Article

Key clinical point: Hydroxychloroquine treatment conferred survival benefits in a dose-dependent manner in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with patients receiving a monthly cumulative dose of 1374.5-5778.5 mg or more showing better survival than those receiving <1374.5 mg.

Major finding: Hydroxychloroquine treatment was a protective factor against mortality in patients with elderly-onset RA (hazard ratio 0.30; P = .002), with a cumulative dose of <1374.5 mg vs 1374.5-5,778.5 mg or more leading to the lowest survival rate (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including 980 patients with elderly-onset RA (disease onset after 60 years of age) who had received conventional synthetic, biologic, or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin CT et al. Association of hydroxychloroquine use with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 12). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00561-1

Key clinical point: Hydroxychloroquine treatment conferred survival benefits in a dose-dependent manner in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with patients receiving a monthly cumulative dose of 1374.5-5778.5 mg or more showing better survival than those receiving <1374.5 mg.

Major finding: Hydroxychloroquine treatment was a protective factor against mortality in patients with elderly-onset RA (hazard ratio 0.30; P = .002), with a cumulative dose of <1374.5 mg vs 1374.5-5,778.5 mg or more leading to the lowest survival rate (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including 980 patients with elderly-onset RA (disease onset after 60 years of age) who had received conventional synthetic, biologic, or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin CT et al. Association of hydroxychloroquine use with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 12). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00561-1

Key clinical point: Hydroxychloroquine treatment conferred survival benefits in a dose-dependent manner in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with patients receiving a monthly cumulative dose of 1374.5-5778.5 mg or more showing better survival than those receiving <1374.5 mg.

Major finding: Hydroxychloroquine treatment was a protective factor against mortality in patients with elderly-onset RA (hazard ratio 0.30; P = .002), with a cumulative dose of <1374.5 mg vs 1374.5-5,778.5 mg or more leading to the lowest survival rate (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational study including 980 patients with elderly-onset RA (disease onset after 60 years of age) who had received conventional synthetic, biologic, or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan, and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin CT et al. Association of hydroxychloroquine use with a dose-dependent decrease in mortality risk in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Ther. 2023 (May 12). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00561-1

Key clinical point: Tofacitinib use increased the risk for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi); however, the rate of serious HZ or tofacitinib discontinuation due to HZ was low.

Major finding: The incidence of HZ was significantly higher among patients receiving tofacitinib vs TNFi (incidence rate ratio 8.33; P < .001). However, the incidence of serious HZ was not significantly different between the groups (P = .452), with HZ leading to only one case of permanent tofacitinib discontinuation.

Study details: This study included 912 patients with RA from two single-center prospective cohorts (tofacitinib cohort n = 200 and TNFi cohort n = 712).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and Pfizer. Two authors declared being employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. YK Sung declared receiving research grants from Pfizer and other sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Song YJ et al. Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A single‑center prospective study. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7877 (May 15). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33718-7

Key clinical point: Tofacitinib use increased the risk for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi); however, the rate of serious HZ or tofacitinib discontinuation due to HZ was low.

Major finding: The incidence of HZ was significantly higher among patients receiving tofacitinib vs TNFi (incidence rate ratio 8.33; P < .001). However, the incidence of serious HZ was not significantly different between the groups (P = .452), with HZ leading to only one case of permanent tofacitinib discontinuation.

Study details: This study included 912 patients with RA from two single-center prospective cohorts (tofacitinib cohort n = 200 and TNFi cohort n = 712).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and Pfizer. Two authors declared being employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. YK Sung declared receiving research grants from Pfizer and other sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Song YJ et al. Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A single‑center prospective study. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7877 (May 15). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33718-7

Key clinical point: Tofacitinib use increased the risk for herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi); however, the rate of serious HZ or tofacitinib discontinuation due to HZ was low.

Major finding: The incidence of HZ was significantly higher among patients receiving tofacitinib vs TNFi (incidence rate ratio 8.33; P < .001). However, the incidence of serious HZ was not significantly different between the groups (P = .452), with HZ leading to only one case of permanent tofacitinib discontinuation.

