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Objectives To develop an Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasonography score for monitoring disease activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and evaluate its metric properties. Methods The OMERACT Instrument Selection Algorithm was followed. Forty-nine members of the OMERACT ultrasonography large vessel vasculitis working group were invited to seven Delphi rounds. An online reliability exercise was conducted using images of bilateral common temporal arteries, parietal and frontal branches as well as axillary arteries from 16 patients with GCA and 7 controls. Sensitivity to change and convergent construct validity were tested using data from a prospective cohort of patients with new GCA in which ultrasound-based intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements were conducted at weeks 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. Results Agreement was obtained (92.7%) for the OMERACT GCA Ultrasonography Score (OGUS), calculated as follows: sum of IMT measured in every segment divided by the rounded cut-off values of IMTs in each segment. The resulting value is then divided by the number of segments available. Thirty-five members conducted the reliability exercise, the interrater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the OGUS was 0.72-0.84 and the median intrareader ICC was 0.91. The prospective cohort consisted of 52 patients. Sensitivity to change between baseline and each follow-up visit up to week 24 yielded standardised mean differences from -1.19 to -2.16, corresponding to large and very large magnitudes of change, respectively. OGUS correlated moderately with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (corr coeff 0.37-0.48). Conclusion We developed a provisional OGUS for potential use in clinical trials.

Background: Global data on COVID-19 breakthrough infections (BI) following COVID-19 vaccination among autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) and especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is scarce. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of COVID-19 BI among patients with RA and compare them with AIRDs and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: A global e-survey, January-May 2022, collected data on COVID-19 vaccination, and BI in patients with RA, AIRDs, non-rheumatic autoimmune disease (nrAIDs), and HCs. BI was defined as infection after both primary or booster vaccine doses. Severe BI was defined as the need for hospitalization, including intensive unit care, oxygen therapy, or advanced treatment in the form of monoclonal antibodies. Results: Of the 9595 vaccinated respondents of the e-survey, 3224 (33.6%) reported COVID-19. One BI was reported in 323/1802 (17.9%) patients with RA, 584/3869 (15.0%) patients with other AIRDs, and 467/3435 (13.5%) HCs. Similarly, second BI was reported by 280 (8.6%); 42 (2.3%) among RA, 90 (2.3%) among other AIRDs, and 124 (3.6%) among HCs. The prevalence of first BI in patients with RA was higher than that in those with AIRDs (OR=1.2; 95%CI=1.1-1.4; p=0.001) and HCs (OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.2-1.6; p<0.001), but similar to nrAIDs (p=0.783). The prevalence of second BI was lower in patients with RA than in HCs (OR=0.6; 95%CI=0.4-0.9; p=0.012) and nrAIDs (OR=0.4; 95%CI=0.2-0.7; p=0.004), but similar to AIRDs (p=0.991). When compared with HCs, patients with RA reported significantly higher joint pain, hospitalizations, and need for advanced treatment at first BI. Patients with RA from very high HDI countries had lower hazard of first BI than those from high HDI countries (HR=0.026; 95%CI=0.001-0.6; p=0.027). Rituximab use predicted more frequent hospitalization (OR=3.4; 95%CI=1.3-11.4; p=0.045) and severe BI (OR=3.0; 95%CI=1.2-7.3; p=0.014). Conclusion: Nearly one in five patients with RA reported BI. BI prevalence was higher in pat

