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Objective The Italian board for the TAilored BIOlogic therapy (ITABIO) reviewed the most consistent literature to indicate the best strategy for the second-line biologic choice in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods Systematic review of the literature to identify English-language articles on efficacy of second-line biologic choice in RA, PsA, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Data were extracted from available randomized, controlled trials, national biologic registries, national healthcare databases, post-marketing surveys, and open-label observational studies. Results Some previously stated variables, including the patients׳ preference, the indication for anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) monotherapy in potential childbearing women, and the intravenous route with dose titration in obese subjects resulted valid for all the three rheumatic conditions. In RA, golimumab as second-line biologic has the highest level of evidence in anti-TNF failure. The switching strategy is preferable for responder patients who experience an adverse event, whereas serious or class-specific side effects should be managed by the choice of a differently targeted drug. Secondary inadequate response to etanercept (ETN) should be treated with a biologic agent other than anti-TNF. After two or more anti-TNF failures, the swapping to a different mode of action is recommended. Among non-anti-TNF targeted biologics, to date rituximab (RTX) and tocilizumab (TCZ) have the strongest evidence of efficacy in the treatment of anti-TNF failures. In PsA and AS patients failing the first anti-TNF, the switch strategy to a second is advisable, taking in account the evidence of adalimumab efficacy in patients with uveitis. The severity of psoriasis, of articular involvement, and the predominance of enthesitis and/or dactylitis may drive the choice toward ustekinumab or secukinumab in PsA, and the latter in AS. Conclusion Taking in account the paucity of controlled trials, second-line biologic therapy may be reasonably optimized in patients with RA, SpA, and PsA.

Objective To propose appropriate statements that drive the choice of biologic therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), factoring in their impact on the following issues: anti-drug antibody (ADAb) formation, suspicion and management of infections, lupus-like syndrome (LLS), effects on bone mass and sexual sphere, and relationship between RA and periodontal disease (PD). Methods An overview of existing evidence was undertaken by an expert panel on behalf of the Italian board for the TAilored BIOlogic therapy (ITABIO). Data were extracted from controlled trials, national registries, national health care databases, post-marketing surveys, and, when required by the paucity of controlled studies, from open-label clinical series. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) and non-anti-TNF-targeted biologics approved for RA were investigated. Results ADAb formation is chiefly associated with anti-TNFs, and it is reduced by combination therapy with methotrexate. To date, ADAb titration is not advisable for clinical practice, and, in case of anti-TNF secondary failure, a non-anti-TNF biologic is indicated. LLS is observed in anti-TNF receivers and, in most cases, resolves without anti-TNF withdrawal. A non-anti-TNF biologic is advisable in patients experiencing LLS. Non-anti-TNFs demonstrated a low or absent infection risk and are preferable in patients with comorbidities. Due to their positive effects on bone mass, anti-TNFs are indicated in women at osteoporosis risk, whereas non-anti-TNF have been poorly investigated. The emerging evidence of the relationship between RA and PD and the effects on anti-TNF efficacy should lead clinicians to consider the periodontal status in RA patients. Anti-TNFs may exert a positive effect on fertility and sexuality, and clinicians should explore these aspects in RA patients. Conclusion The optimization of biologic therapies by taking into proper account the above issues would improve patient outcomes.

Objective.To evaluate the frequency of dactylitis, enthesitis, and anterior uveitis (AU) in spondyloarthritis (SpA) associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-SpA) compared with other SpA, and to assess the role of associated psoriasis in the occurrence of dactylitis and enthesitis.Methods.In a 12-month case-control study, the frequency of dactylitis and enthesitis in 29 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 59 with Crohn disease (CD) who satisfied the Spondyloarthritis international Society criteria for axial or peripheral SpA was compared with 176 controls, including 97 (55.1%) with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 47 (26.7%) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and 32 (18.2%) with nonradiographic axial SpA (nr-axSpA). The occurrence of these features in IBD-SpA with and without psoriasis was also evaluated.Results.Axial, peripheral, or mixed involvement was observed in 46 (52%), 29 (33%), and 13 (15%) patients, respectively; and 14/88 (16%) had psoriasis. Dactylitis was recorded in 4/88 patients (4.5%) with IBD-SpA and in 30 controls (17.4%; p = 0.008), enthesitis in 16 cases (18.1%) and in 78/176 controls (44.3%; p < 0.001), and AU in 3 patients (3.4%) with IBD-SpA and in 26 controls (14.7%; p = 0.01). No significant differences were found between patients with UC-SpA and those with CD-SpA. Dactylitis and enthesitis were significantly more common in patients with IBD-SpA who also had psoriasis compared to those without skin disease (p = 0.009 and 0.003, respectively).Conclusion.Dactylitis, enthesitis, and AU are significantly less frequent in IBD-SpA compared with other types of SpA. Given the frequent association of psoriasis and IBD, overlooking coexistent skin disease may lead to overestimating the frequency of these features.

