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Abstract The ability of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) to track disease activity and treatment response in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) or Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) remains unclear. Here, we assessed whether 18F-FDG uptake is a marker of disease activity and treatment response in AS or PsA, and explored the ability of 18F-FDG to predict treatment response. Patients with AS (n = 16) or PsA (n = 8) who were scheduled to initiate treatment with biologics were recruited. Participants underwent a clinical evaluation and an 18F-FDG scan prior to therapy initiation. Eleven participants underwent a follow-up 18F-FDG scan 3 months post-treatment. Images were quantified using a composite measure that describes the inflammatory status of the patient. Clinically involved joints/entheses had higher 18F-FDG uptake compared to unaffected areas (median difference > 0.6, p 8.5, p

Abstract Background Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) experience reduced physical function and impaired quality of life. Better patient-reported functional outcomes are found when lower disease activity is achieved. Objectives To evaluate the variation of physical function by HAQ-DI over time in PsA patients treated with standard therapy in a real-life setting: to verify predictors of achieving a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in function by HAQ-DI (ΔHAQ-DI ≤ − 0.35) and to measure the impact of achieving REM/LDA on long-term function by HAQ-DI. Methods This is a longitudinal analysis of a real-life retrospective cohort. Data from PsA patients with at least 4 years of follow-up in the PsA clinic from 2011 to 2019 were extracted from electronic medical records. The variations of physical function by HAQ-DI and disease activity by DAPSA over time were calculated. A multivariate hierarchical regression model was applied to verify predictors of MCID in HAQ-DI. A comparison of HAQ-DI variation between patients with DAPSA REM, LDA, moderate and high disease activity was made using the generalized estimating equation model (GEE), adjusted by Bonferroni test. The Spearman correlation method was applied to verify the correlation of ΔDAPSA and ΔHAQ-DI over time. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS program version 21.0. Results Seventy-three patients were included in the analysis. Physical function measured by HAQ-DI was determined by PsA disease activity measured by DAPSA (p

Abstract Background Psoriasis is a protean disease associated with several comorbidities that may have increased levels of adiponectin such as resistin. This may affect the patients atherosclerotic risk. Objective To study resistin levels in a sample of Brazilian patients with psoriasis and its association with clinical profile, comorbidities, and carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT). Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 119 individuals: 34 healthy controls and 85 patients with psoriasis, 42 of which with skin involvement only and 43 with psoriatic arthritis. Clinical and epidemiological data, measurement of PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) and DAPSA (Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis), lipid profile, cIMT by ultrasound were collected from medical records. Resistin serum levels were measured by ELISA. Results Patients with psoriasis had higher resistin levels (p = 0.009) and worse cIMT (p = 0.0002) than controls. In the psoriasis sample, no associations of resistin levels with epidemiological, clinical findings, and activity indexes were found. Resistin serum levels were associated with the presence of diabetes (p = 0.008) and metabolic syndrome (p = 0.01) and correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.26) and triglycerides (r = 0.33) but not with cIMT. Study limitations This work is limited by its transversal design and by the limited number of patients included. Conclusion Resistin serum levels are elevated in psoriasis patients. In this sample, clinical, epidemiological, and activity indexes were not linked to resistin serum levels, but atherosclerotic risk factors were.

Background: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a systemic auto-immune condition characterized by diverse and distinctive inflammation, affecting both musculoskeletal and extra-articular systems. This study aims to investigate the role of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), specifically the CD4+CD25+/high CD127-/low subset, in PsA pathogenesis, and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study involving 40 PsA patients and 25 healthy individuals, CD4+ CD25+/high CD127-/low Tregs were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using flow cytometry. Disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score. Results: We observed a significant positive correlation between Treg levels and the DAPSA score (P = 0.02) in non-treated PsA patients. Additionally, patient age showed a significant positive correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the same group (P = 0.04), emphasizing the potential influence of Tregs on disease activity and age-related effects on inflammatory markers in PsA. Conclusion: While not revealing significant differences in Treg populations, our research underscores the importance of considering specific Treg subsets in PsA. These subsets may respond differently to disease micro-environments and treatments, affecting disease progression. This study contributes to the broader comprehension of immune dysregulation in auto-immune diseases and suggests that further investigation into Treg subsets’ function and count is warranted. Such insights may lead to more tailored therapeutic approaches for PsA patients.

