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Objective. the effect of smoking in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is under debate. Our aim was to test whether smoking is increased in axial PsA (axPsA). Methods. Included in the analysis were 1535 patients from PsArt-ID (PsA-International Database). the effect of smoking on axPsA (compared to other PsA phenotypes) and radiographic sacroiliitis were investigated. Results. Current smoking was more common in axPsA (28.6% vs 18.9%, p < 0.001). It also was found as an independent predictor of axPsA (OR 1.4) and radiographic sacroiliitis (OR 6.6). Conclusion. Current smoking is significantly associated with both axPsA and radiographic sacroiliitis in patients with PsA., Union ChimiqueBelge (UCB); Turkish Society for Rheumatology (TRD), D. Solmaz had funding from Union ChimiqueBelge (UCB) for an axial spondyloarthritis fellowship. S. Bakirci had funding from the Turkish Society for Rheumatology (TRD). S.Z. Aydin received honoraria from Abbvie, Celgene, UCB, Novartis, Jannsen, and Sanofi.

Background Periodontitis is a suspected environmental risk factor for the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, correlation mechanisms between the two pathologies remain elusive. This study examined potential correlations between detached subgingival bacteria collected in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and RA parameters. Methods RA patients (n = 52, F:M = 40:12), patients with Behcet's disease (BD,n = 40, F:M = 29:11) as another systemic inflammatory disease were studied along with a systemically healthy control group (HC,n = 57, F:M = 40:17). All participants were non-smokers. Full mouth periodontal parameters were recorded. RA activity was assessed using the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS-28). Rheumatoid factors (RFs)-IgM and -IgA were measured by ELISA. GCF samples were investigated by means of fluorescent in situ hybridization for 10 different bacterial taxa. Results The taxa TM7,Synergistetescluster B,Leptotrichia, Megasphaera,Anaeroglobus geminatus, andTannerella forsythiadisplayed significantly differential abundances between the groups. Whereas abundances ofMegasphaeraandA. geminatuswere significantly increased in the RA group, onlyPorphyromonas gingivalisdisplayed significant correlations with plaque scores, bleeding on probing, and RF-IgA. RA patients displaying RF-IgA levels >75 IU/mL exhibited five-fold more abundantP. gingivalislevels than patients below the threshold. This association with RF-IgA levels appeared even more pronounced, by six-fold moreP. gingivalis(P = 0.025), in patients with a DAS-28 score >3.2, indicative of moderate/very active RA. Conclusions Unattached GCF bacteria may mediate the association between periodontitis and RA, and monitoring the bacterial composition of GCF might inform on RA activity. The role of newly identified bacterial taxa in RA warrants further investigations. Janggen-Pohn Foundation, St-Gallen, Switzerland ; Karolinska Institutet Strategic Funds, Sweden ; University of Zurich Institutional Funds, Switzerland

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) and peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) are involved in the propagation of inflammatory responses. This study investigated whether serum levels of TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 correlate with periodontitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. A total of 154 non-smoking participants with RA (n = 55, F/M: 41/14), Behçet´s disease (BD, n = 41, F/M: 30/11) and healthy controls (HC, n = 58, F/M: 40/18) were recruited. Serum and saliva were collected, the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS-28) was calculated and dental/periodontal measurements were recorded. Serum TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 levels were measured by ELISA and salivary bacterial DNA counts by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 levels were higher in RA (166.3 ± 94.3; 155.5 ± 226.9 pg/ml) than BD (102.3 ± 42.8; 52.5 ± 26.3 pg/ml) and HCs (89.8 ± 55.7; 67.4 ± 37.3 pg/ml) (p < 0.05). In RA, periodontitis was associated with increased TREM-1 and PGLYRP1 levels (p < 0.05), yet in patients under methotrexate TREM-1 levels were lower. TREM-1 correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, DAS-28 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, whereas PGLYRP1 positively correlated with CRP. RA patients displayed 3.5-fold higher salivary bacterial DNA counts than HCs. Increased serum TREM-1 levels correlated with PGLYRP1, CRP and DAS-28-ESR in RA patients with periodontitis. Marmara Üniversitesi ; Janggen-Pöhn-Stiftung ; Karolinska Institutet

Objective Joints with different sizes and anatomical locations can be affected in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Our aim was to explore the effect of different joint patterns on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with mono-oligoarthritis. Methods Within PsArt-ID (Psoriatic Arthritis- International Database), 387/1670 patients who had mono-oligoarthritis (1-4 tender and swollen joints) were enrolled in cross-sectional assessment. the joints were categorized according to their size (small/large) and location (upper/lower extremity) and PROs, physician global assessment and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared. Analysis was made by categorizing according to joint counts (1-2 joints/ 3-4 joints). Results the mean age (SD) was 46.9 (14.24) with a mean (SD) PsA duration of 3.93 (6.03) years. Within patients with 1-2 involved joints (n = 302), size of the joints only had an impact on CRP values with large joints having higher CRP (P = .005), similar to lower extremity involvement (P = .004). PROs were similar regardless of size or location if 1-2 joints were inflamed. Within patients with 3-4 involved joints (n = 85), patient global assessment (PGA), pain, fatigue and physician global assessment were higher in the group with large joints. Similarly, PGA, pain, and physician global assessment were higher in patients with lower extremity involvement as well as higher CRP values. Conclusion For PsA patients with 3-4 joints involved, lower extremity and large joints are associated with poorer outcomes with worse PROs, physician global assessment, and higher CRP. the size and anatomical location of the joints are less important for patients with 1-2 joints in terms of the PROs., Union Chimique Belge (UCB); Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK), This work was supported by the Union Chimique Belge (UCB) (to Dilek Solmaz for axial spondyloarthritis fellowship) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (to Sibel Bakirci).

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with small and medium vessel systemic vasculitis.& nbsp;Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25-hydroxy (OH) vitamin D3 levels were measured in adult patients with systemic small and medium vessel vasculitis including antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV), cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (CryV), IgA vasculitis (IgAV) and pol-yarteritis nodosa (PAN), and age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as control groups. 25OH vitamin D3 levels < 30 ng/ml and < 20 ng/ml were regarded as insufficiency and deficiency, respectively.& nbsp;Results: Fifty-seven patients (42 AAV, 2 CryV, 8 IgA vasculitis, 5 PAN) with systemic vasculitis, 101 HS, and 111 RA patients were included. The mean 25OH vitamin D3 level was 21.8 +/- 14.2 ng/mL in patients with vasculitis, 42.7 & nbsp;+/- 27.6 ng/mL in HS (p < .001) and 20.1 +/- 18.47 ng/mL in patients with RA (p = .54). Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were significantly higher in patients with systemic vasculitis compared to HS (75.4% vs 33.7%, p < .001; %50 vs 21.8%, p < .001, respectively). Vitamin D status was not different in patients with systemic vasculitis compared to RA. There was a negative correlation between vitamin D status and CRP levels (=-.364, p = .007). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that renal involvement was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in patients with vasculitis (OR 22.5 [95% CI 1.6-128.9].& nbsp;Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are more frequent in patients with systemic small and medium vessel vasculitis and RA than HS. Renal involvement is one of the factors associated with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in patients with vasculitis. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de la deficiencia de vitamina D en los pacientes con vasculitis sistémica de peque ̃nos y medianos vasos. Métodos: En este estudio transversal se midieron los niveles de 25-hidroxivitamina D3 en pacientes adul- tos con vasculitis sistémica de peque ̃nos y medianos vasos, incluyendo vasculitis asociada a anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos (AAV), vasculitis crioglobulinémica (CryV), vasculitis IgA (IgAV) y poliar- teritis nodosa (PAN), y sujetos sanos pareados por edad y sexo (SS) y pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) como grupos control. Se consideraron insuficientes y deficientes los niveles de 25-hidroxivitamina D3 < 30 ng/ml y < 20 ng/ml, respectivamente. Resultados: Se incluyeron 57 pacientes (42 de AAV, 2 de CryV, 8 de vasculitis IgA y 5 de PAN) con vasculitis sistémica, 101 SS y 111 pacientes de AR. El nivel medio de 25-hidroxivitamina D3 fue de 21,8 ± 14,2 ng/ml en pacientes con vasculitis, 42,7 ± 27,6 ng/ml en SS (p < 0,001) y 20,1 ± 18,47 ng/ml en pacientes con AR (p = 0,54). La insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D fueron significativamente más altas en los pacientes con vasculitis sistémica en comparación con los SS (75,4 vs. 33,7%; p < 0,001; 50 vs. 21,8%; p < 0,001, respectivamente). El estatus de vitamina D no fue diferente en los pacientes con vasculitis sistémica en comparación con AR. Existió una correlación negativa entre el estatus de vitamina D y los niveles de PCR = −0,364; p = 0,007. El análisis de regresión logística multivariante reflejó que el compromiso renal estuvo significativamente asociado a la deficiencia/insuficiencia de vitamina D en los pacientes con vasculitis (OR: 22,5; IC 95%: 1,6-128,9). Conclusión: La insuficiencia y deficiencia de vitamina D son más frecuentes en los pacientes con vasculitis sistémica de peque ̃nos y medianos vasos y AR que en los SS. El compromiso renal es uno de los factores asociados a la deficiencia/insuficiencia de vitamina D en los pacientes con vasculitis.

