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BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic inflammatory rheumatism responsible for joint destruction and also a systemic disease. Pulmonary involvement is one of the most common extra-articular manifestations of RA and it is associated with a poor prognosis. Several studies have demonstrated an association between the occurrence of RA and the positivity of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP), an immunological biomarker that is used to evaluate the disease activity in RA patients.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the link between anti-CCP and lung damage in patients with RA.MethodsThe study was a retrospective analysis that included 407 patients who were followed for RA between January 2011 and March 2022. Data were collected from the medical records of the patients, and analyzed using statistical test such chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test and t-test. The level of significance was set at p=0.05.The study design included a thorough data cleaning process.ResultsThe mean age of patients (n=407) was 58.86 years ± 12.441 with a sex ratio of 6 (F/M). The median duration of evolution was 14 ± 7.523 years, 16% of patients were hypertensive and 19.5% were diabetic RA was erosive in 87.2% of patients, rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 85% of patients, and anti-CCP was positive in 64.9% of patients. The mean RF level was 165.8982 ± 278.49, and the mean anti-CCP level was 224.26 ± 440.18. Pulmonary involvement was present in 14.5% of patients, with a restrictive pattern seen on pulmonary function tests in 40.4% of cases, and rheumatoid nodules, diffuse interstitial lung disease lesions, and bronchiectasis seen on thorax CT scan in 67.2%, 31.6%, and 25.9% of cases respectively. The study found that anti-CCP was positive in 96.6% of patients with lung involvement, compared to those without lung involvement, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). This suggests that a high anti-CCP level may be a risk factor for pulmonary involvement in RA patients.ConclusionThe study demonstrated the positive association between anti-CCP and the existence of pulmonary involvement in RA, which is consistent with data from the literature. It’s important to note that this study is a retrospective one and further studies with larger population and different design are needed to validate the findings.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.

BackgroundAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints, particularly the sacroiliac joints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive and objective tool that can be used for early diagnosis of AS. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker that is commonly used to evaluate disease activity in AS patients, and is included in the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP).ObjectivesThe primary outcome of the study to investigate the association between active sacroiliitis on MRI and CRP levels in AS patients. The secondary outcome was to identify other parameters that may be associated with sacroiliitis activity in AS patients. The study was a retrospective analysis that included 140 AS patients who had MRI of their sacroiliac joints between January 2011 and March 2022.MethodsRetrospective study was conducted on all SpA cases that were established between January 2011 and March 2022. The study aimed to explore the relationship between sacroiliitis as detected on MRI and C - reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac joints was performed on all patients using coronal oblique T1, T2 and STIR weighted sequences. Active sacroiliitis was defined as the presence of inflammatory lesions according to the ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society) criteria. CRP was considered high if it was greater than or equal to 6 mg/L. The statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher and Chi-Squared test and a p-value of 0.05 was considered as the level of significance.ResultsMRI of the sacroiliac joints was performed in 140 patients; the mean age was 47.54± 14.46 years with a predominantly female sex ratio of 0.34 (M/F). The mean duration of evolution was 5.40± 5.13.Active sacroiliitis was found in 65% of the patients, it was bilateral in 31.4%, unilateral in 28.6% (15% left and 13.6% right). An elevated CRP was found in 60.3% of the patients, the mean CRP was 21.79± 44.68, and the mean sedimentation rate was 26.04± 26.12.Active sacroiliitis did not have a statically significant association with an elevated CRP level. For the other clinico-biological parameters, Young onset was significantly associated with active sacroiliitis (p<0.05).ConclusionIn conclusion, this study did not demonstrate a significant association between CRP levels and active sacroiliitis on MRI in patients with AS. However, the study suggests that MRI may allow for an early diagnosis of AS in the absence of biological inflammation, and that young onset may be a risk factor for active sacroiliitis in AS patients. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and to better understand the relationship between CRP levels, imaging, and sacroiliitis activity in AS patients.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.

BACKGROUND:NIL.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the particularities of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have a family history of the disease.MethodsIn this retrospective study, a total of patients diagnosed with RA between the years 2011 and 2022 were included. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between different parameters such as age of disease onset, Disease Activity Score using C-reactive protein(DAS CRP), serological profile, erosive character,extra-articular manifestations, and use of biotherapy. Data were collected from the medical records of the patients, and analyzed using statistical test such chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test and t-test.the level of significance was set at p=0.05.the study design included a thorough data cleaning process.Results:Table 1.RA with Family History (n=21)RA without Family History (n=386)(p)Sex-Ratio66.121.00Young onset RA (%)66.755.30.30Extra-articular manifestations (%)66.746.30.05Serological profile (%)85.787.50.73C-reactive protein (mg/L)22.25 ± 37.2327.87 ± 25.110.487DAS CRP*5.3 ± 1.635.4± 2.50.90Erosions (%)81870.50The use of biological treatment (%)38.139.20.91DAS CRP*: Disease Activity Score using C-reactive proteinThe study included 407 patients with a mean age of 58.86 years ± 12.441, and a sex ratio of 6 (F/M). The median duration of the disease was 14 ± 7.523 years. Erosions were found in 87.2% of patients. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 85% of patients and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 64.9% of patients. The mean DAS 28 score was 5.409± 2.52, the mean CRP was 33.84±35.19, and extra-articular manifestations were found in 46.4% of patients and 39.1% of patients were receiving biological treatment. 21 patients (5.17%) reported a family history of RA. In bivariate analysis, RA patients with a family history had more extra-articular manifestations compared to patients without a family history of the disease (66.7%) versus (46.3%) (p =0.05). No association was found for the other parameters.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that a family history of RA may be a predictive factor for extra-articular manifestations in patients with the disease. These findings highlight the importance of considering family history when evaluating and treating patients with RA. Further research is needed to confirm these results and to better understand the underlying mechanisms.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.