ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with isolated neurological manifestations in a patient with cocaine abuse: a case report and literature review
We present a unique case of AAV with isolated neurological manifestations presenting with multiple cranial neuropathies, leptomeningeal enhancement on imaging and histopathologic evidence of small-vessel vasculitis in the leptomeninges and brain and extensive dural fibrosis in a patient with cocaine abuse. The patient ’s progressive neurological deficits were controlled after starting immunosuppression with rituximab and prednisone. We also reviewed the literature to provide the diagnostic overview of AAV and evaluate intervention options. To our knowledge, this is the first case of AAV with isolated neurologic al manife...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Increased inferior vena cava wall thickness as a sign of extensive venous inflammation in Beh çet’s Disease
ConclusionThis study shows that venous wall inflammation is not limited to lower extremity veins and is also present in IVC walls of BD patients regardless of IVC involvement. Vascular wall inflammation is probably a widespread vascular event of all venous walls in BD.Key Points• Venous wall inflammation is not limited to lower extremity veins and is present also in IVC wall in Behçet’s disease.• Extensive venous wall inflammation in Behçet’s disease includes large venous structures despite not being clinically involved. (Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Evaluation of Type 2 SLE symptoms in patients with a range of lupus nephritis activity
ConclusionsWhile Type 2 SLE symptoms are common in SLE, our findings suggest that patients with active nephritis experience significant Type 2 SLE symptoms that may be ameliorated as nephritis improves. We also observed that non-nephritis patients had a similar burden of Type 2 SLE symptoms as patients with active nephritis, despite having on average lower Type 1 SLE activity. Therefore, the etiology of Type 2 SLE symptoms is likely multifactorial and may be driven by inflammatory and non-inflammatory biopsychosocial factors.Key Points• Patients with active nephritis experienced significant Type 2 symptoms that may be am...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Association of congestive heart failure with mortality in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study
ConclusionsIn this cohort study of US adults with RA, CHF was significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause or CVD-related death. This finding underscores the importance of CHF in the management of patients with RA and may provide future information on maintaining the health status of patients with RA.Key messages•The study findings demonstrate a significant increase in overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with RA who develop CHF.•This knowledge can assist healthcare professionals in identifying high-risk patients who could benefit from targeted monitoring and early interventi...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Identification and verification of inflammatory biomarkers for primary Sj ögren’s syndrome
ConclusionFour inflammation-associated biomarkers (LY6E, EIF2AK2, IL15, and CXCL10) were explored, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms and targeted drugs associated with these biomarkers were preliminarily investigated according to a series of bioinformatics methods based on the online datasets of pSS, which provided a reference for understanding the pathogenesis of pSS.Key Points•Inflammation-associated biomarkers (LY6E, EIF2AK2, IL15, and CXCL10) were firstly identified in Sj ögren’s syndrome based on LASSO and SVM-RFE analyses.•CXCL10, EIF2AK2 and LY6E were prominently positively correlated with immature B c...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Recurrent miscarriage and low-titer antiphospholipid antibodies
ConclusionNoteworthy distinctions in laboratory parameters were identified between the low-titer and medium-high titer groups. However, when appropriately treated, the fetal-maternal outcomes were comparable in both groups. Timely intervention by clinicians is imperative to enhance pregnancy outcomes in patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage with low levels of aPL.Key Points•This study challenges the conventional belief that only the higher antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) titers directly correlated with worse pregnancy outcomes, which emphasized the importance of patients with low titer positive aPL-positive RM.â€...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Commentary on the respiratory infection risk in primary Sj ögren’s syndrome complicated with interstitial lung disease
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Regarding the association between innate immune function with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Real respiratory infection risk in  primary Sjögren’s syndrome complicated with interstitial lung disease
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Commentary on “Digital gangrene in systemic sclerosis patients: not only due to the microvascular disease’’
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Commentary on the factors with liver fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Asymmetric darkened knuckles with subclinical myopathy revealed anti-Mi2b positive dermatomyositis
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Revealing the changes in signaling pathways caused by tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis through RNA sequencing and the correlation with clinical parameters
ConclusionsOur results highlighted the role of type I IFN, mainly including IFN α and IFN β, in the pathogenesis of RA and action for tofacitinib, and provided a new entry point for further elucidating the mechanism of morning stiffness.Key Points•Gene set IFN α and IFN β signaling was the most significantly down-regulated after tofacitinib treatment in RA patients.•Gene Oasl and Vgll3 were correlated with morning stiffness and significantly down-regulated due to the action of tofacitinib.•Type I IFN system was highlighted in the action of tofacitinib. (Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 16, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of benzbromarone and febuxostat in gout and hyperuricemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
ConclusionThis study highlights the superiority of benzbromarone in rapidly reducing SUA and inhibiting inflammation. Febuxostat shows comparable effects on liver and kidney function after long-term use. These findings provide valuable insights for clinicians and patients in drug selection.Key Points• Benzbromarone stands out as a highly effective treatment for hyperuricemia and gout, offering rapid reduction of serum uric acid levels and potent anti-inflammatory effects.• When it comes to long-term use, febuxostat demonstrates comparable effects on liver and kidney function. This provides reassurance for patients who ...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 16, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research

Correction to: Effectiveness and safety of sarilumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multicenter, retrospective, inverse probability of treatment-weighted analysis based on the FRAB-registry
(Source: Clinical Rheumatology)
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 15, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research