Correspondence on 'Characteristics associated with hospitalisation for COVID-19 in people with rheumatic disease: data from the COVID-19 global rheumatology alliance physician-reported registry by Gianfrancesco M et al. The impact of cardiovascular comorbidity on COVID-19 infection in a large cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients
We read with interest the paper published by Gianfrancesco et al1 describing the epidemiological findings associated with hospitalisation for COVID-19 in 600 patients with rheumatic diseases. Multivariate adjusted models proved a significant increased risk of hospitalisation for older age (>65 years), prednisone doses of ≥10 mg/day and presence of comorbidities, such as cardiovascular (CV) and lung diseases or diabetes. The use of biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) appeared to decrease hospitalisation risk. Underlying CV comorbidities seem to increase the susceptibility to S...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Cacciapaglia, F., Manfredi, A., Erre, G., Piga, M., Sakellariou, G., viapiana, o., Gremese, E., Spinelli, F. R., Atzeni, F., Bartoloni, E. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence Source Type: research
Response to: Correspondence on "Associations of baseline use of biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs with COVID-19 severity in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry" by Sparks et al
We appreciate the interest in our paper1 and the opportunity to provide additional clarification and context. It is now generally accepted that there are different phases of COVID-19 illness.2 Our study investigated baseline use, presumably at the earliest phase of infection where viral replication is most pronounced. Clinical trials have typically tested the efficacy of medication use among hospitalised patients where pathologic hyperinflammation may mediate poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, the timing of immunomodulator use related to the COVID-19 disease course may have different effects on clinical outcomes, and trial...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Wallace, Z. S., Sparks, J. A., Robinson, P. C., Machado, P. M., Yazdany, J. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence response Source Type: research
Correspondence on "Associations of baseline use of biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs with COVID-19 severity in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry" by Sparks et al
We read with great interest the Global Rheumatology Alliance report on COVID-19 on biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 The first important result of the registry database is that B-cell depletion, by compromising the primary antibody response, increases the severity of infected patients. Considering the critical role of B cells in the adaptive immune response, this sounds quite correct.2 Even the data on interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors appear quite understandable considering the systemic inflammation raised by SARS-CoV-2 infe...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Gremese, E., Ferraccioli, G. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence Source Type: research
Response to 'Correspondence on 'Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with large-vessels vasculitis in Italy: a monocentric survey by Montero et al
We read with interest the correspondence by Montero et al1 on our study about the impact of novel COVID-19 on Italian patients with large vessel vasculitis.2 First of all, we thank the authors for the positive appraisal of our study and for providing their original contribution, which certainly enhances our knowledge of the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic had, and is still having, on patients affected by giant cell arteritis (GCA). The authors performed a comparative study evaluating the rate of referral to their ultrasound fast-track clinic (FTC) in Madrid before and during the first 8 months of the pandemic (July 20...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Tomelleri, A., Dagna, L., Campochiaro, C. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence response Source Type: research
Correspondence on 'Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with large-vessel vasculitis in Italy: a monocentric survey
We read with great interest the paper published by Tomelleri et al1 on ‘Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with large-vessel vasculitis in Italy: a monocentric survey’. The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and national lockdown among patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) in a single centre by April 2020. First, we would like to congratulate them for the novelty of their work during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy. The implementation of ultrasound (US) fast-track pathways (FTPs) in rheumatology, aiming at an early diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), has led to a decrease i...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Montero, F., Castrejon, I., Martinez-Barrio, J., Nieto-Gonzalez, J. C., Rivera, J., Alvaro-Gracia, J. M., Molina Collada, J. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence Source Type: research
Response to: 'Correspondence on 'Historically controlled comparison of glucocorticoids with or without tocilizumab versus supportive care only in patients with COVID-19- associated cytokine storm syndrome: results of the CHIC study by Klopfenstein et al
In rheumatology and beyond, clinical trial researchers often interpret observed treatment contrasts (between two trial arms) as if these contrasts are constant across the entire spectrum of disease severity. While understandable, researchers, regulators and society usually aim at finding one effective treatment for the whole disease, a constant effect interpretation is a simplification of the truth. Often, effective treatments have relatively most effect when applied in the sickest. Benefit may be less impressive when applied in those with milder disease: effect modification or (statistical) interaction. Klopfenstein et al...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Landewe, R. B., Ramiro, S., Mostard, R. L. M. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence response Source Type: research
Correspondence on 'Historically controlled comparison of glucocorticoids with or without tocilizumab versus supportive care only in patients with COVID-19-associated cytokine storm syndrome: results of the CHIC study
