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Objective To assess performance of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) composite indices and evaluate guselkumab’s effect on achieving low disease activity or remission. Methods In this phase II trial, patients with active PsA (≥3 tender and ≥3 swollen joints, C‐reactive protein level ≥0.3 mg/dl, ≥3% body surface‐area with psoriasis involvement) were randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous guselkumab 100 mg (n = 100) or placebo (n = 49) at week 0, week 4, and every 8 weeks through week 44. At week 16, patients with

Objective Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) are an effective treatment for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). To be eligible, however, many authorities require patients with nr-axSpA to show active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, possibly resulting in a perception that patients with nr-axSpA without both factors have only low responses to TNFi treatment. We evaluated clinical responses to certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with nr-axSpA stratified by baseline MRI/CRP status. Methods C-axSpAnd was a phase 3, multicenter study on CZP in adult patients with active nr-axSpA and objective signs of inflammation. This analysis assessed efficacy of CZP over the 52-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled period in patients stratified into subgroups based on the presence of active sacroiliitis on MRI and CRP level at baseline. Results CZP-treated patients across all MRI/CRP subgroups achieved clinical responses greater than placebo. Across outcome measures, CZP-treated MRI+/CRP+ patients demonstrated the greatest clinical responses, but substantial improvements were also observed in CZP-treated MRI+/CRP- and MRI-/CRP+ patients. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score Major Improvement response rates at week 52 among CZP-treated patients (75.6% MRI+/CRP+; 47.5% MRI-/CRP+; and 29.7% MRI+/CRP-) were higher than rates in placebo groups (range: 3.9%-12.5%). Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 40% response, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and Bath Ankylosing Spondyloarthritis Functional Index had similar response patterns, although differences between the CZP-treated MRI/CRP subgroups were smaller. Clinical responses among CZP-treated patients were also observed in additional subgroups, including those with low Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada MRI sacroiliac joint inflammation scores and those with normal baseline CRP levels. Conclusion Our findings indicate that CZP treatment benefits patients with nr-axSpA across MRI+/CRP+, MRI-/CRP+, and MRI+/CRP- subgroups.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of ixekizumab in patients with active radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) and prior inadequate response to or intolerance of 1 or 2 tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).

Objective To evaluate the effect of secukinumab (interleukin-17A inhibitor) on patient-reported outcomes in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods In this phase III study, 371 patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive intravenous (IV) secukinumab 10 mg/kg at baseline and weeks 2 and 4 followed by subcutaneous (SC) secukinumab 150 mg every 4 weeks (IV→150 mg group), or SC secukinumab 75 mg every 4 weeks (IV→75 mg group), or placebo. Patient-reported outcomes included the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), BASDAI criteria for 50% improvement (BASDAI 50), Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) score and mental component summary (MCS) score, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), EuroQol 5-domain (EQ-5D) questionnaire, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment–General Health questionnaire (WPAI-GH). Results At week 16, secukinumab IV→150 mg or IV→75 mg was associated with statistically and clinically significant improvements from baseline versus placebo in the BASDAI (−2.3 for both regimens versus −0.6; P

Objective To provide evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods A core group led the development of the recommendations, starting with the treatment questions. A literature review group conducted systematic literature reviews of studies that addressed 57 specific treatment questions, based on searches conducted in OVID Medline (1946–2014), PubMed (1966–2014), and the Cochrane Library. We assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method. A separate voting group reviewed the evidence and voted on recommendations for each question using the GRADE framework. Results In patients with active AS, the strong recommendations included use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) when activity persists despite NSAID treatment, not to use systemic glucocorticoids, use of physical therapy, and use of hip arthroplasty for patients with advanced hip arthritis. Among the conditional recommendations was that no particular TNFi was preferred except in patients with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease or recurrent iritis, in whom TNFi monoclonal antibodies should be used. In patients with active nonradiographic axial SpA despite treatment with NSAIDs, we conditionally recommend treatment with TNFi. Other recommendations for patients with nonradiographic axial SpA were based on indirect evidence and were the same as for patients with AS. Conclusion These recommendations provide guidance for the management of common clinical questions in AS and nonradiographic axial SpA. Additional research on optimal medication management over time, disease monitoring, and preventive care is needed to help establish best practices in these areas.

