Real-World Effectiveness of Pegloticase Associated With Use of Concomitant Immunomodulatory Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to ascertain pegloticase persistence and adverse events associated with concomitant immunomodulatory drug treatment in patients with gout. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with gout using the American College of Rheumatology's Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness registry from January 2016 through June 2020. The first pegloticase infusion defined the index date. Based on concomitant immunomodulatory drug treatment, we identified three exposure groups: (1) immunomodulatory drug initiators (patients initiating an immunomodulatory prescription ±60 days from the index date), (2) prevalent immunomodulatory drug recipients (patients receiving their first immunomodulatory drug prescription >60 days before the index date with at least one prescription within ±60 days of the index date), and (3) immunomodulatory nonrecipients (patients receiving pegloticase without concomitant immunomodulatory drugs). We calculated the proportion of patients who achieved serum urate levels ≤6 mg/dL and who had laboratory abnormalities (white blood cell count <3.4 x 109/L, platelet count <135,000, hematocrit level <30%, alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase level ≥1.5 times the upper limit normal value) within 180 days after the index date. Cox regression analyzed time to pegloticase discontinuation, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: We identified 700 pegloticase recipients (91 immunomodulatory drug initiators, 33 prevalent immunomodulatory drug recipients, and 576 nonrecipients), with a median follow-up of 14 months. Immunomodulatory drug recipients were less likely to discontinue pegloticase. The adjusted hazard ratios of pegloticase discontinuation associated with concomitant immunomodulatory drug initiation and prevalent treatment were 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-0.75) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.42-1.16), respectively. Laboratory abnormalities were uncommon (<5%) and were not higher in concomitant immunomodulatory drug treatment. CONCLUSION: Consistent with clinical trials, results from this large observational registry suggest that concomitant immunomodulatory drug treatment improves pegloticase persistence.

Urate-lowering therapy, serum urate, inflammatory biomarkers, and renal function in patients with gout following pegloticase discontinuation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Little is known about long-term clinical outcomes or urate-lowering (ULT) therapy use following pegloticase discontinuation. We examined ULT use, serum urate (SU), inflammatory biomarkers, and renal function following pegloticase discontinuation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of gout patients who discontinued pegloticase using the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) registry from 1/2016 to 6/2022. We defined discontinuation as a gap ≥ 12 weeks after last infusion. We examined outcomes beginning two weeks after last dose and identified ULT therapy following pegloticase discontinuation. We evaluated changes in lab values (SU, eGFR, CRP and ESR), comparing on- treatment (≤ 15 days of the second pegloticase dose) to post-treatment. RESULTS: Of the 375 gout patients discontinuing pegloticase, median (IQR) laboratory changes following discontinuation were: SU: +2.4 mg/dL (0.0,6.3); eGFR: -1.9 mL/min (- 8.7,3.7); CRP: -0.8 mg/L (-12.8,0.0); and ESR: -4.0 mm/hr (-13.0,0.0). Therapy post-discontinuation included oral ULTs (86.0%), restarting pegloticase (4.5%), and no documentation of ULT (9.5%), excluding patients with multiple same-day prescriptions (n = 17). Oral ULTs following pegloticase were: 62.7% allopurinol, 34.1% febuxostat. The median (IQR) time to starting/restarting ULT was 92.0 days (55.0,173.0). Following ULT prescribing (≥ 30 days), only 51.0% of patients had SU < 6 mg/dL. Patients restarting pegloticase achieved a median SU of 0.9 mg/dL (IQR:0.2,9.7) and 58.3% had an SU < 6 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Pegloticase treats uncontrolled gout in patients with failed response to xanthine oxidase inhibitors, but among patients who discontinue, optimal treatment is unclear. Based on this analysis, only half of those starting another ULT achieved target SU. Close follow-up is needed to optimize outcomes after pegloticase discontinuation.

An Emergency Department-based system intervention to improve osteoporosis screening for older adults at high-risk of fracture.

