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Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of abatacept (ABA) in monotherapy (ABAMONO) vs combined ABA [ABA plus MTX (ABAMTX) or ABA plus non-MTX conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) (ABANON-MTX)] in RA patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (RA-ILD). Methods This was a restrospective multicentre study of RA-ILD Caucasian patients treated with ABA. We analysed in the three groups (ABAMONO, ABAMTX, ABANON-MTX) the following outcome variables: (i) dyspnoea; (ii) forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity of the lung for the carbon monoxide (DLCO); (iii) chest high-resolution CT (HRCT); (iv) DAS28-ESR; (v) CS-sparing effect; and (vi) ABA retention and side-effects. Differences between basal and final follow-up were evaluated. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the differences between the three groups. Results We studied 263 RA-ILD patients (mean ± s.d. age 64.6 ± 10 years) [ABAMONO (n = 111), ABAMTX (n = 46) and ABANON-MTX (n = 106)]. At baseline, ABAMONO patients were older (67 ± 10 years) and took higher prednisone dose [10 (interquartile range 5–15) mg/day]. At that time, there were no statistically significant differences in sex, seropositivity, ILD patterns, FVC and DLCO, or disease duration. Following treatment, in all groups, most patients experienced stabilization or improvement in FVC, DLCO, dyspnoea and chest HRCT as well as improvement in DAS28-ESR. A statistically significant difference between basal and final follow-up was only found in CS-sparing effect in the group on combined ABA (ABAMTX or ABANON-MTX). However, in the multivariable analysis, there were no differences in any outcome variables between the three groups. Conclusion In Caucasian individuals with RA-ILD, ABA in monotherapy or combined with MTX or with other conventional-DMARDs seems to be equally effective and safe. However, a CS-sparing effect is only observed with combined ABA.

The term osteomalacia (OM) refers to a series of processes characterized by altered mineralization of the skeleton, which can be caused by various disorders of mineral metabolism. OM can be genetically determined or occur due to acquired disorders, among which the nutritional origin is particularly relevant, due to its wide epidemiological extension and its nature as a preventable disease. Among the hereditary diseases associated with OM, the most relevant is X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), which manifests in childhood, although its consequences persist into adulthood where it can acquire specific clinical characteristics, and, although rare, there are XLH cases that reach the third or fourth decade of life without a diagnosis. Some forms of OM present very subtle initial manifestations which cause both considerable diagnosis and treatment delay. On occasions, the presence of osteopenia and fragility fractures leads to an erroneous diagnosis of osteoporosis, which may imply the prescription of antiresorptive drugs (i.e., bisphosphonates or denosumab) with catastrophic consequences for OM bone. On the other hand, some radiological features of OM can be confused with those of axial spondyloarthritis and lead to erroneous diagnoses. The current prevalence of OM is not known and is very likely that its incidence is much higher than previously thought. Moreover, OM explains part of the therapeutic failures that occur in patients diagnosed with other bone diseases. Therefore, it is essential that clinicians who treat adult skeletal diseases take into account the considerations provided in this practical review when focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of their patients with bone diseases.

To describe practice patterns, long-term outcome, and related factors, in relation to biological therapies tapering in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a well-controlled real-world setting.An observational longitudinal retrospective 10-year study was conducted in all RA patients receiving biological agents in an RA clinic from May 2003 to October 2013. Biological treatment of patients with sustained DAS283.2 or SDAI11 was tapered (dose down-titrated or interval widen) or discontinued as per practice protocol. Primary outcome of tapering was relapse, defined as an increase in DAS28≥1.2. Descriptive, survival analysis, and logistic regression analysis with first relapse as dependent variable were carried out.Of 193 RA patients on biological treatment (mean age 54±14 years, 81% women), tapering was applied in 106 (55%) and discontinuation in 34 (17.6%). During follow-up 38 patients relapsed (62%). Rate of relapse was 10% at 6 months, 19% at 12 months, 33.2% at 2 years and 50% after 5 years. Mean time in dose reduction was 4.5 years [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.7-5.3]. Six patients (15.7%) did not respond after reinstatement of full dose of biologic. In the multivariate analysis, pain [OR=1.26 (95% CI: 1.11-1.43); P.001] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [OR=1.01 (95% CI: 1.00-1.03); P=.011] at baseline were associated with relapse after tapering.Tapering may be considered a long-term option in RA patients on biologics and low disease activity, especially if low ESR and pain scores are present at baseline; treatment reinstatement could be considered a safe option in case of relapse.

