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Cueto-Robledo G, Tovar-Benitez D, Alfaro-Cruz A, Gonzalez-Hermosillo LM. Systemic scleroderma: Review and updated approach and case description to addressing pulmonary arterial hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A dual challenge in treatment. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102404. [PMID: 38232920 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and scleroderma (SSc) are three interrelated medical conditions that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary hypertension, a condition marked by high blood pressure in the lungs, can lead to heart failure and other complications. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease characterised by scarring of lung tissue, can cause breathing difficulties and impaired oxygenation. Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease, can induce thickening and hardening of the skin and internal organs, including the lungs, leading to pulmonary fibrosis and hypertension. Currently, there is no cure for any of these conditions. However, early detection and proper management can improve the quality of life and prognosis of a patient. This review focusses on PH and IPF in patients with SSc, providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of these conditions, together with illustrative images. It also provides an overview of interrelated medical conditions: PH, IPF, and SSc. It emphasises the importance of early detection and proper management to improve patient quality of life and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Cueto-Robledo
- Cardiorespiratory emergencies, General Hospital of México, Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City 06720, Mexico; Pulmonary Circulation Clinic, Hospital General de México "Dr Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City 06720, Mexico; Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Diana Tovar-Benitez
- Department of Pneumology, Hospital General de Mexico 'Dr Eduardo Liceaga', Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Ana Alfaro-Cruz
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, General Hospital of Mexico "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Mexico City 06720, Mexico
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Luo F, Zhang Y, Wang P. Tofacitinib for the treatment of severe rare skin diseases: a narrative review. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2024; 80:481-492. [PMID: 38231227 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-024-03621-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autoimmune bullous diseases, connective tissue diseases, and vasculitis represent a group of severe rare skin diseases. While glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents serve as standard treatments for these diseases, their efficacy is limited due to adverse side effects, indicating the need for alternative approaches. Biologics have been used in the management of some rare skin diseases. However, the use of biologics is associated with concerns, such as infection risk and high costs, prompting the quest for efficacious and cost-effective alternatives. This study discusses the safety issues associated with tofacitinib and its potential in treating rare skin diseases. METHODS This narrative review focuses on the pharmacodynamic properties of tofacitinib and its impact on the JAK/STAT pathway. In addition, we present a comprehensive discussion of the effects and mechanism of action of tofacitinib for each severe rare skin disease. RESULTS This role of tofacitinib in treating severe rare skin diseases has been discussed, shedding light on its promising prospects as a treatment modality. Few reports of serious adverse events are available in patients treated with tofacitinib. CONCLUSION We explored the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety considerations of tofacitinib and found that it can be used as a treatment option for rare skin diseases. However, multicenter clinical studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Luo
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310000, China.
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Bermudez J, Habert P, Coiffard B. [The concept of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF)]. Rev Med Interne 2024:S0248-8663(24)00059-6. [PMID: 38433068 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a heterogeneous group of respiratory diseases often related to connective tissue diseases. Some patients will develop an ILD with autoimmune features without reaching the recommended criteria for autoimmune diseases. Their management is difficult because they have both features for idiopathic and connective tissue disease. To better identify these patients, the concept of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) has been created. The diagnosis relies on ILD without identified cause and the presence of at least one defined criterion among 2 of the 3 following domains: clinic, serologic, and morphologic. The mean age at diagnosis is 60, a sex ratio of 1/1, and depending on the authors close to 20% of patients with IPAF will develop a connective tissue disease according to the international criterion. Their prognosis is better than for patients with idiopathic ILD and with an average 5-year survival of 70%. Older age at diagnosis, a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia, and an impaired diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide have been identified as poor prognosis factors. The treatment relies on usual care for chronic respiratory diseases and is often associated with immunosuppressive and/or antifibrotic therapies. The objective of this classification is to better characterize these patients and improve their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bermudez
- Service de pneumologie, équipe de transplantation pulmonaire adulte, centre de compétences nationales des maladies pulmonaires rares, centre de compétences nationales de l'hypertension pulmonaire, CRCM adulte, hôpital Nord, CHU Nord, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, 15, chemin des Bourrely, 13015 Marseille, France; Inserm, centre de recherche en cardiovasculaire et nutrition (C2VN), Aix-Marseille université, Marseille, France.
| | - P Habert
- Service de radiologie cardiothoracique diagnostique et interventionnelle, hôpital Nord, Aix-Marseille université, AP-HM, Marseille, France; LIIE, Aix-Marseille université, Marseille, France
| | - B Coiffard
- Service de pneumologie, équipe de transplantation pulmonaire adulte, centre de compétences nationales des maladies pulmonaires rares, centre de compétences nationales de l'hypertension pulmonaire, CRCM adulte, hôpital Nord, CHU Nord, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, 15, chemin des Bourrely, 13015 Marseille, France; Inserm, centre de recherche en cardiovasculaire et nutrition (C2VN), Aix-Marseille université, Marseille, France
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Sandri G, Spinella A, Sartini S, Caselgrandi F, Schiavi M, Bettelli V, Gherardini F, Amati G, Lumetti F, Mascia MT, Secchi O, Giuggioli D. Assessing hand grasp in patients with systemic sclerosis using the 16-grasp test: Preliminary results from a multidisciplinary study group. J Hand Ther 2024:S0894-1130(23)00140-0. [PMID: 38342637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports on hand dysfunction and rehabilitation in SSc are quite scarce in the literature and mainly focus on functional assessment tools, such as the Duruoz Hand Index and the HAMIS test for evaluating hand mobility by simulating specific grasps with nine different objects. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY This study aimed to provide an adequate assessment methodology for hand grasp dysfunctions in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis (SSc) through the 16-grasp test. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. METHODS Ninety-seven consecutive SSc patients were recruited at our Scleroderma Unit, where a 16-grasp test was performed by all patients and supervised by an experienced hand therapist. Sixteen different patterns of grasp have been divided into power grasps and precision pinch and two more modalities: static and dynamic prehension evaluation on scale from 0 to 4. We also compared previous evaluations on 19 of patients recruited. RESULTS The majority of SSc patients (84 females and 13 males; mean age 56.0±12.0 years; mean disease duration 8.0±6.0 years) displayed grasp dysfunctions; in particular 48% and 54% reported slight difficulty in the right and left grasps respectively, 6% medium difficulty in both hands, and only 3% and 1% experienced severe difficulty respectively, while 31.5% had no issues in either hand. Our results showed that the limited cutaneous subset (lcSSc) scored a lower deficit for either grasp compared to diffuse form (dcSSc). No statistically significant differences in total grasp deficit had been noticed when comparing patients having a disease duration < 5 years or longer. In the retrospective study on 19 of these patients, 8 out of 10 lcSSc patients showed no significant changes, while in 2 out of 10, slight improvements were observed in both hands. However, in the dcSSc group, 4 out of 9 worsened bilaterally while the grasp scores for 5 of them remained unchanged. CONCLUSION Our study reported hand involvement in both lcSSc and dcSSc forms, more significantly in dcSSc patients. This test is intended to be a more objective means of assessing grasp alterations linked to scleroderma hand deformities. Furthermore, thanks to its intuitiveness, the test may be useful for engineers designing personalized ergonomic assistive devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Sandri
- Scleroderma Unit, Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Amelia Spinella
- Scleroderma Unit, Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvana Sartini
- Head of IOR-Argenta Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Rizzoli Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Caselgrandi
- Hand Rehabilitation Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Margherita Schiavi
- Department of Health Professions, Azienda USL - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Valentina Bettelli
- Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital of Modena, Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Gherardini
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Amati
- Scleroderma Unit, Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Lumetti
- Scleroderma Unit, Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Terasa Mascia
- Scleroderma Unit, Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Ottavio Secchi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- Scleroderma Unit, Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Gupta A, De Vera MA, Rebić N, Amiri N. Pre-pregnancy planning for female patients seen at a pregnancy and rheumatic diseases clinic: a retrospective analysis of patients with rheumatic diseases seeking pregnancy-related care. Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:283-289. [PMID: 37535072 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05398-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
To assess the clinical utility of pre-pregnancy planning among female patients with rheumatic diseases attending a targeted pregnancy and rheumatic diseases clinic. We conducted a retrospective review using data collected via chart review of female patients with rheumatic diseases seen at the Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases Clinic at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre in Vancouver, Canada, between January 2017 and July 2020. Patients were categorized according to an initial presentation at the clinic as (1) pregnant without pre-pregnancy planning; and (2) not pregnant with pre-pregnancy planning. The latter group was further categorized according to whether they had contraindications to pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Our study included 230 female patients with rheumatic diseases. At the initial clinical presentation, 86 were pregnant and 144 were planning to become pregnant and presenting for pre-pregnancy planning. Compared to patients without pre-pregnancy planning, patients who received pregnancy planning experienced fewer prenatal disease flares (61.3% [38/62] vs. 22.6% [7/31]; p < 0.001), fewer medication changes during pregnancy (46.4% [39/84] vs. 18.9% [10/53]; p = 0.002), and improved disease control in the first trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.018). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of adverse pregnancy or fetal outcomes between patients with and without pre-pregnancy planning. Evaluation of patient outcomes suggests that pre-pregnancy planning may support early assessment of high-risk pregnancy status; therein, allowing healthcare providers to identify and manage risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes among patients living with rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Gupta
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mary A De Vera
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nevena Rebić
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Neda Amiri
- Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Mary Pack Arthritis Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Felis-Giemza A, Matusiewicz A, Wajda A, Olesińska M. Safety of esthetic procedures in rheumatic patients: single-center survey of patients. Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:357-362. [PMID: 37847387 PMCID: PMC10796409 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05481-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The popularity of esthetic medicine is growing every year, also among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of esthetic medicine (AM) procedures in patients with AIRD. A semi-structured, anonymous questionnaire regarding rheumatic and concomitant diseases and AM procedures was distributed among adult patients hospitalized in the rheumatology department or attending outpatient clinic in the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, Warsaw. The main outcome was the occurrence of an adverse event. A number of 512 patients took part in the survey and 15 were excluded (AM procedure preceded the diagnosis of AIRD). The study group consisted of 497 patients, of whom 47 had undergone AM procedures. The procedures performed included: tattooing (22 patients), piercing (16 patients), hyaluronic acid (7 patients), botulinum toxin (5 patients) injections, laser procedures (6 patients), plastic surgery (4 patients), mesotherapy (3 patients) and others. The vast majority of patients had these performed during remission or low disease activity. 70.2% of patients received treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during the AM procedure, with TNF-alfa inhibitors being the most common (63.6%). Adverse events occurred in 15% of patients. All were mild and transient site reactions. Most patients would like to repeat the AM procedure in the future. The use of esthetic medicine procedures in patients with AIRD, including those treated with biologic DMARDs, was associated with a risk of mild site reactions. Most of the patients expressed satisfaction with the results of the AM procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Felis-Giemza
- Biologic Therapy Center, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Matusiewicz
- Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartańska 1, 02-637, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anna Wajda
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Olesińska
- Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartańska 1, 02-637, Warsaw, Poland
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Lercara A, Malattia C, Hysa E, Gattorno M, Cere A, Lavarello C, Vojinovic T, Gotelli E, Paolino S, Sulli A, Pizzorni C, Smith V, Cutolo M. Microvascular status in juvenile Sjögren's disease: the first nailfold videocapillaroscopy investigation. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:733-741. [PMID: 38190091 PMCID: PMC10834566 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06857-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Juvenile Sjögren's disease (jSjD) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by exocrine gland involvement and systemic manifestations, including small vessel vasculitis and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). We aimed to investigate the microvascular status in jSjD patients by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and the potential correlations with clinical and serological features. METHODS Clinical data from thirteen consecutive jSjD patients (11 females and 2 males), with a mean age of 16 ± 4 years, diagnosed before 16 years of age (mean age at diagnosis 12 ± 3) according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR criteria for adult SjD, were collected including age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data were collected, together with NVC examination. Non-specific and specific NVC parameters were investigated, such as capillary density, capillary dilations, giant capillaries, microhaemorrhages and abnormal shapes. Associations between NVC findings and clinical/serological features were explored and analysed using parametrical and non-parametrical tests. RESULTS Capillary density reduction correlated significantly with articular involvement (arthralgias) (p = 0.024). Microhaemorrhages correlated with lower C3 levels (p = 0.034). No specific NVC pattern for jSjD was identified, whereas abnormal capillary shapes were significantly higher in jSjD patients than HCs (p = 0.005). NVC abnormalities were not associated with SjD-specific instrumental tests (biopsy, imaging, Schirmer's test). RP was present in 8% of jSjD patients. CONCLUSIONS The reduction of capillary density, as well as microhaemorrhages at NVC analysis, are significantly associated with some clinical aspects like articular involvement and serum biomarkers (C3 reduction). The NVC is suggested as safe and further analysis in jSjD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Lercara
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Clara Malattia
- Clinica Pediatrica E Reumatologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetic and Maternal Infantile Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elvis Hysa
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Gattorno
- Clinica Pediatrica E Reumatologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- Autoinflammatory Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Cere
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Claudio Lavarello
- Clinica Pediatrica E Reumatologia, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Tamara Vojinovic
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Carmen Pizzorni
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, Inflammation Research Center, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132, Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.