Yildiz, Fatih/0000-0003-3628-8870; Cinar, Muhammet/0000-0002-6150-3539 WOS: 000537230800003 PubMed ID: 31922480 Objective: Our aim is to test the validity of the Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI), a patient-reported outcome, to assess the psoriasis severity within the scope of rheumatology. Methods: Within the PsA international database (PSART-ID), 571 patients had PSI, while 322 of these also showed body surface area (BSA). Correlations between PSI, BSA, and other patient- and physician-reported outcomes were investigated. Results: There was a good correlation between PSI and BSA (r=0.546, p

WOS: 000505281300007, PubMed: 30680951, Objective Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has a genetic background. Approximately 40% of patients with psoriasis or PsA have a family history of psoriasis or PsA, which may affect disease features. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of family history of psoriasis and PsA on disease phenotypes. Methods Data from 1,393 patients recruited in the longitudinal, multicenter Psoriatic Arthritis International Database were analyzed. The effects of family history of psoriasis and/or PsA on characteristics of psoriasis and PsA were investigated using logistic regression. Results A total of 444 patients (31.9%) had a family history of psoriasis and/or PsA. These patients were more frequently women, had earlier onset of psoriasis, more frequent nail disease, enthesitis, and deformities, and less frequently achieved minimal disease activity. Among 444 patients, 335 only had psoriasis in their family, 74 had PsA, and 35 patients were not certain about having PsA and psoriasis in their family, so they were excluded from further analysis. In the multivariate analysis, family history of psoriasis was associated with younger age at onset of psoriasis (odds ratio [OR] 0.976) and presence of enthesitis (OR 1.931), whereas family history of PsA was associated with lower risk of plaque psoriasis (OR 0.417) and higher risk of deformities (OR 2.557). Family history of PsA versus psoriasis showed increased risk of deformities (OR 2.143) and lower risk of plaque psoriasis (OR 0.324). Conclusion Family history of psoriasis and PsA impacts skin phenotypes, musculoskeletal features, and disease severity. The link between family history of psoriasis/PsA and pustular/plaque phenotypes may point to a different genetic background and pathogenic mechanisms in these subsets., Turkish Society for Rheumatology; Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK), Supported by the Turkish Society for Rheumatology. Dr. Bakirci's work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and the Turkish Society for Rheumatology.

The temporal relationship between the onset of skin psoriasis (Pso) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a long and well-known feature of psoriatic disease. Psoriatic skin lesions emerge years before the development of musculoskeletal manifestations in nearly 75% of PsA patients. While skin and joint manifestations develop within one year in 15-20% of the patients, joint manifestations precede the skin involvement by a year or more in about 10% of the patients (1).

To determine predictors and optimal duration of sustained remission (SR) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 428 consecutive patients with RA visiting our clinic routinely between 2012 and 2013 were evaluated. Seventy seven of these patients in DAS28 remission were enrolled and followed up for 62.2 ± 9.9 months. Patients in remission ≥ 6 months (SR) and shorter (non: N-SR) were compared in terms of demographic-clinical data and the psychosocial factors. At enrollment, 1st and 5th years, patients in DAS28, SDAI, and Boolean remission were determined. Sixty three patients were in SR and 14 in N-SR. Lower baseline DAS28 and HAQ scores, anti-CCP were positive predictors of SR. Although the presence of anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and fatigue were lower in the SR group, there was no significance. Patients in DAS28 remission (100%) at baseline reduced to 64% at 1st and 42.6% at 5th years. Patients satisfying SDAI and Boolean remission at these three visits were 49%, 44%, and 32.4% vs 41%, 28%, and 20.6%, respectively. If the duration of remission is defined as 6 months, the remission rates of SDAI at inclusion and fifth years’ visits were similar but Boolean remission rates differed significantly and if it is accepted as ≥ 12 months, both the SDAI and Boolean remission rates were not different. Low DAS28 and HAQ scores at baseline, anti-CCP were positive predictors of SR. Instead of 6 months, remission duration for ≥ 12 months would probably help us to predict SR independently from the chosen criteria; Boolean or SDAI.

WOS: 000397050600018, PubMed ID: 27794533, Objective. The aim was to assess the characteristics of PsA, find out how well the disease is controlled in real life, demonstrate the treatments and identify the unmet needs. Methods. The PsA registry of Turkey is a multicentre Web-based registry established in 2014 and including 32 rheumatology centres. Detailed data regarding demographics for skin and joint disease, disease activity assessments and treatment choices were collected. Results. One thousand and eighty-one patients (64.7% women) with a mean (S.D.) PsA duration of 5.8 (6.7) years were enrolled. The most frequent type of PsA was polyarticular [437 (40.5%)], followed by oligoarticular [407 (37.7%)] and axial disease [372 (34.4%)]. The mean (S.D.) swollen and tender joint counts were 1.7 (3) and 3.6 (4.8), respectively. Of these patients, 38.6% were on conventional synthetic DMARD monotherapy, 7.1% were on anti-TNF monotherapy, and 22.5% were using anti-TNF plus conventional synthetic DMARD combinations. According to DAS28, 86 (12.4%) patients had high and 105 (15.2%) had moderate disease activity. Low disease activity was achieved in 317 (45.7%) patients, and 185 (26.7%) were in remission. Minimal disease activity data could be calculated in 247 patients, 105 of whom (42.5%) had minimal disease activity. The major differences among sexes were that women were older and had less frequent axial disease, more fatigue, higher HAQ scores and less remission. Conclusion. The PsA registry of Turkey had similarities with previously published registries, supporting its external validity. The finding that women had more fatigue and worse functioning as well as the high percentage of active disease state highlight the unmet need in treatment of PsA.

Objective Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic, large-vessel vasculitis. Vitamin D, as a steroidal hormone, has recently been shown to have immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive effects. Low vitamin D levels are demonstrated in various autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate vitamin D levels in patients with TAK. A comprehensive review of vitamin D levels in systemic vasculitides (SVs) is also performed. Methods The study included 36 patients with TAK, 28 patients with Behcet's disease (BD) as disease control and 30 sex-matched healthy controls. Plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) vit D) levels were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. “Deficiency” was defined as 25(OH) vit D levels below 25 nmol/l and “insufficiency” as below 50 nmol/l. Results Plasma 25(OH) vit D levels were significantly lower in TAK patients (16.93 ± 10.62 nmol/l) than healthy controls (64.63 ± 21.82 nmol/l). Vitamin D level in BD patients (38.8 ± 20.9 nmol/l) is lower than healthy controls but higher than TAK patients. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was 83.3% in patients with TAK compared to 3.3% in healthy controls. Plasma 25(OH) vit D levels were same between clinically active and inactive patients. In literature review, very few studies were found to investigate vitamin D in SVs. Conclusion We observed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with TAK. As various immune effects of vitamin D on mononuclear cells and arterial endothelium is shown, vitamin D deficiency can be a predisposing factor for immune activation in SV. We therefore suggest monitorization and replacement of vitamin D status in all TAK and other SV patients.