Objective To update the recommendations on osteoporosis (OP) of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) based on the best possible evidence. Methods A panel of nine expert rheumatologists in OP was created, previously selected by the SER through an open call. The phases of the work were: identification of the key areas for updating the previous consensus, analysis and synthesis of the scientific evidence (using the SIGN levels of evidence) and formulation of recommendations based on this evidence and consensus techniques. Results This revision of the recommendations implies an update in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of OP. It proposes some criteria to consider the high risk of fracture and some indications to start treatment. The recommendations also address issues related to the safety of treatments and the management of special situations such as inflammatory diseases and treatment with glucocorticoids. Conclusions We present an update of SER recommendations on OP.

Prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal RA women were assessed in 323 patients and compared with 660 age-matched women. Of patients, 24.15% had at least one vertebral fracture vs.16.06% of controls. Age, glucocorticoids and falls were the main fracture risks. Vertebral fractures were associated with disease severity. Introduction There is little quality data on the updated prevalence of fractures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may have changed due to advances in the therapeutic strategy in recent years. This study was aimed at analysing the prevalence and risk factors of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with RA and comparing it with that of the general population. Methods We included 323 postmenopausal women diagnosed with RA from 19 Spanish Rheumatology Departments, randomly selected and recruited in 2018. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained to evaluate morphometric vertebral fractures and the spinal deformity index. We analysed subject characteristics, factors related to RA, and fracture risk factors. The control group consisted of 660 age-matched Spanish postmenopausal women from the population-based Camargo cohort. Results Seventy-eight (24.15%) RA patients had at least one vertebral fracture. RA patients had increased fracture risk compared with controls (106 of 660, 16.06%) (p = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.27-4.00), glucocorticoids (OR 3.83; 95% CI 1.32-14.09) and falls (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.91-6.86) were the independent predictors of vertebral fractures in RA patients. The subgroup with vertebral fractures had higher disease activity (DAS28: 3.15 vs. 2.78, p = 0.038) and disability (HAQ: 0.96 vs. 0.63, p = 0.049), as compared with those without vertebral fractures. Conclusion The risk of vertebral fracture in RA is still high in recent years, when compared with the general population. The key determinants of fracture risk are age, glucocorticoids and falls. Patients with vertebral fractures have a more severe RA.

Objective To assess the efficacy of abatacept (ABA) in RA patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (RA-ILD). Methods This was an observational, multicentre study of RA-ILD patients treated with at least one dose of ABA. ILD was diagnosed by high-resolution CT (HRCT). We analysed the following variables at baseline (ABA initiation), 12 months and at the end of the follow-up: Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale (1-point change), forced vital capacity (FVC) or diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (improvement or worsening ≥10%), HRCT, DAS on 28 joints evaluated using the ESR (DAS28ESR) and CS-sparing effect. Results We studied 263 RA-ILD patients [150 women/113 men; mean (s.d.) age 64.6 (10) years]. At baseline, they had a median duration of ILD of 1 (interquartile range 0.25–3.44) years, moderate or severe degree of dyspnoea (MMRC grade 2, 3 or 4) (40.3%), FVC (% of the predicted) mean (s.d.) 85.9 (21.8)%, DLCO (% of the predicted) 65.7 (18.3) and DAS28ESR 4.5 (1.5). The ILD patterns were: usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (40.3%), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (31.9%) and others (27.8%). ABA was prescribed at standard dose, i.v. (25.5%) or s.c. (74.5%). After a median follow-up of 12 (6–36) months the following variables did not show worsening: dyspnoea (MMRC) (91.9%); FVC (87.7%); DLCO (90.6%); and chest HRCT (76.6%). A significant improvement of DAS28ESR from 4.5 (1.5) to 3.1 (1.3) at the end of follow-up (P Conclusion ABA may be an effective and safe treatment for patients with RA-ILD.