Study details: This study included 912 patients with RA from two single-center prospective cohorts (tofacitinib cohort n = 200 and TNFi cohort n = 712).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, and Pfizer. Two authors declared being employees and shareholders of Pfizer Inc. YK Sung declared receiving research grants from Pfizer and other sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Song YJ et al. Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A single‑center prospective study. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7877 (May 15). doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-33718-7

Key clinical point: Frailty is a significant contributing factor leading to methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in long-term pretreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Overall, 7.4% of the patients discontinued methotrexate due to adverse events during 2 years of follow-up, with methotrexate retention being significantly lower among patients with vs without frailty (P < .05) and frailty being a significant factor contributing to methotrexate discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% CI 1.02-5.37).

Study details: This retrospective longitudinal study included 323 patients with RA who used methotrexate at baseline.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. The authors did not report conflicts of interest.

Source: Sobue Y et al. Relationship between frailty and methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1007/s10067-023-06639-z

Key clinical point: Frailty is a significant contributing factor leading to methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in long-term pretreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Overall, 7.4% of the patients discontinued methotrexate due to adverse events during 2 years of follow-up, with methotrexate retention being significantly lower among patients with vs without frailty (P < .05) and frailty being a significant factor contributing to methotrexate discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% CI 1.02-5.37).

Study details: This retrospective longitudinal study included 323 patients with RA who used methotrexate at baseline.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. The authors did not report conflicts of interest.

Source: Sobue Y et al. Relationship between frailty and methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1007/s10067-023-06639-z

Key clinical point: Frailty is a significant contributing factor leading to methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in long-term pretreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Overall, 7.4% of the patients discontinued methotrexate due to adverse events during 2 years of follow-up, with methotrexate retention being significantly lower among patients with vs without frailty (P < .05) and frailty being a significant factor contributing to methotrexate discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% CI 1.02-5.37).

Study details: This retrospective longitudinal study included 323 patients with RA who used methotrexate at baseline.

Disclosures: This study did not declare the funding source. The authors did not report conflicts of interest.

Source: Sobue Y et al. Relationship between frailty and methotrexate discontinuation due to adverse events in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Clin Rheumatol. 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1007/s10067-023-06639-z

Key clinical point: Concomitant use of antimalarials with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) improved the overall safety profile and persistence of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The concomitant use vs nonuse of antimalarials was associated with a reduced risk for serious adverse events (multivariate incidence rate ratios [mIRR] 0.49; P < .001), total adverse events (mIRR 0.68; P < .001), and serious infections (mIRR 0.53; P = .007) and with longer survival of treatment course (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003).

Study details: Findings are from a registry-based cohort study including 1316 patients with RA who initiated their first bDMARD or JAKi with (n = 280) or without (n = 1,036) concomitant antimalarials.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bredemeier M et al, for the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BiobadaBrasil). The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead232

Key clinical point: Concomitant use of antimalarials with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) improved the overall safety profile and persistence of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The concomitant use vs nonuse of antimalarials was associated with a reduced risk for serious adverse events (multivariate incidence rate ratios [mIRR] 0.49; P < .001), total adverse events (mIRR 0.68; P < .001), and serious infections (mIRR 0.53; P = .007) and with longer survival of treatment course (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003).

Study details: Findings are from a registry-based cohort study including 1316 patients with RA who initiated their first bDMARD or JAKi with (n = 280) or without (n = 1,036) concomitant antimalarials.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bredemeier M et al, for the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BiobadaBrasil). The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead232

Key clinical point: Concomitant use of antimalarials with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) improved the overall safety profile and persistence of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The concomitant use vs nonuse of antimalarials was associated with a reduced risk for serious adverse events (multivariate incidence rate ratios [mIRR] 0.49; P < .001), total adverse events (mIRR 0.68; P < .001), and serious infections (mIRR 0.53; P = .007) and with longer survival of treatment course (hazard ratio 0.72; P = .003).

