Rheumatology Commons^™

Evidence-Based Decision Support For Pediatric Rheumatology Reduces Diagnostic Errors., Michael M. Segal, Balu Athreya, Mary Beth F. Son, Irit Tirosh, Jonathan S. Hausmann, Elizabeth Yn. Ang, David Zurakowski, Lynn K. Feldman, Robert P. Sundel

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The number of trained specialists world-wide is insufficient to serve all children with pediatric rheumatologic disorders, even in the countries with robust medical resources. We evaluated the potential of diagnostic decision support software (DDSS) to alleviate this shortage by assessing the ability of such software to improve the diagnostic accuracy of non-specialists.

METHODS: Using vignettes of actual clinical cases, clinician testers generated a differential diagnosis before and after using diagnostic decision support software. The evaluation used the SimulConsult® DDSS tool, based on Bayesian pattern matching with temporal onset of each finding in each disease. The tool covered 5405 diseases …

Monitoring Change In Volume Of Calcifications In Juvenile Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy: A Pilot Study Using Low Dose Computed Tomography., Maria Ibarra, Cynthia Rigsby, Gabrielle A. Morgan, Christina L. Sammet, Chiang-Ching Huang, Dong Xu, Ira N. Targoff, Lauren M. Pachman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Dystrophic calcifications may occur in patients with J uvenile Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (JIIM) as well as other connective tissue and metabolic diseases, but a reliable method of measuring the volume of these calcifications has not been established. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of low dose, limited slice, Computed Tomography (CT) to measure objectively in-situ calcification volumes in patients with JIIM over time.

METHODS: Ten JIIM patients (eight JDM, two Overlap) with calcifications were prospectively recruited over a 2-year period to undergo two limited, low dose, four-slice CT scans. Calculation of the volume of calcifications …

The Changing Landscape Of Biosimilars In Rheumatology, Thomas Dorner, Vibeke Strand, Paul Cornes, Joao Goncalves, Laszlo Gulacsi, Jonathan Kay, Tore K. Kvien, Josef S. Smolen, Yoshiya Tanaka, Gerd R. Burmester

Jonathan Kay

Biosimilars remain a hot topic in rheumatology, and some physicians are cautious about their application in the real world. With many products coming to market and a wealth of guidelines and recommendations concerning their use, there is a need to understand the changing landscape and the real clinical and health-economic potential offered by these agents. Notably, rheumatologists will be at the forefront of the use of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies/soluble receptors. Biosimilars offer cost savings and health gains for our patients and will play an important role in treating rheumatic diseases. We hope that these lower costs will compensate for inequities …

Decreasing Patient Cost And Travel Time Through Pediatric Rheumatology Telemedicine Visits., Elizabeth A. Kessler, Ashley K. Sherman, Mara L. Becker

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: There is a critical shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in the US. Substantial travel to clinics can impose time and monetary burdens on families. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost of in-person pediatric rheumatology visits for families and determine if telemedicine clinics resulted in time and cost savings. Factors associated with interest in telemedicine were also explored.

METHODS: Surveys were offered to parents and guardians of patients in Pediatric Rheumatology follow-up clinics in Kansas City, Missouri, the primary site of in-person care, and at a telemedicine outreach site 160 miles away, in Joplin, Missouri. Survey questions …

Stimulation Of Transforming Growth Factor-Β1-Induced Endothelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition And Tissue Fibrosis By Endothelin-1 (Et-1): A Novel Profibrotic Effect Of Et-1., Peter J. Wermuth, Zhaodong Li, Fabian A. Mendoza, Sergio A. Jimenez

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a newly recognized source of profibrotic activated myofibroblasts and has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of various fibrotic processes. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in the development of tissue fibrosis but its participation in TGF-β-induced EndoMT has not been studied. Here we evaluated the role of ET-1 on TGF-β1-induced EndoMT in immunopurified CD31+/CD102+ murine lung microvascular endothelial cells. The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), of relevant profibrotic genes, and of various transcription factors involved in the EndoMT process were assessed employing quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence histology and Western blot analysis. …

Biosimilars In Rheumatology: What The Clinician Should Know, Gilberto Castaneda-Hernandez, Rodrigo Gonzalez-Ramirez, Jonathan Kay, Morton A. Scheinberg

Jonathan Kay

Biosimilars are now a reality in rheumatology. Although analytical and non-clinical procedures to establish similarity have evolved significantly, clinical trials demonstrating equivalent efficacy and safety are absolutely required for all biosimilars. The design of such trials, including equivalence and non-inferiority statistical approaches, are discussed. Clinical evidence on biosimilars that have been approved recently or are presently being developed for use in rheumatology is also reviewed and contrasted with that available for biomimics (or intended copies), which are non-innovator biologics that are marketed in several countries but have not undergone review according to a regulatory pathway for biosimilars.

