Environment and systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations and a relapsing-remitting course. SLE pathogenesis is the result of complex interactions between ethnic, genetic, epigenetic, immunoregulatory, hormonal and environmental factors, and several aspects of these multifactorial connections are still unclear. Overall, for the disease development, an environmental trigger may induce immunological dysfunction in genetically predisposed individuals. This review aims to summarise the most relevant data on the impact of environmental factors on the incidence of SLE and on disease activity and damage in patients with an established diagnosis of SLE.

Disease evolution and organ damage accrual in patients with stable UCTD: a long-term monocentric inception cohort

OBJECTIVES

Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTDs) are systemic autoimmune conditions that cannot be diagnosed nor classified as defined CTD; the majority maintains an undifferentiated profile (stable UCTD, sUCTD) over time. Data on long-term outcomes of sUCTD are lacking.

METHODS

Retrospective longitudinal analysis of an inception cohort of 141 patients with sUCTD.Disease evolution and damage accrual were evaluated at 1, 5 and 10 years. Partial least square (PLS) regression was used to identify the basal variables contributing to damage accrual at 1, 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Trend of damage over time was compared with a cohort of age-matched and sex-matched patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by means of Nelson-Aalen analysis.

RESULTS

11.3% of patients evolved to a definite CTD after a median 11 years (IQR 6-25) from the first symptom. At last visit, 10% were on glucocorticoids and 6% on immunosuppressive therapy. In 27.3%, at least one item of organ damage was recorded according to the SLICC/DI score (mean score 1.19±0.46). At PLS analysis, age at diagnosis and age at first symptoms were related to damage at 1 year, not taking antimalarials and taking immunosuppressants were associated with damage at 5 years.The mean survival without damage was 9.3 years in sUCTD and 8.4 years in SLE. The 10-year probability without damage was 62% and 23% in SLE and sUCTD, respectively (p=0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Although less significantly impacted than in patients with SLE, in the long-term UCTDs can accumulate organ damage and evolve into defined connective tissue diseases.

Analysis of belimumab prescription and outcomes in a 10-year monocentric cohort: is there an advantage with early use?

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to evaluate perscriptions of belimumab (BEL), how these have changed over the years and their impact on clinical outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. We retrieved demographic and clinical data and concomitant therapies at BEL starting (baseline). Disease activity was assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months and organ damage at baseline and at the last visit.

RESULTS

From 422 patients followed in the Pisa SLE cohort, 102 patients received BEL and were included and 22 (21.6%) were immunosuppressant (IS)-naïve. Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) with a glucocorticoid (GC) dosage ≤5 mg/day (LLDAS5) and remission were achieved by 47% and 38% of patients at 6 months, and by 75% and 66% at 12 months. Comparing IS-naïve patients with those who received BEL after at least one conventional IS, we did not find significant differences in baseline characteristics and in the achievement of LLDAS5 and remission. Despite at baseline we did not observe significant differences in mean GC daily dosage, IS-naïve patients were taking a significantly lower GC daily dose at 6 and 12 months. Interestingly, IS-naïve patients were more common in the most recent years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm that BEL is effective in controlling disease activity, and in recent years BEL has been considered as an earlier treatment option before other IS. Early introduction of BEL can be at least as effective as a step-up approach and can help to reduce the GC dosage.

Actigraphic and self-reported characterization of sleep in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVES

In a cross-sectional study, we explored possible differences in sleep parameters between SLE patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls through actigraphic and self-reported measures. Furthermore, we aimed to identify possible predictors of such disturbances in the patient cohort.

METHODS

Participants' sociodemographic data and sleep parameters were collected. Sleep parameters were evaluated through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Insomnia Severity Index and 7-day actigraphic monitoring. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale was used to investigate stress. Disease activity and daily glucocorticoid dose were assessed in SLE patients. Possible predictors of the SLE group were explored through two binomial logistic models. Within the SLE group, possible predictors of sleep parameters were tested estimating multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 40 SLE patients and 33 controls were included in the study. The SLE group showed worse sleep maintenance actigraphic parameters (i.e. sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset), higher total sleep time and higher perceived stress. Within the SLE cohort, the daily glucocorticoids dose was associated with an impairment in sleep maintenance despite no reduction in sleep duration, typical of normal sleep duration insomnia, whereas perceived stress was associated with short sleep duration insomnia.

CONCLUSION

Compared with healthy controls, SLE patients showed worse sleep quality and greater perceived stress severity. As glucocorticoids and perceived stress are associated with different types of insomnia in these patients, a multidimensional approach to both sleep characterization and therapy might be preferred.

Biomarker analysis from the phase 2b randomized placebo-controlled trial of riociguat in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To examine disease and target engagement biomarkers in the RISE-SSc trial of riociguat in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis and their potential to predict the response to treatment.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to riociguat (n = 60) or placebo (n = 61) for 52 weeks. Skin biopsies and plasma/serum samples were obtained at baseline and week 14. Plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was assessed using radio-immunoassay. Alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and skin thickness were determined by immunohistochemistry, mRNA markers of fibrosis by qRT-PCR in skin biopsies, and serum CXC motif chemokine ligand 4 (CXCL-4) and soluble platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (sPECAM-1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

By week 14, cGMP increased by 94 ± 78% with riociguat and 10 ± 39% with placebo (p < 0.001, riociguat vs placebo). Serum sPECAM-1 and CXCL-4 decreased with riociguat vs placebo (p = 0.004 and p = 0.008, respectively). There were no differences in skin collagen markers between the 2 groups. Higher baseline serum sPECAM-1 or the detection of αSMA-positive cells in baseline skin biopsies were associated with a larger reduction of modified Rodnan skin score from baseline at week 52 with riociguat vs placebo (interaction P-values 0.004 and 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Plasma cGMP increased with riociguat, suggesting engagement with the nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase-cGMP pathway. Riociguat was associated with a significant reduction in sPECAM-1 (an angiogenic biomarker) vs placebo. Elevated sPECAM-1 and the presence of αSMA-positive skin cells may help to identify patients who could benefit from riociguat in terms of skin fibrosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02283762.

Which extra-renal flare is 'difficult to treat' in systemic lupus erythematosus? A one-year longitudinal study comparing traditional and machine learning approaches

OBJECTIVES

To describe phenotypes and outcomes of extra-renal flares in SLE, to identify clusters of extra-renal flares based on baseline features, and to develop a machine learning (ML) tool capable of predicting 'difficult to treat' (D2T) flares.

METHODS

Extra-renal flares that occurred in our cohort over the last five years with at least one year of follow-up were included. Baseline clinical variables were described and flares assigned to clusters. Attainment of remission and low disease activity state (LLDAS) at 12 months were compared. Flares were then considered 'D2T' in case of non-attainment of LLDAS at 6 and 12 months. Baseline features were used to train a ML model able to predict future D2T-flares, at admission. Traditional approaches were then compared with informatic techniques.

RESULTS

Among 420 SLE patients of the cohort, 114 flares occurred between 2015 and 2021; 79 extra-renal flares, predominantly mucocutaneous (24.1%) and musculoskeletal (45.6%), were considered. After 12 months, 79.4% and 49.4% were in LLDAS and in remission, respectively, while 17 flares were classified as D2T (21.5%); D2T flares received a higher cumulative and daily dose of glucocorticoids. Among the clusters, cluster 'D' (mild-moderate flares with mucocutaneous manifestations in patients with history of skin involvement) was associated with the lowest rate of remission. Among clinical data, not being on LLDAS at 3 months was the unique independent predictor of D2T flares.

CONCLUSIONS

Our clusterization well separates extra-renal flares according to their baseline features and may propose a new identification standard. D2T flares, especially refractory skin manifestations, are frequent in SLE and represent an unmet need in the management of the disease as they are associated with higher glucocorticoid (GC) dosage and risk of damage accrual. Our ML model could help in the early identification of D2T flares, flagging them to elevate the attention threshold at admission.

Digital Ulcers and Ventricular Arrhythmias as Red Flags to Predict Replacement Myocardial Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) affects the prognosis of the disease. Echocardiography is the first line imaging tool to detect cardiac involvement, but it is not able to routinely detect myocardial fibrosis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for replacement myocardial fibrosis assessment, but its availability is currently limited.

AIM

We aimed to assess the clinical and instrumental parameters that would be useful for predicting the presence of LGE-CMR, to achieve a better selection of patients with SSc that could benefit from third-level CMR imaging.

METHODS

344 SSc patients underwent a comprehensive echocardiogram and LGE-CMR on the same day; for 189 patients, a 24 h ECG Holter monitoring was available.

RESULTS

CMR showed non-junctional replacement myocardial fibrosis via LGE in 25.1% patients. A history of digital ulcers (OR 2.188; 95% C.I. 1.069-4.481) and ventricular arrhythmias at ECG Holter monitoring (OR 3.086; 95% C.I. 1.191-7.998) were independent predictors of replacement myocardial fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

CMR can detect patterns of clinical and subclinical cardiac involvement, which are frequent in SSc. A history of digital ulcers and evidence of ventricular arrhythmias at ECG Holter monitoring are red flags for the presence of replacement myocardial fibrosis in CMR. The association between digital ulcers and myocardial fibrosis suggests that a similar pathological substrate of abnormal vascular function may underlie peripheral vascular and cardiac complications.

Riociguat in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (RISE-SSc): open-label, long-term extension of a phase 2b, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The phase 2b Riociguat Safety and Efficacy in Patients with Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (RISE-SSc) trial investigated riociguat versus placebo in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. The long-term extension evaluated safety and exploratory treatment effects for an additional year.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled to RISE-SSc between Jan 15, 2015, and Dec 8, 2016. Those who completed the 52-week, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase were eligible for the long-term extension. Patients originally assigned to riociguat continued therapy (riociguat-riociguat group). Those originally assigned to placebo were switched to riociguat (placebo-riociguat group), adjusted up to 2·5 mg three times daily in a 10-week, double-blind dose-adjustment phase, followed by an open-label phase. Statistical analyses were descriptive. Safety including adverse events and serious adverse events was assessed in the long-term safety analysis set (all patients randomly assigned and treated with study medication in the double-blind phase who continued study medication in the long-term extension). The RISE-SSc trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02283762.

FINDINGS

In total, 87 (72%) of 121 patients in the main RISE-SSc study entered the long-term extension (riociguat-riociguat, n=42; placebo-riociguat, n=45). 65 (75%) of 87 patients were women, 22 (25%) were men, and 62 (71%) were White. Overall, 82 (94%) of 87 patients in the long-term extension had an adverse event; most (66 [76%] of 87) were of mild to moderate severity, with no increase in pulmonary-related serious adverse events in patients with interstitial lung disease.

INTERPRETATION

No new safety signals were observed with long-term riociguat in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Study limitations include the absence of a comparator group in this open-label extension study.

FUNDING

Bayer and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Gender differences in SLE: report from a cohort of 417 Caucasian patients

BACKGROUND

SLE is an autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women. As most epidemiological and interventional studies are on populations with a clear female prevalence, the influence of gender in disease course, drug response and damage accrual is yet to be fully explored and comprehended.

OBJECTIVES

To describe gender differences in disease course, comorbidities, use of medications and long-term outcomes of a large cohort of patients with SLE.

METHODS

Retrospective gender-based analysis of prospectively collected data from a monocentric cohort of Caucasian patients with SLE with at least 1 year of follow-up.

RESULTS

417 patients were included, 51 men and 366 women. Men displayed a significantly higher median age at disease onset and diagnosis and a higher prevalence of late-onset SLE, serositis at disease onset, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and use of mycophenolate within the first year of disease. Women had a higher prevalence of haematological abnormalities, a higher cumulative exposure to azathioprine and higher cumulative dose of glucocorticoids at 5 years. Male patients had a shorter time to first damage item and a higher prevalence of damage at 1 and 5 years, but this association was no longer significant when late-onset patients were excluded. No differences were found in prevalence of childhood onset, delay between onset and diagnosis, time to renal involvement and histology, cumulative autoantibody positivity, number of flares and hospitalisations, median SLE Damage Index score, type of damage, age and time to first cardiovascular event, chronic kidney disease and death.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, clinical manifestations and disease course were similar in male and female patients; however, male patients displayed higher prevalence of APS and early damage accrual probably due to the later disease onset. These data highlight the importance of an intensive follow-up, prevention and treatment of complications in this category of patients, especially in the first years of disease.

