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Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 27. Epub 2022 May 27.

Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.

Objective: To investigate the associations between the Patient Global Assessment (PGA) and measures of disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to disease duration and autoantibody status.

Methods: 1412 patients from three independent cohorts were studied: a prospective cohort of 810 patients with early RA followed up for 24 months; a cross-sectional cohort of 210 patients with established RA in low disease activity; a cross-sectional cohort of 401 patients with established RA in moderate-to-high disease activity. Correlations of the PGA were analysed by Pearson's coefficients and multivariable linear regression at baseline and at months 6, 12 and 24 in the overall populations and after stratification for autoantibody subgroup and remission status (Boolean remission, PGA near remission and non-remission). Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 27. Epub 2022 May 27.

Translational Autoinflammatory Diseases Section (TADS), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Background: The interleukin-1 (IL-1) mediated systemic autoinflammatory diseases, including the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) and deficiency of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA), belong to a group of rare immunodysregulatory diseases that primarily present in early childhood with variable multiorgan involvement. When untreated, patients with severe clinical phenotypes have a poor prognosis, and diagnosis and management of these patients can be challenging. However, approved treatments targeting the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 have been life changing and have significantly improved patient outcomes. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 25. Epub 2022 May 25.

Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Objectives: Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease, broadly defined, has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. We investigated risk of CV events in patients with acute CPP crystal arthritis, the acute manifestation of CPPD.

Methods: Cohort study using Mass General Brigham electronic health record (EHR) data, 1991-2017. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Objectives: To elucidate the mechanism of action of baricitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor, and describe immunological pathways related to disease activity in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving standard background therapy in a phase II trial.

Methods: Patients with SLE were treated with baricitinib 2 mg or 4 mg in a phase II randomised, placebo-controlled study. Sera from 239 patients (baricitinib 2 mg: n=88; baricitinib 4 mg: n=82; placebo: n=69) and 49 healthy controls (HCs) were collected at baseline and week 12 and analysed using a proximity extension assay (Target 96 Inflammation Panel (Olink)). Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; CARE Arthritis, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Objectives: Spinal MRI is used to visualise lesions associated with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The ASAS MRI working group (WG) updated and validated the definitions for inflammatory and structural spinal lesions in the context of axSpA.

Methods: After review of the existing literature on all possible types of spinal MRI pathologies in axSpA, the group (12 rheumatologists and two radiologists) consented on the required revisions of lesion definitions compared with the existing nomenclature of 2012. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization, Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan.

Objective: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified >100 risk loci for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the disease genes at most loci remain unclear, hampering translation of these genetic discoveries. We aimed to prioritise genes underlying the 110 SLE loci that were identified in the latest East Asian GWAS meta-analysis.

Methods: We built gene expression predictive models in blood B cells, CD4 and CD8 T cells, monocytes, natural killer cells and peripheral blood cells of 105 Japanese individuals. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Autoimmune arthritis, INSERM UMRs1097, Aix Marseilles University, Marseille, France

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Immune Regulation and Tolerance Research Group, Programa Disciplinario de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany

Objective: To determine contributions and functions of autoantibodies (Abs) directed to the angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1R), which are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of AT1R Abs-related diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were immunised with membrane-embedded human AT1R or empty membrane as control. Mice deficient for CD4 or CD8 T cells and B cells were immunised with membrane-embedded AT1R or an AT1R peptide proposed to be a dominant T cell epitope. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 19. Epub 2022 May 19.

Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan.

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 17. Epub 2022 May 17.

BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca US, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA

Objectives: In the anifrolumab systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) trial programme, there was one trial (TULIP-1) in which BILAG-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) responses favoured anifrolumab over placebo, but the SLE Responder Index (SRI(4)) treatment difference was not significant. We investigated the degree of concordance between BICLA and SRI(4) across anifrolumab trials in order to better understand drivers of discrepant SLE trial results.

