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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
29035882 Regulation of Arthritis Severity by the Acid Sphingomyelinase. 2017 BACKGROUND/AIMS: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease hallmarked by inflammation in synovial joints. Treatment is hampered by the lack of a cure and current disease-modifying drugs are associated with potentially severe toxicities. METHODS: We investigated arthritis severity by measuring joint swelling and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a murine experimental model of inflammatory arthritis (antigen-induced arthritis). We analyzed acid sphingomyelinase knock-out mice and wild-type littermates, as well as mice treated with the pharmacological acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor amitriptyline. RESULTS: Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase reduced joint swelling and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the arthritic joint. CONCLUSION: We identified acid sphingomyelinase as a novel druggable target in rheumatoid arthritis. Functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase have been clinically used for decades, are well tolerated and suitable for long-term treatment. They would be immediately available for clinical development as a novel rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
28722123 Value of Biomarkers in the Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis. 2017 Oct Recent diagnostic advances allow to identify persons in a pre-symptomatic stage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), opening the way for a preventive therapeutic intervention, which may potentially be curative. We review and discuss existing biomarkers predictive of future onset of RA. A responsible use of biomarkers in clinical settings will require an integration of blood-based tests, imaging techniques, clinical history, environmental risk factors, and family history.
28535896 Influence of periodontal treatment on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-a 2017 May OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of periodontal treatment on rheumatoid arthritis activity. METHODS: MEDLINE/PUBMED, The Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, SciELO and LILACS were searched for studies published until December 2014. Included articles were: prospective studies; including patients older than 18 years, diagnosed with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis submitted to non-surgical periodontal treatment; with a control group receiving no periodontal treatment; with outcomes including at least one marker of rheumatoid arthritis activity. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed using PEDro scale. Quantitative data were pooled in statistical meta-analysis using Review Manager 5. RESULTS: Four articles were included. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was associated with a significant reduction of DAS28 (OR: -1.18; 95% CI: -1.43, -0.93; p<0.00001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, patient's assessment of rheumatoid activity using visual analogical scale, tender and swollen joint counts showed a trend toward reduction (not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of DAS 28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after periodontal treatment suggests that the improvement of periodontal condition is beneficial to these patients. Further randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm this finding.
29035782 Opposing effects of rheumatoid arthritis and low dose prednisolone on arginine metabolomic 2017 Nov BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effects of low dose prednisolone on circulating markers of endothelial function, the arginine metabolites asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), mono methyl arginine (MMA), and homoarginine, are uncertain. We assessed whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis have perturbations in arginine metabolite concentrations that are reversed by low dose prednisolone. METHODS: Eighteen rheumatoid arthritis patients who had not taken prednisolone for >6 months (non-glucocorticoid (GC) users), 18 rheumatoid arthritis patients taking continuous oral prednisolone (6.5 ± 1.8 mg/day) for >6 months (GC users) and 20 healthy controls were studied. Fasting plasma concentrations of ADMA, MMA, and homoarginine were measured by ultra-performance liquid-chromatography. Baseline data from non-GC users were compared with healthy controls to assess the effect of rheumatoid arthritis. The change in arginine metabolites in non-GC users after 7 days of prednisolone (6 mg/day) was used to assess the acute effects of prednisolone. Baseline data from non-GC users were compared with GC users to assess the chronic effects of prednisolone. RESULTS: Non-GC users had higher ADMA (0.59 ± 0.03 vs. 0.47 ± 0.01 μM, p = 0.004) and MMA concentrations (0.10 ± 0.01 vs. 0.05 ± 0.00 μM, p < 0.001) than controls. The only change with acute prednisolone was a reduction in homoarginine (1.23 ± 0.06 vs. 1.08 ± 0.06 μM, p = 0.04) versus baseline. GC users had lower concentrations of ADMA (0.51 ± 0.02 vs. 0.59 ± 0.03 μM, p = 0.03) than non-GC users. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatoid arthritis patients have higher concentrations of ADMA and MMA, inhibitors of endothelial function. Chronic, but not acute, prednisolone therapy is associated with a lower ADMA concentration, suggesting a salutary effect of long-term glucocorticoid treatment on endothelial function.