Background:Although psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may be seen at any decades, juvenil onset PsA is relatively rare. Moreover, there were no more data about clinical features, treatments, and course in juvenile PsA when they reached to adult age.Objectives:The objective of this study was to assess and compare demographic and clinical features for juvenile onset PsA and adult onset PsA.Methods:PsART-ID is a multicenter, international database, investigating the disease characteristic in real life (1). Briefly, demographic data, PsA subtypes, uveitis, enthesitis, dactylitis, Co-morbidities, disease activity scores (TJC, SJC, VAS-pain, VAS patients and physician global assessments, VAS-fatigue, BASDAI), and functional status (HAQ-DI, BASFI) were recorded. Psoriasis and PsA starting age were noted, as well. Patients were classified as juvenile PsA or juvenile PsO (under 18 years old). Results were compared regarding to juvenile versus adult onset age.Results:Overall, 1644 PsA patients were included to study, 301/1644 (18.3%) patients had juvenile onset psoriasis. Of 39/1644 (2.4%) patients had juvenile onset PsA, as well. As expected, juvenile onset PsA patients were younger, however PsA disease duration were longer than adult onset PsA patients. There were no any difference between demographic and clinical data, except BMI and enthesitis were less frequently at the juvenile onset PsA groups. Although, ever csDMARD using were similar between two groups, however, juvenile onset PsA patients were used more frequently bDMARDs.Table.Comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics of juvenile and adult-onset psoriatic arthritisJuvenile onsetAdult onsetpN (%)39 (2.4)1605 (97.6)Female Sex n (%)24 (61.5)1006 (62.7)0.884PsA beginning age mean (SD)13.3 ± 3.8542.3 ± 12.9Current age mean (SD)26.6 ±10.747.3 ±13.07Duration of psoriasis (years)17.10 ± 11.2614.75 ± 11.780.124Duration of psoriatic arthritis (years)13.5 ±115.06 ± 6.7Cigarette smoking (ever) n (%)15/38641/14940.72Education duration/year (mean,SD)10.09 ± 3.679.52 ± 4.810.464BMI (kg/m2) (mean, SD)24.5 ±5.128.3 ± 5.21Family history of PsO/PsA n (%)15 (38.5)559 (34.9)0.642Nail involvement n (%)18 (46.2)762 (47.5)0.864Dactilitis n (%)9 (23.7)367 (24)0.958Entesitis n (%)3 (7.9)384 (25.7)0.013Uveitis n (%)-13 (4.3)0.713Axial involvement (%)15 (38.5)464 (29)0.199Methotrexate36 (92.3)1348 (84)0.162Sulfasalazine17 (43.6)612 (38.1)0.488Leflunomide14 (35.9)379 (23.6)0.076Biologic DMARDs102 (33.9)358 (26.8)0.013Conclusion:Although psoriasis may be seen frequently in the juvenile age, juvenile onset PsA was not so frequent in our PsA cohort. Although, ever csDMARD using were similar between two groups, however, juvenile onset PsA patients were used bDMARDs more frequently.References:[1]Kalyoncu U et al. The Psoriatic Arthritis Registry of Turkey: results of a multicenter registry on 1081 patients. Rheumatology. 2017;56:279-286.Disclosure of Interests:Serpil ERGULU EŞMEN: None declared, Ozun Bayindir: None declared, esen kasapoğlu: None declared, Sibel Bakirci: None declared, Dilek Solmaz: None declared, Gezmiş Kimyon: None declared, Atalay Doğru: None declared, Ediz Dalkiliç: None declared, Cem Özişler: None declared, Meryem Can: None declared, Servet Akar: None declared, Emine Figen Tarhan: None declared, Sule Yavuz: None declared, Levent Kiliç: None declared, Orhan Küçükşahin: None declared, Ahmet Omma: None declared, Emel Gönüllü: None declared, Fatih Yildiz: None declared, Duygu Ersözlü: None declared, abdurrahman tufan: None declared, Muhammet Çinar: None declared, Abdulsamet Erden: None declared, Sema Yilmaz: None declared, Seval Pehlevan: None declared, Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz: None declared, Sibel Aydin: None declared, Umut Kalyoncu Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, UCB

Background:Methotrexate (MTX) is the most common first-line disease-modified anti-rheumatic drugs in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), despite the controversies.Objectives:In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of withdrawal rate of MTX in PsA and reasons for discontinuing.Objectives:In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of withdrawal rate of MTX in PsA and reasons for discontinuing.Methods:A large prospective international multicenter PsA registry was used for this study. Data were collected either at enrolment, based on history, or prospectively if there was a follow up. We analyzed the frequency of MTX usage, discontinuation and the reason for discontinuation. The time on MTX was compared according to the reason of discontinuation (inefficacy vs side effects) using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses to identify risk factors for discontinuation.Results:At the time of analyses, 1670 patients had been recruited to the registry and 1359 PsA patients had used MTX during the course of the disease (81.3%). Within these, 942 (69.3%) were still on MTX at the time of analysis, and 417 (30.7%) patients have discontinued (Table). The most common reasons for withdrawal were side effects (219/417, 52.5%) and ineffectiveness (88/417, 21.1%). Other reasons included pregnancy, remission, self-decision (11.9% for all). For 60 patients (14.3%), the reason could not be identified. In patients who were still on MTX, the median duration of MTX therapy was 31 months (IQR=59) compared to 17 months (IQR=43) in the withdrawal group. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal symptoms (47%) and abnormal liver function tests (25%). There was a significant difference in survival plots (Log-rank p=0.026) with discontinuing due to side effects occurring earlier than inefficacy (Figure 1). In cox regression model, longer disease duration was found as an independent predictor of MTX discontinuation due to all reasons [Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.01, 95% Confidence interval (CI)=1.0-1.02; p=0.003].Conclusion:MTX is frequently used on PsA treatment, despite the controversies in the literature. One third of patients with PsA discontinue MTX, most commonly due to side effects or inefficacy. Patients discontinue MTX earlier in case of having side effects. Longer disease duration is linked to MTX discontinuation.Table.Demographics and disease characteristics of study groupsAll patientsn=1359Still on MTXn=942Withdrawal MTX any reasonn=417pAge, mean (SD)46.4 (13.4)46.1 (13.4)47.7 (14.0)0.038Male gender, n (%)523 (38.5)360 (38.2)163 (39.1)0.761Ever smoking, n (%)569/1258 (46.2)390/861 (45.3)179/397 (45.1)0.966Psoriasis duration (years), mean (SD)14.2 (11.7)14.0 (11.2)16.4 (12.7)0.003Polyarthritis, n (%)657/1343 (48.9)471/931 (50.6)186/412 (45.1)0.066Axial disease, n (%)388/1343 (28.9)267/931 (28.7)121/412 (29.4)0.797Nail involvement (ever), n (%)644 (47.8)435 (46.6)209 (50.5)0.191Swollen Joint Count, mean (SD)1.5 (2.6)1.4 (2.6)2.0 (3.2)Tender Joint Count, mean (SD)3.0 (4.4)3.5 (5.0)4.2 (5.4)HAQ, mean (SD)0.6 (0.6)0.7 (0.7)0.8 (0.7)0.035BASDAI,mean (SD)37 (22)39 (23)46 (25)0.001Disclosure of Interests:Dilek Solmaz: None declared, Umut Kalyoncu Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, UCB, Ilaria Tinazzi: None declared, Ozun Bayindir: None declared, Ediz Dalkiliç: None declared, Atalay Dogru: None declared, Cem Özişler: None declared, Gezmiş Kimyon: None declared, Gozde Yildirim Cetin Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, MSD, Ahmet Omma: None declared, Emine Figen Tarhan: None declared, Levent Kiliç: None declared, Servet Akar: None declared, Sema Yilmaz: None declared, Meryem Can: None declared, Sule Yavuz: None declared, Orhan Küçükşahin: None declared, Sibel Bakirci: None declared, Sibel Aydin: None declared

Minimal disease activity (MDA) is an important target in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), however it is also criticised for having a low threshold for patient reported outcomes (PRO).The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of MDA and its components in patients with PsA and to evaluate disease characteristics and patterns in patients with or without MDA (MDA+ or MDA-).PsArt-ID (Psoriatic Arthritis-International Database) is a prospective, multicentre web-based registry. PsA patients who had at least 1 year of disease duration and had full data for MDA were included for this analysis (n=317). Patients were considered in MDA+ when they met at least 5/7 of the MDA criteria.MDA was achieved in 46% patients. Within MDA- patients, body surface area (51.2%) and swollen joint count (53.5%) domains could still be achieved in the majority and 93.5% of them had no enthesitis using the Leeds enthesitis index. Of 170 patients with MDA-, 90 patients did not fulfill all 3 PROs of MDA. Mono-arthritis subtype (RR: 2.01), absence of enthesitis (RR: 1.570) and absence of distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint disease (RR: 1.1) were associated with higher probability of achieving MDA.The MDA criteria provide an objective target for treatment in trials and clinical practice; however, in real life PROs are the most significant barriers to achieve MDA. The presence of DIP joints disease makes it difficult to reach MDA due to active PROs.

