Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who had nail psoriasis were older and had higher disease burden and lower quality of life (QoL) than those without nail psoriasis.

Major finding: Patients with vs. without nail psoriasis had a higher median age (48 vs. 46 years; P = .001), body mass index (29 vs. 28 kg/m²; P = .02), tender (P < .001) and swollen (P = .011) joint counts, and PsAQoL score (6 vs. 4; P = .001).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional, multicenter study including 1,22 patients with PsA, of which 57.5% had nail psoriasis.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Cengiz G et al. The impact of nail psoriasis on disease activity, quality of life, and clinical variables in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A cross-sectional multicenter study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 (Sep 27). Doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14442

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who had nail psoriasis were older and had higher disease burden and lower quality of life (QoL) than those without nail psoriasis.

Major finding: Patients with vs. without nail psoriasis had a higher median age (48 vs. 46 years; P = .001), body mass index (29 vs. 28 kg/m²; P = .02), tender (P < .001) and swollen (P = .011) joint counts, and PsAQoL score (6 vs. 4; P = .001).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional, multicenter study including 1,22 patients with PsA, of which 57.5% had nail psoriasis.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Cengiz G et al. The impact of nail psoriasis on disease activity, quality of life, and clinical variables in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A cross-sectional multicenter study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 (Sep 27). Doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14442

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who had nail psoriasis were older and had higher disease burden and lower quality of life (QoL) than those without nail psoriasis.

Major finding: Patients with vs. without nail psoriasis had a higher median age (48 vs. 46 years; P = .001), body mass index (29 vs. 28 kg/m²; P = .02), tender (P < .001) and swollen (P = .011) joint counts, and PsAQoL score (6 vs. 4; P = .001).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional, multicenter study including 1,22 patients with PsA, of which 57.5% had nail psoriasis.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Cengiz G et al. The impact of nail psoriasis on disease activity, quality of life, and clinical variables in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A cross-sectional multicenter study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 (Sep 27). Doi:10.1111/1756-185X.14442

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and obesity had ~50% lower likelihood of achieving minimal disease activity (MDA) or remission within a year of initiating treatment with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD).

Major finding: Odds of achieving MDA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.45; 95% CI 0.24-0.82) and DAPSA-remission (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85) were lower in the obese vs normal weight group within the first year; similarly, the overweight group had reduced odds of achieving DAPSA-remission (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24-0.79).

Study details: Findings are from an observational cohort study including 774 adult patients with PsA who started their first b/tsDMARD.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Vallejo-Yague E et al. Minimal disease activity and remission in patients with psoriatic arthritis with elevated body mass index: An observational cohort study in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management cohort. BMJ Open. 2022;12(9):e061474 (Sep 17). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061474

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and obesity had ~50% lower likelihood of achieving minimal disease activity (MDA) or remission within a year of initiating treatment with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD).

Major finding: Odds of achieving MDA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.45; 95% CI 0.24-0.82) and DAPSA-remission (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85) were lower in the obese vs normal weight group within the first year; similarly, the overweight group had reduced odds of achieving DAPSA-remission (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24-0.79).

Study details: Findings are from an observational cohort study including 774 adult patients with PsA who started their first b/tsDMARD.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Vallejo-Yague E et al. Minimal disease activity and remission in patients with psoriatic arthritis with elevated body mass index: An observational cohort study in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management cohort. BMJ Open. 2022;12(9):e061474 (Sep 17). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061474

Key clinical point: Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and obesity had ~50% lower likelihood of achieving minimal disease activity (MDA) or remission within a year of initiating treatment with biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARD).

Major finding: Odds of achieving MDA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.45; 95% CI 0.24-0.82) and DAPSA-remission (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85) were lower in the obese vs normal weight group within the first year; similarly, the overweight group had reduced odds of achieving DAPSA-remission (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24-0.79).

