Gercek Can

Prevalence of primary Sjogren's syndrome in Turkey: a population-based epidemiological study.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) in a general Turkish population according to the latest proposed American–European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria and European‐1 (EU‐1) criteria.

Quality of life in patients with Takayasu's arteritis is impaired and comparable with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients

The aims of the study were to assess the health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients with Takayasus arteritis (TA) by two different generic QOL instruments and to compare the results with those patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and healthy controls (HC). A cross-sectional study was performed in 51 patients with TA (41 women; mean age 38.4 ± 13.5), 43 RA (36 women; 55.2 ± 9.6), 31 AS (12 women; 41.2 ± 13.1), and 75 HC (53 women; 38.8 ± 10.9). Quality of life was assessed by using Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Separate dimensions of SF-36 and NHP and physical and mental summary scores of SF-36 as well were compared between patients and control groups. Physical and mental health summary scores and all SF-36 subscales, except for social functioning, were significantly lower in patients with TA than healthy controls. No significant differences between TA, RA, and AS patients were found in all SF-36 subscales and summary scores. NHP scores for energy level, pain, emotional reactions, and physical mobility were significantly higher in TA patients than controls. All NHP subscales, except for pain, were comparable in patients with TA, RA, and AS. Pain score was worse in RA patients. The NHP scores for sleep and social isolation were not different between patients and controls. Many aspects of QOL in patients with TA are significantly impaired in comparison with local healthy controls and similar to those in patients with RA and AS.

Ghrelin and adipokines as circulating markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis

IntroductionThe current markers of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) are insufficient for proper assessment. We investigated circulating levels of unacylated and acylated ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and their relationships with disease activity in patients with TA.MethodsThis study included 31 patients with TA and 32 sex-, age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls. Disease activity was assessed in TA patients using various tools, including Kerrs criteria, disease extent index-Takayasu, physicians global assessment, radiological parameters, and laboratory markers. Plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsUnacylated and acylated ghrelin levels were found to be significantly lower in TA patients than that in healthy controls. Patients with active disease had lower unacylated ghrelin levels than those with inactive disease and had lower acylated ghrelin levels than healthy controls. Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with various parameters of disease activity. The leptin/ghrelin ratio was significantly higher in TA patients than controls. It was positively correlated with disease activity. There was a positive correlation between unacylated and acylated ghrelin and a negative correlation between leptin and ghrelin. There was no statistical difference in adiponectin levels between TA patients and controls. The radiological activity markers were positively correlated with other parameters of disease activity.ConclusionsThis study suggests that plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels may be useful in monitoring disease activity and planning treatment strategies for patients with TA. The serum leptin level and leptin/ghrelin ratio may also be used to help assess the disease activity.

Evaluation of circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles in men with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective. To evaluate the profiles of endothelial microparticles (EMP) and platelet microparticles (PMP) in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and healthy subjects. We also aimed to determine whether microparticles (MP) correlate with disease activity, function, and spinal mobility indices. Methods. There were 82 men with AS and 53 healthy controls. Subjects with a history of chronic diseases including coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were excluded. MP were stained with monoclonal antibodies against platelets and endothelial cells and quantified using flow cytometry. MP that were positive for both CD42a+/CD31+ and total CD42a+ were identified as PMP; and MP consisting of CD42a–/CD31+ and total CD144+ were considered EMP. Results. EMP and PMP were similar between the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). Comparison of patients with AS in the active disease state (BASDAI ≥ 4) and in the inactive state showed that EMP and PMP were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed no correlation with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, or Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index. C-reactive protein was significantly correlated with PMP and CD42a–/CD31+ EMP (p < 0.05). Comparison of patients with AS treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs, subjects treated conventionally, and healthy controls revealed that PMP and CD42a–/CD31+ EMP were significantly downregulated in patients receiving biological agents. Conclusion. Circulating EMP and PMP, known to be indicators and mediators of vascular injury, were not significantly altered in men with AS who did not have classical cardiovascular risk factors. Significantly downregulated MP in patients receiving biological agents suggested that anti-TNF treatment may have a beneficial effect on vascular function in AS.

Therapies of Early, Advanced, and Late Onset Forms of Axial Spondyloarthritis, and the Need for Treat to Target Strategies.

