M Ekici, Y Baytar, A Akdoğan, G Durhan, M Arıyürek, U Kalyoncu
{"title":"Prognostic factors for interstitial lung disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis: May methotrexate protect against progression?","authors":"M Ekici, Y Baytar, A Akdoğan, G Durhan, M Arıyürek, U Kalyoncu","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2371658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2024.2371658","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Lung computed tomography (CT) is a valid method for the detection and assessment of the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the characteristics of individuals with RA-ILD, with and without radiographic progression, determined using lung CT scans.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In this retrospective observational study, three radiologists re-evaluated CT scans of RA-ILD patients who had at least one follow-up CT. The lungs were divided into upper, middle, and lower zones, with equal slices. Progression was defined as the involvement of more zones in the vertical extent by the same elementary findings or the emergence of more severe findings in the same zones compared to the previous examination. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the possible factors identified in univariate analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study included 104 patients with 215 lung CT scans for analysis. Radiographic progression was seen in 43 patients (41.3%). Male sex, findings compatible with ILD on the last X-ray, age at diagnosis of ILD > 50 years, and presence of ground-glass opacity on CT were more common in the group with progression. In multivariate analysis (adjusted for ILD disease duration), findings consistent with ILD on chest X-ray and male sex were independent risk factors for progression, while taking methotrexate (ever) was an independent protective factor for progression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings indicate a negative association between methotrexate use and ILD progression. These results should be confirmed in further studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141760737","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":"Long-term association between physical activity and global functioning in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: results of a two-year prospective study.","authors":"K Y Kang, S Y Park, T H Chung","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2376810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2024.2376810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess the longitudinal association between physical activity and global functioning in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to identify the subtype of physical activity that is longitudinally related to global functioning.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Physical activity was measured using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Global functioning was assessed using the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI). The amount and subtype (work, transport, and recreation) of physical activity, disease activity, and ASAS HI were assessed at baseline, and at 1 and 2 year follow-up. Physical activity levels were categorized as low, moderate, or high. The longitudinal association between physical activity and ASAS HI scores was analysed using a generalized estimating equation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study evaluated 160 patients. Univariate analysis identified physical activity at moderate level and higher, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and syndesmophyte number as being longitudinally associated with ASAS HI over 2 years. Multivariate analysis identified physical activity at moderate level and higher as being longitudinally associated with ASAS HI. Physical activity above moderate levels was associated independently with good global functioning. In the analysis stratified by radiographic axSpA and non-radiographic axSpA, a positive association between physical activity and global functioning was observed in both groups. Only recreational activity, but not work- and transport-related activity, showed an independent longitudinal relationship with the ASAS HI score.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Physical activity at moderate level and higher was associated independently with global functioning in axSpA. Therefore, patients should maintain physical activity above moderate levels to preserve global function.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141752615","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}
S Hüper, L Nagler, P P Strunz, M Froehlich, H Labinsky, M Schmalzing, M Gernert
{"title":"Lymphoma in Sjögren's syndrome: no need for repetitive screening ultrasounds of the major salivary glands and neck in asymptomatic patients.","authors":"S Hüper, L Nagler, P P Strunz, M Froehlich, H Labinsky, M Schmalzing, M Gernert","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2370109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2024.2370109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) have an increased risk of lymphoma, especially mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the salivary glands. Risk factors for lymphoma are well known, but there are no studies on screening by imaging. Therefore, we aimed to assess the usefulness and adverse effects of ultrasound of the major salivary glands and neck as lymphoma screening.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A retrospective, single-centre, analysis of imaging studies in pSS patients was conducted. Imaging studies were classified as either screening examinations (asymptomatic patients) or occasion-related (imaging due to signs of lymphoma or at least moderate systemic activity). Results were categorized as: not suspicious; requiring control; triggering tissue sampling with exclusion of lymphoma; or triggering tissue sampling with diagnosis of lymphoma.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 134 patients and covered 1031 patient-years. Lymphoma was diagnosed in 15 patients (11.2%), all of whom had clinical signs of lymphoma at the time of diagnosis. During this period, 569 screening examinations and 179 occasion-related examinations were conducted. None of the screening examinations detected lymphoma, but follow-up imaging was recommended in 17.1% (95% CI 14.2-20.4%) and invasive exclusion of lymphoma was performed in 0.5% (95% CI 0.1-1.5%). In contrast, lymphoma was detected in 6.1% (95% CI 3.5-10.6%) of occasion-related examinations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>pSS patients with neither signs of lymphoma nor increased systemic disease activity did not benefit from screening. In contrast, patients with symptoms of lymphoma or at least moderate systemic activity can benefit from imaging of the neck and major salivary glands.