Clinical interpretation of KCNH2 variants using a robust PS3/BS3 functional patch-clamp assay

Long QT syndrome (LQTS), caused by the dysfunction of cardiac ion channels, increases the risk of sudden death in otherwise healthy young people. For many variants in LQTS genes, there is insufficient evidence to make a definitive genetic diagnosis. We have established a robust functional patch-clamp assay to facilitate classification of missense variants in KCNH2, one of the key LQTS genes. A curated set of 30 benign and 30 pathogenic missense variants were used to establish the range of normal and abnormal function. The extent to which variants reduced protein function was quantified using Z scores, the number of standard deviations from the mean of the normalized current density of the set of benign variant controls. A Z score of -2 defined the threshold for abnormal loss of function, which corresponds to 55% wild-type function. More extreme Z scores were observed for variants with a greater loss-of-function effect. We propose that the Z score for each variant can be used to inform the application and weighting of abnormal and normal functional evidence criteria (PS3 and BS3) within the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics variant classification framework. The validity of this approach was demonstrated using a series of 18 KCNH2 missense variants detected in a childhood onset LQTS cohort, where the level of function assessed using our assay correlated to the Schwartz score (a scoring system used to quantify the probability of a clinical diagnosis of LQTS) and the length of the corrected QT (QTc) interval.

Differential expression of CD8 defines phenotypically distinct cytotoxic T cells in cancer and multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes take on a leading role in many immune-related diseases. They function as key effector immune cells fighting cancer cells, but they are also considerably involved in autoimmune diseases. Common to both situations, CD8+ T cells need to adapt their metabolism and effector function to the harsh and nutrient-deprived conditions of the disease-associated microenvironment.

METHODS

We used an in vitro starvation as well as rapamycin treatment protocol mimicking nutrient deprivation to generate CD8Low versus CD8High T cells and performed FACS-Sorting followed by transcriptomic profiling of the cytotoxic T cell subsets. Prominent markers identified in the CD8Low versus the CD8High T cells were then used to investigate the presence of these cell subsets in immune-related human diseases. Employing cancer tissue microarrays and PhenOptics multispectral imaging as well as flow cytometry, we studied these CD8+ T cell subsets in cancer and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

RESULTS

Starvation induced a decreased expression of CD8, yielding a CD8Low T cell subpopulation with an altered transcriptomic signature and reduced effector function. CD8Low T cell showed enhanced ST2L and IL6ST (CD130) expression compared to CD8High T cells which expressed elevated KLRD1 (CD94) and granzyme B levels within the tumour microenvironment (TME). Spatial analysis revealed the presence of CD8High T cells in close proximity to tumour cells, while the CD8Low T cells resided at the tumour boundaries. Importantly, the number of tumour-infiltrating CD8Low T lymphocytes correlated with a poor prognosis as well as with enhanced cancer progression in human mammary carcinoma. We also found a reduced frequency of CD8Low T lymphocytes in a cohort of relapse (disease active) multiple sclerosis patients compared to healthy subjects during immune cell starvation in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our data show that functionally distinct cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be identified based on their expression of CD8. Indicating a more general role in CD8 T cell immunity, these cells may play opposing roles in the TME, and also in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil Formulated as Polymeric Micelles Drug Delivery Systems

This study presents phytochemical characterization and biological evaluation of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (OEO) formulated as polymeric micelles drug delivery systems as a possible non-invasive approach for the management of skin tags. GC-MS analysis of Romanian OEO revealed the identification and quantification of 43 volatile compounds (thymol and carvacrol being the main ones). The antioxidant activity was shown by four consecrated methods: CUPRAC, ABTS, ORAC and DPPH. OEO was incorporated by micellar solubilization into a binary hydrogel based on a Pluronic F 127/L 31 block-copolymers mixture. The pH, consistency, spreadability, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of the OEO-loaded poloxamer-based binary hydrogel (OEO-PbH) were investigated. OEO-PbH was skin compatible in terms of pH and exhibited adequate spreadability and consistency. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of the tested OEO were similar to those obtained for the formulation, lower (2.5 µg/mL) for yeast and higher (40-80 µg/mL) for Gram-negative bacilli. As keratinocytes are among main components of skin tags, an in vitro evaluation was conducted in order to see the effect of the formulation against HaCaT human keratinocytes. OEO-PbH decreased HaCaT cells migration and proliferation and elicited a cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effect in a dose- and time-dependent manner. No harmful effect on the viability of dendritic cells (DCs) was detected following the incubation with different concentrations (0-200 µg/mL) of the 5% formulation. Treatment in inflammatory DCs (+LPS) indicated a decrease in cytokine production of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-23 but no significant effect on IL-10 in any of the tested concentrations.

POS0636 PATIENT GROUPS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IDENTIFIED BY DEEP LEARNING RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO BIOLOGIC OR TARGETED SYNTHETIC DISEASE MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS

Background

Cycling of biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients due to non-response is a problem preventing and delaying disease control.

Objectives

To assess and validate treatment response of b/tsDMARDs among RA patient groups identified by deep learning.

Methods

In the Swiss Clinical Quality Management of Rheumatic Diseases registry (SCQM), between 1998 and 2018, we identified all RA patients with a DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (esr) record within 6 months before start of the first b/tsDMARD. This first-time b/tsDMARD was the cohort entry at which patients were clustered through several runs of deep embedded clustering. Features, measured at cohort entry, included demographics, RA disease burden/duration, life-style factors, and other RA medication. To increase robustness of the obtained clusters, we grouped similar patient clusters together (further referred to as groups).

Our outcomes were b/tsDMARD stop due to non-response, and separately a ≥20% reduction in DAS28-esr (RA disease activity in 28 joints using esr measures) as a proxy for treatment response. We followed all patients from cohort entry until b/tsDMARD stop or a maximum of 15 months follow-up. We assessed comparative effectiveness of b/tsDMARDs (ref. adalimumab) using Cox proportional hazard regression in each patient group by estimating hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

We validated results obtained per patient group through stratified analyses according to most distinctive patient characteristics of the respective group, i.e. the characteristics that led to the respective grouping were also used to stratify the overall population by in this validation analysis.

Results

We obtained 24 clusters which comprised between 362 and 1481 patients (among 3516 unique patients). These clusters were grouped into 5 groups according to most distinct characteristics at b/tsDMARD initiation: 1) ≥2 csDMARDs and prednisone use, 2) male sex, 3) seronegativity, female sex, and no prednisone use, 4) rather low disease burden, 5) seropositivity, female sex, and a rather high disease burden/duration.

