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Inclusion body myositis (IBM) remains an enigmatic and complex muscle disorder where a deeper understanding of disease pathomechanisms and the identification of potential genetic contributors represent an unmet need. The absence of effective treatments has spurred endeavours to reassess the interplay between degeneration, including autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction and proteasomal dysregulation, and autoimmunity. IBM is unique among the other idiopathic inflammatory myopathies owing to its molecular signature involving highly differentiated cytotoxic T cells that evade immune regulation. This has led to a resurgence of interest in the development of immunomodulatory therapy. This review discusses the potential role of cellular immunosenescence in sustaining inflammation and/or fibrotic remodelling observed in IBM and appraises the rationale for some potential therapeutic approaches to mitigate disease progression., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objectives: Timely diagnosis remains a challenge in axial SpA (axSpA). In addition, data are scarce on the impact of diagnostic delay and disease progression in affected individuals. The British Axial Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort (BAxSIC) study aims to investigate the impact of newly diagnosed axSpA, the natural history of the disease and the effect of diagnostic delay on disease outcomes., Methods: BAxSIC is a prospective, multicentre, observational study. Eligible participants are adults (≥16 years of age), with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of axSpA in the 6 months prior to study entry, recruited from secondary and tertiary rheumatology centres in the UK. Participants will be followed up for 3 years, with in-person visits at baseline and 24 months. In addition, patient self-reported assessments will be recorded remotely via the online electronic case report form (eCRF) at 6, 12, 18, 30 and 36 months., Results: The first patient was enrolled in BAxSIC in June 2023. Recruitment is currently ongoing and is planned to end in June 2026. Initial results will be available in 2027. Since opening, the trial has undergone two protocol amendments., Conclusion: The BAxSIC study is the first inception cohort designed to investigate the impact of diagnostic delay on clinical presentation and long-term functional outcomes in patients with axSpA in the UK. With an innovative, patient-led virtual longitudinal data collection model, data generated from this study will help inform and improve the care of people newly diagnosed with axSpA., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov), NCT05676775., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objectives: We aimed to identify determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and global functioning and health (GH) in axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral SpA (pSpA) and (PsA)., Methods: The ASAS-perSpA study data were analysed. Models for the three patient groups were run separately to explore factors associated with HRQoL and GH, assessed by EQ-5D and ASAS-HI, respectively., Results: The analyses included 4185 patients: 2719 with axSpA, 433 with pSpA, and 1033 with PsA.In axSpA, disease activity (β = -0.061), physical function (β = -0.041), female sex (β = -0.019) and fibromyalgia (FM) (β = -0.068) were associated with worse HRQoL; age (β = 0.001) and university education (β = 0.014) were associated with better HRQoL. In pSpA, disease activity (β = -0.04) and physical function (β = -0.054) were associated with worse HRQoL. In PsA, disease activity (β = -0.045), physical function (β = -0.053), axial disease (β = -0.041) and female sex (β = -0.028) were associated with worse HRQoL. In axSpA, disease activity (β = 0.889), physical function (β = 0.887), peripheral disease (β = 0.564), female sex (β = 0.812) and FM (β = 1.639) were associated with worse GH; age (β = -0.013) and university education (β = -0.274) were associated with better GH. In pSpA, physical function (β = 1.142) and female sex (β = 1.060) were associated with worse GH; university education (β = -0.611) was associated with better GH. In PsA, disease activity (β = 0.703), physical function (β = 1.025), axial involvement (β = 0.659), female sex (β = 0.924) and FM (β = 1.387) were associated with worse GH; age (β = -0.024) and university education (β = -0.856) were associated with better GH., Conclusion: Disease activity and physical function are major HRQoL and GH determinants across SpA types, and clinical characteristics and sociodemographic factors play an important role, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach for individual patients., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks, a selective inhibitor of IL-17F and IL-17A, with those of biologic/targeted synthetic DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs) in