Study details: Findings are from an observational cohort study including 774 adult patients with PsA who started their first b/tsDMARD.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Vallejo-Yague E et al. Minimal disease activity and remission in patients with psoriatic arthritis with elevated body mass index: An observational cohort study in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management cohort. BMJ Open. 2022;12(9):e061474 (Sep 17). Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061474

Key clinical point: Preliminary results from this real-world study demonstrated efficacy of interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: A substantial proportion of patients with PsA receiving either of the IL-23 inhibitors achieved complete (40.9%) or partial (36.4%) remission compared with only 18.2% of patients who demonstrated no improvement. A higher proportion of patients receiving guselkumab achieved remission or partial remission (38.5% and 46.1%, respectively) than treatment failure (15.4%), with similar outcomes being observed with risankizumab.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective, observational study including 80 patients with psoriasis who received guselkumab, tildrakizumab, or risankizumab, of which 27.5% of patients had PsA.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared serving as consultants, paid speakers, and/or advisors and/or receiving speaking fees or grants from several sources.

Source: Elgaard CDB et al. Guselkumab, tildrakizumab and risankizumab in real-world setting: Drug survival and effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;1-24 (Oct 6). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2133531.

Key clinical point: Preliminary results from this real-world study demonstrated efficacy of interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: A substantial proportion of patients with PsA receiving either of the IL-23 inhibitors achieved complete (40.9%) or partial (36.4%) remission compared with only 18.2% of patients who demonstrated no improvement. A higher proportion of patients receiving guselkumab achieved remission or partial remission (38.5% and 46.1%, respectively) than treatment failure (15.4%), with similar outcomes being observed with risankizumab.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective, observational study including 80 patients with psoriasis who received guselkumab, tildrakizumab, or risankizumab, of which 27.5% of patients had PsA.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared serving as consultants, paid speakers, and/or advisors and/or receiving speaking fees or grants from several sources.

Source: Elgaard CDB et al. Guselkumab, tildrakizumab and risankizumab in real-world setting: Drug survival and effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;1-24 (Oct 6). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2133531.

Key clinical point: Preliminary results from this real-world study demonstrated efficacy of interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: A substantial proportion of patients with PsA receiving either of the IL-23 inhibitors achieved complete (40.9%) or partial (36.4%) remission compared with only 18.2% of patients who demonstrated no improvement. A higher proportion of patients receiving guselkumab achieved remission or partial remission (38.5% and 46.1%, respectively) than treatment failure (15.4%), with similar outcomes being observed with risankizumab.

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective, observational study including 80 patients with psoriasis who received guselkumab, tildrakizumab, or risankizumab, of which 27.5% of patients had PsA.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared serving as consultants, paid speakers, and/or advisors and/or receiving speaking fees or grants from several sources.

Source: Elgaard CDB et al. Guselkumab, tildrakizumab and risankizumab in real-world setting: Drug survival and effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;1-24 (Oct 6). Doi: 10.1080/09546634.2022.2133531.

Key clinical point: Guselkumab demonstrated promising efficacy and was well tolerated in a real-world population of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis.

Major finding: Before starting guselkumab, 48% of patients had moderate/high disease activity in PsA (DAPSA). In this subgroup, the mean DAPSA score reduced from 29 to 20, 16, and 14 at weeks 12, 24, and 52, respectively (P < .0001). Only 2.2% of patients reported mild adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective, observational study including 90 patients with PsA and concomitant psoriasis who started treatment with guselkumab.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rocamora V et al. Guselkumab effectiveness and survival in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Multicenter analysis in daily clinical practice by the Spanish Psoriasis Group. Dermatol Ther. 2022 (Sep 29). Doi: 10.1111/dth.15865

Key clinical point: Guselkumab demonstrated promising efficacy and was well tolerated in a real-world population of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis.

Major finding: Before starting guselkumab, 48% of patients had moderate/high disease activity in PsA (DAPSA). In this subgroup, the mean DAPSA score reduced from 29 to 20, 16, and 14 at weeks 12, 24, and 52, respectively (P < .0001). Only 2.2% of patients reported mild adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective, observational study including 90 patients with PsA and concomitant psoriasis who started treatment with guselkumab.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rocamora V et al. Guselkumab effectiveness and survival in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Multicenter analysis in daily clinical practice by the Spanish Psoriasis Group. Dermatol Ther. 2022 (Sep 29). Doi: 10.1111/dth.15865

Key clinical point: Guselkumab demonstrated promising efficacy and was well tolerated in a real-world population of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis.

