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ObjectivesPatient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are important for clinical practice and research. Given the high unmet need, our aim was to develop a comprehensive PROM for systemic sclerosis (SSc), jointly with patient experts.MethodsThis European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)-endorsed project involved 11 European SSc centres. Relevant health dimensions were chosen and prioritised by patients. The resulting Systemic Sclerosis Impact of Disease (ScleroID) questionnaire was subsequently weighted and validated by Outcome Measures in Rheumatology criteria in an observational cohort study, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. As comparators, SSc-Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), EuroQol Five Dimensional (EQ-5D), Short Form-36 (SF-36) were included.ResultsInitially, 17 health dimensions were selected and prioritised. The top 10 health dimensions were selected for the ScleroID questionnaire. Importantly, Raynaud’s phenomenon, impaired hand function, pain and fatigue had the highest patient-reported disease impact. The validation cohort study included 472 patients with a baseline visit, from which 109 had a test–retest reliability visit and 113 had a follow-up visit (85% female, 38% diffuse SSc, mean age 58 years, mean disease duration 9 years). The total ScleroID score showed strong Pearson correlation coefficients with comparators (SSc-HAQ, 0.73; Patient’s global assessment, Visual Analogue Scale 0.77; HAQ-Disability Index, 0.62; SF-36 physical score, −0.62; each pConclusionsWe have developed and validated the EULAR ScleroID, which is a novel, brief, disease-specific, patient-derived, disease impact PROM, suitable for research and clinical use in SSc.

Background and objectives The University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument 2.0 (UCLA GIT 2.0) is validated to capture gastrointestinal (GI) tract morbidity in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aims of this study were to determine in a large SSc cohort if the UCLA GIT 2.0 is able to discriminate patients for whom a rheumatologist with experience in SSc would recommend an esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD), and if it could identify patients with endoscopically proven esophagitis or with any pathologic finding on EGD. Methods We selected patients fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria for SSc from our EUSTAR center having completed at least once the UCLA GIT 2.0 questionnaire, and we collected data on gastrointestinal symptoms and EGD from their medical charts. We analyzed by general linear mixed effect models several parameters, including UCLA GIT 2.0, considered as potentially associated with the indication of EGD, as well as with endoscopic esophagitis and any pathologic finding on EGD. Results We identified 346 patients (82.7% female, median age 63 years, median disease duration 10 years, 23% diffuse cutaneous SSc) satisfying the inclusion criteria, who completed UCLA GIT 2.0 questionnaires at 940 visits. EGD was recommended at 169 visits. In multivariable analysis, UCLA GIT 2.0 and some of its subscales (reflux, distention/bloating, social functioning) were associated with the indication of EGD. In 177 EGD performed in 145 patients, neither the total ULCA GIT 2.0 score nor any of its subscales were associated with endoscopic esophagitis, nor with any pathologic EGD findings. Conclusions In a real-life setting, the UCLA GIT 2.0 and its reflux subscale were able to discriminate patients with SSc who had an indication for EGD, but did not correlate with findings in EGD. We conclude that, while using the UCLA GIT 2.0 in the routine care of patients with SSc may help the rheumatologist to better understand the burden of GI symptoms in the individual patient, it should not be used as a stand-alone instrument to identify an indication of EGD.

