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ZusammenfassungDas Sjögren-Syndrom (SjS) stellt eine mögliche autoimmune Ursache einer interstitiellen Lungenerkrankung dar. Die Abklärung in Richtung SjS ist aber im Vergleich zu anderen systemischen Autoimmunerkrankungen bisher kaum standardisiert. Die subjektive Sicca-Symptomatik, die Anti-SS-A/Ro-Antikörper und selbst die ANA-Diagnostik als Suchtest haben alle relevante Einschränkungen in ihrer Sensitivität und/oder Spezifität. Vor diesem Hintergrund haben wir in einer interdisziplinären Diskussion einen Konsens für die SjS-Abklärung entwickelt, den wir hier für die breitere Diskussion vorstellen. Neben ANA sollten sowohl Anti-SS-A/Ro-Antikörper als auch Antikörper gegen α‑Fodrin bestimmt werden. Wichtig ist die Objektivierung der Trockenheit mittels Schirmer- und Saxon-Test und bei fehlenden typischen Autoantikörpern die Speicheldrüsenbiopsie.

Objectives Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) that develops into progressive pulmonary fibrosis. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nintedanib versus placebo in patients with progressive RA-ILD in the INBUILD trial. Methods The INBUILD trial enrolled patients with fibrosing ILD (reticular abnormality with traction bronchiectasis, with or without honeycombing) on high-resolution computed tomography of >10% extent. Patients had shown progression of pulmonary fibrosis within the prior 24 months, despite management in clinical practice. Subjects were randomised to receive nintedanib or placebo. Results In the subgroup of 89 patients with RA-ILD, the rate of decline in FVC over 52 weeks was −82.6 mL/year in the nintedanib group versus −199.3 mL/year in the placebo group (difference 116.7 mL/year [95% CI 7.4, 226.1]; nominal p = 0.037). The most frequent adverse event was diarrhoea, which was reported in 61.9% and 27.7% of patients in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively, over the whole trial (median exposure: 17.4 months). Adverse events led to permanent discontinuation of trial drug in 23.8% and 17.0% of subjects in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively. Conclusions In the INBUILD trial, nintedanib slowed the decline in FVC in patients with progressive fibrosing RA-ILD, with adverse events that were largely manageable. The efficacy and safety of nintedanib in these patients were consistent with the overall trial population. A graphical abstract is available at: https://www.globalmedcomms.com/respiratory/INBUILD_RA-ILD. Key Points• In patients with rheumatoid arthritis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis, nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (mL/year) over 52 weeks by 59% compared with placebo.• The adverse event profile of nintedanib was consistent with that previously observed in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, characterised mainly by diarrhoea.• The effect of nintedanib on slowing decline in forced vital capacity, and its safety profile, appeared to be consistent between patients who were taking DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline and the overall population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

To analyze the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with fibrosing autoimmune disease-related interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with a progressive phenotype.The INBUILD trial enrolled patients with a fibrosing ILD other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with diffuse fibrosing lung disease of10% extent on high-resolution computed tomography, forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%) ≥45%, and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide percent predicted ≥30% to80%. Patients fulfilled protocol-defined criteria for progression of ILD within the 24 months before screening, despite management deemed appropriate in clinical practice. Subjects were randomized to receive nintedanib or placebo. We assessed the rate of decline in FVC (ml/year) and adverse events (AEs) over 52 weeks in the subgroup with autoimmune disease-related ILDs.Among 170 patients with autoimmune disease-related ILDs, the rate of decline in FVC over 52 weeks was -75.9 ml/year with nintedanib versus -178.6 ml/year with placebo (difference 102.7 ml/year [95% confidence interval 23.2, 182.2]; nominal P = 0.012). No heterogeneity was detected in the effect of nintedanib versus placebo across subgroups based on ILD diagnosis (P = 0.91). The most frequent AE was diarrhea, reported in 63.4% and 27.3% of subjects in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively. AEs led to permanent discontinuation of trial drug in 17.1% and 10.2% of subjects in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively.In the INBUILD trial, nintedanib slowed the rate of decline in FVC in patients with progressive fibrosing autoimmune disease-related ILDs, with AEs that were manageable for most patients.

