Article

Key clinical point: Every 1 in 6 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD) within 20 years, with RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD), even when asymptomatic and radiologically limited, being significantly associated with shorter survival.

Major finding: The cumulative incidence of RA-ILD was 15.3% at 20 years after RA diagnosis, with mortality being higher in patients with RA-ILD vs. matched RA comparators (hazard ratio 2.42; 95% CI 1.32-4.41).

Study details: This was a population-based cohort study involving 645 patients with incident RA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and others. R Vassallo and JM Davis III reported receiving research grants from various sources.

Source: Samhouri BF et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Jan 7). Doi: 10.1002/acr.24856.

Key clinical point: Every 1 in 6 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD) within 20 years, with RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD), even when asymptomatic and radiologically limited, being significantly associated with shorter survival.

Major finding: The cumulative incidence of RA-ILD was 15.3% at 20 years after RA diagnosis, with mortality being higher in patients with RA-ILD vs. matched RA comparators (hazard ratio 2.42; 95% CI 1.32-4.41).

Study details: This was a population-based cohort study involving 645 patients with incident RA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and others. R Vassallo and JM Davis III reported receiving research grants from various sources.

Source: Samhouri BF et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Jan 7). Doi: 10.1002/acr.24856.

Key clinical point: Every 1 in 6 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD) within 20 years, with RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD), even when asymptomatic and radiologically limited, being significantly associated with shorter survival.

Major finding: The cumulative incidence of RA-ILD was 15.3% at 20 years after RA diagnosis, with mortality being higher in patients with RA-ILD vs. matched RA comparators (hazard ratio 2.42; 95% CI 1.32-4.41).

Study details: This was a population-based cohort study involving 645 patients with incident RA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and others. R Vassallo and JM Davis III reported receiving research grants from various sources.

Source: Samhouri BF et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Jan 7). Doi: 10.1002/acr.24856.

Key clinical point: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sleep problems are more extensively related to pain and functional impairment than disease duration.

Major finding: The likelihood of having problems with at least 1 or more sleep domains increased slightly with the disease duration (adjusted odds ratio 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07). High-grade pain and high Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) level were associated with increased sleep problems by approximately 3-9-fold and 4-8-fold compared with low-grade pain and low HAQ level, respectively.

Study details: This was an analysis of 4,131 observations from 3,265 patients with newly diagnosed RA whose data on sleep over 12 years from diagnosis were available.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Karolinska Institutet and Reumatikerförbundet. All the authors declared no competing interests.

Source: Lyne L et al. RMD Open. 2022;8:e001800 (Jan 5). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001800.

Key clinical point: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sleep problems are more extensively related to pain and functional impairment than disease duration.

Major finding: The likelihood of having problems with at least 1 or more sleep domains increased slightly with the disease duration (adjusted odds ratio 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07). High-grade pain and high Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) level were associated with increased sleep problems by approximately 3-9-fold and 4-8-fold compared with low-grade pain and low HAQ level, respectively.

Study details: This was an analysis of 4,131 observations from 3,265 patients with newly diagnosed RA whose data on sleep over 12 years from diagnosis were available.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Karolinska Institutet and Reumatikerförbundet. All the authors declared no competing interests.

Source: Lyne L et al. RMD Open. 2022;8:e001800 (Jan 5). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001800.

Key clinical point: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sleep problems are more extensively related to pain and functional impairment than disease duration.

Major finding: The likelihood of having problems with at least 1 or more sleep domains increased slightly with the disease duration (adjusted odds ratio 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07). High-grade pain and high Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) level were associated with increased sleep problems by approximately 3-9-fold and 4-8-fold compared with low-grade pain and low HAQ level, respectively.

Study details: This was an analysis of 4,131 observations from 3,265 patients with newly diagnosed RA whose data on sleep over 12 years from diagnosis were available.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Karolinska Institutet and Reumatikerförbundet. All the authors declared no competing interests.

Source: Lyne L et al. RMD Open. 2022;8:e001800 (Jan 5). Doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001800.

Key clinical point: Fatigue was prevalent and persistent in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with female gender, poor mental health, pain, and some functional abilities associated with greater fatigue.

