Tomas Weitoft

Importance of synovial fluid aspiration when injecting intra-articular corticosteroids

OBJECTIVE The aim of this prospective study was to find if a complete synovial fluid aspiration before injecting intra-articular corticosteroids influences the treatment result. METHODS The study was performed in 147 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One hundred and ninety one knees with synovitis were randomised to arthrocentesis (n=95) or no arthrocentesis (n=96) before 20 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide was injected. The duration of effect was followed up for a period of six months. All patients were instructed to contact the rheumatology department if signs and symptoms from the treated knee recurred. If arthritis could be confirmed by a clinical examination a relapse was noted. RESULTS There was a significant reduction of relapse in the arthrocentesis group (p=0.001). CONCLUSION The study shows that aspiration of synovial fluid can reduce the risk for arthritis relapse when treating RA patients with intra-articular corticosteroids. It is concluded that arthrocentesis shall be included in the intra-articular corticosteroid injection procedure.

Glucocorticoid resorption and influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after intra-articular treatment of the knee in resting and mobile patients

Background: Studies have shown that intra-articular glucocorticoid injection treatment for knee synovitis has a better outcome in resting patients than in mobile patients. One reason for this observation might be that rest retards steroid resorption, causing an enhanced local treatment effect. Objectives: To study drug resorption and the impact on hormone production in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after intra-articular glucocorticoid administration, with and without postinjection rest. Methods: Twenty patients with rheumatoid arthritis and knee synovitis were randomised to either 24 hour bed rest or normal activity after intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment with 20 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide (THA). Serum levels of THA, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were followed during 2 weeks. Results: Short term and reversible decreases in serum cortisol and ACTH levels (p<0.001) were seen, without any significant differences between resting and mobile patients. The THA levels increased similarly in both groups, with the median serum peak seen after 8 hours. Conclusion: Immobilisation does not appear to retard glucocorticoid resorption after intra-articular administration. Further studies are therefore needed to clarify the mechanism behind the beneficial effects of rest after intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment for knee synovitis.

Endocrine effects of the podophyllotoxine derivative drug CPH 82 (Reumacon®) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Falu Hospital, Falun and Departments of Internal Medicine, Karlstad Hospital, Karlstad, County General Hospital, GaÈvle, Departments of Rheumatology and Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm and Conpharm AB, Uppsala, Sweden

Cathepsin S and cathepsin L in serum and synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis with and without autoantibodies

OBJECTIVES Cathepsin S and cathepsin L are endosomal proteolytic enzymes involved in the degradation of extracellular matrixes, angiogenesis and antigen presentation. Cathepsins could thus play several roles in the disease process of RA. The aim of this study was to examine differences in cathepsin S and cathepsin L levels in serum and SF of RA patients with and without ACPA and RF. METHODS In this study 121 patients with RA and clinical signs of knee synovitis were recruited. Patient characteristics were collected and matched samples of serum and SF were analysed for cathepsin S, cathepsin L, ACPA, IgA and IgM RF, CRP and MMP3. RESULTS SF levels of cathepsin L, cathepsin S and MMP3 were significantly higher than in serum. Serum levels of both cathepsins were significantly higher in patients with ACPA, IgM-RF and IgA-RF compared with patients without these antibodies. SF levels of both cathepsins correlated with DAS28 and CRP in ACPA- and RF-positive but not in seronegative patients. CONCLUSION The differences in cathepsin S and cathepsin L between RA patients with and without autoantibodies indicate that these cathepsins have a specific role in the disease process of seropositive RA. In this phenotype, cathepsin serum levels may reflect the autoimmune activity, whereas the levels in SF may reflect the local inflammatory and matrix degrading process in the joint.

Importance of immobilization after intraarticular glucocorticoid treatment for elbow synovitis: A randomized controlled study†

To investigate whether better treatment results might be achieved with postinjection rest following intraarticular glucocorticoid treatment for elbow synovitis.

Pentraxin 3 in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with and without autoantibodies

Objectives: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a locally produced multifunctional protein involved in inflammation, matrix deposition, and immunity. As patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a more severe disease course and higher risk of joint destruction than seronegative patients, the aim of the present study was to examine differences in PTX3 in synovial fluid (SF) (and serum) in seropositive compared to seronegative RA, and other local markers of inflammation and destruction. Method: Ninety-seven RA patients with knee effusion were included. Serum and SF levels of PTX3, as well as serum levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibody and rheumatoid factor of immunoglobulin A and M subclasses, and markers of inflammation and potential destruction in SF: white blood cell counts, tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor, metalloproteinase 3, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, were analysed. In addition, a radiographic knee examination was performed. Results: Seropositive patients had significantly higher PTX3 levels in SF than seronegative patients, whereas there was no difference for serum levels. SF-PTX3 levels correlated with disease activity and with local inflammatory markers, especially polymorphonuclear cells, and with autoantibody levels. There was no correlation between PTX3 levels in serum and SF. Conclusion: The correlation of disease activity and autoantibody levels with SF-PTX3 levels in antibody-positive patients suggests a role for PTX3 in the inflammatory process specifically in seropositive RA joints, and supports the hypothesis that seropositive and seronegative RA are different disease entities. Polymorphonuclear granulocytes may be an important source of PTX3 in RA SF.

Active Rheumatoid Arthritis in Central Africa: A Comparative Study Between Sudan and Sweden.

