïve patients at diagnosis and cluster 3 contained a mixed group of patients, namely in LLDAS, at diagnosis and disease flare. The biological phenotypes did not reflect previous organ system involvement and over time, patients could move from one cluster to another. Healthy controls clustered together in cluster 1. Specific immune cell subsets, including CD11c+ B cells, conventional dendritic cells, plasmablasts and early effector CD4+ T cells, differed between the clusters.

CONCLUSION

Using a targeted multiomic approach, we clustered patients into distinct biological phenotypes that are related to disease activity state but not to organ system involvement. This supports a new concept where choice of treatment and tapering strategies are not solely based on clinical phenotype but includes measuring novel biological parameters.

Serum IFNα2 levels are associated with disease activity and outperform IFN-I gene signature in a longitudinal childhood-onset SLE cohort

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of serum IFNα2 levels measured by ultrasensitive single-molecule array (Simoa) and interferon type I gene signature (IGS) with disease activity and determine whether these assays can mark disease activity states in a longitudinal cohort of childhood-onset SLE patients.

METHODS

Serum IFNα2 levels were measured in 338 samples from 48 cSLE patients and 67 healthy controls using IFNα Simoa assay. Five gene IGS was measured by RT-PCR in paired whole blood samples. Disease activity was measured by clinical SELENA-SLEDAI and BILAG-2004. Low disease activity was defined by Low Lupus Disease Activity State (LLDAS) and flares were characterized by SELENA-SLEDAI flare index. Analysis was performed using linear mixed models.

RESULTS

A clear positive correlation was present between serum IFNα2 levels and the IGS (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). Serum IFNα2 levels and IGS showed the same significant negative trend in the first three years after diagnosis. In this timeframe, mean baseline serum IFNα2 levels decreased with 55.1% (Δ 201 fg/mL, p < 0.001) to a mean value of 164 fg/mL, which was below the calculated threshold of 219.4 fg/mL, which discriminated between patients and healthy controls. In the linear mixed model, serum IFNα2 levels were significantly associated with both cSELENA-SLEDAI and BILAG-2004, while the IGS did not show this association. Both IFN-I assays were able to characterize LLDAS and disease flare in ROC analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IFNα2 levels measured by Simoa technology are associated with disease activity scores and characterize disease activity states in cSLE.

Trained Immunity in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome: Linking Type I Interferons to a Pro-Atherogenic Phenotype

Background

Trained immunity – or innate immune memory – can be described as the long-term reprogramming of innate immune cells towards a hyperresponsive state which involves intracellular metabolic changes. Trained immunity has been linked to atherosclerosis. A subgroup of patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) exhibits systemic type I interferon (IFN) pathway activation, indicating innate immune hyperactivation. Here, we studied the link between type I IFNs and trained immunity in an in vitro monocytic cell model and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pSS patients.

Methods

The training stimuli heat killed Candida albicans, muramyl dipeptide, IFNβ, and patient serum were added to THP-1 cells for 24 hours, after which the cells were washed, rested for 48 hours and subsequently re-stimulated with LPS, Pam3Cys, poly I:C, IFNβ or oxLDL for 4-24 hours. PBMCs from pSS patients and healthy controls were stimulated with LPS, Pam3Cys, poly I:C or IFNβ for 0.5-24 hours.

Results

Training with IFNβ induced elevated production of pro-atherogenic cytokines IL-6, TNFα and CCL2, differential cholesterol- and glycolysis-related gene expression, and increased glucose consumption and oxLDL uptake upon re-stimulation. Type I IFN production was increased in Candida albicans- and IFNβ-trained cells after LPS re-stimulation, but was reduced after poly I:C re-stimulation. Training with muramyl dipeptide and IFNβ, but not Candida albicans, affected the IFN-stimulated gene expression response to IFNβ re-stimulation. PBMCs from pSS patients consumed more glucose compared with healthy control PBMCs and tended to produce more TNFα and type I IFNs upon LPS stimulation, but less type I IFNs upon poly I:C stimulation.

Conclusions

Type I IFN is a trainer inducing a trained immunity phenotype with pro-atherogenic properties in monocytes. Conversely, trained immunity also affects the production of type I IFNs and transcriptional response to type I IFN receptor re-stimulation. The phenotype of pSS PBMCs is consistent with trained immunity. This connection between type I IFN, trained immunity and cholesterol metabolism may have important implications for pSS and the pathogenesis of (subclinical) atherosclerosis in these patients.

Anakinra in Patients With Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Long-term Safety From the Pharmachild Registry

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term safety profile of anakinra in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA).

METHODS

Data from patients with sJIA enrolled in the Pharmachild registry (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03932344) prior to September 30, 2018, and treated with anakinra were analyzed. The study endpoints were the occurrence of non-serious adverse events (SAEs) of at least moderate severity and SAEs, including macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), and the duration of anakinra treatment with reasons for discontinuation. All endpoints were analyzed overall by 6-month time windows, and in different treatment sets represented by those patients treated continuously with anakinra for at least 12, 18, and 24 months (set-12, -18, and -24, respectively).

RESULTS

Three hundred six patients were enrolled. Of these patients, 46%, 34%, and 28% had been treated for at least 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Two hundred and one AEs, mostly represented by infections, were reported for 509.3 patient-years (PY) with an overall incidence rate (IR) of 39.5 per 100 PY. Among 56 SAEs (IR 11.0/100 PY), 23.2% were infections and 19.6% MAS episodes. The IR of AEs was higher during the first 6 months of anakinra treatment, followed by decreasing IRs in the long-term treatment sets. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 76% of patients, most frequently in the first 6 months, because of inefficacy (43%), remission (31%), or AEs/intolerance (15%). No deaths or malignancies occurred during anakinra treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study confirm the long-term safety profile of anakinra in patients with sJIA and demonstrate an overall decreasing incidence of AEs over time. [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01399281 and NCT03932344].

