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Ulas ST, Proft F, Diekhoff T, Rios Rodriguez V, Rademacher J, Poddubnyy D, Ziegeler K. HLA-B27 status and inflammatory MRI lesions of the sacroiliac joints: a post hoc analysis in patients without axial spondyloarthritis. RMD Open 2023; 9:e003357. [PMID: 37739448 PMCID: PMC10533781 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The assessment of inflammatory and structural lesions in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is crucial in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). HLA-B27 status plays an important role in axSpA diagnosis and has been linked to MRI lesion burden in the general population. We aimed to investigate the sex-specific influence of HLA-B27 status on inflammatory and structural MRI findings in patients with low back pain of non-inflammatory origin. METHODS This post hoc analysis included 139 non-axSpA patients (90 women) with chronic low back pain. Two readers scored MRIs of the SIJ for the presence of sclerosis, erosion, fat metaplasia, bone marrow oedema (BMO) and ankylosis. Frequencies and extent of lesions were compared regarding the HLA-B27 status using χ2 tests and t-tests. Regression models to assess the sex-dependent influence of HLA-B27 on lesion burden were computed. RESULTS HLA-B27 was positive in 33 women (36.7%) and 23 men (46.9%). The overall occurrence of all SIJ lesions did not differ in HLA-B27 negative and positive individuals. There were no significant differences in the extent of lesions considering the HLA-B27 positivity, for erosion (mean sum score (MSS) of 0.91 vs 0.48; p=0.144), sclerosis (MSS 1.65 vs 1.88; p=0.576), fat metaplasia (MSS 0.56 vs 0.27; p=0.425), BMO (MSS 0.75 vs 0.59; p=0.460) and ankylosis (MSS 0.06 vs 0.04; p=0.659). CONCLUSION HLA-B27 status has no significant influence on the occurrence and extent of SIJ lesions in patients with low back pain of non-inflammatory origin in either men or women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevtap Tugce Ulas
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Proft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (Including Nutrition Medicine), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Diekhoff
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Rios Rodriguez
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (Including Nutrition Medicine), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Rademacher
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (Including Nutrition Medicine), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denis Poddubnyy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (Including Nutrition Medicine), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Ziegeler
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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de Jong HMY, de Winter JJH, van der Horst-Bruinsma IE, van Schaardenburg DJ, van Gaalen FA, van Tubergen AM, Weel AEAM, Landewé RBM, Baeten DLP, van de Sande MGH. Progression From Subclinical Inflammation to Overt Spondyloarthritis in First-Degree Relatives of Patients in Association With HLA-B27: The Pre-Spondyloarthritis Cohort. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2022; 74:2076-2084. [PMID: 34219406 PMCID: PMC10087210 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As first-degree relatives (FDRs) of HLA-B27-positive patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) have an increased risk of developing axial SpA, the objectives were 1) to evaluate the presence of highly specific imaging features as well as clinical signs of SpA at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up, and 2) to describe the evolution toward clinical disease within 1 year of follow-up in a cohort of seemingly healthy FDRs of HLA-B27-positive axial SpA patients. METHODS The Pre-SpA cohort is a 5-year prospective inception cohort of seemingly healthy FDRs of HLA-B27-positive axial SpA patients. Clinical and imaging features were collected and recorded. RESULTS At baseline, 19% of the FDRs reported inflammatory back pain, 32% current arthralgia, 3% arthritis (ever), 5% enthesitis (ever), and 1% dactylitis (ever), and 3% had an extraarticular manifestation. C-reactive protein level was elevated in 16%, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in 7%. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) views of sacroiliac joints, 10% had a Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada score of ≥2, 4% had a score of ≥5, and 4% had deep lesions. In total, 1% fulfilled the modified New York criteria for radiographic sacroiliitis. Clinical, MRI, and acute phase findings were equally distributed between HLA-B27-positive and -negative FDRs. After 1 year of follow-up, clinical parameters did not change on the group level, but 6% of the FDRs were clinically diagnosed with axial SpA, of whom 86% were HLA-B27-positive. CONCLUSION Features associated with SpA or imaging abnormalities were found in up to 32% of seemingly healthy FDRs, with an equal distribution between HLA-B27-positive and -negative FDRs. Progression to clinical axial SpA within 1 year of follow-up was mainly observed in HLA-B27-positive FDRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriëtte M Y de Jong
- Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke J H de Winter
- Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irene E van der Horst-Bruinsma
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam UMC, and VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk-Jan van Schaardenburg
- Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, and Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Astrid M van Tubergen
- Maastricht University Medical Center and Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Robert B M Landewé
- Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dominique L P Baeten
- Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marleen G H van de Sande
- Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Braun J, Baraliakos X, Bülow R, Schmidt CO, Richter A. Striking sex differences in magnetic resonance imaging findings in the sacroiliac joints in the population. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:29. [PMID: 35057838 PMCID: PMC8772059 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02712-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to detect bone marrow edema (BME) in sacroiliac joints (SIJ) but SIJ BME are also detected in the population. Not much is known about sex differences in that regard.
Objective
To explore sex-specific differences associated with the extent of BME in the SIJ suggestive of axSpA in a general population cohort study.
Methods
Taking advantage of 793 recently evaluated MRIs of subjects < 45 years taking part in the SHIP cohort, we used negative-binomial (NB) count data regression to analyze factors associated with the extent of SIJ BME. Predictors were explored by model-based boosting (MBB), a machine learning approach.
Results
Estimates of NB regression showed strong effects of sex in interaction with age, BMI, back pain, and particularly HLA-B27. The NB regression model showed incidence rate ratios (IRR) for the main effect of sex (females vs. males): 0.94 [95% CI: 0.63; 1.41], HLA-B27: 4.32 [2.09; 9.8], and for the interaction of sex to HLA-B27: 0.22 [0.06; 0.75]. According to MBB, HLA-B27 positivity, BMI, current smoking, back pain in the last 3 months, the interaction of sex and HLA-B27, and delivery in the last 12 months were of highest importance to explain the extent of SIJ BME.
Conclusions
Different factors were associated with the extent of SIJ BME in females and males. Most importantly, HLA-B27 was relevant only in males but not in females in whom a postpartal state was important. This finding may be relevant for the pathogenesis of axSpA.
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Braun J, Richter A, Schmidt C, Baraliakos X. [Answering epidemiologic rheumatologic questions by cooperation with the large population-based SHIP cohort-findings with relevance for the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)]. Z Rheumatol 2021; 81:150-156. [PMID: 34264363 PMCID: PMC8894149 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-021-01050-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This article presents how, based on the availability of new imaging methods and medications, objectives regarding the rheumatic disease axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have developed over the course of more than two decades into a rheumatologic research group. During recent years, cooperation with the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) cohort has given rise to new fundamental aspects. This involved intensive cooperation between the Ruhr University Bochum (Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet) and the Greifswald University Hospital (Community Medicine research collective). The design of the SHIP cohort was published 10 years ago and the cohort approach presented in the Bundesgesundheitsblatt, which also described central methodologic questions in detail. In 2014, a cooperation project between the Ruhr Rheumatology Center/Ruhr University Bochum and the SHIP Department of Clinical and Epidemiologic Research (Klinisch-Epidemiologische Forschung, KEF; SHIP-KEF) was established, which has already resulted in publication of interesting results in high-ranking journals. In order to stress the potential of such corporations, important contents thereof are presented herein, with a focus on MRI and consideration of historical aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Braun
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet Herne, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Claudiusstr. 45, 44649, Herne, Deutschland.
