Prevalence of major adverse cardiovascular events among Saudi patients with systemic lupus erythematosus compared with the general population: updates from the national SLE and PURE cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among Saudi patients with SLE and the general population and considered factors associated with such outcomes were taken into consideration. METHODS: This is a cohort study evaluating the period prevalence of MACE from 2020 to 2023. The study used two datasets, namely the Saudi national prospective cohort for SLE patients and the Prospective Urban-Rural Epidemiology Study Saudi subcohort (PURE-Saudi) for the general population. Participants in both studies were monitored using a standardised protocol. MACE was defined as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or angina. The analysis was adjusted for demographics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and SLE diagnosis through logistic regression models. RESULTS: The PURE and national SLE cohorts comprised 488 and 746 patients, respectively. Patients with SLE from the SLE cohort were younger (40.7±12.5 vs 49.5±8.6 years) and predominantly female (90.6% vs 41.6%). The prevalence of traditional risk factors was greater in the PURE cohort compared with the SLE cohort. These factors included dyslipidaemia (28.9% vs 49.4%), obesity (63% vs 85%) and diabetes (7.8% vs 27.2%), but not hypertension (19.3% vs 18.8%). MACE (defined as MI or stroke or venous thromboembolism or heart failure) occurred more frequently in patients with SLE (4.3% vs 1.6%, p=0.004). Older age and lupus diagnosis were independently associated with MACE after adjusting for conventional risk factors. The odds of MACE were significantly related to age and lupus diagnosis (p=0.00 and p=0.00, respectively), but not cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (p=0.83). CONCLUSION: Patients with SLE have a significantly higher risk of developing MACE than the general population. This risk is not well explained by traditional risk factors, which may explain the failure of CVD risk scores to stratify patients with SLE adequately. Further studies are needed to understand CVD risk's pathogenesis in SLE and mitigate it.

The Patient Activation Measure in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Cross-Sectional Interview-Based Survey.

Introduction/Objective: The patient activation measure (PAM) is considered a reliable tool for measuring patient activation. This study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature regarding the use of PAM -13 in rheumatology patients and to compare PAM scores in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following two different practices at a single institution with previously published studies. Methods: The study consisted of a systematic review of articles reporting the PAM-13 in patients with RA, followed by a cross-sectional study evaluating PAM scores between standard rheumatology clinics and specialized rheumatology clinics (SRCs). The correlation between PAM levels and other variables, such as demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment, was assessed. Results: Nineteen studies, published between 2012 and 2022, met the inclusion criteria. The studies in this review had inconsistent results and quality, with patient activation in RA ranging from 29 to 76. A total of 197 patients with confirmed RA diagnoses were interviewed (response rate, 88%). Most were female (n=173, 88%) and older than 40 years (n=150, 76%). The average patient activation score was 64.9 (standard deviation, 15.7). Most participants had level 3 and 4 patient activation measures (n=71 [36%] and n=72[37%], respectively). Patients who were attending SRCs also had borderline higher PAM levels. Patients with high PAM scores tended to be older, have active disease, and were taking corticosteroids. Conclusion: Adequate activation of patients was observed from our center, which was higher than that reported in most published literature. The PAM of patients with RA was variable according to the systematic review. Longitudinal interventional studies should be considered to improve activation in patients with low scores.

Prevalence of adverse reactions to intravenously administered originator biologics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A 5-year retrospective study.

Background: Few Saudi studies have examined adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving intravenous (IV) originator biologics. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, types, and predictors of ADRs following long-term IV originator biologic use in patients with RA. Patients and methods: This retrospective, single-center study included adult patients with RA who received IV originator biologics between 2015 and 2020. Medical records were reviewed and data regarding ADRs were collected and evaluated for causality using the Naranjo scale. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the odds for and factors associated with developing ADRs for each biologic. Results: A total of 129 patients (87.6% women) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 54 (13) years were included in this study. A total of 1963 doses of tocilizumab (38.76%), rituximab (38.76%), abatacept (13.95%), and infliximab (8.53%), were administered during the study period. ADRs with a Naranjo score ≥ 1 were experienced by 103 (78%) patients, with an average of 2.2 events per patient. Infection (26.6%) and skin and mucous membrane disorders (14.18%) were the most commonly reported ADRs. Abatacept was associated with a significantly higher risk of multiple ADRs than the other biologics (adjusted odds ratio: 3.145, 95% confidence interval 1.004-9.854, p = 0.049). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of ADRs among patients with RA receiving biologics. Abatacept was associated with a greater risk of multiple ADRs than other biologics. Infection was the most common ADR. Future multicenter longitudinal studies are warranted.

