Patient-Reported Outcomes of Depression and Fibromyalgia Symptoms Do Not Predict Non-Inflammatory versus Inflammatory Diagnoses at Initial Rheumatology Consultation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the potential value of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of depression, fibromyalgia symptoms, and pain in predicting non-inflammatory vs. inflammatory diagnoses in rheumatology patients.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated electronic health record (EHR) data from adults who were seen for their first rheumatology consultation and subsequently received a diagnosis of an inflammatory (e.

Real-world data on tolerability of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on patient-reported outcomes.

Objectives: To assess tolerability of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with RA and controls based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Methods: In total, 266 study participants were included at 6 ± 1 weeks after their second vaccination (BioNTech/Pfizer (72.2%), AstraZeneca (18.

Prioritising Appointments by Telephone Interview: Duration from Symptom Onset to Appointment Request Predicts Likelihood of Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease.

This study aims to determine the rate of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) in a cohort of initial referrals and the efficacy of prioritising appointments to the early arthritis clinic (EAC) based on symptom duration. : In the present study, we used algorithm-based telephone triage to assign routine care appointments according to the time between symptom onset and request for an appointment (cut-off criterion: 6 months). This retrospective, monocentric analysis evaluated the effectiveness of our triage in identifying patients with IRDs as a function of the assigned appointment category (elective, EAC, or emergency appointment).

Longitudinal assessment of liver stiffness using ARFI technique does not support increased risk of fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients on methotrexate.

Aims: To assess the liver stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate monotherapy using non-invasive, ultrasound-based elastography (acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging) in a longitudinal approach.

Methods: In total, 23 MTX-naive patients were longitudinally assessed using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging. Baseline assessments were carried out between July 2018 and April 2019, and the follow-up evaluations took place after an average of 2.

TNF inhibitors significantly attenuate the humoral immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Several studies on the immunogenicity of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases have evaluated the influence of DMARDs. The aim of the work presented here was to compare the humoral vaccine response after two vaccinations between patients with RA undergoing TNF inhibitor therapy and healthy controls.

Methods: We assessed the humoral immune response, as measured by titres of neutralizing antibodies against the S1 antigen of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in patients with RA and anti-TNF treatment .

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors significantly reduce the humoral vaccination response against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Recently, a number of studies have explored the possible attenuation of the immune response by disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study objective was to investigate the presumed attenuated humoral response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with RA treated with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors with or without methotrexate (MTX). The immune responses were compared with controls without RA.

Methotrexate significantly reduces the humoral vaccination response against SARS-CoV-2 in older but not younger patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To assess the humoral response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate (MTX). In total, 142 fully vaccinated individuals were included at 6 ± 1 weeks after their second vaccination [BioNTech/Pfizer (70.4%), AstraZeneca (20.

Methotrexate does not increase the risk of liver fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: assessment by ultrasound elastography (ARFI-MetRA study).

Objectives: Only limited data are available on the risk of liver fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term methotrexate treatment. To assess the risk of liver fibrosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate, non-invasive, ultrasound-based elastography [acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging] was applied.

Methods: In total, 119 patients were assessed using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging between July 2018 and April 2019.

Clinical assessment and ultrasonography in the follow-up of enthesitis in patients with spondyloarthritis: a multicenter ultrasound study in daily clinical practice.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) and an established ultrasound enthesitis score following treatment change in patients with spondyloarthritis and enthesitis with respect to the sensitivity to change and health-related quality of life.

Materials And Methods: About 145 patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (n=65), psoriatic arthritis without (n=66) or with (n=14) axial involvement undergoing intensification of their treatment were included in this multicenter study. At baseline, after 3 and 6 months, 13 entheses were scored by MASES, ultrasonography was performed for 14 entheses.

Rate of Proven Rheumatic Diseases in a Large Collective of Referrals to an Outpatient Rheumatology Clinic Under Routine Conditions.

The prognostic significance of early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention in inflammatory rheumatic diseases has been well documented. However, a shortage of rheumatologists often impedes this approach in clinical practice. Therefore, it is of importance to identify those patients referred for diagnosis who would benefit most from a specialist's care.

Ultrasound of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: advantages of the dorsal over the palmar approach to finger joints.

Objective: To compare the dorsal and palmar ultrasound (US) examination of finger joints in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with regard to the concurrence of greyscale (GSUS) and power Doppler (PDUS) positivity, and to correlate both approaches with clinical variables.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed RA were assessed by clinical examination and US. GSUS and PDUS of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints were performed using the dorsal and palmar approach.

Relevance of grade 1 gray-scale ultrasound findings in wrists and small joints to the assessment of subclinical synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical relevance of grade 1 findings on gray-scale ultrasound (GSUS) of the joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We examined the wrists and small joints of 100 patients with early or established RA and 30 healthy controls, using GSUS and power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Independent clinical assessment of all joints for tenderness and swelling according to the European League Against Rheumatism examination technique was performed.

Schnitzler's disease as an important differential diagnosis of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: a case report.

Introduction. At first sight, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) and Schnitzler's disease are diagnoses of exclusion and can be similar in their manifestation. Methods.

Interleukin 22 serum levels are associated with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To study the role of interleukin 22 (IL-22) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: IL-22 serum levels were measured in patients with early, treatment-naive RA (n=49) and in 45 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as controls. Patients were assessed clinically and radiographically at baseline and followed up for 2 years.

Dendritic cell-derived IL-12p40 homodimer contributes to susceptibility in cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice.

Protection against Leishmania major in resistant C57BL/6 mice is mediated by Th1 cells, whereas susceptibility in BALB/c mice is the result of Th2 development. IL-12 release by L. major-infected dendritic cells (DC) is critically involved in differentiation of Th1 cells.

Uptake of Leishmania major by dendritic cells is mediated by Fcgamma receptors and facilitates acquisition of protective immunity.

Uptake of Leishmania major by dendritic cells (DCs) results in activation and interleukin (IL)-12 release. Infected DCs efficiently stimulate CD4- and CD8- T cells and vaccinate against leishmaniasis. In contrast, complement receptor 3-dependent phagocytosis of L.