Modifiable Barriers To Optimal Outcomes In Gout Management, Brian W. Coburn

Theses & Dissertations

Improving patient outcomes in chronic disease is of critical importance to the future of health care. Gout, affecting 4% of the US population, is a highly treatable chronic disease from which patients experience unnecessarily suboptimal outcomes. In this dissertation, I demonstrate how interrelated patient and provider factors affect patient outcomes in gout. First, I describe how only 14% of gout patients know their serum urate (SU) goal for urate lowering therapy (ULT) despite otherwise being knowledgeable about gout and its treatment. I then demonstrate the importance of multiple patient and provider factors in achieving SU goal. Specifically, I demonstrate that …

Amyloidosis Masquerading As Suspected Angioedema: Delay In Diagnosis, Grace Berlin Do, Marie S. O’Brien Do

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition (Endomt) In The Pathogenesis Of Human Fibrotic Diseases., Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Fabian A. Mendoza, Sergio A. Jimenez

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

Fibrotic diseases encompass a wide spectrum of clinical entities including systemic fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous graft versus host disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and IgG₄-associated sclerosing disease, as well as numerous organ-specific disorders including radiation-induced fibrosis, and cardiac, pulmonary, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Although their causative mechanisms are quite diverse, these diseases share the common feature of an uncontrolled and progressive accumulation of fibrous tissue macromolecules in affected organs leading to their dysfunction and ultimate failure. The pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases is complex and despite extensive investigation has remained elusive. Numerous studies have identified myofibroblasts as the cells …

Variants In Cxcr4 Associate With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Susceptibility., Terri H. Finkel, Jin Li, Zhi Wei, Wei Wang, Haitao Zhang, Edward M. Behrens, Emma L. Reuschel, Sophie Limou, Carol Wise, Marilynn Punaro, Mara L. Becker, Jane E. Munro, Berit Flatø, Øystein Førre, Susan D. Thompson, Carl D. Langefeld, David N. Glass, Joseph T. Glessner, Cecilia E. Kim, Edward Frackelton, Debra K. Shivers, Kelly A. Thomas, Rosetta M. Chiavacci, Cuiping Hou, Kexiang Xu, James Snyder, Haijun Qiu, Frank Mentch, Kai Wang, Cheryl A. Winkler, Benedicte A. Lie, Justine A. Ellis, Hakon Hakonarson

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease among children, the etiology of which involves a strong genetic component, but much of the underlying genetic determinants still remain unknown. Our aim was to identify novel genetic variants that predispose to JIA.

METHODS: We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and replication in a total of 1166 JIA cases and 9500 unrelated controls of European ancestry. Correlation of SNP genotype and gene expression was investigated. Then we conducted targeted resequencing of a candidate locus, among a subset of 480 cases and 480 controls. SUM test was performed …

Medical Student Competency In Wound Care Guidelines, Sophia Akhiyat, Sean Mcnish, Kara S. Couch, Victoria K. Shanmugam

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Chronic wounds that have failed to heal after 3 months of appropriate wound care affect approximately 6.5 million people in the US with a prevalence of 1% and costs estimated at $25 billion per year. Medical students currently receive limited wound care training, yet to effectively manage chronic wounds, providers must both understand the biology of healing, and also remain up-to-date with wound care guidelines published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The purpose of this student-led project was to investigate medical students' knowledge and comfort with wound care guidelines.