Background:As a rare, complex, and heterogeneous disease, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) represents a challenge for clinical practice.Objectives:We aimed to unravel potential pitfalls including correct referral diagnosis, fulfilment of diagnostic criteria, distinction from other CTDs, disease course and activity, and treatment modalities.Methods:We analysed the prospectively collected MCTD cohort at our tertiary referral centre. The patients’ medical histories were investigated for fulfilment of Sharp’s (1), Kasukawa’s (2), and Alarcón-Segovia’s (3) diagnostic MCTD criteria. We defined overlap syndromes as simultaneous fulfilment of clinical as well as immunological criteria of two defined rheumatic diseases. Disease conversion was defined as emergence of new symptoms and autoantibodies consistent with another rheumatic disease. Remission was defined by simultaneous systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2 K) of 0 and European League Against Rheumatism scleroderma trial and research (EUSTAR) activity index Results:Out of 85 patients initially referred as MCTD, only one third fulfilled the diagnostic MCTD criteria. Most of the remaining patients had undifferentiated CTD (29%) or overlap syndromes (20%). In our final cohort of 33 MCTD patients, 6 (48%) also met the classification criteria of systemic sclerosis, 13 (39%) those of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 6 (18%) those of rheumatoid arthritis, and 3 (9%) those of primary myositis. Over the median observation period of 4.6 (1.6, 9.9) years, only two patients (6%) underwent disease conversion from MCTD to SLE and no patient converted towards other diseases. The number of patients in remission increased from 6 (18%) to 15 (45%) due to introduction of immune modulatory treatment. Combination therapy was favoured in most cases (17 patients, 52%), whereas monotherapy was less frequent (12 patients, 36%), and only 4 (12%) patients remained without immune modulators until the end of the follow-up period. Hydroxychloroquine, prednisone, and methotrexate were the most frequently used medications in our cohort.Conclusion:Our study showed a high risk for misdiagnosis for patients with MCTD. Phenotype conversion was a very rare event. As a multi-organ disease, MCTD required prolonged (combined) immunosuppressive therapy to achieve remission. The establishment of an international registry with longitudinal data from observational multi-centre cohorts might represent a first step to address the many unmet needs of MCTD.References:[1]Sharp GC. Diagnostic criteria for classification of MCTD. In: Kasukawa R, Sharp GC, editors. Mixed connective tissue disease and anti-nuclear antibodies: proceedings of the International Symposium on Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Anti-nuclear Antibodies, Tokyo, 29-30 August 1986. no. 719. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division); 1987. p. 23-30.[2]Kasukawa R, Tojo T, Miyawaki S, Yoshida H, Tanimoto K, Nobunaga M, et al. Preliminary diagnostic criteria for classification of mixed connective tissue disease. In: Kasukawa R, Sharp GC, editors. Mixed connective tissue disease and anti-nuclear antibodies: proceedings of the International Symposium on Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Anti-nuclear Antibodies, Tokyo, 29-30 August 1986. no. 719. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division); 1987. p. 41-7.[3]Alarcón-Segovia D, Villarreal M. Classification and diagnostic criteria for mixed connective tissue disease. In: Kasukawa R, Sharp GC, editors. Mixed connective tissue disease and anti-nuclear antibodies: proceedings of the International Symposium on Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Anti-nuclear Antibodies, Tokyo, 29-30 August 1986. no. 719. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. (Biomedical Division); 1987. p. 33-40.Disclosure of Interests:Adrian Wanzenried: None declared, Alexandru Garaiman: None declared, Suzana Jordan: None declared, Oliver Distler Consultant of: O.D. had consultancy relationship and/or has received research funding from Abbvie, Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, Amgen, AnaMar, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Catenion, Competitive Drug Development International Ltd, CSL Behring, ChemomAb, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Ga-lapagos NV, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, GSK, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQone, iQvia, Lilly, medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Target Bio Science and UCB in the area of potential treatments of scleroderma and its complications., Britta Maurer Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Protagen, and Novartis Biomedical Research as well as congress support from Pfizer, Roche, Actelion, mepha, and MSD.

