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Die juvenile systemische Sklerodermie (jSSc) ist eine seltene Erkrankung mit einer Haufigkeit von 3 in 1 Mio. Kindern. Die juvenile systemische Sklerodermie Inzeptionskohorte ( www.juvenile-scleroderma.com ) ist aktuell die groste Kohorte von Patienten mit jSSc. In die Kohorte konnen Patienten eingeschlossen werden, wenn sie die Klassifikationskriterien der Erwachsenenkriterien der ACR/EULAR fur systemische Sklerodermie erfullen, die ersten Non-Raynaud-Symptome im Alter unter 16 zeigen und beim Einschluss in die Kohorte junger als 18 Jahre sind. Die Patienten werden alle 6 Monate mit standardisierter Erfassung evaluiert. Auf dem EULAR-Kongress 2021 wurden 2 Beitrage zu dieser Kohorte prasentiert. Ein Beitrag verglich die Patienten mit diffusem und limitiertem Subtyp, wobei spezifische Unterschiede aufgezeigt werden konnten, aber auch viele Ahnlichkeiten zwischen den Subtypen, verglichen mit erwachsenen Patienten mit systemischer Sklerodermie. In dem anderen Beitrag konnte gezeigt werden, dass Patienten mit Overlap-Zeichen eine deutlich hohere Rate von interstitieller Lungenerkrankung haben, was zuvor nicht erwartet wurde. Die juvenile systemische Sklerodermie Inzeptionskohorte ( www.juvenile-scleroderma.com ) wird laufend erweitert, wobei Patienten kontinuierlich rekrutiert werden. Wir freuen uns uber jeden Patienten, bitte nehmen Sie gerne Kontakt auf, wenn Sie einen Patienten einschliesen mochten.

To examine whether treatment with interleukin (IL)-1-, IL-6-, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα)-inhibitors or Abatacept is associated with an increased risk of common infections, infections requiring hospitalization (SAE) or opportunistic infections among real-world juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients. Furthermore, the influence of other patient-related covariates on the occurrence of infections was investigated. Patients diagnosed with JIA and treated with biologics were selected from the German BIKER registry. Incidence rates (IR) of infections per 100 person years were calculated and compared between the different cohorts. Using multivariate logistic regression, odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined for the influence of patient-related covariates (age, diagnosis, laboratory data, concomitant medication, JIA activity, comorbidities, and premedication) on the occurrence of infections. 3258 patients entered the analysis. A total of 3654 treatment episodes were distributed among TNFα- (Etanercept, Adalimumab, Golimumab, Infliximab, n = 3044), IL-1- (Anakinra, Canakinumab, n = 105), IL-6- (Tocilizumab, n = 400) and T-cell activation inhibitors (Abatacept, n = 105). 813 (22.2%) patients had at least one infection, 103 (2.8%) patients suffered from an SAE infection. Both common and SAE infections were significantly more frequent in IL-1 (IR 17.3, 95% CI 12.5/24 and IR 4.3, 95% CI 2.3/8.3) and IL-6 cohort (IR 16.7, 95% CI 13.9/20 and IR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8/4.4) compared to TNFα-inhibitor cohort (IR 8.7, 95% CI 8.1/9.4 and IR 1, 95% CI 0.8/1.3). When comparing the influencing factors for various infectious diseases, the use of corticosteroids, younger age, cardiac comorbidities and higher JIA-activity are the most striking risk factors. Relative to TNFα inhibitors and Abatacept, IL-1 and IL-6 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of common and SAE infections. The influencing covariates identified may be helpful for the choice of a suitable biologic to treat JIA.

OBJECTIVE: Utilizing data obtained from a prospective, international, juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort, the present study was undertaken to determine if pulmonary screening with forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) is sufficient to assess the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in comparison to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in juvenile SSc. METHODS: The juvenile SSc cohort database was queried for patients enrolled from January 2008 to January 2020 with recorded pulmonary function tests (PFTs) parameters and HRCT to determine the discriminatory properties of PFT parameters, FVC, and DLco in detecting ILD. RESULTS: Eighty-six juvenile SSc patients had both computed tomography imaging and FVC values for direct comparison. Using findings on HRCT as the standard measure of ILD presence, the sensitivity of FVC in detecting ILD in juvenile SSc was only 40%, the specificity was 77%, and area under the curve (AUC) was 0.58. Fifty-eight juvenile SSc patients had both CT imaging and DLco values for comparison. The sensitivity of DLco in detecting ILD was 76%, the specificity was 70%, and AUC was 0.73. CONCLUSION: The performance of PFTs in juvenile SSc to detect underlying ILD was quite limited. Specifically, the FVC, which is one of the main clinical parameters in adult SSc to detect and monitor ILD, would miss ~60% of children who had ILD changes on their accompanying HRCT. The DLco was more sensitive in detecting potential abnormalities on HRCT, but with less specificity than the FVC. These results support the use of HRCT in tandem with PFTs for the screening of ILD in juvenile SSc.

Objective To evaluate safety and effectiveness of adalimumab (ADA) in polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the STRIVE registry. Methods STRIVE enrolled patients with polyarticular-course JIA into 2 arms based on treatment with methotrexate (MTX) alone or ADA with/without MTX (ADA +/- MTX). Adverse events (AEs) per 100 patient-years of observation time were analyzed by registry arm. Patients who entered the registry within 4 weeks of starting MTX or ADA +/- MTX, defined as new users, were evaluated for change in disease activity assessed by the 27-joint Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score with the C-reactive protein level (JADAS-27(CRP)). Results At the 7-year cutoff date (June 1, 2016), data from 838 patients were available (MTX arm n = 301, ADA +/- MTX arm n = 537). The most common AEs were nausea (10.3%), sinusitis (4.7%), and vomiting (4.3%) in the MTX arm and arthritis (3.9%), upper respiratory tract infection (3.5%), sinusitis, tonsillitis, and injection site pain (3.0% each) in the ADA +/- MTX arm. Rates of serious infection were 1.5 events/100 patient-years in the MTX arm and 2.0 events/100 patient-years in the ADA +/- MTX arm. AE and serious AE rates were similar in patients receiving ADA with versus without MTX. No deaths or malignancies were reported. New users in the ADA +/- MTX arm showed a trend toward lower mean JADAS-27(CRP)compared with new users in the MTX arm in the first year of STRIVE. Conclusion The STRIVE registry 7-year interim results support the idea that ADA +/- MTX is well tolerated by most children. Registry median ADA exposure was 2.47 (interquartile range 1.0-3.6) years, with 42% of patients continuing ADA at the 7-year cutoff date.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of canakinumab to treat patients with colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever (crFMF) during Epoch 4 (weeks 41 to 113) of the CLUSTER study.MethodsPatients received open-label canakinumab 150 or 300 mg, every 4 or 8 weeks during a 72-week period. We evaluated disease activity every 8 weeks using the physician global assessment (PGA) of disease activity, counting the number of flares, and measuring concentrations of C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Safety was studied by determination and classification of observed adverse events (AEs). We analysed safety and efficacy separately in two subgroups of patients receiving a cumulative dose of less than 2700 mg, or equal or more than 2700 mg.ResultsOf the 61 patients that started the CLUSTER study, 60 entered Epoch 4 and 57 completed it. During the 72-week period, 35/60 (58.3%) patients experienced no flares, and 23/60 (38.3%) had one flare, as compared with a median of 17.5 flares per year reported at baseline. PGA scores indicated no disease activity for the majority of patients throughout the study. Median CRP concentrations were always lower than 10 mg/L, while median SAA concentrations remained over the limit of normal (10 mg/L) but under the 30 mg/L threshold. No new or unexpected AEs were reported.ConclusioncrFMF patients treated with canakinumab during 72 weeks experienced a minimal incidence of flares and good control of clinical disease activity, with no new safety concerns reported.

Summary Background Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) carries a high mortality risk; expert guidance is required to aid early recognition and treatment. We aimed to develop the first expert consensus and define an algorithm for the identification and management of the condition through application of well established methods. Methods Evidence-based consensus statements for systemic sclerosis-associated ILD management were established for six domains (ie, risk factors, screening, diagnosis and severity assessment, treatment initiation and options, disease progression, and treatment escalation) using a modified Delphi process based on a systematic literature analysis. A panel of 27 Europe-based pulmonologists, rheumatologists, and internists with expertise in systemic sclerosis-associated ILD participated in three rounds of online surveys, a face-to-face discussion, and a WebEx meeting, followed by two supplemental Delphi rounds, to establish consensus and define a management algorithm. Consensus was considered achieved if at least 80% of panellists indicated agreement or disagreement. Findings Between July 1, 2018, and Aug 27, 2019, consensus agreement was reached for 52 primary statements and six supplemental statements across six domains of management, and an algorithm was defined for clinical practice use. The agreed statements most important for clinical use included: all patients with systemic sclerosis should be screened for systemic sclerosis-associated ILD using high-resolution CT; high-resolution CT is the primary tool for diagnosing ILD in systemic sclerosis; pulmonary function tests support screening and diagnosis; systemic sclerosis-associated ILD severity should be measured with more than one indicator; it is appropriate to treat all severe cases; no pharmacological treatment is an option for some patients; follow-up assessments enable identification of disease progression; progression pace, alongside disease severity, drives decisions to escalate treatment. Interpretation Through a robust modified Delphi process developed by a diverse panel of experts, the first evidence-based consensus statements were established on guidance for the identification and medical management of systemic sclerosis-associated ILD. Funding An unrestricted grant from Boehringer Ingelheim International.

Objective Biologics have an important role in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Long-term safety data are limited. Direct comparison of different agents regarding occurrence of adverse events (AEs), especially of rare events, requires large quantities of patient years. In this analysis, long-term safety with regard to AE of special interest (AESI) was compared between different biologics. Methods Patients with nonsystemic JIA were selected from the German BIKER registry. Safety assessments were based on AE reports. Number of AEs, serious AEs, and 25 predefined AESIs, including medically important infection, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cytopenia, hepatic events, anaphylaxis, depression, pregnancy, malignancy, and death, were analyzed. Event rates and relative risks were calculated using AEs reported after first dose through 70 days after last dose. Results A total of 3873 patients entered the analysis with 7467 years of exposure to biologics. The most common AESIs were uveitis (n = 231) and medically important infections (n = 101). Cytopenia and elevation of transaminases were more frequent with tocilizumab (risk ratio [RR] 8.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2-15, and RR 4.7, 95% CI 1.8-12.2, respectively). Anaphylactic events were associated with intravenous route of administration. In patients ever exposed to biologics, eight malignancies were reported. Six pregnancies have been documented in patients with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. No death occurred in this patient cohort during observation. Conclusion Surveillance of pharmacotherapy as provided by the BIKER registry is an import approach, especially for long-term treatment of children. Overall, tolerance was acceptable. Differences between biologics were noted and should be considered in daily patient care.

