Incidence and Prevalence of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis in a Healthcare Management Organization in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate incidence and prevalence of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a university hospital-based health management organization (Hospital Italiano Medical Care Program) in Argentina. METHODS: Overall and sex-specific incidence rates (IRs) and prevalence were calculated (age ≥ 50 yrs). Incidence study followed members with continuous affiliation ≥ 1 year from January 2000 to December 2015. Diagnosis as per the 2012 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for PMR or the ACR 1990 criteria for GCA. Prevalence was calculated on January 1, 2015. RESULTS: There were 176,558 persons who contributed a total of 1,046,620 person-years (PY). Of these, 825 developed PMR, with an IR (per 100,000 PY) of 78.8 (95% CI 73.4-84.2) overall, 90.1 (95% CI 82.9-97.2) for women, and 58.9 (95% CI 51.1-66.6) for men. Ninety persons developed GCA; the IR was 8.6 (95% CI 6.8-10.4) overall, 11.1 (95% CI 8.5-10.6) for women, and 4.2 (2.2-6.3) for men. There were 205 prevalent PMR cases and 23 prevalent GCA cases identified from a population of 80,335. Prevalence of PMR was 255 per 100,000 (95% CI 220-290) overall, 280 (95% CI 234-325) for women, and 209 (95% CI 150-262) for men; and the prevalence of GCA was 28.6 per 100,000 (95% CI 16.9-40.3) overall, 36.4 (95% CI 20.1-52.8) for women, and 14.2 (95% CI 0.3-28.1) for men. CONCLUSION: This is the first study of incidence and prevalence of PMR and GCA in Argentina. There were similarities and differences with cohorts from other parts of the world, but population-based epidemiologic studies in Latin America are needed.

Ultrasound-detected tenosynovitis as a risk factor for flares in rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical remission.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to investigate the value of ultrasound (US) detected synovitis and tenosynovitis as risk factors for short term flare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical remission. METHODS: Consecutive RA patients in clinical remission (DAS28 ERS < 2.6) for at least 3 months underwent Power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) examination of 1st to 6th extensor compartments at the wrist, 2nd to 5th finger flexor, posterior tibial tendon, and peroneal tendons. To assess synovitis, carpal joints, 1st to 5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, and 2nd to 5th interphalangeal proximal (IPP) joints were bilaterally examined. Synovitis and tenosynovitis were defined according to OMERACT. Patients were followed for 1 year. Disease flare was defined as an increase in disease activity generating the need for a change in therapy by the attending rheumatologist. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. After 1 year of follow-up, 26 patients (29%) experienced a flare. At baseline 39%, 23% and 8% had US-detected synovitis, tenosynovitis or both, respectively. In the 1-year period after the baseline US examination, US-detected tenosynovitis (RR: 4.9; 95% CI: 2.2-10.8) was associated with an increased risk of exacerbation. This association was not shown with US-detected synovitis (RR: 1.3; 95% CI: 0.76-2.2). In the multivariate analysis, only subclinical tenosynovitis (OR: 9.8; 95% CI: 2.5-39.1; p = 0.001) and baseline DAS28 (OR: 5.7; 95% CI: 1.1-31.6; p = 0.047) were significantly associated with an increased risk of having a flare. CONCLUSION: In our study, subclinical tenosynovitis was associated with disease flare in patients with RA in clinical remission. KEY POINTS: • Synovitis and tenosynovitis are risk factors for short term flare in RA patients in clinical remission. • Subclinical tenosynovitis, but not synovitis, was associated with disease flare in patients with unstable remission. • Ultrasound-detected tenosynovitis could be useful to predict relapses in RA patients in clinical remission.

Levels of satisfaction with rheumatoid arthritis treatment and associated alignment between physicians and patients across Latin America.

