Objectives To assess the association of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Multiple databases were systematically searched from inception to February 2024. Studies were eligible if they included patients with SLE (population), reported aPL status (exposure)

Objective OA is a very heterogeneous disease. Here, we aimed to differentiate OA patients based on their serum-induced cell-integrated signalling patterns. Design In order to monitor the activity of different cellular homeostasis-regulating pathways in response to patient serum, we analysed the response of human OA serum samples to sixteen cell-based transcription factor luciferase reporter assays

Objectives Although Behçet's disease (BD) typically manifests in the second or third decade of life, initial symptoms may appear at a younger age. It may also take a longer time for the full disease phenotype to develop after the first symptom onset in pediatric patients. In this study we aimed to assess the clinical course of pediatric-onset BD in adulthood period. Methods The files of 112 patients

OBJECTIVES Anti-TIF1γ autoantibodies are associated with malignancy in adult-onset idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) and this risk is attenuated if patients are also positive for anti-specificity protein 4 (Sp4) or anti-cell division cycle apoptosis regulator protein 1 (CCAR1). In anti-TIF1γ positive US dermatomyositis (DM) patients, anti-Sp4 and anti-CCAR1 autoantibody frequencies are reported

Objectives Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are characterized by chronic inflammation. Reliable biomarkers are crucial for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and therapeutic responses. This study explores serum Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) as a biomarker for these conditions and its relationship with free light chain (FLC) levels. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on sera from

Objectives Stage ≥ 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects ∼25% of people with gout. The effects of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) on CKD incidence and progression have remained inconclusive. Here, we assessed the impact of a gout urate-lowering therapy (ULT) clinic intervention using artificial intelligence (AI) on CKD incidence and achievement of serum urate target. Methods An observational study compared

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) remains an enigmatic and complex muscle disorder where a deeper understanding of disease pathomechanisms and the identification of potential genetic contributors represent an unmet need. The absence of effective treatments has spurred endeavours to reassess the interplay between degeneration, including autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction and proteasomal dysregulation

Objective Investigate the association between the MUC5B rs35705950 promoter variant and survival in RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Methods We studied participants in the Veteran Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry with validated ILD diagnoses. Participants were followed until death or end of study period. The MUC5B rs35705950 promoter variant was measured using an Infinium

Objectives To investigate the association between depression and anxiety and the inability to achieve remission in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and psoriatic arthritis(PsA) patients. In addition, the association between depressive and anxiety symptoms and disease activity components were explored. Methods 400 RA and 367 PsA patients from the tREACH and DEPAR were included, respectively. Patients had a

Introduction Preserving fertility is crucial when managing male patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and/or psoriasis (PsO), especially in young men. Chronic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and immunosuppressive therapies can negatively impact male fertility. Over the past decades, positive data have emerged regarding the reproductive safety of various therapies in men. Ixekizumab (IXE), a high-affinity

Objectives This study aimed to elucidate which bio-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are suitable for treatment with CTLA4-Ig. Methods This study enrolled 953 patients with RA who were administered their first biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (CTLA4-Ig, n = 328; tumour necrosis factor inhibitor [TNFi], n = 625) from July 2013 to August 2022. The primary outcome was the Clinical

Objectives Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to compare the performance of QRESEARCH-risk estimator version 3 (QRISK3) and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation-2 (SCORE2) scores to identify SLE patients at high risk of CV events, as indicated by the presence of carotid plaques. Methods Subclinical atherosclerosis

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of telitacicept based on the conventional treatment in adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), focusing on its impact on clinical manifestations. Methods IIM patients who had been treated with telitacicept for at least 3 months based on the conventional treatment from January 2023 to January 2024 were included in this study

Objective Developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) treatments is challenging due to assessing pain and joint structure outcomes within a highly heterogeneous disease. Lorecivivint (LOR), an intra-articular (IA) CLK/DYRK inhibitor, modulates Wnt and inflammatory pathways. This review analysis of LOR 0.07 mg trial data aims to describe the potential impact of baseline joint structure on OA pain response.

Introduction Systemic sclerosis is a complex disease that affects various target organs, making it difficult to assess response and determine remission or relapse. A baseline Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) >2.95 is associated with severe progressive skin and lung disease and decreased 5-year survival in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, it is unknown whether NLR changes in response to treatment

Objective To evaluate temporal and regional variation in biologic and targeted synthetic DMARD (b/tsDMARD) initiation for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in England and Wales. Methods An observational cohort study was conducted for people with RA enrolled in the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) between May 2018 and April 2022 who had 12-month follow-up data. Temporal trends in escalation

Objectives The impact of individual biological/targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b/tsDMARD) on kidney function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the comparative effects of b/tsDMARDs on chronic kidney disease (CKD) incidence in patients with RA. Methods This multicentre cohort study included patients with RA who had baseline