OUP accepted manuscript

Objectives

Clinical phenotyping and predicting treatment responses in SLE patients is challenging. Extensive blood transcriptional profiling has identified various gene modules that are promising for stratification of SLE patients. We aimed to translate existing transcriptomic data into simpler gene signatures suitable for daily clinical practice.

Methods

Real-time PCR of multiple genes from the IFN M1.2, IFN M5.12, neutrophil (NPh) and plasma cell (PLC) modules, followed by a principle component analysis, was used to identify indicator genes per gene signature. Gene signatures were measured in longitudinal samples from two childhood-onset SLE cohorts (n = 101 and n = 34, respectively), and associations with clinical features were assessed. Disease activity was measured using Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Assessment (SELENA)-SLEDAI. Cluster analysis subdivided patients into three mutually exclusive fingerprint-groups termed (1) all-signatures-low, (2) only IFN high (M1.2 and/or M5.12) and (3) high NPh and/or PLC.

Results

All gene signatures were significantly associated with disease activity in cross-sectionally collected samples. The PLC-signature showed the highest association with disease activity. Interestingly, in longitudinally collected samples, the PLC-signature was associated with disease activity and showed a decrease over time. When patients were divided into fingerprints, the highest disease activity was observed in the high NPh and/or PLC group. The lowest disease activity was observed in the all-signatures-low group. The same distribution was reproduced in samples from an independent SLE cohort.

Conclusions

The identified gene signatures were associated with disease activity and were indicated to be suitable tools for stratifying SLE patients into groups with similar activated immune pathways that may guide future treatment choices.

LLDAS is an attainable treat-to-target goal in childhood-onset SLE

OBJECTIVES

To study whether clinical remission (CR) and Low Lupus Disease Activity State (LLDAS) are achievable goals in childhood-onset SLE.

METHODS

Data on medication use and disease activity were prospectively collected. LLDAS was defined as Safety of Estrogen in Lupus Erythematosus National Assesment-SLE disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) ≤4 with zero scores for renal, Central Nervous System (CNS), serositis, vasculitis and constitutional components, no increase in any SLEDAI component since the previous visit, PGA ≤1, and prednisone dose ≤7.5 mg/day. CR on treatment (Tx) was defined as a Physician Global Assessment <0.5, SELENA-SLEDAI=0, with prednisone ≤5 mg/day and maintenance treatment with immunosuppressives. CR off Tx was the same but without prednisone or other immunosuppressive usage.

RESULTS

51 patients (700 visits) were included. Within 3 months after diagnosis, 94.1% of children were treated with hydroxychloroquine and 60.8% with prednisone. Prednisone dosage decreased from a median of 0.74 mg/kg/day at diagnosis to 0.44 mg/kg/day at 3 months and 0.16 mg/kg/day at 6 months after diagnosis. Use of mycophenolate mofetil increased from 25.5% to 56.9% within 6 months after diagnosis. All children achieved LLDAS (median 186 days) and 72.5% remained in LLDAS >50% of time. 52.9% children achieved CR on Tx, and only 21.6% children achieved CR off Tx.

CONCLUSIONS

LLDAS is an attainable treat-to-target goal in contrast to CR on and off Tx. Even more, LLDAS can be reached with limited use of corticosteroids with early introduction of immunosuppressives.

AB0081 ENDOTHELIAL MARKERS WITH DYSREGULATION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe, lifelong autoimmune disease known for its multisystem organ involvement. SLE patients are known to be at risk for premature atherosclerosis at a relatively young age (1). Endothelial dysregulation is one of the pathophysiologic mechanisms that can lead to the higher risk for cardiovascular disease in SLE (2). Multiple endothelial markers with dysregulation in SLE have been described so far, of which some are associated with disease activity.

Objectives:

To report a systematic literature review regarding endothelial markers that are dysregulated in SLE and search for associations with disease activity.

Methods:

The search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 (3). In July 2020, the search terms were used in Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane. Inclusion criteria were 1) published studies after the year 2000 that reported measurements of endothelial cell markers in serum and/or plasma of SLE patients (diagnosed according to ACR/SLICC criteria), 2) English language peer reviewed articles and 3) disease activity measurement (i.e. SLEDAI, BILAG, SLAM, ECLAM or PGA). Exclusion criteria were 1) case reports or editorials, 2) studies performed in animals and 3) studies with microRNA/cytokine biomarkers. There was no minimum count for study population. The screening process is shown in figure 1.

Results:

From 1892 hits, we identified 110 eligible articles. Table 1 shows an overview of the most frequently studied endothelial markers. These identified endothelial markers are involved in endothelial cell (EC) activation, EC apoptosis, disturbed angiogenesis, defective vascular tone control, immune dysregulation and coagulopathy. In most studies, dysregulation of the endothelial marker was associated with disease activity. The majority of the studies had a cross-sectional design, longitudinal data on endothelial markers in SLE are scarce.

Conclusion:

We identified multiple endothelial markers that are dysregulated in SLE and this dysregulation was often associated with disease activity in cross-sectional studies. Our future plan is to test the identified endothelial markers in (longitudinally collected) samples of (childhood onset) SLE patients, disease- and healthy controls. This will be a next step in unravelling the pathophysiology of premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in SLE-patients in young adulthood.

Figure 1.

References:

[1]Vavlukis M, Pop-Gjorceva D, Poposka L, Sandevska E, Kedev S. Myocardial Infarction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - the Sex Specific Risk Profile. Curr Pharm Des. 2020 Dec 9.

[2]Westerweel PE, Luyten RK, Koomans HA, Derksen RH, Verhaar MC. Premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 May;56(5):1384-96.

[3]Shamseer L, Moher D, Clarke M, Ghersi D, Liberati A, Petticrew M, Shekelle P, Stewart LA; PRISMA-P Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015: elaboration and explanation. BMJ. 2015 Jan 2;350:g7647.