Background: Comprehensive and large-scale assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) worldwide is lacking. The second COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune disease (COVAD-2) study [1] is an international, multicentre, self-reported e-survey assessing several aspects of COVID-19 infection and vaccination as well as validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to outline patient experience in various autoimmune diseases (AIDs), with a particular focus on IIMs. Objectives: To investigate physical and mental health in a global cohort of IIM patients compared to those with non-IIM autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), non-rheumatic AIDs (NRAIDs), and those without AIDs (controls), using Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) global health data obtained from the COVAD-2 survey. Methods: Demographics, AID diagnoses, comorbidities, disease activity, treatments, and PROMs were extracted from the COVAD-2 database. The primary outcomes were PROMIS Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) scores. Secondary outcomes included PROMIS physical function short form-10a (PROMIS PF-10a), pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and PROMIS Fatigue-4a scores. Each outcome was compared between IIMs, non-IIM AIRDs, NRAIDs, and controls. Factors affecting GPH and GMH scores in IIMs were identified using multivariable regression analysis. Results: A total of 10,502 complete responses from 1582 IIMs, 4700 non-IIM AIRDs, 545 NRAIDs, and 3675 controls, which accrued as of May 2022, were analysed. Patients with IIMs were older [59±14 (IIMs) vs. 48±14 (non-IIM AIRDs) vs. 45±14 (NRAIDs) vs. 40±14 (controls) years, p<0.001] and more likely to be Caucasian [82.7% (IIMs) vs. 53.2% (non-IIM AIRDs) vs. 62.4% (NRAIDs) vs. 34.5% (controls), p<0.001]. Among IIMs, dermatomyositis (DM) and juvenile DM were the most common (31.4%), followed by inclusion body myositis (IBM) (24.9%). Patie

Background: Regional disparities in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are frequently described. Governance, funding, logistic barriers, and physician choice may be important determinants though scarce data from underrepresented regions limits our understanding. Objectives: To evaluate global patterns in treatment of SLE and identify the prevalence of comorbidities. Methods: We identified SLE patients from the COVAD 2 database, consisting of over 20,000 respondents worldwide. Healthy controls (HC) were included to assess population comorbidity levels. Demographics, treatment i.e., corticosteroids (CS), antimalarials, immunosuppressants (IS), cyclophosphamide and biologics plus comorbidity data was recorded. Country Human Development Index (HDI) classification, a composite index formulated by the United Nations to rank countries into tiers of development, was utilised. Results: 3323 HCs and 1167 SLE patients were included in analysis. Patients from low/medium HDI (lmHDI) countries were younger than those from high/very high HDI (hvhHDI) countries (median age 32, IQR 27-41 vs 41, IQR 32-52 years, p<0.0001). Disease duration was shorter in lmHDI countries (median 5, IQR 3-10 vs 10, IQR 5-19 years, p<0.0001). A higher proportion of SLE patients from lmHDI countries were on CS (73% vs 59%, p=0.0002), antimalarials (81% vs 68%, p=0.0002) and IS (66% vs 53%, p=0.0009) compared with patients from hvhHDI countries. Choice of IS varied with azathioprine prescribed more frequently in lmHDI countries (p=0.049). Biologics use was more common in hvhHDI countries (7% vs 2%, p=0.0055). Comorbidity prevalence was similar between groups, however when adjusted for age, patients with chronic kidney disease were significantly younger in lmHDI countries (36.67 vs 44.64 years, p=0.015), as were patients with coronary artery disease (35.7 vs. 44.6 years, p=0.015) and hypertension (41.5 vs 49.8 years, p=0.003). Results are detailed in Table 1. Conclusion: To our know

Background: Comorbidities have a profound impact on the QoL of patients living with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). Unfortunately, global data on the burden of comorbidities and its impact on health outcomes in this vulnerable group is scarce. Objectives: We studied the prevalence, distribution and clustering of comorbidities and multimorbidity among patients with AIRDs and healthy controls (HCs) and its impact on health outcomes, utilizing data from the ongoing 2nd COVAD study. Methods: The COVAD study is a global e-survey that embodies patient voice while empowering collaborators and young researchers. The study group of 157 physicians across 106 countries from February-June 2022 captured details of AIRDs, autoimmune and non-autoimmune comorbidities, and validated patient reported outcomes. Human Development Index (UNDP 2021-22) of country of residence was taken as a surrogate marker for socioeconomic status (SES). Basic multimorbidity (BM), Complex multimorbidity (CM), Autoimmune multimorbidity (AM) are defined as the co-occurrence of ≥2 non-rheumatic comorbidities, ≥3 non-rheumatic chronic conditions affecting ≥3 different organ systems [1] and ≥3 autoimmune diseases (AIDs) in an individual respectively. PROMIS global physical health (PGP), mental health (PGM), fatigue 4a (F4a) and physical function short form (SF10) scores were calculated for the different groups and compared using descriptive statistics, linear regression and cluster analysis (hierarchical followed by K means). Results: Of 17,612 total respondents, 6149 (62.7%) had underlying AIRDs and 3652 (37.3%) were HCs, with female (80.8%) and Caucasian (53.9%) predominance in the former. All types of multimorbidity were more frequent in AIRDs than HCs, including any comorbidity (77.1% versus 25.0%; OR: 2.9; 2.7-3.2), BM (21.0% vs 6.2%; 4.0; 3.4-4.6), and CM (3.1% vs 0.5%; 6.4; 3.9-10.4), and with prevalence increasing with age (p<0.001) (Figure 1A, B). Comorbidity prevalence was the highest amo

