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BackgroundPersistent symptoms after acute COVID have been described previously. Main symptoms reported are fatigue, arthralgias, myalgias and mental sickness. Definition and methods vary widely.1ObjectivesTo asses prevalence and related factors to long COVID in a retrospective cohort of patients with rheumatic diseases from Argentina.MethodsA total of 1915 patients were registered from August 18th, 2020 to July 29th, 2021. Patients > 18 years old, with rheumatic disease and confirmed infection by SARS-CoV-2 (antigen or RT-PCR) were included. Those dead, with unknown outcome, wrong date or missing data were excluded. Demographic data, comorbidities, rheumatic disease, and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded.Long COVID was defined according to NICE guidelines (persistent symptoms for more than 4 weeks, without alternative diagnosis). Long COVID symptoms were defined by rheumatologist. Severity of infection was classified according to WHO ordinal scale.We used descriptive statistics, univariate model (Student’s test, chi square test, ANOVA) and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results230 (12%) had long COVID. Median age was 51 (IQR 40-61]) years, 82% were females, 51% were not caucasian. Median of education was 13.3 years (IQR 12 – 16), 79 % had private health insurance and 55 % were employed. Nearly half (n=762, 46%) had comorbidities, the most prevalent was hypertension (n=396, 24%).The most frequent rheumatic diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (n=719, 42%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (n=280, 16 %). Most were in low activity/remission (79%), used Conventional DMARD (n=773 patients, 45%) and steroids (n=588, 34%) at low dose (n=415, 71%).Main laboratory findings were abnormal D-dimer (n=94, 28%) and leukopenia (n=93, 26%). Most patients had a WHO ordinal scale < 5 (n=1472, 86%). Median of hospitalization at intensive care unit (ICU) was 8 days [IQR 5, 13]. Treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection (steroids, anticoagulation, azithromycin, convalescent plasma) was used in 461 (27%) patients.Most of long COVID (n= 152, 69%) reported 1 symptom, the most frequent was fatigue (n= 55, 22%). Figure 1.Univariate analysis is presented in Table 1. In multivariate logistic regression analysis non-caucasian ethnicity OR 1.44 (1.07-1.95), years of education OR 1.05 (1-1.09), treatment with cyclophosphamide OR 11.35 (1.56-112.97), symptoms of COVID – 19 OR 13.26 (2.75-242.08), severity scale WHO ≥ 5 OR 2.46 (1.68-3.57), and ICU hospitalization days OR 1.09 (1.05-1.14) were factors associated to long COVID.Table 1.Univariate analysis of long COVID syndrome in SAR – COVID registryVariableAcute COVID n=1486Long COVID n=221P valueAge, years, median [IQR]51 [40, 60]54 [42, 62]0.032Caucasian, n (%)744 (48)132 (53)0.227Female sex, n (%)1242 (80)215 (86)0.066Education, years, median [IQR]12 [10, 17]13 [12, 16]-Private health insurance, n (%)1161 (79)181 (82)0.325Smoking, n (%)381 (25)71 (29)0.224Comorbidities, n (%)650 (45)108 (52)0.066Dyslipidemia, n (%)173 (12)39 (19)0.008Hypertension, n (%)332 (23)60 (29)0.053Low activity/remission disease, n (%)1140 (80)179 (77)1Rheumatoid arthritis, n (%)623 (42)96 (42)1Systemic lupus erythematosus, n (%)243 (16)37 (16)0.996DMARD, n (%)664 (45)109 (47)0.486Cyclophosphamide, n (%)3 (0.2)3 (1)0.035Rituximab, n (%)19 (1)9 (34)0.008Lymphocyte66 (23)19 (30)0.011)Ferritin > 2000 ng/ml, n (%)32 (11)16 (25)0.011ICU hospitalization, days,7 [4, 10]10 [8, 24]median [IQR]Treatment for COVID-19, n (%)394 (27)91 (41)ConclusionPrevalence of long COVID was 12%. Non-caucasian ethnicity, higher education, treatment with cyclophosphamide, symptoms of COVID – 19, severe disease and ICU hospitalization days were related to long COVID.References[1]Cabrera Martimbianco AL, Pacheco RL, Bagattini ÂM, Riera R. Frequency, signs and symptoms, and criteria adopted for long COVID-19: A systematic review. Int J Clin Pract.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundThe use of biological and targeted synthetic drugs has changed the outcomes of rheumatic diseases. The information on efficacy and safety provided by randomized controlled clinical trials does not always reflect the conditions of patients in real life. Data obtained from prospective registries, over extended periods and with real-world evidence, is a great contribution to the pharmacovigilance of these drugs.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to describe adverse events (AE) and survival of treatments of patients included in the Argentine Registry of Adverse Events of Biological Therapies and Target Synthetic Drugs (BIOBADASAR 3.0).MethodsObservational, prospective and multicenter study of ten years of follow-up in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with original biological drugs, biosimilars or original and generic targeted synthetic therapies in Argentine. Those patients who received biological therapies were considered exposed while non-exposed patients represent the control group. All patients were evaluated at least once a year and whenever they experienced an AE or a change in treatment. Survival of treatments was evaluated by Kaplan Meier curves and the comparison between them was made by Log Rank Test analysis.ResultsA total of 6010 patients were included and 8810 treatment periods from 56 centers. 