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Albrecht K, Binder S, Minden K, Poddubnyy D, Regierer AC, Strangfeld A, Callhoff J. Systematic review to estimate the prevalence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases in Germany. Z Rheumatol 2024; 83:20-30. [PMID: 36749363 PMCID: PMC10879227 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-022-01302-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to update the prevalence estimates of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) in Germany. METHODS A systematic literature search in PubMed and Web of Science (last search 08 November 2022) identified original articles (regional and nationwide surveys and claims data analyses for arthritides, connective tissue diseases, and vasculitides) on prevalences for the period 2014-2022. Data sources, collection period, case definition, and risk of bias are reported. Prevalences were estimated from available national data, with consideration of international data. RESULTS Screening by two authors yielded 263 hits, of which 18 claims data analyses and 2 surveys met the inclusion criteria. Prevalences ranged from 0.42 to 1.85% (rheumatoid arthritis), 0.32-0.5% (ankylosing spondylitis), 0.11-0.32% (psoriatic arthritis), 0.037-0.14% (systemic lupus erythematosus), 0.07-0.77% (Sjögren's disease/sicca syndrome), 0.14-0.15% (polymyalgia rheumatica, ≥ 40 years), 0.04-0.05% (giant cell arteritis, ≥ 50 years), and 0.015-0.026% (ANCA-associated vasculitis). The risk of bias was moderate in 13 and high in 7 studies. Based on the results, we estimate the prevalence of IRD in Germany to be 2.2-3.0%, which corresponds to approximately 1.5-2.1 million affected individuals. The prevalence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis was reported to be around 0.10% (0.07-0.10%) of 0-18-year-olds, corresponding to about 14,000 children and adolescents in Germany. CONCLUSION This systematic review shows an increase in the prevalence of IRD in Germany, which is almost exclusively based on claims data analyses. In the absence of multistage population studies, the available data are, overall, uncertain sources for prevalence estimates, with a moderate to high risk of bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katinka Albrecht
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Binder
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Minden
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denis Poddubnyy
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne C Regierer
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Strangfeld
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johanna Callhoff
- Programme Area Epidemiology and Health Services Research, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Favoino E, Prete M, Liakouli V, Leone P, Sisto A, Navarini L, Vomero M, Ciccia F, Ruscitti P, Racanelli V, Giacomelli R, Perosa F. Idiopathic and connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Similarities, differences and the role of autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103514. [PMID: 38181859 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2024.103514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is hemodynamically characterized by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥ 20 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) > 2. PAH is classified in six clinical subgroups, including idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and PAH associated to connective tissue diseases (CTD-PAH), that will be the main object of this review. The aim is to compare these two PAH subgroups in terms of epidemiology, histological and pathogenic findings in an attempt to define disease-specific features, including autoimmunity, that may explain the heterogeneity of response to therapy between IPAH and CTD-PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Favoino
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marcella Prete
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Adriana Sisto
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Navarini
- Clinical and research section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Vomero
- Clinical and research section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento and Internal Medicine Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Clinical and research section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico, Via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy; Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Rome "Campus Biomedico", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Perosa
- Rheumatic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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10
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Jeon H, Nam BD, Yoon CH, Kim HS. Radiologic approach and progressive exploration of connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease: meeting the curiosity of rheumatologists. J Rheum Dis 2024; 31:3-14. [PMID: 38130961 PMCID: PMC10730800 DOI: 10.4078/jrd.2023.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is often observed in connective tissue diseases (CTDs), frequently in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, primary Sjögren's syndrome, and inflammatory myositis. Early detection of ILDs secondary to rheumatic diseases is important as timely initiation of proper management affects the prognosis. Among many imaging modalities, high-resuloution computed tomography (HRCT) serves the gold standard for finding early lung inflammatory and fibrotic changes as well as monitoring afterwards because of its superior spatial resolution. Additionally, lung ultrasound (LUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the rising free-radiation imaging tools that can get images of lungs of CTD-ILD. In this review article, we present the subtypes of ILD images found in each CTD acquired by HRCT as well as some images taken by LUS and MRI with comparative HRCT scans. It is expected that this discussion would be helpful in discussing recent advances in imaging modalities for CTD-ILD and raising critical points for diagnosis and tracing of the images from the perspective of rheumatologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeji Jeon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bo Da Nam
- Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chong-Hyeon Yoon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Sook Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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11
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Morais A, Duarte AC, Fernandes MO, Borba A, Ruano C, Marques ID, Calha J, Branco JC, Pereira JM, Salvador MJ, Bernardes M, Khmelinskii N, Pinto P, Pinto-Basto R, Freitas S, Campainha S, Alfaro T, Cordeiro A. Early detection of interstitial lung disease in rheumatic diseases: A joint statement from the Portuguese Pulmonology Society, the Portuguese Rheumatology Society, and the Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society. Pulmonology 2023:S2531-0437(23)00205-2. [PMID: 38148269 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interstitial lung disease (ILD) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in connective tissue disease (CTD). Early detection and accurate diagnosis are essential for informing treatment decisions and prognosis in this setting. Clear guidance on CTD-ILD screening, however, is lacking. OBJECTIVE To establish recommendations for CTD-ILD screening based on the current evidence. METHOD Following an extensive literature research and evaluation of articles selected for their recency and relevance to the characterization, screening, and management of CTD-ILD, an expert panel formed by six pulmonologists from the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, six rheumatologists from the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology, and six radiologists from the Portuguese Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine participated in a multidisciplinary discussion to produce a joint statement on screening recommendations for ILD in CTD. RESULTS The expert panel achieved consensus on when and how to screen for ILD in patients with systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren syndrome, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and systemic lupus erythematous. CONCLUSIONS Despite the lack of data on screening for CTD-ILD, an expert panel of pulmonologists, rheumatologists and radiologists agreed on a series of screening recommendations to support decision-making and enable early diagnosis of ILD to ultimately improve outcomes and prognosis in patients with CTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Morais
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital de São João, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular/Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Portuguese Pulmonology Society (SPP).
| | - A C Duarte
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Portugal; Portuguese Rheumatology Society (SPR)
| | - M O Fernandes
- Imaging Department, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal; Imaging Department, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Rheumatology Society (SPR); Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society (SPRMN)
| | - A Borba
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Pulmonology Society (SPP)
| | - C Ruano
- Imaging Department, Hospital de Santa Marta, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal; Imaging Department, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society (SPRMN)
| | - I D Marques
- Imaging Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society (SPRMN)
| | - J Calha
- Imaging Department, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal; Imaging Department, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society (SPRMN)
| | - J C Branco
- Imaging Department, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal; Imaging Department, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society (SPRMN)
| | - J M Pereira
- Imaging Department, Hospital de São João, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Portugal; Imaging Department, Unilabs Portugal, Porto, Portugal; Portuguese Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Society (SPRMN)
| | - M J Salvador
- Rheumatology Department Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Portuguese Rheumatology Society (SPR)
| | - M Bernardes
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - N Khmelinskii
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Portugal; Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon Academic Medical Centre, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Rheumatology Society (SPR)
| | - P Pinto
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/ Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Portuguese Rheumatology Society (SPR)
| | - R Pinto-Basto
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital Pulido Valente, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal; Portuguese Pulmonology Society (SPP)
| | - S Freitas
- Pulmonology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Portuguese Pulmonology Society (SPP)
| | - S Campainha
- Pulmonology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Portuguese Pulmonology Society (SPP)
| | - T Alfaro
- Pulmonology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Portuguese Pulmonology Society (SPP)
| | - A Cordeiro
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Portugal; Portuguese Rheumatology Society (SPR)
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12
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Haran C, Ghafouri K, Xu W, Hayes I, Stiles M, Khashram M. Prevalence of Genetically Triggered Aortopathy in Acute Aortic Syndrome in Aotearoa New Zealand. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2023; 66:879-880. [PMID: 37714295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheyaanthan Haran
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Vascular Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. https://twitter.com/CheyHaran
| | - Khashayar Ghafouri
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William Xu
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ian Hayes
- Genetic Health Service New Zealand - Northern Hub, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Martin Stiles
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Cardiology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Manar Khashram
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Vascular Surgery, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
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13
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Azzam M, Awad A, Abugharbyeh A, Kahaleh B. Myocarditis in connective tissue diseases: an often-overlooked clinical manifestation. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1983-1992. [PMID: 37587233 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05428-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
To discuss what is currently known about myocarditis in the context of major connective tissue diseases, including Systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren, Dermato-myositis and Polymyositis, Systemic Sclerosis, and Mixed connective tissue disease. Variability exists between studies regarding the incidence of myocarditis in connective tissue diseases, which is hypothesized to be the result of its subclinical course in most cases. Extensive gaps of knowledge exist in the field of pathophysiology. Although endomyocardial biopsy remains to be the gold standard for diagnosis, the advancement in non-invasive modalities such as cardiac MRI, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine has allowed for earlier and more frequent detection of myocarditis. A lack of treatment guidelines was found across the different connective tissue diseases. Most of the literature available revolved around myocarditis in the context of Systemic lupus erythematosus. Numerous recent studies were published that contributed to advancements in diagnosis and treatment however, there remains a lack of diagnostic and treatment guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muayad Azzam
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
| | - Amro Awad
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Aya Abugharbyeh
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, USA
| | - Bashar Kahaleh
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, USA
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14
