Author: Dálifer Freites Núñez
Gerritsen et al. (POS0652) created a prediction model based on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath to differentiate between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-RA controls. These results suggest that use of breath analysis as a screening tool might be useful for more efficient and faster referral to a rheumatologist.
Geenen et al. (OP0252) studied a population of people with RA to estimate a network of relationships between fatigue, pain, and seven other biopsychosocial factors. They described subgroups (clusters) of people based on their levels of these factors. The network model highlights that pain was associated with factors other than fatigue. Cluster analysis evidenced individual variations in the perceived severity of these biopsychosocial factors. For management, the network model in the whole sample indicates that interventions may be somewhat different for pain and fatigue, while cluster analysis indicates that specific subgroups of patients with RA may benefit from an approach focused on distinct factors
Suzuki et al. (POS0585) describe social frailty in a multi-centre population of people with RA. Frailty is a multi-faceted concept, consisting of physical, mental and social frailty. There are some reports on physical and mental frailty in RA patients, but few reports on social frailty. It is important to explore the association between RA patients and social frailty in order to address patient unmet needs. The aim of this study was to investigate social frailty in RA patients. Age and HAQ-DI were factors associated with social frailty in RA patients.
Lend et al. (OP0104) investigated whether RF, ACPA and shared epitope (SE) alone or in combination predict treatment response to initial treatment with abatacept, as well as with certolizumab-pegol or tocilizumab versus active conventional treatment. Based on this large randomised controlled trial, they confirmed that rheumatoid factor and/or ACPA positivity were associated with a better response to abatacept at 24 weeks. However, there was no association with response at 48 weeks, and the addition of SE did not improve prediction of response. Moreover, ACPA, RF and SE did not, alone or in combination, predict clinical responses of importance in any of the treatment groups.
Steinz et al. (OP0018) discerned trajectories of disease states of early RA over 1.5 years from first outpatient clinic visit using pseudo-time graph-based analyses. The group identified and replicated four trajectories in early RA. Inflammation in joints, blood and poor response were the main discriminatory factors. Their approach provided insights into opportunities for improving care, such as more intensive treatment at an earlier stage.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dálifer Freites Núñez
Dálifer is a rheumatologist at Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid – Spain. She has a genuine interest and enthusiasm in research on Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and their treatments.
Dálifer is a member of the EMEUNET Social Media Sub-committee.