79.7% were female, mean age of 43.7 (SD 15.6) years. The most frequently reported rheumatological disease was rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (77.5%), followed by psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (8.2%), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (3.1%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (2.6%) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (2.5%). The b-DMARD use frequencies were etanercept in 32.2%, followed by adalimumab in 18.7%, abatacept in 9.7%, certolizumab pegol in 8.7%, tofacitinib in 7.9%, rituximab in 7.3% and tocilizumab in 5.5%. The frequency of AE was 11.7% in the exposed group and 4.9% in controls (p=0.001). Infections were present in 41% in the exposed group vs 34% in controls (pConclusionWe found that the use of steroids and elderly patients are still being associated with a higher risk of presenting an AE and treatment discontinuing. This could be related to the fact that the use of steroids is frequently associated with active disease or severe conditions. Exposed patients have a lower AE-free survival and a lower treatment survival. This could be since unexposed patients have a longer follow-up time and a longer duration of their disease. This data from real-world Latin American patients of ten years of follow-up are extremely useful for monitoring and pharmacovigilance of biological therapies in patients with rheumatic diseases.References[1]De la Vega M, et al. The importance of rheumatology biologic registries in Latin America. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33(4):827-35. Rocha FA. Latin-American challenges and opportunities in rheumatology. Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):29.[2]Prior-Español A, et al. Clinical factors associated with discontinuation of ts/bDMARDs in rheumatic patients from the BIOBADASER III registry. Sci Rep. 2021 May 27;11(1):11091. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90442-w. PMID: 34045525; PMCID: PMC8159943.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundComorbidities, particularly cardio-metabolic disorders, are highly prevalent in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and they were associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which have been associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Whether PsA enhances the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or affects the disease outcome remains to be ascertained.ObjectivesTo describe the sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of patients with PsA with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from the SAR-COVID registry and to identify the variables associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes, comparing them with those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsCross-sectional observational study including patients ≥18 years old, with diagnosis of PsA (CASPAR criteria) and RA (ACR / EULAR 2010 criteria), who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR or serology) from the SAR-COVID registry. Recruitment period was between August 13, 2020 and July 31, 2021. Sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, and treatments were analyzed. To assess the severity of the infection, the ordinal scale of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)1 was used, and it was considered that a patient met the primary outcome, if they presented criteria of categories 5 or higher on the severity scale. For this analysis, Chi2 test, Fisher’s test, Student’s test or Wilcoxon test, and binomial logistic regression using NIAID>=5 as dependent variable were performed.ResultsA total of 129 PsA patients and 808 with RA were included. Clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Regarding PsA treatment, 12.4% of PsA were receiving IL-17 inhibitors, 5.4% IL12-23 inhibitors, one patient apremilast and one abatacept. The frequency of NIAID≥5 was comparable between groups (PsA 19.5% vs RA 20.1%; p=0.976). (Figure 1).Table 1.Characteristics of patients with PsA and RA who presented COVID-19 in the SAR-COVID registry.Psoriatic arthritis (n=129)Rheumatoid arthritis (n=808)P valueTotal (n=937)Age (years), mean (SD)51.7 (12.7)53.1 (12.9)0.23952.9 (12.9)Female72 (55.8)684 (84.7)756 (80.7)Comorbidities65 (50.4)355 (43.9)0.203420 (44.8) Obesity (BMI ≥30)19 (15.2)102 (13.4)0.692121 (13.7) Morbid obesity (BMI ≥40)1 (0.8)10 (1.3)111 (1.25) Hypertension35 (28.5)205 (26.8)0.783240 (27.0) Diabetes16 (13.0)67 (8.8)0.18883 (9.39) Dyslipidemia24 (19.5)102 (13.5)0.106126 (14.4) Cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease5 (11.4)32 (3.9)0.03337 (4.2)Two or more comorbidities55 (42.6)219 (27.1)274 (29.2)Current smoking4 (3.6)60 (8.4)0.7964 (7.7)High disease activity0 (0)29 (3.8)0.02729 (3.23)Glucocorticoids treatment5 (20.0)95 (60.1)100 (54.6)Conventional DMARDs47 (36.4)443 (54.8)490 (52.3)Biologic DMARDs60 (46.5)193 (23.9)253 (27.0)JAK inhibitors4 (3.10)72 (8.9)0.03876 (8.1)Full recovery of COVID-19105 (84.0)644 (81.7)0.127749 (82.0)COVID-19 complications16 (12.5)68 (8.7)0.22784 (9.2)Death due to COVID-191 (0.8)34 (4.3)0.07435 (3.8)Notes=values n (%) unless otherwise indicated; BMI: Body Mass Index; DMARDs: disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; JAK inhibitors: Janus kinase inhibitors.PsA patients with NIAID≥5 in comparison with NIAIDConclusionAlthough PsA patients have a higher frequency of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities than those with RA, the COVID-19 severity was similar. Most of the patients had mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and a low death rate.References[1]Beigel JH, et al. Remdesivir for the Treatment of Covid-19 - Final Report. N Engl J Med. 2020 Nov 5;383(19):1813-1826.