Treatment With Anifrolumab for Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

This case report describes 2 women with severe and refractory discoid lupus erythematosus that was treated with anifrolumab.

POS0753 PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQoL) IN A MONOCENTRIC COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH LONGSTANDING SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE)

Background

The optimization of HRQoL in SLE patients is defined as one of the treatment goals in the 2019 EULAR recommendations1 for the management of SLE. Most studies have examined HRQoL at one point in time, while the few longitudinal studies do not report a clear variation in Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) with respect to changes in disease activity. It would be important to understand if, even in a real-life setting, the improvement of patients’ HRQoL may represent an achievable target.

Objectives

the aim of this study was to analyze HRQoL over time in a monocentric cohort of patients with SLE and investigate which disease-related factors determine short-term variation of HRQoL in a real-life setting.

Methods

this is a longitudinal, prospective monocentric study which included consecutive adult outpatients with SLE (1997 ACR classification criteria), regularly followed at the Rheumatology Unit of Pisa. Patients were enrolled over a period of 2 years, before the pandemic outbreak, and had at least 2 assessments per year. For each patient, demographics, comorbidities, treatment, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Disease activity was evaluated with the SELENA-SLEDAI and organ damage with the SLICC/DI. We defined as a significant variation of disease activity, a difference of clinical SELENA-SLEDAI ≥ 4 points between 2 subsequent evaluations. At each visit, patients completed the following PROs: SF-36, FACIT-Fatigue and LIT.

Results

we enrolled 210 consecutive SLE patients, mainly female (93.8%) and of Caucasian ethnicity (97.1%), with a mean age at enrollment of 45.1±12.7 years and a median disease duration of 13 years (IQR 5-21). At baseline, the median SLEDAI of the cohort was 2 (IQR 0-4). The most frequent active disease manifestations were: articular (17.1%) and hematological (15.2%); 6.7% of patients had active renal disease. 47.14% had a SLICC-DI > 0 with a median SLICC-DI among them of 2 (IQR 1-3). 11.43% of patients had a concomitant fibromyalgia. Most patients were on Hydroxychloroquine (78.1%) and low dose glucocorticoid (55.2%), with a median daily dose of 2 mg (IQR 0-4) of prednisone equivalent; 41.4% were on conventional immunosuppressants and 11.9% on biologics, mainly belimumab. The median scores of PROs at enrollment are reported in Table 1. At baseline, fibromyalgia confirmed to have a significant negative impact on all PROs after adjustment for confounding factors (p<0.05). Each patient underwent two consecutive evaluations, with a median interval between them of 11.4 months. We observed a significant variation of disease activity in 36/210 patients (17.14%). Then, we compared the subgroup of patients with unchanged disease activity with that of patients who showed a significant variation of disease activity. We found that FACIT and LIT scores didn’t change over time in both subgroups, whereas PCS (p<0.001) and MCS (p<0.01) scores of the SF-36 showed a significant variation in both groups, between the first and the second clinical assessment. However, in the subgroup of patients with a significant change of disease activity, the variation of PCS and MCS was not correlated with the variation of disease activity or ongoing treatment. In particular, patients with a significant improvement of HRQoL over time didn’t have a corresponding significant reduction of the SLEDAI score or of the daily glucocorticoid dose.

Table 1.

PROs scores at baseline.

PROsMedian scores at baselineSF-36 PCS58 (IQR 49.09- 68)SF-36 MCS57 (IQR 46.42-67)FACIT42 (IQR 32-46)LIT20 (IQR 7.5-40)

Conclusion

our findings seem to suggest that HRQoL over time in outpatients with longstanding SLE tends to be stable (maybe because patients are able to adapt to their illness) or varies unpredictably, maybe influenced by not disease-related factors. Further studies are needed to better understand which factors influence HRQoL over time and which questionnaires are more sensitive to catch its variation.

References

[1]PMID: 30926722

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0555 SYMPTOMATIC NON-SEROSITIC LUNG INVOLVEMENT IN A MONOCENTRIC COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE): A REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE

Background

A growing interest has been addressed to the study of lung involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases. Non-serositic pulmonary manifestations have also been described in SLE. However, little is known about their exact prevalence, clinical features and outcomes.

Objectives

To describe the prevalence, clinical and immunological characteristics of symptomatic non-serositic lung involvement in a monocentric cohort of SLE patients.

Methods

This observational, retrospective study included patients with SLE, regularly followed at the Rheumatology Unit of Pisa, that presented a clinically relevant non-serositic pulmonary involvement during their disease history. Patients with lung manifestations related to other causes (e.g. infections, emphysema, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, bronchial asthma etc.) were excluded. The following data were collected from clinical charts: demographics, smoke exposure, comorbidities, respiratory symptoms, disease duration and disease activity (SELENA-SLEDAI) at the onset of lung involvement, immunological profile, treatment, CT and spirometry parameters.

Results

Over 450 SLE patients in regular follow-up, we found 11 female patients with a history of clinically relevant non-serositic lung involvement: 7 interstitial lung disease (ILD), 2 acute lupic pneumonitis (ALP), 1 diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) and 1 shrinking lung syndrome. 45.4% of patients had a history of smoke exposure and had stopped smoking on average 9 years before the onset of lung manifestations. For the 2 patients with ALP, this was the first manifestation of SLE. Among the other 9 patients, lung involvement was diagnosed after a mean disease duration of 14 ± 15 years. At the diagnosis of pulmonary involvement, 10/11 patients presented respiratory symptoms and an overall active disease, with a median SLEDAI of 9 (IQR 6-13). Clinical characteristics are summarized in Table 1. All patients were hospitalized and 2 of them (1 ALP and 1 DAH) were admitted in intensive care unit.

Table 1.

Clinical characteristics at the diagnosis of lung involvement

SystemicActive skin manifestations36%Arthritis36%Fever36%Leukopenia36%Hypocomplementemia91%Anti-dsDNA positivity36%RespiratoryDyspnea54%Exertional dyspnea18%Cough45%Acute respiratory failure27%

As for the immunologic profile, SSA/Ro60 were positive in 72% of patients and SSA/Ro52, SSB, U1-RNP in 36%; 36% had Sjogren Syndrome (SS) in overlap.

Spirometry was available for 6/11 patients: a restrictive pattern and a moderate/severe reduction of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was found in 5 patients.

In the ILD subgroup, the most prevalent CT pattern was the Non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (5/7). 2 patients presented a Bronchiolitis obliterans/organizing pneumonia (BOOP) pattern.

Lung involvement was the driving manifestation in the treatment choice for 6/11 patients: 1 DAH, 2 ALP, 1 Shrinking lung and 2 ILD. All received pulse steroids and in 3 cases (2 ILD and 1 DAH) cyclophosphamide was added for the induction treatment; the patient with Shrinking lung had an overlap SS and was treated with Rituximab.

At last visit (mean follow-up of 8 ± 8.7 years since lung disease onset), 7/11 patients presented no respiratory symptoms and a complete resolution of CT alterations. 3/11 presented a residual exertional dyspnea and mild spirometry alterations. No patients developed respiratory insufficiency; only 1 patient died for cardiovascular complications.

Conclusion

In our large cohort of SLE patients, non-serositic lung involvement seems to be overall rare; the most frequent type of lung manifestation is ILD which appears to be associated with anti-SSA/SSB and anti-U1RNP positivity. The low prevalence of lung involvement (2.4%) in our cohort could be due to the presence of patients with a subclinical involvement. Further studies are needed to assess the real prevalence of subclinical lung manifestations in SLE and to identify the clinical phenotype of patients more prone to develop pulmonary disease.

Disclosure of Interests

Davide Schilirò: None declared, Elena Elefante: None declared, Chiara Stagnaro: None declared, Viola Signorini: None declared, Dina Zucchi: None declared, Francesca Trentin: None declared, Gaetano La Rocca: None declared, Linda Carli: None declared, Francesco Ferro: None declared, Chiara Tani: None declared, Marta Mosca Speakers bureau: advisor LILLY, ASTRA ZENECA, GSK, Consultant of: advisor LILLY, ASTRA ZENECA, GSK

POS0364 UNMET NEEDS IN THE TREATMENT OF EXTRA-RENAL FLARES IN SLE PATIENTS: REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE VS ARTIFICIAL APPROACH

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease which can affect various organs and is characterized by different clinical phenotypes. While the treatment of renal involvement is quite standardized, the therapeutic approach to extra-renal manifestations is subjected to a degree of variability.

Objectives

1. To describe extra-renal disease flares in terms of clinical phenotype and outcomes in SLE patients 2. To compare data from a real-life setting with a machine learning (ML) approach.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of data from a monocentric cohort of SLE patients who experienced a disease flare between 2015 and 2020. Each flare was followed for one year and was classified according to the organ involvement and categorized according to the BILAG definition of flare. At baseline and at 3,6,12 months the following variables were collected: disease activity (SELENA-SLEDAI score), ongoing therapy and disease state (DORIA definition of remission). Demographic data and previous organ involvement were retrieved from clinical charts. Flares’ features at baseline and during follow up were analyzed in terms of explained variance across the dataset’s Principal Components and clustered with a hierarchical unsupervised learning approach. A ML model based on neural networks was built to early detect flares’ therapeutic difficulty: it was validated after data augmentation to satisfy statistical requirements during the training phase.

Results

66 extra-renal flares were investigated (Table 1); 5 flares (7.5%) were treated with glucocorticoid (GC) pulses and 61 (92.5%) with oral GC therapy, while an immunosuppressive (IS) treatment was prescribed in 44 flares (66.7%). The remission rate at 12 months for the whole group was 50%, with musculo-skeletal (MS) flares, mucocutaneous (MC) flares and others (neuropsychiatric, cardiopulmonary, constitutional, haematologic) that was respectively 63.6%, 31.3% and 41.2%, showing lower rate of remission for MC flares. In 12 months, 17 flares (25.8%) did not respond to treatment (non-responders), requiring an increase in the dose of GC or the introduction of a new IS therapy. Using a machine learning approach, we were able to identify 4 flare clusters, grouping flares in relation to phenotypic characteristics (Figure 1), and recognized statistically relevant features for patients’ stratification (cluster 1“flare in systemic disease with high activity”, cluster 2 “outcast flares”, cluster 3 “flare in polymorphic disease with mild activity” and cluster 4 “recurrent skin flares”). Interestingly, cluster 4 (recurrent skin flares) was associated with the lowest rate of remission at 12 months with respect to clusters 1, 2, and 3 (33% vs 40%, 76.5% and 56% respectively). Moreover the neural network model correctly predicts difficult to treat flares in up to 80% of the cases

Table 1.WHOLE GROUPMUSKELMUCOCUTCONSTITUTIONALCARDIOPULMHAEMATOLNEUROpNUMBER (%)6633 (50)16 (24.2)7 (10.6)4 (6.1)5 (7.6)1 (1.5)SLEDAI at baseline median (IQR)7 (4-29)8 (6-10)5.5 (4-10)5 (4-9)9 (4.5-12)5 (5-6)29 (29-29)SLEDAI 12 mos median (IQR)2 (0-20)0.5 (0-4)3 (0-4)3 (2 – 4)0 (0-0)2 (0-3)14 (14 – 14)REMISSION 12 mos number (%)33 (50)21 (63.6)5 (31.3)4 (57.1)2 (40)2 (40%)1 (100)0.217NON RESPONSE 12 mos number (%)17 (25.8)8 (25)5 (31.3)2 (28.6)1 (20)1 (20%)1 (100)0.467Figure 1.

Flare clusters.

