Response to: Correspondence on "Testing different thresholds for patient global assessment in defining remission for rheumatoid arthritis: are the current ACR/EULAR Boolean criteria optimal?" by Boers
We thank Dr Boers for the reflections1 on the results of our ACR/EULAR endorsed work on the revision of the remission criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).2 The main aims of this collaborative project were to validate the previously provisionally endorsed index-based remission criteria3 using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and to adapt the Boolean definition to identify a more harmonised group of patients in remission. Through this procedure the interdefinition heterogeneity could be reduced. In our analyses on the revision of the ACR/EULAR Boolean remission criter...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - August 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Studenic, P., Aletaha, D., Stamm, T. A., de Wit, M., Lacaille, D., Smolen, J. S., Felson, D. Tags: ARD Correspondence response Source Type: research
Correspondence on "Testing different thresholds for patient global assessment in defining remission for rheumatoid arthritis: are the current ACR/EULAR Boolean criteria optimal?"
I’m very happy to see that Studenic et al have validated the widely circulating suggestion1 2 to change the ACR/EULAR remission definition by raising the threshold for patient global assessment to 2 (on a 0–10 scale). This small but important change will lead to better alignment with the Simple Disease activity Index (SDAI) version of the definition, and less discomfort with users. Unfortunately, they did not pick up my suggestion to increase the accuracy of the definition. In Europe and many other localities outside the United States, patient global assessment is measured on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale, or ...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - August 11, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Boers, M. Tags: ARD Correspondence Source Type: research
Familial systemic lupus erythematosus associated with a loss-of-function mutation in TRPC6
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with familial aggregation and a strong genetic predisposition. Geng et al1 recently identified the hypomorphic loss-of-function variant of neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 (NCF1), Arg90His is causal for SLE, which established the key roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling pathway in SLE. Consistent results were also reported by Meng et al.2 Intriguingly, we found a novel heterozygous mutation of the transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) gene, an NCF1-ROS downstream calcium channel (NCF1-ROS-TRPC6) activated by diacylglycerol,3–5 and i...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Chen, D., Yin, H., Zhang, L., Li, F., Lu, L. Tags: ARD Letter Source Type: research
Treatment of a patient with severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) using CD19-targeted CAR T cells
Several lines of evidence suggest a role of B cells in severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathophysiology: elevated levels of B-cell stimulating factors, disturbed B-cell homeostasis with expansion of naïve and decrease of memory B cells,1 and antifibrotic effects of B-cell depletion in murine fibrosis models. First randomised controlled trials showed promising efficacy of the CD20-targeting antibody rituximab (RTX)2 3; however, therapeutic efficacy of RTX in SSc remains controversial: while one trial demonstrated significant skin improvement,2 RTX slowed forced vital capacity (FVC) decline in another study but with s...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bergmann, C., Müller, F., Distler, J. H. W., Györfi, A.-H., Völkl, S., Aigner, M., Kretschmann, S., Reimann, H., Harrer, T., Bayerl, N., Boeltz, S., Wirsching, A., Taubmann, J., Rösler, W., Spriewald, B., Wacker, J., Atzing Tags: Open access, ARD Letter Source Type: research
High frequency of long-term opioid use among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases initiating opioids for the first time
People living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are frequently prescribed opioids to manage pain and represent a large subpopulation of patients at increased risk of long-term opioid use.1 A proportion of patients with RMDs newly prescribed an opioid will transition to long-term opioid use, which can be associated with opioid dependence, abuse and harm.2 Most studies define long-term opioid use as ≥90 days of use, but, the definitions in the literature vary considerably in frequency of use and duration.3 Variations in definitions can lead to challenges in characterising the scale of long-term opioid use...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Huang, Y.-T., Jenkins, D. A., Peek, N., Dixon, W. G., Jani, M. Tags: Press releases, ARD Letter Source Type: research
Homonymous hemianopsia and headache with mass-like lesion
A 64-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 2-week history of visual disturbance and headaches. She was diagnosed as having retroperitoneal fibrosis and being in remission for 2 years. Examination revealed left homonymous hemianopsia, but her pupil reaction was normal. She neither had a fever nor neck stiffness. Her white blood cell count, D-dimer, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were within normal range and C reactive protein was 1.5 mg/L (normal<1.4). Serum immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) levels were 43.7 mg/dL (normal 4.8–105.0) and tests for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (AN...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Aso, K., Fujieda, Y., Atsumi, T. Tags: ARD, Images in rheumatology Source Type: research
Points to consider: EULAR-UEMS standards for the training of European rheumatologists
Conclusion