Autoimmune anterior uveitis (AU) accounts for at least half of the cases of noninfectious uveitis, and similarly to spondyloarthritis (SpA), its occurrence is related to HLA-B27 positivity. AU is significantly more frequently found in HLA-B27-positive subjects with SpA and is characterized by unilateral eye involvement, marked tendency to recur with involvement of both eyes in alternate fashion, and has good prognosis in the majority of cases. The estimated frequency of SpA in patients with AU is around 50%, whereas AU in SpA has been reported in at least 30% of cases. Across the SpA disease spectrum, AU has a frequency peak of 33.4% in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, while the estimated prevalence in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inflammatory bowel disease-associated SpA is 2%-25%, and 25%, respectively. In early PsA, the frequency of AU has been found in 9% of patients. The wide range of prevalence reported in PsA may be explained by the variable sets of classification criteria used for patient selection and the different length of followup. AU may precede the clinical features of SpA, may be present at diagnosis, or may complicate the SpA clinical course. However, the occurrence of AU in SpA as well as AU flares has been reduced through treatment of SpA with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents.

Objective A multidisciplinary expert panel, the Italian board for the TAilored BIOlogic therapy (ITABIO), was constituted to formulate evidence-based decisional statements for the first-line tailored biologic therapy in patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods Systematic review of the literature to identify English-language articles on the variables influencing the first-line biologic choice, including the efficacy and safety of the drug, the route of administration, the availability of response predictor biomarkers, the need of monotherapy, the patient socio-economic status, lifestyle, cultural level, personality, fertility and childbearing potential in women, the presence of comorbidities, the host-related risk factors for infection and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) reactivation, the cardiovascular (CV) risk, and costs. Results Some variables, including the patients’ preference, the indication for anti-TNF monotherapy in potential childbearing women, and the intravenous route with dose titration in obese subjects resulted valid for all the three rheumatic conditions. Further, evidence of a better cost-effectiveness profile for etanercept (ETN) and biosimilar infliximab (IFX) in RA was found. Any biologic may be employed in absence of choice driving factors in RA. Otherwise, a high infection risk or LTBI positivity drive the choice toward abatacept (ABA), tocilizumab (TCZ), or ETN. TCZ should be the first choice if monotherapy is required. High rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) titers should drive the choice toward TCZ or ABA, while in patients at high CVD risk anti-TNF choice, with preference for ETN, seems appropriate. Presence of anterior uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease drives the choice to monoclonal antibody anti-TNFs (MoAb anti-TNFs). In PsA, ustekinumab (UTK), and to a lesser extent ETN, represents the first choice in patients at high infection and TB risk. Anti-TNFs or UTK choice is guided by skin or articular disease severity, enthesitis, and dactylitis, whereas ETN should be preferred if metabolic syndrome or high CV risk complicate PsA. Conclusion Taking in account of multiple choice driving variables, first-line biologic therapy may be optimized in patients with RA, SpA, and PsA.

Background Asbestosis is characterized by lung and pleural fibrosis and by immune system dysregulation, with autoantibody production and systemic immune-mediated disease. No specific therapies are available for asbestosis. Recently, the pivotal pathogenic role exerted by interleukin-1beta has been recently reported. Case presentation We treated with anti-interleukin 1 beta targeted antibody canakinumab a 67 year old man with asbestosis and long lasting systemic autoimmune features. A dramatic improvement in clinical manifestations was observed at 1 week after the first injection, with complete clinical remission at 4 months. Conclusion This case suggests new perspectives for the treatment of asbestosis and its systemic features.

