Arthritis Research Canada at
ACR Convergence 2025
Day 1: October 26
An Internet-Delivered, Arthritis-Tailored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Program for People with Co-Morbid Sleep Disturbance: Comparing Baseline Characteristics of Cannabis Users and Non-Users
The authors looked at cannabis use among people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases who participated in a study testing a program for insomnia. They found that one-third of participants used cannabis, mainly for pain, sleep, fatigue, and anxiety, with some reporting improvement in symptoms. However, cannabis users had higher anxiety and depression levels compared to non-users, and no differences in overall health-related quality of life. This study shows that although cannabis may offer some symptom relief, more research is needed to understand the impact of cannabis on managing pain and mood in people with arthritis.
Research Team: Andersen N, Lacaille D, Savard J, Rahme E, Fortin P, Da Costa D.
Longitudinal Serum Proteomic Profiles – A Step Closer to Personalized Monitoring in Dermatomyositis
The researchers tested blood samples from people with dermatomyositis to find proteins linked to disease activity. They discovered that certain inflammatory proteins like MCP-1, MCP-2, and CXCL11 were higher when the disease was more active. This study shows that looking at these types of proteins can help doctors monitor and improve dermatomyositis care, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Research Team: Le Blanc N, Hudson M, Gonzalez Sanchez AC, Diaz Gallo LM, Leclair V.
A Proteomic Signature Containing TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 10A (TNFRSF10A) and Growth/Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) Improves Prediction of All-Cause Mortality Among Individuals with Gout, Beyond Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular and Other Clinical Risk Factors
Looking at blood samples from more than 2,000 people, the study identified a group of 76 proteins that can help predict the risk of premature death in people with gout. These findings may help doctors better identify high-risk patients and uncover new ways to treat or prevent complications from gout.
Research Team: McCormick N, Rai S, Yokose C, Merriman T, Terkeltaub R, Choi HK.
Impact of Tirzepatide on Musculoskeletal Pain and High-Risk Analgesic Use Among Non-Diabetic Patients with Overweight or Obesity: A Propensity Score-Matched, Active Comparator, New User Study
This study looked at how two different types of weight loss medications,tirzepatide and phentermine, affect people with obesity who do not have diabetes. The study found that people who took tirzepatide had less joint pain, especially in their knees, and used fewer pain medications like NSAIDs and opioids compared to those on phentermine. They also had a better chance of reaching a healthy weight and had fewer heart-related health problems. This suggests that tirzepatide may be a good option for managing weight, pain, and heart health in non-diabetic people with obesity.
Research Team: Challener G, KSK Ma, McCormick N, Kohler M, Yinh J, Yokose C, Rai S, Porterfield F, Stanford F, Wook Kim D, Jorge A, Choi HK.
The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of IgA Anticardiolipin and Anti-β2-Glycoprotein-I Antibody Isotypes in Antiphospholipid Antibody Positive Patients: Descriptive Results from the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking Registry
Using data from the antiphospholipid syndrome ACTION registry, this study evaluated the significance of IgA anticardiolipin antibodies in people with antiphospholipid syndrome. They found that people with this antibody and/or anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies had higher rates of venous clots, heart valve disease, low platelets, and triple/double antibody positivity – markers of more severe disease. These findings suggest that IgA antibodies could help identify patients at higher risk of complications.
Research Team: Sahin E, Zuo Y, Andrade D, Tektonidou M, Pengo V, Radin M, López Pedrera C, Paredes-Ruiz D, Belmont HM, Fortin P, Wahl D, Branch D, Gerosa M, Ramires de Jesus G, Atsumi T, Efthymiou M, Tincani A, Rodriguez-Almaraz E, Petri M, Cervera R, Willis R, Devreese K, Bertolaccini ML, Cohen H, Knight JS, Erkan D.
Exploring the Potential for Cardiorenal-Metabolic Therapies to Target Comorbidities in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
In the Canadian Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort (CATCH), 45% of patients had cardiorenal-metabolic (CRM) diseases, such as diabetes , obesity or heart failure, for which CRM therapy, such as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, have Health Canada approval. Patients with CRM conditions were older age and had more other comorbidities, but there were no differences in sex, RA disease activity or treatment strategies. More research is needed to understand the relevance of CRM therapies in RA management and explore their potential benefits for improving metabolic and inflammatory outcomes.
Research Team: Kuriya B, Bartlett SJ, Valois MF, Pope J, Thorne C, Hitchon C, Allard-Chamard H, Hazlewood G, Boire G, Bessette L, Bykerk V.
