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BackgroundSystemic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) seems to accelerate atherosclerosis process and increased cardiovascular (CV) events. An adequate joint inflammation control is correlated with endothelial inflammation (EI) improvement. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has been shown as a non-invasive, sensitive, and specific tool to show EI. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) greater than 1,6 has been correlated with vascular and joint inflammation. Tofacitinib is a Jak inhibitor (JaKi) approved for RA that improves activity and function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the EI outcome by FDG-PET in RA patients treated with tofacitinib.ObjectivesTo assess the EI by FDG-PET/CT in RA patients at baseline and after 12 weeks of tofacitinib treatment initiation.To correlate the vascular findings with disease activity, lipid profile and carotid atherosclerosis by echo Doppler.MethodsProspective, observational study. Inclusion criteria: RA (ACR 2010) patients >18 years old, with high activity score (DAS 28 >3,2) and with biologics or synthetic Dmards requirement by Treat to Target strategy and who tofacitinib was prescribed. Exclusion Criteria: Biologics or Jaki previous use or major CV history known.A baseline Visit evaluating disease activity (DAS 28 and CDAI), functional status by Health Assessment Questionary (HAQ), CV and smoking history, treatments and lipid lab assessment was performed. EI was measured by PET-FDG/CT, showing the SUVmax and target-to-background ratio (TBR) in: right primitive carotid, left primitive carotid, ascendent aorta, descendent aorta and abdominal aorta. Carotid echo Doppler for showing plaque presence was done. During baseline visit tofacitinib was started. After 12 weeks the initial parameters were re-evaluated.ResultsConsecutively, 30 patients were included. Mean age 57 yo (21-79). Female 70%. Mean disease duration 8,3 years (1-40), mean Body mass index (BMI) 24,5. Clinical history: Hypertension 27%, smoking 6,6%, methotrexate treatment 46,6%, methotrexate plus leflunomide 50%, corticosteroids 7,6% (mean dosis 7,6 mg/day).Mean values of DAS 28, CDAI and HAQ were 5.21, 26,6 y 1,56 in baseline and 3,04, 8,80 y 1,09 in the final visit respectively (p:< 0,001 in all comparations) showing statistical significance activity improvement. Echo doppler showed Carotid plaque in 40% of patients without change between visits. Mean cholesterol levels were 188,5 y 207,53 mg/dl in baseline and final visit respectively (p: 0,0039), showing statistical significance. Endothelial uptake by PET-FDG in the 5 areas measured, considering baseline and final visit was: Right Primitive Carotid: SUV Max 2,03 and 1,93 (p: 0,32) and TRB Max 0,94 and 0,85 (p:1,0); Left Primitive Carotid Suv Max 2,07 and 1,94 (p:1,0) and TRB Max 0,92 and 0,90 (p:0,57); Ascendent Aorta SUV Max 2,63 and 2,57 (p:1,0) and TRB Max 1,18 and 1,15 (p:1,0); Descendent Aorta SUV Max 2,77 and 2,57 (p:0,26) and TRB Max 1,27 and 1,17 (p:0,26) and Abdominal Aorta SUV Max 2,59 and 2,43 (p:0,85) and TRB Max 1,15 y 1,11 (p:0,32). None of the endothelial uptake comparisons showed a significant difference between baseline and final visit after 12 weeks.ConclusionThis work shows that, despite the significant improvement in joint activity and function values, there was no modification in EI measured by FDG-PET during tofacitinib treatment along 12 weeks. It is noteworthy that all patients initially presented high inflammatory endothelial uptake values, which reinforces the hypothesis of vascular compromise associated with active joint disease. Studies with more observation time and evaluating the role of different treatments related to endothelium will be of clinical utility in the future.References[1]Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016 Oct;55(10):1777-85.[2]Metabolism. 2017 Feb;67:72-79.[3]Arthritis Res Ther. 2016 May 21;18(1):115.AcknowledgementsPfizer´s unrestricted grantDisclosure of InterestsNone declared

Background:Infectious diseases are increased in patients with rheumatic disorders; vaccination improves morbidity and mortalityObjectives:The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of vaccination in patients with rheumatic disorders and to compare the results with those obtained in 2009 and 2013 in a similar population. We also identified factors leading to lack of vaccination and patients beliefs on vaccines.Methods:Multicentric cross sectional study in patients with autoinmune diseases from external rheumatology offices. Evaluation of vaccination status and patients´ knowledge about vaccines were studied. A comparative analysis was carried out with the series registered in 2009 and 2013 in a similar population.Results:179 patients (158 female, 88.3% and 21 male, 11.7%) were evaluated. Median age was 52 years. Main pathologies were: Rheumatoid Arthritis 65.9% (n:118), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 11.7% (n:21), Systemic Sclerosis 3.9% (7), Sjogren Syndrome n = 3.4% (n:6), other diseases 15% (n: 27). Median disease duration: 8.87 years. Ninety three percent of patients (n:167) were taking inmunomodulators and 36.8% (n: 66) were using oral corticosteroids (20mg/day or less); 26,8% patients (n: 48) were receiving biological therapies. Vaccination frequency in the population was: Influenza 82% (147); 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal 69.3% (124), 23-valent pneumococcal 64.2% (115) and hepatitis B 62% (111). Comparative with 2009 and 2013 series there was an increase in the rate of vaccinated patients: influenza (82% vs. 39,1% and 74,2% respectively), antineumococcal (64% vs. 17% and 29%) and hepatitis B (62% vs. 6,7% and 26,7%).Reasons for non-vaccination were absence of medical indication (41% of patients for hepatitis B; 32% for 23-valent pneumococcal; 38% for 13-valent pneumococcal and 34% for influenza).139 patients (77, 7%) knew the benefits of vaccines, 164 (91, 6%) thought vaccines are useful; 134 (74,9%) reported that vaccines may decrease dying probability, 155 (86,5%) thought that vaccines are effective to prevent diseases and 149 patients (83,2%) believed that they prevent serious infections. 