Livedoid Vasculitis in a Patient With Sjogren Syndrome Successfully Treated With Methotrexate.

Introduction: Cutaneous vasculitis occurs in a sizable minority of patients with Sjogren syndrome. In addition, their response to different modalities of therapy is variable. Case Description: We present a case of a 66-year-old female with Sjogren syndrome cutaneous vasculitis in whom combination treatment with Rituximab and Azathioprine failed to show a favorable response. However, methotrexate proved to be an excellent alternative. Discussion: In cutaneous vasculitis, in addition to the necessary local therapy applied to the affected limbs, methotrexate produced a complete response when other treatment modalities failed. Therefore, it may be advisable to use methotrexate to treat cutaneous vasculitis before trying Rituximab. Conclusion: In cutaneous vasculitis associated with Sjogren syndrome, methotrexate can be an early effective therapeutic strategy.

Global Hypertrophic Calcification of Shoulder Joint Capsule.

BACKGROUND: Calcification around the shoulder joint usually occur inside or around the tendons of the rotator cuff. We herein report on a case of global hypertrophic calcification of shoulder joint capsule in a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis. CASE REPORT: An 86 years-old male with a long-standing history of seropositive Rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment for his Rheumatoid arthritis included Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine initially, but due lack of control, adalimumab was added with excellent control of his arthritis. He has progressively experienced an increasing pain and stiffness in his shoulders, in addition to an increasing limitation of shoulder movement. Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed severe arthritis with remoulding deformity with extensive capsular calcification, intra-articular loose-bodies. DISCUSSION: This phenomenon of calcification of shoulder capsule has not been reported before. The pathophysiology of calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder remains controversial. The calcific deposits consist of poorly-crystallized hydroxyapatite. CONCLUSION: Global hypertrophic calcification of shoulder joint capsule is unique and unreported in the literature. We can postulate that the long-standing inflammation of the synovial lining of the capsules had a major part. Moreover, Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, and repetitive manoeuvres are recognized contributing factors as well for similar conditions. Genetic predisposition seems to play a role as well. We think all those have played part in the development of this unprecedented presentation. Management should be tailored to target specific symptoms for pain, rigidity, and decreasing calcification size. Several options are available, including Kinesiotherapy, electrotherapy modalities, iontophoresis, electroshock wave therapy, and finally surgical approaches for progressive and refractory cases.

Relationship between different anti-rheumatic drug therapies and complementary and alternative medicine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an interview based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is highly prevalent. The relationship of these remedies with disease therapy are not fully studied. We aimed to explore the relationship between different anti-rheumatic drug therapy and CAM use in RA patients. METHODS: The study used an interview-based cross-sectional survey in two major referral centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were adults with confirmed RA that attended rheumatology clinics. Information on the utilization of CAM, RA duration, drug therapy, and laboratory parameters were obtained. Descriptive statistics as well as adjusted odds ratio using bivariate logistic regression were used to explore the different factors related to CAM use, including drug therapy. RESULTS: A total of 438 adult patients with RA were included. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 49 (±15.0) years. The majority were women 393 (89.7%). Two hundred and ninety-two patients (66.7%) had used CAM. The CAM users who had a longer disease duration (AOR 1.041 [95% CI: 1.011, 1.073]; p = 0.008) were more likely to be female (AOR 2.068 [95% CI: 1.098, 3.896]; p = 0.024), and use methotrexate (AOR 1.918 [95% CI: 1.249, 2.946]; p = 0.003) as opposed to celecoxib (AOR 0.509 [95% CI: 0.307, 0.844]; p = 0.009) and biologic monotherapy (AOR 0.443 [95% CI: 0.224, 0.876]; p = 0.019). Other factors related to CAM were meloxicam use (AOR 2.342 [95% CI: 1.341, 4.089]; p = 0.003) and traditional therapy (AOR 2.989 [95% CI: 1.647, 5.425]; p = 0.000). The remaining factors were not significant. CONCLUSION: CAM use is prevalent in patients with RA. Understanding patients and disease related factors associated with higher use of CAM is warranted to improve RA management and provide more rational use of these remedies.

