Search for: rheumatoid arthritis methotrexate autoimmune disease biomarker gene expression GWAS HLA genes non-HLA genes
| ID | PMID | Title | PublicationDate | abstract |
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| 33075377 | Consensus Guidelines for Evaluation and Management of Pulmonary Disease in Sjögren's. | 2021 Feb | BACKGROUND: Pulmonary disease is a potentially serious yet underdiagnosed complication of Sjögren's syndrome, the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease. Approximately 16% of patients with Sjögren's demonstrate pulmonary involvement with higher mortality and lower quality of life. RESEARCH QUESTION: Clinical practice guidelines for pulmonary manifestations of Sjögren's were developed by the Sjögren's Foundation after identifying a critical need for early diagnosis and improved quality and consistency of care. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A rigorous and transparent methodology was followed according to American College of Rheumatology guidelines. The Pulmonary Topic Review Group (TRG) developed clinical questions in the PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and selected literature search parameters. Each article was reviewed by a minimum of two TRG members for eligibility and assessment of quality of evidence and strength of recommendation. Guidelines were then drafted based on available evidence, expert opinion, and clinical importance. Draft recommendations with a clinical rationale and data extraction tables were submitted to a Consensus Expert Panel for consideration and approval, with at least 75% agreement required for individual recommendations to be included in the final version. RESULTS: The literature search revealed 1,192 articles, of which 150 qualified for consideration in guideline development. Of the original 85 PICO questions posed by the TRG, 52 recommendations were generated. These were then reviewed by the Consensus Expert Panel and 52 recommendations were finalized, with a mean agreement of 97.71% (range, 79%-100%). The recommendations span topics of evaluating Sjögren's patients for pulmonary manifestations and assessing, managing, and treating upper and lower airway disease, interstitial lung disease, and lymphoproliferative disease. INTERPRETATION: Clinical practice guidelines for pulmonary manifestations in Sjögren's will improve early identification, evaluation, and uniformity of care by primary care physicians, rheumatologists, and pulmonologists. Additionally, opportunities for future research are identified. | |
| 34787826 | A case of smoldering antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis development | 2022 May | Various forms of glomerular lesions have been described in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSjS); however, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is rarely reported, and the disease onset and clinical course of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) complicated by pSjS are not well understood. A 51-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of mild proteinuria and microscopic hematuria. She fulfilled the classification criteria for pSjS. We performed a kidney biopsy; however, it revealed no characteristic findings for pSjS, vasculitis, or other autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. After 9 months, urinalysis abnormalities worsened and renal function was slowly declining, and ANCA was found to be positive. A second kidney biopsy was performed, revealing MPO-ANCA-associated pauci-immune segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis with crescent formation. Even though immunofluorescence microscopy did not reveal any positive findings, additional electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of mesangial electron-dense deposits in both kidney biopsies. Based on kidney biopsy results and sequential serum ANCA measurements, we considered that smoldering ANCA-associated vasculitis had developed in this patient as this can develop during the clinical course of pSjS. She responded well to steroid therapy. Serum measurement, especially perinuclear, ANCA levels can be useful in patients with pSjS to detect the onset of ANCA-associated vasculitis, even in the absence of acute renal deterioration or severe urinary abnormalities. | |
| 34249010 | The Diagnostic Performance of Early Sjögren's Syndrome Autoantibodies in Juvenile Sjögre | 2021 | OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical validity of early Sjögren's syndrome (SS) autoantibodies (eSjA), which were originally marketed for early diagnosis of SS, for juvenile SS (JSS) in a recently identified pediatric cohort. METHODS: A total of 105 symptomatic subjects with eSjA results available were evaluated at the Center for Orphaned Autoimmune Disorders at the University of Florida and enrolled for this study. JSS diagnosis was based on the 2016 ACR/EULAR SS criteria. Demographic/clinical/laboratory parameters were compared between JSS (n = 27) and non-JSS (n = 78) for % positivity, sensitivity, and specificity of eSjA (SP1, anti-salivary protein; CA6, anti-carbonic anhydrase