Background:Digital ulcers (DUs) affect half of the patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and can be complicated by gangrene and amputation. The direct involvement of platelets in the development of DUs has been suggested by in vitro studies, which encouraged physicians to consider platelet inhibitors as a therapeutic option in the management of DUs. However, until now, there is no clinical study to assess the efficacy of platelet inhibitors for DUs in SSc patients.Objectives:To demonstrate a possible relationship between treatment with platelet inhibitors and the occurrence of DUs at the next follow-up visit in patients with SSc.Methods:This study used prospectively collected data from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR) registry. Patients fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR SSc classification criteria with complete longitudinal data on the presence of DUs and platelet inhibitors were included in the analysis. Multiple imputation using a random forest algorithm was implemented to handle missing values.The dataset was split into a derivation and validation cohort. To investigate the response for the binary dependent variable of DUs, a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was developed in the derivation cohort and validated using ROC analysis and Brier scores to address discrimination and calibration, respectively.Results:Of 3,463 patients (2,961 in the derivation cohort, 722 in the validation cohort), 453 had current DUs at the baseline and 245 were exposed to platelet inhibitors (table 1).Our GLMM revealed that the exposure to platelet inhibitors is associated with a reduced risk of DUs at the next follow up visit (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = [0.13 to 0.82]). Further factors associated with absence or presence of DUs at the next follow-up visit are shown in figure 1. This confirmed the previously identified risk factors for the presence of DUs, supporting the overall robustness and the validity of our model.The performance was evaluated by ROC curve analysis and showed an AUC = 97.97% (95% CI = [96.93% to 97.67%]) for the derivation cohort and AUC = 77.3% (95% CI = [74.01% to 81.39%]) for the validation cohort, respectively, showing an acceptable discrimination. The Brier score was 0.05 in the derivation cohort and 0.07 in the validation cohort, suggesting a good calibration of the model.Conclusion:Our model, with acceptable discrimination and good calibration, suggests a positive treatment effect of platelet inhibitors on DUs in clinical practice.Table 1.Baseline characteristics of patients before imputationCharacteristicsOverallDerivation setValidation setn3,4632,691772Age (median [IQR])56.00 [47.00, 66.00]56.00 [47.00, 65.00] 57.00 [48.00, 67.00]Disease duration (median [IQR]) 9.00 [4.00, 16.00] 9.00 [4.00, 16.00] 8.00 [4.00, 15.00]Disease subset = Limited cutaneous SSc (%) 1562 (65.2) 1164 (64.6) 398 (66.9)DUs (%): Current 453 (13.1) 378 (14.0) 75 (9.7)DUs (%): Never 1783 (51.5) 1326 (49.3) 457 (59.2)DUs (%): Previously 1227 (35.4) 987 (36.7) 240 (31.1)mRSS (median [IQR]) 5.00 [2.00, 11.00] 6.00 [2.00, 12.00] 4.00 [1.00, 11.00]Joint Contractures = Yes (%) 881 (26.8) 770 (29.4) 111 (16.5)LVEF (median [IQR])62.00 [60.00, 65.00]60.00 [60.00, 65.00] 65.00 [60.00, 67.00]Dyspnea NYHA III and IV (%)300 (9.5)214 (8.6)86 (12.7)Pulmonary hypertension = Yes (%) 244 (10.7) 200 (11.3) 44 (8.4)Lung fibrosis on HRCT = Yes (%) 685 (46.6) 600 (47.7) 85 (39.7)FVC % predicted (median [IQR])97.00 [82.00, 111.00]95.00 [81.00, 110.00]101.00 [85.00, 115.00]Serum creatinine mg/dl (median [IQR]) 0.70 [0.60, 0.90] 0.70 [0.60, 0.90] 0.70 [0.70, 0.90]Anti-Scl-70 positive = Yes (%) 1147 (33.1) 958 (35.6) 189 (24.5)CRP elevation = Yes (%) 639 (21.1) 490 (20.8) 149 (22.1)Platelet inhibitors therapy = Yes (%) 245 (7.1) 206 (7.7) 39 (5.1)Oral anti-coagulants therapy = Yes (%) 53 (1.5) 50 (1.9) 3 (0.4)Disclosure of Interests:None declared

During the current global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), risk stratification of patients is of utmost importance. Currently, patients >65 years and those with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease or diabetes mellitus are considered at higher risk for severe disease.1 The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, like similar authorities around the world, has additionally included patients on immunosuppressants in the high-risk group for developing severe COVID-19.2 However, at this moment we do not have enough evidence either to support or to reject this assumption. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who developed COVID-19. Comorbidities were insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus and WHO grade I obesity. The anti-topoisomerase I antibody-positive patient was diagnosed with SSc in 2017. SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), with cough and exertion dyspnoea, was the leading organ manifestation, associated with symmetrical, non-erosive polyarthritis, and elevated acute phase reactants. Treatment with the anti-interleukin (IL) 6 receptor blocker tocilizumab, with 8 mg/kg body weight every 4 weeks intravenously, was started, leading to a good control of both …