INTRODUCTION: Discordance (misalignment) regarding treatment satisfaction may exist in real-life clinical practice between patients and their physicians. We aimed to assess physician and patient treatment satisfaction levels and associated degree of misalignment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: A point-in-time, multinational survey of patients and physicians was conducted in Latin America from December 2014 to October 2015. Physician- and patient-reported satisfaction levels with current RA treatment, alignment levels in satisfaction perception, and factors associated with satisfaction misalignment were assessed through bivariate and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Participating physicians (N = 114) completed 555 patient record forms (PRFs); 372 patients completed self-complete questionnaires (PSC). A total of 346 physician-patient pairs were analyzed. Physicians reported satisfaction with current disease control in 270/346 (78.0%) PRFs; patients reported such satisfaction in 286/346 (82.7%) PSCs. Physician-patient alignment was observed in 78.6% of pairs. Compared with aligned patients, misaligned patients were younger, more likely to have moderate or severe disease (physician subjectively defined), deteriorating or unstable disease (physician subjectively defined), been exposed to a greater number of advanced therapy lines (biologic or Janus kinase inhibitor), greater current pain, a current acute episode, poorer health, and greater disability and impairment. Misaligned patients were less likely to be in remission. Logistic regression analysis revealed that misaligned patients were more likely to experience greater activity impairment. CONCLUSIONS: High treatment satisfaction and alignment were observed among RA patients and their physicians in Latin America. Misaligned patients were more likely to report more severe disease and were less likely to be in remission. Addressing misalignment may lead to improved RA disease control.Key Points• High treatment satisfaction was observed among RA patients and their treating physicians in Latin America.• One-fifth of physician-patient pairs were misaligned in treatment satisfaction.• Patients misaligned with their physicians reported higher disease activity, lower quality of life, and greater disability than those who were aligned with their physicians.• Understanding and addressing misalignment in treatment satisfaction may improve outcomes in this patient population.

Physician-patient alignment in satisfaction with psoriatic arthritis treatment in Latin America.

INTRODUCTION: Physician-patient misalignment may exist in real-life clinical practice. We aimed to assess physician and patient treatment satisfaction levels and associated degree of misalignment in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHOD: Data from a cross-sectional survey of patients and their physicians conducted in Latin America were analyzed. Physician-reported and patient-reported satisfaction levels with current PsA treatment, alignment in satisfaction levels, and factors associated with satisfaction misalignment were assessed through bivariable and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 179 physician-patient pairs were analyzed. Physicians reported satisfaction with current disease control in 87.7% (n = 157) of cases; patients reported satisfaction in 91.1% (n = 163 of cases). A total of 82.1% of physician-patient pairs were aligned. Compared with aligned patients, misaligned patients were older and more likely to have moderate or severe disease, deteriorating or unstable disease, a past hospital procedure, current or past psoriasis symptoms, greater current pain, a current acute episode, poorer health and quality of life, greater impairment, poorer medication compliance, to consider PsA a major daily burden, and to believe that PsA treatments were ineffective. Misaligned patients were less likely to be in remission. Logistic regression analysis revealed that misaligned patients were older, and more likely to consider PsA a major daily burden and PsA treatments as ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of treatment satisfaction and alignment were observed among PsA patients and their physicians in Latin America. Patients in this study nevertheless experienced a considerable clinical and quality-of-life burden, especially the misaligned patients. Addressing misalignment may lead to improved PsA disease control.Key points• High treatment satisfaction was observed among PsA patients and their treating physicians in Latin America.• Patients experienced a considerable clinical and quality-of-life burden, especially the misaligned patients.• One-fifth of physician-patient pairs were misaligned regarding satisfaction.• Understanding and addressing misalignment may improve outcomes in this patient population.

