With the start of the American College of Rheumatology Convergence (ACR) every year, I look forward to immersing myself in the latest scientific developments and clinical practices in rheumatology. As I prepare for this year’s congress, I am particularly interested to hear more about long-term disease maintenance and its implications for those living with rheumatic diseases. The impact of rheumatic diseases like psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often extends well beyond physical symptoms and can negatively affect quality of life.^1,2 At UCB, we recognize the importance of understanding and addressing these unmet needs and have dedicated ourselves to rigorously studying disease maintenance in clinical trials.

This year at ACR, UCB will present 27 abstracts across three products, spanning key disease areas including PsA, axSpA, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These presentations come at a pivotal moment in time, following our recent FDA approvals in PsA and axSpA.

Advancing Early Diagnoses

A key goal in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, like AS and nr-axSpA, is the importance of early diagnoses. The symptoms of these conditions, such as back pain and stiffness^3,4 can make diagnosis especially challenging since they can be hard to differentiate from more common ailments like mechanical back pain.⁴ We know that diagnosing these diseases in their early stages can have a significant impact on treatment, with the potential to help slow down progression and inhibit irreversible radiographic damage^.4

Our UCB team recently had the opportunity to partner with Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates (AARA) and NextGen Healthcare on a rheumatic disease screening pilot, and AARA will present the clinical impact this week at ACR. A corresponding UCB white paper will offer a roadmap for how healthcare practices can best integrate these vital screening tools into routine clinical practice and will help to address the challenge of delayed diagnosis across AS and nr-axSpA.

By adopting innovative screening tools, we can deliver more personalized care, ensuring that patients receive the appropriate treatment at the right time.

Powering Maintenance as We Strive Toward Remission

Like in many diseases, receiving the right treatment at the right time for PsA, nr-axSpA, and AS is important. Additionally, people living with these diseases benefit from maintaining a sustained response from their treatment. However, the ultimate goal is remission, where the disease activity and progression are little to none.^5,6 With recent advances, we are getting closer to this goal by providing personalized treatment plans that cater to individual needs and characteristics.^7,8

Two podcasts from the recent “Redefining Remission in PsA and axSpA” partnership between CreakyJoints and the Global Healthy Living Foundation and the National Psoriasis Foundation, supported by UCB, delve into the topic of remission for people living PsA, AS, and nr-axSpA. The episodes emphasize the need for individuals to have a clear understanding of what remission means and how to effectively manage it to improve their quality of life. In the words of podcast guest Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a triple board-certified dermatologist, rheumatologist, and internist, “it is vital as clinicians to ensure your patient understands the goal of remission and what that means for them, and, in turn, to understand what your patient wants from their treatment.”

As we shift towards diagnosing and treating rheumatological conditions earlier, and with the emergence of new treatment options, we have the opportunity to lead the entire rheumatology community toward our ultimate goal of improving remission rates for patients.

Looking ahead, I am eager to incorporate my learnings from ACR into the rheumatology work we do at UCB as we strive to better serve these patients. By sharing knowledge and collaborating with the broader rheumatology community, we can continue to make strides in screening and treatment methods that make a meaningful difference in improving the lives of those with rheumatic diseases.

References
 

1. Ogdie A, Weiss P. The Epidemiology of Psoriatic Arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545–68.
2. Deodhar A. Understanding Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Primer for Managed Care. Am J Manag Care. 2019;25(17):S319–30.
3. de Winter JJ, van Mens LJ, van der Heijde D, et al. Prevalence of peripheral and extra-articular disease in ankylosing spondylitis versus non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: a meta-analysis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2016;18(1):196. doi:10.1186/s13075-016-1093-z.
4. Mauro D, Forte G, Poddubnyy D, Ciccia F. The Role of Early Treatment in the Management of Axial Spondyloarthritis: Challenges and Opportunities. Rheumatol Ther. 2023;11(1):19-34. doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00627-0. 
5. Wendling D, Clément P. Remission in axial spondyloarthritis: The ultimate treatment goal? Joint bone spine. 2016;83(2):117-9. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.08.015.
6. Alharbi S, Ye JY, Lee KA, et al. Remission in psoriatic arthritis: Definition and predictors. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2020;50(6):1494-1499. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.01.012.
7. Gossec L, Smolen JS, Ramiro S, et al. European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2015 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016;75:499-510.
8. Baraliakos X, Berenbaum F, Favalli EG, et al. Challenges and Advances in Targeting Remission in Axial Spondyloarthritis. J Rheumatol. 2018;45(2):153-157. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.170222.
   
   
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