Glucocorticoid discontinuation rate and risk factors for relapses in a contemporary cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis
AbstractThe rates of relapses and therapy discontinuation in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) in the modern therapeutic era have not been defined. We aimed to evaluate the glucocorticoid (GC) discontinuation rate and the factors associated with relapses in a contemporary GCA cohort. Patient and treatment data were collected cross-sectionally at first evaluation and 2 years later (second evaluation), in a multicenter, prospective GCA cohort. Predictors of relapses were identified by logistic regression analyses. 243 patients with GCA were initially included (67% women, mean age at diagnosis: 72.1 years, median disea...
Source: Rheumatology International - February 1, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Comparison of reporting rates of arthritis and arthralgia following AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen vaccine administration against SARS-CoV-2 in 2021: analysis of European pharmacovigilance large-scale data
This study aimed to investigate the reporting rates of arthritis and arthralgia following the administration of four vaccines against SARS-CoV-2: Pfizer-BioNTech (Tozinameran), Moderna (CX-024414), AstraZeneca (Chadox1 NCOV-19), and Janssen (AD26.COV2.S) in 2021. We used data from the EudraVigilance database, specifically analyzing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) from the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) region. Age-group-specific reporting rates were calculated by dividing the number of arthralgia and arthritis reports per 1,000,000 vaccine doses administered per age group. Report...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Safety of esthetic procedures in rheumatic patients: single-center survey of patients
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of esthetic medicine (AM) procedures in patients with AIRD. A semi-structured, anonymous questionnaire regarding rheumatic and concomitant diseases and AM procedures was distributed among adult patients hospitalized in the rheumatology department or attending outpatient clinic in the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, Warsaw. The main outcome was the occurrence of an adverse event. A number of 512 patients took part in the survey and 15 were excluded (AM procedure preceded the diagnosis of AIRD). The study group consisted of 497 patient...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Age-related variations in trunk composition and patterns of regional bone and soft tissue changes in adult Caucasian women by DXA
The objectives of this study were to establish body composition values for the trunk in healthy women of a Greek origin and to evaluate the effects of aging on the distribution of truncal bone mass, fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM). Body composition of the trunk and detailed analysis of its anatomical components —the ribs, the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine and the pelvis, and FM and LM ratios––were calculated in 330 women aged 20–85 years, using DXA. Peak bone mineral density (BMD) of the trunk was attained between ages 30 and 33. The overall truncal BMD reduction with age was 20.7% (p < 0.001). Peak %L...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Distinct long-term disease activity trajectories differentiate early on treatment with etanercept in both rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis patients: a prospective cohort study
AbstractTo characterize disease activity trajectories and compare long-term drug retention between rheumatoid (RA) and spondylarthritis (SpA) patients initiating tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment (etanercept). Prospective observational study of RA, axial (AxSpA) and peripheral SpA (PerSpA) patients initiating etanercept during 2004 –2020. Kaplan–Meier plots were used for drug retention comparisons and multivariable Cox regression models for predictors of discontinuation. Long-term disease activity trajectories were identified by latent class growth models using DAS28-ESR or ASDAS-CRP as outcome for RA an...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Clinical presentation and genetic variants in patients with autoinflammatory diseases: results from the German GARROD registry
AbstractTo investigate clinical symptoms and genetic variants in patients from the German anti-IL-1 registry for autoinflammatory orphan diseases (GARROD) between 2013 and 2022. Multicentre, retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical and genetic data of patients with autoinflammatory diseases (AID) who received anti-IL-1 targeted therapy. The cohort comprised 152 patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF; n = 71), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS; n = 43), TNF-receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS; n = 19), mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD; n = 3) and unclassified AID (uAID;...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Pneumocystosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on adalimumab therapy: a case-based review
AbstractPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a potentially fatal type of pneumonitis, which may have devastating consequences. Typically, it occurs in immunocompromised patients, with the natural history varying depending on the presence or not of HIV infection. Staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in induced sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is the cornerstone of the diagnosis, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the treatment of choice. The etiological association of biologic agents with the occurrence of PJP is not entirely clear. Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibod...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum veiled as vasculitis: shedding light on an uncommon disorder and an in-depth review of the literature