Major finding: The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of fatigue and severe fatigue was 44% (95% CI 39%-50%) and 19% (95% CI 15%-23%), respectively, with little change observed over 3 years (ß −0.13; 95% CI −0.23 to −0.02). Female gender, worse pain, mental health, and functional ability were significantly associated with greater fatigue (P ≤ .05).

Study details: This was a multicenter cohort study involving 729 patients with RA with symptom duration of <2 years.

Disclosures: This work was funded by the Versus Arthritis Pain Centre. DF McWilliams and DA Walsh reported receiving funding and consultancy fees from various sources.

Source: Ifesemen OS et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021;keab861 (Dec 27). Doi:  10.1093/rheumatology/keab947.

Key clinical point: Fatigue was prevalent and persistent in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with female gender, poor mental health, pain, and some functional abilities associated with greater fatigue.

Major finding: The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of fatigue and severe fatigue was 44% (95% CI 39%-50%) and 19% (95% CI 15%-23%), respectively, with little change observed over 3 years (ß −0.13; 95% CI −0.23 to −0.02). Female gender, worse pain, mental health, and functional ability were significantly associated with greater fatigue (P ≤ .05).

Study details: This was a multicenter cohort study involving 729 patients with RA with symptom duration of <2 years.

Disclosures: This work was funded by the Versus Arthritis Pain Centre. DF McWilliams and DA Walsh reported receiving funding and consultancy fees from various sources.

Source: Ifesemen OS et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021;keab861 (Dec 27). Doi:  10.1093/rheumatology/keab947.

Key clinical point: Fatigue was prevalent and persistent in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with female gender, poor mental health, pain, and some functional abilities associated with greater fatigue.

Major finding: The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of fatigue and severe fatigue was 44% (95% CI 39%-50%) and 19% (95% CI 15%-23%), respectively, with little change observed over 3 years (ß −0.13; 95% CI −0.23 to −0.02). Female gender, worse pain, mental health, and functional ability were significantly associated with greater fatigue (P ≤ .05).

Study details: This was a multicenter cohort study involving 729 patients with RA with symptom duration of <2 years.

Disclosures: This work was funded by the Versus Arthritis Pain Centre. DF McWilliams and DA Walsh reported receiving funding and consultancy fees from various sources.

Source: Ifesemen OS et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021;keab861 (Dec 27). Doi:  10.1093/rheumatology/keab947.

Key clinical point: A longer interval between rituximab infusion and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may elicit an optimal response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) taking rituximab, with a third vaccination dose given 6-9 months after rituximab, boosting the cellular response despite the absence of a noticeable serological response.

Major finding: The median time between the last rituximab infusion and the first vaccination dose was significantly longer in responders vs. nonresponders (267 days vs. 107 days; P < .0001). A third vaccine dose in patients with insufficient serological response to 2 doses induced T-cell responses in all patients assessed, despite serological response in only 16.3% of patients. No serious adverse events or deaths were reported.

Study details: A prospective cohort study, Nor-vaC included patients with RA taking rituximab (n = 90) and healthy controls (n = 1,114) who received 2 or 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Research Council of Norway COVID, and others. Several authors reported receiving speaker/consulting fees or grants/financial support from various sources.

Source: I Jyssum et al. Lancet Rheumatol. 2021 (Dec 23). Doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(21)00394-5.

Key clinical point: A longer interval between rituximab infusion and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may elicit an optimal response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) taking rituximab, with a third vaccination dose given 6-9 months after rituximab, boosting the cellular response despite the absence of a noticeable serological response.

Major finding: The median time between the last rituximab infusion and the first vaccination dose was significantly longer in responders vs. nonresponders (267 days vs. 107 days; P < .0001). A third vaccine dose in patients with insufficient serological response to 2 doses induced T-cell responses in all patients assessed, despite serological response in only 16.3% of patients. No serious adverse events or deaths were reported.

Study details: A prospective cohort study, Nor-vaC included patients with RA taking rituximab (n = 90) and healthy controls (n = 1,114) who received 2 or 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Research Council of Norway COVID, and others. Several authors reported receiving speaker/consulting fees or grants/financial support from various sources.