Conclusion

These data suggest that, in a real-life setting, the clinical response rate to therapy of patients with an extra-renal flare is not satisfactory, thus identifying an unmet need in the treatment of SLE and highlighting the absence of a standard treatment. Both the real-life data and the machine learning approach identify flares with MC manifestations as the most difficult to treat with the lower rate of remission after one year. Further prospective studies are necessary to improve the neural network model; ML techniques could help in the early identification of difficult to treat flares to be candidates for new and more aggressive therapeutic strategies for extra-renal manifestations.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0423 STRATEGIES FOR GLUCOCORTICOID TREATMENT IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS FLARES: A REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE

Background

Glucocorticoids (GC) are a cornerstone for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) manifestations but there is still open debate concerning their optimal therapeutic employment.

Objectives

To describe and compare the GC therapeutic strategies used in a real-life setting for the initial treatment of SLE flares.

Methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of data from a monocentric cohort of SLE patients who registered a disease flare between 2015 and 2020. Flares were first categorized in “pulse-treated” (PT) and “non pulse-treated” (NPT). PT flares were then divided into “low-dose regimen” (250 mg iv 6MP for 3 consecutive days or less) and “high-dose regimen” (more than 250 mg iv 6MP for 3 days). GC daily and cumulative 6MP doses, rate of remission and relapse were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

101 flares were analyzed (30 PT and 71 NPT). PT flares were more severe in terms of median SLEDAI (PT 16(12-22) vs NPT 8(5-10) p=0,00) and BILAG score index (BILAG A PT 71% vs NPT 30% p=0,001). PT patients received significantly higher GC doses at 1 month (PT median cumulative dose 1372 IQR 1028 – 3076 mg of 6MP vs NPT median 160 IQR 120-288 mg of 6MP, p=0,000), 6 months (PT median cumulative dose 2964 IQR 2294 – 4305 mg of 6MP vs NPT 880 IQR 720 – 1284 mg of 6MP, p=0,000) and 12 months (PT median cumulative dose 3510 IQR 3014-5025 vs NPT median cumulative dose 1571 IQR 1098 – 2122 mg of 6MP, p=0,000). Characteristics of flares that were treated with low-dose (N=19) or high-dose (N=11) pulse regimen are summarized in Table 1. As expected, the “low-dose regimen” subgroup received lower cumulative GC dosage over time. However, no statistically significant differences were found neither in term of disease severity at baseline nor in term of disease activity, remission rates or new flares over time.

Table 1.

Comparison between low-dose pulse regimen and high-dose pulse regimen in terms of cumulative GC dose and outcome in the first year after a SLE flare

Median GC doses (6MP)Low-dose regimenN=19 (63,33%)High-dose regimenN=11 (36,67%)P value Median SLEDAI16 (12 -20)18 (8-24)0,6186BILAG score (A, B, C)A=14, B=4, C=1A=10, B=1, C=00,488Cum. dose 1 mo1350 (1028 – 1534)1752 (960 – 2356)0,126Cum. dose 3 mos1858 (1604 – 2463)2784 (2184 – 3240)0,040Cum. dose 6 mos2450 (2218 – 3586)3456 (2906 – 4380)0,029Cumulative doses 12 mos3150 (2851 - 4448)4246 (3591 – 5772)0,011Remission 3 mos no – (%)2 (10%)0 (0%)0,265Remission 6 mos no – (%)8 (42%)1 (9%)0,057Remission 12 mos no – (%)12 (63%)5 (45%)0,346Median SLEDAI 3 mos4 (2 – 9)9 (4 – 12)0,138Median SLEDAI 6 mos3 (0 - 4)4 (0 – 9)0,154Median SLEDAI 12 mos2 (0 – 5)2 (0 – 12)0,363New flares 6 mos no – (%)2 (10%)1 (9%)0,900New flares 12 mos no – (%)2 (10%)2 (18%)0,552

GC=glucocorticoids, 6MP=6-methylprednisolone, no=number, Cum.=cumulative, mos=months

Conclusion

These data suggest that in a real-life setting, pulse GC therapy is preferred over oral administration for severe SLE flares and entails administration of high cumulative doses of GC. However, the experience outlined suggests that the low-dose pulse regimen is as effective in remission induction of severe flares as the high-dose regimen, allowing significant GC sparing. Since the cumulative GC dose is a known strong predictor of organ damage, strategies aimed to minimize the GC dosage should be encouraged.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1502-HPR A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FATIGUE IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) AT THE TIME OF PANDEMIC: A PILOT STUDY

Background

Fatigue in SLE has a multifactorial origin and disease activity seems to contribute only minimally to its genesis. Therefore, non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies should also be considered in the management of fatigue. There is some evidence on the effectiveness of aerobic exercise programs in improving fatigue, without a negative impact on disease manifestations.

Objectives

the aim of this study was to analyze fatigue and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a monocentric cohort of patients with SLE, in a condition of stable remission or low disease activity, before and after a program of physical exercise, through the administration of validated Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs).

Methods

this is a cross-sectional interventional study which included patients with SLE, aged between 18 and 55 years, in a condition of stable (≥12 months) remission (DORIS)1 or low disease activity (LLDAS)2. Patients enrolled had a FACIT score ≤40 in the previous 6 months. Patients with other possible causes of fatigue (e.g.: anemia, hypothyroidism, severe vitamin D deficiency), active arthritis or physical disabilities were excluded. For each patient, demographics, comorbidities, treatment, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Disease activity was evaluated with the SELENA-SLEDAI and organ damage with the SLICC/DI. Each patient completed the following PROs before and after the interventional program: SF-36, FACIT-Fatigue, LIT, HADS. Due to the limitations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical exercise sessions were carried out using the Google Meet digital platform. Patients were asked to participate to at least 70% of the lessons. The physical exercise program included moderate intensity aerobic exercises (muscle strengthening, joint mobility, breathing, static and dynamic stretching, balance and neuro-dynamics); workouts were performed 3 times a week, consisting of 60 minutes each. The program lasted for 12 weeks.

Results

we enrolled 12 female patients, regularly followed at the Rheumatology Unit of Pisa; only 9 of them completed the study (mean age 38.56 ± 9.1 years; median disease duration 7 years (IQR 5,25-9,75)). 8/9 were in stable remission, while 1/9 was in LLDAS for the presence of leukopenia.

2/9 patients presented organ damage, one for cataract and one for renal insufficiency, while none presented damage in the musculoskeletal system. 33.3% of patients had fibromyalgia. 88.8% was on treatment with Hydroxychloroquine, 55.5% was on low dose steroids (2±1.9 mg/daily), 33.3% was on Mycophenolate Mofetil; only 1 patient was on Belimumab. All PROs showed a trend to improvement at the end of the 12-week program of physical activity (Table 1). We demonstrated a statistically significant improvement of: FACIT, LIT, depression score of the HADS and MCS of the SF-36. The items of role physical (RP), vitality (VT) and mental health (MH) of the SF-36 also showed a significant improvement.

Table 1.

Scores of PROs before and after the physical exercise program.

PROsMean scores at baselineMean scores after the 12-week exercise programpFACIT30.2 ± 4.939.3 ± 7.20.01PF73.18 ± 10.978.9 ± 10.50.18RP50 ± 13.267.4 ± 18.60.03BP52 ± 12.154.1 ± 11.10.73GH41.7 ± 11.148.4 ± 11.10.07VT34.7 ± 12.559.0 ± 14.20.002SF58.3 ± 15.666.7 ± 16.70.3RE55.5 ± 21.569.4 ± 18.00.13MH58.3 ± 15.867.2 ± 16.20.03PCS43.8 ± 4.046.1 ± 4.80.19MCS38.6 ± 8.845.6 ± 8.70.03LIT36.9 ± 14.227.5 ± 14.10.05HADS (A)9 ± 4.47.7 ± 3.20.4HADS (D)7.9 ± 4.45.1 ± 2.960.05

Conclusion

In a small cohort of SLE patients in remission but with severe fatigue, in the difficult context of COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrated that an online program of physical exercise may determine a significant improvement of fatigue, perception of disease burden and mental health. In the context of a multidisciplinary management, finding effective intervention programs to improve fatigue and HRQoL in SLE patients appears of utmost importance, with the final aim of improving patients’ health status.

References

[1]PMID 27884822; 2PMID 26458737

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

OP0128 ADHERENCE TO MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY IN SYSTEMIC AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Background

Low medication adherence is a well known issue in the management of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD), little however is known on adherence to medication during pregnancy, especially in these patients with high risk pregnancies.

Objectives

This study is aimed at evaluating the level of adherence to medication in pregnant patients with SAD in comparison with non-pregnant patients with SAD, and at identifying determinants of low adherence.

Methods

Pregnant and non-pregnant patients with an established diagnosis of SAD were consecutively enrolled. Pregnant patients were included in a tight monitoring protocol for high risk pregnancies, and treatments were checked every month. The following data were collected at enrolment: epidemiological and demographic characteristics, disease duration and type of medications. Each patient completed the following anonymous questionnaires: the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess the presence of anxiety and depression. With regard to MMAS-8, we assessed adherence to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and to other disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) separately. We considered a score ≥ 6 as indicator of good adherence. Vitamins and dietary supplements were not considered.

Results

A total of 80 pregnant women and 72 non-pregnant women were enrolled. Clinical data and results of the questionnaires are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

Characteristics of the cohort

Pregnant patients N=80Non-pregnant patients N=72P valueAge at study entry (years, mean ±SD)35.8±4.340.1±12.20.001Disease duration (years, mean ±SD)8.5±6.68.6±9.1n.sNumber of tablets/day (mean ±SD)4.3±1.64.1±1.8n.sNumber of assumption/day (mean ±SD)1.4±0.61.6±0.8n.sScore MMAS for HCQ (mean ±SD)6.99±0.26.38±0.20.039Score MMAS for other DMARDs (mean ±SD)6.99±0.36.39±0.20.018Patients with good adherence to HCQ (%)38/50 (76.0%)34/59 (57.6%)0.044Patients with good adherence to medications (%)53/71 (74.6%)37/60 (61.7%)n.sPatients with low adherence to HCQ (%)12/50 (24%)25/59 (42.4%)0.044Patients with low adherence to medications (%)18/71 (25.4%)23/60 (38.3%)n.sAnxiety (%)20 (25%)30 (41.7%)0.029Depression (%)11 (13.7%)19 (26.4%)0.051

MMAS-8 score was significantly higher in pregnant women both for HCQ (p=0.039) and other DMARDs (p=0.018), as well as the rate of patients with good medication adherence for HCQ (76.0% vs 57.6%, p=0.044). The rate of patients with good medication adherence for other DMARDs was higher in pregnant patients (74.6% vs 61.7%) but this different was not statistically different.

Demographic and clinical characteristics and the number of therapies received didn’t seem to influence treatment adherence. Fifty patients (32.8%) suffered from anxiety, and this disorder was a significant determinant of low medication adherence in all groups. Conversely, depression didn’t seem to have an impact on adherence on neither group.

Conclusion

Overall, pregnant patients with SAD had a good adherence to prescribed medication; nevertheless, 25% of patients didn’t take therapies adequately despite being closely monitored in a dedicated clinic for high risk pregnancies and an adequate pregnancy counselling; anxiety seems to be one determinant of low medications adherence both in pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Self-Reported Anxiety and Depression in a Monocentric Cohort of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Analysis of Prevalence, Main Determinants, and Impact on Quality of Life

Aims of the study

To analyze the prevalence of self-reported anxiety and depression in a monocentric cohort of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); to study the main determinants and the impact on quality of life (QoL).

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study including adult outpatients with SLE. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed: indices of disease activity (SELENA-SLEDAI); damage (SLICC-DI); comorbidities and concomitant therapies. The definitions for remission (DORIS) and “Lupus Low Disease Activity State” (LLDAS) were applied. At enrollment, each patient completed the following questionnaires: SF-36, FACIT-Fatigue, Lupus Impact Tracker (LIT), Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in order to self-assess anxiety and depression symptoms. The Student t-test and Chi² tests were conducted for univariate analysis. The Spearman test was used for linear correlation between continuous data. Multivariate analysis was performed by multiple linear and logistic regression.