Comparative effectiveness results among validation strata confirmed comparative effectiveness results observed among the 5 groups: Patients with ≥2 csDMARDs and prednisone at b/tsDMARD initiation, men, as well as patients with a lower disease burden responded better to tocilizumab than to adalimumab (HRs of reaching ≥20% reduction in DAS28-esr: 5.46, 95% CI [1.76-16.94], HR 8.44 [3.43-20.74], and HR 3.64 [2.04-6.49], respectively). Furthermore, seronegative women without use of prednisone at b/tsDMARD initiation as well as seropositive women with a higher disease burden and longer disease duration had a higher risk of non-response with golimumab (HRs of b/tsDMARD discontinuation: 2.36 [1.03-5.40] and HR 5.27 [2.10-13.21], respectively) than with adalimumab.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that RA patient groups identified by deep learning may respond differently to individual first-line b/tsDMARDs. Thus, our results can possibly support the decision on the best choice of first-time b/tsDMARD for certain RA patients, which is a step forward towards personalizing treatment. However, further research in other cohorts is needed to verify our results.

Acknowledgements

We thank all patients and rheumatologists contributing to the SCQM registry, as well as the entire SCQM staff. A list of rheumatology offices and hospitals which contribute to the SCQM registry can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/institutions. A list of financial supporters of SCQM can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/sponsors. The professorship of Andrea M Burden is partially supported by PharmaSuisse and the ETH Foundation.

Disclosure of Interests

Maria Kalweit: None declared, Andrea Michelle Burden: None declared, Thomas Hügle Speakers bureau: Novartis, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Paid instructor for: Abbvie, Menarini, Consultant of: Janssen, Eli Lilly, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Menarini, Pfizer, Theresa Burkard: None declared

POS1072 OBESITY AND LOWER LIKELIHOOD OF ACHIEVING MINIMAL DISEASE ACTIVITY AND REMISSION IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background

Among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), obesity is a common comorbidity, and it is associated with difficulted disease management. This may be explained by the understanding of obesity as a low-grade inflammatory disease, which shares pathological pathway with PsA.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the impact of elevated body mass index (BMI) on the achievement of successful clinical outcomes in PsA patients within one-year after starting their first biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD).

Methods

This observational cohort study was performed using data from the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases (SCQM) registry (from 1997 to July 31st 2019), and it included adult PsA patients starting their first b/tsDMARD. Patients were classified according to their BMI as normal weight (BMI <25), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9), and obese (BMI ≥30). Overweight and obese patients were compared to the normal weight group (reference group). Logistic regression (crude and adjusted by confounders) was used to assess the impact of elevated BMI category on the achievement of clinical outcomes at ≤12-months after start of the patient’s first b/tsDMARD. These clinical outcomes included Minimal Disease Activity (MDA), as well as remission defined by Disease Activity for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), clinical DAPSA, and 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28). Similarly, the likelihood of treatment persistence at one year was compared between the overweight and obese groups vs the normal weight group. Additionally, the overlapping or accordance across the study outcomes was investigated.

Results

The study included 306 (39.53%) normal weight, 285 (36.82%) overweight, and 183 (23.64%) obese patients. Compared to the normal weight group, obese patients had lower odds of achieving MDA at ≤12-months (Adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-0.82). This was consistent with the observed reduced odds of achieving DAPSA remission (ORadj 0.42, 95%CI 0.21-0.85), clinical DAPSA remission (ORadj 0.51, 95%CI 0.27-0.96), and DAS28 remission (ORadj 0.51, 95%CI 0.32-0.81) in obese vs normal weight patients. No differences were observed in treatment persistence across the BMI strata. And there was high overlap between achievement of MDA and clinical DAPSA remission.

Conclusion

Among PsA patients starting b/tsDMARDs, obesity was associated with ca. 50% reduced odds of achieving MDA and remission in comparison to normal weight patients, while it did not impact treatment persistence.

Acknowledgements

We thank all patients and rheumatologists contributing to the SCQM registry, as well as the entire SCQM staff. A list of rheumatology offices and hospitals which contribute to the SCQM registry can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/institutions. A list of financial supporters of SCQM can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/sponsors. We would like to add a personal thank you to Axel Finckh (University Hospitals of Geneva) for his input regarding the database. AMB acknowledges that her professorship is partly endowed by the Swiss National Pharmacy Association (PharmaSuisse) and the ETH Foundation.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0572 ARE WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS REALLY LESS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE REMISSION WITH BIOLOGICS? A COHORT STUDY IN THE SWISS CLINICAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT COHORT

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects women three time more frequently than men. However, compared to men, women may have a lower likelihood of achieving clinical response, but data related to this topic are controversial.

Objectives

We aimed to compare the likelihood of achieving remission across men and women with RA, who started their first biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b/tsDMARDs).

Methods

This observational cohort study in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases (SCQM) registry included adult RA patients who started their first b/tsDMARDs (from 1997 to 31/April/2018). Patient characteristics at start of the b/tsDMARD were compared between men and women. Subsequently, logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of achieving remission during the first year after b/tsDMARDs start, defined by disease activity score 28 (DAS28) <2.6, in men compared to women (reference group). Secondary analyses were adjusted for age and seropositivity as prognostic factors, and we investigated the role of potential mediators or factors that could explain the findings from the main analysis.

Results

The study included 3722 RA patients, of which 2839 (76.3%) were women and 883 (23.7%) were men. Compared to women, men were older at diagnosis and start of b/tsDMARDs, and had shorter time from diagnosis to their first b/tsDMARD (3.4 vs 5.0 years, p<0.001). At baseline (b/tsDMARD initiation), women had significantly more active disease activity (DAS28) and worse patient-reported outcomes (Health Assessment Questionnaire, tender joints). Concomitant osteoporosis and depression/anxiety were more frequent among women, while men had more frequent diabetes and prior or current smoking record. Physician’s global disease assessment and swollen joints were similar across groups. Compared to women, men were 21% more likely to achieve DAS28-remission, with an odds ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.42. Secondary analyses adjusting by for age and seropositivity did not change the findings (adjusted OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.46). Our analyses of potential mediators suggested that the observed effect may be explained by the shorter disease duration and lower DAS28 at treatment initiation in men vs women.