Source: I Jyssum et al. Lancet Rheumatol. 2021 (Dec 23). Doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(21)00394-5.

Key clinical point: A longer interval between rituximab infusion and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may elicit an optimal response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) taking rituximab, with a third vaccination dose given 6-9 months after rituximab, boosting the cellular response despite the absence of a noticeable serological response.

Major finding: The median time between the last rituximab infusion and the first vaccination dose was significantly longer in responders vs. nonresponders (267 days vs. 107 days; P < .0001). A third vaccine dose in patients with insufficient serological response to 2 doses induced T-cell responses in all patients assessed, despite serological response in only 16.3% of patients. No serious adverse events or deaths were reported.

Study details: A prospective cohort study, Nor-vaC included patients with RA taking rituximab (n = 90) and healthy controls (n = 1,114) who received 2 or 3 doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Research Council of Norway COVID, and others. Several authors reported receiving speaker/consulting fees or grants/financial support from various sources.

Source: I Jyssum et al. Lancet Rheumatol. 2021 (Dec 23). Doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(21)00394-5.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis who showed ultrasound abnormalities in hand, knee, toe joints, and few other anatomical sites are more likely to progress to psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Hand joint power Doppler (PD) signals (grade 0 and ≥1), knee joint PD signals (grade 0 and ≥1), toe joint PD signals (grade 0 and ≥1), quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon enthesitis (all P < .001), wrist joint synovial thickening (grade 1-3; P = .001), and Achilles tendon and plantar aponeurosis enthesitis (P = .007) were all significant risk predictors for PsA.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 852 patients with psoriasis but without PsA, 261 patients with PsA, and 86 healthy volunteers who underwent an ultrasound examination.

Disclosures: This study was funded by West China Hospital, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institutes, and Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Project. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Wang Y et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021 (Dec 19). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00663-0.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis who showed ultrasound abnormalities in hand, knee, toe joints, and few other anatomical sites are more likely to progress to psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Hand joint power Doppler (PD) signals (grade 0 and ≥1), knee joint PD signals (grade 0 and ≥1), toe joint PD signals (grade 0 and ≥1), quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon enthesitis (all P < .001), wrist joint synovial thickening (grade 1-3; P = .001), and Achilles tendon and plantar aponeurosis enthesitis (P = .007) were all significant risk predictors for PsA.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 852 patients with psoriasis but without PsA, 261 patients with PsA, and 86 healthy volunteers who underwent an ultrasound examination.

Disclosures: This study was funded by West China Hospital, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institutes, and Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Project. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Wang Y et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021 (Dec 19). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00663-0.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis who showed ultrasound abnormalities in hand, knee, toe joints, and few other anatomical sites are more likely to progress to psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Hand joint power Doppler (PD) signals (grade 0 and ≥1), knee joint PD signals (grade 0 and ≥1), toe joint PD signals (grade 0 and ≥1), quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon enthesitis (all P < .001), wrist joint synovial thickening (grade 1-3; P = .001), and Achilles tendon and plantar aponeurosis enthesitis (P = .007) were all significant risk predictors for PsA.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 852 patients with psoriasis but without PsA, 261 patients with PsA, and 86 healthy volunteers who underwent an ultrasound examination.

Disclosures: This study was funded by West China Hospital, West China Precision Medicine Industrial Technology Institutes, and Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Project. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Wang Y et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021 (Dec 19). Doi: 10.1007/s13555-021-00663-0.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who received treatment with tofacitinib experienced mostly mild/moderate nonserious adverse events (AE), which persisted for a shorter duration and had a minimum effect on the continuation of tofacitinib treatment.

Major finding: In the first 3 months of treatment, the most frequent nonserious AEs were headache (incidence rate [IR] 16.9-39.2) and diarrhea (IR 15-17) and duration of such AEs was ≤4 weeks with none leading to permanent discontinuation of treatment.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of phase 3 studies including 710 patients with active PsA who received 5 mg tofacitinib, 10 mg tofacitinib, or placebo and had a previous inadequate response to ≥1 conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or ≥1 tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Five authors reported being employees and stockholders of AbbVie. The other authors reported ties with several sources including AbbVie.

