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ObjectiveTo estimate the incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis who had received a continuous treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) compared with phototherapy.MethodsA retrospective non-randomised study involving patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, who were prescribed at least 5 years of bDMARDs or at least three narrow-band ultraviolet light B (nb-UVB) phototherapy courses, and did not have a diagnosis of PsA at enrolment. Development of PsA in each patient was assessed by a rheumatologist according to the Classification for Psoriatic Arthritis criteria. The annual and cumulative incidence rate of PsA was estimated by using an event per person-years analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were undertaken to assess the hazard risk (HR) of PsA after adjustment for confounders.ResultsA total of 464 psoriatic patients (bDMARDs, n=234 and nb-UVB, n=230) were followed between January 2012 and September 2020 (corresponding to 1584 and 1478 person year of follow-up for the two groups, respectively). The annual incidence rate of PsA was 1.20 cases (95% CI 0.77 to 1.89) versus 2.17 cases (95% CI 1.53 to 3.06) per 100 patients/year in the bDMARDs versus phototherapy group, respectively (HR 0.29, 0.12–0.70; p=0.006). The variables independently associated with higher risk of PsA were older age (adjusted HR 1.04, 1.02–1.07), nail psoriasis (adjusted HR 3.15, 1.63–6.06) and psoriasis duration >10 years (adjusted HR 2.02, 1.09–3.76); notably, bDMARDs treatment was associated with a lower risk of incident PsA (adjusted HR 0.27, 0.11–0.66).ConclusionsbDMARDs treatment may delay or reduce the risk of incident PsA in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Background/Aims It is useful to evaluate individual American College of Rheumatology (ACR) components in large trials for active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) because individual patient domains may influence treatment choice. SPIRIT-H2H showed superiority of ixekizumab (IXE) over adalimumab (ADA) in patients with PsA and inadequate response (IR) to conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). This analysis describes the effect of IXE and ADA on individual ACR components at week (Wk) 52, with and without concomitant methotrexate (MTX) and csDMARDs. Methods Patients from SPIRIT-H2H (NCT03151551, 52 Wk randomized multicenter study) who met Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) (N = 566), were randomized (1:1, stratified by baseline concomitant csDMARDs and moderate-to-severe PsO) to IXE or ADA on-label PsA or PsO dosing. Patients were bDMARD-naïve with IR to csDMARDs, active PsA (≥3 tender joints [TJC] and ≥3 swollen joints [SJC]) and had psoriasis (PsO) ≥3% BSA (body surface area). Patient’s Global Assessment (PtGA) and Physicians Global Assessment (PGA), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and joint pain were assessed by visual analog scale, and TJC and SJC as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) were analyzed. All post-hoc analyses were performed on the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Change from baseline (CFB) in individual ACR components was analyzed using an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model, for overall as well as with and without concomitant therapies (e.g., MTX or csDMARD). Least square mean (LSM) and standard error (SE) are presented. Missing data were imputed using modified baseline observation carried forward (mBOCF). Nine patients with active PsO and BSA≥3% were assessed as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)=0 at baseline, a medical inconsistency that was resolved using medical judgment. These patients were considered PASI100 responders if PASI=0 and BSA=0 at post baseline visits. Results A total of 566 patients received either IXE (N = 283) or ADA (N = 283). Baseline values for individual ACR components were balanced between IXE and ADA. At Wk 52, IXE demonstrated efficacy across all individual ACR components in the ITT population, specifically in PGA, PtGA and Joint Pain; ADA also demonstrated numerical efficacy. Improvements from baseline for IXE were observed across ACR components, with or without MTX or csDMARD. The effect of MTX (with or without) was notably different between IXE and ADA in TJC68, PGA, Joint Pain, and PtGA. Conclusion In this analysis, there was improvement with IXE in all components of the ACR composite score at Wk 52, irrespective of MTX or csDMARD use (with or without). In the ITT population, IXE showed comparable efficacy to ADA at Wk 52 in all components of ACR, demonstrating improvement across musculoskeletal domains. These results may provide further confidence of the clinical benefits of ixekizumab across musculoskeletal domains in patients with PsA, regardless of MTX or csDMARD use. Disclosure A. Kiprianos: None. E. Husni: Consultancies; AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Novartis, and UCB Pharma. S. Kamat: Member of speakers’ bureau; AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly and Company, and Exogen. K. Stenger: Shareholder/stock ownership; Eli Lilly and Company. R. Bolce: Shareholder/stock ownership; Eli Lilly and Company. T. Holzkaemper: Shareholder/stock ownership; Eli Lilly and Company. C.C. Helt: Shareholder/stock ownership; Eli Lilly and Company. S. Park: Shareholder/stock ownership; Eli Lilly and Company. J.R. Lisse: Shareholder/stock ownership; Eli Lilly and Company. L. Idolazzi: Member of speakers’ bureau; AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly and Company, and Janssen.

To compare real-world persistence, effectiveness and tolerability of ustekinumab versus TNF inhibitors (TNFi) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).One-year data from Italian subjects enrolled in the PsABio study (PsA patients receiving 1st- to 3rd-line treatment with ustekinumab or TNFi) were evaluated. Treatment persistence was analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves; hazard ratios (HR) of stopping treatment, and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were computed through Cox regression models. Proportions of patients reaching clinical effectiveness endpoints were analysed using logistic regression, including propensity score (PS) adjustment for imbalanced baseline covariates, and non-response imputation if treatment was stopped/switched.Among 222 participants with follow-up data (effectiveness set), 101 received ustekinumab and 121 TNFi. In the ustekinumab group, 74.3% continued treatment up to 12±3 months compared to 63.6% in the TNFi group. Ustekinumab showed better persistence than TNFi, overall and in specific subgroups (females, monotherapy without methotrexate, BMI25 or30 kg/m2, patients receiving ustekinumab as 2nd-line treatment instead of a second TNFi). Overall, the PS-adjusted HR of treatment discontinuation was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.26-0.82) for ustekinumab vs. TNFi. cDAPSA LDA/remission was achieved in 43.5% of ustekinumab and 43.6% of TNFi-treated patients, while MDA was achieved in 24.2% and 28.0% of patients, respectively. After PS adjustment, odds ratios of clinical effectiveness did not differ significantly. Both treatments showed an acceptable safety profile.This prospective, real-life study found a better persistence of ustekinumab than TNFi in PsA patients. At 1 year, both treatments showed similar effectiveness.

We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) through Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) in a group of post-menopausal women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). We also explored several biomarkers of bone turnover metabolism, including Wnt pathway modulators. DXA-VFA was performed to detect the presence of DISH. Serum samples were collected from all patients at the time of study recruitment. 16 different serum biomarkers were tested between the two subgroups. Given the exploratory nature of the study, we did not adjust for multiplicity. At VFA analysis, among 96 individuals enrolled in the study 20 (20.8%) showed features of DISH. No statistically significant difference was found for BMD values, between the DISH and NO-DISH subgroups. Concerning blood biomarkers, DISH patients showed a significant difference only in the sclerostin serum levels (32 vs 35.5 pmol/L, for the DISH and NO-DISH subgroup, respectively; p = 0.010). After adjustment for confounding factors, sclerostin serum levels remained significantly lower in DISH group (p = 0.002). We demonstrated a non-negligible prevalence of DISH in a population of post-menopausal women affected by T2DM and suggested low serum sclerostin as a possible key feature associated with DISH presence. In addition, we propose DXA-VFA analysis, whose radiation dose is considerably lower than conventional radiography, as a viable diagnostic and prognostic mean to obtain data not only on bone health, but also for the screening for DISH in subjects at risk.

