Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory bone disease that primarily affects children and adolescents. CNO is associated with pain, bone swelling, deformity, and fractures. Its ...pathophysiology is characterized by increased inflammasome assembly and imbalanced expression of cytokines. Treatment is currently based on personal experience, case series and resulting expert recommendations.
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been initiated because of the rarity of CNO, expired patent protection of some medications, and the absence of agreed outcome measures. An international group of fourteen CNO experts and two patient/parent representatives was assembled to generate consensus to inform and conduct future RCTs.
The exercise delivered consensus inclusion and exclusion criteria, patent protected (excludes TNF inhibitors) treatments of immediate interest (biological DMARDs targeting IL-1 and IL-17), primary (improvement of pain; physician global assessment) and secondary endpoints (improved MRI; improved PedCNO score which includes physician and patient global scores) for future RCTs in CNO.
•Studies in CNO have been “complicated” by the lack of case definitions, diagnostic modes of severity definition and outcomes.•Consensus was achieved among experts and patient representatives to inform and conduct CNO trials.•NSAID-refractory patients with mono- or multifocal CNO without complications should be enrolled.•Biological DMARDs promise potential and should be compared with pamidronate.•In addition to patient pain, outcomes should include physician global scores and MR imaging.
To develop criteria for the classification of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). A multistep process, based on a combination of expert ...consensus and analysis of real patient data, was conducted. A panel of 28 experts was first asked to classify 428 patient profiles as having or not having MAS, based on clinical and laboratory features at the time of disease onset. The 428 profiles comprised 161 patients with systemic JIA-associated MAS and 267 patients with a condition that could potentially be confused with MAS (active systemic JIA without evidence of MAS, or systemic infection). Next, the ability of candidate criteria to classify individual patients as having MAS or not having MAS was assessed by evaluating the agreement between the classification yielded using the criteria and the consensus classification of the experts. The final criteria were selected in a consensus conference. Experts achieved consensus on the classification of 391 of the 428 patient profiles (91.4%). A total of 982 candidate criteria were tested statistically. The 37 best-performing criteria and 8 criteria obtained from the literature were evaluated at the consensus conference. During the conference, 82% consensus among experts was reached on the final MAS classification criteria. In validation analyses, these criteria had a sensitivity of 0.73 and a specificity of 0.99. Agreement between the classification (MAS or not MAS) obtained using the criteria and the original diagnosis made by the treating physician was high (κ=0.76). We have developed a set of classification criteria for MAS complicating systemic JIA and provided preliminary evidence of its validity. Use of these criteria will potentially improve understanding of MAS in systemic JIA and enhance efforts to discover effective therapies, by ensuring appropriate patient enrollment in studies.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a hyperinflammatory syndrome that often requires critical care support and remains difficult to diagnose. These guidelines are meant to aid in the early ...recognition, diagnosis, supportive care, and treatment of patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in ICUs.
The literature searches were performed with PubMed (MEDLINE).
Keywords and medical subject headings terms for literature search included "macrophage activation syndrome," hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis," and "hemophagocytic syndrome."
The Histiocyte Society developed these consensus recommendations on the basis of published reports and expert opinions with level of evidence provided for each recommendation. They were endorsed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Testing for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis should be initiated promptly in all patients admitted to ICUs with an unexplained or disproportionate inflammatory response, especially those with rapid clinical deterioration. Meeting five or more of eight hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis 2004 diagnostic criteria serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Early aggressive critical care interventions are often required to manage the multisystem organ failure associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Thorough investigation of the underlying triggers of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, including infections, malignancies, and autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases, is essential. Early steroid treatment is indicated for patients with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and is often valuable in patients with acquired hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (i.e., secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) without previous therapy, including macrophage activation syndrome (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to autoimmune/autoinflammatory disease) without persistent or relapsing disease. Steroid treatment should not be delayed, particularly if organ dysfunction is present. In patients with macrophage activation syndrome, whose disease does not sufficiently respond, interleukin-1 inhibition and/or cyclosporine A is recommended. In familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and severe, persistent, or relapsing secondary macrophage activation syndrome, the addition of prompt individualized, age-adjusted etoposide treatment is recommended.
Further studies are needed to determine optimal treatment for patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in ICUs, including the use of novel and adjunct therapies.
