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Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2023 Sep 26;21(1):108. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Paediatric Pulmonology, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Background: The objective of this initiative was to develop a treat-to-target (T2T) approach for the management of patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), including the definition of a complex treatment target, and establish strategies that improve patient care and long-term outcome.

Methods: An initial set of statements as well as a flow chart visualising the proposed concept was developed. To adapt the preliminary statements to the current state of knowledge, a systematic literature search was performed and the modified statements were subject to a Delphi approach. Read More

Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2023 Oct;103(37):2947-2951

Department of Basic Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

To investigate the diagnostic value of anti-Sa antibody and anti-carbonylated protein (CarP) antibody for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A retrospective selection of 180 patients with RA who came to Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital from September 2022 to February 2023. Grouped according to the Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28), 101 of them were patients with RA in high activity (RAH group), 24 males and 77 females, aged 18-79 (53. Read More

PLoS One 2023 26;18(9):e0285874. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Interleukin-17F (IL-17F), considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been shown to contribute to skeletal tissue degradation and hence chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we utilized bioinformatics tools to analyze the effect of three exonic SNPs (rs2397084, rs11465553, and rs763780) on the structure and function of the IL-17F gene, and evaluated their association with RA in Pakistani patients. The predicted deleterious and damaging effects of identified genetic variants were assessed through the utilization of multiple bioinformatics tools including PROVEAN, SNP&GO, SIFT, and PolyPhen2. Read More

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023 Oct;0(10):1-2

Hip pain can have many causes, both arthritic and non-arthritic. Experts in managing hip pain developed a guideline to help rehabilitation clinicians help you understand more about hip pain. Here we explain what physical therapy might offer you if you have hip pain and arthritis has been ruled out. Read More

Biochem Genet 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Women University Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan.

Genes are an important factor for the initiation of any disease. Many genes are associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) other than environmental factors. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the association of genes PADI4 (peptidylarginine deiminases 14) (rs2240340, rs1748033) and Human leukocyte antigen class II histocompatibility, D-related beta chain (HLA-DRB1) (rs2395175) polymorphisms in RA patients from Punjab, Pakistan. Read More

Infect Dis Ther 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Invasive Bacterial Infections, National Reference Centre for Meningococci and Haemophilus Influenzae, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015, Paris, France.

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to serogroup W meningococci (MenW) is consistently reported with atypical clinical manifestations, including gastrointestinal symptoms, bacteremic pneumonia, and septic arthritis. We undertook a systematic review of the literature for a comprehensive assessment of the clinical presentation of IMD caused by MenW.

Methods: PubMed and Embase databases were searched from inception to June 2022 using a combination of MeSH terms and free text for articles that reported symptoms and signs of MenW IMD, and associated manifestations. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

MSD Italy, Rome, Italy.

Introduction: Golimumab, a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), is used widely for treatment of rheumatic diseases. Long-term persistence is an important factor influencing therapeutic benefit and is a surrogate measure of efficacy. We compared five-year golimumab treatment persistence across studies, indications, and lines of therapy using pooled data from pivotal golimumab Phase III clinical trials. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Jakubowskiego 2, Krakow, Poland.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterised by the pathological occurrence of two opposite phenomena-osteoresorption and osteogenesis. Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) which inhibits the Wingless protein (Wnt) signalling pathway has been shown to be a master regulator of bone remodeling in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. However, the exact relationship between DKK1 serum level and bone remodelling is not clear. Read More

Mod Rheumatol Case Rep 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya City University East Medical Center, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.

Infection with Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) has several different clinical presentations. Most commonly it appears as a solitary papulonodular lesion on an extremity. Read More

Jt Dis Relat Surg 2023 Aug 21;34(3):724-730. Epub 2023 Aug 21.

Ankara Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği, 06230 Altındağ, Ankara, Türkiye.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the reliability of the joint fluid cell count and blood parameters compared to the culture results in the diagnosis of septic arthritis (SA).

Patients And Methods: A total of 192 patients (112 males, 80 females, mean age: 60.3±19. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Objective: One of the less understood adverse effects while taking opioids is the paradoxical increase in pain, known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). We sought to determine whether pain sensitization mediates the relation of opioid use to pain severity in people with knee OA.

Methods: We included participants in a NIH-funded cohort study of people with or at risk of knee OA. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Introduction: The prevalence and types of psychosocial complications of juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS), also known as morphea, an inflammatory and sclerosing disease involving the skin, fascia, muscle, and bone are poorly understood.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Skin Group Specialized Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) between 2000 to 2020 using search terms: "scleroderma, localized" or "Morphea", "anxiety" or "depression" or "resilience" or "social stigma" or "quality of life" or "mood" or "stress" and limited to pediatric patients and English language. Patient demographics, characteristics of JLS, and comorbidities were extracted. Read More

Open Access Rheumatol 2023 20;15:181-187. Epub 2023 Sep 20.

Rheumatology Department, Ziryab Research Group, Khartoum, Sudan.

Purpose: To evaluate vitamin D levels among adult Sudanese RA patients and identify its correlation with RA disease activity.

Patients And Methods: A bicentric cross-sectional analytical hospital-based study was performed in two Khartoum State Hospitals between October 2019 and January 2020, enrolling 90 Sudanese patients with RA. Serum vitamin D levels were measured with a standard reference level of 30ng/mL-100ng/mL. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023 Sep 26. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.

Objective: To ascertain COVID-19 vaccine uptake, reasons for hesitancy, and self-reported flare in a large rheumatology practice-based network.