28252425 [FEATURES OF THE TREATMENT OF THE SPINE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS]. 2017 Jan Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refers to the most common inflammatory joint disease, which can lead to persistent disability and early mortality of patients, and one of the manifestations of RA is a frequent lesion of the spine, which significantly affects the quality of life of these patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate spine lesion in patients with different types of current RA and factors that determine it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Under the supervision of the RA patient 131 was aged 18 to 79 years (mean 45 years) among them was 18% male and 82% female. Duration of disease was 10 years, I radiographic arthritis stage is set to 8% of cases, II - 38%, III - 35%, IV - 19%, by rheumatoid factor seropositivity was observed in 77% of patients studied, and by the presence of antibodies against cyclic citrullin peptide - y ¾. Extra-articular (systemic) form of the disease occurred in 43% of cases, systemic osteoporosis - 67%. RESULTS: lesions of the spine in the form of osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis observed at ½ of the number of RA patients, and clinically overt occurs in 35% of cases, which is directly related to patient age, involving in the process of wrist, elbow and hip joints, the presence of systemic osteoporosis and tendovaginitis, sensory and motor disorders due to peripheral neuropathy. Frequency ratio of mechanical, disfixtional, disgemic and inflammatory pain in the spine in RA is a 1: 2: 6: 14. Radiographs revealed ossification of the outer layers of the intervertebral discs and the formation sindesmofitov and spondylodiscitis. Involvement of joints is characterized by vagueness of the articular surfaces and narrowing gaps. Vertebral pathology affects heart disease symptoms (changes in electrical conductivity, the size of cameras, the left ventricular diastolic function), autonomic changes and severity of neuropathy and predictors are blood levels of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein. Due to the nature of spinal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis has been proposed a scheme of treatment with Actemra, Orcerin, Zoledro-Denk. CONCLUSIONS: Spondylopathies is a frequent manifestation of RA, is interconnected with many clinical and laboratory signs of the disease, and in the future early detection of spondylopathies in the patients with active RA will be useful for timely rehabilitation.
29288410 Central nervous system involvement in rheumatoid arthritis: possible role of chronic infla 2020 Feb Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease, the etiology of which has yet to be clarified, which causes activation of proinflammatory pathways that bring about joint and systemic inflammation. Although peripheral nervous system anomalies are observed widely in RA, very few case reports on changes in the central nervous system (CNS) have been published. In recent years, the pathophysiology of CNS involvement that can occur in RA has attracted a great deal of attention. Emphasis has focused on the possibility that CNS involvement occurs due to blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage associated with chronic inflammation. The present study was performed to investigate the possible effects of BBB dysfunction and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker therapy on BBB function, which may cause CNS damage in patients with RA. 58 RA patients [47 (81.0%) females, 11 (19.0%) males] and 34 healthy controls [24 (70.6%) females, 10 (29.4%) males] were included in the study. All RA patients were on synthetic DMARD therapy at the beginning. Thirty patients continued DMARD therapy, and 28 patients with high disease activity were started on TNF blocker therapy. All demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Disease activity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C reactive protein. The Mini-Mental State Examination was used to evaluate cognitive function, and the Fazekas scale was used to assess cranial lesions visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients' peripheral blood S100β, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), claudin, interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-1β levels were measured at the beginning of the study and after 6 months. Demographic characteristics (including sex, age, and body mass index) were similar in the RA and control groups. S100β and GFAP levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. In the group that was started on TNF blocker therapy, S100β and GFAP levels were significantly decreased 6 months after commencement of treatment. No difference was observed between the RA and control groups in terms of hyperintense lesions seen on cranial MRI. The S100β levels increased with lesions in the deep white matter seen on cranial MRI in patients with RA. In conclusion, next to decreasing disease activity and joint erosions by suppressing inflammation, anti-TNF therapy in RA can also suppress potential CNS involvement linked to BBB (blood-brain barrier) dysfunction. Further studies with broader participation and longer patient follow-up are needed to reinforce this hypothesis.
28530768 Perioperative Management of Rheumatoid Medications in Orthopedic Surgery. 2017 Sep 1 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder known to cause progressive joint destruction. Over time, untreated RA can lead to pain and increasing disability, making orthopedic intervention necessary. The treatment of RA revolves around a variety of medications that blunt the overall immune response. However, this may increase the risk of infection and impair wound healing. Given the nature of this disease, orthopedists frequently encounter patients with RA in the operative setting. To optimize surgical outcomes, orthopedists must carefully manage and pay special attention to the adverse side effects of the complicated medication regimens of these patients perioperatively. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):282-286.].