Source: Dikranian A et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 (Dec 17). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00405-w.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who received treatment with tofacitinib experienced mostly mild/moderate nonserious adverse events (AE), which persisted for a shorter duration and had a minimum effect on the continuation of tofacitinib treatment.

Major finding: In the first 3 months of treatment, the most frequent nonserious AEs were headache (incidence rate [IR] 16.9-39.2) and diarrhea (IR 15-17) and duration of such AEs was ≤4 weeks with none leading to permanent discontinuation of treatment.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of phase 3 studies including 710 patients with active PsA who received 5 mg tofacitinib, 10 mg tofacitinib, or placebo and had a previous inadequate response to ≥1 conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or ≥1 tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Five authors reported being employees and stockholders of AbbVie. The other authors reported ties with several sources including AbbVie.

Source: Dikranian A et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 (Dec 17). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00405-w.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who received treatment with tofacitinib experienced mostly mild/moderate nonserious adverse events (AE), which persisted for a shorter duration and had a minimum effect on the continuation of tofacitinib treatment.

Major finding: In the first 3 months of treatment, the most frequent nonserious AEs were headache (incidence rate [IR] 16.9-39.2) and diarrhea (IR 15-17) and duration of such AEs was ≤4 weeks with none leading to permanent discontinuation of treatment.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of phase 3 studies including 710 patients with active PsA who received 5 mg tofacitinib, 10 mg tofacitinib, or placebo and had a previous inadequate response to ≥1 conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or ≥1 tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer. Five authors reported being employees and stockholders of AbbVie. The other authors reported ties with several sources including AbbVie.

Source: Dikranian A et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 (Dec 17). Doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00405-w.

Key clinical point: Ultrasound assessment of entheses may help differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as patients with PsA showed more frequent ultrasound changes both in gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) mode than those with FMS.

Major finding: A higher proportion of patients with PsA vs. FMS was detected with ≥1 entheses in GS (P < .0001) and PD (P = .0033) mode, with GS and PD identifying changes in a higher proportion of PsA vs. FMS entheses (P < .0001 for both). Area under the curve values for GS and PD mode were 0.77 and 0.66, respectively, with 3.5 being the best cutoff GS score to discriminate PsA from FMS (sensitivity, 0.75; specificity, 0.63).

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of the cross‐sectional ULISSE study including 140 and 51 patients with PsA and FMS, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was funded by AbbVie Srl. Three authors declared being employees and shareholders of AbbVie, and some of the authors declared receiving consultancy fees and research support from several sources.

Source: Marchesoni A et al. J Clin Med. 2021;11(1):180 (Dec 29). Doi: 10.3390/jcm11010180.

Key clinical point: Ultrasound assessment of entheses may help differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as patients with PsA showed more frequent ultrasound changes both in gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) mode than those with FMS.

Major finding: A higher proportion of patients with PsA vs. FMS was detected with ≥1 entheses in GS (P < .0001) and PD (P = .0033) mode, with GS and PD identifying changes in a higher proportion of PsA vs. FMS entheses (P < .0001 for both). Area under the curve values for GS and PD mode were 0.77 and 0.66, respectively, with 3.5 being the best cutoff GS score to discriminate PsA from FMS (sensitivity, 0.75; specificity, 0.63).

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of the cross‐sectional ULISSE study including 140 and 51 patients with PsA and FMS, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was funded by AbbVie Srl. Three authors declared being employees and shareholders of AbbVie, and some of the authors declared receiving consultancy fees and research support from several sources.

Source: Marchesoni A et al. J Clin Med. 2021;11(1):180 (Dec 29). Doi: 10.3390/jcm11010180.

Key clinical point: Ultrasound assessment of entheses may help differentiate psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as patients with PsA showed more frequent ultrasound changes both in gray scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) mode than those with FMS.

Major finding: A higher proportion of patients with PsA vs. FMS was detected with ≥1 entheses in GS (P < .0001) and PD (P = .0033) mode, with GS and PD identifying changes in a higher proportion of PsA vs. FMS entheses (P < .0001 for both). Area under the curve values for GS and PD mode were 0.77 and 0.66, respectively, with 3.5 being the best cutoff GS score to discriminate PsA from FMS (sensitivity, 0.75; specificity, 0.63).