Introduction Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory spondyloarthropathy associated with psoriasis. PsA is frequently associated with metabolic disorders including, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Type 2 DM is among the most common metabolic disorders, with a prevalence ranging from 2.4 to 14.8% in the general population. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the English-language studies from January 1989 to September 2019 investigating the risk of type 2 DM in patients with PsA, the pathogenic mechanism linking DM to PsA, and the effects on insulin sensitivity exerted by systemic therapies for PsA. Results The prevalence of type 2 DM in patients with PsA ranges from 6.1 to 20.2%, generally higher when compared to the general population. The higher risk of DM is reported in women with more severe forms of PsA. Elevated serum levels of adipokines, including TNF-α, which inhibits the autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor and suppresses the expression of glucose transporter 4, favor insulin resistance and could partially explain the association between PsA and DM. Moreover, adiponectin and omentin, with insulin-sensitizing and anti-atherogenic properties, are decreased in patients with PsA. Some of the treatments for PsA could affect the glucose homeostasis. Systemic corticosteroids are known to impair insulin resistance, whereas apremilast (phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor) and TNF-α inhibitors could exert neutral effect or reduce the insulin-resistance. The role of IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors has been marginally investigated. Conclusions Patients affected by PsA have a higher prevalence of type 2 DM compared with the general population. The mechanism linking PsA with DM has not been completely clarified, but some of the principal mediators could be TNF-α and adipokine, especially adiponectin and omentin. Apremilast and TNF-α inhibitor may have a favorable effect and could be safely used in patients with DM.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α and Interleukin (IL)-6 play a fundamental role in bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), partly due to the inhibition of the Wnt canonical pathway. The aim of our study was to investigate the short-term effects of three different treatments on Wnt inhibitors (Dkk-1 and sclerostin) and on bone turnover markers (BTMs): N-propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX-I). We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. We enrolled women affected by early RA (

IMPORTANCE: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a relapsing-remitting course. Selected environmental factors such as infections, stressful life events, or drugs may trigger disease flares. Whether air pollution could trigger psoriasis flares is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether short-term exposure to environmental air pollution is associated with psoriasis flares. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This observational study with both case-crossover and cross-sectional design retrospectively analyzed longitudinal data from September 2013 to January 2020 from patients with chronic plaque psoriasis consecutively attending the outpatient dermatologic clinic of the University Hospital of Verona. For the case-crossover analysis, patients were included who had at least 1 disease flare, defined as Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) increase of 5 or greater between 2 consecutive assessments in a time frame of 3 to 4 months. For the cross-sectional analysis, patients were included who received any systemic treatment for 6 or more months, with grade 2 or higher consecutive PASI assessment. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We compared the mean and cumulative (area under the curve) concentrations of several air pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, other nitrogen oxides, benzene, coarse particulate matter [PM; 2.5-10.0 μm in diameter, PM10] and fine PM [

To promote advanced research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of and screening for osteoporosis by looking for correlations among the T-scores measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and the T1-weighted signal intensity values.This was a prospective study of postmenopausal women with no contraindications to MRI and no history of cancer who underwent DEXA within 30 days before or after the MRI examination. A 3.0-T scanner was used in order to acquire sagittal sequences targeting the lumbar spine.Thirteen women underwent DEXA and MRI. In two cases, the MRI was discontinued early. Therefore, the final sample comprised 11 patients. The ADC values and T1-weighted signal intensity were found to be higher in patients with osteoporosis. However, among the patients60 years of age with osteoporosis, ADC values were lower and T1-weighted signal intensity was even higher.It is unlikely that MRI will soon replace DEXA for the diagnostic workup of osteoporosis. Although DWI and ADC mapping are useful for understanding the pathophysiology of osteoporosis, we believe that T1-weighted sequences are more sensitive than is DWI as a means of performing a qualitative analysis of vertebral alterations.Promover pesquisas avançadas usando ressonância magnética (RM) no diagnóstico e rastreamento de osteoporose, procurando correlações entre os escores T medidos por absorciometria de raios-X de dupla energia (DEXA), valores de coeficiente de difusão aparente (ADC) na difusão e valores de intensidade de sinal ponderado em T1.Estudo prospectivo de mulheres na pós-menopausa sem contraindicações para RM e sem histórico de câncer que foram submetidas a DEXA 30 dias antes ou após o exame de RM. UmTreze mulheres foram submetidas a DEXA e RM. Em dois casos, a RM foi interrompida precocemente. Portanto, a amostra final foi composta por 11 pacientes. Os valores de ADC e intensidade de sinal ponderado em T1 foram mais elevados nas pacientes com osteoporose. No entanto, no subgrupo de pacientes60 anos de idade com osteoporose, os valores de ADC foram menores e a intensidade do sinal ponderado em T1 foi ainda maior.É improvável que a RM substitua DEXA para a investigação diagnóstica da osteoporose no futuro próximo. Embora a difusão e o mapeamento ADC sejam úteis para a compreensão da fisiopatologia da osteoporose, acreditamos que as sequências ponderadas em T1 são mais sensíveis do que a difusão como meio de realizar uma análise qualitativa das alterações vertebrais.

The COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician-reported registry has provided data on 600 individuals with rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) and COVID-19,1 277 (46%) of whom were hospitalised. The study was not powered to explore the association between disease activity and hospitalisation status; still, it was deemed to be non-significant (p=0.49). However, only 18% of patients had moderate and just 2% high disease activity. Therefore, the relationship between disease activity and COVID-19 severity deserves further investigation. We collected clinical data of patients with RMD older than 18 years who reported a hospital admission for COVID-19 between 15 April and 15 June 2020. We retrieved 11 out of 1974 patients with RMD followed up in our rheumatology unit (0.55%) who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis in the nasopharyngeal swab. We compared five patients with active versus six with remission disease status defined according to (1) persistency of signs or symptoms due to RMD for >50% of the time in the 3 months’ prior hospital admission plus (2) laboratory or imaging abnormalities typical of disease activity or (3) escalation of treatment for the RMD (increase in the dose of immunosuppressive treatment, adding a drug or glucocorticoid …