Major finding: Before starting guselkumab, 48% of patients had moderate/high disease activity in PsA (DAPSA). In this subgroup, the mean DAPSA score reduced from 29 to 20, 16, and 14 at weeks 12, 24, and 52, respectively (P < .0001). Only 2.2% of patients reported mild adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, retrospective, observational study including 90 patients with PsA and concomitant psoriasis who started treatment with guselkumab.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rocamora V et al. Guselkumab effectiveness and survival in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Multicenter analysis in daily clinical practice by the Spanish Psoriasis Group. Dermatol Ther. 2022 (Sep 29). Doi: 10.1111/dth.15865

Key clinical point: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease, is a causal risk factor for psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Genetically predicted IBD was associated with a higher risk for PsA (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.11; P = .003) with the risk being majorly mediated by Crohn’s disease (OR 1.12; P = .002) and not ulcerative colitis (P = .70).

Study details: Findings are from a bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study including 12,882 patients with IBD and 21,770 matched-controls and 5621 patients with psoriasis and 2063 patients with PsA who were compared with 252,323 controls.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Freuer D et al. Association between inflammatory bowel disease and both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: A bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 (Sep 14). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.3682

Key clinical point: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease, is a causal risk factor for psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Genetically predicted IBD was associated with a higher risk for PsA (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.11; P = .003) with the risk being majorly mediated by Crohn’s disease (OR 1.12; P = .002) and not ulcerative colitis (P = .70).

Study details: Findings are from a bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study including 12,882 patients with IBD and 21,770 matched-controls and 5621 patients with psoriasis and 2063 patients with PsA who were compared with 252,323 controls.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Freuer D et al. Association between inflammatory bowel disease and both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: A bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 (Sep 14). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.3682

Key clinical point: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease, is a causal risk factor for psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Genetically predicted IBD was associated with a higher risk for PsA (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.11; P = .003) with the risk being majorly mediated by Crohn’s disease (OR 1.12; P = .002) and not ulcerative colitis (P = .70).

Study details: Findings are from a bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study including 12,882 patients with IBD and 21,770 matched-controls and 5621 patients with psoriasis and 2063 patients with PsA who were compared with 252,323 controls.

Disclosures: This study did not report any source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Freuer D et al. Association between inflammatory bowel disease and both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: A bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 (Sep 14). Doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.3682

Key clinical point: Higher rehabilitation dose (>8 physical/occupational therapy visits) improved physical function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who reported new rehabilitation visits after at least 1 year without rehabilitation visits.

Major finding: Worse physical function at baseline was associated with a higher rehabilitation dose (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29; 95% CI 1.04-1.60). Higher vs. lower rehabilitation dose was also associated with clinically favorable changes in physical function (aOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.03-1.92).

Study details: This prospective cohort analysis evaluated the data of 1,381 adults with RA from the FORWARD registry who reported new rehabilitation visits of low/medium/high dose over 6 months after no rehabilitation visits for past ≥1 year.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. LM Thoma and E Wellsandt reported receiving support from the Rheumatology Research Foundation and/or National Institutes of Health.

Source: Thoma LM et al. Examining rehabilitation dose in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: Association with baseline factors and change in clinical outcomes. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 12). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25019

Key clinical point: Higher rehabilitation dose (>8 physical/occupational therapy visits) improved physical function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who reported new rehabilitation visits after at least 1 year without rehabilitation visits.

Major finding: Worse physical function at baseline was associated with a higher rehabilitation dose (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29; 95% CI 1.04-1.60). Higher vs. lower rehabilitation dose was also associated with clinically favorable changes in physical function (aOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.03-1.92).