Conclusion

Men started b/tsDMARDs at an earlier stage of disease than women, particularly regarding disease duration and disease activity (DAS28) at b/tsDMARD initiation, and they presented higher odds of remission. This highlights the importance of an earlier treatment, and it suggests to target an earlier stage of disease in women to match the benefits observed in men.

Acknowledgements

We thank all patients and rheumatologists contributing to the SCQM registry, as well as the entire SCQM staff. A list of rheumatology offices and hospitals which contribute to the SCQM registry can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/institutions. A list of financial supporters of SCQM can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/sponsors. We would like to add a personal thank you to Axel Finckh (University Hospitals of Geneva) for his input regarding the database. AMB acknowledges that her professorship is partly endowed by the Swiss National Pharmacy Association (PharmaSuisse) and the ETH Foundation.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared.

Pilot study of comparability of a smartphone blood pressure monitoring algorithm to conventional cuff-based blood pressure measurements

Background/Introduction

There is a growing market for smartphone applications (apps), offering medical assessments such as blood pressure measurements (BPM). These apps have the potential to improve blood pressure (BP) control by making BPM broadly and easily accessible. Yet, to be suitable for clinical and diagnostic purposes, BPM measured with smartphone apps need to be comparable to conventional BPM.

Purpose

We sought to compare a novel photoplethysmographic BPM algorithm used in a smartphone app to conventional cuff-based BPM.

Methods

We included consecutive patients with an indication for ambulatory BPM. Office blood pressure measurements (OBPM) were taken with an oscillometric cuff-based device (Welch Allyn SureBP). The algorithm of the smartphone app detects the pulse wave in finger capillaries using the phone's camera and estimates BP based on the form of the pulse wave. Before estimating a BP value, the algorithm performs a quality assessment to automatically reject recordings with insufficient quality. On the first day (D1), we took 6 OBPM alternating with 5 smartphone BPM (TestBP). On the second day (D2), 4 OBPM alternating with 3 TestBP were measured. TestBP calibrated based on the first OBPM of D1. Each TestBP was then compared to its RefBP (defined as mean of the previous and following OBPM).

Results

50 patients were included in the study, resulting in 50 TestBP values on D1 and 33 on D2. There was no difference at the 5% significance level between the TestBP and RefBP distributions on both days, and for both systolic and diastolic pressures. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the differences between TestBP and RefBP was 0.7±9.4 / 1.0±4.5 mmHg on D1 and 2.6±8.2 / 1.3±4.1 mmHg on D2 for systolic/diastolic values, respectively. The number of TestBP measurements within 5, 10 and 15 mmHg from RefBP are shown in Table 1. Bland-Altman plots depicting the agreement between TestBP and RefBP are shown in Figure 1.

Conclusion

This smartphone algorithm shows comparable values to oscillometric cuff-based especially diastolic values. Its differences between TestBP – RefBP have a good stability 1 day after calibration. Before clinical use, this algorithm needs to undergo formal validation against a reference BP method accepted by international standards (auscultatory or invasive methods).

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique Table 1Figure 1

Enhanced CXCR4 Expression of Human CD8Low T Lymphocytes Is Driven by S1P4

Although the human immune response to cancer is naturally potent, it can be severely disrupted as a result of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Infiltrating regulatory T lymphocytes contribute to this immunosuppression by inhibiting proliferation of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, which are key to an effective anti-cancer immune response. Other important contributory factors are thought to include metabolic stress caused by the local nutrient deprivation common to many solid tumors. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), an alarmin released in reaction to cell damage, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are known to control cell positioning and differentiation of T lymphocytes. In an in vitro model of nutrient deprivation, we investigated the influence of IL-33 and S1P receptor 4 (S1P₄) on the differentiation and migration of human CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. Serum starvation of CD8⁺ T lymphocytes induced a subset of CD8^Low and IL-33 receptor-positive (ST2L⁺) cells characterized by enhanced expression of the regulatory T cell markers CD38 and CD39. Both S1P₁ and S1P₄ were transcriptionally regulated after stimulation with IL-33. Moreover, expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 was increased in CD8⁺ T lymphocytes treated with the selective S1P₄ receptor agonist CYM50308. We conclude that nutrient deprivation promotes CD8^Low T lymphocytes, contributing to an immunosuppressive microenvironment and a poor anti-cancer immune response by limiting cytotoxic effector functions. Our results suggest that S1P₄ signaling modulation may be a promising target for anti-CXCR4 cancer immunotherapy.

Virucidal efficacy of an ozone-generating system for automated room disinfection

Besides conventional prevention measures, no-touch technologies based on gaseous systems have been introduced in hospital hygiene for room disinfection. The whole-room disinfectant device Sterisafe Pro, which creates ozone as a biocidal agent, was tested for its virucidal efficacy based on Association Française de Normalisation Standard NF T 72-281:2014. All test virus titres were reduced after 150 and 300 min of decontamination, with mean reduction factors ranging from 2.63 (murine norovirus) to 3.94 (simian virus 40). These results will help to establish realistic conditions for virus inactivation, and assessment of the efficacy of ozone technology against non-enveloped and enveloped viruses.

POS1383 THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BARIATRIC SURGERY AND DUPUYTREN DISEASE: A COHORT STUDY FROM SWEDISH NATIONWIDE HEALTHCARE REGISTRIES

Background:

Dupuytren disease (DD) is multifactorial, with several genetic and environmental risk factors contributing to disease susceptibility. High body mass index, however, was suggested to be protective of DD.1 The impact of weight loss among obese patients on DD has not been assessed to date.

Objectives:

To assess the association between bariatric surgery and DD in a secondary care setting.

Methods:

We performed a propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study using data from Swedish nationwide healthcare registries (patient registry [secondary care], causes of death registry, prescribed drug registry). Patients aged 30-79 years who underwent bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019 were matched to up to 2 obese bariatric surgery-free patients (called unexposed patients) based on their PS. PS-matching was carried out in risk set sampling to reduce selection bias, within 4 sequential cohort entry blocks to account for time trend biases. The outcome DD was defined as a diagnosis of DD in secondary care or partial or total fasciotomy of wrist or hand. After a 1-year run-in period, patients were followed in an “as-treated” approach. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incident DD among bariatric surgery patients when compared to obese unexposed patients overall, and in subgroups of age, sex, bariatric surgery type, and by duration of follow-up.

