Objective We evaluated drug retention rates to compare the effectiveness of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors vs. tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) biologics and non-TNFi biologics in biologics-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and assessed intra-class differences among JAK inhibitors. Methods We conducted a cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, including

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is secondary to the pathological accumulation of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals inside joints and involves acute or chronic inflammatory arthritis. Epidemiological research on CPPD has been slow despite the suspected high prevalence of this condition. Here we highlight key challenges in CPPD imaging, diagnosis and nomenclature that need to be addressed

Inflammatory cytokine levels exhibit a circadian rhythm in sera, peaking from late night to early morning in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This cytokine kinetics is a recognized therapeutic target. This clinical study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of night-time baricitinib administration based on cytokine secretion. In this 52-week multicenter non-randomized controlled study, 122 patients

Recently, several studies have reported that nucleus pulposus (NP) cell ferroptosis plays a key role in IDD. However, the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of cell subsets involved remain unclear. We aimed to define the key factors driving ferroptosis, and the characteristics of ferroptotic NP cells subsets during IDD. The accumulation of iron ions in NP tissues of rats caudal intervertebral

Objectives Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Sjögren’s disease (SjD) are characterized by systemic inflammation. Although for both entities lymphocyte involvement is reported, the contribution of T cell responses to lung manifestation of SSc and SjD remains elusive. Therefore, we aimed for systematically investigating T cell responses in blood and lungs of patients with SSc or with SjD. Methods For deep

Objective To determine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) endotypes according to B cell immunophenotyping and serological profile and assess endotypes’ response to belimumab. Methods We analysed data from 796 patients with SLE from the phase III trial BLISS-SC. Unsupervised machine learning employing factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD) and subsequent clustering determined endotypes based on B cell

Altered metabolism of the tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite fumarate drives activation of interferon release in systemic sclerosis monocytes, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach.

In the phase III SELECT-GCA trial, upadacitinib at a dose of 15 mg daily was superior to placebo with respect to achievement of sustained remission of giant cell arteritis at 52 weeks.

To identify pathways linking cytokine abnormalities to mortality via prognostic factors in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 antibodies (anti-MDA5 Ab). This study included patients with anti-MDA5 Ab whose serum was available. Serum cytokine levels were measured using a multiplex bead assay. Prognostic factors were identified using Cox regression and log-rank test. Prognostic

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is commonly used to treat Sjögren syndrome (SS). Glucocorticoids, which are commonly applied for managing primary SS (pSS), can disrupt glucose metabolism and increase diabetes mellitus (DM) risk. HCQ reduces DM risk in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between HCQ and glucocorticoids in the incidence of

Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) is a common fragility fracture with high mortality worldwide. The management and prevention of VCF start with a proper nutrition. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is rich in balanced nutrients and has been shown to be beneficial for several chronic diseases. However, the association of adherence to Mediterranean diet (aMED) and prognosis of VCF patients remains unclear

The spike protein-specific humoral response observed after SARS-CoV- 2 vaccination is decreased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with rituximab (RTX). However, when analyzed immediately after vaccination, the spike-specific T-cell immune response appears to be preserved. The possible persistence of specific T cells over the long term is underexplored and could be a useful decision-making

Objective NETs involvement in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) pathogenesis is known, but the role of anti-β2glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI)-induced NETs in triggering a procoagulant and proinflammatory phenotype in endothelial cells (EC) remains to be evaluated. This study investigated whether NET-aβ2GPI can activate ECs and whether NET-aβ2GPI and NET-PMA have different proteomic profiles. Methods

ObjectiveTo assess the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in RA patients treated with JAKi, TNF‐inhibitors (TNFi) or biologic Disease‐Modifying Anti‐Rheumatic Drugs with other modes of action (bDMARD‐OMA) in a multi‐country, real‐world population.MethodsRA patients from 15 registries in the JAK‐pot collaboration were included. MACE incidence was analysed using two approaches: a

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ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of prophylactic trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) on the incidence of serious infections in patients with anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV).MethodsThis multicenter cohort study designed to emulate a target trial studied 296 patients with AAV treated with rituximab or cyclophosphamide as induction therapy. Patients were grouped

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of the JAK 1/3 inhibitor tofacitinib in treating Blau syndrome and explore the association between various clinical and genetic features and therapeutic responses within the cohort. METHODS A five-year, multi-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted across seven centers, focusing on genetic profiles and the clinical manifestations of cohort

OBJECTIVE This study compares rates of school absence (SA) of all children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) attending public Danish schools to peers both before and after JIA diagnosis. Further, we aimed to investigate the role of socioeconomic status (SES) on the possible association. METHODS We performed a register-based matched cohort study. We included all children attending public Danish

OBJECTIVE To describe patients' perspectives and experiences of medications for gout to inform patient-centred practice. METHODS Systematic review (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL) and thematic analysis of studies using qualitative methodology to May 2023. RESULTS Five dominant themes were identified in 45 studies involving 1203 patients:- denying illness, negotiating uncertainty, juggling competing

OBJECTIVE To review methods for developing and endorsing Quality Measures (QMs) to inform a national quality measurement framework for rheumatology care in Canada. METHODS We conducted a rapid environmental scan of measure development organizations from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Major phases in the development of QMs were abstracted. The results were reviewed and

OBJECTIVE This work aims to provide an update on a previously published systematic review on quality measures (QMs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to inform future measure development and endorsement efforts. METHODS We searched published and grey literature sources from January 2018-July 2023. Included sources were limited to those that targeted RA patients, either exclusively or alongside other rheumatic

