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Introduction: the aim of our study is to determine, from data of the Moroccan register of biotherapies, the factors influencing the choice of the first prescribed biological treatment., Methods: cross-sectional multicenter study including rheumatoid arthritis patients who were initiated the first biological treatment either: Rituximab, an anti-TNF, or Tocilizumab. The determinants related to the patient and disease have been gathered. A univariate and then multivariate analysis to determine the factors associated with the choice of the first bDMARDs was realized., Results: a total of 225 rheumatoid arthritis patients were included in the Moroccan registry. The mean age was 52 ± 11 years, with female predominance 88% (n = 197). The first prescribed biological treatment was Rituximab 74% (n = 166), the second one was Tocilizumab, 13.6% (n = 31) then comes the anti-TNF in 3 rd position with 12.4% (n = 28). The factors associated with the choice of Rituximab as the first line bDMARDs prescribed in univariate analysis were: the insurance type, the positivity of the rheumatoid factor. In multivariate analysis, only the insurance type that remains associated with the choice of Rituximab as the first biological drugs. The Tocilizumab was associated with shorter disease duration and was more prescribed as mono-therapy compared to non Tocilizumab group. TNFi was associated with the insurance type., Conclusion: our study suggests that Rituximab and TNFi are associated with the type of insurance and Tocilizumab is the most prescribed biologic mono-therapy in RA patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these results., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Meryem Eddaoudi et al.)

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are rare but serious conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate, by a review of hospital cases, their epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary profile. We conducted a retrospective study over a 15-year period, between January 2004 and December 2019. All cases with possible or definite diagnosis according to Bohan and Peter's criteria were retained. A total of 14 patients were enrolled (8 DM and 6 PM), with an average age of 48.7 years. Sex ratio was 13F/ 1H. General signs were reported in 71% of cases. Motor deficit affected the girdle muscles in 71% of cases; 85.7% of patients had arthralgia and 14% arthritis. Erythema and periorbital edema were the predominant skin signs. Patients' assessment showed increased sedimentation rate in all cases and increased muscle enzymes in 80% of cases. Antinuclear antibodies were positive in 63% of cases. Muscle biopsy objectified inflammatory myositis in 75% of cases. Heart disease was reported in 14% of cases and lung disease in 21%. Cancer was found in 21.4% of cases. All patients received corticosteroid therapy. Improvement was reported in 88% of patients, with a relapse in 4 patients. In our context, DM is more frequent than PM, with a clear female predominance. Pulmonary disease is a heavy complication. Its association with cancers occurs commonly, hence the need for a systematic cancer screening at diagnosis and follow-up., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêts., (Copyright: Souhil Errafia et al.)

Hydroxychloroquine is an agent used as a treatment but also considered as a prophylaxis for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We report the case of a patient who developed COVID-19 while on hydroxychloroquine for mixed connectivitis associated with spondyloarthritis. Although more work is needed before any conclusions can be drawn, this raises questions about the protective role of this drug against infection. Are they really protected against COVID-19 or will they develop pauci-symptomatic forms?, Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêts., (Copyright: Saadia Ait Malek et al.)