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Background: We aimed to describe the uptake of newer biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the Nordic countries and to compare their retention and effectiveness.Methods: Patients with PsA starting a b/tsDMARD in 2012-2020 in five Nordic rheumatology registers were included. Uptake and patient characteristics were described, with comorbidities identified from linkages to national patient registries. One-year retention and 6-month effectiveness (proportions achieving low disease activity (LDA) on the Disease Activity Index for PSoriatic Arthritis based on 28-joint evaluation) for the newer b/tsDMARDs (abatacept/apremilast/ixekizumab/secukinumab/tofacitinib/ustekinumab) were compared with adalimumab through adjusted regression models stratified by treatment course (first, second/third, and fourth or more).Results: In total, 5659 treatment courses with adalimumab (56% biologic-naïve) and 4767 courses with a newer b/tsDMARD (21% biologic-naïve) were included. The uptake of newer b/tsDMARDs increased from 2014 and plateaued in 2018. Patient characteristics appeared similar across treatments at treatment start. Adalimumab was more often used as the first course and newer b/tsDMARDs more often in biologic-experienced patients. Used as a second/third b/tsDMARD, the retention rate and the proportion achieving LDA were significantly better for adalimumab (rate 65%, proportion 59%) compared with abatacept (45%, 37%), apremilast (43%, 35%), ixekizumab (LDA only, 40%) and ustekinumab (LDA only, 40%), but not significantly different from other b/tsDMARDs.Conclusion: Uptake of newer b/tsDMARDs occurred mainly in biologic-experienced patients. Regardless of mode of action, only a minority of patients starting a second or later b/tsDMARD course remained on drug and achieved LDA. Superior outcomes for adalimumab indicate that the positioning of newer b/tsDMARDs in the PsA treatment algorithm remains to be established. Background: We aimed to describe the uptake of newer biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the Nordic countries and to compare their retention and effectiveness. Methods: Patients with PsA starting a b/tsDMARD in 2012-2020 in five Nordic rheumatology registers were included. Uptake and patient characteristics were described, with comorbidities identified from linkages to national patient registries. One-year retention and 6-month effectiveness (proportions achieving low disease activity (LDA) on the Disease Activity Index for PSoriatic Arthritis based on 28-joint evaluation) for the newer b/tsDMARDs (abatacept/apremilast/ixekizumab/secukinumab/tofacitinib/ustekinumab) were compared with adalimumab through adjusted regression models stratified by treatment course (first, second/third, and fourth or more). Results: In total, 5659 treatment courses with adalimumab (56% biologic-naïve) and 4767 courses with a newer b/tsDMARD (21% biologic-naïve) were included. The uptake of newer b/tsDMARDs increased from 2014 and plateaued in 2018. Patient characteristics appeared similar across treatments at treatment start. Adalimumab was more often used as the first course and newer b/tsDMARDs more often in biologic-experienced patients. Used as a second/third b/tsDMARD, the retention rate and the proportion achieving LDA were significantly better for adalimumab (rate 65%, proportion 59%) compared with abatacept (45%, 37%), apremilast (43%, 35%), ixekizumab (LDA only, 40%) and ustekinumab (LDA only, 40%), but not significantly different from other b/tsDMARDs. Conclusion: Uptake of newer b/tsDMARDs occurred mainly in biologic-experienced patients. Regardless of mode of action, only a minority of patients starting a second or later b/tsDMARD course remained on drug and achieved LDA. Superior outcomes for adalimumab indicate that the positioning of newer b/tsDMARDs in the PsA treatment algorithm remains to be established.

ObjectiveTo explore anxiety and self-isolation in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD)15 months into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including attitudes toward and effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.MethodsA nationwide online survey was conducted at 3 timepoints: May 2020, November 2020, and May 2021. Patients with IRD followed in the Danish Rheumatology Quality Registry (DANBIO) were asked about the effects of the pandemic, including SARS-CoV-2 infection and their behavior, anxiety, and concerns. The May 2021 survey included attitudes toward SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccination. Characteristics associated with self-isolation in May 2021 were explored with adjusted logistic regression analyses that included patient characteristics and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status.ResultsRespondents to surveys 1, 2, and 3 included 12,789; 14,755; and 13,921 patients, respectively; 64% had rheumatoid arthritis and 63% were female. Anxiety and concerns were highest in May 2020 and decreased to stable levels in November 2020 and May 2021; 86%, 50%, and 52% of respondents reported self-isolation, respectively. In May 2021, 4% of respondents self-reported previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine acceptance rate was 86%, and the proportion of patients vaccinated against influenza had increased from 50% in winter 2019-2020 to 64% in winter 2020-2021. The proportion of patients with anxiety appeared similar among those vaccinated and unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. In multivariable analyses, being unvaccinated, female gender, receiving biologic drugs, and poor quality of life were independently associated with self-isolation.ConclusionLevels of anxiety and self-isolation decreased after the initial lockdown period in patients with IRD. Half of the patients reported self-isolation in May 2021, a phase that included widespread reopening of society and large-scale vaccination. The lack of prepandemic data prevented a full understanding of the long-term effects of the pandemic on anxiety and self-isolation in patients with IRD.