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Albrecht K, Binder S, Minden K, Poddubnyy D, Regierer AC, Strangfeld A, Callhoff J. [Systematic review to estimate the prevalence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases in Germany. German version]. Z Rheumatol 2023; 82:727-738. [PMID: 36592211 PMCID: PMC10627889 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-022-01305-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To update the estimated prevalence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) in Germany. METHODS A systematic literature search in PubMed and Web of Science (last search 8 November 2022) identified original articles (regional and nationwide surveys and routine data analyses for arthritides, connective tissue diseases, and vasculitides) on the prevalence for the period 2014-2022. Data sources, collection period, case definition, and risk of bias are reported. The prevalences were estimated from available national data, with consideration of international data. RESULTS Screening by 2 authors yielded 263 hits, of which 18 routine data analyses and 2 surveys met the inclusion criteria. Prevalence data ranged from 0.42% to 1.85% (rheumatoid arthritis), 0.32-0.5% (ankylosing spondylitis), 0.11-0.32% (psoriatic arthritis), 0.037-0.14% (systemic lupus erythematosus), 0.07-0.77% (Sjoegren's disease/sicca syndrome), 0.14-0.15% (polymyalgia rheumatica, ≥ 40 years), 0.04-0.05% (giant cell arteritis, ≥ 50 years), and 0.015-0.026% (ANCA-associated vasculitis). The risk of bias was moderate in 13 and high in 7 studies. Based on the results, we estimate the prevalence of IRD in Germany to be 2.2-3.0%, which corresponds to approximately 1.5-2.1 million affected individuals. Prevalence data of juvenile idiopathic arthritis was reported to be around 0.10% (0.07-0.10%) of patients 0-18 years old, corresponding to about 14,000 children and adolescents in Germany. CONCLUSION This systematic review shows an increase in the prevalence of IRD in Germany, which is almost exclusively based on routine data analyses. In the absence of multistage population studies, the available data are overall uncertain sources for prevalence estimates at moderate to high risk of bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katinka Albrecht
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
| | - Sebastian Binder
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Kirsten Minden
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
- Klinik für Pädiatrie mit SP Pneumologie, Immunologie und Intensivmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Denis Poddubnyy
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
- Rheumatologie am Campus Benjamin Franklin - Medizinische Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Infektiologie und Rheumatologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Anne C Regierer
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Anja Strangfeld
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Johanna Callhoff
- Programmbereich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
- Institut für Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsökonomie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
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15
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Farhani S, Hayaatul Najaa M, Hu SE. An eight-year old girl with fever and rash: What is the possible diagnosis? Malays Fam Physician 2023; 18:55. [PMID: 38026578 PMCID: PMC10664757 DOI: 10.51866/tyk.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
In this clinical challenge, we describe the case of a previously healthy 8-year-old girl who presented to a primary care clinic with fever, reduced oral intake and malaise on day 3 of her illness. Clinical examination revealed that she was tachypnoeic and tachycardic. An erythematous rash was found across the bridge of her nose and cheeks, and several painless ulcers were noted in the oral cavity. Blood investigation showed thrombocytopenia, while urinalysis revealed microscopic haematuria and proteinuria. Useful initial diagnostic imaging studies were discussed, including bedside ultrasound in the ambulatory care setting. It is imperative that primary care providers be vigilant when encountering cases like this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samat Farhani
- MD, MMed, Tanjung Karang Health Clinic, Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Miptah Hayaatul Najaa
- MBBCh BAO, MMed, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selayang Campus, Jalan Prima Selayang 7, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Su Eng Hu
- MBBS, Lanang Health Clinic, Lor Lanang Barat 7, Pekan Sibu, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
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16
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Barešić M, Novak S, Perković D, Karanović B, Mirić F, Radić M, Anić B. Real world experience with nintedanib in connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease: a retrospective cohort study. Clin Rheumatol 2023; 42:2897-2903. [PMID: 37393200 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06689-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Various connective tissue diseases tend to affect specific organs, lungs being the organ with the most serious repercussions and consequences. The diagnosis of interstitial lung disease makes the treatment more difficult and worsens long-term prognosis and overall survival. Positive results from the registration studies of nintedanib led to approval of the drug for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases in connective tissue diseases. After registration, real-world data on the use of nintedanib are being collected in everyday clinical practise. The objective of the study was to collect and analyse real world experience gathered after the registration of nintedanib for the treatment of CTD-ILD and to show if the positive results collected from a homogeneous and "representative" study population can be applied to everyday clinical practice. We are presenting a retrospective observational case-series study of patients treated with nintedanib from the three largest Croatian centers specialised in the treatment of connective tissue diseases with interstitial lung diseases. Stabilisation or improved of lung function tests was reported in 68% of patients when changes in predicted FVC were observed and in 72% of patients when changes in DLco were analysed. Almost all of the reported patients (98%) were treated with nintedanib as an add-on drug to immunosuppressants. The most common side-effects were gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormal liver function tests in less extent. Our real-world data confirm the tolerability, efficacy and similar side-effects of nintedanib as reported in pivotal trials. Key Points • Interstitial lung disease is a common manifestation of several connective tissue diseases and its progressive fibrosing phenotype contributes to high mortality rate and many unmet needs regarding the treatment remain. • Registration studies of nintedanib obtained sufficient data and positive results to support approval of the drug. • Real-world evidence from our CTD-ILD centres confirm the clinical trial data regarding efficacy, tolerability and safety of nintedanib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Barešić
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Srđan Novak
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Dijana Perković
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Split, School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Boris Karanović
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Filip Mirić
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Mislav Radić
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Split, School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Branimir Anić
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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17
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Drumez E, Richez C, Bebear L, Herasse M, Flipo RM, Marotte H, Georgin-Lavialle S, Seror R, Pertuiset E, Avouac J, Chazerain P, Roux N, Pham T, Dernis E, Uzunhan Y, Servettaz A, El Mahou S, Cacoub P, Hamidou M, Fautrel B, Thomas T, Hachulla E. Comparing COVID-19 disease severity in patients with rheumatic and inflammatory diseases between the first and the subsequent waves. Joint Bone Spine 2023; 90:105605. [PMID: 37399939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2023.105605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Drumez
- Department of Biostatistics, CHU of Lille, Lille, Hauts-de-France, France
| | - Christophe Richez
- CNRS, ImmunoConcEpT, UMR 5164, Department of Rheumatology, University of Bordeaux, CHU of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Louis Bebear
- Department of Rheumatology, CHU of Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Muriel Herasse
- Filière des maladies auto-immunes et auto-inflammatoires rares, hôpital Huriez, centre hospitalier universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
| | - René-Marc Flipo
- Service de rhumatologie, université de Lille, CHU de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Hubert Marotte
- Inserm, SAINBIOSE U1059, service de rhumatologie, Mines Saint-Étienne, université Jean-Monnet Saint-Étienne, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42023 Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Sophie Georgin-Lavialle
- Internal Medicine Department, Tenon Hospital, Sorbonne University, AP-HP, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; National Reference Center for Autoinflammatory Diseases and AA Amyloidosis (CEREMAIA), Tenon Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Raphaèle Seror
- Inserm UMR 1184, service de rhumatologie, Centre de référence des maladies auto-immunes systémiques rares, hôpital Bicêtre, université Paris-Saclay, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Edouard Pertuiset
- Service de rhumatologie, centre hospitalier René-Dubos, Pontoise, France
| | - Jérôme Avouac
- Service de rhumatologie, hôpital Cochin, centre université de Paris Cité, université de Paris, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Chazerain
- Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Department, Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses Croix Saint-Simon, 75020 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Roux
- Rheumatology department, Hôpitaux Privés de Metz - Hôpital Robert-Schuman, Metz, France
| | - Thao Pham
- Department of Rheumatology, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, AP-HM, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Dernis
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, General Hospital, Le Mans, France
| | - Yurdagul Uzunhan
- Inserm UMR 1272, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Hôpital Avicenne, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | - Amélie Servettaz
- Service de médecine interne, maladies infectieuses et immunologie clinique, hôpital Robert-Debré, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Soumaya El Mahou
- Service de rhumatologie, centre hospitalier de Dron, 59200 Tourcoing, France
| | - Patrice Cacoub
- UMR 959, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-Immunes Systémiques Rares, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mohamed Hamidou
- Service de médecine interne, PHU3, centre hospitalier universitaire de Nantes - Hôtel-Dieu, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Fautrel
- Inserm UMRS 1136, département de rhumatologie, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut Pierre-Louis d'épidémiologie et de santé publique, Sorbonne université, AP-HP, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Thierry Thomas
- Inserm, SAINBIOSE U1059, service de rhumatologie, université Jean-Monnet Saint-Étienne, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42023 Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Eric Hachulla
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical immunology, Referral Centre for Rare Systemic Auto-immune Diseases North and North-West of France, Lille University School of Medicine, Lille, France
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18
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Resende ABL, Monteiro GP, Ramos CC, Lopes GS, Broekman LA, De Souza JM. Integrating the autoimmune connective tissue diseases for the medical student: A classification proposal based on pathogenesis and clinical phenotype. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16935. [PMID: 37484370 PMCID: PMC10361038 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
It is hard for medical students to recognize and understand the clinical presentation of systemic connective tissue diseases (SCTDs). In this study, we aimed to review the immune mechanisms of the main SCTDs and to propose a classification system focused on the student and based on each immune dysfunction's clinical phenotype. The search involved the MEDLINE database and included the terms "systemic lupus erythematosus," "antiphospholipid syndrome," "inflammatory myopathies," "rheumatoid arthritis," "Sjögren's syndrome" or "systemic sclerosis" and "pathogenesis," and "immunology" or "mechanism of disease." Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic immune-complex disease with a tendency toward vascular injury. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a diffuse immune-mediated thrombotic vasculopathy. In inflammatory myopathies (IMs), muscle inflammation leading to muscle weakness is the cardinal manifestation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a unique form of erosive and destructive polyarthritis. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) causes sicca symptoms due to infiltration of the exocrine glands. Disseminated fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is caused by vascular injury with excessive fibroblast activation. After the review, we created a focus group involving all the authors to group the diseases according to their pathogenesis and clinical phenotype. Our group agreed that SCTDs can be divided in 3 groups based on the preferential clinical presentation and immune dysfunction: 1) vasculopathic features (SLE and APS), 2) tissue inflammation (IMs, RA, and SS), and 3) tissue fibrosis (SSc). In synthesis, we suggest that clustering SCTDs in groups based on clinical phenotype and presumptive immune dysfunction instead of ordering autoantibodies randomly can help students understand the diseases.