71 patients (39%) believed that vaccines can lead to serious consequences and 99 (55,3%) that they are more likely to acquire infections than the rest of the population.Conclusion:Frequency of vaccination has increased since 2009 but there is still misinformation regarding vaccines risks and benefits. Promotion and information is essential to improve adherence.References:[1]2019 update of EULAR recommendations for vaccination in adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Furer V, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79:39–52[2] Vaccines and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: Practical Implications for the Rheumatologist. Friedman MA et al. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2017 Feb; 43 (1):1-13.[3] Recommendations and barriers to vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus. Garg M et al. Autoimmun Rev. 2018 Oct; 17 (10):990-1001.[4] Comparison of national clinical practice guidelines and recommendations on vaccination of adult patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Papadopoulou D. et al. Rheumatol Int. 2014 Feb;34 (2):151-63.[5] Guías de recomendaciones de prevención de infecciones en pacientes que reciben modificadores de la respuesta biológica. Jordán R. Et al. Rev Arg Reumatol. 2014; 25 (2): 08-26.Disclosure of Interests:Malena Viola: None declared, Alejandro Benitez: None declared, Cecilia Garbarino: None declared, Gonzalo Rodriguez: None declared, Federico Benavidez: None declared, Claudia Peon: None declared, Eliana Soledad Blanco: None declared, Hernan Molina: None declared, Gimena Gómez: None declared, griselda redondo: None declared, Maria DeLaVega: None declared, Dario Mata: None declared, Augusto Riopedre: None declared, Osvaldo Messina Speakers bureau: Amgen; Americas Health Foundation; Pfizer

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 0.4-1.3% of general population (1). It can affect lungs in different ways, with interstitial lung disease (ILD) as the most severe. Clinically evident ILD has been reported in 10-42% of patients, with a great impact in prognosis (2).Objectives:Toidentify the prevalence of lung involvement in early rheumatoid arthritis patients (ERA) without previous known lung disease and describe the association between high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), lung functional tests (LFT) and clinical findings.Methods:Cross sectional multicentric study. We included ERA patients (1 year or less since diagnose) consecutively. Patients with previous RA related lung disease or biologic/targeted synthetic Dmard treatment were excluded. HRCT, immunological tests (rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, ANA), LFT and clinical evaluation were performed.Results:We included 74 patients, 63 (85,1%) woman, mean (SD) of 47 (17,7) years. Thirty-seven patients (50%) were current or former smokers. Abnormal findings in HRCT were found in 62 patients (88,6%): ILD in 6 (8,6%), airway involvement in 40 (70%) and emphysema in 7 (10%). Ten patients (13,5%) had abnormal auscultation (2 sibilances, 2 roncus, and 6 crackles). Six patients (8,1%) had digital clubbing. Regarding immunological tests, 54/61 (88,5%) patients were positive for Anti CCP, and 53/61 (86,9%) were positive for FR. We compared features of patients with findings related to RA in HRCT (interstitial and/or airway) with those without them. We found no differences in the mean (SD) of DAS-28 [4,74 (1,38) vs 4,32 (1,39); p= 0,27]. The prevalence of anti- CCP was not higher in patients with abnormal HRCT [38/44 (86,3%) vs 16/17 (94,1%); p=0,39]. Patients with abnormal HRCT were older [median (IQR) 50,5 years (44,5-59,5) vs 43 years (32-51); p=0,008) and showed higher VSG values [mean (SD) 39,09 (24,03) vs 27,38 (17,6); p= 0,043]. Abnormal physical examination or dyspnea (class 2 mMRC or higher) was significantly associated with HRCT abnormalities [26 (50%) vs 3 (13,6%); p=0.003) and the presence of ILD on HRCT was significantly associated with crackles on the auscultation [4/68(6,25%) vs 2/6 (33,33%); p 0,023].Conclusion:This study shows a high prevalence of lung involvement in ERA patients of less 1 year from diagnosis. Also, we showed a significant association between HRCT and physical examination findings. This data highlights the importance of the clinical examination in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. More studies with bigger samples and longitudinal follow up are needed to confirm and complete our results.References:[1]Rooney BK, Silman AJ. Epidemiology of the rheumatic diseases. Curr Opin Rheumatol [Internet]. 1999 Mar [cited 2016 Jul 19];11(2):91–7. Available from:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10319210.[2]Antin-Ozerkis D, Evans J, Rubinowitz A, Homer RJ, Matthay RA. Pulmonary Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clin Chest Med [Internet]. 2010;31(3):451–78. Available from:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccm.2010.04.003.Disclosure of Interests:None declared