Objectives Shared decision-making (SDM) is advocated to improve patient outcomes in Psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We analysed current prescribing practices and the extent of SDM in PsA across Europe. Methods The ASSIST study was a cross-sectional observational study of PsA patients aged ≥18 years attending face-to-face appointments between July 2021-March 2022. Patient demographics, current treatment

Objectives To explore the efficacy and safety of belimumab among Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a real-world setting. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed, and SLE patients taking belimumab on a background of standard-of-care (SoC) treatment were consecutively enrolled from June 2021 to December 2022. Based on baseline characteristics, patients were divided

Objectives Reportedly, patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and low-level proteinuria have favorable short-term renal outcomes. We aimed to clarify the long-term renal outcomes and overall survival of them, and the significance of renal biopsy in the early phase with low-level proteinuria. Methods We included 144 Japanese patients with biopsy-proven LN from ten hospitals. Low-level proteinuria was defined

Objective Several monogenic autoinflammatory disorders and primary immunodeficiencies can present early in life with features that may be mistaken for Behçet's disease (BD). We aimed to develop a genetic analysis workflow to identify rare monogenic BD-like diseases and establish the contribution of HLA haplotype in a cohort of patients from the UK. Methods Patients with clinically suspected BD were

Objectives To assess the prevalence and incidence of multimorbidity and the association with the SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Using prevalent and incident population-based cohorts of patients with SLE and their matched comparators, we assessed 57 chronic conditions. Chronic conditions were categorized as SDI-related or SDI-unrelated. Multimorbidity

Objectives Digital annular pulleys (DAP) are important anatomical structures for finger function. The anatomy, histology, and imaging assessment of DAP, particularly at the level of their entheses is still not clearly defined. The advent of high-frequency ultrasound (US) transducers opened new perspectives in evaluating sub-millimeter scale structures, such as pulleys, paving the way for their global

Objective To assess the real-world effectiveness of targeting biologic drugs (bDMARD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients negative for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). Methods We retrospectively selected 81 seronegative and 404 seropositive RA patients receiving treatment with abatacept, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, or tocilizumab. Effectiveness

Objectives To examine the effectiveness and drug tolerability of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) monotherapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a multicentre cohort study. Methods Patients with RA initiated with bDMARD/JAKi monotherapy without conventional synthetic DMARDs were included. Monotherapy regimens were categorised as

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, an innovative immune cell therapy, has revolutionised the treatment landscape of haematological malignancies. The past two years have witnessed the successful application of CD19-targeting CAR constructs in refractory cases of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and anti-synthetase syndrome. In

Objectives Cardiovascular risk prediction tools developed for the general population often underperform for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and their predictive accuracy are unclear for other inflammatory conditions that also have increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated performance of QRISK-3, Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Reynolds Risk Score (RRS) in RA, psoriatic disease (psoriatic

Objective To investigate the pathogenic role and underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods： RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was applied to screen the expression profile of lncRNAs in peripheral leukocytes from 5 AAV patients and 5 healthy controls (HC). Candidate lncRNAs were preliminarily verified in peripheral leukocytes from

Objective Von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen plays a role in vascular inflammation and thrombosis, both of which are important in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Previous work found that VWF correlates with disease activity in childhood-onset primary CNS vasculitis. We sought to determine the relationship between VWF and disease activity over time in children with AAV. Methods

Objectives To estimate the association between SSc clinical phenotypes and quantitative occupational exposure to crystalline silica, chlorinated solvents, trichloroethylene, and pesticides using job-exposure matrices. Methods In the VISS-EXPOSITION transversal study, data on declarative occupational exposure to crystalline silica, solvents, and pesticides were retrieved. In parallel, the Lifetime Occupational

Objectives Neutrophils play a key role in ANCA-associated vasculitis, both as targets of autoimmunity and facilitators of vascular damage. In granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), data regarding the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neutrophils are unclear. Further, recent data suggests that ROS production could have an anti-inflammatory effect through the regulation of the inflammasome

Objectives To compare the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks, a selective inhibitor of interleukin‑17F and 17A, with biologic/targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods A systematic literature review identified randomised controlled trials until January 2023