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19
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Berger SG, Witczak BN, Reiseter S, Schwartz T, Andersson H, Hetlevik SO, Berntsen KS, Sanner H, Lilleby V, Gunnarsson R, Molberg Ø, Sjaastad I, Stokke MK. Cardiac dysfunction in mixed connective tissue disease: a nationwide observational study. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1055-1065. [PMID: 36933069 PMCID: PMC10126085 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05308-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to identify cardiac function in patients with established mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). This was a cross-sectional case-control study of well-characterised MCTD patients who had previously been included in a nationwide cohort. Assessments comprised protocol transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiogram and blood samples. In patients only, we evaluated the findings of high-resolution pulmonary computed tomography and disease activity. We assessed 77 MCTD patients (mean age 50.5 ± 12.3 years) with a mean disease duration of 16.4 years, and 59 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (49.9 ± 11.7 years). By echocardiography, measures of left ventricular function, i.e. fractional shortening (38.1 ± 6.4% vs. 42.3 ± 6.6%, p < 0.001), mitral annulus plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) (13.7 ± 2.1 mm vs. 15.3 ± 2.3 mm, p < 0.001) and early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (e') (0.09 ± 0.02 m/s vs. 0.11 ± 0.03 m/s, p = 0.002) were subclinical and lower in patients than controls. Right ventricular dysfunction was found in patients assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (22.7 ± 4.0 mm vs. 25.5 ± 4.0 mm, p < 0.001). While cardiac dysfunction was not associated with pulmonary disease, e' and TAPSE were found to correlate with disease activity at baseline. In this cohort of MCTD patients, echocardiographic examinations demonstrated a higher frequency of cardiac dysfunction than in matched controls. Cardiac dysfunction was associated with disease activity at baseline, but was independent of cardiovascular risk factors and pulmonary disease. Our study indicates that cardiac dysfunction is part of the multi-organ affliction seen in MCTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Girmai Berger
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, K. G. Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, University of Oslo, PB 4956 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Acute Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgit Nomeland Witczak
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, K. G. Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, University of Oslo, PB 4956 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Thomas Schwartz
- Oslo New University College, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helena Andersson
- Department of Rheumatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Helga Sanner
- Department of Rheumatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Oslo New University College, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vibke Lilleby
- Department of Rheumatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Øyvind Molberg
- Department of Rheumatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ivar Sjaastad
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, K. G. Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, University of Oslo, PB 4956 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mathis Korseberg Stokke
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, K. G. Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, University of Oslo, PB 4956 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
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20
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Albrecht K, Strangfeld A. [Gender-specific differences in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases]. Inn Med (Heidelb) 2023. [PMID: 36877237 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01484-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gender differences in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases are increasingly being researched with the aim of optimizing treatment strategies and improving individual treatment success. METHODS This paper summarizes the existing literature for gender differences in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. RESULTS Many, but not all, inflammatory rheumatic diseases occur more frequently in women than in men. Women more often have a longer duration of symptoms until diagnosis than men, which may be due to different clinical and radiological presentations. Across diseases, women more often have lower remission and treatment response rates to antirheumatic medication compared to men. Discontinuation rates are also higher in women than in men. Whether women are more likely to develop anti-drug antibodies to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is still unclear. For Janus kinase inhibitors, there is no evidence of differential treatment response to date. CONCLUSION Whether individual dosing regimens and gender-adapted remission criteria are also required in rheumatology cannot be deduced from the evidence available to date.
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21
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Abstract
Nailfold capillaroscopy is a safe and well-established method for the assessment of structural alterations of the microcirculation. It is a crucial tool in the investigation and monitoring of patients presenting with Raynaud's phenomenon. Detection of the characteristic "scleroderma pattern" on capillaroscopy may indicate an underlying rheumatic disease, particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc). Herein, we highlight the practical aspects of videocapillaroscopy, including image acquisition and analysis, with mention of dermoscopy. Special emphasis is placed on standardized use of terminology to describe capillary characteristics. Systematic evaluation of images in discerning the normal from the abnormal using the validated European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Study Group consensus reporting framework is paramount. In addition to the relevance of capillaroscopy in the (very) early diagnosis of SSc, its emerging predictive value (especially capillary loss) for new organ involvement and disease progression is underscored. We further provide capillaroscopic findings in selected other rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Claudia Ickinger
- Division of Rheumatology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Elvis Hysa
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy - IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcus Snow
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tracy Frech
- Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy - IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy - IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
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22
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Huang WC, Hsieh SC, Wu YW, Hsieh TY, Wu YJ, Li KJ, Charng MJ, Chen WS, Sung SH, Tsao YP, Ho WJ, Lai CC, Cheng CC, Tsai HC, Hsu CH, Lu CH, Chiu YW, Shen CY, Wu CH, Liu FC, Lin YH, Yeh FC, Liu WS, Lee HT, Wu SH, Chang CC, Chu CY, Hou CJY, Tsai CY. 2023 Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and Taiwan College of Rheumatology (TCR) Joint Consensus on Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Acta Cardiol Sin 2023; 39:213-241. [PMID: 36911549 PMCID: PMC9999177 DOI: 10.6515/acs.202303_39(2).20230117a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), defined as the presence of a mean pulmonary artery pressure > 20 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure ≤ 15 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) > 2 Wood units based on expert consensus, is characterized by a progressive and sustained increase in PVR, which may lead to right heart failure and death. PAH is a well-known complication of connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, and other autoimmune conditions. In the past few years, tremendous progress in the understanding of PAH pathogenesis has been made, with various novel diagnostic and screening methods for the early detection of PAH proposed worldwide. Objectives This study aimed to obtain a comprehensive understanding and provide recommendations for the management of CTD-PAH in Taiwan, focusing on its clinical importance, prognosis, risk stratification, diagnostic and screening algorithm, and pharmacological treatment. Methods The members of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and Taiwan College of Rheumatology (TCR) reviewed the related literature thoroughly and integrated clinical trial evidence and real-world clinical experience for the development of this consensus. Conclusions Early detection by regularly screening at-risk patients with incorporations of relevant autoantibodies and biomarkers may lead to better outcomes of CTD-PAH. This consensus proposed specific screening flowcharts for different types of CTDs, the risk assessment tools applicable to the clinical scenario in Taiwan, and a recommendation of medications in the management of CTD-PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chun Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung.,School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei.,Department of Physical Therapy, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung
| | - Song-Chou Hsieh
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
| | - Yen-Wen Wu
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei.,Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medical Center, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan
| | - Tsu-Yi Hsieh
- Attending Physician of Division of Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine.,Director of Division of Clinical Training, Department of Medical Education, Taichung Veterans General Hospital.,Program of Business, College of Business, Feng Chia University, Taichung
| | - Yih-Jer Wu
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City
| | - Ko-Jen Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital.,National Taiwan University, College of Medicine
| | - Min-Ji Charng
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei.,Division of Cardiology
| | - Wei-Sheng Chen
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei.,Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology
| | - Shih-Hsien Sung
- Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital.,Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Yen-Po Tsao
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology.,Institutes of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei
| | - Wan-Jing Ho
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan
| | - Chien-Chih Lai
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei.,Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology
| | - Chin-Chang Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pingtung Veteran General Hospital, Pingtung
| | - Hung-Cheng Tsai
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei.,Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology
| | - Chih-Hsin Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
| | - Cheng-Hsun Lu
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei
| | - Yu-Wei Chiu
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medical Center, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan
| | - Chieh-Yu Shen
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.,National Taiwan University, College of Medicine.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei
| | - Chun-Hsien Wu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine
| | - Feng-Cheng Liu
- Division of Rheumatology/Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine.,Department of General Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center
| | - Yen-Hung Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine.,Cardiovascular Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
| | - Fu-Chiang Yeh
- Division of Rheumatology/Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine
| | - Wei-Shin Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien
| | - Hui-Ting Lee
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City
| | - Shu-Hao Wu
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City
| | - Chi-Ching Chang
- Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University.,Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei
| | - Chun-Yuan Chu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.,Faculty of Medicine.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung
| | - Charles Jia-Yin Hou
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei.,MacKay Medical College
| | - Chang-Youh Tsai
- Division of Immunology & Rheumatology, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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23
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Kuwana M, Bando M, Kawahito Y, Sato S, Suda T, Kondoh Y. Identification and management of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease: evidence-based Japanese consensus statements. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:71-80. [PMID: 36786105 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2176303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of connective tissue diseases (CTD), but there are few clinical trials to guide disease management. We aimed to develop expert consensus statements and an algorithm for CTD-ILD management. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Based on a targeted literature review, we developed 109 statements on managing CTD-ILD across six domains. We used a modified Delphi process to survey 22 physicians in Japan involved in managing CTD-ILD (specialists in pulmonology, rheumatology, pathology, and radiology). These panelists participated in two rounds of web-based survey to establish consensus statements, which were used to define an algorithm. Consensus was defined as a mean value ≥70 on a scale of 0 (strong disagreement) to 100 (strong agreement). RESULTS Between May-August 2022, consensus was reached on 93 statements on CTD-ILD management. The most important consensus statements included screening CTD patients for ILD (typically with high-resolution computed tomography), using imaging, pulmonary function testing and serum biomarkers for diagnosis and severity assessment, regularly following up patients, and multidisciplinary management of CTD-ILD. Consensus statements were interpreted into an algorithm for clinical guidance. CONCLUSIONS Using the Delphi process, we have developed consensus statements and an algorithm to guide clinical decision-making for CTD-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Bando
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawahito
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shinji Sato
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Takafumi Suda
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kondoh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Tosei General Hospital, Seto, Japan
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24
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Rahaghi FF, Hsu VM, Kaner RJ, Mayes MD, Rosas IO, Saggar R, Steen VD, Strek ME, Bernstein EJ, Bhatt N, Castelino FV, Chung L, Domsic RT, Flaherty KR, Gupta N, Kahaleh B, Martinez FJ, Morrow LE, Moua T, Patel N, Shlobin OA, Southern BD, Volkmann ER, Khanna D. Expert consensus on the management of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Respir Res 2023; 24:6. [PMID: 36624431 PMCID: PMC9830797 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02292-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, complex, connective tissue disorder. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in SSc, occurring in 35-52% of patients and accounting for 20-40% of mortality. Evolution of therapeutic options has resulted in a lack of consensus on how to manage this condition. This Delphi study was initiated to develop consensus recommendations based on expert physician insights regarding screening, progression, treatment criteria, monitoring of response, and the role of recent therapeutic advances with antifibrotics and immunosuppressants in patients with SSc-ILD. METHODS A modified Delphi process was completed by pulmonologists (n = 13) and rheumatologists (n = 12) with expertise in the management of patients with SSc-ILD. Panelists rated their agreement with each statement on a Likert scale from - 5 (complete disagreement) to + 5 (complete agreement). Consensus was predefined as a mean Likert scale score of ≤ - 2.5 or ≥ + 2.5 with a standard deviation not crossing zero. RESULTS Panelists recommended that all patients with SSc be screened for ILD by chest auscultation, spirometry with diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and/or autoantibody testing. Treatment decisions were influenced by baseline and changes in pulmonary function tests, extent of ILD on HRCT, duration and degree of dyspnea, presence of pulmonary hypertension, and potential contribution of reflux. Treatment success was defined as stabilization or improvement of signs or symptoms of ILD and functional status. Mycophenolate mofetil was identified as the initial treatment of choice. Experts considered nintedanib a therapeutic option in patients with progressive fibrotic ILD despite immunosuppressive therapy or patients contraindicated/unable to tolerate immunotherapy. Concomitant use of nintedanib with MMF/cyclophosphamide can be considered in patients with advanced disease at initial presentation, aggressive ILD, or significant disease progression. Although limited consensus was achieved on the use of tocilizumab, the experts considered it a therapeutic option for patients with early SSc and ILD with elevated acute-phase reactants. CONCLUSIONS This modified Delphi study generated consensus recommendations for management of patients with SSc-ILD in a real-world setting. Findings from this study provide a management algorithm that will be helpful for treating patients with SSc-ILD and addresses a significant unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck F. Rahaghi