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundMany activity indices have been developed for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. However, they present important limitations due to the multi-organ compromise.The SLEDAI score and its different versions are widely used in daily practice and in clinical research.Diogo Jesus et al (2018) developed the SLE-DAS (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Score), that include 17 items, 4 of them continuous. SLE-DAS assesses disease activity in the 28 previous days using an online calculator, with clinical characteristics non-evaluated by SLEDAI. It showed greater precision to measure disease activity, greater sensitivity to detect clinically significant changes and better performance to predict accumulated damage than SLEDAI. It has not yet been validated in Argentina.ObjectivesTo determine the validity of the SLE-DAS score in a population of patients with SLE from Argentina.MethodsA multicenter observational study was conducted. Outpatients and hospitalized patients with SLE from 9 Argentinian centers were included between July to August 2021. Socio-demographic and disease variables were studied and SLE activity was measured by physician’s global assessment (PGA), SLEDAI 2K and SLE-DAS. The disease activity categories used for SLE-DAS were: remission ≤2.08; mild activity >2.08 to 7.10, moderate and severe activity >7.10. For SLEDAI 2K, remission was considered 0, mild activity 1 to 5, moderate 6 to 10, high 11 to 19, very high >20 points.To determine construct validity and criterion validity, SLEDAI 2K and PGA were used as the gold standard and correlation between scores was analyzed with the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity of the points that define each of the activity levels were established by ROC curves to determine the discriminative capacity of SLE-DAS.ResultsA multicenter observational study was conducted. Outpatients and hospitalized patients with SLE from 9 Argentinian centers were included between July to August 2021. Socio-demographic and disease variables were studied and SLE activity was measured by physician’s global assessment (PGA), SLEDAI 2K and SLE-DAS. The disease activity categories used for SLE-DAS were: remission ≤2.08; mild activity >2.08 to 7.10, moderate and severe activity >7.10. For SLEDAI 2K, remission was considered 0, mild activity 1 to 5, moderate 6 to 10, high 11 to 19, very high >20 points.To determine construct validity and criterion validity, SLEDAI 2K and PGA were used as the gold standard and correlation between scores was analyzed with the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. Sensitivity and specificity of the points that define each of the activity levels were established by ROC curves to determine the discriminative capacity of SLE-DAS.ConclusionIn this population of lupus patients from Argentina, the SLE-DAS allowed to discriminate between remission and disease activity, being a useful and practical tool.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundCurrently there is little information on the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with immune-mediated diseases and/or under immunosuppressive treatment in our country, where different types of vaccines and mix regimens are used. For this reason, the Argentine Society of Rheumatology (SAR) with the Argentine Society of Psoriasis (SOARPSO) set out to develop a national register of patients with rheumatic and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) who have received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in order to assess their efficacy and safety in this population.ObjectivesTo assess SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatic and IMIDs.MethodsSAR-CoVAC is a national, multicenter and observational registry. Adult patients with a diagnosis of rheumatic or IMIDs who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were consecutively included between June 1st and September 17th, 2021. Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, underlying rheumatic or IMIDs, treatments received and their modification prior to vaccination and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were recorded. In addition, the date and place of vaccination, type of vaccine applied, scheme and indication will be registered. Finally, adverse events (AE), as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection after the application of the vaccine were documentedResultsA total of 1234 patients were included, 79% were female, with a mean age of 57.8 (SD 14.1) years. The most frequent diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (41.2%), osteoarthritis (14.5%), psoriasis (12.7%) and spondyloarthritis (12.3%). Most of them were in remission (28.5%) and low disease activity (41.4%). At the time of vaccination, 21% were receiving glucocorticoid treatment, 35.7% methotrexate, 29.7% biological (b) Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) and 5.4% JAK inhibitors. Before vaccine application 16.9% had had a SARS-CoV-2 infection.Regarding the first dose of the vaccine, the most of the patients (51.1%) received Gam-COVID-Vac, followed by ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (32.8%) and BBIBP-CorV (14.5%). In a lesser proportion, BNT162b2 (0.6%), Ad26.COV2.S (0.2%) and CoronaVac (0.2%) vaccines were used. Almost half of them (48.8%) completed the scheme, 12.5% were mix regimenes, the most frequent being Gam-COVID-Vac / mRNA-1273. The median time between doses was 51days (IQR 53).More than a quarter (25.9%) of the patients reported at least one AE after the first dose and 15.9% after the second. The flu-like syndrome and local hypersensitivity were the most frequent manifestations. There was one case of mild anaphylaxis. No patient was hospitalized. Altogether, the incidence of AE was 246.5 events/1000 doses. BBIBP-CorV presented significantly lower incidence of AE in comparison with the other types of vaccines. (118.5 events/1000 doses, pRegarding efficacy, 63 events of SARS-CoV-2 infection were reported after vaccination, 19% occurred before 14 days post-vaccination, 57.1% after the first dose (>14 days) and 23.8% after the second. In most cases (85.9%) the infection was asymptomatic or had an outpatient course and 2 died due to COVID-19.ConclusionIn this national cohort of patients with rheumatic and IMIDs vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2, the most widely used vaccines were Gam-COVID-Vac and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, approximately half completed the schedule and in most cases homologously. A quarter of the patients presented some AE, while 5.1% presented SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination, in most cases mild.