Study details: This prospective cohort analysis evaluated the data of 1,381 adults with RA from the FORWARD registry who reported new rehabilitation visits of low/medium/high dose over 6 months after no rehabilitation visits for past ≥1 year.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. LM Thoma and E Wellsandt reported receiving support from the Rheumatology Research Foundation and/or National Institutes of Health.

Source: Thoma LM et al. Examining rehabilitation dose in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: Association with baseline factors and change in clinical outcomes. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 12). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25019

Key clinical point: Higher rehabilitation dose (>8 physical/occupational therapy visits) improved physical function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who reported new rehabilitation visits after at least 1 year without rehabilitation visits.

Major finding: Worse physical function at baseline was associated with a higher rehabilitation dose (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29; 95% CI 1.04-1.60). Higher vs. lower rehabilitation dose was also associated with clinically favorable changes in physical function (aOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.03-1.92).

Study details: This prospective cohort analysis evaluated the data of 1,381 adults with RA from the FORWARD registry who reported new rehabilitation visits of low/medium/high dose over 6 months after no rehabilitation visits for past ≥1 year.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. LM Thoma and E Wellsandt reported receiving support from the Rheumatology Research Foundation and/or National Institutes of Health.

Source: Thoma LM et al. Examining rehabilitation dose in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: Association with baseline factors and change in clinical outcomes. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 12). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25019

Key clinical point: The prevalence for osteoporosis continues to remain high in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite significant advances in diagnostic methods, prevention, and treatment.

Major finding: Overall, osteoporosis was highly prevalent in patients with RA (prevalence, 27.6%; 95% CI, 23.9%-31.3%), with the prevalence being the highest in studies during 2011-2015 (36.2%; 95% CI, 24.5%-47.8%), followed by 2016-2021 (27.1%; 95% CI, 20.7%-33.4%), and before 2010 (21.6%; 95% CI, 15.8%-27.4%).

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies including 227,812 patients with RA, of which 64,290 reported osteoporosis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Arak University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Moshayedi S et al. The prevalence of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis patient: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15844 (Sep 23). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-20016-x.

Key clinical point: The prevalence for osteoporosis continues to remain high in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite significant advances in diagnostic methods, prevention, and treatment.

Major finding: Overall, osteoporosis was highly prevalent in patients with RA (prevalence, 27.6%; 95% CI, 23.9%-31.3%), with the prevalence being the highest in studies during 2011-2015 (36.2%; 95% CI, 24.5%-47.8%), followed by 2016-2021 (27.1%; 95% CI, 20.7%-33.4%), and before 2010 (21.6%; 95% CI, 15.8%-27.4%).

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies including 227,812 patients with RA, of which 64,290 reported osteoporosis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Arak University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Moshayedi S et al. The prevalence of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis patient: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15844 (Sep 23). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-20016-x.

Key clinical point: The prevalence for osteoporosis continues to remain high in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite significant advances in diagnostic methods, prevention, and treatment.

Major finding: Overall, osteoporosis was highly prevalent in patients with RA (prevalence, 27.6%; 95% CI, 23.9%-31.3%), with the prevalence being the highest in studies during 2011-2015 (36.2%; 95% CI, 24.5%-47.8%), followed by 2016-2021 (27.1%; 95% CI, 20.7%-33.4%), and before 2010 (21.6%; 95% CI, 15.8%-27.4%).

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 57 studies including 227,812 patients with RA, of which 64,290 reported osteoporosis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Arak University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Moshayedi S et al. The prevalence of osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis patient: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15844 (Sep 23). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-20016-x.

Key clinical point: Serum levels of interferon beta (IFNβ) may distinguish early from late relapse after biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) withdrawal in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Patients with serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 vs. <3.38 in log₂ had a significantly lower probability of sustained remission during the first 6 months of bDMARD withdrawal (log-rank test, P = .0177). Serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 in log₂ at the time of bDMARD withdrawal predicted early vs. late relapse in patients with highly probable relapses (area under the curve, 0.833) and patients with lower IFNβ levels (<3.38 in log₂) were able to safely discontinue bDMARD.

Study details: This prospective study included 40 patients with RA who maintained clinical remission with bDMARDs for >12 months, of which 26 relapsed at some point after bDMARD withdrawal.

