SLESIS-R: an improved score for prediction of serious infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus based on the RELESSER prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an improved score for prediction of severe infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), namely, the SLE Severe Infection Score-Revised (SLESIS-R) and to validate it in a large multicentre lupus cohort. METHODS: We used data from the prospective phase of RELESSER (RELESSER-PROS), the SLE register of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology. A multivariable logistic model was constructed taking into account the variables already forming the SLESIS score, plus all other potential predictors identified in a literature review. Performance was analysed using the C-statistic and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Internal validation was carried out using a 100-sample bootstrapping procedure. ORs were transformed into score items, and the AUROC was used to determine performance. RESULTS: A total of 1459 patients who had completed 1 year of follow-up were included in the development cohort (mean age, 49±13 years; 90% women). Twenty-five (1.7%) had experienced ≥1 severe infection. According to the adjusted multivariate model, severe infection could be predicted from four variables: age (years) ≥60, previous SLE-related hospitalisation, previous serious infection and glucocorticoid dose. A score was built from the best model, taking values from 0 to 17. The AUROC was 0.861 (0.777-0.946). The cut-off chosen was ≥6, which exhibited an accuracy of 85.9% and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.48. CONCLUSIONS: SLESIS-R is an accurate and feasible instrument for predicting infections in patients with SLE. SLESIS-R could help to make informed decisions on the use of immunosuppressants and the implementation of preventive measures.

Biological and glucocorticoids treatment impair the medium-term immunogenicity to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the sustained immunological response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) undergoing different treatment regimens. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study involving 157 AIRD patients without prior COVID-19 infection. Treatment regimens included non-treatment or glucocorticoid-only (not-treated/GCs), non-biological drugs, biological therapy, and JAK inhibitors. All participants completed the two-dose vaccine schedule, and 110 of them received an additional booster dose. Serum samples were collected approximately 3-6 months after the second and third vaccine doses to measure antibodies against the Spike protein (antiS-AB) and neutralizing antibodies (nAB) targeting six SARS-CoV-2 variants. RESULTS: Following the third dose, all patients exhibited a significant increase in antiS-AB (FC = 15, p < 0.0001). Patients under biological therapy had lower titres compared to the non-biological (66% decrease, p = 0.038) and the not-treated/GCs group (62% decrease, p = 0.0132), with the latter persisting after the booster dose (86% decrease, p = 0.0027). GC use was associated with lower antiS-AB levels in the biological group (87% decrease, p = 0.0124), although not statistically significant after confounders adjustment. nABs showed the highest positivity rates for the wild-type strain before (50%) and after the booster dose (93%), while the Omicron variant exhibited the lowest rates (11% and 55%, respectively). All variants demonstrated similar positivity patterns and good concordance with antiS-AB (AUCs from 0.896 to 0.997). CONCLUSIONS: The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster strategy effectively elicited a sustained antibody immune response in AIRD patients. However, patients under biological therapies exhibited a reduced response to the booster dose, particularly when combined with GCs.

Specific-cytokine associations with outcomes in knee osteoarthritis subgroups: breaking down disease heterogeneity with phenotyping.

BACKGROUND: Despite existing extensive literature, a comprehensive and clinically relevant classification system for osteoarthritis (OA) has yet to be established. In this study, we aimed to further characterize four knee OA (KOA) inflammatory phenotypes (KOIP) recently proposed by our group, by identifying the inflammatory factors associated with KOA severity and progression in a phenotype-specific manner. METHODS: We performed an analysis within each of the previously defined four KOIP groups, to assess the association between KOA severity and progression and a panel of 13 cytokines evaluated in the plasma and synovial fluid of our cohort's patients. The cohort included 168 symptomatic female KOA patients with persistent joint effusion. RESULTS: Overall, our analyses showed that associations with KOA outcomes were of higher magnitude within the KOIP groups than for the overall patient series (all p-values < 1.30e-16) and that several of the cytokines showed a KOIP-specific behaviour regarding their associations with KOA outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our study adds further evidence supporting KOA as a multifaceted syndrome composed of multiple phenotypes with differing pathophysiological pathways, providing an explanation for inconsistencies between previous studies focussed on the role of cytokines in OA and the lack of translational results to date. Our findings also highlight the potential clinical benefits of accurately phenotyping KOA patients, including improved patient stratification, tailored therapies, and the discovery of novel treatments.

Transcriptome Signatures of Atlantic Salmon-Resistant Phenotypes against Sea Lice Infestation Are Associated with Tissue Repair.

