MNCD: A New Tool for Classifying Parkinson’s Disease in Daily Clinical Practice

Background and objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder in which the symptoms and prognosis can be very different among patients. We propose a new simple classification to identify key symptoms and staging in PD. Patients and Methods: Sixteen movement disorders specialists from Spain participated in this project. The classification was consensually approved after a discussion and review process from June to October 2021. The TNM classification and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were considered as models in the design. Results: The classification was named MNCD and included 4 major axes: (1) motor symptoms; (2) non-motor symptoms; (3) cognition; (4) dependency for activities of daily living (ADL). Motor axis included 4 sub-axes: (1) motor fluctuations; (2) dyskinesia; (3) axial symptoms; (4) tremor. Four other sub-axes were included in the non-motor axis: (1) neuropsychiatric symptoms; (2) autonomic dysfunction; (3) sleep disturbances and fatigue; (4) pain and sensory disorders. According to the MNCD, 5 stages were considered, from stage 1 (no disabling motor or non-motor symptoms with normal cognition and independency for ADL) to 5 (dementia and dependency for basic ADL). Conclusions: A new simple classification of PD is proposed. The MNCD classification includes 4 major axes and 5 stages to identify key symptoms and monitor the evolution of the disease in patients with PD. It is necessary to apply this proof of concept in a properly designed study.

A Modified Open-Door Laminoplasty with Reconstruction of the Cervical Posterior Ligamental Complex to Decrease Axial Pain in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background:Cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients with multiple segments are usually treated with the posterior approach. But expansive open laminoplasty (ELAP) often results in heavy, rigid, and acid bilges feelings in the neck, shoulder, and back, collectively known as axial symptoms. Objective: To evaluate the effect of modified posterior cervical ligament complex reconstruction and single-door laminoplasty with titanium plate fixation on postoperative axial symptoms in patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis conducted from June 2016 to March 2018 collected more than 132 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy at our institute. Group A includes 74 patients and Group B includes 58 patients who use different surgery method. Gender, age, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, post-operative drainage volume, and follow-up time, Visual analogue scoring (VAS), cervical curvature index (CCI) and the cross-sectional area of the posterior cervical muscles of the two groups were recorded. Results: There was statistical significance in the incidence of axial pain 3 months after surgery (P =0.001), 6 months after surgery (P =0.006), and 1 year after surgery (P =0.015). And the VAS score was decreased in group A 1 week (P <0.0001), 1 ,3 month(P=0.0001), 6 months(P=0.0076), and 1 year(P=0.0085) post-surgery compared to group B. Also the CCI and the posterior cervical muscle area between groups A and B (P < 0.0001).Conclusion: Modified single open-door laminoplasty could relieve cervical axial pain in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

A cluster analysis of patients with axial spondyloarthritis using tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors based on clinical characteristics

Background This study aimed to classify the distinct group of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) on tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi) according to the baseline characteristics using a clustering algorithm. Methods The clinical characteristics and demographic data of patients with axial SpA included in the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy registry were investigated. The patterns of disease manifestations were examined using divisive hierarchical cluster analysis. After clustering, we compared the clinical characteristics of patients and the drug survival of TNFi between the classified groups. Results A total of 1042 patients were analysed. The cluster analysis classified patients into two groups: axial group predominantly showing isolated axial manifestations (n = 828) and extra-axial group more frequently showing extra-axial symptoms (n = 214). Almost all extra-axial symptoms (peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, uveitis, and psoriasis) were more frequently observed in the extra-axial group than in the axial group. Moreover, patients in the extra-axial group had shorter disease duration, later disease onset, and higher disease activity than those in the axial group. The disease activity was comparable between the two groups after 1 year of treatment with TNFi. Interestingly, the extra-axial group had a lower drug survival with TNFi than the axial group (p = 0.001). Conclusions Cluster analysis of patients with axial SpA using TNFi classified two distinct clinical phenotypes. These clusters had different TNFi drug survival, clinical characteristics, and disease activity.

Falls risk is predictive of dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease

Objective Evaluate the relationship between falls, freezing of gait, and swallowing disturbance in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Background Dysphagia is a common symptom in PD, and is often thought of as an axial feature along with falls and gait disturbance. It is of interest to examine the relationship between these symptoms in PD, given the possibility of shared pathophysiology due to non-dopaminergic and extranigral dysfunction. Methods We recruited 29 consecutive non-demented patients with idiopathic PD and at least one clinically determined impairment in swallowing, falls, or freezing of gait. Swallow dysfunction was assessed using the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ). The Falls Efficacy Scale and Freezing-of-gait questionnaire were recorded. Correlation analysis and multiple regression were used to determine the relationship between swallow and gait disturbance. Results Total SDQ score correlated strongly with the falls efficacy scale (Spearman’s rho = 0.594; P = 0.001), but not with the freezing-of-gait score. Linear regression controlling for other factors associated with dysphagia identified falls efficacy score as a significant predictor of swallow dysfunction. Conclusions The severity of dysphagia in PD is closely related to severity of falls, but not gait freezing. This may be helpful to more precisely determine the anatomical substrate of levodopa-resistant axial symptoms in PD and provide clues to further management.