We present a case of a 34-year-old male patient who was initially referred to the rheumatology clinic for evaluation due to suspected large vessel vasculitis. The patient's primary complaint was severe hemifacial pain radiating to the neck and upper limb. Radiological imaging studies unveiled substantial vascular narrowing and collateral vessel formation, prompting further investigation to exclude systemic vasculitis. Intriguingly, the patient also exhibited cutaneous manifestations, which were later confirmed via skin biopsy as consistent with PXE. An ophthalmological examination further revealed the presence of the class...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
The effects of hydroxychloroquine and its promising use in refractory obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
AbstractHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is obtained by hydroxylation of chloroquine (CQ) and the first indication was malaria. Nowadays, HCQ is commonly used in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with favorable results. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity and persistent positivity of antiphospholipid antibodies. Around 20 –30% of pregnant women with APS develop adverse pregnancy outcomes despite conventional treatment with aspirin and heparin, called refractory obstetric APS. Interestingly, HCQ has shown positive effects on...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Healing refractory livedoid vasculopathy-related skin ulcers by ozone therapy: a case-based review
AbstractChronic skin wounds represent a prominent etiological factor in the occurrence of non-traumatic foot amputations on a global scale and pose a substantial threat to the patient’s well-being and mortality in the absence of effective treatment strategies. There exists a subset of patients that exhibit an insufficient response to different treatment options, comprising antibiotics, dressings, gauze bandages, debridement, rehabi litation, collagen patch, and vacuum-assisted closure. In this patient group, distinct treatment strategies emerge before surgery and amputation. Ozone therapy is one of them. Ozone exhibits...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Pre-pregnancy planning for female patients seen at a pregnancy and rheumatic diseases clinic: a retrospective analysis of patients with rheumatic diseases seeking pregnancy-related care
AbstractTo assess the clinical utility of pre-pregnancy planning among female patients with rheumatic diseases attending a targeted pregnancy and rheumatic diseases clinic. We conducted a retrospective review using data collected via chart review of female patients with rheumatic diseases seen at the Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases Clinic at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre in Vancouver, Canada, between January 2017 and July 2020. Patients were categorized according to an initial presentation at the clinic as (1) pregnant without pre-pregnancy planning; and (2) not pregnant with pre-pregnancy planning. The latter group was ...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Primary angiitis of the CNS and ANCA-associated vasculitis: from pathology to treatment
AbstractVasculitis of the central nervous system can be a localized process, such as primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS), or systemic vasculitis, such as ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Since both conditions share neurological manifestations, the following review will discuss the neurological aspects of both. This review aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation and assessment, diagnostic workup, and treatment protocol for both PACNS and AAV with central nervous system involvement. To provide a comprehensive comparison and update, a literature review was con...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a real-life evidence from BioSTAR nationwide registry
This study aimed to find the prevalence of CVD and CV risk factors in patients with RA. A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed on RA patients using the BioSTAR (Biological and Targeted Synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Registry) in September 2022. Socio-demographic, clinical, and follow-up data were collected. Myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disorders, congestive heart failure, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack were regarded as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). CVD was defined as the presence of at least one clinical situation of MACE. Gro...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
The spectrum of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in Western Australia: epidemiological characteristics and mortality over time
AbstractTo determine long term overall and subgroup specific incidence rates and associated mortality for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) in a population wide study. We included patients hospitalised between 1980 and 2015 with incident IIM as defined by relevant diagnostic codes for dermatomyositis (DM) polymyositis (PM), inclusion body myositis (IBM), other IIM and overlap myositis (OM) in the Western Australia Health Hospital Morbidity Data Collection (n = 846). Trends over time for annual incidence rate per million population (AIR) were analysed by least square regression and Kaplan–Meier survival and mor...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
Three out of four working-age patients have fulfilled expectations towards paid employment six months after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a multicentre cohort study
AbstractTo investigate factors associated with fulfilment of expectations towards paid employment after total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Cohort study including preoperatively employed patients aged 18 –64 scheduled for THA/TKA. Expectations were collected preoperatively, and 6 and 12 months postoperatively with the paid employment item of the Hospital-for-Special-Surgery Expectations Surveys (back-to-normal = 1; large improvement = 2; moderate improvement = 3; slight improvement = 4; not applicable = 5). Patients scoring not applicable were excluded. Fulfilment was calculated by subtracting pr...
Source: Rheumatology International - January 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research
