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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 3rd 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective. We conducted a telephonic survey to determine the prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics (NC) in the Moroccan general population. Design. We performed a large nationwide tele-phonic survey based upon a random sampling of households in the 16 administrative regions of Morocco to determine the prevalence of chronic pain with NC in the general population. We used a stratified sampling taking into account the number of residents in each region. A sample of house-holds was drawn for each of the 16 regions using systematic sampling. Outcome Measures. A questionnaire aimed at iden-tifying chronic pain (defined as daily pain for at least 3 months), evaluating its intensity, duration, and body locations was used. The Moroccan validated version of DN4 questionnaire was used to identify neuropathic characteristics. Results. A total of 5,328 respondents participated in the survey. 21% of the respondents (1,074) (95%CI: 19,9-22,2), reported chronic daily pain for more than 3 months. The point prevalence of chronic pain with NC, was 10.6% (95% CI: 9,75-11,45). The prevalence was higher in women and individuals older than 60. Chronic pain with NC was significantly more preva-lent in women, elderly, Illiterate respondents, and respondents from lower social class. It was more frequently located in the lower limbs, and its inten-sity and duration were higher in comparison with chronic pain without neuropathic characteristics. Conclusion. Chronic pain with neuropathic charac-teristics is probably more prevalent in the general population than was previously thought and is gen-erally more severe than other chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study the therapeutic maintenance of tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFα-I) for spondyloarthritis patients enrolled in the Moroccan biotherapy registry and to analyse the reason and the predictive factors of stopping TNFα-I., Methods: Data were collected from a historical-prospective multicentre registry of adult patients with spondyloarthritis, treated with biological treatment, in the 10 rheumatology departments in Morocco. Maintenance was defined as the interval between the introduction and the suspension of the same TNFα-I., Results: 190 patients under TNFα-I were included, their average age was 40.2 +/-13.6 years. The male gender predominated. On average, the duration of the disease was 11.7 years +/-6.7 years. The ongoing therapeutic maintenance of all TNFα-I drugs in our study was relatively high and exhibited a decline over time, decreasing from 63.8% at 1 year to 45% at 3 years. At the 36-month follow-up, 27.7% had stopped their treatment. It was found that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) between visits and having a high average Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein on the day of the visit were identified as predictive factors for therapeutic discontinuation in multivariate analysis., Conclusion: The therapeutic maintenance level of TNFα-I in our study was satisfactory and comparable to other series. our study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to the improved maintenance of treatment with TNFα-I. It delves into the reasons influencing treatment continuity and identifies predictive factors of discontinuation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s).)

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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.)