Falls and osteoporosis are risk factors for fragility fractures. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment is associated with better preventative osteoporosis care, but it is underutilized by those at high fracture risk. We created a novel electronic medical record (EMR) alert-driven protocol to screen patients in the Emergency Department (ED) for fracture risk and tested its feasibility and effectiveness in generating and completing referrals for outpatient BMD testing after discharge. The EMR alert was configured in 2 tertiary-care EDs and triggered by the term "fall" in the chief complaint, age (≥65 years for women, ≥70 years for men), and high fall risk (Morse score ≥ 45). The alert electronically notified ED study staff of potentially eligible patients. Participants received osteoporosis screening education and had BMD testing ordered. From November 15, 2020 to December 4, 2021, there were 2,608 EMR alerts among 2,509 patients. We identified 558 patients at high-risk of fracture who were screened for BMD testing referral. Participants were excluded for: serious illness (N = 141), no documented health insurance to cover BMD testing (N = 97), prior BMD testing/recent osteoporosis care (N = 58), research assistant unavailable to enroll (N = 53), concomitant fracture (N = 43), bedridden status (N = 38), chief complaint of fall documented in error (N = 38), long-term care residence (N = 34), participation refusal (N = 32), or hospitalization (N = 3). Of the 16 participants who had BMD testing ordered, 7 scheduled and 5 completed BMD testing. EMR alerts can help identify subpopulations who may benefit from osteoporosis screening, but there are significant barriers to identifying eligible and willing patients for screening in the ED. In our study targeting an innovative venue for osteoporosis care delivery, only about 1% of patients at high-risk of fracture scheduled BMD testing after an ED visit. Adequate resources during and after an ED visit are needed to ensure that older adults participate in preventative osteoporosis care.

Changes in the Workforce Characteristics of Providers Who Care for Adult Patients With Rheumatologic and Musculoskeletal Disease in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the adult rheumatology workforce in the United States, assess change in rheumatology providers over time, and identify variation in rheumatology practice characteristics. METHODS: Using national Medicare claims data from 2006 to 2020, clinically active rheumatology physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) were identified. Each calendar year was used for inclusion, exclusion, and analysis, and providers were determined to be entering, exiting, or stable based upon presence or absence in the prior or subsequent years of data. Characteristics (age, gender, practice type, rural, and region) of rheumatologists were determined for 2019 and in mutually exclusive study periods from 2009 to 2011, 2012 to 2015, and 2016 to 2019. The location of rheumatology practice was determined by billing tax identification and mapped. Demographics of physicians exiting or entering the rheumatology workforce were compared separately to those stable by logistic regression. RESULTS: The clinically active adult rheumatology workforce identified in US Medicare in 2019 was 5,667 rheumatologists and 379 APPs. From 2009 to 2020, the number of rheumatologists increased 23% and the number of APPs increased 141%. There was an increase in female rheumatologists over time, rising to 43% in 2019. Women and those employed by a health care system were more likely to exit, and those in a small practice or in the South were less likely to exit. CONCLUSION: The overall number of clinically active rheumatology providers grew more than 20% over the last decade to a high of 6,036 in 2020, although this rate of growth appears to be flattening off in later years.