Study details: Findings are from a registry-based cohort study including 1316 patients with RA who initiated their first bDMARD or JAKi with (n = 280) or without (n = 1,036) concomitant antimalarials.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bredemeier M et al, for the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and the Brazilian Registry of Biological Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases (BiobadaBrasil). The effect of antimalarials on the safety and persistence of treatment with biologic agents or JAK inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023 (May 22). doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead232

Key clinical point: Peresolimab, a humanized antibody stimulating the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitory pathway, showed significant efficacy compared with placebo in improving disease activity in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: At week 12, 700 mg peresolimab vs placebo was associated with a significantly greater change in Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein levels (between-group difference in change from baseline −1.09; P < .001). The safety profiles were similar in all treatment groups, and no deaths were reported.

Study details: This phase 2a trial included 98 patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate or loss of response to or unacceptable side effects with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs who were randomly assigned to receive peresolimab (300 or 700 mg) or placebo once every 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in Eli Lilly. Several authors declared ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Tuttle J et al. A phase 2 trial of peresolimab for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1853-1862 (May 18). doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209856

Key clinical point: Peresolimab, a humanized antibody stimulating the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitory pathway, showed significant efficacy compared with placebo in improving disease activity in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: At week 12, 700 mg peresolimab vs placebo was associated with a significantly greater change in Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein levels (between-group difference in change from baseline −1.09; P < .001). The safety profiles were similar in all treatment groups, and no deaths were reported.

Study details: This phase 2a trial included 98 patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate or loss of response to or unacceptable side effects with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs who were randomly assigned to receive peresolimab (300 or 700 mg) or placebo once every 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in Eli Lilly. Several authors declared ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Tuttle J et al. A phase 2 trial of peresolimab for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1853-1862 (May 18). doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209856

Key clinical point: Peresolimab, a humanized antibody stimulating the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitory pathway, showed significant efficacy compared with placebo in improving disease activity in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: At week 12, 700 mg peresolimab vs placebo was associated with a significantly greater change in Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints based on C-reactive protein levels (between-group difference in change from baseline −1.09; P < .001). The safety profiles were similar in all treatment groups, and no deaths were reported.

Study details: This phase 2a trial included 98 patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate or loss of response to or unacceptable side effects with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs who were randomly assigned to receive peresolimab (300 or 700 mg) or placebo once every 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly. Five authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in Eli Lilly. Several authors declared ties with various sources, including Eli Lilly.

Source: Tuttle J et al. A phase 2 trial of peresolimab for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1853-1862 (May 18). doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2209856

Key clinical point: The visceral fat mass and percentage body fat were significantly higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with control individuals, and moderate-to-high physical activity was associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat.

Major finding: PsA was associated with a mean increase in visceral fat mass of 2.0 kg (95% CI 1.2-2.8 kg) and in percentage body fat of 2.7% (95% CI 1.6%-3.8%). Moderate and high vs low physical activity were associated with lower visceral fat mass and percentage body fat in patients with PsA and control individuals (P < .001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study including 356 patients with PsA and 47,470 control individuals.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. M Hoff declared receiving speaker honoraria from AbbVie and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. No other conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Osman AA et al. High physical activity in persons with psoriatic arthritis is associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat: The Trøndelag Health study. Rheumatol Int. 2023 (Jun 5). doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05348-9

Key clinical point: The visceral fat mass and percentage body fat were significantly higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with control individuals, and moderate-to-high physical activity was associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat.

Major finding: PsA was associated with a mean increase in visceral fat mass of 2.0 kg (95% CI 1.2-2.8 kg) and in percentage body fat of 2.7% (95% CI 1.6%-3.8%). Moderate and high vs low physical activity were associated with lower visceral fat mass and percentage body fat in patients with PsA and control individuals (P < .001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study including 356 patients with PsA and 47,470 control individuals.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. M Hoff declared receiving speaker honoraria from AbbVie and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. No other conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Osman AA et al. High physical activity in persons with psoriatic arthritis is associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat: The Trøndelag Health study. Rheumatol Int. 2023 (Jun 5). doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05348-9

Key clinical point: The visceral fat mass and percentage body fat were significantly higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with control individuals, and moderate-to-high physical activity was associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat.