Purpose of ReviewThis study aims to provide an update on current status of pharmacological therapies in early and advanced stages of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), as well as its late onset forms, and to discuss the need for treat to target strategies in this entity.Recent FindingsEfficacy of TNF inhibitors has been assessed in randomized controlled trials in axSpA, which included patients who had non-radiographic axSpA according to the ASAS classification criteria. The role of IL17/23 pathway as a therapeutic target in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been the focus of phase III studies of secukinumab (named MEASURE 1 and MEASURE 2) and a proof-of-concept study of ustekinumab. Potential efficacy of novel small molecules such as apremilast and tofacitinib has been explored in recent phase II trials.SummaryAll the trials of TNF inhibitors in non-radiographic axSpA have achieved their primary endpoints, which resulted in their approval for this indication in Europe, but not in USA. The phase III trials of secukinumab have demonstrated significant therapeutic benefit as compared to placebo, resulting in its approval as the first non-TNF biologic for the treatment of AS, both by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the endothelial function of patients with osteoarthritis in short term.

Objective:  Our primary aim was to test whether non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use may account for endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the acute period. Additionally, we also aimed to compare the effect of diclofenac and naproxen on endothelial function.

Telephone interview strategy can be used for screening inflammatory back pain in the community

Telephone surveys are less expensive and time‐consuming for both interviewers and interviewees, with similar or even higher response rates than face‐to‐face interviews. In rheumatology, telephone technique has been used in a number of epidemiologic studies. In the present study, we conducted a telephone survey for screening inflammatory back pain (IBP) in the community.

Increased Frequency of Hand Osteoarthritis in Patients with Primary Sjögren Syndrome Compared with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective. In daily practice, we noticed that hand osteoarthritis (OA) was commonly associated with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). Therefore, we aimed to investigate its prevalence in patients with pSS in a controlled study. Methods. The study included patients with pSS and controls with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Standard hand/wrist radiographs were obtained and classified according to the Kellgren-Lawrence system. “Erosive hand OA” was defined according to the Verbruggen-Veys classification. Results. There were 114 patients with pSS (110 women, 51.0 yrs) and 34 patients with SLE (33 women, 42.4 yrs). Among 114 patients with pSS, 42.7% had radiographic, 30.3% symptomatic, and 16.0% erosive hand OA. The prevalences of radiographic (45.5%) and erosive hand OA (14.4%) in 90 patients with pSS with age- and sex-matched patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in patients with SLE (14.7% and 0.0%, p = 0.007 and p = 0.012, respectively). Interobserver reliabilities for diagnosing radiographic and erosive OA were found to be good (ĸ = 0.780 and ĸ = 0.788, respectively). Intraobserver reliabilities for diagnosing radiographic and erosive OA were also good (ĸ = 0.784 and ĸ = 0.825 for FO, and ĸ = 0.722 and ĸ = 0.800 for AB, respectively). The frequency of hand OA in patients with pSS was found to be increased with increasing age (r = 0.513). The mean age of those with erosive hand OA was significantly higher than those without erosive OA (p < 0.001). Conclusion. This study suggests that pSS, conversely to SLE, is more frequently associated with hand OA.

SAT0184 The effect of smoking on response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor treatment in ankylosing spondylitis patients: results from the turkbio registry