non-radiographic axial SpA (nr-axSpA) and AS., Methods: A systematic literature review identified randomized controlled trials until January 2023 for inclusion in Bayesian network meta-analyses (NMAs), including three b/tsDMARDs exposure networks: predominantly-naïve, naïve, and experienced. Outcomes were Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)20, ASAS40 and ASAS partial remission (PR) response rates at 12-16 weeks. A safety NMA investigated discontinuations due to any reason and serious adverse events at 12-16 weeks., Results: The NMA included 36 trials. The predominantly-naïve network provided the most comprehensive results. In the predominantly-naïve nr-axSpA analysis, bimekizumab had significantly higher ASAS20 response rates vs secukinumab 150 mg [with loading dose (LD)/without LD], and comparable response rates vs other active comparators. In the predominantly-naïve AS analysis, bimekizumab had significantly higher ASAS40 response rates vs secukinumab 150 mg (without LD), significantly higher ASAS-PR response rates vs secukinumab 150 mg (with LD) and comparable response rates vs other active comparators. Bimekizumab demonstrated similar safety to that of other b/tsDMARDs., Conclusion: Across ASAS outcomes, bimekizumab was comparable with most b/tsDMARDs, including ixekizumab, TNF inhibitors and upadacitinib, and achieved higher response rates vs secukinumab for some ASAS outcomes in predominantly b/tsDMARD-naïve nr-axSpA and AS patients at 12-16 weeks. In a pooled axSpA network, bimekizumab demonstrated comparable safety vs other b/tsDMARDs., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objectives: To compare MRI and conventional radiography of SI joints for detection of structural lesions typical for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)., Methods: Adult patients from the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) cohort with symptoms suggestive of axSpA and both SI joint MRI and radiographs available for central reading were included. Radiographs were evaluated by three readers according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria grading system. The presence of structural damage on radiographs was defined as fulfilment of the radiographic mNY criterion and, additionally, a lower threshold for sacroiliitis of at least grade 2 unilaterally. MRI scans were assessed for the presence of structural changes indicative of axSpA by seven readers. Diagnostic performance [sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-)] of MRI and radiographs (vs rheumatologist's diagnosis of axSpA) were calculated., Results: Overall, 183 patients were included and 135 (73.7%) were diagnosed with axSpA. Structural lesions indicative of axSpA on MRI had sensitivity 38.5%, specificity 91.7%, PPV 92.9%, NPV 34.6%, LR+ 4.62 and LR- 0.67. Sacroiliitis according to the mNY criteria had sensitivity 54.8%, specificity 70.8%, PPV 84.1%, NPV 35.8%, LR+ 1.88 and LR- 0.64. Radiographic sacroiliitis of at least grade 2 unilaterally had sensitivity 65.2%, specificity 50.0%, PPV 78.6%, NPV 33.8%, LR+ 1.30 and LR- 0.69., Conclusion: Structural lesions of the SI joint detected by MRI demonstrated better diagnostic performance and better interreader reliability compared with conventional radiography., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To describe obstetric outcomes based on COVID-19 vaccination status, in women with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) who developed COVID-19 during pregnancy., Methods: Data regarding pregnant women entered into the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance registry from 24 March 2020-25 February 2022 were analysed. Obstetric outcomes were stratified by number of COVID-19 vaccine doses received prior to COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. Descriptive differences between groups were tested using the chi-squared or Fisher's exact test., Results: There were 73 pregnancies in 73 women with RMD and COVID-19. Overall, 24.7% (18) of pregnancies were ongoing, while of the 55 completed pregnancies, 90.9% (50) of pregnancies resulted in livebirths. At the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, 60.3% (n = 44) of women were unvaccinated, 4.1% (n = 3) had received one vaccine dose while 35.6% (n = 26) had two or more doses. Although 83.6% (n = 61) of women required no treatment for COVID-19, 20.5% (n = 15) required hospital admission. COVID-19 resulted in delivery in 6.8% (n = 3) of unvaccinated women and 3.8% (n = 1) of fully vaccinated women. There was a greater number of preterm births (PTB) in unvaccinated women compared with fully vaccinated 29.5% (n = 13) vs 18.2% (n = 2)., Conclusions: In this descriptive study, unvaccinated pregnant women with RMD and COVID-19 had a greater number of PTB compared with those fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, the need for COVID-19 pharmacological treatment