Background:Up to 30% of Psoriasis (PsO) patients are prone to develop Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). Agreement on how to identify PsO patients at risk of developing PsA is still lacking (1).Objectives:To identify predictors of PsA development in PsO patients through a systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analyses (MA).Methods:MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases were searched (up to February 22nd, 2020). The PICO framework (population = PsO patients; intervention = clinical, environmental, imaging and genetic features; comparator = not applicable; outcome = PsA development) was used to design searches and define the eligibility of studies for inclusion. The MA focuses on 3 major features as possible predictors: i) PsO skin and nail involvement; ii) musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints; iii) inflammation and structural damage detected by imaging (Table 1). The sample estimates of the relative risk were pooled only when the studies were homogeneous in terms of cohort of patients, follow-up, study design and metrics.Results:4698 articles were screened for eligibility, 110 underwent a full reading and 29 were finally included. Figure 1 shows the study flow-chart for article selection. Though pooling was judge not appropriate, 5/7 prospective studies significantly support a predictive value of PsA development in patients with severe PsO (n=174635). While the predictive value of nail involvement is not well defined (n=2202), the pooled estimate from two cohort studies (n=474) supports nail pitting as predictor of PsA (RR=2.14 [1.32; 3.46]). Moving to the MSK complaints, the risk of developing PsA is about two times greater in PsO with than without arthralgia (pooled RR: 2.15 [1.16, 3.99]) within 2 years. Lastly, PsO patients with inflammation or structural damage detected by imaging are nearly four times more likely to develop PsA within 1-2 years (pooled RR from 4 cohort studies (n=247): 3.72 [2.12; 6.51]) (Table 1). The incidence rate of PsA varies from 1.34 to 5.9/100 p-ys in PsO and from 10.9 to 12.5/100 p-ys in PsOAr.Table 1.Studies reporting the major features as possible predictors of PsA development.PsO skin – severityPsO nail involvementPsO nail lesionsVariablesRelative Risk [95%CI]Follow-upWilson, 2009PsO nail involvementHRadjusted: 2.24 [1.26; 3.98]13.1±8.8 ysFaustini, 2015PASI score + PsO nail involvement/σ= -0.18[-0.84; 0.48] RR: 0.95 [0.37; 2.47]1.2±0.2 ysEder, 2016PASI score PsO nail involvement Type of PsO nail lesionsHR (>20vsHRunadjusted: 1.36 [0.76; 2.45] HRunadjusted: 2.21 [1.24; 3.92]4.1±2.1 ysEder, 2017PASI score + Type of PsO nail lesionsHRunadjusted: 1.05 [1.01; 1.09] HRunadjusted: 1.98 [0.83; 4.74]3.8±2.1 ysLewinson, 2017PsO severity defined from medicationsHRadjusted (moderate/severe vs mild): 5.02 [4.18; 6.04]5.1 ysEgeberg, 2018PsO severity defined from medicationsRR (severe vs mild): 1.31 [1.18; 1.46]18 ysElnady, 2019PASI score + PsO nail Involvement/σ= 0.79[-0.37; 1.95] RR: 1.43 [0.38; 5.31]2 ysGreen, 2020PsO severity defined from medicationRR (severe vs mild): 2.79 [2.49; 3.13]5.8 ysMSK-complaintsVariablesIncident-PsA casesFollow-upFaustini, 2015ArthralgiaRR: 1.98 [0.75; 5.19]1.2±0.2 ysEder, 2017ArthralgiaHRadjusted: 2.59 [1.15; 5.88]3.8±2.1 ysZabotti, 2019ArthralgiaRR: 4.44 [0.54; 36.72]1.6±0.5 ysSimon D, 2020ArthralgiaRR: 2.04 [0.86; 4.86]2.4±1.5 ysSub-clinical inflammation or structural damage detected by imagingVariablesIncident-PsA casesFollow-upFaustini, 2015MRIRR: 2.10 [0.75; 5.90]1.2±0.2 ysElnady, 2019MSK-USRR: 5.38 [1.17; 24.63]2 ysZabotti, 2019MSK-USRR: 6.86 [0.83; 56.63]1.6±0.5 ysSimon D, 2020HR-pQCTRR: 4.32 [1.96; 9.55]2.3±1.4 ysConclusion:Arthralgia and inflammation and/or structural damage detected by imaging are predictive features, likely prodromal, of PsA development. PsO severity and nail pitting are clinical manifestations related to PsA development.Figure 1.References:[1]Zabotti A, et al. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2020 May 16;22(6):24. doi: 10.1007/s11926-020-00891-x.Disclosure of Interests:Alen Zabotti Speakers bureau: UCB, Novartis, Janssen, Paid instructor for: Amgen, Consultant of: Janssen, Orazio De Lucia Speakers bureau: Not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: Not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: Not relevant for this type of study, Garifallia Sakellariou Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Alberto Batticciotto Speakers bureau: Not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: Not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: Not relevant for this type of study, Gilberto Cincinelli: None declared, Ivan Giovannini: None declared, Luca Idolazzi Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, UCB, Celgene, MSD, Abbvie, Novartis, Paid instructor for: UCB, Gabriella Maioli Speakers bureau: Not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: Not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: Not relevant for this type of study, Ilaria Tinazzi Speakers bureau: Not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: Not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: Not relevant for this type of study, Daniel Aletaha Speakers bureau: not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: not relevant for this type of study, Salvatore De Vita Consultant of: GSK, Roche, Grant/research support from: Not relevant for this type of study, Antonio Marchesoni Speakers bureau: not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: not relevant for this type of study, Josef S. Smolen Speakers bureau: Not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: Not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: Not relevant for this type of study, Annamaria Iagnocco Speakers bureau: not relevant for this type of study, Paid instructor for: not relevant for this type of study, Consultant of: not relevant for this type of study, Grant/research support from: not relevant for this type of study, Dennis McGonagle Speakers bureau: ABBVIE, CELGENE, PFIZER, MSD, NOVARTIS, JANSSEN, UCB, GILEAD, BMS, LILLY, Grant/research support from: ABBVIE, CELGENE, PFIZER, MSD, NOVARTIS, JANSSEN, UCB, GILEAD, BMS, LILLY, Roberto Caporali Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Celltrion, Galapagos, Gilead, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Sanofi, Fresenius Kabi, Samsung bioepis, MSD, Consultant of: Galapagos, Gilead, Lilly, Janssen, MSD

To systematically review the role of ultrasound (US) in the assessment of the joint-enthesial-nail apparatus in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or psoriasis (PSO) in terms of prevalence, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and treatment. A systematic literature review was conducted through medical databases (PubMed, Embase) and the grey literature up to February 2018. The main areas of application of nail US were first identified, allowing the development of research questions, which were rephrased following the PICOs methodology to develop inclusion criteria. Of the 585 studies produced by PubMed and Embase searches, 17 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Five additional studies were included: 1 from the hand search and 4 from the 2016–2017 ACR and EULAR congresses. The prevalence of nail plate changes varied from

The nail unit is a subject of interest in several diseases, often involving different medical fields. Even if few data are available for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, no data regarding ultrasonography and imaging are present for other degenerative and inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to explore through imaging the changes of nail and enthesis in inflammatory and degenerative conditions in order to find qualitative and quantitative changes related to distal interphalangeal joints. The study sample was composed of 51 patients affected by psoriatic arthritis, 31 affected by psoriasis, 37 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis, 34 with osteoarthritis and 50 healthy controls for a total of 203 individuals. Ultrasonography of the nails was performed after clinical evaluation in a cross-sectional study design by blinded ultrasonographers who were blind to patient data. Data about power Doppler signal of the nail bed, tendon entheses, thickness of nail plate and nail bed were recorded. Patients affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis differ from other subgroups, and power Doppler signal at the enthesis seems to be an exclusive feature of psoriatic arthritis (Pearson’s chi-square of 5297 and p