Background/Aims In axial spondyloarthritis, it has been shown that while some adverse lifestyle factors (smoking and high body mass index (BMI)) are less likely to respond to TNF inhibition (TNFi), those who drink alcohol are more likely to respond to treatment - a result currently unexplained, and unlikely to be causal. We aimed to investigate these associations in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to quantify the impact of lifestyle factors on TNFi treatment response. Methods Adults with PsA commencing TNFi were identified via the European Spondyloarthritis Research Collaboration Network (https://eurospa.eu). Participants were required to have data on lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, and/or BMI) recorded within ±30 days of commencing TNFi. The relationship between lifestyle factors and treatment outcome (ACR-50 response criteria at 12 months) was assessed using logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, country, year of TNFi initiation, disease duration and baseline disease activity (DAS28). The analysis was then repeated for other treatment response criteria: ACR-20, ACR-70, DAPSA28-remission, DAPSA68-remission and Minimal Disease Activity. Results From 12 PsA registries, 9409 participants were included, 21% of whom were current smokers, 54% drank alcohol, 38% were overweight and 29% were obese. Other baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. Among smokers, 18% met ACR-50 response criteria at 12 months, versus 26% of non-smokers, an association that remained after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio: 0.59; 95%CI: 0.48-0.72). Participants who were overweight (adjusted odds ratio: 0.80; 0.64-0.99) or obese (0.57; 0.44-0.72) were also less likely to achieve treatment response, compared to patients of normal weight. Similar results were seen across other outcome measures. The proportion who achieved ACR-50 response did not differ between patients who did/did not consume alcohol (both 22%). Conclusion Smoking and high BMI were associated with substantial decreases in the likelihood of TNFi response. The addition of non-pharmacological therapy, including the modification of adverse lifestyle factors, may offer the potential to enhance treatment outcomes. For example, if 100 patients were able to give up smoking when commencing TNFi, an additional eight would achieve ACR-50 at 12 months. Previous findings regarding alcohol and treatment response in axSpA were not replicated in PsA. Disclosure G.T. Jones: None. O. Rotariu: None. B. Michelsen: None. B. Glintborg: None. B. Gudbjornsson: None. T.J. Love: None. D. Nordström: None. T. Sokka: None. J. Vencovský: None. P. Horák: None. Z. Rotar: None. M. Tomšič: None. M. van der Sande: None. M.J. Nissen: None. B. Möller: None. C. Codreanu: None. J.K. Wallman: None. K.M. Fagerli: None. S.H. Rasmussen: None. L.M. Ørnbjerg: None. M.J. Santos: None. P. Carvalho: None. M.L. Hetland: None. M. Østergaard: None. G.J. Macfarlane: None.

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Objectives To investigate time trends in baseline characteristics and retention, remission and response rates in bio-naïve axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients initiating TNF inhibitor (TNFi) treatment. Methods Prospectively collected data on bio-naïve axSpA and PsA patients from routine care in 15 European countries were pooled. Three cohorts were defined according to year of TNFi initiation: A (1999–2008), B (2009–2014) and C (2015–2018). Retention, remission and response rates were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months. Results In total, 27 149 axSpA and 17 446 PsA patients were included. Cohort A patients had longer disease duration compared with B and C. In axSpA, cohort A had the largest proportion of male and HLA-B27 positive patients. In PsA, baseline disease activity was highest in cohort A. Retention rates in axSpA/PsA were highest in cohort A and differed only slightly between B and C. For all cohorts, disease activity decreased markedly from 0 to 6 months. In axSpA, disease activity at 24 months was highest in cohort A, where also remission and response rates were lowest. In PsA, remission rates at 6 and 12 months tended to be lowest in cohort A. Response rates were at all time points comparable across cohorts, and less between-cohort disease activity differences were seen at 24 months. Conclusion Our findings indicate that over the past decades, clinicians have implemented more aggressive treatment strategies in spondyloarthritis. This was illustrated by shorter disease duration at treatment initiation, decreased retention rates and higher remission rates during recent years.

Objectives To explore the association of maternal RA to pregnancy outcomes, especially preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA), in relation to disease activity and anti-rheumatic treatment before and during pregnancy. Methods By linking prospective clinical rheumatology registers (CRR) in Sweden (the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register, SRQ) and Denmark (the Danish clinical quality register, DANBIO) with medical birth registers, we identified 1739 RA-pregnancies and 17 390 control-pregnancies (matched 1:10 on maternal age, birth year, parity) with delivery 2006–18. Disease activity (DAS28, CRP, HAQ score) and anti-rheumatic treatment 9 months before and during pregnancy were identified through CRR and prescribed drug registers. Using logistic regression, we estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% CI for PTB and SGA overall and stratified by disease activity and anti-rheumatic treatment before and during pregnancy, adjusting for maternal characteristics. Results We found increased aOR of PTB [1.92 (1.56–2.35)] and SGA [1.93 (1.45–2.57)] in RA-pregnancies vs control-pregnancies. For RA-pregnancies with DAS28-CRP ≥4.1 vs Conclusion During pregnancy, disease activity rather than treatment seems to be the most important risk factor for PTB and SGA in RA. Women with RA should be carefully monitored during pregnancy, especially if they have moderate to high disease activity or/and are treated with extensive anti-rheumatic treatment.

