-
Pharmacology 2022Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and secukinumab have been demonstrated to be effective treatments for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, there have been no head-to-head... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and secukinumab have been demonstrated to be effective treatments for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, there have been no head-to-head trials comparing the effectiveness and safety characteristics of JAK inhibitors with secukinumab. This study aimed to evaluate the relative effectiveness and safety of JAK inhibitors and secukinumab in patients with active AS.
SUMMARY
A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using direct and indirect data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib 5 mg, upadacitinib 15 mg, filgotinib 200 mg, and secukinumab 150 mg in patients with active AS who had a poor response or intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and were tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor-naïve. Data from six RCTs comprising 937 patients were analyzed. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society 20 (ASAS20) response rates were significantly higher in the JAK inhibitors and secukinumab groups than in the placebo group. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA)-based ranking probability based on the ASAS20 response rate suggested that tofacitinib 5 mg had the highest likelihood of being the best treatment for achieving the ASAS20 response rate, followed by filgotinib 200 mg, upadacitinib 15 mg, secukinumab 150 mg, and placebo. The SUCRA-based ranking probability based on the ASAS20 response rate suggested that tofacitinib 5 mg had the highest likelihood of being the best treatment for achieving the ASAS40 response rate, followed by upadacitinib 15 mg, secukinumab 150 mg, filgotinib 200 mg, and placebo.
KEY MESSAGES
Tofacitinib 5 mg was the most effective treatment for AS, whereas JAK inhibitors and secukinumab 150 mg were effective treatments in patients with active AS who had a poor response or intolerance to NSAIDs and were TNF inhibitor-naïve.
Topics: Humans; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Antirheumatic Agents; Treatment Outcome; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
PubMed: 35817017
DOI: 10.1159/000525627 -
Disease Markers 2022Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical rate-limiting enzyme in the homocysteine/methionine metabolism pathway that is implicated in the pathogenesis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical rate-limiting enzyme in the homocysteine/methionine metabolism pathway that is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune diseases. Previous association studies have been performed to investigate the effect of polymorphisms in on the risk of autoimmune diseases with inconsistent results. Therefore, this meta-analysis was designed to assess the association between the 677 C/T and 1298 A/C polymorphisms and the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. We identified reports by a literature search in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Ovid, Web of science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Statistical analyses of the summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were done using STATA software. In a recessive genetic model, the 677 C/T polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of Behcet's disease (OR = 1.97, 95% CI, 1.31-2.97), multiple sclerosis (OR = 1.57, 95% CI, 1.03-2.38), and ankylosing spondylitis (OR = 2.90, 95% CI, 1.92-4.38). The 1298 A/C polymorphism was associated an increased risk of multiple sclerosis in a heterozygote comparison (OR = 2.36, 95% CI, 1.29-4.30) and in a dominant model (OR = 2.31, 95% CI, 1.24-4.29). This meta-analysis demonstrated that the 677 C/T was a risk factor for Behcet's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and the 1298 A/C was a risk factor for multiple sclerosis.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Behcet Syndrome; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Multiple Sclerosis; Polymorphism, Genetic; Spondylitis, Ankylosing
PubMed: 35686035
DOI: 10.1155/2022/4568145 -
EBioMedicine Jun 2022Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis in gut microbiota may contribute to the occurrence or development of several rheumatic diseases. Since gut microbiota dysbiosis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis in gut microbiota may contribute to the occurrence or development of several rheumatic diseases. Since gut microbiota dysbiosis is potentially modifiable, it has been postulated to be a promising preventive or therapeutic target for rheumatic diseases. However, the current understanding on the potential associations between gut microbiota and rheumatic diseases is still inadequate. Therefore, we aimed to synthesise the accumulating evidence for the relation of gut microbiota to rheumatic diseases.
METHODS
The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to March 11, 2022 to include observational studies evaluating the associations between gut microbiota and rheumatic diseases. Standardised mean difference (SMD) of α-diversity indices between rheumatic diseases and controls were estimated using random-effects model. β-diversity indices and relative abundance of gut microbes were summarised qualitatively.