Results:

A total of 34 959 bariatric surgery patients were PS-matched to 54 769 obese unexposed patients. A total of 71.6% of bariatric surgery patients were women. Bariatric surgery patients had a mean age of 45.5 years and a mean follow-up of 6.9 years. All patient characteristics in obese unexposed patients were highly similar. We observed 126 and 136 severe DD cases among bariatric surgery and obese unexposed patients, respectively. The risk of DD was significantly increased in bariatric surgery patients compared to obese unexposed patients (HR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.02-1.65). The risk of DD was higher in women (HR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.00-1.84) than in men (HR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.70-1.58). Age did not modify the risk of DD among bariatric surgery patients compared to obese unexposed patients. Malabsorptive bariatric surgery yielded an increased risk of DD when compared to obese unexposed patients (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71), while restrictive bariatric surgery yielded a null result. The risk of DD increased with duration of follow-up (>5 years of follow-up: HR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.14-2.34, null result in earlier follow-up).

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that substantial weight loss is associated with a latent increased risk of severe DD in an obese population. This observation further strengthens current evidence that high body mass index is protective against DD. The latency of risk increase of DD after bariatric surgery may suggest that slowly adapting metabolic changes may be part of the mechanism of DD emergence.

References:

[1]Hacquebord JH, Chiu VY, Harness NG. The Risk of Dupuytren Surgery in Obese Individuals. J Hand Surg Am. 2017, 42: 149–55.

Acknowledgements:

We thank Prof. Dr. Jesper Lagergren (Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) for hosting Dr. Theresa Burkard for a research stay at the Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Group and making the data available for use. Furthermore, we thank Dr. Giola Santoni (Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) for her technical support.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0122 THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASE MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUGS AND INCIDENT, AND PROGRESSION OF, RADIOGRAPHIC HAND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background:

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by bone erosions, joint space remodeling, and new bone formation mainly in distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints and thereby differs from hand manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are conflicting data about the benefit of treatment with conventional synthetic (cs) and biologic (b) disease modifying anti-rheumatic treatment (DMARD) on DIP OA.

Objectives:

To assess the associations between DMARDs and incident, and progression of, radiographic DIP OA in RA patients.

Methods:

We performed two observational cohort studies in the longitudinal Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases registry (SCQM) between 1997 and 2014. RA patients who had ≥2 eligible hand radiographs were included at their first eligible radiograph (baseline) and were followed until the outcome or their last eligible radiograph. Radiographs were eligible if all 8 DIP joints could be scored. Modified Kellgren-Lawrence scores (KLS) were obtained by evaluating DIP joints for severity of osteophytes, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and erosions. Incident/existing DIP OA was defined as KLS ≥2 in ≥1 DIP joint. Progression of existing DIP OA was defined as an increase of ≥1 in KLS in ≥1 DIP joint. We divided the study population into two cohorts based on whether DIP OA was present or absent at cohort entry (cohorts 1 and 2, respectively). Exposure status was defined time-dependently into mutually exclusive exposure groups: csDMARD monotherapy, bDMARD monotherapy, bDMARD/csDMARD combination therapy, past bDMARD/csDMARD therapy, or never DMARD use. Cox time-varying proportional hazard regression analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of DIP OA progression (cohort 1) or DIP OA incidence (cohort 2) associated with DMARD exposure categories (csDMARD monotherapy was the reference group because it was the largest group). Exposure and covariate information were extracted at every radiograph and other visit date. Missing covariate information was imputed using multiple imputation by chained equations. In sensitivity analyses, we repeated all analyses using generalised estimation equations (GEE).

Results:

Among 2234 RA patients with 5928 eligible radiographs, 1340 patients had radiographic DIP OA at cohort entry (cohort 1) and 894 were DIP OA naïve (cohort 2). In cohort 1, radiographic progression of existing DIP OA was characterized by new osteophyte formation (666, 52.4%), followed by joint space narrowing (379, 27.5%), subchondral sclerosis (238, 17.8%), and erosion (62, 4.3%). bDMARD monotherapy was associated with an increased risk of radiographic DIP OA progression compared to csDMARD monotherapy (adjusted HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.69). The risk of DIP OA progression was not significant in csDMARD/bDMARD combination therapy users (adjusted HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.96–1.31), absent in past DMARD users (adjusted HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.66–1.41), and significantly lower among never DMARD users (adjusted HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.90), compared to csDMARD monotherapy users. In cohort 2, the risk of incident OA did not differ materially between treatment groups. Results from GEE analyses corroborated all findings.

Conclusion:

Our results from this real-world RA cohort suggest that monotherapy with bDMARDs is not associated with incident DIP OA but may increase the risk of radiographic progression of existing DIP OA when compared to csDMARDs.

Acknowledgements:

We thank all patients and rheumatologists involved for their contribution to the SCQM RA cohort. A list of rheumatology offices and hospitals that contribute to the SCQM registry can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/institutions. The SCQM is financially supported by pharmaceutical industries and donors. A list of financial supporters can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/sponsors.

Disclosure of Interests:

Theresa Burkard: None declared, Christian Lechtenboehmer: None declared, Stephan Reichenbach: None declared, Monika Hebeisen: None declared, Ulrich Walker: None declared, Andrea Michelle Burden: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: GSK, Jansen, Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis, Roche, MSD, Sanofi, BMS, Eli Lilly, UCB

AB0206 DESCRIPTION AND FOLLOW-UP OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WHO STOPPED B/TSDMARD THERAPY, STRATIFIED BY CESSATION REASON

Background:

Biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD) may be stopped for several reasons such as non-response, adverse events, remission, or other reasons (e.g. major surgery). Understanding the reasons and consequences of b/tsDMARD therapy cessation may contribute towards therapy decision guidance. Moreover, identifying patient characteristics leading to the re-start of b/tsDMARD therapy may guide decision-making as to which patients should remain on continuous b/tsDMARD therapy versus who may potentially stop b/tsDMARD therapy.

Objectives:

To describe and follow rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who stopped b/tsDMARD therapy, stratified by cessation reason.

Methods:

We conducted a descriptive cohort study among adult RA patients in the longitudinal Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases (SCQM) between 1997 and 2019. RA patients who stopped their first b/tsDMARD therapy were eligible, with therapy stop date defining cohort entry. We followed all eligible patients from cohort entry until b/tsDMARD re-start (the outcome) or censoring due to end of patient record. All analyses were carried out stratified by cessation reason (non-response, adverse events, remission, other reasons, unknown reasons). We described patient characteristics (demographics, lifestyle factors, clinical information, other medication use, relevant comorbidities) at cohort entry. Furthermore, we estimated Kaplan Meier curves to describe differences in cumulative incidences of b/tsDMARD re-start. Finally, we assessed patient characteristics at b/tsDMARD re-start and compared them with those at cohort entry.