Major finding: PsA was associated with a mean increase in visceral fat mass of 2.0 kg (95% CI 1.2-2.8 kg) and in percentage body fat of 2.7% (95% CI 1.6%-3.8%). Moderate and high vs low physical activity were associated with lower visceral fat mass and percentage body fat in patients with PsA and control individuals (P < .001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study including 356 patients with PsA and 47,470 control individuals.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. M Hoff declared receiving speaker honoraria from AbbVie and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. No other conflicts of interest were declared.

Source: Osman AA et al. High physical activity in persons with psoriatic arthritis is associated with reduced visceral fat mass and percentage body fat: The Trøndelag Health study. Rheumatol Int. 2023 (Jun 5). doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05348-9

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), particularly women, have higher disease burden from the patient’s perspective than those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The mean Visual Analogue Scale scores for pain (34 vs 32; P < .001) and fatigue (35 vs 33; P = .001) were slightly higher in patients with PsA vs RA. Women with PsA vs RA across all age groups had significantly higher scores for pain (<50 years old: 28 vs 18; >70 years old: 48 vs 38) and fatigue (50-59 years old: 41 vs 31; >70 years old: 46 vs 36; all P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional analysis including patients with PsA (n = 3598) and RA (n = 13,913).

Disclosures: This study was funded by State Research Funding, Kuopio University Hospital Catchment Area, Kuopio, Finland. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Weman L et al. Disease burden measured by patient-reported outcomes: Does psoriatic arthritis feel worse than rheumatoid arthritis? A cross-sectional nationwide study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2023 (May 15). doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/h9hn90

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), particularly women, have higher disease burden from the patient’s perspective than those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The mean Visual Analogue Scale scores for pain (34 vs 32; P < .001) and fatigue (35 vs 33; P = .001) were slightly higher in patients with PsA vs RA. Women with PsA vs RA across all age groups had significantly higher scores for pain (<50 years old: 28 vs 18; >70 years old: 48 vs 38) and fatigue (50-59 years old: 41 vs 31; >70 years old: 46 vs 36; all P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional analysis including patients with PsA (n = 3598) and RA (n = 13,913).

Disclosures: This study was funded by State Research Funding, Kuopio University Hospital Catchment Area, Kuopio, Finland. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Weman L et al. Disease burden measured by patient-reported outcomes: Does psoriatic arthritis feel worse than rheumatoid arthritis? A cross-sectional nationwide study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2023 (May 15). doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/h9hn90

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), particularly women, have higher disease burden from the patient’s perspective than those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: The mean Visual Analogue Scale scores for pain (34 vs 32; P < .001) and fatigue (35 vs 33; P = .001) were slightly higher in patients with PsA vs RA. Women with PsA vs RA across all age groups had significantly higher scores for pain (<50 years old: 28 vs 18; >70 years old: 48 vs 38) and fatigue (50-59 years old: 41 vs 31; >70 years old: 46 vs 36; all P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional analysis including patients with PsA (n = 3598) and RA (n = 13,913).

Disclosures: This study was funded by State Research Funding, Kuopio University Hospital Catchment Area, Kuopio, Finland. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Weman L et al. Disease burden measured by patient-reported outcomes: Does psoriatic arthritis feel worse than rheumatoid arthritis? A cross-sectional nationwide study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2023 (May 15). doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/h9hn90

Key clinical point: Many patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have impaired sleep despite treatment, with female patients having worse sleep quality than male patients.

Major finding: Overall, 46.6% of patients in the entire cohort had abnormal sleep behavior, with sleep quality being worse in women vs men (P < .001). Depressive symptoms (P < .001), female sex (P = .014), and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (P = .003) predicted insomnia in PsA.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective medical chart analysis of 330 patients with spondyloarthritis, including 168 patients with PsA and 162 patients with axSpA.

Disclosures: This study was partly funded by an unrestricted grant from Novartis Pharma GmbH, Germany. Several authors, including the lead author, reported receiving speaker honoraria or research or travel grants or serving on advisory boards for several sources, including Novartis.