Longitudinal analysis of the patient pathways to diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis

Background The occurrence of health events preceding a psoriatic arthritis (PsA) diagnosis may serve as predictors of diagnosis. We sought to assess patients’ real-world experiences in obtaining a PsA diagnosis. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed MarketScan claims data from January 2006 to April 2019. Included were adult patients with ≥ 2 PsA diagnoses (ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM) ≥ 30 days apart with ≥ 6 years of continuous enrolment before PsA diagnosis. Controls were matched 2:1 to patients with PsA. Health events (diagnoses and provider types) were analyzed before PsA diagnosis and additionally stratified by presence of psoriasis. Results Of 13,661 patients, those with PsA had an increased history of coding for arthritis and dermatologic issues (osteoarthritis [48% vs 22%], rheumatoid arthritis [18% vs 2%], and psoriasis [61% vs 2%]) vs those without PsA. Diagnoses of arthritis, axial symptoms, and tendonitis/enthesitis increased over time preceding PsA diagnosis; notably, a sharp rise in psoriasis diagnoses was observed 6 months before PsA diagnosis. Rheumatology consults were more common immediately preceding a PsA diagnosis. Dermatologists were unlikely to code for arthritis and musculoskeletal issues, while rheumatologists were unlikely to code for psoriasis; general practitioners focused on axial and musculoskeletal symptoms. PsA was most commonly diagnosed by rheumatologists (40%), general practitioners (22%), and dermatologists (7%). Conclusions Rheumatologists, general practitioners, and dermatologists diagnosed two thirds of patients with PsA. Musculoskeletal symptoms were common preceding a PsA diagnosis. Greater awareness of patterns of health events may alert healthcare providers to suspect a diagnosis of PsA.

Axial Psoriatic Disease: Clinical and Imaging Assessment of an Underdiagnosed Condition

The frequent involvement of the spine and sacroiliac joint has justified the classification of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in the Spondyloarthritis group. Even if different classification criteria have been developed for PsA and Spondyloarthritis over the years, a well-defined distinction is still difficult. Although the majority of PsA patients present peripheral involvement, the axial involvement needs to be taken into account when considering disease management. Depending on the definition used, the prevalence of axial disease may vary from 25 to 70% in patients affected by PsA. To date, no consensus definition has been reached in the literature and the definition of axial involvement in PsA has varied from isolated sacroiliitis to criteria used in ankylosing spondylitis. This article reviews the unmet needs in the clinical and radiological assessment of axial PsA, reporting the various interpretations of axial involvement, which have changed over the years. Focusing on both imaging and clinical standpoints, we reported the prevalence of clinical and radiologic features, describing the characteristics of axial disease detectable by X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and PET-CT, and also describing the axial symptoms and outcome measures in patients affected by axial disease.

POS0980 ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY CARE CONSULTATION PATTERNS TO AID DIAGNOSIS OF AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS – AN EXPLORATORY CASE SERIES