VI; PSP, anti-parotid secretory protein) and classic SS-autoantibodies (cSjA; ANA, SSA/SSB, RF, and others) either alone or in combination. Associations between eSjA and diagnostic/glandular parameters were also determined by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Compared to non-JSS, JSS patients exhibited sicca symptoms demonstrating reduced unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR) and abnormal glandular features revealed by salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS). Among cSjA, ANA demonstrated the highest sensitivity of 69.2%, while SSA, SSB, and RF showed around 95% specificities for JSS diagnosis. The % positive-SSA was notably higher in JSS than non-JSS (56% vs. 5%). Of eSjA, anti-CA6 IgG was the most prevalent without differentiating JSS (37%) from non-JSS (32%). Sensitivity and specificity of eSjA were 55.6 and 26.9%, respectively. Autoantibodies with potentially applicable specificity/sensitivity for JSS were seen only in cSjA without a single eSjA included. There were no associations detected between eSjA and focus score (FS), USFR, SSA, SGUS, and parotitis/glandular swelling analyzed in the entire cohort, JSS, and non-JSS. However, a negative association between anti-PSP and parotitis/glandular swelling was found in a small group of positive-SSA (n = 19, p = 0.02) whereas no such association was found between anti-PSP-positive compared to anti-PSP-negative. JSS and non-JSS groups differed in FS, USFR, and EULAR SS Patient Reported Index Dryness/Mean in CA6/PSP/ANA, SP1, and SSA-positive groups, respectively. Additionally, a higher FS was found in RF-positive than RF-negative individuals. CONCLUSIONS: eSjA underperformed cSjS in differentiating JSS from non-JSS. The discovery of clinical impact of eSjA on early diagnosis of JSS necessitates a longitudinal study. | |
| 33613559 | Epstein Barr Virus and Autoimmune Responses in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. | 2020 | Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease. Infections or infectious reactivation are potential triggers for initiation of autoimmunity and for SLE flares. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is gamma herpes virus that has been associated with several autoimmune diseases such as SLE, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, and systemic sclerosis. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances regarding how EBV may contribute to immune dysregulation, and how these mechanisms may relate to SLE disease progression. | |
| 34596026 | A cohort study of T helper 17 cell-related cytokine levels in tear samples of systemic lup | 2021 Nov | OBJECTIVES: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is the most common autoimmune disease with dry eye (DE) syndrome and some systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are also with DE syndrome. The occurrence of immune-related DE disease is closely related to T helper (Th) 17 cells in SS patients, and SLE patients have abnormal levels of multiple Th17 cell-related cytokines in their blood. However, the degree of expression of these cytokines in blood differs from that in tears. We hypothesised that the occurrence of DE symptoms in SLE and SS patients may be related to Th17 cells. METHODS: In this study, Th17 cell-related cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, interferon-γ, IL 6, IL-8, IL-17F, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 were analysed in tear samples of DE, SLE, and SS patients. Ocular surface examinations for patients with DE symptoms, including tear secretion test (Schirmer I Test, SIT) and tests for ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear break-up time (BUT), and corneal fluorescein stain (CFS), were performed and compared between the following patient groups: normal healthy people (control group, n=30), patients with simple DE disease (DE group, n=13), SLE patients with DE disease (SLE group, n=17), and SS patients with DE disease (SS group, n=18). RESULTS: The expression of Th17 cell-related cytokines in each tear sample was analysed using Luminex assay. The SIT and BUT scores of the SLE group were lower than those of the control (p<0.001) and DE (p<0.05) groups. However, SIT, BUT, CFS, and OSDI scores were not significantly different between SLE and SS patients. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-21 levels in tear samples were higher in DE, SLE, and SS patients (p<0.05) than in control individuals. IL-2 and IL-4 levels in tear samples of SLE patients were higher than DE (p<0.001) but lower than the control (p<0.001) group patients. IL-23 levels in tear samples of DE, SLE, and SS patients were all lower than those in the control group (p<0.001). SIT, BUT, CFS, and OSDI results showed that the DE symptoms of SLE and SS patients were more severe than those of the DE group. CONCLUSIONS: It is known that cytokine expression levels in tears are different from those in blood. Abnormal regulation of the Th17 cell pathway may be related to the occurrence of DE disease in SLE and SS patients, and Th17 cell-related cytokines, such as IL-8 and IL-21, may be potential therapeutic targets for treating SLE or SS DE disease. | |