Background:The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is frequently involved in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument 2.0 (UCLA GIT 2.0) is validated to capture GI morbidity in patients with SSc (1). The routine clinical investigation of GI involvement in these patients is not standardized and there is no consensus about when and how frequently an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) should be performed.Objectives:The main aim of this study was to analyze the capacity of UCLA GIT 2.0 to identify patients with erosive esophagitis in an unselected, real-life SSc patients’ cohort. Secondary aim was to determine whether the UCLA GIT 2.0 could discriminate SSc patients for whom an expert rheumatologist would recommend an EGD.Methods:We selected patients fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria for SSc from the Zurich cohort, having completed at least once the UCLA GIT 2.0 questionnaire. We reviewed the medical charts of SSc patients from 2013 to 2019 and recorded data on EGD. We analyzed by univariable logistic regression several parameters, including UCLA GIT 2.0, considered as potentially associated with 1) the referral to EGD and 2) macroscopic esophagitis according to the Los Angeles criteria.Results:We identified 346 patients (82.7% female, median age 63 years, median disease duration 10 years, 23% with diffuse cutaneous SSc) satisfying the inclusion criteria, who filled in 940 UCLA GIT 2.0 questionnaires.From 940 visits, 31 were excluded because EGD was done within 3 months before completing the UCLA GIT 2.0. In the 909 remaining visits, EGD was recommended by the expert rheumatologists in 128 cases. In logistic regression, UCLA GIT 2.0 total score and some of its subscales, but also the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and esophageal and stomach symptoms by past medical history, associated with the referral to EGD (Table 1).Table 1.Logistic regression of factors associated with referral to EGDOR (95% CI)p-valuemRSS1.04 (1.01 - 1.06)0.009Hemoglobin (Hb)1.00 (0.96 - 1.04)0.978Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)0.37 (0.12 - 1.15)0.086Esophageal symptoms3.37 (2.28 - 4.96)Stomach symptoms2.93 (2.02 - 4.26)Reflux subscale2.04 (1.52 - 2.73)Distention/bloating subscale1.53 (1.24 - 1.89)Social functioning2.20 (1.57 - 3.07)Emotional wellbeing1.42 (1.03 - 1.97)0.034Total score of UCLA GIT 2.02.27 (1.55 - 3.32)We found data on 177 EGD performed in 150 patients, meaning that 49 EGD were performed on indication by another physician. In logistic regression, mRSS and esophageal symptoms correlated with esophagitis, while neither the total ULCA GIT 2.0 score nor the reflux subscale or any of the other subscales showed an association with esophagitis (Table 2).Table 2.Logistic regression of factors associated with esophagitisOR (95% CI)p-valuemRSS1.09 (1.03 - 1.15)0.001Hb1.03 (0.99 - 1.06)0.126PPI0.52 (0.27 - 1.03)0.059Esophageal symptoms2.92 (1.29 - 6.61)0.010Stomach symptoms1.60 (0.80 - 3.21)0.183Reflux subscale1.07 (0.60 - 1.93)0.816Distention/Bloating subscale0.63 (0.39 - 1.01)0.054Social functioning0.65 (0.31 - 1.35)0.245Emotional wellbeing0.77 (0.36 - 1.61)0.483Total score of UCLA GIT 2.00.67 (0.28 - 1.60)0.367Conclusion:In a real-life setting, UCLA GIT 2.0 subscales (reflux, distention/bloating, social functioning, emotional wellbeing) and total score strongly associated with expert interpretation of gastroesophageal symptoms and consecutive referral to EGD. However, they showed no correlation with esophagitis on EGD. The main clinical association of esophagitis was the presence of esophageal symptoms.References:[1]Khanna D, et al. Reliability and validity of the University of California, Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument. Arthritis Rheum. 2009;61(9):1257-63.Disclosure of Interests:Norina Zampatti: None declared, Alexandru Garaiman: None declared, Suzana Jordan: None declared, Mike O. Becker: None declared, Britta Maurer Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Protagen, Novartis, congress support from Pfizer, Roche, Actelion, and MSD, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Rucsandra Dobrota: None declared, Oliver Distler Grant/research support from: Grants/Research support from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Competitive Drug Development International Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe; he also holds the issued Patent on mir-29 for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (US8247389, EP2331143)., Consultant of: Consultancy fees from Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, AnaMar, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Catenion, ChemomAb, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Pfizer and Roche, Carina Mihai: None declared