Table 1.Endothelial markerArticles(no. of studies)Significant correlation with SLEDAI(no. of studies)Studies with control groups(no. of studies)Longitudinal data(no. of studies)YesNoUnknownHealthy controlsDiseased controlsVCAM-12620152338VEGF2213542022ICAM-11811521734Thrombomodulin1710521322E-Selectin136521021MCP-18620712P-Selectin6321611IP-106510501Pentraxin-35500512vWF5410502Neopterin3210202Fas3021201Angiopoeietin-2330021-Endothelin-1312030-PAI-1311120-Adrenomedullin320120-TWEAK311112-PECAM-1311130-

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

OP0164 LONG-TERM SAFETY OF ANAKINRA IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS FROM THE PHARMACHILD REGISTRY

Background:

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) is characterized by extra-articular manifestations, as fever and rash, and rarely associated by a potentially lethal complication as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Anakinra is a recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist whose efficacy and safety profile has been studied for patients with SJIA.

Objectives:

To evaluate the long-term safety profile of anakinra in patients with SJIA.

Methods:

Data from patients with SJIA enrolled in the Pharmachild registry before 30 September 2018 and treated with anakinra were analyzed. The study endpoints were the occurrence of non-serious adverse events (AEs) of at least moderate severity and serious AEs (SAEs), including macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), and the duration of anakinra treatment with reasons for discontinuation. All endpoints were analyzed overall, by 6 month-time windows and in different treatment sets represented by those patients continuously treated with anakinra for at least 12, 18 and 24 months (set-12, -18, -24, respectively).

Results:

306 patients were enrolled. 46%, 34% and 28% of them had been treated for at least 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively. 201 AEs, mostly represented by infections, were reported for 509.3 patient-years (py) with an overall incidence rate (IR) of 39.5/100 py. Among 56 SAEs (IR 11.0/100 py), (Table 1) 23.2% were infections and 19.6% MAS episodes. The IR of AEs was higher during the first 6 months of anakinra, followed by decreasing IR in the different long-term treatment sets. Treatment discontinuation occurred in 76% of patients, most in the first 6 months, due to inefficacy (43%), remission (31%) or AEs/intolerance (15%). No deaths or malignancies occurred during anakinra treatment.

Table 1.

Number of SAEs and incidence rates (95% CI) by overall PT decreasing order and time window in the complete set (events with a frequency >1 by overall SOC and >1 by overall PT were reported) Only time windows <13 months were reported in the present table.

Time window1-6 months7-12 monthsOverallN306194306Patient-time (years)117.380.2509.3SOCPTnRate (95% CI)nRate (95% CI)nRate(95% CI)AllAll3328.1 (19.1-41.5)45.0 (1.9-13.2)5611.0 (7.9-15.2)Infections and infestationsAll76.0 (2.9- 12.4)11.2 (0.2- 8.8)132.6 (1.4- 4.8)Pneumonia21.7 (0.4- 6.8)11.2 (0.2- 8.8)40.8 (0.3- 2.1)Immune system disordersAll76.0 (2.8- 12.5)11.2 (0.2- 8.8)112.2 (1.1- 4.1)Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis76.0 (2.8- 12.5)11.2 (0.2- 8.8)112.2 (1.1- 4.1)Injury, poisoning and procedural complicationsAll54.3 (1.8- 10.2)--91.8 (0.9- 3.4)Infusion related reaction10.9 (0.1- 6.0)--20.4 (0.1- 1.6)Injection related reaction43.4 (1.3- 9.1)--61.2 (0.5- 2.6)Metabolism and nutrition disordersAll32.6 (0.8- 7.9)--40.8 (0.3- 2.1)Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersAll32.6 (0.8- 7.9)11.2 (0.2- 8.8)40.8 (0.3- 2.1)Blood and lymphatic system disordersAll10.9 (0.1- 6.1)--20.4 (0.1- 1.6)General disorders and administration site conditionsAll10.9 (0.1- 6.1)11.2 (0.2- 8.8)20.4 (0.1- 1.6)InvestigationsAll21.7 (0.4- 6.8)--20.4 (0.1- 1.6)Nervous system disordersAll10.9 (0.1- 6.0)--20.4 (0.1- 1.6)Surgical and medical proceduresAll10.9 (0.1- 6.0)--20.4 (0.1- 1.5)

Abbreviations: SAE, serious adverse event; SOC, system organ class; PT, preferred term, MedDRA version 21.1; N, number of patients ever treated with anakinra during the time window irrespectively of the length of any unexposed periods; 95% CI, 95% Confidence Interval.

Conclusion:

The results of the present study confirm the long-term safety profile of anakinra in SJIA patients and show a decreasing overall incidence rate of AEs over time.

Disclosure of Interests:

Gabriella Giancane Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Riccardo Papa Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Sebastian Vastert Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Francesca Bagnasco Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Joost F. Swart Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Pierre Quartier Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, michael hofer Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Jordi Anton Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Sylvia Kamphuis Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Helga Sanner Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Mia Glerup Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Fabrizio De Benedetti Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Elena Tsitsami Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Agustin Remesal Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Estefania Moreno Ruzafa Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Jaime de Inocencio Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Charlotte Myrup Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Chiara Pallotti Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Isabelle Koné-Paut Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Karin Franck-Larsson Employee of: I am employee of SOBI pharmaceutical company, Hakan Malmstrom Employee of: I am employee of SOBI pharmaceutical company, Susanna Cederholm Employee of: I am employee of SOBI pharmaceutical company, Angela Pistorio Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Nico Wulffraat Grant/research support from: The study was funded by SOBI Swedish, Nicolino Ruperto Speakers bureau: NR has received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus (< 10.000 USD each) from the following pharmaceutical companies in the past 3 years: Ablynx, Astrazeneca-Medimmune, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, Bristol Myers and Squibb, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, EMD Serono, Glaxo Smith and Kline, Hoffmann-La Roche,Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sinergie, Sobi and UCB., Consultant of: NR has received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus (< 10.000 USD each) from the following pharmaceutical companies in the past 3 years: Ablynx, Astrazeneca-Medimmune, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, Bristol Myers and Squibb, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, EMD Serono, Glaxo Smith and Kline, Hoffmann-La Roche,Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sinergie, Sobi and UCB., Grant/research support from: The IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini (IGG), where NR works as full-time public employee has received contributions (> 10.000 USD each) from the following industries in the last 3 years: BMS, Eli-Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sobi. This funding has been reinvested for the research activities of the hospital in a fully independent manner, without any commitment with third parties.