Objective. To compare clinical characteristics and treatment between simultaneously investigated Sudanese and Swedish outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Outpatients with RA from Sudan (n = 281) and Sweden (n = 542) diagnosed according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria were recruited between December 2008 and September 2010 and compared concerning clinical presentation, treatment, and laboratory findings, including immunoglobulin M with rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF). Results. Sudanese patients had lower inclusion age (median 49 vs 68 yrs), disease duration (48 vs 107 mos), and disease onset age (43 vs 56 yrs) as compared with Swedish patients (p < 0.0001 for all). When stratified concerning the age of inclusion, Swedish patients between 41–50 years had, however, a significantly lower age of onset, with a similar trend for all age groups above 30 years. The female preponderance was higher among Sudanese patients (89.3% vs 72.5%, p < 0.0001), and smoking was nonexistent among Sudanese female patients (p < 0.0001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels and number of tender joints were significantly higher among Sudanese patients. The proportion of IgM-RF positivity was lower among Sudanese patients with RA (52.4% vs 75.5%, p < 0.0001). Higher proportions of Sudanese patients with RA were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug combinations, but none of them used biologics. Sudanese patients used lower doses of MTX and sulfasalazine (p < 0.0001) and higher doses of prednisolone (p < 0.0001) than Swedish patients. Conclusion. Sudanese patients with RA have significantly higher disease activity and are often IgM-RF–seronegative. Together with reports from Uganda and Cameroon, our data indicate a cluster of highly active and often seronegative RA in central Africa.

Altered levels of exhaled nitric oxide in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by bone and joint destruction, but other organ systems can also be involved. Recent studies have suggested that the disease may start in the lungs. Exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is a marker of inflammation. The aims of the study were to compare the NO parameters between subjects with RA and healthy control subjects, and to examine whether the NO parameters correlated with lung function and disease activity in the subjects with RA. METHODS Subjects with RA (n = 35) were recruited during their regular outpatient visits to the rheumatology department. The nitric oxide (NO) parameters: alveolar NO concentration (CANO), airway compartment diffusing capacity of NO (DawNO), and tissue concentration of NO in the airway wall (CawNO), were algorithmically estimated. Healthy subjects (n = 35) matched by age, gender and height were used as controls. Data are given in median, (quartile 25, 75). Wilcoxon Matched Pairs test was used for group comparisons. Mann-Whitney U test was used to make comparisons between any two groups and for pairwise comparisons. Correlations were tested with Spearman rank order correlation. RESULTS CANO was significantly lower in the RA subjects compared with healthy subjects; 1.1 (0.5, 1.8) ppb versus 2.4 (2.0, 3.0) ppb, (p < 0.001). CawNO was significantly lower in the RA subjects with 51 (22, 87) ppb versus 120 (76, 162) ppb in the control group. DawNO was significantly higher at 25 (15, 36) mL/s in the RA group versus the control groups 7.7 (5.3, 10.7) mL/s. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences between subjects with RA and matched healthy control subjects regarding the exhaled NO parameters. It is unclear if this can be explained by the pathogenesis of RA, consequences of long-term disease, and/or due to drug treatment.

SAT0250 The dosing of intra-articular triamcinolone hexacetonide for knee synovitis in chronic polyarthritis – a randomized controlled study

Background: Intra-articular glucocorticoid (IAGC) injection treatment is an easy and effective way to treat signs and symptoms of arthritis and it has been used for decades. Serious adverse reactions are rare, but IAGC therapy has impact on endocrine balances. There is limited knowledge of the adequate dosing for different joints and dosing traditions vary all over world. Objectives: To compare the relapse rate during 6 months after IAGC for knee synovitis, between two common doses (20 mg vs 40 mg) of triamcinolone hexacetonide (THA). Methods: A total of 159 adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriatic arthritis (Psoa) and active knee synovitis were randomized to IAGC injection with either 20 mg or 40 mg THA blinded to the participants. The primary endpoint was relapse of arthritis. When symptoms from the treated joint recurred and signs of arthritis could be confirmed on a following clinical examination a relapse was recorded and days from injection to relapse was calculated. At the end of the observation period those without relapse had a phone call to verify persistence of good treatment response. Results: In this material there was no significant difference in patient characteristics at baseline and the proportion of relapse after 6 months were equal in the treatment arms (30% versus 32%, p=0.822). Additionally no significant differences were found in the subgroups with RA and Psoa patients. Conclusions: To reduce the risk for endocrine side effects and as no difference in treatment outcome between the compared doses was found the lower 20 mg THA dose should be preferred in IAGC treatment for knee synovitis in chronic polyarthritis. Disclosure of Interest: None declared

Seasonal variations of urate in a Swedish adult population

Seasonality in the incidence and prevalence of gout has previously been reported but the cause of this seasonality in gout is not explained. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible seasonal variations of urate in a large unselected Swedish adult population. We analyzed 170,915 urate test results from patients at a tertiary care hospital between 2000 and 2016. The results were divided according to sex and sampling month of the year. The median urate values were overall higher in males compared to females and both males and females had peak urate concentrations in the summer months (June–August). There is a seasonal pattern for urate concentrations in a large Swedish population similar to the previously reported seasonality for gout. This may be clinically important and could contribute to the circannual variation of gout. The seasonal pattern should be recognized when evaluating patient results both in clinical practice and in research studies.