Arthritis Research Canada at EULAR 2025
June 12
The EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology is the primary platform for exchange of scientific and clinical information in Europe. It seeks to provide a forum of the highest standard for scientific, educational and social exchange between professionals involved in rheumatology. It also incorporates liaising with patient organizations in order to achieve progress in the clinical care of people with rheumatic diseases.
The EULAR Congress attracts over 18,000 delegates from more than 130 countries and takes place in a major European city. This year, the EULAR Congress will take place in Barcelona from June 11 to June 14.
To learn about Arthritis Research Canada research presented at the EULAR European Congress of Rheumatology (Day 2), please scroll down.
Lupus damage index revision – item generation and reduction phase. OP0204
This international study is developing an updated tool to better measure the long-term damage to organs caused by lupus, replacing an older version that had limitations. By narrowing down hundreds of potential items through expert and patient input, this revised index is expected to help doctors track the impact of lupus more accurately and improve care.
Research Team: Kundakci B, Barber M, Clarke AE, Johnson SR, Bruce I, OBO the Revised Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Organ Damage Index (SDI) Collaborators
Baseline Immunosuppression and Cancer Survival in Patients with Pre-existing Rheumatic Disease treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Data from the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology (CanRIO). OP0182
This study from the Canadian CanRIO network assessed patients with pre-existing rheumatic disease who received treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer. This new class of highly effective medications treats cancer by turning on the immune system against cancer cells. The study examined the impact of being on medications that suppress the immune system for the treatment of rheumatic diseases at the time of cancer diagnosis, on the risk of rheumatic disease flares, immune-related adverse events of these medications, and cancer outcomes. The study found that being on immunosuppression, particularly glucocorticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) and biologic agents, but not conventional (non-biologic) DMARD, may be associated with a higher risk of cancer recurrence.
Research Team: Beckett M, Yue C, Ye C, Hudson M, Roberts J, Pope J, Appleton T, Hoa S, Fifi-Mah A, Maltez N, Saltman S, Himmel M, Colmegna I, Ladouceur A, Faiza K, Gonzalez Arreola L, Obrzut A, Jamal S.
Immune infiltrate profiling in B cell-enriched autoimmune myopathies. OP0137
This study identified a group of patients with autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation in the muscles (excluding dermatomyositis) with dense B-cell infiltration in their muscle tissue. Using advanced imaging, the study found that these patients had specific types of cells – B-cell subtypes – associated with chronic immune conditions, suggesting their disease may be driven by different immune mechanisms. These findings could lead to more targeted therapies that may be more effective for patients with this type of muscle inflammation.
Research Team: Ramanathan B, Shen HC, Gerber Z, del Carmen Crespo C, Karamchandani J, O’Ferrall E, Troyanov Y, Landon-Cardinal O, Bourre-Tesier J, Hudson M, Leclair V, Labrie M, Allard-Chamard H
Efficacy and safety of Rilzabrutinib, an oral Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in patients with IgG4-related disease: Results from a 52-week, Phase 2, Open Label, proof-of-concept study. OP0186
This study tested a new oral drug called rilzabrutinib in patients with IgG4-related disease, including those who had not previously responded to rituximab. After one year of treatment, 70% of participants were able to stop steroids or other immune-suppressing drugs and remained free of disease flares. This study shows that rilzabrutinib may offer a safer treatment option for people living with IgG4-related disease, a rare autoimmune disease that can cause widespread inflammation in many organs. This is the third Phase 2 study in IgG4-related disease and a significant milestone in the treatment of the disease. Canada was a major recruitment site for this study, and efficacy was promising.
Research Team: Stone JH, Martinez Valle F, Carruthers M, Baker MC, Wu T, Choi J, Mikol V, Mannent L, Hagino O.
Anxiety at 3 months is associated with worse disease activity, pros, and predicts progression to advanced therapies by 12 months in early RA: results from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH). POS0163
This study, using data from the Canadian early arthritis CATCH cohort, showed that anxiety in early rheumatoid arthritis patients increases the likelihood of needing advanced treatments like biologics within a year. Recognizing and addressing anxiety earlier on could improve patient outcomes and treatment decisions.
Research Team: Bartlett SJ, Bingham CO, Falois MF, Pope J, Allard-Chamard H, Bessette L, Boire G, Hazlewood G, Hitchon CA, Kkuriya B, Thorne C, Bykerk V.