Risk of fracture in women with glucocorticoid requiring diseases is independent from glucocorticoid use: An analysis on a nation-wide database.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is a common cause of secondary osteoporosis. However, glucocorticoid requiring diseases pose a risk themselves for fracture. The aim of the present study was to determine the risk of fracture associated with variety of glucocorticoid requiring diseases independently from glucocorticoid use and other risk factors for osteoporosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of a nation-wide cohort (DeFRACalc79 database). We used multivariable regression analysis adjusting for several risk factors for fracture and glucocorticoid intake to estimate the independent role of glucocorticoid requiring illnesses on fracture risk. RESULTS: We found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and neurological diseases were at greater risk of vertebral or hip fracture (crude ORs 1.31, 1.20, 1.92 and 2.97 respectively). After adjusting for potential confounders COPD and neurological diseases remained significantly associated with an increased risk of vertebral or hip fractures (aORs 1.33, 95 % CI 1.18-1.49 and 2.43, 95 % CI 2.17-2.74). Rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, IBD and neurological diseases also significantly increased the risk of non-vertebral, non-hip fractures (aORs 1.23, 1.42, 1.52 and 1.94 respectively). CONCLUSION: Some glucocorticoid requiring diseases were independently associated with an increased risk of fractures. COPD and neurological diseases with both vertebral and non-vertebral fracture risk while RA and IBD were independently associated only with non-vertebral, non-hip fractures.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake, Hesitancy, and Flare in a Large Rheumatology Practice Network.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to ascertain COVID-19 vaccine uptake, reasons for hesitancy, and self-reported flare in a large rheumatology practice-based network. METHODS: A tablet-based survey was deployed by 108 rheumatology practices from December 2021 to December 2022. Patients were asked about COVID-19 vaccine status and why they might not receive a vaccine or booster. We used descriptive statistics to explore the differences between vaccination status and vaccine and booster hesitancy, comparing patients with and without autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between vaccine uptake and AIIRD status and self-reported flare and AIIRD status. We reported adjusted odds ratios (aORs). RESULTS: Of the 61,158 patients, 89% reported at least one dose of vaccine; of the vaccinated, 68% reported at least one booster. Vaccinated patients were less likely to have AIIRDs (44% vs 56%). A greater proportion of patients with AIIRDs were vaccine hesitant (14% vs 10%) and booster hesitant (21% vs 16%) compared to patients without AIIRDs. Safety concerns (28%) and side effects (23%) were the main reasons for vaccine hesitancy, whereas a lack of recommendation from the physician was the primary factor for booster hesitancy (23%). Patients with AIIRD did not have increased odds of self-reported flare or worsening disease compared to patients without with AIIRD (aOR 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-1.05). Among the patients who were vaccine hesitant and booster hesitant, 12% and 39% later reported receiving a respective dose. Patients with AIIRD were 32% less likely to receive a vaccine (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65-0.72) versus patients without AIIRD. CONCLUSION: Some patients who are vaccine and booster hesitant eventually receive a vaccine dose, and future interventions tailored to patients with AIIRD may be fruitful.

A multi-step approach to develop a "storytelling" intervention to improve patient gout knowledge and improve outpatient follow-up.

Background: "Storytelling" interventions influence knowledge, attitudes and behavior to promote chronic disease management. We aimed to describe the development of a video "storytelling" intervention to increase gout knowledge and promote adherence to medications and follow-up care after an acute gout flare visit in the emergency department. Methods: We developed a direct-to-patient storytelling intervention to mitigate modifiable barriers to gout care and promote outpatient follow-up and medication adherence. We invited adult patients with gout as storytellers. We utilized a modified Delphi process involving gout experts to identify key themes to guide development of an intervention. Using a conceptual model, we selected stories to ensure delivery of evidence-based concepts and to maintain authenticity. Results: Our video-based storytelling intervention consisted of segments addressing modifiable barriers to gout care. Four diverse gout patients were recruited as storytellers and interviewed with questions that covered gout diagnosis and care. Eleven international gout experts from diverse geographic locations generated and ranked items they considered important messages to promote outpatient gout care follow-up and treatment adherence. Filmed videos were truncated into segments and coded thematically. Distinct segments that captured desired messages were combined to form a cohesive narrative story based on gout patient experiences that conveyed evidence-based strategies to manage gout. Conclusions: Using the Health Belief Model, we developed a culturally appropriate narrative intervention containing "storytelling" that can be tested as an approach to improve gout outcomes. The methods we describe may be generalizable to other chronic conditions requiring outpatient follow-up and medication adherence to improve outcomes.