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundPatients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have been excluded from SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials, though data appear to show safety and efficacy, mostly evidence remains in mRNA vaccines. In our country, adenovirus-vector, inactivated and heterologous scheme vaccines are frequently used.ObjectivesTo describe the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with RD from the national registry SAR-CoVAC and to assess sociodemographic and clinical factors associated to AE and disease flares after vaccination.MethodsAdult patients with RD who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 from de Argentine Society of Rheumatology Vaccine Registry (SAR-CoVAC) were consecutively included between June 1st and December 21st, 2021, This is a national multicentric observational registry that includes patients that have received at least one dose of any SARS-CoV-2 available vaccines in Argentina. Data is voluntarily collected by the treating physician. Naranjo scale was use to assess the association between the AE and vaccination.Homologous and heterologous schedules were defined according to whether both vaccines received were the same or different, respectively. Descriptive statics, Chi2 test, Fischer test, T test, ANOVA and multivariate regression logistic model were used.ResultsA total of 1679 patients, with 2795 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses were included. Vaccines more frequently used were: Gam-COVID-Vac (1227 doses, 44%), ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (872 doses, 31%), BBIBP-CorV (482 doses, 17%) and mRAN-1273 (172 doses, 6%). Altogether, 510 EA were experienced by 449 (27%) patients. Pseudo-flu syndrome was the most frequent (11%), followed by injection site reaction (7%). They were significantly more frequent after the first dose in comparison to the second one (13% vs 7% and 9% vs 5%, respectively, pTotal incidence of EA was 182.5 events/10 00 doses, it was significantly lower for BBIBP-CorV (105.9 events/1000 dosis, pPatients with AE were younger [mean 55 years (SD 14) vs 59 years (SD 14), p In the multivariable analysis, mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 were associated with AE, while BBIBP-CorV with lower probability of having one. (Figure 1)Figure 1.Variables associated with the development of AE. Multivariate logistic regression modelConclusionThe incidence of AE was 1825 events/1000 doses, were significantly higher for mRAN-1273 and ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and lower for BBIBP-CorV. Most common AE was pseudo-flu syndrome. Female sex, being younger, higher education level, ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and mRAN-1273 vaccines, the use of methotrexate and antimalarials were related of EA in patients with RD.References[1]Sattui SE et al. Early experience of COVID-19 vaccination in adults with systemic rheumatic diseases: results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Vaccine Survey. RMD Open 2021;7.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundThe goal of targeted treatment in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is to achieve clinical remission or low disease activity, with the best quality of life, low damage rates and better survival 1-4. RELESSAR is a multicenter, cross-sectional study registry of ≥18 years SLE (ACR 97) patients 5.ObjectivesTo describe demographic, clinical characteristics and treatments in SLE patients according to disease activity state. To evaluate the proportion of SLE and refractory SLE patients that are potentially candidates for Belimumab treatment (Active SLE despite standard treatment including increased acDNA autoantibodies and low complement).MethodsWe evaluated demographic and clinical data, treatments, score of damage (SLICC), activity (SLEDAI) and comorbidity (Charlson), hospital admissions and severe infections. The patients were compared according to disease activity: remission (SLEDAI = 0 and without corticosteroids), low disease activity (LDA, SLEDAI> 0 and ≤4 and without corticosteroids) and non-optimal control (SLEDAI> 4 and any dose of corticosteroids). Refractory SLE was defined according to Rituximab (RTX) use, non-response to cyclophosphamide or two or more immunosuppressant or splenectomized patients. Potential use of Belimumab according approved prescription in Argentina was analyzed.ResultsOverall, 1277 patients were analyzed: 299 (23.4%) were in remission, 162 (12.7%) in LDA and 816 (63.9%) with non-optimal control of the disease.Patients in non-optimal control group were younger, less frequently female and they showed less time of disease and lower socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). They were also more prevalent mestizos (p= 0.004), had higher SLEDAI and SLICC indexes (p Two hundred and one SLE patients fulfilled the use of Belimumab prescription criteria but only 45/201 patients (22,3%) received it in the last visit. Malar rash was the only clinical variable associated with the use of Belimumab (72.7% vs 29.8% p= 0.005).Seventy-six patients classified as refractory SLE (15.7%) and 56/76 (75.7%) never received Belimumab. Patients on Belimumab therapy were associated to treatment with lower doses of corticoids (p= 0.018) and lower rate of hospital admission caused by SLE flare (p= 0.027).ConclusionA high percentage of patients had uncontrolled disease upon entry into the registry and were potential candidates for treatment with Belimumab. The patients who received biologic treatment showed the benefit of requiring fewer doses of corticosteroids and having a lower rate of hospitalizations.References[1]Mok CC. Treat-to-target in systemic lupus erythematosus: Are we there yet? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2016;9(5).[2]Morand EF, Mosca M. Treat to target, remission and low disease activity in SLE. Vol. 31, Best Practice and Research: Clinical Rheumatology. 2017.[3]Golder V, Tsang-A-Sjoe MWP. Treatment targets in SLE: Remission and low disease activity state. Rheumatol (United Kingdom). 2020;59.[4]Ruiz-Irastorza G, Bertsias G. Treating systemic lupus erythematosus in the 21st century: new drugs and new perspectives on old drugs. Vol. 59, Rheumatology (United Kingdom). 2021.[5]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum [Internet]. 1997;40(9):1725. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9324032Disclosure of InterestsRosana Quintana: None declared, Lucila Garcia: None declared, Paula Alba: None declared, Susana Roverano: None declared, Analia Alvarez: None declared, Cesar Graf: None declared, Cecilia Pisoni: None declared, Alberto Spindler: None declared, Catalina Gomez: None declared, Heber Matias Figueredo: None declared, Silvia Papasidero: None declared, Raul Horacio Paniego: None declared, Maria DeLaVega: None declared, Emma Estela Civit De Garignani: None declared, Luciana Gonzalez Lucero: None declared, Victoria Martire: None declared, Rodrigo Águila Maldonado: None declared, Sergio Gordon: None declared, Carla Gobbi: None declared, Romina Nieto: None declared, Gretel Rausch: None declared, Vanina Góngora: None declared, Maria Agustina D´Amico: None declared, Diana Dubinsky: None declared, Alberto Omar Orden: None declared, Johana Zacariaz: None declared, Julia Romero: None declared, Mariana Alejandra Pera: None declared, Oscar Rillo: None declared, Roberto Baez: None declared, Valeria Arturi: None declared, Andrea Gonzalez: None declared, Florencia Vivero: None declared, Marcela Schmid: None declared, Victor Caputo: None declared, Maria Silvia Larroude: None declared, Graciela Gomez: None declared, Graciela Rodriguez: None declared, Josefina Marin: None declared, Maria Victoria Collado: None declared, Marisa Jorfen: None declared, Zaida Bedran: None declared, Judith Sarano: None declared, David Zelaya: None declared, MONICA SACNUN: None declared, Pablo Finucci: None declared, Romina Rojas Tessel: None declared, Maria Emilia Sattler: None declared, MAXIMILIANO MACHADO ESCOBAR: None declared, Pablo Astesana: None declared, Ursula Vanesa Paris: None declared, Alberto Allievi: None declared, Juan Manuel Vandale: None declared, Bernardo Pons-Estel: None declared, Guillermo Pons-Estel: None declared, Mercedes García Grant/research support from: GSK grant

BackgroundPatients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have been excluded from SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials. Though data appear to show safety and efficacy, mostly evidence remains in mRNA vaccines. However in our country, adenovirus and inactivated vaccines, as well as heterologous schemes are frequently used.ObjectivesTo describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in patients with RD from de the SAR-CoVAC registry and to compare them with patients who got infected before vaccination. Additionally, factors associated with COVID-19 unfavorable outcome were assessed.MethodsAdult patients with RD who have been vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were consecutively included between June 1st and December 21st, 2021. Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (RT-PCR o serology) was reported by the treated physician. Infection after an incomplete scheme was defined when the event was diagnosed at least 14 days after first dose; and after a complete scheme when it occurred > 14 days after second dose. Homologous scheme is defined by two same doses of vaccine and heterologous by two different doses. Patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were excluded. To compare SARS-CoV-2 infection characteristics in not vaccinated patients, subjects from the SAR-COVID registry, which includes patients with RD and SARS-CoV-2 infection, were matched 2:1 by gender, age and RD.WHO-Ordinal Scale ≥5 was used to define unfavorable infection outcome. Descriptive statics, Chi2 test, Fischer test, T test and ANOVA were used.ResultsA total of 1350 patients from the SAR COVAC registry were included, 67 (5%) presented SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination. The later were mostly (72%) females with a mean age of 57 (SD 15) years old. The most frequent RD were rheumatoid arthritis (41%), psoriatic arthritis (12%) and systemic lupus erythematosus (10%). At vaccination, most of them (75%) had low disease activity or remission, 19% were taking steroids, 39% methotrexate, 27% bDMARDs and 6% JAK inhibitors.A total of 11 (16%) patients had SARS-CoV-2 infection After vaccination only 8 (12%) of the patients who got infected had an unfavorable course, 88% of them following an incomplete scheme (5 received Gam-COVID-Vac, 1 ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and 1 BBIBP-CorV) and one subject after a complete homologous Gam-COVID-Vac scheme. Having an unfavorable outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated to: male gender [63% vs 24%, p=0.036], older age [mean 70 years (SD 7) vs 55 years (SD 15), p=0.005], being Caucasian [100% vs 54%, p=0.018], higher education [mean 17 years (SD 4) vs 12 years (SD 4), p=0.010], the presence of comorbidities [100% vs 39%, p=0.001, having pulmonary disease [37% vs 5%, p=0.019], dyslipidemia [63% vs 17%, p=0.011] and arterial hypertension [63% vs 24%, p=0.036], RD, treatments, disease activity and types of vaccines received were comparable between groups.When comparing patients with and without vaccination prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, those who received at least one dose of vaccine had less frequently severe COVID-19 (12% vs 24%, p=0.067) and presented lower mortality due to COVID-19 (3% vs 6%, p=0.498). However these differences did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionIn the SAR-CoVAC registry 5% of the patients had SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination, most of them mild and 25% after a complete scheme. Any vaccine was associated with severe COVID-19. When comparing with non-vaccinated patients, those with at least one dose, had less frequently severe disease and died due COVID-19.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