Background:Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) often suffer a significant delay to diagnosis. This is associated with poorer outcomes in quality of life, functional capabilities and work productivity [1]. These patients are frequent consulters to primary care in the years preceding rheumatology referral [2]. We hypothesise that analysis of primary care consultation patterns may identify as-yet undiagnosed disease, and suggest that implementing an automated diagnostic algorithm may support early action in primary care.Objectives:To undertake a preliminary exploration of primary care consultation patterns in patients with a delayed diagnosis of AxSpA and identify themes for further research.Methods:The study was run in Salford, UK, where unique linkage exists across electronic health records (EHR) from primary and secondary care. A dataset of patients with AxSpA was obtained from 2018-2020 hospital physiotherapy clinic records. Ten patients with a time to diagnosis ≥ 5 years were randomly selected for this exploratory analysis. Diagnostic delay was calculated based on rheumatology clinic letter documentation. Age, sex, and HLA-B27 status were recorded. All “Problem” codes from the primary care EHR up to the point of diagnosis were manually reviewed.Results:Age at diagnosis was 32-49 years with seven males and three females. Seven were HLA-B27 positive. The average delay to diagnosis was 15.8 years (range 5-30).On average, patients had 15 primary care consultations (range 5-24) between first coded AxSpA-related symptom and rheumatology referral. Around half of these codes were potentially AxSpA-related (for example, see Figure 1).Six patients had a coded history of back pain. Two patients presented with other axial symptoms, including: rib pain, MSK chest pain and sciatica.Five patients presented with peripheral joint symptoms, including: ankle pain, shoulder pain, knee problem, pain in arm, medial epicondylitis elbow, hip pain and groin pain. Of these, four had multiple presentations and three had a previous visit with axial pain.Two patients had uveitis preceding axial symptoms. One patient had peripheral joint symptoms (hip pain) preceding uveitis.Inconsistent codes were used for the same problem presenting at different times in nine cases, including: back pain, backache, low back pain, lower back pain.Other relevant codes were used in seven cases, including: stiffness, arthritis, saw physiotherapist and referred to pain clinic.Figure 1 illustrates the consultation pattern for a male patient who first presented to primary care with back pain at the age of 35. Despite a relatively typical presentation, his diagnosis was made incidentally 10 years later after an ESR was checked for unrelated reasons. He was significantly disabled in function at the point of being referred to rheumatology.Conclusion:Our preliminary analysis suggests that patients with a delayed diagnosis of AxSpA have repeated primary care visits with potentially recognisable symptoms of their disease. These findings support the feasibility of future automated detection, with areas of focus including recognition of non-back pain axial symptoms, extra-articular manifestations, and peripheral joint symptoms.Whilst half of presentations were not directly AxSpA-related, modern machine learning techniques have the ability to explore whether the pattern or frequency of these consultations are relevant to identifying undiagnosed disease. Such methods can also highlight patterns obscured by extensive data sets and inconsistent coding, with opportunity for implementation back into primary care.References:[1]Redeker I et al. Determinants of diagnostic delay in axial spondyloarthritis: an analysis based on linked claims and patient-reported survey data. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2019;58:1634–8.[2]Yi E et al. Clinical, Economic, and Humanistic Burden Associated With Delayed Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Systematic Review. Rheumatol Ther. 2020;7(1):65–87Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

POS1045 Ixekizumab efficacy on spinal pain, disease activity and quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis presenting with symptoms suggestive of axial involvement

Background:Many patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) experience back pain and stiffness, which may suggest axial involvement [1]. The prevalence of axial involvement in PsA varies between 25-70% [2]. Ixekizumab (IXE), a monoclonal antibody with high affinity for IL17-A, has been studied in Phase 3 trials in patients with PsA (SPIRIT-P1 [Biologic-naïve; NCT01695239] and SPIRIT-P2 [Inadequate response or intolerant to 1 or 2 TNF inhibitors (TNFi); NCT02349295]) [3] [4].Objectives:To determine the efficacy of IXE up to 52 weeks (Wks) in reducing axial symptoms in patients with active PsA presenting with symptoms suggestive of axial involvement.Methods:This post-hoc analysis included data from two subpopulations of patients with PsA (pooled SPIRIT-P1 and -P2). Symptoms suggestive of axial involvement were defined as Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) Q2 (back pain) ≥4, and an average of Q5 + Q6 (intensity and duration of morning stiffness in the spine) ≥4 at baseline. Patients included in the sensitivity analysis subgroup 1 were, in addition to the above-mentioned overall analysis criteria, <45 years of age, while patients included in sensitivity analysis subgroup 2 were aged <45 but also had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (> 5 mg/l) at baseline. Efficacy of IXE was analysed using BASDAI questions, total BASDAI, mBASDAI (without Q3), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) change from baseline, as well as BASDAI50 response and Short-Form-36 physical component summary (SF-36 PCS) improvement, at Wks 16, 24 and 52. Treatment comparison was done using logistic regression for BASDAI50, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model for other endpoints. Missing data for binary and continuous endpoints were imputed by non-responder imputation and modified baseline observation carried forward (mBOCF), respectively.Results:A total of 313 patients (placebo (PBO), N=151; IXE Q4W, N=162) met the overall analysis inclusion criteria. Baseline values for BASDAI and ASDAS related endpoints were balanced across treatment arms (Table 1). Improvement in axial symptoms were significantly greater in patients treated with IXE compared to PBO at Wks 16 and 24 (Figure 1. next page) Improvement in quality of life (QoL) measures (SF-36 PCS) were also significantly greater in patients treated with IXE compared to PBO at Wks 16 and 24 (Table 1). Similar results were observed for patients < 45 years, and in patients < 45 years with CRP > 5 mg/l at baseline (sensitivity analysis, data not shown).Table 1.Baseline values and change from baseline (mBOCF) in the overall analysis population at Wks 16, 24 and 52 for BASDAI and ASDAS related endpoints in patients with PsA and axial pain. Data presented as mean (SD) unless otherwise specified. ‡p<0.001 vs PBO.Conclusion:IXE is effective in reducing axial symptoms and improving QoL in patients with active PsA presenting with symptoms suggestive of axial involvement.References:[1]Yap KS. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77(11)[2]Feld J. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2018;14[3]Orbai A. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2020[online][4]Genovese MC. Rheumatol. 2018;57(11)Figure 1.Change from baseline (mBOCF) in BASDAI and ASDAS related endpoints in patients with PsA and axial pain in the overall analysis population. Data presented as mean (SD). ‡p<0.001 vs PBO.Acknowledgements:Edel Hughes, an employee of Eli Lilly and Company, provided editorial and writing support.Disclosure of Interests:Atul Deodhar Speakers bureau: Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Boeheringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boeheringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Glaxo Smith Kline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Glaxo Smith Kline, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, BMS, Galapagos, Gilead, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Rebecca Bolce Shareholder of: Employee and shareholder of Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Employee and shareholder of Eli Lilly and Company, David Sandoval Shareholder of: Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Currently employed by Eli Lilly and Company, So Young Park Shareholder of: Eli Lilly & Company, Employee of: Eli Lilly & Company, Soyi Liu Leage Shareholder of: Owns Lilly shares (company producing drug/devices for use in rheumatology), Employee of: Employee of Eli Lilly and Company, Peter Nash Speakers bureau: Honoraria for lectures on behalf Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Roche, Sanofi, Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, Pfizer, Boehringer, Samsung, Consultant of: Advice on behalf Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Roche, Sanofi, Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, Pfizer, Boehringer, Samsung, Grant/research support from: Research funding for clinical trials on behalf Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Roche, Sanofi, Lilly, Novartis, Janssen, Pfizer, Boehringer, Samsung, Denis Poddubnyy Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Biocad, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, and Pfizer.