Source: Frede N et al. Sleep behaviour differs in women and men with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis with impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms. RMD Open. 2023;9:e002912 (May 19). doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002912

Key clinical point: Many patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have impaired sleep despite treatment, with female patients having worse sleep quality than male patients.

Major finding: Overall, 46.6% of patients in the entire cohort had abnormal sleep behavior, with sleep quality being worse in women vs men (P < .001). Depressive symptoms (P < .001), female sex (P = .014), and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (P = .003) predicted insomnia in PsA.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective medical chart analysis of 330 patients with spondyloarthritis, including 168 patients with PsA and 162 patients with axSpA.

Disclosures: This study was partly funded by an unrestricted grant from Novartis Pharma GmbH, Germany. Several authors, including the lead author, reported receiving speaker honoraria or research or travel grants or serving on advisory boards for several sources, including Novartis.

Source: Frede N et al. Sleep behaviour differs in women and men with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis with impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms. RMD Open. 2023;9:e002912 (May 19). doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002912

Key clinical point: Many patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have impaired sleep despite treatment, with female patients having worse sleep quality than male patients.

Major finding: Overall, 46.6% of patients in the entire cohort had abnormal sleep behavior, with sleep quality being worse in women vs men (P < .001). Depressive symptoms (P < .001), female sex (P = .014), and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (P = .003) predicted insomnia in PsA.

Study details: The data come from a retrospective medical chart analysis of 330 patients with spondyloarthritis, including 168 patients with PsA and 162 patients with axSpA.

Disclosures: This study was partly funded by an unrestricted grant from Novartis Pharma GmbH, Germany. Several authors, including the lead author, reported receiving speaker honoraria or research or travel grants or serving on advisory boards for several sources, including Novartis.

Source: Frede N et al. Sleep behaviour differs in women and men with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis with impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms. RMD Open. 2023;9:e002912 (May 19). doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002912

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and those with Behçet’s syndrome (BS) had significantly elevated levels of serum interleukin-36 alpha (IL-36α), although the extent was lesser in BS, highlighting the potential role of the serum IL-36α level in differential diagnosis between PsA and BS.

Major finding: The median serum IL-36α level in patients with BS (201.7 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in control individuals (16.9 pg/mL; P < .001) but lower than that in patients with PsA (544 pg/mL; P < .001). An empirical cut-off level of 420.6 pg/mL for IL-36α showed a specificity of 0.93 and sensitivity of 0.70 to distinguish patients with PsA from those with BS.

Study details: The data come from a cross-sectional study including patients with PsA (n = 80) and BS (n = 90) and control individuals without immune-mediated inflammatory disease (n = 80) who were assessed for serum IL-36α levels.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bettiol A et al. Serum interleukin-36 α as a candidate biomarker to distinguish Behçet’s syndrome and psoriatic arthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24:8817 (May 16). doi: 10.3390/ijms24108817

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and those with Behçet’s syndrome (BS) had significantly elevated levels of serum interleukin-36 alpha (IL-36α), although the extent was lesser in BS, highlighting the potential role of the serum IL-36α level in differential diagnosis between PsA and BS.

Major finding: The median serum IL-36α level in patients with BS (201.7 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in control individuals (16.9 pg/mL; P < .001) but lower than that in patients with PsA (544 pg/mL; P < .001). An empirical cut-off level of 420.6 pg/mL for IL-36α showed a specificity of 0.93 and sensitivity of 0.70 to distinguish patients with PsA from those with BS.

Study details: The data come from a cross-sectional study including patients with PsA (n = 80) and BS (n = 90) and control individuals without immune-mediated inflammatory disease (n = 80) who were assessed for serum IL-36α levels.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bettiol A et al. Serum interleukin-36 α as a candidate biomarker to distinguish Behçet’s syndrome and psoriatic arthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24:8817 (May 16). doi: 10.3390/ijms24108817

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and those with Behçet’s syndrome (BS) had significantly elevated levels of serum interleukin-36 alpha (IL-36α), although the extent was lesser in BS, highlighting the potential role of the serum IL-36α level in differential diagnosis between PsA and BS.