Salmon aquaculture is constantly threatened by pathogens that impact fish health, welfare, and productivity, including the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi. This marine ectoparasite is mainly controlled through delousing drug treatments that have lost efficacy. Therein, strategies such as salmon breeding selection represent a sustainable alternative to produce fish with resistance to sea lice. This study explored the whole-transcriptome changes in Atlantic salmon families with contrasting resistance phenotypes against lice infestation. In total, 121 Atlantic salmon families were challenged with 35 copepodites per fish and ranked after 14 infestation days. Skin and head kidney tissue from the top two lowest (R) and highest (S) infested families were sequenced by the Illumina platform. Genome-scale transcriptome analysis showed different expression profiles between the phenotypes. Significant differences in chromosome modulation between the R and S families were observed in skin tissue. Notably, the upregulation of genes associated with tissue repairs, such as collagen and myosin, was found in R families. Furthermore, skin tissue of resistant families showed the highest number of genes associated with molecular functions such as ion binding, transferase, and cytokine activity, compared with the susceptible. Interestingly, lncRNAs differentially modulated in the R/S families are located near genes associated with immune response, which are upregulated in the R family. Finally, SNPs variations were identified in both salmon families, where the resistant ones showed the highest number of SNPs variations. Remarkably, among the genes with SPNs, genes associated with the tissue repair process were identified. This study reported Atlantic salmon chromosome regions exclusively expressed in R or S Atlantic salmon families' phenotypes. Furthermore, due to the presence of SNPs and high expression of tissue repair genes in the resistant families, it is possible to suggest mucosal immune activation associated with the Atlantic salmon resistance to sea louse infestation.

Obesity-Linked PPARγ Ser273 Phosphorylation Promotes Beneficial Effects on the Liver, despite Reduced Insulin Sensitivity in Mice.

Since the removal of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) from the market, researchers have been exploring alternative anti-diabetic drugs that target PPARγ without causing adverse effects while promoting insulin sensitization by blocking serine 273 phosphorylation (Ser273 or S273). Nonetheless, the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between insulin resistance and S273 phosphorylation are still largely unknown, except for the involvement of growth differentiation factor (GDF3) regulation in the process. To further investigate potential pathways, we generated a whole organism knockin mouse line with a single S273A mutation (KI) that blocks the occurrence of its phosphorylation. Our observations of KI mice on different diets and feeding schedules revealed that they were hyperglycemic, hypoinsulinemic, presented more body fat at weaning, and presented an altered plasma and hepatic lipid profile, distinctive liver morphology and gene expression. These results suggest that total blockage of S273 phosphorylation may have unforeseen effects that, in addition to promoting insulin sensitivity, could lead to metabolic disturbances, particularly in the liver. Therefore, our findings demonstrate both the beneficial and detrimental effects of PPAR S273 phosphorylation and suggest selective modulation of this post translational modification is a viable strategy to treat type 2 diabetes.

Metabolic and inflammatory profiles define phenotypes with clinical relevance in female knee osteoarthritis patients with joint effusion.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis has been the subject of abundant research in the last years with limited translation to the clinical practice, probably due to the disease's high heterogeneity. In this study, we aimed to identify different phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with joint effusion based on their metabolic and inflammatory profiles. METHODS: A non-supervised strategy based on statistical and machine learning methods was applied to 45 parameters measured on 168 female KOA patients with persistent joint effusion, consecutively recruited at our hospital after a monographic OA outpatient visit. Data comprised anthropometric and metabolic factors and a panel of systemic and local inflammatory markers. The resulting clusters were compared regarding their clinical, radiographic and ultrasound severity at baseline and their radiographic progression at two years. RESULTS: Our analyses identified four KOA inflammatory phenotypes (KOIP): a group characterized by metabolic syndrome, probably driven by body fat and obesity, and by high local and systemic inflammation (KOIP-1); a metabolically healthy phenotype with mild overall inflammation (KOIP-2); a non-metabolic phenotype with high inflammation levels (KOIP-3); and a metabolic phenotype with low inflammation and cardiovascular risk factors not associated with obesity (KOIP-4). Of interest, these groups exhibited differences regarding pain, functional disability and radiographic progression, pointing to a clinical relevance of the uncovered phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Our results support the existence of different KOA phenotypes with clinical relevance and differing pathways regarding their pathophysiology and disease evolution, which entails implications in patients' stratification, treatment tailoring and the search of novel and personalized therapies.

Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Usefulness of FRAX® as a Screening Tool.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fractures in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and determine the associated risk factors, evaluating the usefulness of FRAX® as a screening method to identify patients at a higher risk of fracture. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Demographic, clinical, and analytical data were collected in a randomized sample of LC patients attending the Hepatology Department of a university hospital. We assessed the absolute risk of fracture at 10 years (FRAX®) and based on the bone mineral density (BMD), the presence of morphometric vertebral fracture with a vertebral fracture assessment (VFA), or a thoracic and lumbar X-ray and bone microarchitecture with a trabecular bone score (TBS). RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included (71% male); the mean age was 63 ± 11.3 years. The main etiology of LC was alcoholism (52.2%), and most patients were Child-Pugh A (80.4%), with a mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of 10.1 ± 3.6. Sixteen patients (17.4%) had osteoporosis, and fifty-four (58.7%) had osteopenia. Eight patients (8.7%) had suffered at least one fragility fracture. The absolute risk of a major fracture according to FRAX without the BMD was 5.7 ± 4.5%. Risk factors associated with osteoporosis were age and the female sex. BMI > 30 was a protective factor. A FRAX cut-off point for a major fracture > 6.6% had a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 85% for a diagnosis of osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures in patients with LC is high, particularly in older women. FRAX® may be a useful method to identify candidates for bone densitometry. A FRAX value below 6.6% without the BMD can avoid unnecessary testing.

Uveitis in peripheral spondyloarthritis patients: an ancillary analysis of the ASAS-PerSpA study.

Background: Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most frequent extra-musculoskeletal manifestation in spondyloarhtritis (SpA). Previous data on AAU focused on axial disease; therefore, it is not well known whether the clinical characteristics of patients with AAU and recurrent AAU differ between patients with axial and peripheral SpA. Objective: Primary objective was to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with AAU from patients without AAU in axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. Secondary objectives were to describe the clinical features of patients with AAU in the subset of patients with peripheral SpA (pSpA) and the clinical characteristics of patients with recurrent AAU in SpA patients. Design: This is an ancillary analysis of the ASAS-PerSpA study which included 3152 patients, 2719 patients with axSpA and 433 with pSpA according to rheumatologist judgement. Methods: Recurrent AAU was defined as the presence of two or more episodes of AAU ever. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the presence of AAU ever and the presence of recurrent AAU. Results: Overall, 663 patients (21%) presented AAU. Of them, 444 (66.9%) presented recurrent episodes. In patients with SpA, HLA-B27 positivity is the most important factor linked to the presence of AAU, odds ratio (OR) = 2.70 (95% CI = 2.04-3.6). In patients with pSpA, HLA-B27 positivity was also the most relevant factor linked to the presence of AAU, OR = 6.08 (95% CI = 2.72-15.68). Moreover, disease duration, younger age and higher body mass index (BMI) were the only factors slightly linked to the presence of recurrent episodes, OR = 1.03 (95% CI = 1.01-1.04), OR = 1.01 (95% CI = 1.00-1.03) and OR = 1.04 (95% CI = 1.01-1.08), respectively. Conclusion: HLA-B27 positivity is the most relevant factor linked to AAU risk in SpA patients, and this association is even stronger in those patients with pSpA. Moreover, our study did not find an association between HLA-B27 positivity and recurrent AAU in SpA patients.

Glucocorticoids' treatment impairs the medium-term immunogenic response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.

Limited data exists on SARS-CoV-2 sustained-response to vaccine in patients with rheumatic diseases. This study aims to evaluate neutralizing antibodies (nAB) induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccine after 3 to 6 months from administration in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients, as a surrogate of sustained-immunological response. This cross-sectional study compared nAB titre of 39 SLE patients and 37 Healthy individuals with no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, who had all received a complete regimen of a mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine within the last 3 to 6 months. We included four lines of SLE treatment including Not-treated, Hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppressive drugs and biological therapy. Glucocorticoids were allowed in all groups. Healthy and Not-treated individuals showed the highest levels of nAB. Treated patients presented lower nAB titres compared to Healthy: a 73% decrease for First-Line patients, 56% for Second-Line treatment and 72% for Third-Line. A multivariate analysis pointed to Glucocorticoids as the most associated factor with declining nAB levels (75% decrease) in treated SLE. Furthermore, a significant reduction in nAB titres was observed for Rituximab-users compared to Healthy subjects (89% decrease). Medium-term response of SLE patients to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines is negatively impacted in Glucocorticoids and Rituximab users. These findings might help to inform recommendations in vaccination protocols for SLE patients.