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can result in impaired daily physical function through various mechanisms including active disease, chronic damage, and mental health symptoms that are common in the disease. However, the key drivers of reduced physical function are poorly understood, and no large-scale global studies investigating this have been conducted to date. Objectives: To investigate key factors that contribute to impaired physical function in SLE globally. Methods: SLE patients were identified from the COVAD 2 database, a global register of more than 20,000 respondents. Healthy controls (HC) were included to compare differences in physical function using the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire. Demographics, medication, comorbidities, disease activity, Global Physical Health (GPH) and Global Mental Health (GMH) were collected. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify contributing factors to favourable or poor physical function (measured by PROMIS Physical Function shortform PF-10a score). Results: 979 SLE patients and 3358 HCs were included in analysis. Patients with SLE had significantly lower PF-10a score as compared to HCs (median 42, IQR 36-47 vs median 49, IQR 45-50, p<0.0001). Determinants of physical function status in patients with SLE are summarised in Table 1. Briefly, factors associated with poor physical function included increasing age (-0.042, 95% CI -0.069 to -0.015, p=0.002) and methotrexate use (-0.928, 95% CI -1.844 to -0.012, p=0.047). Diabetes (-1.862, 95% CI -3.481 to -0.243, p=0.024) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (-2.441, 95% CI -4.366 to -0.517, p=0.013), but not asthma or COPD, also contributed to lower PF-10a score. From a mental health perspective, anxiety (-0.970, 95% CI -1.853 to -0.087, p=0.031) but not depression contributed to a lower physical function score. Higher Pain Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) (-2.889, 95% CI -3.107 to -2.671, p<0.001) and

Background: Prevalence of comorbidities and their impact on health outcomes in Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) is limited. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of multimorbidity in patients with IIMs, other autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) and Healthy controls (HCs). We further explore the impact of comorbidities on patients’ physical, mental, and social health assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS instruments). Methods: Data for this study were acquired from the COVAD 2 e-survey hosted by a study group consisting of 167 collaborators in 110 countries. Basic multimorbidity (BM) was defined as the co-occurrence of two or more comorbidities in an individual, while complex multimorbidity (CM) signified the co-occurrence of 3 or more chronic conditions affecting 3 or more different organ systems. PROMIS global physical health (PGP), mental health (PGM), fatigue 4a (F4a) and physical function short form (SF10) were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression models. Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components was performed to outline the grouping. Results: Of 10740 complete respondents, 1558 IIMs, 4591 AIRDs and 3652 HCs were analysed. Individuals with IIMs exhibited high burden of any comorbidity (OR: 1.62 vs AIRDs and 2.95 vs HCs,p<0.01), BM (OR 1.66 vs AIRDs and 3.52 vs HCs,p<0.01), CM (OR: 1.69 vs AIRDs and 6.23 vs HCs,p<0.01), and mental health disorders (MHDs) (OR 1.33 vs AIRDs and 2.63 vs HCs,p<0.01). IIM patients with comorbidities (and MHDs) had worse physical function (low PGP, PGM, SF10 and higher F4a scores, all p<0.001). Worse physical function (PGP) was predicted by age (0.35; 0.030), active disease (-1.51; <0.001), BM (-1.11; <0.001), and MHDs (-1.47; <0.001). PGM was impacted by age (0.51; 0.004), active disease (-1.34, <0.001), BM (-0.75; 0.001) and MHDs (-2.22; <0.001). Determinants of SF10a were age (-3.86; <0.001), active dis