Objective To validate the 2011 modification of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (2011ModCr) and develop alternative criteria in a sample of patients with diverse pain disorders that are commonly seen in everyday practice by pain specialists, rheumatologists, and psychologists. Methods Eight clinicians from geographically varied locations in the US evaluated patients with chronic pain and psychiatric disorders using a standard set of questions that included the 2011ModCr questions, the Symptom Impact Questionnaire (SIQR), a 28-area pain location inventory (PLI), and the Short Form 36. Alternative diagnostic criteria were developed from the same data set using logistic regression and receiver operating curve analysis. Results Complete data on 321 patients were evaluated; there were 135 patients with fibromyalgia (according to the 1990 ACR criteria) and 186 patients with 16 other common chronic pain problems. Comparing the 2011ModCr with the 1990 ACR criteria provided a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 67%, and a correct classification of 74%. Alternative criteria were derived from the 10-item symptom score from the SIQR symptoms and the 28-area PLI. Maximal diagnostic accuracy was obtained with ≥17 pain sites (range 0–28) and an SIQR symptom score of ≥21 (range 0–50). These alternative criteria had a diagnostic sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 80%, and a correct classification of 80%. Conclusion The 2011ModCr had robust operating characteristics. Alternative criteria based on symptom items from the SIQR and pain locations from the PLI had comparable operating characteristics, with somewhat better specificity and ease of use.

Objective To report population-based percentile reference values for selected spinal mobility measures in a nationally representative sample of 5,001 US adults ages 20–69 years who were examined in the 2009–2010 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods Occiput-to-wall distance (OWD), thoracic expansion (TE), and anterior lumbar flexion (ALF; by modified Schober test) were measured by trained examiners in a standardized manner. TE was measured at the xiphisternal level, while the lower reference point for ALF was a line marked at the level of the superior margin of the lateral iliac crests. We report reference values based on the 95th percentile for the OWD and the 5th percentile for TE and ALF, as well as other summary statistics for these measures, in the study population. Results An OWD of >0 was present in 3.8% of the participants, while 8.8% of them had out-of-range values for TE based on the commonly used threshold of 2.5 cm. The 95th percentile of the OWD measurement was 0, while the 5th percentile for TE and ALF were 1.9 cm and 2 cm, respectively. The spinal measures were significantly associated with sex, age, ethnicity, height, and body mass index (BMI). Exclusion of individuals with severe obesity (BMI >35 kg/m2) changed the proposed reference values for TE and ALF to 2.2 cm and 1.9 cm, respectively. Conclusion We verified a reference value of 0 for the OWD in the general population. Using the reported population-based percentile values, new reference values for TE and ALF can be derived.