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141617001","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":"Ultrasonographic findings in diabetic cheiroarthropathy: a pilot study.","authors":"C Löffler, J Leipe, B Hellmich","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2374106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2024.2374106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Diabetic cheiroarthropathy (DCA) is one of the musculoskeletal manifestations of diabetes mellitus. It is clinically diagnosed using the prayer and tabletop signs. The clinical appearance, however, mimics autoimmune-mediated polyarthritis of the hands and fingers. It is therefore crucial to positively identify DCA patients.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We used high-frequency B-mode ultrasound to investigate 14 patients with DCA and seven non-DCA diabetics with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We recorded the frequency of synovitis in radiocarpal, metacarpophalangeal, and proximal interphalangeal joints, the presence of tenosynovitis of the finger flexor tendons, echogenicity of the synovia and the flexor tendon sheaths, and soft tissue alterations in the digits. We compared our findings between groups to determine sonographic characteristics of DCA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A low rate of small finger joint involvement in the presence of a high rate of finger flexor tendinopathy showed a high association with DCA in correlation (p = 0.002) and regression analysis (p < 0.001). Tendon sheaths were significantly more often hyperechoic and proliferative in DCA compared to RA (p = 0.008), and hypoechoic soft tissue alterations were almost exclusively seen in DCA patients (p = 0.003). Radiocarpal joint involvement and its echogenicity did not differ between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ultrasonography shows typical features in DCA, and is capable of discriminating DCA from non-DCA patients with RA and diabetes.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591248","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}
T S Jørgensen, R L Hansen, B Pouls, B Van den Bemt, C Sjöwall, L E Kristensen
{"title":"Retention rate of a novel autoinjector e-Device introduced to patients with chronic arthritis treated with certolizumab pegol in clinical practice: an observational implementation study.","authors":"T S Jørgensen, R L Hansen, B Pouls, B Van den Bemt, C Sjöwall, L E Kristensen","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2365508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2024.2365508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objectives were to explore the clinical retention rate of an e-Device aimed at empowering chronic arthritis patients using certolizumab pegol (CZP) and to analyse beliefs about medication in the Danish population.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Patients treated with CZP were recruited from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden through rheumatology clinics at initiation of, or switching to, the e-Device. Patients were adults (aged 18-85 years) diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis. Patients administered three consecutive self-injections at home. Descriptive statistics regarding baseline characteristics, retention rates, and reasons for withdrawal were assessed, along with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 59 patients participated (Netherlands 25, Denmark 15, Sweden 19). Most subjects (71%) were women, with a mean ± sd age of 55 ± 16.2 years and mean disease duration 12 ± 8.8 years. Six patients (10%) started CZP de novo and the remaining patients switched device. The overall retention rate was 42% after 52 weeks, declining to 38% after 104 weeks. A sharp decline, 34%, was seen at week 8. Between weeks 32 and 112, only four patients (6.8%) withdrew from the study. The primary reason for withdrawal was the patient's request. Stratification by country showed significant differences for some outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>An initial large dropout was evident within the first 8 weeks, with almost no dropouts thereafter. The reasons for withdrawal were primarily patient requests. Thus, the injection experience must be tailored carefully when selecting patients for new autoinjector e-Devices to enhance retention rates and patient satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141555427","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":"A novel role for endoplasmic reticulum protein ERp72 in the pathogenesis of autoantibody-induced arthritis.","authors":"A Yang, L Lin, J Zhang, Y Wu, Z Zhao","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2362040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2024.2362040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The family of protein disulphide isomerases (PDIs) is a group of oxidoreductases that catalyze the oxidation, reduction and isomerization of disulphide bonds. Recent studies have shown that overexpression of one of the family enzymes, ERp46, potentiates arthritis severity, suggesting that the PDI family participates in arthritis pathogenesis. This study investigated the role of another PDI member, ERp72, in autoantibody-induced arthritis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using the Cre-LoxP method, a mouse strain lacking ERp72 (ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> mice) was generated. Autoantibody-induced arthritis was induced in both ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> and ERp72<sup>+/+</sup> control mice by injecting serum from K/BxN mice. The synovial inflammation severity was evaluated by joint diameter measurements and histological analysis. Proinflammatory cytokines expression in joint tissue and plasma was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>: The absence of ERp72 in the joints, white blood cells, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow of ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> mice was confirmed. In the K/BxN serum transfer-induced arthritis (STIA) model, ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> mice exhibited exacerbated arthritis compared to ERp72<sup>+/+</sup> mice, with greater joint swelling, bone and cartilage erosion, and synovial inflammation. Furthermore, ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> mice exhibited increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in inflamed joint tissues and higher IL-6 levels in plasma. Conversely, IL-10 levels were lower in ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> mice inflamed joints than in ERp72<sup>+/+</sup> mice. Notably, the basal TNF-α level in the blood of ERp72<sup>-/-</sup> mice was significantly higher than in ERp72<sup>+/+</sup> mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>ERp72 plays a key role in the negative regulation of autoantibody-induced arthritis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141555425","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}
