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Objective This report from the NORD-STAR (Nordic Rheumatic Diseases Strategy Trials and Registries) trial aimed to determine if obesity is associated with response to conventional and biological antirheumatic treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods This report included 793 participants with untreated early RA from the randomised, longitudinal NORD-STAR trial, all of whom had their body mass index (BMI) assessed at baseline. Obesity was defined as BMI >= 30 kg/m(2). All participants were randomised 1:1:1:1 to one of four treatment arms: active conventional treatment, certolizumab-pegol, abatacept and tocilizumab. Clinical and laboratory measurements were performed at baseline and at 8, 12, 24 and 48-week follow-up. The primary endpoint for this report was response to treatment based on Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) remission and Disease Activity Score with 28 joints using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) <2.6 stratified by BMI. Results Out of 793 people included in the present report, 161 (20%) had obesity at baseline. During follow-up, participants with baseline obesity had higher disease activity compared with those with lower BMI, despite having similar disease activity at baseline. In survival analyses, obesity was associated with a lower likelihood of achieving response to treatment during follow-up for up to 48 weeks (CDAI remission, HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.05; SDAI, HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.97; DAS28-CRP <2.6, HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.95). The effect of obesity on response to treatment was not influenced by the treatment arms. Conclusion In people with untreated early RA followed up for up to 48 weeks, obesity was associated with a lower likelihood of good treatment response, irrespective of the type of randomised treatment received., Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [2021-01442]; Swedish Society for Medical Research [S20-0109]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine at the University of Gothenburg; Swedish Federal Government under LUA/ALF agreement; ALF [ALFGBG-965478, ALFGBG-978776]; Konung Gustav V Foundation; Swedish Association Against Rheumatism [R-969009, R-982136]; National Institute for Health Research Clinical Lectureship; Versus Arthritis [21173, 21754, 21755]

Objective To explore the potential of a panel of ECM remodelling markers as endotyping tools for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) by separating patients into subtypes and investigate how they differ among each other in disease activity scores and response to treatment with adalimumab. Methods In three axSpA studies, a panel of 14 blood-based ECM biomarkers related to formation of collagen (PRO-C2, PRO-C3, PRO-C6), degradation of collagen by metalloproteinases (C1M, C2M, T2CM, C3M, C4M, C6M, C10C), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-degraded prolargin (PROM), MMP-degraded and citrullinated vimentin (VICM), basement membrane turnover (PRO-C4) and neutrophil activity (CPa9-HNE) were assessed to enable patient clustering (endotyping). MASH (n=41) was a cross-sectional study, while Adalimumab in Axial Spondyloarthritis study (ASIM,n=45) and Danish Multicenter Study of Adalimumab in Spondyloarthritis (DANISH, n=49) were randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trials of adalimumab versus placebo every other week for 6 or 12 weeks, respectively, followed by active treatment. Biomarker data were log-transformed, standardised by mean centering and scaled by the SD prior to principal component analysis and K-means clustering. Results Based on all three studies, we identified two orthogonal dimensions reflecting: (1) inflammation and neutrophil activity (driven by C1M and CPa9-HNE) and (2) collagen turnover (driven by PRO-C2). Three endotypes were identified: high inflammation endotype (Endotype1), low inflammation endotype (Endotype 2) and high collagen turnover endotype (Endotype3). Endotype1 showed higher disease activity (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)) at baseline compared with Endotype2 and Endotype3 and higher percentage of patients responding to adalimumab based on ASDAS clinical improvement at week 24. Endotype3 showed higher percentage of patients with 50% improvement in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index respons, Objective To explore the potential of a panel of ECM remodelling markers as endotyping tools for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) by separating patients into subtypes and investigate how they differ among each other in disease activity scores and response to treatment with adalimumab. Methods In three axSpA studies, a panel of 14 blood-based ECM biomarkers related to formation of collagen (PRO-C2, PRO-C3, PRO-C6), degradation of collagen by metalloproteinases (C1M, C2M, T2CM, C3M, C4M, C6M, C10C), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-degraded prolargin (PROM), MMP-degraded and citrullinated vimentin (VICM), basement membrane turnover (PRO-C4) and neutrophil activity (CPa9-HNE) were assessed to enable patient clustering (endotyping). MASH (n=41) was a cross-sectional study, while Adalimumab in Axial Spondyloarthritis study (ASIM,n=45) and Danish Multicenter Study of Adalimumab in Spondyloarthritis (DANISH, n=49) were randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trials of adalimumab versus placebo every other week for 6 or 12 weeks, respectively, followed by active