Objectives To study the effect of SARS-CoV2 infection on flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Patients who fulfilled the ACR/SLICC criteria for SLE and had documented COVID-19 between February and November 2022 were identified retrospectively from our hospital COVID-19 registry. SLE controls who did not have SARS-CoV2 infection were randomly matched for age, sex and the time of infection

Objective Although negative back beliefs are associated with high-intensity low back pain (LBP)/disability, whether they influence incident high-intensity LBP/high-disability over the long-term is unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether negative back beliefs were associated with developing high-intensity LBP and/or high-disability over 10 years in men. Methods Men with no or low-intensity

Objectives To analyze the risk, causes, and predictors of mortality in Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Methods Survival was assessed in a cohort of patients with TAK using Kaplan-Meier curves. Age- and sex-standardized mortality ratio (SMR = observed: expected deaths) for TAK were calculated by applying age- and sex-specific mortality rates for the local population to calculate expected deaths. Hazard ratios

Objectives Epidemiological estimates of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) underpin the provision of healthcare, research, and the work of government, charities and patient organizations. Methodological problems impacting prior estimates include small sample sizes, incomplete case ascertainment, and representativeness. We developed a statistical modelling strategy to provide contemporary prevalence and incidence

Objectives To investigate, in anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody positive individuals with musculoskeletal symptoms but no clinical synovitis (CCP+ at-risk), the additional value of ultrasound (US) for the prediction of inflammatory arthritis (IA). Furthermore, to define a concise US protocol for feasible risk prediction. Methods Demographic and clinical data were collected in 417 CCP+ at-risk

Objective Airway obstruction can occur in patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP) with laryngeal involvement, occasionally requiring tracheostomy to avoid serious complications. Herein, we assessed the risk factors for tracheostomy and developed a risk prediction model. Methods Clinical characteristics of patients with RP, with and without tracheostomy, were compared using multivariate logistic

Objective To elucidate the differential effects of biological/target synthesized DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs) on bone metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a real-world cohort. Methods This was a multicentre prospective observational study of RA patients enrolled at the time of 1st b/tsDMARDs administration. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were measured during

Objectives To determine the safety and efficacy of anifrolumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classified based on the Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) in real-world clinical practice. Methods This retrospective observational study involved SLE patients who started anifrolumab therapy. The primary end point was the retention rate over 26 weeks after initiating anifrolumab

Objectives To evaluate the effect of antimalarial drugs in response to therapy, incidence of LN flares, and progression of kidney disease in a large LN cohort. Methods We retrospectively studied 424 biopsy-proven LN patients followed for >3 years. We obtained demographic, clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and treatment variables. Antimalarial use was approached as 1) users versus no users, 2)

Objectives Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are abundant in body fluids, contributing to intercellular signalling by transferring cargo that includes microRNAs (miRs) – themselves implicated in pathobiology. For the first time we evaluated the potential of EV miRs to contribute diagnostic information in early RA, predict methotrexate (MTX) efficacy or shed light on the drug’s mechanism of action. Methods

Objectives To evaluate a strategy designed to optimise care and increase uptake of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) during hospitalisations for gout flares. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate a strategy that combined optimal in-hospital gout management with a nurse-led, follow-up appointment, followed by handover to primary care. Outcomes, including ULT initiation, urate target

Objective This multicentre, retrospective study compared the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib, baricitinib, peficitinib and upadacitinib in real-world clinical settings after minimizing selection bias and adjusting the confounding patient characteristics. Method The 622 patients were selected from the ANSWER cohort database and treated with tofacitinib (TOF), baricitinib (BAR), peficitinib (PEF)

Objective To investigate the relationship between the severity and morphology of heterotopic ossification in the spinal ligaments including sacroiliac (SI) joints, and serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with or without diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), as well as a non-OPLL group. Methods A total of 103 patients

Objective Familial aggregation of systemic autoimmune diseases is frequently reported, but little is known about how fathers and mothers differentially contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases in their offspring. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal and paternal autoimmunity on the risk of offspring rheumatic diseases. Methods We constructed a nationwide population-based

Objective To develop the optimal US scanning protocol for the diagnosis of CPPD disease. Methods In this cross-sectional study, consecutive patients with a crystal-proven diagnosis of CPPD disease, and age-, sex-matched disease controls and with a negative synovial fluid analysis were prospectively enrolled in two Italian Institutions. Four rheumatologists, blinded to patients’ clinical details, performed