was uncommon in pregnant women with RMD regardless of vaccination status. These results support active promotion of COVID-19 vaccination in women with RMD who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Vaccination against viruses has rarely been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and an association with the COVID-19 vaccine is unknown. We performed a population-based study of National Health Service data in England and a multicentre surveillance study from UK hospitals to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and GBS. Firstly, case dates of GBS identified retrospectively in the National Immunoglobulin Database from 8 December 2021 to 8 July 2021 were linked to receipt dates of COVID-19 vaccines using data from the National Immunisation Management System in England. For the linked dataset, GBS cases temporally associated with vaccination within a 6-week risk window of any COVID-19 vaccine were identified. Secondly, we prospectively collected incident UK-wide (four nations) GBS cases from 1 January 2021 to 7 November 2021 in a separate UK multicentre surveillance database. For this multicentre UK-wide surveillance dataset, we explored phenotypes of reported GBS cases to identify features of COVID-19 vaccine-associated GBS. Nine hundred and ninety-six GBS cases were recorded in the National Immunoglobulin Database from January to October 2021. A spike of GBS cases above the 2016-2020 average occurred in March-April 2021. One hundred and ninety-eight GBS cases occurred within 6 weeks of the first-dose COVID-19 vaccination in England [0.618 cases per 100,000 vaccinations; 176 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca), 21 tozinameran (Pfizer) and one mRNA-1273 (Moderna)]. The 6-week excess of GBS (compared to the baseline rate of GBS cases 6-12 weeks after vaccination) occurred with a peak at 24 days post-vaccination; first-doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 accounted for the excess. No excess was seen for second-dose vaccination. The absolute number of excess GBS cases from January-July 2021 was between 98-140 cases for first-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. First-dose tozinameran and second-dose of any vaccination showed no excess GBS risk. Detailed clinical data from 121 GBS patients were reported in the separate multicentre surveillance dataset during this timeframe. No phenotypic or demographic differences identified between vaccine-associated and non-vaccinated GBS cases occurring in the same timeframe. Analysis of the linked NID/NIMS dataset suggested that first-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination is associated with an excess GBS risk of 0.576 (95% confidence interval 0.481-0.691) cases per 100 000 doses. However, examination of a multicentre surveillance dataset suggested that no specific clinical features, including facial weakness, are associated with vaccination-related GBS compared to non-vaccinated cases. The pathogenic cause of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 specific first dose link warrants further study., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain.)

Objective: We aimed to describe, from the perspective of rheumatologists in Europe, how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted their management of people with RA and the continuing medical education of physicians., Methods: Rheumatologists participating in the Adelphi RA Disease Specific Programme TM in six European countries were contacted in August and September 2020 for a telephone survey. Rheumatologists were asked seven attitudinal questions on changes to patient management, prescription behaviour and continuing education owing to COVID-19. Results were summarized with descriptive statistics., Results: The telephone survey was completed by 284 rheumatologists. The most commonly reported changes to patient management were increased utilization of video/telephone consultations (66.5% of respondents), fewer visits (58.5%) and limiting physical contact (58.1%). Furthermore, 67.9% of rheumatologists who indicated that prescribing behaviour had changed switched their patients to self-administered medication, and 60.7% reported not starting patients on targeted synthetic DMARDs, biologic originator DMARDs or biosimilar DMARDs. In total, 57.6% of rheumatologists believed that changes in management would persist. Rheumatologists reported that 38.0% of patients expressed concerns about how COVID-19 would impact treatment, including access to treatment and the risk of infection. The biggest impact on rheumatologist education was a switch to online training and conferences., Conclusion: All countries saw changes in patient management and prescribing behaviour, including the rapid uptake of telemedicine. It is important that the international rheumatology community learns from these experiences to prepare better for future pandemics and to address