{"title":"Risk Factors for Cytomegalovirus Reactivation during the Treatment of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A retrospective cohort study of the J-CANVAS study.","authors":"Kazutaka Kawamori, Nao Oguro, Kunika Shimizu, Takashi Kida, Satoshi Omura, Daiki Nakagomi, Yoshiyuki Abe, Masatoshi Kadoya, Naoho Takizawa, Atsushi Nomura, Yuji Kukida, Naoya Kondo, Yasuhiko Yamano, Takuya Yanagida, Koji Endo, Shintaro Hirata, Kiyoshi Matsui, Tohru Takeuchi, Kunihiro Ichinose, Masaru Kato, Ryo Yanai, Yusuke Matsuo, Yasuhiro Shimojima, Ryo Nishioka, Ryota Okazaki, Tomoaki Takata, Takafumi Ito, Mayuko Moriyama, Ayuko Takatani, Yoshia Miyawaki, Toshiko Ito-Ihara, Takashi Kawaguchi, Yutaka Kawahito, Nobuyuki Yajima","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation during immunosuppressive therapy poses a risk of severe infections. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of CMV reactivation in patients with microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis using a nationwide cohort in Japan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study used data from the Japan Collaborative Registry of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. The outcome was as CMV reactivation up to 48 weeks after treatment initiation. We explored the risk factors for CMV reactivation by comparing the two groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 454 patients, CMV reactivation occurred in 89 (19.6%). The univariate analysis showed that patients with CMV reactivation were older (p<0.001), had higher Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Scores (BVAS) (p=0.004) and BVAS renal scores (p<0.001), and had received glucocorticoid pulse (p=0.004). The logistic regression analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31-0.98), and low serum IgG (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-1.00) were risk factors for CMV reactivation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hypoalbuminemia and low serum IgG levels were risk factors for CMV reactivation. It is necessary to accurately identify high-risk patients and closely monitor their condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143066737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Blood monocyte fraction and computed tomography attenuation value of bone marrow in fever of unknown origin: A retrospective analysis for differentiating adult-onset Still's disease and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.","authors":"Nobuhiro Oda, Hiroki Matsui, Ryo Hazue, Kosei Matsue, Katsushige Takagishi, Ryo Rokutanda","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the factors affecting laboratory data and computed tomography (CT) attenuation values of L1 trabecular and femoral bone marrow, potential markers for differentiating between adult-onset Still's disease and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective observational study on patients diagnosed with adult-onset Still's disease or intravascular large B-cell lymphoma. Clinical and laboratory data, and CT attenuation values of the bone marrow were compared. An exploratory analysis was conducted to identify factors useful for discriminating between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>30 patients with adult-onset Still's disease and 14 with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma were included; among them, 17 and 14 patients, respectively, underwent plain CT. No significant differences in CT attenuation values were noted; however, significant differences in various clinical and laboratory data, including neutrophil counts and soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels, were observed. Exploratory analysis of the monocyte fraction, guided by previous reports, suggested a cutoff of ≥ 9.65% for intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, with a sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 96.7%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study suggests that, besides neutrophil counts and soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels, monocyte fractionation is a useful differentiation criterion between adult-onset Still's disease and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143052830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"2024 Update of the Japan College of Rheumatology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis - secondary publication.","authors":"Masayoshi Harigai, Yuko Kaneko, Eiichi Tanaka, Shintaro Hirata, Hideto Kameda, Kayoko Kaneko, Mitsumasa Kishimoto, Masataka Kohno, Masayo Kojima, Toshihisa Kojima, Akio Morinobu, Ayako Nakajima, Takahiko Sugihara, Mie Fusama, Nobuyuki Yajima, Ryo Yanai, Yutaka Kawahito","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To update the Japan College of Rheumatology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (CPG for RA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The recommendations were developed based on the evidence published until the end of June 2022 using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). The steering committee, CPG panel, systematic review (SR) group, and SR support team were organised.