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ObjectivesTo evaluate long-term kinetics of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine-induced immune response in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) and immunocompetent controls.MethodsA prospective multicentre study investigated serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG titre at 2–6 weeks (AIIRD n=720, controls n=122) and 6 months (AIIRD n=628, controls n=116) after the second vaccine, and 2–6 weeks after the third vaccine dose (AIIRD n=169, controls n=45). T-cell immune response to the third vaccine was evaluated in a small sample.ResultsThe two-dose vaccine regimen induced a higher humoral response in controls compared with patients, postvaccination seropositivity rates of 100% versus 84.72%, pConclusionsThe two-dose BNTb262 regimen was associated with similar clinical efficacy and similar waning of the humoral response over 6 months among patients with AIIRD and controls. The third vaccine dose restored the humoral response in all of the controls and the majority of patients.

Tofacitinib is an approved treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but data on its use in the "real-world" are limited. We sought to analyse tofacitinib drug survival in the Israeli registry and compare it to other biologic agents.We included RA patients treated with tofacitinib, etanercept, golimumab, tocilizumab, or abatacept between 2010-2019. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), defined as the time from treatment initiation to a treatment failure event from any cause (i.e., inefficacy or intolerability). EFS was compared between agents using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis, stratifying patients by treatment line.A total of 964 eligible treatment courses were included (tocilizumab [325], etanercept [284], abatacept [127], tofacitinib [139], and golimumab [109]). In a univariate analysis, EFS with tofacitinib in the complete cohort was similar to etanercept, golimumab, and abatacept but was lower than tocilizumab) 3-year EFS 43% vs. 53%, HR 0.65). In a multivariable analysis, tofacitinib was similar to all other drugs, except for etanercept, which was inferior (HR 1.70); advanced treatment line was also associated with greater risk for failure (HR 1.64). In a univariable analysis stratified by the treatment line, tofacitinib had similar or better drug survival than other agents in the first and second lines. In the third line and beyond, tocilizumab had a higher EFS compared to tofacitinib (HR 0.57).Drug survival with tofacitinib is related to treatment line. Early introduction is associated with similar or better survival than other agents, whereas tocilizumab was superior in the third line or later.

ObjectiveTo examine the association between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and all-cause mortality from a large population-based database.MethodsPatients with PsA from the Clalit Health Services database were identified between 2003–2018 and matched to 4 controls by age, sex, ethnicity, and index date. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and treatments were extracted. Mortality data were obtained from the Israeli Notification of Death certificate. The proportionate mortality rate (PMR) of the leading causes of death was calculated and compared to that of the general population. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the crude and the multivariate adjusted HR for the association between PsA and all-cause mortality and for factors associated with mortality within the PsA group.ResultsThere were 5275 patients with PsA and 21,011 controls included and followed for 7.2 ± 4.4 years. The mean age was 51.7 ± 15.4 years, and 53% were females. Among patients with PsA, 38.2% were on biologics. Four hundred seventy-one (8.9%) patients died in the PsA group compared to 1668 (7.9%) in the control group. The crude HR for the association of PsA and all-cause mortality was 1.16 (95% CI 1.04–1.29) and 1.02 (95% CI 0.90–1.15) on multivariate analysis. Malignancy was the leading cause of death (26%), followed by ischemic heart disease (15.8%); this is in keeping with the leading causes of death in the general population. Older age, male sex, lower socioeconomic status, increased BMI, increased Charlson comorbidity index scores, and history of psoriasis or hospitalization in 1 year prior to entry were positive predictors for mortality.ConclusionNo clinically relevant increase in mortality rate was observed in patients with PsA, and specific PMRs were similar to those of the general population.

