POS0703 BIOLOGIC-DMARDS AND TARGETED SYNTHETIC-DMARDS EFFECT ON RAPID WITHDRAWAL OF STEROID IN 6 MONTHS OBSERVATIONAL PERIOD IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENT’S COHORT: REAL LIFE DATA EXTRACTED FROM BIOPURE REGISTRY

Background

Considering the highest adverse events risk (predominantly infectious disease and osteoporosis) of glucocorticoids (GCs), EULAR recommended a short-term use of GCs with rapid tapering as soon as clinically feasible in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Although a prednisone dose less than or equal to 7,5 mg/die is considered more safety, the complete discontinuation of the GCs would be desirable. Few data are available on real tapering or withdrawal of GCs in RA patients treated with DMARDs both in clinical trial and registry study.

Objectives

To evaluate the steroid tapering rate and the discontinuation of GCs in RA patients treated with biological-DMARDs (b-DMARDs) or target synthetic DMARDs (ts-DMARDs) in different treatment lines.

Methods

We revised retrospectively 1616 clinical records of RA patients who started b/ts-DMARDs between December 2017 and June 2021. We recruited 420 RA patients who were stably treated for at least 6 months with b/ts-DMARDs with or without cs-DMARDs and were taken GCs at baseline visit. The evaluations of GCs discontinuation time were realized by Kaplan-Meier estimate, followed by log-rank (Mentel-Cox) test for the comparison among different b/ts-DMARDs groups. Statistical significance was set at p ⩽ 0.05.

Results

RA patients treated with different b/ts-DMARDs were comparable for disease duration (anti TNF-alpha: 76 weeks ± 64; JAK-I: 121 weeks ± 122; anti-IL6: 78 weeks ± 70; abatacept: 111 weeks ± 121), disease activity (DAS 28 ESR: anti TNF alpha: 3,9 ± 1,3; JAK-I: 4,1 ± 1; anti IL-6: 4 ± 1,3; abatacept: 4 ± 1,2; p=0,958), and GCs dose (anti TNF alpha: 5,7 mg ± 7,5; JAK-I 5,5 mg ± 2,5; anti IL-6 5,7 mg ± 4,1; abatacept 5,6 mg ± 2,5; p=0,879) at baseline visit. 158 RA patients started for the first-time b/ts-DMARDs, 83 patients started 2nd line of b/ts-DMARDs, 66 patients started 3rd line b/ts-DMARDs and 113 patients were failure to more than 3 b/ts-DMARDs.

Considering RA patients who started b/ts-DMARDs for the first time, the groups treated with anti-IL6 or JAK-I showed a shorter discontinuation time than those treated with anti TNF-alpha or Abatacept (respectively 22 weeks ± 0,7, 22,6 weeks ± 0,7, 23,8 weeks ± 0,1, 23,1 weeks ± 0,4; p=0,046). As regards the steroid sparing in 6th month of follow-up, the rates of GCs dose spared than the staring GCs dose were higher in JAK-I (44%) and anti-IL 6 (42%) compared to abatacept (30%) and anti-TNF alpha (33%).

Considering the group of RA patients treated in 2nd or other lines of b/ts-DMARDs, no differences were found among various treatments in GCs discontinuation time.

Conclusion

In clinical practice GCs are useful therapeutic tools to reach as rapidly as possible low disease activity in RA patients; but the possible adverse effects of long-term GCs treatment limit their use. The introduction of biotechnological drugs has significantly improved clinical management of RA patients, achieving the aim of rapid GCs discontinuation or their dose reduction. In particular, the mechanisms of action of anti-IL6 and JAK-I seems perform more quickly on steroid discontinuation than anti TNF alpha or abatacept, above all in 1st line of b/ts-DMARDs in RA patients.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

OP0320-PARE FIBROMYALGIA NETWORK – A MULTIDIMENSIONAL PROJECT FOR PEOPLE WITH FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

Background:

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a clinical non-joint syndrome characterized by diffuse, prolonged, and unexplained muscle pains. The health effects of FMS are pervasive and wide ranging. It is frequently associated with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients describe living with daily unrelenting chronic widespread pain, persistent chronic fatigue, sleep issues, and cognitive effects. Fibromyalgia impacts all aspects of patients’ lives. Patients report severe limitations in maintaining relationships, performing at work or school, and caring for self and family. They experience stigma within society, social isolation, healthcare and financial challenges of treatment, and fears of living with an often misunderstood condition. In 2019 APMARR launched Fibromyalgia Network a project that aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with FMS.