Objective
To describe the clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic features, current treatment, and outcome of patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic juvenile ...idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Methods
In this multinational, multicenter study, pediatric rheumatologists and hemato‐oncologists entered patient data collected retrospectively into a web‐based database.
Results
A total of 362 patients, 22% of whom had MAS at the onset of systemic JIA, were included in the study by 95 investigators from 33 countries. The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever (96%), hepatomegaly (70%), and splenomegaly (58%). Central nervous system dysfunction and hemorrhages were recorded in 35% and 20% of the patients, respectively. Platelet count and liver transaminase, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, and d‐dimer levels were the sole laboratory biomarkers showing a percentage change of >50% between the pre‐MAS visit and MAS onset. Evidence of macrophage hemophagocytosis was found in 60% of the patients who underwent bone marrow aspiration. MAS occurred most frequently in the setting of active underlying disease, in the absence of a specific trigger. Nearly all patients were given corticosteroids, and 61% received cyclosporine. Biologic medications and etoposide were given to 15% and 12% of the patients, respectively. Approximately one‐third of the patients required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and the mortality rate was 8%.
Conclusion
This study provides information on the clinical spectrum and current management of systemic JIA–associated MAS through the analysis of a very large patient sample. MAS remains a serious condition, as a sizeable proportion of patients required admission to the ICU or died.
Objective
To develop standardized treatment regimens for chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO), also known as chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), to enable comparative effectiveness ...treatment studies.
Methods
Virtual and face‐to‐face discussions and meetings were held within the CNO/CRMO subgroup of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA). A literature search was conducted, and CARRA membership was surveyed to evaluate available treatment data and identify current treatment practices. Nominal group technique was used to achieve consensus on treatment plans for CNO refractory to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) monotherapy and/or with active spinal lesions.
Results
Three consensus treatment plans (CTPs) were developed for the first 12 months of therapy for CNO patients refractory to NSAID monotherapy and/or with active spinal lesions. The 3 CTPs are methotrexate or sulfasalazine, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors with optional methotrexate, and bisphosphonates. Short courses of glucocorticoids and continuation of NSAIDs are permitted for all regimens. Consensus was achieved on these CTPs among CARRA members. Consensus was also reached on subject eligibility criteria, initial evaluations that should be conducted prior to the initiation of CTPs, and data items to collect to assess treatment response.
Conclusion
Three consensus treatment plans were developed for pediatric patients with CNO refractory to NSAIDs and/or with active spinal lesions. Use of these CTPs will provide additional information on efficacy and will generate meaningful data for comparative effectiveness research in CNO.
To evaluate the effect of canakinumab on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work/school and social life of patients with autoinflammatory recurrent fever syndromes, including ...colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever, mevalonate kinase deficiency, and tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, in the CLUSTER trial.
HRQoL of patients who received canakinumab 150 mg or 300 mg every four weeks in the CLUSTER trial (n=173) was assessed at baseline and Weeks 17 and 41. For children we used the Child Health Questionnaire - Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50), including psychosocial (PsS) and physical (PhS) component summary scores. For adults, the Short-Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey was used, including physical (PFS) and mental (PCS) component summary scores. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) was used to determine the impact of treatment on work/school, social and family life.
The results obtained were remarkably consistent in both paediatric and adult patients across the three disease cohorts. At baseline, median scores for physical components were relatively low (26-29 for PhS and 34-38 for PFS); they improved to values similar to those expected in the general population by Week 17, and this improvement was sustained at Week 41, when median PhS scores were 47-50 and PFS 44-54. Psychosocial and mental scores also improved from baseline to Week 17 and 41, with scores comparable to the general population. Notable improvements were also observed in the SDS scale.
Patients with three inherited autoinflammatory syndromes experienced sustained improvements on their HRQoL, work/school, and social life on treatment with canakinumab.
Objective
The optimal time to start biologics in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) remains uncertain. The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) developed 3 ...consensus treatment plans (CTPs) for untreated polyarticular JIA to compare strategies for starting biologics.