Abstract Background This study examined the time to clinically meaningful response in patients with active psoriatic arthritis treated with tofacitinib, adalimumab, or placebo switching to tofacitinib. Methods Data were from two phase 3 studies, OPAL Broaden (12 months) and OPAL Beyond (6 months). Patients received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (BID), adalimumab 40 mg once every 2 weeks (OPAL Broaden only), or placebo switching to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID at month 3. Baseline to initial response time was according to pre-defined clinically meaningful criteria on Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI; ≥ 0.35-point improvement), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F; ≥ 4-point improvement), Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Score (PASDAS; post-baseline score ≤ 3.2 and > 1.6-point improvement from baseline), and minimal disease activity (MDA; meeting at least 5 of 7 criteria) composite. Results In OPAL Broaden, median time to initial HAQ-DI score response was 29, 53, and 30 days in patients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg BID, tofacitinib 10 mg BID, or adalimumab, compared with 162 and 112 days in patients treated with placebo switching to tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg BID at month 3, respectively. Across studies, median time to initial FACIT-F total score response was shorter in patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg BID (31 days) vs other groups (84–92 days). Median time to initial response was approximately 11 (MDA)/6–9 months (PASDAS) in tofacitinib/adalimumab groups in OPAL Broaden. Conclusion This analysis demonstrates tofacitinib’s efficacy on most patient-reported and clinical endpoints over time and shows a shorter time to initial, clinically meaningful response in patients receiving tofacitinib vs patients switching from placebo to tofacitinib. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01877668. Registered June 12, 2013. ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01882439. Registered June 18, 2013.

Background: Clinical patterns and disease activity burden of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) varies in different parts of the world. There are limited studies from the Indian subcontinent. Aims: To study the cutaneous and articular profile of PsA and describe their disease activity with validated outcome measures. Methods: Karnataka psoriatic arthritis cohort study is a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional, observational study which included all consecutive PsA patients defined by Classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR) from 18 rheumatology centers. Results: A total of 549 PsA patients (M: F: 6:5), mean age 38.4 (±14) years were included. PsA preceded psoriasis in 81 (14.7%) while simultaneous onset was noted in 117 (21.5%). Plaque lesions (330 [78.8%]) and scalp (210 [49.2%]) were the most common type and site. Mild, moderate, and severe skin disease was noted in 480 (80%), 50 (9.3%), and 57 (10.6%) patients, respectively. Mean disease activity in PsA (DAPSA) was 18.8 (16.6); 100 (19.9%) were in remission. Low, moderate, and high joint disease activity was found in 145 (28.8%), 137 (27.2%), and 123 (24.5%), respectively. There was no correlation between skin and joint disease. Polyarthritis (216 [40.7%]) and oligoarthritis (202 [38.1%]) were the most frequent PsA subtypes. Those with a higher DAPSA (>28) were older (P = 0.02), had a shorter duration of psoriasis (P = 0.02) and higher psoriatic area and severity index scores (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: We report high articular disease activity in half while cutaneous disease activity was minimal in majority.

Julia Berman,1,2,* Victoria Furer,2,3,* Mark Berman,2,3 Ofer Isakov,1,2 Devy Zisman,4,5 Amir Haddad,4 Ori Elkayam2,3 1Department of Medicine ‘T’, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; 2Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; 3Department of Rheumatology, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; 4Rheumatology Unit, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; 5The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine,Technion, Haifa, Israel*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Julia Berman Email juliab@tlvmc.gov.ilObjective: To assess the clinical response to ixekizumab following secukinumab failure in patients with psoriatic arthritis.Methods: A retrospective multi-center observational study included psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with a history of treatment with secukinumab, further treated with ixekizumab. Primary endpoint was primary response to treatment (drug survival > 6 months); secondary endpoints were changes in disease activity indices from initiation of ixekizumab to 6 and 12 months later and overall drug survival.Results: Of 23 PsA patients, 86% (n = 20) received more than two TNF inhibitors (TNFi). Median secukinumab treatment time was 15 months (IQR 10– 21.5 months). Subsequently, 19 patients (83%) had a primary response to ixekizumab. Overall treatment duration during follow-up period for primary responders was 14 months (IQR 10– 20.5). Reasons for ixekizumab cessation were worsening psoriasis (27%), peripheral arthritis (27%), both (47%), worsening of axial disease (13%), and adverse events (6%). Articular disease indices including Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), tender joints count (TJC) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) were significantly lower at 6 and 12 months (DAPSA 1.5– 2 levels reduction; p = 0.018 and 1– 1.5 levels reduction; p = 0.031, respectively; TJC − 2.16 [− 4.0, − 0.3]; p = 0.025 and − 1.69 [− 3.09, − 0.28]; p = 0.022, respectively; SDAI − 10.13 [− 16.4, − 3.8], p = 0.003 and − 12.2 [− 17.1, − 7.2], p = 0.0002, respectively). PASI75 at 6 and 12 months was achieved by 63% and 57%, respectively, and PASI100 at 6 and 12 months by 31% and 21%, respectively.Conclusion: Patients with resistant PsA, including inadequate response to secukinumab, demonstrated a good response to ixekizumab, albeit limited on time. Within class switch from secukinumab to ixekizumab may be a plausible therapeutic option in PsA patients following secukinumab failure.Keywords: secukinumab, ixekizumab, arthritis, psoriatic, duration of therapy, antibodies, monoclonal, humanized, psoriasis