Objectives:

Experiment a set of good practices at territorial level to be expanded nationally to improve the FMS patients’ conditions

Create a multisectoral, patient-oriented network with different stakeholders

Launch a communication campaign to inform and change the perception of the pathology

Train the General Practitioners in order to increase early diagnosis

Empower the Patients

Promote innovative treatments and the data acquisition about hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Provide free psychological and information support

Methods:

The project was based on the assumption supported by evidence that a multi-modal treatment approach improves the quality of life of person with FMS including a combination of drug and non-drug treatments and a range of health care specialties. All the activities implemented were shaped on a holistic approach to treating Fibromyalgia, including lifestyle management, diet and exercise, and psychosocial techniques, in addition to medical treatments.

Results:

1) A territorial network coordinated by APMARR was created involving Puglia Region, Health Authorities, Professional board of Psychologists, National Association of People with FMS, Professional board of Physicians, Italian Society Of Rheumatology-Puglia

2) A communication campaign was widely spread among social network, a brochure was written in collaboration with the Italian Society of Rheumatology and distributed to the general public, a national level conference was organized in Bari

3) A training program acknowledged by the Italian Health Minister Program involved more than 120 GPs

4) A patients expert program involved more than 100 patients

5) A group of patients were tutored in their treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and a report was sent to the HTA Italian Program in collaboration with the Puglia Region HTA Center. It was the first HTA report elaborated in collaboration with a patient organization in Italy

6) Self-mutual help groups were organized with free psychological support, as well as an information desk and a toll-free number

7) High satisfaction and pain relief of the participants as detected by a qualitative satisfaction questionnaire

Conclusion:

The project demonstrated the good results of the holistic approach in the patients who took part in the program that reported the improvements of their quality of lives and relieve from their daily pains. The Self-mutual help group was the most appreciated free service, in which participants shared personal stories and perspectives thoughtfully and courageously. The training initiatives organized in collaboration with physicians helped them to learn tips for a better lifestyle management, diet and exercise, and psychosocial techniques but above all helped to overcame concerns and frustration regarding the lack of understanding in the medical community. The network succeeds to increased awareness and understanding of FMS across the public opinion and GPs.

References:

[1]Author: S.Mingolla, APMARR Project Manager; Co-authors: A.Celano, APMARR President; I. Cinieri, Psychologist, A. Marsico, Rheumatologist

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Occult HBV infection may negatively impact on drug survival in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on treatment with a first biologic drug. An appraisal from the Biologic Apulian Registry (BIOPURE)

We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the survival on first line biologic drug of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with potential occult HBV infection (pOBI). We analysed longitudinal data of 486 consecutive RA patients starting a first biological drug in a time frame from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2014. Demographic and disease related characteristics were collected at baseline and at the last observation visit. Baseline serological markers of HBV infection and causes of treatment discontinuation were also recorded. Primary endpoint was the influence of pOBI on drug survival, estimated by Kaplan-Meier life table analysis. Estimates hazard ratios (HRs) of drug discontinuation, adjusted for disease characteristics, biological drug class and HBcAb status were computed by Cox-regression models. The retention rate was significantly lower in pOBI positive patients (58.2%) when compared to pOBI negative ones (67.8%) and this data was confirmed also when only discontinuation due to ineffectiveness was considered (pOBI positive 66.4% vs pOBI negative 75.3%, long rank 7.93, p=0.005). Cox regression models showed a significant association between HBcAb-neg (HR 0.58, 0.41-0.84), higher ESR-DAS28 at baseline (HR 1.07, 1.03-1.11) or RF/ACPA-neg (HR 1.46, 1.04-2.06) and drug discontinuation. Occult HBV infection seems to influence negatively the effectiveness of biological therapies in RA patients.

Diabetes and Obesity as Independent Risk Factors for Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: A Population Study

We aimed to analyze bone mineralization and the effect of different risk factors for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. We studied 2,756 postmenopausal subjects out of ≥10,000 records from the ROIS registry in the frame of the PROF Project, a population study carried out in Salento (Taranto, Brindisi, Lecce) from 2009 to 2012. All subjects were assessed by phalangeal Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) to evaluate their bone mineralization (assessed by Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound, AD-SoS) and the association between demineralization and the presence of other conditions or risk factors. Mean age was 64±9.5 years and mean BMI was 28.7±3.5 Kg/m2. Pearson correlation analyses revealed a negative association between bone mineralization (AD-SoS) and BMI (P<0.001). By using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we observed significant values of Odds Ratios of osteoporosis (adjusted for age, physical activity and the use of drugs known to increase the risk of fractures) in subjects with diabetes and obesity: 1.39 (CI: 1,05–1,83) and 1.46 (CI: 1.20–1.78), respectively. A statistically significant linear trend of higher Odds Ratios of osteoporosis was found for increasing values of BMI. The percent change in the odds of vertebral fractures per single SD decrease of AD-SoS was 47% (P<0.001). Diabetes and obesity in postmenopausal women are likely to represent independent risk factors for osteoporosis. Phalangeal QUS showed a good power of predictivity in identifying subjects with vertebral fractures.