Background: Although there is good evidence that smoking has a dose-dependent impact on structural damage progression in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) the evidence is poor for its impact on disease activity, physical mobility, life quality and treatment response. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the impact of smoking on disease acitivity, treatment adherence and treatment response in Turkish patients with AS treated with their first tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor (TNFi) therapy in a real-life cohort. Methods: 561 patients fulfilling the modified New York criteria for AS and treated with their first TNFi therapy since 2011 from 8 centers in Turkey were included in the analysis. Treatment response was evaluated as achievement of “BASDAI50” or “ASDAS Clinically important improvement (CII)” at the 3-months’ and 6 months’ visits. Clinical and demographic parameters were compared between current/never and current/previous smoker groups. Demographic and descriptive data are presented by medians/interquartile ranges (IQRs). Groups were compared by non- parametric tests (x2, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney tests). Kaplan Meier plots, Cox and logistic regression analyses were calculated for treatment adherence and treatment response. Results: Among 561 AS patients included in the study, 506 (90%) had known smoking status (37% current, 35% never, 17% previous smokers). The median follow-up time was 1.9 years (IQR 0.85–3.5) and disease duration was 3.1 years (0,6–7,7). At baseline, current smokers were younger (34, IQR 29–41) compared with never (38, IQR 30–46 p=0.007) and previous smokers (42, IQR 34–49 p<0,001). Current smokers had male predominance (n=148, 43.9%; n=85, 25.2%); lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate (28 mm/h (13–42); 34 mm/h, (20–49) and higher change in BASMI (40, IQR 10–57.5; 10, IQR 4–30) compared with never smokers (all p<0.005). HLA status, body mass index, CRP, baseline disease indexes (BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, HAQ, ASDAS) and treatment response was not found to be different between current and never smoker patients in our population (table 1). In multivariate analysis, male (OR:1,98; 95% CI (1,39–2,82), p<0,01), HLA positive (OR:1,54; 95%CI (1,08–2,18), p=0,016) and active DMARD user (OR:1,84; (95%CI 1,12–3,01) p=0,015) patients had better treatment response and treatment adherence ((HR:1,93; 95% CI (1,36–2,73); HR:1,60; 95% CI (1,13–2,27); HR:1,80; 95% CI (1,10–2,95) all p<0,005) but smoking status were not significant (p>0,05). Conclusions: In this study of TNFi-treated AS patients in clinical practice, smoking was not found to be associated with disease activity, treatment response and treatment adherence. Disclosure of Interest: None declared

AB0835 Comparison of long term anti-tnf survival in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis; data from turkbio registry

Background Limited data are available on anti-TNF survival in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients and their long-term survival in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate long term survival of the first anti-TNF drug treatment among patients with AS and nr-axSpA enrolled in the TURKBIO database and to compare the discontinuation rates for infliximab (INF), etanercept (ETN), and adalimumab (ADA) in each of the two groups. Methods All AS and nr-axSpA patients receiving biological therapies registered in the TURKBIO database between the dates of october 2011 and april 2017 were included in the study. AS diagnosis was made according to modified New York classification criteria and nr-axSpA according to ASAS AxSpA classification criteria. Demographic and clinical data, the date of starting to use biological drug, using frequency and dose of biological drugs, BASFI, BASDAI, BASMI, ASDAS scores, date and reason for discontinuing to use drug were collected. Baseline characteristics and drug survival rates were compared between AS and nr-axSpA patients. Drug survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and risk for discontinuation among treatment groups cpmpared by Long Rank test. Results A total of 924 patients were included in the study (AS, n=871 and nr-axSpA, n=53). More than half of the patients with AS were male (60.7% in AS vs 34.0% in nr-axSpA group, p<0.001).AS patients had longer symptom duration (104.90±79.06 vs 75.11±45.29 months, p<0.036) compared to nr-axSpA. Median levels of CRP and ESR were similar for nr-axSpA (CRP: 27.03±34.71, ESR: 30.50±25.77) and AS (CRP: 22.32±29.95, ESR: 35.40±22.91). The scores of BASFI, BASMI and ASDAS were found to be similar in both groups. Median BASDAI scores at first TNFi initiation were higher in patients with nr-axSpA than in patients with AS (58.65±18.21, 51.06±18.91, p=0.030). Cumulative drug survival rates did not show significant difference among INF (at 59. months:18,5%), ADA (at 71. months: 39,5%) and ETN (at 51. months: 24,2%) in nr-axSpA group (p=0,699) (figure 1). Similarly, drug survival rates at 78, 77, 78. months for 3 anti-TNF drugs had shown no difference in AS patients (INF (at 78. months: 38,1%), ADA (at 77. months: 52,4%), ETN (at 78. months: 39,0%)) (p=0,151) (Figure 2). Cumulative survival rates in AS patients (at 78. months:42,2%) were found to be significantly higher than that (at 71. months:28,2%) in nr-axSpA patients (p<0,001) (Figure 3).Abstract AB0835 – Figure 1 Drug survival rates anti-TNF in nr-axSpA. Abstract AB0835 – Figure 2 Drug survival rate by anti-TNF in AS. Abstract AB0835 – Figure 3 Overall drug survival on first anti-TNF in nr-axSpA and AS patients. Conclusions In contrast to the literature that revealed similar short term survival rates for anti-TNF drugs in patients with AS and nr-axSPA, we found higher survival rates in patients with AS compared to patients with nr-axSpa in this long-term observational study.A limitation of the study may be the low number of nr-axSpa patients using anti-TNF, related to the requirements of social insurance system. Disclosure of Interest None declared