| | - A Richter
- Institut für Community Medicine, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland
| | - C Schmidt
- Institut für Community Medicine, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland
| | - X Baraliakos
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet Herne, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Claudiusstr. 45, 44649, Herne, Deutschland
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Baraliakos X, Richter A, Schmidt CO, Braun J. Response to: 'Correspondence on 'Which factors are associated with bone marrow oedema suspicious of axial spondyloarthritis as detected by MRI in the sacroiliac joints and the spine in the general population?' by Su et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2021:annrheumdis-2021-220632. [PMID: 34001516 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adrian Richter
- University of Greifswald Institute of Community Medicine, Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Carsten O Schmidt
- University of Greifswald Institute of Community Medicine, Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Juergen Braun
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany
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Baraliakos X, Ghadir A, Fruth M, Kiltz U, Redeker I, Braun J. Which Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lesions in the Sacroiliac Joints Are Most Relevant for Diagnosing Axial Spondyloarthritis? A Prospective Study Comparing Rheumatologists’ Evaluations With Radiologists’ Findings. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:800-805. [DOI: 10.1002/art.41595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- X. Baraliakos
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany, and Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany
| | | | | | - U. Kiltz
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany, and Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany
| | - I. Redeker
- German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - J. Braun
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany, and Ruhr‐Universität Bochum Bochum Germany
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Baraliakos X, Richter A, Feldmann D, Ott A, Buelow R, Schmidt CO, Braun J. Which factors are associated with bone marrow oedema suspicious of axial spondyloarthritis as detected by MRI in the sacroiliac joints and the spine in the general population? Ann Rheum Dis 2020; 80:469-474. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
ObjectiveIdentify factors associated with presence and extension of spinal and sacroiliac joints (SIJ)–MRI lesions suggestive of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in a population-based cohort (Study of Health in Pomerania) aged <45 years.MethodsSpinal (sagittal T1/T2) and SIJ (semicoronal STIR sequences) MRIs were evaluated by two trained blinded readers. The presence (yes/no) and extension (Berlin MRI Score) of bone marrow oedema (BME) were captured. Degenerative spinal lesions were excluded and discrepancies resolved by consensus. Cross-sectional associations between clinical factors and presence/extension of BME were analysed by logistic/negative binomial regression. Record linkage of claims data was applied to identify participants with axSpA.ResultsMRIs of 793 volunteers were evaluated. The presence of SIJ–BME (odds ratio) was strongly associated delivery during the last year (4.47, 1.49–13.41). For SIJ–BME extension, associations (incidence rate ratios, 95% CI) were found for delivery ((during last year) 4.52, 1.48–13.84), human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27+ (2.32, 1.30–4.14), body mass index (25–30 vs <25 kg/m²; 1.86 (1.19–2.89)) and back pain ((last 3 months) 1.55, 1.04–2.31), while for spinal BME, associations were found for age per decade (1.46, 1.13–1.90) and physically demanding work (1.46, 1.06–2.00). Record linkage was available for 694 (87.5%) participants and 9/694 (1.3%) had a record of axSpA (ICD M45.09).ConclusionThese population-based data support the hypothesis of mechanic strain contributing to BME in the general population aged <45 years and the role of HLA-B27+ as a severity rather than a susceptibility factor for SIJ–BME.
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Baraliakos X, Richter A, Feldmann D, Ott A, Buelow R, Schmidt CO, Braun J. Frequency of MRI changes suggestive of axial spondyloarthritis in the axial skeleton in a large population-based cohort of individuals aged <45 years. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 79:186-192. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the frequency of bone marrow oedema (BME) and fatty lesions (FL) suggestive of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) on MRI of the spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJ) in a general population sample.MethodsAs part of a community-based cohort project (Study of Health in Pomerania), volunteers underwent spinal (sagittal T1/T2) and SIJ (semicoronal short tau inversion recovery) MRI examinations. Two calibrated readers evaluated the images to detect BME in SIJ and vertebral corners (VC) and FL in VC suggestive of axSpA using Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society definitions.ResultsMRIs of 793 volunteers (49.4% males, mean age 37.3±6.3 years, 8.4% human leucocyte antigen-B27+) aged <45 years were evaluated. SIJ BME was seen in 136 (17.2%), VC BME in 218 (27.5%) and FL in 645 (81.4%) volunteers. SIJ BME in ≥1, ≥3 and ≥5 SIJ quadrants was seen in 136 (17.2%), 7 (0.9%) and 1 (0.1%) volunteers, respectively. In VC, BME≥1, ≥3 and ≥5 lesions were seen in 218 (27.5%), 38 (4.8%) and 6 (0.8%) volunteers, respectively, while FL≥1, ≥3 and ≥5 were seen in 645 (81.3%), 351 (44.3%) and 185 (23.3%) volunteers, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that BME and FL in VC were related to increasing age: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.72, and OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.27, per decade increase, respectively.ConclusionsIn this large population-based study, a high frequency of inflammatory and fatty MRI lesions suggestive of axSpA was found, especially in the spine. This indicates a limited value of such MRI findings for diagnosis and classification of axSpA. The increasing frequency with age suggests that mechanical factors could play a role.
