F-FDG positron emission tomography as a marker of disease activity and treatment response in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.

The ability of F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) to track disease activity and treatment response in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) or Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) remains unclear. Here, we assessed whether F-FDG uptake is a marker of disease activity and treatment response in AS or PsA, and explored the ability of F-FDG to predict treatment response. Patients with AS (n = 16) or PsA (n = 8) who were scheduled to initiate treatment with biologics were recruited.

Acroosteolysis and facial dysmorphia: a new case of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome.

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome or acro-dento-osteo-dysplasia syndrome is a rare disease characterized by band osteolysis of distal phalanges and facial dysmorphia, among other manifestations. We present the case of a 45-year-old male who consulted for mechanical joint pain of both hands, facial dysmorphism, cranio-facial alterations, and digital telescoping with acroosteolysis.

Management of Axial Disease in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: An Updated Literature Review Informing the 2021 GRAPPA Treatment Recommendations.

Objective: Axial involvement in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common subset of this condition, but a unanimous definition has yet to be established. It has been defined by using different criteria, ranging from the presence of at least unilateral grade 2 sacroiliitis to those used for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), or simply the presence of inflammatory low back pain (IBP). Our aim was to identify and evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for treatment of axial disease in PsA.

An International Multidisciplinary Delphi-Based Consensus on Heat Therapy in Musculoskeletal Pain.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is prevalent in our society, having a strong negative impact on physical and psychosocial quality of life. Heat therapy (HT) has been frequently described as a treatment strategy for musculoskeletal pain, but scientific evidence is still poor. The aim of the present Delphi method study is to gather a consensus among European experts on the role of HT in MP.

Patient Perception of Medical Care for Psoriatic Arthritis in North America and Europe: Results from a Global Patient Survey.

Introduction: To compare perceptions of disease control and treatment satisfaction between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in North America and Europe, and between participating countries within each region.

Methods: Data were collected from patients with self-reported PsA diagnoses using an online survey. Results from questions on perceptions of overall health, disease severity, PsA symptoms, PsA impacts, and treatment satisfaction/preferences were reported using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests.

Do NSAIDs Take Us Away From Treatment Goals in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Story About Dysbiosis or Just a Matter of Bias?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the mainstay of treatment for spondyloarthritides (SpA), a group of entities with common clinical and pathophysiological aspects, but also with differential features. Although NSAIDs provide significant symptomatic relief, especially for joint pain and morning stiffness, their role in achieving and maintaining the treatment goals advocated by the treat to target strategy in SpA is not entirely clear. These agents can induce changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, also favoring an alteration of the barrier function in the gut epithelium.

Exploring the Quality of Communication Between Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Physicians: Results of a Global Online Survey.

Introduction: Effective communication between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and their physicians is important for optimizing treatment outcomes. We assessed the quality of patient-physician communication in terms of awareness and impact of PsA symptoms, their levels of satisfaction, and their perceptions of communications.

Methods: A global online survey was conducted by The Harris Poll in adult patients with PsA and physicians managing patients with PsA in eight countries.

Construct Validity of the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) in the Evaluation of Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objective: Although there are different tools to evaluate axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), they are hardly used in routine clinical practice due to time constraints. The Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) is a composite measure feasible for use as a sole metric in busy clinics. We aimed to test its measurement properties in patients with axial SpA in a real-world clinical setting.

Patient Perceptions of Psoriatic Arthritis Management and Communication with Physicians in Australia: Results from a Patient Survey.

Introduction: The objective of this report was to evaluate perceptions of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatment and satisfaction with healthcare professional (HCP) communication among patients with PsA in Australia, compared with overall global perceptions.

Methods: Data were collected via a global and country-specific survey (The Harris Poll; November 2, 2017-March 12, 2018). Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years old, had been diagnosed with PsA > 1 year prior, had seen a rheumatologist or dermatologist within the past 12 months, and had previously received ≥ 1 conventional synthetic or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug.

COVID-19 patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis on biologic immunosuppressant therapy vs apremilast in North Spain.

Immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory treatments are critical for the management of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Similar to those illnesses, the lung injury and acute respiratory distress shown in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are the result of a disruption in the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This hyperinflammatory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), associated with the severity of the coronavirus disease, is called the cytokine storm.

Update of the Position Paper of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Biosimilar Drugs.

In 2015 the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (Sociedad Española de Reumatología [SER]) published its position paper on biosimilar drugs. In this update, the SER, continues to manifest its unequivocal commitment to the sustainability of the health system of our country and is aligned with the measures that, without reducing quality of care, are aimed at ensuring its continuity. Since the publication of the previous position paper, the European Commission has authorized new biosimilar drugs, which provides an excellent opportunity to advance the efficiency of health care.

Biological Dose Tapering in Daily Clinical Practice: A 10 Year Follow-up Study.

Objective: To describe practice patterns, long-term outcome, and related factors, in relation to biological therapies tapering in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a well-controlled real-world setting.

Methods: An observational longitudinal retrospective 10-year study was conducted in all RA patients receiving biological agents in an RA clinic from May 2003 to October 2013. Biological treatment of patients with sustained DAS28<3.

Anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis mimicking psoriatic arthritis.

Dermatomyositis causes inflammation and damage of muscle and skin, and sometimes involves internal organs, especially lung parenchyma. Patients with dermatomyositis still represent a diagnostic challenge because of the rarity of this disease and the lack of specificity of some of its cutaneous manifestations. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with dermatomyositis, initially diagnosed as psoriatic arthritis, in which the performance of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies was decisive to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Ankylosing spondylitis without axial progression: analysis of associated factors.

Objective: To evaluate clinical factors associated with the absence of radiographic progression in patients with spondylitis.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 672 patients. All patients presented a disease evolution of more than 15 years.

Reccomendations for the detection, study and referral of inflammatory low-back pain in primary care.

Objective: To design a strategy for the early detection and referral of patients with possible spondyloarthritis based on recommendations developed, agreed upon, and directed to primary care physicians.

Methods: We used a modified RAND/UCLA methodology plus a systematic literature review. The information was presented to a discussion group formed by rheumatologists and primary care physicians.

[Consensus statement of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on the management of biologic therapies in psoriatic arthritis].

Objective: Due to the amount and quality variability regarding the use of biologic therapy (BT) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) has promoted the generation of recommendations based on the best evidence available. These recommendations should serve as reference to rheumatologists and those involved in the treatment of patients with PsA, who are using, or about to use BT.

Methods: Recommendations were developed following a nominal group methodology and based on systematic reviews.

[Biologic therapies different from the anti-TNFα therapy in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis].

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are common conditions in the clinical practice of both dermatologists and rheumatologists. Both entities may cause an important loss in quality of life, and in the case of PsA, joint structural damage may arise over time. For these reasons, clinicians may be faced with the need for treating these cases with highly effective therapies, such as TNFα blocking agents, although these drugs may be paradoxically related with de novo onset (or exacerbation of previous lesions) of psoriasis or psoriasiform lesions.

BAT1 promoter polymorphism is associated with rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility.

Objective: To analyze whether the polymorphisms -22 (G/C) and -348 (C/T) of the BAT1 gene are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: One hundred fifty-six patients with RA and 154 controls were genotyped for HLA-DRB1 and the polymorphisms -22 and -348 of the BAT1 gene.

Results: HLA-DRB1*04 alleles were associated with RA susceptibility (33.