Background: Changes in patients’ Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is one of the problems in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which can be due to the use of corticosteroid drugs to reduce patients’ symptoms or the aging process in patients. Objective: In this study, we decided to compare BMD in patients with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This study as a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed to evaluate BMD in patients with psoriatic arthritis (n=59) and rheumatoid arthritis (n=41) who were referred to Rasoul Akram Hospital in Tehran between 2016 and 2020. All patients were assessed by bone density scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or DEXA scan) to determine T-score at the two spine and femur sites. Results: In rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis groups, the Mean±SD spine T-score was -1.11±0.18 and -1.38±0.48, respectively, which did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.556). Similarly, in the two groups with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the Mean±SD femur T-score was -1.36±0.17 and -1.78±0.61, respectively, which did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.451). Considering the underlying parameters, including age, sex, and duration of the disease, the lack of differences in the values of spine and femur T-scores between the two groups was still evident. Conclusion: The change in BMD was equal in both rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis that is not affected by gender, age, or duration of disease.

The principle of ketogenic diet (KD) is restriction of carbohydrates to a maximum of 5–10% of the total daily caloric intake, aiming at shifting body metabolism toward ketone bodies. Different studies suggested promising results of KD to help patients to lose weight, to reduce insulin requirements in diabetes, to supplement cancer protocols, to treat neurological conditions and to optimize control of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, literature about the anti-inflammatory properties of KD in rheumatic diseases is still limited. The beneficial effects of weight loss in patients with inflammatory arthritis can be explained by biomechanical and biochemical factors. Obesity is associated with macrophage activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1b, and IL-6. The clinical effect of KD may be primarily attributed to improvement of insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is associated with an increase of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and leptin. Moreover, reduction of body's adipose tissue and weight loss account for part of the anti-inflammatory effects and for the impact of KD on cardiovascular health. In rheumatoid arthritis, fasting was shown to be effective in reducing disease symptoms, possibly through the production of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the main ketone body. BHB may exert inhibitory effects also on IL-17 and intermittent fasting improved the clinical manifestations of psoriatic arthritis. In ankylosing spondylitis, current literature doesn't allow to draw conclusion about the effects of KD. Future prospective studies will be needed to elucidate the potential beneficial effects of KD on specific domains and clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis.

A 44-year-old man, previously healthy, consulted for a three-month history of asymmetrical polyarthralgia with inflammatory features involving small and large joints. A few days later, he developed erythema covered by pustules in the nail folds and progressive degeneration of the nail plate of the left thumb, with severe functional limitation. The physical exam showed well-defined erythematous scaly and pustular plaques in the first and third fingers of the left hand, with severe onychodystrophy, which was a key aspect in the diagnosis of acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau. Other signs of the psoriatic spectrum were observed: erythematous patches of the scrotum, erythematous scaly plaques with hemorrhagic crusts on both knees, and dactylitis. The diagnosis of inverse psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis, respectively, were confirmed by histopathology and, with the CASPAR criteria, psoriatic arthritis. This case is of particular dermatological interest due to the variety of psoriatic manifestations recognized in a single patient and because of the poorly described association between acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau with psoriatic arthritis.

Introduction: Apremilast has been recently introduced in the treatment of adult psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients in India. Its efficacy and safety have been established in the landmark clinical trials; however, there is still a dearth of its real-world experience in the management of PsA in India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of electronic medical records was conducted at our clinic, to study the effectiveness and tolerability of apremilast 30 mg twice a day in the management of PsA. A total of 86 patients were included in this report. Patients were classified as responders and nonresponders based on the overall physician judgment of clinical status, especially improvement of symptoms as per the disease activity in PsA (DAPSA) criteria. Results: Of the 86 patients started on apremilast, 44 patients had at least 16 weeks of follow-up assessment. Of these 44 patients, 39 were of peripheral arthritis and five were of axial spondyloarthritis. Twenty-five of 39 (64%) patients were classified as responders and 14 (36%) as nonresponders based on the DAPSA criteria. On analyzing the DAPSA scores at baseline and subsequent follow-up, there was statistically significant improvement in mean DAPSA score. Remission was seen in three patients (7.7%) and low disease activity in 16 (41%) patients at 16 weeks. Only six patients developed one or more side effects. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: These results, from a real-world setting in India, confirm the effectiveness and tolerability of apremilast in PsA as seen in clinical trials.

