Yew Kuang Cheng

Enhanced expression of interferon-inducible protein-10 correlates with disease activity and clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus

Our objective was to investigate the serum levels of interferon‐inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their correlation with disease activity and organ manifestations. Serum IP‐10 levels were assessed in 464 SLE patients and 50 healthy donors. Disease activity was assessed by the revised SLE Activity Measure, and the concomitant active organ manifestations, anti‐ds DNA antibody titres, complement levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates recorded. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) synthesis of IP‐10 in SLE patients and controls was determined by in vitro cultures stimulated with mitogen or lipopolysaccharide. Elevated serum IP‐10 levels were observed in SLE patients, which were significantly higher in the presence of active haematological and mucocutaneous manifestations. SLE PBMCs exhibited enhanced spontaneous IP‐10 production in vitro. Serial IP‐10 levels correlated with longitudinal change in SLE activity, even at low levels where anti‐dsDNA antibody and complement levels remain unchanged. These data demonstrate that IP‐10 levels are increased in SLE and serum IP‐10 may represent a more sensitive marker for monitoring disease activity than standard serological tests.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of 75 patients with specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency syndrome

BACKGROUND There are limited studies of large cohorts of patients with specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD) syndrome. OBJECTIVE To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency syndrome. METHODS We retrospectively studied 75 patients with total IgG levels of at least 500 mg/dL and fewer than 9 of 12 responses to vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent. Exclusion criteria included an IgG level less than 500 mg/dL, established immunodeficiency syndrome, and secondary immunodeficiency. RESULTS The most common clinical presentation was frequent infections (n = 69; 92%), including sinusitis (n = 53; 77%), pneumonia (n = 29; 42%), ear infections (n = 18; 26%), and bronchitis (n = 19; 28%). Other presentations were systemic infections (n = 5; 7%), autoimmune or rheumatic diseases (n = 6; 8%), and chronic diarrhea (n = 4; 5%). The median IgG2 level of patients with no response to pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent tended to be lower than that of patients with at least 1 response (150 vs 193 mg/dL, respectively; P = .06). There was no association between total IgG level (categorized as 500-600 or > or = 600 mg/dL) and frequency of infection (P = .43). Patients with fewer responses to pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent and a higher frequency of infections were more likely to receive intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy (P = .01 and .003, respectively). Treatment with IVIG significantly reduced the number of infections (P < .001). CONCLUSION Patients with no response to pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent tended to have lower IgG2 levels; those with fewer responses were more likely to receive IVIG therapy.

Discordant assessment of lupus activity between patients and their physicians: the Singapore experience

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus often assess their disease activity differently from their physicians. We studied the factors associated with this discordance. The data provided by 534 systemic lupus erythematosus patients were analyzed. We compared the physician and patient assessments of lupus activity on a visual-assessment scale from the same visit. We collected clinical data and scores from MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, Rheumatology Attitudes Index, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, and revised Systemic Lupus Activity Measure. Patients tended to score their disease activity higher than do their physicians, when these factors were present: poorer general health assessment, presence of thrombocytopenia, hypertension and urinary sediments, and difficulty in carrying groceries. Physicians tended to score the disease activity higher than do the patients in these circumstances proteinuria, hemolysis, use of azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, tiredness, photosensitivity, higher revised Systemic Lupus Activity Measure score, casturia, and patient report of being more easily ill than are other patients. There was only moderate correlation between the discordance in the baseline and the subsequent visits. The physician assessment of disease activity at baseline correlated better with an objective measure of disease activity (revised Systemic Lupus Activity Measure) in the subsequent visit than the patient assessment. In conclusion, discordance in the perception of disease activity between patients and physicians may be amenable to intervention.

Clinical and immunochemical profiles of food challenge proven or anaphylactic shrimp allergy in tropical Singapore

Shellfish allergy in Singapore is highly prevalent, and shrimp allergy is the most common.

Achieving consensus in ultrasonography synovitis scoring in rheumatoid arthritis

Ultrasonography is sensitive for synovitis detection but interobserver variation in both acquisition and image interpretation is still a concern. The objective was to assess if a short collegiate consensus would improve inter‐observer reliability in scoring of synovitis.

Etoricoxib: a safe alternative for NSAID intolerance in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND NSAID intolerance is not uncommon. Etoricoxib, a cox-2 inhibitor NSAID, has been shown to be a safe alternative in these patients. This study aims to determine the rate of NSAID intolerant patients who are able to tolerate etoricoxib without adverse reactions. METHODS This study analyzed charts and electronic databases of all patients referred to the allergy clinics of the National University Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore from 2006-2011 for oral provocation tests to etoricoxib (cumulative dose of 120 mg), on the background of NSAID intolerance. Demographics, atopic comorbidities, history of chronic urticaria, inciting NSAID, onset and type of reaction, and provocation test outcomes were obtained. RESULTS A total of 74 patients (mean age 37; range: 16-72 years) underwent provocation tests to etoricoxib. Of these, 59% were female. Majority were Chinese (69%), followed by Malay (12%), Caucasian (8%), Indian (5%) and various other races (6%). Forty-six percent of the study population had atopic comorbidities, and 4% had concomitant chronic urticaria. Eighty percent of patients had a history of intolerance to 1 NSAID, while the rest (20%) had intolerance to multiple NSAIDS. Forty-one percent of patients had concomitant acetaminophen intolerance. Some of the patients had multiple symptoms on presentation, the most common of which were periorbital and facial edema (90%), breathing difficulties (26%) and urticaria (25%), with the onset of reaction occurring mostly within 30 minutes to 1 hour. Etoricoxib was tolerated in 95% of the patients. Subjects who reacted to the challenge all had mild reactions which resolved with antihistamines. CONCLUSIONS Etoricoxib is a safe alternative in NSAID intolerant patients. Nevertheless, it is advised that patients should undergo provocation tests to confirm tolerance.