- grid.418628.10000 0004 0481 997XRespiratory Center, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd, Weston, FL 33331 USA
| | | | - Robert J. Kaner
- grid.5386.8000000041936877XWeill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Maureen D. Mayes
- grid.267308.80000 0000 9206 2401University of Texas, Houston, TX USA
| | - Ivan O. Rosas
- grid.62560.370000 0004 0378 8294Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Rajan Saggar
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Virginia D. Steen
- grid.213910.80000 0001 1955 1644Georgetown University, Washington, D.C USA
| | - Mary E. Strek
- grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Elana J. Bernstein
- grid.239585.00000 0001 2285 2675Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Nitin Bhatt
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
| | | | - Lorinda Chung
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Stanford University School of Medicine and Palo Alto VA Health Care System, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Robyn T. Domsic
- grid.412689.00000 0001 0650 7433University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Kevin R. Flaherty
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370University of Michigan Scleroderma Clinic, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 USA
| | - Nishant Gupta
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Bashar Kahaleh
- grid.411726.70000 0004 0628 5895University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH USA
| | | | - Lee E. Morrow
- grid.254748.80000 0004 1936 8876Creighton University, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Teng Moua
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XMayo Clinic, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Nina Patel
- grid.239585.00000 0001 2285 2675Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA ,grid.418412.a0000 0001 1312 9717Present Address: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Oksana A. Shlobin
- grid.417781.c0000 0000 9825 3727Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA USA
| | | | - Elizabeth R. Volkmann
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370University of Michigan Scleroderma Clinic, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 USA
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25
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Ferrara D, Tomà P, Diplomatico M, D'Onofrio V, Errico ME, D'Auria D, Zeccolini M, Esposito F. Midsternal bump: an infrequent localization of dermoid cysts. J Ultrasound 2022; 25:725-727. [PMID: 34510388 PMCID: PMC9402845 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-021-00607-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A 5-month-old boy was evaluated for an unusually large presternal bump present since birth. The ultrasound examination revealed a well-defined soft tissue mass with an oval shape. The lesion demonstrated a regular and well-demarcated outline, with an upper margin that was thinned and inserted into the upper skin plane; the content was anechoic with a small echogenic formation, mobile with changes in the patient's decubitus. The histologic diagnosis was dermoid cyst. Although dermoid cysts are commonly seen in the midline, the midsternal location, found in our patient, is rare. Dermoid cysts can have ultrasonographic features similar to those of other subcutaneous cystic masses. However, if an anechoic cyst with an internal well-circumscribed echogenic ball-like formation is seen within the presternal subcutaneous fat layer, as in our patient, dermoid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous cystic masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Ferrara
- Department of Radiology, "AORN Santobono Pausilipon", Pediatric Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Tomà
- Imaging Department, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Diplomatico
- Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, "San Giuseppe Moscati" Hospital, Avellino, Italy
| | - Vittoria D'Onofrio
- Department of Pathology, "AORN Santobono Pausilipon", Pediatric Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Errico
- Department of Pathology, "AORN Santobono Pausilipon", Pediatric Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Divina D'Auria
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, "Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - Massimo Zeccolini
- Department of Radiology, "AORN Santobono Pausilipon", Pediatric Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Department of Radiology, "AORN Santobono Pausilipon", Pediatric Hospital, Naples, Italy
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Maher TM, Bourdin A, Volkmann ER, Vettori S, Distler JHW, Alves M, Stock C, Distler O. Decline in forced vital capacity in subjects with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease in the SENSCIS trial compared with healthy reference subjects. Respir Res 2022; 23:178. [PMID: 35790961 PMCID: PMC9258095 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02095-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The forced vital capacity (FVC) of healthy individuals depends on their age, sex, ethnicity and height. Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is characterised by loss of FVC. We compared FVC values in the subjects with SSc-ILD in the SENSCIS trial of nintedanib versus placebo with values from hypothetical matched healthy references. METHODS The SENSCIS trial enrolled subjects with SSc with first non-Raynaud symptom in the prior ≤ 7 years, extent of fibrotic ILD on HRCT ≥ 10%, and FVC ≥ 40% predicted. FVC at baseline and decline in FVC over 52 weeks were compared with FVC values in hypothetical healthy reference subjects matched 1:1 to the subjects in the trial for age, sex, ethnicity and height, determined using equations published by the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Function Initiative. RESULTS At baseline, mean (SD) FVC was 2460 (737) mL in the nintedanib group (n = 287) compared with 3403 (787) mL in the hypothetical matched healthy references. Mean (SD) FVC was 2544 (817) mL in the placebo group (n = 286) compared with 3516 (887) mL in the hypothetical matched healthy references. Mean (SE) changes in FVC at week 52, i.e., age-related loss of lung function, in the hypothetical healthy references matched to the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively, were - 26.3 (0.5) mL and - 25.8 (0.5) mL. The difference in the change in FVC at week 52 between the nintedanib group and the hypothetical healthy references was 26.6 mL (95% CI: 1.2, 52.0; p = 0.04). The difference in the change in FVC at week 52 between the placebo group and the hypothetical healthy references was 77.5 mL (95% CI: 51.4, 103.7; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with SSc-ILD in the SENSCIS trial had impaired lung function at baseline and experienced further deterioration over 52 weeks. The decline in FVC in the placebo group was four-fold greater than in a hypothetical group of matched healthy references, whereas the decline in FVC in patients who received nintedanib was two-fold greater than in hypothetical healthy references. These data highlight the clinical relevance of the slowing of FVC decline provided by nintedanib. Trial registration Registered 5 November 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02597933 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby M Maher
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK.
| | - Arnaud Bourdin
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM U1046, CNRS, UMR 9214, Montpellier, France.,Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Elizabeth R Volkmann
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Serena Vettori
- UOC Di Fisiopatologia E Riabilitazione Respiratoria, Ospedale Monaldi, Naples, Italy
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Margarida Alves
- TA Inflammation Med, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Christian Stock
- Global Biostatistics and Data Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelheim Am Rhein, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dry eye disease (DED) is arguably the most frequent ocular disease encountered in ophthalmic clinical practice. DED is frequently an underestimated condition causing a significant impact on visual function and quality of life. Many systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) are related to moderate to severe DED. The main objective of this review is to enhance the awareness among ophthalmologists of the potential association of an underlying SAID in a high-risk patient with DED. METHODS An exhaustive literature search was performed in the National Library of Medicine's Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for all English language articles published until November 2021. The main keywords included "dry eye disease" associated with autoimmune, connective tissue, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, vascular, and pulmonary diseases. Case reports, series, letters to the editor, reviews, and original articles were included. RESULTS Although DED is frequently associated with SAIDs, its diagnosis is commonly delayed or missed, producing significant complications, including corneal ulceration, melting, scleritis, uveitis, and optic neuritis resulting in severe complications detrimental to visual function and quality of life. SAID should be suspected in a woman, 30 to 60 years old with a family history of autoimmunity, presenting with DED symptoms and extraocular manifestations including arthralgias, dry mouth, unexplained weight and hair loss, chronic fatigue, heat or cold intolerance, insomnia, and mood disorders. CONCLUSIONS Establishing the correct diagnosis and treatment of DED associated with SAIDs is crucial to avoid its significant burden and severe ocular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Bustamante-Arias
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Raul E Ruiz Lozano
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Rodriguez-Garcia
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Monterrey, Mexico
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De Zorzi E, Spagnolo P, Cocconcelli E, Balestro E, Iaccarino L, Gatto M, Benvenuti F, Bernardinello N, Doria A, Maher TM, Zanatta E. Thoracic Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: Pathogenesis and Management. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2022; 63:472-489. [PMID: 35303257 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-022-08926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Thoracic involvement is one of the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), with different prevalence and manifestations according to the underlying disease. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common pulmonary complication, particularly in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Other thoracic manifestations include pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mostly in patients with SSc, airway disease, mainly in RA, and pleural involvement, which is common in systemic lupus erythematosus and RA, but rare in other ARDs.In this review, we summarize and critically discuss the current knowledge on thoracic involvement in ARDs, with emphasis on disease pathogenesis and management. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of therapy, particularly for ARDs-ILD, but it should be reserved to patients with clinically significant disease or at risk of progressive disease. Therefore, a thorough, multidisciplinary assessment to determine disease activity and degree of impairment is required to optimize patient management. Nevertheless, the management of thoracic involvement-particularly ILD-is challenging due to the heterogeneity of disease pathogenesis, the variety of patterns of interstitial pneumonia and the paucity of randomized controlled clinical trials of pharmacological intervention. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis of these conditions, which in turn is instrumental to the development of more efficacious therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena De Zorzi
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Spagnolo
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Cocconcelli
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Balestro
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Iaccarino
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Mariele Gatto
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Nicol Bernardinello
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Doria
- Department of Medicine-DIMED, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Toby M Maher
- Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, Los Angeles California, USA.,Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
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Bizzaro N, Villalta D, Bini V, Migliorini P, Franceschini F, Piantoni S, Garrafa E, Riccieri V, Fioravanti A, Bellisai F, Tampoia M, Fornaro M, Iannone F, Ghirardello A, Zen M, Palterer B, Parronchi P, Infantino M, Benucci M, Rigon A, Arcarese L, Del Rosso S, Canti V, Bartoloni E, Gerli R. Multiparametric autoantibody analysis: a new paradigm for the diagnosis of connective tissue diseases. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:278. [PMID: 36564813 PMCID: PMC9783721 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02980-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients affected by connective tissue diseases (CTDs), the identification of wide autoantibody profiles may prove useful in early diagnosis, in the evaluation of prognosis (risk stratification), and in predicting response to therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of multiparametric autoantibody analysis performed by a new fully automated particle-based multi-analyte technology (PMAT) digital system in a large multicenter cohort of CTD patients and controls. METHODS Serum samples from 787 patients with CTD (166 systemic lupus erythematosus; 133 systemic sclerosis; 279 Sjögren's syndrome; 106 idiopathic inflammatory myopathies; 103 undifferentiated CTD), 339 patients with other disorders (disease controls) (118 infectious diseases, 110 organ-specific autoimmune diseases, 111 other rheumatic diseases), and 121 healthy subjects were collected in 13 rheumatologic centers of the FIRMA group. Sera were analyzed with the Aptiva-PMAT instrument (Inova Diagnostics) for a panel of 29 autoantibodies. RESULTS Multiparametric logistic regression showed that enlarged antibody profiles have a higher diagnostic efficiency than that of individual antibodies or of antibodies that constitute classification criteria for a given disease and that probability of disease increases with multiple positive autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that analyzes the clinical and diagnostic impact of autoantibody profiling in CTD. The results obtained with the new Aptiva-PMAT method may open interesting perspectives in the diagnosis and sub-classification of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Bizzaro
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, San Antonio Hospital, Tolmezzo, Italy ,grid.411492.bAzienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Danilo Villalta
- grid.415199.10000 0004 1756 8284Immunology and Allergology, S. Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Vittorio Bini
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Internal Medicine, Endocrine and Metabolic Science Section, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paola Migliorini
- grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Clinical Immunology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Franco Franceschini
- grid.7637.50000000417571846Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Piantoni
- grid.7637.50000000417571846Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Emirena Garrafa
- grid.7637.50000000417571846Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Fioravanti
- grid.411477.00000 0004 1759 0844Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Bellisai
- grid.411477.00000 0004 1759 0844Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | - Marilina Tampoia
- Clinical Pathology, Presidio Ospedaliero SS. Annunziata, Taranto, Italy
| | - Marco Fornaro
- grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence and Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence and Transplantation (DETO), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Ghirardello
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Margherita Zen
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Boaz Palterer
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Parronchi
- grid.8404.80000 0004 1757 2304Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Infantino
- grid.416649.80000 0004 1763 4122Laboratory of Immunology and Allergology, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Maurizio Benucci
- grid.416649.80000 0004 1763 4122Rheumatology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Amelia Rigon
- grid.9657.d0000 0004 1757 5329Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Campus Biomedico, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Arcarese
- grid.9657.d0000 0004 1757 5329Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Campus Biomedico, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Canti
- grid.18887.3e0000000417581884IRCCS San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Bartoloni
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Gerli
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Abstract