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of the cross‐sectional ULISSE study including 140 and 51 patients with PsA and FMS, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was funded by AbbVie Srl. Three authors declared being employees and shareholders of AbbVie, and some of the authors declared receiving consultancy fees and research support from several sources.

Source: Marchesoni A et al. J Clin Med. 2021;11(1):180 (Dec 29). Doi: 10.3390/jcm11010180.

Key clinical point: This real-world study confirms sustained improvements in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with apremilast along with a tolerable safety profile.

Major finding: Overall, 43.5% of patients who received apremilast within 30 days of participating in the study and completed ≥150 days of treatment achieved PsA Response Criteria. In detail, 26.8% and 41.8% of patients with 68-tender joint count >0 and 66-swollen joint count >0 at baseline, respectively, achieved complete joint count resolution at month 6. No new adverse events were reported.

Study details: Findings are from the prospective, observational APOLO study including 107 patients with active PsA, of which 106 patients received ≥1 dose of apremilast.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Celgene. Some of the authors declared receiving research grants and consultancy and speaker fees from Celgene and other sources.

Source: Vlam KD et al. Adv Ther. 2022 (Jan 3). Doi: 10.1007/s12325-021-02016-x.

Key clinical point: This real-world study confirms sustained improvements in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with apremilast along with a tolerable safety profile.

Major finding: Overall, 43.5% of patients who received apremilast within 30 days of participating in the study and completed ≥150 days of treatment achieved PsA Response Criteria. In detail, 26.8% and 41.8% of patients with 68-tender joint count >0 and 66-swollen joint count >0 at baseline, respectively, achieved complete joint count resolution at month 6. No new adverse events were reported.

Study details: Findings are from the prospective, observational APOLO study including 107 patients with active PsA, of which 106 patients received ≥1 dose of apremilast.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Celgene. Some of the authors declared receiving research grants and consultancy and speaker fees from Celgene and other sources.

Source: Vlam KD et al. Adv Ther. 2022 (Jan 3). Doi: 10.1007/s12325-021-02016-x.

Key clinical point: This real-world study confirms sustained improvements in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with apremilast along with a tolerable safety profile.

Major finding: Overall, 43.5% of patients who received apremilast within 30 days of participating in the study and completed ≥150 days of treatment achieved PsA Response Criteria. In detail, 26.8% and 41.8% of patients with 68-tender joint count >0 and 66-swollen joint count >0 at baseline, respectively, achieved complete joint count resolution at month 6. No new adverse events were reported.

Study details: Findings are from the prospective, observational APOLO study including 107 patients with active PsA, of which 106 patients received ≥1 dose of apremilast.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Celgene. Some of the authors declared receiving research grants and consultancy and speaker fees from Celgene and other sources.

Source: Vlam KD et al. Adv Ther. 2022 (Jan 3). Doi: 10.1007/s12325-021-02016-x.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis were more likely to have a delayed onset of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) if they were diagnosed with psoriasis at a younger age or suffered from severe psoriasis.

Major finding: The median time from psoriasis diagnosis to the incidence of PsA was 35.5 months with age at psoriasis onset (odds ratio [OR] per 10-year decrease 1.63; 95% CI 1.26-2.11) and its severity (OR for severe vs. mild 3.65; 95% CI 1.18-11.32) being associated with having a psoriasis diagnosis >1 year prior to incident PsA.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective nested case-control study including 158 patients with incident PsA, of which 41% had concurrent psoriasis and 59% patients had onset of psoriasis before PsA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Rochester Epidemiology Project supported by National Institute on Aging, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, and others. The authors declared serving as consultants or receiving grants, consulting fees, honoraria, and research support from several sources.

Source: Karmacharya P et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2021;151949 (Dec 31). Doi:  10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.12.013.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis were more likely to have a delayed onset of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) if they were diagnosed with psoriasis at a younger age or suffered from severe psoriasis.