Evaluation and management of hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapy agents

Hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapy drugs pose significant difficulties in management, especially when no suitable alternative is available or acceptable and delay in continuation of treatment may be life-threatening. Such reactions may be IgE- or non-IgE-mediated and have varied manifestations. Timely recognition and treatment of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions are essential. Identification of patients at high risk of developing hypersensitivity reactions allows risk stratification to guide clinical decision-making. Skin testing for carboplatin hypersensitivity has good predictive value but is not yet established for oxaliplatin and taxane hypersensitivity. Rapid desensitisation may be considered if no suitable alternative drug is available. Available protocols have shown good safety and efficacy but must be performed in an appropriate setting with adequate monitoring. There are many avenues for research into the utility of skin testing for other chemotherapy agents as well as in vitro tests.

Food allergy and anaphylaxis – 2044. Component resolved allergen sensitzation profiles in shrimp allergy in the tropics

pared to Group1B (Der p 10 [33.3%vs9.7%], and Pen m 1 [33.3%vs9.7%], p<0.037); and to Group2 (Blo t 10 [19.4% vs0%], Pen m 1 [33.3%vs5.3%], Pen I 1 [27.8%vs5.3%], Lit v 1 [22.2%vs5.3%], p<0.05). Sensitization to Lit v 2 were higher in Group1A (22.2%) compared to Group1B (6.5%) and Group2 (5.2%) (p<0.093). The sensitization rates to Lit v 3, 4 were low (<10%). A positive test for a combination of shrimp (ImmunoCAP f24)+any tropomyosin+any shrimp allergens gave the highest sensitivity(81.8%) to distinguish FC positive from negative subjects but had a low specificity of 24.1%. The specificity was highest (93.1%) when using a positive test for Der p 10 or any shrimp tropomyosin, but sensitivity was low (31.8%). Conclusions

SAT0511 Achieving Consensus in Ultrasonography Synovitis Scoring in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background Ultrasonography (US) is a sensitive method for synovitis detection in clinical practice but interobserver variation in both acquisition and image intepretation is still a key concern [1]. Various semiquantitative synovitis scoring methods have been proposed in the past for B-mode and PDUS. Recently, the OMERACT US Task Force also proposed the EULAR-OMERACT PDUS composite scoring which had moderate to excellent reliability [2]. However, this has not been tested formally outside of the steering group. Objectives The objective was to evaluate if a collegiate small group consensus would improve US synovitis assessment and scoring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, in both still images and in image acquisition. Methods Eight rheumatologists from Singapore participated in a 1 day consensus meeting in November 2012, divided into (i) still-image interpretation and consensus followed by (ii) image acquisition and interpretation, according to definitions and synovitis scoring rules endorsed by OMERACT and TUI (Targeted Ultrasound Initiative). Interobserver reliability of semiquantitative scoring in B-mode, Power Doppler (PDUS) and EULAR-OMERACT PDUS composite score was assessed by intraclass correlation co-efficient (ICC). Agreement at the joint region level was calculated using prevalence-adjusted-biased-adjusted-kappa (PABAK). Results For B-mode still images, ICC was good at 0.75 (95%CI 0.66-0.82) while for PDUS images this was excellent; ICC=0.88 (95%CI 0.83-0.92). During image acquisition and interpretation, B-mode scoring showed ICC=0.75 (95%CI 0.66-0.84) while for PDUS the ICC was lower at 0.59 (95%CI 0.48-0.72). The ICC for EULAR-OMERACT PDUS composite synovitis scoring was good at 0.77 (95%CI 0.68-0.85). At the joint level, agreement varied with PABAK being excellent in the small joints of the hands but poor to fair in the wrists, elbows, ankles and MTP, and no agreement at the knees (PABAK range -0.34 to 0.85). Conclusions A consensus meeting between colleagues was useful in improving interobserver variation in synovitis scoring by ultrasonography, but agreement in non-hand joints is still a problem, requiring further standardisation. References Cheung PP, Dougados M, Gossec L. Reliability of ultrasonography to detect synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature review of 35 studies (1415 patients). Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2010; 62:323-34. Naredo E, Wakefield R, Iagnocco A, et al. The OMERACT Ultrasound Task Force - Perspectives. J Rheumatol 2011;38:2063-7. Disclosure of Interest None Declared