ObjectiveSuccessful uptake of biosimilars in rheumatology is limited by lack of real-world evidence regarding effectiveness of biosimilar-to-biosimilar switching. We investigated infliximab biosimilars CT-P13-to-GP1111 switching among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA).MethodsObservational cohort study from the DANBIO registry. Patients were classified as originator-naïve or originator-experienced. Retention rates of 1-year GP1111 treatment were explored (Kaplan-Meier). We identified baseline factors (at the time of switch) associated with withdrawal of GP1111 (multivariable Cox-regression analyses with HRs including originator treatment history). Changes in subjective and objective measures of disease activity 4 months before and after the switch were assessed in individual patients.ResultsOf 1605 patients (685 RA, 314 PsA and 606 AxSpA, median disease duration was 9 years, 37% in Clinical Disease Activity Index/Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score remission), 1171 were originator-naïve. Retention rates at 1-year were 83% (95% CI: 81% to 85%) and 92% (95% CI: 90% to 95%) for the originator-naïve and originator-experienced, respectively. GP1111 retention rates were higher in originator-experienced compared to originator-naïve with RA (HR=0.4 (95% CI: 0.2 to 0.7)) and PsA (HR=0.2 (95% CI: 0.1 to 0.8)), but not significantly for AxSpA: HR=0.6 (95% CI: 0.3 to 1.2). Lower disease activity was associated with higher retention. Changes in disease activity preswitch and postswitch were close to zero.ConclusionThis real-world observational study of more than 1600 patients with inflammatory arthritis showed high 1-year retention following a nationwide infliximab biosimilar-to-biosimilar switch. Retention was higher in originator-experienced and in patients with low disease activity, suggesting outcomes to be affected by patient-related rather than drug-related factors.

Objectives: In patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) initiating their first tumor necrosis factor alpha-inhibitor (TNFi), we aimed to identify common baseline predictors of Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS-CRP) inactive disease (primary objective) and clinically important improvement (CII) at 6 months, and drug retention at 12-months across 15 European registries. Methods: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Outcomes were investigated per registry and in pooled data using logistic regression analyses on multiply imputed data. Results: The consistency of baseline predictors in individual registries justified pooling the data. In the pooled dataset (n = 21,196), the 6-month rates for ASDAS inactive disease and ASDAS CII were 26% and 51%, and the 12-month drug retention rate 65% in patients with available data (n = 9,845, n = 6,948 and n = 21,196, respectively). Nine common baseline predictors of ASDAS inactive disease, ASDAS CII and 12-month drug retention were identified, and the odds ratios (95%-confidence interval) for ASDAS inactive disease were: age, per year: 0.97 (0.97–0.98), men vs. women: 1.88 (1.60–2.22), current vs. non-smoking: 0.76 (0.63–0.91), HLA-B27 positive vs. negative: 1.51 (1.20–1.91), TNF start year 2015–2018 vs. 2009–2014: 1.24 (1.06–1.45), CRP>10 vs. ≤10 mg/l: 1.49 (1.25–1.77), one unit increase in health assessment questionnaire (HAQ): 0.77 (0.58–1.03), one-millimeter (mm) increase in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) fatigue and spinal pain: 0.99 (0.99–1.00) and 0.99 (0.99–1.99), respectively Conclusion: Common baseline predictors of treatment response and adherence to TNFi could be identified across data from 15 European registries, indicating that they may be universal across different axSpA populations.

Objectives In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), switching between multiple biologic or targeted synthetic (b/ts-) DMARDs might indicate difficult-to-treat disease. We aimed to explore the occurrence of multiple switching in routine care axSpA patients using various definitions, and to identify associated clinical characteristics upon start of first b/tsDMARD (baseline). Methods Observational cohort study including patients with axSpA starting a first-ever b/tsDMARD 2009–2018 based on data from five biologic registries (Denmark/Sweden/Finland/Norway/Iceland). Comorbidities and extra-articular manifestations were identified through linkage to national registries. Multi-switching was defined in overlapping categories according to b/tsDMARD treatment history: treatment with ≥3, ≥4 or ≥5 b/tsDMARDs during follow-up. We explored the cumulative incidence of patients becoming multi-switchers with ≥3 b/tsDMARDs stratified by calendar-period (2009–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2018). In the subgroup of patients starting a first b/tsDMARD 2009–2015, baseline characteristics associated with multi-switching (within 3 years’ follow-up) were explored using multiple logistic regression analyses. Results Among 8398 patients included, 6056 patients (63% male, median age 42 years) started a first b/tsDMARD in 2009–2015, whereof proportions treated with ≥3, ≥4 or ≥5 b/tsDMARDs within 3 years’ follow-up were 8%, 3% and 1%, respectively. Calendar-period did not affect the cumulative incidence of multi-switching. Baseline characteristics associated with multi-switching (≥3 b/tsDMARDs) were female gender, shorter disease duration, higher patient global score, comorbidities and having psoriasis but not uveitis. Conclusion In this large Nordic observational cohort of axSpA patients, multiple switching was frequent with no apparent time-trend. Clinical associated factors included gender, but also previous comorbidities and extra-articular manifestations illustrating the ongoing challenge of treating this patient group.

