| 1. |
- Ajeganova, S., et al.
(författare)
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Long-term fracture risk in rheumatoid arthritis: impact of early sustained DAS28-remission and restored function, progressive erosive disease, body mass index, autoantibody positivity and glucocorticoids. A cohort study over 10 years
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - 2520-1026. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundRisk of fragility fractures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increased. Disease-related inflammation in RA is associated with low Bone Mineral Density (BMD). However, effects of specific disease factors on fracture occurrence and whether or not such disease effects are independent of BMD are unknown.MethodsAnalysis of fracture outcome in the prospective cohort of 2557 patients with early RA (67% women, mean age 58.1 & PLUSMN; 15.6 years) during an observation period of 10.6 & PLUSMN; 4.7 years. In 602 patients BMD was measured at baseline. The first major fragility fractures were considered. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis, adjusted for traditional factors, prior fracture, disease activity and period of inclusion, were used to estimate the risk of the outcome.ResultsDuring follow-up fracture occurred in 352 patients (13.8%), a rate of 13/1000 p-y. A proportional risk reduction for the outcome was associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) at baseline, BMI & GE; 30 kg/m(2), and over the first two years sustained Disease Activity Score (DAS28)-remission, DAS28-low disease activity and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) & LE; 0.5. The proportional risk elevation for fractures was associated with BMI & LE; 20 kg/m(2), DAS28 at baseline, 6-month and at 1-year, cumulative DAS28 over the two years, RF, erosion score progression at 2-year, HAQ score and HAQ & GE; 1 at 6-month and 1-year and showed a trend for ACPA positivity. The estimated fracture risk was increased in users of glucocorticoids (GC), associated with a higher GC-dosage at follow-ups and a higher cumulative dosage over two years, independently of disease activity. With adjustment for BMD, there was no difference in fracture outcome by exposure to GC. The effects of a higher BMI, DAS28-remission and low HAQ & LE; 0.5 attained at 6-month of treatment initiation and sustained up to 2 years, RF, ACPA, and erosion score progression at 2-year were independent of low BMD.ConclusionsThis analysis supports importance of RA-specific risk factors in early RA for future major fragility fractures. Treat-to-target strategy and restored functional capacity in early RA-disease are important to prevent fractures. Autoantibody positivity, progressively erosive disease, and low weight could have additional value for personalized fracture preventive strategies in early RA.
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| 2. |
- Bala, Sidona Valentina, et al.
(författare)
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Reported disability in relation to observed activity limitation, grip strength and physical function in women and men with rheumatoid arthritis
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2520-1026. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The self-reported Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is specifically designed to assess disability in arthritic patients. In many studies women report higher functional disability than men. The reasons for this difference are suggested to be multifactorial. We therefore evaluated functional disability assessed by HAQ in women and men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to observed disability, grip force and physical function. Methods: Patients with RA, 51 women and 49 men, completed the HAQ on three occasions, some weeks apart. Between HAQ1 and HAQ2, all patients performed 17 of the 20 activities (7 domains) included in the HAQ under observation in a specially designed environment, the observed HAQ. During the same day, grip force, measured by GRIPPIT and physical function assessed by the SOFI (Signals of Functional Impairment) index were evaluated. Differences between groups were studied by the chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Sign Rank test. Correlations were analysed by Spearman rank correlation. Comparisons between repeated measures were performed using Friedman’s test. Results: Median (IQR) total HAQ1 score was 0.50 (0.88) for women and 0.25 (0.84) for men, p = 0.038, and the observed HAQ score (7 domains) 0.57 (0.9) for women and 0.43 (0.96) for men, p = 0.292. The correlations between reported HAQ1 score (7 domains) and observed HAQ score were strong, r = 0.860, p < 0.001 in women, and r = 0.820, p < 0.001 in men. For some activities the patients, both women and men, reported lower difficulty than that observed. Women had lower grip force than men, median (IQR), right and left 126 (84) Newton, versus 238 (146), p < 0.001, and there was a negative correlation between grip force and most of the separate activities in HAQ in both genders. SOFI index was similar in women and men, median (IQR) 0 (3.0) versus 0 (2.0), p = 0.277, with a moderate correlation to HAQ. Conclusions: The results indicate that in well-treated patients with RA the correlations between reported and observed HAQ scores were strong, similarly in women and men. We found no evidence that the patient’s opinion was dependent on unawareness of her/his own ability.
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| 3. |
- Bergenheim, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Stress levels predict substantial improvement in pain intensity after 10 to 12years in women with fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain: a cohort study.
