AB0362 Factors associated with the development of arthritis in patients with arthralgias clinically suspected of evolving into arthritis: experience of a pre-arthritis clinics
Authors: L. Nuño, D. Peiteado López, I. Monjo Henry, A. Villalba Yllán, M.E. Miranda Carús, P. Fortea Gordo, E. De Miguel Mendieta, A. Balsa Criado
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Despite the fact that genetic and serological risk factors have been studied in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the symptoms phase of preclinical RA is poorly characterised. Taking into account the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment for the prevention of structural damage and long-term disability in RA, it is important to find clinical or image variables that identify patients with clinically suspected arthralgias at risk of developing a chronic arthritis (CSA). <h3>Objectives</h3> To identify baseline clinical, immunological and ultrasound variables in patients with arthralgias clinically suspected of progression to chronic arthritis. <h3>Methods</h3> Longitudinal prospective study of patients with CSA and follow-up from November 2015 in pre-arthritis clinics. Patients were assessed at baseline and every 6 months until 2 years, with clinical, laboratory and ultrasound data using standardised protocols. The criteria for eligible patients for inclusion in the study were:≤12 months of symptoms onset, inflammatory arthralgias (predominance in nights or mornings, improvement during the day or with movement, and morning stiffness of ≥30 min), and the involvement of small joints of hands or feet. Patients with clinical synovitis at baseline visit, patients with fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis were excluded. <h3>Results</h3> Twenty-six patients were recruited in 26 months of the study (1 male, 25 female), with an average baseline age of 44.7±12.6 years, an average delay time of symptoms to first visit of 8.7±3.3 months, a mean follow-up time of 7.7±8.1 months an average body mass index (BMI) of 27.7±7.2. Five patients had familial background of autoimmune diseases in first degree relatives (RA, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease), 6 (23.1%) were seropositive (RF and/or ACPA), 7 (26.9%) had increased baseline acute-phase reactants (PAR), and 11 (47.8%) were smokers or former smokers. Most of the patients reported a progression of the arthralgias (55%) and a subjective joint swelling at some point (70%). Of 24 patients, 8 (33.3%) developed clinical arthritis (7 RA, 1 undifferentiated arthritis), with a longer follow-up (15.7±7.4 vs. 7.5±7.2 months, p=0.016), greater baseline HAQ (11.8±8.3 vs. 3.9±4.8, p=0.033) and higher percentage of moderate inflammatory activity in the baseline ultrasound (83.3% vs. 8.3%, p=0.004), compared to patients that didn't develop arthritis. There was a trend towards a higher seropositivity, (37.7% vs. 18.8%), a higher patient global disease assessment (45±29 vs. 30±27 on a 100 mm scale), higher patient pain scores (using a visual analogue pain 100 mm scale) (58±41 vs. 34±23) among patients who eventually developed arthritis, although not statistically significant. No differences were found with PAR, BMI, age, smoking habit or painful joint count at baseline visit. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In our pre-arthritis clinics of patients with clinically suspicious arthralgias, 33% progressed to arthritis, underlying the importance of these clinics. Functional disability and ultrasound at baseline visit are especially useful in predicting future progression to arthritis. It is necessary to recruit more patients in order to obtain more robust conclusions. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared