Crowson, Cynthia S.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe differences in the clinical course of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are antinuclear antibody (ANA)–positive compared with those who are ANA‐negative.MethodsThis was a retrospective population‐based cohort study of residents in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who first fulfilled 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA in 2009‐2014. Data were collected on first documentation of joint swelling. Data on rheumatoid factor or anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody testing and the ANA level were also collected. Comparisons between groups were performed by using χ2 and rank sum tests.ResultsIn this cohort, 64% of patients were tested for ANA within ±90 days of RA criteria fulfillment. In the161 patients with ANA testing, 25% were ANA‐positive. Patients who were ANA‐positive were younger, female, and less likely to be current smokers. ANA positivity did not differ between patients with RA who were seropositive and seronegative. In seropositive patients who were ANA‐positive, there was an increased time to fulfillment of RA criteria, increased time to treatment with disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and increased likelihood of being treated with hydroxychloroquine as opposed to methotrexate. Other outcomes, including disease activity and mortality, did not differ significantly between groups.ConclusionIn patients with RA, important differences exist between those who are ANA‐positive and ANA‐negative in terms of time to fulfillment of RA criteria and time to DMARD initiation as well as choice of initial pharmacotherapy. These findings could indicate a difference in clinical presentation or perception of patients with RA who are ANA‐positive. Further research is needed to study the long‐term outcomes of patients with RA who are ANA‐positive.

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a US population and describe trends in incidence and mortality over 5 decades.MethodsThe previously identified population‐based cohort that included Olmsted County, Minnesota residents ≥18 years of age who fulfilled PsA criteria during 1970–1999 was extended to include patients with incident PsA during 2000–2017. Age‐ and sex‐specific incidence rates and point prevalence, adjusted to the 2010 US White population, were reported.ResultsThere were 164 incident cases of PsA in 2000–2017 (mean ± SD age 46.4 ± 12.0 years; 47% female). The overall age‐ and sex‐adjusted annual incidence of PsA per 100,000 population was 8.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 7.2–9.8) and was higher in men (9.3 [95% CI 7.4–11.3]) than women (7.7 [95% CI 5.9–9.4]) in 2000–2017. Overall incidence was highest in the 40–59 years age group. The incidence rate was relatively stable during 2000–2017, with no evidence of an overall increase or an increase in men only (but a modest increase of 3% per year in women), compared to 1970–1999 when a 4%‐per‐year increase in incidence was observed. Point prevalence was 181.8 per 100,000 population (95% CI 156.5–207.1) in 2015. The percentage of women among those with PsA increased from 39% in 1970–1999 and 41% in 2000–2009 to 54% in 2010–2017 (P = 0.08). Overall survival in PsA did not differ from the general population (standardized mortality ratio 0.85 [95% CI 0.61–1.15]).ConclusionThe incidence of PsA in this predominantly White US population was stable in 2000–2017, in contrast to previous years. However, an increasing proportion of women with PsA was found in this study.

Abstract Background/Introduction The realisation that subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has led to a growing interest in risk factor control in such people, but whether this has influenced the management of dyslipidaemia and hypertension (HT) is uncertain. Purpose To describe differences in lipid and blood pressure (BP) levels among patients with RA from five world regions. Furthermore, to evaluate attainment of guideline recommended targets for lipid lowering and antihypertensive treatment. Methods The SUrvey of CVD Risk Factors in patients with RA (SURF-RA) was conducted at 53 centres in 19 countries from 2014 to 2019. Data including demographics, RA disease characteristics, CVD comorbidity, risk factors and use of preventive treatment was collected. HT was defined as self-reported HT, and/or measured BP >140/90 mmHg, and/or use of anti HT medication (a-HT). The treatment goal of a-HT was BP <140/90 mmHg. The 10-year risk of a fatal CVD event was calculated by the European CVD risk calculator, the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), and was thereafter multiplied with 1.5 as recommended by the European League Against Rheumatism. Patients were classified in a high or very high CVD risk group according to the 2012 European Society of Cardiology guidelines, with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) goal at <2.6 and <1.8 mmol/L, respectively. Results In total, 14503 RA patients were included. The mean age was 59.8±13.6 years, most of whom (74%) were female. Nearly 2/3 of the patients were hypertensive. Use of a-HT in the total population differed substantially between the cohorts with limited use in West Europe and Latin America (17.4% and 24.8%), in contrast to North America and East Europe (46.8% and 57.0%). On average, half of those with HT were at the recommended BP goal. The lowest BP goal attainment was seen in Asia, West and East Europe (40.8–43.1%), and the highest in North America (63.5%). Overall 51.5% had an indication for lipid lowering therapy (LLT), and of these only 43.5% were taking LLT. Only 34.0% of patients with an indication for LLT were at recommended LDL-c goals. The proportion of RA patients on target for LDL-c varied greatly between regions, from 23.1% in East Europe to 51.0% in North America. The LDL-c goal attainment was higher in RA patients at high risk (45.1%) compared to those at very high risk of CVD (18.0%). Conclusion(s) This large international survey on RA patients revealed considerable geographical differences in CVD preventive treatment. Only one half of subjects were at blood pressure goals, and achievement of lipid goals was even poorer at one third of those eligible for treatment, which is lower than what is reported for subjects with coronary heart disease. We conclude that there is a substantial need for improvement in CVD preventive measures in RA patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Unrestricted research collaboration with Lilly

Abstract Background The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is comparable to that of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Although several studies have indicated high prevalence's of DM in RA patients, little is known about how this affects their CVD risk. Objectives To examine indications for, and use of antihypertensive treatment (a-HT) and lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) in RA patients with DM (RA-DM) and RA patients without DM (RAwoDM). Further, to compare the prevalence of various types of CVD across RA-DM and RAwoDM. Methods The cohort was derived from the SUrvey of cardiovascular disease Risk Factor in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (SURF-RA), which was performed in 53 centres/17 countries in 5 world regions (West and East Europe; North and Latin America; and Asia) from 2014 - 2019. Indication for a-HT was defined as: 1) systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg, 2) self-reported hypertension, and/or 3) current use of a-HT. Indication for LLT was defined according to ESC guidelines. CVD risk estimates (by SCORE) were multiplied by 1.5 according to EULAR recommendations. Target treatment targets for BP and lipids were defined according to ESC guidelines applicable at the time data were recorded. Results Presence of comorbid DM was available in 10 602 (73.1%) of the 14 503 RA patients included in SURF-RA, of whom 75 and 1262 patients reported DM type 1 and type 2, respectively (total 1337 patients, 12.6%). Although less often current smokers, RA-DM patients were more often previous smokers, male sex and had higher body mass index compared to RAwoDM (p<0.0001 for all). a-HT (84.7% vs 62.3%) and LLT (100% vs 47.2%) were more frequently indicated in RA-DM than in RAwoDM patients (p<0.0001 for both). RA-DM were more likely than RAwoDM to receive a-HT on indication (60.4% vs 57.6%, p<0.0001), while the difference in LLT use on indication was not significantly different (45.7% vs 42.5%, p=0.06). Moreover, RA-DM compared to RAwoDM patients had more often reached treatment goals when on a-HT (60.7% vs 54.1%, p<0.0001) and LLT (62.8% vs 48.9%, p<0.0001). Finally, the risk of all recorded established CVD (coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease and atrial fibrillation) was increased by a factor of 2 to 3 in RA-DM compared to RAwoDM (Figure). Conclusion The effect of RA and comorbid DM on CVD risk appears to be additive. While CVD preventive medications are more often indicated in RA-DM than in RAwoDM patients, they are also more likely to receive such therapy and to reach CVD preventive treatment goals. The latter finding may be due to more developed CVD preventive care in DM compared to RA patients. Improved CVD preventive systems for patients with RA are warranted. CVD in RA patients with and without DM Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): Lilly