Background Agreement on how to identify psoriasis (PsO) patients at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is lacking. Objective To identify predictors, risk factors and incidence rate (IR) of PsA development in PsO patients through a systematic literature review (SLR) and meta-analyses (MA). Methods MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched. Cohort studies were used to assess the predictors, while case–control studies for PsA risk factor determination. Results We screened 4698 articles for eligibility, and 110 underwent a full reading and 26 were finally included. Among skin and nail phenotypes, PsO severity and nail pitting were selected as predictors of PsA development. Furthermore, PsO patients with arthralgia (pooled RR 2.15 [1.16; 3.99]) and/or with imaging-MSK inflammation (pooled RR 3.72 [2.12; 6.51]) were at high risk of PsA. Higher categories of BMI and a family history of PsA were other predictors. In outpatient-based cohort studies, the IR of PsA per 100 patient-years varied from 1.34 to 17.4. Limitations Despite the strength of the overall results, the heterogeneity and the number of the cohort studies could be considered a limitation. Conclusions This study provides a tentative profile of the PsO patient at risk of PsA and will help the design of PsA prevention trials. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40744-021-00378-w.

Background Aortic stiffness index (AoSI) has to be considered a proxy outcome measure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to comparatively describe AoSI progression in two groups of RA patients on long-term treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) with or without tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). Methods AoSI was evaluated by Doppler echocardiography at the level of the aortic root, using a two-dimensional guided M-mode evaluation. Eligible participants were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Changes in serum lipids, glucose and arterial blood pressure were assessed. All patients who did not change DMARD treatment during follow-up were consecutively selected for this study. Results We included 107 (64 TNFi and 43 csDMARDs) RA patients. Most patients (74%) were in remission or low disease activity and had some CVD risk factors (45.8% hypertension, 59.8% dyslipidaemia, 45.3% smoking). The two groups did not differ significantly for baseline AoSI (5.95±3.73% vs 6.08±4.20%, p=0.867). Follow-up AoSI was significantly increased from baseline in the csDMARDs group (+1.00%; pp=0.477). Patients on TNFi had significantly lower follow-up AoSI from baseline than the csDMARDs group (−1.02%, p Conclusion Long-term treatment with TNFi was associated with reduced aortic stiffness progression in patients with established RA and several CVD risk factors.

The role of 25-OH-vitamin D in the assessment of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has not been investigated. We sought to investigate the prevalence of 25-OH-vitamin D deficiency among COVID-19 patients, and to determine the associations between 25-OH-vitamin D status and the severity of the disease. We have conducted a retrospective observational study of COVID-19 patients admitted to the University of Verona Hospital Trust. Demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters were collected at hospital admission, and serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels were measured. The following outcomes were assessed: arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2); C-reactive protein (CRP); length of hospitalization; requirement of oxygen therapy; non-invasive ventilation (NIV); mechanical ventilation; and death. Among 61 patients enrolled, 72.1% was 25-OH-vitamin D deficient (

Background Several studies on community populations found that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with higher risk for total incident cancer with a predisposition for specific types of cancer. These findings have never been analyzed in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD). We assessed prevalence/incidence and factors related to the development of cancer in a large cohort of these patients and evaluate whether MetS and its components were associated with cancer independent of traditional markers of inflammation. Methods Between March 2014 and April 2016, 474 patients with RMD involved in a cardiovascular primary prevention program were consecutively recruited into this ambispective (combination of retrospective/prospective) study. They underwent clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic evaluations. MetS was diagnosed according to the ATPIII criteria. Results Duration of follow-up was 42 [18–60] months. Patients with a diagnosis of cancer (made before recruitment or during follow-up) were 46 (9.7%). Cancer was diagnosed in 22/76 patients (29%) with MetS and in 24/398 patients (6%, p < 0.001) without MetS; nearly two thirds of malignancies belonged to those traditionally related to MetS. MetS was the strongest cancer risk factor. Cancer was positively associated with the number of MetS components identified in each patient. Beyond MetS, cancer was associated to older age and increased inflammatory disease activity; this information allowed to build a simple performance indicator highly sensitive for cancer development. Conclusion In light of our results, an increasingly accurate assessment of MetS would be required in patients with RMD as potential measure of clinical outcomes including the risk of cancer.

Background. Major cardiovascular disease (CVD) benefits of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) therapy occur in early RA patients with treat-to-target strategy. However, it is unknown whether long-term DMARDs treatment in established RA could be useful to improve CVD risk profile.Methods. Ultrasound aortic stiffness index (AoSI) has to be considered a proxy outcome measure in established RA patients. We measured AoSI in a group of RA patients on long-term treatment with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) or conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs). Eligible participants were assessed at baseline and after 12 months; changes in serum lipids, glucose and arterial blood pressure were assessed. All patients were on stable medications during the entire follow-up. Results. We included 107 (64 TNFi and 43 csDMARDs) RA patients. Most patients (74%) were in remission or low disease activity and had some CVD risk factors (45.8% hypertension, 59.8% dyslipidemia, 45.3% smoking). The two groups did not differ significantly for baseline AoSI (5.95±3.73% vs 6.08±4.20%, p=0.867). Follow-up AoSI was significantly increased from baseline in the csDMARDs group (+1.00%; pp=0.477). Patients on TNFi had significantly lower follow-up AoSI from baseline than the csDMARD group (-1.02%, p2 CVD risk factors than in those without. Conclusion. Long-term treatment with TNFi was associated with reduced aortic stiffness in patients with established RA and several CVD risk factors.

There is concern around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rheumatic diseases. Systemic vasculitis was the fourth most common rheumatic disease among patients hospitalised for COVID-19.1 However, the diagnosis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) can be challenging during COVID-19 pandemic for several reasons: first, clinical presentation of patients with AAV partially overlaps with COVID-19; second, patients with initial symptoms of AAV may be concerned to seek medical help in order not to get into close contact with other patients; and third, diagnosis may be delayed because non-urgent tests and visits might have been postponed due to COVID-19 related closure of services. Herein, we report the poor and irreversible clinical outcomes of diagnostic delay of AAV during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recently encountered a cluster of nine life-threatening presentations of new-onset or relapsing AAV admitted to a Verona hospital, all negative for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab or bronchoalveolar fluid aspiration. We compared clinical characteristics of this group presenting in the time frame of 6 weeks during the second trimester of 2020 …

Objectives: Subclinical left ventricular (LV) abnormalities have been reported in echocardiographic studies of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) ...