Objective Using data from the German Biologics JIA Registry (BIKER), long-term safety of biologics for systemic-onset JIA with regard to adverse events of special interest was assessed. Methods Safety assessments were based on adverse event reports after first dose through 90 days after last dose. Rates of adverse event, serious adverse event and 25 predefined adverse events of special interest were analysed. Incidence rates were compared for each biologic against all other biologics combined applying a mixed-effect Poisson model. Results Of 260 systemic-onset JIA patients in this analysis, 151 patients received etanercept, 109 tocilizumab, 71 anakinra and 51 canakinumab. Patients with etanercept had higher clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 10 scores, active joint counts and steroid use at therapy start. Serious adverse events were reported with higher frequency in patients receiving canakinumab [20/100 patient years (PY)] and tocilizumab (21/100 PY). Cytopenia and hepatic events occurred with a higher frequency with tocilizumab and canakinumab. Medically important infections were seen more often in patients with IL-6 or IL-1 inhibition. Macrophage activation syndrome occurred in all cohorts with a higher frequency in patients with canakinumab (3.2/100 PY) and tocilizumab (2.5/100 PY) vs anakinra (0.83/100 PY) and etanercept (0.5/100 PY). After adjustment only an elevated risk for infections in anakinra-treated patients remained significant. Three definite malignancies were reported in patients ever exposed to biologics. Two deaths occurred in patients treated with etanercept. Conclusion Surveillance of pharmacotherapy as provided by BIKER is an import approach especially for patients on long-term treatment. Overall, tolerance was acceptable. Differences between several biologics were noted and should be considered in daily patient care.

Background: This study aimed to determine the clinical and radiological course in children who had Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease (LCPD) associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods: In a retrospective chart review between 2007 and 2019, eight consecutive JIA patients diagnosed with concomitant LCPD were identified and compared with a case-control group of 10 children with LCPD only. Results: LCPD was diagnosed at a mean age of 8.1 years (3.0–14.7) in children with JIA as compared to 6.1 years (2.9–10.0) in controls. According to the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), four children with JIA and all controls had an excellent result. Regarding the fragmentation severity and the duration of each stage, we found no differences using the lateral pillar and modified Elizabethtown classification. Five hips were classified as Stulberg I/II, two hips as Stulberg III, and one hip as Stulberg V with no evidence of hip dysplasia or severe overcoverage in either group. Conclusions: The radiological outcome of LCPD did not differ between both groups, while the clinical outcome was slightly better in controls. Physicians should be aware that children with LCPD may have JIA too. In suspicious cases, further investigations are recommended, and patients should be referred to pediatric rheumatologists.

Juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS) is an orphan disease that can lead to cosmetic disfiguration and orthopedic problems. Two recent publications review the current recommendations regarding diagnosis, assessment, follow up and treatment of pediatric localized scleroderma cases, both of which suggest the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool as an important instrument to assess activity and damage. This review focuses on the systemic treatment of jLS. Systemic treatment includes synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Systemic therapy is indicated if the lesion crosses any joint, or leads to potential cosmetic disfiguration or orthopedic problems. The only controlled trial of systemic treatment has shown the efficacy of methotrexate, which is the first choice of treatment. It appears superior to phototherapy according to a recently published meta-analysis. In case of methotrexate intolerance, mycophenolate mofetil is an option. In case of methotrexate nonresponse, addition of mycophenolate mofetil, tocilizumab or abatacept seems to be effective. Future treatment options derived and extrapolated from adult trials regarding treatment of skin involvement of systemic scleroderma or fibrosis are promising, as the final pathway in the skin seems to be similar in both diseases.

The primary objective was twofold: (1) to determine whether the German version of a screening instrument for clinical practice for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SICJIA) is reliable in identifying patients at risk for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and (2) secondly whether a weighting scheme of individual questions improves its sensitivity. Data were collected and retrospectively analyzed based upon completed SICJIA questionnaires from patients and their guardians at their first clinical visit at the Hamburg Centre for Pediatric and Adolescence Rheumatology. All patients visited the center between August 2015 and July 2017. The survey included 12 disease-orientated questions. For evaluation, only questionnaires of patients diagnosed with JIA or with a non-inflammatory joint pain (NJP) were selected. Standard statistical techniques were used for evaluation. In total, 165 of 800 questionnaires could be used for evaluation. Of the 800 patients who completed questionnaires, 133 were diagnosed with JIA and 32 with NJP. The analysis of the individual questions was performed by comparing the rate of a positive response to the questions between the two groups. Four questions showed a significant difference by comparing the groups, using JIA patients with at least one active joint. The diagnostic accuracy of the weighted sum score increased from 64 to 68% to discriminate between the groups in comparison to the ordinary sum score. An optimal cutoff of 6.0 for referral to a pediatric rheumatologist was calculated. The validation of the SICJIA showed a discriminative difference in patients with clinical diagnosed JIA and a control group diagnosed with NJP. The weighted sum score performed better to differentiate between JIA and NJP patients. The modified SICJIA can be useful to identify patients at risk of JIA.

Background Uveitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIAU) is frequently associated with the development of complications and visual loss. Topical corticosteroids are the first line therapy, and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are commonly used. However, treatment has not been standardized. Methods Interdisciplinary guideline were developed with representatives from the German Ophthalmological Society, Society for Paediatric Rheumatology, Professional Association of Ophthalmologists, German Society for Rheumatology, parents’ group, moderated by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany. A systematic literature analysis in MEDLINE was performed, evidence and recommendations were graded, an algorithm for anti-inflammatory treatment and final statements were discussed in a consensus meeting (Nominal Group Technique), a preliminary draft was fine-tuned and discussed thereafter by all participants (Delphi procedure). Results Consensus was reached on recommendations, including a standardized treatment strategy according to uveitis severity in the individual patient. Thus, methotrexate shall be introduced for uveitis not responding to low-dose (≤ 2 applications/day) topical corticosteroids, and a TNFalpha antibody (preferably adalimumab) used, if uveitis inactivity is not achieved. In very severe active uveitis with uveitis-related deterioration of vision, systemic corticosteroids should be considered for bridging until DMARDs take effect. If TNFalpha antibodies fail to take effect or lose effect, another biological should be selected (tocilizumab, abatacept or rituximab). De-escalation of DMARDs should be preceded by a period of ≥ 2 years of uveitis inactivity. Conclusions An interdisciplinary, evidence-based treatment guideline for JIAU is presented.

ZusammenfassungUngefähr 10% der Uveitiden beginnen im Kindesalter, mit einer Inzidenz von 6,9 auf 100 000 unter 14 Jahren und 26,6 auf 100 000 von 15 bis 24 Jahren. Sie werden unterteilt in infektiöse und nichtinfektiöse Uveitiden. Die Klassifikation der SUN-Gruppe erfolgt je nach Lokalisation des Auftretens und abhängend vom zeitlichen Verlauf. Die häufigste nicht-infektiöse Ursache bei Kindern ist die Juvenile idiopathische Arthritis, gefolgt von Morbus Behcet und Sarkoidose. Auch autoinflammatorischen Erkrankungen können mit einer Uveitis assoziiert sein. Die anteriore Uveitis tritt vorwiegend bei der Juvenilen idiopathischern Arthritis, der lokalisierten Sklerodermie und dem Kawasaki-Syndrom auf. Bei der intermediären Uveitis gibt es vor allem eine Assoziation mit Sarkoidose, Blau Syndrom, Tinu Syndrom und Multipler Sklerose. Eine posteriore Beteiligung ist für Morbus Behcet typisch, kann aber auch beim Cryopirin-assoziiertem Fiebersyndrom oder Cogan-Syndrom auftreten. Eine frühzeitige Diagnosestellung ist wichtig, um rechtzeitg eine effektive Therapie einleiten zu können und das Sehvermögen nicht zu gefährden.

Objective To study juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) long-term outcomes in relation to the time of initiation of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD). Methods Outcomes of JIA patients prospectively followed by the Biologika in der Kinderrheumatologie (BiKeR) and Juvenile Arthritis Methotrexate/Biologics Long-Term Observation (JuMBO) registers were analyzed with regard to drug-free remission and inactive disease, functional status and quality of life, and surgery. To analyze the influence of early bDMARD therapy on outcomes, patients were assigned to 3 groups based on the time from symptom onset to bDMARD start (G1: ≤2 years, G2: >2 to ≤5 years, and G3: >5 years). Propensity score-adjusted outcome differences were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression analyses among the groups. Results A total of 701 JIA patients were observed for mean ± SD 9.1 ± 3.7 years. At the last follow-up (disease duration mean ± SD 14.3 ± 6.1 years), 11.7% of patients were in drug-free remission, and 40.0% had inactive disease. More than half of the patients reported no functional limitation, while 5% had undergone arthroplasty, and 3% had eye surgery. At the 10-year time point, patients in G1 (n = 108) were significantly more likely to be in drug-free remission than those patients who began treatment later (G2, n = 199; G3, n = 259), with 18.5%, 10.1%, and 4.9%, respectively. Patients in G1 had significantly lower disease activity (clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 10 joints = 4.9), a better overall well-being (18.2% patient global assessment score = 0), and higher functional status (59.2% Health Assessment Questionnaire score = 0), compared to patients in G3 (7.1, 8.4%, and 43.7%, respectively). G1 patients required arthroplasty significantly less frequently than G3 patients and had significantly lower disease activity over time than patients in both G2 and G3. Conclusion Early DMARD treatment is associated with better disease control and outcomes, which supports the concept of a "window of opportunity" for JIA.

Objective Localized scleroderma is a skin fibrosing disorder that, if untreated, may result in severe disability. The purpose of this systematic review is to compare the present evidence concerning the effectiveness of Methotrexate versus phototherapy, alone or associated with Psoralen, in childhood localized scleroderma. Method A systematic search between January 1996 and May 2017 was performed to identify studies investigating the efficacy of Methotrexate (MTX) or phototherapy (UVA) for treating localized scleroderma with onset ≤18 years. Due to a lack of validated clinical criteria, four clinical response criteria were used to assess the treatment efficacy as primary outcome. We determined a combined estimate of the proportion of children responding to MTX and UVA. Results A total of 19 studies was included (8 MTX; 11 UVA). In the methotrexate group, 193 children were included in the analysis; in the phototherapy group, a total of 48 treated children. For both groups age, disease subtype, glucocorticoids (GCs) use, and side effects of treatment were also analyzed. The meta-analysis suggested that UVA and MTX protocols have both a favorable effect in active lesions of childhood localized scleroderma. However, MTX resulted significantly superior to UVA, with or without Psoralen. Conclusion Our study supports the combination of MTX and GCs in patients with a high risk of complication. Phototherapy with UVA1 could represent a therapeutic option in patients with limited scleroderma, where lesions do not cross joints and they do not lead to potential cosmetic changes.

Objectives To determine (i) correlates for etanercept (ETA) discontinuation after achieving an inactive disease and for the subsequent risk of flare and (ii) to analyze the effectiveness of ETA in the re-treatment after a disease flare. Methods Data from two ongoing prospective registries, BiKeR and JuMBO, were used for the analysis. Both registries provide individual trajectories of clinical data and outcomes from childhood to adulthood in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients treated with biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Results A total of 1724 patients were treated first with ETA treatment course (338 with second, 54 with third ETA course). Similar rates of discontinuation due to ineffectiveness and adverse events could be observed for the first (19.4%/6.2%), second (18.6%/5.9%), and third (14.8%/5.6%) ETA course. A total of 332 patients (+/−methotrexate, 19.3%) discontinued ETA after achieving remission with the first ETA course. Younger age (hazard ratio (HR) 1.08, p p = 0.004), and shorter duration between JIA onset and ETA start (HR 1.10, p p n = 117 of 161; 72.7%) after the flare. One in five patients (n = 23, 19.7%) discontinued ETA again after achieving an inactive disease and about 70% of the patients achieved an inactive disease 12 months after restarting ETA. Conclusion The study confirms the effectiveness of ETA even for re-treatment of patients with JIA. Our data highlight the association of an early bDMARD treatment with a higher rate of inactive disease indicating a window of opportunity.