29088976 Incidence of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica in an in 2018 Jan OBJECTIVE: The aim of the CAMPO-RHE study was to determine the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in patients attending a rheumatologic outpatient's clinic of a new institution in Campobasso, Italy. METHODS: Campobasso is a small town of approximately 50,000 inhabitants located in the inland territory of central Italy (Molise), and Public Health is managed from a single health authority. In Italy, all citizens are registered with a National Health System of General Practitioner (GP) Physicians. Between the 1(st) of June 2014 and the 31(st) of May 2016, all consecutive adult patients, sent by a GP, of Campobasso with any diagnosis of musculoskeletal symptoms/signs/complaints were evaluated in a single rheumatology outpatient clinic of our Academic Unit. The clinic represents the first and unique reference for GPs about rheumatic diseases in the territory. Subjects were classified using the 2010 EULAR criteria for RA, the CASPAR criteria for PsA and the 2012 ACR classification criteria for PMR. RESULTS: 1003 adult patients, sent by GPs, with articular or musculoskeletal complaints visited our clinic. Of these, 409 inhabitants of the municipality of Campobasso were evaluated for the study. During the 2-year study period we diagnosed 18, 19 and 12 new cases of RA, PsA and PMR respectively, with a new incident cases rate of 21.4, 22.59 and 27.43/100,000/year on the population at risk. CONCLUSION: The results of our study could contribute to better define the incidence of these rheumatic diseases classified with the new classification criteria.
28558734 The effects of arthritis gloves on people with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Inflammatory Arthri 2017 May 30 BACKGROUND: Arthritis gloves are regularly provided as part of the management of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and undifferentiated (early) inflammatory arthritis (IA). Usually made of nylon and elastane (i.e. Lycra®), these arthritis gloves apply pressure with the aims of relieving hand pain, stiffness and improving hand function. However, a systematic review identified little evidence supporting their use. We therefore designed a trial to compare the effectiveness of the commonest type of arthritis glove provided in the United Kingdom (Isotoner gloves) (intervention) with placebo (control) gloves (i.e. larger arthritis gloves providing similar warmth to the intervention gloves but minimal pressure only) in people with these conditions. METHODS: Participants aged 18 years and over with RA or IA and persistent hand pain will be recruited from National Health Service Trusts in the United Kingdom. Following consent, participants will complete a questionnaire booklet, then be randomly allocated to receive intervention or placebo arthritis gloves. Within three weeks, they will be fitted with the allocated gloves by clinical specialist rheumatology occupational therapists. Twelve weeks (i.e. the primary endpoint) after completing the baseline questionnaire, participants will complete a second questionnaire, including the same measures plus additional questions to explore adherence, benefits and problems with glove-wear. A sub-sample of participants from each group will be interviewed at the end of their participation to explore their views of the gloves received. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the intervention, compared to placebo gloves, will be evaluated over 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure is hand pain during activity. Qualitative interviews will be thematically analysed. DISCUSSION: This study will evaluate the commonest type of arthritis glove (Isotoner) provided in the NHS (i.e. the intervention) compared to a placebo glove. The results will help occupational therapists, occupational therapy services and people with arthritis make informed choices as to the value of arthritis gloves. If effective, arthritis gloves should become more widely available in the NHS to help people with RA and IA manage hand symptoms and improve performance of daily activities, work and leisure. If not, services can determine whether to cease supplying these to reduce service costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN25892131 Registered 05/09/2016.
28388359 Crocin reduces the inflammation response in rheumatoid arthritis. 2017 May This study is to determine the role and mechanism of crocin in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Totally 60 Wistar SD rats were randomly divided into control group, RA model group, methotrexate group, crocin high dose, middle dose, and low dose groups. The paw swelling degree, arthritis score, thymus and spleen index, the mRNA and protein levels of iNOS, and the serum content of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were evaluated. Crocin treatment significantly alleviated the paw swelling of RA rats. The arthritis score in crocin treatment groups was significantly lower than that in RA model group. Additionally, the thymus index, but not the spleen index, declined remarkably in crocin treatment groups than in RA model group. Besides, crocin administration significantly reduced the iNOS production and the serum content of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Crocin may exert potent anti-RA effects through inhibiting cytokine.