POS0178 GENE SIGNATURE FINGERPRINTS DIVIDE SLE PATIENTS IN SUBGROUPS WITH COMPARABLE BIOLOGICAL DISEASE PROFILES: A MULTICENTRE LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Background:

Even in the hands of experienced clinicians, clinical phenotyping and predicting treatment responses in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients remains challenging. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers that can help physicians to divide patients into subgroups based upon aberrantly activated pathways is relevant and might guide future treatment strategies. Extensive blood transcriptional profiling has identified various gene modules that seem promising for stratification of SLE patients into subgroups (1). However, the feasibility to implement these complicated and expensive tests for use in the daily practice of routine clinical laboratories is challenging if not impossible.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to develop gene signatures that stratify patients into groups with comparable disease profiles and are feasible to perform in routine clinical laboratories.

Methods:

To identify coordinated expression of a set of genes and reduce data complexity, genes from 4 previously described modules (Interferon M1.2, Interferon M5.12, Neutrophil- and Plasmablast (PB)(1)) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR expression on whole blood RNA samples. Subsequently, a principle component analysis was used to select 2-5 indicator genes, that represent a specific signature. Expression levels of these genes were measured in healthy donors (n=42) and samples from two independent childhood-onset SLE cohorts (n=51 and n=20). Scores higher than the mean + 2 S.D. score of healthy controls were defined as high gene signature scores. Based on their expression levels, gene signatures were divided over 14 clusters. Associated clusters were subsequently grouped into three gene fingerprints termed 1) all-signatures-low, 2) only high IFN (M1.2 and/or M5.12) and 3) high PB and/or Neutrophil. Disease activity was measured by the SELENA-SLEDAI score.

Results:

All four gene signatures were higher expressed in patients compared to healthy controls and showed a significant correlation with the SLEDAI. The PB signature showed the highest association with disease activity (r= 0.6512, P<0.0001). In longitudinally collected samples, the PB signature was reduced in patients who were on treatment and showed a significant trend with the SLEDAI. When patients were divided into the described gene fingerprints, the highest SLEDAI scores (median score=8) were observed in the high PB-Neutrophil group. The lowest disease activity (median score =2) was observed in the all-signatures-low group. The same distribution was seen when samples from a second time point were divided based on this stratification method and this was also reproduced in samples from an independent SLE cohort (figure 1).

Conclusion:

Various gene signatures are associated with disease activity, which underlines the involvement of different pathophysiological mechanisms in SLE. Combining these signatures into gene fingerprints can help to stratify patients into comparable groups and guide individualized treatment choices for patients in the future.

References:

[1]Banchereau R, Hong S, Cantarel B, Baldwin N, Baisch J, Edens M, et al. Personalized Immunomonitoring Uncovers Molecular Networks that Stratify Lupus Patients. Cell. 2016;165(6):1548-50.

Figure 1.

SELENA-SLEDAI scores based on gene fingerprint distribution. Blue indicates time point one of cohort 1 (n=51); pink indicates time point two of cohort 1 (n=45); red indicates time point one of the replication cohort (n=20)

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Relationship Between Genetic Risk and Age of Diagnosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Specific risk alleles for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus SLE (cSLE) vs adult-onset SLE (aSLE) patients have not been identified. The aims of this study were to determine if there is an association (1) between non-HLA-related genetic risk score (GRS) and age of SLE diagnosis, and (2) between HLA-related GRS and age of SLE diagnosis.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was obtained from 2001 multiethnic patients and genotyped using the Immunochip. Following quality control, genetic risk counting (GRCS), weighted (GRWS), standardized counting (GRSCS), and standardized weighted (GRSWS) scores were calculated based on independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms from validated SLE loci. Scores were analyzed in a regression model and adjusted by sex and ancestral population.

RESULTS

The analyzed cohort consisted of 1540 patients: 1351 females and 189 males (675 cSLE and 865 aSLE). There were significant negative associations between all non-HLA GRS and age of SLE diagnosis: P = 0.011 and r² = 0.175 for GRWS; P = 0.008 and r² = 0.178 for GRSCS; P = 0.002 and r² = 0.176 for GRSWS (higher GRS correlated with lower age of diagnosis.) All HLA GRS showed significant positive associations with age of diagnosis: P = 0.049 and r² = 0.176 for GRCS; P = 0.022 and r² = 0.176 for GRWS; P = 0.022 and r² = 0.176 for GRSCS; P = 0.011 and r² = 0.177 for GRSWS (higher GRS correlated with higher age of diagnosis).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that there is a linear relationship between genetic risk and age of SLE diagnosis and that HLA and non-HLA GRS are associated with age of diagnosis in opposite directions.

Effects of Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Academic Achievements and Employment in Adult Life

OBJECTIVE

Long-term outcome data in adults with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) are limited. Here, we report the effects of cSLE on education, vocation, and employment in a large cohort of adults with cSLE.

METHODS

Patients were seen for a single study visit comprising a structured history and physical examination. Medical records were retrieved to supplement information obtained during the study visit. Education and employment status were assessed by questionnaires. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

RESULTS

One hundred six patients with cSLE (93% female, 73% White), with a median disease duration of 20 years, completed the visit and questionnaires. Almost all patients stated that cSLE had influenced their education, but the level of completed education was similar to the general Dutch population. Half of the patients had adjusted their vocational choice due to the disease. Still, 44% of patients who had finished education did not have a paid job. Of the employed patients, 61% worked part time. Disease damage was equally prevalent in patients with and without paid employment. A high percentage of patients (51%) were declared work disabled, due to disease damage. Patients who did not have paid employment were often work disabled. Both had a negative effect on HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

The effect of cSLE on academic achievements and employment is substantial, despite patients adjusting their educational and vocational choices. To optimize participation in the community, ongoing support is necessary, not only to help patients find suitable education and vocations but also to offer guidance regarding potential adjustments during their career.