Mustafa Acar,1 Prabhjot Juneja,2 Malcolm Handel1 1Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2Prospection Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW, Australia Introduction: To describe the persistence of treatment with subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab in immune-mediated rheumatic disease (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis) by treatment sequence (first-line treatment, second-line or further lines of treatment). Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using the Australian Commonwealth Department of Human Services Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% sample data from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2016. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme indications were used to identify patient prescriptions for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. A patient was considered persistent until a 3-month gap period where a prescription was not dispensed. The 3-month gap interval was chosen because only 1% of all discontinuations occurred beyond this 3-month period. Results: Data from 2,612 first-line patients were included. Treatment discontinuation among first-line patients treated with etanercept or adalimumab was not significantly different from those treated with golimumab (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.95–1.28, P=0.22; HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.93–1.22, P=0.39; respectively). Among the 1,276 patients in the second-line cohort (etanercept=41%, adalimumab=41%, golimumab=18%) discontinuation was significantly higher for patients on etanercept compared with golimumab (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03–1.50, P=0.03); but not for adalimumab compared with golimumab (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.91–1.34, P=0.31). In the third-line setting, treatment persistence with etanercept was longer than golimumab (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59–0.96, P=0.02), but there was no difference between golimumab and adalimumab. Similar findings occurred in the propensity score matched population. Conclusion: Our study shows there is variance in real-world persistence to TNFi in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic disease by line of therapy, with the time on therapy decreasing by line. Australian persistence has been reported at lower overall rates than international evidence. Keywords: tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, arthritis, psoriatic, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, treatment persistence

FUNDAMENTOS: A artrite psoriática (AP) é doença inflamatória associada com a psoríase da pele ou das unhas, com fator reumatóide (FR) negativo e ausência de nódulos reumatóides. Pode ser extremamente agressiva, deixando o paciente incapacitado para realizar funções do dia-a-dia. A prevalência populacional é muito variável; historicamente oscila entre 2,6% e 7%, mas estudos recentes demonstram porcentagem variável de 23 a 69% na população com psoríase. O diagnóstico é de exclusão e, se realizado na fase inicial, oferece possibilidade de tratamento mais adequado, evitando complicações. O que define a presença da artrite é o exame físico adequado das articulações, já que o raio X pode estar normal. OBJETIVO: Este estudo tem a finalidade de avaliar a importância do raio X e do exame físico no diagnóstico da AP e sua prevalência nos pacientes com psoríase cutânea e ungueal do Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Trinta pacientes com psoríase em acompanhamento nesse serviço foram submetidos a anamnese e exame físico minuciosos. Eles foram questionados quanto a alterações articulares, tempo e severidade de doença e comprometimento ungueal. Os que apresentavam queixas articulares foram encaminhados para investigação por exames complementares: hemograma, FR, VHS, e raio X da articulação comprometida. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes (56,5%) referiu atralgia; contudo apenas três apresentavam artrite. Dos indivíduos com AP, um mostrou raio X normal, mas o exame físico estava alterado. CONCLUSÃO: O exame físico é fundamental para diagnóstico da AP; o raio X não. A prevalência de AP foi de 10%.BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is an inflammatory disorder associated with skin and nail disease, negative rheumatoid factor (RF) and absence of rheumatoid nodules. It can be a devastating and incapacitating condition. Its prevalence is highly variable, ranging from 2,6 to 7%; however, recent data shows prevalence as high as 23 to 69%. Its diagnosis is one of exclusion, and when detected early in the course of the disease gives chance to adequate treatment, thus avoiding its sequelae. The diagnosis is made by physical examination, laboratory and radiological evaluation. A normal radiological finding does not exclude the disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the importance of a detailed physical examination associated with radiological findings in the diagnosis of PA and its prevalence in our institution. METHODS: Thirty patients with skin psoriasis were submitted to a thorough physical examination and radiological evaluation. All patients were inquired about articular complaints, time and severity of skin and nail disease. Those that presented any articular symptom were submitted to a laboratory evaluation with: Complete Blood Count (CBC), RF, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and radiography of the involved joint. RESULTS: The majority of patients (56,5%) presented arthralgia; however, only three patients had arthritis. Of those 3 that had PA, one presented a normal radiography but with an altered physical examination. CONCLUSION: The physical examination is an extremely important tool in the evaluation of patients with psoriasis. The radiological evaluation is not as important as the physical examination. The prevalence of PA was 10%.