Chronic widespread pain in spondyloarthritis

The pain associated with spondyloarthritis (SpA) can be intense, persistent and disabling. It frequently has a multifactorial, simultaneously central and peripheral origin, and may be due to currently active inflammation, or joint damage and tissue destruction arising from a previous inflammatory condition. Inflammatory pain symptoms can be reduced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but many patients continue to experience moderate pain due to alterations in the mechanisms that regulate central pain, as in the case of the chronic widespread pain (CWP) that characterises fibromyalgia (FM). The importance of distinguishing SpA and FM is underlined by the fact that SpA is currently treated with costly drugs such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, and direct costs are higher in patients with concomitant CWP or FM than in those with FM or SpA alone. Optimal treatment needs to take into account symptoms such as fatigue, mood, sleep, and the overall quality of life, and is based on the use of tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, rather than adjustments in the dose of anti-TNF agents or disease-modifying drugs.

Costs of pain in rheumatology

Chronic pain has been identified as an important issue related to various rheumatic diseases. At the time of a major government spending review, it is appropriate to discuss the pain characterising rheumatic diseases and its related costs. It is clearly essential for healthcare authorities to rationalise their policies on the basis of the increasing expectations of the users of healthcare services while simultaneously balancing their books. There are few published studies concerning the costs of pain of any kind, and the same is true of the costs of the chronic pain associated with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Psychometric properties of the Fibromyalgia Assessment Status (FAS) index: a national web-based study of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a generalized chronic pain condition that is often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, psychological and cognitive alterations, headache, migraine, variable bowel habits, diffuse abdominal pain, and urinary frequency. Its key assessment domains include pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep, physical and emotional functioning, and patient global satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQL). A number of evaluation measures have been adapted from the fields of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, and others such as the Fibromyalgia Assessment Status (FAS) index and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) have been specifically developed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of FM on HRQL by comparing the performance of the FAS index, the FIQ and the Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] in 541 female and 31 male FM patients (mean age 50 years; mean disease duration 7.7 years) entered in the database of a web-based survey registry developed by the Italian Fibromyalgia Network (IFINET). Tests of convergent validity showed that the FAS index and FIQ significantly correlated with each other (rho=0.608, p<0.0001), but there were also significant correlations between the FAS index and other clinical measures of disability, including the HAQ (rho=0.423, p<0.0001), anxiety (rho=0.138, p=0.0009), depression (rho=0.174, p<0.0001) and, especially, the number of comorbidities (rho=0.147, p=0.0004). The FAS index revealed a statistically significant difference between males and females (p=0.048), analysed using the Mann-Whitney U-test for all pair wise comparisons. The FAS index is a valid three-item instrument (pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances) that performs at least as well as the FIQ in FM patients, and is simpler to administer and score. Both questionnaires may be useful when screening FM patients, with the choice of the most appropriate instrument depending on the setting.

Prevalence of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in an HIV/AIDS reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

SETTING

A reference hospital for tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) with a TB control programme in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs and to identify associated factors.

DESIGN

In a cross-sectional study, clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively from 2001 to 2005. Patients with isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and available drug susceptibility tests were considered eligible. Data on demographic characteristics, risk factors for resistance, HIV serology and past TB history were collected and analysed by chi(2) Mann-Whitney test and Poisson regression.

RESULTS

We analysed 350 treatments, of which 62 were for patients with previous TB. HIV status was positive in 31.2% of cases. Resistance was found in 15.7% and multidrug resistance (MDR) in 4.3% of cases. Previous treatment (P < 0.001) and relapse within 2 years were associated with resistance (P < 0.03). Pulmonary cavities were associated with MDR (P < 0.001). Homelessness was associated with any resistance in newly diagnosed patients (P < 0.01). Working in a hospital was not associated with resistance.

CONCLUSION

Suspicion of drug-resistant disease is necessary in patients with a history of previous TB in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro. The implementation of an effective hospital TB control programme can prevent transmission even in high TB prevalence settings.