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The treatment goal and drug treatment algorithm required no modifications; however, the footnotes of the drug treatment algorithm were modified. SR of 21 new or updated recommendations for subcutaneous methotrexate (n=1), biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (n=1), rituximab (n=5), Janus kinase inhibitors (n=6), biosimilars (n=2), older patients (n=4), and pregnancy and lactation (n=2) was conducted. The recommendations for comorbidities and surgery and rehabilitation remained unchanged from the 2020 CPG for RA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The 2024 CPG for RA, which provide recommendations that reflect the current healthcare environment for RA in Japan, can be used effectively as a tool for shared decision-making between rheumatologists and patients in the treatment of RA.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of Regional Variations and Occupation on Hand Osteoarthritis: Insights from the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability Study.","authors":"Ichiko Kojima, Kosuke Uehara, Toshiko Iidaka, Rie Kodama, Shigeyuki Muraki, Hiroyuki Oka, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Toru Akune, Hiroshi Hashizume, Hiroshi Yamada, Munehito Yoshida, Yutaka Morizaki, Kozo Nakamura, Sakae Tanaka, Noriko Yoshimura","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of radiographic hand osteoarthritis (HOA) in older Japanese individuals in three distinct regions with unique geographic and occupational characteristics and explore the regional variations and factors, including occupational workload, that affect HOA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analysed the radiographic images and data of 1642 participants aged ≥60 years (mean, 75.6 years). After grading the radiographs of both hands using the modified Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification, HOA was defined as at least one joint with a KL grade ≥2, and severe HOA was defined as at least one joint with a KL grade ≥3.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence rates of HOA and severe HOA were 95.9% and 54.2%, respectively. Regional differences were observed: residence in the mountainous region was associated with HOA and severe HOA, whereas residence in the coastal region was associated with only HOA. Occupational workload was associated with severe HOA in a dose-dependent manner, and heavy work was associated with a higher number of osteoarthritis-affected joints.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present study revealed a high prevalence of HOA in older Japanese individuals and highlighted regional variations in HOA prevalence. A higher occupational workload was associated with a higher risk of severe HOA.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hiroshi Uda, Michihito Katayama, Keiji Maeda, Osamu Saiki
{"title":"The serum amyloid A to C-reactive protein ratio is lower in men than in women because of higher-C-reactive protein concentrations in men.","authors":"Hiroshi Uda, Michihito Katayama, Keiji Maeda, Osamu Saiki","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We previously found that discrepancy between serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels linked to the difference of SAA/CRP ratio in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, and the ratio varied among different patients. This study aimed to determine why the SAA/CRP ratio differed among different patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The patients (n=466) with most of inflammatory diseases were enrolled. After examined CRP and SAA concentrations, we compared the SAA/CRP ratio, and SAA and CRP concentrations in men and women.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The SAA/CRP ratio varied dramatically among different patients (33.6-0.140). The 10 highest SAA/CRP ratios were all in women, and half of the 10 lowest ratios were found in men. The loge SAA/CRP ratio was significantly higher in women than in men (p<0.0001). The loge SAA concentration was not different between women and men (p=0.174), but the loge CRP concentration was significantly higher in men (p<0.0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The SAA/CRP ratio varies considerably among different patients. The SAA/CRP ratio in women is higher than in men because loge CRP but not SAA concentrations in men are higher than in women. The finding is against the conventional view and suggest the reference range of CRP concentration in women should be assessed lower than in men.