Background Minimal disease activity (MDA) is an important target in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), however it is also criticised for having low threshold for patient reported outcomes (PRO). Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of MDA components in patients with PsA and to evaluate disease characteristics and patterns in patients with or without MDA. Methods PsArt-ID (Psoriatic Arthritis- International Database) is a prospective, multicentre web-based registry (www.trials-network.org). PsA patients who had at least 1 year of disease duration were included for this analysis. Patients were considered in MDA when they met at least 5/7 of the MDA criteria (figure 1). Results In January 2018, 1283 patients from Turkey and 119 patients from Canada were recruited, 317 of whom had full data for MDA and were included in this analysis. The demographics, disease characteristics and patterns in patients with MDA achieved vs not are summarised in the table. There were no differences regarding demographics in both groups. The monoarthritis subtype (RR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.579–2.559), the absence of enthesitis (RR: 1.570, 95% CI: 1.027–2.398) and the absence of distal interphalangeal joint disease (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.001–1.25) were associated with higher probability of achieving MDA. Across different domains included in MDA, pain VAS≤15 and PtGA ≤20 could less frequently be achieved even when MDA is fulfilled as 44.5% and 26.5% of patients respectively still did not fulfil these domains (figure 1). On the other hand, for patients that did not achieve MDA, the body surface area (51.2%) and swollen joint count (53.5%) domains could be achieved in the majority of the patients and 93.5% of them had no enthesitis using the Leeds enthesitis index. Physician global assessment (>21 vs≤20) and BASDAI (>41 vs≤40, only for axial disease) had only moderate agreement with MDA (achieved or not) (kappa=0.47, p=0.05 and kappa=0.469, p=0.072; respectively). All data were given n/total n (percentage (%)) or median (first-third percentiles)*. MDA: minimal disease activity; PsA: Psoriatic Arthritis; DIP: distal interphalangeal. Conclusions The MDA criteria provide an objective target for treatment in trials and clinical practice; however in real life PROs are the most significant barriers to achieve MDA within all domains. Leeds enthesitis index was not able differentiate MDA, for being negative in the vast majority of the patients. Monoarthritis subtype is a good prognostic factor whereas DIP joint disease and history of enthesitis are poor prognostic factors to achieve MDA. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background The management of RA have been changed during past decades and sustained remission (SR) is the ultimate goal to halt joint damage and prevent the accrual of disability. Factors predicting SR are essential to individualise treatment and recognise patients that have an opportunity to taper medications in daily practice. Objectives To determine baseline predictors of sustained remission and comparison of its predictability by different remission criteria. Methods A total of 428 consecutive patients with RA visiting our outpatient clinic routinely between September 2012–2013 were evaluated. Seventy seven of these patients satisfying the DAS28 remission ( Results Of these 77 patients, 63 were in SR and 14 were in N-SR. Lower baseline DAS28 and HAQ scores (p=0.045; p=0.026, respectively) and anti-CCP positivity (p=0.035) were positive predictors of SR. Although the presence of anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia and fatigue were lower in SR group, there was no statistical significance. DAS28 remission visit counts of patients in Boolean (n=32) and DAS28 (n=77) remission at enrollment (5.7±3.2 vs 5.4±3.1; p=0.995) were not different. Similarly, no difference was found between patients in SDAI (n=38) and DAS28 remission (5.6±3.3 vs 5.4±3.1; p=0.769). Patients meeting the DAS28 criteria (n=77, 100%) reduced 64% (n=50) at first and 42.6% (n=29) at fifth years. Patients satisfying SDAI and Boolean criteria were 49%, 44% vs 32.4% (n=22) and 41%, 28% vs 20.6% (n=14), respectively. If the duration of SR is considered as 6 months, the remission rates of SDAI were not different between patients at inclusion and fifth years but Boolean remission rates differed significantly and if it is accepted as ≥12 months, the SDAI and Boolean remission rates were not different than at fifth year visit. Conclusions Low DAS28 and HAQ score at baseline and anti-CCP positivity were positive predictors of SR. Although the presence of anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia and fatigue were lower in SR group, there was no statistical significance. Compared to the DAS28, remission determined by the Boolean and especially SDAI criteria continued consistently in long term. References [1] Castrejon I, Dougados M, Combe B, et al. Prediction of remission in a French Early Arthritis Cohort by RAPID3 and other core data set measures, but not by the absence of rheumatoid factor, anticitrullinated protein antibodies, or radiographic erosions. J Rheumatol. 2016Jul;43(7):1285–91. [2] Radner H, Alasti F, Smolen JS, et al. Physical function continues to improve when clinical remission is sustained in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Arthritis Res Ther. 2015Aug 11;17:203. Acknowledgements None. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has a genetic background, approximately 40% of patients having a family history of psoriasis or PsA in first-degree relatives, which may impact the disease features. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of family history of psoriasis or PsA on the disease phenotypes. Methods The demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the longitudinal, multicenter PsArt-ID (Psoriatic Arthritis-International Database). Family history of psoriasis and PsA were investigated for 1st and 2nd degree relatives separately. The effect of the family history of psoriasis and/or PsA on disease phenotypes and severity were analysed, calculating the relative risks (RR). Results 1393 patients had the data for family history, 444 (31.9%) of whom was positive for psoriasis and/or PsA. The majority of the family history was only psoriasis (333/444; 75%) and 58.5% (260/444) of the patients had first-degree relatives affected. There was no differences in maternal or parental transmission rates however women had more psoriasis and/or PsA in their family (67.3% vs 32.7% p: 0.028). Patients with a family history had an earlier onset of age for psoriasis (29±14.8 vs 31±14.9 p: 0.007), more frequent nail involvement (50.7% vs 29.6% p: 0.032), more frequent enthesitis (28.2% vs 17.7% p Conclusions The family history of psoriasis and PsA has impacts on skin phenotypes, musculoskeletal features and the disease severity. The differences between family history of psoriasis and PsA and pustular vs plaque phenotypes may point out to a different genetic background and pathogenic mechanisms in these subsets. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Lung involment is one of the extra-articular manifestations that is shown to be related to morbidity and mortality in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objectives We evaluated the progression of lung involvement in RA patients receiving biological treatment. Methods Eighty RA patients fulfilling ACR/EULAR classification criteria (2010) receiving biologics who had high-resolution computerised tomography (HRCT) of chest within 6 months of respiratory symptoms (cough/dyspnea) and/or any pathology in chest radiography were included. Warrick score, evaluating alveolitis and fibrosis, was calculated in RA patients by using HRCT of chest. Results The demographics and clinical findings were summarised in table 1. In 29 RA patients with interstitial findings in HRCT of chest; 7 (24%) were regressed and 1 (4%) was progressed with biologic drugs. Findings of alveolitis and fibrosis were completely regressed in 2, only alveolitis component was completely regressed in 3 and partially in 2 patients. The patient who progressed had new findings of alveolitis (table 2). Twenty-one patients in whom Warrick scores did not change, 5 received rituximab (RTX) and 10 received TNF inhibitors (TNF-inh). The mean Warrick scores was improved after biologics (11,3±9 (3–30) vs 10,3±9 (0–30), p=0,035). The improvement in alveolitis scores was significant (2,1±1,6 vs 1,5±1,6, p=0,031) while fibrosis scores were not (9,2±7,7 vs 8,8±8). Initial and control Warrick scores were higher in RTX receivers (16±9 vs 9,2±8, p=0034 and 14,8±10,1 vs 8,4±8,1), but the improvement after biologics was not different. Conclusions This study revealed an improvement in alveolitis after biologic drugs in RA patients. Fibrosis was not found to be effected by therapy. Lung lesions were improved in both RTX and TNF-inh groups. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background The environmental and genetic factors play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) which may cause a difference in disease characteristics for patients from different geographical regions. Objectives The aim of the study was to explore the disease characteristics, treatment choices and comorbidities in patients with PsA in different countries to see the impact of geographic factors. Methods PsArt-ID (Psoriatic Arthritis- International Database) is a prospective, multicentre registry in PsA, which was initially developed in Turkey in 2014, with participation of Canada since 2015 and Italy since 2017. Patients with PsA are consecutively registered to this registry with the aim of investigating the real-life data. Patient characteristics across Turkey (n=1283) and Canada (n=119) are compared for this analysis. Results Canadian patients were older at the time of recruitment (Table). They also were more frequently smokers, had higher duration of education and higher BMI than patients in Turkey. Patients in Canada had more frequent polyarthritis (66.7% vs 39.6%, p Conclusions Geographical differences have impacts on the disease features in PsA, which may be due to genetic, environmental and cultural differences. The treatments are comparable suggesting a similar approach by the physicians. Disclosure of Interest None declared