BackgroundThe effect of interleukin 17-inhibitors on anterior uveitis (AU) in spondyloarthritis (SpA) is poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the risk of AU during treatment with secukinumab versus tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).MethodsPatients with SpA starting secukinumab or a TNFi 2015 through 2018 were identified in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. Occurrence of AU was identified based on diagnosis codes in outpatient ophthalmology care in the National Patient Register. The main outcomes were crude rates of AU-diagnoses per 100 patient-years, and adjusted HRs for AU, during treatment, in patients without AU during the year before treatment start (in order to reduce confounding by indication). HRs were adjusted for age, sex, history of AU and patient global assessment of disease activity.ResultsBased on 4851 treatment starts (456 secukinumab; 4395 any TNFi), the rate of AU-diagnoses per 100 patient-years was 6.8 (95% CI 5.2 to 8.7) for secukinumab. Among the TNFi, the rate varied from 2.9 (95% CI 2.1 to 3.7) for infliximab and 4.0 (95% CI 3.3 to 4.9) for adalimumab to 7.5 (95% CI 6.7 to 8.4) for etanercept. The adjusted HRs for first AU (adalimumab as reference) were: secukinumab 2.32 (95% CI 1.16 to 4.63), infliximab 0.99 (95% CI 0.49 to 1.96), etanercept 1.82 (95% CI 1.13 to 2.93), golimumab 1.59 (95% CI 0.90 to 2.80) and certolizumab 1.12 (95% CI 0.44 to 2.83). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the pattern of higher AU rates with secukinumab and etanercept versus monoclonal TNFi.ConclusionAs used in clinical practice in SpA, secukinumab appears to be associated with a higher risk of AU, compared with the monoclonal TNFi and a similar risk compared with etanercept.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/., Background: Comedication with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) during treatment with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) is extensively used in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), although the additive benefit remains unclear. We aimed to compare treatment outcomes in patients with PsA treated with TNFi and csDMARD comedication versus TNFi monotherapy. Methods: Patients with PsA from 13 European countries who initiated a first TNFi in 2006-2017 were included. Country-specific comparisons of 1 year TNFi retention were performed by csDMARD comedication status, together with HRs for TNFi discontinuation (comedication vs monotherapy), adjusted for age, sex, calendar year, disease duration and Disease Activity Score with 28 joints (DAS28). Adjusted ORs of clinical remission (based on DAS28) at 12 months were calculated. Between-country heterogeneity was assessed using random-effect meta-analyses, combined results were presented when heterogeneity was not significant. Secondary analyses stratified according to TNFi subtype (adalimumab/infliximab/etanercept) and restricted to methotrexate as comedication were performed. Results: In total, 15 332 patients were included (62% comedication, 38% monotherapy). TNFi retention varied across countries, with significant heterogeneity precluding a combined estimate. Comedication was associated with better remission rates, pooled OR 1.25 (1.12-1.41). Methotrexate comedication was associated with improved remission for adalimumab (OR 1.45 (1.23-1.72)) and infliximab (OR 1.55 (1.21-1.98)) and improved retention for infliximab. No effect of comedication was demonstrated for etanercept. Conclusion: This large observational study suggests that, as used in clinical practice, csDMARD and TNFi comedication are associated with improved remission rates, and specifically, comedication with methotrexate increases remission rates for both adalimumab and infliximab.

To assess how biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), glucocorticoids and disease activity affect risk ofIn a nationwide cohort of patients with RA from the DANBIO registry, we conducted a nested case-control study including first-time microbiologically verified SAB cases from 2010 to 2018 and incidence density matched controls (1:4 by sex, age). We interlinked Danish registries and identified antirheumatic treatments, RA-specific clinical characteristics, comorbidities and socioeconomic status. The relative risk of SAB was assessed by adjusted ORs with 95% CIs and number needed to harm (NNH) reflected the absolute risk.Among 30 479 patients, we identified 180 SAB cases (incidence rate: 106.7/100 000 person-years) and matched 720 controls (57% women, median age 73 years, IQR: 65-80). Risk of SAB was increased in current (OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.2)) and former bDMARD users (OR 2.5 (95% CI 0.9 to 7.0)), and in current users of oral glucocorticoids ≤7.5 prednisolone-equivalent mg/day (OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 4.0) and7.5 mg/day (OR 9.5 (95% CI 3.9 to 22.7)) (non-use as reference). ORs for moderate/high disease activity compared with remission were 1.6 (95% CI 0.8 to 3.3)/1.5 (95% CI 0.6 to 4.3). Risk was increased in patients with longstanding RA (10 years vs ≤3 years, OR=2.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 5.3)). The NNH was 1172(95% CI 426 to 9374) for current use of bDMARDs and 110(95% CI 43 to 323) for glucocorticoids7.5 mg/day.We identified a dose-dependent increased risk of SAB in patients with RA currently using oral glucocorticoids. Daily use of7.5 mg appeared to be a clinically relevant risk factor, whereas the absolute risk was low for bDMARDs. No clear impact of disease activity was found.