Introduction In April 2006, a white paper on extremity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was published, based on a review of the literature by a task force commissioned by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) (1). The document was well received for its scientific rigor and overview of the literature at that time. However, the report had unexpected consequences as certain insurers began to restrict coverage for extremity MRI, which was not the intent of the original scientific review. Over the last 4 years, research into the value of extremity MRI and its role compared with conventional radiography and high-field MRI has been ongoing. In May 2009, the International Society of Extremity MRI in Rheumatology (ISEMIR) forwarded to the ACR publications they believed to be important in the field, requesting that the ACR review these new data and update the white paper with inclusion of the new information. The ACR Executive Committee and ACR Board of Directors thought that it was important to respond to this group, but due to the many efforts the ACR had ongoing, it was decided not to reconvene the original formal task force. Three members of the initial task force were asked to participate in this literature review: Atul Deodhar (an academic clinical rheumatologist with research interest in imaging modalities), to provide clinical perspective; Hollis Potter (a musculoskeletal radiologist with extensive experience in MRI), to provide technical expertise; and Stanley Cohen (a clinical rheumatologist in private practice with research interests in RA treatment). Paul Emery, who was not a member of the original task force, was asked to participate due to his expertise in MRI in RA as well as his involvement in the ISEMIR. Subsequent to the initial development of the manuscript, Philip Conaghan and Mikkel Ostergaard were invited to contribute to the review based on their expertise in the field and the desire of the working group as well as the ACR Board of Directors to broaden the perspective on this subject. This group reviewed the publications forwarded, as well as conducted a literature review of additional articles in Medline and PubMed involving MRI in RA published since 2006. This was not a formal evidence-based review such as the nowpopular RAND-based methodology, but simply a literature review addressing the same questions raised in 2006 to determine if the conclusions reached at that time should be modified. These publications can be broadly divided into 3 groups. The first group of publications deals with technical aspects, such as comparing low-field extremity units to high-field units, comparing the reproducibility of results obtained with low-field units in different centers, or addressing the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) MRI scoring systems. The second group consists of publications that confirm previously recorded observations, e.g., MRI scanning is more sensitive in detecting erosions compared with conventional radiography and predicts future radiographic erosions. The third group consists of publications that advance our knowledge of peripheral MRI further by breaking new ground. Although there are now extremity MRI units that are higher field at 1.0–1.5T, there was no available literature to determine the role of high-field extremity MRI in the diagnosis and management of RA. Stanley B. Cohen, MD: Presbyterian Hospital and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas; Hollis Potter, MD: Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; Atul Deodhar, MD: Rheumatology Clinics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland; Paul Emery, MA, MD, FRCP, Philip Conaghan, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCP: University of Leeds and National Institute of Health Research Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds, UK; Mikkel Ostergaard, MD: Copenhagen University Hospital at Glostrup and Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Potter has received institutional research support from General Electric Healthcare. Dr. Deodhar has received consultant fees, speaking fees, and/or honoraria (less than $10,000) from Centocor. Dr. Emery has received consultant fees, speaking fees, and/or honoraria (less than $10,000 each) from MSD, Pfizer, Roche, BMS, and Abbott. Dr. Conaghan has received consultant fees, speaking fees, and/or honoraria (less than $10,000 each) from BMS, Centocor, MSD, Novartis, Roche, and Pfizer. Address correspondence to Stanley B. Cohen, MD, 8144 Walnut Hill, Suite 800, Dallas, TX 75231. E-mail: Arthdoc@aol.com. Submitted for publication August 25, 2010; accepted November 22, 2010. Arthritis Care & Research Vol. 63, No. 5, May 2011, pp 660–665 DOI 10.1002/acr.20413 © 2011, American College of Rheumatology

Objective To evaluate the effect of golimumab on sleep disturbance in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Golimumab was studied in a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study (GO-RAISE). At baseline, 356 patients were randomly assigned in a 1.8:1.8:1 ratio to subcutaneous golimumab 50 mg, 100 mg, or placebo every 4 weeks. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Jenkins Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (JSEQ), which was administered at baseline, week 14, and week 24. Treatment effect was evaluated using analysis of variance on the van der Waerden normal scores. Results Median JSEQ scores at baseline were 9.0 in the placebo group, 10.0 in the 50-mg group, and 11.0 in the 100-mg group, indicating moderate to severe sleep disturbance. Patients who received golimumab showed significantly greater median improvement from baseline in JSEQ scores compared with placebo at week 14 (−3.0 versus 0.0; P < 0.001) and week 24 (−3.0 versus −1.0; P < 0.001). Changes from baseline in JSEQ scores significantly correlated with changes from baseline in Short Form 36 summary scores, Bath AS Functional Index scores, total back pain, night back pain, and Bath AS Disease Activity Index scores. Multiple regression analyses indicated that improvement in the night back pain score was the most consistent predictor of change in JSEQ score or reduction in sleep disturbance. Conclusion Patients with active AS showed significant sleep disturbance at baseline due to underlying pain associated with AS. Treatment with subcutaneous golimumab every 4 weeks significantly reduced sleep disturbance and improved health-related quality of life.