Development and Validation of an Emergency Department Electronic Medical Record Gout Flare Alert.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute gout are frequently treated in the emergency department (ED) and represent a typically underresourced and understudied population. A key limitation for gout research in the ED is the timely ability to identify acute gout patients. Our goal was to refine a multicriteria, electronic medical record alert for gout flares and to determine its diagnostic characteristics in the ED. METHODS: The gout flare alert used electronic medical record data from ED nursing notes and was triggered by the term 'gout' preceding past medical history in the chief complaint, the term 'gout' and a musculoskeletal problem in the chief complaint, or the term 'gout' in the problem list and a musculoskeletal chief complaint. We validated its diagnostic properties to assess presence/absence of gout through manual medical record review using adjudicated expert consensus as the gold standard. RESULTS: In January 2020, we analyzed 202 patient records from 2 university-based EDs; from these records, 57 patients were identified by our gout flare alert, and 145 were identified by other means as potentially having an acute gout flare. The gout flare alert's positive predictive value was 47% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 34-60%), negative predictive value was 94% (95% CI 90-98%), sensitivity was 75% (95% CI 61-89%), and specificity was 82% (95% CI 76-88%). The diagnostic properties were similar at both institutions. CONCLUSION: Our multicomponent gout flare alert had reasonable sensitivity and specificity, albeit a modest positive predictive value. An electronic gout flare alert may help enable the conduct of gout research in the ED setting.

Satisfaction with modes of telemedicine delivery during COVID-19: A randomized, single-blind, parallel group, noninferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about satisfaction with different modes of telemedicine delivery. The objective of this study was to determine whether patient satisfaction with phone-only was noninferior to video visits. METHODS: We conducted a parallel group, randomized (1:1), single-blind, noninferiority trial in multispecialty clinics at a tertiary academic medical center. Adults age ≥ 60 years or with Medicare/Medicaid insurance were eligible. Primary outcome was visit satisfaction rate (9 or 10 on a 0-10 satisfaction scale). Noninferiority was determined if satisfaction with phone-only (intervention) versus video visits (comparator) was no worse by a -15% prespecified noninferiority margin. We performed modified intent-to-treat (mITT) and per protocol analyses, after adjusting for age and insurance. RESULTS: 200 participants, 43% Black, 68% women completed surveys. Visit satisfaction rates were high. In the mITT analysis, phone-only visits were noninferior by an adjusted difference of 3.2% (95% CI, -7.6% to 14%). In the per protocol analysis, phone-only were noninferior by an adjusted difference of -4.1% (95% CI, -14.8% to 6.6%). The proportion of participants who indicated they preferred the same type of telemedicine visit as their next clinic visit were similar (30.2% vs 27.9% video vs phone-only, p = 0.78) and a majority said their medical concerns were addressed and would recommend a telemedicine visit. CONCLUSIONS: Among a group of diverse, established older or underserved patients, the satisfaction rate for phone-only was noninferior to video visits. These findings could impact practice and policies governing telemedicine.

American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS-CoV-2 and Hyperinflammation in Pediatric COVID-19: Version 3.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidance on the management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and multiorgan dysfunction that manifests late in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recommendations are also provided for children with hyperinflammation during COVID-19, the acute, infectious phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: The Task Force is composed of 9 pediatric rheumatologists and 2 adult rheumatologists, 2 pediatric cardiologists, 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists, and 1 pediatric critical care physician. Preliminary statements addressing clinical questions related to MIS-C and hyperinflammation in COVID-19 were developed based on evidence reports. Consensus was built through a modified Delphi process that involved anonymous voting and webinar discussion. A 9-point scale was used to determine the appropriateness of each statement (median scores of 1-3 for inappropriate, 4-6 for uncertain, and 7-9 for appropriate). Consensus was rated as low, moderate, or high based on dispersion of the votes. Approved guidance statements were those that were classified as appropriate with moderate or high levels of consensus, which were prespecified before voting. RESULTS: The guidance was approved in June 2020 and updated in November 2020 and October 2021, and consists of 41 final guidance statements accompanied by flow diagrams depicting the diagnostic pathway for MIS-C and recommendations for initial immunomodulatory treatment of MIS-C. CONCLUSION: Our understanding of SARS-CoV-2-related syndromes in the pediatric population continues to evolve. This guidance document reflects currently available evidence coupled with expert opinion, and will be revised as further evidence becomes available.