The performance of many outcome measures for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is almost unknown in real clinical practice. Our objective was to study the correlation and sensitivity to change of the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) index and the Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (PsAID) questionnaire in a real practice setting.This was a prospective, open, non-controlled study that included 60 consecutive patients with PsA treated with ustekinumab. Most had been previously treated with one or more biologic therapeutic agents. The correlation (Spearman's rho coefficient) and the sensitivity to change [Standardized Mean Response (SMR)] of DAPSA and PsAID were studied. Effect size values of 0.20, 0.50 and 0.80 corresponded to low, moderate and high sensitivity to change, respectively.More than 70% of patients achieved therapeutic goals (21.7% were in remission and 50% in low disease activity according to DAPSA categories). Two out of three patients reached an acceptable symptomatic state (PsAID4). The correlation between final values of both instruments was substantial (Spearman's rho: 0.62, p0.0001). The SMR for the PsAID was 1.08 (0.95-1.21) and for DAPSA was 1.5 (1.37-1.63), both values corresponding to instruments with a high sensitivity to change (0.80). The best PsAID cut-off value for identifying DAPSA remission was 3.32 with an area under the ROC curve of 0.82.DAPSA and PsAID seem to be useful instruments for a more comprehensive assessment of PsA in daily practice. Our results can help to disseminate the use of these instruments in the clinical practice of many rheumatologists.

OBJECTIVE: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most serious complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of abatacept (ABA) in patients with ILD associated to RA. METHODS: National multicenter, non-controlled, open-label registry study of RA patients with ILD treated with ABA. RESULTS: 63 patients (36 women) with RA-associated ILD undergoing ABA therapy were studied. The mean ± standard deviation age at the time of the study was 63.2 ± 9.8 years. The median duration of RA and ILD from diagnosis were 6.8 and 1 year, respectively. RA was seropositive in 55 patients (87.3%). In 15 (23.8%) of 63 patients the development of ILD was closely related to the administration of synthetic or biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. After a follow-up of 9.4 ± 3.2 months, two-thirds of patients remained stable whereas one-quarter experienced improvement in the Modified Medical Research Council scale. At that time forced vital capacity remained stable in almost two-thirds of patents and improved in one out of five patients assessed. Also, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide remained stable in almost two-thirds and showed improvement in a quarter of the patients assessed. At 12 months, 50% of the 22 patients in whom chest HRCT scan was performed due persistence of respiratory symptoms showed stabilization, 8 (36.4%) improvement and 3 worsening of the HRCT scan pattern. Eleven of 63 patients had to discontinue ABA, mainly due to adverse events. CONCLUSION: ABA appears to be an effective in RA-associated ILD. Funding: This work was partially supported by RETICS Programs, RD08/0075 (RIER) and RD12/0009/0013 from ‘‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III’’ (ISCIII), Spain.

Resumen El tejido oseo es una estructura fuertemente regulada, que desempena un papel esencial en diferentes funciones fisiologicas. A traves de acciones autocrinas y paracrinas participa en la hematopoyesis, influyendo en el destino de las celulas madre hematopoyeticas. Existe ademas una serie de moleculas compartidas y tambien multiples conexiones entre el sistema inmune y el tejido oseo. Con el objetivo de agrupar los conocimientos que relacionan ambos sistemas, se ha desarrollado una nueva disciplina conocida con el termino «osteoinmunologia». Su progresion en los ultimos anos ha sido exponencial y nos ha permitido relacionar e incrementar el conocimiento en temas aparentemente alejados como la erosion reumatoide, la osteoporosis posmenopausica, las metastasis oseas o la enfermedad periodontal. En la presente revision hemos tratado de resumir los avances mas relevantes que se han producido en la ultima decada, sobre todo en aquellos aspectos que interesan de manera preferente a la reumatologia.

Resumen Objetivo Dado el creciente avance en el diagnostico como evaluacion y tratamiento de la osteoporosis, y la incorporacion de nuevas herramientas y medicamentos, desde la Sociedad Espanola de Reumatologia (SER) se ha impulsado el desarrollo de recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia posible. Estas deben de servir de referencia para reumatologos y otros profesionales de la salud implicados en el tratamiento de pacientes con osteoporosis. Metodos Las recomendaciones se emitieron siguiendo la metodologia de grupos nominales. El nivel de evidencia y el grado de recomendacion se clasificaron segun el modelo del Center for Evidence Based Medicine de Oxford y el grado de acuerdo se extrajo por tecnica Delphi. Se utilizo toda la informacion de consensos previos y guias de practica clinica disponibles. Resultados Se realizan recomendaciones sobre el diagnostico, la evaluacion y el tratamiento en pacientes con osteoporosis. Estas recomendaciones incluyen la osteoporosis secundaria a glucocorticoides, la osteoporosis premenopausica y la del varon. Conclusiones Se presentan las recomendaciones SER sobre el diagnostico, la evaluacion y el manejo de pacientes con osteoporosis.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is frequent in patients with osteoporosis and the rheumatologist should be familiarized with basic diagnostic and treatment guidelines for bone mineral disease associated to this process. In patients with osteoporosis and stage I and II CRF, diagnosis and treatment does not vary from that in patients with normal RF. In stage III CRF, the focus will depend on the result of testing. In advanced stage CRF the approach should be coordinated with a nephrologist. In these cases it is possible to use antiresorptive agents although in well-selected and studied patients. The present review analyzes recent advances in this field with a focus on daily clinical practice.