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMC rheumatology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2520-1026. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous studies of prognosis for women with Fibromyalgia (FM) or chronic widespread pain (CWP) show contradictory results. However, some women appear to improve in pain and other core symptoms over time. There is limited knowledge about predictors of substantial improvement in pain intensity over a longer period of time. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the natural course of pain intensity and distribution of pain over 10 to 12years in a cohort of 166 women with FM or CWP. Secondarily we wanted to investigate predictors of substantial improvement (≥50%) in pain intensity after 10 to 12years.The study is a longitudinal prospective cohort study. 166 women with FM or CWP were followed up after 10 to 12years. 126 women (76%) participated in the follow-up and completed a battery of questionnaires concerning pain intensity, pain distribution and other physical and mental aspects of health. Differences in symptoms within the cohort over 10 to 12years and predictors of substantial improvement (≥50%) in pain intensity were calculated.Pain had improved at the 10 to 12year follow-up (p<0.001) with a mean change of -9.2mm (SD 23.3, 95% CI: -13.3; -5.0) for pain intensity and-2.0 sites (SD 4.2, 95% CI: -2.7; -1.2) for pain distribution. Nine percent of the 126 women showed an individual moderate improvement in pain intensity while 16% showed a substantial improvement at the follow-up as compared to baseline. Lower symptoms of stress and higher pain intensity at baseline predicted higher probability of reporting at least 50% less pain intensity after 10 to 12years as compared to baseline.A majority of women with FM and CWP appear to have a positive course of pain over time, which should be communicated to these patients in health care. Reducing stress levels might contribute to better chances of improvement over time.Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02872129, registered 06/30/2016.
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| 4. |
- Blum, Nadine Schäffer, et al.
(författare)
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Patients’ experience of a novel interdisciplinary nurse-led self-management intervention (INSELMA)—a qualitative evaluation
- 2024
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - 2520-1026. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Despite continuous improvements in anti-rheumatic pharmacological treatment, people with chronic inflammatory arthritis still report substantial disease impact. Based on the framework for complex interventions, we thus developed INSELMA, a novel nurse-coordinated multidisciplinary self-management intervention for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis. Based on individual biopsychosocial assessments, a rheumatology nurse facilitated goal setting and coordinated interdisciplinary support. The aim of this study was to explore the patients’ experience of participating in the six-months INSELMA intervention. Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 of the participants after their final follow-up. Thematic analysis was applied. Results: The analysis derived four overall themes. (1) A new opportunity at the right time. The participants’ disease impacted all areas of daily life. Participation in INSELMA was experienced as an opportunity to improve symptoms and together reduce long-held challenges they had fought alone, until now. (2) The importance of person-centred goals. The participants found it meaningful to work with their individual goals, which encompassed physical, psychological, and social factors. Having time between consultations to work with goals at home was important. (3) Empathy, partnership and a little nudging from health professionals are essential. The empathic nurses’ continuous support and coaching helped participants become aware of their own resources. The participants highlighted having access to support from a physiotherapist and occupational therapist with rheumatology experience as important. (4) I got more than I could have hoped for. Most of the participants experienced decreased symptom load and improvement in physical strength, mobility, sleep, and mood as well as increased energy, knowledge, and self-management ability. The participants expressed new hope for the future with an improved ability to manage their symptoms and work towards new goals. Conclusion: The participants found the INSELMA intervention meaningful and feasible. They experienced decreased disease impact and increased activity levels, facilitated by empathy and self-management support from health professionals.
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| 5. |
- Hellmark, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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Eosinophils in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2520-1026. ; 3:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies associated vasculitides (AAV) are characterized by autoimmune small vessel inflammation. Eosinophils are multifunctional cells with both pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. Tissue activated eosinophils secrete cyto- and chemokines and form extracellular traps (EETs), they release free granules and produce reactive oxygen species. The role of eosinophils is well established in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) but very little is known about their role in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).Methods: The expression of surface markers CD11c, CD11b, CD16, CD35, CD62L, CD64, CD88, Siglec-8 and CD193 and reactive oxygen species production by peripheral blood eosinophils were studied using flow cytometry. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the release of eosinophil extracellular DNA traps (EETs). 98 GPA and MPA patients and 121 healthy controls were included in the study.Results: Both GPA and MPA patients had decreased frequency of eosinophils in peripheral blood compared with healthy controls (p < 0.0001), which could not solely be explained by corticosteroid treatment. The patient's eosinophils showed increased surface expression of the Fc receptors CD16 (p < 0.0001) and CD64 (p = 0.0035) as well as CCR3 (CD193) (p = 0.0022). Decreased expression was found of the complement receptors CD35 (p = 0.0022), CD88 (p < 0,0001) as well as CD11c (p < 0,0001), CD11b (p = 0.0061) and Siglec-8 (p = 0,0015). Moreover, GPA and MPA eosinophils, showed decreased capacity to produce ROS (p < 0.0001). ANCA stimulation of eosinophils from GPA and MPA patients after C5a priming enhanced EETosis (p = 0,0088).Conclusions: The percentage of eosinophils were decreased in peripheral blood in GPA and MPA patients and showed altered surface marker expression and function. The enhanced EETosis after ANCA stimulation, suggests that eosinophil can contribute to the autoantibody driven inflammatory process.