M Ayano, K Tsubouchi, K Suzuki, Y Kimoto, Y Arinobu, K Akashi, T Horiuchi, I Okamoto, H Niiro
{"title":"Comparing the safety and efficacy of nintedanib starting dose in patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases.","authors":"M Ayano, K Tsubouchi, K Suzuki, Y Kimoto, Y Arinobu, K Akashi, T Horiuchi, I Okamoto, H Niiro","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2327159","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2327159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to analyse whether initiating nintedanib treatment at a reduced dose could improve the treatment continuation rate while maintaining efficacy in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated interstitial lung disease.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In total, 51 patients (age 61.6 ± 13.2 years; 38 women, 13 men) were retrospectively analysed. The primary endpoint was the cumulative discontinuation rate due to adverse events. Secondary endpoints included changes in drug dosage, efficacy evaluated based on annual changes in forced vital capacity (FVC), and safety assessed based on the frequency of adverse events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighteen patients who started treatment at the standard dose of 300 mg (standard dosage group) were compared with 33 patients who started treatment at a reduced dose (reduced dosage group). Systemic sclerosis was the most common CTD (n = 32), followed by idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and, rarely, rheumatoid arthritis. Both groups exhibited comparable cumulative discontinuation rates due to adverse events and similar frequencies of adverse events. No significant differences were observed in maintenance doses between the two groups; however, patients in the reduced dosage group had a lower cumulative dose for up to 52 weeks than those in the standard dosage group. No significant differences were observed in changes in FVC between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was no evidence for a difference between the two groups in terms of discontinuation rates, efficacy, and safety. To provide further evidence, future studies using more precise dose-escalation protocols are warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140336760","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}
V Codullo, S Monti, C Perotti, A Milanesi, S Rossi, A Gallotti, L Cobianchi, C Montecucco, P Delvino
{"title":"Severe immunoglobulin A vasculitis with refractory gastrointestinal involvement in an adult patient successfully treated with plasma exchange.","authors":"V Codullo, S Monti, C Perotti, A Milanesi, S Rossi, A Gallotti, L Cobianchi, C Montecucco, P Delvino","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2318947","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2318947","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140040298","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 denosumab against osteoporosis determined using quantitative computed tomography in treatment-naïve male patients with ankylosing spondylitis: case series of six patients.","authors":"S H Kim, S-H Lee, R Song","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2316960","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2316960","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140288898","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":"Adult-onset Still's disease: analysis of a monocentric cohort of patients.","authors":"D Testa, S Bilia, A G Tavoni, P Migliorini","doi":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2328439","DOIUrl":"10.1080/03009742.2024.2328439","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a multigenic autoinflammatory disease with a severe systemic involvement. Because of the rarity of the disease, most published cohorts are multicentric. The aim of this report is to describe a monocentric cohort of AOSD patients, reporting clinical features and response to therapy in a long follow-up.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Thirty-eight patients, attending the Clinical Immunology Unit and fulfilling Yamaguchi, Fautrel, or Daghor-Abbaci classification criteria for AOSD, were recruited for this study. In all patients, clinical and serological data were collected at diagnosis and every 6 months thereafter. The Pouchot score was calculated at every visit.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fever, arthromyalgia, and skin rash were the most frequent manifestations, followed by lymphadenopathy, sore throat, arthritis, splenomegaly, hepatic involvement, pleuropericarditis, and weight loss. As far as the disease course is concerned, 25% presented a monocyclic and 35% a polycyclic pattern, and 40% developed chronic articular involvement. Severe complications were observed at disease onset in 21% of the patients. All of the patients were treated with steroids; 74% also received conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (methotrexate in most cases) and 71% biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (interleukin-1 inhibitors in most cases). Therapeutic switching for lack/loss of efficacy or adverse drug reactions was necessary in 66%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The analysis of this cohort confirms that AOSD is a complex, severe, and heterogeneous disease. However, despite long-term treatment and comorbidities, therapies are effective and well tolerated. The therapeutic armamentarium now available allows long-lasting remission with low immunosuppression to be achieved in most patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21424,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140857923","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}