BackgroundAdvances in rheumatology and new therapeutic options have certainly impacted patient survival, changing the age range, from youth to seniors. The differences between the age groups could influence the evolution of the disease and the adverse events (AEs) related to the treatments. There are few real-world data on the safety and efficacy of treatments in different age groups.ObjectivesTo evaluate the frequency of AEs and the survival of treatments according to the age in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsRetrospective, observational, multicenter study of real-life data of patients included in the BIOBADASAR 3.0 registry; exposed and not exposed to original biological treatments (b-DMARDs), biosimilars, targeted synthetic drugs (ts-DMARDs). The unexposed group received treatment with conventional disease-modifying drugs (cDMARDs). A Kaplan-Meier and Log Rank Test analysis was performed to study AEs-free survival and treatment in different age groups (young people 65). Factors related to treatment survival were evaluated using Cox regression models.Results5,297 patients were included, 80.3% female, mean age 43.7 years (SD 15.6) and median disease progression 14.3 [IQR 11.5]. RA 4658 (87.9%); APs 490 (9.25%) and EA 149 (2.8%). The main reason for treatment discontinuation was ineffectiveness, in 624 patients in the exposed group and in 53 (2.5%) patients in control group, followed by the presence of AEs in 352 (11.2%) and 83 (3.9%), respectively (p=0.001).A mean Charlson Score of 0.268 (SD 0.6) in the exposed group and 0.306 (SD 0.7) in the control group (p=0.095). Median EAs-free survival in the exposed group was 12.5 years [IQR 16.6] while in controls was 28 years [IQR 11], p0.017). The exposed group presented a median treatment survival in years of 11.25 years [IQR: 10] in young people; 12.5 years [IQR: 4.7] in young adults, 7.5 years [IQR: 12.1] in mature adults and 4.5 years [IQR: 1.14] in old adults (p>0.0001). Considering only the first line of treatment, a median survival of 11.5 years [IQR: 10] was evidenced in the age group 65 years old (p>0.004). (Figure 1). Considering the second line of treatment, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p=0.57). In the multivariate regression model for patients with RA, the factors with the greatest impact on treatment survival were female sex (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.4), old age (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.008-1.01), treatment with steroids (HR 1.19, 95% CI1.1-1.2) and longer disease duration (HR 1.01, 95% CI1.01 – 1.02).ConclusionIn the present study we were able to demonstrate a greater occurrence of AEs in old adults and mature adults compared to young people and young adults. Conversely, survival for b-DMARDs and ts-DMARDs were greater in youth and young adults. In patients with RA, female sex, corticosteroid therapy, old aged and longer disease duration were associated with treatment discontinuation.References[1]Souto A, et al. Rate of discontinuation and drug survival of biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of drug registries and health care databases. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016;55(3):523–34.[2]Ray D, et al. Immune senescence, epigenetics and autoimmunity. Clin Immunol. 2018 Nov;196:59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.04.002. Epub 2018 Apr 11.[3]Vela P, et al. Influence of age on the occurrence of adverse events in rheumatic patients at the onset of biological treatment: data from the BIOBADASER III register. Arthritis Res Ther. 2020 Jun 15;22(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13075-020-02231-x.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared

Se evaluó la respuesta de anticuerpos específicos, aparición de autoanticuerpos y actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) luego de la inmunización con vacuna polivalente para neumococo. Se inoculó, con vacuna 23 valente para neumococo, a 37 pacientes con diagnóstico de LES; previamente y a las 12 semanas post vacunación se determinó los autoanticuerpos, el nivel de complemento sérico y la actividad de la enfermedad aplicando el índice SLEDAI y la respuesta de los anticuerpos IgG contra antígenos polisacáridos capsulares. En 30 pacientes (85.7%) los anticuerpos duplicaron el valor basal alcanzando de esta manera, el nivel estimado protector. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los índices de actividad post vacunación. En conclusión: en esta serie de pacientes lúpicos, la inmunización con vacuna 23 valente no provocó reactivación de la enfermedad, e indujo una adecuada respuesta de anticuerpos en el 85% del grupo. No se registraron efectos adversos generales o locales que motivaran alguna medicación o internación de ningún paciente.The objective of the study was to evaluate antibody response, autoantibodies induction and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients after polyvalent pneumococcal vaccination. SLE patients (n 37) were vaccinated with 23 valent pneumococcal vaccine. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and specific IgG antibodies against pneumococcus were measured before and after vaccination. After inoculation 30 patients (85.7%) duplicated IgG anti pneumococcus baseline value, reaching protective levels of antibodies. We did not find significant differences in disease activity up to three months after vaccination. In conclusion: after vaccination of this lupus population an 85.0% antibody response was obtained, without temporal associated disease flare or any serious adverse event.

