O34 Predicting autoimmune connective tissue diseases: three year follow up of an at-risk cohort identifies late progression and predicts need for therapy
Authors: Ul-Hassan Sabih , Dutton Katherine , Wigston Zoe , Alase Ade , Yusof Yuzaiful Md , Vital Edward M 
Published: April 2020

Background

Autoimmune connective tissue diseases (AI-CTDs: SLE, pSS, IIM) are preceded by asymptomatic ANA positivity. We previously recruited a cohort of new ANA-positive referrals without AI-CTD. 17% met criteria by AI-CTD at 12 months, and this was predicted an IFN Score. This study includes 3 year follow up of that cohort with more detailed analysis of the non-progressor group and predictors.

Methods

Patients were recruited if they had: (i) ANA; (ii) did not meet criteria for AI-CTD; (iii) symptoms less than 12 months. Diagnostic criteria for AI-CTDs and therapies were assessed at baseline then 12-monthly for 3 years. We categorised progression as:1. Absolute-non-progressors (no clinical criteria at all time points: 0-36 months), 2. Undifferentiated-CTD ( &gt; =1 clinical criterion at baseline and/or at follow up but not meeting criteria), 3. Year-1-progressor (meeting criteria for AI-CTD within 12 months), 4. Late-progressor (meeting criteria for AI-CTD later than 12 months). A 2-score analysis of IFN Status was performed as previously described (Yusof, ARD 2018).

Results

3-year follow up was available in 146/150. Proportions in the above categories were: Absolute-non-progressors: 33/146 (23%); Undifferentiated-CTD: 86/146 (59%); Year-1-progressors: 21/146 (14%); Late-progressors: 5/146 (3%). No patient progressed or required immunosuppression after 2 years. 6/86 patients with Undifferentiated-CTD received an immunosuppressant. The present work therefore defines a larger group of 32/146 (22%) with clinically significant disease including 21 Year-1-progressors, 5 late-progressors, and 6 undifferentiated-CTD who needed an immunosuppressant. Clinical features had limited utility in predicting these outcomes. Of 31 patients with no clinical criteria at baseline, 1 progressed to meet criteria within 1 year, 2 progressed at 1-2 years, 3 were prescribed hydroxychloroquine and 1 was prescribed an immunosuppressant. The 108 patients with at least 1 criterion at baseline had the highest risk: 20 progressed to meet criteria within 1 year, 2 progressed at 1-2 years, the others all had U-CTD. 35 were prescribed hydroxychloroquine and 13 were prescribed an immunosuppressant. There was also no association between ENA, C3 or C4 and clinical outcome. The association between Interferon Score B and progression was stronger when comparing Year 1 progressors with absolute non-progressors (p = 0.007). Late progression was not predicted by baseline IFN Scores. However, within U-CTD, patients who required an immunosuppressant had higher expression of IFN Score A (p = 0.011) and IFN Score B (p &lt; 0.001) than those who did not.

Conclusion

Among ANA-positive referrals, no clinical feature or routine laboratory test could rule out development of clinically significant disease, which included AI-CTD or undifferentiated CTD needing therapy. However, IFN Scores had a unique value in predicting these outcomes. At-risk individuals who ultimately developed clinically significant disease are therefore immunologically but not clinically distinctive. Future work will incorporate biomarkers into clinically applicable risk models to allow earlier exclusion of AI-CTD or trials of preventative treatment.

Disclosures

S. Ul-Hassan None. K. Dutton None. Z. Wigston None. A. Alase None. M. Md Yusof None. E.M. Vital None.