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Braun J. Using combinations of biomarkers to understand inflammation and bone formation in axial spondyloarthritis – is anything better than CRP? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2019; 58:1517-1519. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Braun
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Ruhr University Bochum, Herne, Germany
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Ziade NR, Mallak I, Merheb G, Ghorra P, Baerlecken N, Witte T, Baraliakos X. Added Value of Anti-CD74 Autoantibodies in Axial SpondyloArthritis in a Population With Low HLA-B27 Prevalence. Front Immunol 2019; 10:574. [PMID: 30972069 PMCID: PMC6445325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is often diagnosed late due to the non-specific nature of its main symptom [chronic back pain (CBP)] and to the paucity of diagnostic markers, particularly in regions with low HLA-B27 prevalence, such as the Middle-East. We tested the performance of IgG4 and IgA anti-CD74 antibodies as an early diagnostic marker for axSpA, compared with the performance of HLA-B27, in Lebanon. Sera of axSpA patients diagnosed by the rheumatologist and also fulfilling the imaging arm of the ASAS criteria (patients) and of blood donors (BD) (controls) were analyzed for HLA-B27, IgG4 and IgA anti-CD74, blinded to clinical characteristics. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were constructed to identify an optimal cut-off point for anti-CD74 antibodies. Diagnostic properties were calculated (sensitivity, specificity, positive, and positive predictive values (PPV, NPV), Likelihood ratios) for each marker. Forty-nine axSpA patients and 102 BD were included in the final analysis. IgA anti-CD74 correlated poorly with axSpA (Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.657), whereas IgG4 anti-CD74 had a good discriminative value (AUC 0.837). Respectively, for HLA-B27, IgG4 anti-CD74, and the combination of both, we found a sensitivity of 33-92-33%, specificity of 96-79-98%, PPV 80-68-89%, NPV 75-95-75%, and LR+ 8.2-4.4-16.5. IgG4 anti-CD 74 were positive in 88% of HLA-B27 negative axSpA patients, and correlated with BASDAI. In this first study in a population with low HLA-B27 prevalence, IgG4 anti-CD74 antibodies combined with HLA-B27 showed higher diagnostic value than HLA-B27 alone for early axSpA. IgG4 anti-CD74 should be considered for further evaluation as an early axSpA diagnostic marker in future dedicated research, particularly in patients with CBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly R Ziade
- Department of Rheumatology, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Rheumatology, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Iyad Mallak
- Department of Radiology, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Merheb
- Department of Rheumatology, Holy Spirit University, Kaslik, Lebanon.,Department of Rheumatology, ND Secours Hospital, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Pierre Ghorra
- Blood Transfusion Center, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Torsten Witte
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Medical University, Hanover, Germany
| | - Xenofon Baraliakos
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany.,Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Sakkas LI, Tronzas P. The Greek (Hellenic) rheumatology over the years: from ancient to modern times. Rheumatol Int 2019; 39:947-955. [PMID: 30805680 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-019-04261-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatology has its roots in ancient Greece. Hippocrates and other prominent Greek (Hellenes) physicians in ancient times, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine period were acute observers of disease course and of patients and were able to define many disorders. They wrote books on various aspects of medicine and these writings were the basis of medical practice and education in Europe and the Arabic world well into the seventeenth century. In 1821, Greece emerged from a long occupation by the Turks. In 1930, Adamantiades, a Greek Ophthalmologist, before Behcet of Turkey, described what is known as (Adamantiades)-Behcet disease. The first scientific Hellenic Society for Rheumatology (ERE) was established in 1960 and today ERE having been merged with the Professional Union of Greek rheumatologists (EPERE) is known as ERE-EPERE. Rheumatology is a strong specialty with 348 rheumatologists for a population of around 11 million. Greek rheumatologists have contributed to rheumatology science and practice, and are active physicians participating in the American College of Rheumatology and the EULAR annual congresses and in many educational postgraduate courses. ERE-EPERE formed therapeutic protocols for inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases which were incorporated in the electronic National prescription system. Rheumatologists are authorized to use this platform to prescribe biologicals free of charge for patients. ERE-EPERE publishes a peer-reviewed English language journal, the Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology (MJR), an open access journal with no publication fees. MJR is a quarterly journal with international Editorial Board.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazaros I Sakkas
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly Biopolis, 41 110, Larissa, Greece.
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