Symptoms and signs in fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a common chronic pain condition that affects at least 2% of the adult population. Chronic widespread pain is the defining feature of FM, but patients may also exhibit a range of other symptoms, including sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and mood disorders. The etiology of FM is not completely understood and the syndrome is influenced by factors such as stress, medical illness, and a variety of pain conditions. Establishing diagnosis may be difficult because of the multifaceted nature of the syndrome and overlap with other chronically painful conditions. A unifying hypothesis is that FM results from sensitization of the central nervous system; this new concept could justify the variety of characteristics of the syndrome. FM symptoms can be musculoskeletal, non-musculoskeletal, or a combination of both; and many patients will also experience a host of associated symptoms or conditions. The ACR classification criteria focus only on pain and disregard other important symptoms; but three key features, pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance, are present in virtually every patient with FM. Several other associated syndromes, including circulatory, nervous, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems are probably a part of the so called central sensitivity or sensitization syndrome. A minority subgroup of patients (30-40%) has a significant psychological disturbance. Psychological factors are an important determinant of any type of pain, and psychological comorbidity is frequent in FM. Psychiatric disorders most commonly described are mood disorders, but psychiatric illness is not a necessary factor in the etiopathogenesis of FM.

The evaluation of the fibromyalgia patients

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatic disease characterized by musculoskeletal pain, chronic diffuse tension and/or stiffness in joints and muscles, easy fatigue, sleep and emotional disturbances, and pressure pain sensitivity in at least 11 of 18 tender points. At present, there are no instrumental tests or specific diagnostic markers for FM; in fact, many of the existing indicators are significant for research purposes only. Many differential diagnoses may be excluded by an extensive clinical examination and patient history. Considering overlap of FM with other medical conditions, the treating physicians should be vigilant: chest-X-rays and abdominal ultrasonography are the first steps of general evaluation for all the patients with suspected FM. Functional neuroimaging methods have revealed a large number of supraspinal effects in FM, a disorder mediated by mechanisms that are essentially unknown. Many treatments are used in FM patients, but evaluating their therapeutic effects in FM is difficult because the syndrome is so multifaceted. To address the identification of core outcome domains, the Initiative on IMMPACT and OMERACT workshop convened a meeting to develop consensus recommendations for chronic pain clinical trials.

Etiopathogenetic mechanisms of fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common chronic condition of widespread pain with causal mechanisms that are largely unknown. It is characterized by moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain and allodynia, but its pathogenesis appears confined to the nociceptive structures of the central nervous system. FMS is often triggered by negative environmental influences, especially if they occur in childhood. In a fetus, these environmental triggers may influence the development of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). Increasing evidence supports the comorbidity of psychological conditions including depression, panic disorders, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent evidence suggests that genetic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of FMS. Central sensitization has long been associated with FMS pain. It describes enhanced excitability of dorsal horn neurons, which leads to transmission of altered nociceptive information to the brain. Understanding of pathogenetic pathways in FMS has advanced beyond observing patient responses to neurophysiologically targeted therapies and basic research.

Non-surgical periodontal treatment of cyclosporin A-induced gingival overgrowth: immunohistochemical results

AIM

The present study was planned to analyze the effects of a 12-month non-surgical periodontal treatment on histologic and immunohistochemical features of cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced gingival overgrowth (GO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gingival samples were collected from 21 liver transplant subjects exhibiting CsA-induced GO prior to, and 12 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy including oral hygiene instructions, scaling and 2-month recall appointments, and also from 18 healthy control subjects. Gingival biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and monoclonal antibodies for vimentin, CD3 (T-lymphocytes), CD20 (B-lymphocytes), CD34 (endothelium) and Ki-67 (fibroblasts proliferation rate), using a streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.

RESULTS

Total inflammatory cells, gingival vessels and fibroblast proliferation rate demonstrated significant reduction after non-surgical periodontal treatment (P < 0.0001) in overgrown gingiva, while B- and T-lymphocytes remained nearly unchanged (P = 0.61 and 0.33, respectively). At the 12-month evaluation no significant differences were found when comparing the gingival biopsies from CsA-treated patients and those from healthy controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Control of clinical inflammation by means of non-surgical periodontal treatment results both in lowering of inflammatory infiltrate and in changes in connective tissue composition. Thus, plaque-induced inflammation would seem to modulate the drug-gingival tissue interaction.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A strict plaque control program play a pivotal role in the management of transplant patients exhibiting cyclosporin A-GO.