Biomarker candidates for progression and clinical management of COVID-19 associated pneumonia at time of admission.

COVID-19 pathophysiology is currently not fully understood, reliable prognostic factors remain elusive, and few specific therapeutic strategies have been proposed. In this scenario, availability of biomarkers is a priority. MS-based Proteomics techniques were used to profile the proteome of 81 plasma samples extracted in four consecutive days from 23 hospitalized COVID-19 associated pneumonia patients. Samples from 10 subjects that reached a critical condition during their hospital stay and 10 matched non-severe controls were drawn before the administration of any COVID-19 specific treatment and used to identify potential biomarkers of COVID-19 prognosis. Additionally, we compared the proteome of five patients before and after glucocorticoids and tocilizumab treatment, to assess the changes induced by the therapy on our selected candidates. Forty-two proteins were differentially expressed between patients' evolution groups at 10% FDR. Twelve proteins showed lower levels in critical patients (fold-changes 1.20-3.58), of which OAS3 and COG5 found their expression increased after COVID-19 specific therapy. Most of the 30 proteins over-expressed in critical patients (fold-changes 1.17-4.43) were linked to inflammation, coagulation, lipids metabolism, complement or immunoglobulins, and a third of them decreased their expression after treatment. We propose a set of candidate proteins for biomarkers of COVID-19 prognosis at the time of hospital admission. The study design employed is distinctive from previous works and aimed to optimize the chances of the candidates to be validated in confirmatory studies and, eventually, to play a useful role in the clinical practice.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics of 3D cell culture: A useful tool to validate culture of spheroids and organoids.

Worldwide obesity, defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may result in different comorbidities, is considered a pandemic condition that has nearly tripled in the last 45 years. Most studies on obesity use animal models or adipocyte monolayer cell culture to investigate adipose tissue. However, besides monolayer cell culture approaches do not fully recapitulate the physiology of living organisms, there is a growing need to reduce or replace animals in research. In this context, the development of 3D self-organized structures has provided models that better reproduce the in vitro aspects of the in vivo physiology in comparison to traditional monolayer cell culture. Besides, recent advances in omics technologies have allowed us to characterize these cultures at the proteome, metabolome, transcription factor, DNA-binding and transcriptomic levels. These two combined approaches, 3D culture and omics, have provided more realistic data about determined conditions. Thereby, here we focused on the development of an obesity study pipeline including proteomic analysis to validate adipocyte-derived spheroids. Through the combination of collected mass spectrometry data from differentiated 3T3-L1 spheroids and from murine white adipose tissue (WAT), we identified 1732 proteins in both samples. By using a comprehensive proteomic analysis, we observed that the in vitro 3D culture of differentiated adipocytes shares important molecular pathways with the WAT, including expression of proteins involved in central metabolic process of the adipose tissue. Together, our results show a combination of an orthogonal method and an image-based analysis that constitutes a useful pipeline to be applied in 3D adipocyte culture.

Multifactorial Basis and Therapeutic Strategies in Metabolism-Related Diseases.

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, has been increasing worldwide. Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns, along with genetic conditions, are the main factors that modulate the metabolism of individuals, leading to the development of NCDs. Obesity, diabetes, metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are classified in this group of chronic diseases. Therefore, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of these diseases leads us to develop more accurate and effective treatments to reduce or mitigate their prevalence in the population. Given the global relevance of NCDs and ongoing research progress, this article reviews the current understanding about NCDs and their related risk factors, with a focus on obesity, diabetes, MAFLD, and CVDs, summarizing the knowledge about their pathophysiology and highlighting the currently available and emerging therapeutic strategies, especially pharmacological interventions. All of these diseases play an important role in the contamination by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as in the progression and severity of the symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, we briefly explore the relationship between NCDs and COVID-19.

Relevance of gastrointestinal manifestations in a large Spanish cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: what do we know?