FINDINGS
Of the included 92 studies (11,998 participants), 68 provided data for α-diversity. Taken together as a whole, decreases in α-diversity indices were consistently found in rheumatic diseases (observed species: SMD = -0.36, [95%CI = -0.63, -0.09]; Chao1: SMD = -0.57, [95%CI = -0.88, -0.26]; Shannon index: SMD = -0.33, [95%CI = -0.48, -0.17]; Simpson index: SMD = -0.32, [95%CI = -0.49, -0.14]). However, when specific rheumatic diseases were examined, decreases were only observed in rheumatoid arthritis (observed species: SMD = -0.51, [95%CI = -0.78, -0.24]; Shannon index: SMD = -0.31, [95%CI = -0.49, -0.13]; Simpson index: SMD = -0.31, [95%CI = -0.54, -0.08]), systemic lupus erythematosus (Chao1: SMD = -1.60, [95%CI = -2.54, -0.66]; Shannon index: SMD = -0.63, [95%CI = -1.08, -0.18]), gout (Simpson index: SMD = -0.64, [95%CI = -1.07, -0.22]) and fibromyalgia (Simpson index: SMD = -0.28, [95%CI = -0.44, -0.11]), whereas an increase was observed in systemic sclerosis (Shannon index: SMD = 1.25, [95%CI = 0.09, 2.41]). Differences with statistical significance in β-diversity were consistently reported in ankylosing spondylitis and IgG4-related diseases. Although little evidence of disease specificity of gut microbes was found, shared alterations of the depletion of anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing microbe (i.e., Faecalibacterium) and the enrichment of pro-inflammatory microbe (i.e., Streptococcus) were observed in rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.
INTERPRETATION
Gut microbiota dysbiosis was associated with rheumatic diseases, principally with potentially non-specific, shared alterations of microbes.
FUNDING
National Natural Science Foundation of China (81930071, 81902265, 82072502 and U21A20352).
Topics: Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Rheumatic Diseases; Sjogren's Syndrome
PubMed: 35594658
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104055 -
Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and... Jun 2022Andersson lesions also termed as aseptic spondylodiscitis, spinal pseudoarthrosis are known to occur in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Trauma as well as... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Andersson lesions also termed as aseptic spondylodiscitis, spinal pseudoarthrosis are known to occur in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Trauma as well as inflammation has been cited as factors responsible for the causation of these lesions. A variety of surgical approaches have been described in the literature such as anterior, posterior, combined anterior and posterior, with or without reconstruction of the anterior column defect. Controversy still exists regarding the optimal management these lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To address the optimal method of management, levels of instrumentation, requirement of fusion and anterior instrumentation and general epidemiological profile of the patients with Andersson lesions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An electronic search for studies on the surgical management of Andersson lesions of spine was performed. Quality assessment of the included articles was done by two independent authors according to the criteria used by researchers previously in systematic reviews.
RESULTS
Males were found to have an increased incidence with the thoracolumbar junction being the most common level. Posterior approach was the most favoured with reconstruction of the gap in the anterior column. Posterior osteotomy with correction of deformity was done commonly for an optimal healing environment. Instrumenting 2-3 levels above and below the lesion is favoured by most.
CONCLUSION
Conservative management for Andersson lesions can be employed in the setting of acute trauma and stable fractures involving a single column. Surgical management of these lesions with a posterior long segment fixation and anterior column reconstruction is the favoured treatment in majority of the cases.