Ofir Elalouf,1,2 Merav Lidar,2,3 Tatiana Reitblat,4 Devy Zisman,5 Alexandra Balbir-Gurman,6 Odelia Hakakian,1 Tanya Mashiach,7 Ronit Almog,7 Ori Elkayam1,2 1Department of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; 2Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; 3Rheumatology Unit, The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; 4Rheumatology Unit, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel; 5Department of Rheumatology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; 6Rheumatology Institute; 7Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, IsraelCorrespondence: Ofir ElaloufDepartment of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv, IsraelTel +972524262682Fax +97235422904Email ofire@tlvmc.gov.ilPurpose: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) blockers retention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Patients and Methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed data about patients with RA who initiated TNF blockers from the Israeli registry of inflammatory diseases from 2011 to 2019. Patients were grouped by BMI: normal (BMI < 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25– 29.9 kg/m2), obese (BMI 30– 34.9 kg/m2) and morbid obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2). Treatment cessation due to inefficacy was defined as an “event” and therapy with a drug above 3 months was defined as a “course.” Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to describe drug survival. Event-free survival was calculated using Cox regression with a hazard ratio and confidence interval of 95%.Results: The final analysis included 521 RA patients (80% females) treated with etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab. Eight hundred and eighteen treatment initiations were included in the final analysis, 334 (41%) in the normal weight group, 261 (32%) in the overweight, 144 (17%) in the obese and 79 (10%) in the morbid obesity group. Three hundred and twenty-six (40%) treatment initiations were with etanercept, 215 (26%) with adalimumab 197 (24%) with infliximab, and 80 (10%) with golimumab. BMI was inversely associated with drug survival. Morbid obese patients were more likely to discontinue treatment compared with normal weight patients HR 2.28 (95% CI 1.67– 3.10, p< 0.01). This association remained significant for each drug type (except for golimumab) in a subgroup analysis. Adalimumab switch rate was higher compared to etanercept with HR =1.51 (95% CI 1.20– 1.91, p< 0.01), no other significant differences were noted between the other drugs.Conclusion: Morbid obese RA patients have lower TNF-α blocker retention compared to normal weight patients.Keywords: TNF alpha, biologics, BMI, obesity, survival

Background Persistence of biologic therapy in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients is an important factor in individualized patient treatment planning and healthcare policy and guideline development. Objective To estimate the persistence of biologic agents prescribed to PsA patients in a real-life setting as well as factors associated with improved biologic drug survival in these patients. Methods Patients with PsA from a large healthcare provider database with at least two consecutive dispensed prescriptions of a biologic agent indicated for PsA from January 1, 2002, until December 31, 2018, were identified and followed until medication stop date or the end of observation period. Patients were considered non-persistent whenever a permissible lag time of 6 months from the time of prescription issuance until medication filling date was exceeded. Treatment changes were based on physician decisions and patient preferences. Demographic data including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, smoking history, and socioeconomic status as well as Charlson comorbidity index were retrieved. Data regarding use of steroids and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) were also extracted. Descriptive statistics, including means (standard deviations) for continuous variables and frequencies (%) for categorical variables, were used. Persistence estimates were derived using non-parametric survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier functions, with treatment discontinuations as failure events. Cox regression hazard ratio models were conducted to investigate factors associated with drug persistence. Results A total of 2301 PsA patients with 2958 treatment periods were identified and included in the analyses. Mean age of the study population was 50.9 ± 14 years, 54% were females, 70.4% were with BMI > 25, 40% were current smokers, and 76% were with a Charlson comorbidity index > 1. The most commonly prescribed drug was etanercept (33%), followed by adalimumab (29%), golimumab (12%), secukinumab (10%), ustekinumab (8%), and infliximab (8%). While approximately 40% of patients persisted on therapy following 20 months of treatment, only about 20% of patients remained on any particular biologic agent after 5 years. Analyzing the data for all treatment periods while taking into account all lines of therapy revealed that secukinumab had a higher persistency than adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab, with a log rank of 0.022, 0.047, and 0.001, respectively. Female sex and smoking were associated with lower drug persistence (HR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.13–1.38 and HR = 1.109, 95% CI = 1.01–1.21, respectively). On analyzing the data using only the first indicated biologic line, no superiority of any single anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFα) agent was observed, while secukinumab was found to be superior as second line therapy to adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, and ustekinumab but not to golimumab with a log rank P value of 0.001, 0.004, 0.025, and 0.002, respectively. Conclusions In this large observational cohort studied in the era of biologic therapy, a relatively low drug persistence was observed, with female sex and smoking having a negative impact on persistency. None of the anti-TNFα agents was found to be more persistent than others as first line therapy, while secukinumab was found to be superior to other biologics when indicated as second line of therapy.