Results:

Among 2559 eligible RA patients, the majority stopped their b/tsDMARD due to non-response (982, 38%), followed by adverse events (475, 19%), other reasons (445, 17%), unknown reasons (444, 17%), and remission (213, 8%). Mean age at b/tsDMARD stop was around 56.2 years except in patients who stopped due to remission (mean age of 58.1 years). The majority of patients were women (78%), stopping due to an adverse event had the highest proportion of women (84%), stopping due to remission had the lowest proportion of women (70%). Compared to patients who stopped b/tsDMARD therapy due to non-response or adverse events, patients who stopped due to remission were generally more physically active, better educated, less likely to have a family history of rheumatic diseases, and had shorter median disease duration. A total of 2086 patients (82%) re-started b/tsDMARD therapy during follow-up. Of these, the majority did so after stopping due to non-response (94%), followed by adverse events (82%), unknown reasons (79%), other reasons (74%), and remission (47%). The median cumulative incidence of re-starting b/tsDMARD therapy was shortest after non-response (30 days), followed by unknown reasons (31 days), adverse events (94 days), other reasons (212 days), and remission (1597 days). The population who stopped b/tsDMARD therapy due to remission or other reasons yielded increased RA disease activity and an increase in proportions of women, cardiac diseases, degenerative joint disease, other auto-immune diseases, and of patients with family history of rheumatic diseases at the date of b/tsDMARD re-start. However, among patients who stopped b/tsDMARD therapy due to non-response or adverse events, patient characteristics at b/tsDMARD re-start were unchanged compared to those at b/tsDMARD stop.

Conclusion:

Observed differences in patient characteristics at b/tsDMARD stop may yield insight into why the patient was not responding, had an adverse event, or achieved remission. Observed changes in patient characteristics from the date of b/tsDMARD stop to re-start identified which ones may lead to a worsening of RA activity in the absence of b/tsDMARD therapy.

Acknowledgements:

We would like to thank Dr. Almut Scherer, Monika Hebeisen, and Eleftherios Papagiannoulis from SCQM for providing the data and answering questions thereto. A list of rheumatology offices and hospitals that are contributing to the SCQM registries can be found on www.scqm.ch/institutions. The SCQM is financially supported by pharmaceutical industries and donors. A list of financial supporters can be found on www.scqm.ch/sponsors.

Disclosure of Interests:

Theresa Burkard: None declared, Enriqueta Vallejo-Yagüe: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: GSK, Jansen, Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis, Roche, MSD, Sanofi, BMS, Eli Lilly, UCB, Axel Finckh Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Eli-Lilly, Paid instructor for: Pfizer, Eli-Lilly, Consultant of: Pfizer, BMS, Novartis, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, AB2Bio, BMS, Gilead, Pfizer, Viatris, Andrea Michelle Burden: None declared

POS0212 COMPARISON OF PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT PATTERNS ACROSS BODY MASS INDEX CATEGORIES IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

Higher prevalence of obesity has been observed in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) versus the general population, and abnormal body mass index has been associated with worse rheumatic markers.

Objectives:

To describe PsA and RA patients in Switzerland, stratified by body mass index (BMI) category.

Methods:

We performed a descriptive cohort study in PsA and RA patients registered in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management in Rheumatic Diseases (SCQM) database. Two distinct cohorts were generated based on patient diagnosis (PsA or RA) and analysed separately but using similar approaches. In both cohorts, we included patients treated for the first time with biologics or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs), and considered the treatment start as index date. Patients without baseline BMI were excluded. Patients were stratified by BMI category at the start of biologic/tsDMARD treatment, defined as underweight (BMI<18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9), and obese (BMI≥30). In the PsA cohort, underweight and normal weight groups were merged due to low numbers. The proportion of patients categorized as overweight or underweight were compared to national statistics from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. Information on patient demographics (e.g., age, sex, BMI, life-habits), disease-specific characteristics (e.g., disease activity scores, health questionnaires, biomarkers), co-medications and comorbidities were summarized at the start of the first biologic/tsDMARD treatment. Patient characteristics across BMI categories were compared, using the normal weight category as reference group. Additionally, we summarized the frequency and reasons for recorded treatment stop/switch at ≤6 months, 6 to 12 months, and >12months from treatment start, and illustrated the prescription patterns for first and second biologic/tsDMARD treatment, stratifying by BMI.

Results:

We identified 819 PsA [39.7% normal weight, 36.5% overweight, 23.8% obese] and 3217 RA patients [4.4% underweight, 46.8% normal weight, 31.8% overweight, 17.0% obese]. Figure 1 illustrates the prevalence of overweight and obesity in each cohort stratified by sex, compared to the national average. When comparing obese patients to those with normal weight, both PsA and RA obese patients had significantly higher C-reactive protein, worse disease activity score, lower quality of life (QoL) measures, and more frequent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Among PsA patients, the overweight and obese had worse physician-assessed skin manifestation and patient-reported pain compared to the normal weight group. While in RA, the obese patients had higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, smaller prevalence of seropositive patients, lower frequency of fractures/surgeries, and higher tender joint counts, but similar swollen joint counts, when compared to the normal weight group.

Adalimumab and etanercept, were the most commonly prescribed drugs as first biologic/tsDMARD treatment in both PsA and RA cohorts and among every BMI category. Overall, 55% PsA and 56% RA patients had recorded treatment stop/switch. Among RA patients, significantly fewer obese patients reported treatment stop/switch at >12 months from treatment start, compared to the normal weight group. Adalimumab and etanercept were also the most commonly prescribed second biologic/tsDMARD treatment, but for the obese group among PsA patients (adalimumab, golimumab) and the obese group in the RA cohort (adalimumab, rituximab).

Conclusion:

In this national wide study, we observed that the prevalence of obesity in RA and PsA was higher than that of the general Swiss population. Obese PsA/RA patients starting first biologic/tsDMARD treatment presented worse disease activity and poorer QoL than normal weight patients. Results suggest to take BMI into consideration when treating PsA and RA patients.