Objectives The level of detail included when describing nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) methods varies among research studies, making interpretation and comparison of results challenging. The overarching objective of the present study was to seek consensus on the reporting standards in NVC methodology for clinical research in rheumatic diseases and to propose a pragmatic reporting checklist. Methods Based on the items derived from a systematic review focused on this topic, a three-step web-based Delphi consensus on minimum reporting standards in NVC was performed among members of the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) Study Group on Microcirculation in Rheumatic Diseases and the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium. Results A total of 319 articles were selected by the systematic review, and 46 items were proposed in the Delphi process. This Delphi exercise was completed by 80 participants from 31 countries, including Australia and countries within Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Agreement was reached on items covering three main areas: patient preparation before NVC (15 items), device description (5 items) and examination details (13 items). Conclusion Based on the available evidence, the description of NVC methods was highly heterogeneous in the identified studies and differed markedly on several items. A reporting checklist of 33 items, based on practical suggestions made (using a Delphi process) by international participants, has been developed to provide guidance to improve and standardize the NVC methodology to be applied in future clinical research studies.

Objective To evaluate the baseline clinical characteristics of juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients in the international juvenile SSc inception cohort, and to compare these characteristics between the classically defined juvenile diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) subtypes and among those with overlap features. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using baseline visit data. Information on demographic characteristics, organ system evaluation, treatment, and patient- and physician-reported outcomes was extracted and summary statistics applied. Comparisons between juvenile dcSSc and lcSSc subtypes and patients with and without overlap features were performed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results At data extraction, 150 juvenile SSc patients were enrolled across 42 centers; 83% were White, 80% were female, juvenile dcSSc predominated (72%), and 17% of the cohort had overlap features. Significant differences were found between juvenile dcSSc and juvenile lcSSc regarding modified Rodnan skin thickness score, the presence of Gottron's papules, digital tip ulceration, results of the 6-minute walk test, and composite pulmonary and cardiac involvement. All of these were more frequent in dcSSc except for cardiac involvement. Juvenile dcSSc patients had significantly worse scores for physician-rated disease activity and damage. A significantly higher occurrence of Gottron's papules and musculoskeletal and composite pulmonary involvement, and a significantly lower frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon, were seen in those with overlap features. Conclusion Results from a large international juvenile SSc cohort demonstrate significant differences between juvenile dcSSc and juvenile lcSSc patients, including more globally severe disease and increased frequency of interstitial lung disease in juvenile dcSSc patients, while those with lcSSc have more frequent cardiac involvement. Those with overlap features had an unexpected higher frequency of interstitial lung disease.

Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft : JDDG = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology 19(9), 1371-1395 (2021). doi:10.1111/ddg.14491, Published by Wiley-Blackwell, Berlin

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:29:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-04-01 Juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is a rare disease of childhood and currently no international consensus exists with regard to its assessment and treatment. This SHARE (Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe) initiative, based on expert opinion informed by the best available evidence, provides recommendations for the assessment and treatment of patients with JSSc with a view to improving their outcome. Experts focused attention not only on the skin assessment but also on the early signs of internal organ involvement whose proper treatment can significantly affect the long-term outcome. A score for disease severity is proposed in order to perform a structured assessment of outcome over time but a validation in a wider patient population is recommended. Finally, a stepwise treatment approach is proposed in order to unify the standard of care throughout Europe with the aim to reduce morbidity and mortality in this disease. Hamburger Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie Schoen Clinic Department of Woman and Child Health University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3 Hospital Sant Joan de Déu University of Barcelona Department of Allergy Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology University Children's Hospital Clinical and Academic Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Unit Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Rheumatology Women's and Children's Hospital University of Adelaide Rheumatology Children's Hospital Westmead Department of Pediatrics Semmelweis Hospital Department of Pediatrics Cerrahpasa Medical School Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Pediatric Rheumatology Unit Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Institute of Child Health University College London Paediatric Immunology and Rheumatology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Department of Paediatrics Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Department of Paediatric Rheumatology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital European Reference Network RITA Department of Paediatrics Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu

Background At present, etanercept represents the most commonly prescribed biologic agent for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treatment. Children and adolescents with JIA are often treated with etanercept over long periods, sometimes even into adulthood. The objectives of this analysis were to determine the long-term safety of etanercept compared to a biologic-naïve cohort and to assess the long-term treatment response upon continuous etanercept exposure using data from the German biologics registry (BiKeR). Methods JIA patients newly exposed to etanercept were documented in the BiKeR registry from January 2001 to March 2019, and baseline characteristics, effectiveness, and safety parameters were analysed. Response to treatment was assessed according to 10-joint Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS10), JADAS-defined minimal disease activity and remission, JIA-American College of Rheumatology (ACR) improvement criteria, and ACR-inactive disease definition. Safety assessments were based on adverse event (AE) reports. Results A total of 2725 new etanercept users with a diagnosis of JIA were registered. Of these, etanercept was received as a first-line biologic by 95.8% and as monotherapy without concomitant methotrexate by 31.5%. After nine years on continuous treatment, 68.1% of patients presented minimal disease activity, 43.1% JADAS-defined remission on drug, and 36.6% ACR-inactive disease. JIA-ACR30/50/70/90 response rates were still 82/79/71/54% after nine years of treatment. Overall, 2053 AEs (34.3/100PY), including 226 serious AEs (SAE, 3.8/100PY), were observed upon etanercept, compared to 1345 AEs [35.6/100PY; p = 0.3] and 52 SAEs (1.4/100PY; p = 0.0001) in the biologic-naïve cohort. Respective exposure-adjusted rates for etanercept and biologic-naïve patients were 0.9/100PY and 0.2/100PY (p = 0.0001) for serious infections, 0.4/100PY and 0.1/100PY (p = 0.01) for zoster reactivation, 0.3/100PY and 0.03/100PY (p = 0.015) for inflammatory bowel disease, and 1.9/100PY and 1.4/100PY (p = 0.09) for uveitis. Three and two malignancies were documented in the etanercept and biologic-naïve groups, as well as three and one deaths, respectively. Conclusions No new safety signal was observed, especially no increased risk for malignancies or autoimmune disorders other than inflammatory bowel disease. However, SAEs and serious infections, though infrequent, were more often reported on etanercept than in biologic-naïve patients. In addition, etanercept demonstrated a long-term maintenance of clinical benefits up to nine years of continuous treatment.

Contains fulltext : 219902.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive and safe tool which allows the evaluation of the morphology of the microcirculation. Since its recent incorporation in the 2013 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for systemic sclerosis together with its assessed role to monitor disease progression, capillaroscopy became a 'mainstream' investigation for rheumatologists. Given its increasing use by a variety of physicians internationally both in daily practice to differentiate primary from secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, as well as in research context to predict disease progression and monitor treatment effects, standardisation in capillaroscopic image acquisition and analysis seems paramount. To step forward to this need, experts in the field of capillaroscopy/microcirculation provide in this very consensus paper their view on image acquisition and analysis, different capillaroscopic techniques, normal and abnormal capillaroscopic characteristics and their meaning, scoring systems and reliability of image acquisition and interpretation.

Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is almost universal in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is associated with significant disease-related morbidity and mortality.1 The entire GI tract can be involved and other disease features (eg, low mood, terminal organ failure and functional hand impairment) can result in significant nutritional impairment. Severe GI involvement has been reported to occur in ~10% of patients with SSc and often occurs early in the course of the disease.2 However, identification of patients at high risk of clinically significant weight loss is extremely challenging, including from the high prevalence of GI symptoms in patients with SSc. Therefore, there is a need to understand high-risk patients including potentially modifiable risk factors, with a view to early intervention strategies. Against this background, the aim of this study was to examine potential clinical risk factors of significant weight loss in patients with SSc. We performed an analysis of patients with SSc enrolled in the multinational, longitudinal European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database. In our study, we defined significant weight loss as 4.5 kg and/or least 5% of their body weight at 5 months onwards.3 Patients with a recorded second visit after 3 months and before 12 months were included in the analysis. We adopted a pragmatic approach (relevant to clinical practice) in …

BackgroundJuvenile idiopathic arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases in children. Evidence suggests that early effective treatment minimises the burden of disease during childhood and in further life. We hypothesise that a guided treat-to-target (T2T) approach is superior to routine care in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in terms of reaching a clinical remission after 12 months of treatment.MethodsPatients with early and active pJIA were enrolled. Targets for treatment were the following: Recognisable Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) improvement after 3 months, acceptable disease at 6 months, minimal disease activity at 9 months and as primary endpoint remission after 12 months. Initially, patients received methotrexate. Failure to meet a defined target required treatment modification at the specified intervals. The choice of biologics was not influenced by the protocol. Finally, T2T patients were compared with a cohort of matched controls of patients with pJIA with unguided therapy documented by BIKER.ResultsSixty-three patients were enrolled. Treatment targets after 3/6/9 and 12 months were reached by 73%/75%/77% and 48% of patients. Fifty-four patients completed the protocol. Compared with matched controls, on T2T guidance significantly more patients reached JADAS remission (48% vs 32%; OR 1.96 (1.1–3.7); p=0.033) and JADAS minimal disease activity (JADAS-MDA) (76% vs 59%; OR 2.2 (1.1–4.4); p=0.028). Patients from the T2T cohort received a biologic significantly more frequent (50% vs 9% after 12 months; OR 9.8 (4.6–20.8); pConclusionThe T2T concept was feasible and superior to unguided treatment. High rates of patients reached JADAS-MDA and JADA remission after 12 months. Approximately half of the patients achieved their therapy goals without a biologic.

Objective.To identify clinical features that define disease activity in pediatric localized scleroderma (LS), and determine their specificity and importance.Methods.We conducted a multicenter prospective study of patients with active and inactive LS skin lesions. A standardized evaluation of a single designated study lesion per subject was performed at 3 visits. We evaluated the pattern and correlation between assessed features and physician’s global assessments of activity (PGA-A).Results.Ninety of 103 subjects had evaluable data; 66 had active and 24 inactive disease. Subjects had similar age of onset, sex, and disease patterns. Linear scleroderma was the most common subtype. Features specific for active disease included erythema, violaceous color, tactile warmth, abnormal skin texture, and disease extension. Scores for these variables changed over time and correlated with PGA-A of the lesion. Active and inactive lesions could not be distinguished by the presence or level of skin thickening, either of lesion edge or center. However, in active lesions, skin thickening scores did correlate with PGA–A scores. Regression analysis identified the combination of erythema, disease extension, violaceous color, skin thickening, and abnormal texture as predictive of PGA-A at study entry. Damage features were common irrespective of activity status.Conclusion.We identified variables strongly associated with disease activity, expanding upon those used in current measures, and determined their relative importance in physician activity scoring. Skin thickening was found to lack specificity for disease activity. These results will help guide development of a sensitive, responsive activity tool to improve care of patients with LS.