Objective To examine immunization responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with rituximab and to investigate the effects of rituximab-induced CD20+ B cell depletion on immune responses to tetanus toxoid (T cell–dependent antigen), pneumococcal polysaccharide (T cell–independent antigen), and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) (neoantigen) and on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Methods In a controlled trial, we enrolled 103 patients with active RA receiving a stable dose of methotrexate (MTX). Tetanus toxoid, pneumococcal polysaccharide, and KLH vaccines as well as a Candida albicans skin test were administered to 1 group of patients receiving rituximab plus MTX (called rituximab-treated patients) for 36 weeks and to 1 group of patients receiving MTX alone for 12 weeks. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with a ≥4-fold rise in antitetanus IgG levels. Antitetanus, antipneumococcal, and anti-KLH serum IgG levels were measured prior to and 4 weeks following vaccine administration. The DTH response to C albicans was measured 2–3 days following placement. Results Responses to tetanus toxoid vaccine (≥4-fold rise) were similar in both groups (39.1% of rituximab-treated patients and 42.3% of patients treated with MTX alone). The ability to maintain a positive DTH response to the C albicans skin test was comparable in both groups (77.4% of rituximab-treated patients and 70% of patients treated with MTX alone), showing no effect of rituximab treatment. Rituximab-treated patients had decreased responses to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (57% of patients had a 2-fold rise in titer in response to ≥1 serotype, compared with 82% of patients treated with MTX alone) and to KLH vaccine (47% of patients had detectable anti-KLH IgG, compared with 93% of patients treated with MTX alone). Conclusion Recall responses to the T cell–dependent protein antigen tetanus toxoid as well as DTH responses were preserved in rituximab-treated RA patients 24 weeks after treatment. Responses to neoantigen (KLH) and T cell–independent responses to pneumococcal vaccine were decreased, but many patients were able to mount responses. These data suggest that polysaccharide and primary immunizations should be administered prior to rituximab infusions to maximize responses.

Objective. Anemia is a common complication in patients with inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This post hoc analysis of a large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined the effect of infliximab on hemoglobin levels, physical function, and fatigue in patients with AS.Methods. Patients received infliximab 5 mg/kg (n = 188) or placebo (n = 68) at weeks 0, 2, 6, 12, and 18. Hemoglobin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, fatigue (visual analog scale [VAS]), physical function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index [BASFI]) and disease activity were evaluated at baseline and week 24. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level

Objective A subset of fibromyalgia (FM) patients have a dysfunctional hypothalamic–pituitary–insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis, as evidenced by low serum levels of IGF-1 and a reduced growth hormone (GH) response to physiologic stimuli. There is evidence that pyridostigmine (PYD) improves the acute response of GH to exercise in FM patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 6 months of PYD and group exercise on FM symptoms. Methods FM patients were randomized to 1 of the following 4 groups: PYD plus exercise, PYD plus diet recall but no exercise, placebo plus exercise, and placebo plus diet recall but no exercise. The primary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, tender point count, and total myalgic score. Secondary outcome measures were the total score on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and FIQ VAS scores for individual symptoms (fatigue, poor sleep, stiffness, and anxiety), as well as quality of life (QOL) and physical fitness (lower body strength/endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, balance, and time on the treadmill). Results A total of 165 FM patients completed baseline measurements; 154 (93.3%) completed the study. The combination of PYD and exercise did not improve pain scores. PYD groups showed a significant improvement in sleep and anxiety in those who completed the study and in QOL in those who complied with the therapeutic regimen as compared with the placebo groups. Compared with the nonexercise groups, the 2 exercise groups demonstrated improvement in fatigue and fitness. PYD was generally well tolerated. Conclusion Neither the combination of PYD plus supervised exercise nor either treatment alone yielded improvement in most FM symptoms. However, PYD did improve anxiety and sleep, and exercise improved fatigue and fitness. We speculate that PYD may have improved vagal tone, thus benefiting sleep and anxiety; this notion warrants further study.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia can be a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which necessitates treatment with immunosuppressive agents and platelet transfusions. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a unique thrombopoietic growth factor which causes proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitors as well as induces megakaryocytic maturation. To our knowledge, this agent has not been used in the treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenia, since theoretically there is a danger of IL-11 stimulating the immune system by up-regulating the lymphoid stem cells. We describe a 36-year-old splenectomized woman with known SLE who presented with pulmonary hemorrhage, acute renal failure, change in mental status, and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 2,000/mm3). Her pulmonary, renal, and central nervous system complications responded to intensive therapy with intravenous (IV) pulse methylprednisone and cyclophosphamide along with hemodialysis. The thrombocytopenia remained refractory to the above treatment plus daily multiple platelet transfusions and IV immunoglobulin. Treatment with recombinant human IL-11 (25 microg/kg/day subcutaneously) was initiated and continued for 5 days. Her platelet count improved to 25,000/mm3 within 48 hours, and she experienced no adverse effects.