Denosumab did not improve computerized tomography erosion scores when added to intensive urate-lowering therapy in gout: Results from a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Disordered osteoclast activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gouty bone erosion. We sought to determine if the addition of denosumab (a monoclonal antibody targeting the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand - RANKL) to intensive urate-lowering therapy (ULT) improves gouty bone erosion. METHODS: Open-label, parallel-group pilot randomized controlled trial in which 20 participants with gout with at least one confirmed conventional radiographic foot bone erosion were assigned in a 1:1 allocation to receive denosumab (60 mg subcutaneous every 6 months) added to intensive ULT (serum urate ≤5 mg/dL or 300 µmol/L at the time of randomization and continued for the duration of the study), or intensive ULT alone. The primary outcome was the change in the bilateral foot and ankle computed tomography (CT) bone erosion score from baseline to 12 months, assessed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to study assignment. Secondary outcomes included change in serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), and patient reported outcomes of pain and function. RESULTS: Although serum CTX declined markedly in the denosumab/ULT group compared with the ULT alone group, there was no interval change in CT erosion score in either the denosumab/ULT or ULT alone group after one year of follow-up. Other secondary outcomes did not differ between groups. There were two severe adverse events: One patient developed atrial fibrillation (on denosumab/ULT) and another atrial flutter (on ULT alone). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, denosumab did not offer additional benefit to intensive urate lowering therapy for gouty bone erosion.

Variation in serum urate levels in the absence of gout and urate lowering therapy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have noted significant variation in serum urate (sUA) levels, and it is unknown how this influences the accuracy of hyperuricemia classification based on single data points. Despite this known variability, hyperuricemic patients are often used as a control group in gout studies. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of hyperuricemia classifications based on single data points versus multiple data points given the degree of variability observed with serial measurements of sUA. METHODS: Data was analyzed from a cross-over clinical trial of urate-lowering therapy in young adults without a gout diagnosis. In the control phase, sUA levels used for this analysis were collected at 2-4 week intervals. Mean coefficient of variation for sUA was determined, as were rates of conversion between normouricemia (sUA ≤6.8 mg/dL) and hyperuricemia (sUA > 6.8 mg/dL). RESULTS: Mean study participant (n = 85) age was 27.8 ± 7.0 years, with 39% female participants and 41% African-American participants. Mean sUA coefficient of variation was 8.5% ± 4.9% (1 to 23%). There was no significant difference in variation between men and women, or between participants initially normouricemic and those who were initially hyperuricemic. Among those initially normouricemic (n = 72), 21% converted to hyperuricemia during at least one subsequent measurement. The subgroup with initial sUA < 6.0 (n = 54) was much less likely to have future values in the range of hyperuricemia compared to the group with screening sUA values between 6.0-6.8 (n = 18) (7% vs 39%, p = 0.0037). Of the participants initially hyperuricemic (n = 13), 46% were later normouricemic during at least one measurement. CONCLUSION: Single sUA measurements were unreliable in hyperuricemia classification due to spontaneous variation. Knowing this, if a single measurement must be used in classification, it is worth noting that those with an sUA of < 6.0 mg/dL were less likely to demonstrate future hyperuricemic measurements and this could be considered a safer threshold to rule out intermittent hyperuricemia based on a single measurement point. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Data from parent study ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02038179 .

Development of a multi-component intervention to promote participation of Black and Latinx individuals in biomedical research.