Introduction: Juvenile systemic sclerosis is an orphan disease. Currently, the majority of juvenile systemic sclerosis cohort studies are retrospective in design without standardized assessment. This study was conducted prospectively to investigate the difference in manifestations of limited cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis and diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis subtypes. An additional aim was to compare these data to other juvenile systemic sclerosis cohorts and a large adult systemic sclerosis cohort. Methods: Patients fulfilling the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society juvenile systemic sclerosis classification criteria were included. Clinical characteristics and patient-related outcomes were assessed. Results: In all, 88 patients with a mean disease duration of 3.5 years were enrolled, 72.5% with diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis with a mean modified Rodnan Skin score of 18 and 27.5% with limited cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis with mean modified Rodnan Skin score of 9. The mean age at the onset of Raynaud’s and first non-Raynaud’s symptoms was similar in both groups, approximately 9 and 10.5 years. Active digital tip ulcerations were present in 29% diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis and none in the limited cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis subjects (p = 0.005). Of those with cardiopulmonary testing, 3% of diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis and 23% of limited cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis group had cardiac involvement (p = 0.015), and 41% diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis and 22% of the limited cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis group had pulmonary involvement (p = 0.009). Physician global disease damage assessment was higher in the diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis group compared to the limited cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis group: 35 and 15 (p = 0.021). Discussion: The majority of this international juvenile systemic sclerosis cohort had diffuse cutaneous juvenile systemic sclerosis (72.5%) with more frequent vascular and pulmonary involvement compared to the limited cutaneous group, who had increased cardiac involvement. Our cohort reflects prior findings of published juvenile systemic sclerosis cohorts and emphasizes a difference in the presentation compared to adult-onset systemic sclerosis.

Juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS), also known as morphea, is an orphan disease. Pediatric guidelines regarding diagnosis, assessment, and management are lacking.Our objective was to develop minimum standards of care for diagnosis, assessment, and management of jLS. A systematic review was undertaken to establish the pediatric evidence for assessment and monitoring of jLS. An expert panel, including members of the Pediatric Rheumatology European Society (PRES) Scleroderma Working Group, were invited to a consensus meeting where recommendations were developed based on evidence graded by the systematic review and, where evidence was lacking, consensus opinion. A nominal technique was used where 75% consensus was taken as agreement. Recommendations for diagnosis, assessment, and management were developed. Due to a lack of pediatric evidence, these were primarily consensus driven. Careful assessment for extra-cutaneous manifestations including synovitis, brain involvement, and uveitis were key features together with joint assessments between Dermatology and Rheumatology to improve and standardize care.Management of jLS is varied. These recommendations should help provide standardization of assessment and care for those with this rare and potentially debilitating condition. What is Known: • Children with juvenile localized scleroderma (jLS) are managed by a number of specialties including pediatric rheumatologists and dermatologists, sometimes in shared clinics. Studies have shown that management varies considerably and that there are notable differences between specialties [1]. • There is very little published guidance on management of jLS. What is new: • These recommendations aim to standardize diagnosis, assessment, and management through review of pediatric evidence and consensus agreement. • Joint review of patients by both pediatric rheumatologists and dermatologists is recommended.

To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to characterize patients having both.Diabetes comorbidity was recorded in the National Pediatric Rheumatologic Database since 2012. Data from the North Rhine-Westphalian diabetes registry served as the reference population for the prevalence of diabetes in the general population. The National Pediatric Rheumatologic Database data were indirectly standardized for age and sex for comparison with the general population. The diabetes prevalence ratio was calculated using the Poisson regression model.The analysis included 12 269 patients with JIA. A total of 58 patients had comorbid T1D, and the diabetes prevalence was 0.5%. The mean age was 11.6 years at the time of documentation, and the mean disease duration was 4.2 years. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of diabetes in patients with JIA was significantly increased (prevalence ratio 1.76 [95% CI 1.34; 2.28], P .001). The onset of diabetes in patients with JIA was earlier than that reported in the reference data. Sixty-three percent of patients developed T1D before JIA. On average, diabetes onset was 56 months before the onset of JIA. Patients who first developed JIA developed T1D on average 40 months later. The majority of patients had not received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs before diabetes onset.T1D occurs more frequently in patients with JIA than in the general population. The likelihood of T1D occurrence appears to be slightly higher before JIA manifestation and without disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy after JIA onset.

Background:The calcium-binding proteins S100A8/A9 (calprotectin) and S100A12 (extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end-products binding protein [EN-RAGE]) are involved in multiple signalling pathways to mediate inflammation, can be secreted by activated monocytes/macrophages and exhibit cytokine-like extracellular functions. Circulating levels of these proteins have been associated with disease and clinical responses in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), including treatment response.1 Studies suggest that serum S100A8/A9 and S100A12, which are released at inflammation sites, are more specific biomarkers of local inflammation (e.g. in the synovium) than systemic biomarkers such as CRP and ESR.2,3Objectives:To investigate if baseline S100A8/A9 and S100A12 predict clinical response to abatacept treatment in polyarticular JIA (pJIA), and to assess whether changes from baseline in S100A8/A9 or S100A12 can be better prognostic markers for response to abatacept treatment than CRP in pJIA.Methods:Data are from a phase III trial of SC abatacept for the treatment of pJIA (NCT01844518).4 This 24-month, single-arm, open-label, international, multicentre, two-part study included male and female patients with pJIA aged 2–17 years. This analysis examined the correlation between biomarkers (S100A8/A9, S100A12 and high-sensitivity CRP [hsCRP]) and disease activity (measured using Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score [JADAS]) at baseline, baseline biomarker values as predictors of future treatment response (ACR and JADAS endpoints), and the correlation between change from baseline in biomarker values and treatment response at Day 113.Results:Of 219 total patients, 158 (72%) had S100A8/A9 values and 155 (71%) had S100A12 values at baseline. Median S100A8/A9 and S100A12 values were 3295 ng/mL (normal range, 716–3004 ng/mL) and 176 ng/mL (normal range, 32–385 ng/mL), respectively. S100A8/A9, S100A12 and hsCRP (median 0.20 mg/dL; normal ≤0.6 mg/dL) had a low-to-moderate but significant association with disease activity at baseline; coefficients for associations between JADAS71-CRP low disease activity (LDA) and the biomarkers S100A8/A9, S100A12 and hsCRP were 0.23 (p=0.0038), 0.16 (p=0.0448) and 0.26 (p=0.0001), respectively. Baseline S100A8/A9 level above the median was associated with lower odds of ACR100 at Day 113 (p=0.0052). Figure 1 shows the associations of baseline biomarker values with Day 113 ACR and JADAS scores in the overall population. Baseline S100A8/A9 or S100A12 did not significantly influence ACR50 or ACR70 responses at Day 113, but high baseline values were associated with reduced odds of ACR90 (p=0.01), ACR100 (p=0.005), ACR-inactive disease (ID) (p=0.0001), and JADAS71-CRP (LDA) (p=0.02). By Day 477, elevated baseline S100A12 was still significantly associated with lower odds of ACR100 overall (0.467; p=0.0248) but baseline S100A8/A9 was not; at Day 645, neither was significantly associated with ACR100 response. At Day 113, changes from baseline in S100A8/A9 and S100A12 were correlated with ACR100 (coefficients of 0.22 [p=0.0082] and 0.26 [p=0.0015], respectively) and with ACR-ID (0.22 [p=0.0067] and 0.26 [p=0.0014], respectively); change in hsCRP was not significantly correlated with disease response.Conclusion:S100A8/A9 and S100A12 may serve as prognostic biomarkers to predict response to abatacept treatment at Day 113. Changes from baseline S100A8/A9 and S100A12 levels were more highly correlated with efficacy outcomes including ACR100 and ACR-ID at Day 113 compared with hsCRP.References:[1]Aljaberi N, et al. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2020;18:7.[2]Hammer H, et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2011;13:R178.[3]Nordal HH, et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2014;15:335.[4]Brunner H, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol 2018;70:1144–1154.Acknowledgements:Professional medical writing and editorial assistance was provided by Rob Coover, MPH, at Caudex and was funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.Disclosure of Interests:Nicolino Ruperto Speakers bureau: NR has received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus (< 10.000 USD each) from the following pharmaceutical companies in the past 3 years: Ablynx, Astrazeneca-Medimmune, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sinergie, Sobi and UCB, Consultant of: NR has received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus (< 10.000 USD each) from the following pharmaceutical companies in the past 3 years: Ablynx, Astrazeneca-Medimmune, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sinergie, Sobi and UCB, Grant/research support from: The IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini (IGG), where NR works as full-time public employee has received contributions (>10.000 USD each) from the following industries in the last 3 years: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, F Hoffmann-La Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sobi. This funding has been reinvested for the research activities of the hospital in a fully independent manner, without any commitment with third parties., Grant Schulert Speakers bureau: Novartis, Consultant of: SOBI, Alyssa Sproles: None declared, Sherry Thornton: None declared, Gabriel Vega Cornejo Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Parexel, Sanofi, Jordi Anton Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sobi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sobi, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Novartis, Novimmune, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, Ruben Cuttica Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Paid instructor for: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Michael Henrickson: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Hexal, MEDAC, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Daniel Kingsbury Consultant of: Pfizer, Margarita Askelson Consultant of: Currently working for Syneos Health providing services to Bristol Myers Squibb, Jinqi Liu Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Sumanta Mukherjee Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Robert Wong Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Daniel J Lovell Speakers bureau: Genentech, Wyeth Pharm, Consultant of: Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Takeda, UBC, Wyeth Pharma, Xoma, Alberto Martini Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Idorsia, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Alexei Grom Consultant of: AB2Bio, Novartis, Sobi (NovImmune), Grant/research support from: AB2Bio, Novartis, Sobi (NovImmune), Hermine Brunner Speakers bureau: GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Paid instructor for: Novartis, Pfizer (funds go to CCHMC/employer), Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB (funds go to CCHMC/employer), Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer (funds go to CCHMC/employer).

Background Evidence is lacking for safe and effective treatments for juvenile localised scleroderma (JLS). Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used first line and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) second line, despite a limited evidence base. A head to head trial of these two medications would provide data on relative efficacy and tolerability. However, a frequentist approach is difficult to deliver in JLS, because of the numbers needed to sufficiently power a trial. A Bayesian approach could be considered. Methods An international consensus meeting was convened including an elicitation exercise where opinion was sought on the relative efficacy and tolerability of MTX compared to MMF to produce prior distributions for a future Bayesian trial. Secondary aims were to achieve consensus agreement on critical aspects of a future trial. Results An international group of 12 clinical experts participated. Opinion suggested superior efficacy and tolerability of MMF compared to MTX; where most likely value of efficacy of MMF was 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.90) and of MTX was 0.68 (95% CI 0.41-0.8). The most likely value of tolerability of MMF was 0.77 (95% CI 0.3-0.94) and of MTX was 0.62 (95% CI 0.32-0.84). The wider CI for MMF highlights that experts were less sure about relative efficacy and tolerability of MMF compared to MTX. Despite using a Bayesian approach, power calculations still produced a total sample size of 240 participants, reflecting the uncertainty amongst experts about the performance of MMF. Conclusions Key factors have been defined regarding the design of a future Bayesian approach clinical trial including elicitation of prior opinion of the efficacy and tolerability of MTX and MMF in JLS. Combining further efficacy data on MTX and MMF with prior opinion could potentially reduce the pre-trial uncertainty so that, when combined with smaller trial sample sizes a compelling evidence base is available.

Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) is a rare, severe autoimmune disease associated with life-threatening multiorgan inflammatory-driven fibrosis. Recognition early in the disease process, when treatment is more effective, is critical. We outline insights from the authors, who specialize and host jSSc cohorts, combined with recent literature review combining available juvenile-onset and applicable adult-onset studies regarding SSc evaluation, which can be extrapolated to children. Practice tips are provided for each main organ system.

Objective Several effective pharmacologic treatment options for polyarticual juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have emerged but initial treatment is heterogeneous in Germany. Therefore, the German Society of Pediatric Rheumatolgy has established a commission to develop consensus “Protocols on classification, monitoring and therapy in children's rheumatology (PRO-KIND)” to harmonize diagnostic and treatment approaches for new-onset JIA in Germany. Methods A set of definitions for in- and exclusion, diagnostic workup, parameters for the evaluation of disease activity criteria, therapeutic options, medication dosing, monitoring recommendations, targets, definitions of a therapy failure and four therapeutic algorithms developed by a working group were agreed by web based survey to which all members of the GKJR have been invited. A final protocol with 4 consensus treatment plans (CTP) was agreed in a face-to-face consensus conferences employing modified nominal group technique. Results The initial 17 definitions and recommendations for new-onset polyarticular JIA agreed by the working group reached >80% agreement in a web survey in 68 German paediatric rheumatologist. Four CTPs were developed based on treatment strategies for the first 12 months of therapy, as well as definitions for clinical and laboratory monitoring. The CTPs include a step-up plan (nonbiologic Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug [DMARD] followed by a biologic), a combination plan (combination of nonbiologic and biologic after failure of initial DMARD), an intensive pulse corticosteroid scheme in parallel with a DMARD followed by combination therapy and a multiple corticosteroids joint injections strategy in a treat to target approach. Step up will be guided by a treat to target strategy to reach a JADAS-improvement at month 3, acceptable disease at month 6 or 9 and JADAS remission or at least JADAS minimal disease activity at month 12. Conclusion Standardized baseline work-up, disease activity evaluation and a definition of a treat to target approach will result in better health outcomes for polyarticular JIA patients. Four CTPs were developed for new-onset polyarticular JIA, which coupled with data collection at defined intervals will be evaluated and improved to optimize management of polyarticular JIA. Harmonization of treatment will be the basis for future comparative effectiveness research. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12969-017-0206-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction Juvenile localized scleroderma (jlSc) usually responds well to treatment with methotrexate or mycophenolate. In case of nonresponse or partial response, tocilizumab (TOC) appears to be a promising option. Methods Participants of the Pediatric Rheumatology Email Board were asked to report patients with jlSc treated with TOC. Results Six centers responded and reported 11 patients. The mean age at disease onset was 5.5 years. Disease duration at time of the initiation of TOC was 4.5 years. A total of 5 patients had linear subtype, 2 Parry Romberg syndrome, and 1 morphea en coup de sabre. Three had a generalized subtype, 2 a mixed subtype, and 1 a limited subtype/morphea. Before starting TOC, 10 of 11 patients received methotrexate, 7/11 combination methotrexate and mycophenolate, 1 abatacept, and 1 antitumor necrosis factor therapy. The indications for starting TOC were: (i) an increase in the score of the Localized Scleroderma Activity Index (mLoSSI) in 9 patients; and (ii) evidence of increased extra-cutaneous activity in 2 patients. The mean duration of TOC therapy was 14.75 months. Three of 11 patients received TOC as monotherapy, and 8/11 as combination therapy. Therapy success was reflected by a decreased mLoSSI in 9/11 patients, no new lesion occurrence, and – with Parry Romberg syndrome subtype – no increase in facial atrophy. In 8/8 patients, both the physicians’ and patients’ global assessment of disease activity decreased. In 3/3 patients, the number of active joints decreased. The mean modified Rodnan skin score decreased from 8.7 to 5.6. Conclusions In this small cohort of patients, TOC seems to be a promising rescue medication.

Background:Maintenance of clinical response over time has been shown in individual patients (pts) with polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) treated with SC abatacept (ABA).1It is unknown whether each individual pt with sustained efficacy also consistently maintains the previously reported shorter-term benefits on patient-reported outcomes (PROs)2,3over time.Objectives:Investigate whether combined efficacy and stringent, optimal PRO responses to ABA treatment are maintained by individual pts with pJIA over time.Methods:In this analysis of the intent-to-treat population, pts in two age cohorts (2–5 and 6–17 yrs) who achieved clinical response to weekly SC ABA (10–4) were followed for 2 yrs. Stringent efficacy outcomes (Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27 [JADAS27] minimal disease activity [MDA; ≤3.8] and inactive disease [ID; ≤1] status) were combined with optimal PRO endpoints (childhood [C]HAQ-DI=0, Parental Global Assessment [PaGA] ≤1 and Pain visual analogue scale [VAS] Results:219 pts entered the study (46 [21.0%] 2–5 yrs; 173 [79.0%] 6–17 yrs); a subgroup of these pts achieved a clinical response at Mo 4 (Table 1). Many pts who achieved JADAS27 MDA or JADAS27 ID combined with optimal PROs at Mo 4 sustained their response at Mo 13, and at both Mo 13 and Mo 21 in the 2–5-yr and 6–17-yr cohorts (Table 1). Across the cohorts, 33–88% of pts maintained a combined JADAS27 MDA with optimal PRO responses through Mo 21. Where estimable, median times to combined efficacy and specific optimal PRO responses were consistent across the cohorts (Table 2; Figs 1, 2).Table 1.Proportion of pts with combined efficacy and optimal PRO responses at Mos 4, 13 and 21EndpointResponders at Mo 4Responders at Mos 4 and 13*Responders at Mos 4, 13 and 21*2–5 yrs (n=46)6–17 yrs (n=173)2–5 yrs6–17 yrs2–5 yrs6–17 yrsJADAS27 MDA and CHAQ-DI=09 (20)34 (20)5/9 (56)25/34 (74)3/9 (33)16/34 (47)JADAS27 MDA and PaGA ≤18 (17)14 (8)8/8 (100)7/14 (50)7/8 (88)5/14 (36)JADAS27 MDA and Pain VAS 28 (61)70 (41)25/28 (89)58/70 (83)21/28 (75)43/70 (61)JADAS27 ID and CHAQ-DI=07 (15)20 (12)2/7 (29)13/20 (65)1/7 (14)9/20 (45)JADAS27 ID and PaGA ≤16 (13)10 (6)4/6 (67)4/10 (40)4/6 (67)4/10 (40)JADAS27 ID and Pain VAS 17 (37)31 (18)10/17 (59)22/31 (71)8/17 (47)17/31 (55)Data are n (%) or n/N (%). *% based on n of pts who achieved response at Mo 4 (denominator)Table 2.Kaplan–Meier estimates for median (95% CI) times (mos) to achieving combined efficacy and optimal PRO responsesEndpoint2–5 yrs6–17 yrsJADAS27 MDA and CHAQ-DI=021.5 (6.8, NE)21.5 (13.1, 24.4)JADAS27 MDA and PaGA ≤1NE (15.9, NE)24.6 (24.3, NE)JADAS27 MDA and Pain VAS 2.8 (1.9, 2.9)3.8 (3.7, 6.6)JADAS27 ID and CHAQ-DI=0NE (18.4, NE)24.4 (18.7, NE)JADAS27 ID and PaGA ≤1NE (21.3, NE)24.6 (24.3, NE)JADAS27 ID and Pain VAS 3.8 (3.8, 10.3)13.2 (10.3, 15.9)NE=not estimableConclusion:Many individuals with pJIA who achieved stringent efficacy and PRO measures with weekly SC abatacept by Mo 4 sustained them over 2 years. Time to achieve combined efficacy and Pain VAS References:[1]Ruperto N, et al.Ann Rheum Dis2019;78:99–100 (abstr OP0056)[2]Brunner H, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2019;71(suppl 10):abstr 2707[3]Ruperto N, et al.Ann Rheum Dis2017;76:75 (abstr OP0058)[4]Brunner HI, et al.Arthritis Rheumatol2018;70:1144–54Acknowledgments:Katerina Kumpan, PhD, Caudex; funding: Bristol-Myers SquibbDisclosure of Interests: :Hermine Brunner Consultant of: Hoffman-La Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis, Merck Serono, AbbVie, Amgen, Alter, AstraZeneca, Baxalta Biosimilars, Biogen Idec, Boehringer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, EMD Serono, Janssen, MedImmune, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Biosciences, Speakers bureau: GSK, Roche, and Novartis, Nikolay Tzaribachev: None declared, Ingrid Louw Consultant of: Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche (advisory boards), Inmaculada Calvo Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Clementia, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Novartis, Francisco Zapata: None declared, Gerd Horneff Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bayer, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Daniel Kingsbury: None declared, Maria Gastanaga Grant/research support from: Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Roche, Carine Wouters Grant/research support from: GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Roche, Johannes Breedt: None declared, Robert Wong Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Marleen Nys Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Margarita Askelson Consultant of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Joe Zhuo Shareholder of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Alberto Martini Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lily, EMD Serono, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Daniel J Lovell Consultant of: Abbott (consulting and PI), AbbVie (PI), Amgen (consultant and DSMC Chairperson), AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb (PI), Celgene, Forest Research (DSMB Chairman), GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Janssen (co-PI), Novartis (consultant and PI), Pfizer (consultant and PI), Roche (PI), Takeda, UBC (consultant and PI), Wyeth, Employee of: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Speakers bureau: Wyeth, Nicolino Ruperto Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lily, F Hoffmann-La Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sobi (paid to institution), Consultant of: Ablynx, AbbVie, AstraZeneca-Medimmune, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lily, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sanofi, Servier, Sinergie, Sobi, Takeda, Speakers bureau: Ablynx, AbbVie, AstraZeneca-Medimmune, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lily, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sanofi, Servier, Sinergie, Sobi, Takeda