28138181 Patients' knowledge on Rheumatoid Arthritis - A study at a tertiary care hospital. 2017 Feb OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of disease awareness among patients of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to June 2015, and comprised patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A self-made questionnaire was used which was translated in Urdu. The questionnaire had three sets of questions. The first set gathered information on the gender, age, level of education and the duration of the disease of the patient. The second set included questions regarding the symptoms, possible complications and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The third set focused on the aetiology, gender predominance and source of knowledge regarding rheumatoid arthritis. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 200 participants,188(94%) were females and 12(6%) were males. The mean age of the participants was 50±12.96 years. Moreover, 96(48%) patients were aged between 51-70 years. Only 3(1.5%) patients were considered aware; 48(25%) were considered partially aware; and 149(74.5%) were considered unaware. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease requiring long-term management and counselling. Due emphasis should be given to the counselling and education of the patients.
29102586 Association of the Shared Epitope, Smoking and the Interaction Between the Two With the Pr 2019 Sep OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of shared epitope, smoking and their interaction on the presence of autoantibodies (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [CCP] antibodies and rheumatoid factor) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in our geographical area. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in a cohort of 106 patients diagnosed with RA. Odds ratios (OR) for antibody development were calculated for shared epitope, tobacco exposure and smoking dose. Statistical analysis was performed with univariate and multivariate statistics using ordinal logistic regression. Odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and a value of P<.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, shared epitope (OR=2.68; 95% CI: 1.11-6.46), tobacco exposure (OR=2.79; 95% CI: 1.12-6.97) and heavy smoker (>20 packs/year) (OR=8.93; 95% CI: 1.95-40.82) were associated with the presence of anti-CCP antibodies. For rheumatoid factor, the association was only significant for tobacco exposure (OR=3.89; 95% CI: 1.06-14.28) and smoking dose (OR=8.33; 95% CI: 1.05-66.22). By ordinal logistic regression analysis, an association with high titers of anti-CCP (>200U/mL) was identified with South American mestizos, patients with homozygous shared epitope, positive FR and heavy smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Being a South American mestizo, having a shared epitope, rheumatoid factor positivity and a smoking dose>20 packs/year are independent risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis with a high titer of anti-CCP (>200U/mL). In shared epitope-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients, the intensity of smoking is more strongly associated than tobacco exposure with an increased risk of positive anti-CCP.
28343616 Has the median nerve involvement in rheumatoid arthritis been overemphasized? 2017 Mar Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well and widely recognized cause of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In the rheumatoid wrist, synovial expansion, joint erosions and ligamentous laxity result in compression of the median nerve due to increased intracarpal pressure. We evaluated the published studies to determine the prevalence of CTS and the characteristics of the median nerve in RA and its association with clinical parameters such as disease activity, disease duration and seropositivity. A total of 13 studies met the eligibility criteria. Pooled data from 8 studies with random selection of RA patients revealed that 86 out of 1561 (5.5%) subjects had CTS. Subclinical CTS, on the other hand, had a pooled prevalence of 14.0% (30/215). The cross sectional area of the median nerve of the RA patients without CTS were similar to the healthy controls. The vast majority of the studies (8/13) disclosed no significant relationship between the median nerve findings and the clinical or laboratory parameters in RA. The link between RA and the median nerve abnormalities has been overemphasized throughout the literature. The prevalence of CTS in RA is similar to the general population without any correlation between the median nerve characteristics and the clinical parameters of RA.
29269354 Atrial Fibrillation Promotion in a Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis. 2017 Dec 21 BACKGROUND: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of RA on AF susceptibility and atrial arrhythmogenic remodeling in a rat model of RA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Collagen-induced arthritis was induced in rats by immunization with type II collagen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Among the rats that developed arthritis, AF susceptibility and atrial remodeling were examined 8 weeks after the primary immunization. AF inducibility and duration were substantially increased in collagen-induced arthritis rats, and AF duration was significantly and positively correlated with the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Rats with collagen-induced arthritis showed prolonged atrial conduction time with no changes in the atrial effective refractory period. Atrial conduction delay was accompanied by significantly increased atrial fibrosis. In addition, atrial structural and autonomic remodeling, including left atrial dilation, apoptosis and autophagy of atrial myocytes, and atrial heterogeneous sympathetic hyperinnervation, was observed. Interestingly, we found that collagen-induced arthritis had no significant effects on connexins, Nav1.5, and the main ion channels' protein expressions in atria. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that RA increased AF susceptibility by inducing AF-promoting atrial remodeling. This study may provide insights into mechanisms underlying RA-induced AF and validate a model that is suitable for further mechanistic and therapeutic exploration.