These points to consider for EULAR–UEMS standards for the training of European rheumatologists are now defined. Their dissemination and use can hopefully contribute to harmonising training across European countries. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Alunno, A., Avcin, T., Haines, C., Ramiro, S., Sivera, F., Badreh, S., Baraliakos, X., Bijlsma, J. W. J., Buttgereit, F., Chaudhuri, K., Da Silva, J. A. P., Dudler, J., Ferreira, R. J. O., Gudu, T., Hachulla, E., Holland-Fischer, M., Iagnocco, A., Kragstr Tags: ARD, Education Source Type: research
Age at diagnosis influences the clinical phenotype, treatment strategies and outcomes in patients with giant cell arteritis: results from the observational GCAGE study on a large cohort of 1004 patients
Conclusions
The highest risk of ischaemic complications, aneurysm development, serious infections and the possible undertreatment make of GCA a very challenging disease in the oldest patients. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Monti, S., Milanesi, A., Klersy, C., Tomelleri, A., Dagna, L., Campochiaro, C., Farina, N., Muratore, F., Galli, E., Marvisi, C., Bond, M., Berti, A., Bortolotti, R., Padoan, R., Schiavon, F., Felicetti, M., Nannini, C., Cantini, F., Giollo, A., Rossini, Tags: ARD, Vasculitis Source Type: research
Transcriptional derepression of CHD4/NuRD-regulated genes in the muscle of patients with dermatomyositis and anti-Mi2 autoantibodies
Conclusions
Based on these findings, we hypothesise that anti-Mi2 autoantibodies could exert a pathogenic effect by entering damaged myofibres, inhibiting the CHD4/NuRD complex, and subsequently derepressing the unique set of genes defined in this study. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Pinal-Fernandez, I., Milisenda, J. C., Pak, K., Munoz-Braceras, S., Casal-Dominguez, M., Torres-Ruiz, J., Dell'Orso, S., Naz, F., Gutierrez-Cruz, G., Duque-Jaimez, Y., Matas-Garcia, A., Padrosa, J., Garcia-Garcia, F. J., Guitart-Mampel, M., Garrabou, G., Tags: ARD, Myositis Source Type: research
Distinct immune modulatory roles of regulatory T cells in gut versus joint inflammation in TNF-driven spondyloarthritis
Conclusions
These data point to profound differences in immune-regulation between Crohn’s ileitis and peripheral arthritis. Whereas Tregs control ileitis they fail to dampen joint inflammation. Synovial resident Tregs are particularly maladapted to chronic TNF exposure. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Venken, K., Jarlborg, M., Decruy, T., Mortier, C., Vlieghe, C., Gilis, E., De Craemer, A.-S., Coudenys, J., Cambre, I., Fleury, D., Klimowicz, A., Van den Bosch, F., Hoorens, A., Lobaton, T., de Roock, S., Sparwasser, T., Nabozny, G., Jacques, P., Elewaut Tags: ARD, Spondyloarthritis Source Type: research
Is methotrexate safe for men with an immune-mediated inflammatory disease and an active desire to become a father? Results of a prospective cohort study (iFAME-MTX)
Discussion
Treatment with MTX is not associated with testicular toxicity, consistent with the very low concentration of intracellular MTX-PG. Therefore, therapy with MTX can be safely started or continued in men and with a wish to become a father. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Perez-Garcia, L. F., Röder, E., Krijthe, B. P., Kranenburg-van Koppen, L. J., van Adrichem, R., Zirkzee, E., Griffioen, P. H., Peeters, K., Lin, M., Struys, E. A., Jansen, G., van Doorn, M. B., de Jonge, R., Dohle, G. R., Dolhain, R. J. Tags: Open access, ARD Lay summaries, ARD, Treatment Source Type: research
JAK inhibitors and the risk of malignancy: a meta-analysis across disease indications
Conclusions
JAKi were associated with a higher incidence of malignancy compared with TNFi but not placebo or methotrexate. Cancers were rare events in all comparisons.
PROSPERO registration number
CRD42022362630. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Russell, M. D., Stovin, C., Alveyn, E., Adeyemi, O., Chan, C. K. D., Patel, V., Adas, M. A., Atzeni, F., Ng, K. K. H., Rutherford, A. I., Norton, S., Cope, A. P., Galloway, J. B. Tags: Open access, ARD Lay summaries, ARD, Treatment Source Type: research
Effects of filgotinib on semen parameters and sex hormones in male patients with inflammatory diseases: results from the phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies
Conclusions
Results suggest that once daily filgotinib 200 mg for 13 weeks has no measurable impact on semen parameters or sex hormones in men with active IBD or inflammatory rheumatic diseases. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Reinisch, W., Hellstrom, W., Dolhain, R. J. E. M., Sikka, S., Westhovens, R., Mehta, R., Ritter, T., Seidler, U., Golovchenko, O., Simanenkov, V., Garmish, O., Jeka, S., Moravcova, R., Rajendran, V., Le Brun, F.-O., Arterburn, S., Watkins, T. R., Besuyen, Tags: Open access, ARD, Treatment Source Type: research
Identification of MYH9 as a key regulator for synoviocyte migration and invasion through secretome profiling
Conclusions
This study provides a comprehensive resource of the RA-FLS-derived secretome and suggests that MYH9 represents a promising target for retarding abnormal migration and invasion of RA-FLSs. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Lee, S., Choi, E., Chae, S., Koh, J. H., Choi, Y., Kim, J. G., Yoo, S.-A., Hwang, D., Kim, W.-U. Tags: Open access, ARD, Rheumatoid arthritis Source Type: research
Irreversible covalent Brutons tyrosine kinase inhibitor, TAS5315 versus placebo in rheumatoid arthritis patients with inadequate response to methotrexate: a randomised, double-blind, phase IIa trial
Conclusions
The primary endpoint was not achieved. TAS5315 appears to have some bleeding risks, but nevertheless demonstrated numerical differences, compared with placebo, in the improvement rates of all measures of RA disease activity. Future analysis of the risk-benefit of TAS5315 should be considered.
Trial registration numbers
NCT03605251, JapicCTI-184020, jRCT2080223962. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - July 13, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Takeuchi, T., Tanaka, S., Murata, M., Tanaka, Y. Tags: Open access, ARD, Rheumatoid arthritis Source Type: research