Background:Juvenile systemic scleroderma (jSSc) is an orphan disease with a prevalence of 3 per 1 000 000 children. There are limited data regarding the clinical presentation of jSSc. The Juvenile Systemic Scleroderma Inception Cohort (JSSIC) is the largest multinational registry that prospectively collects information about jSSc patients.Objectives:Evaluation of the jSSc patients at the time of inclusion in the JSSIC.Methods:Patients were included in the JSSIC if they fulfilled the adult ACR/EULAR classification criteria for systemic scleroderma, if they presented the first non-Raynaud symptom before 16 years of age and if they were younger than 18 years of age at time of inclusion. Patients’ characteristics at time of inclusion were evaluated.Results:Until 15thof December 2019 hundred fifty patients were included, 83% of them being Caucasian and 80% female. The majority had the diffuse subtype (72%) and 17% of all jSSc had overlap features. The mean age of first presentation of Raynaud´s phenomenon was 9.8 years in the diffuse subtype (djSSc) and 10.7 years in the limited subtype (ljSSc) (p=.197). The mean age at first non-Raynaud’s symptoms was 10.0 years in the djSSc and 11.2 years in the ljSSc (p=0.247). Mean disease duration at time of inclusion was 3.4 years in the djSSc and 2.4 years in the ljSSc group.Significant differences were found between the groups regarding mean modified Rodnan skin score, 18.2 in the djSSc vs 6.2 in the ljSSc (p=0.02); presence of Gottron´s papulae (djSSc 30% vs ljSSc 13%, p=0.43);presence of teleangiectasia (djSSc 42% vs 18% ljSS, p=0.01); history of ulceration (djSSc 42% vs 18% ljSSc,p=0.008); 6 Minute walk test below the 10thpercentile (djSSc 85% vs ljSSc 54%, p=0.044), total pulmonary involvement (djSSc 49% vs ljSSc 31%, p=0.045), cardiac involvement (ljSSc 17% vs djSSc 3%, p=0.002). djSSc patients had significantly worse scores for Physician Global Assessment of disease activity compared to ljSSc patients (VAS 0-100) (40 vs 15) (p=0.001) and for Physician Global Assessment of disease damage (VAS 0-100) (36 vs 17) (p=0.001).There were no statistically significant differences in the other presentations. Pulmonary hypertension occurred in approximately 6% in both groups. No systemic hypertension or renal crisis was reported. ANA positivity was 90% in both groups. Anti-Scl70 was positive in 35% in djSSc and 36% in the ljSSc group. Anticentromere positivity occurred in 3% in the djSSc and 7% in the ljSSc group.Conclusion:In this unique large cohort of jSSc patients there were significant differences between djSSc and ljSSc patients at time of inclusion into the cohort regarding skin, vascular, pulmonary and cardiac involvement. According to the physician global scores the djSSc patients had a significantly more severe disease. Interestingly the antibody profile was similar in both scleroderma phenotypes.Supported by the “Joachim Herz Stiftung”Disclosure of Interests: :Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Novartis, Jens Klotsche: None declared, Ozgur Kasapcopur: None declared, Amra Adrovic: None declared, Kathryn Torok: None declared, Maria T. Terreri: None declared, Ana Paula Sakamoto: None declared, Valda Stanevicha: None declared, Flávio R. Sztajnbok: None declared, Jordi Anton Grant/research support from: grants from Pfizer, abbvie, Novartis, Sobi. Gebro, Roche, Novimmune, Sanofi, Lilly, Amgen, Grant/research support from: Pfizer, abbvie, Novartis, Sobi. Gebro, Roche, Novimmune, Sanofi, Lilly, Amgen, Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Pfizer, abbvie, Consultant of: Novartis, Sobi, Pfizer, abbvie, Speakers bureau: abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Sobi, Gebro, Speakers bureau: abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Sobi, Gebro, Brian Feldman Consultant of: DSMB for Pfizer, OPTUM and AB2-Bio, Ekaterina Alexeeva Grant/research support from: Roche, Pfizer, Centocor, Novartis, Speakers bureau: Roche, Novartis, Pfizer., Maria Katsikas: 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, edoardo marrani: None declared, Mikhail Kostik: None declared, Natalia Vasquez-Canizares: None declared, Simone Appenzeller: None declared, Mahesh Janarthanan: None declared, Monika Moll: None declared, Dana Nemcova: None declared, Anjali Patwardhan: None declared, Maria Jose Santos Speakers bureau: Novartis and Pfizer, Sujata Sawhney: None declared, Dieneke Schonenberg: None declared, Cristina Battagliotti: None declared, Lillemor Berntson Consultant of: paid by Abbvie as a consultant, Speakers bureau: paid by Abbvie for giving speaches about JIA, Blanca Bica: None declared, Juergen Brunner Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis, Consultant of: Pfizer, Novartis, Abbvie, Roche, BMS, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Novartis, Abbvie, Roche, BMS, Patricia Costa Reis: None declared, Despina Eleftheriou: None declared, Liora Harel: None declared, Gerd Horneff Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bayer, Chugai, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Daniela Kaiser: None declared, Dragana Lazarevic: None declared, Kirsten Minden Consultant of: GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Speakers bureau: Roche, Susan Nielsen: None declared, Farzana Nuruzzaman: None declared, Yosef Uziel: None declared, Nicola Helmus: None declared

Background JIA-associated uveitis (JIAU) is a serious, sight-threatening disease with significant long-term complications and risk of blindness, even with improved contemporary treatments. The MIWGUC was set up in order to propose specific JIAU activity and response items and to validate their applicability for clinical outcome studies. Methods The group consists of 8 paediatric rheumatologists and 7 ophthalmologists. A consensus meeting took place on November 2015 in Barcelona (Spain) with the objective of validating the previously proposed measures. The validation process was based on the results of a prospective open, international, multi-centre, cohort study designed to validate the outcome measures proposed by the initial MIWGUC group meeting in 2012. The meeting used the same Delphi and nominal group technique as previously described in the first paper from the MIWGUC group (Arthritis Care Res 64:1365–72, 2012). Patients were included with a diagnosis of JIA, aged less than 18 years, and with active uveitis or an uveitis flare which required treatment with a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. The proposed outcome measures for uveitis were collected by an ophthalmologist and for arthritis by a paediatric rheumatologist. Patient reported outcome measures were also measured. Results A total of 82 patients were enrolled into the validation cohort. Fifty four percent (n = 44) had persistent oligoarthritis followed by rheumatoid factor negative polyarthritis (n = 15, 18%). The mean uveitis disease duration was 3.3 years (SD 3.0). Bilateral eye involvement was reported in 65 (79.3%) patients. The main findings are that the most significant changes, from baseline to 6 months, are found in the AC activity measures of cells and flare. These measures correlate with the presence of pre-existing structural complications and this has implications for the reporting of trials using a single measure as a primary outcome. We also found that visual analogue scales of disease activity showed significant change when reported by the ophthalmologist, rheumatologist and families. The measures formed three relatively distinct groups. The first group of measures comprised uveitis activity, ocular damage and the ophthalmologists’ VAS. The second comprised patient reported outcomes including disruption to school attendance. The third group consisted of the rheumatologists’ VAS and the joint score. Conclusions We propose distinctive and clinically significant measures of disease activity, severity and damage for JIAU. This effort is the initial step for developing a comprehensive outcome measures for JIAU, which incorporates the perspectives of rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, patients and families.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:19:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-08-01 In 2012, a European initiative called Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) was launched to optimise and disseminate diagnostic and management regimens in Europe for children and young adults with rheumatic diseases. Juvenile localised scleroderma (JLS) is a rare disease within the group of paediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD) and can lead to significant morbidity. Evidence-based guidelines are sparse and management is mostly based on physicians' experience. This study aims to provide recommendations for assessment and treatment of JLS. Recommendations were developed by an evidence-informed consensus process using the European League Against Rheumatism standard operating procedures. A committee was formed, mainly from Europe, and consisted of 15 experienced paediatric rheumatologists and two young fellows. Recommendations derived from a validated systematic literature review were evaluated by an online survey and subsequently discussed at two consensus meetings using a nominal group technique. Recommendations were accepted if ≥80% agreement was reached. In total, 1 overarching principle, 10 recommendations on assessment and 6 recommendations on therapy were accepted with ≥80% agreement among experts. Topics covered include assessment of skin and extracutaneous involvement and suggested treatment pathways. The SHARE initiative aims to identify best practices for treatment of patients suffering from PRDs. Within this remit, recommendations for the assessment and treatment of JLS have been formulated by an evidence-informed consensus process to produce a standard of care for patients with JLS throughout Europe. Pediatric Rheumatology University of Padova Pediatric Rheumatology Hospital and Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu Pediatric Rheumatology University Children's Hospital Ljubljana Paediatric Rheumatology Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Discipline of Paediatrics Women's and Children's Hospital University of Adelaide Pediatrics Sydney Children's Hospital Network Randwick and Westmead Unit of Paediatric Rheumatology Semmelweis University Pediatric Rheumatology Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagao Gesteira Rheumatology Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust Servicio de Inmunología/Reumatología Hospital de Pediatria Juan P Garrahan Department of Paediatric Immunology Wilhelmina Children's Hospital University Medical Center Utrecht Departamento de Pediatria Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Hospital das Clínicas UNESP Klinikum Eilbek Hamburger Zentrum für Kinder-und Jugendrheumatologie Departamento de Pediatria Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu Hospital das Clínicas UNESP

Background Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis associated Uveitis (JIA-U) represents its most frequent extra-articular manifestation and the main cause of childhood uveitis in in developed countries. The broad variety of outcome measures utilized makes the comparison of the disease course, risk for complications, impairment in visual function, and responses to treatment quite difficult. Our aim was to summarize evidence regarding the current availability of outcome measures in JIA-U. Methods A systematic review between January 2000 and December 2018 was performed to identify studies investigating outcome measures used in JIA-U. Results The initial search identified 8254 articles of which 89 were potentially eligible. After the full text revision, a total of 27 studies, including 2 RCTs, were included. Among these studies 12 outcome measures for JIA-U use have been identified (grade of cells in the AC, grade of flare in the AC, VA, amblyopia, structural complications, use and sparing of oral corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, surgery requirement, biomarkers, bilateral disease, JIA persistence, quality of life assessments, uveitis subtype). As regards primary outcome measures, 44% among studies included one or more variables related to disease activity (i.e. grade of flare, grade of cells); 56% included visual function performance (i.e. visual acuity); 68% (17/25) included one or more variables of disease-associated tissue damage or complications (i.e. cataract, amblyopia); 24% included disease features (i.e. bilateral disease; uveitis subtype); 44% included laboratory features (i.e. biomarkers); 8% included JIA features (i.e. persistence of disease); 12% included quality of life (i.e. EYE-Q); 44% included management (i.e. use and sparing of oral corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs; surgery requirement). Conclusions Our systematic review surveys the heterogeneity around outcome measures related to JIA-U in children, even in RCTs. It does not provide the solution to overcome the heterogeneity in uveitis studies, but it does provide an estimate of the scale of the problems and provides data to inform this important debate; highlighting the requirement to obtain a new consensus regarding a common approach to identify suitable and efficient outcome measures in JIA-U.