| 33118847 | Efficacy and safety of iguratimod on patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: a randomiz | 2021 Mar | Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of iguratimod for the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and explore its possible mechanism of action.Method: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 66 pSS patients. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive oral iguratimod for 24 weeks or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). Secondary endpoints included mental discomfort visual analogue scale (VAS) score, patient global assessment (PGA), EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), Schirmer's test values, unstimulated whole salivary flow, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The proportions of B cells in peripheral blood and levels of serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) were measured at baseline and week 24 in the iguratimod group. All adverse events were recorded during the trial period.Results:ESSPRI improved more in the iguratimod than in the placebo group (p = 0.016). Mental discomfort VAS score, PGA, Schirmer's test, ESR, and IgG also improved more in the iguratimod than in the placebo group (all p < 0.05). Adverse events were reported 13.6% of the iguratimod group. Levels of BAFF and proportions of plasma cells in patients decreased significantly after iguratimod treatment. The proportions of peripheral plasma cells had positive correlations with both serum IgG and BAFF.Conclusion: Iguratimod improved some dryness symptoms and disease activity in pSS patients, and reduced the level of BAFF and percentage of plasma cells over 24 weeks. Iguratimod seems to be an effective and safe treatment for pSS. | |
| 33411139 | Reproducibility of minor salivary gland biopsy reports in Sjögren's syndrome and its corr | 2021 Jun | INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is challenging to diagnose. Although minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) is a useful ancillary study, different factors make its interpretation difficult. Also, the significance of distinct histopathological findings is unknown. We aimed to determine the concordance between pathologists and rheumatologists in interpreting the MSGB results, as well as the correlation between MSGB findings, paraclinical features, and SS diagnosis. METHODS: This descriptive retrospective study reviewed medical charts from 998 individuals from a single center where MSGBs had been performed. Rheumatologists interpreted biopsy reports from pathologists, and interobserver variability was calculated. Logistic regression using immunological parameters and histological findings was performed. RESULTS: We included 998 patients with a median age of 55 years (45-64 years); the majority of patients were females (n = 934, 93.6%). Chisholm and Mason's scoring system was the most frequently used scale (55.1%). There was a good correlation between pathologists and rheumatologists for diagnosing SS using MSGB findings (Cohen's kappa 0.91). We observed a strong association between interstitial plasmocytes and SS (OR 24, 95% CI 9.09-64.94, p = 0). CONCLUSION: The MSGB is an essential tool for the diagnosis of SS. Although different factors may negatively affect its reproducibility, histological findings, such as interstitial plasmocytes, may predict the risk of developing SS. Key Points • We provide information based on 998 patients with suspected SS diagnosis. • Chisholm and Mason's scale is the most frequently used compared to Greenspan's and Tarpley's scales. • There is good correlation between pathologists and rheumatologists for the diagnosis of SS using MSGB. | |
| 33653304 | Factors associated with ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with primary Sjögren | 2021 Mar 2 | BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemic parameters, laboratory findings, oral parameters, and other ocular surface parameters on ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: A total of 82 dry eye disease (DED) patients with pSS were enrolled in this study. Ocular surface epithelial damage was measured by ocular staining score (OSS). Systemic parameters, laboratory findings including serologic markers, oral parameters, and other ocular surface parameters were collected. Other ocular surface parameter assessments such as the Schirmer's test, fluorescein tear breakup time, meibomian gland examinations, noninvasive keratographic tear film break-up time measurements using the Keratograph® 5 M were performed, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index was determined. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis, decreased age and increased duration of pSS were significantly related to increased logarithm-transformed OSS (β = -0.011, P = 0.043 and β = 0.003, P = 0.008). Among the ocular surface parameters, decreased fluorescein tear breakup time and increased MGD grade were significantly associated with increased logarithm-transformed OSS (β = -0.183, P < 0.001 and β = 0.192, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface epithelial damage in patients with pSS was associated with young age, long duration of disease, unstable tear film, and decreased meibomian gland function. | |