Some experimental results are presented in order to quantify the impact of several operating parameters on the direct contact heat and mass transfer processes between hot water and cooling air, flowing upward inside a vertical, adiabatic, circular tube (12 mm i.d.), in the developing co-current annular flow regime. The proposed temperature measurement technique for the gas phase is based on the energy and mass balance equations applied to proper control volumes. The data processing method seems to be particularly suitable for the performance evaluation of the direct contact heat transfer occurring between the phases during the flow. Further developments are expected in the characterisation of different injection systems used for the mixing of two fluids in thermodynamic non-equilibrium conditions.

The first aim of this study was to verify the applicability of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) core set for osteoarthritis (OA) as an outcome tool after the total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), in order to follow the changes of the profile of functioning after joint arthroplasty.Seventy-two OA inpatients were consecutively enrolled during the first three days of rehabilitation after THA (34.7%) or TKA (65.3%) and were evaluated of the ICF Core Set for OA. Patients were interviewed at the beginning of the study one month prior to surgery, at the end of the rehabilitation treatment lasting on average three weeks and three and six months after their discharge.The ICF core set data comparison showed many significant differences among the four evaluations with a significant improvement in many categories assessed. At the six months interview activity limitations and participation restrictions were still reported, even if with a lower percentage as compared to the first evaluation.The ICF core set for OA resulted an interesting outcome tool after the THA or TKA, even if more research is needed, mainly on data reliability and category definition. Even tough problems in the administration were encountered, the ICF core set allowed to focus on issues and aspects of patient's every day life usually not taken into account or not codified in the usual care assessment.

Some thermal and flow phenomena occurring in two phase annular flow regime have been analyzed by means of a simulation procedure coupled to an experimental investigation. After a discussion about the closure relationships adopted and the validation of the numerical model against available experimental data, some information have been obtained concerning the thermal behavior of the two phases involved in the non-equilibrium annular flow. A characteristic entry length required to reach the thermal equilibrium between the phases has been defined and the typical values have been calculated as a function of the flow operating parameters (liquid and gas superficial velocities, inlet temperatures). Finally a simple relationship has been proposed to obtain a first evaluation of this equilibrium entry length in terms of superficial velocities and mean values of the physical properties of the fluids involved.

The problem of the energy transmission in vibrating structures is of paramount importance under practical and theoretical points of view. In this field the Statistical Energy Analysis is nowadays the most useful theory, even if the effects of its basic assumptions are difficult to evaluate. Based on the thermal behavior of mechanical energy among coupled vibratory systems, S.E.A. provides information on the stored and dissipated energy and on the transmitted power between them. Starting from the S.E.A. thermal assumptions, some energy models have been developed for the dynamic analysis of mechanical systems vibrating in the high frequency range. The basic principle of thermal propagation of mechanical energy has been examined under the theoretical point of view. The results seem to suggest that the analogy between thermal and mechanical energy propagation should be an acceptable approximation only for 1D systems but it is no longer valid for complex 2D and 3D structures. The present paper describes some experiments designed with the aim of validating the theoretical predictions developed. The experimental tests have been performed on one beam and one plate, excited in a relatively high frequency range. Consequently short characteristic wavelengths are generated and a very fine measurement grid is required. The laser measurement technique is in this case the most effective way to investigate the phenomena related to the wave mechanical energy propagation. The results of the comparison between theory and experiments confirm the dependence of the energy transmission law on the spatial scale range and the general failure of the vibrational conductivity principle.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The behaviour of two-phase high velocity flows in variable cross section ducts was investigated using a one-dimensional numerical model developed for the study of the annular flow configuration. Heat, mass, and momentum transfer between the phases during the flow were considered. The validation of the calculation procedure was made with some experimental data for the air-water couple, while the main application concerned the evaluation of momentum transfer from an expanding gas to an entrained liquid stream in droplet form. A liquid metal-gas flow was considered to simulate the process taking place in a plant where electrical power is generated by a liquid metal flowing in a magnetic field (MHD). The effectiveness of energy and momentum transfer between the liquid and the gas phase during the expansion was evaluated and the influence of nozzles with different convergence angles was investigated.

A system and method for downhole measurement for use with drill strings to reduce the borehole gap with respect to sensors carried by the drill string. In one embodiment, the sensors are mounted on a surface of the directional drilling hinged pad that comes in contact with the borehole wall. The hinged pad is pressed against the borehole wall as contact is made with the wall, thereby keeping the sensors at a minimum gap with respect to the wall. In another embodiment, the hinged pad is not used for directional drilling. Therefore the hinged pad is extended outward to the wall with the minimum necessary amount of force. Activation of the hinged pad can be initiated, for example, by flow of mud in the annulus of the string or through a user-provided command. The sensors can include resistivity, density, neutron, electromagnetic, acoustic, seismic, and NMR measurement sensors.

An 8-bars linkage, formed by two four-bars and one slider-crank mechanisms connected in series, designed to obtain a rectilinear motion of the output link with two dwell periods, has been tested to validate the desired output motion. The input crank is powered, using a belt transmission, by an asynchronous motor fed by a voltage source inverter. The displacement in the dwells, measured with a Laser Doppler Vibrometer, has been recorded for different values of the input crank speed. By comparison to theoretical results it is shown that, for high input crank speed, link elasticity and joint clearances strongly influence the displacement amplitude in the dwells.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

A fluid dynamic and thermal analysis has been carried out for the calculation of pressure, velocity and temperature distribution in a manifold-shaped cooling system of varying geometrical characteristics.

A critical survey was conducted of the most relevant correlations of boiling heat transfer for water in forced convection flow.

L’articolo analizza gli effetti del secondo ordine, nella valutazione delle condizioni al contorno in assenza di aderenza tra un fluido e le pareti di un microcondotto. Il regime di moto considerato è caratterizzato da numeri di Knudsen compresi tra 0.001 e 0.1, e numeri di Mach minori di 0.3. Queste condizioni si riscontrano nei flussi di gas in condotti con diametri idraulici di decine o centinaia di um, dove gli effetti della comprimibilità sono assenti e prevalgono gli effetti della rarefazione. Le equazioni del moto e di bilancio energetico sono dapprima risolte analiticamente per un condotto a sezione circolare, con flusso termico costante assialmente e temperatura di parete costante sul perimetro bagnato. In particolare vengono determinati il numero di Poiseuille (prodotto tra il fattore d’attrito di Fanning ed il numero di Reynolds) ed il numero di Nusselt. Quindi lo stesso problema è risolto numericamente, utilizzando un programma agli elementi finiti, utilizzando come benchmark di validazione la soluzione analitica. Infine il problema viene affrontato e risolto numericamente per condotti a sezione rettangolare, tipici dei sistemi di refrigerazione in componenti elettronici, in condizioni H1

In questo lavoro viene presentato il modello di un micro-dissipatore in silicio a canali rettangolari percorso da un flusso laminare liquido elaborato mediante una pompa ad effetto elettro-osmotico. Il modello permette di simulare il funzionamento della micro-pompa ad elettro-osmosi (EOP) fornendo al progettista informazioni di dettaglio, quali l’andamento del potenziale elettrico all’interno del microcanale, la distribuzione di velocità impressa nella generica sezione, la relazione esistente tra differenza di potenziale imposta agli elettrodi e portata di fluido elaborata e la distribuzione di temperatura nel canale. Il calcolo dell’andamento del potenziale elettrico all’interno del microcanale viene effettuato attraverso la soluzione dell’equazione di Poisson-Boltzmann dell’equilibrio elettrostatico. La distribuzione di velocità indotta all’interno del canale dal campo elettrico esterno è individuata andando a risolvere le equazioni di Navier-Stokes e la distribuzione di temperatura all’interno del canale è determinata andando a risolvere l’equazione di bilancio dell’energia nel caso di fluido sottoposto a condizione termica al contorno di tipo H1 nell’ipotesi di moto completamente sviluppato. Vengono infine presentati i risultati di alcune simulazioni ottenuti risolvendo numericamente le equazioni del modello con il metodo degli elementi finiti.