Results

One hundred fifty-four consecutive patients with SLE were enrolled, the majority female and Caucasian with a mean age = 43.3 ± 13.7 years. 79.9% were in LLDAS or remission. 36.4% had a SDI > 1. 13.7% of patients had concomitant fibromyalgia. 37.4% had symptoms indicating anxiety and 25% of depression according to the HADS questionnaire. In the multivariate analysis, patients with active disease were significantly more anxious and depressed (p < 0.01) compared to patients in LLDAS or remission. Fibromyalgia and older age were independently associated with anxiety and depression, respectively (p < 0.05). Active skin involvement was significantly linked to depression (p < 0.05). Higher scores on the HADS questionnaire (higher levels of anxiety and depression) were found to be significantly linked to patients’ perception of higher disease activity and worse quality of life, irrespective of disease activity, age and fibromyalgia.

Conclusion

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are frequent in SLE patients, including outpatients with mild/moderate disease. Such symptoms have a significant negative impact on QoL and perception of disease activity, regardless of other factors. Moreover, disease activity, advanced age and fibromyalgia appear to be significantly linked to mood disorders. Assessing symptoms of the anxious-depressive spectrum in patients with SLE could lead to improvement in patients’ perception of health status and quality of life.

POS0756 HOW HAS OUR MANAGEMENT OF SLE CHANGED OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES? REAL LIFE DATA FROM A MONOCENTRIC COHORT

Background:

Over the last decades new therapies have been approved and new treatment strategies have been proposed in the treatment of SLE. In particular, recently, EULAR recommendations1 and the Treat to Target2 approach established a new paradigm for the treatment of SLE based on the early introduction of immunosuppressive treatment and glucocorticoids (GC) minimization.

Objectives:

to evaluate changes in therapeutic approach and outcomes over the last three decades in a monocentric cohort of SLE patients.

Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a monocentric cohort of patients with SLE with disease diagnosis between 1990 and 2020. Based on the year of diagnosis, patients were divided in three groups, each of them corresponding to a decade: group 1: decade 1990-1999; group 2: decade 2000-2009; group 3: decade 2010-2020. For each patient, epidemiological and demographic characteristics, cumulative organ involvement and serology, previous and ongoing therapies, comorbidities were collected and compared among the 3 groups. Organ damage was evaluated by the SLICC-DI (SDI)3 at 1 and 5 years from diagnosis, as comorbidities we considered hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular (CV) events occurred during the follow-up.

Results:

A total of 262 SLE patients were enrolled in the study (97% Caucasian, 90.5% females): 69 patients in group 1, 100 in group 2 and 93 in group 3. Demographic and clinical characteristics of whole cohort and of the three groups are summarized in table 1. Differences in therapies during the first year from diagnosis among the groups are summarized in table 1. In group 3 the use of Micophenolate Mofetil was significantly more common with respect to the group 1 (25% vs 1.4%, p= 0.001) and similar to group 2 (25% vs 25.5%, p=ns); on the contrary, in group 3, Azathioprine (AZA) and Cyclosporine (Cya) were less used (13.2% vs 27.5%, p=0.003 and 3.3% vs 14.3%, p= 0.019 respectively). As Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is concerned, it was used with the same frequency in the three decades, but in group 1, the total dose of CYC was significantly higher than second and third group (4.8 g vs 2.3 and 0.9, p=0.02 and p=0.001 respectively). In group 2 and 3, during the first year of disease, biological drugs (Rituximab or Belimumab) have been used more frequently (2% and 2.2% vs 0%, p=0.04). Any differences have not been showed for GC among the groups. However, in group 3 a significantly higher proportion of patients stopped GC therapy within 5 years from diagnosis (34.5% vs 8.8% and 12.5%, p=0.001) and in the same group the duration of GC therapy was significantly shorter with respect to previous two decades (3.1 years vs 16.8 and 10.5 respectively, p=0.001). As regard damage accrual, at 1 and 5 years from diagnosis, no significant differences among groups were observed; however, hypertension resulted significantly less common in group 3 (10% vs 26% and 37.3%, p=0.001), even adjusting for age (OR=0.2); less CV events were recorded in group 3, but significance is lost adjusting for age.

Table 1.Whole cohortGroup 1Group 2Group 3pPatients (n)2626910093Caucasian (%)97%99%98%94.6%.n.s.Females (%)90.5%94.2%95%92.5%n.s.Median age at diagnosis IQR)29 (20-36)27 (20-32)28.5 (20-36)34 (23-44)0.001Cumulative organ involvementRenal48.1%52.2%57%35.5%0.007Articular74.4%75.3%66%82.8%n.s.Serositic19.5%20.3%22%16.1%n.s.Neuropsychiatric8%11.6%6%7.5%n.s.Cutaneous63%70%60%61.3%n.s.Hematological58.4%51.5%61%61.3%n.s.Therapies 1styearAZA17.2%8.7%27.5%13.2%0.003MMF18.7%1.4%25.5%25.3%0.001CYC22.5%21.7%27%17%n.s.Cya9.9%13%14.3%3.30.019Biologicals1.5%0%2%2.2%n.s

Conclusion:

These data show that new therapies and new treatment strategies have actually been implemented in clinical practice over the past 30 years; further studies with a longer follow-up are necessary to appreciate the impact of these advancement on clinical outcomes.

References:

[1]Bertsias G, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2008.

[2]van Vollenhoven RF, et al.Ann Rheum Dis 2014.

[3]Gladman DD, et al. J Rheumatol 2000.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

POS0789 APPLICATION OF THE NEW ACR/EULAR 2019 CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS TO A INCEPTION, MONOCENTRIC COHORT OF UNDIFFERENTIATED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES POPULATION AT ONSET OF THE DISEASE

Background:

undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTDs) are a group of systemic autoimmune diseases that share clinical and serological manifestations with definite connective tissue diseases (CTDs), but do not satisfy existing classification criteria1. Within this group, it is possible to identify very heterogeneous conditions: transitory and self-limiting forms, stable conditions over time and forms that will evolve towards definite CTDs, in particular Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The availability of new classification criteria for CTDs could be useful in identifying major CTDs from their onset and help in the differentiation from stable UCTDs, which will maintain their undifferentiated profile over time.

Objectives:

the aim of this study was to apply the new ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria of SLE2 to patients included, at the onset of UCTD, to evaluate how many patients could be re-classified as SLE.

Methods:

this is a retrospective observational study that enrolls patients who received the diagnosis of UCTD at the Rheumatology Unit of Pisa, according to the classification criteria proposed by Mosca et al1, and were then regularly followed in the same clinic (inception cohort). For each patient, demographics, comorbidities, treatment, clinical and serological data were collected, at baseline and during follow-up. The new ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria of SLE were applied to the inception cohort at the onset of the disease. The characteristics of patients re-classified as SLE according to the new classification criteria and those of patients who “remained” classified as UCTD were compared.

Results:

we enrolled 202 patients with a diagnosis of UCTD, mainly female (F:M 193:9) and of Caucasian ethnicity (97.5%), mean age at the diagnosis 38,5 ± 13,2 years and a median follow-up of 5 years (IQR 2-10).

During the follow-up, 10 patients (4.9%) in our cohort developed clinical and serological characteristics that led to a diagnosis of a definite CTD, in particular: 7 SLE, 2 Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) and 1 Sjogren’s syndrome.

Applying the ACR/EULAR 2019 classification criteria of SLE to patients enrolled at the onset of the disease, 38/202 (18.8%) would have been classified as SLE (with a median score of 12 (IQR 11-15)) on the basis of the presenting clinical and serological manifestations. Interestingly, 6/7 patients who received a diagnosis of SLE during the follow-up were among these 38 patients.

Among the items of the new classification criteria of SLE, the most frequently satisfied by patients “re-classified” were arthritis (63.2%), hematological (44.7%) and skin (23.7%) manifestations; as for the “immunological” items, hypocomplementemia (71%), SLE-specific (52.6%) and antiphospholipid (35.1%) autoantibodies.

Comparing the subgroup of patients “re-classified” as SLE with that of patients who “remained” UCTD, we found that the first group presented more frequently hematological manifestations, hypocomplementemia and anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-beta2GPI positivity at the onset of the disease (p<0.01). Moreover, during the follow-up, the subgroup of patients “re-classified” as SLE developed more frequently malar (p<0.05) and discoid rash and arthritis (p<0.01) compared to patients who “remained” UCTD.

Conclusion:

The development of increasingly sensible and specific classification criteria for definite CTDs may guide in the identification of stable UCTDs since their early stages and consequently in better definition of these conditions that can be considered as a distinct clinical entity.

The early identification of stable UCTD is of great importance not only for clinical management (follow-up schedules as well as therapeutic protocols) but also for scientific implications.

References:

[1]Mosca M. et al., Clin Exp Rheumatol. Sep-Oct 1999;17(5):615-20; 2. Fanouriakis A. et al., Ann Rheum Dis. 2020 Jun;79(6):713-723.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Impact of fatigue on health-related quality of life and illness perception in a monocentric cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

Fatigue is a very common and debilitating symptom in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), even among those with a mild or inactive disease. The objective of this study is to define fatigue determinants and describe the impact of fatigue on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and illness perception in a monocentric cohort of patients with SLE.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. Adult patients with SLE were included. For each patient, demographics, medications, comorbidities, organ damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index), active disease manifestations and Systemic Lupus Disease Activity Index scores were collected. It was evaluated if each patient met the definitions of remission and low disease activity. At enrolment, each patient completed the Short Form-36 (SF-36), Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), Lupus Impact Tracker (LIT), Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) and Brief Index of Lupus Damage (BILD). The FACIT-F questionnaire was also administered to a group of healthy controls.

Results

223 patients were included (mean age 44.9±13.2 years, median disease duration 13 years). 18.2% had an active disease, 43.5% met the definition of remission on treatment, and 11.8% had a concomitant fibromyalgia. The median FACIT-F score of our cohort was significantly lower compared with that of healthy controls (40 vs 47; p<0.001). FACIT-F scores were irrespective of age, disease duration, disease activity and damage. FACIT-F score was significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia (p<0.01). FACIT-F scores demonstrated a significant correlation with all other patient-reported outcomes: SF-36 (r=0.53–0.77), LIT (r=−0.78), SLAQ (r=−0.72) and BILD (r=−0.28).

Conclusions

Fatigue in patients with SLE has a strong negative impact on HRQoL and patient perception of the disease burden. Fatigue seems irrespective of disease activity but significantly influenced by the presence of fibromyalgia.

Impact of first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Weighting the risk of infection and flare

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) cohort; to assess correlations with disease characteristics and rheumatic therapy; and to evaluate the occurrence of treatment discontinuation and its impact on disease activity.

Materials and methods

SLE patients monitored by a single Italian centre were interviewed between February and July 2020. Patients were considered to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 infections in case of 1) positive nasopharyngeal swab; 2) positive serology associated with COVID19 suggesting symptoms. The following data were also recorded: clinical symptoms, adoption of social distancing measures, disease activity and treatment discontinuation.

Results

332 patients were enrolled in the study. Six patients (1.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the incidence being significantly higher in the subgroup of patients treated with biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (p = 0.005), while no difference was observed for other therapies, age at enrollment, disease duration, type of cumulative organ involvement or adoption of social isolation. The course of the disease was mild. Thirty-six patients (11.1%) discontinued at least part of their therapy during this time period, and 27 (8.1%) cases of disease flare were recorded. Correlation between flare and discontinuation of therapy was statistically significant (p<0.001). No significant increase of rate of flare in a subgroup of the same patients during 2020 was observed.

Conclusion

Treatment discontinuation seems to be an important cause of disease flare. Our findings suggest that abrupt drug withdrawal should be avoided or evaluated with caution on the basis of individual infection risk and comorbidities.

How do systemic lupus erythematosus patients with very-long disease duration present? Analysis of a monocentric cohort

OBJECTIVE

to describe the disease path and the very long-term outcome in a monocentric cohort of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

SLE patients with a disease duration of at least 15 years from diagnosis were enrolled. The number of hospitalizations, the disease flares occurred over the disease course and the organ damage accumulation were evaluated at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 years from diagnosis and at last observation in 2019 as well. Disease state, ongoing therapies and quality of life measures were also assessed at last visit.