| 34782448 | Sex-related Differences in Systemic Sclerosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study From th | 2022 Feb | OBJECTIVE: There is still a great deal to learn about the influence of sex in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this respect, national registries provide large and homogeneous patient cohorts for analytical studies. We therefore investigated a wide-ranging and well-characterized SSc series with the aim of identifying sex differences in disease expression, with a special focus on demographic, clinical, and serological characteristics. METHODS: A multicenter SSc cohort of 2281 patients, including 247 men, was recruited in the Italian Systemic sclerosis PRogression INvestiGation (SPRING) registry. Demographic data, disease manifestations, serological profile, and internal organ involvement were compared. RESULTS: The overall female/male ratio was 8.2:1. Female/male ratios for limited cutaneous SSc, diffuse cutaneous SSc, and SSc sine scleroderma subsets were 8.7:1, 4.9:1, and 10.7:1, respectively. A shorter time from onset of Raynaud phenomenon to SSc diagnosis, an increased prevalence of the diffuse cutaneous subset, renal crisis, and digital ulcers were found in males, whereas a significantly higher percentage of sicca syndrome, serum antinuclear antibodies, antiextractable nuclear antigens, anti-La/SSB, and anticentromere protein B was detected in the female group. Males exhibited lower left ventricular ejection fraction, as well as higher prevalence of conduction blocks, arrhythmias, ground glass, and honeycombing. Moreover, forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were medially lower in men than in women. Finally, males were more frequently treated with immunosuppressive drugs. CONCLUSION: Our study further supports the presence of several sex-related differences in patients with SSc. These differences were pronounced in the severity of cutaneous, peripheral vascular, and cardiopulmonary involvement for male patients, whereas an increased prevalence of sicca syndrome and a specific autoantibody profile characterized the female sex. | |
| 34191227 | Associations between sarcoidosis, autoimmune diseases, and autoantibodies: a single-center | 2022 May | To describe the clinical manifestations, immunological features, and risk factors in patients with sarcoidosis complicated with autoimmune diseases (ADs) as well as determine the frequency of autoantibodies and possible correlation between autoantibodies and laboratory data. Patients with pathologically confirmed sarcoidosis at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital (China) between January 2017 and October 2020 were included. Age- and sex-matched patients who visited the rheumatology outpatient clinic without systemic or ADs were included as controls. Demographic, clinical, serological, and radiological data of sarcoidosis patients were recorded and analyzed. To exclude ADs, autoantibodies, such as antinuclear antibody, extractable nuclear antigen antibodies, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody were assessed in controls. A total of 154 sarcoidosis patients (111 females; 72.1%) with a mean ± standard deviation age of 50.7 ± 10.3 years were included. Nineteen patients (12.3%) had ADs; Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 6) and Sjogren's syndrome (n = 4) were common. Age, globulin, immunoglobulin G, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein were significantly different between sarcoidosis patients with and without ADs. The ESR level might be a risk factor for sarcoidosis complicated with ADs (RR = 1.053; P = 0.018). Autoantibodies were detected in 29 patients (18.8%), and the frequency was significantly higher than that in controls (18.8% vs. 3%; P = 0.001). Sarcoidosis patients were more likely to have autoantibodies despite the absence of ADs (10.4% vs. 3%; P = 0.031). Age may be a risk factor for sarcoidosis patients presenting with autoantibodies (RR = 1.077; P = 0.042). An association was identified between ADs and sarcoidosis. The inflammatory indexes, such as ESR, IgG, and CRP, were significantly different between sarcoidosis patients with and without ADs. ESR might be a risk factor for the coexistence of ADs and sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis patients were prone to being autoantibody-positive despite the absence of ADs, and age might be a risk factor for sarcoidosis presenting with autoantibodies. | |
