{"title":"AI am the future: artificial intelligence in pediatric rheumatology.","authors":"Saverio La Bella, Latika Gupta, Vincenzo Venerito","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001087","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>There is a growing interest in the applications of artificial intelligence in pediatric rheumatology. Although concerns with training datasets, ethical considerations, and the need for a major utilization of explainable artificial intelligence are still ongoing challenges, significant advancements have been made in recent years. In this review, we explore the most recent applications of artificial intelligence in pediatric rheumatology, with a special focus on machine learning models and their outcomes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Supervised and unsupervised machine learning models have been largely employed to identify key biomarkers, predict treatment responses, and stratify patients based on disease presentation and progression. In addition, innovative artificial intelligence driven imaging tools and noninvasive diagnostic methods have improved diagnostic accuracy and emerged as encouraging solutions for identifying inflammation and disease activity. Large language models have been utilized for patient-based questions with promising results. Nevertheless, critical examination and human oversight are still crucial in interpreting artificial intelligence's outputs.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing pediatric rheumatology by improving diagnosis and disease classification, patient stratification and personalized treatment. However, we are only at the beginning, and the adventure has just begun.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"296-307"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143603852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vasculitis in autoinflammatory diseases.","authors":"Emilie Bohbot, Eldad Ben-Chetrit","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000001120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review aims to explore the relationship between autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) and vasculitis, with a focus on recently identified syndromes and newly published data since 2016.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>While the connection between innate immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation is well established in AIDs, the occurrence of vasculitis in these disorders remains underrecognized and often misclassified.We discuss vasculitic manifestations in a wide range of AIDs, including familial Mediterranean fever, DADA2, HA20, VEXAS, CAPS, TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, Blau syndrome, and others. Each condition presents a unique pattern of vascular involvement, ranging from incidental cutaneous findings to life-threatening systemic vasculitis. The underlying mechanisms often involve overactivation of inflammatory pathways such as IL-1β, or NF-κB, and in some cases, novel genetic mutations affecting non-inflammatory pathways such as purine metabolism. The histologic, clinical, and genetic features often differ from classic vasculitic syndromes.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recognizing vasculitis in the context of AIDs is critical for early diagnosis, especially in pediatric patients or those with treatment-resistant or atypical presentations. Genetic testing should be considered in such cases. Understanding these distinct disease patterns allows physicians to tailor management strategies, including biologic therapies or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, improving outcomes in these complex and often severe disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pathophysiologic implications and therapeutic potentials of telocytes in multiorgan fibrosis.","authors":"Irene Rosa, Eloisa Romano, Bianca Saveria Fioretto, Mirko Manetti","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000001116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Telocytes (TCs) are unique stromal cells with distinctive morphology, ultrastructural features, and intercellular communication abilities. Accumulating evidence supports their critical roles in tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and stem cell niche maintenance through both cell-to-cell contacts and delivery of paracrine signals. The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge regarding the pathophysiologic implications and therapeutic potentials of TCs in multiorgan fibrosis.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Loss and/or structural degeneration of TCs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic conditions affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract, heart, lungs, kidneys, and reproductive organs. TC depletion has often been associated with extracellular matrix remodeling, aberrant fibroblast activation, disruption of stem cell support, and altered tissue architecture. Experimental evidence suggests that TCs may possess antifibrotic therapeutic potentials, with TC transplantation or administration of TC-derived secretome/extracellular vesicles mitigating fibrosis progression in different preclinical models.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>TCs are emerging as pivotal regulators of stromal homeostasis across several organs and their loss appears to be a unifying feature in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis in different anatomical districts. Targeting TCs, either by preserving their function or restoring their networks/paracrine signals, may open new therapeutic avenues for managing various fibrotic diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144759436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roberta Ramonda, Giacomo Cozzi, Francesca Oliviero
{"title":"Nutritional guidance in spondyloarthritis: confronting the evidence gap.","authors":"Roberta Ramonda, Giacomo Cozzi, Francesca Oliviero","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001090","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>to summarize current evidence on the role of specific dietary patterns in spondyloarthritis (SpA) management.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>dietary interventions may offer a novel, complementary strategy to manage symptoms and enhance overall quality of life in many rheumatic diseases, including SpA. Evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet may have beneficial effects on inflammation and SpA symptoms. Although there is growing interest in the ketogenic diet with some promising results, data is scarce. Some SpA patients may have sensitivities or intolerances to certain foods containing gluten, which can trigger or worsen their symptoms, especially when associated with intestinal inflammation. Hypocaloric diets and weight loss can provide significant benefit in overweight and obese patients with SpA, potentially reducing systemic inflammation. Finally, while the efficacy of probiotics remains a matter of debate, periods of fasting have proven effective in reducing disease activity indices.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>the importance of a healthy dietary lifestyle and its potential benefits in symptom management is acknowledged by the majority of the patients. There is an increased need and demand from patients to receive nutritional counseling that should be integrated into routine SpA management to enhance patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"269-275"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12144531/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143656328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rethinking spondyloarthritis: beyond lumping and splitting.","authors":"Joerg Ermann","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001094","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The classification of spondyloarthritis (SpA) has long been debated, with ongoing discussions about whether to \"lump\" various subtypes together or \"split\" them into smaller distinct disease categories. This review explores the evolution of the SpA concept and discusses novel approaches that move beyond traditional models of SpA classification.