ObjectivesClinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) is an at-risk stage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which patients experience symptoms and physical limitations. Perceptions of CSA-patients have... Show moreObjectivesClinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) is an at-risk stage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which patients experience symptoms and physical limitations. Perceptions of CSA-patients have remained largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to map perceptions of CSA-patients and compare these to RA-patients. Additionally, we studied changes in perceptions in CSA over time.MethodsThree hundred and ninety-nine consecutively included CSA-patients from the Leiden and Rotterdam CSA-cohorts and 100 recently diagnosed RA-patients from the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic were included. Patients’ illness perceptions (IP) were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), consisting of 8 questions (scale 0–10; higher score indicating more negative IP) covering cognitive, emotional and comprehensibility domains, and one open question about causes of disease. IP were measured at baseline in both populations and during 2 years follow-up in the CSA-cohorts.ResultsTotal BIPQ-scores were comparable at CSA-presentation and RA-diagnosis (40 ± 11 and 40 ± 10; range 0–80). Comparing dimensions separately revealed that CSA-patients were less worried about physical complaints compared to RA-patients. However, CSA-patients were more negative about expected treatment-effect on symptoms. IP over time in CSA improved in patients without development of clinical arthritis (from 38 ± 11 to 34 ± 14; P = 0.005) but remained similar in CSA-patients who progressed to arthritis/RA (mean 40 at both timepoints). CSA-patients mainly perceived physical strain and heredity as causes of their complaints.ConclusionsAlthough CSA-patients have not developed clinical arthritis, illness perceptions at CSA-presentation and RA-diagnosis are equally severe. Knowledge on worries and expectations may contribute to improving patient-contact and care in patients at risk of RA. Show less
During the last decade, the outlook for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved greatly, especially for patients with autoantibody-positive RA. To further improve long-term disease... Show moreDuring the last decade, the outlook for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved greatly, especially for patients with autoantibody-positive RA. To further improve long-term disease outcomes, the field has turned to investigating the efficacy of treatment initiated in the pre-arthritic phase of RA, based on the adage "the sooner the better." In this review, the concept of prevention is evaluated and different risk stages are being examined for their pre-test risks of RA development. These risks affect the post-test risk of biomarkers used at these stages and, consequently, the accuracy with which the risk of RA can be estimated. Furthermore, through their effect on accurate risk stratification, these pre-test risks ultimately also associate with the likelihood of false-negative trial results (the so-called "clinicostatistical tragedy"). Outcome measures to assess preventive effects are evaluated and relate to either the occur-rence of disease itself or to the severity of risk factors for RA development. Results of recently completed prevention studies are discussed in the light of these theoretical considerations. The results vary, but clear prevention of RA has not been demonstrated. While some treatments (e.g. methotrexate) persistently reduced symptom severity, physical disability, and the severity of imaging joint inflammation, other treatments were not reported to produce long-lasting effects (hydroxychloroquine, rituximab, atorvas-tatin). The review concludes with future perspectives regarding the design of new prevention studies and considerations and requirements before findings can be implemented in daily practice in individuals at risk of RA attending rheumatology practices.(c) 2023 L'Auteur(s). Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS au nom de Societe franc,aise de rhumatologie. Cet article est publie en Open Access sous licence CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Show less
Webers, C.; Nikiphorou, E.; Boonen, A.; Ramiro, S. 2022
Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have taken up an important role in the management of axial spondyloarthritis. Once stable remission or low disease activity has been... Show moreBiological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have taken up an important role in the management of axial spondyloarthritis. Once stable remission or low disease activity has been achieved with bDMARDs, it may be possible to maintain this state with lower levels of these drugs. Studies consis-tently demonstrate that tapering of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) is not inferior to full-dose continuation in terms of maintaining treatment response, while data for tapering of interleukin-17 inhibi-tors (IL-17i) is lacking. Complete discontinuation of TNFi and IL-17i, however, often results in relapse and should not be recommended at this moment. Clear safety benefits of tapering or discontinuation have not been shown, although studies were typically not designed to address this. Current evidence does not sup-port specific tapering or discontinuation strategies, although stepwise disease activity-guided regimens do allow for a more personalized approach and might be preferred. The definition of what constitutes an appropriate disease state to initiate tapering or discontinuation is unclear, and requires further study. Also, reliable predictors of successful tapering and discontinuation have not yet been identified. Fortuna-tely, if tapering or discontinuation fails, most patients are able to regain disease control when reverted to the original bDMARD regimen. Finally, most patients indicate that, when asked, they would be willing to try tapering if the rationale is clear and if it is in their best interests. The decision to taper or discontinue should be made through shared decision-making, as this could improve the likelihood of success. (c) 2022 Les Auteurs. Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS au nom de Societe franc,aise de rhumatologie. Cet article est publie en Open Access sous licence CC BY-NC-ND (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Show less
Objective: Despite its prevalence, there are few worldwide hand osteoarthritis (HOA) cohorts. The main objective of DIGItal COhort Design (DIGICOD) cohort is to investigate prognostic clinical,... Show moreObjective: Despite its prevalence, there are few worldwide hand osteoarthritis (HOA) cohorts. The main objective of DIGItal COhort Design (DIGICOD) cohort is to investigate prognostic clinical, biological, genetic and imaging factors of clinical worsening after 6 years follow-up.Methods: DIGICOD is a hospital-based prospective cohort including patients > 35 years-old with symptomatic HOA fulfilling: (i) ACR criteria for HOA with > 2 symptomatic joints among proximal/distal interphalangeal joints or 1st interphalangeal joint with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) > 2; or (ii) symptomatic thumb base OA with KL > 2. Main exclusion criteria were inflammatory arthritis and crystal arthropathies. Annual clinical evaluations were scheduled with imaging (X-rays of the hands and of other OA symptomatic joints) and biological sampling every 3 years. Hand radiographs are scored using KL and anatomical Verbruggen-Veys scores. Follow-up visits are ongoing. Cohort methodology and baseline characteristics are presented.Results: Between April 2013 and June 2017, from the 436 HOA included patients, 426 have been analysed of whom 357 (84%) are women. Mean age +/- standard deviation was 66.7 +/- 7.3 years and mean disease duration was 12.6 +/- 9.6 years. Metabolic syndrome affected 151 (36.5%) patients. Mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) hand pain (0-100 mm) was 44.4 +/- 26.7 mm at activity. Mean FIHOA (0-100) was 19.9 + 18.6. Elevated serum CRP level (>= 5 mg/L) involved 10% patients. Mean KL score (0-128) was 46.7 +/- 18 and the mean number ofjoint with KL >= 2 was 15.1 +/- 6.3. Erosive HOA (defined as >= 1 Erosive or Remodeling phase joint according to Verbruggen-Veys score) involved 195/426 (45.8%) patients and the median number (interquartile range) of erosive joints in erosive patients was 3.0 (1.0-5.0).Conclusion: DIGICOD is a unique prospective HOA cohort with a long-term 6 years standardized assessment and has included severe radiologically HOA patients with a high prevalence of erosive disease. 2021 Societe francaise de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Show less
Loef, M.; Schoones, J.W.; Kloppenburg, M.; Ioan-Facsinay, A. 2019