Major finding: The median time from psoriasis diagnosis to the incidence of PsA was 35.5 months with age at psoriasis onset (odds ratio [OR] per 10-year decrease 1.63; 95% CI 1.26-2.11) and its severity (OR for severe vs. mild 3.65; 95% CI 1.18-11.32) being associated with having a psoriasis diagnosis >1 year prior to incident PsA.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective nested case-control study including 158 patients with incident PsA, of which 41% had concurrent psoriasis and 59% patients had onset of psoriasis before PsA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Rochester Epidemiology Project supported by National Institute on Aging, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, and others. The authors declared serving as consultants or receiving grants, consulting fees, honoraria, and research support from several sources.

Source: Karmacharya P et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2021;151949 (Dec 31). Doi:  10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.12.013.

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriasis were more likely to have a delayed onset of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) if they were diagnosed with psoriasis at a younger age or suffered from severe psoriasis.

Major finding: The median time from psoriasis diagnosis to the incidence of PsA was 35.5 months with age at psoriasis onset (odds ratio [OR] per 10-year decrease 1.63; 95% CI 1.26-2.11) and its severity (OR for severe vs. mild 3.65; 95% CI 1.18-11.32) being associated with having a psoriasis diagnosis >1 year prior to incident PsA.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective nested case-control study including 158 patients with incident PsA, of which 41% had concurrent psoriasis and 59% patients had onset of psoriasis before PsA.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Rochester Epidemiology Project supported by National Institute on Aging, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, and others. The authors declared serving as consultants or receiving grants, consulting fees, honoraria, and research support from several sources.

Source: Karmacharya P et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2021;151949 (Dec 31). Doi:  10.1016/j.semarthrit.2021.12.013.

Key clinical point: Presence of dactylitis independently confirmed more severe disease burden with higher swollen joint counts (SJC), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, ultrasound-detected synovitis, and bone erosion in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive patients with early psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Dactylitic vs. nondactylitic PsA was associated with a higher SJC (P < .001) and CRP level (P = .006) and a higher prevalence of ultrasound synovitis (P < .001) and bone erosions (P < .001). After excluding dactylitic digits, SJC was greater (P = .002) and ultrasound-detected synovitis (P < .001) and erosions (P = .008) were more prevalent in dactylitic vs. nondactylitic PsA.

Study details: This study included 177 DMARD-naive patients with early PsA who were stratified by the presence or absence of dactylitis at baseline.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Leeds Biomedical Research Centre. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Dubash S et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 (Dec 10). Doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220964.

Key clinical point: Presence of dactylitis independently confirmed more severe disease burden with higher swollen joint counts (SJC), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, ultrasound-detected synovitis, and bone erosion in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive patients with early psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Dactylitic vs. nondactylitic PsA was associated with a higher SJC (P < .001) and CRP level (P = .006) and a higher prevalence of ultrasound synovitis (P < .001) and bone erosions (P < .001). After excluding dactylitic digits, SJC was greater (P = .002) and ultrasound-detected synovitis (P < .001) and erosions (P = .008) were more prevalent in dactylitic vs. nondactylitic PsA.

Study details: This study included 177 DMARD-naive patients with early PsA who were stratified by the presence or absence of dactylitis at baseline.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Leeds Biomedical Research Centre. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Dubash S et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 (Dec 10). Doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220964.

Key clinical point: Presence of dactylitis independently confirmed more severe disease burden with higher swollen joint counts (SJC), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, ultrasound-detected synovitis, and bone erosion in disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive patients with early psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Dactylitic vs. nondactylitic PsA was associated with a higher SJC (P < .001) and CRP level (P = .006) and a higher prevalence of ultrasound synovitis (P < .001) and bone erosions (P < .001). After excluding dactylitic digits, SJC was greater (P = .002) and ultrasound-detected synovitis (P < .001) and erosions (P = .008) were more prevalent in dactylitic vs. nondactylitic PsA.

Study details: This study included 177 DMARD-naive patients with early PsA who were stratified by the presence or absence of dactylitis at baseline.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Leeds Biomedical Research Centre. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Dubash S et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 (Dec 10). Doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220964.