Disclosures: This study was partially supported by unlimited research fund from Chugai Pharm, Eisai, and Mitsubishi-Tanabe provided to S Minota. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sakashita E et al. Serum level of IFNβ distinguishes early from late relapses after biologics withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):16547 (Oct 3). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-21160-0.

Key clinical point: Serum levels of interferon beta (IFNβ) may distinguish early from late relapse after biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) withdrawal in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Patients with serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 vs. <3.38 in log₂ had a significantly lower probability of sustained remission during the first 6 months of bDMARD withdrawal (log-rank test, P = .0177). Serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 in log₂ at the time of bDMARD withdrawal predicted early vs. late relapse in patients with highly probable relapses (area under the curve, 0.833) and patients with lower IFNβ levels (<3.38 in log₂) were able to safely discontinue bDMARD.

Study details: This prospective study included 40 patients with RA who maintained clinical remission with bDMARDs for >12 months, of which 26 relapsed at some point after bDMARD withdrawal.

Disclosures: This study was partially supported by unlimited research fund from Chugai Pharm, Eisai, and Mitsubishi-Tanabe provided to S Minota. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sakashita E et al. Serum level of IFNβ distinguishes early from late relapses after biologics withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):16547 (Oct 3). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-21160-0.

Key clinical point: Serum levels of interferon beta (IFNβ) may distinguish early from late relapse after biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) withdrawal in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Major finding: Patients with serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 vs. <3.38 in log₂ had a significantly lower probability of sustained remission during the first 6 months of bDMARD withdrawal (log-rank test, P = .0177). Serum IFNβ levels of 3.38 in log₂ at the time of bDMARD withdrawal predicted early vs. late relapse in patients with highly probable relapses (area under the curve, 0.833) and patients with lower IFNβ levels (<3.38 in log₂) were able to safely discontinue bDMARD.

Study details: This prospective study included 40 patients with RA who maintained clinical remission with bDMARDs for >12 months, of which 26 relapsed at some point after bDMARD withdrawal.

Disclosures: This study was partially supported by unlimited research fund from Chugai Pharm, Eisai, and Mitsubishi-Tanabe provided to S Minota. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sakashita E et al. Serum level of IFNβ distinguishes early from late relapses after biologics withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):16547 (Oct 3). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-21160-0.

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vs. general population remain at a higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe outcomes; although COVID-19 vaccination has reduced severe outcomes, the risk for breakthrough infections is higher among patients with RA, supporting recent recommendations for booster COVID-19 vaccination.

Major finding: Unvaccinated patients with RA vs. general population were at an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.11; 95% CI 1.00-1.24), COVID-19 hospitalization (aHR 1.62; 95% CI 1.34-1.96), and COVID-19 death (aHR 1.88; 95% CI 1.37-2.60). COVID-19 vaccination reduced disease severity but not the risk for breakthrough infection in patients with RA vs. general population over 9 months of follow-up (aHR1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20).

Study details: Findings are from 2 cohort studies including patients with RA (unvaccinated n = 15,901; vaccinated n = 14,330) and non-RA individuals from general population (unvaccinated n = 1,558,423; vaccinated n = 1,208,659).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other sources. ZS Wallace declared receiving research support and consulting fees from various sources unrelated to this work.

Source: Li H et al. Risk of COVID-19 among unvaccinated and vaccinated patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A general population study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 26). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25028

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vs. general population remain at a higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe outcomes; although COVID-19 vaccination has reduced severe outcomes, the risk for breakthrough infections is higher among patients with RA, supporting recent recommendations for booster COVID-19 vaccination.

Major finding: Unvaccinated patients with RA vs. general population were at an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.11; 95% CI 1.00-1.24), COVID-19 hospitalization (aHR 1.62; 95% CI 1.34-1.96), and COVID-19 death (aHR 1.88; 95% CI 1.37-2.60). COVID-19 vaccination reduced disease severity but not the risk for breakthrough infection in patients with RA vs. general population over 9 months of follow-up (aHR1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20).

