Laboratory profiles of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia treated with tofacitinib or placebo: a post hoc analysis from the STOP-COVID trial.

Objective: Tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, has been tested against a placebo in 289 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We analyzed the data from the tofacitinib- and placebo-treated patient cohorts to evaluate the laboratory profiles between baseline and day 7.

Methods: We performed post hoc analyses on the following laboratory tests over time during the first 7 days after randomization: hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase.

Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in primary Sjögren's syndrome: humoral response, safety, and effects on disease activity.

Introduction: There is no study specifically focused on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Objectives: To assess the immunogenicity, safety, possible effects on disease activity, and autoantibody profile of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine in pSS.

Methods: Fifty-one pSS patients and 102 sex- and age-balanced controls without autoimmune diseases were included in a prospective phase 4 trial of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine (two doses 28 days apart, D0/D28).

Increment of immunogenicity after third dose of a homologous inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in a large population of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Objective: To determine the immunogenicity of the third dose of CoronaVac vaccine in a large population of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) and the factors associated with impaired response.

Methods: Adult patients with ARD and age-balanced/sex-balanced controls (control group, CG) previously vaccinated with two doses of CoronaVac received the third dose at D210 (6 months after the second dose). The presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and neutralising antibodies (NAb) was evaluated previously to vaccination (D210) and 30 days later (D240).

Chronic low back pain and sick-leave: a functional magnetic resonance study.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) represents a problem in the occupational environment, often associated with disability, sick-leave demands, loss of productivity, anxiety, depression and high socioeconomic cost. The emergence of functional neuroimaging allowed new insights into brain structure and physiology in normality and chronic pain. While occupational related aspects are recognized as important risk factors for chronicity there have not been thus far evaluated by fMRI experiments.

Axial gout is frequently associated with the presence of current tophi, although not with spinal symptoms.

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Objective: To analyze the association of tomographically identified axial gouty lesions with clinical and laboratory characteristics.

Summary Of Background Data: Axial gout might be more common than previously thought.

Camptocormia secondary to polymyositis.

Camptocormia is a postural affliction characterised by abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, which appears upon standing, increases with walking, and disappears in the supine position. Only five cases of camptocormia secondary to idiopathic inflammatory myopathies have been described in the literature. In this case report, we describe the case of a male patient 67 years of age who suffered from polymyositis for 18 years, which was associated with manifestations compatible with camptocormia.

Treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: update.

In its various forms, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterized by a systemic inflammation of the small and medium-sized arteries (especially in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, as well as in the kidneys). The forms of AAV comprise Wegener's granulomatosis (now called granulomatosis with polyangiitis), microscopic polyangiitis, renal AAV, and Churg-Strauss syndrome. In this paper, we discuss the phases of AAV treatment, including the induction phase (with cyclophosphamide or rituximab) and the maintenance phase (with azathioprine, methotrexate, or rituximab).

Wegener's granulomatosis: experience from a Brazilian tertiary center.

Most epidemiological studies with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) patients are based on populations from the Northern hemisphere, whereas very few studies have been conducted in Southern hemisphere populations, particularly from South America. The authors performed a large retrospective, demographic study including clinical and laboratory profiles of 134 consecutive WG patients seen at one Brazilian center from 1999 to 2009. Mean age at initial WG diagnosis was 43.