People with inflammatory arthritis (IA) treated with immunosuppressive disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were initially considered to have an increased risk of severe illness from the SARS-CoV-2 virus compared to the general population. The aim of this study was to explore how people with IA experienced restrictions during the pandemic and the possible impact of vaccination on their protection against COVID-19 and their everyday lives. Nineteen people with IA were interviewed in May–August 2021; shortly thereafter they were enrolled in the Danish national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Concurrently, society gradually reopened after a national complete lockdown. The analysis was inspired by inductive qualitative content analysis. Participants expressed a lack of targeted information on the specific risk associated with IA if they contracted COVID-19. They had to define their own level of daily-life restrictions to protect themselves and their families. They were impacted by inconsistent announcements by the authorities, and some expressed concerns regarding the potential influence of DMARDs on vaccine effectiveness. A societal spirit of being “in this together” emerged through the lockdown, and some were concerned that the reduced level of restrictions in the reopened society would put them at higher risk of a COVID-19 infection and force them to continue self-isolating.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently added a new ‘black box warning’ on all currently approved Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors indicated for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions based on results from the ORAL Surveillance study of tofacitinib versus tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis. This is a warning difficult to ignore because the data, being from a randomised controlled trial, are of high fidelity and hard to reproach. It is especially problematic because safety data for all the other JAK inhibitors will be pending for several years. So how might we proceed, without being bound by our stasis? The lack of absolute certainty seems to require a pragmatic approach to the routine care use of JAK inhibitors. The patients who were at greatest risk were older and had other risk factors for the corresponding adverse events, in keeping with effect modification. This highlights the need to focus on risk stratification when tailoring therapy. In this viewpoint, we propose a simple illustration to guide clinical decision-making. First, identify general risk factors for venous thromboembolic event (VTE), major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and cancer (age>65 years and smoking) and whether there is a previous history of VTE, MACE or cancer. Then, evaluate risk based on the number of other risk factors for VTE and the number of other risk factors for MACE. Ultimately, ‘treat-to-target’ will in the end always be ‘treat-to-agreement’. As we have done in the past, and will do in the future, the optimal treatment strategy will have to be tailored based on individual patient risk factors and preferences in a shared-decision process.

ObjectiveTo explore the risk of pre-eclampsia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), focusing on the impact of treatment and disease activity.MethodsWe identified RA, AxSpA and PsA singleton pregnancies (2006–2018) by linking medical birth registers to Swedish (SRQ) and Danish (DANBIO) rheumatology registers. Control pregnancies from the medical birth registers were matched 1:10 on maternal age, parity and birth year.We obtained information on antirheumatic treatment before and during pregnancy and disease activity during pregnancy. Risks of pre-eclampsia in RA, AxSpA and PsA pregnancies, compared with control pregnancies, were estimated overall and by antirheumatic treatment (conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)/biological DMARD/corticosteroids, as monotherapy or combination therapy) and disease load (Health Assessment Questionnaire≥1/C-reactive protein≥10/Disease Activity Score in 28 joints≥3.2) through logistic regression (adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% CI).ResultsWe observed 69, 34, and 26 pre-eclampsia events among RA (n=1739), AxSpA (n=819) and PsA (n=489), resulting in a risk of pre-eclampsia of, respectively, aOR 1.27 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.67), 1.17 (0.76 to 1.78) and 1.85 (1.10 to 3.12), compared with controls.For RA, maternal combination therapy before and during pregnancy was associated with increased risk (1.59; 1.07 to 2.37 and 1.53; 0.97 to 2.39, respectively). For PsA, maternal monotherapy before pregnancy was associated with pre-eclampsia (2.72; 1.4 to 5.13). In RA pregnancies with available information (43%), high disease load was associated with doubled risk of pre-eclampsia (aOR 1.96; 1.26 to 3.04).ConclusionPsA pregnancies, but not AxSpA pregnancies, were at increased risk of pre-eclampsia. For RA, combination therapy (potentially a surrogate for high disease activity both before and during pregnancy) and high disease load during pregnancy might be a risk factor for pre-eclampsia.

Objectives Many axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) patients receive a conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD) in combination with a TNF inhibitor (TNFi). However, the value of this co-therapy remains unclear. The objectives were to describe the characteristics of axSpA patients initiating a first TNFi as monotherapy compared with co-therapy with csDMARD, to compare one-year TNFi retention and remission rates, and to explore the impact of peripheral arthritis. Methods Data was collected from 13 European registries. One-year outcomes included TNFi retention and hazard ratios (HR) for discontinuation with 95% CIs. Logistic regression was performed with adjusted odds ratios (OR) of achieving remission (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP Results Amongst 24 171 axSpA patients, 32% received csDMARD co-therapy (range across countries: 13.5% to 71.2%). The co-therapy group had more baseline peripheral arthritis and higher CRP than the monotherapy group. One-year TNFi-retention rates (95% CI): 79% (78, 79%) for TNFi monotherapy vs 82% (81, 83%) with co-therapy (P Conclusion This large European study of axial SpA patients showed similar one-year treatment outcomes for TNFi monotherapy and csDMARD co-therapy, although considerable heterogeneity across countries limited the identification of certain subgroups (e.g. peripheral arthritis) that may benefit from co-therapy.