Evaluation of Learned Helplessness, Perceived Self-efficacy, and Functional Capacity in Patients With Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare learned helplessness (LH) and perceived self-efficacy (SE) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess their correlation with functional disability, level of perceived pain, and fatigue. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) with RA, according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria, and FM, according to 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria. Learned helplessness was measured by the Rheumatology Attitude Index, Spanish version; SE with the Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale, Spanish version; functional capacity with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Argentine version; depression with Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale 7-item version and perceived pain and fatigue by the visual analog scale. Disease activity was measured by the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and disease impact with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). RESULTS: A total of 215 patients, 100 with FM and 115 with RA, were included. Mean age was 59 (SD, 14) years and 58 (SD, 13) years for FM and RA, patients respectively. Whereas LH and depression were significantly higher, SE was significantly lower in FM patients. We found a positive correlation between LH and HAQ, pain, depression, fatigue, FIQ, and CDAI in FM and RA patients. We observed a negative correlation between SE and HAQ, pain, depression, fatigue, FIQ (FM), and CDAI (RA) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both LH and SE correlate significantly with functional capacity, perceived pain, disease activity, and disease impact in RA and FM patients. Learned helplessness was higher in patients with active disease or high disease impact, as opposed to those in remission or with low disease impact, and the reverse was true for SE. Patients with FM had significantly more LH, pain, fatigue, and depression and less SE compared with those with RA.

Tenosinovitis subclínica detectada por ecografía en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea en remisión clínica sostenida / Subclinical tenosynovitis detected by ultrasound in patients with rheumatoid arthritis under sustained clinical remission

El objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia de tenosinovitis detectada por ecografía-doppler en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoidea (AR) en remisión clínica sostenida, determinar su asociación con las características de la enfermedad y determinar si la presencia de tenosinovitis ecográfica podría agregar información a la sinovitis para definir remisión ecográfica. Se incluyeron 60 pacientes con AR en remisión clínica (DAS28 <2,6, CDAI <2,8 y/o SDAI <3,3) sostenida a quienes se les realizó una ecografía con señal doppler de poder (DP). Un reumatólogo entrenado evaluó en forma bilateral: 1°-6° compartimentos extensores a nivel del carpo, 2°-5° tendones flexores de los dedos de las manos, tibial posterior, peroneo lateral corto y largo. A nivel articular se evaluaron en forma bilateral: carpo, 2°-5° metacarpofalángicas y 2°-5° interfalángicas proximales. Se definió remisión ecográfica a la ausencia de sinovitis en escala de grises (EG) grado ≥2 y la ausencia de señal DP a nivel articular o tendinoso. Se detectó tenosinovitis por EG grado ≥2 y señal DP ≥1 en 14 (23%; IC 95%: 12-34) y 13 (21,7%; IC 95%: 10-32) pacientes, respectivamente. Los tendones más frecuentemente afectados fueron: 6° compartimento extensor del carpo, tibial posterior y 3° tendón flexor tibial posterior. En el análisis multivariado, la única variable que se asoció con la presencia de tenosinovitis por ecografía-doppler fue la ERS (OR: 1,11; IC 95%: 1,02-1,22). Veintinueve pacientes (48,3%; IC 95%: 35-60) presentaron sinovitis subclínica y no fueron clasificados como AR en remisión ecográfica. La adición de la información brindada por la presencia de tenosinovitis subclínica, permitió clasificar 6 pacientes más sin remisión ecográfica, arrojando un total de 35 pacientes (58,3%; IC 95%: 45-70) (p=0,272).

The aims were to evaluate prevalence of ultrasound (US) tenosynovitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients in sustained clinical remission, its association with disease features and to assess whether the presence of tenosynovitis could add information to synovitis to define ultrasound (US) remission. Sixty consecutive RA patients in sustained (≥12 months) clinical remission (DAS28 <2.6, CDAI <2.8 and/or SDAI <3.3) were included. All patients underwent US examination by the same experienced rheumatologist. The following were bilaterally assessed: 1st-6th extensor tendon compartments at wrist level, 2nd-5th finger flexor tendons, posterior tibial, peroneal tendons, wrists, 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal and 2nd-5th proximal interphalangeal. US remission was defined as the absence of synovitis on gray scale (GS ≥2) and the absence of power doppler (PD) signal at both joint and tendon level. Grey scale ≥2 and PD tenosynovitis were detected in 14 (23%; 95% CI: 12-34) and 13 (21.7%; 95% CI: 10-32) RA patients in clinical remission, respectively. The most frequent involved tendons were: 6th extensor wrist compartment, 3rd finger flexor and posterior tibials. In multivariate analysis, the only feature associated with the presence of subclinical tenosynovitis was erythrosedimentation rate (ESR)(OR: 1.11; 1.02-1.22). Twenty-nine (48.3%; 95% CI: 35-60) patients had subclinical synovitis and were not classified as in US remission. Adding the information of subclinical tenosynovitis, 6 more patients would have been classified as not in US remission, yielding a total of 35 patients (58.3%; 95% CI: 45-70) (p=0.272).

