José Antonio Maldonado Cocco

Differential Features Between Primary Ankylosing Spondylitis and Spondylitis Associated with Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective. To describe differential characteristics of axial involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as compared with that seen in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a cohort of Ibero-American patients. Methods. This study included 2044 consecutive patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA; ESSG criteria). Demographic, clinical, disease activity, functional ability, quality of life, work status, radiologic, and therapeutic data were evaluated and collected by RESPONDIA members from different Ibero-American countries between June and December 2006. Patients selected for analysis met modified New York criteria (mNY) for AS. Results. A total of 1264 patients met the New York criteria for AS: 1072 had primary AS, 147 had psoriatic, and 45 had IBD-associated spondylitis. Median disease duration was comparable among the 3 patient groups. Patients with primary AS were significantly younger (p = 0.01) and presented a higher frequency of males (p = 0.01) than the other 2 groups. Axial manifestations such as inflammatory back pain and sacroiliac pain were significantly more frequent in patients with primary AS (p = 0.05) versus other groups, whereas frequency of dactylitis, enthesitis, and peripheral arthritis was more common in patients with psoriatic spondylitis (p = 0.05). Spinal mobility was significantly more limited in patients with primary AS versus the other 2 groups (p = 0.0001). Radiologic changes according to BASRI total score were equally significant in primary AS. Disease activity (BASDAI), functional ability (BASFI), and quality of life (ASQoL) scores were comparable in the 3 groups. Conclusion. Patients with primary AS had more severe axial involvement than those with spondylitis associated with psoriasis or IBD. Functional capacity, disease activity, and quality of life were comparable among the groups studied.

Work status among patients with ankylosing spondylitis in Argentina.

Objective:To evaluate work status and its determinants among ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in our country. Materials and Methods:We carried out a case-control study, including AS patients older than 16-year-old. Demographic, socioeconomic, and employment data were collected. Individuals from the general population matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic level served as the control group. Functional capacity was evaluated by bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ-S) and disease activity by bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI). All patients completed quality of life (ASQol), depression (CES-D), and fatigue (FSS)-validated questionnaires. Results:Sixty-four patients with AS (57 men) and 93 controls (83 men) were included. The frequency of retirement due to age was comparable in both groups, however, a significantly larger number of patients with AS were retired due to disability: 6 (9.4%) versus 0 (P = 0.004). Patients with AS had a significantly greater number of comorbidities than controls (78.7% vs. 31.5%, P = 1 × 10−8). Sixteen patients (26.2%) were unemployed compared with 4 controls (4.5%) (P = 0.001). Permanence at work was significantly lower in patients (median age 58, SD 54–61 years) versus controls (median age 66, SD 63–68 years) (log Rank P = 0.001). There were less full-time workers (71% vs. 87%, P = 0.03) and higher number of sick leave days (6.56 ± 13 vs. 2.13 ± 4.5, P = 0.01) in AS patients than controls. Unemployed patients had significantly worst quality of life, disease activity, and depression scores than employed patients. In the multivariate analysis, the primary variable associated to unemployment was depression [Odds Ratio (OR): 20, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.69–258, P = 0.001] followed by disease activity (OR: 1.05, 95% CI, 1–1.1, P = 0.04) and age (OR: 1.1, 95% CI, 1.02–1.21, P = 0.01) as secondary variables. Conclusions:The frequency of work disability among our patients with AS was significantly higher than in age, sex, and socioeconomic matched population. The main variable associated with work disability and unemployment was depression. Whether this factor is contributing to or is a result of disability is not known.

Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients according to newer classification criteria