Methods: A tablet-based survey was deployed by 108 rheumatology practices from 12/2021-12/2022. Patients were asked about COVID-19 vaccine status and why they might not receive a vaccine or booster. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat 2023 Sep;32(3):87-92

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sisak General Hospital, Sisak, Croatia.

Introduction: Plaque psoriasis and celiac disease are multisystemic diseases. The association of psoriasis and enteropathy with histological changes similar to celiac disease has already been described, and it has also been found that a gluten-free diet improves psoriatic changes. This study assesses the relationship between celiac disease antibodies and psoriasis. Read More

BMC Rheumatol 2023 Sep 25;7(1):32. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.

Objectives: Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) require a tailored follow-up that can be enhanced by the implementation of innovative tools. The Digireuma study aimed to test the feasibility of a hybrid follow-up utilizing an electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs)-based monitoring strategy in patients with RMDs.

Methods: Adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) were recruited for a 6-month bicentric prospective follow-up consisting of face-to-face and digital assessments. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2023 Sep 25;25(1):180. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.

Background: Dimerization of the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 protein (MyD88) plays a pivotal role in the exacerbated response to innate immunity-dependent signaling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ST2825 is a highly specific inhibitor of MyD88 dimerization, previously shown to inhibit the pro-inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from RA patients (RA PBMC). In this study, we elucidated the effect of disrupting MyD88 dimerization by ST2825 on the pathological properties of synovial fibroblasts from RA patients (RA SFs). Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2023 Sep 25;25(1):179. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease and causes chronic pain and disability to the elderly. Several risk factors are involved, such as aging, obesity, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors. We conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and chemical-related gene set enrichment analysis (CGSEA) to investigate the susceptibility genes and environmental factors. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2023 Sep 26;25(1):182. Epub 2023 Sep 26.

Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Background: Physical function is an important determinant of health-related quality of life in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients (r-axSpA). To improve the basis of effective healthcare efforts, we aimed to investigate which demographic and disease-related factors that influence Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) in r-axSpA patients overall and stratified by sex. Furthermore, we sought to explore differences between sexes regarding separate BASFI questions and also to explore which factors that may contribute to these differences. Read More

BMC Rheumatol 2023 Sep 25;7(1):33. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.

Background: Traditionally rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trials classify patients as responders and non-responders; they ignore the potential range of treatment responses. Group Based Trajectory Models (GBTMs) provide a more refined approach. They identify patient subgroups with similar outcome trajectories. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2023 Sep 25;25(1):181. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.

Background: This work aims to develop a deep learning model, assessing atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can often be ambiguous in clinical practice.

Methods: We collected 4691 X-ray images of the cervical spine of the 906 patients with RA. Among these images, 3480 were used for training the deep learning model, 803 were used for validating the model during the training process, and the remaining 408 were used for testing the performance of the trained model. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2023 Sep 25;18(1):722. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.

Objective: The traditional volar approach requires the release of the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle in the treatment of distal radius fractures. However, intraoperative repair of the PQ muscle often fails due to tissue injury and unstable muscle repair. This study compared the outcomes of different methods of sparing the PQ muscle combined with the volar plate in treating distal radius fractures. Read More

Nat Biotechnol 2023 Sep 25. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Increasing evidence implicates the tumor microbiota as a factor that can influence cancer progression. In patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), we found that pre-resection antibiotics targeting anaerobic bacteria substantially improved disease-free survival by 25.5%. Read More

Nat Genet 2023 Sep 25. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

Sci Data 2023 Sep 25;10(1):655. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Centre for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Advancing age is the greatest risk factor for developing multiple age-related diseases. Therapeutic approaches targeting the underlying pathways of ageing, rather than individual diseases, may be an effective way to treat and prevent age-related morbidity while reducing the burden of polypharmacy. We harness the Open Targets Genetics Portal to perform a systematic analysis of nearly 1,400 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) mapped to 34 age-related diseases and traits, identifying genetic signals that are shared between two or more of these traits. Read More

Nat Commun 2023 Sep 25;14(1):5466. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

The interplay between 3D chromatin architecture and gene silencing is incompletely understood. Here, we report a novel point mutation in the non-canonical SMC protein SMCHD1 that enhances its silencing capacity at endogenous developmental targets. Moreover, it also results in enhanced silencing at the facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy associated macrosatellite-array, D4Z4, resulting in enhanced repression of DUX4 encoded by this repeat. Read More

Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2023 Sep 9. Epub 2023 Sep 9.

University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85724, USA.

Background: Aortic valve stenosis is associated with age, rheumatic fever and bicuspid aortic valve, but its association with other co-morbidities, such as inflammatory disease and race/ethnicity, is less known.

Aim: To investigate any association between aortic stenosis and many co-morbidities.

Methods: We used the large Nationwide Inpatient Sample database to evaluate any association between aortic stenosis and risk factors. Read More

Hum Immunol 2023 Sep 23. Epub 2023 Sep 23.

Department of Research & Innovation, Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) is an inflammatory cytokine that is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis. TNF-alpha receptor I (TNFR1a) is one of the receptors TNFa binds with for its activation. Any variation in this receptor might affect the role of TNFa in successive events. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2023 Sep 25;16(9). Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Hospital Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

We report a case of a woman in her 30s with a history of cholecystectomy, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate and certolizumab who presented with epigastric pain radiating to the right upper quadrant. Laboratory findings revealed significantly elevated liver enzymes consistent with hepatocellular liver injury. The hepatocellular pattern of liver injury, negative autoimmune serologies and improvement on cessation of certolizumab were consistent with drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Read More