Objectives: To define chronic ultrasound lesions of the axillary artery (AA) in long-standing giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the new ultrasound definition in a web-based exercise. Methods: A structured Delphi, involving an expert panel of the Large Vessel Vasculitis subgroup of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound Working Group was carried out. The reliability of the new definition was tested in a 2-round web-based exercise involving 23 experts and using 50 still images each from AA of long-standing and acute GCA patients, as well as 50 images from healthy individuals. Results: The final OMERACT ultrasound definition of chronic changes was based on measurement and appearance of the intima-media complex. The overall reliability of the new definition for chronic ultrasound changes in longstanding GCA of the AA was good to excellent with Light's kappa values of 0.79-0.80 for inter-reader reliability and mean Light's-kappa of 0.88 for intra-reader reliability. The mean inter-rater and intra-rater agreements were 86-87% and 92%, respectively. Good reliabilities were observed comparing the vessels with longstanding versus acute GCA with a mean agreement and kappa values of 81% and 0.63, respectively. Conclusion: The new OMERACT ultrasound definition for chronic vasculitis of the AA in GCA revealed a good to excellent inter- and intra-reader reliability in a web-based exercise of experts.

Vaccine hesitancy is considered a major barrier to achieving herd immunity against COVID-19. While multiple alternative and synergistic approaches including heterologous vaccination, booster doses, and antiviral drugs have been developed, equitable vaccine uptake remains the foremost strategy to manage pandemic. Although none of the currently approved vaccines are live-attenuated, several reports of disease flares, waning protection, and acute-onset syndromes have emerged as short-term adverse events after vaccination. Hence, scientific literature falls short when discussing potential long-term effects in vulnerable cohorts. The COVAD-2 survey follows on from the baseline COVAD-1 survey with the aim to collect patient-reported data on the long-term safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccines in immune modulation. The e-survey has been extensively pilot-tested and validated with translations into multiple languages. Anticipated results will help improve vaccination efforts and reduce the imminent risks of COVID-19 infection, especially in understudied vulnerable groups.

Objectives To define the elementary ultrasound (US) lesions in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the assessment of US lesions according to these definitions in a web-based reliability exercise. Methods Potential definitions of normal and abnormal US findings of temporal and extracranial large arteries were retrieved by a systematic literature review. As a subsequent step, a structured Delphi exercise was conducted involving an expert panel of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) US Large Vessel Vasculitis Group to agree definitions of normal US appearance and key elementary US lesions of vasculitis of temporal and extracranial large arteries. The reliability of these definitions on normal and abnormal blood vessels was tested on 150 still images and videos in a web-based reliability exercise. Results Twenty-four experts participated in both Delphi rounds. From originally 25 statements, nine definitions were obtained for normal appearance, vasculitis and arteriosclerosis of cranial and extracranial vessels. The 'halo' and 'compression' signs were the key US lesions in GCA. The reliability of the definitions for normal temporal and axillary arteries, the 'halo' sign and the 'compression' sign was excellent with inter-rater agreements of 91-99% and mean kappa values of 0.83-0.98 for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of all 25 experts. Conclusions The 'halo' and the 'compression' signs are regarded as the most important US abnormalities for GCA. The inter-rater and intra-rater agreement of the new OMERACT definitions for US lesions in GCA was excellent.