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) according to CASPAR criteria, ASAS peripheral and axial SpA criteria, and New York criteria for AS. The first 100 patients consecutively attending a psoriasis dermatology clinic were assessed. Demographic and clinical data were collected; all patients were questioned and examined for joint manifestations. Rheumatoid factor and radiographies of hands, feet, cervical spine, and pelvis for sacroiliac joints were obtained. X-rays were read independently by two experienced observers in blind fashion. Patients with objective joint manifestations, both axial and peripheral, were evaluated for fulfillment of CASPAR, ASAS peripheral and axial, and New York criteria. Median age 48 years; 93 % of patients had psoriasis vulgaris and 56 % nail involvement. Seventeen patients had peripheral arthritis as follows: nine mono/oligoarticular and eight polyarthritis. Median arthritis duration was 8 years. Seventeen percent of patients fulfilled CASPAR and ASAS peripheral criteria, 6 % New York, and 5 % ASAS axial criteria. Patients who met CASPAR criteria showed a significantly higher psoriasis duration compared to those without arthritis (M 16 vs. 10 years, p = 0.02), and a higher frequency of nail involvement (88.2 vs. 49.4 %, p = 0.003). Five patients (29.4 %) fulfilled ASAS axial criteria; all of them had peripheral involvement as follows: mono/oligoarticular in three patients and polyarticular in two. Patients with peripheral and axial involvement presented a significantly higher frequency of erythrodermic psoriasis compared to the other patients (35.3 vs. 1.2 %, p = 0.0006 and 80 vs. 16.7 %, p = 0.02). Prevalence of PsA, for CASPAR and ASAS peripheral criteria, was of 17 %. Five percent of patients met ASAS axial criteria, while 6 % met New York criteria. Worth noting, few patients without signs or symptoms of arthritis had radiological changes, both axial and peripheral, precluding a proper classification.

General characteristics of an early arthritis cohort in Argentina

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to describe the general characteristics of a cohort of patients with early arthritis in Argentina. METHODS CONAART (Consorcio Argentino de Artritis Temprana--Argentine Consortium for Early Arthritis) is an initiative of seven rheumatology centres across Argentina. Patients were included if they had at least one or more swollen joints and <2 years of disease duration. Social, demographic, familiar, hereditary, clinical and laboratory data were recollected. At first visit and every year, X-rays of hands and feet were performed and working characteristics and pharmaco-economic data were re-collected. RESULTS A total of 413 patients were included. Of them, 327 (79.2%) were women with a median age of 49 years and a median disease duration of 6 months. Of the total, 183 (44.3%) had RA (ACR 1987) and 167 (40.4%) undifferentiated arthritis (UA). Other diagnoses included: 12 crystalics, 11 PsA, 6 uSpA, 6 other CTD, 1 AS and 27 other diagnosis. As 85% of our population had RA and UA, we only compared these two groups of patients. Patients with RA had significantly worse activity parameters of the disease (DAS of 28 joints), functional capacity (HAQ) and quality of life (Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life) than patients with UA. The frequency of RF and anti-CCP, and symmetrical distribution were also significantly higher in patients with RA compared with UA patients. All patients with RA initiated early specific treatment, in a period no longer than 6 months from the beginning of the disease. CONCLUSION Early arthritis clinics are a useful tool to identify and treat patients with different forms of joint involvement.

Patient-reported outcomes from a phase III study of baricitinib in patients with conventional synthetic DMARD-refractory rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives To evaluate the effect of baricitinib on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response or intolerance to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Methods In this phase III study, patients were randomised 1:1:1 to placebo (N=228), baricitinib 2 mg once daily (QD, N=229) or baricitinib 4 mg QD (N=227). PROs included the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Patients Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGA), patients assessment of pain, measures from patient electronic daily diaries (duration and severity of morning joint stiffness (MJS), Worst Tiredness, Worst Joint Pain), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), SF-36, EuroQol 5-D index scores and visual analogue scales (VAS) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-RA. The primary time point for the study was week 12. Treatment comparisons were assessed with logistic regression for categorical measures and analysis of covariance for continuous variables. Results Statistically significant improvements were observed for both baricitinib groups versus placebo in HAQ-DI, PtGA, pain, daily diary measures, EuroQoL index scores and SF-36 physical component score at week 12 and for those measures when assessed at week 24. Baricitinib 2 mg and baricitinib 4 mg were statistically significantly improved versus placebo for the EuroQoL VAS and FACIT-F, respectively, at week 24. Conclusions Baricitinib 2 or 4 mg provided significant improvement versus placebo in PROs across different domains of RA, including physical function, MJS, fatigue, pain and quality of life. Trial registration number NCT01721057; Results.