WOS: 000437779600001 PubMed ID: 30344882 Introduction: The prevalence of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) in patients with the diagnosis of SpA has been reported to be higher than normal population. Yet, the vice-versa is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of IBP, radiologic sacroiliitis and SpA in patients with primary SS. Methods: 85 patients followed at the rheumatology clinics of the Marmara and Kocaeli Universities with the diagnosis of primary SS between November 2011 and August 2012 were included in this study. The control group consisted of 100 age-and gender-matched patients. Inflammatory back pain and axial SpA were diagnosed according to the assessment of spondylo arthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria. Results: 83 patients were (97%) female and 2 (3%) were male. Mean age of the patients was 49.1 (+/- 11) years. Mean disease duration was 7.3 (+/- 4) years. The patient and control groups were comparable in terms of age and gender (p>0.05). Inflammatory back pain was observed in 21 (24.7%) of 85 primary SS patients and in 4 (4%) of 100 control subjects (p

Çalışmada 25 yazar bulunmaktadır. Bu yazarlardan sadece Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi mensuplarının girişleri yapılmıştır. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may affect different joints, including the spine. The prevalence of spinal involvement is variable depending on the definition and a subset of patients have been identified in cohorts that do not have clinical features of axial disease and yet have imaging findings. Still, there is not a consensus on how and when to screen axial disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate factors associated with being underdiagnosed for axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA) and its impacts on outcomes. Disease features and outcomes of axPsA according to the physician (n=415) were compared with patients with imaging findings only (sacroiliitis fulfilling the modified New York criteria, n=112), using data from a real-life PsA registry. Patients with imaging findings only were more frequently women (83/220 (37.7%) vs 29/122 (23.8%); p=0.008). This group also had higher peripheral disease activity (imaging only vs clinical AxPsA: mean (SD) tender joint count 5.3 (6.1) vs 3.3 (4.7), swollen joint count 1.9 (2.9) vs 1.2 (2.4); p

Background Smartphone use for long periods in a static and unsupported arm position could bring about abnormal alignment of upper limb and could cause postural problems and musculoskeletal pain. There are very few studies in the literature that examine the effect of smartphone use on musculoskeletal problems and related factors. Objectives The primary aim of our study was to determine the musculoskeletal complaint associated with smartphone use among university students. other purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships with smartphone type, smartphone use frequency, smartphone use posture, smartphone use addiction level and psychological stress. Methods 349 university students (240 women, 109 men; mean age 20.79±1,35) were included to our study. We conducted a survey that contains questions about students9 smartphone usage patterns and habits. Nordic musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the musculoskeletal complaint associated with smartphone use. Working posture while using smartphone were evaluated with Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Smartphone addiction level were determined with Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). Also we use the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to determine the psychological distress. Pearson correlation analysis were used to associations between parameters. Results Our results showed that university students had a high frequency of smartphone use and that the frequency was related to the level of addiction (r=0.199 p=0.00). %43 of students were use their smartphones extremely more than 4 hours. Students specified that they use their smartphones often for messaging with smartphone applications (%86.5). the most frequent symptoms were found in the neck (%59.6), shoulder (%51.82) and upper back (%54.4) regions. Statistically significant relationship was found between daily frequency of smartphone use and RULA neck posture score (r=0.170, p=0.001). Also there were statistically significant relationships found between BDI score and upper limb (r=0.15, p=0.005) and upper back (r=0.152, p=0.004) postures while using smartphone. Conclusions Smartphone users complain at least one area (neck, upper extremity, upper back. The frequency of smartphone use and addiction level is associated with abnormal postures while using smartphones which associated physiological distress. Consequently, musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs should include an analysis of preventive strategies which should be multifactorial with the team work of all health professionals. References Seong-Yeol Kim et al. Effect of duration of smartphone use on muscle fatigue and pain caused by forward head posture in adults. J Phys Ther Sci 2016;28:6. Junhyuk Park et al. The effects of heavy smartphone use on the cervical angle, pain threshold of neck muscles and depression Advanced Science and Technology Letters Vol.91. Shang-Yu-Yang et.al. Association between Smartphone use and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Adolescent students. J Community Health 2016. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Objective.To investigate the effect of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and fibromyalgia (FM) on the remission status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), defined according to the 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the Boolean-based new American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism remission criteria.Methods.The subjects were patients with RA who participated in a hospital-based observational cohort. Patients who met the DAS28-ESR remission criteria at their latest visit were invited to participate in our study. The patient groups fulfilling or not fulfilling the Boolean remission criteria were identified and compared with each other with regard to the presence of depression, anxiety, fatigue (0–50), and FM. The relationship between psychosocial factors and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) remission, which is the index-based definition of remission in RA, was also investigated.Results.A total of 87 out of 428 patients (20%) with RA met the DAS28-ESR remission criteria and 32 (37%) of these also met the Boolean remission criteria, while 55 (63%) did not. Forty patients were also in SDAI remission. In the Boolean remission group, 2 patients had depression and 2 had anxiety (p = 0.004). In the Boolean nonremission group, 19 patients had depression and 13 had anxiety (p = 0.04). Continuous scales of anxiety (3.34 ± 3.76 vs 5.83 ± 4.70, p = 0.012) and depression (2.18 ± 2.75 vs 4.63 ± 4.10, p = 0.001) were also lower in the Boolean remission group in comparison with the nonremission group. Though FM syndrome was detected in only 1 patient of the Boolean remission group and in 7 patients of the Boolean nonremission group (p = 0.249), patients’ polysymptomatic distress scores of FM in the Boolean remission group were significantly lower than those of the nonremission group (3.12 ± 3.25 vs 6.27 ± 5.19, p = 0.001). The mean fatigue scores were 9.5 ± 10.6 in the Boolean remission group and 16.8 ± 12.8 in the Boolean nonremission group (p = 0.006). In multivariate analysis, patient’s global assessment (PtGA) and depression were found as the independent discriminators of Boolean-based definition. Similar relationships were also observed between psychosocial factors and SDAI remission.Conclusion.In patients with RA who do not fulfill the Boolean remission criteria, to avoid overtreatment, assessment of anxiety, fatigue, FM, and especially depression must be considered if PtGA scores and disease activity variables are significantly different.

