Article
Immunology
Liudan Tu, Churong Lin, Ya Xie, Xiaohong Wang, Qiujing Wei, Yanli Zhang, Jieruo Gu
Summary: This study found that patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) showed more active inflammatory and chronic structural damages on MRI compared to non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) patients, especially in terms of fat metaplasia and ankylosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Karina Ying Ying Lin, Cao Peng, Kam Ho Lee, Shirley Chiu Wai Chan, Ho Yin Chung
Summary: An MRI deep learning algorithm was developed for detection of inflammatory sacroiliitis in axial SpA. The sensitivity and specificity of the algorithms were comparable with the interpretation by a radiologist, but outperformed that of the rheumatologist.
Article
Rheumatology
Torsten Diekhoff, Iris Eshed, Felix Radny, Katharina Ziegeler, Fabian Proft, Juliane Greese, Dominik Deppe, Robert Biesen, Kay Geert Hermann, Denis Poddubnyy
Summary: The study found that compared to CT and MRI, X-ray had lower sensitivity and inferior specificity for axSpA. However, CT showed the best inter-rater reliability, highlighting the importance of structural lesions for the differential diagnosis in axSpA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Victoria Navarro-Compan, Alexandre Sepriano, Bassel El-Zorkany, Desiree van der Heijde
Summary: Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton, leading to symptoms such as chronic back pain and spinal stiffness. Diagnosis relies on recognizing clinical patterns and utilizing clinical, laboratory, and imaging features. Treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as first-line therapy, with biologics as a second-line option, showing efficacy in improving disease symptoms.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Antonio Proenca Caetano, Vasco V. Mascarenhas, Pedro M. Machado
Summary: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder mainly involving the axial skeleton, with imaging findings categorized into active changes and structural changes. MRI plays a key role in detecting subtle or inflammatory changes, while computed tomography is more accurate in depicting bone structural changes.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Walter P. Maksymowych, Rebecca Bolce, Gaia Gallo, Emily Seem, Vladimir J. Geneus, David M. Sandoval, Mikkel Ostergaard, Kurisu Tada, Xenofon Baraliakos, Atul Deodhar, Lianne S. Gensler
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of ixekizumab in the treatment of patients with radiographic axial SpA, regardless of elevated CRP levels or evidence of spinal inflammation on MRI. Ixekizumab demonstrated significant efficacy in improving symptoms in these patients.
Article
Rheumatology
Murat Torgutalp, Valeria Rios Rodriguez, Fabian Proft, Mikhail Protopopov, Maryna Verba, Judith Rademacher, Hildrun Haibel, Joachim Sieper, Martin Rudwaleit, Denis Poddubnyy
Summary: This study investigated the longitudinal association between treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and the progression of radiographic sacroiliitis in patients with early axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). The results showed that receiving TNFi treatment for at least 12 months in the previous 2-year period was associated with a significant decrease in sacroiliitis scores. This effect became evident 2 to 4 years after treatment initiation.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Juergen Braun
Summary: Inflammatory back pain is a common symptom of axial spondyloarthritis caused by inflammation in the axial skeleton. The sacroiliac joints are often affected in early stages, while the spine is affected later on. Both inflammation and structural changes can impact function and mobility. Clinical trials often focus on pain, disease activity, function, mobility, and global health, as well as radiographic progression in the axial skeleton of axSpA patients.
Article
Rheumatology
Sevtap Tugce Ulas, Felix Radny, Katharina Ziegeler, Iris Eshed, Juliane Greese, Dominik Deppe, Carsten Stelbrink, Robert Biesen, Hildrun Haibel, Valeria Rios Rodriguez, Judith Rademacher, Mikhail Protopopov, Fabian Proft, Denis Poddubnyy, Torsten Diekhoff
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether self-reported diagnostic confidence can predict diagnostic accuracy in axial spondyloarthritis imaging. The results showed significant differences in diagnostic confidence between correct and incorrect responses for all imaging modalities, and self-reported diagnostic confidence can serve as useful information to predict diagnostic reliability.
Article
Rheumatology
Zhixiu Li, Sjef M. van der Linden, Muhammad Asim Khan, Heinz Baumberger, Hermine van Zandwijk, Mohammad Kazim Khan, Peter M. Villiger, Matthew A. Brown
Summary: The objective of this study is to assess heterogeneity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and its sources. The results suggest that women clinically diagnosed with axSpA but without radiographic sacroiliitis have distinct characteristics compared to men with non-radiographic axSpA.