Tocilizumab In Early Progressive Rheumatoid Arthritis: Function, A Randomised Controlled Trial, Gerd R. Burmester, William F. Rigby, Ronald F. Van Vollenhoven, Jonathan Kay, Andrea Rubbert-Roth, Ariella Kelman, Sophie Dimonaco, Nina Mitchell

Jonathan Kay

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ), an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, has not previously been evaluated in a population consisting exclusively of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: In a double-blind randomised controlled trial (FUNCTION), 1162 methotrexate (MTX)-naive patients with early progressive RA were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to one of four treatment groups: 4 mg/kg TCZ+MTX, 8 mg/kg TCZ+MTX, 8 mg/kg TCZ+placebo and placebo+MTX (comparator group). The primary outcome was remission according to Disease Activity Score using 28 joints (DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) < 2.6) at week 24. Radiographic and physical function outcomes were also evaluated. We report results through week …

Initial Benchmarking Of The Quality Of Medical Care In Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus., Rina Mina, Julia G. Harris, Marisa S. Klein-Gitelman, Simone Appenzeller, Maraisa Centeville, Diane Eskra, Jennifer L. Huggins, Anne L. Johnson, Raju Khubchandani, Prachi Khandekar, Jiha Lee, Hai Mei Liu, Joshua D. Pendl, Clovis A. Silva, Marco F. Silva, Ahmad I. Zaal, Esi Morgan Dewitt, Stacy P. Ardoin, Hermine I. Brunner

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of medical care in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at tertiary pediatric rheumatology centers as measured by observance of SLE quality indicators (SLE-QIs).

METHODS: International consensus has been achieved for childhood-onset SLE-QIs capturing medical care provision in 9 domains: diagnostic testing, education of cardiovascular (CV) risk and lifestyles, lupus nephritis (LN), medication management, bone health, ophthalmologic surveillance, transition, pregnancy, and vaccination. Using medical record information, the level of performance of these childhood-onset SLE-QIs was assessed in childhood-onset SLE populations treated at 4 tertiary pediatric rheumatology centers in the US, 2 in Brazil, and 1 center …

Golimumab In Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis After Treatment With Tumor Necrosis Factor Inverted Question Mark Inhibitors: Findings With Up To Five Years Of Treatment In The Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Go-After Study, Josef S. Smolen, Jonathan Kay, Mittie Doyle, Robert Landewe, Eric L. Matteson, Norman Gaylis, Jurgen Wollenhaupt, Frederick T. Murphy, Stephen Xu, Yiying Zhou, Elizabeth C. Hsia

Jonathan Kay

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess long-term golimumab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who discontinued previous tumor necrosis factor- inverted question mark (TNF)-inhibitor(s). Methods:Patients enrolled into this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of active RA ( inverted question mark4 tender, inverted question mark4 swollen joints) received placebo (Group 1) or golimumab 50 mg (Group 2) or 100 mg (Group 3) injections every 4 weeks. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 with inadequate response at week 16 escaped to golimumab 50 and 100 mg, respectively. At week 24, Group 1 patients crossed-over to golimumab 50 mg, Group …

Golimumab 3-Year Safety Update: An Analysis Of Pooled Data From The Long-Term Extensions Of Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials Conducted In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis Or Ankylosing Spondylitis, Jonathan Kay, Roy Fleischmann, Edward Keystone, Elizabeth C. Hsia, Benjamin Hsu, Michael Mack, Neil Goldstein, Jurgen Braun, Arthur Kavanaugh

Jonathan Kay

OBJECTIVE: To assess pooled golimumab safety up to year 3 of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) trials. METHODS: Golimumab 50 and 100 mg, administered subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks (q4wk), were assessed in patients with active RA (methotrexate-naive, methotrexate-experienced and anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor)-experienced), PsA or AS, despite conventional therapy. Placebo control continued up to week (wk) 24 (wk 52, methotrexate-naive), with early escape at wk 16 (wk 28, methotrexate-naive); subsequently, all patients received golimumab 50 or 100 mg q4wk. After the blinded controlled period, golimumab doses could be adjusted per investigator discretion. Pooled safety …

Sarilumab For The Treatment Of Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results Of A Phase Ii, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study (Align), Joachim Sieper, Jurgen Braun, Jonathan Kay, Salvatore Badalamenti, Allen R. Radin, Lixia Jiao, Stefano Fiore, Tanya Momtahen, George D. Yancopoulos, Neil Stahl, Robert D. Inman