Background:Depression, anxiety and distress affect the quality of life of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) [1]. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Sense of Coherence 13-item scale (SOC-13, measuring comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness) are screening tools used in patients with different medical conditions. However, their validity, reliability and sensitivity to change in SSc patients has not been evaluated yet.Objectives:To examine the psychometric properties of HADS and its subscales HADS-A and HADS-D (measuring anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively), and unidimensional SOC-13 in a large cohort of Swiss SSc patients.Methods:Consecutive patients fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria for SSc who completed the HADS, SOC-13, Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) were included in a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. Cronbach’s α, split-half reliability and construct validity were measured. Sensitivity to change (Cohen’s d coefficient) was assessed in patients who worsened within 12±3 months, defined as occurrence of any of the following events: decline in forced vital capacity (FVC)≥10%, new diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), progression of known ILD to >20% lung involvement on HRCT (ILD20), new-onset pulmonary hypertension (PH), increase in European Scleroderma Study Group activity index (EScSG-AI) >3 points, new active digital ulcers, increase in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) > 7 points.Results:Of 345 patients (aged 59.34±14.17, 82.9% female, 18.8% with diffuse cutaneous SSc, 47.6% anti-centromere Ab-positive, 23.5% anti-Scl-70 Ab-positive, 13% anti-U1RNP Ab-positive and 11.3% anti-RNA polymerase III Ab-positive) 85 participated with a second visit to the sensitivity to change analysis.Internal consistency was excellent for the HADS (Cronbach’s α=0.91; split-half reliability r=0.92), and very good for HADS-A, HADS-D and SOC-13 (Cronbach’s α=0.85-0.89; split-half reliability r=0.86-0.89).Regarding construct validity, all four scales showed a strong to very strong correlation to each other, as well as with the mental components of SF-36 (Spearman’s r=0.63-0.85). There was a moderate to strong correlation with the SHAQ (Spearman’s r=0.45-0.64).Regarding sensitivity to change: HADS-A showed a large to very large effect size (ES) for progression of ILD as assessed on HRCT and increase in EScSG-AI (Cohen’s d=1-1.63), and a very small to small ES for changes in FVC, DU and mRSS (Cohen’s d=0.02-0.45). HADS-D showed a large ES for changes in the ILD20, mRSS and EScSG-AI (Cohen’s d=0.82-1), and moderate ES for changes of FVC, ILD, PH, DU (Cohen’s d=0.1-0.49). SOC-13 showed generally a very small to small EF, except for change in mRSS (Cohen’s d=0.56).Conclusion:The HADS(A/D) and SOC-13 are valid and easy-to-use tools to detect depression, anxiety and distress in SSc. However, their sensitivity to change might be limited by the respective type of organ involvement and its impact on the patients’ psychological wellbeing.References:[1]Legendre C, Allanore Y, Ferrand I, Kahan A. Evaluation of depression and anxiety in patients with systemic sclerosis. Joint Bone Spine. 2005;72(5):408–411.Disclosure of Interests:Alexandru Garaiman: None declared, Carina Mihai: None declared, Rucsandra Dobrota: None declared, Suzana Jordan: None declared, Britta Maurer Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Protagen, Novartis, congress support from Pfizer, Roche, Actelion, and MSD, Speakers bureau: Novartis, Oliver Distler Grant/research support from: Grants/Research support from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Competitive Drug Development International Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe; he also holds the issued Patent on mir-29 for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (US8247389, EP2331143)., Consultant of: Consultancy fees from Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, AnaMar, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Catenion, ChemomAb, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Pfizer and Roche, Mike-Oliver Becker: None declared

