Arthritis Research Canada at
ACR Convergence 2021
Research Spotlight
Risk of hospitalization, admission to intensive care and mortality due to COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases: A population-based matched cohort study
We used information from BC health databases to see whether people with rheumatic diseases have a higher risk of severe outcomes if they get COVID19. We found that COVID-19 patients with certain rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis ankylosing spondylitis and lupus, were more likely to be admitted to hospital, and to need ICU care, than COVID-19 patients without rheumatic disease; but they were not at a higher risk of death from COVID-19.
Research Team: Avina-Galindo AM, Marozoff S, Fazal Z, Kwan J, Lu N, Hoens A, Lacaille D, Kopec J, Xie H, Avina-Zubieta JA
To learn more about Arthritis Research Canada research presented at American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2021, please scroll down. We have research on COVID-19 and arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and much more.
Who gets influenza vaccinations prior to and after a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis? Results from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH)
Using data from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH), we found that flu vaccination rate is suboptimal in patients recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with 37% being vaccinated prior to RA diagnosis and 42% after diagnosis. Characteristics of individuals who were more likely to receive a flu shot included male sex, white racial background, not smoking, having higher beliefs about the importance of RA medications versus concerns about taking them, taking advanced therapeutics, and having a previous flu shot. Our work suggests that it is important to have conversations with new patients about their vaccination history and medication attitudes.
Research Team: Ta V, Schieir O, Valois MF, Colmegna I, Hitchon C, Bessette L, Hazlewood G, Thorne C, Pope J, Boire G, Tin D, Keystone E, Bykerk V, Bartlett S; CATCH Investigators
Anti-MPP-1 autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus: A potential biomarker for neuropsychiatric manifestations
In this lupus study, we found that a blood marker called anti-MPP1 antibody could be important for identifying people with peripheral nervous system symptoms of lupus.
Research Team: Krustev E, Buhler K, Cardwell F, Fritzler M, Clarke A, Choi M
Increased risk of severe infections and mortality in patients with newly diagnosed anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis: A population-based study
We conducted a study of all patients with newly diagnosed anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV) in British Columbia and found AAV is associated with a 3.8 fold higher risk of infection and infection-related mortality and a 3.2 fold greater total number of infections.
Research Team: Zhao K, Xie H, Esdaile J, Avina-Zubieta JA
Damage accrual measured by DIAPS in Antiphospholipid Antibody (aPL)-positive patients: Results from AntiPhospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and InternatiOnal Networking (APS ACTION) Clinical Database and Repository (“Registry”)
The aim of this study was to evaluate damage from clots in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome followed as part of an international study. The study showed that a new score, named Damage Index in APS, is able to pick up damage.
Research Team: Balbi G, Ahmadzadeh Y, Tektonidou M, Pengo V, Sciascia S, Ugarte A, Belmont HMM, Gerosa M, P Fortin PR, Lopez-pedrera C Petri M, Rodriguez-Almaraz E, Barilaro G, Knight J, Artim-Esen B, Willis R, Bertolaccini ML, Roubey R, Erkan D, De Andrade D, and on Behalf of APS ACTION2
First and recurrent thrombosis risk after 3842 patient-years of follow-up: Prospective results from Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) clinical database and repository
The objective of this study was to update information on the risk of clots in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome followed as part of an international study. Based on 886 patients followed for one to eight years, the risk of developing new clots remained relatively low.
Research Team: Ahmadzadeh Y, Andrade D, Tektonidou M, Pengo V, Sciascia S, Ugarte A, Belmont HM, Gerosa M, Fortin PR, Aguirre MA, Ji L, Atsumi T, Cohen H, Ramires de Jesus G, Branch DW, Tincani A, Kello N, Petri M, Rodriguez-Almaraz E, Ríos-Garcés R, Zuo Y, Artim-Esen B, Willis R, Bertolaccini ML, Roubey R, Erkan D; and on Behalf of APS ACTION1
Anti-domain 1 antibody fluctuation over time in patients with persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies: Results from the Aps Action Clinical Database and Repository (“Registry”)
The aim of this project was to evaluate the quantity of an antibody, named anti-D1, in people with antiphospholipid syndrome, as data on its fluctuation are scarce. Results indicate that anti-D1 antibodies vary significantly over time and it becomes negative in approximately 10% during follow up.
Research Team: Chighizola C, Pregnolato F, De Andrade D, Tektonidou M, Pengo V, Ugarte A, Belmont HM, Fortin PR, Atsumi T, Efthymiou M, Ramires de Jesus G, Branch DW, Nalli C, Petri M, Rodriguez-Almaraz E, Cervera R Zuo Y, Willis R, Bison E, Mackie I, Cohen H, Roubey R, Erkan D, Bertolaccini ML
Serologic phenotypes distinguish systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with myositis and/or interstitial lung disease (ILD)
In a lupus study, we found potential blood markers that identify patients with muscle inflammation and lung fibrosis.
Research Team: Cotton T, Fritzler M, Choi M, Zheng B, Niaki OZ, Grenier LP, Vinet E, Pineau C, Lukusa L, Kalache F, Bernatsky S
Pregnancy outcomes of antiphospholipid antibody positive patients: Prospective results from AntiPhospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and InternatiOnal Networking (APS ACTION) Clinical Database and Repository (“Registry”)
The objective of this study was to describe the pregnancy outcomes of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome followed as part of an international study. We found that 26% of pregnancies ended in loss of the fetus and 28% had pregnancy complications.
Research Team: Erton ZB, Sevim E, Ramires de Jesus G, Cervera R, Ji L, Pengo V, Ugarte A, Andrade D, Andreoli L, Atsumi T, Fortin PR, Gerosa M, Zuo Y, Petri M, Sciascia S, Tektonidou M, Aguirre MA, Branch DW, Erkan D, and on Behalf of APS ACTION
Immunosuppression use in primary antiphospholipid antibody positive patients: Descriptive analysis of the AntiPhospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) Clinical Database and Repository (“Registry”)
The objective of this study was to characterize the use of immunosuppressant medications in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome followed as part of an international study. We found that information on immunosuppressant use was not consistently reported.
Research Team: Erton ZB Karp-Leaf R, Andrade D, Tektonidou M, engo V, Sciascia S, Ugarte A, Belmont HM, Gerosa M, Fortin PR, lopez-pedrera C, Ji L, Atsumi T, Cohen H, Ramires de Jesus G, Branch1 DW Nalli C, Kello N, Petri M, Rodriguez-Almaraz E, Cervera R, Knight J, Artim-Esen B, Willis R, Bertolaccini ML, Roubey R, Erkan D, and on Behalf of APS ACTION1
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and seroconversion in a systemic lupus erythematosus cohort and comparison to general population controls
In a group of lupus patients, we found that lupus patients did not appear to be at higher risk of developing COVID-19 compared to the general population.
Research Team: Mathew H, Choi M, Buhler K, Clarke A, Gukova X, Cardwell F, Fritzler M
Retrospective study on the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in systemic sclerosis
As heart disease is a leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis, the aim of this study was to describe patients with abnormalities on cardiac magnetic resonance in a large cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis. Results indicate that abnormalities are found in 12% of patients.
Research Team: Shen HC, Faucher C, Chin A, Chartrand-Lefebvre C, Chehata R, Cadrin-Tourigny J, Mongeon FP, Makhzoum JP, Landon-Cardinal O, Bourré-Tessier J, Rich E, Goulet JR, Fortin PR, Senécal JL, Hoa S