INTRODUCTION: Barriers to research participation by racial and ethnic minority group members are multi-factorial, stem from historical social injustices and occur at participant, research team, and research process levels. The informed consent procedure is a key component of the research process and represents an opportunity to address these barriers. This manuscript describes the development of the Strengthening Translational Research in Diverse Enrollment (STRIDE) intervention, which aims to improve research participation by individuals from underrepresented groups. METHODS: We used a community-engaged approach to develop an integrated, culturally, and literacy-sensitive, multi-component intervention that addresses barriers to research participation during the informed consent process. This approach involved having Community Investigators participate in intervention development activities and using community engagement studios and other methods to get feedback from community members on intervention components. RESULTS: The STRIDE intervention has three components: a simulation-based training program directed toward clinical study research assistants that emphasizes cultural competency and communication skills for assisting in the informed consent process, an electronic consent (eConsent) framework designed to improve health-related research material comprehension and relevance, and a "storytelling" intervention in which prior research participants from diverse backgrounds share their experiences delivered via video vignettes during the consent process. CONCLUSIONS: The community engaged development approach resulted in a multi-component intervention that addresses known barriers to research participation and can be integrated into the consent process of research studies. Results of an ongoing study will determine its effectiveness at increasing diversity among research participants.

American College of Rheumatology Guidance for the Management of Pediatric Rheumatic Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Version 2.

OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical guidance to rheumatology providers who treat children with pediatric rheumatic disease (PRD) in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: The task force, consisting of 7 pediatric rheumatologists, 2 pediatric infectious disease physicians, 1 adult rheumatologist, and 1 pediatric nurse practitioner, was convened on May 21, 2020. Clinical questions and subsequent guidance statements were drafted based on a review of the queries posed by the patients as well as the families and healthcare providers of children with PRD. An evidence report was generated and disseminated to task force members to assist with 3 rounds of asynchronous, anonymous voting by email using a modified Delphi approach. Voting was completed using a 9-point numeric scoring system with predefined levels of agreement (categorized as disagreement, uncertainty, or agreement, with median scores of 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9, respectively) and consensus (categorized as low, moderate, or high). To be approved as a guidance statement, median vote ratings were required to fall into the highest tertile for agreement, with either moderate or high levels of consensus. RESULTS: To date, 39 guidance statements have been approved by the task force. Those with similar recommendations were combined to form a total of 33 final guidance statements, all of which received median vote ratings within the highest tertile of agreement and were associated with either moderate consensus (n = 5) or high consensus (n = 28). CONCLUSION: These guidance statements have been generated based on review of the available literature, indicating that children with PRD do not appear to be at increased risk for susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This guidance is presented as a "living document," recognizing that the literature on COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, with future updates anticipated.

Effect of Serum Urate Lowering With Allopurinol on Blood Pressure in Young Adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum urate reduction with allopurinol lowers blood pressure (BP) in young adults and the mechanisms mediating this hypothesized effect. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. Adults ages 18-40 years with baseline systolic BP ≥120 and <160 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥80 and <100 mm Hg, and serum urate ≥5.0 mg/dl for men or ≥4.0 mg/dl for women were enrolled. Main exclusion criteria included chronic kidney disease, gout, or past use of urate-lowering therapies. Participants received oral allopurinol (300 mg daily) or placebo for 1 month followed by a 2-4 week washout and then were crossed over. Study outcome measures were change in systolic BP from baseline, endothelial function estimated as flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Adverse events were assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine participants were randomized, and 82 completed all visits. The mean ± SD age was 28.0 ± 7.0 years, 62.6% were men, and 40.4% were African American. In the primary intent-to-treat analysis, systolic BP did not change during the allopurinol treatment phase (mean ± SEM -1.39 ± 1.16 mm Hg) or placebo treatment phase (-1.06 ± 1.08 mm Hg). FMD increased during allopurinol treatment periods compared to placebo treatment periods (mean ± SEM 2.5 ± 0.55% versus -0.1 ± 0.42%; P < 0.001). There were no changes in hsCRP level and no serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that urate-lowering therapy with allopurinol does not lower systolic BP or hsCRP level in young adults when compared with placebo, despite improvements in FMD. These findings do not support urate lowering as a treatment for hypertension in young adults.

Belimumab for systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Belimumab, the first biologic approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has been shown to reduce autoantibody levels in people with SLE and help control disease activity. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of belimumab (alone or in combination) in systematic lupus erythematosus. SEARCH METHODS: An Information Specialist carried out the searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to 25 September 2019. There were no language or date restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of belimumab (alone or in combination) compared to placebo/control treatment (immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil or another biologic), in adults with SLE. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodologic procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: Six RCTs (2917 participants) qualified for quantitative analyses. All included studies were multicenter, international or US-based. The age range of the included participants was 22 to 80 years; most were women; and study duration ranged from 84 days to 76 weeks. The risk of bias was generally low except for attrition bias, which was high in 67% of studies. Compared to placebo, more participants on belimumab 10 mg/kg (Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved dose) showed at least a 4-point improvement (reduction) in Safety of Estrogen in Lupus National Assessment (SELENA) - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score, a validated SLE disease activity index: (risk ratio (RR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 to 1.45; 829/1589 in belimumab group and 424/1077 in placebo; I2= 0%; 4 RCTs; high-certainty evidence). Change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), assessed by Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary score improvement (range 0 to 100), showed there was probably little or no difference between groups (mean difference 1.6 points, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.90; 401 in belimumab group and 400 in placebo; I2= 0%; 2 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). The belimumab 10 mg/kg group showed greater improvement in glucocorticoid dose, with a higher proportion of participants reducing their dose by at least 50% compared to placebo (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.15; 81/269 in belimumab group and 52/268 in placebo; I2= 0%; 2 RCTs; high-certainty evidence). The proportion of participants experiencing harm may not differ meaningfully between the belimumab 10 mg/kg and placebo groups: one or more serious adverse event (RR 0.87, 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.11; 238/1700 in belimumab group and 199/1190 in placebo; I2= 48%; 5 RCTs; low-certainty evidence; ); one or more serious infection (RR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.66 to 1.54; 44/1230 in belimumab group and 40/955 in placebo; I2= 0%; 4 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence); and withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.63 to 1.07; 113/1700 in belimumab group and 94/1190 in placebo; I2= 0%; 5 RCTs; moderate-certainty evidence). Mortality was rare, and may not differ between belimumab 10 mg/kg and placebo (Peto odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI 0.41 to 3.25; 9/1714 in belimumab group and 6/1203 in placebo; I2= 4%; 6 RCTs; low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The six studies that provided evidence for benefits and harms of belimumab were well-designed, high-quality RCTs. At the FDA-approved dose of 10 mg/kg, based on moderate to high-certainty data, belimumab was probably associated with a clinically meaningful efficacy benefit compared to placebo in participants with SLE at 52 weeks. Evidence related to harms is inconclusive and mostly of moderate to low-certainty evidence. More data are needed for the longer-term efficacy of belimumab.

Flare Rate Thresholds for Patient Assessment of Disease Activity States in Gout.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between gout flare rate and self-categorization into remission, low disease activity (LDA), and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS). METHODS: Patients with gout self-categorized as remission, LDA, and PASS, and reported number of flares over the preceding 6 and 12 months. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between being in each disease state (LDA and PASS were combined) and flare count, and self-reported current flare. A distribution-based approach and extended Youden index identified possible flare count thresholds for each state. RESULTS: Investigators from 17 countries recruited 512 participants. Remission was associated with a median recalled flare count of zero over both 6 and 12 months. Each recalled flare reduced the likelihood of self-perceived remission compared with being in higher disease activity than LDA/PASS, by 52% for 6 months and 23% for 12 months, and the likelihood of self-perceived LDA/PASS by 15% and 5% for 6 and 12 months, respectively. A threshold of 0 flares in preceding 6 and 12 months was associated with correct classification of self-perceived remission in 58% and 56% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Flares are significantly associated with perceptions of disease activity in gout, and no flares over the prior 6 or 12 months is necessary for most people to self-categorize as being in remission. However, recalled flare counts alone do not correctly classify all patients into self-categorized disease activity states, suggesting that other factors may also contribute to self-perceived gout disease activity.