ZusammenfassungDie systemische Sklerose mit interstitieller Lungenerkrankung (SSc-ILD) ist mit einem erhöhten Morbiditäts- und Mortalitätsrisiko verknüpft. Da es an zugelassenen Medikamenten mangelt, die den Krankheitsverlauf einer SSc-ILD effektiv beeinflussen, besteht ein hoher Bedarf an neuen Therapieoptionen. Die Behandlung mit immunmodulierenden Therapien sowie der autologen Stammzelltransplantation wird in klinischen Studien aktuell weiter untersucht. Kürzlich belegte zudem eine Phase-III-Studie die positive Wirkung des antifibrotischen Wirkstoffs Nintedanib auf den Verlust an Lungenvolumen und somit die Krankheitsprogression bei Patienten mit SSc-ILD. Eine Kombinationstherapie aus Nintedanib und Mycophenolat könnte basierend auf synergistischen Wirkprinzipien zukünftig einen ergänzenden Behandlungsansatz der SSc-ILD darstellen.

ZusammenfassungDie Fortschritte der Rheumatologie haben aus fast regelhaft zu Invalidität und frühem Tod führenden chronischen entzündlich-rheumatischen Erkrankungen gut behandelbare Krankheitsbilder gemacht. Dieser Fortschritt bringt aber auch ein paar Herausforderungen mit sich. Diese CME-Arbeit fasst den aktuellen Stand der Rheumatologie prägnant und anhand der wesentlichen Erkrankungsbilder zusammen und beleuchtet ihre Schnittstellen.

Despite aqualitatively and structurally good care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany, there are still potentially amendable deficits in the quality of care. For this reason, the German Society for Rheumatology (DGRh) has therefore decided to ask agroup of experts including various stakeholders to develop quality standards (QS) for the care of patients with RA in order to improve the quality of care. The QS are used to determine and quantitatively measure the quality of care, subject to relevance and feasibility. The recently published NICE and ASAS standards and asystematic literature search were used as the basis for development. Atotal of 8QS, now published for the first time, were approved with the intention to measure and further optimize the quality of care for patients with RA in Germany. © 2021. The Author(s)., Zusammenfassung Trotz einer qualitativ und strukturell guten Versorgung von Patient*innen mit rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) in Deutschland bestehen weiterhin potenziell behebbare Defizite in der Qualität der Versorgung. Aus diesem Grund hat die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie (DGRh) eine Expert*innengruppe, in der verschiedene Interessengruppen vertreten waren, beauftragt, nationale Qualitätsstandards (QS) mit dem Ziel zu entwickeln, die rheumatologische Versorgung von Patient*innen mit RA in Deutschland qualitativ zu verbessern. QS dienen der Festlegung und quantitativen Messung guter Versorgungsqualität unter dem Vorbehalt von Relevanz und Realisierbarkeit. Als Grundlage für die Entwicklung dienten die kürzlich publizierten Standards von NICE und ASAS und eine systematische Literatursuche. Insgesamt wurden 8 hiermit erstmals veröffentlichte QS konsentiert, die als Grundlage dienen können, die Versorgungsqualität von Patient*innen mit RA in Deutschland zu messen und weiter zu optimieren.

Objective To investigate the relationship between real life glucocorticoid (GC) dosing and relapse rates in patients with new onset GCA in a single centre. Methods Complete clinical data taken from the inpatient and outpatient records of consecutive GCA patients followed beyond stopping GC were retrospectively analysed for GC doses, other immunomodulatory agents and relapses. Results We included 54 patients with GCA confirmed by biopsy or imaging and followed over their complete GC course. In the 25% dose percentile, patients who needed no pulse therapy at onset reached a dose of 15 mg prednisolone or lower at day 40, of 7.5 mg prednisolone or lower on day 169 (after 24 weeks), and were off prednisolone on day 496 (70 weeks). They were below British Society for Rheumatology recommended doses between week 4 and week 12 and above these after week 14. The cumulative prednisolone dose reached in this 25% quartile was 3.74 g. Of the 54 patients, 24 (44%) relapsed, only four of whom had stopped GC clearly (17–58 weeks) earlier than the 25% dose quartile and one was distinctly (>10%) below the 25% GC percentile. MTX treatment was not significantly associated with fewer relapses (P = 0.178). Conclusion Despite a long-term GC regimen with slow rates of reduction in the low dose range and high cumulative prednisolone doses, 44% of the patients relapsed. Only five (21%) of these relapses may have been prevented by adhering to the recommended GC regimen.

