Biochemical markers reflecting joint remodeling in osteoarthritis (OA) are a promising diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of candidate biomarkers in subjects with and without knee OA and assess their correlation with clinical parameters and knee structural damage. 56 patients with primary knee OA and 31 healthy controls participated in this study. Patients were separated into two groups: isolated knee OA and generalized OA. Clinical parameters were obtained by validated self-reported questionnaires and a visual analogue scale. Serum levels of cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and Coll2-1 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Knee structural damage was determined by plain X-ray and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scale and Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS), respectively. Compared to controls, patients had significantly higher median serum COMP (985 vs. 625 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and MMP-3 (36.85 vs. 22.10 ng/ml; p = 0.003) levels. Patients with radiographic evidence of KLII/III knee OA had greater median COMP levels than KLI patients (1095 vs. 720 ng/ml; p = 0.001). In the generalized OA group, mean MMP-3 levels were higher than in the isolated knee OA group (30.40 vs. 55.13 ng/ml; p < 0.001). COMP correlated positively with WORMS (r = 0.454, p< 0.001) and MMP-3 (r = 0.337, p = 0.003). Cut-off values for serum COMP and MMP-3 were determined. We observed higher serum COMP and MMP-3 levels in knee OA patients compared to controls. COMP may reflect knee structural damage, while MMP-3-OA "generalization".

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a pleiotropic inflammatory disease from the spectrum of spondyloarthritides which can potentially affect many organ systems. The chronic nature of the inflammatory milieu presented in rheumatic diseases, is similar to that of atherosclerosis, suggesting a common pathogenic basis. Effector cells of innate and adaptive immunity along with pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune mediators may work together to potentiate endothelial damage and accelerate cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Thus, the risk of CVD and associated complications in PsA might be elevated, especially in patients with severe psoriasis, long-standing disease, and multiple comorbidities. This narrative review focuses on the prevalence of CVD in PsA patients, the overlapping molecular features in the pathogenesis of both conditions, and summarizes the benefits of the current treatments on impairments resolution.

BackgroundPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease. Affecting skin, joints, entheses and dactylitis, its impact on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) could be substantial.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe HRQoL in newly diagnosed PsA patients taking into account skin involvement, swollen joints, tender enthuses and dactylitis.MethodsHRQoL was assessed by 8 subscales of the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire (0–100, higher score represents a better HRQoL). Patients were classified in arthritis subtypes (i.e. mono-, oligo- or polyarthritis) by rheumatologist. Entheses were evaluated using the Leeds Enthesitis Index (LEI) and Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES; positive if tender entheses >1). Psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI; mild: 0–7; moderate/severe: >7) and dactylitis using the Leeds Dactylitis Index (LDI).Results87 patients (48 male, 39 female, mean age 47,6±15,3) with PsA (21 had monoarthritis, 49 - oligoarthrit and 17 - polyarthritis) completed the SF-36 were included in the study. Psoriasis was mild in 63 (72,41%) patients and moderate/severe in 12 (13,79%) patiients. At least one digit with dactylitis was present in 10 (11,49%) of the patients. A tender enthesis was present in 39 (44,83%) of patients. Mean scores of the subdomains in the SF-36 were similar across the different arthritis groups, with slightly worse scores for polyarthritis compared to mono- and oligoarthritis. However, when stratifying these groups for the presence of a tender enthesis, HRQoL decreased substantially for all groups across all subdomains of the SF-36, with a median difference of 12,9 points. Irrespective of joint involvement, a tender enthesis decreased the mean scores of all subdomains significantly compared to the non-tender enthesis group (p<0,05). Severity of psoriasis and presence of dactylitis did not lead to significantly different SF-36 values compared to those not affected.ConclusionsHaving tender entheses impacts HRQoL severly in both its physical and mental dimensions in incident untreated PsA.Disclosure of InterestNone declared

BackgroundTreatment strategies nowadays are targeting clinical remission or low disease activity. In some patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinical findings defer from the ultrasonographic evidence of inflammation which raise the need for revising the remission criteria in the clinical practice.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to estimate the presence of subclinical synovitis by power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in PsA patients, who were considered as being in clinical remission defined by DAS28-ESR (Disease activity score of 28 joints – erythrocyte sedimentation rate) for at least 6 months during the treatment course.Methods64 PsA patients in clinical remission based on DAS28 – ESR <2.6 were included in the study. The patients were examined by two independent rheumatologists. The affected joints were assessed by PDUS (MyLab 60, Esaote) for the presence of synovial hypertrophy (SH) and synovitis scored from 0 to 3 based on the presence and intensity of PD signal. Disease activity was determined by the presence of SH ≥2 degree and a positive PD signal.ResultsWe found a persistent synovitis in 23 (35.9%) of the PsA with clinical remission of the peripheral joint involvement. Active synovitis was also found in 7 (10.9%) of the patients with DAS28 <2.6 which were on systemic corticosteroid (CS) treatment regimen.ConclusionsThe presence of active synovitis on PDUS in a significant part of the studied PsA patients (35.9%) which were considered as being in clinical remission for at least 6 months showed that these kind of patients need to be closely followed-up and adequately treated. The systemic CS treatment does not exclude the presence of disease activity in PsA. Further studies for assessment of the synovitis will establish correct criteria for defining and monitoring the disease activity in PsA.Disclosure of InterestNone declared