treatment. Biomarker data were log-transformed, standardised by mean centering and scaled by the SD prior to principal component analysis and K-means clustering. Results Based on all three studies, we identified two orthogonal dimensions reflecting: (1) inflammation and neutrophil activity (driven by C1M and CPa9-HNE) and (2) collagen turnover (driven by PRO-C2). Three endotypes were identified: high inflammation endotype (Endotype1), low inflammation endotype (Endotype 2) and high collagen turnover endotype (Endotype3). Endotype1 showed higher disease activity (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)) at baseline compared with Endotype2 and Endotype3 and higher percentage of patients responding to adalimumab based on ASDAS clinical improvement at week 24. Endotype3 showed higher percentage of patients with 50% improvement in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index response at week 24 co

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of the two arms of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria regarding the progression of structural lesions in the sacroiliac joints (SIJs). Methods Information on baseline fulfilment of the ASAS criteria and baseline and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the SIJ in 603 patients aged 18–40 years referred with low back pain to an outpatient spine were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging positivity was defined as bone marrow oedema (BMO) in two or more consecutive slices or two or more lesions in one slice, as described in the ASAS definition of sacroiliitis. Results Of 71 participants fulfilling the ASAS criteria at baseline, 66 (93%) fulfilled the ‘imaging arm’ and 14 (20%) fulfilled the ‘clinical arm’. The ‘clinical arm’ predicted the progression of erosions with an odds ratio of 55 (compared with not fulfilling the ASAS criteria), while the ‘imaging arm’ predicted the progression of erosions with an odds ratio of 8. Moreover, in 24% of the patients in the ‘imaging arm’, all having BMO at the SIJ at baseline, the BMO disappeared without neither erosions nor ankylosis emerging. Conclusion We found that the ‘clinical arm’ was a strong predictor for the progression of SIJ erosion, while the ‘imaging arm’ had a more modest prognostic value for structural progression., Objective To investigate the prognostic value of the two arms of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria regarding the progression of structural lesions in the sacroiliac joints (SIJs). Methods Information on baseline fulfilment of the ASAS criteria and baseline and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the SIJ in 603 patients aged 18-40 years referred with low back pain to an outpatient spine were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging positivity was defined as bone marrow oedema (BMO) in two or more consecutive slices or two or more lesions in one slice, as described in the ASAS definition of sacroiliitis. Results Of 71 participants fulfilling the ASAS criteria at baseline, 66 (93%) fulfilled the 'imaging arm' and 14 (20%) fulfilled the 'clinical arm'. The 'clinical arm' predicted the progression of erosions with an odds ratio of 55 (compared with not fulfilling the ASAS criteria), while the 'imaging arm' predicted the progression of erosions with an odds ratio of 8. Moreover, in 24% of the patients in the 'imaging arm', all having BMO at the SIJ at baseline, the BMO disappeared without neither erosions nor ankylosis emerging. Conclusion We found that the 'clinical arm' was a strong predictor for the progression of SIJ erosion, while the 'imaging arm' had a more modest prognostic value for structural progression.

Background The optimal first-line treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is debated. We compared clinical and radiographic outcomes of active conventional therapy with each of three biological treatments with different modes of action. Methods Investigator-initiated, randomised, blinded-assessor study. Patients with treatment-naive early RA with moderate-severe disease activity were randomised 1:1:1:1 to methotrexate combined with (1) active conventional therapy: oral prednisolone (tapered quickly, discontinued at week 36) or sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine and intra-articular glucocorticoid injections in swollen joints; (2) certolizumab pegol; (3) abatacept or (4) tocilizumab. Coprimary endpoints were week 48 Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) remission (CDAI <= 2.8) and change in radiographic van der Heijde-modified Sharp Score, estimated using logistic regression and analysis of covariance, adjusted for sex, anticitrullinated protein antibody status and country. Bonferroni's and Dunnet's procedures adjusted for multiple testing (significance level: 0.025). Results Eight hundred and twelve patients were randomised. Adjusted CDAI remission rates at week 48 were: 59.3% (abatacept), 52.3% (certolizumab), 51.9% (tocilizumab) and 39.2% (active conventional therapy). Compared with active conventional therapy, CDAI remission rates were significantly higher for abatacept (adjusted difference +20.1%, p<0.001) and certolizumab (+13.1%, p=0.021), but not for tocilizumab (+12.7%, p=0.030). Key secondary clinical outcomes were consistently better in biological groups. Radiographic progression was low, without group differences. Conclusions Compared with active conventional therapy, clinical remission rates were superior for abatacept and certolizumab pegol, but not for tocilizumab. Radiographic progression was low and similar between treatments.