OBJECTIVE: SLE can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI symptoms are reported to occur in >50% of SLE patients. To describe the GI manifestations of SLE in the RELESSER (Registry of SLE Patients of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology) cohort and to determine whether these are associated with a more severe disease, damage accrual and a worse prognosis. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide, retrospective, multicentre, cross-sectional cohort study of 3658 SLE patients who fulfil ≥4 ACR-97 criteria. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, activity (SLEDAI-2K or BILAG), damage (SLICC/ACR/DI) and therapies were collected. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between lupus patients with and without GI damage to establish whether GI damage is associated with a more severe disease. RESULTS: From 3654 lupus patients, 3.7% developed GI damage. Patients in this group (group 1) were older, they had longer disease duration, and were more likely to have vasculitis, renal disease and serositis than patients without GI damage (group 2). Hospitalizations and mortality were significantly higher in group 1. Patients in group 1 had higher modified SDI (SLICC Damage Index). The presence of oral ulcers reduced the risk of developing damage in 33% of patients. CONCLUSION: Having GI damage is associated with a worse prognosis. Patients on a high dose of glucocorticoids are at higher risk of developing GI damage which reinforces the strategy of minimizing glucocorticoids. Oral ulcers appear to decrease the risk of GI damage.

Sexual hormones and diabetes: The impact of estradiol in pancreatic ß cell.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases and its incidence is increasing throughout the world. Data from World Health Organization (WHO) point-out that diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation and estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by it in 2016. Population studies show that the incidence of this disease increases in women after menopause, when the production of estrogen is decreasing in them. Knowing the impact that estrogenic signaling has on insulin-secreting ß cells is key to prevention and design of new therapeutic targets. This chapter explores the role of estrogen and their receptors in the regulation of insulin secretion and biosynthesis, proliferation, regeneration and survival in pancreatic ß cells. In addition, delves into the genetic animal models developed and its application for the specific study of the different estrogen signaling pathways. Finally, discusses the impact of menopause and hormone replacement therapy on pancreatic ß cell function.

Ventricular Fibrosis and Coronary Remodeling Following Short-Term Exposure of Healthy and Malnourished Mice to Bisphenol A.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor associated with higher risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases especially in susceptible populations. Because malnutrition is a nutritional disorder associated with high cardiovascular risk, we sought to compare the effects of short-term BPA exposure on cardiovascular parameters of healthy and protein-malnourished mice. Postweaned male mice were fed a normo- (control) or low-protein (LP) diet for 8 weeks and then exposed or not to BPA (50 µg kg-1 day-1) for the last 9 days. Systolic blood pressure was higher in BPA or LP groups compared with the control group. However, diastolic blood pressure was enhanced by BPA only in malnourished mice. Left ventricle (LV) end diastolic pressure (EDP), collagen deposition, and CTGF mRNA expression were higher in the control or malnourished mice exposed to BPA than in the respective nonexposed groups. Nevertheless, mice fed LP diet exposed to BPA exhibited higher angiotensinogen and cardiac TGF-ß1 mRNA expression than mice treated with LP or BPA alone. Wall:lumen ratio and cross-sectional area of intramyocardial arteries were higher either in the LP or BPA group compared with the control mice. Taken together, our data suggest that short-term BPA exposure results in LV diastolic dysfunction and fibrosis, and intramyocardial arteries inward remodeling, besides potentiate protein malnutrition-induced hypertension and cardiovascular risk.

Comparison of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis under TNFi or NSAID treatment, is there any difference? An observational study / Comparación de la actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes de espondilitis anquilosante con terapia de anti-TNF o AINE. ¿Existe alguna diferencia? Estudio observacional