| 33383289 | Outcome of refractory to conventional and/or biologic treatment adult Still's disease foll | 2021 Feb | OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the IL-1b inhibitor canakinumab in all adults with refractory Still's disease identified from the National Organization For Medicines for off-label drug use. METHODS: In a retrospective longitudinal multicenter cohort of 50 patients (median age 39 years) with active Still's disease despite treatment with corticosteroids (n = 11), conventional and synthetic (n = 34) and/or biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (n = 30), we assessed the efficacy of canakinumab 150-300 mg administered every 4 (n = 47) or 8 weeks (n = 3) as combination therapy or monotherapy (n = 7) during a median follow-up of 27 (3-84) months. RESULTS: Α complete response was initially observed in 78% of patients within 3 months (median), irrespective of age at disease onset. A partial response was evident in 20%. One patient had resistant disease. Treatment de-escalation was attempted in 15 of 39 complete responders and a complete drug discontinuation in 21 patients for 8 months (median). Eleven patients (22%) relapsed during treatment, one during de-escalation process, and 11 after treatment discontinuation. Overall, 9 of 11 relapses were successfully treated with canakinumab treatment intensification or re-introduction. At last visit, 18% of patients were off treatment due to remission and 26% due to disease activity. Canakinumab had a significant corticosteroid sparing effect allowing weaning in 21 of 41 cases. Infections (20%, severe 4%) and leucopenia (6%) led to treatment cessation in one patient. CONCLUSION: High rates of sustained remission were observed in this, largest so far, real-life cohort of adult patients with refractory Still's disease treated with canakinumab. | |
| 29494057 | Cyclosporine. | 2022 Jan | Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent used to treat organ rejection post-transplant. It also has use in certain other autoimmune diseases, treatment of organ rejection in kidney, liver, and heart allogeneic transplants, rheumatoid arthritis when the condition has not adequately responded to methotrexate. Also, it is a second-line agent for ALS and graft vs. host disease. It also has other FDA and non-FDA-approved indications. This activity reviews the mechanism of action, adverse event profile, toxicity, dosing, pharmacodynamics, and monitoring of cyclosporine, pertinent for interprofessional team members in treating conditions where cyclosporine is indicated. | |
| 35044322 | Meibomian gland dysfunction and primary Sjögren's syndrome dry eye: a protocol for system | 2021 Dec 30 | INTRODUCTION: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the exocrine glands such as the lacrimal and the salivary glands. Dry eye disease (DED) is one of the most prevalent manifestations of pSS and is usually classified into aqueous-deficient dry eye and evaporative dry eye. Sjögren's syndrome dry eye (SSDE) is generally described as aqueous-deficient dry eye. However, as the leading pathophysiological mechanism of evaporative dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) also has influence on SSDE, which has been shown in recent studies. We speculate that SSDE is more than just an aqueous-deficient dry eye. While no related systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, the present study is designed to derive a better understanding of the association between MGD and SSDE. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Protocols 2015 statement was used to prepare this protocol. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wan Fang Database will be searched from their inception to 31 October 2021, with restrictions to publications in English or Chinese. Two reviewers will independently carry out data extraction and quality assessment. The diagnosis of pSS will meet the standard diagnostic criteria, such as American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism Classification Criteria (ACR/EULAR) or American-European Consensus Group Classification criteria (AECG), and the definition of MGD and DED will differ between studies. The quality of included studies will be judged using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Scale. We will carry out this meta-analysis using RevMan V.5.4.1. The incidence of MGD in patients with SSDE will be indicated as OR with 95% CI. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required as this meta-analysis is performed based on published studies and does not involve human participants. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021226017. | |
| 34102312 | Relationships between activated dendritic cells and dry eye symptoms and signs. | 2021 Jul | PURPOSE: To examine whether "activated" dendritic cells (aDCs) could serve as a biomarker of systemic immune disorders in individuals with dry eye (DE) symptoms. Secondarily, to examine the impact of a topical anti-inflammatory agent on aDC number. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted to identify individuals with DE symptoms who had in-vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) imaging between October 2018 and July 2020 at the Miami Veterans Hospital. aDCs were manually quantified based on morphology. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis examined relationships between aDC number and systemic immune disease status. Individuals were then grouped by aDC number (≥2 versus <2) and demographics and DE parameters were examined. Paired t-test was performed to evaluated aDC number pre-vs post-initiation of an anti-inflammatory agent. RESULTS: 128 individuals were included. Their mean age was 57.1 ± 15.0 years; 71.1% were male, 53.1% self-identified as White and 24.2% as Hispanic. The mean number of aDCs in the central cornea was 1.28 ± 2.16 cells/image. The presence of ≥2 aDCs had a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 77% for the diagnosis of a systemic immune disorder. Individuals with ≥2 aDCs were more likely to self-identify as Black, have Secondary Sjögren's, and have higher nerve fiber area and fractal dimension. In 12 individuals, aDC number decreased from 2.69 ± 2.36 to 0.58 ± 0.73 cells/image after initiation of an anti-inflammatory agent, p = 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ≥2 aDCs in the central cornea suggests a systemic immune disorder in individuals with DE symptoms. Topical anti-inflammatory therapy can reduce the number of aDCs in the central cornea. | |
| 34545429 | [Methotrexate treatment before use of biologics in rheumatoid arthritis : Analysis of guid | 2021 Sep 20 | BACKGROUND: With the introduction of biologics the treatment landscape for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has rapidly expanded; however, according to German and European treatment guidelines the use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) is only indicated after insufficient response under methotrexate (MTX) doses of at least 20 mg/week (first-line treatment). The aim of the study was to analyze the guideline compliance of MTX prescription in the outpatient sector prior to treatment with biologics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Claims data from the AOK Lower Saxony from 2013 to 2016 were provided for all insured patients with a diagnosis of RA and bDMARD prescription during the study period. Within a patient-specific observational period of 180 days prior to the first bDMARD prescription, the maximum prescribed MTX dosage was examined. RESULTS: Data from 90 incident and 315 prevalent RA patients were analyzed. A maximum MTX prescription of < 20 mg/week was observed in 60.0% of incident patients and in 67.0% of prevalent patients. Men had a higher mean MTX maximum dose (17.1 ± 4.8 mg) than women (14.9 ± 5.0 mg; p < 0.0001). Of the study population 29.6% received oral only prescriptions during the observational period. In 12.4% of patients a switch to parenteral administration was made. DISCUSSION: Targeted use of the full spectrum of therapies provided prior to initiation of bDMARD treatment may contribute to cost-effective RA care. This study showed indications for potential deficits in outpatient MTX prescription practice and can raise awareness for efficient treatment. | |
| 33875071 | Delivery of Ferulic Acid with PEGylated DiphenylalanineBased Nanoparticles for the Treatme | 2021 Mar 1 | Ferulic acid (FA), an active component extracted from Chinese medicine, shows excellent anti-inflammatory properties and favorable safety in various animal models. However, the application of FA as an anti-inflammatory drug is hindered by its instability and short half-life in vivo . In this paper, we synthesize PEGylated diphenylalanine nanoparticles by using glutaraldehyde (GTA) as a cross-linker of diphenylalanine NHâ‚‚ -Phe-Phe-COOH and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether amine (PEG(5k) -NHâ‚‚). The PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles are used to deliver FA for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We find that the FA-loaded PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles are biocompatible and inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from cells effectively. After being intravenously administrated in vivo , the FA-loaded PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles show prolonged circulation time and accumulate in arthritic joints. More importantly, we show that the pre-arthritis treatment with the FA-loaded PEGylated Phe-Phe nanoparticles can significantly block the progression of RA. | |
| 33823429 | A review on applications of abatacept in systemic rheumatic diseases. | 2021 Jul | Abatacept is a CTLA-4Ig fusion protein that selectively modulates the CD80/CD86:CD28 costimulatory pathway required for full T-cell activation. The FDA has approved it to be used to treat adult rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and adult active psoriatic arthritis. Considering the vital pathogenic role of the CTLA-4 pathway in autoimmune diseases, abatacept could efficiently treat other systemic rheumatic diseases. Here we reviewed the published literature to profile the perspectives about the off-label uses of abatacept, especially in those refractory cases with inadequate responses to conventional therapies and biologic agents. Abatacept can be a promising therapeutic option and contribute to reducing hormone dependence and correlated adverse events. | |