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| 6. |
- Karstensen, Julie Katrine, et al.
(författare)
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Participation in cardiovascular screening consultations, the who, when and why - A cohort study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis
- 2024
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - 2520-1026. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In accordance with the EULAR recommendations, the Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases have systematically invited patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment since 2011. Patients with high risk are invited to a follow-up screening after one year. To optimize the screening and tailor it to individual needs, information about who accepts vs. declines follow-up is needed. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore participation in systematic CV risk assessment among patients with RA. Furthermore, to explore differences between patients with low vs. high risk, and between patients with high risk who accept vs. decline follow-up. Methods: Data from 2,222 outpatients with RA in the period 2011-2021 were retrieved, and of these 1,522 were under 75 years and eligible to be invited. To assess the 10-year risk for CV death, the modified Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (mSCORE), derived by multiplying the SCORE by 1.5, was used. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore differences in CV risk factors (triglycerides, HbA1c, lifestyle factors) and measures of disease impact (pain, fatigue, patient global assessment, HAQ, EQ-5D-5L) between patients with low vs. high risk. Differences between high risk patients who accepted vs. declined follow-up were analysed using Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-squared test for groups. Results: One thousand one hundred forty-nine received a CV screening invitation and 91 declined participation. Patients with high risk had significantly longer disease duration (OR; 95 CI) (1.017; 1.002-1.032), higher levels of triglycerides (1.834; 1.475-2.280), HbA1C (1.046; 1.020-1.070), pain (1.006; 1.001-1.012), and HAQ-score (1.305; 1.057-1.612) compared to patients with low risk and they more often declined follow-up (43% vs. 28%, p < 0.001). Those who declined a follow-up invitation were older (p = 0.016) and had shorter disease duration (p = 0.006) compared to those who accepted follow-up. Conclusion: A first CV screening consultation was accepted by most patients with RA, while only every other patient with high to very high CV risk adhered to a follow-up screening consultation. Neither measures of disease impact nor lifestyle factors were associated with adherence. Further studies are needed to explore the patients' motivation, barriers and facilitators for adherence or non-adherence to a follow-up consultation.
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| 7. |
- Langensee, L, et al.
(författare)
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Cognitive performance in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2520-1026. ; 6, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Previous research has provided evidence for cognitive dysfunction as a common symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In light of this, the primary goal of this study was to investigate how cognitive impairment in this patient group develops over time. In addition, the present dataset contributes to delineating the specific abilities that are impaired in SLE patients as well as answering the question whether the disease affects the cognition of SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations (NPSLE) and without (non-NPSLE) in distinct ways.METHODS: 91 female participants (33 NPSLE, 29 non-NPSLE, 29 healthy controls (HC)) underwent standardized neurocognitive testing. A total of ten different cognitive abilities were assessed, among others executive function, memory, and attention. Some of the participants (30 NPSLE patients, 22 non-NPSLE, 13 HC) were tested twice (mean time between testing sessions: 50 months) to enable longitudinal tracking of cognitive abilities. Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) were conducted to determine whether cognitive performance differed cross-sectionally between the groups. Linear mixed effects models were fit to investigate performance differences between the groups over time.RESULTS: Cross-sectional analysis at follow-up demonstrated that the cognitive performance of both NPSLE and non-NPSLE was significantly lower than that of HC for the motor speed and the psychomotor speed domain. Additionally, NPSLE patients performed significantly weaker than HC in the complex attention domain. At the same time, the cross-sectional data did not yield any support for performance differences between NPSLE and non-NPSLE patients. Weak positive correlations between disease duration and psychomotor speed, motor speed and reaction time emerged. A temporal progression of cognitive dysfunction in SLE patients was not confirmed.CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive performance is affected in both non-NPSLE and NPSLE patients. However, a linear decline in performance over time could not be verified. More in-depth longitudinal assessments of cognition in SLE patients are needed to establish how cognitive abilities in this patient population develop over time.
