Clinical characteristics and risk factors for gout flare during the postsurgical period

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the clinical features and risk factors for gout flare during postsurgical period in patients who were previously diagnosed with gout. Methods: Seventy patients who had histories of gout and had been consulted in the rheumatologic clinic before surgery under general anesthesia were included. Clinical characteristics of patients who developed a postsurgical gout flare were compared with those of patients who did not develop gout flare. Results: Among 70 patients, 31 (44.3%) developed gout flare during the postsurgical period. Mean intervals from surgery to gout flare was 3.7 days. Flares tended to involve monoarticular joints (61.3%) and affect lower extremity joints (83.9%). Knee joints (26%) and foot joints except the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint (26%) were more frequently involved than the first MTP joint (13%). Presurgical uric acid level ≥ 9 mg/dL (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.28-11.10, p = 0.016) and amount of uric acid changes between before and after surgery (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.21-2.18, p = 0.001) were risk factors for postsurgical gout flare. Taking allopurinol reduced the risk of postsurgical gout flare (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.45, p = 0.001). Operation time, amount of blood loss during surgery, and surgery site were not significantly associated with postsurgical gout flare. Conclusions: Adequate uric acid control before surgery could prevent the postsurgical gout flare.

Higher body mass index and anti-drug antibodies predict the discontinuation of anti-TNF agents in Korean patients with axial spondyloarthritis / O maior índice de massa corporal e a presença de anticorpos antifármacos predizem a interrupção no uso de agentes anti-TNF em pacientes sul-coreanos com espondiloartrite axial

ABSTRACT Objective: The development of anti-drug antibodies against tumor necrosis factor inhibitors is a likely explanation for the failure of TNF-inhibitors in patients with spondyloarthritis. Our study determined the existence and clinical implications of ADAbs in axial spondyloarthritis patients. Methods: According to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis, patients treated with adalimumab or infliximab were recruited consecutively. Serum samples were collected at enrollment to measure anti-drug antibodies and drug levels. Results: Of 100 patients, the mean duration of current TNF inhibitor use was 22.3 ± 17.9 months. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 5 of 72 adalimumab users compared to 5 of 28 infliximab users (6.9% vs. 17.9%). Anti-drug antibodies-positive patients had a significantly higher body mass index than anti-drug antibodies-negative patients among both adalimumab (28.4 ± 5.9 kg/m2 vs. 24.3 ± 2.9 kg/m2, respectively, p = 0.01) and infliximab users (25.9 ± 2.8 kg/m2 vs. 22.6 ± 2.8 kg/m2, respectively, p = 0.02). During the median 15-month follow-up period, drug discontinuation occurred more frequently in the anti-drug antibodies-positive group than the anti-drug antibodies-negative group (30.0% vs. 6.5%, respectively, p = 0.04). In logistic regression, anti-drug antibodies positivity (OR = 5.85, 95% CI 1.19-28.61, p = 0.029) and body mass index (OR = 4.35, 95% CI 1.01-18.69, p = 0.048) were associated with a greater risk of stopping TNF inhibitor treatment. Conclusions: Our result suggests that the presence of anti-drug antibodies against adalimumab and infliximab as well as a higher body mass index can predict subsequent drug discontinuation in axial spondyloarthritis patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: O desenvolvimento de anticorpos antifármacos (ADAb) contra o fator de necrose tumoral (TNF) é uma explicação provável para a falha dos anti-TNF em pacientes com espondiloartrites (EspA). O presente estudo determinou a presença e as implicações clínicas dos ADAb em pacientes com EspA axiais. Métodos: De acordo com os critérios de classificação para EspA axial da Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society, recrutaram-se consecutivamente pacientes tratados com adalimumabe ou infliximabe. Coletaram-se amostras de soro no momento da entrada no estudo para medir os níveis de ADAb e de fármaco. Resultados: Dos 100 pacientes, a duração média de uso dos anti-TNF atuais foi de 22,3 ± 17,9 meses. Os ADAb foram detectados em cinco de 72 pacientes em uso de adalimumabe, em comparação com cinco de 28 usuários de infliximabe (6,9% vs. 17,9%). Os pacientes ADAb-positivos tinham um índice de massa corporal maior do que aqueles ADAb-negativos, tanto entre indivíduos em uso de adalimumabe (28,4 ± 5,9 kg/m2 vs. 24,3 ± 2,9 kg/m2, respectivamente, p = 0,01) quanto de infliximabe (25,9 ± 2,8 kg/m2 vs. 22,6 ± 2,8 kg/m2 respectivamente, p = 0,02). Durante o período médio de seguimento de 15 meses, a suspensão do fármaco ocorreu com maior frequência no grupo ADAb-positivo do que no grupo ADAb-negativo (30,0% vs. 6,5%, respectivamente, p = 0,04). Na regressão logística, a positividade no ADAb (OR = 5,85, IC 95% 1,19 a 28,61, p = 0,029) e o IMC (OR = 4,35, IC 95% 1,01 a 18,69, p = 0,048) esteve associada a um maior risco de interromper o tratamento com anti-TNF. Conclusões: Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a presença de ADAb contra o adalimumabe e o infliximabe, bem como um IMC mais alto, pode predizer a subsequente interrupção do fármaco em pacientes com EspA axial.