Objectives Reporting diagnostic confidence (DC) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) imaging is recommended by the ASAS guidelines. Our aim was to investigate whether self-reported DC predicts diagnostic accuracy in axSpA imaging using X-ray (XR), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods We performed a post hoc analysis including 163 patients with low back pain (89 axSpA

Objective There is growing interest in the early identification of patients with axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA). We aimed to evaluate whether a dermatology-based screening strategy could help to identify axPsA patients. Methods The dermatologist-centered screening (DCS) questionnaire was administrated by Dermatologists to consecutive patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria (1. age ≥ 18 years

Objectives Active RA has been associated with an increased risk of both cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. We aimed to compare cerebrovascular changes in patients with and without RA, both with and without a neuropathologic diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease. Methods Patients with RA (n = 32) who died and underwent autopsy between 1994 and 2021 were matched to non-RA controls (n =

Although clinical outcomes of RA have vastly improved in recent years, the disease’s mental health impact has seemingly not decreased to the same extent. Even today, learning to live with RA is an active process involving several psychological, cognitive, behavioural and emotional pathways. Consequently, mental health disorders are more common in the context of RA than in the general population, and

Multimorbidity, the presence of multiple chronic conditions, is highly prevalent in people with RA. An essential characteristic of multimorbidity is the interrelatedness of the different conditions that may develop in a multimorbid person. Recent studies have begun to identify and describe the Multimorbidity Web by elucidating unique multimorbidity patterns in people with RA. The primary multimorbidity

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of HBV reactivation (HBVr) in patients with RA under anti-IL-6 treatment. Methods Using PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE, we performed a systematic literature search for articles related to HBVr in RA patients under anti-IL-6 treatment. The search was performed with no date limits and was last updated 28 January 2023. The results from all

Objectives Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, and perpetuated synovial angiogenesis have been associated with RA. In our study we evaluated angiogenic factors in relation to vascular inflammation and function, and clinical markers in RA patients undergoing 1-year tofacitinib therapy. Methods Thirty RA patients treated with either 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily tofacitinib were included in a 12-month

In addition to joints, several organs can be affected in rheumatoid arthritis. Coexisting conditions with different pathomechanisms all contribute to disease activity, treatment efficacy, mortality and quality of life. The wide selection of treatment options makes it possible for rheumatologists to personalize treatment for their patients, which in present practice mainly includes the consideration

Polypharmacy is increasingly common in rheumatology due to the complex nature of managing chronic autoimmune diseases. To date there has been limited research into the impact of polypharmacy on rheumatology patients. In this article we reviewed the literature to characterize the prevalence of polypharmacy and its effect on patients. In addition, we have highlighted some key drug–drug interactions to

Objective To investigate the prevalence and mortality impact of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) in RA and non-RA comparators. Methods We analysed associations between ILAs, RA, and mortality in COPDGene, a multicentre prospective cohort study of current and past smokers, excluding known interstitial lung disease (ILD) or bronchiectasis. All participants had research chest high-resolution CT

Early identification and management of multimorbidity in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), such as RA, is an integral, but often neglected, aspect of care. The prevalence and incidence of conditions such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease and malignancies, often co-existing with RA, continues to have significant implications for the management of this

Objectives Shoulder pain is common but current clinical classification has limited utility. We aimed to determine whether groups of ultrasound-based shoulder pathologies exist and to evaluate outcomes according to identified groups and individual pathologies. Methods Prospective study of a community-based cohort with shoulder pain referred for their first ultrasound scan at a single radiology unit

Objective We examined patient and providers’ perspectives on tapering biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD or tsDMARD) in well-controlled RA to determine which factors influence their long-term treatment decisions. Methods A standardized phone survey was administered to patients with well-controlled RA based on electronic health record review. Providers were

Objectives This study had two aims: (i) to investigate outcomes of medication tapering in stable RA patients on biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs/tsDMARDs) and conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) in a real-world prospective cohort; and (ii) to evaluate possible predictors of flare with medication taper. Methods A prospective cohort of patients with

Objective Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are at increased risk of Herpes Zoster (HZ). The objective of this study was to investigate serological immunogenicity and safety of the HZ subunit (HZ/su) vaccine in RA patients treated with JAKi, for which little is known. Methods RA patients treated with JAKi (n = 82) at the Department of Rheumatology,