PubMed: 35510148
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcot.2022.101878 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2022To evaluate the evidence regarding the prevalence and risk of bundle branch block (BBB), atrioventricular block (AVB) and pacemaker implantation (PMI) in patients with...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the evidence regarding the prevalence and risk of bundle branch block (BBB), atrioventricular block (AVB) and pacemaker implantation (PMI) in patients with spondyloarthritis compared to a control group without spondyloarthritis.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed using Pubmed (Medline), EMBASE (Elsevier) and Cochrane Library (Wiley) databases until December 2021. The prevalence and risk for AVB, BBB and PMI were analyzed. Cohort, case control and cross-sectional studies in patients ≥18 years meeting the classification criteria for spondyloarthritis were included. The Odds ratio (OR), risk ratio (RR), or Hazard ratio (HR) and prevalence difference were considered as outcomes. Data was synthesized in a previously defined extraction form which included a risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
In total, eight out of 374 studies were included. None of the studies provided results regarding the risk of low grade AVB and BBB in SpA patients. Only indirect results comparing prevalences from low to medium quality studies were found. According to population based registries, the sex and age adjusted HR of AVB was 2.3 (95% CI 1.6-3.3) in ankylosing spondylitis, 2.9 (95% CI 1.8-4.7) in undifferentiated spondyloarthritis and 1.5 (95% CI 1.1 a 1.9) in psoriatic arthritis. The absolute risk for AVB was 0.4% (moderate to high; 95% CI 0.34%-0.69%) for AS, 0.33% (moderate to high; 95% CI 0.21%-0.53%) for uSpA and 0.34% (moderate to high; 95% CI 0.26%-0.45%) for PsA.The RR for PMI in AS patients was 1.3 (95% CI 1.16-1.46) for groups aged between 65 and 69 years, 1.33 (95% CI 1.22-1.44) for 70-75 years, 1.24 (95% CI 1.55-1.33) for 75-79 years and 1.11 (95% CI 1.06-1.17) for groups older than 80 years. The absolute risk for PMI in AS patients was 0.7% (moderate to high risk; 95% CI 0.6-0.8%) for groups aged between 65-69, 1.44% (high risk; 95% CI 1.33-1.6%) for 70-75 years, 2.09% (high risk; 95% CI 2.0-2.2%) for 75-79 years and 4.15% (high risk; 95% CI 4.0-4.3%) for groups older than 80 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Very few cases of low grade AVB and BBB were observed in observational studies. No study evaluated association measures for low grade AVB and BBB but the differences of prevalence were similar in SpA and control groups even though studies lacked the power to detect statistical differences. According to population based registries there was an approximately two fold-increased risk of high grade AVB in SpA patients. RR for PMI was higher in younger age groups.
PubMed: 35402464
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.851483 -
Stem Cells International 2022To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Efficacy and Safety of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
METHODS
The Chinese and English databases were searched for clinical research on the treatment of autoimmune diseases with mesenchymal stem cells. The search time range is from a self-built database to October 1, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and evaluated the bias of the included studies. RevMan 5.3 analysis software was used for meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 18 RCTs involving 5 autoimmune diseases were included. The 5 autoimmune disease were rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and multiple sclerosis. For RA, the current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) still believe that stem cell transplantation may reduce disease activity, improve the clinical symptoms (such as DAS28), and the percentage of CD4+CD 25+Foxp3+Tregs in the response group increased and the percentage of CD4+IL-17A+Th17 cells decreased. The total clinical effective rate of RA is 54%. For SLE, the results showed that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may improve SLEDAI [-2.18 (-3.62, -0.75), = 0.003], urine protein [-0.93 (-1.04, -0.81), < 0.00001], and complement C3 [0.31 (0.19, 0.42), < 0.00001]. For inflammatory bowel disease, the results showed that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may improve clinical efficacy [2.50 (1.07, 5.84), = 0.03]. For ankylosing spondylitis, MSC treatment for 6 months may increase the total effective rate; reduce erythrocyte sedimentation rate, intercellular adhesion molecules, and serum TNF-; and improve pain and activity. For multiple sclerosis, the current research results are still controversial, so more RCTs are needed to amend or confirm the conclusions. No obvious adverse events of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation were found in all RCTs.
CONCLUSION
MSCs have a certain effect on different autoimmune diseases, but more RCTs are needed to further modify or confirm the conclusion.
PubMed: 35371265
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9463314 -
European Journal of Investigation in... Mar 2022Infrared radiation (IR) is a promising complementary treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain. By means of a systematic review, we evaluated the... (Review)
Review
Infrared radiation (IR) is a promising complementary treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain. By means of a systematic review, we evaluated the contribution of IR to the management of these ailments. PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library-Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched until 20 December 2021. The literature search yielded 233 relevant records. Following the screening of titles and abstracts, 42 full-texts were evaluated. As per inclusion/exclusion criteria, 13 publications were entered into the qualitative assessment. These studies described the effects of IR in humans: three studies focused on osteoarthritis, four studies on fibromyalgia, and six encompassed a wider range of diseases (ankylosing spondylitis, recovery from sports injuries, myofascial pain syndrome). Based on the findings of our systematic review, we noted a decrease in pain levels, as evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS), in patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders treated with IR. In addition, IR use led to a decrease in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FiQ) scores in subjects diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Nevertheless, IR has failed to facilitate muscle recovery following athletic injuries.