Objectives To investigate whether patient-reported outcomes vary across countries and are influenced by cultural/contextual factors. Specifically, we aimed to assess inter-country differences in tender joint count (TJC), pain and patient’s global health assessment (PGA), and their impact on disease activity (DAS28-CRP) in RA patients from five Nordic countries. Methods We collected data (baseline, 3- and 12-months) from rheumatology registers in the five countries comprising RA patients starting a first ever MTX or a first ever TNF inhibitor (TNFi). In order to assess the role of context (=country), we separately modelled TJC, pain and PGA as functions of objective variables (CRP, swollen joint count, age, sex, calendar period and disease duration) with linear models. Analyses were performed at each time point and for both treatments. We further assessed the impact of inter-country differences on DAS28-CRP. Results A total of 27 645 RA patients started MTX and 19 733 started a TNFi. Crude inter-country differences at MTX start amounted to up to 4 points (28 points scale) for TJC, 10 and 27 points (0–100 scale) for pain and PGA, respectively. Corresponding numbers at TNFi start were 3 (TJC), 27 (pain) and 24 (PGA) points. All differences were reduced at 3- and 12-months, and attenuated when adjusting for the objective variables. The variation in predicted DAS28-CRP across countries amounted to Conclusions Inter-country differences in TJC, pain and PGA are greater than expected based on differences in objective measures, but have a small clinical impact on DAS28-CRP across countries.

Objectives To find causal genes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its seropositive (RF and/or ACPA positive) and seronegative subsets. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 31 313 RA cases (68% seropositive) and similar to 1 million controls from Northwestern Europe. We searched for causal genes outside the HLA-locus through effect on coding, mRNA expression in several tissues and/or levels of plasma proteins (SomaScan) and did network analysis (Qiagen). Results We found 25 sequence variants for RA overall, 33 for seropositive and 2 for seronegative RA, altogether 37 sequence variants at 34 non-HLA loci, of which 15 are novel. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of these yielded 25 causal genes in seropositive RA and additional two overall. Most encode proteins in the network of interferon-alpha/beta and IL-12/23 that signal through the JAK/STAT-pathway. Highlighting those with largest effect on seropositive RA, a rare missense variant in STAT4 (rs140675301-A) that is independent of reported non-coding STAT4-variants, increases the risk of seropositive RA 2.27-fold (p=2.1x10(-9)), more than the rs2476601-A missense variant in PTPN22 (OR=1.59, p=1.3x10(-160)). STAT4 rs140675301-A replaces hydrophilic glutamic acid with hydrophobic valine (Glu128Val) in a conserved, surface-exposed loop. A stop-mutation (rs76428106-C) in FLT3 increases seropositive RA risk (OR=1.35, p=6.6x10(-11)). Independent missense variants in TYK2 (rs34536443-C, rs12720356-C, rs35018800-A, latter two novel) associate with decreased risk of seropositive RA (ORs=0.63-0.87, p=10(-9)-10(-27)) and decreased plasma levels of interferon-alpha/beta receptor 1 that signals through TYK2/JAK1/STAT4. Conclusion Sequence variants pointing to causal genes in the JAK/STAT pathway have largest effect on seropositive RA, while associations with seronegative RA remain scarce. Funding Agencies|NORDFORSK [90825]; Swedish Research Council [2018-02803]; Swedish innovation Agency (Vinnova); Innovationsfonden; The Research Council of Norway; Region Stockholm-Karolinska Institutet; Region Vasterbotten (ALF); Danish Rheumatism Association [R194-A6956, A1923, A3037, A3570]; Swedish Brain Foundation; Nils and Bibbi Jensens Foundation; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Margaretha af Ugglas Foundation; South-Eastern Heath Region of Norway; Health Research Fund of Central Denmark Region; Region of Southern Denmark; A.P. Moller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science; Colitis-Crohn Foreningen; Novo Nordisk Foundation [NNF15OC0016932]; Aase og Ejnar Danielsens Fond; Beckett-Fonden; Augustinus Fonden; Knud and Edith Eriksens Mindefond; Laege Sofus Carl Emil Friis and Hustru Olga Doris Friis Legat; Psoriasis Forskningsfonden; University of Aarhus; Region of Southern Denmarks PhD Fund [12/7725]; Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital; Research Council of Norway [229624, 223273]; South East and Western Norway Health Authorities; ERC AdG project SELECTionPREDISPOSED; Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen; Trond Mohn Foundation; Novo Nordisk Foundation; University of Bergen