Objective: To assess whether there are any real-life differences between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with NSAID or TNF inhibitors (TNFi) regarding disease activity.Methods: This is an observational transversal unicentric study with retrospective retrieval of data from clinical records of all AS patients attended in our hospital. We compared clinical activity measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores between patients treated with NSAID and those treated with TNFi, in terms of low disease activity defined as BASDAI<4, and inactivity when BASDAI≤2. As secondary variables, we also collected epidemiological, clinical and radiological data from all those patients. Results: A total of 152 AS patients (81% male), with an average age of 49.45±12.38 years and a disease duration of 13.5±9.79 years were included in the study. Eighty-nine patients (58.6%) were treated with NSAID and 63 (41.4%) with TNFi. The proportion of patients with low disease activity and inactive disease was significantly higher in the TNFi treatment group compared to the NSAID group (81 vs. 47, P=.0001) and (44 vs. 24, P=.007), respectively. Patients treated with NSAIDs also showed significantly more global pain and night pain than those under TNFi therapy. The BASFI score and especially the type of treatment (NSAID or TNFI) were the only variables independently associated with low disease activity or inactive disease. Conclusion: In real world practice, AS patients under TNFi treatment show a better control of clinical symptoms than those under NSAIDs.(AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar si existen diferencias entre los pacientes con espondilitis anquilosante (EA) tratados con AINE o inhibidores del TNF (anti-TNF), con relación a la actividad de la enfermedad en la vida real. Métodos: Estudio observacional transversal unicéntrico con recopilación retrospectiva de datos de historias clínicas de todos los pacientes de EA examinados en nuestro hospital. Comparamos la actividad clínica, medida con la puntuación del Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), entre los pacientes tratados con AINE y los tratados con anti-TNF, en términos de baja actividad de la enfermedad definida como BASDAI<4 e inactividad, con BASDAI≤2. Como variables secundarias recopilamos también los datos clínicos, epidemiológicos y radiológicos de dichos pacientes. Resultados: Incluimos en el estudio un total de 152 pacientes de EA (81% varones), con una edad media de 49,45±12,38años y una duración de la enfermedad de 13,5±9,79años. Ochenta y nueve pacientes (58,6%) fueron tratados con AINE y 63 (41,4%) con anti-TNF. La proporción de pacientes con baja actividad de la enfermedad e inactividad fue significativamente superior en el grupo de terapia anti-TNF, en comparación con el grupo AINE: 81 vs. 47, p=0,0001, y 44 vs. 24, p=0,007, respectivamente. Los pacientes tratados con AINE reflejaron también un dolor global significativamente mayor que aquellos con terapia de anti-TNF. La puntuación BASFI, y especialmente el tipo de tratamiento (AINE o anti-TNF), fueron las únicas variables independientemente asociadas a baja actividad de la enfermedad o a inactividad de esta. Conclusión: En la práctica real, los pacientes de EA con terapia anti-TNF reflejan un mejor control de los síntomas clínicos que aquellos con tratamiento de AINE.(AU)

Synovial Adiponectin Was More Associated with Clinical Severity than Synovial Leptin in Women with Knee Osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Different adipokines have been reported to play a role in the development, progression, and severity of knee osteoarthritis, but this association may be mediated by obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate separately the associations of leptin and adiponectin with clinical severity and inflammatory markers in nonobese and obese women with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with systematic inclusion of 115 women with symptomatic primary knee osteoarthritis. Age, physical exercise, symptoms duration, and body mass index were collected. Radiographic severity was evaluated according to Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Pain and disability were assessed by WOMAC-total, -pain, -function subscales. Two adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) and 3 inflammatory markers (TNF-α, hsCRP, and IL-6) were measured by ELISA in synovial fluid and serum. RESULTS: Synovial fluid adiponectin was associated with WOMAC pain, function, and total and with synovial fluid IL-6 in nonobese female knee osteoarthritis after controlling by confounders (partial correlation coefficient [PCC] = 0.395, 0.387, 0.427, and 0.649, respectively). Synovial fluid and serum leptin were significantly associated with IL-6 (PCC = 0.354) after controlling by confounders but associations with clinical severity and the rest of inflammatory markers were mitigated after control. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin in synovial fluid was associated with clinical severity and local inflammatory markers in knee osteoarthritis women, while leptin relation was attenuated when controlled by confounders.

Comparison of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis under TNFi or NSAID treatment, is there any difference? An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there are any real-life differences between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with NSAID or TNF inhibitors (TNFi) regarding disease activity. METHODS: This is an observational transversal unicentric study with retrospective retrieval of data from clinical records of all AS patients attended in our hospital. We compared clinical activity measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores between patients treated with NSAID and those treated with TNFi, in terms of low disease activity defined as BASDAI<4, and inactivity when BASDAI≤2. As secondary variables, we also collected epidemiological, clinical and radiological data from all those patients. RESULTS: A total of 152 AS patients (81% male), with an average age of 49.45±12.38 years and a disease duration of 13.5±9.79 years were included in the study. Eighty-nine patients (58.6%) were treated with NSAID and 63 (41.4%) with TNFi. The proportion of patients with low disease activity and inactive disease was significantly higher in the TNFi treatment group compared to the NSAID group (81 vs. 47, P=.0001) and (44 vs. 24, P=.007), respectively. Patients treated with NSAIDs also showed significantly more global pain and night pain than those under TNFi therapy. The BASFI score and especially the type of treatment (NSAID or TNFI) were the only variables independently associated with low disease activity or inactive disease. CONCLUSION: In real world practice, AS patients under TNFi treatment show a better control of clinical symptoms than those under NSAIDs.