Protrusio acetabuli in seronegative spondyloarthropathy

Protrusio acetabuli (PA) is a complication of many disorders involving the hip joint. Its frequency and clinical features in seronegative sponyloarthropathy (SNSA) are unknown. The prevalence and characteristics of PA were studied in 50 adults and 25 children with SNSA (40 ankylosing spondylitis, 24 psoriatic arthropathy, and 11 Reiters syndrome). PA was considered present when the acetabular line medially exceeded the ilioischial line by 3 mm or more in men, 6 mm or more in women, more than 1 mm in boys, and more than 3 mm in girls. PA prevalence was 25% in the total group (19 of 75 patients), 22% in adults, and 32% in children. There were no significant differences in seronegative disease type; PA was present with similar frequency between genders and did not correlate with disease duration, clinical severity of hip involvement, or previous medication. Radiological damage was similar in adults and children and did not differ in those with and without PA. Similarly, functional capacity did not differ between groups. It is concluded that PA is a frequent complication in SNSA; however, its presence does not seem to modify the functional prognosis of these patients.

Retraction Note: Quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Argentina: reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of a Spanish version of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life questionnaire

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire is the first needs-based instrument specifically designed to measure quality of life (QoL) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aims of our study were to develop an Argentinean version of the RAQoL and to determine its reproducibility, validity, and sensitivity to change in patients with RA. Translation process was performed according to internationally accepted methodology. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were calculated. Criterion and construct validity were assessed by comparing the RAQoL with parameters of disease activity, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item health survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Sensitivity to change was measured at 6–12 months using standardized response mean (SRM). The minimal important change was defined as a change of 1 or 1.96 times the standard error of measurement. A total of 97 patients with RA were included. Cronbach’s α was 0.93, and test–retest reliability was 0.95. The RAQoL showed moderate to strong correlation with parameters of disease activity, the HAQ, and the SF-36. Functional status was the main determinant of patients’ level of QoL. The SRM of the RAQoL was 0.24. Agreement between 20 % improvement in RAQoL and ACR20 response was moderate. Minimal important change was 2.2 (1 SEM) or 4.3 (1.96 SEM). The Argentinean version of the RAQoL is the first Spanish translation of this questionnaire. Our findings show it to be valid, reliable, and sensitive to changes in RA clinical status.

Superolateral erosions of the humeral head in chronic inflammatory arthropathies

Erosive lesions on the superolateral aspect of the humeral head were studied in 127 patients with chronic inflammatory arthropathies including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthropathy (PA), as well as in a control group of 53 patients with non-inflammatory shoulder joint disease. Superolateral erosions were found in 39 out of 127 patients (31%), comprising 11/56 RA cases (20%), 22/50 JRA cases (44%), 4/9 cases of AS (44%), and 2/12 cases of PA (17%), but were absent in non-inflammatory disorders. Two morphologically distinct types of erosions were observed, an extensive one, present in all of the inflammatory conditions studied, and a circumscribed one occurring predominantly in JRA patients.

Prevalence of periprosthetic osteolysis after total hip replacement in patients with rheumatic diseases

Periprosthetic osteolysis (PO) is a frequent complication in patients with joint implants. There are no data regarding the prevalence of PO in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and osteoarthritis (OA). Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of PO in patients with RA, JCA, AS, and OA, who have undergone total hip replacement (THR), and to identify factors associated with its development. Methods The study included patients diagnosed with RA (ACR 1987), AS (modified New York criteria), JCA (European 1977 criteria), and osteoarthritis (OA) (ACR 1990 criteria) with unilateral or bilateral THR. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were collected. Panoramic pelvic plain radiographs were performed, to determine the presence of PO at acetabular and femoral levels. Images were read by two independent observers. Results One hundred twenty-two hip prostheses were analyzed (74 cemented, 30 cementless, and 18 hybrids). The average time from prosthesis implantation to pelvic radiograph was comparable among groups. PO was observed in 72 hips (59%). In 55% of cases, PO was detected on the femoral component, with a lower prevalence in RA (53%) vs AS (64.7%) and JCA (76.5%). Acetabular PO was more frequent in JCA patients (58.8%), compared with RA (11.6%) and OA (28.5%) patients (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.06, respectively). There was no significant association between the presence of PO and clinical, functional, or therapeutic features. Conclusion The prevalence of PO was 59%, being more frequent at the femoral level. Larger studies must be carried out to determine the clinical significance of radiologic PO.