RESULTS

126 Caucasian SLE patients were included in the analysis (95% female, median age 47.5 IQR 41-53, median disease duration 21 IQR19-26). At last visit, the majority of the patients (78.6%) was on LLDAS (remission included), 53.4% were on GC treatment and 35.7% on immunosuppressant. Furthermore, 53.2% had at least one organ damage. The majority of patients (66.7%) presented a relapsing-remitting course, for a total of 158 flares during the disease course (incidence rate: 0.79/patient-year); moreover, 84.9% of the cohort experienced at least one hospital admission, amounting to a total of 328 hospitalizations (incidence rate: 0.85/patient-year). The main reason for admission was disease activity, while the percentage of hospitalizations due to other causes has been growing over the 10 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

after a very long period of disease, most of the patients with SLE are in remission and are not taking GC therapy; however, the risk of incurring in disease flare remains a real problem.

Articular involvement, steroid treatment and fibromyalgia are the main determinants of patient-physician discordance in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background

Remission or the lowest possible disease activity is the main target in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anyway, conflicting data are present in the literature regarding the correlation between physician-driven definitions and patient perception of the disease. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the definition of lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) and patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, monocentric study. Adult SLE patients were included. For each patient, demographics, disease duration, medications, comorbidities, organ damage, active disease manifestations and SELENA-SLEDAI were assessed. Patients have been categorised as follows: LLDAS, remission and active disease. Each patient completed the following patient-reported outcomes (PROs): SF-36, LIT, FACIT-Fatigue and SLAQ. A SLAQ score < 6 (25° percentile of our cohort) was used as the cut-off value to define a low disease activity state according to patient self-evaluation.

Results

We enrolled 259 consecutive SLE patients (mainly female and Caucasian, mean age 45.33 ± 13.14 years, median disease duration 14 years). 80.3% were in LLDAS, of whom 82.2% were in remission; 19.7% were active. No differences emerged for any of the PROs used between the LLDAS and the active group.

Considering the LLDAS subgroup, we identified 56 patients with a subjective low disease activity (SLAQ < 6) and we defined them as “concordant”; the remaining 152 patients in LLDAS presented a subjective active disease (SLAQ ≥ 6) and were defined “discordant”. Discordant patients presented more frequently ongoing and past joint involvement (p < 0.05) and a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (p < 0.01); furthermore, they were more likely to be on glucocorticoid therapy (p < 0.01). Discordant patients showed a significantly poorer HRQoL, assessed by all PROs (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Joint involvement, glucocorticoid therapy and comorbid fibromyalgia resulted to be the most important variables determining the poor concordance between patient and physician perspective on the disease.

Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Italian version of the Brief Index of Lupus Damage: the BILDit

Objectives

The Brief Index of Lupus Damage (BILD) is an instrument of self-evaluation of organ damage for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The objectives of this study were the translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Italian version of the BILD (BILDit).

Methods

The process of translation and cultural adaptation followed published guidelines. The BILDit was pretested in a pilot study with 30 SLE patients in order to evaluate acceptability, reliability, comprehension and feasibility, and then validated in consecutive SLE patients attending our clinic.

Results

A total of 167 SLE patients were enrolled. In the pilot study, the BILDit demonstrated good acceptability, feasibility and comprehensibility and a very high degree of reliability (Cronbach’s α = 1). In the validation cohort, the BILDit showed a significant positive correlation with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI; ρ = 0.69; p < 0.001). Analysing the item-by-item correlation between the BILDit and the SDI, a good correlation ( p < 0.001) was found for 73.1% of the items. In the multivariate analysis, the BILDit showed a significant positive correlation with age and disease duration ( p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The BILDit seems to be an acceptable and reliable instrument for patient self-evaluation of disease damage, with a good correlation with the SDI. It can be considered as a screening tool for the evaluation of organ damage starting from the patient’s perceptive.

Pregnancy and undifferentiated connective tissue disease: outcome and risk of flare in 100 pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

UCTD is a systemic autoimmune condition that fails to fulfil the criteria for a definite CTD. Given that there are a lack of studies on links between pregnancy and UCTD, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of disease flares or development of CTD in addition to the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with UCTD.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study using prospectively collected data for 100 pregnancies in 81 incidences of UCTD treated in a single referral centre.

RESULTS

A total of 11 pregnancies (11%) ended in miscarriage in the first trimester and the remaining 89 (89%) ended with a live birth. Thirteen patients (13%) flared during pregnancy or puerperium and three (3%) suffered major flares that led to the development of SLE with renal involvement. Obstetric complications occurred in 26 of the 89 successful pregnancies (29%), including 1 case (1%) of pre-eclampsia; in some cases, a single pregnancy was affected by more than one complication. There was a significant link between disease flare and both anti-dsDNA-positive antibodies at baseline (P < 0.01) and disease activity at the beginning of pregnancy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The impact on pregnancy in the study's cohort appears to be less serious in UCTD than in other CTDs. Nevertheless, disease flares and obstetric complications can represent a clinical challenge and clinical and serological disease activity would appear to represent important determinants of pregnancy outcomes. Pre-pregnancy counselling and planning as well as close monitoring during pregnancy is therefore essential.

Riociguat in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (RISE-SSc): randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial

OBJECTIVES

Riociguat is approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension and has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in animal models of tissue fibrosis. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of riociguat in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) at high risk of skin fibrosis progression.

METHODS

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb trial, adults with dcSSc of <18 months' duration and a modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) 10-22 units received riociguat 0.5 mg to 2.5 mg orally three times daily (n=60) or placebo (n=61). The primary endpoint was change in mRSS from baseline to week 52.

RESULTS

At week 52, change from baseline in mRSS units was -2.09±5.66 (n=57) with riociguat and -0.77±8.24 (n=52) with placebo (difference of least squares means -2.34 (95% CI -4.99 to 0.30; p=0.08)). In patients with interstitial lung disease, forced vital capacity declined by 2.7% with riociguat and 7.6% with placebo. At week 14, average Raynaud's condition score had improved ≥50% in 19 (41.3%)/46 patients with riociguat and 13 (26.0%)/50 patients with placebo. Safety assessments showed no new signals with riociguat and no treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Riociguat did not significantly benefit mRSS versus placebo at the predefined p<0.05. Secondary and exploratory analyses showed potential efficacy signals that should be tested in further trials. Riociguat was well tolerated.

Framingham, ACC/AHA or QRISK3: which is the best in systemic lupus erythematosus cardiovascular risk estimation?

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to compare three algorithms for cardiovascular (CV) risk estimation, namely Framingham, ACC/AHA and QRISK3, in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Consecutive patients with SLE according to the ACR criteria were enrolled. Traditional risk factors, ongoing therapies, comorbidities and SLE-specific evaluations were assessed. In those without previous myocardial infarction or stroke, Framingham, ACC/AHA and QRISK3 algorithms were then used to estimate the individual risk of developing a CV disease over the next 10 years.

RESULTS

Patients eligible for CV risk estimation were 123 out of 135 enrolled. Framingham index reported a median risk score of 4.7% (IQR 9.5-2.2), considering 29 patients (23.6%) at high CV risk. ACC/AHA index showed a median risk score of 1.4% (IQR 4.5-0.7), with 17 patients (13.8%) at high-risk. QRISK3 revealed a median risk score of 6.2% (IQR 12.5-2.8), making it possible to classify 44 patients (35.8%) at high CV risk. The subgroup analysis of subjects older than 40 years confirmed the same number of high-risk patients for both Framingham and ACC/AHA, whereas QRISK3 classified 38 subjects at high CV risk.

CONCLUSIONS

QRISK3 classifies a greater number of SLE patients at high-risk of developing CV diseases over the next 10 years in comparison with classic algorithms as Framingham and ACC/AHA. If its predictive accuracy were confirmed by longitudinal data, QRISK3 could become an important tool in the early detection of a considerable part of CV high-risk SLE patients that would be underestimated when applying classic algorithms.

OP0249 LONG-TERM EXTENSION RESULTS OF RISE-SSC, A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF RIOCIGUAT IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY DIFFUSE CUTANEOUS SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS (DCSSC)

Background:

RISE-SSc (NCT02283762) was a multicenter Phase IIb trial of riociguat in pts with early (duration ≤18 months) dcSSc and modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) 10−22 units. Pts were randomized double-blind to placebo or riociguat 0.5–2.5 mg t.i.d. for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint, mRSS change from baseline to Week (Wk) 52, did not reach statistical significance (p=0.08, riociguat vs placebo), but there were favorable trends in some other outcomes.

Objectives:

To present open-label long-term extension (LTE) results of RISE-SSc.

Methods:

Pts who completed Wk 52 of double-blind therapy could enter LTE on riociguat. Endpoints included mRSS, adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs).

Results:

Of 60 pts randomized to riociguat and 61 to placebo, 42 (riociguat−riociguat group) and 45 (former placebo group), respectively, entered LTE. At LTE start, mean±SD mRSS was 16.4±3.2 and 16.3±4.2 units, and mean disease duration was 8.9±7.8 and 8.9±5.8 months, in the riociguat−riociguat and former placebo groups, respectively. Other demographics/disease characteristics were also comparable. Median duration of riociguat treatment was 1092 d in riociguat−riociguat pts and 649 d in former placebo pts. Throughout the study, mRSS decreased in both groups (Figure 1). From Wk 52 to last visit, mRSS fell by −3.02±5.51 in riociguat−riociguat patients and −3.96±5.43 in former placebo pts. Rates of mRSS regression (decrease by >5 units and ≥25% from Wk 52 to last visit) and of % declines in mRSS were similar in the two groups (Figure 2). mRSS progression (increase by >5 units and ≥25% from Wk 52 to last visit) occurred in 1 pt (2%) in each group. During the entire study, rescue therapy agents were used in 15 (36%) riociguat−riociguat pts and 17 (38%) former placebo pts. AEs were reported from Wk 52 to last visit in 82 pts (94%): 40 (95%) riociguat−riociguat and 42 (93%) former placebo. Most common AEs overall: nasopharyngitis (24%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (17%), diarrhea (15%), and hypotension (14%). AEs of special interest (dizziness, postural dizziness, or hypotension) occurred in 5 riociguat−riociguat pts (12%) and 4 former placebo pts (9%). SAEs were reported in 21 (24%) pts: 10 (24%) riociguat−riociguat pts and 11 (24%) former placebo pts, with no SAE reported in >1 patient, no SAEs of special interest, and no deaths.

Conclusion:

During LTE riociguat treatment, mRSS decreased in both groups from Wk 52 onwards and mRSS progression was uncommon. Riociguat had acceptable safety, similar to the main study, with no new safety signal.