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| 8. |
- Mogard, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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A combination of two or more unhealthy lifestyle factors is associated with impaired physical and mental health in patients with spondyloarthritis : a cross-sectional study
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - London : BioMed Central (BMC). - 2520-1026. ; 6:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is increasing knowledge of how individual lifestyle factors affect patients with spondyloarthritis, while studies exploring the combination of unhealthy lifestyle factors are lacking. Thus, our aim was to study the frequency of two or more unhealthy lifestyle factors and their associations with physical and mental health in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods: A population-based postal survey involving questions on lifestyle factors was completed by 1793 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (USpA). Self-reported physical activity, body mass index, and tobacco use were respectively dichotomized as “healthy” or “unhealthy”, summarized for each patient and stratified into four groups (0–3; 0 = no unhealthy lifestyle factors). Group comparisons were performed with Chi-squared tests, and associations with physical and mental health outcomes were performed with analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis.Results: Out of 1426 patients (52% women) with complete information for all studied lifestyle factors, 43% reported ≥ two unhealthy lifestyle factors—more frequently patients with PsA (48%) than AS (39%) or USpA (38%)—and with no difference between women and men (p = 0.399). Two or more unhealthy lifestyle factors were associated with worse health-related quality of life, disease activity, physical function, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, adjusted for age and SpA-subgroup. If an unhealthy level of physical activity was one of the two unhealthy lifestyle factors, patients reported worse health outcomes.Conclusion: Reporting two or more unhealthy lifestyle factors were associated with worse physical and mental health in patients with SpA. This highlights the need to screen for a combination of unhealthy lifestyle factors and offer individualized coordinated interventions, and tailored coaching to support behavioral change, in order to promote sustainable health. © 2022, The Author(s).
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| 9. |
- Mogard, Elisabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of chronic widespread pain in a population-based cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis - a cross-sectional study
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - London : BioMed Central. - 2520-1026. ; 2:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Chronic pain, regional or widespread, is a frequent and multidimensional symptom in arthritis. There is still limited information on chronic pain in spondyloarthritis, which is important to recognize for adequate diagnosis and treatment. Our objective was to study differences in prevalence of chronic widespread pain in two spondyloarthritis subgroups: ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (USpA).Methods: A population-based postal survey involving questions on the duration, distribution, and intensity of pain was answered by 940 patients with AS (ICD-10 M45.9) or USpA (ICD-10 M46.1-0, M46.8-9). The patients were categorized as having chronic widespread pain, chronic regional pain, or no chronic pain, and prevalence estimates for the pain groups were calculated, including age- and sex-adjusted prevalence.Results: The prevalence of chronic widespread pain was 45.3% in AS vs. 49.3% in USpA, and that of chronic regional pain was 17.7% vs. 21.9% (p = 0.033). More women than men reported having chronic widespread pain (54.1% vs. 41.2%, p ≤ 0.001), while the sex distribution for chronic regional pain was equal. Reports of pain intensity were equal in AS and USpA, with no significant difference in pain intensity between women and men who had chronic regional pain or chronic widespread pain. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, chronic widespread pain was associated to female sex, being an ever-smoker, and having a higher body mass index, controlled for SpA subgroup and disease duration. Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic widespread pain in patients with AS and USpA is high, and with a female predominance, but with no difference in pain intensity between women and men. Chronic pain can complicate the clinical evaluation in patients with SpA, and highlights the need for a thorough clinical examination, including evaluation of inflammation and an accurate pain analysis, to individualize non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment decisions © 2018 The Author(s).
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| 10. |
- Nived, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Antibody response to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is not impaired in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or primary Sjögren’s syndrome without disease modifying treatment
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMC Rheumatology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2520-1026. ; 2, s. 1-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). However, little is known whether the diseases influence pneumococcal vaccine response. This study aimed to investigate antibody response and functionality of antibodies following immunization with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in RA patients or pSS patients without disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD), compared to patients with RA treated with DMARD or to healthy controls. Methods: Sixty RA patients (50 without DMARD and 10 with MTX), 15 patients with pSS and 49 controls received one dose of PCV13. Serotype-specific antibody concentrations for pneumococcal polysaccharides 6B and 23F and functionality of antibodies (23F) were determined in serum taken before and 4–6 weeks after vaccination using ELISA and opsonophagocytic activity assay (OPA), respectively. Proportions of individuals with positive antibody response (i.e. ≥ 2-fold increase from prevaccination concentrations; antibody response ratio; ARR ≥ 2), percentage of individuals reaching putative protective antibody level (i.e. ≥1.3 μg/mL) for both serotypes, and difference in OPA were calculated. Results: After vaccination, antibody concentrations for both serotypes increased in RA without DMARD (p < 0.001), pSS (p ≤ 0.05 and < 0.01) and controls (p < 0.001). Antibody responses to 6B and 23F were comparable in RA without DMARD (64% and 74%), pSS (67% and 53%) and controls (65% and 67%), but lower in the small group RA with MTX (both 20%, p < 0.01). Similarly, significant increases of patients reaching protective antibody levels were seen in RA without DMARD (p ≤ 0.001) and controls (p < 0.001). After vaccination, OPA increased significantly in controls, RA and pSS without DMARD (p < 0.001 to 0.03), but not in RA with MTX. Conclusions: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is immunogenic in RA and pSS patients without DMARD and in line with previous studies we support the recommendation that vaccination of RA patients should be performed before the initiation of MTX.
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