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Natasha Thorley, Alexis Jones, Coziana Ciurtin, Madhura Castelino, Alan Bainbridge, Maaz Abbasi, Stuart Taylor, Hui Zhang, Margaret A. Hall-Craggs, Timothy J. P. Bray
Summary: Imaging, especially MRI, is crucial in assessing inflammation in rheumatic disease. Quantitative MRI methods can improve the accuracy and precision of inflammation detection, facilitating a more personalized approach to treatment.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sergio Del Vescovo, Vincenzo Venerito, Claudia Iannone, Giuseppe Lopalco
Summary: Axial spondyloarthritis (axial-SpA) is a multifactorial disease characterized by inflammation in sacroiliac joints and spine, bone reabsorption, and aberrant bone deposition, which may lead to ankylosis. The disease pathogenesis involves a complex interplay between genetic, immunological, mechanical, and bioenvironmental factors. HLA-B27 plays a significant role as the most important genetic factor, but the disease can also develop in its absence. The innate immune system and T cell adaptive response both contribute to the onset of axial-SpA, leading to the production of proinflammatory molecules and activation of intracellular pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sengul Seven, Mikkel Ostergaard, Lone Morsel-Carlsen, Inge Juul Sorensen, Birthe Bonde, Gorm Thamsborg, Jens Jorgen Lykkegaard, Susanne Juhl Pedersen
Summary: The study found that a FAT depth greater than 5 mm can almost differentiate patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) from other groups. When excluding post-partum women, a BME greater than 5 mm and erosion were highly specific for axSpA.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Anne Grethe Jurik
Summary: The diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is based on imaging and clinical findings due to the lack of diagnostic criteria. MRI of the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) has increased the frequency of axSpA diagnoses, especially in women, due to the presence of non-specific subchondral bone marrow edema (BME). Awareness of other differential diagnoses and understanding of relevant MRI and clinical features are important to accurately diagnose axSpA.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Anca Emanuela Musetescu, Anca Bobirca, Florin Liviu Gherghina, Alesandra Florescu, Florin Bobirca, Paulina Lucia Ciurea, Cristina Criveanu, Alice Musca, Lucian Mihai Florescu, Ioana Andreea Gheonea
Summary: This study aimed to assess the performance of rheumatologists in interpreting inflammatory and structural damage to sacroiliac joints in axSpA patients, compared to radiologists. The results showed substantial agreement between senior and junior radiologists, as well as between senior radiologists and senior rheumatologists, while moderate agreement was observed with junior rheumatologists.
Letter
Rheumatology
Sofia Ramiro, Remy L. M. Mostard, Robert B. M. Landewe
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Rheumatology
Sofia Ramiro, Remy L. M. Mostard, Robert B. M. Landewe
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Rheumatology
Robert B. M. Landewe, Sofia Ramiro, Remy L. M. Mostard
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Augusta Ortolan, Casper Webers, Alexandre Sepriano, Louise Falzon, Xenofon Baraliakos, Robert B. M. Landewe, Sofia Ramiro, Desiree van der Heijde, Elena Nikiphorou
Summary: This study updated the evidence of non-biological treatments for axSpA, providing a basis for the 2022 ASAS-EULAR recommendations. The results showed that education, exercise, and NSAIDs were efficacious in axSpA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Lotte van Ouwerkerk, Maarten Boers, Paul Emery, Pascal H. P. de Jong, Robert B. M. Landewe, Willem Lems, Josef S. Smolen, Patrick Verschueren, Tom W. J. Huizinga, Cornelia F. Allaart, Sytske Anne Bergstra
Summary: This study investigated whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can discontinue glucocorticoids (GC) after GC 'bridging' in the initial treatment step and identified factors that may affect this. The probability of using GC decreased over time after bridging therapy ended, while the probability of continuous GC use increased. In oral GC bridging studies, the probabilities of later and continuous GC use and the cumulative GC doses were higher compared to studies that included parenteral GC bridging.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Desiree van der Heijde, Atul Deodhar, Xenofon Baraliakos, Matthew A. Brown, Hiroaki Dobashi, Maxime Dougados, Dirk Elewaut, Alicia M. Ellis, Carmen Fleurinck, Karl Gaffney, Lianne S. Gensler, Nigil Haroon, Marina Magrey, Walter P. Maksymowych, Alexander Marten, Ute Massow, Marga Oortgiesen, Denis Poddubnyy, Martin Rudwaleit, Julie Shepherd-Smith, Tetsuya Tomita, Filip van den Bosch, Thomas Vaux, Huji Xu