| 33504004 | 14-3-3η Protein as a Potential Biomarker in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. | 2021 Jan 25 | The 14-3-3η (eta) protein was evaluated as a biomarker in a cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), as well as disease- and healthy-controls, to determine its potential clinical utility. In this case-control study, levels of 14-3-3η protein were evaluated in archival specimens from patients with JIA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as healthy pediatric controls. Just over 200 patients were evaluated, using specimens banked between 1990 and 2011. Comparisons were made to complete blood cell count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity. 14-3-3η at levels 0.2 ng/mL or higher was considered positive. Fisher's exact tests, odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p-values were reported. 14-3-3η positivity was seen in all included JIA subtypes. The rate of positivity was the highest in RF-positive (pos) polyarticular JIA. In the disease and healthy controls, lower rates of positivity were observed. The frequency of 14-3-3η positivity among RF-positive and RF-negative (neg) polyarticular JIA patients, especially at values ≥0.5 ng/mL (associated with poor outcomes in adults), was also highest. Several JIA patients with 14-3-3η positivity developed RF and anti-CCP positivity later in their disease. Significant levels of 14-3-3η can be found in approximately 30% of RF-pos and RF-neg patients with polyarticular JIA. This protein may represent a new biomarker for polyarticular JIA, particularly RF-neg polyarticular JIA. | |
| 34596488 | Agreement between self-reported and observed functioning in patients with rheumatoid arthr | 2021 Oct 1 | Objective: To evaluate the relationship between self-reported and performance-based measures of functioning in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), knee osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia (FM), and the influence of pain and fatigue.Method: Self-reported functioning was assessed by the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Performance-based measures of task-related physical activity included grip strength and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) was used to obtain performance-based measures of activities of daily living (ADL) ability. Pain and fatigue were assessed by 100 mm visual analogue scales. Spearman's rho correlation and regression modelling were applied.Results: Correlations between self-reported functioning and performance-based measures of ADL ability were weak to moderate, and strongest in OA (r = 0.57, p = 0.002), and AMPS ADL ability measures did not enter regression models as explanatory factors for self-reported functioning. Correlations between AMPS ADL ability measures and measures of task-related physical activity were weak, except for a strong correlation between AMPS ADL motor ability and 6MWT in OA (r = 0.63, p = 0.000). The 6MWT was the only performance-based test explaining variance in AMPS motor ability (OA = 42%; FM = 11%). Pain explained variance in self-reported ability and contributed to variance in AMPS ADL motor ability measures in OA.Conclusion: Self-reported and observed measures of functioning assess partly different aspects of functioning, and both approaches may therefore be relevant in a structured assessment of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. | |
| 34348637 | Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Rosehip in Inflammatory Musculoskeletal Disorde | 2021 | Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which greatly reduce the quality of life of people. In addition to non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs used in treatment, molecules isolated from natural sources are also considered as new options in the treatment of these inflammatory diseases. In this review, in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on standardized rosehip (Rosa canina L.) fruits without seed used for joint health due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant effects and active compounds isolated from these fruits are presented. It is reported that the anti-inflammatory action mechanism of standardized rosehip powder is due to its antioxidant activity, inhibiting NF-B signaling and pro-inflammatory enzymes, decreasing inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, and lowering C reactive protein levels. The galactolipid (2S)-1,2-di-O-[(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15- trienoyl]-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol (GOPO), isolated from rosehip seeds and fruits, has been found to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, clinically reducing the complaints of patients with osteoarthritis and improving their quality of life. Additionally, triterpene acid mixture (ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and betulinic acid), also isolated from rosehip, has been reported to reduce the production of interleukin-6 and Tumor necrosis factor-α. Studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of rosehip and its active ingredients and their effects on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have shown that more detailed clinical studies are required on standardized rosehip powders and preparations enriched in active compounds. |