Background Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) is an orphan disease with a prevalence of 3 in a 1 000 000 children(1). Currently there is nearly no data published about the course of jSSc patients with standardized assessment. We report our date from Juvenile Scleroderma Inception cohort (JSSIC) with a follow up of 24 months. Objectives: to evaluate the organ involvement and patient reported outcomes (PRO) during the first 24 months in the JSIC Methods The JSSIC is a prospective multicenter registry of patients with jSSc, who fulfill the adult classification criteria(2), and presented the first non-Raynaud symptom before 16 years of age and were younger then 18 years at the time of inclusion in the JSSIC. Patients who were followed at least 24 months in the JSSIC, were evaluated. Results 52 patients were followed at least 24 months in the registry. 77% were female and 77% had diffuse subtype. 19% had overlap features. Mean disease duration at time of inclusion was 3.2 years. Mean age of at Raynaud’s onset was 8.8 years and the first non-Raynaud’s symptom 9.4 years. 85% received DMARDs at the time of inclusion and 96% after 24 months. 88% of the patients were ANA positive, 35% anti-Scl70 positive and 3% anticentromere positive. The mean modified skin score decreased from 14.3 to 12.6. The frequency of Raynaud’s stayed around 87%. The frequency of the nailfold capillary changes increased from 56% to 63%, but the frequency of active ulcerations stayed stable around 21%. The number of patients with FVC Several PROs improved significantly. Patient global disease activity (VAS 0-100) changed from 46 to 29 (p=0.002), patient global disease damage (VAS 0-100) from 46 to 28 (p=0.02) and patient Raynaud activity VAS 0-100) from 27 to 14 (p=0.009) as physician global disease activity (VAS 0-100) from 43 to 29 (p=0.021) and physician global disease damage from 46 to 28 (P=0.01). Conclusion Over the 24 months observation period patient and physician related outcomes improved significantly. Regarding organ involvement there was an increase in patients of pulmonary hypertension and joint contractures. References [1] Beukelman T, Xie F, Foeldvari I. Assessing the prevalence of juvenile systemic sclerosis in childhood using administrative claims data from the United States. Journal of Scleroderma and Related Disorders. 2018;3(2):189-90. [2] van den Hoogen F, Khanna D, Fransen J, Johnson SR, Baron M, Tyndall A, et al. 2013classification criteria for systemic sclerosis: an American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism collaborative initiative. Arthritis Rheum. 2013;65(11):2737-47. Disclosure of Interests Ivan Foeldvari Consultant for: Chugai, Novartis, Jens Klotsche: None declared, Ozgur Kasapcopur: None declared, Amra Adrovic: None declared, Maria T. Tererri: None declared, Jordi Anton Grant/research support from: Grant/research support, consultant or speakers bureau from AbbVie, Alexion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ChemoCentryx, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Novimmune, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and Sobi, Consultant for: Grant/research support, consultant or speakers bureau from AbbVie, Alexion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ChemoCentryx, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Novimmune, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and Sobi, Speakers bureau: Grant/research support, consultant or speakers bureau from AbbVie, Alexion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ChemoCentryx, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Novimmune, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi and Sobi, Tadej Avcin: None declared, Rolando Cimaz: None declared, Mikhail Kostik: None declared, Maria Katsikas: None declared, Dana Nemcova: None declared, Maria Jose Santos: None declared, Cristina Battagliotti: None declared, Lillemor Berntson: None declared, Juergen Brunner: None declared, Liora Harel: None declared, Tilmann Kallinich Grant/research support from: Novartis, Speakers bureau: Sobi, Roche, Novartis, CLB, Kirsten Minden Consultant for: AbbVie, Monika Moll: None declared, Anjali Patwardhan: None declared, Kathryn Torok: None declared, Nicola Helmus: None declared

Background Since 2008, Adalimumab is approved for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and approval has been extended to other JIA categories and for uveitis. Objectives To evaluate efficacy and safety of Adalimumab in clinical practice in JIA patients in comparison to a biologic-naive JIA cohort using the German Biologics registry (BiKeR). Methods Baseline demographics and disease activity parameters have been documented. Efficacy was determined using the JADAS10. Safety assessments were based on adverse events (AE) reports processed according to MedDRA. Results Until October 1, 2018, 951 JIA patients treated with Adalimumab were registered in BiKeR, representing 1519 patient-years (PY) of exposure. The total observation time (from date of first dose until last follow-up, censored, if another biologic was started) was calculated with 1709 PY. At baseline, the cohort treated with Adalimumab had experienced disease with a disease duration of 5.4+/-3.9 years (mean+/-SD). 849 patients (89.3%) were pretreated with methotrexate, 525 (54.2%) with Etanercept. Concomitantly, 584 (61.4%) received methotrexate, 529 (55.6%) NSAIDs and 255 (26.8%) systemic corticosteroids. In the control cohort, 1517 biologic naive JIA patients started methotrexate. Upon treatment, the median (IQR1-3) JADAS10 score decreased from 9.8 (4.7-15.5) at baseline to 3.9 (0.9-9.7) at the last follow-up. With respect to patients with ongoing treatment, approximately 43% achieved a JADAS defined minimal disease activity while 25% reached a JADAS defined remission at last follow-up. 904 AE have been observed during exposure or up to 90 days follow-up (58.4/100 exposure years (EY) [95% CI 54.7-62.3]). 66 qualified as serious AE (SAE) (4.3/100 EY [3.3-5.4]). These figures were compared to 1294 AE reported in the control cohort (34.8/year [32.9-36.8]) and 52 SAE (1.4/100 EY [1.1-1.8]). Adverse events of special interest were serious/medically important infection (n=33), opportunistic infection (n=6, all H. zoster), malignancy (n=2), anaphylaxis/hypersensitivities (n=3), thrombotic disorders (n=2), autoimmune diseases (n=91, including 12 cases with psoriasis and 53 reports of uveitis), bleeding (n=3), cytopenias (n=4), pregnancies (n=2). Macrophage activation syndrome, demyelination, cardiac or cerebral infarction, or death were not observed. However, 2 malignancies were reported in patients who had ever been exposed to Adalimumab before. Both events were judged as unrelated. A total of 449 patients (48.5%) discontinued Adalimumab, 188 (19.8%) due to lack of efficacy, 111 (11.7%) due to remission and 78 (8.2%) because of intolerance. Conclusion The current analysis adds to the established safety profile of Adalimumab and demonstrates that the rate of SAEs was comparable and consistent with the overall AE profile in paediatric patients. As expected, infections were the most frequent SAE. Uveitis, as well as psoriasis, are likely associated with JIA. Of notice, only one patient developed a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. No new safety signals specific to the paediatric population were identified in this large cohort of JIA patients. References [1] Klein A, Becker I, Minden K, Foeldvari I, Haas JP, Horneff G. Adalimumab versus adalimumab and methotrexate for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: long-term data from the German BIKER registry. Scand J Rheumatol. 2018Nov9:1-10. Acknowledgement The authors acknowledge all patients, parents and ciontributors to the BIKER registry and Abbvie, Germany, for financial Support for parts of BIKER. Disclosure of Interests Gerd Horneff: None declared, Kisten Minden Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie, Toni Hospach Speakers bureau: Chugai, Roche, Novartis, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant for: Chugai, Novartis, Peter Haas Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Angelika Thon: None declared, Betina Rogalski

Background Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may have a different body composition associated with reduced muscle mass and increased fat mass [1]. They display decreased physical fitness, perform less strenuous physical activities, and spend more time sleeping than do healthy children. A lower level of physical activity is associated with deconditioning and functional deterioration, favoring an inactive lifestyle. The risk of overweight might be further increased by the glucocorticoid treatment. Objectives Since obesity can increase inflammatory processes, cause early atherosclerotic changes and promote metabolic disorders, the objectives were a) to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with JIA, and b) to examine the association between overweight and health-related parameters in this population. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of physicians’ recorded body weights and heights of patients with JIA enrolled in the NPRD in the year 2016 was performed. Overweight was defined as BMI >90th sex- and age-specific percentile and obesity as BMI >97th percentile. For comparison with data from the general German population [2], patients aged 3 to 17 years were considered. A linear regression model was used to explore the association between overweight and both clinical as well as self-reported outcomes. Results In total, data from 6.860 children and adolescents with JIA (age 11.5 ± 4 years, disease duration 4.6 ± 3.6 years, 67% girls, 39% persistent oligoarthritis) were analyzed. Overweight was found in 14% (including 6% obesity) of JIA cases. Comparative data from the German general population report an overweight prevalence of 15% (including 6% obesity). In contrast to the general population, overweight rates in JIA differed between girls and boys (girls 14% vs. boys 16%, p Conclusion The prevalence of overweight and obesity in young patients with JIA is similar to that of children and adolescents in the general population. The overweight rate increases with age and is strongly associated with functional restrictions and treatment with glucocorticoids. The role of overweight in the long-term outcome of JIA is an issue that still needs to be addressed. References [1] Gronlund MM, et al. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients with low inflammatory activity have increased adiposity. Scand J Rheumatol 2014;43:488–92. [2] Schienkiewitz A, et al. Ubergewicht und Adipositas im Kindes- und Jugendalter in Deutschland. Journal of Health Monitoring 2018; 3:16–23. Acknowledgement The National Paediatric Rheumatological Database has been funded by the German Children Arthritis Foundation (Deutsche Kinder-Rheumastiftung), AbbVie, Pfizer and Chugai. Disclosure of Interests Florian Milatz: None declared, Jens Klotsche: None declared, Martina Niewerth: None declared, Nils Geisemeyer: None declared, Jana Horstermann: None declared, Gerd Ganser: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant for: Chugai, Novartis, Angelika Thon: None declared, Rainer Berendes: None declared, Markus Hufnagel: None declared, Toni Hospach Speakers bureau: Chugai, Roche, Novartis, Kirsten Minden Consultant for: AbbVie

Background Treatment options for autoinflammatory diseases include anti-interleukin (IL)-1 therapies since the IL-1 pathway is crucial in immune dysregulation in patients with monogenic periodic fever syndromes. Objectives To gain further insights from routine clinical practice with respect to long-term effectiveness and safety of canakinumab (CAN) in pediatric and adult patients with CAPS (cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, including Muckle-Wells syndrome [MWS], familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome [FCAS], neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease [NOMID]/chronic infantile neurological cutaneous and articular syndrome [CINCA]), FMF (familial Mediterranean fever), TRAPS (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome) and HIDS/MKD (hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency). Methods RELIANCE is a prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, observational study based in Germany with a 3-year follow-up enrolling patients aged ≥2 years with clinically confirmed diagnoses who routinely received CAN. 6-monthly clinical assessment and evaluation of patient-reported outcomes is aligned with routine clinic visits. CAPS disease activity was determined by physicians’ and patients’ assessment. Endpoints were effectiveness and safety of CAN under standard clinical practice conditions. Results The interim analysis includes 52 CAPS patients with prior long-term CAN treatment (43.1% females) enrolled by September 2018. 44.2% of the patients participated in the β-Confident study previously. The mean age was 20.7 years (4.0–79.0 years) at baseline and the mean duration of prior CAN treatment was 5.4 years (0.0–11.0 years). 40 patients (76.9%) were diagnosed with MWS, the other patients had FCAS (2), NOMID/CINCA (7) or atypical CAPS (1) (subtype diagnosis of 2 patients not available). Mutations in Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing-3 were identified in 34 patients (68.0%) including E311K (7), Q703K (5), V198M (5), T348M (5), A439V (4). A baseline screening revealed sensorineural hearing loss (62.0%), papillitis (84.0%) and neurological symptoms (71.4%) in patients which had not been detected previously. The majority of patients had no disease related symptoms at baseline and 6 months demonstrating sustained remission in patients receiving long-term CAN treatment. The following disease related symptoms (mild/moderate and severe) were observed in the analysis cohort (N=31) at baseline and 6 months, respectively – disease symptom: baseline (mild/moderate, severe) vs. 6 months (mild/moderate, severe) – urticarial skin rash: 19.4%, 6.5% vs. 25.8%, 0.0%, arthralgia: 32.3%, 0.0% vs. 29.0%, 9.7%, myalgia: 9.7%, 0.0% vs. 16.1%, 0.0%, headaches: 22.6%, 9.7% vs. 19.4%, 19.4%, conjunctivitis: 32.3%, 3.2% vs. 12.9%, 6.5%, abdominal pain: 9.7%, 6.5% vs. 22.6%, 9.7%. Patients’ assessment of disease activity and fatigue did not change between baseline and 6 months. However, at baseline 45.5% and after 6 months 76.0% of patients had no impairment of social life by the disease. Serious adverse events were reported for 2 patients (tonsillitis, delivery at week 31). Conclusion The RELIANCE study longitudinally monitors the stability of effectiveness of CAN in patients with monogenic periodic fever syndromes. An initial interim analysis including the CAPS subgroup which had prior CAN treatment showed that CAN is an effective and safe treatment in those patients. Disclosure of Interests: J. B. Kuemmerle-Deschner Grant/research support from: Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner is an employee of University of Tuebingen, Germany, and received consultants/speakers fees from Novartis and SOBI pharmaceuticals and grant support from SOBI and Novartis, Consultant for: Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner is an employee of University of Tuebingen, Germany, and received consultants/speakers fees from Novartis and SOBI pharmaceuticals and grant support from SOBI and Novartis, Speakers bureau: Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner is an employee of University of Tuebingen, Germany, and received consultants/speakers fees from Novartis and SOBI pharmaceuticals and grant support from SOBI and Novartis, Norbert Blank Grant/research support from: SOBI and Novartis, Speakers bureau: Novartis and SOBI, Michael Borte Grant/research support from: Pfizer and Shire, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant for: Chugai, Novartis, Gerd Horneff: None declared, Prasad Oommen: None declared, Catharina Schuetz: None declared, Frank Weller-Heinemann: None declared, Julia Weber-Arden Employee of: Novartis, Tilmann Kallinich Grant/research support from: Novartis, Speakers bureau: Sobi, Roche, Novartis, CLB

Background Since 2000, Etanercept is approved for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Subsequently, approval has been extended to additional JIA categories. Objectives To describe efficacy and safety of Etanercept in clinical practice in JIA patients in comparison to a biologic-naive JIA cohort using the German Biologics registry (BiKeR). Methods Baseline demographics and disease activity parameters were documented. Efficacy was determined using the JADAS10. Safety assessments were based on adverse events reports (AE) processed according to MedDRA. Results Until October 1, 2018, 2645 JIA patients treated with Etanercept were registered, representing 5820 patient-years (PY) of exposure. The total observation time (from date of first dose until last follow-up, censored, if another biologic was started) was calculated as 8080 PY. In general, the cohort treated with Etanercept had experienced disease duration of 4.2+/-3.7 years (mean+/-SD). 2303 patients (87%) were pretreated with methotrexate, 100 with alternative biologics. Concomitantly, 1822 patients (69%) received methotrexate, 2098 (79%) NSAIDs, 949 (36%) systemic corticosteroids as well as further drugs in lower numbers. In the control cohort, 1517 biologic naive JIA patients started methotrexate. At last follow-up, 68%/62%/50%/34% of patients reached JIAACR30/50/70/90 criteria. The median (IQR1-3) JADAS10 score decreased from 15.0 (10-20.4) at baseline to 3.5 (0.7-10.1). 60% of patients achieved a JADAS defined minimal disease activity, 40% reached a JADAS remission. 1924 AE were observed (33.1/100PY [95% CI 31.6-34.6]). 221qualified as SAE (3.8/100PY [3.3-4.3]). These figures were compared to 1292 AE reported during 3714PY in the control cohort (34.8/year [32.9-36.8]) and 52 SAE (1.4/100PY [1.1-1.8]). The most frequent SAE in the Etanercept cohort were grouped in the MedDRA SOC infections and infestations (n=54) followed by musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (n=27), eye disorders (n=21), gastrointestinal disorders (n=17) and nervous system disorders (n=15). There were 5 deaths. Serious infections were of bacterial and viral origin and mostly occurred once only. Adverse events of special interest were uveitis (n=109), H. zoster (n=24), chronic inflammatory bowel disease (n=19), pregnancies (n=4), depression (n= 11), malignancies (n=8), demyelination (n=2). Adverse Events of Special Interest (AESI) were in the MTX–cohort uveitis (n=52), H. zoster (n=4), chronic inflammatory bowel disease (n=1), depression (n= 2), malignancies (n=4). A total of 1606 patients (60.7%) discontinued treatment. Of these 638 (39.7%) discontinued due to remission, 565 (35.2%) due to lack of efficacy and 188 (11.7%) because of intolerance. Conclusion The current analysis adds to the established safety profile of Etanercept and demonstrates that the rate of SAEs is comparable and consistent with the overall AE profile in paediatric patients. As expected, infections are the most frequent SAE. Uveitis is likely associated with JIA. Of notice, few patients developed a chronic inflammatory bowel disease and some a malignancy. No new safety signals specific to the paediatric population were identified in this large cohort of JIA patients. References [1] Geikowski T, Becker I, Horneff G; German BIKER Registry Collaborative Study Group. Predictors of response to etanercept in polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2014 Jul;53(7):1245-9 Acknowledgement The authors acknowledge the support of the patients, parents and all contributors Disclosure of Interests Ariane Klein: None declared, Gerd Ganser: None declared, Michael Ruhlmann: None declared, Frank Dressler Paid instructor for: Abbvie, Pfizer, Novartis, Toni Hospach Speakers bureau: Chugai, Roche, Novartis, Kirsten Minden Consultant for: AbbVie, Ralf Trauzeddel: None declared, Boris Huegle: None declared, Sonja Mrusek: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant for: Chugai, Novartis, Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner Grant/research support from: Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner is an employee of University of Tuebingen, Germany, and received consultants/speakers fees from Novartis and SOBI pharmaceuticals and grant support from SOBI and Novartis., Consultant for: Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner is an employee of University of Tuebingen, Germany, and received consultants/speakers fees from Novartis and SOBI pharmaceuticals and grant support from SOBI and Novartis., Speakers bureau: Jasmin Kuemmerle-Deschner is an employee of University of Tuebingen, Germany, and received consultants/speakers fees from Novartis and SOBI pharmaceuticals and grant support from SOBI and Novartis., Frank Weller-Heinemann: None declared, Andreas Urban: None declared, Gerd Horneff: None declared

Background The efficacy of SC abatacept (ABA) in patients (pts) with polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) was shown in a 2-year (yr), Phase III, open-label international study (NCT01844518).1 However, it is unknown whether each individual pt within a treatment group consistently achieves the same efficacy endpoint at all time points. Objectives To investigate whether ABA efficacy is maintained by individual pts with pJIA over time. Methods In this subgroup analysis, pts in two age cohorts (2–5 yrs and 6–17 yrs) who achieved clinical response to weekly SC ABA (10 to Results A total of 219 pts entered the study (46 [21.0%] 2–5 yrs; 173 [79.0%] 6–17 yrs) and a subgroup of these pts achieved a clinical response at Day 113 (Table). Most pts who achieved JIA-ACR70, JIA-ACR100, JADAS71 MDA and JADAS71 ID at Day 113 sustained their response at Day 393 and at Days 393 and 645 in the 2–5-yr and 6–17-yr cohorts (Figure). Across cohorts, more than 75% and 60% of pts maintained a JIA-ACR 70 and JADAS71 MDA response through Day 645, respectively. Prior biologic (b)DMARD use was an important prognostic factor. In pts aged 6–17 yrs, sustained JIA-ACR70 response rate at Days 393 and 645 was 81% (57/70) in pts who did not have prior bDMARDs vs 57% (12/21) in pts who had prior bDMARDs (p=0.0715); sustained JADAS71 MDA response rate was 71% (37/52) vs 37% (7/19; p=0.0320). Prognostic factors for JIA-ACR100 response and JADAS71 ID in pts aged 6–17 yrs and for all outcomes in pts aged 2–5 yrs could not be determined due to low pt numbers. Conclusion The majority of individuals with pJIA who achieved stringent efficacy endpoints with weekly SC abatacept by Day 113 sustained that clinical endpoint over time. Prior bDMARD use may be a prognostic factor for sustained response over 2 yrs. Reference [1] Brunner HI, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol2018;70:1144–54. Acknowledgement Professional medical writing: Stacey Reeber, PhD, Caudex; funding: Bristol-Myers Squibb Disclosure of Interests Nicolino Ruperto Grant/research support from: The Gaslini Hospital, where NR works as full-time public employee, has received contributions (> 10.000 USD each) from the following industries in the last 3 years: BMS, Eli-Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, F Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sobi. This funding has been reinvested for the research activities of the hospital in a fully independent manner, without any commitment with third parties., Consultant for: Received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus ( I perform consultancy activities on behalf of the Gaslini Institute for the companies listed below: AbbVie, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharm. The money received for these activities are directly transferred to the Gaslini Institute’s bank account. Before March 2016, I was the head of the Pediatric Rheumatology Department at the G. Gaslini Hospital, where the PRINTO Coordinating Centre is located. For the coordination activity of the PRINTO network, the Gaslini Hospital received contributions from the industries listed in this section. This money has been reinvested for the research activities of the hospital in fully independent manners besides any commitment with third parties., Daniel J Lovell Consultant for: Consulting fees and/or honoraria from Astra Zeneca, Wyeth Pharma, Amgen, Abbott, Pfizer, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Novartis, UBC, Takeda, GSK, Boehringer, and Celgene

Background Overweight and obesity are considered to have a negative impact on Rheumatoid Arthritis in adults and there is less information regarding the correlation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA). Objectives To assess the effect of overweight on the activity of JIA as well as the stability and ability to achieve a remission using the cJADAS-10 score. Methods This is a longitudinal retrospective study design. We collected data of 164 patients suffering from JIA from three consecutive visits. Treatment was conducted between 2012 and 2015 at our centre in accordance to current guidelines. Remission was defined by cJADAS10 score ≤0,5 in Oligoarthritis and ≤0,7 in Polyarthritis. Patients were categorized by weight-for-age percentiles as heavily underweight (less than 3rd percentile) underweight (4th up to 10th percentile) healthy (11th up to 90th percentile) overweight (91th up to 96th percentile) and obese (97th up to 100th percentile). We compared the cJADAS10 of normal-weighted children with the cJADAS10 of the overweight and the obese patients, respectively. Results Of all patients, 13 were “underweight” (7,9%), 109 were defined as “normal weight” (66,5%) and 42 patients were categorized as “overweight” (25,6%) of which 16 children (9,8%) were “obese”. 95 (57.9%) reached a remission during follow-up visits. Overweight was associated with higher disease activity compared to healthy weight children at the first visit (mean 9,5 vs. 8,5) and a wider range of the cJADAS10 score (0-22 vs.0-20,5). Results from the 3-months-follow-up revealed an overall good response to the prescribed medication. At 6-months-follow-up, overweight children couldn’t stabilize the improvement since cJADAS10 range rises while it stays stable in healthy weight children. At the same time, while interpreting the disease activity of “overweight” and “obese” children separately, obese children show significantly less disease activity than overweight children, especially at the 3- and 6-months-follow-ups. Conclusion Overweight seems to have a negative influence on the disease activity and remission of JIA patients but it is most likely not the only influencing factor since obese patients show a better result regarding the cJADAS10 score than overweight patients. In the future, factors like socioeconomic status, BMI of the parents or physical activity level of the patient should be included in the evaluation. Also, the 7 subtypes of JIA should be analyzed individually since they show heterogeneous etiology, phenotype and prognosis. Disclosure of Interests Juliane Riess: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant for: Chugai