American College of Rheumatology Guidance for the Management of Rheumatic Disease in Adult Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Version 3.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidance to rheumatology providers on the management of adult rheumatic disease in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A task force, including 10 rheumatologists and 4 infectious disease specialists from North America, was convened. Clinical questions were collated, and an evidence report was rapidly generated and disseminated. Questions and drafted statements were reviewed and assessed using a modified Delphi process. This included asynchronous anonymous voting by email and webinars with the entire panel. Task force members voted on agreement with draft statements using a 1-9-point numerical scoring system, and consensus was determined to be low, moderate, or high based on the dispersion of votes. For approval, median votes were required to meet predefined levels of agreement (median values of 7-9, 4-6, and 1-3 defined as agreement, uncertainty, or disagreement, respectively) with either moderate or high levels of consensus. RESULTS: Draft guidance statements approved by the task force have been combined to form final guidance. CONCLUSION: These guidance statements are provided to promote optimal care during the current pandemic. However, given the low level of available evidence and the rapidly evolving literature, this guidance is presented as a "living document," and future updates are anticipated.

American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS-CoV-2 and Hyperinflammation in Pediatric COVID-19: Version 2.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidance on the management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and multiorgan dysfunction that manifests late in the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Recommendations are also provided for children with hyperinflammation during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the acute, infectious phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: The Task Force was composed of 9 pediatric rheumatologists and 2 adult rheumatologists, 2 pediatric cardiologists, 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists, and 1 pediatric critical care physician. Preliminary statements addressing clinical questions related to MIS-C and hyperinflammation in COVID-19 were developed based on evidence reports. Consensus was built through a modified Delphi process that involved anonymous voting and webinar discussion. A 9-point scale was used to determine the appropriateness of each statement (median scores of 1-3 for inappropriate, 4-6 for uncertain, and 7-9 for appropriate). Consensus was rated as low, moderate, or high based on dispersion of the votes. Approved guidance statements were those that were classified as appropriate with moderate or high levels of consensus, which were prespecified before voting. RESULTS: The first version of the guidance was approved in June 2020, and consisted of 40 final guidance statements accompanied by a flow diagram depicting the diagnostic pathway for MIS-C. The document was revised in November 2020, and a new flow diagram with recommendations for initial immunomodulatory treatment of MIS-C was added. CONCLUSION: Our understanding of SARS-CoV-2-related syndromes in the pediatric population continues to evolve. This guidance document reflects currently available evidence coupled with expert opinion, and will be revised as further evidence becomes available.

Use of path modeling to inform a clinical decision support application to encourage osteoporosis medication use.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis medication use is suboptimal. Simple interventions personalized to a patients' stage of readiness are needed to encourage osteoporosis medication use. OBJECTIVES: To estimate interrelationships of sociodemographic factors, perceived fracture risk, health literacy, receipt of medication information, medication trust and readiness to use osteoporosis medication; and apply observed relationships to inform design specifications for a clinical decision support application that can be used for personalized patient counseling. METHODS: Data from a national sample of older women (n = 1759) with self-reported history of fractures and no current use of osteoporosis medication treatment were used to estimate an acceptable path model that describes associations among key sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, perceived fracture risk, receipt of osteoporosis medication information within the past year, trust in osteoporosis medications, and readiness to use osteoporosis medication. Path model results were used to inform an application for personalized patient counseling that can be easily integrated into clinical decision support systems. RESULTS: Increased age (ß = 0.13), trust for medications (ß = 0.12), higher perceived fracture risk (ß = 0.21), and having received medication information within the past year (ß = 0.21) were all positively associated with readiness to use osteoporosis medication (p < 0.0001). Whereas, health literacy (ß = -0.09) was inversely associated with readiness to use osteoporosis medication (p < 0.0001). Using these results, a brief 6-item question set was constructed for simple integration into clinical decision support applications. Patient responses were used to inform a provider dashboard that integrates a patient's stage of readiness for osteoporosis medication use, predictors of readiness, and personalized counseling points appropriate to their stage of readiness. CONCLUSION: Content of counseling strategies must be aligned with a patient's stage of readiness to use treatment. Path modeling can be effectively used to identify factors for inclusion in an evidenced-based clinical decision support application designed to assist providers with personalized patient counseling and osteoporosis medication use decisions.