Objective: To test the reliability of Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) consensus-based ultrasound definitions for normal and vasculitic temporal and axillary arteries in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and in controls. Methods: A preliminary 1-day meeting and a full 3-day meeting fulfilling OMERACT Ultrasound Group guidelines were held. Temporal and axillary arteries were examined at 2 timepoints by 12 sonographers on 4 patients with GCA and 2 controls. The aim was to test inter- and intrareader reliability for normal findings, halo sign, and compression sign. In both meetings, patients had established GCA. Pathology was more recent in the full meeting, which was preceded by 6 h of training. Scanning time was 15-20 min instead of 10-13 min. Results: In the preliminary exercise, interreader reliabilities were fair to moderate for the overall diagnosis of GCA (Light k 0.29-0.51), and poor to fair for identifying vasculitis in the respective anatomical segments (Light k 0.02-0.46). Intrareader reliabilities were moderate (Cohen k 0.32-0.64). In the main exercise, interreader reliability was good to excellent (Light k 0.76-0.86) for the overall diagnosis of GCA, and moderate to good (Light k 0.46-0.71) for identifying vasculitis in the respective anatomical segments. Intrareader reliability was excellent for diagnosis of GCA (Cohen k 0.91) and good (Cohen k 0.71-0.80) for the anatomical segments. Conclusion: OMERACT-derived definitions of halo and compression signs of temporal and axillary arteries are reliable in recent-onset GCA if experienced sonographers (> 300 examinations) have 15-20 min for a standardized examination with prior training and apply > 15 MHz probes.

Objectives To define the elementary ultrasound (US) lesions in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and to evaluate the reliability of the assessment of US lesions according to these definitions in a web-based reliability exercise. Methods Potential definitions of normal and abnormal US findings of temporal and extracranial large arteries were retrieved by a systematic literature review. As a subsequent step, a structured Delphi exercise was conducted involving an expert panel of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) US Large Vessel Vasculitis Group to agree definitions of normal US appearance and key elementary US lesions of vasculitis of temporal and extracranial large arteries. The reliability of these definitions on normal and abnormal blood vessels was tested on 150 still images and videos in a web-based reliability exercise. Results Twenty-four experts participated in both Delphi rounds. From originally 25 statements, nine definitions were obtained for normal appearance, vasculitis and arteriosclerosis of cranial and extracranial vessels. The 'halo' and 'compression' signs were the key US lesions in GCA. The reliability of the definitions for normal temporal and axillary arteries, the 'halo' sign and the 'compression' sign was excellent with inter-rater agreements of 91-99% and mean kappa values of 0.83-0.98 for both inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of all 25 experts. Conclusions The 'halo' and the 'compression' signs are regarded as the most important US abnormalities for GCA. The inter-rater and intra-rater agreement of the new OMERACT definitions for US lesions in GCA was excellent.

Objective: To test the reliability of Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) consensus-based ultrasound definitions for normal and vasculitic temporal and axillary arteries in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and in controls. Methods: A preliminary 1-day meeting and a full 3-day meeting fulfilling OMERACT Ultrasound Group guidelines were held. Temporal and axillary arteries were examined at 2 timepoints by 12 sonographers on 4 patients with GCA and 2 controls. The aim was to test inter- and intrareader reliability for normal findings, halo sign, and compression sign. In both meetings, patients had established GCA. Pathology was more recent in the full meeting, which was preceded by 6 h of training. Scanning time was 15-20 min instead of 10-13 min. Results: In the preliminary exercise, interreader reliabilities were fair to moderate for the overall diagnosis of GCA (Light k 0.29-0.51), and poor to fair for identifying vasculitis in the respective anatomical segments (Light k 0.02-0.46). Intrareader reliabilities were moderate (Cohen k 0.32-0.64). In the main exercise, interreader reliability was good to excellent (Light k 0.76-0.86) for the overall diagnosis of GCA, and moderate to good (Light k 0.46-0.71) for identifying vasculitis in the respective anatomical segments. Intrareader reliability was excellent for diagnosis of GCA (Cohen k 0.91) and good (Cohen k 0.71-0.80) for the anatomical segments. Conclusion: OMERACT-derived definitions of halo and compression signs of temporal and axillary arteries are reliable in recent-onset GCA if experienced sonographers (> 300 examinations) have 15-20 min for a standardized examination with prior training and apply > 15 MHz probes.