Challenges and opportunities in the early diagnosis and optimal management of rheumatoid arthritis in Africa and the Middle East.

Early diagnosis and early initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy slow the progression of joint damage and decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). According to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) guidelines, treatment should be initiated with methotrexate and addition of biological DMARDs such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors should be considered for RA patients who respond insufficiently to methotrexate and/or other synthetic DMARDs and have poor prognostic factors. Africa and the Middle East is a large geographical region with varying treatment practices and standards of care in RA. Existing data show that patients with RA in the region are often diagnosed late, present with active disease and often do not receive DMARDs early in the course of the disease. In this review, we discuss the value of early diagnosis and remission-targeted treatment for limiting joint damage and improving disease outcomes in RA, and the challenges in adopting these strategies in Africa and the Middle East. In addition, we propose an action plan to improve the overall long-term outlook for RA patients in the region.

Fertility, ovarian failure, and pregnancy outcome in SLE patients treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide in Saudi Arabia.

Intravenous cyclophosphamide (IV CYC) has been and still used for treatment of severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease occurring predominantly in women. IV CYC has been shown to predispose patients to ovarian failure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We studied the impact of prior IV CYC treatment on ovarian function and pregnancy in our SLE patients, in terms of amenorrhea, fertility, and pregnancy outcome over a 26-year period. The study included 535 women (319 married), out of which 188 received IV CYC and 347 did not. Sixty-one patients experienced amenorrhea; the rate of amenorrhea in IV CYC user group (28.2 %; n = 53) was significantly higher than that in non-IV CYC group (3.7 %; n = 8) (P < 0.05). The type of amenorrhea was assessed in 99 women receiving IV CYC. Thirty-four (34.3 %) of them developed amenorrhea which was transient in 21 (21.2 %) and sustained in 13 (13.1 %) women. The older age at the time of receiving IV CYC and its higher cumulative dose were found to be risk factors for amenorrhea. Among married women, 48 of 99 (48.5 %) in IV CYC group conceived 90 pregnancies and 128 of 220 (58.2 %) in non-IV CYC group conceived 293 pregnancies. The rates of abortions, fetal loss, and live births between the two groups were similar; however, women with prior IV CYC had significantly more preterm births. Prior IV CYC was no barrier to conception; pregnancy outcome was favorable but associated with amenorrhea and preterm deliveries.

Safety of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors use for rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia: focus on severe infections and tuberculosis.

Multiple studies of patients in Western countries with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have indicated increased risk for active tuberculosis (TB) and other infections among these individuals. It has also been consistently reported that patients receiving tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors for these conditions have higher rates of active TB and other infections than RA or AS patients not receiving these medications. These issues have been studied less extensively in the Asia and Africa-Middle East regions, and information from these regions is important because of higher rates of TB in the general population. This paper reviews studies of RA and AS patients from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East who received TNF inhibitors. A literature search was conducted using http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed to collect and report these data. The years included in the PubMed literature search ranged from January 2000 to October 2011. Additionally, information from the China Hospital Knowledge Database was used to report data from Chinese patients with RA and AS treated with TNF inhibitors. Results from these studies indicate that the risk for active TB and other infections in AS and RA patients from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are increased in patients receiving TNF inhibitors and that the risk is higher among those treated with monoclonal antibodies versus soluble TNF receptor.