Background Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), formerly known as Churg–Strauss syndrome, is a rare multisystem disease characterized by asthma, rhinosinusitis, and eosinophilia. Cardiac involvement, present in half the patients, may be life threatening. Case summary A young woman with long-standing asthma and nasal polyposis was admitted with new-onset dyspnoea, sinus tachycardia, and eosinophilia. She had severe biventricular thrombosis and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on echocardiography, with preserved ejection fraction of both ventricles. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging showed diffuse subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). She had a positive test for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) confirming the diagnosis of ANCA positive EGPA. She was treated with anticoagulation, high-dose corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab with gradual resolution of her symptoms. Follow-up echocardiography showed significant improvement in ventricular thrombi and TR but could not reliably exclude residual ventricular thrombus. Repeat CMR at 11 months confirmed complete resolution of both ventricular thrombi and near complete resolution of LGE. Discussion Cardiac involvement in EGPA, a rare cause of heart failure, can manifest as severe biventricular thrombosis and severe TR, resulting in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Combined immunosuppression and anticoagulation can lead to complete remission within a year. CMR is instrumental for both diagnosis and follow-up of EGPA, allowing for safe discontinuation of oral anticoagulation.

Objective To assess the attitudes and common practices of adult rheumatologists in the US regarding health care transition (HCT) for young adults with rheumatic diseases. Methods An anonymous online survey was sent to US adult rheumatologist members of the American College of Rheumatology to collect demographic data and information on attitudes and common practices regarding the transition process. Results Of 4,064 contacted rheumatologists, 203 (5%) completed the survey. Almost half of respondents (45.1%) were never trained in transition practices, and 74.7% were not familiar with the American Academy of Pediatrics/American Academy of Family Physicians/American College of Physicians Consensus Statement About Transitions for Youth with Special Healthcare Needs. Only 56.2% felt comfortable caring for former pediatric patients. The vast majority of respondents (90.7%) did not have a multidisciplinary transition team, and 37% did not have a plan for transitioning pediatric patients into their practice. Most adult rheumatologists were unsatisfied with the current transition process (92.9%), due to insufficient resources, personnel (91.1%), and time in clinic (86.9%). They also were unsatisfied with referral data received concerning previous treatments (48.9%), hospitalization history (48%), disease activity index (45.1%), medical history summary (43.9%), comorbidities (36.4%), medication list (34.1%), and disease classification (32.6%). Three major barriers to HCT were lack of insurance reimbursement (33.7%), knowledge about community resources (30.8%), and lapses in care between primary provider and specialist (27.8%). Conclusion This survey identified substantial gaps in knowledge and resources regarding HCT for young adults with rheumatic diseases. These may be best addressed by further training, research, dedicated resources, adequate payment, and practice guidelines.

Background: The treat-to-target approach was recently adopted for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) management. Objective: To assess the implementation of the “treat-to-target” (T2T) concept in daily management of PsA by use of composite scores of disease activity versus clinical judgement alone. Methods: A total of 117 PsA patients from a longitudinal PsA cohort were enrolled consecutively in the study during each patient’s first clinic visit during 2016–2017. Clinic notes from the treating rheumatologist were reviewed by an independent rheumatologist, noting clinical impression of disease activity, treatment changes based on clinical judgement, and rationale. Treatment changes were then compared to the use of formal disease activity parameters in Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) and Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) composite measures. All associations were assessed using the chi-square test or the Mann–Whitney test, as appropriate. Results: The 117 PsA patient cohort consisted of 65.5% women, mean age 58.4 ± 13.6 years. Clinical judgement of treating rheumatologist concorded with MDA and DAPSA in 76 (65.5%) and 74 (64.9%) patients, respectively. Agreement between clinical judgement and composite measure criteria did not correlate with patient age, sex, alcohol/tobacco use, or treatment regimens chosen. Disagreement between physician assessment and MDA occurred in 40 (34.5%) cases: in 30 cases, the MDA status was overestimated due to disregard of patient reported outcomes (PRO), while underestimation of MDA status occurred in 25% of cases with treatment changes made in patients with a single active joint or enthesis. Underestimation of disease activity using DAPSA occurred in 22 cases and could be attributed to disregarding tender joint count, patient pain visual analogue scale and C-reactive protein level. Conclusion: In our cohort, agreement between clinical impression and formal composite measure utilization for implementation of T2T strategy occurred in 65% of patients. Discordance resulted from physicians’ overlooking PRO and emphasizing objective findings when using clinical judgement alone.