Complement levels and risk of organ involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Complement plays a major role in SLE. Complement participation has been linked to disease activity and damage. Our objective was to estimate the association of complement behaviour with clinical manifestations, visceral injury and mortality in patients with SLE. METHODS: Complement determinations (C3 and C4 levels) were analysed in patients with SLE (fulfilling American College of Rheumatology (ACR) or Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC)criteria) seen at a university hospital between 2000 and 2013. Patients were grouped in those with permanent C3 and/or C4 low values (low complement group), those with C3 and C4 constant normal values (normal complement group) and those with fluctuant values (periods of normal and periods of low values: fluctuant group). Clinical characteristics and mortality were analysed and compared between groups. RESULTS: 270 patients with SLE were included (242 females, 89.6%), mean age at diagnosis was 34.2 years (SD 15.8). 75 patients had fluctuant levels of complement, 79 patients had persistent low complement levels and 116 had normal complement levels. Lupus glomerulonephritis was more frequent in patients with fluctuant levels (75%, 56% and 49%, respectively, p=0002). The normal complement group had less frequency of haematological involvement and anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies. At the end of the follow-up, 53% of the patients had damage (SLICC/ACR ≥1). In a Cox proportional hazard model age at diagnosis, neurological impairment, thrombocytopaenia and corticosteroids were associated with more damage, while hydroxychloroquine was a protective factor. There were no differences between complements groups on accumulated damage. Ten-year survival rate was 93%, 93.5% and 92% for the normal complement group, the persistently low group and the fluctuant group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with constant normal complement had lower prevalence of haematological involvement and anti-dsDNA, while patients with fluctuant complement had higher renal impairment. Neither the persistent low complement nor the fluctuant complement groups had increased mortality and/or visceral damage.

Pharmacologic treatment of psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis with traditional biologic and non-biologic DMARDs.

This manuscript focuses on the pharmacologic treatment of psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis - including ankylosing spondylitis - using traditional biologic and non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Early treatment of psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis/ankylosing spondylitis as well as the treat-to-target concept receive particular attention. This review also surveys recent national and international guidelines for the treatment of both psoriatic arthritis and couches practice recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis/ankylosing spondylitis within the context of various international guidelines.

Incidence and prevalence of polymyositis and dermatomyositis in a health management organization in Buenos Aires.

BACKGROUND: Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are infrequent diseases. Data on incidence and prevalence are scarce and conflicting. There are no such data in Latin America and in Argentina in particular. OBJECTIVES: We undertook to examine the incidence and prevalence of PM/DM in the prepaid health maintenance organization (HMO) of our hospital, in the city of Buenos Aires. METHODS: Members of the HMO between January 1999 and June 2009 were identified from medical records of patients followed up by us at the HMO. Incident cases and prevalence were calculated at the end of the period. RESULTS: During the study period, 146,747 persons contributed a total of 937,902.6 person-years (mean age was 46.6 [SD, 18.4] years, and 59% were female). Ten incident cases were detected, 7 women and 3 men with a global incidence rate (IR) of 1.07 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5-1.84). Three subjects had DM with an IR of 0.32 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 0.1-0.99), and 7 had PM with an IR of 0.75 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 0.35-0.16). On June 1, 2009, 17 prevalent cases were detected, with a mean age of 48.9 (SD, 17.7) years; 76% were female, representing a prevalence of 17.4 per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 10.1-27.8). Among the 17 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, 10 patients had DM, with a prevalence of 10.22 per 100,000 persons (95% CI, 4.9-18.8), and 7 had PM (prevalence, 7.2 per 100,000 persons [95% CI, 2.9-14.7]). CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to compare studies from different populations and using different ascertainment techniques. These first data from Latin America are in general agreement with many studies.

Treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis in a multinational inception cohort of Latin American patients: the GLADAR experience.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved dramatically in the last decade. However, little is known about the way rheumatologists in Latin America treat their patients in clinical practice, outside the scope of clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe treatment patterns at disease onset in early RA with data from a large, multicenter, multinational inception cohort of Latin American patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients with early RA (<1 year of disease duration as diagnosed by a rheumatologist) from 46 centers in 14 Latin American countries were enrolled in the study. Clinical data, laboratory assessments, and a detailed registry on type of prescriptions were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up. Hands and feet x-rays were obtained at baseline and at 12 and 24 months. All data were captured in Arthros 6.1 database. Continuous variables were expressed as means and SDs, and categorical variables were expressed as percentages and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Only therapeutic data at baseline are presented, corresponding to the period between disease onset and second visit (3 months). RESULTS: A total of 1093 patients were included. Eighty-five percent were female, and 76% had a positive rheumatoid factor. Mean age at diagnosis was 46.5 (SD, 14.2) years, and mean disease duration at the first visit was 5.8 (SD, 3.8) months. Between baseline and second visit (3 months), 75% of patients (95% CI, 72%-78%) received disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Methotrexate (MTX) alone or in combination was the most frequently used (60.5%), followed by antimalarials (chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, 32.1%), sulfasalazine (7.1%), and leflunomide (LEF, 4%). In 474 patients (43%), initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs was within the first month after the first visit. In addition, 290 patients (26%; 95% CI, 23%-29%) received combination therapy as initial treatment. The most frequently used combinations were MTX + chloroquine (45%), MTX + hydroxychloroquine (25%), and MTX + sulfasalazine (16%). Eleven patients (1%; 95% CI, 0.5%-1.8%) received biologics. Sixty-four percent (95% CI, 60%-66%) received corticosteroids. Of those, 80% (95% CI, 77%-84%) received 10 mg of oral prednisone or less. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of Latin American patients with early RA, most patients received MTX very early in their disease course. Combination therapy was used approximately in 1 of every 4 patients as initial therapy. Biologics were rarely used at this early stage, and low-dose prednisone was commonly used.

Effect of education on blood pressure control in elderly persons: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: It is not clear which educational strategy is most effective in helping patients to change their lifestyles. This study compared the efficacy of two different educational models on reducing blood pressure (BP). METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial in ambulatory hypertensive patients >65 years of age. Workshops that aimed to develop self-management and patient empowerment (PEM) were compared to workshops that used a compliance-based model (CEM). The primary outcome was change in systolic BP at 3 months compared with basal values between groups (net reduction), measured by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were educated with PEM and 30 others with CM. Both groups were statistically similar with regard to age (67 v 70 years), systolic BP (157 v 156 mm Hg) and diastolic BP (88 v 88 mm Hg), diabetes (23% v 31%), and basal natriuresis 116 v 121 mEq/day). There were more women in the PEM group (57% v 30%). The PEM group showed a significant reduction of 8 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] 2 to 15), whereas the CM group showed a reduction of 3 mm Hg (95% CI -3 to 8), with a net reduction of 6 (95% CI -3 to 14). Mean net night-time systolic BP reduction was 12 mm Hg (95% CI 2 to 22). BP control was 70% in PEM group vs 45% in CM group (P = 0.045). The relative odds ratio for BP control for the PEM group after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes, basal blood pressure and changes in pharmacological treatment was 3.7 (95% CI 1.05 to 13.1). CONCLUSION: Based on these study results, the self-management education model was significantly more effective than the compliance-based model in BP control.