AB0145 EFFECTS OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MEDICATION ON TYPE I INTERFERON ACTIVATION: IN VITRO ANALYSIS SHOWS A DOWNREGULATING EFFECT ON IFN ACTIVATION OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AND ASPIRIN

Background:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is prototypic Interferon (IFN) driven autoimmune disease characterized by an increased expression of type-I IFN stimulated genes, known as the IFN signature. The inhibitory effects of various drugs like Hydroxychloroquine and more recently Aspirin on IFN inducing pathways (1, 2) led to the idea that some standard of care drugs might decrease the IFN score in patients. Data on the in vitro effect of immunosuppressive medication on IFN activation are limited. Testing immunosuppressive agents for their effect on IFN activation in vitro will give insight into the mechanisms of IFN activation in vivo and the effect of immunosuppressive medication on this activation.

Objectives:

To study the effect of immunosuppressive medication on the type-I IFN signature in anin vitromodel

Methods:

Freshly isolated human PBMCs were stimulated for 24 hours with or without CpG-A or Imiquimod (IQ) or transfected with the cGAS agonist G3-YSD to induce IFN upregulation through the TLR7/9- and DNA Sensing Receptor-pathway respectively. To assess the direct role of the medication on the downstream pathway of the IFNAR PBMCs were stimulated with IFN-a2b. Aspirin, diclofenac, HCQ, Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) and prednisone were added separately to these cultures followed by analysis of MxA by qPCR as a readout for IFN type I activation. Cell viability in all culture conditions was above 85%.

Results:

The type I IFN activation induced by CpG-A, IQ, G3-YSD and IFN-a2b was significantly reduced after addition of Aspirin. Addition of diclofenac showed a trend towards reduced levels in all conditions. HCQ was able to significantly reduce the TLR7/9 induced IFN activation by CpG-A and IQ while MMF and prednisone did not show an effect in any of the culture conditions.

Conclusion:

The IFN activation induced by the stimulation of various IFN inducing pathways was significantly reduced by Aspirin and HCQ in an in vitro model. Combining both clinical andin vitrodata from our longitudinal cohort of childhood-onset SLE patients will elucidate the effect of different immunosuppressive drugs on the type-I IFN signature in these patients.

References:

[1]Kuznik A, Bencina M, Svajger U, Jeras M, Rozman B, Jerala R. Mechanism of endosomal TLR inhibition by antimalarial drugs and imidazoquinolines. J Immunol. 2011;186(8):4794-804.

[2]Dai J, Huang YJ, He X, Zhao M, Wang X, Liu ZS, et al. Acetylation Blocks cGAS Activity and Inhibits Self-DNA-Induced Autoimmunity. Cell. 2019;176(6):1447-60 e14.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

European consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease - the SHARE initiative

OBJECTIVES

The European Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe initiative aimed to optimize care for children with rheumatic diseases. Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children and an important cause of long-term cardiac disease into adulthood. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of KD is difficult due to the heterogeneity of the disease but is crucial for improving outcome. To date, there are no European internationally agreed, evidence-based guidelines concerning the diagnosis and treatment of KD in children. Accordingly, treatment regimens differ widely. The aim of this study is to provide consensus-based, European-wide evidence-informed recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of children with KD.

METHODS

Recommendations were developed using the EULAR's standard operating procedures. An extensive systematic literature search was performed, and evidence-based recommendations were extrapolated from the included papers. These were evaluated by a panel of international experts via online surveys and subsequently discussed in three consensus meetings, using nominal group technique. Recommendations were accepted when ⩾80% agreed.

RESULTS

In total, 17 recommendations for diagnosis and 14 for treatment of KD in children were accepted. Diagnostic recommendations included laboratory and imaging workup for complete as well as incomplete KD. Treatment recommendations included the importance of early treatment in both complete and incomplete KD, use of intravenous immunoglobulin, aspirin, corticosteroids for high-risk cases, and other treatment options for those with resistant disease.

CONCLUSION

The Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe initiative provides international evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating KD in children, facilitating improvement and uniformity of care.

European consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of rare paediatric vasculitides - the SHARE initiative

OBJECTIVES

The European initiative Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) aimed to optimize care for children with rheumatic diseases. Systemic vasculitides are very rare in children. Consequently, despite recent advances, paediatric-specific information is sparse. The lack of evidence-based recommendations is an important, unmet need. This study aimed to provide recommendations for diagnosing and treating children with rare forms of childhood systemic vasculitis.

METHODS

Recommendations were developed by a consensus process in accordance with the European League Against Rheumatism standard operating procedures. A systematic literature review informed the recommendations, which were devised and evaluated by a panel of experts via an online survey, and two consensus meetings using nominal group technique. Recommendations were accepted when ⩾ 80% of experts agreed.

RESULTS

Ninety-three relevant articles were found, and 78 recommendations were accepted in the two consensus meetings. General, cross-cutting recommendations and disease-specific statements regarding the diagnosis and treatment of childhood-onset PAN, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and Takayasu arteritis are provided.

CONCLUSION

These Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe recommendations were formulated through an evidence-based consensus process to support uniform, high-quality standard of care for children with rare forms of paediatric systemic vasculitis.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in a Cohort of Adults With Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective

Childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe, lifelong, multisystem autoimmune disease. Long‐term outcome data are limited. This study was undertaken to identify clinical characteristics and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults with childhood‐onset SLE.

Methods

Patients participated in a single study visit comprising a structured history and physical examination. Disease activity (scored using the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 [SLEDAI‐2K]), damage (scored using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index [SDI]), and HRQoL (scored using the Short Form 36 Health Survey) were assessed. Medical records were reviewed.