Fine particulate matter air pollution and anti-nuclear antibody positivity: the Ontario Health Study. POS0101
This study found that higher exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) is linked to increased presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), especially at higher levels, in the general population. These findings suggest that air pollution may trigger immune system changes that could contribute to autoimmune diseases.
Research Team: Zhao N, Smargiassi A, Chen H, Choi MY, Fritzler M, Touma Z, Awadalla P, Avina-Zubieta JA, Bernatsky S.
Assessing reliability of an electronic gout flare assessment protocol: the trust trial. POS1240
This study tested whether gout flare check-ins done by an electronic survey were as reliable as phone calls with staff. Both methods identified flares at similar rates, with strong agreement between the two. The results of this study suggest that electronic surveys can accurately track gout flares, which may offer a convenient and more efficient option compared to phone calls.
Research Team: Chitineni S, Solomon DH, Choi HK, Fernandes A, Billa S, Tan K, Yokose C, Barry M, Paudel ML
Think outside the joints: the impact of regional and widespread non-articular pain on symptoms and function in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort. POS1259
This study from patients enrolled in the Canadian early rheumatoid arthritis CATCH cohort found that non-joint pain in early rheumatoid arthritis is common and strongly linked to worse symptoms and daily functioning. This shows us that recognizing and treating this pain could improve patients’ overall quality of life and help them better engage in social activities.
Research Team: Meng C, Valois MF, Caci J, Lee Y, Allard-Chamard H, Kuriya B, Bessette L, Hazlewood G, Hitchon CA, Thorne C, Pope J, Boire G, Bartlett SJ.
Variations in chronic refractory gout management between rheumatologists and nephrologists. POS1152
This study examined the medical charts of patients with gout and found that rheumatologists use higher urate-lowering doses and monitor gout patients’ serum uric acid more often than nephrologists. Patients under a nephrologist’s care had more kidney issues and hospitalizations. Treatment adherence was low, and many physicians reported dissatisfaction and unmet needs in managing gout. This study reveals gaps in care and highlights the need for better treatment and collaboration among specialists.
Research Team: Saag K, Kragh N, Athavale A, Desai B, Gulaid A, Oladapo A, Smith B, Choi HK.
Epidemiology of Sjögren syndrome in Catalonia Spain. A population-based cohort study. POS0839
This study, looking at data from Catalonia, Spain, found that Sjögren’s Syndrome mostly affects women, especially those over 60. The researchers found higher rates of both new and existing cases than earlier Spanish and European studies, which tells us that Sjögren’s Syndrome might be under-recognized. These results highlight the need for better awareness, diagnosis, and support, especially for older women.
Research Team: Sarmiento-Monroy J, Grau M, Tebe C, Carbonell-Abella C, Martinez-Laguna D, Frade-Sosa B, Peñafiel Sam JA, Corzo P, Aviña-Zubieta JA, Gómez-Puerta JA.
Myositis Community Proposes a Framework to Guide Clinical Trials and Ensure Patient Safety during Influx of CAR-T based Therapies. POS1123
CAR-T therapies, a new treatment approach that targets T cells in the immune system, are quickly expanding into myositis. This global survey of over 180 patients and researchers revealed a growing concern: the fast pace of these trials is outpacing safety data, education, and infrastructure. This study emphasizes the need for better patient education, clearer treatment guidelines, and safer, more coordinated trial planning
Research Team: Sakertkoo LA, Cheng K, de Groot I, de Visser M, Shenoi S, Dimachkie M, Gilkeson G, Werth VP, Day J, Paul J, Chandwar KA, Gono T, Gupta L, Paik J, Valenzuela Vegara A, Muehlensiepen F, Naddaf E, Erste FC, Albayda J, Basharat P, Aleanderson H, Shafranski B, Highland K, Christopher L, Leclair V et al.
A Longitudinal Analysis of Outcomes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Commencing Antimalarial Medication Using a Multistate Model Approach. POS0803.
This study found that transitions between adherence, non-adherence, and death in SLE patients were specifically influenced by factors such as rural residence (which reduced the risk of non-adherence but increased mortality risk), alcohol use disorder (raising the risk of non-adherence), income level (with higher income reducing non-adherence risk), age, depression, comorbidity burden, and medication use patterns (with glucocorticoids and NSAIDs impacting both mortality and re-adherence rates)
Research Team: Zhao K, Jing B, Avina-Zubieta JA, Xie H.