Methods
Start Time Optimization of Biologics in Polyarticular JIA (STOP‐JIA) was a prospective, observational, CARRA Registry study comparing the effectiveness of 3 CTPs: 1) the step‐up plan (initial nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug DMARD monotherapy, adding a biologic if needed, 2) the early combination plan (DMARD and biologic started together), and 3) the biologic first plan (biologic monotherapy). The primary outcome measure was clinically inactive disease according to the provisional American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, without glucocorticoids, at 12 months. Secondary outcome measures included Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain interference and mobility scores, inactive disease as defined by the clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 10 joints (JADAS‐10), and the ACR Pediatric 70 criteria (Pedi 70).
Results
Of 400 patients enrolled, 257 (64%) began the step‐up plan, 100 (25%) the early combination plan, and 43 (11%) the biologic first plan. After propensity score weighting and multiple imputation, clinically inactive disease according to the ACR criteria was achieved in 37% of those on the early combination plan, 32% on the step‐up plan, and 24% on the biologic first plan (P = 0.17). Inactive disease according to the clinical JADAS‐10 (score ≤2.5) was also achieved in more patients on the early combination plan than the step‐up plan (59% versus 43%; P = 0.03), as was ACR Pedi 70 (81% versus 62%; P = 0.008), but generalizability was limited by missing data. PROMIS measures improved in all groups, but without significant differences. Twenty serious adverse events were reported (mostly infections).
Conclusion
Achievement of clinically inactive disease without glucocorticoids did not significantly differ between groups at 12 months. While there was a significantly higher likelihood of early combination therapy achieving inactive disease according to the clinical JADAS‐10 and ACR Pedi 70, these results require further exploration.
Objective
The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a second tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) versus a non‐TNFi biologic following discontinuation of a TNFi for patients ...with polyarticular‐course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA).
Methods
Using the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry, patients with pJIA who started receiving a second biologic following a first TNFi were identified. Patients were required to have no active uveitis on the index date and a visit six months after the index date. Outcome measures included Clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score with a maximum of 10 active joints (cJADAS10), cJADAS10 inactive disease (ID; ≤2.5) and cJADAS10 minimal disease activity (MiDA; ≤5). Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using propensity score quintiles to compare outcomes at six months following second biologic initiation.
Results
There were 216 patients included, 84% initially received etanercept, and most patients stopped receiving it because of its ineffectiveness (74%). A total of 183 (85%) started receiving a second TNFi, and 33 (15%) started receiving a non‐TNFi. Adalimumab was the most common second biologic received (71% overall, 84% of second TNFi), and tocilizumab was the most common non‐TNFi second biologic received (9% overall, 58% of non‐TNFi). There was no difference between receiving TNFi versus non‐TNFi in cJADAS10 ID (29% vs 25%; aOR 1.23, 95% confidence interval CI 0.47–3.20) or at least MiDA (43% vs 39%; aOR 1.11, 95% CI 0.47–2.62) at six months.
Conclusion
Most patients with pJIA started receiving TNFi rather than non‐TNFi as their second biologic, and there were no differences in disease activity at six months.
To describe 2-year trajectories of the clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score, 10 joints (cJADAS10) and associated baseline characteristics in patients with JIA.
JIA patients in the ...Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance Registry enrolled within 3 months of diagnosis from 15 June 2015 to 6 December 2017 with at least two cJADAS10 scores and 24 months of follow-up were included. Latent growth curve models of cJADAS10 were analysed; a combination of Bayesian information criterion, posterior probabilities and clinical judgement was used to select model of best fit.
Five trajectories were identified among the 746 included patients: High, Rapidly Decreasing (HRD) (n = 199, 26.7%); High, Slowly Decreasing (HSD) (n = 154, 20.6%); High, Increasing (HI) (n = 39, 5.2%); Moderate, Persistent (MP) (n = 218, 29.2%); and Moderate, Decreasing (MD) (n = 136, 18.2%). Most patients spent a significant portion of time at moderate to high disease activity levels. At baseline, HSD patients were more likely to be older, have a lower physician global assessment, normal inflammatory markers, longer time to first biologic, and have taken systemic steroids compared with HRD. Those with a HI trajectory were more likely to be ANA negative, have a longer time to first biologic, and less likely to be taking a conventional synthetic DMARD compared with HRD. MP patients were more likely to be older with lower household income, longer time to diagnosis, and markers of higher disease activity than those with a MD trajectory.
Five trajectories of JIA disease activity, and associated baseline variables, were identified.
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