Objectives As global vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 disease commence, vaccine safety needs to be closely assessed. The safety profile of mRNA-based vaccines in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) is unknown. The objective of this report is to raise awareness of reactivation of herpes zoster (HZ) following the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination in patients with AIIRD. Methods The safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination was assessed in an observational study monitoring post-vaccination adverse effects in patients with AIIRD (n = 491) and controls (n = 99), conducted in two rheumatology departments in Israel. Results The prevalence of HZ was 1.2% (n = 6) in patients with AIIRD compared with none in controls. Six female patients aged 49 ± 11 years with stable AIIRD: RA (n = 4), Sjogren’s syndrome (n = 1), and undifferentiated connective disease (n = 1), developed the first in a lifetime event of HZ within a short time after the first vaccine dose in five cases and after the second vaccine dose in one case. In the majority of cases, HZ infection was mild, except a case of HZ ophthalmicus, without corneal involvement, in an RA patient treated with tofacitinib. There were no cases of disseminated HZ disease or postherpetic neuralgia. All but one patient received antiviral treatment with a resolution of HZ-related symptoms up to 6 weeks. Five patients completed the second vaccine dose without other adverse effects. Conclusion Epidemiologic studies on the safety of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines in patients with AIIRD are needed to clarify the association between the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination and reactivation of zoster.

ObjectiveThe 2021 Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) treatment recommendations provide an evidence-based guide for selecting therapy based on the individual's disease features. Beyond the disease features and associated conditions (eg, uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease), comorbidities play an important role in selecting therapy for an individual patient.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature review. We examined the available evidence to inform treatment selection based on the presence or absence of comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).ResultsCommon comorbidities in PsA that may affect treatment selection include presence of baseline cardiovascular disease (CVD) or high risk for CVD, obesity and metabolic syndrome, liver disease, mood disorders, including depression in particular, chronic infections, malignancies, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia and/or central sensitization.ConclusionComorbidities may influence both the effectiveness of a given therapy but also the potential for adverse events. It is important to assess for the presence of comorbidities prior to therapy selection.

Calcinosis or dystrophic soft-tissue calcification occurs in damaged/devitalized tissues in the presence of normal calcium/phosphorus metabolism.1 It is a known complication of connective tissues diseases, especially juvenile dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis (SSc), and may be localized or widespread.2 Previous data from the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium showed calcinosis to be most commonly associated with digital ulceration, osteoporosis, telangiectasias, and acroosteolysis,3 as well as with anticentromere, anti-PM/Scl, and anticardiolipin antibodies.3 …

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the implementation of the treat-to-target (T2T) concept in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in daily practice. METHODS: All RA patients visiting one of the 7 academic medical centers in Israel in June 2015 with at least 3 previous clinic visits were included in this study. A common questionnaire was used to collect data from patients’ medical records, and two independent rheumatologists evaluated the collected data for the implementation of the T2T concept. The associations between T2T implementation and the categorical and continuous variables were assessed. RESULTS: The study included 724 patients with a mean (standard deviation) age of 62.6 (13.97) years and 575 (80.4%) of them were women. Four centers used more than one scoring method, with Disease Activity Score-28 and Clinical Disease Activity Index) being most commonly used. Only 276 (38.1%) patients had disease score results in ≥3 visits, and the T2T recommendations were implemented for 245 (33.8%) of the 724 patients. The rate of implementation was higher in younger (p=0.028) rheumatoid factor-positive patients (p=0.011) and varied between centers (11.1%–87% p

To assess the prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related morbidity in a large Middle-Eastern psoriatic arthritis (PsA) cohort. A retrospective case control study was conducted using Israel’s largest health care provider’s patient database from 2000 to 2013. For each patient with PsA, 10 patients with no history of psoriasis or arthritis were matched for age and sex. Analysis of CVD-related risk factors and morbidity included hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia (HLD), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2), obesity, smoking, ischemic heart disease (IHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), carotid artery disease, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), aortic aneurism, valvular heart disease (VHD), and cardiomyopathy. Statistical analysis was conducted using t test and chi-square tests as appropriate. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association between PsA and CVD-related risk factors and morbidity. Three thousand one hundred sixty-one PsA patients were included, with average age 58 ± 15.0 years, of whom 53.4% were women. Increased prevalence of DM-2, HLD, HTN, and obesity (OR 1.7, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5 respectively) was noted in the PsA group. Increased prevalence of IHD (p