ongoing rheumatologist shortages., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objective: The aim was to assess rheumatology clinicians' perceptions of telemedicine and their experiences before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey and collected responses from rheumatology clinicians worldwide, between November 2020 and February 2021, regarding use and perceptions of telemedicine in rheumatology. We summarized data with descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis for free-text responses., Results: The survey was completed by 349 rheumatology clinicians from 49 countries; 59% were female and about two-thirds were in the 30-50 years age group. Academic affiliations were held by 55% of participants, and 44% were from North America. Before the pandemic, 24% of participants had experience with telemedicine, whereas about three-quarters used telemedicine for the first time during the pandemic. Overall, 56% thought they provided less adequate care with telemedicine. More than half of clinicians felt that telemedicine was adequate for evaluating crystalline arthritis, inflammatory arthritis and lupus flares. Telemedicine was felt to be inadequate for flares of myositis, vasculitis and scleroderma. Technical problems were reported in 29% of telemedicine encounters and were most commonly related to patient-encountered difficulties., Conclusion: Most rheumatology clinicians used telemedicine for the first time during the pandemic. The quality of care provided was thought to be inferior to that provided in person for specific clinical situations. Additional efforts are needed to address barriers to effective telemedicine, such as patient-related technology issues, challenges with building rapport and performing a physical examination, and to define the appropriate scope of clinical scenarios conducive to telemedicine., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objectives: To determine quantitative SI joint MRI lesion cut-offs that optimally define a positive MRI for inflammatory and structural lesions typical of axial SpA (axSpA) and that predict clinical diagnosis., Methods: The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) MRI group assessed MRIs from the ASAS Classification Cohort in two reading exercises where (A) 169 cases and 7 central readers; (B) 107 cases and 8 central readers. We calculated sensitivity/specificity for the number of SI joint quadrants or slices with bone marrow oedema (BME), erosion, fat lesion, where a majority of central readers had high confidence there was a definite active or structural lesion. Cut-offs with ≥95% specificity were analysed for their predictive utility for follow-up rheumatologist diagnosis of axSpA by calculating positive/negative predictive values (PPVs/NPVs) and selecting cut-offs with PPV ≥ 95%., Results: Active or structural lesions typical of axSpA on MRI had PPVs ≥ 95% for clinical diagnosis of axSpA. Cut-offs that best reflected a definite active lesion typical of axSpA were either ≥4 SI joint quadrants with BME at any location or at the same location in ≥3 consecutive slices. For definite structural lesion, the optimal cut-offs were any one of ≥3 SI joint quadrants with erosion or ≥5 with fat lesions, erosion at the same location for ≥2 consecutive slices, fat lesions at the same location for ≥3 consecutive slices, or presence of a deep (i.e. >1 cm depth) fat lesion., Conclusion: We propose cut-offs for definite active and structural lesions typical of axSpA that have high PPVs for a long-term clinical diagnosis of axSpA for application in disease classification and clinical research., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objectives: To identify clinical factors associated with cancer risk in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and to systematically review the existing evidence related to cancer screening., Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out on Medline, Embase and Scopus. Cancer risk within the IIM population (i.e. not compared with the general population) was expressed as risk ratios (RR) for binary variables and weighted mean differences (WMD) for continuous variables. Evidence relating to cancer screening practices in the IIMs were synthesized via narrative review., Results: Sixty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. DM subtype (RR 2.21), older age (WMD 11.19), male sex (RR 1.53), dysphagia (RR 2.09), cutaneous ulceration (RR 2.73) and anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1 gamma positivity (RR 4.66) were identified as being associated with significantly increased risk of cancer. PM (RR 0.49) and clinically amyopathic DM (RR 0.44) subtypes, Raynaud's phenomenon (RR 0.61), interstitial lung disease (RR 0.49), very high serum creatine kinase (WMD -1189.96) or lactate dehydrogenase (WMD -336.52) levels, and anti-Jo1 (RR 0.45) or anti-EJ (RR 0.17) positivity were identified as being