Marie Bossert

Aortic involvement in giant cell arteritis: Current data

Aortitis due to giant cell arteritis (GCA) is rare but probably underestimated given the frequent paucity of symptoms. Thus, early studies relied on the occurrence of complications to estimate the prevalence of GCA aortitis. With this method, aortitis was a feature in 3 to 18% of GCA patients. Since then, the introduction of modern imaging techniques has established that aortitis is more common than previously thought. Aortitis should be considered in patients with atypical clinical presentations of GCA consisting, for instance, in isolated laboratory evidence of systemic inflammation or a relapse during treatment. Aortitis may be difficult to diagnose, as temporal artery biopsy has limited sensitivity in patients with predominant large-vessel involvement. Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both highly effective for the early diagnosis of aortitis. Case-series evaluating PET in patients with GCA found evidence of aortitis in over half the cases, with predominant involvement of the thoracic aorta. To date, no evidence is available about the potential usefulness of PET or MRI in monitoring patients with GCA aortitis over time. Involvement of the aorta and other large arteries does not change the treatment strategy, which rests on corticosteroid therapy. Administration of a corticosteroid-sparing drug should be considered, most notably when a relapse occurs. Aortitis is associated with an increased risk of aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. Consequently, all GCA patients should be monitored for aneurysm at regular intervals, even after treatment discontinuation. The recommended strategy is an annual evaluation including a chest radiograph, echocardiogram, and abdominal Doppler sonogram; these imaging studies can be replaced by contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest and abdomen.

Septic arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint

The acromioclavicular joint is rarely the site of septic arthritis. We conducted a retrospective review at our rheumatology department, which identified five cases within the last 6 years. All five patients were males, and their mean age was 63 years. Risk factors were consistently identified and included intravenous substance abuse, prior joint disease, a recent history of intraarticular injections, and a remote history of surgery. Joint aspiration was performed in all five patients and provided the organism in two patients. Blood cultures recovered Staphylococcus aureus in three patients, a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in one patient, and no organism in one patient. Ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging established the early diagnosis in four patients and ruled out concomitant involvement of the glenohumeral joint. Only about 20 cases of septic arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint have been reported to date. This rare infection must be diagnosed rapidly to prevent joint destruction. The treatment is that usually recommended for septic arthritis.

Aortitis during etanercept therapy for ankylosing spondylitis: finding the culprit.

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since mercredi 9 mai 2012

Standardized Follow-up of Patients with Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with a Single Intra-articular Injection of a Combination of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid and Mannitol.

Objectives The objective of this study is to obtain pilot data from daily practice conditions of a viscosupplement made of a cross-linked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) combined with mannitol in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods The data of 40 consecutive patients, 29 women and 11 men, who were prospectively followed up for 6 months, using a standardized procedure, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients have received a single intra-articular injection of H Anox-M-XL (4.4 mL), viscosupplement made of a cross-linked HA (16 mg/mL) + mannitol (35 mg/mL), in the target knee. The primary outcome was safety. The secondary end points included 3- and 6-month change in the WOMAC pain (0–50) and WOMAC total (0–240) and patients global assessment (PGA). Patients self-assessment of treatment efficacy (0–3) and analgesic consumption were obtained at months 3 and 6. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed. Results Mean (SD) age was 60.7 (13.9) years, and mean BMI was 28.6 (5.0). Kellgren–Lawrence radiological grade was I/II and III/IV in 13 and 27 of the subjects, respectively. The average WOMAC pain and WOMAC total scores at baseline were 21.5 (9.8) and 89.9 (42.8), respectively. Thirty-nine patients completed the follow-up. HAnox-M-XL was well tolerated; two patients experienced knee pain after injection, which resolved within three days. No treatment-related severe adverse event was reported. Mean (SD) variations in WOMAC pain and WOMAC total scores were –8.2 (8.9) and –38.4 (35.6), respectively, at month 6 (P = 0.001). PGA decreased from 5.5 (2.0) to 3.0 (2.2) (P = 0.006). Efficacy was rated as good or very good in 76.9% of the cases. Most of the regular analgesics users decreased their consumption. Conclusion Treatment with one injection of 4.4 mL HAnox-M-XL is effective to alleviate KOA symptoms over six months, without safety concern. Controlled trials are needed to confirm these pilot data.

Acute prepatellar and olecranon bursitis. Retrospective observational study in 46 patients

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since jeudi 5 mai 2011

Comments on the article by Tabache F. et al. "Acute polyarthritis after influenza A H1N1 immunization", Joint Bone Spine, 2011, doi:10.1016/j.jbs.2011.02.007: Primary Sjögren's syndrome occurring after influenza A H1N1 vaccine administration.

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since jeudi 24 novembre 2011

Hair-cycle changes in two patients taking tocilizumab.

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since mercredi 14 aout 2013

Occurrence of Psoriatic Arthritis during Interferon Beta 1a Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Interferon beta (IFN-β) is the first line therapy of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. IFN-β is a cytokine that can contribute to the development of systemic autoimmune disease including psoriasis. The development or the exacerbation of psoriasis during IFN-β treatment has been previously observed. We report the occurrence of arthritis and dactylitis in a multiple sclerosis patient with preexisting psoriasis diagnosed as a psoriatic arthritis. The IL-23/Th17 pathway is involved in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and it has been suggested that IFN-β therapy in patients with Th17-mediated disease may be detrimental. Together with previous similar reports, our case suggests that IFN-β should certainly be used with caution in patients with concomitant systemic autoimmune disease with IL-23/Th17 involvement.

Addition of Mannitol to Hyaluronic Acid may Shorten ViscosupplementationOnset of Action in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Post-Hoc Analysis of ADouble-blind, Controlled Trial

Objectives: To compare the speed of action of three weekly intra-articular injections of a combination of hyaluronic acid and mannitol (HAnox-M) with that of hyaluronic acid alone (BioHA), in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double blind, controlled trial demonstrating the non-inferiority of an association HAnox-M compared to BioHA at month 6 after injections. Data from 205 patients with symptomatic knee OA (Intent-to-Treat population) were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was 1 and 2 week change in the WOMAC pain subscale (0-20). The number and percentage of improved patients at week 1 and 2 were also studied, as well as the level of improvement. Results: HAnox-M and BioHA groups were not statistically different at baseline and month 6. The median WOMAC pain score at baseline was 9 in both groups. It was 6.0 and 5.0 in the HAnox-M group at Week 1 and Week 2 respectively. It was 7.0 and 6.0 in the BioHA group, namely a decrease of 1 more point in favor of HANOX, obtained from as soon as the 1st injection. At month 3 and 6 the results were identical (5.0 and 4.0 respectively) for both groups. In subjects with grade 3 joint space narrowing (N=84) the decrease of pain (SD) was significantly greater at week 3 in patients treated with HAnox-M than in those treated with Bio-HA:-4.2 (3.2) versus -2.8 (2.6) respectively (p=0.048). Conclusion: In patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, addition of mannitol to HA may shorten the onset of action of viscosupplementation, chiefly in patients with advanced stage of the disease.