The clinical course of Behcet’s disease (BD) as a multisystemic disorder with a remitting-relapsing nature is insufficiently explored. As complete remission should be aimed in all inflammatory diseases, we investigated the frequency of complete remission in patients with BD followed in long-term, routine practice. In this retrospective study, 258 patients with BD who were regularly followed in outpatient clinics were assessed. The demographic and clinical data for active organ manifestations and treatment protocols were evaluated, and “complete remission” for this study was defined as no sign of any disease manifestation in the current visit and the preceding month. Two hundred fifty-eight patients with BD (F/M 130/128, mean age 41.1 ± 11.5 years) were included to the study. Mucocutaneous disease was present in 48.4 % (n = 125). Mean visit number was 6.8 ± 2.7, and mean follow-up duration was 45.8 ± 36.5 months. Patients were clinically active in 67.2 % (n = 1,182) of the total visits (n = 1,757), which increased to 75.6 % (68.1–90.3) when the month preceding the visit was also included. The most common active manifestation was oral ulcers (39.4–63.2 %) followed by other mucocutaneous manifestations and musculoskeletal involvement. When multivariate analysis was performed, oral ulcers, which are the main cause of the clinical activity, negatively correlated with immunosuppressive treatments (β = −0.356, p < 0.000) and age (β = −0.183, p = 0.04). It is fairly difficult to achieve complete remission in BD with current therapeutic regimens. The reluctance of the clinician to be aggressive for some BD manifestations with low morbidity, such as mucocutaneous lesions and arthritis, might be influencing the continuous, low-disease activity state, especially due to oral ulcers, in BD patients.

Objective Data regarding the frequency of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) have not been previously reported. We aimed to investigate the frequency of FM in TAK, defined according to the new 2010 ACR Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia. The association between the ACR-1990 and 2010 FM criteria and the effects of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) on FM were also analyzed. Methods We studied 55 patients (age: 42,30 +/- 12,37 years, F/M: 49/6) with TAK and 40 age-and sex-matched controls (age: 41 +/- 10.84 years, F/M: 31/9). All patients were examined for FM tender points by two observers and asked to complete the ACR 2010 FM questionnaire for FM. The SF-36, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and hospital anxiety and depression scales (HADS) were used to assess the quality of life. Thirty patients were reevaluated six months later. Results Seven (12.7%) patients with TAK and four patients with HC (10%) fulfilled the 2010 FM criteria (p=0.682), while three (5.4%) TAK patients and no controls (0%) met the 1990 criteria (p=0.133). FM was found at a significantly higher rate in the active patients than in the inactive patients according to the ACR-2010 FM criteria (p=0.006). The SF-36 physical component scores were significantly lower (p=0.003) and the HAQ scores were significantly higher in the TAK (p=0.006) patients than in the controls. Conclusion The frequency of FM is similar between the general population and patients with TAK. However, the incidence of FM is significantly higher in active patients. The new FM criteria subscales (WPI, SSS) are significantly correlated with scales such as the SF-36, anxiety and depression scales and HAQ in TAK patients, suggesting that, in a minority of patients with FM and TAK, PROs may be affected by the presence of FM.

The aim of the study was to determine which disease-related factors and non-disease features can explain the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related fatigue in Turkish patients.This cross-sectional study was carried out with 99 SLE patients and 71 healthy controls. To assess fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) the participants were asked to complete two questionnaires: the short form-36 health survey (SF-36) and the multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF) scale. Anxiety and depression of participants were assessed by the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).A total of 99 patients (female/male 95/4) and 71 controls (female/male 40/31) were studied. The mean age and standard deviation (±SD) of patients and controls were 43.3 ± 12.2 years and 43.2 ± 12.1 years, respectively. The mean (SD) disease duration was 7.8 ± 5.3 years and median SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score was 0 (range = 0-16). The level of fatigue was higher in patients compared to controls with mean MAF scores of 24.7 ± 12.2 and 12.8 ± 9.9 (p 0.001), respectively. The HADS-D and HADS-A scores were also significantly higher in SLE patients (6.6 ± 4.3 vs. 3.6 ± 2.9, p 0.001 and 7.2 ± 4 vs. 4.9 ± 4, p = 0.007, respectively). There were no significant associations between the MAF and SLEDAI scores (r = 0.05, p = 0.63) but MAF scores positively correlated with age, HADS-A and HADS-D scores and negatively correlated with physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and each domain of SF-36 except role emotional in SLE patients.Fatigue is an important factor influencing patient daily life independent from disease activity in our study. The SLE patients with severe fatigue should also be assessed for other possible underlying causes such as anxiety, depression and poor quality of life.

Spinal new bone formation is a major but incompletely understood manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We explored the relationship between spinal new bone formation and ultrasound (US)-determined Achilles enthesophytes to test the hypothesis that spinal new bone formation is part of a generalized enthesis bone-forming phenotype. A multicenter, case control study of 225 consecutive AS patients and 95 age/body mass index (BMI) matched healthy controls (HC) was performed. US scans of Achilles tendons and cervical and lumbar spine radiographs were obtained. All images were centrally scored by one investigator for US and one for radiographs, blinded to medical data. The relation between syndesmophytes (by modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) and the number of syndesmophytes) and enthesophytes (with a semi-quantitative scoring of the US findings) was investigated. AS patients had significantly higher US enthesophyte scores than HCs (2.1(1.6) vs. 1.6(1.6); p = 0.004). The difference was significant in males (p = 0.001) but not in females (p = 0.5). The enthesophyte scores significantly correlated with mSASSS scores (rho = 0.274, p < 0.0001) with the association even stronger in males (enthesophyte scores vs. mSASSS rho = 0.337, p < 0.0001). In multiple regression analysis, age, BMI, enthesophyte scores and disease duration were significantly associated with syndesmophytes in males, and keeping all other variables constant, increasing US enthesophyte scores increased the odds of having syndesmophytes by 67 %. Male AS patients that have more severe US-determined Achilles enthesophyte also associated spinal syndesmophytes suggesting a bone-forming gender-specific phenotype that could be a useful marker predicting of new bone formation.

Objectives Fatigue is a common symptom of chronic inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate fatigue in patients with Behcet's syndrome (BS) and to examine the relationship between fatigue and disease activity, quality of life, anxiety and depression. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 123 BS patients and 71 healthy controls in Turkey. All subjects completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) questionnaire, Short form-36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Disease activity among BS patients was assessed using the Behcet Syndrome Activity Scale (BSAS) and the physician's global assessment (PGA). Results BS patients had significantly higher MAF, HADS-depression (HADS-D) and HADS-anxiety (HADS-A) scores than the healthy controls (P < 0.001). Both the physical and mental components of the SF-36 scale were impaired in BS patients (P = 0.0001). BS patients with active disease, depression and anxiety had significantly higher MAF scores compared to BS patients without active disease, depression and anxiety (P = 0.0001). MAF scores showed positive correlations with HADS-A, HADS-D, HAQ scores and negative correlations with SF-36 mental and physical components. In regression analyses, depression, anxiety and physical dysfunction were significantly associated with fatigue, after adjusting for age, sex, SF-36 physical and mental scores, HAQ, HADS-A, HADS-D and BSAS scores (P < 0.05). Decreases in SF-36 physical and mental scores were significant predictive factors for high MAF score in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions Fatigue is common in clinically active BS patients compared with healthy controls and inactive BS patients. Depression, anxiety and physical dysfunction were significantly associated with fatigue.

WOS: 000380854200011, PubMed ID: 26834222, Objective. To assess the performance of the new 2012 provisional European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/ American College of Rheumatology (ACR) polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) clinical classification criteria in discriminating PMR from other mimicking conditions compared with the previous 5 diagnostic criteria in a multicenter prospective study. Methods. Patients older than 50 years, presenting with new-onset bilateral shoulder pain with elevated acute-phase reactants (APR), were assessed for the fulfillment of the new and old classification/diagnostic criteria sets for PMR. At the end of the 1-year followup, 133 patients were diagnosed with PMR (expert opinion) and 142 with non-PMR conditions [69 rheumatoid arthritis (RA)]. Discriminating capacity, sensitivity, and specificity of the criteria sets were estimated. Results. Discriminating capacity of the new clinical criteria for PMR from non-PMR conditions and RA as estimated by area under the curve (AUC) were good with AUC of 0.736 and 0.781, respectively. The new criteria had a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 57.7% when tested against all non-PMR cases. When tested against all RA, seropositive RA, seronegative RA, and non-RA control patients, specificity changed to 66.7%, 100%, 20.7%, and 49.3%, respectively. Except for the Bird criteria, the 4 previous criteria had lower sensitivity and higher specificity (ranging from 83%-93%) compared with the new clinical criteria in discriminating PMR from all other controls. Conclusion. The new 2012 EULAR/ ACR clinical classification criteria for PMR is highly sensitive; however, its ability to discriminate PMR from other inflammatory/noninflammatory shoulder conditions, especially from seronegative RA, is not adequate. Imaging and other modifications such as cutoff values for APR might increase the specificity of the criteria.