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Differences in the autoantibody phenotypes and long-term outcomes between juvenile- and adult-onset systemic sclerosis.","authors":"Hideaki Tsuji, Mirei Shirakashi, Ryosuke Hiwa, Shuji Akizuki, Ran Nakashima, Akira Onishi, Hajime Yoshifuji, Masao Tanaka, Akio Morinobu","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[Objective] To investigate differences in autoantibodies, clinical features, and long-term outcomes between juvenile- and adult-onset systemic sclerosis (SSc). [Methods] Autoantibodies and survival rates over a maximum of 20 years were retrospectively analyzed in 504 Japanese patients with SSc (juvenile-onset SSc, n=17; adult-onset SSc, n=487) using data from Kyoto University Registry. [Results] The autoantibodies observed were anti-topoisomerase-I (71% vs. 26%), anti-centromere (24% vs. 54%), and anti-RNA-polymerase-III (0% vs. 12%). A diffuse type and multi-organ involvement were observed in patients with anti-topoisomerase-I in both juvenile- and adult-onset SSc. In patients with anti-centromere, a diffuse type (juvenile-onset SSc vs. adult-onset SSc, 75% vs. 28%) and pulmonary fibrosis (50% vs. 17%) were more frequently observed in juvenile-onset SSc than in adult-onset SSc. Cox-proportional hazard analyses showed that older onset (hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.09) was associated with death, while autoantibodies were not significantly associated with death. Cumulative survival rates for 20 years were similar between juvenile- and adult-onset SSc when classified based on the presence of anti-centromere (100% vs. 89%, p=0.20) and anti-topoisomerase-I (90% vs. 90%, p=0.70). [Conclusions] Juvenile-onset SSc had more frequent diffuse-type and anti-topoisomerase-I. An older onset was slightly associated with mortality, whereas autoantibodies were not associated with mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characteristics of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica based on glucocorticoid dose in Japan: A cohort study using routinely collected health data.","authors":"Yoshiya Tanaka, Toshiya Takahashi, Shoichiro Inokuchi, Hidetoshi Uenaka, Akiko Fujita, Kazuhito Sakamoto","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe the characteristics, inflammatory markers as surrogates for disease activity, and treatment of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in Japan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cohort study analysed the data of 373 patients with PMR retrieved from an electronic medical records database in Japan. Patients were classified into quartiles, based on the daily glucocorticoid dose over the initial 90 days of treatment (Q1-Q4).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The low glucocorticoid dose group (Q1) had more patients aged ≥90 years (11.7%), and a higher prevalence of comorbidities. At 52 weeks, glucocorticoid-free remission was achieved in 10% of patients, and higher C-reactive protein levels were observed during the follow-up period. In contrast, the high glucocorticoid dose group (Q4) exhibited a slower decline in C-reactive protein levels and more events of increased glucocorticoid dose compared to Q1-Q3. The introduction of methotrexate was low, with 4.3% to 7.3% of patients. The incidence of osteoporosis and diabetes was higher in patients <75 years, whereas the incidence of hypertension was higher in patients ≥75 years.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Patients refractory to high glucocorticoid doses were identified. Patients receiving inadequately low doses of glucocorticoids were older with more comorbidities. This study highlights the unmet medical needs for PMR.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association between the timing of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and severity of Kawasaki disease.","authors":"Mitsuji Iwasa, Gaku Aoki, Sachiko Inukai","doi":"10.1093/mr/roaf003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roaf003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The early administration of immunoglobulin in Kawasaki disease occasionally results in treatment failure. However, whether this is because severe cases are diagnosed and treated early or due to other factors remains unclear. In this study, we examined the timing of initial immunoglobulin administration and immunoglobulin resistance in cases classified by severity of illness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a single-hospital, retrospective cohort study of 608 patients who received immunoglobulin within 4 (Early-treatment group, n=225) or between 5 and 7 days (Late-treatment group, n=383) following treatment onset. Cases were classified into four groups: high (n=55), moderate (n=96), low (n=197), and very-low (n=260) risk, based on the Kobayashi score, modified to exclude the day of illness factor. Within each risk group, immunoglobulin resistance was compared between the early- and late-treatment groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The early-treatment group showed greater immunoglobulin-resistance than the late-treatment group. After severity classification, the cases