ObjectivesTo assess how biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), glucocorticoids and disease activity affect risk ofStaphylococcus aureusbacteraemia (SAB) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsIn a nationwide cohort of patients with RA from the DANBIO registry, we conducted a nested case–control study including first-time microbiologically verified SAB cases from 2010 to 2018 and incidence density matched controls (1:4 by sex, age). We interlinked Danish registries and identified antirheumatic treatments, RA-specific clinical characteristics, comorbidities and socioeconomic status. The relative risk of SAB was assessed by adjusted ORs with 95% CIs and number needed to harm (NNH) reflected the absolute risk.ResultsAmong 30 479 patients, we identified 180 SAB cases (incidence rate: 106.7/100 000 person-years) and matched 720 controls (57% women, median age 73 years, IQR: 65–80). Risk of SAB was increased in current (OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.2)) and former bDMARD users (OR 2.5 (95% CI 0.9 to 7.0)), and in current users of oral glucocorticoids ≤7.5 prednisolone-equivalent mg/day (OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 4.0) and >7.5 mg/day (OR 9.5 (95% CI 3.9 to 22.7)) (non-use as reference). ORs for moderate/high disease activity compared with remission were 1.6 (95% CI 0.8 to 3.3)/1.5 (95% CI 0.6 to 4.3). Risk was increased in patients with longstanding RA (>10 years vs ≤3 years, OR=2.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 5.3)). The NNH was 1172(95% CI 426 to 9374) for current use of bDMARDs and 110(95% CI 43 to 323) for glucocorticoids >7.5 mg/day.ConclusionWe identified a dose-dependent increased risk of SAB in patients with RA currently using oral glucocorticoids. Daily use of >7.5 mg appeared to be a clinically relevant risk factor, whereas the absolute risk was low for bDMARDs. No clear impact of disease activity was found.

ObjectivesTo compare the 1-year, 2-year and 5-year incidences of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting any of the biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) currently available in clinical practice and to anchor these results with a general population comparator.MethodsObservational cohort study, with patients from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden starting a bDMARD during 2008–2017. Time to first ACS was identified through register linkages. We calculated the 1-year, 2-year and 5-year incidence rates (IR) (on drug and ever since treatment start) and used Cox regression (HRs) to compare ACS incidences across treatments taking ACS risk factors into account. Analyses were further performed separately in subgroups defined by age, number of previous bDMARDs and history of cardiovascular disease. We also compared ACS incidences to an individually matched general population cohort.Results24 083 patients (75% women, mean age 56 years) contributing 40 850 treatment courses were included. During the maximum (5 years) follow-up (141 257 person-years (pyrs)), 780 ACS events occurred (crude IR 5.5 per 1000 pyrs). Overall, the incidence of ACS in RA was 80% higher than that in the general population. For all bDMARDs and follow-up definitions, HRs were close to 1 (etanercept as reference) with the exception of the 5-year risk window, where signals for abatacept, infliximab and rituximab were noted.ConclusionThe rate of ACS among patients with RA initiating bDMARDs remains elevated compared with the general population. As used in routine care, the short-term, intermediate-term and longer-term risks of ACS vary little across individual bDMARDs.

Objectives To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treat-to-target strategies (disease activity, remission rates) and access to physical consultations in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease, as well as to explore characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations in the clinic and the impact of early vs established disease. Methods Patients with RA, PsA or axial SpA (axSpA) prospectively followed in the nationwide DANBIO registry answered online questionnaires and reported patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in June and November 2020. Patient characteristics, disease activity and physical consultations in the clinic before and during the pandemic were identified in DANBIO [all patients and subgroups with early disease (disease duration ≤2 years)]. In individual patients, changes in PROs before and during the pandemic were calculated. Characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations were described (age, gender, education level, comorbidities, disease duration, treatment). Results We included 7836 patients (22% of eligible patients), 12% of which had early disease. PROs were stable before and during the pandemic, with median changes approximating zero, as well as in patients with early disease. Remission rates were stable. The relative decrease in the number of patients with physical consultations was 21–72%, which was highest in axSpA. Characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations were similar. Self-reported satisfaction with treatment options and access was >70%; the preferred contact form was physical consultation (66%). Conclusion In this nationwide study performed during the first 8 months of the pandemic, patient satisfaction was high and the PROs and remission rates remained stable despite the remarkable reduction in physical consultations, as well as in patients with early disease. Characteristics of patients with/without physical consultations appeared similar.

Key messages #### What is already known about this subject? #### What does this study add? #### How might this impact on clinical practice or future developments? COVID-19 is a pandemic that has shattered the world, not only once, but with a second wave swiping across the continents. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) have encountered widespread shielding (ie, stringent self-isolation) and poor quality of life (QoL).1–3 Work obligations could potentially affect opportunities to self-isolate. The World Health Organization has expressed concerns that some workers may be at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness because of age or pre-existing medical conditions.4 Despite being a topic on the political agenda, in social media and patient organisations, surprisingly little is known regarding the impact of the ongoing pandemic on anxiety and concerns related to the work situation, and in a review of the medical literature, we found no previous research publications regarding patients with IRD. We performed a nationwide online survey in patients with IRD (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and other)1 routinely followed in the Danish DANBIO registry.5 In October–November 2020, patients were invited to answer questions regarding the impact of the …

OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic value of widespread pain and of musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) examination for subsequent treatment outcomes in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).METHODS: An exploratory prospective cohort study enrolled patients with PsA initiating biologic or conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in routine care. Clinical, US, and patient-reported measures were collected at baseline and after 4 months. Widespread nonarthritic pain (WP) was defined as a Widespread Pain Index score of ≥4 with pain in ≥4 of 5 regions. PsA activity by US was defined as color Doppler (yes/no) in selected entheses, joints, or tendons. The main response criteria included the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement, the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis 50% improvement, and minimal disease activity. The primary analyses were age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression.RESULTS: WP was present in 24 of 69 included patients (35%) and was associated with worse patient-reported and composite baseline measures, while US and other objective findings were similar to those in patients without WP. The odds of reaching minimal disease activity after 4 months were significantly greater for patients enrolled without WP (odds ratio 18.43 [95% confidence interval 1.51, 224.41]; P = 0.022), while WP did not impair other response measures. Patients with baseline color Doppler activity (n = 42 [61%]) had a worse objective PsA burden, but their chance of treatment response was comparable to those without color Doppler.CONCLUSION: More than one-third of patients with PsA presented with WP, which was associated with worse patient-reported scores and failure to achieve minimal disease activity following conventional synthetic or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. PsA activity by color Doppler US had no influence on subsequent treatment response in this PsA cohort.

ObjectiveIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA), evidence regarding the effectiveness of a second biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) in patients whose first-ever bDMARD was a non–tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) bDMARD is limited. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the outcome of a second bDMARD (non-TNFi: rituximab [RTX], abatacept [ABA], or tocilizumab [TCZ], separately; and TNFi) after failure of a non-TNFi bDMARD as first bDMARD.MethodsWe identified patients with RA from the 5 Nordic biologics registers who started treatment with a non-TNFi as first-ever bDMARD but switched to a second bDMARD. For the second bDMARD, we assessed drug survival (at 6 and 12 months) and primary response (at 6 months).ResultsWe included 620 patients starting a second bDMARD (ABA 86, RTX 40, TCZ 67, and TNFi 427) following failure of a first non-TNFi bDMARD. At 6 and 12 months after start of their second bDMARD, approximately 70% and 60%, respectively, remained on treatment, and at 6 months, less than one-third of patients were still on their second bDMARD and had reached low disease activity or remission according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints. For those patients whose second bMDARD was a TNFi, the corresponding proportion was slightly higher (40%).ConclusionThe drug survival and primary response of a second bDMARD in patients with RA switching due to failure of a non-TNFi bDMARD as first bDMARD is modest. Some patients may benefit from TNFi when used after failure of a non-TNFi as first bDMARD.

AimsIn Danish patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases to explore self-protection strategies and health behaviour including adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic treatment (DMARD) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and again after the reopening of the society started. Furthermore, to identify characteristics of patients with high levels of anxiety and self-isolation.MethodsPatients in routine care followed prospectively in the nationwide DANBIO registry were invited to answer an online questionnaire regarding disease activity and COVID-19 infection, behaviour in March and June 2020. Responses were linked to patient data in DANBIO. Characteristics potentially associated with anxiety, self-isolation and medication adherence (gender/age/diagnosis/education/work status/comorbidity/DMARD/smoking/EQ-5D/disease activity) were explored with multivariable logistic regression analyses.ResultsWe included 12 789 patients (8168 rheumatoid arthritis/2068 psoriatic arthritis/1758 axial spondyloarthritis/795 other) of whom 65% were women and 36% treated with biological DMARD. Self-reported COVID-19 prevalence was 0.3%. Patients reported that they were worried to get COVID-19 infection (March/June: 70%/45%) and self-isolated more than others of the same age (48%/38%). The fraction of patients who changed medication due to fear of COVID-19 were 4.1%/0.6%. Female gender, comorbidities, not working, lower education, biological treatment and poor European Quality of life, 5 dimensions were associated with both anxiety and self-isolation.ConclusionIn >12 000 patients with inflammatory arthritis, we found widespread anxiety and self-isolation, but high medication adherence, in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This persisted during the gradual opening of society during the following months. Attention to patients’ anxiety and self-isolation is important during this and potential future epidemics.

Objective: To describe baseline characteristics and to compare treatment effectiveness of secukinumab versus tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) using adalimumab as the main comparator. Methods: This was an observational, prospective cohort study. Patients with SpA (clinical ankylosing spondylitis, nonradiographic axial SpA, or undifferentiated SpA) starting secukinumab or a TNFi during 2015–2018 were identified from 5 Nordic clinical rheumatology registries. Data on comorbidities and extraarticular manifestations (psoriasis, uveitis, and inflammatory bowel disease) were captured from national registries (data available in 94% of patients) and included in multivariable analyses. We assessed 1-year treatment retention (crude survival curves, adjusted hazard ratios [HRadj] for treatment discontinuation) and 6-month response rates (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS] score adj 1.43 [95% CI 1.12–1.81]). Across treatment lines, secukinumab had poorer estimates for 6-month response rates than adalimumab, statistically significantly only for the third-plus line (adjusted analyses: ASDAS score