The impact of liquid-based oral cytology on the diagnosis of oral squamous dysplasia and carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Even though diagnostic oral exfoliative cytology is a useful, economical and practical tool in the diagnosis of oral dysplasia and carcinoma, it is not yet extensively used. The results of conventional exfoliative and liquid-based diagnostic cytology in oral potentially malignant lesions (PML) are herein reported and compared with the histological diagnosis.

METHODS

Either conventional (89) or liquid-based (384) exfoliative cytology was used for the diagnosis of oral dysplasia/carcinoma in 473 subjects and the results were compared with scalpel biopsy histology. Cells were collected using a Cytobrush device for conventional smears and with a dermatological curette for the liquid-based cytology. The 'curette technique' also allowed for the collection of 'accidental' tissue fragments, utilized as microbiopsies.

RESULTS

Histological diagnosis was squamous carcinoma in 96 of 473 cases, high-grade dysplasia (oral intraepithelial neoplasia two to three) in 24 and other lesions in 353 cases. The smears in the conventional cytology group were inadequate in 12.4%, with an 85.7% sensitivity and a 95.9% specificity. There were 8.8% of inadequate specimens in the liquid-based cytology group; sensitivity was 95.1% and specificity was 99.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although conventional cytology is useful when diagnosing oral PML (better sensitivity and predictive positive value if compared with the cervical smear test with similar specificity) and can improve the accuracy of histological diagnosis, liquid-based cytology gives better results, as it not only enhances both sensitivity and specificity, but also provides material for further investigation (AgNORs, DNA, microbiopsies, etc.).

[Usefulness of oral exfoliative cytology for the diagnosis of oral squamous dysplasia and carcinoma]

AIM

It is well known that diagnostic oral exfoliative cytology, even if a useful, economical and practical tool in the diagnosis of oral dysplasia and carcinoma, is not yet used so extensively as is cervico-vaginal cytology.

METHODS

Exfoliative cytology was used for the diagnosis of oral dysplasia and carcinoma, and the results compared to the histological examination. Cytological smears were taken from 89 patients with oral lesions suspicious for neoplasia (in particular erythro- and leukoplakia and lichen). All patients were also subjected to oral biopsy and histological examination.

RESULTS

Out of 89 cases studied, histology showed the presence of an invasive squamous carcinoma in 32, dysplasia in 17, phlogosis in 15 and other types of lesions (2 of which malignant non-epithelial tumours) in 25. The cytological smear was inadequate for diagnosis in 11/89 cases (12.4%). In cytologically adequate and histologically positive cases, cytology confirmed the histological diagnosis of dysplasia and/or carcinoma in 38/45 cases (sensitivity 86.5%, accuracy 89.6%). Moreover, 1 case which was histologically negative at the onset, proved positive at cytology. There were 2 false-positive cytology results (specificity 94.3%, predictive positive value 95.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the small number of cases in the cohort, oral cytology can improve the accuracy of histology, and may be a useful screening tool for the diagnosis of oral neoplasia/dysplasia.

[Capillaroscopic studies in connective tissue inflammations]

Capillarioscopy has been unjustifiably neglected in the study of connective tissue diseases, where examination of the microcirculation is clearly important. A study of 80 cases is reported. 12 systemic lupus, 11 progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), 20 rheumatoid arthritis (including 3 juvenile and 2 Still's disease); 9 Raynaud's disease (of which 3 idiopathic, 4 with rheumatoid arthritis and 2 with UCTD); 1 dermatomyositis; 11 other CTD (2 overlap syndrome--1 lupus + dermatomyositis; 1 lupus + PSS--3 Sjögren syndromes with rheumatoid arthritis, 1 MCTD, 2 primary mixed cryoglobulinaemia, 1 systemic vasculitis, 1 Behçet syndrome, and 1 UCTD); 9 miscellaneous forms (3 psoriatic arthropathy, 1 rheumatic pelvispondylitis, 1 allergic dermatitis, 1 pulmonary TB, 1 ulcerative colitis; 1 scapulohumeral periarthritis, 1 unclassifiable rheumatism; 7 healthy subjects). During capillarioscopy, from one to nine slides were prepared for each subject. These were interpreted separately by three persons who were unaware of the respective diagnosis. Calibre, tortuosity, length and number of capillaries were recorded, plus the visibility of the subpapillar plexus, height and number of the termal, subungual and/or ungual vallum haemorrhage, plugging. It was found that PSS, dermatomyositis, MCTD, and overlap-PSS revealed a very typical common pattern, possibly pathognomonic, namely marked reduction in the number of capillaries + megacapillaries. The other forms presented less evocative diagnostic patterns, though they were fairly indicative in some instances. Clinical correlations of particular significance with respect to prognosis, however, were not observed.