Background Musculoskeletal involvement, preferentially affecting hands and feet, represents a frequent feature and may lead to disability in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The most common manifestations are arthralgia, stiffness, synovitis, and tenosynovitis. In a large multicentre study, synovitis, tendon friction rubs, and joint contractures were found in 16%, 11%, and 31% of 7286 SSc patients assessed by clinical examination 1 . However, several ultrasound (US) studies revealed a higher frequency of hand joint involvement 2 . Objectives To investigate the frequency and severity of hand joint involvement in a cohort of SSc patients evaluated by US, and to compare the results of US synovitis detection with those of physical examination. Methods Over a 6-month period, all consecutive (new and old diagnosis) SSc patients (ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria) currently followed in our center underwent clinical and US hand examination. One rheumatologist expert in musculoskeletal US performed all examinations by using Esaote Technos MPX, MyLab 40, employing high frequency (12–18 MHz) transducers. Power Doppler (PD) parameters were adjusted (range of pulse repetition frequency 400–800 Hz; frequency 7–11.1 MHz). Patients were scheduled to be examined at the same hour of the day in the same room with an ambient temperature of 21°C. Hand and wrist joints were evaluated for synovitis, tenosynovitis, calcinosis, acro-osteolysis and distal vascularization. An independent rheumatologist made the clinical examination and US examiner was blind to clinical findings. US assessment of synovitis was scored according to the OMERACT–EULAR PD composite semiquantitative scale (0–3). Results 89 patients, 79F/10M, mean age 61.11±15.1, median disease duration 160 months (min: 2,max: 492), 83 (93%) with limited SSc and 6 (7%) with diffuse SSc were recruited. Synovitis was detected in 15 (16.8%) and in 35 (40.2%) of the cases by clinical examination and US, respectively (p=0.019). PD revealed grade 1 synovitis in 19/35 (54.3%) patients, grade 2 in 14 (40%) and grade 3 in 2 (5.7%). Tenosynovitis, calcinosis and acro-osteolysis were found at US 19 (21.3%), 14 (15.7%), acro-osteolysis in 11 (12.3%) and 8 (9%), respectively. Distal vascularization was detected in 60 patients (67%). Conclusions Confirming previous studies, our results show that hand synovitis in SSc may be underestimated by clinical examination only, while US examination provides an accurate assessment of the frequency and the degree of severity of synovial inflammation. However, synovitis in our cohort of SSc patients resulted mild in the majority of the cases. References Avouac J, et al. J Rheumatol. 2010;37:1488–501.2.Cuomo G, et al. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2009;48:1414–1417. Acknowledgement None Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Dactylitis, is observed in approximate 30% of patients spodnyloarthritis (SpA),with the highest frequency in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).SpA features complicate inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in at least one third of the cases.The frequency of dactylitis in IBD-SpA has been assessed in a few open studies with conflicting results1,2. Objectives Primary end point: To compare the frequency of dactylitis in a clinical series of patients with IBD-associated SpA (IBD-SpA) compared with other types of SpA. Secondary end point: to evaluate the frequency of articular and extra-articular manifestations of IBD-associated SpA compared to controls. Methods 24-month case-control study. Case patients: all consecutive patients meeting the ASAS criteria for both axial and peripheral SpA,and with a diagnosis of Crohn9s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) certified by the gastroenterologist. Controls: the 2 consecutive patients with other SpA (ASAS criteria) observed after the case patient during the same time interval. Dactylitis diagnosis was accepted if observed at visit or if certified in the past by a rheumatologist working in our center.Patients were followed by the same rheumatologist,and follow-up visits were scheduled at baseline and every 4 months.All clinical and laboratory data were recorded in a computed patients9chart. The date of the last visit constituted the end of the follow-up. Results Case patients:88 IBD-SpA patients, 29 UC and 59 CD, 42 F/46M, mean age 47.66±15.09 ys, 10 (11.3%) B27+.Mean IBD duration was 60.05±54.66 months. Controls: 176 SpA patients, 98 PsA, 46 AS, and 32 non-radiographic axial SpA (nrx-AxSpA); 89F/87M, mean age 46.35±24.88 ys. 70 (40.7%) B27+, mean disease duration of 43.21±28.34 months. In IBD-SpA axial involvement was observed in 46 (52%) patients, peripheral in 29 (33%) and mixed in 13 (15%). Peripheral SpA was oligoarticular (≤4 joints involvement) in 26/29 (90%) patients and polyarticular in 3 (10%). Psoriasis (Pso) was associated in 14/88 (16%) of the cases. Dactylitis was recorded in 4 (4.5%) of IBD-SpA patients and in 30 (17.4%) of controls with a significant statistical difference (p=0.018). Dactylitis was recorded in only 2/74 (2.7%) IBD-SpA patients without Pso (p vs controls=0.010).Also enthesitis prevalence was significantly lower in IBD-SpA occurring in 16/88 (18.1%) patients and in 78/176 (44.3%) controls (p=0.004). Enthesitis frequency was significantly higher in 14 IBD-SpA patients associating Pso (28.5%) compared with the remaining 74 cases (16.2%) (p=0.012). Dactylitis occurred in 2/29 (6.9%) and in 2/59 (3.38%) patients with UC and CD, respectively. Anterior uveitis was recorded in 3 (3.4%) IBD-SpA patients and in 26 (14.7%) controls (p=0.02). Conclusions Dactylitis and enthesitis were significantly lower in IBD-SpA patients compared to other SpA. As reported3, Pso was frequent in our cohort of IBD-SpA,and its coexistency significantly increased the frequency of enthesitis and to a lesser extent of dactylitis.Anterior uveitis was significantly less frequent in IBD-SpA compared to controls. References Salvarani C, et al. Scand J Rheumatol 2001; Alamino RP, et al. J Rheumatol.2011; Li W-Q, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. Disclosure of Interest None declared