Objective The objective of this study was to explore the etiologies and contributing factors of synovial and tenosynovial involvement in SSc, as well as to assess the phenotype of patients with these synovial and tenosynovial features. Methods 171 SSc patients with hand manifestations (either vascular, skin or joint manifestations) who underwent standard X-rays of both hands and hand ultrasound (US)

Objectives Lymphadenopathy is a classical manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare, occurring in approximately half of patients during the course of the disease. Lymphadenopathy in SLE is frequently associated with fever. Microbial infection may play a role in SLE onset and flares. Objectives of this study were to describe lymphadenopathy in the course of SLE and identify potential

Objectives Increased circulating levels of CXCL13 reflect synovial production and indicate immune dysregulation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we tested whether CXCL13 predicts response to first-line treatment with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with early RA, independently and in association with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF). Methods

Objectives Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (iRPF) can lead to irreversible kidney damage. This study aimed to investigate predictors of irreversible renal dysfunction in patients with iRPF. Methods Eighty-three patients with newly diagnosed iRPF were enrolled between January 2010 and Sep 2022 at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, including 60 in the training set and 23 in the validation set

Background Awareness of paediatric-specific predictors of damage in Childhood-lupus is needed to inform mitigation measures. Objectives To ascertain how clinical and demographic variables correlate with damage accrual and identify predictors of damage. Methods Analysis included UK JSLE Cohort Study participants. Univariable and multivariable Prentice-Williams-Peterson models investigated how demographic

Objectives Irreversible tissue damage is frequently present at the time of diagnosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc), which calls for earlier diagnosis. This study estimated healthcare utilization three years before the diagnosis of SSc. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study using data from Danish national registries. Incident patients diagnosed with SSc between January 1, 2005, and December

Objectives To compare fatigue in a large multinational systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohort to general population data and identify associated sociodemographic, lifestyle and SSc disease factors. Methods Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 v2.0 fatigue domain. T-scores were compared with the USA general

Objectives Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs) face an elevated risk of varicella-zoster virus infection (VZV), and herpes zoster (HZ). Treatment with immunosuppressors further increases the risk. A new recently approved adjuvant recombinant inactive vaccine, offers safe protection against HZ. However, limited data exist on the efficacy of this new vaccine in patients with IMRDs

Objectives A new form of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) with associated lung disease (SJIA-LD) has recently been described. Multiple lines of treatment have failed to yield satisfactory results for this disorder. JAK inhibitors (JAKis) have recently been approved for the treatment of JIA, but clinical evidence of their efficacy in SJIA-LD is still weak. Here we describe and assess real-life

Objectives To maximize the cost-effectiveness of tofacitinib, one of Janus kinase inhibitors, there is an unmet need to identify predictors of therapeutic response. Utilizing phage immunoprecipitation sequencing (PhIP-Seq), we aim to identify peptide biomarkers for predicting good response to tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods We enrolled 106 patients who had received 24-week

Objectives Proteinuria is a marker of lupus nephritis (LN) activity and damage. We aimed to explore the impact of baseline proteinuria level on long-term outcomes. Methods We included 249 patients diagnosed with their first biopsy-proven LN. We divided patients based on baseline proteinuria into low-level (≤1 g/day, group 1; 62 patients), moderate-level (>1 and <3 g/day, group 2; 90 patients), and

Objectives To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of autoantibodies against lysobisphophatidic acid (aLBPA) in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis involving 91 patients with persistent conventional antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL): 60 patients with at least one clinical event of APS (symptomatic group) and 31 without (asymptomatic

Objective Evaluate guselkumab efficacy, an anti-interleukin-23p19-subunit antibody, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inadequate response to 1–2 tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi-IR), utilizing composite indices assessing disease activity across disease domains. Methods In the Phase IIIb COSMOS trial, 285 adults with TNFi-IR PsA were randomized (2:1) to receive guselkumab

Objectives To determine whether current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could detect superficial cartilage lesions that are observed during diagnostic arthroscopy in patients with knee pain who have not been diagnosed with joint disease. Methods Adult patients with knee pain of unclear origin lasting more than three months, scheduled for a therapeutic/diagnostic arthroscopy were recruited. Demographic

Objectives Whilst biologic therapy is used for Behçet’s Syndrome of all subtypes refractory to first-line immunomodulation, there has been an absence of high-quality evidence—and no predictive biomarkers to optimally inform choice. BIO-BEHÇET’S was a randomised, controlled, head-to-head clinical trial comparing the two most frequently used biologics in active refractory Behçet’s. Methods Bayesian-designed

Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease linked with pathologic cartilage calcification, caused by the deposition of calcium-containing crystals by chondrocytes. Despite its clinical significance, the precise mechanisms driving calcification remain elusive. This study aimed to identify crucial players in cartilage calcification, offering insights for future targeted interventions against OA

Objectives Deucravacitinib is a novel, oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor belonging to a distinct class of enzyme inhibitors. In a phase 2 trial in psoriatic arthritis (NCT03881059), deucravacitinib was significantly more efficacious than placebo across multiple endpoints, including achieving minimal disease activity (MDA). This post hoc analysis further evaluated the achievement

Objectives This study focused on the prevalence and impact of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive patients without concomitant systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Methods Data from aPL-positive patients with or without Revised Sapporo APS classification criteria were retrieved from the APS ACTION Registry. Patients with concomitant SARDs were excluded

Objectives Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), although disease behavior is highly heterogeneous. While a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern is associated with worse survival in other ILDs, its significance in SSc-ILD is unclear. We sought to assess the prognostic utility of a deep-learning HRCT algorithm of UIP probability

Objectives The MUC5B promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs35705950 has been associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD), but not with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-ILD. We hypothesized that the MUC5B promoter polymorphism or other IPF susceptibility loci are associated with an increased risk for the uncommon SSc-usual

Objectives Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is frequently associated with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), despite current treatments. Dupilumab demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of severe and uncontrolled CRSwNP, with improvements in patient-reported outcome measures and in objective measurements. This study aims to evaluate efficacy and safety

Objectives Though interstitial lung disease (ILD) contributes to excess morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), RA-ILD pathogenesis remains incompletely defined. As intermediate, non-classical and suppressed CD14+ monocytes are expanded in RA-ILD, this study sought to characterize gene expression profiles of circulating monocytes in RA-ILD. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were

Objective Upon commencement of therapy for active disease, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) show varying evolution regarding disease activity measures and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Our objective was to identify disease evolution trajectories to gain a deeper understanding of SLE progression, ultimately improving future trial design. Methods Patients with ≥2 visits and available

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the density of tubulointerstitial macrophages with renal outcomes in patients with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA associated glomerulonephritis (MPO-ANCA GN). Methods This study analyzed patients with MPO-ANCA GN who had renal biopsies at Jinling Hospital. It looked at the density of CD68+ macrophages in the tubulointerstitium and examined correlations with serum

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulders, hips, and neck and presents most commonly in the eighth decade. It can coexist with giant cell arteritis and the two diseases may share some pathophysiological mechanisms. This narrative review considers present-day ideas about PMR in a historical context, from the first names and descriptions of this disease entity

Objectives Referral of patients from dermatology to rheumatology practices due to psoriasis is unnecessary delayed. Many times musculoskeletal symptoms are the first reason for consultation. We aimed to estimate the proportion of ARP-PsA (arthralgia with risk to progression) defined by patients with arthralgia and the presence of psoriasis and/or a family history. Also, identify clinical, laboratory

Objectives To investigate the histopathological features of the temporalis muscle (TM) and adjacent nerve tissue in active cranial giant cell arteritis (C-GCA). Methods Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) specimens containing fragments of the TM from patients with active C-GCA fulfilling the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria (n = 11) were assessed by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry in

OBJECTIVES To evaluate urinary activated leucocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and CD6 as predictors of lupus nephritis (LN) progression or disease resolution across a 1-year study. METHODS Serum and urine samples from biopsy proven LN subjects (n = 122) were prospectively collected over the course of a year at 3- or 6-month intervals (weeks 0, 12, 26, and 52) across multiple study sites and assessed

Objectives RA is known to impact work ability, but much of this knowledge comes from historical comparisons vs the general population that neither reflects current RA management nor distinguishes between effects of RA and pre-existing socio-economic conditions of patients. We therefore aimed to examine earnings of patients before and after RA diagnosis, using recent data and sibling comparisons. Methods

Objectives The aim of this study was to validate the Patient self-Assessment of Skin Thickness in Upper Limb questionnaire (PASTUL) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and assess impact of skin involvement on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods Participants were included in four UK centres. PASTUL specifies a grading of skin at 8 sites corresponding to the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS). Construct

Objectives To evaluate sensitivity and scores of vascular ultrasound (US) before and after initiating glucocorticoid (GC) treatment in patients with new-onset giant cell arteritis (GCA). Methods Treatment-naïve patients with GCA were prospectively included. 18F-FDG PET/CT, US and temporal artery (TA) biopsy were performed in all patients. US was repeated 3 and 10 days after GC commencement. Intima-media

Objective Inflammation in patients with myositis would increase diffusion of water molecules across sarcolemma that could be detected with the help of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We aimed to determine an association between DTI of vastus lateralis (VL) and histopathological findings in cases of myositis and to estimate diagnostic performance of different MRI variables in predicting histopathological