Background: Infectious diseases and vaccines can occasionally cause new-onset or flare of immune-mediated diseases (IMDs). The adjuvanticity of the available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is based on either TLR-7/8 or TLR-9 agonism, which is distinct from previous vaccines and is a common pathogenic mechanism in IMDs. Methods: We evaluated IMD flares or new disease onset within 28-days of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at five large tertiary centres in countries with early vaccination adoption, three in Israel, one in UK, and one in USA. We assessed the pattern of disease expression in terms of autoimmune, autoinflammatory, or mixed disease phenotype and organ system affected. We also evaluated outcomes. Findings: 27 cases included 17 flares and 10 new onset IMDs. 23/27 received the BNT - 162b2 vaccine, 2/27 the MRNA-1273 and 2/27 the ChAdOx1 vaccines. The mean age was 54.4 ± 19.2 years and 55% of cases were female. Among the 27 cases, 21 (78%) had at least one underlying autoimmune/rheumatic disease prior the vaccination. Among those patients with a flare or activation, four episodes occurred after receiving the second-dose and in one patient they occurred both after the first and the second-dose. In those patients with a new onset disease, two occurred after the second-dose and in one patient occurred both after the first (new onset) and second-dose (flare). For either dose, IMDs occurred on average 4 days later. Of the cases, 20/27 (75%) were mild to moderate in severity. Over 80% of cases had excellent resolution of inflammatory features, mostly with the use of corticosteroid therapy. Atypical rheumatic manifestations included idiopathic pericarditis (n = 2), neurosarcoidosis with small fiber neuropathy (n = 1), demyelination (n = 1), and myasthenia gravis (n = 2). In 22 cases (81.5%), the insurgence of Adverse event following immunization (AEFI)/IMD could not be explained based on the drug received by the patient. In 23 cases (85.2%), AEFI development could not be explained based on the underlying disease/co-morbidities. Only in one case (3.7%), the timing window of the insurgence of the side effect was considered not compatible with the time from vaccine to flare. Interpretation: Despite the high population exposure in the regions served by these centers, IMDs flares or onset temporally-associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination appear rare. Most are moderate in severity and responsive to therapy although some severe flares occurred. Funding: none.

IntroductionVaccination represents a cornerstone in mastering the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on immunogenicity and safety of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) are limited.MethodsA multicentre observational study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of the two-dose regimen BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in adult patients with AIIRD (n=686) compared with the general population (n=121). Serum IgG antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike S1/S2 proteins were measured 2–6 weeks after the second vaccine dose. Seropositivity was defined as IgG ≥15 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL. Vaccination efficacy, safety, and disease activity were assessed within 6 weeks after the second vaccine dose.ResultsFollowing vaccination, the seropositivity rate and S1/S2 IgG levels were significantly lower among patients with AIIRD versus controls (86% (n=590) vs 100%, pConclusionmRNA BNTb262 vaccine was immunogenic in the majority of patients with AIIRD, with an acceptable safety profile. Treatment with glucocorticoids, rituximab, MMF, and abatacept was associated with a significantly reduced BNT162b2-induced immunogenicity.

To prospectively study real-world efficacy and safety of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients from the Israeli registry of inflammatory diseases.PsA patients fulfilling the CASPAR criteria were included in the analysis from 2010 to 2019. The primary endpoint was secukinumab drug retention compared to other TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were made by Cox regression analysis. Drug retention according to treatment line was examined with Kaplan-Meier curves.Included were 404 PsA patients who had 709 treatment courses during the study period. Ninety patients had been treated with secukinumab (22%). The secukinumab-treated patients were significantly older and their disease duration was longer. Secukinumab was less likely to be the first line of treatment compared to TNFi. Secukinumab had a drug retention comparable to TNFi, and a better drug retention than TNFi among biologic-experienced patients. Neither methotrexate combination nor body mass index affected the inefficacy event rate. Secukinumab had a similar rate of adverse events as TNFi.This multicentre real-world study demonstrated that secukinumab had a drug retention comparable to TNFi. Secukinumab had a better drug retention than TNFi among biologic-experienced patients. IL-17 inhibition is an effective mechanism of action to treat PsA in real life.

Lupus myocarditis is a relatively rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The majority of patients who experience myocardial involvement are females of young age. Here, we report a case of an 87-year-old male who was hospitalized because of perimyocarditis 2 weeks after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Despite standard therapy his condition worsened, biomarkers and inflammation indices remained elevated, and pericardial effusion accumulated. The use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, along with thorough history taking and testing for relevant antibodies allowed to establish the unusual diagnosis of lupus myocaridits. We demonstrate that lupus myocarditis may occur even in elderly males, as supported by characteristic CMR features.

Background Angiogenesis plays a central role in the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases. Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) demonstrate increased vascularity over patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with unknown mechanisms. Methods We evaluated the serum levels of several pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in 62 PsA patients with active disease, 39 PsA patients in remission, 33 active RA patients, and 33 healthy controls (HC). Additionally, we used an in vitro co-culture system of fibroblast (HT1080) and monocytic-like (MM6) cell lines, to evaluate how their interactions affect the secretion of angiogenic factors and angiogenesis promoting abilities using scratch and tube formation assays. Results PsA patients, regardless of disease activity, exhibited higher levels of EMMPRIN/CD147, IL-17, and TNF-α relative to RA patients or HC. Factors, such as IL-6, and the ratio between CD147 and thrombospondin-1, exhibited elevated levels in active PsA patients relative to PsA patients in remission. Secretion of CD147, VEGF, and MMP-9 was increased in vitro. CD147 neutralization with an antibody reduced these levels and the ability of endothelial cells to form tube-like structures or participate in wound healing. Conclusions CD147 plays a role in mediating angiogenesis in PsA, and the therapeutic possibilities of neutralizing it merit further investigation.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is one of the most common inflammatory rheumatologic condition occurring in older adults. It is characterized by proximal pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, and/or pelvic girdle in individuals over 50 years of age along with evidence of an intense systemic inflammatory response. Although the above clinical symptoms are very characteristic for the condition, it can be mimicked by other autoimmune, infectious, malignant, and endocrine disorders chief among which are giant cell arteritis (GCA) and elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA). Recently, PMR was reported in relation to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Current treatment of PMR consists of low-to-medium doses of glucocorticosteroids (GC) with variable response rates and disease recurrence estimated to occur in 50% of patients while tapering down GC doses. In addition, GC-based regimens cause much of the morbidity associated with PMR in older adults, requiring close monitoring for GC-induced toxicity during therapy and highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the latest findings in the field regarding specific etiologic factors, genetic associations, diagnostic methods, and advancements in treatment strategies and disease monitoring indices. Recent discoveries involving novel therapeutic targets in GCA have accelerated the study of PMR pathophysiology and have advanced treatment strategies in PMR management leading to current trials in IL-6 blocking agents. PMR remains an enigmatic inflammatory condition affecting older adults, with current treatment approach causing much morbidity in this patient population. Advancements in our understanding of novel immunopathologic targets can serve as a solid foundation for future treatment strategies in the field.

Objective.To assess the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a psoriatic arthritis (PsA) cohort and to compare it to the general population using the database of a large healthcare provider.Methods.We analyzed the database of a PsA cohort (2002–2017), matched for age and sex, with randomly selected controls for demographics, clinical and laboratory manifestations, and dispensed medications. Statistical analysis used t test and chi-square test as appropriate. In the PsA group, incidence density sampling was performed matching PsA patients without SLE as controls to each case of PsA with SLE by age and follow-up time. Univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors affecting SLE development.Results.The PsA and control groups consisted of 4836 and 24,180 subjects, respectively, with a median age of 56 ± 15 years, and of whom 53.8% were female. Eighteen patients (0.37%) in the PsA group and 36 patients (0.15%) in the control group were diagnosed with SLE (P = 0.001). SLE patients without PsA had higher anti-dsDNA and anticardiolipin antibodies. The usage of drugs with known potential to induce SLE was higher in the PsA than in the control group. Older age at PsA diagnosis, shorter PsA duration, and statin treatment were associated with SLE in PsA patients.Conclusion.A 2.3-fold increase in the prevalence of SLE in PsA relative to the control group was found. Risk factors for SLE development included older age at PsA diagnosis, shorter PsA duration, and statin treatment. The association between PsA and SLE may affect treatment choices and medication development.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients according to the most recent definition in a Mediterranean population and to determine its association with biomarkers of inflammation and serum adipocytokine levels.Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected on 74 patients with PsA and 82 control subjects. The presence of MetS was determined according to the current "harmonization" definition. Serum adipocytokines were analyzed. Continuous variables were compared by t test and discrete variables by χ test. Multivariate regression models compared the association between the presence of MetS and the blood levels of adipocytokines.The prevalence of MetS was higher in PsA patients compared with the control group: 54.8% versus 36.6%, respectively (P = 0.02; odds ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-4.69). The main difference between the 2 groups was waist circumference. No association was found between MetS and parameters of articular and skin disease activity or treatment. Leptin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratio were higher in PsA patients compared with control subjects: 83.4 versus 51.7 ng/mL (P = 0.001) and 6.3 × 10 versus 4.1 × 10 (P = 0.015), respectively. There was no significant difference in the adiponectin levels between the groups.The prevalence of MetS was higher in PsA patients compared with non-PsA control subjects in this Mediterranean population. Clinicians caring for PsA patients ought to be aware of the increased risk of MetS in PsA patients, confirmed in different regions worldwide. The increased MetS seems to be linked to central obesity in these patients, and appropriate treatment recommendations are advised.

Juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA), a subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), constitutes 5% of JIA. The literature is inconsistent regarding features of JPsA, and physicians debate whether it is a distinct entity within JIA. A biphasic age of onset distribution has been noted. Early-onset disease is characterized by female predominance, small joint involvement, dactylitis, and positive antinuclear antibodies. Late-onset JPsA resembles adult-onset psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with male predominance, psoriasis, enthesitis, and axial disease. Recent studies report improved outcomes, likely due to the widespread use of traditional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Conflicting HLA associations have been reported in JPsA, but notably both HLA class I and II allele associations are suggested. Similar to PsA cohorts, subjects with JPsA have a lower frequency of a protective interleukin 23R allele than controls or other JIA subtypes. Data in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) patient registry suggest the aggressive characteristics of JPsA: 24.6% of children have joint damage 4.6 years after symptom onset. Pediatric and adult PsA classification criteria define different JPsA cohorts within the registry and support a previous suggestion that the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for JPsA may be overly stringent. Increased collaboration between pediatric and adult physicians and comparative research on these clinically related conditions are warranted.

Objective.We aimed to estimate the proportion of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in an international multicenter cohort of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods.A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of patients with psoriatic disease from the International Psoriasis and Arthritis Research Team cohort. The presence of modifiable CVRF [diabetes, hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, smoking, elevated body mass index, and central obesity] and the use of appropriate therapies for HTN and dyslipidemia were determined. The 10-year CV risk was calculated according to the Framingham Risk Score. Physician adherence with guidelines for the treatment of dyslipidemia and HTN was assessed. Regression analysis was used to assess predictors of undertreatment of HTN and dyslipidemia.Results.A total of 2254 patients (58.9% PsA, 41.1% psoriasis) from 8 centers in Canada, the United States, and Israel were included. Their mean age was 52 ± 13.8 years and 53% were men. Of the patients, 87.6% had at least 1 modifiable CVRF, 45.1% had HTN, 49.4% dyslipidemia, 13.3% diabetes, 75.3% were overweight or obese, 54.3% central obesity, and 17.3% were current smokers. We found 59.2% of patients with HTN and 65.6% of patients with dyslipidemia were undertreated. Undertreatment was associated with younger age (≤ 50 yrs), having psoriasis, and male sex.Conclusion.In real-world settings, a large proportion of patients with psoriasis and PsA were underdiagnosed and undertreated for HTN and dyslipidemia. Strategies to improve the management of CVRF in psoriatic patients are warranted.