OBJECTIVE To describe the frequency and outcomes associated with self-reported frailty in patients with vasculitis. METHODS VascStrong is a longitudinal study utilizing the Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network, an internet-based cohort of patients with vasculitis. Data collected included patient global assessment (PGA) and several domains of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information

OBJECTIVE Compare the progression of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) based on serological status. METHODS In a post-hoc analysis of the SENSCIS trial (nintedanib vs placebo in SSc-ILD; NCT02597933), we analyzed the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks in 3 subsets: positive for anti-centromere antibody (ACA), positive for anti-RNA polymerase

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of zimlovisertib (interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 4 inhibitor) in combination with ritlecitinib (a Janus kinase [JAK] 3 and tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma [TEC] kinase family inhibitors) or tofacitinib (a JAK inhibitor) vs tofacitinib alone.MethodsThis phase 2 study randomized patients with moderate to severe active RA to

Objectives Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease in which a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to existing therapies. The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) initiated a project aimed at unraveling the reasons for treatment failures in PsA, culminating in the establishment of definitions for Difficult-to-Treat

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a step-down treatment approach using mepolizumab for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) in a real-life single-centre cohort. The study aimed to assess outcomes following a transition from high-dose (300 mg/4 weeks) to low-dose (100 mg/4 weeks) mepolizumab after achieving remission. Methods This retrospective study included EGPA patients

OBJECTIVE To examine the clinic outcomes during the implementation of a self-administered patient decision-aid (PtDA) for lupus. METHODS We provided an effective computerized lupus PtDA in 15 rheumatology outpatient clinics 2019-2024 (including the COVID-pandemic). We collected Organizational Readiness to Implement Change (ORIC), and Team Learning and Psychological Safety Survey (TLPSS) at baseline

Objectives Functional antibodies play a role in SSc gastrointestinal (GI) disease, but their clinical relevance is unclear. We examined GI and extraintestinal features associated with anti-M3R antibodies in SSc patients. Methods In a cohort enriched for GI symptoms, SSc patients were tested for anti-M3R antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High-titers were defined a priori based on

Lipid nanoparticle carriers of immunosuppressive mRNA shape tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells that inhibit arthritis progression in mice.

The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), a measure of systemic sclerosis (SSc) skin thickness, is agnostic to inflammation and vasculopathy. Previously, we demonstrated the potential of neural network-based digital pathology applied to SSc skin biopsies as a quantitative outcome. Here, we leverage deep learning and histologic analyses of clinical trial biopsies to decipher SSc skin features ‘seen’ by

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Upadacitinib (UPA), an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, has shown efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials. To assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of UPA in adults with moderate-to-severe RA in the UPHOLD observational study. Co-primary endpoints were: (i) proportion of patients achieving disease activity score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein

The present cohort study aimed to evaluate the value of CCL23 in diagnosis, disease activity, and prognosis in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV). CCL23 levels in serum samples from 317 patients with AAV and 83 healthy controls (HCs) were measured using a customized immune response kit. Patients with AAV had significantly elevated CL23 levels compared with

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Objectives There is a call to improve the histological classification of lupus nephritis (LN). We assessed the association between histological lesions and kidney outcomes. Methods We assessed 430 participants with biopsy-proven LN diagnosed between 2008 and 2020. All participants had follow-up for ≥3 years. The activity and chronicity lesions comprised in the National Institutes of Health activity

Objectives It is unknown to what extent updated treatment recommendations regarding glucocorticoids (GC) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been incorporated into clinical practice. Based on filled dispensations we examined treatment patterns the first 5 years after SLE diagnosis in Sweden, trends over time and relationship to patient characteristics

Introduction Regular screening for pulmonary hypertension (PH) is recommended in patients with SSc for the early detection and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Whether Doppler echocardiography may predict subsequent development of PH is still unknown. In this context, there is growing awareness of the potential importance of right atrial function in reflecting an initial overload of the

Objectives Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) plus corticosteroids is recommended as the initial intensified therapy for high-risk IVIG-resistant Kawasaki disease (kDa) patients. However, some patients still require additional rescue therapy despite this treatment. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with non-response to initial IVIG plus methylprednisolone (mPSL) therapy in high-risk

Objective Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune prothrombotic condition. Vascular liver disorders (VLD), such as portal vein thrombosis (PVT), Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD), are rare and related to an underlying hypercoagulable state in most cases. We aimed to describe the clinical and immunological features of APS patients with VLD. Methods

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Objectives Lupus nephritis (LN) is associated with significant renal morbidity, although some patients may experience a responsive and monophasic course. We aimed to assess the proportion of LN patients with such a course and identify its associated baseline characteristics. Methods This retrospective study included SLE patients from an observational cohort who developed LN at or after clinic entry

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Although autoimmune rheumatic diseases are more prevalent in women than men, few clinical trials report findings on the basis of sex and gender. Future clinical trials should report sex and gender differences in treatment and safety outcomes in a standardized manner to improve outcomes for all patients.

ObjectiveThis longitudinal case‐control study evaluated serum proteomics prior to a clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (i.e. pre‐RA) to evaluate biologic pathways of disease development and inform prediction of timing of onset of future disease.MethodsPatients (cases, n=213) meeting the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for RA, and matched controls without

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The present non-inferiority study was designed to compare the effect of discontinuing versus continuing methotrexate (MTX) alongside certolizumab pegol (CZP) on maintaining low disease activity (LDA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients already stable on combination therapy. This multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial included RA patients with sustained LDA (Clinical Disease Activity

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial and highly prevalent disease in elderly adults; however, its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment are unmet needs nowadays. Research efforts have focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis, onset, and progression of OA to facilitate early detection and effective therapeutic approaches. Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) represents