Study details: Findings are from 2 cohort studies including patients with RA (unvaccinated n = 15,901; vaccinated n = 14,330) and non-RA individuals from general population (unvaccinated n = 1,558,423; vaccinated n = 1,208,659).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other sources. ZS Wallace declared receiving research support and consulting fees from various sources unrelated to this work.

Source: Li H et al. Risk of COVID-19 among unvaccinated and vaccinated patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A general population study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 26). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25028

Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vs. general population remain at a higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severe outcomes; although COVID-19 vaccination has reduced severe outcomes, the risk for breakthrough infections is higher among patients with RA, supporting recent recommendations for booster COVID-19 vaccination.

Major finding: Unvaccinated patients with RA vs. general population were at an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.11; 95% CI 1.00-1.24), COVID-19 hospitalization (aHR 1.62; 95% CI 1.34-1.96), and COVID-19 death (aHR 1.88; 95% CI 1.37-2.60). COVID-19 vaccination reduced disease severity but not the risk for breakthrough infection in patients with RA vs. general population over 9 months of follow-up (aHR1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.20).

Study details: Findings are from 2 cohort studies including patients with RA (unvaccinated n = 15,901; vaccinated n = 14,330) and non-RA individuals from general population (unvaccinated n = 1,558,423; vaccinated n = 1,208,659).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other sources. ZS Wallace declared receiving research support and consulting fees from various sources unrelated to this work.

Source: Li H et al. Risk of COVID-19 among unvaccinated and vaccinated patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A general population study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 26). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25028

Key clinical point: Smoking worsened disease activity and health-related quality of life at 1 year in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with effects being persistent at 3 years and early smoking cessation vs. continued smoking being associated with improved disease activity.

Major finding: At 1 year, current smokers vs. non-smokers were at a higher risk for a swollen joint number above the median (odds ratio [OR] 1.7; P = .001) and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical (OR 1.5; P = .006) and mental (OR 1.4; P = .03) scores below the median, with effects being persistent at 3 years. Patients who stopped vs. continued smoking within 1 year reported a lower swollen joint number (P = .002).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based case-control study including 1531 patients with newly diagnosed RA who were followed-up for 3 years, of which 376 patients were current smokers.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Alfredsson L et al. Influence of smoking on disease activity and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a Swedish case-control study with longitudinal follow-up. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 23). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25026

Key clinical point: Smoking worsened disease activity and health-related quality of life at 1 year in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with effects being persistent at 3 years and early smoking cessation vs. continued smoking being associated with improved disease activity.

Major finding: At 1 year, current smokers vs. non-smokers were at a higher risk for a swollen joint number above the median (odds ratio [OR] 1.7; P = .001) and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical (OR 1.5; P = .006) and mental (OR 1.4; P = .03) scores below the median, with effects being persistent at 3 years. Patients who stopped vs. continued smoking within 1 year reported a lower swollen joint number (P = .002).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based case-control study including 1531 patients with newly diagnosed RA who were followed-up for 3 years, of which 376 patients were current smokers.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Alfredsson L et al. Influence of smoking on disease activity and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a Swedish case-control study with longitudinal follow-up. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 23). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25026

Key clinical point: Smoking worsened disease activity and health-related quality of life at 1 year in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with effects being persistent at 3 years and early smoking cessation vs. continued smoking being associated with improved disease activity.

Major finding: At 1 year, current smokers vs. non-smokers were at a higher risk for a swollen joint number above the median (odds ratio [OR] 1.7; P = .001) and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical (OR 1.5; P = .006) and mental (OR 1.4; P = .03) scores below the median, with effects being persistent at 3 years. Patients who stopped vs. continued smoking within 1 year reported a lower swollen joint number (P = .002).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based case-control study including 1531 patients with newly diagnosed RA who were followed-up for 3 years, of which 376 patients were current smokers.

Disclosures: This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Alfredsson L et al. Influence of smoking on disease activity and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a Swedish case-control study with longitudinal follow-up. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2022 (Sep 23). Doi: 10.1002/acr.25026