Objective The aim of the study is to assess the performance of the DACTOS (DACtylitis glObal Sonographic) score in a PsA dactylitis clinical setting. In particular, we evaluated the ability of DACTOS to identify the affected fingers, its sensitivity to change after treatment, the correlations between DACTOS and clinical parameters, and the capacity of the score to identify the treatment responders. Methods Forty-six consecutive patients with symptomatic PsA hand dactylitis were enrolled. A total of seventy-three dactylitic digits were evaluated clinically and sonographically before and after treatment in this observational and prospective study. Clinical assessment included the Leeds Dactylitis Index-basic (LDI-b) score and visual analogue scales for pain (VAS-p) and functional impairment (VAS-FI). Sonographic lesions were investigated using high-frequency ultrasound with grey scale and power Doppler features according to the DACTOS score. Correlations between the DACTOS score and the clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, 1 month (T1) and 3 months (T3). Results We observed significant improvements in all of the assessed clinical parameters and the DACTOS scores after dactylitis treatment. There was a statistically significant correlation between the variation of all clinical parameters (VAS-p, VAS-FI and LDI-b) and the DACTOS score at T1 and T3 evaluations. We found statistically significant differences in the DACTOS score between clinical responder and non-responder groups (P Conclusion The DACTOS score performs well in real-life clinical settings in terms of sensitivity to change and correlations with clinical features in PsA dactylitis.

We have read with interest the report by Monti et al 1 concerning the clinical course of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis. However, we could not find data about the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) among their patients. Whether concomitant NSAID treatment may be harmful or safe in patients with Covid-19 is unknown. However, anti-inflammatory therapies might prevent fatal cytokine storm of Covid-19. Ibuprofen, a commonly prescribed NSAID, was found to reduce interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human tissues,2 and in sputum. …

ObjectivesDactylitis is one of the most typical features of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with a high lifetime prevalence and inclusion in PsA clinical indices. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography (Msk-US) can readily detect inflammatory involvement of finger anatomical structures particular to dactylitis and monitor therapeutic effects. In this study, we aim to identify the characteristic lesions in PsA dactylitis of the hands, assess the reliability of Msk-US in scoring those lesions and develop a DACTylitis glObal Sonographic (DACTOS) score.MethodsAfter a systematic literature review on the use of Msk-US in PsA dactylitis, 12 rheumatologists participated in a three-round Delphi procedure and consensus meeting to agree on the sonographic elementary lesions characterising dactylitis and on the composition of a global sonographic score. Then, a web-based and a patient-based intra-rater and inter-rater reliability exercise was performed to assess those lesions included in the score.ResultsDACTOS score was obtained by summing the scores of each lesion selected in the Delphi survey: subcutaneous soft tissue oedema, flexor tenosynovitis, peritendon extensor inflammation and synovitis. The DACTOS score ranges from 0 to 25. In the reliability exercises, we obtained moderate-to-excellent agreement for the sonographic lesions included in the score.ConclusionsThe novel DACTOS score is a reliable measure to interpret the multiple characteristic sonographic features of dactylitis. The DACTOS score provides a useful global analysis of dactylitis of the hand and can represent a support to clinical diagnosis as well as a useful tool for the management and research in patients with PsA with dactylitis.

The original published version of this article contained the incorrect Table 2 and are now presented correctly in this article.

Systemic chronic inflammation may favor the onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS) which represents a risk factor for CV events. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are disorders with high prevalence of MetS. We assessed the factors associated with MetS and its prognostic role in non-selected RA/AS/PsA patients. Between March 2014 and April 2016, 458 patients (228 RA, 134 PsA, 96 AS) selected for a primary prevention program for cardiovascular diseases were analyzed. Primary and co-primary end points were a composite of all-cause death/all-cause hospitalization and CV death/CV hospitalization, respectively. MetS was diagnosed according to the IDF Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Patients were divided into MetS + (73 = 16%) and MetS − (385 = 84%). At multivariate logistic analysis, cancer, moderate/high disease activity, higher LV mass (LVM) and degree of LV diastolic dysfunction were independently associated with MetS. At 36-month follow-up, the event rate for primary/co-primary end point was 52/15% in MetS + vs 23/7% in MetS − (both p p = 0.04) together with higher LVM, disease duration and higher prevalence of biologic DMARDs refractoriness, and to co-primary end point (HR 2.05 [CI 1.16–3.60], p = 0.01) together with older age and higher LVM. The RA/AS/PsA phenotype MetS + is a subject with moderate/high disease activity, LV structural and functional abnormalities at increased risk for cancer. MetS + identifies RA/AS/PsA patients at higher risk for CV and non-CV events, independently of traditional CV risk factors analyzed individually and traditional indexes of inflammation.

Background:Ultrasonography (US) is a well established technique both for diagnosis and follow up in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA)1. To date, there is no consensus regarding a standardized US evaluation of joint involvement by a validated score to be used for differential diagnosis.Objectives:1) To differentiate the ultrasound features of patients affected by active RA or active PSA by using a 6-joints score2. 2) To analyze correlations between those findings and clinical patterns of PSA disease.Methods:68 RA and 38 PSA patients (divided in two equal subgroups according to the clinical involvement i.e. polyarticular or oligoarticular) were enrolled in a multi-center cross-sectional study. All patients underwent clinical evaluation including demographic data, disease characteristics, laboratory test and tender/swollen joints count. SDAI and DAPSA were calculated in accordance to the disease and standard of care. The sonographic evaluation of wrists, II MCFs and knees, was performed using a multifrequency linear probe (13-18 MHz) with power Doppler (7.5 MHz, PRF500 Hz). High-end equipment was used and the scanning technique as well as the lesion assessment was previously agreed among the participants, who performed a consensus session 100 images. A validated ultrasound score2, which included effusion, synovial hypertrophy and synovial hypervascularization at 6 joints sites was used. Those lesions were assessed according to OMERACT definitions and semi-quantitatively graded (0-3). By summing the scores obtained at each joint site and globally, a joint score for articular involvement, a score for the severity of each lesion and a global 6-joint score for all abnormalities were calculated.Results:Clinical evaluation showed no statistically significant differences between RA and PSA (table I). Ultrasound detected significant differences in the score of joint effusion (SE) (pConclusion:Ultrasound evaluation of 6 target joints might help to discriminate RA and PSA oligoarticular subset. The study of a limited number of joints is therefore a complementary tool to the clinic, fast and well integrated into the overall assessment of the arthritic patient.References:[1]Zabotti A. et al. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018; 36:519-525.[2]Perricone C et al. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2012; 51:866-73.Table 1.Dependent variablesStudy Populationp valuesUS_SEScoreRAPSA OLIGO.021PSA POLY.356PSARA.021OLIGOPSA POLY.014PSARA.356POLYPSA OLIGO.014US_SHScoreRAPSA OLIGO.001PSA POLY.336PSARA.001OLIGOPSA POLY.004PSARA.336POLYPSA OLIGO.004US_PDScoreRAPSA OLIGO.011PSA POLY.102PSARA.011OLIGOPSA POLY.006PSA POLYRA.102PSA OLIGO.006US_MCP2ScoreRAPSA OLIGO.000PSA POLY.276PSARA.000OLIGOPSA POLY.002PSA POLYRA.276PSA OLIGO.002US_WRISTScoreRAPSA OLIGO.032PSA POLY.610PSARA.032OLIGOPSA POLY.047PSA POLYRA.610PSA OLIGO.047US_KNEEScoreRAPSA OLIGO1.000PSA POLY.133PSA OLIGORA1.000PSA POLY.180PSA POLYRA.133PSA OLIGO.180US_KNEEScoreRAPSA OLIGO1.000PSA POLY.133PSARA1.000OLIGOPSA POLY.180PSA POLYRA.133PSA OLIGO.180US: ultrasound; SE synovial effusion; SH synovial hypertrophy;PD power Doppler; MCP metacarpophalangeal; PSA psoriatic arthritis;OLIGO oligoarticular; POLYpolyarticularDisclosure of Interests:Fabiana Figus: None declared, Luca Idolazzi: None declared, Porin Perić: None declared, Alen Zabotti Speakers bureau: Celgene, Janssen, Ilaria Tinazzi: None declared, Irene Azzolin: None declared, ERIKA MONTABONE: None declared, Tanya Sapundzhieva: None declared, Anastas Batalov: None declared, PLAMEN TODOROV: None declared, Rositsa Karalilova: None declared, Annamaria Iagnocco Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD and Alfasigma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Abiogen, Alfasigma, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Sanofi and Sanofi Genzyme, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Alfasigma, BMS, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Sanofi

