The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, EULAR, is holding its 2024 Congress, taking place 12-15 June in Vienna, Austria and ACE is there, along with the world’s leading experts in rheumatology, to bring you the latest groundbreaking research, clinical innovations, and advancements in patient care.
EULAR 2024 Congress features an extensive programme, including more than 130 scientific sessions, 2 dedicated EULAR Recommendations Sessions, and over 1000 abstract presentations covering the latest in rheumatology research and practice, including one from ACE on the findings from our National Survey on Arthritis Health Literacy in Canada. ACE’s Ellen Wang presented the abstract that provides the arthritis community a starting point from which we can begin to understand differences in health literacy across those living with arthritis, specifically for BIPOC men.
Here are key takeaways from the first day of #EULAR2024:
Title of the study: Survival on treatment after switching to a biosimilar: population-based evidence from a natural experiment due to a policy change
Background
Biologic medications are highly effective in treating inflammatory arthritis but are very expensive. Biosimilars are almost identical, less costly versions available once the original drug’s patent expires. Implementing biosimilar transition policy, the British Columbia Ministry of Health required patients to transition from originator biologics (like etanercept and infliximab) to biosimilars.
Findings
Research using data from all of British Columbia (B.C.) showed that people who transitioned to biosimilars continued their treatment just as long as those who stayed on the originator biologics.
A policy change by the B.C. Ministry of Health required all patients using biologic medications to switch to biosimilars once they became available. This study used real-world data from all patients in B.C. to track the impact of this policy change. The findings were clear: patients who transitioned from the originator biologics, such as etanercept and infliximab, to their biosimilar counterparts continued their treatment just as successfully as those who remained on the originator medications.
Key Takeaways
Biosimilars, which are near-identical copies of the originator biologic, but available at a lower cost, provide the same safety and effectiveness as the more expensive originator.
Additional Learning Resources
- Click here to learn more about the study
- Visit ACE’s Biosimilars•Exchange to learn more about biosimilars
Title of the study: Comorbidities in people with osteoarthritis in four European primary care settings -comprehensive evidence from the ComOA study
Background
Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis worldwide, and it has an increasing global burden of disability and healthcare utilization. Recent studies have highlighted its association with various comorbidities. In the 2023 update of their recommendations for osteoarthritis management, EULAR recognized osteoarthritis as a severe disease with significant implications for both individuals and society. However, optimal management of osteoarthritis, especially considering additional systemic comorbidities, remains an important unmet need.
Study Details
The ComOA study combined studies for over 3 million people in primary care across the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain. The study analyzed associations between osteoarthritis and 61 different comorbidities identified before and after the first osteoarthritis diagnosis.
Findings
Among the 845,373 osteoarthritis cases, conditions more common in people with osteoarthritis included chronic back pain, hypertension, allergy, cataract, vertigo, depression, and diabetes. Ten comorbidities, such as fibromyalgia and chronic back pain, showed congruent evidence of association with osteoarthritis. Major comorbidities developed after the osteoarthritis diagnosis included fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and polymyalgia.
Key Takeaways
The study highlights the significant associations between osteoarthritis and various comorbidities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive management approaches in patients with osteoarthritis to address these additional health challenges.
Additional Learning Resources
- Click here to learn more about the study
- Visit ACE’s About Osteoarthritis page to learn more about OA
- 3 fab facts and tips for happy joints for people living with osteoarthritis
Title of the study: Systematic review on barriers and facilitators for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases for adherence to EULAR physical activity recommendations
Background
EULAR – The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology – has recommendations aimed at promoting health-enhancing physical activity. Despite the established benefits and evidence supporting the efficacy of physical activity and exercise interventions in enhancing overall fitness, alleviating symptoms, improving quality of life, and positively impacting cardio health, there are challenges and a general gap between research findings and their implementation in real-world clinical settings. An abstract session at the EULAR congress focused on implementing physical activity recommendations in arthritis and addressing the challenges for patients to use them in their daily lives.
Study Details
- Researchers reviewed existing research studies examining factors affecting adherence to EULAR’s physical activity recommendations.
- Across 68 selected articles, 29 different themes were identified – 9 of which were social, 16 environmental, and 4 systemic.
- The five most frequently found themes were having supportive family and friends, a supportive health professional, followed by costs, and access or proximity to adapted and supervised programs
Findings
The session identified key factors to implementing physical activity recommendations. The discussions highlighted the gap between research findings and real-world application, emphasizing the need for strategies to bridge this gap.
Key Takeaways
Addressing the barriers and promoting the facilitators to physical activity identified in the session could enhance the practical implementation of physical activity recommendations, ultimately improving outcomes for people living with arthritis.
Additional Learning Resources
- Click here to learn more about the study
- ACE Report on Arthritis and Exercise
- JointHealth™ Education – Arthritis and Exercise: Information and guidance to promote safety and help maximize the benefits of exercise
Title of the study: Is tooth extraction as proxy for periodontal disease related to the development of RA? Lessons from a longitudinal study in the at-risk stage of clinically suspect arthralgia
Background
Researchers wanted to see if dental health issues, like tooth extraction, might be linked to developing inflammatory arthritis.
Study Details
- The study included 700 people with early joint pain, a condition known as clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA).
- The study found that 96 people tested positive for ACPA, an antibody linked to arthritis.
- The study found that 121 people eventually developed inflammatory arthritis.
- The study focused on 206 patients who had dental extractions (many of whom were older, smokers, with higher body mass index (measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women), and more early joint inflammation.
Findings
Tooth extraction was linked to a higher chance of developing arthritis, but only in those with the ACPA antibody. This link was strong regardless of income or visible joint inflammation on MRI scans.
Key Takeaways
Taking care of your teeth might help lower the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis, especially for people at risk for inflammatory arthritis.
Additional learning resources