Metformin is a first-line therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes. Apart from its glucose-lowering effect, metformin is attracting interest regarding possible therapeutic benefits in various other conditions. As metformin regulates cell metabolism, proliferation, growth, and autophagy, it may also modulate immune cell functions. Given that metformin acts on multiple intracellular signaling pathways, including adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, and that AMPK and its downstream intracellular signaling control the activation and differentiation of T and B cells and inflammatory responses, metformin may exert immunomodulatory and anti- inflammatory effects. The efficacy of metformin has been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies on rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms through which metformin exerts its therapeutic effects in these diseases, focusing particularly on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Won Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu,
Korea
| | - Jung-Yoon Choe
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu,
Korea
| | - Sung-Hwan Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul,
Korea
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Chanprapaph K, Limtong P, Ngamjanyaporn P, Suchonwanit P. Trichoscopic Signs in Dermatomyositis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Systemic Sclerosis: A Comparative Study of 150 Patients. Dermatology 2021; 238:677-687. [PMID: 34879369 PMCID: PMC9393826 DOI: 10.1159/000520297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hair and scalp involvement is prevalent in connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Trichoscopic features may provide a diagnostic implementation and enable differentiation among CTDs; however, a direct comparison of these signs among CTD patients is lacking. Objectives To compare trichoscopic findings in dermatomyositis (DM), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic sclerosis (SSc) as well as determine their distinctive features and associations with disease activity. Methods Trichoscopic photographs were taken from DM, SLE, and SSc patients and further evaluated for hair shaft and scalp surface abnormalities. Data regarding patients' clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and disease activity were analyzed. Results One hundred fifty participants, consisting of 30 DM, 60 SLE, and 60 SSc patients, were included. Perifollicular red-brown pigmentation, brown scattered pigmentation, and white patches were exclusive findings in DM, SLE, and SSc, respectively (p < 0.001). A multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that DM demonstrated higher odds for having microaneurysmal blood vessels than SLE and SSc (odds ratio [OR] = 22.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.73–285.13, p = 0.017, and OR = 15.34, 95% CI = 1.36–177.59, p = 0.029, respectively). Polymorphic vessels forming a telangiectatic network suggested SSc over SLE (OR = 12.83, 95% CI = 1.35–121.98, p = 0.026), while avascular areas were more pronounced in SSc than DM and SLE (OR = 43.24, 95% CI = 5.17–361.67, p = 0.001, and OR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01–0.24, p = 0.001, respectively). In a quantile regression analysis, perifollicular red-brown pigmentation, reduction in hair diameter, and the absence of thin arborizing vessels were linked to higher disease activity in DM, SLE, and SSc, respectively (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Trichoscopy is a valuable tool possessing diagnostic and prognostic values for CTDs. Specific trichoscopic features allow adequate distinction between DM, SLE, and SSc and may help identify active disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumutnart Chanprapaph
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Preeyachat Limtong
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pintip Ngamjanyaporn
- Division of Allergy Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poonkiat Suchonwanit
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Chen Z, Li Y, Wang Q, Weng S, Zhou Y, Zhu J. Fluorine-18 labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography used in diagnosing connective tissue diseases in fever of unknown origin/inflammatory of unknown origin patients. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 41:839-846. [PMID: 34674082 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05965-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the significance of Fluorine-18 labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in diagnosing connective tissue diseases (CTDs) in fever of unknown origin (FUO) or inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) patients. METHODS Clinical and image data of 242 consecutive FUO/IUO patients who underwent PET/CT examination and eventually diagnosed CTDs were retrospectively analyzed, including distribution of diseases, clinical characteristics, and PET/CT imaging findings. The role of FDG PET/CT in differential diagnosis of CTDs was evaluated through clinical questionnaire survey. RESULTS Patients diagnosed as CTDs accounted for 48.1% of FUO/IUO patients. Among them, adult-onset Still's disease was most frequently diagnosed. Other common diseases included systemic vasculitis, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, systemic lupus erythematosus, and polymyalgia rheumatica. On FDG PET/CT examination, 97.9% of the patients had positive findings. Inflammatory lesions were detected in 66.5% and non-specific abnormal uptakes were found in 31.4%. Detected lesions distributed consistently with corresponding susceptible organs and tissues in various diseases. Clinical questionnaire results shown that FDG PET/CT excluded malignant tumors, focal infections, or other typical CTDs in 45.5% of the patients; indicated important diagnostic clues or appropriate biopsy sites in 20.6% of patients; and directly suggested the diagnosis of a CTD in 33.1% of patients. CONCLUSION FDG PET/CT could reveal inflammatory lesions in organs and tissues that reflect the clinical characteristics in different CTDs, thus providing an objective evidence for differential diagnosis, classification, and treatment decision of these diseases. Key Points • FDG PET/CT is a useful tool for differential diagnosing connective tissue diseases among patients with fever of unknown origin/inflammatory of unknown origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Shijia Weng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yunshan Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Jihong Zhu
- Department of Emergency, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
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Patanè M, Carmisciano L, Hysa E, Gotelli E, Sulli A, Paolino S, Smith V, Cutolo M. Engineered glove to evaluate hand disability in rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot-study. Joint Bone Spine 2021; 89:105272. [PMID: 34536622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2021.105272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Hand Test System (HTS) is an engineered-sensorized glove that has been originally developed in the neuroscientific field for the evaluation of hand fingers' speed movement. This pilot-study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of HTS analysis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), correlating glove-derived parameters with clinical disease activity indexes, self-reported disability-related questionnaires and hand strength. METHODS Fifty-five RA patients and fifty age and sex matched healthy controls (HCs) performed HTS analysis. The glove recognized the touch speed between the finger tips during standard sequences of movements, providing three quantitative parameters: touch duration (TD), inter-tapping interval (ITI) and movement rate (MR). These variables were correlated with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disease Index (HAQ-DI), Hand Disability Index (HDI), Hand Grip Strength (HGS), DAS28-CRP, CDAI and SDAI. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.93 (CI: 0.92, 0.95). RA patients showed significantly slower TD, ITI and MR than HCs, for all classes of disease activity (P<0.001). All HTS parameters correlated significantly with HAQ, HAQ-DI, HDI, HGS, DAS28-CRP, SDAI, CDAI (between P<0.05 and P<0.001). Of note, also RA patients in clinical remission showed a significantly higher TD compared with HCs (P<0.001). CONCLUSION HTS seems a new safe and fast tool to evaluate rheumatoid hand's functionality, measuring the speed of finger movements. Furthermore, the HTS parameters significantly correlate with quality of life, disease activity, hand strength and perceived hand disability, evaluating also potential hand motor impairment in RA clinical remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Patanè
- Internal Medicine Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Locale AL Ospedale Santo Spirito, Casale Monferrato Alessandria, Italy
| | - Luca Carmisciano
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elvis Hysa
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Rheumatology Unit, San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, No. 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Rheumatology Unit, San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, No. 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Rheumatology Unit, San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, No. 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Rheumatology Unit, San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, No. 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DIMI), University of Genova, IRCCS Rheumatology Unit, San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, No. 6, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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Chiu YH, Spierings J, de Jong PA, Hoesein FM, Grutters JC, van Laar JM, Voortman M. Predictors for progressive fibrosis in patients with connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung diseases. Respir Med 2021; 187:106579. [PMID: 34438351 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) is associated with decreased quality of life and high mortality risk. Outcome and treatment response is unpredictable. This study aimed to identify clinical predictors for CTD-ILD with poor outcome. METHODS We performed a retrospective single centre cohort study in outpatients with CTD-ILD seen between 2004 and 2018. Clinical and biochemical data, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results were analysed. Overall survival and progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD, defined as a significant deterioration of PFT or HRCT) after two years of follow-up were assessed. RESULTS In total, 150 patients with CTD-ILD were included. Thirty (20%) deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 40 months (IQR 27.3-60.8), which were attributed to pulmonary infection in six (4%), respiratory failure due to PF-ILD in ten (7%) and due to other causes in fourteen patients. PF-ILD occurred in 76 (50.7%) patients and was associated with poor overall survival (adjusted HR 5.73, 95%CI 1.17-28.11). Age, smoking, C-reactive protein, and steroid-use were independently associated with increased mortality risk as well. Furthermore, patients with diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR 4.52, 95%CI 1.10-18.51), steroid-use (adjusted OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.04-4.93), and a fibrotic HRCT pattern at baseline (adjusted OR 3.11, 95%CI 1.15-8.38) had a higher risk of PF-ILD. CONCLUSION PF-ILD is associated with increased mortality in patients with CTD-ILD. Patients with a fibrotic HRCT pattern at baseline, diabetes mellitus and steroid-use have a higher risk of developing PF-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsiang Chiu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Division of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Julia Spierings
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Pim A de Jong
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jan C Grutters
- Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Pulmonology, ILD Center of Excellence, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob M van Laar
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mareye Voortman
- Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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35
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Ingegnoli F, Buoli M, Posio C, Di Taranto R, Lo Muscio A, Cumbo E, Ostuzzi S, Caporali R. COVID-19 related poor mental health and sleep disorders in rheumatic patients: a citizen science project. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:385. [PMID: 34344329 PMCID: PMC8330176 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03389-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (RDs) are more vulnerable and the containment measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic might have severe psychological consequences. We investigated the presence of and risk factors associated with poor mental health, sleep disorders among RDs during the pandemic. METHODS This cross-sectional Italian citizen science project evaluated the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with RDs. Between May and September 2020, eleven RD patients' associations sent the survey by using their mailing list and the related webpage and social network. 507 RD patients completed an ad-hoc anonymous online survey including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). RESULTS The mean scores on the PSS-10 and the IES-R were 18.1 and 29.7, respectively. Higher PSS scores were associated with younger age (p < 0.01), female gender (p < 0.01), overweight/obesity (p = 0.01), psychiatric pharmacotherapy (p < 0.01), and anxiety for loss of income (p < 0.01). Higher IES-R scores were associated with female gender (p < 0.01), intestinal diseases (p = 0.03), anxiety (p < 0.01), and health concern (p < 0.01). Among 375 patients with inflammatory arthritis, 246 (65.6%) had trouble staying asleep, 238 (63.5%) falling asleep, and 112 (29.9%) had dreams about the pandemic. Older age (OR = 1.038, CI 1.002-1.076), psychiatric pharmacotherapy (OR = 25.819, CI 11.465-58.143), and COVID infection (OR = 2.783, CI 1.215-6.372) were predictive of insomnia during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS A considerable COVID-19 related psychosocial burden has been detected in RDs. Different factors were predictive of poor mental health and sleep disorders in these patients. Focused supportive strategies should be implemented to improve the psychological well-being of fragile patients during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ingegnoli
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- grid.414818.00000 0004 1757 8749Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Posio
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Di Taranto
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lo Muscio
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Cumbo
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Ostuzzi
- ALOMAR Lombard Association for Rheumatic Diseases, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Milan, Italy ,grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari 1, 20122 Milan, Italy
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36
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Ferrari G, Gotelli E, Paolino S, Pesce G, Nanni L, Colombo BM, Pacini G, Schenone C, Pizzorni C, Sulli A, Smith V, Cutolo M. Antiphospholipid antibodies and anticoagulant therapy: capillaroscopic findings. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:175. [PMID: 34176504 PMCID: PMC8237465 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02551-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by specific vascular and obstetric manifestations and by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) positivity. Microvascular damage in the course of APS and “aPL carrier” patients without symptoms is poorly investigated. Objectives This study aims to compare nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) microvascular parameters in APS patients and non-symptomatic "aPL carriers" and to investigate their possible correlations with different aPL subtypes. Methods NVC was performed during standard evaluations in 18 APS patients (mean age 50 ± 13.8 years), 24 "aPL carriers" without symptoms (mean age 46.4 ± 16.4 years), and 18 control patients (CTR) (mean age 74 ± 12.5 years) taking oral anticoagulants for non-immunological indications (i.e., cardiovascular accidents). All patients were investigated for the presence of dilated capillaries, giant capillaries, microhemorrhages, capillary loss, and further non-specific/specific abnormalities (i.e., branched “bushy” capillaries, sign of neoangiogenesis) by NVC. Every alteration was also classified according to a semi-quantitative score. Lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and antibeta2 glycoprotein I antibodies were tested in each patient. Results APS patients showed at NVC increased frequency of microhemorrhages (p = 0.039)—particularly a “comb-like” pattern (parallel hemorrhages) (p = 0.002)—than "aPL carriers". Of note, there were no significant differences concerning the isolated number of microhemorrhages between APS and the CTR group (p = 0.314), but “comb-like” hemorrhages were significantly more frequent in the APS group (p = 0.034). Not any significant correlation was found between the aPL subtypes and NVC parameters. Conclusions APS patients showed significantly a greater number of non-specific NVC abnormalities than "aPL carriers", particularly the “comb-like” NVC pattern. Oral anticoagulants may represent a confounding factor for isolated microhemorrhages. Not any correlation was found between aPL subtypes and NVC parameters. Further investigations are needed to better characterize the microvascular endothelium damage induced by aPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Ferrari
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giampaola Pesce
- Autoimmunity Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Nanni
- Medicine Laboratory, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Greta Pacini
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlotta Schenone
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carmen Pizzorni
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital - Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Viale Benedetto XV, n° 6 - 16132, Genoa, Italy.