Jonathan Kay

OBJECTIVES: The ALIGN study (NCT01061723) evaluated the efficacy and safety of sarilumab, the first fully human monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6 receptor-alpha (IL-6Ralpha), in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Patients with active AS despite conventional treatment were randomised to placebo, or one of five subcutaneous dose regimens of sarilumab (100, 150 or 200 mg every other week, or 100 or 150 mg every week), for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was the percentage of patients achieving the Axial SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 20 response criteria at week 12. Secondary endpoints included ASAS40 response, ASAS partial remission, AS Disease …

Development Of A Novel Renal Activity Index Of Lupus Nephritis In Children & Young Adults, H. I. Brunner, M. Bennett, K. Abulaban, M. Klein-Gitelman, K. O'Neil, L. Tucker, S. Ardoin, K. Rouster-Stevens, B. A. Eberhard, P. Devarajan, +8 Additional Authors

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive estimation of the degree of inflammation seen on kidney biopsy with lupus nephritis (LN) remains difficult. The objective of this study was to develop a Renal Activity Index for Lupus (RAIL) that, based solely on laboratory measures, accurately reflects histological LN activity. METHODS: We assayed traditional LN laboratory tests and 16 urine biomarkers (UBMs) in children (n=47) at the time of kidney biopsy. Histological LN activity was measured by the NIH Activity Index (NIH-AI) and the Tubulointerstitial Activity Index (TIAI). High LN-activity status (vs. moderate/low) was defined as NIH-AI scores > 10 (vs.5 (vs.92% accuracy and LN-activityTIAI status with …

Validation Of The Lupus Nephritis Clinical Indices In Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, R. Mina, K. Abulaban, M. Klein-Gitelman, A. Eberhard, S. Ardoin, N. Singer, K. Onel, L. Tucker, K. O'Neil, H. I. Brunner, +8 Additional Authors

Journal Articles

OBJECTIVE: To validate clinical indices of lupus nephritis (LN) activity and damage when used in children against the criterion standard of kidney biopsy findings. METHODS: In 83 children requiring kidney biopsy the SLE Disease Activity Index Renal Domain (SLEDAI-R); British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index Renal Domain (BILAG-R), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Renal Activity (SLICC-RAS) and Damage Index Renal Domain (SDI-R) were measured. Fixed effect and logistic models were done to predict International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) class; low/moderate vs. high LN-activity [NIH Activity Index (NIH-AI) score:10; Tubulointerstitial Activity Index (TIAI) score:5) or the absence vs. presence …

Stress Granules And Rna Processing Bodies Are Novel Autoantibody Targets In Systemic Sclerosis, Michael E. Johnson, Andrew V. Grassetti, Jaclyn N. Taroni, Shawn M. Lyons, Devin Schweppe, Jessica K. Gordon, Robert F. Speira, Robert Lafyatis, Paul J. Anderson, Scott A. Gerber, Michael L. Whitfield

Dartmouth Scholarship

Autoantibody profiles represent important patient stratification markers in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Here, we performed serum-immunoprecipitations with patient antibodies followed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to obtain an unbiased view of all possible autoantibody targets and their associated molecular complexes recognized by SSc.

Endothelial Cells Expressing Endothelial And Mesenchymal Cell Gene Products In Lung Tissue From Patients With Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease., Fabian A. Mendoza, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, John L. Farber, Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Sergio A. Jimenez

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether lung endothelial cells (ECs) from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) express mesenchymal cell-specific proteins and gene transcripts, indicative of the occurrence of endothelial-to-mesenchymal phenotypic transition (EndoMT).

METHODS: Lung tissue from 6 patients with SSc-associated pulmonary fibrosis was examined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Confocal laser microscopy was utilized to assess the simultaneous expression of EC and myofibroblast molecular markers. CD31+CD102+ ECs were isolated from the lung tissue of 2 patients with SSc-associated ILD and 2 normal control subjects, and the expression of EC and mesenchymal cell markers and other relevant genes was analyzed …

Vitamin D Supplementation And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Pamela Rangen

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are prone to hypovitaminosis D because of their photosensitivity.

• Vitamin D has beneficial effects not only on bone metabolism but also on the function of the immune system.

• Vitamin D levels depend on many variables, including sun exposure, age, ethnicity, body mass index, use of medications and supplements.

• Patients with SLE avoid the sun because of photosensitive rashes and potential for disease flare, so adequate oral supplementation is critical.

• In addition, to the traditional known metabolic activities, vitamin D has been shown to modulate the immune system, and its …