Acknowledgements:

We would like to thank all patients and rheumatologists contributing to the SCQM registry, as well as the entire SCQM staff. A list of rheumatology offices and hospitals which contribute to the SCQM registry can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/institutions. The SCQM is financially supported by pharmaceutical industries and donors. A list of financial supporters can be found at http://www.scqm.ch/sponsors.

Disclosure of Interests:

Enriqueta Vallejo-Yagüe: None declared, Theresa Burkard: None declared, Burkhard Moeller Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol Myers, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Merck, Axel Finckh Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Eli-Lilly, Paid instructor for: Pfizer, Eli-Lilly, Consultant of: AbbVie, AB2Bio, BMS, Gilead, Pfizer, Viatris, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, BMS, Novartis, Andrea Michelle Burden: None declared

POS0011 THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BARIATRIC SURGERY AND CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: A COHORT STUDY FROM SWEDISH NATIONWIDE HEALTHCARE REGISTRIES

Background:

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a chronic compression neuropathy caused by entrapment of the median nerve in the wrist causing pain and sensory loss. Prior observational research suggested that obesity increased the risk of CTS. However, the impact of weight loss among obese patients on CTS has not been assessed to date.

Objectives:

To assess the association between bariatric surgery and CTS in a secondary care setting.

Methods:

We performed a propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study using data from Swedish nationwide healthcare registries (patient registry [secondary care], causes of death registry, prescribed drug registry). Patients aged 18-79 years who underwent bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019 were matched to up to 2 obese bariatric surgery-free patients (called unexposed patients) based on their PS. PS-matching was carried out in risk set sampling to reduce selection bias, within 4 sequential cohort entry blocks to account for time trend biases. The outcome CTS was defined as a diagnosis of CTS in secondary care or carpal tunnel decompression surgery. After a 1-year run-in period, patients were followed in an “as-treated” approach. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CTS among bariatric surgery patients when compared to obese unexposed patients overall, and in subgroups of age, sex, bariatric surgery type, and by duration of follow-up.

Results:

A total of 40 619 bariatric surgery patients were PS-matched to 63 540 obese unexposed patients. A total of 72.3% of bariatric surgery patients were women. Bariatric surgery patients had a mean age of 41.7 years and a mean follow-up of 6.8 years. All patient characteristics in obese unexposed patients were highly similar. We observed 1 356 and 1 938 severe CTS cases among bariatric surgery and obese unexposed patients, respectively. Bariatric surgery was not associated overall with CTS (HR of 0.98, 95% CI 0.91-1.05). However, the risk of CTS seemed to decrease with age at bariatric surgery – the lowest CTS risk was observed among bariatric surgery patients aged 18-34 years (HR of 0.87, 95% CI 0.74-1.01), when compared to obese unexposed patients. Sex did not modify the risk of CTS among bariatric surgery patients compared to obese unexposed patients. Restrictive bariatric surgery yielded lower risks of CTS (HRs of 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.88) than did malabsorptive bariatric surgery (HR of 0.95, 95% CI 0.88-1.02) when compared to obese unexposed patients. The risk of CTS increased with duration of follow-up. The lowest risk was observed 1-3 years after bariatric surgery (HR of 0.77, 95% CI 0.68-0.88) and the highest risk 6-13 years after bariatric surgery (HR of 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36) when compared to obese unexposed patients.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that substantial weight loss is not overall associated with severe CTS in an obese patient population. However, bariatric surgery was associated with an initial decreased risk of CTS after bariatric surgery followed by an increased risk in later follow-up. Furthermore, restrictive bariatric surgery but not malapsorptive bariatric surgery was associated with a decreased risk of CTS.

Acknowledgements:

We thank Prof. Dr. Jesper Lagergren (Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) for hosting Dr. Theresa Burkard for a research stay at the Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Group and making the data available for use. Furthermore, we thank Dr. Giola Santoni (Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) for her technical support.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared.

OP0106 THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN BARIATRIC SURGERY AND HIP OR KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, AND HIP OR KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A COHORT STUDY FROM SWEDISH NATIONWIDE HEALTHCARE REGISTRIES

Background:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a slowly developing chronic joint disease mainly characterized by joint pain which may lead to physical disability. OA in weight bearing joints, such as the hip and knee, was suggested to be susceptible to high body weight. In end-stage disease, hip and knee OA are often treated with arthroplasty. The impact of weight loss among obese patients on hip and knee arthroplasty has not been assessed to date.

Objectives:

To assess the association between bariatric surgery and hip or knee arthroplasty. As a secondary aim, we assessed the association between bariatric surgery and hip or knee OA in a secondary care setting.

Methods:

We performed a propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study using data from Swedish nationwide healthcare registries (patient registry [secondary care], causes of death registry, prescribed drug registry). Patients aged 18-79 years who underwent bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019 were matched to up to 2 obese bariatric surgery free patients (called unexposed patients) based on their PS. PS-matching was carried out in risk set sampling to reduce selection bias, within 4 sequential cohort entry blocks to account for time trend biases. The primary outcome was hip or knee arthroplasty. The secondary outcome was a diagnosis of hip or knee OA in secondary care. We excluded patients with differential indications for arthroplasty or OA (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis). After a 1-year run-in period, patients were followed in an “as-treated” approach until the outcome or censoring due to onset of an exclusion criterion, change of exposure status, or end of study period. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hip or knee arthroplasty, and separately of hip or knee OA, among bariatric surgery patients when compared to obese unexposed patients. Additionally, we performed analyses in subgroups of age, sex, joint location, bariatric surgery type, and by duration of follow-up.