Objective.Screening strategies for latent tuberculosis (TB) before starting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors have decreased the prevalence of TB among patients who are treated with these agents. However, despite vigilant screening, TB continues to be an important problem, especially in parts of the world with a high background TB prevalence. The aim of this study was to determine the factors related to TB among a large multicenter cohort of patients who were treated with anti-TNF.Methods.Fifteen rheumatology centers participated in this study. Among the 10,434 patients who were treated with anti-TNF between September 2002 and September 2012, 73 (0.69%) had developed TB. We described the demographic features and disease characteristics of these 73 patients and compared them to 7695 patients who were treated with anti-TNF, did not develop TB, and had complete data available.Results.Among the 73 patients diagnosed with TB (39 men, 34 women, mean age 43.6 ± 13 yrs), the most frequent diagnoses were ankylosing spondylitis (n = 38) and rheumatoid arthritis (n = 25). More than half of the patients had extrapulmonary TB (39/73, 53%). Six patients died (8.2%). In the logistic regression model, types of anti-TNF drugs [infliximab (IFX), OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.88–6.10, p = 0.001] and insufficient and irregular isoniazid use (< 9 mos; OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.43–6.9, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of TB development.Conclusion.Our results suggest that TB is an important complication of anti-TNF therapies in Turkey. TB chemoprophylaxis less than 9 months and the use of IFX therapy were independent risk factors for TB development.

Due to the possible risk of infusion reactions of rituximab (RTX), a slow infusion rate (total infusion time, 255 min) is suggested for rheumatological use. However, especially in oncology field, accelerated infusion of RTX is reported to be well tolerated and safe. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether accelerated infusion rates of RTX would similarly be safe and tolerable in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and other off-label rheumatological indications. All patients treated with RTX for RA and other autoimmune diseases between May 2011 and January 2012 were recruited to the study. Each treatment course consisted of two RTX 1,000 mg infusions, 2 weeks apart. Total time of the infusion for the first cycle was 255 min. Second and subsequent infusions were administered over 120 min as follows: 0-30 min, 100 mg; 30-60 min, 200 mg; 60-90 min, 300 mg; and 90-120 min, 400 mg. The Clinical Trials Classification of Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.3 was used to categorise side effects. The study population comprised 68 patients [F/M, 59:9; mean age, 52.4 (10.6) years]: 60 with RA, 4 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 1 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with SLE and 3 with vasculitis. A total of 77 fast infusions were administered. Eleven patients (16.2 %) had taken a fast infusion at the first course. A total of nine patients experienced at least one AE. Seven patients had a reaction on the first infusion (infusion-related reaction (IRR)), two patients on the second infusion and one patient on both infusions. When graded from 1 to 5 according to CTCAE v. 4.3, grade 1 IRRs were observed in a total of seven patients and grade 2 IRR in three patients. In this study of fast infusions, adverse events after RTX were mostly mild and seem to be well tolerated. Faster rituximab infusion times seem to be safe and might be incorporated into routine practice.

Aim The effect of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sulphasalazine (SSZ) mono- or combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) in AS patients naive to anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) agents. Methods Patients with AS (n = 87, male : female, 46 : 41) treated with SSZ (n = 61) or SSZ + MTX (n = 26) combination and a documented 6-month follow-up were evaluated retrospectively. Disease activity was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Requirement for anti-TNFα therapy was assessed after 6 months. Results Mean (SD) age was 43.0 (11.0) versus 40.2 (11.1) and disease duration was 11.0 (8.6) versus 8.2 (5.2) years, in the SSZ and SSZ + MTX groups, respectively. Initially, 59% (34/61) of the patients in SSZ monotherapy and 68% (17/26) in the combination arm had BASDAI > 4. At the end of the study, BASDAI scores decreased similarly in both groups (mono: 1.4 [–7–6] versus combination: 0.7 [–3–6] P = 0.2). BASDAI was > 4 in 32.8% (20/61) of patients in the SSZ monotherapy and in 44% (11/26) in the combination arm. Only 4 (6.6%) patients in the SSZ group and 2 (7.7%) in the ombination arm were switched to anti-TNFα therapies. Discussion A significant subset of our AS patients responded to SSZ mono or SSZ + MTX combination therapies at 6 months follow-up. Using BASDAI, the requirement for biological therapies decreased by 21–24%. In AS patients, including those with axial involvement only, DMARD therapy may be a reasonable first alternative to anti-TNFα therapy and may delay the switch to biologic agents.

As a complex vasculitis of unknown etiology, both innate and adaptive immune systems are activated in Behcet’s disease (BD), together with neutrophilic and lympho-histiocytic inflammation. With some features also resembling spondyloarthropathies, arthritis is one of the most frequent manifestations of BD and its prevalence ranges from 40-70%. The most frequently affected joint is knee. Patients generally present with non-erosive, recurrent, asymmetric mono or oligoarthritis. Enthesitis, spondylitis and sacroiilitis are seen less frequently. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular corticosteroids are the first choice of treatment. Although controlled-trials are lacking, most clinicians also use sulphasalazine and methotrexate in refractory cases. BD, with a prevalence of 25-30%, also involves vessels of all sizes, both arterial and venous. It most commonly affects young males as an important cause of mortality. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be the major etiopathogenetic factor of vessel involvement. As the disease course continues with remission and relapses and disease activity abating in older ages, controlling inflammation and the prevention of complications at the early phases of the disease is the main aim of treatment. For major vessel involvement cyclophosphamide and high-dose corticosteroids are used, azathiopurine is recommended for small-vessel disease.

OBJECTIVE: Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic, large‐vessel vasculitis. Vitamin D, as a steroidal hormone, has recently been shown to have immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive effects. Low vitamin D levels are demonstrated in various autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate vitamin D levels in patients with TAK. A comprehensive review of vitamin D levels in systemic vasculitides (SVs) is also performed. METHODS: The study included 36 patients with TAK, 28 patients with Behçet's disease (BD) as disease control and 30 sex‐matched healthy controls. Plasma 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) vit D) levels were measured with high‐performance liquid chromatography. “Deficiency” was defined as 25(OH) vit D levels below 25 nmol/l and “insufficiency” as below 50 nmol/l. RESULTS: Plasma 25(OH) vit D levels were significantly lower in TAK patients (16.93 ± 10.62 nmol/l) than healthy controls (64.63 ± 21.82 nmol/l). Vitamin D level in BD patients (38.8 ± 20.9 nmol/l) is lower than healthy controls but higher than TAK patients. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was 83.3% in patients with TAK compared to 3.3% in healthy controls. Plasma 25(OH) vit D levels were same between clinically active and inactive patients. In literature review, very few studies were found to investigate vitamin D in SVs. CONCLUSION: We observed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with TAK. As various immune effects of vitamin D on mononuclear cells and arterial endothelium is shown, vitamin D deficiency can be a predisposing factor for immune activation in SV. We therefore suggest monitorization and replacement of vitamin D status in all TAK and other SV patients.

To assess the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on pulmonary functions in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated lung disease (SSc-ILD) who experienced an inadequate response to first line cyclophosphamide (CYC) therapy. Twelve consecutive SSc-ILD patients who received MMF due to inadequate response to CYC as a first line agent, were retrospectively reviewed. Over the course of 2 years, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans were performed. Following initial baseline tests, PFTs were continued at a frequency of every 6 months and HRCT scans were performed every 12 months. After MMF treatment, values of forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) improved in three (25%) and two (16.6%) patients, respectively. It is also noted that the evaluation of serial HCRT scans showed no change in 54.5% of patients. Our case series suggested that PFT and imaging scores seemed to be stabilized by MMF in SSc-ILD patients who were inadequate responders to CYC.