28917998 Clinical characteristics and outcomes in polyarticular septic arthritis. 2018 Jul OBJECTIVES: Septic polyarthritis is rarer than septic monoarthritis, but associated with higher mortality. Septic polyarthritis may be difficult to distinguish clinically from noninfectious inflammatory arthritis. We describe one of the largest samples of septic polyarthritis with the aim of distinguishing septic monoarthritis from polyarthritis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of adults admitted to tertiary care with septic monoarthritis and polyarthritis. Baseline characteristics, microbial profiles, joint involvement, length of stay, and 60-day readmission rates were determined. RESULTS: We identified 464 and 42 cases of septic monoarthritis and polyarthritis, respectively, including 7 cases of septic polyarthritis with comorbid rheumatoid arthritis. Compared to those with septic monoarthritis, patients with septic polyarthritis were more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis (P<0.01), sepsis (P<0.01), and higher peripheral (P<0.001) and synovial (P<0.001) white blood cell counts. Operative intervention rates were similar, but mean length of stay was longer in polyarticular septic arthritis (P<0.001). Patients with septic polyarthritis with/without underlying rheumatoid arthritis were similar in terms of presenting features and outcomes, except for more frequent immunosuppressive therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of patients with septic arthritis, patients with septic polyarthritis were more likely to have systemic infection at presentation than those with septic monoarthritis. Despite this difference, patients with septic monoarthritis and polyarthritis tended to have similar outcomes. While rheumatoid arthritis was observed more frequently among patients with septic polyarthritis, those with/without underlying rheumatoid arthritis had similar presenting features and outcomes.
27031517 Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality Process Measures and Associated Costs. 2017 Feb The objective was to examine the relationship between health care costs and quality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Administrative claims were used to calculate 8 process measures for the treatment of RA. Associated health care costs were calculated for members who achieved or did not achieve each of the measures. Medical, pharmacy, and laboratory claims for RA patients (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification 714.x) were extracted from the Optum Clinformatics Datamart database for 2011. Individuals were predominately female and in their mid-fifties. Measure achievement ranged from 55.9% to 80.8%. The mean cost of care for members meeting the measure was $18,644; members who did not meet the measures had a mean cost of $14,973. Primary cost drivers were pharmacy and office expenses, accounting for 42.4% and 26.3% of total costs, respectively. Regression analyses revealed statistically significant associations between biologic usage, which was more prevalent in groups attaining measures, and total expenditure across all measures (Ps < 0.001). Pharmacy costs were similar between both groups. Individuals meeting the measures had a higher proportion of costs accounted for by office visits; those not meeting the measures had a higher proportion of costs from inpatient and outpatient visits. These findings suggest that increased quality may lead to lower inpatient and outpatient hospital costs. Yet, the overall cost of RA care is likely to remain high because of intensive pharmacotherapy regimens.
29058033 Greater rheumatoid arthritis joint improvement with more subjects achieving response acros 2018 May We compared the change in joint inflammation and the proportion of subjects achieving threshold levels of improvement using the existing methods employing ultrasonography on pre-determined joint sites versus novel methods. These novel methods select the most affected joints based on (i) ultrasonography-the Individualized-Ultrasound (IUS) method, or (ii) ultrasonography and clinical joint assessment-the individualized-Composite-Ultrasound (ICUS) method. Mean 3-month change in total inflammation score (ΔTIS) and 95% CI was computed for each method on 24 RA subjects initiated or escalated on treatment. Individual improvement in TIS per subject, calculated as the 3-month ΔTIS divided by the maximum possible TIS score expressed as a percentage, was used to obtain the proportion of subjects achieving response across improvement categories. Mean 3-month ΔTIS was significantly greater (p values ranging from 0.0003 to 0.0026) for novel versus existing methods using 12- and 7-joint approaches. Using 12-joint approach, percentages of subjects in improvement categories ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15% and ≥20% were, respectively, 50, 37.5, 12.5 and 8.3% for IUS; 58.3, 37.5, 12.5 and 8.3% for ICUS; and 16.7, 0, 0 and 0% for the existing method. Using 7-joint approach, the respective category percentages were 62.5, 37.5, 25 and 12.5% for IUS; 62.5, 41.7, 16.7 and 8.3% for ICUS; and 12.5, 4.2, 4.2 and 0% for the existing method. Novel ultrasound methods are more likely to detect improvement in joint inflammation, with more subjects achieving response across improvement categories, thereby representing a substantial advantage over the existing methods. However, this requires confirmation in larger RA cohorts.