Acknowledgments:

RISE-SSc was jointly funded by Bayer AG and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Disclosure of Interests:

Dinesh Khanna Shareholder of: Eicos, Grant/research support from: NIH NIAID, NIH NIAMS, Consultant of: Acceleron, Actelion, Bayer, BMS, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Corbus, Galapagos, Genentech/Roche, GSK, Mitsubishi Tanabi, Sanofi-Aventis/Genzyme, UCB Pharma, Janet Pope Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Company, Merck, Roche, Seattle Genetics, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eicos Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company, Emerald, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB, Marco Matucci-Cerinic Grant/research support from: Actelion, MSD, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Speakers bureau: Acetelion, Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Masataka Kuwana Grant/research support from: Acetelion, Consultant of: Acetelion, Bayer, Chugai, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, CSL Behring and Reata Pharmaceuticals. He was a member of the SENSCIS trial Steering Committee (Boehringer Ingelheim), Christopher Denton Grant/research support from: GlaxoSmithKline, CSL Behring, and Inventiva, Consultant of: Medscape, Roche-Genentech, Actelion, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Aventis, Inventiva, CSL Behring, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Acceleron, Curzion and Bayer, Yannick Allanore Grant/research support from: BMS, Inventiva, Roche, Sanofi, Consultant of: Actelion, Bayer AG, BMS, BI, Melanie Wosnitza Employee of: Bayer AG, Marie-Elise Truchetet: None declared, Gabriella Szücs: None declared, Wendy Stevens: None declared, Viginia Steen Grant/research support from: The associated affiliation has received grants/research from Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, CSL Behring, Eicos, Galapagos, Immune Tolerance Network, Reata, Consultant of: Virginia Steen has acted as a consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, Eicos, Forbius, Chiara Stagnaro: None declared, Vanessa Smith Grant/research support from: The affiliated company received grants from Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Belgian Fund for Scientific Research in Rheumatic diseases (FWRO), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and Janssen-Cilag NV, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co, Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and UCB Biopharma Sprl, Richard Silver: None declared, Elena Schiopu: None declared, Valeria Riccieri: None declared, Frank Kramer Employee of: Bayer AG, Sindhu Johnson Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Merck, Bayer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ikaria, Osamu Ishikawa: None declared, Tomonori Ishii: None declared, Eric Hachlla: None declared, Ellen De Langhe Consultant of: member of advisory board for Boehringer, László Czirják Consultant of: Actelion, BI, Roche-Genentech, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer AG, Radim Bečvář Consultant of: Actelion, Roche, Tatsuya Atsumi Grant/research support from: Eli Lily Japan K.K., Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Consultant of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Oliver Distler Grant/research support from: Grants/Research support from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Competitive Drug Development International Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe; he also holds the issued Patent on mir-29 for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (US8247389, EP2331143)., Consultant of: Consultancy fees from Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, AnaMar, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Catenion, ChemomAb, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Pfizer and Roche

FRI0221 GIANT CELL ARTERITIS PRESENTING AS FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN AND DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS: ANALYSIS OF TWO DIFFERENT DECADES

Background:

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) represents the most common primary vasculitis of the elderly, that usually involves large and medium sized arteries. The wide spectrum of clinical manifestations can extensively vary, from cranial symptoms, such as headache, jaw claudication or visual alterations, to constitutional symptoms, like fever, weight loss or asthenia. Fever of unknown origin (FUO) may sometimes represents the initial symptom of GCA and when it is not associated with other typical GCA features, the diagnosis can be unluckily delayed.

Objectives:

The primary aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of GCA patients presenting as FUO. The secondary aims were to identify the delays in the diagnosis and to compare them between the last two decades.

Methods:

Epidemiological and clinical data of 274 GCA patients followed in the last 20 years in our Unit were analysed. We quantified the latency period between the onset of signs and symptoms and the final diagnosis of GCA in terms of months.

Results:

One hundred and eighty-five patients (49 males and 136 females, mean ± SD age at the onset 71±7 years) had shown at the onset signs and symptoms suggestive of GCA (new onset headache and/or scalp pain 86%, jaw claudication 39%, vision loss 35%, abnormal temporal artery on examination 49%, dizziness 31%) while 89 patients (33 males and 56 females, mean age at the onset 69±4 years) were sent to our attention just for the onset of FUO and for an increase of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein not otherwise justified. After an extensive work-up aimed at excluding any kind of infection, malignancy or hematological disorder, the patients with FUO performed a temporal artery biopsy (TAB) and/or a (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET). The results from histology and/or imaging allowed us to perform the diagnosis of GCA in all cases; moreover the main PET alterations reported were characterized by a (18)FDG uptake of the aortic arch and its major braches, including the carotid, subclavian, thoracic aorta and, less frequently, the abdominal aorta. Considering the different decades, the mean latency period between the onset of FUO and the diagnosis of GCA was 6±3 months in the decade from 2000 to 2010 and 3±2 months in the last decade, that was significantly higher compared with the mean latency period between the onset of signs and symptoms suggestive of GCA and the definitive diagnosis (3±1 months) in the other patients of the cohort in the first decade. Notably the latency period between the onset of signs and symptoms suggestive of GCA and the definitive diagnosis was more close (2±1 months) to the latency period of diagnosis in FUO presenting GCA in the last decade.

Conclusion:

Our data underline that there is a major focus on the diagnosis of GCA, even when the presentation is not typical; this is probably due to the major knowledge reached in the last decade, to an improved sensibilization regarding the different profiles of presentation and surely on the bigger use of 18F-FDG PET in the work-up of GCA patients.

Acknowledgments:

none

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

FRI0575 BIOMARKER ANALYSIS FROM THE RISE-SSC STUDY OF RIOCIGUAT IN EARLY DIFFUSE CUTANEOUS SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS (DCSSC)

Background:

RISE-SSc (NCT02283762) was a multicenter, double-blind, Phase IIb study of riociguat in early dcSSc. Primary endpoint was change in mRSS from baseline to Wk 52.

Objectives:

Exploratory, descriptive analyses of riociguat target engagement and effects on disease biomarkers in RISE-SSc and their relationship with effects on the primary endpoint. All biomarker p-values are for information only.

Methods:

Pts with dcSSc (duration ≤18 mo; modified Rodnan skin score [mRSS] 10–22 units) were randomized to riociguat 0.5−2.5 mg tid (n=60) or placebo (n=61). Biomarkers of target engagement (cGMP), inflammation and/or vascular/endothelial function (e.g. high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], soluble platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 [sPECAM-1], soluble E-selectin, chemokine ligand 4 [CXCL-4]), and fibrosis (e.g. alpha-smooth muscle cell actin [alphaSMA], pro-collagen mRNA expression) were measured in plasma, serum, and skin biopsies at baseline and Wk 14.

Results:

Mean±SD change from baseline in mRSS was –2.09±5.66 (n=57) with riociguat and –0.77±8.24 (n=52) with placebo (p=0.08). From baseline to Wk 14, plasma cGMP rose by mean (SD) 94% (78%) (n=52) with riociguat and 10% (39%) (n=52) with placebo (nominal p<0.001). Serum sPECAM-1 and CXCL-4 fell with riociguat vs placebo; changes in hsCRP or E-selectin differed little between groups (Fig 1). Pts with higher baseline sPECAM-1 showed larger mRSS reductions with riociguat vs placebo than pts with lower levels (nominal interaction p=0.004). In baseline skin biopsies, 34% and 31% of pts in the riociguat and placebo groups, respectively, had no alphaSMA-positive cells; other pts had +ve cells (alphaSMA counts 0.1–99.5, median 2.5), a potential indicator of higher disease activity. Pts with +ve baseline alphaSMA counts showed a reduction of mRSS with riociguat vs placebo (Fig 2). Skin collagen mRNA expression biomarkers in skin biopsies showed no differences between groups.

Conclusion:

Primary study endpoint (change in mRSS) was not met. Plasma cGMP rose with riociguat, confirming engagement with the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway. Serum sPECAM-1 (marker of endothelial activation) and CXCL-4 (marker of progressive SSc) fell with riociguat; hsCRP and E-selectin did not. Some serum and skin biomarkers of higher disease activity at baseline were associated with a greater effect of riociguat on skin fibrosis.

Acknowledgments:

RISE-SSc was jointly funded by Bayer AG and Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Disclosure of Interests:

Oliver Distler Grant/research support from: Grants/Research support from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Competitive Drug Development International Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe; he also holds the issued Patent on mir-29 for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (US8247389, EP2331143)., Consultant of: Consultancy fees from Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, AnaMar, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Catenion, ChemomAb, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Pfizer and Roche, Frank Kramer Employee of: Bayer AG, Josef Höfler Employee of: Josef Höfler is an employee of Staburo GmbH, Munich, Germany, contracted by Bayer AG to perform the biomarker analyses, Mercedeh Ghadessi Employee of: Bayer AG, Peter Sandner Employee of: Bayer AG, Yannick Allanore Grant/research support from: BMS, Inventiva, Roche, Sanofi, Consultant of: Actelion, Bayer AG, BMS, BI, Christopher Denton Grant/research support from: GlaxoSmithKline, CSL Behring, and Inventiva, Consultant of: Medscape, Roche-Genentech, Actelion, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Aventis, Inventiva, CSL Behring, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Acceleron, Curzion and Bayer, Masataka Kuwana Grant/research support from: Acetelion, Consultant of: Acetelion, Bayer, Chugai, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, CSL Behring and Reata Pharmaceuticals. He was a member of the SENSCIS trial Steering Committee (Boehringer Ingelheim), Marco Matucci-Cerinic Grant/research support from: Actelion, MSD, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Speakers bureau: Acetelion, Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janet Pope Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Company, Merck, Roche, Seattle Genetics, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eicos Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company, Emerald, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB, Tatsuya Atsumi Grant/research support from: Eli Lily Japan K.K., Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Consultant of: Gilead Sciences, Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., AbbVie Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., AbbVie Inc., Eisai Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Radim Bečvář Consultant of: Actelion, Roche, László Czirják Consultant of: Actelion, BI, Roche-Genentech, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer AG, Ellen De Langhe Consultant of: member of advisory board for Boehringer, Eric Hachlla: None declared, Tomonori Ishii: None declared, Osamu Ishikawa: None declared, Sindhu Johnson Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Merck, Bayer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ikaria, Kaisa Laapas Employee of: Partly in-sourced to Bayer, Valeria Riccieri: None declared, Elena Schiopu: None declared, Richard Silver: None declared, Vanessa Smith Grant/research support from: The affiliated company received grants from Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Belgian Fund for Scientific Research in Rheumatic diseases (FWRO), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and Janssen-Cilag NV, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co, Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and UCB Biopharma Sprl, Chiara Stagnaro: None declared, Viginia Steen Grant/research support from: The associated affiliation has received grants/research from Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, CSL Behring, Eicos, Galapagos, Immune Tolerance Network, Reata, Consultant of: Virginia Steen has acted as a consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, Eicos, Forbius, Wendy Stevens: None declared, Gabriella Szücs: None declared, Marie-Elise Truchetet: None declared, Melanie Wosnitza Employee of: Bayer AG, Dinesh Khanna Shareholder of: Eicos Sciences, Inc./Civi Biopharma, Inc., Grant/research support from: Dr Khanna was supported by NIH/NIAMS K24AR063120, Consultant of: Acceleron, Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Horizon Therapeutic, Galapagos, Roche/Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Sanofi-Aventis/Genzyme, UCB

THU0254 ARTICULAR INVOLVEMENT, STEROID TREATMENT AND FIBROMYALGIA ARE THE MAIN DETERMINANTS OF PATIENT-PHYSICIAN DISCORDANCE IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background:

Remission or the lowest possible disease activity are the main targets in the management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Anyway, conflicting data are present in the literature regarding the correlation between physician-driven definitions and patient perception of the disease. The discordance between patient and physician perspectives may have a negative impact on disease outcomes.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to identify the main determinants of patient-physician discordance in the evaluation of SLE and health status.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study that enrolls patients with a diagnosis of SLE (ACR 1997 criteria). For each patient, demographics, comorbidities, treatment, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Disease activity was evaluated with the SELENA-SLEDAI score and organ damage with the SLICC/DI. Patients included have been categorized according to the following categories: remission, on or off treatment1, low disease activity (LLDAS)2and active disease status. At enrollment, each patient completed the following PROs: SF-36, FACIT-Fatigue, LIT and SLAQ. We defined a SLAQ score<6, corresponding to the 25° percentile of our cohort, as the cut-off value to define a low disease activity state according to the patient self-evaluation.

Results:

We enrolled 259 consecutive adult SLE patients (93.05% female, 97.2% Caucasian, mean age 45.33±13.14 years, median disease duration 14 years (IQR 6-21)). 208/259 patients satisfied the definition of LLDAS and among them 171 were in remission; 51/259 patients were active. No significant differences emerged as for the results of PROs between groups. Considering the subgroup of 208 patients in LLDAS, we identified 56 patients with a subjective condition of low disease activity (SLAQ<6) and we defined them as “concordant”; the remaining 152 patients in LLDAS presented a subjective active disease (SLAQ≥6) and we defined them as “discordant”. Comparing these two groups, we found that “discordant” patients had more frequently ongoing and past joint involvement (p<0.05) and a concomitant diagnosis of fibromyalgia (p<0.01); finally, they were more frequently on glucocorticoid therapy (p<0.01). “Discordant” patients showed a significantly worse quality of life, evaluated by all PROs (p<0.0001) (Tab 1).

Table 1.