Summary: The BE MOBILE 1 and BE MOBILE 2 trials demonstrated that bimekizumab, a dual IL-17A and IL-17F inhibitor, improved efficacy outcomes in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and was well tolerated. These findings support the use of bimekizumab as a potential treatment option for axSpA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Andreas Kerschbaumer, Alexandre Sepriano, Sytske Anne Bergstra, Josef S. Smolen, Desiree van der Heijde, Roberto Caporali, Christopher John Edwards, Patrick Verschueren, Savia de Souza, Janet E. Pope, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Kimme L. Hyrich, Kevin L. Winthrop, Daniel Aletaha, Tanja A. Stamm, Jan W. Schoones, Robert B. M. Landewe
Summary: This study aimed to update the evidence on the efficacy of DMARDs and provide information for the 2022 update of EULAR recommendations for RA management. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate the efficacy of cs, b, biosimilar, and tsDMARDs in RA patients. The results showed that csDMARDs combined with short-term glucocorticoids in early RA were as effective as bDMARD+MTX combination therapy. JAK inhibitors were effective in different patient populations. Tapering of DMARDs was feasible for some patients who could maintain low disease activity or achieve remission.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Correction
Rheumatology
Bernard G. Combe, Yoshiya Tanaka, Maya H. Buch, Peter Nash, Gerd R. Burmester, Alan J. Kivitz, Beatrix Bartok, Alena Pechonkina, Katrina Xia, Kahaku Emoto, Shungo Kano, Thijs K. Hendrikx, Robert B. M. Landewe, Daniel Aletaha
RHEUMATOLOGY AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sytske Anne Bergstra, Alexandre Sepriano, Arvind Chopra, Lai-Ling Winchow, David Vega-Morales, Karen Salomon-Escoto, Xanthe M. E. Matthijssen, Robert B. M. Landewe
Summary: The age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is influenced by geographical latitude. This study investigated the extent to which patient-specific factors and country-level socioeconomic indicators explain this variability. The results showed that patients living closer to the equator have a younger age at RA diagnosis, and this gradient is primarily explained by countries' socioeconomic status.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Victoria Navarro-Compan, Diego Benavent, Dafne Capelusnik, Desiree van der Heijde, Robert B. M. Landewe, Denis Poddubnyy, Astrid van Tubergen, Xenofon Baraliakos, Filip E. van den Bosch, Floris A. van Gaalen, Lianne Gensler, Clementina Lopez-Medina, Helena Marzo-Ortega, Anna Molto, Rodolfo Perez-Alamino, Martin Rudwaleit, Marleen van de Sande, Raj Sengupta, Ulrich Weber, Sofia Ramiro
Summary: This study developed a consensual definition for 'early axial spondyloarthritis-axSpA' and 'early peripheral spondyloarthritis-pSpA' through a systematic literature review and Delphi survey. The results indicated that early axSpA should be based on symptom duration only, without considering the presence of radiographic damage.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Christian Dejaco, Sofia Ramiro, Zahi Touma, Milena Bond, Medha Soowamber, Catalina Sanchez-Alvarez, Carol A. Langford
Summary: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is commonly treated with glucocorticoids (GCs), but there is a need for research on GC-sparing agents due to the high rate of adverse events with GC alone. The lack of standardised response assessment in clinical trials makes it difficult to compare treatment effects. This viewpoint article discusses the challenges and opportunities in developing internationally accepted response criteria for GCA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Niels W. Boone, Dirk Jan A. R. Moes, Sofia Ramiro, Remy L. M. Mostard, Cesar Magro-Checa, Christel M. P. van Dongen, Michiel Gronenschild, Eric van Haren, Jacqueline Buijs, Annick de Vries, Ralph Peeters, Robert B. M. Landewe, Dennis R. Wong
Summary: This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of interleukin-6 (IL-6) antibody tocilizumab (TCZ) in methylprednisolone (MP)-treated COVID-19 patients with cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The results showed that a single dose of 8 mg/kg of TCZ (maximum dose of 800 mg) was sufficient to cover 16 days of IL-6-mediated hyperinflammation in COVID-19-induced CSS.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Rheumatology
Atul Deodhar, Denis Poddubnyy, Proton Rahman, Jeorg Ermann, Tetsuya Tomita, Rebeca Bolce, Soyi Liu Leage, Andris Kronbergs, Caroline Johnson, Joana Araujo, Ann Leung, Desiree van der Heijde
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