associated with significantly reduced risk of cancer. Nine studies relating to IIM-specific cancer screening were included. CT scanning of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis appeared to be effective in identifying underlying asymptomatic cancers., Conclusion: Cancer risk factors should be evaluated in patients with IIM for risk stratification. Screening evidence is limited but CT scanning could be useful. Prospective studies and consensus guidelines are needed to establish cancer screening strategies in IIM patients., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have emerged during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This epidemiological and cohort study sought to investigate any causative association between COVID-19 infection and GBS. The epidemiology of GBS cases reported to the UK National Immunoglobulin Database was studied from 2016 to 2019 and compared to cases reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were stratified by hospital trust and region, with numbers of reported cases per month. UK population data for COVID-19 infection were collated from UK public health bodies. In parallel, but separately, members of the British Peripheral Nerve Society prospectively reported incident cases of GBS during the pandemic at their hospitals to a central register. The clinical features, investigation findings and outcomes of COVID-19 (definite or probable) and non-COVID-19 associated GBS cases in this cohort were compared. The incidence of GBS treated in UK hospitals from 2016 to 2019 was 1.65-1.88 per 100 000 individuals per year. GBS incidence fell between March and May 2020 compared to the same months of 2016-19. GBS and COVID-19 incidences during the pandemic also varied between regions and did not correlate with one another (r = 0.06, 95% confidence interval: -0.56 to 0.63, P = 0.86). In the independent cohort study, 47 GBS cases were reported (COVID-19 status: 13 definite, 12 probable, 22 non-COVID-19). There were no significant differences in the pattern of weakness, time to nadir, neurophysiology, CSF findings or outcome between these groups. Intubation was more frequent in the COVID-19 affected cohort (7/13, 54% versus 5/22, 23% in COVID-19-negative) attributed to COVID-19 pulmonary involvement. Although it is not possible to entirely rule out the possibility of a link, this study finds no epidemiological or phenotypic clues of SARS-CoV-2 being causative of GBS. GBS incidence has fallen during the pandemic, which may be the influence of lockdown measures reducing transmission of GBS inducing pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni and respiratory viruses., (© Crown copyright 2020.)

Objective: To develop an alternative Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) to be used in research settings in axial SpA (axSpA) when Patient Global Assessment (PGA) is unavailable in databases., Methods: Longitudinal data from four axSpA cohorts and two randomized controlled trials were combined. Observations were randomly split in a development (N = 1026) and a validation cohort (N = 1059). Substitutes of PGA by BASDAI total score, single or combined individual BASDAI questions, and a constant value, were established in the development cohort. Conversion factors for each substitute were defined by Generalized Estimating Equations, obtaining seven 'alternative' formulae. Validation was performed in the validation cohort according to the OMERACT filter, taking into consideration: (i) truth (agreement with original-ASDAS in the continuous score, by intraclass correlation coefficient and in disease activity states, by weighted kappa); (ii) discrimination [standardized mean difference of ASDAS scores between high/low disease activity states defined by external anchors, e.g. Patient Acceptable Symptom State; agreement (kappa) in the percentage of patients reaching ASDAS improvement criteria according to alternative vs original formulae]; and (iii) feasibility., Results: Comparing various options, alternative-ASDAS using BASDAI total as PGA replacement proved to be: truthful (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98, kappa = 0.90), discriminative [ASDAS scores between Patient Acceptable Symptom State no/yes: standardized mean difference = 1.37 (original-ASDAS standardized mean difference = 1.43); agreement with original-ASDAS in major improvement/clinically important improvement criteria: kappa = 0.93/0.88] and feasible (BASDAI total often available, as questions required for the ASDAS; conversion coefficient ≈ 1)., Conclusion: Alternative-ASDAS using BASDAI total score as PGA replacement is the most truthful, discriminative and feasible instrument., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objectives: As the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic developed there was a paucity of data relevant to people living with rheumatic disease. This led to the development of a