Objective Anti-peptidyl arginine deaminase 4 (anti-PAD4) antibody has been a subject of investigation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the last two decades. This meta-analysis investigated the diagnostic values, association with disease activity, and possible risk factors of anti-PAD4 antibody in rheumatoid arthritis. Method We searched studies from five databases up to December 1st, 2022. Bivariate

Objectives Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous manifestations and severity, with frequent lung involvement. Among pulmonary function tests (PFT), the measure of the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is a noninvasive and sensitive tool assessing pulmonary microcirculation. Asymptomatic and isolated DLCO alteration

Objectives This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), ie granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), in Southern France in 2018, and evaluate differences among Europeans and non-Europeans. Methods This population-based, cross-sectional study used four sources (hospitals, community-based

Objectives Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive (MDA5+) dermatomyositis patients exhibit a variety of clinical features. We therefore investigated whether patterns of B cell epitope recognition are linked to the clinical course of MDA5+ dermatomyositis. Methods Our cross-sectional study used ELISA-based methods to determine the relationship between antibody recognition

Objectives Taxifolin (dihydroquercetin) is a bioactive plant flavonoid that exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. We hypothesized that taxifolin might be an effective dietary supplement to ameliorate symptoms arising from thrombo-inflammatory diseases such as lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods We used in vitro assays and a mouse model to determine mechanisms by which

Objectives Prediction models based on traditional risk factors underestimate cardiovascular (CV) risk in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In a large sample of unselected SLE patients, we investigated cross-sectional associations of NT-proBNP with cardiovascular damage (CVD). Methods Serum NT-proBNP was measured in SLE patients enrolled in the MUHC Lupus Clinic registry. Serum were collected between

Objectives To quantify associations of serum alarmins with risk of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Methods Using serum collected at enrolment, three alarmins (interleukin [IL]-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP], and IL-25) were measured in a multicentre prospective RA cohort. ILD was classified using systematic medical record review. Cross-sectional associations

OBJECTIVES Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are heterogeneous diseases characterized by skeletal muscle inflammation associated with cutaneous, pulmonary, and/or other visceral organ involvement. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been recommended as an adjunct therapy for IIM patients refractory to conventional therapy. However, IVIG has high resource needs and increased risk of adverse

Objective Caution has been advocated recently when using Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. We aimed to compare the incidences in cardiovascular events between JAKi or bDMARDs in a large population of RA patients. Methods RA patients starting a new bDMARD or JAKi between August 1st 2018 and January 31st 2022 have been

Objectives Myocarditis is an overlooked manifestation of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS). Our study describes the clinical and instrumental features of ASS-myocarditis and evaluates the diagnostic performance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with mapping techniques. Methods Data from ASS-patients were retrospectively analyzed. CMR data of patients diagnosed with myocarditis, including late gadolinium

Objective To determine whether persistent complete B cell (BC) depletion was associated with a better clinical response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients long-term treated with rituximab (RTX). Methods We conducted a retrospective study including RA patients admitted for a new infusion between 2019 and 2021. The primary end point was the comparison of the mean DAS28-CRP at each of the 4 last infusion

Objectives To investigate if disease activity among elderly RA patients over 75 years has changed over time in the real-world clinical setting. Methods Data from an observational multicentre registry of RA patients in Japan were analyzed. The primary outcome was to evaluate the changes in the proportion of very elderly RA patients (over 75 years) who achieved remission and low disease activity, from

Objectives To investigate the incidence of demyelinating disease (DD) among spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients and identify risk factors that predict DD in this patient population. Methods Axial SpA (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients were identified from a longitudinal cohort database. Each group was analysed according to the presence or absence of DD. Incidence rates (IR) of DD were obtained

Local and systemic low-grade inflammation, mainly involving the innate immune system, plays an important role in the development of OA. A receptor playing a key role in initiation of this inflammation is the pattern-recognition receptor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In the joint, various ligands for TLR4, many of which are damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), are present that can activate TLR4

Objective Patients with Behcet disease (BD) may experience long term morbidity caused by different forms of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess the risk for cardiovascular comorbidity in pediatric BD patients with and without vascular involvement, independent of the contribution of traditional risk factors. Methods Pediatric patients classified as BD according to the 2015 International