of high and moderate-risk in the early-treatment group were more immunoglobulin-resistant than in late-treatment group, with odds ratios (95% CI) of 6.7 (1.6-28) and 3.7 (1.6-8.5), respectively. There was no difference in the low and very-low-risk groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Earlier illness day was a risk factor of immunoglobulin resistance in severe cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Efficacy of anifrolumab on systemic lupus erythematosus patients with serological manifestations: A post hoc analysis of the Japan subgroup of the TULIP-2 Trial.","authors":"Yoshiya Tanaka, Tatsuya Atsumi, Masato Okada, Tomoya Miyamura, Tomonori Ishii, Susumu Nishiyama, Ryutaro Matsumura, Nobuya Hayashi, Takahiro Matsumoto, Toshiki Yabe-Wada, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Gabriel Abreu, Catharina Lindholm, Tsutomu Takeuchi","doi":"10.1093/mr/roae111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roae111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe the efficacy of anifrolumab vs. placebo in Japanese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with low complement (C3 or C4) and/or who are positive for anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive post hoc analysis of Japanese SLE patients with serological manifestations in the TULIP-2 trial who received either anifrolumab or placebo.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 43 patients enrolled, 79.2% (19/24) and 73.7% (14/19) had low C3, low C4, and/or were positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies at baseline in the anifrolumab and placebo groups, respectively. At week 52, 52.6% (10/19) and 7.1% (1/14) patients in the anifrolumab and placebo groups, respectively, achieved a British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response. The proportion of patients who tapered their glucocorticoid (GC) dose throughout the study, without increasing their dose, or who sustained baseline GC doses of ≤7.5 mg/day was numerically higher in the anifrolumab group (78.9% [15/19]) than in the placebo group (50.0% [7/14]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In line with the clinical profile of anifrolumab in the TULIP-2 study, the efficacy of anifrolumab was shown in Japanese SLE patients with serological manifestations achieving a BICLA response, and with tapered GC dose or sustained GC doses of ≤7.5 mg/day.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143008492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yoshiya Tanaka, Tatsuya Atsumi, Masato Okada, Tomoya Miyamura, Tomonori Ishii, Susumu Nishiyama, Ryutaro Matsumura, Yosuke Morishima, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Gabriel Abreu, Catharina Lindholm, Eric F Morand, Tsutomu Takeuchi
{"title":"Disease activity and glucocorticoid tapering patterns in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with anifrolumab: post hoc analysis of the Japanese subpopulation of the TULIP-2 study.","authors":"Yoshiya Tanaka, Tatsuya Atsumi, Masato Okada, Tomoya Miyamura, Tomonori Ishii, Susumu Nishiyama, Ryutaro Matsumura, Yosuke Morishima, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Gabriel Abreu, Catharina Lindholm, Eric F Morand, Tsutomu Takeuchi","doi":"10.1093/mr/roae105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/mr/roae105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the efficacy of anifrolumab on disease activity and glucocorticoid tapering patterns in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analysed disease activity and glucocorticoid tapering in the Japanese subpopulation (anifrolumab, n = 24; placebo, n = 19) of the TULIP-2 trial, which showed the efficacy and safety of anifrolumab in patients with moderate-to-severe active SLE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The percentage of patients who achieved a British Isles Lupus Assessment Group-based Composite Lupus Assessment response at Week 52 was greater in the anifrolumab group than placebo [50.0% (12/24) vs. 15.8% (3/19); p = 0.014]. Lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) was achieved at Week 52 by 9/24 (37.5%) and 3/19 (15.8%) patients receiving anifrolumab and placebo, respectively. During the 52-week study period, in the anifrolumab vs. placebo groups, 5/24 (20.8%) patients were in LLDAS ≥50% of observed time vs. 0/19 (0.0%), and 14/24 (58.3%) vs. 6/19 (31.6%) patients were classified into favourable glucocorticoids tapering pattern. Anifrolumab had an acceptable tolerability profile, consistent with the overall population.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the Japanese subpopulation of the TULIP-2 trial, anifrolumab resulted in an improvements in disease activity to those reported for the overall population, suggesting a beneficial effect for disease control.</p>","PeriodicalId":18705,"journal":{"name":"Modern Rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142971621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}