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Hajiasgharzadeh K, Khabbazi A, Mokhtarzadeh A, Baghbanzadeh A, Asadzadeh Z, Adlravan E, Baradaran B. Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and connective tissue diseases. Inflammopharmacology 2021; 29:975-986. [PMID: 34125373 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-021-00812-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) consist of an extensive range of heterogeneous medical conditions, which are caused by immune-mediated chronic inflammation and influences the various connective tissues of the body. They include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, Sjögren's syndrome, Behcet's disease, and many other autoimmune CTDs. To date, several anti-inflammatory approaches have been developed to reduce the severity of inflammation or its subsequent organ manifestations. As a logical mechanism to harnesses the undesired inflammation, some studies investigated the role of the intrinsic cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in the modulation of chronic inflammation. Many different experimental and clinical models have been developed to evaluate the therapeutic significance of the CAP in CTDs. On the other hand, an issue that is less emphasized in this regard is the presence of autonomic neuropathy in CTDs, which influences the efficiency of CAP in such clinical settings. This condition occurs during CTDs and is a well-known complication of patients suffering from them. The advantages and limitations of CAP in the control of inflammatory responses and its possible therapeutic benefits in the treatment of CTDs are the main subjects of the current study. Therefore, this narrative review article is provided based on the recent findings of the complicated role of CAP in CTDs which were retrieved by searching Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. It seems that delineating the complex influences of CAP would be of great interest in designing novel surgical or pharmacological therapeutic strategies for CTDs therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Hajiasgharzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran.,Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Alireza Khabbazi
- Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614756, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Adlravan
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Postcode: 5166614766, Tabriz, Iran. .,Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Yates DH, Perret JL, Davidson M, Miles SE, Musk AW. Dust diseases in modern Australia: a discussion of the new TSANZ position statement on respiratory surveillance. Med J Aust 2021; 215:13-15.e1. [PMID: 34053078 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah H Yates
- St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW.,St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW
| | - Jennifer L Perret
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Susan E Miles
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW.,University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW
| | - A W Musk
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA
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Hazarika K, Sahoo RR, Mohindra N, Wakhlu A, Manoj M, Bafna P, Garg R, Misra DP, Agarwal V, Wakhlu A. Clinical, radiologic and serologic profile of patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatol Int 2021. [PMID: 34046688 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-021-04883-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to characterize patients from a rheumatology referral center in north India, who satisfied the definition of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) as given by the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) consensus committee in 2015. Thirty-five adult patients aged 18 years and above, fulfilling the 2015 ATS/ERS criteria for IPAF were included in the study. The clinical and immunological profile, and radiologic findings on high-resolution computerized tomography thorax were noted. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence at 1:320 titer and myositis-specific antibody (MSA) assays were performed. Non-parametric tests were used to compare variables between groups. The study cohort included predominantly female patients with a mean age of 50.6 ± 13 years and mean duration of disease of 38.8 ± 28.4 months. Majority of patients (49%) fulfilled the morphologic and serologic domains as per the IPAF consensus criteria and 31% patients had features in all three domains. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia was the most common pattern observed in 77% patients. Raynaud’s phenomenon and inflammatory arthritis were the predominant autoimmune features. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was documented in 60% of patients on echocardiography. Positive ANA at 1:320 dilution was present in all 26 patients tested, whereas extractable nuclear antigen and MSA assays detected autoantibodies in 49% and 51% of patients respectively. IPAF predominantly affected females in the age group of 50 years and above, with varied autoimmune manifestations and autoantibody profile.
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Koo BS, Park KY, Lee HJ, Kim HJ, Ahn HS, Yim SY, Jun JB. Effect of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema on patients with connective tissue diseases and systemic sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:100. [PMID: 33823923 PMCID: PMC8022385 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02494-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to analyze the literature systematically to determine the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) compared to those of patients with CTD-interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) without emphysema. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed for relevant articles published before July 2019. Studies meeting all the following criteria were included: (1) original research studies evaluating the effect of CPFE on CTD, (2) studies that compared patients with CTD-CPFE to those with CTD-ILD without emphysema, and (3) studies providing data on physical capacity, pulmonary function, or death in patients with CTD. Clinical characteristics of patients with CTD-CPFE were compared with those of patients with CTD-ILD without emphysema, and the influence of CPFE on physical capacity, pulmonary function, and death was analyzed. Results Six studies between 2013 and 2019 were included. Two hundred ninety-nine (29.5%) and 715 (70.5%) patients had CTD-CPFE and CTD-ILD without emphysema, respectively. Regarding the type of CTD, 711 (68.3%) patients had systemic sclerosis, 263 (25.3%) rheumatoid arthritis, and 67 (6.4%) other CTDs. Patients with CTD-CPFE had a higher frequency of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis > 20% of the total lung volume, higher ratio of the forced vital capacity to the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), lower arterial oxygen pressure at rest, and lower DLCO compared to those in patients with CTD-ILD without emphysema. In addition, more deaths occurred among those with CTD-CPFE (odds ratio, 2.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.75–4.96). Conclusion CTD-CPFE is associated with worse physical and pulmonary function and more deaths compared to those in CTD-ILD without emphysema. These findings indicate the need for increased awareness and close monitoring of patients with CTD-CPFE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bon San Koo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyu Yong Park
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea.,Graduate Program of Medicine, Ajou University Graduate School, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeong Sik Ahn
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Shin-Young Yim
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.
| | - Jae-Bum Jun
- Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, South Korea.
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Abstract
Describing and listing all nail symptoms and signs in systemic disorders has already been widely detailed in dedicated textbooks. To be tutorial, this article described most common nails signs and the systemic disorders one may encounter in routine dermatologic consultation. Capsule summaries are presented for each section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Dehavay
- Saint-Pierre, Brugmann and Queen Fabiola Children University Hospitals, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Richert
- Saint-Pierre, Brugmann and Queen Fabiola Children University Hospitals, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
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Ma H, Liu XF, Qi XQ, Huang YH, Sun XX, Zhou L, Wu HP. Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function by 2-D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Artery Hypertension. Ultrasound Med Biol 2021; 47:910-918. [PMID: 33483161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of 2-D speckle tracking imaging in assessing left ventricular diastolic function in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). A total of 98 CTD patients and 32 healthy controls were prospectively recruited. Early (E) and late (A) diastolic velocities of the transmitral flow were measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Peak early diastolic myocardial velocity (E') was calculated on tissue Doppler echocardiography. The longitudinal strain rate (SR) was calculated as the average of three apical views, while circumferential and radial SRs were measured in three short-axis views. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was defined as systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) >36 mm Hg. Compared with the control group, CTD patients exhibited significant impairment of left ventricular diastolic function, manifested as lower global SR during early diastole (SRe) in the longitudinal deformation and higher E/SRe in both longitudinal and radial deformation. CTD-PAH patients had significantly lower SRe and higher E/SRe values in both the longitudinal and radial deformation compared with the patients with CTD without PAH. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that sPAP levels correlated positively with E/E', longitudinal E/SRe, circumferential E/SRe and radial SRe, and it correlated negatively with septal E' and radial E/SRe. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that E/E', longitudinal E/SRe and radial SRe could be used to predict PAH. The present study indicates that 2-D speckle tracking imaging is a useful method for evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function, and these derived parameters can serve as good predictors of PAH, but it may not be superior to the commonly used E/E' in CTD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Ma
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xian-Fang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Qi
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying-Heng Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Sun
- Department of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Hong-Ping Wu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Seo MR, Yeo J, Ryu HJ, Choi HJ, Ko KP, Baek HJ. Outcomes and Risk Factors of Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure Progression in Patients with Systemic Rheumatic Diseases: Follow-up Results from a Korean Registry. Arch Rheumatol 2021; 35:558-567. [PMID: 33758812 PMCID: PMC7945697 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2020.7812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
This study aims to investigate the outcomes and risk factors associated with the progression of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases. Patients and methods
A total of 532 patients (73 males, 459 females; median age 49 years; interquartile range (IQR), 36 to 62 years) registered with the Registry of Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Rheumatic Diseases were included. Mortality curves were constructed using the Kaplan- Meier method and comparisons were performed using the log-rank test. A paired t-test was performed to evaluate the patients with markedly elevated sPAP between baseline and follow-up. Results
The average follow-up duration was 31 months (IQR, 9 to 60 months). Of the patients, 196 had follow-up echocardiographs at least one year later. We defined the sPAP over 60 mmHg as markedly elevated. Patients in the increased sPAP above 60 mmHg at follow-up and persistently markedly elevated sPAP were associated with worse outcomes in all-cause mortality and pulmonary arterial hypertension-related mortality (p<0.001). In patients with systemic sclerosis, the majority of patients remained static within their pressure group or rose progressively: the patients with markedly elevated sPAP at follow-up were higher than those at baseline (32% versus 15%, p<0.01). In patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the majority of patients remained static within their pressure group or gradually improved: the patients with markedly elevated sPAP at follow-up were lower than those at baseline (RA=14% versus 29%, MCTD=5% versus 16%, p<0.05). Conclusion Persistently high sPAP or increase of sPAP over 60 mmHg at follow-up was associated with increased mortality. There were some differences in the progression of sPAP according to the underlying rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Ryoung Seo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jina Yeo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hee Jung Ryu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Jin Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Kwang-Pil Ko
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Han Joo Baek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
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Ghang B, Nam SH, Lee J, Lim DH, Ahn SM, Oh JS, Hong S, Kim YG, Yoo B, Kim J, Lee CK. Risk of progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to connective tissue disease: a long-term observational study in 527 patients. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:2447-56. [PMID: 33754221 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05659-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Connective tissue disease (CTD) might occur during the course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Clinical factors associated with CTD development in IPF patients have still not been identified. We investigated which antibodies have a significant association with the development of CTD during the clinical course of IPF. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 527 patients with a first diagnosis of IPF between January 2007 and March 2014 and investigated the time to CTD development after IPF diagnosis in these patients. RESULTS CTD developed in 15 patients at a median of 2.1 years (range 1.2-4.8) after IPF diagnosis. All patients had anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) or autoantibodies that met the serology criteria for interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). Survival duration for IPF patients with progression to CTD was 5.3 (3.8, 6.7) years, which was significantly longer than for IPF patients without progression to CTD [2.9 (1.7, 4.8), p = 0.001]. Independent risk factors for CTD development in IPF patients included female gender [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 5.319, p = 0.0082], titer of rheumatoid factor (RF; adjusted HR, 1.006; p = 0.022), titer of anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA; adjusted HR, 1.009; p = 0.0011), and titer of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA (adjusted HR, 1.02; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Progression to CTD is uncommon in IPF patients. However, a significant number of IPF patients with high titers of RF, ACPA, or MPO-ANCA progressed to CTD. RF, ACPA, and MPO-ANCA might be significantly associated with CTD development in IPF patients. Key Points • A significant number of IPF patients with high titers of RF, ACPA, or MPO-ANCA progressed to CTD. • IPF/UIP with high titers of RF, ACPA, or MPO-ANCA might be the initial clinical manifestation of CTD. • RF, ACPA, and MPO-ANCA may be significantly associated with the development of pulmonary fibrosis in patients with CTD.
