Cost-effectiveness of abatacept, rituximab, and TNFi treatment after previous failure with TNFi treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: a pragmatic multi-centre randomised trial.

Introduction: For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) whose treatment with a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) is failing, several biological treatment options are available. Often, another TNFi or a biological with another mode of action is prescribed. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of three biologic treatments with different modes of action in patients with RA whose TNFi therapy is failing.

Cortisol during the day in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Objective: To compare the level and change of cortisol during the day of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) with low and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Methods: Saliva was collected in the real-life environment of 21 women with SLE, 16 women with pSS, and 30 age-matched healthy women at 9 fixed timepoints during 2 consecutive days. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to examine whether cortisol levels during the day were different for the patients with low ESR (≤ 20 mm/h) versus those with high ESR (> 20 mm/h).

Psychological and somatic predictors of perceived and measured ocular dryness of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To test if age, disease activity, pain, fatigue, and depression are associated with subjective and objective ocular dryness of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Sixty female patients with pSS and 60 age matched healthy controls filled out visual analog scale (VAS) scores of ocular dryness and pain, and questionnaires regarding fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) and depression (Zung). Lacrimal tear production was measured by Schirmer I test.