Assessing safety and efficacy of TNFi treatment in late onset ankylosing spondylitis: a TURKBIO registry study.

Clinical data on the use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in late-onset ankylosing spondylitis (LoAS) are limited. The present study aimed to evaluate efficacy, safety, and treatment adherence associated with the initial use of TNFi therapy in biologic naive patients diagnosed with LoAS. Patients whose age of onset was ≥ 45 years and < 45 years were classified as having LoAS and YoAS, respectively, based on the age of symptom onset.

Functional capacity, physical activity, and arterial stiffness in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex immune-mediated connective tissue disease, involving skin manifestations, vascular features, and organ-based complications that may affect functional capacity and physical activity. Functional capacity and physical activity are associated with arterial stiffness; however, this relationship has not been evaluated in patients with SSc. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association of functional capacity and physical activity with arterial stiffness in patients with SSc.

Extended autoantibody panel in Turkish patients with early-stage systemic sclerosis: Coexpressions and their influences on clinical phenotypes.

Background/aim: To investigate the frequency and clinical relevance of an extended autoantibody profile in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum from 100 consecutive patients was subjected to indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) (HEp-20-10/primate liver mosaic) and Systemic Sclerosis Profile by EUROIMMUN to evaluate anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and autoantibodies against 13 different autoantibodies in patients with SSc less than 3 years.

Results: Ninety-three of 100 patients were positive for ANA by IIF.

Determinants of Six-Minute Walk Test Performance in Women with Systemic Sclerosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance in women with systemic sclerosis.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 36 women with systemic sclerosis were assessed using the Medsger Systemic Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSS), modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), University of California Scleroderma Clinical Study Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Scale, quadriceps strength measurement, Milliken Activities of Daily Living Scale (MAS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The 6MWT was performed to assess the participants' functional capacity and examine factors affecting functional capacity.