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Cottin V, Richeldi L, Rosas I, Otaola M, Song JW, Tomassetti S, Wijsenbeek M, Schmitz M, Coeck C, Stowasser S, Schlenker-Herceg R, Kolb M. Nintedanib and immunomodulatory therapies in progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. Respir Res 2021; 22:84. [PMID: 33726766 PMCID: PMC7962343 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01668-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In the INBUILD trial in patients with chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and a progressive phenotype, nintedanib reduced the rate of ILD progression with adverse events that were manageable for most patients. We investigated the potential impact of immunomodulatory therapies on the efficacy and safety of nintedanib. Methods Subjects with fibrosing ILDs other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, who had shown progression of ILD within the prior 24 months despite management in clinical practice, were randomized to receive nintedanib or placebo. Certain immunomodulatory therapies were restricted for the first 6 months. We analyzed post-hoc the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks in subgroups by glucocorticoid use at baseline and in analyses excluding subjects or FVC measurements taken after initiation of restricted immunomodulatory or antifibrotic therapies. Results Of 663 subjects, 361 (54.4%) were taking glucocorticoids at baseline (353 at a dose of ≤ 20 mg/day). In the placebo group, the adjusted rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) over 52 weeks was numerically greater in subjects taking than not taking glucocorticoids at baseline (− 206.4 [SE 20.2] vs − 165.8 [21.9]). The difference between the nintedanib and placebo groups was 133.3 (95% CI 76.6, 190.0) mL/year in subjects taking glucocorticoids at baseline and 76.1 (15.0, 137.2) mL/year in subjects who were not (interaction P = 0.18). The effect of nintedanib on reducing the rate of FVC decline in analyses excluding subjects or measurements taken after initiation of restricted immunomodulatory or antifibrotic therapies was similar to the primary analysis. The adverse event profile of nintedanib was similar between subjects who did and did not use prohibited or restricted therapies at baseline or during treatment with trial drug. Conclusions In patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs, the effect of nintedanib on reducing FVC decline was not influenced by the use of immunomodulatory therapies. Nintedanib can be used in combination with immunomodulatory therapies in patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02999178. Registered 21 December 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02999178 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-021-01668-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Cottin
- National Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Louis Pradel Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, University of Lyon, INRA, UMR754, Lyon, France.
| | - Luca Richeldi
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivan Rosas
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Otaola
- Fundación Para El Estudio de Enfermedades Fibrosantes del Pulmón, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jin Woo Song
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sara Tomassetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Marlies Wijsenbeek
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Carl Coeck
- SCS Boehringer Ingelheim Comm.V., Brussels, Belgium
| | - Susanne Stowasser
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | | | - Martin Kolb
- McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Abstract
Physical therapy has always been a pillar of the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases in addition to targeted drug treatment; nevertheless, it is only established in the treatment guidelines for a few diseases. Within the last two decades the discovery of myokines has uncovered the physiological correlations of the anti-inflammatory effect of physical activity. For rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis, several randomized controlled trials provide sufficient evidence to make well-founded recommendations. For connective tissue diseases (CTD) the data situation is clearly sparser but nevertheless shows that the positive effects of physical activity prevail. In the following article the authors present the most important clinical studies on sport and inflammatory rheumatic diseases and from these derive possible therapeutic recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Hartung
- Asklepios Klinik Bad Abbach, Kaiser-Karl-V.-Allee 3, 93077, Bad Abbach, Deutschland.
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Escalon JG, Legasto AC, Toy D, Gruden JF. Central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe involvement in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Eur Radiol 2021; 31:7143-7150. [PMID: 33624164 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-07741-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) lacks specific diagnostic guidelines or criteria for imaging diagnosis, and the need for more reliable computed tomography (CT) characterization remains. We hypothesized that central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe (ML) involvement is present in most patients with NSIP. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ML involvement and thus to assess its potential as a unique feature of NSIP. METHODS We conducted a retrospective CT-imaging review of 40 patients with biopsy-proven (7/40, 18%) or clinically established (33/40, 82%) NSIP. Three subspecialty-trained thoracic radiologists reviewed CTs for ML involvement both independently and in consensus, and additional CT findings previously described in NSIP independently. RESULTS ML involvement was present in most cases (70%, 28/40, independent review, 78%, 31/40, consensus reading), with substantial agreement among all three readers (κ = 0.65). Fibrosis was present in almost all cases (93%, 37/40). Subpleural sparing occurred in one-third of patients (30%, 12/40). Homogeneity (48%, 19/40), central bronchiectasis (45%, 18/40), and peripheral bronchiectasis (53%, 21/40) were present in about half of patients. Apart from substantial inter-reader agreement on fibrosis (κ = 0.65), the above-mentioned imaging characteristics had fair to slight universal agreement (κ = 0.07-0.30). CONCLUSIONS Central paradiaphragmatic ML ground glass attenuation superimposed on reticulation and traction bronchiectasis occurs in most patients with NSIP, with high interobserver agreement. KEY POINTS • Central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe ground glass attenuation superimposed on reticulation and traction bronchiectasis is common in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). • This finding occurs more frequently than subpleural sparing and has a better interobserver agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna G Escalon
- Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Alan C Legasto
- Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Dennis Toy
- Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - James F Gruden
- Department of Radiology, Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging, New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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Wiśniewski M, Zabłocka-Żytka L. Sexual and mental health of woman suffering from selected connective tissue diseases: an original paper. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:3319-3327. [PMID: 33616791 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05611-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the sexual and mental health of women suffering from connective tissue diseases and to determine the potential interrelationships between the studied clinical variables and sexual and mental health. METHODS The study was conducted in a group of women with connective tissue diseases. To assess somatic health, we used The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-DI), and to assess sexual health, we used the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (KSS). The mental health was assessed by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-M) and the PERMA-Profiler (PL). RESULTS The study involved 81 women suffering from connective tissue diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Clinical symptoms of sexual dysfunction were observed in 54% women. The biggest difficulties occur in sexual desire, orgasm and arousal. Patients had symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. Higher levels of anxiety and depression are associated with poorer overall sexual functioning and better overall sexual functioning, and all its dimensions are associated with a higher level of mental well-being. There was also an observed relationship with the functional limitation due to pain and duration of the disease. CONCLUSION The study confirms the existence of difficulties in the sexual functioning of women suffering from connective tissue diseases and shows the relationship between sexual and mental health and basic disease. The observed relationships are important information in the treatment and medical care of people with this group of rheumatic diseases. Key Points • The article presents one of the few studies about sexual functioning of Polish population women with connective tissue diseases. • The aim was to assess the sexual and mental health of women with various connective tissue diseases and determine the potential interrelationships between the clinical variables and sexual and mental health. • The study confirms difficulties in the sexual functioning of women with connective tissue diseases. The biggest difficulties occur in sexual desire, orgasm and arousal. Patients also had mental disorders symptoms. • The study presents conclusions and indications which may be important and help specialists approach the treatment process in an interdisciplinary way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Wiśniewski
- First Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland.
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Xu WJ, Ye Q. [Research progress of silica-associated autoimmune diseases]. Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2021; 39:69-73. [PMID: 33535350 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121094-20200227-00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Silicosis is caused by long-term exposure to dust containing crystalline silica. However, silica exposure, which may lead to autoimmune dysfunction, is associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and anti-central granulocyte cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis. With silica exposure autoimmune diseases may exist with or without silicosis. This article reviews recent research on silica-associated autoimmune diseases such as the concept, epidemiology, clinical characteristics and potential mechanisms to improve the understanding of the disease and promote the formulation of diagnostic criteria and treatment plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Xu
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases, Beijing Chaoyang Hospitial, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Q Ye
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Clinical Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases, Beijing Chaoyang Hospitial, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
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Paolino S, Gotelli E, Goegan F, Casabella A, Ferrari G, Patane M, Albertelli M, Gatto F, Pizzorni C, Cattelan F, Sulli A, Smith V, Cutolo M. Body composition and bone status in relation to microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis patients. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:255-264. [PMID: 32449094 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01234-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate, in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, the body composition and the bone status according to the peripheral microcirculatory condition, assessed and scored by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC, "Early", "Active", "Late" patterns). METHODS Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry and dedicated software (GE Lunar USA) in 37 female SSc patients classified according to the 2013 EULAR/ACR criteria and 40 sex-matched healthy subjects. Clinical, laboratory, body composition and bone parameters were analyzed according to the different NVC patterns. Means were compared by the Student's t test or one-way analysis of variance; medians were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test; and frequencies by the chi-square test. RESULTS Higher prevalence of vertebral (21% vs 7%) and femoral (35% vs 7%) osteoporosis (OP) was found in SSc. Particularly SSc patients with "Late" NVC pattern showed a significantly higher prevalence of vertebral (p = 0.018) and femoral OP (p = 0.016). Regional assessment of bone mass (BM) in seven different body areas showed a significantly lower BMD only at the total spine (p = 0.008) and femoral neck (p = 0.027) in advanced microvascular damage. Patients with "Late" NVC pattern showed a lower whole-body lean mass (LM) compared to "Early" and "Active" NVC patterns, particularly at upper limbs. To note, in all body sites, BMD correlates with LM and BMC according to NVC pattern severity. CONCLUSIONS SSc patients with most severe microvascular damage show a significantly altered body composition and bone status suggesting a strong link between microvascular failure and associated muscle/bone sufferance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Paolino
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy.
| | - E Gotelli
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Goegan
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Casabella
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - G Ferrari
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Patane
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Albertelli
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities (DIMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Endocrinology Unit, University of Genoa, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Gatto
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities (DIMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Endocrinology Unit, University of Genoa, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - C Pizzorni
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Cattelan
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Sulli
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - V Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Cutolo
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
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