Los aminobisfosfonatos son farmacos que han sido utilizados con exito en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis desde hace mas de 20 anos. Aunque en los estudios principales realizados para obtener la aprobacion de su comercializacion no se registraron efectos adversos relevantes, en los ultimos anos, y como resultado de la farmacovigilancia, se ha comunicado de manera irregular una serie de complicaciones, algunas potencialmente graves, que han puesto en duda la seguridad de estos farmacos, sobre todo en dosis elevadas como las que se utilizan en oncologia y en tratamientos de larga duracion, como los que se emplean en la osteoporosis. En la presente revision, basada en el analisis de las pruebas cientificas mas relevantes procedentes de los ensayos clinicos, series de casos, estudios de cohortes y bases de datos publicados hasta el momento, se resumen las caracteristicas clinicas y epidemiologicas de los efectos adversos de los bisfosfonatos

AA amyloidosis, or secondary amyloidosis, is a rare but serious complication of chronic inflammatory diseases. Chronic inflammatory arthritis is the commonest cause of AA amyloidosis and, when the latter appears, treatment can be frustrating. Deposition of fibrils, derived from circulating acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A protein (SAA), in the kidneys can lead to proteinuria and progressive loss of renal function. We describe the case of a 14-year-old female with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis who developed nephrotic syndrome secondary to AA amyloidosis; while she was unresponsive to all measures, including anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy, treatment with tocilizumab, an anti-human interleukin-6 receptor antibody, immediately normalized the SAA and reversed the nephrotic syndrome. We discuss this new therapeutic approach.

Bone tissue is a highly regulated structure, which plays an essential role in various physiological functions. Through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, bone tissue is involved in hematopoiesis, influencing the fate of hematopoietic stem cells. There are a number of molecules shared by bone cells and immune system cells indicating that there are multiple connections between the immune system and bone tissue. In order to pool all the knowledge concerning both systems, a new discipline known under the term «osteoimmunology» has been developed. Their progress in recent years has been exponential and allowed us to connect and increase our knowledge in areas not seemingly related such as rheumatoid erosion, postmenopausal osteoporosis, bone metastases or periodontal disease. In this review, we have tried to summarize the most important advances that have occurred in the last decade, especially in those areas of interest related to rheumatology.

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the characteristics of sleep in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome. Sleep architecture in 32 patients with fibromyalgia and 20 healthy controls was evaluated. Following the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, polysomnographies were conducted with fibromyalgia patients and the control subjects. The fibromyalgia patients showed alterations in cyclic organization of sleep and an increased number of periodic leg movements associated with cortical arousals. No significant differences were found in respiratory and oximetry variables or in alpha-delta sleep. The results support that fibromyalgia patients present an increase of superficial sleep at the expense of deep sleep and also an increase of periodic leg movements, which could have a pathogenic effect, facilitating the onset of the illness. Lastly, we discuss the results and propose some future lines of research.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is frequent in patients with osteoporosis and the rheumatologist should be familiarized with basic diagnostic and treatment guidelines for bone mineral disease associated to this process. In patients with osteoporosis and stage I and II CRF, diagnosis and treatment does not vary from that in patients with normal RF. In stage III CRF, the focus will depend on the result of testing. In advanced stage CRF the approach should be coordinated with a nephrologist. In these cases it is possible to use antiresorptive agents although in well-selected and studied patients. The present review analyzes recent advances in this field with a focus on daily clinical practice.

Aminobisphosphonates are drugs that have been used successfully in the treatment of osteoporosis for more than 20 years. Although main registry studies found a scarcity of relevant adverse events, in recent years and as a result of pharmacovigilance, different complications have been reported, some potentially serious. This has raised questions on the safety of these drugs, especially in high doses, like those used in oncology and long-term treatment, as needed in patients with osteoporosis. In this review, based on the analysis of relevant scientific evidence from clinical trials, case series, cohort studies and databases published to date, we summarize the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the adverse effects of these drugs.