This study was among the first publications showing benefit of tocilizumab administration in patients with severe COVID-19-associated cytokine storm syndrome, in July 2020.1 In the same way, we observed a benefit of tocilizumab administration in a cohort of 206 patients during the first wave of the pandemic, in June 2020.2 We have now more ‘evidence-based medicine’ to discuss tocilizumab’s place in COVID-19. Thus, nine randomised clinical trials (RCTs)3–11 have been published about tocilizumab administration in COVID-19; however, the effects on mortality remain heterogeneous in these trials. (Source...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - June 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Klopfenstein, T., Gendrin, V., Conrozier, T., Gerazime, A., Puyraveau, M., Zayet, S. Tags: ARD, COVID-19 Correspondence Source Type: research
News from EULAR
EULAR welcomes the incoming Executive Director EULAR—The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology—is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Natascha Moriconi, Switzerland, as its new Executive Director. She is succeeding Dr Julia Rautenstrauch, Germany, in this role. Dr Moriconi will focus on leading the EULAR Team and driving the new EULAR Strategy to its vision, mission and values. The full press release is available at EULAR press releases %7C EULAR The latest recommendations from EULAR 2022 EULAR points to consider for the measurement, reporting and application of IFN-I pathway activation assay...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: EULAR Communications Tags: ARD Eular news Source Type: research
Persistence of seroconversion at 6 months following primary immunisation in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
This study is part of an ongoing national prospective multicentre cohort study in the Netherlands (Target-to-B! study; trial ID NL8900). Participants were included from 2 February 2021 and 1 October 2021. Participants with seroconversion (ie, >4 AU/mL) after primary immunisation with either BNT162b2 or CX-024414 in whom serum samples were collected 28 days after primary immunisation and before the first additional vaccination were included. Patients with IMID on ‘strongly antibody-impairing immunosuppressants’ (ie, anti-CD20... (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Wieske, L., Stalman, E. W., van Dam, P. J. K., Kummer, L. Y., Steenhuis, M., van Kempen, Z. L. E., Killestein, J., Volkers, A. G., Tas, S. W., Boekel, L., Wolbink, G., Van der Kooi, A., Raaphorst, J., Löwenberg, M., Takkenberg, B., DHaens, G. R. A Tags: ARD Letter Source Type: research
BLyS/APRIL dual inhibition for IgG4-RD: a prospective single-arm clinical trial of telitacicept
We report here a series of IgG4-RD cases treated with telitacicept, a novel bioagent (TACI-immunoglobin fusion protein) simultaneously targeting B cell maturation signals BLyS (BAFF) and APRIL,2 in the absence of long-term glucocorticoids. A 54-year-old man, who was diagnosed with IgG4-RD in 2017, presented in our department with re-enlarged bilateral submandibular glands, parotid glands and 12 lymph nodes after withdrawal of glucocorticoids (with a new onset of renal involvement). His 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria (ACR/EULAR)3 classification criteria score...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Cai, S., Hu, Z., Chen, Y., Chen, Y., Ming, B., Gao, R., Li, Z., Ye, C., Zhong, J., Dong, L. Tags: Open access, ARD Letter Source Type: research
Meta-analysis of erosive hand osteoarthritis identifies four common variants that associate with relatively large effect
Conclusions
We report on significant genetic associations with EHOA. The results support the view of EHOA as a form of severe hand OA and partly separate it from OA in larger joints. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Styrkarsdottir, U., Stefansdottir, L., Thorleifsson, G., Stefansson, O. A., Saevarsdottir, S., Lund, S. H., Rafnar, T., Hoshijima, K., Novak, K., Oreiro, N., Rego-Perez, I., Hansen, C., Kazmers, N., Kiemeney, L. A., Blanco, F. J., Barker, T., Kloppenburg, Tags: Open access, ARD, Osteoarthritis Source Type: research
Increased risk of osteoarthritis in patients with atopic disease
Conclusions
This study demonstrates an increased incidence of OA in patients with atopic disease. Future interventional studies may consider targeting allergic pathways for the prevention or treatment of OA. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Baker, M. C., Sheth, K., Lu, R., Lu, D., von Kaeppler, E. P., Bhat, A., Felson, D. T., Robinson, W. H. Tags: Open access, Press releases, ARD, Osteoarthritis Source Type: research
Efficacy and safety of emapalumab in macrophage activation syndrome
Conclusions
Neutralisation of IFN with emapalumab was efficacious in inducing remission of MAS secondary to sJIA or AOSD in patients who had failed high-dose glucocorticoids. Screening for viral infections should be performed, particularly for cytomegalovirus.
Trial registration number
NCT02069899 and NCT03311854. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: De Benedetti, F., Grom, A. A., Brogan, P. A., Bracaglia, C., Pardeo, M., Marucci, G., Eleftheriou, D., Papadopoulou, C., Schulert, G. S., Quartier, P., Anton, J., Laveille, C., Frederiksen, R., Asnaghi, V., Ballabio, M., Jacqmin, P., de Min, C. Tags: Open access, ARD, Treatment Source Type: research
Proteinase 3 promotes formation of multinucleated giant cells and granuloma-like structures in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Conclusions
These data provide a mechanistic basis for granuloma formation in GPA and a rationale for novel therapeutic approaches. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Henderson, S. R., Horsley, H., Frankel, P., Khosravi, M., Goble, T., Carter, S., Antonelou, M., Evans, R. D. R., Zhang, X., Chu, T.-Y., Lin, H.-H., Gordon, S., Salama, A. D. Tags: Open access, ARD, Vasculitis Source Type: research
Identification of new risk loci shared across systemic vasculitides points towards potential target genes for drug repurposing
Conclusions
We identified new shared risk loci with functional impact in vasculitis and pinpointed potential causal genes, some of which could represent promising targets for the treatment of vasculitis. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Ortiz-Fernandez, L., Carmona, E. G., Kerick, M., Lyons, P., Carmona, F. D., Lopez Mejias, R., Khor, C. C., Grayson, P. C., Tombetti, E., Jiang, L., Direskeneli, H., Saruhan-Direskeneli, G., Callejas-Rubio, J.-L., Vaglio, A., Salvarani, C., Hernandez-Rodri Tags: Open access, ARD, Vasculitis Source Type: research