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a major concern in patients receiving TNF inhibitors (TNFi). Objectives To assess the incidence of active TB and the efficacy of TB prevention measures in a large, single-center cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) receiving TNFi. Methods Data of all patients in whom treatment with TNFi was initiated in our rheumatology clinic from January 1st 2002 until December 31st 2015 have been retrospectively analysed. The cohort was divided into 2 groups per the mandatory latent TB infection (LTBI) screening method at baseline: tuberculin skin test (group TST), and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test (group QFT). The incidence of active TB was analysed for each group and compared to TB incidence data in general population. Results 653 patients were included (344 RA, 52 PsA, 257 AS); 324 patients belonged to the TST and 329 to the QFT group. The number of active TB cases/ time of exposure to TNFi (person-years, PY) was 17/2002.6 and 7/1041.2 respectively, accounting for an incidence of 848.9 and 672.3 cases per 105 PY, about 8 times higher (8.3 and 8.8 for TST, respectively QFT group) than the average TB during the period of exposure to TNFi. LTBI reactivations per total TB cases were only 4/17 and 2/7, respectively, too few to identify statistically significant differences between the 2 LTBI screening protocols. Only 10 patients had pulmonary TB, whereas the rest were disseminated TB (8 cases), TB pleurisy and/or pericarditis (4 cases), one mediastinal lymph node TB and one isolated hepatic TB. Using Pearson chi-square test, we found no significant differences between LTBI group and active TB (Table 1). Conclusions In our cohort, new infection TB exceeds reactivation TB, suggesting the necessity of periodical LTBI re-screening. Disclosure of Interest A. M. Gheorghiu: None declared, A. Garaiman: None declared, A. Radu: None declared, A. Soare: None declared, V. Arama: None declared, D. Bumbacea: None declared, R. Dobrota: None declared, R. Oneata: None declared, S. Pintilie: None declared, M. Milicescu Speakers bureau: Has received sponsoring from Abbvie, MSD and Pfizer., I. Ancuta Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, Consultant for: Abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, A. Martin Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, M. Sasu Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, C. Ciofu Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD, L. Macovei Grant/research support from: MSD, Pfizer, Roche, V. Stoica: None declared, M. Bojinca Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, Consultant for: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, Paid instructor for: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, C. Mihai Grant/research support from: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS, Consultant for: Abbvie, MSD, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, BMS

The paper presents the implementation of a totally non-invasive method of investigation for the spinal column, which is frequently affected by deformities. The equipment InSpeck (an all-purpose imaging system) is used as totally non-invasive investigation equipment. Specific software is developed to write information in an interactive database and to compute 16 numerical parameters, describing the column’s shape, respectively the human posture. Data exported from the database allows modeling of personalized spinal columns, by means of modifying a standard model generated in 3Dmax. The entire procedure is meant to help major healthcare programs, which involve screening and monitoring large samples of population.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.21.3.8505

This is a comparative study for recursive algorithms in two content search steps in multimedia databases with endoscopic images. The performance of the search has been measured according to four parameters: reapel, precision, the quality of retrieval and the cost of retrieval. The algorithms are based two methods of deciding the similarities between the models of images: Minkowsky distance and correlated measure Pearson. The models of representing the images in multimedia data base used here are: the normalized color histogram and texture or granulation. The data base which contained the models is indexed according to a linier cluster type. The color space of the images are RGB reduced to 125 and 256 colors and HSV reduced to 162 and 256 colors. The study was realized in a data base containing 310 images grouped in 30 categories. The results are presented both in tables and graphs.

The paper describes a clinical study of spinal column investigation, using a software named INBIRE which provides all the facilities of a professional software - data basis creation and management, computation of 29 numerical and complex parameters of the spine posture. The study was performed on a sample of 122 school-aged children, for whom the results of the investigations are presented and discussed.

The chapter presents the implementation of a non-invasive method of investigation for the spinal column. The scanning equipment, in a proper configuration, provides 3D images of human torso. Specific software developed writes information into an interactive database and computes 16 numerical parameters, describing the column’s shape, respectively the human posture. A sequence of the program computes the relative angle of rotation between successive vertebrae or segments of the column. The database also allows modelling of different types of vertebrae and, finally of personalized spinal columns.