Results

In total, 111 childhood‐onset SLE patients were included; the median disease duration was 20 years, 91% of patients were female, and 72% were white. Disease activity was low (median SLEDAI‐2K score 4), and 71% of patients received prednisone, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and/or other disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. The vast majority of new childhood‐onset SLE–related manifestations developed within 2 years of diagnosis. Damage such as myocardial infarctions began occurring after 5 years. Most patients (62%) experienced damage, predominantly in the musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric, and renal systems. Cerebrovascular accidents, renal transplants, replacement arthroplasties, and myocardial infarctions typically occurred at a young age (median age 20 years, 24 years, 34 years, and 39 years, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that damage accrual was associated with disease duration (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, P < 0.001), antiphospholipid antibody positivity (OR 3.56, P = 0.026), and hypertension (OR 3.21, P = 0.043). Current HCQ monotherapy was associated with an SDI score of 0 (OR 0.16, P = 0.009). In this cohort, HRQoL was impaired compared to the overall Dutch population. The presence of damage reduced HRQoL scores in 1 domain. High disease activity (SLEDAI‐2K score ≥8) and changes in physical appearance strongly reduced HRQoL scores (in 4 of 8 domains and 7 of 8 domains, respectively).

Conclusion

The majority of adults with childhood‐onset SLE in this large cohort developed significant damage at a young age and had impaired HRQoL without achieving drug‐free remission, illustrating the substantial impact of childhood‐onset SLE on future life.

European consensus-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of immunoglobulin A vasculitis—the SHARE initiative

Objectives

IgA vasculitis (IgAV, formerly known as Henoch–Schönlein purpura) is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in childhood. To date, there are no internationally agreed, evidence-based guidelines concerning the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of IgAV in children. Accordingly, treatment regimens differ widely. The European initiative SHARE (Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe) aims to optimize care for children with rheumatic diseases. The aim therefore was to provide internationally agreed consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment for children with IgAV.

Methods

Recommendations were developed by a consensus process in accordance with the EULAR standard operating procedures. An extensive systematic literature review was performed, and evidence-based recommendations were extrapolated from the included papers. These were evaluated by a panel of 16 international experts via online surveys and subsequent consensus meeting, using nominal group technique. Recommendations were accepted when ⩾80% of experts agreed.

Results

In total, 7 recommendations for diagnosis and 19 for treatment of paediatric IgAV were accepted. Diagnostic recommendations included: appropriate use of skin and renal biopsy, renal work-up and imaging. Treatment recommendations included: the importance of appropriate analgesia and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use and non-renal indications for CS use, as well as a structured approach to treating IgAV nephritis, including appropriate use of CS and second-line agents in mild, moderate and severe disease along with use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and maintenance therapy.

Conclusion

The SHARE initiative provides international, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of IgAV that will facilitate improvement and uniformity of care.

Pharmacovigilance in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients treated with biologic or synthetic drugs: combined data of more than 15,000 patients from Pharmachild and national registries

BACKGROUND

The availability of methotrexate and the introduction of multiple biological agents have revolutionized the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Several international and national drug registries have been implemented to accurately monitor the long-term safety/efficacy of these agents. This report aims to present the combined data coming from Pharmachild/PRINTO registry and the national registries from Germany (BiKeR) and Sweden.

METHODS

Descriptive statistics was used for demographic, clinical data, drug exposure, adverse events (AEs) and events of special interest (ESIs). For the Swedish register, AE data were not available.

RESULTS

Data from a total of 15,284 patients were reported: 8274 (54%) from the Pharmachild registry and 3990 (26%) and 3020 (20%) from the German and the Swedish registries, respectively. Pharmachild children showed a younger age (median of 5.4 versus 7.6 years) at JIA onset and shorter disease duration at last available visit (5.3 versus 6.1-6.8) when compared with the other registries. The most frequent JIA category was the rheumatoid factor-negative polyarthritis (range of 24.6-29.9%). Methotrexate (61-84%) and etanercept (24%-61.8%) were the most frequently used synthetic and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), respectively. There was a wide variability in glucocorticoid use (16.7-42.1%). Serious AEs were present in 572 (6.9%) patients in Pharmachild versus 297 (7.4%) in BiKeR. Infection and infestations were the most frequent AEs (29.4-30.1%) followed by gastrointestinal disorders (11.5-19.6%). The most frequent ESIs were infections (75.3-89%).

CONCLUSIONS

This article is the first attempt to present a very large sample of data on JIA patients from different national and international registries and represents the first proposal for data merging as the most powerful tool for future analysis of safety and effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapies in JIA.

REGISTRY REGISTRATION

The Pharmachild registry is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01399281 ) and at the European Network of Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCePP) ( http://www.encepp.eu/encepp/viewResource.htm?id=19362 ). The BiKeR registry is registered at ENCePP ( http://www.encepp.eu/encepp/viewResource.htm?id=20591 ).

Dutch juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients, carers and clinicians create a research agenda together following the James Lind Alliance method: a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Research on Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) should support patients, caregivers/parents (carers) and clinicians to make important decisions in the consulting room and eventually to improve the lives of patients with JIA. Thus far these end-users of JIA-research have rarely been involved in the prioritisation of future research.

MAIN BODY

Dutch organisations of patients, carers and clinicians will collaboratively develop a research agenda for JIA, following the James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology. In a 'Priority Setting Partnership' (PSP), they will gradually establish a top 10 list of the most important unanswered research questions for JIA. In this process the input from clinicians, patients and their carers will be equally valued. Additionally, focus groups will be organised to involve young people with JIA. The involvement of all contributors will be monitored and evaluated. In this manner, the project will contribute to the growing body of literature on how to involve young people in agenda setting in a meaningful way.

CONCLUSION

A JIA research agenda established through the JLA method and thus co-created by patients, carers and clinicians will inform researchers and research funders about the most important research questions for JIA. This will lead to research that really matters.

TBK1: A key regulator and potential treatment target for interferon positive Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Upregulation of type I interferons (IFN-I) is a hallmark of systemic autoimmune diseases like primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Expression of IFN-I is induced by three different receptor families: Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-like receptors (RLRs) and DNA-sensing receptors (DSRs). TANK-binding kinase (TBK1) is an important signaling hub downstream of RLRs and DSRs. TBK1 activates IRF3 and IRF7, leading to IFN-I production and subsequent induction of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). The objective of this study was to explore the potential of BX795, an inhibitor of TBK1, to downregulate IFN-I activation in pSS, SLE and SSc.