Methods: TULIP-1, TULIP-2 (both phase 3) and MUSE (phase 2b) were randomised, 52-week trials of intravenous anifrolumab (300 mg every 4 weeks, 48 weeks; TULIP-1/TULIP-2: n=180; MUSE: n=99) or placebo (TULIP-1: n=184, TULIP-2: n=182; MUSE: n=102). Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 16. Epub 2022 May 16.

Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Objectives: To determine the trends in incidence, prevalence and mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a US population over four decades.

Methods: We identified all the patients with SLE in Olmsted County, Minnesota who fulfilled the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE during 1976-2018. Age-specific and sex-specific incidence and prevalence dates were adjusted to the standard 2000 projected US population. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Jun;81(6):e109

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Jun;81(6):906

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Jun;81(6):751-752

Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Jun;81(6):748-750

Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Objective: To develop EULAR points-to-consider for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of biopharmaceuticals in inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

Methods: The points-to-consider were developed in accordance with EULAR standardised operation procedures by a multidisciplinary task force from eight European countries, based on a systematic literature review and expert consensus. Level of evidence and strength of the points-to-consider were determined, and mean levels of agreement among the task force were calculated using a 10-point rating scale. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 12. Epub 2022 May 12.

Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 9. Epub 2022 May 9.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA

Objectives: Analysing expression patterns of Krüppel-like factor (KLF) transcription factors in normal and osteoarthritis (OA) human cartilage, and determining functions and mechanisms of KLF4 and KLF2 in joint homoeostasis and OA pathogenesis.

Methods: Experimental approaches included human joint tissues cells, transgenic mice and mouse OA model with viral KLF4 gene delivery to demonstrate therapeutic benefit in structure and pain improvement. Mechanistic studies applied global gene expression analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 May 5. Epub 2022 May 5.

Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany, Erlangen, Germany

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Ruhr University Bochum, Herne, Germany.

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Ruhr University Bochum, Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Professor emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 27. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

Objectives: Iberdomide is a high-affinity cereblon ligand that promotes proteasomal degradation of transcription factors Ikaros () and Aiolos (). Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of oral iberdomide were evaluated in a phase 2b study of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Adults with autoantibody-positive SLE were randomised to placebo (n=83) or once daily iberdomide 0. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Rheumatology, Leiden Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Objective: To investigate the success rate of glucocorticoid (GC) discontinuation during follow-up in observational cohorts and clinical trials using temporary GC as part of initial therapy ('bridging') in newly diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Systematic literature searches were conducted to identify observational cohorts and clinical trials including patients with RA treated with initial GC bridging therapy, defined as discontinuation of GC within 1 year. Patient percentages still using GC were considered the reverse of successful discontinuation. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Objective: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) may develop after transplacental transfer of maternal autoantibodies with cardiac manifestations (congenital heart block, CHB) including atrioventricular block, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathies. The association with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies is well established, but a recurrence rate of only 12%-16% despite persisting maternal autoantibodies suggests that additional factors are required for CHB development. Here, we identify fetal genetic variants conferring risk of CHB and elucidate their effects on cardiac function. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medizinische Universitat Graz, Graz, Austria.

Background: Remote care and telehealth have the potential to expand healthcare access, and the COVID-19 pandemic has called for alternative solutions to conventional face-to-face follow-up and monitoring. However, guidance is needed on the integration of telehealth into clinical care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).

Objective: To develop EULAR points to consider (PtC) for the development, prioritisation and implementation of telehealth for people with RMD. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Jun 25;81(6):747-748. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine 3, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Ann Rheum Dis 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Objectives: To find causal genes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its seropositive (RF and/or ACPA positive) and seronegative subsets.

Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 31 313 RA cases (68% seropositive) and ~1 million controls from Northwestern Europe. We searched for causal genes outside the HLA-locus through effect on coding, mRNA expression in several tissues and/or levels of plasma proteins (SomaScan) and did network analysis (Qiagen). Read More