Background:Identifying psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among people with psoriasis is often challenging due to low specificity of symptoms at early PsA stage and/or delayed referral to the rheumatologist. Screening instruments -assisting the dermatologist to decide when rheumatological assessment is beneficial- have potential to reduce the diagnostic delay.Objectives:To evaluate the accuracy of a dermatologist-filled-out questionnaire designed for screening PsA among psoriatic patients under dermatology care.Methods:HERACLES is a multicentre, cross-sectional study running at 9 Italian dermatology and rheumatology tertiary centres. All participants were under dermatology care for skin psoriasis. Previous diagnosis of PsA precluded eligibility. Dermatologists at each site assessed consecutive psoriatic subjects, filled in the specifically-designed HERACLES questionnaire (HQ, Figure 1) and finally referred the participants to rheumatologists for clinical evaluation. All participants filled in the ToPAS, PASE, PEST and EARP questionnaires. Rheumatologists assessed the participants regardless of the questionnaires’ scores. The gold standard applied to assess the instruments’ accuracy was the diagnosis of PsA as established by the rheumatologists. ROC curve analysis evaluated the performance of the scores associated with the clinical criteria listed in the HQ, estimating the sensitivity and specificity of different cut-off levels. Further exploratory ROC curve analysis compared HQ performance to that of the other four questionnaires tested.Figure 1.Results:Out of 759 subjects enrolled, 524 (69%) attended rheumatology assessment. Rheumatologists diagnosed PsA in 73/524 patients (13.9%, Figure 2). Mean age was 53 (SD 16) years and 46% were female. Mean psoriasis duration was 20 (SD 19) years. The area under the ROC curve of HQ was 0.775. The HQ score cut-off value of 2 yielded a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 47%; a cut-off value of 3 yielded a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 75%. The comparison between the ROC curve of the HQ and those of the other four questionnaires evaluated did not show any significant difference (p=0.523 versus TOPAS; p=0.201 versus PASE; p=0.345 versus PEST and p=0.240 versus EARP).Figure 2.Conclusion:The HERACLES questionnaire, a tool designed for dermatologists, showed good sensitivity and specificity in identifying PsA cases among subjects with cutaneous psoriasis.Acknowledgments:The HERACLES project was supported by a research grant from FIRA and Pfizer Italia SRLDisclosure of Interests:Gabriele De Marco: None declared, Maria Manara Consultant of: Consultant and/or speaker for Eli-Lilly, MSD, Sanofi-Genzyme, Novartis, Alfa Wasserman and Cellgene, Speakers bureau: Consultant and/or speaker for Eli-Lilly, MSD, Sanofi-Genzyme, Novartis, Alfa Wasserman and Cellgene, Paolo Gisondi: None declared, Luca Idolazzi: None declared, Roberta Ramonda Speakers bureau: Novartis, Celgene, Janssen, Pfizer, Abbvie, Lilly, Stefano Piaserico: None declared, Alberto Cauli: None declared, Marco Amedeo Cimmino: None declared, Veronica Tomatis: None declared, Carlo Salvarani: None declared, Rosanna Scrivo: None declared, Anna Zanetti: None declared, Greta Carrara: None declared, Carlo Alberto Scirè: None declared, Angelo Cattaneo: None declared, Antonio Marchesoni Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, UCB, Novartis, Celgene, Eli Lilly

Available studies reported contradictory results about serum levels Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), an inhibitor of Wnt signaling in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In previous studies, we observed in other conditions that parathyroid hormone (PTH) serum levels were an important determinant of DKK1 serum levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate it in patients with AS. We recruited 71 patients diagnosed with AS. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), DKK1, PTH, 25OH-vitamin D, and bone turnover markers (intact N-propeptide of type I collagen, P1NP, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, CTX) were measured and compared to healthy controls (HC). Dual X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine and proximal femoral site was used for bone mineral density (BMD) assessment and spine X-rays were also performed. PTH serum levels were found to be significantly higher in AS patients than in HC (33.8 ± 14.11 vs 24.8 ± 13 pg/ml, p = 0.002), while mean DKK1 serum levels were lower than in HC (23.3 ± 13.1 vs 29.8 ± 15.9 pmol/l, p = 0.009). A positive correlation between DKK1 and PTH (correlation coefficient + 0.25, p = 0.03) was observed; it remained significant in a multivariate analysis. In patients with longer disease duration, DKK1 was also positively correlated with CTX (coefficient 0.42, p = 0.01), and PTH was higher in those patients with low BMD (Z-score ≤ - 1) at any site (p = 0.04). Also in AS, PTH is an important determinant of DKK1 serum levels and should be evaluated in studies on DKK1. PTH might have a role in bone involvement in AS, also through the Wnt pathway.

Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with psoriasis (PsO). Early diagnosis and prompt therapeutic intervention are crucial for limiting PsA progression and prevention of disability. Dermatologists are in a privileged position to detect early PsA. The management of patients with PsA in the dermatology setting is widely variable. Objective To provide practical recommendations for the management of patients with PsA in the dermatology setting including early diagnosis and treatment. Methods A consensus document was written by an expert panel composed by dermatologists (n = 12) and rheumatologists (n = 6). Eleven highly relevant questions were selected and elaborated with answers/statements based on a narrative literature review. The resulting document was discussed in a face-to-face meeting adopting a nominal group technique to reach consensus (i.e. 100% agreement) using the Delphi method. Results A consensus was achieved in defining the following: the clinical characteristics differentiating inflammatory and non-inflammatory signs and symptoms of joint disease; the most important differential diagnoses of PsA in clinical practice; the most useful screening questionnaires, serum laboratory tests and imaging techniques for the detection of early PsA; the criteria for dermatologist to refer patients with PsO to rheumatologist; the criteria for the diagnosis of PsA; the selection of the indices that the dermatologist could use for measuring the activity and severity of PsA in clinical practice; when systemic steroids and/or intra-articular steroid injections are indicated in the treatment of PsA. Finally, systemic treatments including synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to be considered for the treatment of PsA have been reported. Conclusions The implementations of these practical recommendations could be very helpful for the management of patients with PsA in the dermatology setting including early diagnosis and treatment.