METHODS

TBK1, IRF3, IRF7 and STAT1 were determined by RT-PCR in PAXgene samples and phosphorylated-TBK1 (pTBK1) was analyzed by flowcytometry in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) from IFN-I positive (IFNpos) patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of pSS, SLE and SSc patients and TLR7 stimulated PBMCs of healthy controls (HCs) were cultured with the TBK1 inhibitor BX795, followed by analysis of ISGs.

RESULTS

Increased gene expression of TBK1, IRF3, IRF7 and STAT1 in whole blood and pTBK1 in pDCs was observed in IFNpos pSS, SLE and SSc patients compared to HCs. Upon treatment with BX795, PBMCs from IFNpos pSS, SLE, SSc and TLR7-stimulated HCs downregulated the expression of the ISGs MxA, IFI44, IFI44L, IFIT1 and IFIT3.

CONCLUSIONS

TBK1 inhibition reduced expression of ISGs in PBMCs from IFNpos patients with systemic autoimmune diseases indicating TBK1 as a potential treatment target.

The Dutch version of the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR)

The Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR) is a new parent/patient reported outcome measure that enables a thorough assessment of the disease status in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We report the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the parent and patient versions of the JAMAR in the Dutch language. The reading comprehension of the questionnaire was tested in ten JIA parents and patients. Each participating centre was asked to collect demographic, clinical data and the JAMAR in 100 consecutive JIA patients or all consecutive patients seen in a 6-month period and to administer the JAMAR to 100 healthy children and their parents. The statistical validation phase explored descriptive statistics and the psychometric issues of the JAMAR: the three Likert assumptions, floor/ceiling effects, internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha, interscale correlations, test–retest reliability, and construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity). A total of 209 JIA patients (14.3% systemic, 39.7% oligoarticular, 25.8% RF negative polyarthritis, 20.2% other categories) and 107 healthy children were enrolled in two centres. The JAMAR components discriminated well healthy subjects from JIA patients. All JAMAR components revealed good psychometric performances. In conclusion, the Dutch version of the JAMAR is a valid tool for the assessment of children with JIA and is suitable for use both in routine clinical practice and clinical research.

Development of a clinical transition pathway for adolescents in the Netherlands

AIMS

To explore how young people with juvenile-onset rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (jRMDs) and their parent(s) experience care during preparation for the upcoming transfer to adult services, and to develop a clinical transition pathway.

METHOD

A survey was conducted with 32 young people aged between 14 and 20 years with jRMDs, and their parents ( n =33), treated at the department of paediatric rheumatology in a tertiary care children's hospital in the Netherlands.

RESULTS

More than 30% of young people would have liked to discuss topics such as educational and vocational choices in a clinic, but did not get the opportunity. Preparation for transition was poor as was training in self-management skills. One third of parents had feelings of anxiety about the upcoming transfer. Results from the survey and evidence-based principles of transitional care were used to develop the clinical transition pathway. The pathway focuses on starting transition early, developing self-management skills, joint consultations and supporting parents in giving young people control of their clinical care.

CONCLUSION

Care does not currently meet the needs of young people in the process of transition to adult rheumatology services. The clinical transition pathway developed as a result of the study is a tool that may improve this process.

European evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood-onset lupus nephritis: the SHARE initiative

Lupus nephritis (LN) occurs in 50%-60% of patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), leading to significant morbidity. Timely recognition of renal involvement and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent renal damage. The Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) initiative aimed to generate diagnostic and management regimens for children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases including cSLE. Here, we provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of childhood LN. Recommendations were developed using the European League Against Rheumatism standard operating procedures. A European-wide expert committee including paediatric nephrology representation formulated recommendations using a nominal group technique. Six recommendations regarding diagnosis and 20 recommendations covering treatment choices and goals were accepted, including each class of LN, described in the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society 2003 classification system. Treatment goal should be complete renal response. Treatment of class I LN should mainly be guided by other symptoms. Class II LN should be treated initially with low-dose prednisone, only adding a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug after 3 months of persistent proteinuria or prednisone dependency. Induction treatment of class III/IV LN should be mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or intravenous cyclophosphamide combined with corticosteroids; maintenance treatment should be MMF or azathioprine for at least 3 years. In pure class V LN, MMF with low-dose prednisone can be used as induction and MMF as maintenance treatment. The SHARE recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of LN have been generated to support uniform and high-quality care for all children with SLE.

European evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: the SHARE initiative

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a rare, multisystem and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disorder with significant associated morbidity. Evidence-based guidelines are sparse and management is often based on clinical expertise. SHARE (Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe) was launched to optimise and disseminate management regimens for children and young adults with rheumatic diseases like cSLE. Here, we provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of cSLE. In view of extent and complexity of cSLE and its various manifestations, recommendations for lupus nephritis and antiphospholipid syndrome will be published separately. Recommendations were generated using the EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) standard operating procedure. An expert committee consisting of paediatric rheumatologists and representation of paediatric nephrology from across Europe discussed evidence-based recommendations during two consensus meetings. Recommendations were accepted if >80% agreement was reached. A total of 25 recommendations regarding key approaches to diagnosis and treatment of cSLE were made. The recommendations include 11 on diagnosis, 9 on disease monitoring and 5 on general treatment. Topics included: appropriate use of SLE classification criteria, disease activity and damage indices; adequate assessment of autoantibody profiles; secondary macrophage activation syndrome; use of hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroid-sparing regimens; and the importance of addressing poor adherence. Ten recommendations were accepted regarding general diagnostic strategies and treatment indications of neuropsychiatric cSLE. The SHARE recommendations for cSLE and neuropsychiatric manifestations of cSLE have been formulated by an evidence-based consensus process to support uniform, high-quality standards of care for children with cSLE.

European evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of paediatric antiphospholipid syndrome: the SHARE initiative

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is rare in children, and evidence-based guidelines are sparse. Consequently, management is mostly based on observational studies and physician's experience, and treatment regimens differ widely. The Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) initiative was launched to develop diagnostic and management regimens for children and young adults with rheumatic diseases. Here, we developed evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of paediatric APS. Evidence-based recommendations were developed using the European League Against Rheumatism standard operating procedure. Following a detailed systematic review of the literature, a committee of paediatric rheumatologists and representation of paediatric haematology with expertise in paediatric APS developed recommendations. The literature review yielded 1473 articles, of which 15 were valid and relevant. In total, four recommendations for diagnosis and eight for treatment of paediatric APS (including paediatric Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome) were accepted. Additionally, two recommendations for children born to mothers with APS were accepted. It was agreed that new classification criteria for paediatric APS are necessary, and APS in association with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus should be identified by performing antiphospholipid antibody screening. Treatment recommendations included prevention of thrombotic events, and treatment recommendations for venous and/or arterial thrombotic events. Notably, due to the paucity of studies on paediatric APS, level of evidence and strength of the recommendations is relatively low. The SHARE initiative provides international, evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment for paediatric APS, facilitating improvement and uniformity of care.

EULAR/PReS standards and recommendations for the transitional care of young people with juvenile-onset rheumatic diseases

To develop standards and recommendations for transitional care for young people (YP) with juvenile-onset rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (jRMD). The consensus process involved the following: (1) establishing an international expert panel to include patients and representatives from multidisciplinary teams in adult and paediatric rheumatology; (2) a systematic review of published models of transitional care in jRMDs, potential standards and recommendations, strategies for implementation and tools to evaluate services and outcomes; (3) setting the framework, developing the process map and generating a first draft of standards and recommendations; (4) further iteration of recommendations; (5) establishing consensus recommendations with Delphi methodology and (6) establishing standards and quality indicators. The final consensus derived 12 specific recommendations for YP with jRMD focused on transitional care. These included: high-quality, multidisciplinary care starting in early adolescence; the integral role of a transition co-ordinator; transition policies and protocols; efficient communications; transfer documentation; an open electronic-based platform to access resources; appropriate training for paediatric and adult healthcare teams; secure funding to continue treatments and services into adult rheumatology and the need for increased evidence to inform best practice. These consensus-based recommendations inform strategies to reach optimal outcomes in transitional care for YP with jRMD based on available evidence and expert opinion. They need to be implemented in the context of individual countries, healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks.

Prediction of methotrexate intolerance in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a prospective, observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective and safe drug in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Despite its safety, MTX-related gastrointestinal adverse effects before and after MTX administration, termed MTX intolerance, occur frequently, leading to non-compliance and potentially premature MTX termination. The aim of this study was to construct a risk model to predict MTX intolerance.

METHODS

In a prospective JIA cohort, clinical variables and single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined at MTX start. The Methotrexate Intolerance Severity Score was employed to measure MTX intolerance in the first year of treatment. MTX intolerance was most prevalent at 6 or 12 months after MTX start, which was defined as the outcome for the prediction model. The model was developed in 152 patients using multivariable logistic regression analysis and subsequently internally validated using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

The prediction model included the following predictors: JIA category, antinuclear antibody, parent/patient assessment of pain, Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score-27, thrombocytes, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine. The model classified 77.5% of patients correctly, and 66.7% of patients after internal validation by bootstrapping. The lowest predicted risk of MTX intolerance was 18.9% and the highest predicted risk was 85.9%. The prediction model was transformed into a risk score (range 0-17). At a cut-off of ≥6, sensitivity was 82.0%, specificity 56.1%, positive predictive value was 58.7% and negative predictive value 80.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical prediction model showed moderate predictive power to detect MTX intolerance. To develop into a clinically usable tool, it should be validated in an independent cohort and updated with new predictors. Such an easy-to-use tool could then assist clinicians in identifying patients at risk to develop MTX intolerance, and in turn to monitor them closely and intervene timely in order to prevent the development of MTX intolerance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN register, www.isrctn.com, ISRCTN13524271.

Methotrexate polyglutamates in erythrocytes are associated with lower disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine association of erythrocyte methotrexate polyglutamates (MTX-PG) with disease activity and adverse effects in a prospective juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) cohort.

METHODS

One hundred and thirteen JIA patients were followed from MTX start until 12 months. Erythrocyte MTX-PGs with 1-5 glutamate residues were measured at 3 months with tandem mass spectrometry. The outcomes were Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS)-27 and adverse effects. To determine associations of MTX-PGs with JADAS-27 at 3 months and during 1 year of MTX treatment, linear regression and linear mixed-model analyses were used. To determine associations of MTX-PGs with adverse effects during 1 year of MTX treatment, logistic regression was used. Analyses were corrected for JADAS-27 at baseline and co-medication.

RESULTS

Median JADAS-27 decreased from 12.7 (IQR: 7.8-18.2) at baseline to 2.9 (IQR: 0.1-6.5) at 12 months. Higher concentrations of MTX-PG3 (β: -0.006, p=0.005), MTX-PG4 (β: -0.015, p=0.004), MTX-PG5 (β: -0.051, p=0.011) and MTX-PG3-5 (β: -0.004, p=0.003) were associated with lower disease activity at 3 months. Higher concentrations of MTX-PG3 (β: -0.005, p=0.028), MTX-PG4 (β: -0.014, p=0.014), MTX-PG5 (β: -0.049, p=0.023) and MTX-PG3-5 (β: -0.004, p=0.018) were associated with lower disease activity over 1 year. None of the MTX-PGs was associated with adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first prospective study in JIA, long-chain MTX-PGs were associated with lower JADAS-27 at 3 months and during 1 year of MTX treatment. Erythrocyte MTX-PG could be a plausible candidate for therapeutic drug monitoring of MTX in JIA.