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Since its introduction in the 1970s, the SpA concept has undergone substantial modifications, incorporating advances in genetics, imaging, and clinical research. The recognition of axial and peripheral SpA as distinct yet overlapping entities has reshaped classification and drug approval processes. Data-driven methodologies have provided new insights into disease heterogeneity. Recent research highlights the limitations of traditional classification systems, emphasizing the need for unbiased approaches that integrate clinical and molecular features.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Current historically derived classification paradigms for SpA are largely based on clinical phenotype and fail to capture the full spectrum of disease heterogeneity. Defining SpA subsets by incorporating genetic and immunological characteristics may improve diagnostic precision and improve outcomes. Future research should focus on refining classification frameworks across the entire clinical spectrum of SpA to improve patient stratification, guide treatment decisions, and address existing gaps in SpA care.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"207-214"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143976972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular imaging of psoriatic arthritis.","authors":"Sam Groothuizen, Conny Jacoba van der Laken","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001098","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with psoriasis. Conventional imaging techniques are used to diagnose the disease and detect long-term structural changes. This review will assess molecular imaging in PsA, to evaluate its potential additive value over conventional and advanced anatomical imaging methods (e.g. ultrasound and MRI).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Current research is primarily focused on the molecular imaging technique PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, in which different tracers have been investigated. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can visualize disease activity and subclinical inflammation. New tracers targeting inflammatory sites have also been studied, such as FAPI (fibroblast activation protein inhibitor). Moreover, NaF (sodium fluoride) shows promise for imaging of new bone formation. Next to PET/CT, also fluorescence imaging and multispectral optoacoustic tomography have been investigated in the context of PsA.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Molecular imaging techniques hold promise for early diagnosis, monitoring and management of PsA. Future research is needed to define the role of molecular imaging relative to conventional and anatomical imaging techniques in patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"282-288"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12144547/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144076751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John L Medamana, Joel M Gelfand, Brittany N Weber, Michael S Garshick
{"title":"Cardiovascular disease risk in psoriatic disease: mechanisms and implications for clinical practice.","authors":"John L Medamana, Joel M Gelfand, Brittany N Weber, Michael S Garshick","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001092","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Psoriasis is an immune-mediated pro-inflammatory skin condition that is associated with an increase in risk factors for cardiovascular disease, risk of ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular death. Despite this, traditional modifiable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors are underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with psoriasis.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>At a cellular level, psoriasis and atherosclerosis are driven by a host of shared inflammatory pathways, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6), immune cells, and platelets which act synergistically to drive endothelial damage and atherosclerosis progression.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Optimal prevention of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis centers around modifying known risk factors for the development of ASCVD and emerging data highlight the promise of treating inflammation to further decrease the risk of ASCVD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"261-268"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167429/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143986929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peggy M Randon, Johann E Gudjonsson, Nicole L Ward
{"title":"What are mice teaching us about psoriatic arthritis?","authors":"Peggy M Randon, Johann E Gudjonsson, Nicole L Ward","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001093","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001093","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review summarizes important mouse models of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), shedding light on their advantages and disadvantages in modeling human disease.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Two newly created mouse models of PsA validate NF-κB signaling as disease-causing and identify pathogenic roles for CD8 + and CD4 + FoxP3 + T cells in the development of specific PsA phenotypes. The IkbkbGoF/GoF model demonstrates that homozygosity for a gain-of-function mutation in Ikbkb results in expansion of FoxP3 + CD25 + IL-17A + Tregs that lead to the development of dactylitis, spondylitis and PsA-like changes to the nails and skin, and when transferred to wildtype mice, reproduce these outcomes. The humanized mouse PsA model (Hu-PsA) establishes that introduction of PsA patient sera and PBMCs into NSG-SGM3 mice has the capacity to elicit distinct subtypes of PsA and identifies a critical role for CD8 + IL-32 + CXCL14 + T cells and immunoglobulins in disease development.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Mouse models of PsA are powerful research tools for elucidating pathogenesis of disease, biomarker identification and may assist in the discovery of a cure.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"243-253"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12119223/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143973557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Monitoring psoriatic arthritis in research and clinical practice.","authors":"Yu Heng Kwan, Ying Ying Leung","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001089","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To discuss the varies outcome measure instruments for the assessment of different domains for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) both in trial and clinical practice settings.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>PsA is a multifaceted chronic inflammatory disease with diverse manifestations. This pose challenges of comprehensive assessment of the outcome of PsA. The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) had developed the core domain set and in the progress of selecting the core outcome measurement set for trials and clinical practice for PsA, using the framework set by Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT). In brief, the core set of \"what to measure\" has been endorsed, and a standardized way of \"how to measure\" them are under review. Composite outcome measures for PsA may provide a solution to measuring multiple domains in a nutshell for various purposes in trials and clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>This provides a succinct summary of the current state of outcome measurement in PsA and provides a quick and comprehensive perspective to select relevant outcome measure to use in busy rheumatology clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"233-242"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}