Charting the Course of Worsening: Utilizing Standard Outcomes to Define Worsening for Pathophysiological Insights into RA
This study of the Canadian Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Cohort (CATCH), applied stringent clinical definitions of disease worsening using DAS28 and CDAI scores to a group of early RA patients and found worsening disease activity was consistently associated with worse patient-reported outcomes. Patients who met clinical definitions of disease worsening reported a 10–13 point increase in Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Questionnaire (RAFQ) scores. These findings support the use of the RAFQ as a measure that can identify meaningful RA worsening in clinical practice and translational trials.
Research Team: Meng C, Julia C, Gripp K, Jannat-Khah D, Lee Y, Bartlett SJ, Bingham C, Bykerk V.
Beyond the Joints: The Impact of Non-Articular Pain on Patient-Reported Function in a Longitudinal Real-World Early RA Cohort
Research Team: Meng C, Valois MF, Julia C, Lee Y, Kuriya B, Boire G, Allard-Chamard H, Hitchon C, Bessette L, Hazlewood G, Thorne C, Bartlett SJ, Pope J, Bykerk V.
Increased Recombinant Zoster Vaccination in SLE following Public Reimbursement: Data from Two Prospective SLE Cohorts
This study looked at shingles vaccination rates in people with lupus before and after the vaccine became free for immunocompromised adults in Quebec. After free access began, vaccination rates increased but still less than one-third of patients were vaccinated. People of older age, White race, and using immunosuppressants were more likely to be vaccinated. This research shows us that more targeted efforts are needed to encourage vaccination.
Research Team: Mendel A, Amiable N, St-Pierre Y, Bernatsky S, Colmegna I, Desjardins M, Grenier LP, Kalache F, Pineau C, Sauvageau C, Vinet E, Fortin P.
Safety of Rilzabrutinib, a BTK Inhibitor, in Adult Patients with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in a 52-week Phase 2 Open-label Study
This study tested the safety of rilzabrutinib, an oral medication, in 27 patients with active IgG4-related disease. Over 52 weeks, rilzabrutinib was generally well tolerated. Common side effects included digestive issues, infections, skin problems, and headaches or dizziness. Two people had serious side effects, but no patients experienced side effects such as bleeding or irregular heartbeat that are sometimes linked to similar drugs in this class of medications. This study supports the safety of rilzabrutinib for further research in IgG4-RD.
Research Team: Meysami A, Carruthers M, Stone J, Martinez-Valle F, Schleinitz N, Ghetie6 D, Spiera R, Choi J, Mannent L, Hagino O
Artificial intelligence in adult and paediatric rheumatology practice and research: pilot results from an international survey
This global survey found that most rheumatology professionals are already using artificial intelligence tools, especially for writing and research. While attitudes were largely positive, many expressed concerns about ethics, trust, and lack of training, which highlights the need for clear guidelines and education to support safe, effective use in clinical care.
Research Team: Rebollo-Gimenez AI, La bella S, Aouad K, Gupta L, Cangelosi D, HögleT, Knitza J, Ruperto N, Venerito V, El Maghraoui A, Alongi A, Bautista Molano W, Bayraktar D, Davergne T, Dey D, Hmamouchi I,Hoens A, Li L, Migowa A, Treemarcki E, Ziade N, Kragstrup T, Benavent D.
The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Heritable Thrombophilia in Antiphospholipid Antibody Positive Patients: Descriptive Results from the Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) Registry
This study found that about 6% of people with antiphospholipid antibodies also had an inherited clotting disorder, which increased their risk of venous blood clots. Combining both risk factors may help doctors better identify and manage patients at highest risk forblood clots.
Research Team: Sahin E, Efthymiou M, Andrade D, Barber M, Tektonidou M, Pengo V, Radin M, Pardos-Gea J, Aguirre Zamorano MA, Kello N, Paredes-Ruiz D, Belmont HM, Fortin P, Wahl D, Branch W, Gerosa M, Ramires de Jesus G, Zhang Z, Atsumi T, Pazzola G, Andreoli L, Duarte-Garcia A, Rodriguez-Almaraz E, Petri M, Cervera R, Esen BA, Pons-Estel G, Shi H, Knight JS, Willis R, Bertolaccini ML, Cohen H, Erkan D.
Investigating Canadians’ information needs related to lupus: A Google Trends analysis of online search query data
This study examined public awareness of lupus in Canada using Google Trends data from 2004-2024. The findings showed that search interest in lupus peaked during key events, such as celebrity Selena Gomez’s diagnosis and the approval of SLE treatments like belimumab. Interest was highest in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Manitoba. The most frequently searched terms typically fell within the following themes “causes of lupus, diagnosis, symptoms, medication, and treatment”. This research highlights the need for targeted patient education and suggests that understanding information gaps can help improve quality of life for people with lupus.
Research Team: Williamson T, Shantz E, Elliott S, Sperling C, Costenbader KH, Choi M.