Importance/background: Several diagnostic criteria have been developed to effectively diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Three criteria are most common, namely the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-1997, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)-2012, and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR/ACR)-2019. Whether they also apply to juvenile SLE is unclear. Objective: To examine the diagnostic accuracy of ACR-1997, SLICC-2012, and EULAR/ACR-2019 for juvenile SLE. Data sources: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase was conducted up to 26 March 2022. Study selection: We included all study designs in which patients had any index tests for ACR-1997, SLICC-2012, or EULAR/ACR-2019; both full-text papers and conference abstracts published in English were used. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) case reports; (2) adult subjects; or (3) did not report sufficient information to acquire true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative values of diagnostic criteria. Data extraction and synthesis: Two authors independently screened studies, extracted relevant data, and assessed the risk of bias. Main outcomes and measures: First, a meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of EULAR/ACR-2019 and a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model was performed to estimate sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We then carried out a network meta-analysis to compare the performances of these three diagnostic criteria. Results: In total, 17 relevant studies that included 2339 juvenile SLE patients were eligible to analyze pooled accuracy. In the meta-analysis, 10 studies (1613 cases) reported the diagnostic performance of EULAR/ACR-2019, showing a pooled sensitivity of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89–0.95), pooled specificity of 0.89 (0.77–0.95), and area under HSROC of 0.96 (0.94–0.97). In the network meta-analysis, the SLICC-2012 (0.94, 0.92–0.96) had the highest sensitivity, followed by EULAR/ACR-2019 (0.93, 0.90–0.95), and ACR-1997 (0.78, 0.72–0.82); the ACR-1997 (0.96, 0.92–0.98) demonstrated the highest specificity. EULAR/ACR-2019 (0.92, 0.87–0.96) and SLICC-2012 (0.92, 0.86–0.96) had the similar specificity. Conclusions and relevance: We found that the applicability of the new EULAR/ACR-2019 criteria in juvenile SLE is not yet the best diagnostic tool. Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42022321514.

Polyarthritis is defined by the palpable synovitic swelling of more than 4 joints. Polyarthritis is always due to a systemic disease and not a local process. Causes include a broad spectrum of rheumatic and infectious diseases with clearly different therapeutic options. It is also important to differentiate arthritis from osteoarthrosis. The objective of this paper is to give an overview on patient history, clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations and the differential diagnosis of the most common diseases that present as polyarthritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a highly variable disease driven by the tendency to form very different types of antibody. This sometimes leads to an exaggerated respect for the complexity of the disease symptoms and to uncertainty in dealing with affected patients; however, nowadays the most important measures in the diagnosis and management of the disease can be broken down to a manageable extent. In this respect, the new recommendations of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) on SLE and the recommendations on lupus nephritis jointly developed by EULAR and the European Renal Association/European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA/EDTA) are helpful, as are the new classification criteria from EULAR and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). In this article the core points of these publications are summarized and contemporary SLE management is presented. As a rule, SLE can be effectively treated when managed in this way.

Objective In the SENSCIS trial in subjects with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks by 44% versus placebo. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of nintedanib on categorical changes in FVC and other measures of ILD progression. Methods In post hoc analyses, we assessed the proportions of subjects with categorical changes in FVC % predicted at week 52 and the time to absolute decline in FVC of ≥5% predicted or death and absolute decline in FVC of ≥10% predicted or death. Results A total of 288 subjects received nintedanib and 288 subjects received placebo. At week 52, in subjects treated with nintedanib and placebo, respectively, 55.7% and 66.3% had any decline in FVC % predicted, 13.6% and 20.1% had a decline in FVC of >5% to ≤10% predicted, and 3.5% and 5.2% had a decline in FVC of >10% to ≤15% predicted; 34.5% and 43.8% had a decrease in FVC of ≥3.3% predicted (proposed minimal clinically important difference [MCID] for worsening of FVC), while 23.0% and 14.9% had an increase in FVC of ≥3.0% predicted (proposed MCID for improvement in FVC). Over 52 weeks, the hazard ratio (HR) for an absolute decline in FVC of ≥5% predicted or death with nintedanib versus placebo was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.66-1.06) (P = 0.14), and the HR for an absolute decline in FVC of ≥10% predicted was 0.64 (95% CI 0.43-0.95) (P = 0.029). Conclusion These results suggest that nintedanib has a clinically relevant benefit on the progression of SSc-ILD.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab + LEF in patients with RA. Methods In this investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, patients with an inadequate response to LEF who had failed one or more DMARD were randomly assigned 2:1 to i.v. rituximab 1000 mg or placebo on day 1 and 15 plus ongoing oral LEF. The primary efficacy outcome was the difference between ≥50% improvement in ACR criteria (ACR50 response) rates at week 24 (P ≤ 0.025). Secondary endpoints included ACR20/70 responses, ACR50 responses at earlier timepoints and adverse event (AE) rates. The planned sample size was not achieved due to events beyond the investigators’ control. Results Between 13 August 2010 and 28 January 2015, 140 patients received rituximab (n = 93) or placebo (n = 47) plus ongoing LEF. Rituximab + LEF resulted in an increase in the ACR50 response rate that was significant at week 16 (32 vs 15%; P = 0.020), but not week 24 (27 vs 15%; P = 0.081), the primary endpoint. Significant differences favouring the rituximab + LEF arm were observed in some secondary endpoints, including ACR20 rates from weeks 12 to 24. The rituximab and placebo arms had similar AE rates (71 vs 70%), but the rituximab arm had a higher rate of serious AEs (SAEs 20 vs 2%), primarily infections and musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion The primary endpoint was not reached, but rituximab + LEF demonstrated clinical benefits vs LEF in secondary endpoints. Although generally well tolerated, the combination was associated with additional SAEs and requires monitoring. Trial registration EudraCT: 2009-015950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01244958.

Objective Despite increased physician’s awareness and improved diagnostic and serological testing in the recent years, the interval between the initial symptoms and the diagnosis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still very long. Our aim was to study this delay and its association to the outcome of the disease. Methods Information on demographics, onset of first symptoms, first physicians visit and time of diagnosis was assessed by self-reported questionnaires among SLE patients in Germany (LuLa cohort, n = 585) in the year 2012. Disease activity (Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire; SLAQ), disease related damage (Brief Index of Lupus Damage; BILD), health related quality of life (Short Form 12) and fatigue (FSS) were chosen as proxies for outcome. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the association of the delay in diagnosis to the outcome, adjusted for age, disease duration and sex. Results Mean duration between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of SLE was 47 months (SD 73). The longer the time to diagnosis, the higher the disease activity (β = 0.199, p Conclusion In systemic lupus erythematosus, longer time to diagnosis was associated with worse outcome. Concepts in care with the intention to shorten the time to diagnosis are needed to improve the long-term outcome of the disease.

ZusammenfassungDas Verständnis der Immunpathogenese des systemischen Lupus erythematodes (SLE) hilft, das komplexe Krankheitsgeschehen zu verstehen und neue Therapiestrategien zu entwickeln. Die Krankheitsmanifestationen des SLE sind im Wesentlichen Folge von Autoantikörpern, Immunkomplexen und Zytokinen. Insbesondere die Neigung zu unterschiedlichen Autoantikörpern macht das Wesen der Erkrankung aus; die genauen Spezifitäten der Autoantikörper führen zu ganz unterschiedlichen Organmanifestationen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit stellt den klinisch relevanten Stand des Wissens zur SLE-Pathogenese dar – mit dem Ziel, ein für den klinischen Einsatz nützliches Modell zu etablieren, das auch hilft, die neuen Therapieansätze einzuordnen.