POS1270 MUSCULOSKELETAL MANIFESTATIONS IN A COHORT OF 234 INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS

Background:Musculoskeletal symptoms represent the most common extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a major cause of impaired quality of life in these patients. Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is classically associated with IBD, but other rheumatic manifestations may occur.Objectives:To characterize musculoskeletal symptoms and rheumatic diseases in an IBD cohort.Methods:Retrospective monocentric descriptive study including all the patients with IBD consecutively reffered from Gastroenterology to the Rheumatology Department between January of 2013 and December 2020 in a tertiary university hospital. Demographic and clinical data and musculoskeletal symptoms were collected at the time of the first visit in the Rheumatology outpatient center and the rheumatic diseases diagnosed during the entire follow-up were registered.Results:A total of 234 patients were included, 136 (58.1%) females, 20 (8.5%) smokers. At the first Rheumatology consultation the mean age was 43.6 (±13.7) years and the mean IBD duration was 11.7 (±9.7) years. Concerning IBD: 172 (73.5%) had Crohn’s disease and 62 (26.5%) had ulcerative colitis; azathioprine (39.7%), infliximab (28.2%) and mesalazine (26.5%) were the most frequently used drugs; eleven patients (4.7%) were taking glucocorticoids and 106 (45.3%) had already been treated with glucocorticoids.Regarding musculoskeletal symptoms: 76 (32.5%) patients had peripheral symptoms and 98 (41.9%) had axial symptoms (Table 1).Table 1.Characterization of peripheral and axial musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.N (%)Peripheral symptomsNo158 (67.5%)Arthritis / “inflammatory” joint pain24 (10.3%)“Mixed” rhythm joint pain15 (6.4%)“Mechanical” joint pain29 (12.4%)Enthesopathy8 (3.4%)Axial symptomsNo136 (58.1%)“Inflammatory” back pain46 (19.7%)“Mixed” rhythm back pain35 (14.9%)“Mechanical” back pain17 (7.3%)Total234 (100%)Twenty-six (11.1%) patients had radiographic sacroiliitis, 14 (6.0%) had sacroiliitis in computed tomography and 9 (3.8%) in magnetic resonance. Forty-four (18.8%) patients fulfilled Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria for axial SpA and 5 (2.1%) for peripheral SpA. Also of note, 16 (6.8%) patients had a previous diagnosis of psoriasis and 5 (2.1%) had uveitis in the past.Concerning other rheumatic diagnosis, we observed: osteoarthritis in 64 (27.3%), osteoporosis in 16 (6.9%), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in 6 (2.6%), systemic lupus erythematosus in 4 (1.7%), rotator cuff tendinopathy in 2 (0.9%), rheumatoid arthritis, gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, fibromyalgia, drug-induced lupus, osteitis condensans ilii, Dupuytren’s contracture and avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 1 (0.4%), each.Conclusion:Our results demonstrate a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and rheumatic diseases in patients with IBD. These diagnoses are not limited to the group of SpA and osteoporosis, emphasizing the importance of rheumatologists being alert to other rheumatic diagnoses in patients with IBD.Disclosure of Interests:None declared