Dicckopf-1 (Dkk-1) is a potent inhibitor of the Wnt canonical pathway. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Dkk-1 is upregulated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF). Certolizumab pegol (CMZ) is a biologic TNF-inhibitor (TNFi) effective in RA and slows radiographic progression. Data on the immediate effects (≤1-8 weeks) of TNFi on Wnt modulators are lacking. This study investigated the acute influence of TNFi treatment on Wnt modulators (Dkk-1 and sclerostin) and bone turnover markers (BTM), including intact N-terminal propeptide of collagen type I (PINP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I).This longitudinal, uncontrolled study involved female RA patients with inadequate response to conventional methotrexate who underwent treatment with CMZ. ESR, Dkk-1, sclerostin, BTM, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 25OH-vitamin D levels were evaluated at baseline, week 1, week 4, and week 8. Radiographs of the hands and feet were obtained at baseline and the total and erosion scores were assessed using the Simple Erosion Narrowing Score method (SENS).Seventeen patients were enrolled. Dkk-1 and CTX-I significantly decreased after one week of treatment with CMZ (-49.1 ± 17.1% and -25.0 ± 20.6%, respectively, p 0.01), whereas PINP increased (+43.2 ± 31.5%, p 0.01). These changes persisted at week 4 and 8.Our study showed that TNF-alpha inhibition with CMZ promptly results in a rapid decline of serum Dkk-1 levels, alongside decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation.

Background:The UPSTREAM (NCT03330769) is a 24-month multi-center prospective cohort study that primarily aims to evaluate the additional value of musculoskeletal ultrasound (msk-US) over clinical examination in predicting 6-month minimal disease activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA). (1)Objectives:To develop and preliminarily validate an activity msk-US score and a damage msk-US score for PsA using the UPSTREAM database.Methods:Patients classified with PsA according to CASPAR criteria and starting a new course of therapy for clinically active peripheral joint disease were eligible. The information regarding objectives, study design, clinical and US assessment has already been published (1). The msk-US examination was performed in 42 joints, 36 tendons, 12 entheses and 2 bursae defined through a web-based exercise (2). The sonographic elementary lesions were allocated to disease activity [i.e. synovitis (sy), tenosynovitis (ts), peritendinitis (pt), bursitis (bs) all evaluated both in Grey Scale (GS) and Power Doppler (PD) and active enthesitis (en)] and to damage (i.e. joint erosion, bone proliferation, tendon tear, enthesophyte, calcification and irregular enthesis bone profile). Hands and feet X-ray were assessed using the modified Sharp-Van der Heijde (mSVH) score. A principal component (PC) analysis (PCA) was performed for each score and the number of PCs was defined by means of parallel analysis using baseline data. Each PC was normalized (n) taking into account the proportion between the observed value (e.g. sy-GS count) and the maximum expected value (e.g. 42 for sy-GS). Spearman’ correlation was used to investigate the construct and discrimination validity of the new scores.Results:Between February 2017 and May 2020, 312 PsA patients (155 men), with a mean (SD) age of 52.8 13.4, were enrolled from 19 centers; 22 expert sonographers were involved with substantial agreement for US lesions evaluated (k ≥0.7). The median [IQR] disease duration was 1.3 [0.1-6.1] years and the median [IQR] tender joint and swollen joint counts were 6 [3-13] and 2 [1-5], respectively. The weight derived from PCA for each sonographic lesions and the final equation for calculating the scores are reported in Figure 1 (1A activity and 1B damage). The final msk-US activity score [n(ts-GS + ts-PD)*2.87] + [n(bs-GS + bs-PD)*1.76] + [n(pt-GS + pt-PD)*1.43] + [n(active en)*1.00] + [n(sy-GS)*0.83] + [n(sy-PD)*0.45] has the best construct and discrimination validities according to a significant correlation with all clinical variables usually related to clinical activity (Table 1). The msk-US damage score correlated with mSVH score, HAQ and other clinical variables (Table 1).Table 1.VariablesMsk-US activity scoreMsk-US damage scoreSpearman correlationP-valueSpearman correlationP-valueESR0.1960.0020.0750.235CRP0.2090.0680.254TJC0.3380.286SJC0.3380.0720.221Dactylitis count0.284-0.0610.306LEI0.1940.0010.214Physician GA0.150.0120.0160.793Patient GA activity0.1380.018-0.0730.221Patient GA pain0.1990.001-0.0270.648HAQ0.2380.1460.014BASDAI0.2370.1750.003PSAID-90.70.0040.1480.013DAPSA0.3920.228Sharp van Der Heijde score0.1150.20.2660.003Figure 1.Conclusion:These newly developed and preliminary validated msk-US activity and damage scores could be used in patients with PsA in the context of observational and controlled trials.References:[1]Canzoni M et al. BMJ Open. 2018;8:e021942.[2]Zabotti A et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77:1537–1538.Acknowledgements:Alberto Batticciotto; Oscar Massimiliano Epis; Luisa Arcarese; Luca Navarini; Marta Caprioli; Mirco Magnani; Roberta Ramonda; Marco Amedeo CimminoDisclosure of Interests:Alen Zabotti: None declared, Matteo Piga: None declared, Anna Zanetti: None declared, Marco Canzoni: None declared, nicola boffini: None declared, valentina picerno: None declared, Giovanni Zanframundo: None declared, Ettore Silvagni: None declared, Ivan Giovannini: None declared, BERND RAFFEINER: None declared, Palma Scolieri: None declared, Paola Mancini: None declared, Simone Parisi: None declared, Alessandra Bortoluzzi Grant/research support from: GSK, Garifallia Sakellariou Consultant of: Consultant for Abbvie and Novartis, Orazio De Lucia: None declared, Ilaria Tinazzi: None declared, Fabiana Figus: None declared, Luca Idolazzi Speakers bureau: Received grants as speaker for Eli Lilly, UCB, Celgene, MSD, Abbvie, Novartis, Paid instructor for: Paid instructor for UCB during Product specialist Meeting, Mariagrazia Lorenzin: None declared, Sara Zandonella Callegher: None declared, Alberto Cauli: None declared, Greta Carrara: None declared, Carlo Alberto Scirè: None declared, Annamaria Iagnocco: None declared