Insights into the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) help to understand the complex disease patterns and to develop new treatment strategies. The disease manifestations essentially result from autoantibodies, immune complexes and cytokines. Particularly the propensity towards developing various autoantibodies is central to the disease itself; autoantibody specificities lead to highly variable organ manifestations. This review article delineates the clinically relevant state of knowledge on SLE pathogenesis, with the goal to establish a model useful for clinical practice, which also helps to classify the novel therapeutic approaches.Das Verständnis der Immunpathogenese des systemischen Lupus erythematodes (SLE) hilft, das komplexe Krankheitsgeschehen zu verstehen und neue Therapiestrategien zu entwickeln. Die Krankheitsmanifestationen des SLE sind im Wesentlichen Folge von Autoantikörpern, Immunkomplexen und Zytokinen. Insbesondere die Neigung zu unterschiedlichen Autoantikörpern macht das Wesen der Erkrankung aus; die genauen Spezifitäten der Autoantikörper führen zu ganz unterschiedlichen Organmanifestationen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit stellt den klinisch relevanten Stand des Wissens zur SLE-Pathogenese dar – mit dem Ziel, ein für den klinischen Einsatz nützliches Modell zu etablieren, das auch hilft, die neuen Therapieansätze einzuordnen.

Using the Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program (MLSP), a multi-racial/ethnic population-based registry, we compared three commonly used classification criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) to identify unique cases and determine the incidence and prevalence of SLE using the EULAR/ACR criteria.SLE cases were defined as fulfilling 1997 ACR, SLICC, or EULAR/ACR classification criteria. We quantified the number of cases uniquely associated with each and the number fulfilling all three. Prevalence and incidence using the EULAR/ACR classification criteria and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.1,497 cases fulfilled at least one of the three classification criteria, with 1,008 (67.3%) meeting all three classifications, 138 (9.2%) fulfilling only SLICC criteria, 35 (2.3%) fulfilling only ACR criteria and 34 (2.3%) uniquely fulfilling EULAR/ACR criteria. Patients solely satisfying EULAR/ACR criteria had fewer than four manifestations. The majority classified only by the ACR criteria did not meet any of the defined immunologic criteria. Patients fulfilling only SLICC criteria did so based on the presence of features unique to this system. Using the EULAR/ACR classification criteria, age-adjusted overall prevalence and incidence rates of SLE in Manhattan were 59.6 (95%CI:55.9-63.4) and 4.9 (95%CI 4.3-5.5) per 100,000 population, with age-adjusted prevalence and incidence rates highest among non-Hispanic Black females.Applying the three commonly used classification criteria to a population-based registry identified patients with SLE fulfilling only one validated definition. The most recently developed EULAR/ACR classification criteria revealed similar prevalence and incidence estimates to those previously established for the ACR and SLICC classification schemes.

Eine solide rheumatologische Grundausbildung im Medizinstudium ist aus 2 Grunden fur die Versorgung rheumatischer Patientinnen und Patienten in der Zukunft essenziell: Einerseits werden zukunftige Hausarztinnen und Hausarzte die Muster entzundlich rheumatischer Erkrankungen beherrschen mussen, um sie rasch genug zu erkennen und die Neuerkrankten rechtzeitig und gezielt in die rheumatologische Versorgung weiterzuleiten. Anderseits ist der weiter bestehende Mangel an Rheumatologinnen und Rheumatologen nur dann perspektivisch zu beheben, wenn es uns gelingt, Interesse fur unser Fach zu wecken. Adaquate rheumatologische Strukturen sind nur in einem Teil der medizinischen Fakultaten Deutschlands vorhanden. Strukturelle Verbesserungen gehen insgesamt nur in kleinen Schritten voran, wurden aber an einigen Standorten erreicht. Je besser die lokalen Strukturen, desto eher ist es auch engagierten rheumatologischen Lehrenden moglich, alle Studierenden der Humanmedizin zu erreichen. Die prufungsrelevanten Lernziele werden vermutlich ab 2026 durch den Nationalen Kompetenz-basierten Lernzielkatalog Medizin (NKLM) vorgegeben werden, der aktuell gemeinsam mit dem Institut fur Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Prufungsfragen (IMPP) in eine Endfassung gebracht wird. Wenn es, wie es derzeit aussieht, gelingt, die systemischen Autoimmunerkrankungen und entzundlich rheumatischen Erkrankungen dort adaquat abzubilden, werden Studierende in Zukunft deutschlandweit besser uber diese Erkrankungen Bescheid wissen und sie schneller erkennen. Daher ist die Arbeit am NKLM von groser Bedeutung. Neben der Arbeit an den Lernzielen bedarf es aber auch deutschlandweit zuganglicher Lernunterlagen auf aktuellem Stand. Diese Lucke sollte das Skriptum schliesen, das die Kommission Studentische Ausbildung der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Rheumatologie (DGRh) gerade fertiggestellt hat und das nun auf der DGRh-Homepage verfugbar ist.

The EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criteria for SLE constitute a current and optimized clinical approach to SLE classification. Classification is still not based on molecular approaches and the results from large studies using polyomics may be interpreted as demonstrating the relevance of the genetic and environmental background rather than splitting SLE into several entities. In fact, an association study within the EULAR/ACR classification criteria project found associations between manifestations only within organ domains. This independency of various organ manifestations argues for SLE as one disease entity. The current review article will therefore concentrate on the clinical and immunological manifestations of SLE and on what we have already learned in this century. Moreover, the structure and essential rules of the EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criteria will be discussed. While classification and diagnosis are distinct concepts, which have to remain clearly separated, information derived from the process towards the classification criteria is also useful for diagnostic purposes. Therefore this article also tries to delineate what classification can teach us for diagnosis, covering a wide variety of SLE manifestations.

ZusammenfassungHintergrund Von Gicht sind überwiegend Männer betroffen (m:w; 9:1). Zur Diagnosestellung werden daher in der Regel die klinischen Merkmale einer akuten Monarthritis der unteren Extremität beim Mann herangezogen. Im Moment ist die Datenlage zur Gicht bei Frauen begrenzt. Bei ihnen wird die Gicht oft nicht in die Differenzialdiagnosen einer Arthritis einbezogen. Wir untersuchten daher die Epidemiologie und klinische Präsentation der Gicht bei Frauen und verglichen sie mit denen der Gicht bei Männern. In der Folge wurden die Daten auf Merkmale analysiert, welche bei Frauen die Gicht von Arthritiden anderer Genese unterscheiden und damit Fehldiagnosen vermeiden helfen können.Methoden Retrospektiv wurden alle Patienten eingeschlossen, die zwischen 2012 und 2018 mit einer primären Entlassungsdiagnose einer Gicht (ICD-10 M10.XX) am Universitätsklinikum Dresden behandelt wurden. Es wurden klinische, laborchemische sowie radiologische Befunde erfasst und deskriptiv sowie multivariat mittels SPSS und R analysiert. In einem zweiten Schritt wurden die Daten von Frauen mit Gichtarthritis mit denen ohne Gicht (Monarthritis anderer Genese) verglichen und mittels univariater sowie multivariater Regressionsanalyse auf Signifikanz geprüft.Resultate Insgesamt wurden 238 Gicht-Patienten (71 Frauen, 167 Männer) eingeschlossen. Frauen dieser Kohorte waren bei Diagnosestellung im Mittel 20 Jahre älter als Männer und hatten dann insgesamt häufiger mehrere Komorbiditäten: 92% aller Gichtpatientinnen litten an einer Hypertonie (Männer 74%), 84% hatten eine eGFRSchlussfolgerungen Die Gicht muss bei einer akuten Monarthritis auch bei Frauen in die Differenzialdiagnose einbezogen werden. Das gilt besonders ab dem Rentenalter und wenn Hypertonie, kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen, Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 oder Adipositas vorliegen und Diuretika Teil der Dauermedikation sind. Die Einschränkung der Nierenfunktion und eine Serumharnsäure von>390 µmol/l (>6,5 mg/dL) machen eine Gicht sehr wahrscheinlich.