global, online registry to meet these information needs. This manuscript provides a detailed description of the coronavirus disease 2019 Global Rheumatology Alliance registry development, governance structure, and data collection, and insights into new ways of rapidly establishing global research collaborations to meet urgent research needs., Methods: We use previously published recommendations for best practices for registry implementation and describe the development of the Global Rheumatology Alliance registry in terms of these steps. We identify how and why these steps were adapted or modified. In Phase 1 of registry development, the purpose of the registry and key stakeholders were identified on online platforms, Twitter and Slack. Phase 2 consisted of protocol and data collection form development, team building and the implementation of governance and policies., Results: All key steps of the registry development best practices framework were met, though with the need for adaptation in some areas. Outputs of the registry, two months after initial conception, are also described., Conclusion: The Global Rheumatology Alliance registry will provide highly useful, timely data to inform clinical care and identify further research priorities for people with rheumatic disease with coronavirus disease 2019. The formation of an international team, easily able to function in online environments and resulting in rapid deployment of a registry is a model that can be adapted for other disease states and future global collaborations., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To evaluate the validity and reliability of inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors in the assessment of spinal mobility in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)., Methods: A repeated measures study design involving 40 participants with axSpA was used. Pairs of IMU sensors were used to measure the maximum range of movement at the cervical (Cx) and lumbar (Lu) spine. A composite IMU score was defined by combining the IMU measures. Conventional metrology and physical function assessment were performed. Validation was assessed considering the agreement of IMU measures with conventional metrology and correlation with physical function. Reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs)., Results: The composite IMU score correlated closely (r = 0.88) with the BASMI. Conventional Cx rotation and lateral flexion tests correlated closely with IMU equivalents (r = 0.85, 0.84). All IMU movement tests correlated strongly with BASFI, while this was true for only some of the BASMI tests. The reliability of both conventional and IMU tests (except for chest expansion) ranged from good to excellent. Test-retest ICCs for individual conventional tests varied between 0.57 and 0.91, in comparison to a range from 0.74 to 0.98 for each of the IMU tests. Each of the composite regional IMU scores had excellent test-retest reliability (ICCs=0.94-0.97), comparable to the reliability of the BASMI (ICC=0.96)., Conclusion: Cx and Lu spinal mobility measured using wearable IMU sensors is a valid and reliable assessment in multiple planes (including rotation), in patients with a wide range of axSpA severity., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: Dose optimization of TNF inhibitors in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is attractive, but it is unclear for which patients this approach might be appropriate., Methods: Seventy-one patients with axSpA, from six UK centres, were identified who had reduced their dose of TNF inhibitor after being considered to be stable responders. All completed a questionnaire concerning their approach to and experience of dose reduction. Data on patient characteristics, metrology and CRP were retrieved retrospectively from patient records., Results: Over 2 years of observation, 60 (84.5%) remained (REM) on reduced-dose medication and 11 (15.5%) reverted (REV) to the original dose. The overall mean dose reduction was 39% for REM patients and 44% for REV patients. Both groups initially responded in a similar manner to treatment, but the data showed a trend that younger women were more likely to revert. Neither BMI nor smoking was associated with continued low-dose responsiveness. Eight of the 11 REV patients reverted by 6 months. None reached criteria of secondary drug failure, and all regained control after increasing back to the original dose. Most patients in both groups reached the decision to reduce the dose jointly with clinicians. A preference for taking the reduced dose was not associated with low-dose drug survival., Conclusion: Many patients with axSpA remain well symptomatically after stepping down the dose of TNF inhibitor, but young women are less likely to do well on a reduced dose. Dose reduction should be one element of the management of patients with axSpA., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.)