Background:There are still unmet needs in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), including in terms of treatment persistence, which is a function of effectiveness, safety and patient satisfaction. Ustekinumab (UST) was the first new biologic drug to be developed for the treatment of PsA after tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).Objectives:To compare treatment persistence, effectiveness and safety of UST and TNFi in Italian patients within the PsABio cohort.Methods:PsABio (NCT02627768) is an observational study of 1st/2nd/3rd-line UST or TNFi treatment in PsA in 8 European countries. The current analysis set includes 222 eligible patients treated in 15 Italian centres, followed to Month 12 (±3 months). Treatment persistence/risk of stopping was analysed using Kaplan−Meier (KM) and Cox regression analysis. Proportions of patients reaching minimal disease activity (MDA)/very low disease activity (VLDA) and clinical Disease Activity Index for PsA (cDAPSA) low disease activity (LDA)/remission were analysed using logistic regression, including propensity score (PS) adjustment for imbalanced baseline covariates, and non-response imputation of effectiveness endpoints if treatment was stopped/switched before 1 year. Last observation carried forward data are reported.Results:Of patients starting UST and TNFi, 75/101 (74.3%) and 77/121 (63.6%), respectively, persisted with treatment at 1 year. The observed mean persistence was 410 days for UST and 363 days for TNFi. KM curves and PS-adjusted hazard ratios confirmed significantly higher persistence (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)]) for UST versus TNFi overall (0.46 [0.26; 0.82]; Figure 1). Persistence was also higher for UST than TNFi in patients receiving monotherapy without methotrexate (0.31 [0.15; 0.63]), in females (0.41 [0.20; 0.83]), and in patients with body mass index (BMI) 2 (0.34 [0.14; 0.87]) or >30 kg/m2 (0.19 [0.06; 0.54]). There was no significant difference in persistence between treatments in patients with BMI 25−30 kg/m2. While patients receiving 1st- and 3rd-line UST or TNFi showed similar risk of discontinuation (0.60 [0.27; 1.29] and 0.36 [0.10; 1.25], respectively), patients receiving 2nd-line UST showed better persistence than those receiving 2nd-line TNFi (0.33 [0.13; 0.87]). Other factors added to the PS-adjusted Cox model did not show significant effects. In patients with available follow-up data, the mean (standard deviation) baseline cDAPSA was 26.3 (15.4) for UST and 23.5 (12.3) for TNFi; at 1-year follow-up, 43.5% of UST- and 43.6% of TNFi-treated patients reached cDAPSA LDA/remission. MDA was reached in 24.2% of UST- and 28.0% of TNFi-treated patients, and VLDA in 12.5% of UST- and 10.2% of TNFi-treated patients. After PS adjustment (stoppers/switchers as non-responders), odds ratios (95% CI) at 1 year did not differ significantly between UST and TNFi groups for reaching cDAPSA LDA/remission (1.08 [0.54; 2.15]), MDA (0.96 [0.45; 2.05]) or VLDA (0.98 [0.35; 2.76]). In total, 23 (20.4%) patients reported ≥1 treatment emergent adverse event with UST and 30 (22.2%) with TNFi; 6 (5.3%) and 10 (7.4%) patients, respectively, discontinued treatment because of an adverse event.Conclusion:In the Italian PsABio cohort, UST had better overall persistence compared with TNFi, as well as in specific subgroups: females, patients on monotherapy without methotrexate, with BMI 30 kg/m2, and patients receiving UST as 2nd-line treatment. At 1 year, both treatments showed similar effectiveness, as measured by cDAPSA responses and MDA/VLDA achievement.Acknowledgements:This study was funded by Janssen. Contributing author: Prof. Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milan, ItalyDisclosure of Interests:Elisa Gremese: None declared, Francesco Ciccia Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Abiogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant of: Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Grant/research support from: Celgene, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Carlo Selmi Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Alfa-Wassermann, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Genzyme, Consultant of: AbbVie, Alfa-Wassermann, Amgen, Biogen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Genzyme, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Janssen, Pfizer, Giovanna CUOMO: None declared, Rosario Foti Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Lilly, MSD, Janssen, Roche, Sanofi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Lilly, MSD, Janssen, Roche, Sanofi, Marco Matucci Cerinic Speakers bureau: Actelion, Biogen, Janssen, Lilly, Consultant of: Chemomab, Grant/research support from: MSD, Fabrizio Conti Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer, Enrico Fusaro Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Lilly, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Pfizer, Giuliana Guggino Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, Grant/research support from: Celgene, Pfizer, Florenzo Iannone Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB, Andrea Delle Sedie: None declared, Roberto Perricone: None declared, Luca Idolazzi Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Sandoz, Paolo Moscato: None declared, Elke Theander Employee of: Janssen, Wim Noel Employee of: Janssen, Paul Bergmans Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen, Silvia Marelli Employee of: Janssen, Laure Gossec Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biogen, Celgene, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Galapagos, Janssen, Lilly, Pfizer, Sandoz, Sanofi, Josef S. Smolen Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Astro, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Celltrion, Chugai, Gilead, ILTOO, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis- Sandoz, Pfizer, Roche, Samsung, Sanofi, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Novartis, Roche.

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is characterized by bone erosive damage often associated with exuberant bone formation especially in enthesial sites. Dkk-1 and sclerostin are the main inhibitors of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway and play a key role in the regulation of both bone formation and resorption. We performed this study in order to compare the serum levels of the WNT-pathway regulators along with bone turnover markers (BTM) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) between three different groups: one group of female patients affected by PsA, one group of female patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and healthy female controls (HC). This is a cross-sectional study including 33 patients with PsA classified with the CASPAR criteria, 35 HC, and 28 patients with RA classified with the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria. Intact N-propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), Dickkopf-related-protein 1 (Dkk-1), sclerostin, PTH, and 25OH-vitamin D serum levels were dosed. The PsA group showed significantly lower Dkk-1 levels when compared to the HC and RA groups. Dkk-1 in the RA group was significantly higher than HC. A similar trend was documented for PTH. In the PsA group, CTX-I was found to be lower than in both the RA and HC groups. This study demonstrated for the first time that Dkk-1 levels in PsA are lower than HC, in contrast with RA, in which they are increased. These results might contribute to explain the different bone involvement of the two different diseases.

Background Speckle-tracking echocardiography allows early detection of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this prospective study, we assessed the prevalence and the prognostic role of subclinical LVSD detected by speckle-tracking echocardiography in RA patients. Methods Two-dimensional global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were measured in 209 RA patients without overt cardiac disease. LVSD was defined as low GLS (> −16.0%), low GCS (> −17.8%), or both. The primary end point was all-causes hospitalization; the coprimary end point was hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. Results The study population had a mean age of 58 ± 11 years; 67% were female, 52% had hypertension, and the RA duration was 14 ± 10 years. Low GLS was detected in 51 patients (24%), low GCS in 42 patients (20%), and combined low GLS and GCS in 18 patients (9%). During a median follow-up time of 16 months (range, 10–21 months), a primary end point occurred in 50 patients (24%), and 25 patients were hospitalized for a cardiovascular event. Multiple Cox regression analyses revealed that combined low GLS and GCS was independently associated with the end point defined as all-causes hospitalization together with higher aortic stiffness. Examined individually, neither low GCS nor low GLS showed an independent association with this typology of clinical outcome. Conversely, both low GCS and low GLS (examined individually or as combined low GLS and GCS) emerged as strong independent prognosticators of cardiovascular events. Conclusions Subclinical LVSD defined as low GLS, GCS, or both is common in RA patients without overt cardiac disease and provides additional prognostic information in these individuals.

Bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a key feature both local and systemic. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) have recently been found to directly induce differentiation and activation of osteoclasts and therefore contribute to periarticular bone loss. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of ACPA on systemic bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with established RA. This is a cross-sectional study with a single-center RA population. BMD was measured with Dual X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar and femoral sites. ACPA were measured by EIA. Multivariate analysis was performed adjusting for the main confounding variables. One hundred twenty-seven RA patients were enrolled. In univariate analysis, ACPA-positive patients showed lower BMD Z-score (SD below the age- and gender-matched mean reference value) at femoral sites (p