PubMed: 35323210
DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12030024 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2022The safety and efficacy of Tripterygium glycosides (TG) were assessed for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in accordance with the existing literatures. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The safety and efficacy of Tripterygium glycosides (TG) were assessed for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in accordance with the existing literatures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Electronic literature was searched from Chinese VIP databases, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Web of Science, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the PubMed for the studies with the publication from the beginning to December 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included only. The major variables of result comprised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Spinal Pain Visual Analog Score (SP-VAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Moreover, the secondary variables of result covered the overall clinical effective rate following the adverse drug reaction (ADR). We carried out the meta-analysis with the use of STATA 12.0 and RevMan 5.3. We used GRADE pro3.6.1 software to assess the quality of evidence.
RESULTS
In general, we covered 15 randomized controlled trials with the focus of 1186 patients. As proven by our meta-analysis, TG as adjuvant therapy or monotherapy decreased the BASDAI, BASFI, SP-VAS, serum CRP, and ESR than control in patients suffering from AS. Additionally, TG treatment visibly improved the overall effective rate in AS. Nevertheless, TG was not found to significantly increase the rate of ADR in contrast to the control.
CONCLUSION
As indicated by our result, TG may be an option to treat AS. In this paper, we recommended strict trials with high quality and large samples sizes for confirming the finding here.
Topics: Glycosides; Humans; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Tripterygium
PubMed: 35281463
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9374895 -
Clinical Rheumatology Jul 2022Identification of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains challenging, frequently resulting in a diagnostic delay for patients. Current benchmarks of delay are usually... (Review)
Review
Identification of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) remains challenging, frequently resulting in a diagnostic delay for patients. Current benchmarks of delay are usually reported as mean data, which are typically skewed and therefore may be overestimating delay. Our aim was to determine the extent of median delay patients' experience in receiving a diagnosis of axSpA and examine whether specific factors are associated with the presence of such delay. We conducted a systematic review across five literature databases (from inception to November 2021), with studies reporting the average time period of diagnostic delay in patients with axSpA being included. Any additional information examining associations between specific factors and delay were also extracted. A narrative synthesis was used to report the median range of diagnostic delay experienced by patients with axSpA and summarise which factors have a role in the delay. From an initial 11,995 articles, 69 reported an average time period of diagnostic delay, with 25 of these providing a median delay from symptom onset to diagnosis. Across these studies, delay ranged from 0.67 to 8 years, with over three-quarters reporting a median of between 2 years and 6 years. A third of all studies reported median delay data ranging from just 2 to 2.3 years. Of seven variables reported with sufficient frequency to evaluate, only 'gender' and 'family history of axSpA' had sufficient concordant data to draw any conclusion on their role, neither influenced the extent of the delay. Despite improvements in recent decades, patients with axSpA frequently experience years of diagnostic delay and this remains an extensive worldwide problem. This is further compounded by a mixed picture of the disease, patient and healthcare-related factors influencing delay. Key points • Despite improvements in recent decades, patients with axSpA frequently experience years of diagnostic delay. • Median diagnostic delay typically ranges from 2 to 6 years globally. • Neither 'gender' nor 'family history of axSpA' influenced the extent of diagnostic delay experienced. • Diagnostic delay based on mean, rather than median, data influences the interpretation of the delay time period and consistently reports a longer delay period.
Topics: Axial Spondyloarthritis; Databases, Factual; Delayed Diagnosis; Humans; Spondylarthritis; Spondylitis, Ankylosing
PubMed: 35182270
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06100-7 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions supervised by a physiotherapist in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis,... (Review)
Review
This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions supervised by a physiotherapist in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis, PROSPERO Protocol number CRD42020209453. Five databases (PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, Web of Science Core, and EMBASE) and reference lists with relevant articles were searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions supervised by a physiotherapist were compared with usual care or home-based exercise programmes. Two investigators independently screened eligible studies. A total of 12 RCTs satisfied eligible criteria. The risk of bias ranged between medium and high. The meta-analysis results indicated that between supervised physiotherapy and usual care, the former was significantly associated with improvement in disease activity (standardised mean difference = -0.37, 95% CI, -0.64; -0.11; < 0.001, I = 71.25%, = 629), and functional capacity (standardised mean difference = -0.36, 95% CI, -0.61; -0.12, < 0.05; = 629). No statistically significant differences emerged when interventions were compared with home-based exercise programmes. Supervised physiotherapy is more effective than usual care in improving disease activity, functional capacity, and pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. No significant improvements emerged when supervised physiotherapy and home-based exercise programmes were compared. Further investigation and RCTs with larger samples are needed.
PubMed: 35052296
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010132