Results:

A total of 39 392 bariatric surgery patients were PS-matched to 61 085 obese unexposed patients. The study population had a mean age of 42 years, a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, and 72.5% of patients were women. We observed 1138 and 1108 hip or knee arthroplasties among bariatric surgery and obese unexposed patients, respectively. We observed an overall increased risk of hip or knee arthroplasty among bariatric surgery patients (HR of 1.43, 95% CI 1.32-1.55), compared to obese unexposed patients. The risk for knee arthroplasty was higher than that for hip arthroplasty among bariatric surgery patients (HR of 1.58, 95% CI 1.42-1.76, and HR of 1.21, 95% CI 1.06-1.39, respectively). Patients who underwent combined malabsorptive and restrictive bariatric surgery yielded highest risks of hip or knee arthroplasty (HR of 3.58, 95% CI 1.34-9.54). Risks of hip or knee arthroplasty decreased with duration of follow-up (highest risks 1-3 years post-bariatric surgery, HR of 1.79, 95% CI 1.56-2.07). In secondary analyses, risks of secondary care hip or knee OA were decreased among bariatric surgery versus obese unexposed patients (HR of 0.84, 95% CI 0.79-0.90). We observed lower risks for knee OA (HR of 0.82, 95% CI 0.76-0.88) than for hip OA (HR of 0.90, 95% CI 0.79-1.01) and observed lowest risks of hip or knee OA in early follow-up (1-3 years post-bariatric surgery) with a HR of 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.88, stable thereafter at a HR of 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.97.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that substantial weight loss among obese patients is associated with decreased risks of secondary care hip and knee OA. Increased risks of hip and knee arthroplasty after bariatric surgery are likely the result of increased operability of patients who have lost a substantial amount of excess body weight. Stronger associations for the knee than for the hip in both arthroplasty and OA are consistent with existing literature suggesting a stronger impact of body weight on knee than on hip joints.

Acknowledgements:

We thank Prof. Dr. Jesper Lagergren (Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) for hosting Dr. Theresa Burkard for a research stay at the Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Group and making the data available for use. Furthermore, we thank Dr. Giola Santoni (Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) for her technical support.

Disclosure of Interests:

Theresa Burkard: None declared, Dag Holmberg: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: GSK, Jansen, Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis, Roche, MSD, Sanofi, BMS, Eli Lilly, UCB, Andrea Michelle Burden: None declared

Nichtrauchen ist clever: a smoking prevention program for schoolchildren and what we learn from the kids

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): PFIZER: unrestricted medical grant

Background

Tobacco consumption is an important preventable cause of premature death worldwide. Nevertheless, smoking is still common, globally. Smoking in adulthood is closely associated with smoking during adolescence. Therefore, as a global epidemic, tobacco consumption must not only be tackled in adults, but it is particularly important to focus on smoking prevention among young people.

Purpose

In 2014, a hospital-based smoking prevention program "Nichtrauchen ist clever!" (NIC!) for adolescents was initiated, consisting of three parts: namely a workshop, a film, and a patient interview. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acceptance of the program, and to explore participants’ awareness on smoking related diseases and factors that promote smoking initiation.

Methods

We performed an observational study to evaluate students’ acceptance of the program and their smoking habits, and a qualitative approach, to assess their view on reasons for smoking initiation and their knowledge about smoking-related diseases.

Results

Between January 2016 and December 2019, 1658 students participated our observational study with a mean age of 13.3 years (SD ±0.9). Twenty-six percent (429/1658) have already tried tobacco products (so called triers), specifically cigarettes, electronic (e)-cigarettes, and shisha. Use of e-cigarettes was most popular among triers 58% (252/429). All parts of the program were widely rated as good and excellent, and 88% (1408/1604) of participants reported they had acquired good or excellent knowledge about smoking.

Particularly lung cancer, cancer in general and heart diseases were frequently mentioned to be smoking related; peer pressure, stress and coolness were identified as reasons for smoking initiation. The influence of marketing and multimedia on smoking behaviour in the young was barely noticed.

Conclusion

NIC!" had a high acceptance among the participants and a large number of students reported relevant knowledge gain. We identified important knowledge-gaps relating smoking initiation and smoking related diseases, helping to improve further smoking prevention approaches.

A comprehensive secondary prevention benchmark (2PBM) score identifying differences in secondary prevention care in patients after acute coronary syndrome

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Unrestricted grands from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi

Background

Reaching secondary prevention targets improves long-term prognosis in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although prevention targets are defined by guidelines, their achievement rates are insufficiently documented. Suitable benchmarking tools are lacking.

Purpose

 We aimed to determine the degree of secondary prevention care by creating a secondary prevention benchmark score (2PBM) and using it in patients undergoing ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after an acute coronary syndrome. 

Methods

In this observational cohort study, 472 consecutive ACS patients who completed the local ambulatory CR programme between 2017-2019 were included. Benchmarks for secondary prevention medication, clinical and lifestyle targets were predefined and combined in the complete 2PBM with maximum 10 points. The association of patient characteristics and achievement rates of individual components and the complete 2PBM were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. 

Results

Patients were on average 62 ± 11 years old and predominantly male (n = 406; 86%). Type of ACS was ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 241 patients (51%) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 216 patients (46%). Achievement rates for individual components of the 2PBM were 71% for medication, 35% for clinical and 61% for lifestyle benchmarks. Achievement of medication benchmark was associated with younger age [odds ratio (OR): 0.979, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.959-0.996, p = 0.021] and history of STEMI [OR: 2.05, 95% CI 1.35-3.12, p = 0.001]. Achievement of clinical benchmark was associated with medication benchmark [OR: 1.66, 95% CI 1.03-2.71, p = 0.042]. The complete 2PBM was achieved by 74 patients (16%), while 362 patients (77%) reached ≥8 points. Achievement of complete 2PBM was independently associated with a history of STEMI [OR: 1.79, 95 CI 1.06-3.08 p = 0.032]. 

Conclusion

Benchmarking with 2PBM identifies gaps and achievements in secondary prevention care. A history of STEMI was associated with the highest 2PBM score, suggesting best secondary prevention care in patients after STEMI. 2PBM may be used for internal quality control, comparison of cohorts and future correlation studies between CR targets and outcomes.

Abstract Figure.

Reclassification of genetic variants in children with long QT syndrome

Background

Genes encoding cardiac ion channels or regulating proteins have been associated with the inherited form of long QT syndrome (LQTS). Complex pathophysiology and missing functional studies, however, often bedevil variant interpretation and classification. We aimed to evaluate the rate of change in variant classification based on current interpretation standards and dependent on clinical findings.

Methods

Medical charts of children with a molecular genetic diagnosis of LQTS presenting at our centers were retrospectively reviewed. Reinterpretation of originally reported variants in genes associated with LQTS was performed based on current knowledge (March 2019) and according to the “Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants” by the ACMG 2015.

Results

About 84 distinct (likely) pathogenic variants identified in 127 patients were reinterpreted. In 12 variants (12/84, 14.3%), classification changed from (likely) pathogenic to variant of unknown significance (VUS). One of these variants was a hypomorphic allele escaping the standard variant classification. Individuals with variants that downgraded to VUS after reevaluation showed significantly lower Schwartz scores and QTc intervals compared to individuals with unchanged variant characterization.