Abstract Background Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Purpose The aim of this survey was to evaluate updated information on CVD risk factors, comorbidities, RA disease characteristics, RA and CVD preventive medication in patient with RA. Methods The audit is termed SUrvey of cardiovascular disease Risk Factors in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (SURF-RA) and was performed in 53 centres/19 countries/5 world regions in 2014–2019. SURF-RA have been performed in patients with coronary heart disease, in primary care, and now in patients with stroke, SLE and antiphophlipid syndrome. The survey was approved by the Data Protection Officer (2017/7243) and a GDPR evaluation has been performed (10/10–2018). Results Among 14 503 patients with RA in West (n=8 493) and East (n=923) Europe, Latin (n=407) and North (n=4 030) America and Asia (n=650) the mean (SD) age was 59.9 (13.6) years, and 2/3 or more were female (table). RA disease duration was comparable across the world regions, ranging from 9.9 to 12.6 years. The prevalence of atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) was lowest in Latin America (2.5%) and highest in East Europe (21.4%), and this pattern was similar regarding familial premature CVD. The mean prevalence (% of each entity) of blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg was 5.3%, of low density lipoprotein cholesterol >2.5 mmol/L: 63.3%. Overall, 29% used antihypertensive medication, lowest in West Europe (17.4%) and highest in East Europe (57.0%), and 26.4% used lipid lowering agent(s), lowest in Asia (7.2%) and highest in North America (31.1%). Body mass index >30 kg/m2 was present in 26.6%, with the smallest waist circumference in Asia [mean (SD): 84.1 (13.6) cm] and highest in East Europe [92.5 (15.5) cm]. The proportion of current smokers was on average: 16.2%, lowest in Asia (7.8%) and highest in East Europe (28.5%). Conclusion The high prevalence of CVD risk factors and ASCVD in patients with RA across five world regions shows that there is still an unmet need for vigilance and improved implementation of preventive measures in this high CVD risk patient population. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Other. Main funding source(s): Lilly

Objective The link and interplay between different airway exposures and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk are unclear. This study was undertaken to determine whether respiratory disease is associated with development of RA, and specifically to examine this relationship by RA serostatus and smoking exposure. Methods Using data from the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis study, this analysis included 1,631 incident RA cases and 3,283 matched controls recruited from 2006 to 2016. Linking these individuals to the National Patient Register provided information on past acute or chronic, upper or lower respiratory disease diagnoses. For each disease group, we estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR adj ) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for RA, using logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, residential area, body mass index, and education both overall and stratified by anti–citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)/rheumatoid factor (RF) status and by smoking status. Results Respiratory disease diagnoses were associated with risk of RA, with an OR adj of 1.2 for acute upper respiratory disease (95% CI 0.8–1.7), 1.4 for chronic upper respiratory disease (95% CI 1.1–1.9), 2.4 for acute lower respiratory disease (95% CI 1.5–3.6), and 1.6 for chronic lower respiratory disease (95% CI 1.5–3.6). These associations were present irrespective of RF or ACPA status, though the association was somewhat stronger for ACPA/RF–positive than ACPA/RF–negative RA. The association between any respiratory disease and RA was stronger for nonsmokers (OR adj 2.1 [95% CI 1.5–2.9]) than for smokers (OR adj 1.2 [95% CI 0.9–1.5]). Conclusion Respiratory diseases increase the risk for both seropositive and seronegative RA, but only among nonsmokers. These findings raise the hypothesis that smoking and airway disease are associated with RA development through partly different mechanisms.

ObjectiveGiant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large‐vessel vasculitis that primarily affects the aorta and its branches. Extracranial branches of the carotid artery are frequently affected; however, intracranial involvement in GCA is rare.MethodsA retrospective medical record review was performed to identify all patients with intracranial GCA (IC‐GCA) from January 1996 through May 2018.ResultsNine patients with IC‐GCA were included (78% male; mean age, 72.1 years [SD: 7.9]). All patients met ACR criteria for GCA. The median time from onset of GCA to intracranial involvement was 0.6 months (interquartile range: 0.1‐5.1). All patients had neurologic symptoms, 89% had an ischemic cerebrovascular event. Transient or permanent vision loss was frequent (56% of patients). IC‐GCA was diagnosed by cranial imaging in all nine patients. Intracranial vasculitis most commonly affected the internal carotid artery (100%), followed by the vertebral artery (67%), posterior cerebral artery (67%), middle cerebral artery (44%), anterior cerebral artery (33%), and posterior inferior cerebral artery (11%). Intracranial vessel stenosis was present in 89%, occlusion in 33%, wall thickening in 33%, and dilation in 11%.All patients received glucocorticoids. Additional therapeutic agents included cyclophosphamide (67%) and tocilizumab (22%). Despite treatment, five patients had rapid deterioration and mortality. Comparing IC‐GCA patient survival to the expected rates from the US population, the standardized mortality ratio (95% CI) for IC‐GCA was 58.1 (18.9‐135.6).ConclusionAlthough rare, IC‐GCA is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It occurs predominantly in men and presents with ischemic cerebrovascular events. Current treatment strategies appear to be of limited efficacy for IC‐GCA.