Gezielte Therapie ist ein rheumatologischer Traum, der mit den Biologika und zuletzt kleinen Molekulen fur die rheumatoide Arthritis wahr geworden ist – und fur den systemischen Lupus erythematodes (SLE) beginnt, wahr zu werden. Mit Belimumab steht das erste SLE-Biologikum jetzt auch subkutan zur Verfugung. In 4 unabhangigen Studien wurde der Endpunkt erreicht, und die langfristige Belimumab-Therapie hat die Organschadigung verlangsamt, ein zentrales Therapieziel. Die B‑Zell-Depletion mit Antikorpern gegen CD20 bleibt ein relevanter Ansatz, und die Kombination beider Ansatze ist eine spannende Idee. Die Blockade des Typ-I-Interferon-Rezeptors mit Anifrolumab weist eine positive Phase-3-Studie auf und mit Ustekinumab wird die Blockade von Interleukin-12 und -23 in Phase-3-Studien getestet. Auch die alten Ideen der TNF(Tumor-Nekrose-Faktor)- und Interleukin-6-Blockade sind noch nicht vom Tisch. Hinzu kommen die JAK(Januskinase)-Inhibition mit positiven Phase-2-Daten fur Baricitinib und demnachst die Blockade von Bruton-Tyrosinkinase (BTK) sowie die Proteasominhibition. Die SLE-Therapie konnte also demnachst deutlich vielfaltiger werden.

Research indicates that rheumatic disorders are accompanied by decreased chemosensory function. The present study aimed to specifically evaluate this issue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 212 RA patients (43 men, 169 women, mean age 59 ± 13.3 years), and 30 healthy controls (10 men, 20 women, mean age 40 ± 15.3 years), were included in this study. Chemosensory measurements consisted of olfactory testing using the “Sniffin’ Sticks” test battery (with odor thresholds, odor discrimination and odor identification; OT, OD, OI) and gustatory testing on a suprathreshold and a quasi-threshold level using “taste sprays” and “taste strips”, respectively. In addition, inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein) and RA autoantibodies (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides, RA factors) were evaluated. Olfactory measurements showed 4% of the RA patients functionally anosmic and 40% hyposmic. RA patients scored significantly lower in suprathreshold olfactory tests (OD, OI) compared to controls (OI: 12.5 ± 2.5 vs. 14.1 ± 1.3; OD: 11.3 ± 2.7 vs. 12.9 ± 1.7). In addition, RA patient had decreased taste function compared to healthy individuals (10.4 ± 2.6 vs. 11.7 ± 1.7). Chemosensory function did not correlate with parameters related to the severity of disease. Chemosensory function (taste, OD and OI) appears to be decreased in RA patients. In contrast, OT was not affected. Changes in chemosensory function seem to be independent of disease parameters such as duration of disease or disease activity.

ObjectivesTo provide an update of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management recommendations to account for the most recent developments in the field.MethodsAn international task force considered new evidence supporting or contradicting previous recommendations and novel therapies and strategic insights based on two systematic literature searches on efficacy and safety of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) since the last update (2016) until 2019. A predefined voting process was applied, current levels of evidence and strengths of recommendation were assigned and participants ultimately voted independently on their level of agreement with each of the items.ResultsThe task force agreed on 5 overarching principles and 12 recommendations concerning use of conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs (methotrexate (MTX), leflunomide, sulfasalazine); glucocorticoids (GCs); biological (b) DMARDs (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab), abatacept, rituximab, tocilizumab, sarilumab and biosimilar (bs) DMARDs) and targeted synthetic (ts) DMARDs (the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors tofacitinib, baricitinib, filgotinib, upadacitinib). Guidance on monotherapy, combination therapy, treatment strategies (treat-to-target) and tapering on sustained clinical remission is provided. Cost and sequencing of b/tsDMARDs are addressed. Initially, MTX plus GCs and upon insufficient response to this therapy within 3 to 6 months, stratification according to risk factors is recommended. With poor prognostic factors (presence of autoantibodies, high disease activity, early erosions or failure of two csDMARDs), any bDMARD or JAK inhibitor should be added to the csDMARD. If this fails, any other bDMARD (from another or the same class) or tsDMARD is recommended. On sustained remission, DMARDs may be tapered, but not be stopped. Levels of evidence and levels of agreement were mostly high.ConclusionsThese updated EULAR recommendations provide consensus on the management of RA with respect to benefit, safety, preferences and cost.