Objectives: To summarize the evidence on the performance of MRI for the diagnosis of axial SpA., Methods: This was a systematic literature review of all studies from January 2013 to March 2017 including adult patients with clinically suspected axial SpA undergoing MRI. Studies from a previously published systematic literature review up to January 2013 were also included., Results: Thirty-one studies were included. Six studies demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for SI joint (SIJ) bone marrow oedema (BMO). Specificity was increased by the presence of other structural lesions alongside BMO, particularly erosions or fat infiltration. Four studies addressed the utility of SIJ fat infiltration, finding good sensitivity but poor specificity. SIJ erosions showed good specificity in five studies. Studies addressing high T1 signal in the SIJ, fluid signal in the SIJ, ankylosis, sclerosis, capsulitis, backfill and vacuum phenomenon reported limited diagnostic value. In the spine, four studies reported moderate sensitivity and specificity for corner inflammatory lesions, and four reported poor sensitivity and specificity for spinal fat infiltration. Five studies evaluated the added value of spinal MRI over SIJ MRI alone, with variable results depending on the cohort. Six studies addressed the effect of acquisition parameters on diagnostic accuracy: fat-saturated T2-weighted imaging and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging showed comparable utility in identifying BMO. Three studies showed that gadolinium was of minimal added value in the detection of BMO., Conclusions: These results confirmed the diagnostic utility of MRI in axial SpA. Performance varied according to the characteristics of the cohort and the number and combination of MRI lesions considered., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objectives: To develop evidence-based recommendations on the use of MRI in the diagnosis of axial SpA (axSpA)., Methods: A working group comprising nine rheumatologists and nine musculoskeletal radiologists with an interest in axSpA was established, with support from the British Society of Spondyloarthritis (BRITSpA). Two meetings were held. In the first meeting, research questions were formulated. In the second meeting, the results of a systematic literature review designed to inform the recommendations were reviewed. An anonymized Delphi process was used to formulate the final set of recommendations. For each recommendation, the level of evidence and strength of recommendation was determined. The level of agreement was assessed using a 0-10 numerical rating scale., Results: Two overarching principles were formulated, as follows: The diagnosis of axSpA is based on clinical, laboratory and imaging features (overarching principle 1), and patients with axSpA can have isolated inflammation of either the sacroiliac joints or the spine (overarching principle 2). Seven recommendations addressing the use of MRI in the assessment of patients with suspected axSpA were formulated, covering topics including recommended sequences, anatomical coverage, acquisition parameters and interpretation of active and structural MRI lesions. The level of agreement for each recommendation was very high (range 8.8-9.8)., Conclusion: A joint rheumatology and radiology consensus on the acquisition and interpretation of MRI in axSpA diagnosis was achieved, and a research agenda formulated. This consensus should help standardize practice around MRI and ensure a more informed, consistent approach to the diagnosis of axSpA., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the referral strategy (RS) for SpA of a nationwide epidemiological study (EpiReumaPt), as compared with previously proposed RSs., Methods: EpiReumaPt was a three-stage national epidemiologic study. In phase one, 10 661 adult participants were randomly selected and screened for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. In the second phase, positive screenings for ⩾1 rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease plus 20% negative screenings were assessed by a rheumatologist. Finally, three rheumatologists revised all the information and defined the final diagnosis. All participants from phase two were included. Thirteen RS were tested against the SpA diagnosis using several metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, the post-test probability of SpA given a positive RS (positive predictive value) and given a negative RS (1 - negative predictive value)., Results: From the total 3877 participants, 92 received a SpA diagnosis [weighted national prevalence: 1.6% (95% confidence interval: 1.2, 2.1)]. Modified versions of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society-RS and EpiReumaPt-RS were the most sensitive (85% and 72%, respectively) and yielded the lowest post-test probabilities of SpA if negative (0.6% and 0.7%, respectively). Considering the national prevalence (pre-test probability) of SpA (1.6%), a negative screening by these two RSs decreased the probability of SpA substantially (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society: -63%; EpiReumaPt: -56%). Other RSs performed less well in reducing disease probability (range: -6.3%; -37.5%). Overall, the probability of SpA given a positive RS was small (positive predictive value range: 2.2%; 7.6%) and the EpiReumaPt RS yielded the best balance between sensitivity and positive predictive value., Conclusion: The proposed EpiReumaPt RS performed the best as a screening tool for SpA in patients from the general population when laboratory and imaging data were not available., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)