Objective Evidence indicates reduced treatment effectiveness of TNFi in women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compared with men. We aimed to investigate sex differences in treatment response and retention rates over 24 months of follow-up in axSpA patients initiating their first TNFi. Methods Data from axSpA patients initiating a TNFi in 1 of 15 registries within EuroSpA collaboration were pooled. We investigated the association of sex with treatment response using logistic regression. The primary outcome was clinically important improvement (CII) at 6 months according to Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (CRP) (≥1.1 decrease). We adjusted for age, country and TNFi start year. A secondary outcome was retention rates over 24 months of follow-up assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results In total, 6451 axSpA patients with data on CII were assessed for treatment response; 2538 (39%) were women and 3913 (61%) were men. Women presented at baseline with lower CRP levels but had higher scores on patient-reported outcome measures. At 6 months, 53% of the women and 66% of the men had CII. Women had a lower relative risk of CII compared with men (0.81; 95% CI 0.77 to 0.84). This sex difference was similar in adjusted analysis (0.85; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.88). Retention rates were evaluated in 27 702 patients. The TNFi 6/12/24 months retention rates were significantly lower among women (79%/66%/53%) than men (88%/79%/69%). Conclusion Treatment response and retention rates are lower among women with axSpA initiating their first TNFi. Sex differences in treatment effectiveness were present regardless of the outcome measure used for treatment response, and differences in retention rates transpired early and increased as time progressed., Objective Evidence indicates reduced treatment effectiveness of TNFi in women with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compared with men. We aimed to investigate sex differences in treatment response and retention rates over 24 months of follow-up in axSpA patients initiating their first TNFi. Methods Data from axSpA patients initiating a TNFi in 1 of 15 registries within EuroSpA collaboration were pooled. We investigated the association of sex with treatment response using logistic regression. The primary outcome was clinically important improvement (CII) at 6 months according to Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (CRP) (≥1.1 decrease). We adjusted for age, country and TNFi start year. A secondary outcome was retention rates over 24 months of follow-up assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results In total, 6451 axSpA patients with data on CII were assessed for treatment response; 2538 (39%) were women and 3913 (61%) were men. Women presented at baseline with lower CRP levels but had higher scores on patient-reported outcome measures. At 6 months, 53% of the women and 66% of the men had CII. Women had a lower relative risk of CII compared with men (0.81; 95% CI 0.77 to 0.84). This sex difference was similar in adjusted analysis (0.85; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.88). Retention rates were evaluated in 27 702 patients. The TNFi 6/12/24 months retention rates were significantly lower among women (79%/66%/53%) than men (88%/79%/69%). Conclusion Treatment response and retention rates are lower among women with axSpA initiating their first TNFi. Sex differences in treatment effectiveness were present regardless of the outcome measure used for treatment response, and differences in retention rates transpired early and increased as time progressed.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of flare in a 2-year follow-up study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sustained clinical remission tapering towards withdrawal of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). METHODS: Sustained clinical remission was defined as Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS28)-C reactive protein (CRP) ≤2.6 without radiographic progression for >1 year. bDMARDs were tapered according to a mandatory clinical guideline to two-thirds of standard dose at baseline, half of dose at week 16 and discontinuation at week 32. Prospective assessments for 2 years included clinical evaluation, conventional radiography, ultrasound and MRI for signs of inflammation and bone changes. Flare was defined as DAS28-CRP ≥2.6 with ∆DAS28-CRP ≥1.2 from baseline. Baseline predictors of flare were assessed by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 142 included patients, 121 (85%) flared during follow-up of which 86% regained remission within 24 weeks after flare. Patients that flared were more often rheumatoid factor positive, had tried more bDMARDs and had higher baseline ultrasound synovitis sum scores than those not flaring. For patients on standard dose, predictors of flare within 16 weeks after reduction to two-thirds of standard dose were baseline MRI-osteitis (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.33; p=0.014), gender (female) (OR 6.71; 95% CI 1.68 to 46.12; p=0.005) and disease duration (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11; p=0.020). Baseline predictors for flare within 2 years were ultrasound grey scale synovitis sum score (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.44; p=0.020) and number of previous bDMARDs (OR 4.07; 95% CI 1.35 to 24.72; p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The majority of real-world patients with RA tapering bDMARDs flared during tapering, with the majority regaining remission after stepwise dose increase. Demographic and imaging parameters (MR-osteitis/ultrasound greyscale synovitis) were independent predictors of immediate flare and flare overall