Publications by authors named "Arsene Mekinian"

Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalence of clonal haematopoiesis (CH) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) compared with controls and individuals with other autoimmune diseases (AIDs) and to identify high-risk clinical/genetic profiles that could influence disease outcomes.

Methods: In a prospective observational study at three hospitals, we included 49 patients diagnosed with GCA, 48 patients with other AIDs and 27 control participants. We used next-generation sequencing to detect clonal haematopoiesis (CH) among them.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Aims: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective disease characterised by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and widespread skin and internal organ fibrosis including various cardiac manifestations. Heart involvement is one of the leading causes of death among patients with SSc. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of various vasodilator treatments.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To investigate factors associated with dermatomyositis (DM) complete clinical response and overall survival with a focus on the use of immunosuppressive therapies in patients with cancer-associated DM.

Methods: We performed a multicentre, retrospective cohort study. Multivariable survival analyses used a Cox model with time-dependent covariates and adjustments with inverse probability censoring weighting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The purpose of this project was to update the 2016 recommendations regarding the management of immunosuppressants or biologics in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).
  • A task force of 18 physicians developed 26 validated recommendations after thorough discussion and a >85% consensus process.
  • Key recommendations include using subcutaneous tocilizumab (TCZ) as a first-line treatment when glucocorticoid-sparing is needed, initiating TCZ at diagnosis for patients with specific high-risk conditions, and considering TCZ or methotrexate if glucocorticoid discontinuation is not feasible after 12 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) primarily affects women over 50, causing symptoms like headaches and jaw pain, and can lead to severe complications like vision loss due to eye involvement.
  • Diagnosis relies on advanced imaging techniques such as FDG-PET and CT scans, while the temporal artery biopsy is considered the gold standard.
  • Urgent treatment with high doses of corticosteroids is critical to prevent vision loss, and long-term management is necessary to monitor for recurrence and potential cardiovascular issues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * It typically affects Caucasians equally across genders and can also be associated with other autoimmune diseases like polyarteritis nodosa.
  • * While ocular symptoms often have a good prognosis with potential recovery of vision, cochleo-vestibular issues can lead to serious and irreversible hearing loss, and treatment options are not well-established due to the condition's rarity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Takayasu arteritis is a rare chronic inflammatory large vessel vasculitis which affects the aorta and its large branches. The diagnosis is based on the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis. The management of this vasculitis is challenging.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A study compared the effectiveness and safety of infliximab and cyclophosphamide as induction therapies for severe Behçet's syndrome involving major vascular or CNS issues.
  • Infliximab showed a higher complete response rate (81%) compared to cyclophosphamide (56%), indicating it may be more effective.
  • Additionally, infliximab had fewer adverse events (29.6%) compared to cyclophosphamide (64%), suggesting it may also be safer for patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • MGUS-associated angioedema due to acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency (AAE-C1-INH) hasn't been specifically characterized before, prompting this study to explore its biological and clinical features over 30 years in France.
  • In a study of 41 patients, most had anti-C1INH antibodies, and treatments included acute management and long-term prophylaxis, with a significant number developing malignant blood disorders like lymphoma or myeloma.
  • The study found a link between the remission of angioedema and the underlying hematological malignancy, emphasizing the need for regular hematological evaluations in patients with MGUS-AE-C1-INH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Since the Consensus Statement diffused by the Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group, knowledge of the meaning of placental vascular malperfusion has become essential in the unavoidable analysis of obstetrical history in a patient followed for autoimmune disease or any other maternal comorbidity. We aimed to analyse the prevalence of various placental lesions from a 6-months prospective observational study and to correlate the various placental profiles to obstetrical outcome, maternal diseases and pregnancy treatments. The frequency of foetal vascular malperfusion lesion could be estimated at 8.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is frequently involved in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is responsible for alteration of quality of life. Many complications can occur, including chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, digestive haemorrhage and small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Since early development of organ failure is associated with poor prognosis, we need to identify risk factors associated with severe GIT involvement to prevent severe forms of the disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a vasculitis affecting medium-vessel and may be associated with myelodysplastic syndrome. This association needs a simultaneous treatment of the vascular and the hematological disease. However limited data are available on the benefit of hematological treatment, and in particular allogeneic stem cell transplantation, in this situation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The objective of this study was to describe kidney involvement in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), their treatments, and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in seven centers, identifying MDS patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and urine abnormalities.

Results: Fifteen patients developed a kidney disease 3 months after MDS diagnosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the outcomes of pregnancies in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) who were treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during early pregnancy, identifying that previous miscarriage count was the primary factor affecting pregnancy success.
  • HCQ is explored as a potential treatment due to its effects on the maternal immune system, which may be linked to unexplained RPL.
  • The study utilized the FALCO registry, which includes women with a history of RPL, to analyze pregnancies while excluding those with certain concurrent treatments, focusing on pregnancy continuation beyond 12 weeks and live births.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is one of the most common large vessel (LVV) vasculitis and is associated with a high risk of relapse and cardiovascular complications. Improving risk stratification remains a significant issue in this patient population. We aimed to perform a cluster analysis among GCA to identify clusters and evaluate their prognostic value.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease associated with somatic ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) mutations. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of targeted therapies.

Methods: Multicentre retrospective study including patients with genetically proven VEXAS syndrome who had received at least one targeted therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates the link between eosinophilia and ocular vascular issues, highlighting the procoagulant effects of eosinophils, which can lead to various cardiovascular problems and eye conditions.
  • - A retrospective, multicenter analysis of 57 patients revealed that the majority experienced eye issues as the first sign of eosinophil-related diseases, with specific conditions like central retinal artery occlusion being common among them.
  • - The findings indicate a poor visual prognosis for these patients, with only 10% achieving full recovery, suggesting the need for urgent treatment and further research on eosinophilia's impacts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilaginous structures, mainly of the ears, nose and respiratory tract, with a broad spectrum of accompanying systemic features. Despite its rarity, prompt recognition and accurate diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis is crucial for appropriate management and optimal outcomes. Our understanding of relapsing polychondritis has changed markedly in the past couple of years with the identification of three distinct patient clusters that have different clinical manifestations and prognostic outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: We aimed to compare clinical spectrum and outcome between adults and children with Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) in a European population.

Methods: We made a nationwide retrospective observational study between 1988 and 2019. All adult patients met the ACR diagnostic criteria for TAK and all children met the EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria for paediatric TAK.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, with impaired immune response, increased fibrosis and endothelial dysfunction. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are essential to control inflammation, tissue repair and autoimmunity, have a decreased frequency and impaired function in SSc patients. Low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) can expand and activate Tregs and has, therefore, a therapeutic potential in SSc.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A study examined low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) as a treatment for 13 different autoimmune diseases, focusing on its ability to activate regulatory T cells (Tregs) which are crucial in managing these conditions.
  • 81 patients received IL-2 over a span of treatment, resulting in significant Treg expansion and activation, with clinical improvements noted in the majority of the diseases assessed, particularly in conditions like ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • The findings suggest that IL-2 is well-tolerated and effective at targeting Tregs, indicating its potential as a valuable addition to future therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF