Association of Uveitis with Radiographic Progression in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

OBJECTIVE: Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most common extra-articular manifestation in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). However, the relationship between AAU and radiographic progression in axSpA remains unclear. Hence, we investigated whether the presence of AAU is associated with radiographic structural damage in patients with axSpA. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic data were obtained from 253 patients with axSpA. Radiographic progression over 2 years was assessed using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). Progression was defined as mSASSS worsening by ≥two units. Using propensity score (PS) matching, differences between patients with and without AAU were analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of progressors among patients with AAU was lower than that of patients without AAU (13.6% vs. 29.5%, p=0.058). The rate of increase in mSASSS and number of syndesmophytes were lower in patients with AAU than patients without AAU (0.57±1.37 vs. 1.02±1.79, p=0.085 and 0.46±1.45 vs. 0.83±1.62, p=0.158). In multivariate regression analysis, presence of AAU was independently associated with slowed radiographic progression (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.21 [0.07, 0.67], p=0.004). CONCLUSION: PS-matched axSpA patients with AAU showed significantly less radiographic progression than those without AAU.

Characterization and predictive value of volume changes of extremity and pelvis soft tissue sarcomas during radiation therapy prior to definitive wide excision

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize and evaluate the clinical significance of volume changes of soft tissue sarcomas during radiation therapy (RT), prior to definitive surgical resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with extremity or pelvis soft tissue sarcomas treated at our institution from 2013 to 2016 with RT prior to resection were identified retrospectively. Tumor volumes were measured using cone-beam computed tomography obtained daily during RT. Linear regression evaluated the linearity of volume changes. Kruskal-Wallis tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and linear regression evaluated predictors of volume change. Logistic and Cox regression evaluated volume change as a predictor of resection margin status, histologic treatment response, and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were evaluated. Twenty-nine tumors were high grade. Prior to RT, median tumor volume was 189 mL (range, 7.2 to 4,885 mL). Sixteen tumors demonstrated significant linear volume changes during RT. Of these, 5 tumors increased and 11 decreased in volume. Myxoid liposarcoma (n = 5, 15%) predicted decreasing tumor volume (p = 0.0002). Sequential chemoradiation (n = 4, 12%) predicted increasing tumor volume (p = 0.008) and corresponded to longer times from diagnosis to RT (p = 0.01). Resection margins were positive in three cases. Five patients experienced local recurrence, and 7 experienced distant recurrence, at median 8.9 and 6.9 months post-resection, respectively. Volume changes did not predict resection margin status, local recurrence, or distant recurrence. CONCLUSION: Volume changes of pelvis and extremity soft tissue sarcomas followed linear trends during RT. Volume changes reflected histologic subtype and treatment characteristics but did not predict margin status or recurrence after resection.

Tofacitinib Prevents Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tofacitinib, a novel Janus kinase inhibitor, may prevent structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this cohort study, we compared radiographic progression of hand joints between 21 RA patients who took tofacitinb for 18 months in a phase IIb and its extension study and 42 patients who took conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), using simple erosion narrowing score. For tofacitinib group, changes before and after the treatment were also compared. The changes of erosion and sum scores were significantly less in tofacitinib than DMARDs group (for erosion, -0.60 +/- 1.83 vs 0.51 +/- 1.77, P = 0.038; for sum, -0.50 +/- 1.72 vs 1.57 +/- 4.13, P = 0.012). Joint space narrowing score (JSN) was also less in tofacitinib group (0.095 +/- 0.58 vs 1.06 +/- 2.60, P = 0.055). In tofacitinib group, yearly rates of both erosion and JSN were significantly decreased after administration of tofacitinib (For erosion, 0.62 +/- 0.93 to -0.14 +/- 0.48, P = 0.009; for JSN, 0.47 +/- 0.64 to 0.03 +/- 0.40, P = 0.032), as was change of sum score (1.09 +/- 1.27 to -0.10 +/- 0.63, P < 0.001). In conclusion, tofacitinib may prevent structural damage caused by RA.

Tofacitinib Prevents Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tofacitinib, a novel Janus kinase inhibitor, may prevent structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this cohort study, we compared radiographic progression of hand joints between 21 RA patients who took tofacitinb for 18 months in a phase IIb and its extension study and 42 patients who took conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), using simple erosion narrowing score. For tofacitinib group, changes before and after the treatment were also compared. The changes of erosion and sum scores were significantly less in tofacitinib than DMARDs group (for erosion, -0.60 +/- 1.83 vs 0.51 +/- 1.77, P = 0.038; for sum, -0.50 +/- 1.72 vs 1.57 +/- 4.13, P = 0.012). Joint space narrowing score (JSN) was also less in tofacitinib group (0.095 +/- 0.58 vs 1.06 +/- 2.60, P = 0.055). In tofacitinib group, yearly rates of both erosion and JSN were significantly decreased after administration of tofacitinib (For erosion, 0.62 +/- 0.93 to -0.14 +/- 0.48, P = 0.009; for JSN, 0.47 +/- 0.64 to 0.03 +/- 0.40, P = 0.032), as was change of sum score (1.09 +/- 1.27 to -0.10 +/- 0.63, P < 0.001). In conclusion, tofacitinib may prevent structural damage caused by RA.

Los anti-TNF y la progresión radiográfica en espondilitis anquilosante / The anti-TNF and the radiological progression in ankylosing spondylitis

Los agentes biológicos inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (anti-TNF) se constituyen en un avance muy significativo en el tratamiento de los pacientes con espondilitis anquilosante (EA), demostrando una notable mejoría de sus síntomas, de su función y de su calidad de vida. Sumado a esta excelente respuesta clínica, se ha demostrado igualmente mejoría de la inflamación, demostrada mediante pruebas de laboratorio y estudios de resonancia nuclear magnética. A pesar de esta clara evidencia, la conexión entre actividad inflamatoria y progresión estructural no está tan claramente establecida como en artritis reumatoide (AR), y la evidencia de la eficacia de los anti-TNF en la prevención de la progresión del daño radiológico crónico en EA es deficiente. Se revisan las evidencias y las teorías actuales respecto a este crucial tema y se hace mención del importante papel de la proteína DKK-1, inhibidora de la vía Wnt. Esta proteína ha emergido recientemente como un regulador fundamental en la biología ósea y se constituye en una conexión clave entre inflamación, osteoporosis y remodelación articular.

The anti-TNF biological agents constitute a major advance in the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) showing a remarkable improvement in symptoms of patients, their function and quality of life. In addition to this excellent clinical response, it has also been clearly demonstrated improvement of inflammation as evidenced by laboratory tests and MRI studies. Despite this clear evidence, the connection between inflammatory activity and structural progression is not as clearly established as in rheumatoid arthritis, and the evidence of anti-TNF therapy to prevent chronic EA radiological damage is poor. We review the evidence and current theories about this crucial issue and mention the important role of DKK-1 protein, an inhibitor of the Wnt pathway. This protein has recently emerged as a key regulator in bone biology and constitutes a key link between inflammation, osteoporosis and joint remodeling.

Radiographic Progression of Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis after Short Segment Decompression and Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: To assess the radiographic progression of degenerative lumbar scoliosis after short segment decompression and fusion without deformity correction. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The aims of surgery in degenerative lumbar scoliosis are the relief of low back and leg pain along with a correction of the deformity. Short segment decompression and fusion can be performed to decrease the level of low back and leg pain provided the patient is not indicated for a deformity correction due to medical problems. In such circumstance, the patients and surgeon should be concerned with whether the scoliotic angle increases postoperatively. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who had undergone short segment decompression and fusion were evaluated. The average follow-up period was more than 3 years. The preoperative scoliotic angle and number of fusion segments was 13.6+/-3.9degrees and 2.3+/-0.5, respectively. The preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up scoliotic angles were compared and the time of progression of scoliotic angle was determined. RESULTS: The postoperative and last follow-up scoliotic angle was 10.4+/-2.3degrees and 12.1+/-3.6degrees, respectively. In eight patients, conversion to long segment fusion was required due to the rapid progression of the scoliotic angle that accelerated from 6 to 9 months after the primary surgery. The postoperative scoliosis aggravated rapidly when the preoperative scoliotic angle was larger and the fusion was extended to the apical vertebra. CONCLUSIONS: The scoliotic angle after short segment decompression and fusion was not deteriorated seriously in degenerative lumbar scoliosis. A larger scoliotic angle and fusion to the apical vertebra are significant risk factors for the acceleration of degenerative lumbar scoliosis.