In this retrospective study, 258 patients with BD (F/M: 130/128, mean age: 41.1±11,5 years) classified according to ISG criteria were included. The demographic and clinical data for active organ manifestations and treatment protocols were evaluated, both for the current visit and in the last month. Patients having at least one of any disease manifestations were categorized as active. Results At otal of 1757 visits of 258 patients were overviewed. Mean visit number was 6,8± 2,7 (range:1-10) and mean follow-up duration was 45.8±36.5 months (2-165). One hundred twenty-five patients (48.4%) were of mucocutaneus type, whereas 133 patients (51.6%) had major organ involvement. When all visits combined, 19.843.9% of the patients were using immunosuppressives (IS), whereas 35.3-59.3% was under non-IS therapies such as colchicine or NSAIDs. There was also a group of noncompliant patients (6.4-45%) without any treatment in some visits. Patients were clinically active in 67.2% (n=1182) of the total visits (n=1757). Frequency of clinical activity increased to 75.6% (68.1- 90.3) when the month before the visit was also included. The major cause of the activity was aphthous ulcers (39.4-63.2%) with other mucocutaneous manifestations also commonly present (Genital ulcer: 3.5-27.1 %, erythema nodosum: 8.2-22.5%, papulopustular lesions: 18.2-33.7%, arthritis: 21.3-33.5%, uveitis: 0.5-8.5% and vascular involvement: 2.5-10.8%). No difference was observed between the frequency of activity of patients having ISs or nonIS therapies. Conclusion Although complete remission is the current, primary target in inflammatory rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or vasculitides, it is fairly difficult to achieve complete remission in BD with current therapeutic regimens. The reluctance of the clinicians to be aggressive for some BD manifestations with low morbidity, such as mucocutaneous lesions, might be influencing the continuous, low-disease activity state in BD patients.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multi-systemic disorder that can affect all sizes of arteries and veins. Vascular involvement of BD is generally observed in young men and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Arterial lesions can appear as aneurysms, stenosis and occlusions in BD. We, here, present the case of a woman who developed a peripheral arterial aneurysm in her sixth decade, 20 years after disease onset. BD patients with aneurysms should be consulted at any age for pre- and post-operative assessment for immunosuppressive treatment to reduce recurrences, complications and disease activation.

Aim To retrospectively analyze disease activity and damage-associated factors in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in Turkey. Method A retrospective analysis was carried out in 21 GPA patients. Assessments for activity were performed with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for GPA (BVAS/GPA) and for permanent organ damage by the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI). Results Lower BVAS/GPA (P = 0.002), absence of renal involvement (P = 0.003) and higher creatinine clearence (P = 0.000) at diagnosis increased the likelihood of achieving remission at 6 weeks. Relapses were associated with high creatinine clearence (P = 0.021), low BVAS/GPA (P = 0.014), absence of renal involvement (P = 0.036) and proteinuria (

Background Growing evidence suggests that vitamin D has important immunomodulatory effects and plays key roles in endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis and pathogenesis/progression of some of the inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Although recent data indicated that vitamin D deficiency is quite prevalant and affects endothelial dysfunction in Behcet9s Disease and Takayasu9s arteritis, vitamin D levels in small/ medium vessel vasculitis and its effects on disease course have not been evaluated. Objectives To determine the prevalance of 25-hidroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] deficiency and to investigate its effects on disease activity in patients with small and/or medium vessel vasculitis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 25(OH)D3 levels were measured in adult patients with systemic small-medium vessel vasculitis including ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryV), IgA vasculitis (IgAV) and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS). All patients9 baseline demographics, disease characteristics, acute phase reactants, medications and disease extents (DEI), disease activities (BVAS) and damage scores (VDI) were determined. 25(OH)D3 level Results Forty five patients (29% new diagnosis) with systemic vasculitis and 63 HS were included ( Table 1 ). The mean 25(OH)D3 level was 21.8±14.3 ng/mL in patients with vasculitis and 56.7±23.9 ng/mL in HS (p Table 1 ). Thirty eight patients (84.4%) were active (BVAS≥1) at the time of recruitment. 25(OH)D3 levels were not different in active (21.6±14.8) and inactive (23.1±12.1) patients (p=0.79). Of the 24 vitamin D deficient patients 23 (95.8%) had renal involvement. Vitamin D deficient patients had slightly higher BVAS (6.5±6.7 vs 3.7±3.7), VDI (3.8±1.4 vs 3.2±1.3) and DEI (3.0±2.8 vs 1.8±2.4) scores at recruitment but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Likewise there was no difference in acute phase reactants according to vitamin D status. Conclusions Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are quite common in patients with small/medium vessel systemic vasculitis. In this preliminary study we could not demonstrate any association with vitamin D deficiency and disease activity in patients with vasculitis. However, prospective followup of a larger sample would better clarify the role of vitamin D on disease activity. Considering also the use of high dose glucocorticoid treatment, these patients should be adequately evalauted and treated for vitamin D deficiency. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Comorbidities are frequent in Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and can have an impact on morbidity and mortality. Objectives We aimed to investigate the frequency of different comorbidities in PsA, how comorbidities have an impact on PsA features and which factors were associated with the occurrence of comorbidities in a large number of patients, using PsART (Psoriatic Arthritis Registry of Turkey)registry. Methods PsART is a national, web-based registry where consecutive patients with PsA are recruited and demographic, clinical and therapeutic information are collected as well as comorbidities. The following comorbidities are questioned: Hypertension (HT), hyperlipidemia, depression, diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperuricemia, coronary arterial disease, liver disease, cerebrovascular accident, cancer, and depression. BMI more than 30 is recorded as obesity. Patients with or without comorbidities were compared for their demographic features and outcome tools. Results One thousand and sixty-nine patients whom comorbidity data were available were analyzed. Within these 693 (64.8%) were women. Mean (SD) age was 46.9 (12.8), with a median (range) PsA duration 45 (0–545) months. The number of patients with 1, 2 and 3 comorbidities were 642 (60.1%), 345 (32.3%), and was 191 (17.9%), respectively. Frequency of comorbidities was obesity in 327 (30.6%), HT in 256 (23.9%), hyperlipidemia in 199 (18.6%), depression in 188 (17.6%), DM in 161 (15.1%), hyperuricemia in 74 (6.9%), coronary artery disease in 39 (3.6%), liver disease 38 (3.6%), cerebrovascular event in 19 (1.8%), and cancer history 16 (1.5%). Patients with at least one comorbidity were older (51.1 (11.8) vs 40.9 (11.7), p Conclusions Our registry supported that comorbidities are frequent in PsA increasing the complexity of the disease and have an impact on the disease severity. Patients with comorbidities are less educated showing that education and awareness are important to improve patient outcomes in PsA in long term. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background PsART (PsA registry of Turkey) is a multicenter web-based registry. Objectives The objective of this registry is to assess characteristics of PsA and compare the differences among genders in our population. Methods PsART was established in 2014 including 32 rheumatology centers. Detailed data regarding demographics for the skin and joint disease, disease activity assessments and treatment choices were collected. Results One thousand and eighty-one patients (64.7% women) with a median (range) PsA duration for 3.7 (0–45) years were enrolled. Median psoriasis duration was 13 (0–59) years. The most frequent type of PsA was polyarticular 437 (40.5%) followed by oligoarticular 407 (37.7%) and axial disease 372 (34.4%). Patients with a combination of axial and peripheral disease had a longer disease duration than patients with one type of joint disease (52 (0–545) vs 42 (0–486) months, p=0.008). Mean (SD) swollen and tender joint counts were 1.7 (3) and 3.6 (4.8). 38.6% of patients were on csDMARD monotherapy, 7.1% were anti-TNF monotherapy and 22.5% were using anti-TNF plus csDMARD combinations. Within items included in the minimal disease activity, only 17.6%>67% of patients had inactive disease state. The major differences among genders were women being older (48.3 (12.8) VS 44.4 (12.5), P Conclusions PsART had similarities with the previously published registries, supporting its external validity. Women having more fatigue and worse functioning and as well as the high percentage of active disease state point out to the unmet need in treatment of PsA. Disclosure of Interest None declared