Objective.Adult patients with psoriatic arthritis are at increased risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome, but data regarding adiposity in children with juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA) are limited. Our study assessed adiposity in children with JPsA in the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) registry.Methods.Patients with JPsA in the CARRA registry were divided into nonoverweight and overweight groups using recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control, and differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between groups at baseline and after 1-year followup were assessed using chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, T test, or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. The prevalence of overweight status in the JPsA registry patients was compared to rheumatoid factor–positive and −negative polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (RF+polyJIA; RF−polyJIA) registry cohorts and the US pediatric population, using a chi-square goodness-of-fit test.Results.Overweight children represented 36.3% of this JPsA cohort (n = 320). Compared to nonoverweight children, they were significantly older at symptom onset and rheumatologist’s first assessment, and scored significantly worse on patient/physician outcome measures. At 1-year followup, changes in body mass index were not associated with changes in clinical features or outcome measures. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in patients with JPsA was significantly higher than in RF+polyJIA patients, RF−polyJIA patients, and the US pediatric population.Conclusion.In this registry, almost 1 in 5 patients with JPsA were obese and more than one-third were overweight. This is significantly more than expected compared to the US pediatric population, and appropriate longterm followup of this JPsA subgroup is warranted.

Background:Anti-IL17 agents, such as Secukinumab (SEC) and Ixekizumab (IXE) have been shown to be efficacious for the treatment of psoriasis and PsA12. In the field of psoriasis, there is growing evidence of a successful switching between the two anti-IL-17 agents in case of an insufficient response to one of the treatments3 There is no information on the efficacy of switching between anti IL17 agents in PsA.Objectives:To assess the clinical response to IXE in patients with PsA following SEC failure.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted in two rheumatology centers in Israel, including PsA patients with a history of treatment with SEC, further treated with IXE for a minimum of 3 months. Lack of efficacy, loss of efficacy, and side effects over time were reported as a reason for switching to another anti-IL17 agent. The mean difference between the beginning of the follow up period and the different follow up points (6 and 12 months) was tested using a one-sample t-test. Time until treatment failure was estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves, and compared using the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the Cox proportional-hazards model to test the association between each variable and the time to treatment failure.Results:The study included 23 PsA patients (11♀/12♂), mean age 58.7 years±13.4 SD. Most patients (n=20, 86%) received 2+ TNFi and 10 patients (43%) received both TNFi and ustekinumab. Median number of biologics prior to SEC was 3 (IQR 2-4). There was a significant improvement in TJC at 6 and 12 months (-2.16 [-4.0, -0.3]; p=0.025 and-1.69 [-3.09, -0.28]; p=0.022, respectively). SJC was significantly improved at 6 months but not at 12 months (-2.68 [-5.3, -0.04]; p= 0.046 and -1.50 [-4.25,1.25]; p=0.26, respectively). CDAI score was significantly improved at 6 months (-10.19, [-16.26, -4.1], p=0.002) and at 12 months (-9.29 [-14.8, -3.71], p=0.003) as was SDAI score (-10.13 [-16.4, -3.8], p=0.003 and -12.2 [-17.1, -7.2], p=0.0002). At six months, PASI50 was achieved by 81% (13 patients), PASI75 was achieved by 63% (10 patients), PASI90 was achieved by 50% (8 patients) and PASI100 by 31% (10 patients). At 12 months, PASI50 and PASI75 was achieved by 57% (8 patients), PASI90 was achieved by 43% (6 patients) and PASI100 by 21% (3 patients).Over time, of the 23 patients treated with IXE, 15 patients (65%) had experienced treatment failure, with a median treatment period of 8 months (IQR 6.5-13.5), of which 4 (17%) had primary treatment failure and 11 patients (48%) secondary treatment failure. Reasons for treatment cessation were: worsening psoriasis (4 patients (27%)), worsening peripheral arthritis (4 patients (27%)), both (7 patients (47%)), worsening of axial disease (2 patients (13%)) and adverse events (1 patient, 6%).Conclusion:patients after failure of multiple biologic treatments experienced significant response of peripheral arthritis and dermatologic disease on IXE after they had previously failed SEC. . However, in this refractory cohort of PsA, the effect was limited on time with 65% failure after a median time of 8 months.Within class switch from SEC to IXE is a plausible therapeutic option in PsA patients following secukinumab failure.References:[1]Mease PJ, McInnes IB, Kirkham B, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(14):1329-1339.[2]Nash P, Kirkham B, Okada M, et al. Lancet Lond Engl. 2017;389(10086):2317-2327.[3]Bokor-Billmann T, Schäkel K. J Dermatol Treat. 2019;30(3):216-220Disclosure of Interests:None declared.