Conclusion

This finding confirms genetic variant interpretation as a dynamic process and underlines the importance of ongoing genetic counseling, especially in LQTS patients with minor clinical criteria.

Prognostic impact of systemic inflammatory diseases in elderly patients with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Inflammation is part of the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure (CHF). However, little is known about the impact of the presence of systemic inflammatory disease (SID), defined as inflammatory syndrome with constitutional symptoms and involvement of at least two organs as co-morbidity on the clinical course and prognosis of patients with CHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is an analysis of all 622 patients included in TIME-CHF. After an 18 months follow-up, outcomes of patients with and without SID were compared. Primary endpoint was all-cause hospitalization free survival. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and CHF hospitalization free survival. At baseline, 38 patients had history of SID (6.1%). These patients had higher N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide and worse renal function than patients without SID. SID was a risk factor for adverse outcome [primary endpoint: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.18-2.55, P = 0.005); survival: HR = 2.60 (1.49-4.55, P = 0.001); CHF hospitalization free survival: HR = 2.3 (1.45-3.65, P < 0.001)]. In multivariate models, SID remained the strongest independent risk factor for survival and CHF hospitalization free survival.

CONCLUSION

In elderly patients with CHF, SID is independently accompanied with adverse outcome. Given the increasing prevalence of SID in the elderly population, these findings are clinically important for both risk stratification and patient management.

Combined clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor therapy is associated with higher cardiovascular event rates after percutaneous coronary intervention: a report from the BASKET trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there is an increased risk of cardiac events with a combined therapy of clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DESIGN

In the BAsel Stent Kosten Effektivitäts Trial (BASKET), all patients undergoing PCI received 6 months of clopidogrel and were analysed for the use of PPI therapy. Endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), myocardial infarction (MI), death and target vessel revascularization (TVR) after 36 months.

RESULTS

Of 801 patients with available discharge medication data, 109 (14%) received PPIs. Patients who received PPIs were older (66.5 ± 10.5 vs. 63.3 ± 11.3 years, P = 0.006), more likely to be woman (80% vs. 69%, P = 0.009) and have a history of diabetes (29.6% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.002) or gastrointestinal ulcer disease (8.3% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.015) and more often received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (7.3% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.003) and corticosteroids (11% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.001) but not aspirin (91.7% vs. 97%, P = 0.008) compared with those who did not receive PPIs. Patients who received PPI therapy had higher rates of MACE (30.3% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.027) and MI (14.7% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.01) but similar rates of death (9.2% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.51) and TVR (20.2% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.2) compared with those who did not. By multivariate analysis, diabetes (hazard ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.07-3.15) and PPI use (hazard ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.37) were the only independent risk factors for MI.

CONCLUSION

In a real-world PCI population, the combination of PPIs and clopidogrel was associated with a doubling of MI rates after 3 years. Even after correction for confounding factors, concomitant PPI use remained an independent predictor of outcome emphasizing the clinical importance of this drug-drug interaction.

Physical illness and schizophrenia: a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The lifespan of people with schizophrenia is shortened compared to the general population. We reviewed the literature on comorbid physical diseases in schizophrenia to provide a basis for initiatives to fight this unacceptable situation.

METHOD

We searched MEDLINE (1966 - May 2006) combining the MeSH term of schizophrenia with the 23 MeSH terms of general physical disease categories to identify relevant epidemiological studies.

RESULTS

A total of 44 202 abstracts were screened. People with schizophrenia have higher prevalences of HIV infection and hepatitis, osteoporosis, altered pain sensitivity, sexual dysfunction, obstetric complications, cardiovascular diseases, overweight, diabetes, dental problems, and polydipsia than the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis and cancer may occur less frequently than in the general population. Eighty-six per cent of the studies came from industrialized countries limiting the generalizability of the findings.

CONCLUSION

The increased frequency of physical diseases in schizophrenia might be on account of factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment, but undoubtedly also results from the unsatisfactory organization of health services, from the attitudes of medical doctors, and the social stigma ascribed to the schizophrenic patients.

[Drug-induced microscopic colitis]

Wir berichten über eine 78-jährige Patientin mit chronischer Diarrhoe. Bioptisch wurde die Verdachtsdiagnose einer mikroskopischen Kolitis unklarer Ätiologie gestellt. Als Ursachen der mikroskopischen Kolitis werden in der Literatur neben verschiedenen Autoimmunkrankheiten auch Medikamente, bakterielle Toxine, Gallensäuremalabsorption, Diabetes mellitus sowie eine chronische Darmischämie diskutiert. Bei unserer Patientin bestand eine zeitliche Korrelation zwischen der Einnahme von Lansoprazol und den Beschwerden. Nach Absetzen des Lansoprazols sistierte die Diarrhoe. Entsprechend den Imputabilitätskriterien der Swissmedic beurteilen wir den kausalen Zusammenhang zwischen der Symptomatik und der Lansoprazol-Einnahme, bei guter Evidenz in der Literatur, als wahrscheinlich.

Gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide in isolated atrial and ventricular human myocardium: influence of angiotensin II and diastolic fiber length

BACKGROUND

We studied the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) and diastolic overstretch on the induction of cardiac growth in isometrically contracting muscle preparations from human right atria and left ventricles. We used the gene expression of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a molecular marker of cardiac hypertrophy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Northern blot analysis was performed in human atrial muscle preparations, which were either incubated in 10(-6) mol/L Ang II for 45 minutes or diastolically stretched to 120% of optimum muscle length. Similar experiments were performed with human left ventricular muscle preparations. Results were as follows: (1) BNP gene expression increased in human atrial myocardium 4-fold when stimulated by Ang II (n=7, P<0.001). (2) Diastolic overstretch increased BNP expression in a time-dependent manner. The linear regression equations for the BNP/GAPDH ratio as a function of time (hours) were y=1.21+0.62x (P:<0.001) for overstretched preparations and y=1.07-0.01x (P:=NS) for atrial preparations kept at physiological muscle length. (3) In left ventricular human muscle preparations, diastolic overstretch and Ang II increased BNP gene expression as well. (4) In addition, the Ang II subtype 1 receptor blocker losartan was able to block the effects of Ang II and diastolic overstretch.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac hypertrophy can be induced in isolated human atrial and left ventricular intact myocardium by Ang II and diastolic overstretch but not by isometric afterload. The fact that the induction of cardiac growth is inhibited by the blockade of Ang II subtype 1 receptors is of scientific and clinical importance.