Determinants of patient-physician discordance

Discordant patients(152/208)Concordant patients(56/208)p-valueAge at enrollment(years)47.7±13.144.3±10.8nsDisease duration(years)15.5±10.213.8±9.2nsSLICC-DI1.3±1.70.9±1.7nsOngoing joint involvement(% of patients)10.5%0p<0.05Past joint involvement(% of patients)70.9%55.3%p<0.05GC therapy(% of patients)50%28.6%p<0.01GC daily dose(mg of prednisone)1.6±1.91.1±1.9p=0.06Fibromyalgia(% of patients)15.8%1.8%p<0.01PCS54.7±14.165.8±20.4p<0.0001MCS54±14.564.3±17.7p<0.0001LIT28.4±20.414±16.8p<0.0001FACIT35.3±10.147.3±3.6p<0.0001

Conclusion:

Articular involvement, fibromyalgia and ongoing glucocorticoid treatment, even at low dose, are the major determinants of patient-physician discordance in SLE, determining a negative patient perception of health status.

References:

[1]van Vollenhoven R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2017 - Review. PMID 27884822;

[2]Franklyn K, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. PMID 26458737

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Prognostic Value of Lung Ultrasound B-Lines in Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND

A high percentage of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients experience interstitial lung disease (ILD) during the disease course. Recent data have shown that lung ultrasound (LUS) can assess ILD by the evaluation of B-lines, the sonographic sign of pulmonary interstitial involvement.

RESEARCH QUESTION

To establish the prognostic value of B-lines in a large number of patients with SSc.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 396 consecutive patients with SSc, who were enrolled at three Rheumatology Departments, underwent a comprehensive LUS examination on the anterolateral and posterior chest for a total of 58 scanning sites. All available clinical, imaging, and functional data were recorded. Patients were followed after enrolment to establish the prognostic role of LUS.

RESULTS

The median number of B-lines was higher in patients with the diffuse cutaneous subset (44 vs 17 B-lines; P < .0001), topoisomerase I autoantibodies (39 vs 16 B-lines; P < .0001), and the presence of ILD at chest high-resolution CT (45 vs 9 B-lines; P < .0001). At multivariable analysis, the number of posterior B-lines ≥5 was associated with new development or worsening ILD (hazard ratio, 3.378; 95% CI, 1.137-9.994; P = .028), with additional value over topoisomerase I positivity. The prognostic value was further confirmed in the subgroup of patients with known ILD at baseline (hazard ratio, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.003-1.018; P = .008).

INTERPRETATION

Lung ultrasound B-lines are associated with worsening or development of pulmonary deterioration. In the near future, LUS might become part of the diagnostic and prognostic armamentarium in patients with SSc, which would allow a more sustainable and user-friendly approach to this very fragile population.

Comparison of Early vs. Delayed Anakinra Treatment in Patients With Adult Onset Still's Disease and Effect on Clinical and Laboratory Outcomes

Background: Aim of this study was to search for any difference in the outcome of patients with adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) treated with anakinra (ANK) in relation with the interval between disease onset and the start of anti-interleukin(IL)-1 treatment and according with the different lines of ANK treatment.

Patients and Methods: One hundred and forty-one AOSD patients treated with ANK have been retrospectively assessed. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were analyzed in the frequency of ANK effectiveness, primary or secondary inefficacy to ANK and rate of resolution of clinical and laboratory AOSD manifestations after 3, 6, and 12 months since ANK treatment according with different lines of treatment and different times between AOSD onset and start of ANK.

Results: No significant differences were identified in the ANK effectiveness and frequency of primary or secondary inefficacy for patients starting ANK within 6 months (p = 0.19, p = 0.14, and p = 0.81, respectively) or 12 months (p = 0.37, p = 0.23, and p = 0.81, respectively) since AOSD onset compared with patients starting ANK thereafter; no significant differences were identified in ANK effectiveness and primary or secondary inefficacy according with different lines of ANK treatment (p = 0.06, p = 0.19, and p = 0.13, respectively). Patients starting ANK within 6 and 12 months since AOSD onset showed a significantly quicker decrease of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein than observed among patients undergoing ANK treatment after 6 and 12 months. The number of swollen joints at the 3 month follow-up visit was significantly lower among patients undergoing ANK within 6 months since AOSD onset (p = 0.01), while no significance was identified at the 6 and 12 month assessments (p = 0.23 and p = 0.45, respectively). At the 3 and 6 month visits, the number of swollen joints was significantly higher among patients previously treated with conventional and biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) compared with those formerly treated only with conventional DMARDs (p < 0.017).

Conclusions: Clinical and therapeutic outcomes are substantially independent of how early ANK treatment is started in AOSD patients. However, a faster ANK effectiveness in controlling systemic inflammation and resolving articular manifestations may be observed in patients benefiting from IL-1 inhibition as soon as after disease onset.

Glucocorticoid withdrawal in systemic lupus erythematosus: are remission and low disease activity reliable starting points for stopping treatment? A real-life experience

Objectives

To evaluate the proportion of patients who have successfully withdrawn glucocorticoids (GCs) in a longitudinal cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) over a period of 6 years; to evaluate patient characteristics during GC withdrawal in relation to existing definitions of remission and Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS); and to evaluate the occurrence of flares after GC withdrawal.

Methods

Patients who attempted GC withdrawal were identified for the cohort, and the following information was assessed during withdrawal attempts: date of last disease flare, disease activity and damage and ongoing treatment. Information regarding the occurrence of disease flares after GC withdrawal was also recorded for patients who successfully stopped treatment.Definitions of remission were applied to GC withdrawal in line with European consensus criteria (Definitions of remission in SLE [DORIS]) and LLDAS in line with the Asian Pacific Lupus Consortium definition.

Results

148 patients were involved in the study; GC withdrawal was attempted in 91 patients (61.5%) with 77 patients (84.6%) successfully stopping GCs. At the beginning of the GC reduction, the majority of patients were in complete or clinical remission (48.9% and 39.6%, respectively). Disease activity was significantly lower in patients who successfully stopped GCs, and the proportion of patients in complete remission was higher (54.2%) with respect to patients who failed in their attempt. Among patients who stopped GCs, 18 flares were recorded after a median of 1 year. The time period since the last flare was shorter in patients who experienced flares with respect to patients who did not flare (mean 0.93 years vs 6.0, p<0.001).

Conclusions

GC withdrawal is an achievable goal in SLE and may be attempted after a long-term remission or LLDAS to protect the patient from disease flares.

Long-Term Retention Rate of Anakinra in Adult Onset Still's Disease and Predictive Factors for Treatment Response

Background: Anakinra (ANA) is an effective treatment choice in patients with adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD). Variables affecting treatment survival include loss of efficacy or adverse events, but also the decision to discontinue treatment after long-term clinical remission.

Objectives: Aims of this study were: (i) to assess the drug retention rate (DRR) of ANA during a long-term follow-up looking for any difference related to the line of biologic treatment, the concomitant use of conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) and the different type of AOSD (systemic versus chronic articular); (ii) to identify predictive factors of lack of efficacy, loss of efficacy, and ANA withdrawal owing to long-term remission.

Methods: AOSD patients classified according with Yamaguchi criteria and treated with ANA were retrospectively enrolled in 18 Italian tertiary Centers. Demographic, laboratory, clinical and therapeutic data related to the start of ANA (baseline), the 3-month assessment and the last follow-up visit while on ANA treatment were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed.

Results: One hundred and forty-one AOSD patients (48 males, 93 females) treated with ANA for a mean period of 35.96 ± 36.05 months were enrolled. The overall DRR of ANA was 44.6 and 30.5% at the 60- and 120-month assessments, respectively, with no significant differences between: (i) biologic naïve patients and those previously treated with other biologics (log-rank p = 0.97); (ii) monotherapy and concomitant use of cDMARDs (log-rank p = 0.45); (iii) systemic and chronic articular types of AOSD (log-rank p = 0.67). No variables collected at baseline could predict primary inefficacy, while the number of swollen joints at baseline was significantly associated with secondary inefficacy (p = 0.01, OR = 1.194, C.I. 1.043–1.367). The typical AOSD skin rash was negatively related with ANA withdrawal owing to long-term remission (p = 0.03, OR = 0.224, C.I. 0.058–0.863).

Conclusion: Long-term DRR of ANA has been found excellent and is not affected by different lines of biologic treatment, concomitant use of cDMARDs, or type of AOSD. The risk of losing ANA efficacy increases along with the number of swollen joints at the start of therapy, while the typical skin rash is a negative predictor of ANA withdrawal related to sustained remission.

Late-onset biopsy-proven lupus nephritis without other associated autoimmune diseases: severity and long-term outcome

Background/Purpose

Lupus nephritis (LN) usually develops within the first years of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) onset and rarely after that. There are scarce studies comparing early- versus late-onset nephritis (before versus after five years of SLE diagnosis). The aim of this study was to compare the severity and long-term outcome (after 7 years) in these two, late-onset and early-onset, nephritis groups.

Methods

This study included 93 patients from rheumatology tertiary centers from Brazil and Italy, all of them with biopsy-proven LN with > 7 years follow-up. Patients were divided in two groups: early-onset nephritis ( n = 75) and late-onset nephritis ( n = 18). Clinical and laboratorial data were obtained using a standardized electronic chart database protocol carried out at 1–6 months interval and established in 2000. Patients >50 years or with concomitant autoimmune diseases were excluded. Variables evaluated at the LN presentation were Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), creatinine, albumin, anti-DNA positivity and nephritis class. Variables evaluated at the long-term outcome (after 7 years) were Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI), creatinine, dialysis and mortality.

Results

The average time of LN presentation was 10.94 ± 3.73 years for the late-onset and 1.20 ± 1.60 years for the early-onset group. Their similar nephritis duration (12.44 ± 3.2 versus 13.28 ± 4.03 years, p = 0.41) and comparable mean ages (49.17 ± 9.9 versus 44.11 ± 10.8 years old, p = 0.06) allow a more accurate comparison. Regarding severity, late-onset was similar to early-onset group: SLEDAI (8 (range: 6–22) versus 12 (range: 2–24), p = 0.47), creatinine (1.36 ± 0.94 versus 1.36 ± 1.13 mg/dl, p = 0.99); albumin (2.84 ± 0.65 versus 2.59 ± 0.84 mg/dl, p = 0.30); proteinuria (3.77 ± 2.18 versus 5.01 ± 4.51 g/vol, p = 0.26); proliferative nephritis (44% ( n = 8) versus 60% ( n = 45), p = 0.23). There was also no difference in the long-term outcomes between groups: SDI (1 (range: 0–5) versus 0.5 (range: 0–5), p = 0.27); creatinine (2.04 ± 2.38 versus 1.69 ± 2.26 mg/dl, p = 0.56); dialysis (22% ( n = 4) versus 13% ( n = 10), p = 0.46) and mortality (0% ( n = 0) versus 12% ( n = 9), p = 0.19).

Conclusion

This study provides novel evidence of comparable long-term outcomes between late-onset and early-onset nephritis, which is most likely explained by the observation that at presentation, the clinical, laboratorial and histological features of late-onset and early-onset nephritis are similar. This suggests that there should be no distinct treatment targets and therapeutic interventions for the late- and early-onset groups.

Tacrolimus in non-Asian patients with SLE: a real-life experience from three European centres

Objectives

To analyse the real-life practice on the use of Tacrolimus (TAC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from three European SLE referral centres.

Methods

Adult patients with SLE regularly followed at three European referral centres were included. Demographics, cumulative organ involvement, treatment history, Systemic Lupus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), laboratory features and physician's judgement were collected at baseline and at 3-6-12 months after starting TAC.

Results

29 patients were included (89% female, mean age 38±9 years). Ethnicity was predominantly Caucasian (82%), Black African (11%), Hispanic (3.5%) and Caribbean (3.5%). The main indications for TAC prescription were renal involvement (82.7%), arthritis (10.3%), cutaneous manifestations (6.8%), haematological manifestations (6.8%), serositis (3.4%). At 3 months, there was a clinical improvement in 21 patients (72.4%) and 9 of these experienced a complete resolution of symptoms (31%). This corresponds to: (1) a significant decrease in the mean SLEDAI; (2) a significant decrease in the mean 24  hours proteinuria; a significant increase in C3 and stable creatinine values. At 6 months (n=25), the physician declared an improvement in 19 patients (76%) and a complete resolution of symptoms in 9 (36%). The same trend was observed at 12 months of follow-up. TAC was discontinued in nine pts (31%); reasons for discontinuation were inefficacy (13.8%), drug intolerance (10%) and disease remission (6.9%).