Major finding: The median serum IL-36α level in patients with BS (201.7 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in control individuals (16.9 pg/mL; P < .001) but lower than that in patients with PsA (544 pg/mL; P < .001). An empirical cut-off level of 420.6 pg/mL for IL-36α showed a specificity of 0.93 and sensitivity of 0.70 to distinguish patients with PsA from those with BS.

Study details: The data come from a cross-sectional study including patients with PsA (n = 80) and BS (n = 90) and control individuals without immune-mediated inflammatory disease (n = 80) who were assessed for serum IL-36α levels.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any external funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bettiol A et al. Serum interleukin-36 α as a candidate biomarker to distinguish Behçet’s syndrome and psoriatic arthritis. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24:8817 (May 16). doi: 10.3390/ijms24108817

Key clinical point: No clinically meaningful treatment-related differences were observed in the efficacy, safety, and treatment persistence of ustekinumab over 3 years in younger (<60 years) and older (≥60 years) patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: At 6 months, 51.7% and 43.8% of patients aged <60 and ≥60 years achieved clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis low disease activity, respectively, with the efficacy being maintained through 36 months. The proportions of patients reporting at least one (32.7% vs 40.9%) and serious (5.3% vs 9.6%) adverse events and treatment persistence were not significantly different among patients age < 60 vs ≥ 60 years.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the PsABio trial included patients with PsA who received ustekinumab and were subgrouped into those age < 60 years (n = 336) and ≥ 60 years (n = 103).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Janssen. Six authors declared being current or former employees of Janssen or shareholders of Johnson & Johnson. Three authors reported ties with various sources, including Janssen.

Source: Gossec L et al. Response to treatment in psoriatic arthritis, the effect of age: analysis of patients receiving ustekinumab in the PsABio real-world study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2023;25:100 (Jun 9). doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03078-8

Key clinical point: No clinically meaningful treatment-related differences were observed in the efficacy, safety, and treatment persistence of ustekinumab over 3 years in younger (<60 years) and older (≥60 years) patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: At 6 months, 51.7% and 43.8% of patients aged <60 and ≥60 years achieved clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis low disease activity, respectively, with the efficacy being maintained through 36 months. The proportions of patients reporting at least one (32.7% vs 40.9%) and serious (5.3% vs 9.6%) adverse events and treatment persistence were not significantly different among patients age < 60 vs ≥ 60 years.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the PsABio trial included patients with PsA who received ustekinumab and were subgrouped into those age < 60 years (n = 336) and ≥ 60 years (n = 103).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Janssen. Six authors declared being current or former employees of Janssen or shareholders of Johnson & Johnson. Three authors reported ties with various sources, including Janssen.

Source: Gossec L et al. Response to treatment in psoriatic arthritis, the effect of age: analysis of patients receiving ustekinumab in the PsABio real-world study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2023;25:100 (Jun 9). doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03078-8

Key clinical point: No clinically meaningful treatment-related differences were observed in the efficacy, safety, and treatment persistence of ustekinumab over 3 years in younger (<60 years) and older (≥60 years) patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: At 6 months, 51.7% and 43.8% of patients aged <60 and ≥60 years achieved clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis low disease activity, respectively, with the efficacy being maintained through 36 months. The proportions of patients reporting at least one (32.7% vs 40.9%) and serious (5.3% vs 9.6%) adverse events and treatment persistence were not significantly different among patients age < 60 vs ≥ 60 years.

Study details: This post hoc analysis of the PsABio trial included patients with PsA who received ustekinumab and were subgrouped into those age < 60 years (n = 336) and ≥ 60 years (n = 103).

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Janssen. Six authors declared being current or former employees of Janssen or shareholders of Johnson & Johnson. Three authors reported ties with various sources, including Janssen.

Source: Gossec L et al. Response to treatment in psoriatic arthritis, the effect of age: analysis of patients receiving ustekinumab in the PsABio real-world study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2023;25:100 (Jun 9). doi: 10.1186/s13075-023-03078-8