29141688 Chinese Registry of rheumatoid arthritis (CREDIT): II. prevalence and risk factors of maj 2017 Nov 15 BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at higher risk of developing comorbidities. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of major comorbidities in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis patients. We also aimed to identify factors associated with these comorbidities. METHODS: Baseline demographic, clinical characteristics and comorbidity data from RA patients enrolled in the Chinese Registry of rhEumatoiD arthrITis (CREDIT) from Nov 2016 to August 2017 were presented and compared with those from five other registries across the world. Possible factors related to three major comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, fragility fracture and malignancy) were identified using multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 13,210 RA patients were included (80.6% female, mean age 52.9 years and median RA duration 4.0 years). Baseline prevalence rates of major comorbidities were calculated: CVD, 2.2% (95% CI 2.0-2.5%); fragility fracture, 1.7% (95% CI 1.5-1.9%); malignancy, 0.6% (95% CI 0.5-0.7%); overall major comorbidities, 4.2% (95% CI 3.9-4.6%). Advanced age was associated with all comorbidities. Male gender and disease duration were positively related to CVD. Female sex and longer disease duration were potential risk factors for fragility fractures. Ever use of methotrexate (MTX) was negatively related to baseline comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis in China have similar prevalence of comorbidities with other Asian countries. Advanced age and long disease duration are possible risk factors for comorbidities. On the contrary, MTX may protect RA patients from several major comorbidities, supporting its central role in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
27860467 Different Rating of Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis P 2017 Apr OBJECTIVE: To quantify differences and determine the factors contributing to the difference in patient global assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity (PtGA) between RA patients with multiple morbidities (RA-MM) and those with RA only. METHODS: We compared the PtGA between RA-MM patients and those with RA only, followed up in a longitudinal cohort (n = 1,040). In analyses performed on RA-MM patients (n = 575) and those with RA only (matched for swollen joint count, tender joint count, evaluator global assessment, and disease duration), the mean difference in PtGA (ΔPtGA) between the 2 groups was assessed. The contribution of patient characteristics to the explained variation of ΔPtGA in the matched cohort was calculated as semipartial R(2) and summarized as the percentage of the total R(2) in linear regression models. RESULTS: RA-MM patients reported higher (or worse) PtGA, with an increased PtGA associated with more morbidities (P for linear trend < 0.01); this relationship remained significant after adjustment for disease activity, age, and disease duration. After matching 294 RA-MM patients to those with RA only, the pairwise comparison of mean PtGA (on a scale of 0-100 mm) was significantly higher (worse) for RA-MM patients (mean ± SD 30.5 ± 24.3) versus those with RA only (25.6 ± 22.9) (mean ΔPtGA 4.9 ± 26.7; P < 0.01 by paired t-test). Variables uniquely contributing to ΔPtGA were fatigue (18%), pain (17%), and modified Health Assessment Questionnaire scores (9%). CONCLUSION: In RA patients with multiple morbidities, the perception of RA disease activity as measured by the PtGA might be impacted by the burden of multiple diseases in one individual. RA-MM patients have higher (worse) levels of PtGA scores compared to patients with RA only. The difference in PtGA is mainly explained by differences in fatigue and pain.
28970218 Mortality following new-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: has modern Rheumatology had an impact? 2018 Jan OBJECTIVE: To investigate if, and when, patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in recent years are at increased risk of death. METHODS: Using an extensive register linkage, we designed a population-based nationwide cohort study in Sweden. Patients with new-onset RA from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register, and individually matched comparators from the general population were followed with respect to death, as captured by the total population register. RESULTS: 17 512 patients with new-onset RA between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2014, and 78 847 matched general population comparator subjects were followed from RA diagnosis until death, emigration or 31 December 2015. There was a steady decrease in absolute mortality rates over calendar time, both in the RA cohort and in the general population. Although the relative risk of death in the RA cohort was not increased (HR=1.01, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.06), an excess mortality in the RA cohort was present 5 years after RA diagnosis (HR after 10 years since RA diagnosis=1.43 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.59)), across all calendar periods of RA diagnosis. Taking RA disease duration into account, there was no clear trend towards lower excess mortality for patients diagnosed more recently. CONCLUSIONS: Despite decreasing mortality rates, RA continues to be linked to an increased risk of death. Thus, despite advancements in RA management during recent years, increased efforts to prevent disease progression and comorbidity, from disease onset, are needed.