Conclusions

Despite the limitation due to the small number of patients and the uncontrolled nature of the study, these data show that TAC can be considered a valid therapeutic option in patients with SLE, especially for renal involvement.

Imaging of joints in systemic lupus erythematosus

Musculoskeletal symptoms are among the most common manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), being reported in up to 95% of patients; joint and tendon involvement can range from arthralgia to severe deforming arthropathy; while myositis a rare manifestation, comorbid fibromyalgia is reported in up to 40% of SLE patients. All these manifestations have a significant impact on the patients' quality of life, possibly leading to disability and functional impairment in daily living activities. In recent years, thanks to the availability of new imaging techniques for the assessment of tendon and joint pathologies, the approach to the definition and characterisation of these manifestations in SLE is constantly evolving. In this review we will therefore illustrate the state of the art of imaging techniques in the assessment of joint involvement in SLE, focusing on ultrasounds (US) and magnetic resonance (MRI), discussing their advantages, drawbacks and possible future developments. The main findings that emerge from the recent literature is that imaging studies may allow a more accurate definition of disease subtypes revealing an unexpected higher prevalence of joint and tendon involvement with respect to what known by clinical evaluation and standard radiography. Indeed, US and MRI also made possible the identification of joints and tendons pathologies in patients with no or very mild clinical symptoms. On the other hand, the interpretation of some findings remains uncertain, as well as the validity and feasibility of this analysis in clinical practice. Thus, further studies should clarify the clinical meaning of subclinical abnormalities detected in US and MRI scans and their impact on the long-term outcomes.

Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) in a cohort of Italian systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Introduction The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) is a patient-reported instrument for the assessment of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aims of the present study are translation, cultural adaptation and validation of an Italian version: the SLAQit. Methods The process of translation and cultural adaptation followed published guidelines. SLAQit was pretested in a group of 35 SLE patients to evaluate acceptability, comprehension and feasibility. Internal consistency, test-retest validity and external validity were tested on consecutive SLE patients attending the clinic. Results In total, 135 SLE patients were enrolled in this study. The pilot test provided a 99.9% response rate and demonstrated feasibility and comprehensibility of the questionnaire. A good internal consistency was found among the three components of the score (SLAQ score, numerical rating scale (NRS), patient global assessment question (PGA); α = 0.79). SLAQit showed very high reliability (test-retest α > 0.8). NRS and PGA showed a strong positive correlation with both Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) ( p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) and European Consensus Lupus Measurement (ECLAM) scores ( p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively), while the SLAQ score did not. A significant agreement was observed between the physician's intention to treat and both the NRS and PGA scores, while no significant association was reported with the SLAQ score. Conclusions SLAQit was demonstrated to be a reliable and valid instrument for self-assessment of disease activity in SLE patients.

Safety profile of the interleukin-1 inhibitors anakinra and canakinumab in real-life clinical practice: a nationwide multicenter retrospective observational study

A few studies have reported the safety profile of interleukin (IL)-1 blockers from real life. The aim of this study is to describe anakinra (ANA) and canakinumab (CAN) safety profile in children and adults, based on data from a real-life setting. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data from patients treated with ANA and CAN were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Four hundred and seventy five patients were enrolled; ANA and CAN were prescribed in 421 and 105 treatment courses, respectively. During a mean follow-up of 24.39 ± 27.04 months, 89 adverse events (AE) were recorded; 13 (14.61%) were classified as serious AE (sAE). The overall estimated rate of AE and sAE was 8.4 per 100 patients/year. Safety concerns were more frequent among patients aged ≥ 65 years compared with patients < 16 years (p = 0.002). No differences were detected in the frequency of safety concerns between monotherapy and combination therapy with immunosuppressants (p = 0.055), but a significant difference was observed when injection site reactions were excluded from AE (p = 0.01). No differences were identified in relation to gender (p = 0.462), different lines of biologic therapy (p = 0.775), and different dosages (p = 0.70 ANA; p = 0.39 CAN). The overall drug retention rate was significantly different according to the occurrence of safety concerns (p value < 0.0001); distinguishing between ANA and CAN, significance was maintained only for ANA (p < 0.0001 ANA; p > 0.05 CAN). Treatment duration was the only variable associated with onset of AE (OR = 0.399 [C.I. 0.250-0.638], p = 0.0001). ANA and CAN have shown an excellent safety profile; the risk for AE and sAE tends to decrease over time from the start of IL-1 inhibition.

Remission and low disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: an achievable goal even with fewer steroids? Real-life data from a monocentric cohort

Objectives

To evaluate what proportion of patients fulfil the DORIS definition of remission, the definition of lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) and LLDAS with a glucocorticoid (GC) dosage ≤5 (LLDAS5) in a longitudinal monocentric cohort of patients with SLE; to identify predictors of sustained remission and LLDAS attainment; to evaluate the effect of sustained remission and LLDAS on damage accrual over a period of 5 years and compare the two conditions in terms of clinical outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected from patients with SLE followed from 2012 to 2016.

Results

115 patients were included in this analysis. At baseline, 72% of patients were on LLDAS and almost all patients also fulfilled the LLDAS5 definition; 45% of patients were in remission on treatment, 12% were in remission off treatment, 26% were in complete remission on treatment, 2% were in complete remission off treatment. Disease activity at baseline was the strongest predictor of subsequent LLDAS and remission; the presence of joint and cutaneous manifestations was associated with a minor likelihood to achieve LLDAS or remission during follow-up.Patients in remission and LLDAS for the whole follow-up period accrued significantly less organ damage; on the contrary, patients who maintained all kinds of remissions or LLDAS for less than 50% of the time did not show any differences in damage accrual with respect to the rest of the cohort.

Conclusion

Remission and LLDAS, even with reduced GC use, are an achievable goal in clinical practice; sustained LLDAS and remission are both associated with reduced damage accrual.

Response to Interleukin-1 Inhibitors in 140 Italian Patients with Adult-Onset Still's Disease: A Multicentre Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Interleukin (IL)-1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD). Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra (ANA) and canakinumab (CAN) in a large group of AOSD patients. Methods: Data on clinical, serological features, and concomitant treatments were retrospectively collected at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months from AOSD patients (Yamaguchi criteria) referred by 18 Italian centers. Pouchot's score was used to evaluate disease severity. Results: One hundred forty patients were treated with ANA; 4 were subsequently switched to CAN after ANA failure. The systemic pattern of AOSD was identified in 104 (74.2%) of the ANA-treated and in 3 (75%) of the CAN-treated groups; the chronic-articular type of AOSD was identified in 48 (25.8%) of the ANA-treated and in 1 (25%) of the CAN-treated groups. Methotrexate (MTX) was the most frequent disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) used before beginning ANA or CAN [91/140 (75.8%), 2/4 (50%), respectively]. As a second-line biologic DMARD therapy in 29/140 (20.7%) of the patients, ANA was found effective in improving all clinical and serological manifestations (p < 0.0001), and Pouchot's score was found to be significantly reduced at all time points (p < 0.0001). No differences in treatment response were identified in the ANA-group when the patients were stratified according to age, sex, disease pattern or mono/combination therapy profile. ANA primary and secondary inefficacy at the 12-month time point was 15/140 (10.7%) and 11/140 (7.8%), respectively. Adverse events (AEs) [mainly represented by in situ (28/47, 59.5%) or diffuse (12/47, 25.5%) skin reactions and infections (7/47, 14.8%)] were the main causes for discontinuation. Pouchot's score and clinical and serological features were significantly ameliorated at all time points (p < 0.0001) in the CAN-group, and no AEs were registered during CAN therapy. Treatment was suspended for loss of efficacy only in one case (1/4, 25%). Conclusion: This is the largest retrospective observational study evaluating the efficacy and safety of IL-1 inhibitors in AOSD patients. A good response was noted at 3 months after therapy onset in both the ANA- and CAN-groups. Skin reaction may nevertheless represent a non-negligible AE during ANA treatment.

A Snapshot on the On-Label and Off-Label Use of the Interleukin-1 Inhibitors in Italy among Rheumatologists and Pediatric Rheumatologists: A Nationwide Multi-Center Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Interleukin (IL)-1 inhibitors have been suggested as possible therapeutic options in a large number of old and new clinical entities characterized by an IL-1 driven pathogenesis.

Objectives: To perform a nationwide snapshot of the on-label and off-label use of anakinra (ANA) and canakinumab (CAN) for different conditions both in children and adults.

Methods: We retrospectively collected demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data from both adult and pediatric patients treated with IL-1 inhibitors from January 2008 to July 2016.

Results: Five hundred and twenty-six treatment courses given to 475 patients (195 males, 280 females; 111 children and 364 adults) were evaluated. ANA was administered in 421 (80.04%) courses, CAN in 105 (19.96%). Sixty-two (32.1%) patients had been treated with both agents. IL-1 inhibitors were employed in 38 different indications (37 with ANA, 16 with CAN). Off-label use was more frequent for ANA than CAN (p < 0.0001). ANA was employed as first-line biologic approach in 323 (76.7%) cases, while CAN in 37 cases (35.2%). IL-1 inhibitors were associated with corticosteroids in 285 (54.18%) courses and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in 156 (29.65%). ANA dosage ranged from 30 to 200 mg/day (or 1.0–2.0 mg/kg/day) among adults and 2–4 mg/kg/day among children; regarding CAN, the most frequently used posologies were 150mg every 8 weeks, 150mg every 4 weeks and 150mg every 6 weeks. The frequency of failure was higher among patients treated with ANA at a dosage of 100 mg/day than those treated with 2 mg/kg/day (p = 0.03). Seventy-six patients (14.4%) reported an adverse event (AE) and 10 (1.9%) a severe AE. AEs occurred more frequently after the age of 65 compared to both children and patients aged between 16 and 65 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions: IL-1 inhibitors are mostly used off-label, especially ANA, during adulthood. The high frequency of good clinical responses suggests that IL-1 inhibitors are used with awareness of pathogenetic mechanisms; adult healthcare physicians generally employ standard dosages, while pediatricians are more prone in using a weight-based posology. Dose adjustments and switching between different agents showed to be effective treatment strategies. Our data confirm the good safety profile of IL-1 inhibitors.

One year in review 2016: systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a rare acquired systemic disease characterised by a complex pathogenesis and multi organ involvement. Every year, novel insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this severe disease are published. Herewith, we provide an overview of the most significant literature contributions published over the last year.

Post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (POHR) in systemic sclerosis: very early disease (VEDOSS) represents a separate entity compared to established disease

OBJECTIVES

Vascular involvement is a key feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Vascular changes are central to the pathogenesis of the disease and the assessment of vascular involvement has a prognostic value. This assessment therefore has a pivotal role in the management of SSc patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) in consecutive SSc patients and to test whether a PORH test might be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of SSc.

METHOD

Between April 2011 and April 2015, 60 consecutive SSc patients (mean age 56 ± 15 years, females:males = 18:1) were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into those with full-blown SSc (n = 50) and those with very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) (n = 10) according to the literature. Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) was used to assess PORH.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was detected in the post-ischaemic hyperaemic peak flow between VEDOSS and established SSc (424% vs. 137%, p = 0.0011). PORH peak flow decreased according to the capillaroscopic pattern (early = 419%, active = 163%, late = 145%, p = 0.0027). Moreover, a correlation between capillary density and peak flow was revealed (rho = 0.33, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These data show a different pattern of vascular involvement in VEDOSS compared to established disease that mirrors capillaroscopic changes. Functional features of very early and established disease seem to be the physiological counterpart of abnormalities detected by capillaroscopy. The POHR test might be a useful aid for further characterization of vascular involvement in SSc. In particular, blunted POHR might prove a tool to separate pre-clinical from full-blown SSc.

Systemic sclerosis: a critical digest of the recent literature

Systemic sclerosis is a complex chronic disease characterised by chronic multisystem involvement of skin and internal organs. We reviewed all the articles published during the last 12 months on systemic sclerosis and in this article we provide a critical analysis of the most relevant studies regarding the pathogenesis, classification and management of the disease.