All-cause, cause-specific and age-specific standardised mortality ratios of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Ontario, Canada over 43 years (1971-2013).

Background: Survival in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has improved substantially in the last 50 years. The aim of the present study was to assess the evolution of the all-cause, cause-specific and age-specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) of patients with lupus in Ontario, Canada.

Patients And Methods: Between 1971 and 2013, 1732 patients were followed in the Toronto Lupus Clinic.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Descriptive Study of Indications, Features and Effect on Treatment Change.

Objective: The aims of this study were to describe the indications for, and features of, axial/peripheral joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to examine the influence of MRI findings on clinical practice.

Methods: All axial and peripheral (hand and/or foot) MRI scans on patients attending the Toronto PsA clinic l between 2003 and 2014 were included. Scan details were garnered from the radiologist's official report.

Attainment of Minimal Disease Activity Using Methotrexate in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Objective: An international task force has recommended that disease remission or minimal disease activity (MDA) be the target of treatment for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and that remission or MDA should be attained within 6 months of initiating medication. The aim of this study was to establish the proportion of patients with PsA who achieve MDA after 6 months of methotrexate (MTX) treatment.

Methods: Patients who initiated MTX and were naive to biologics between 2004 and 2014 were included.

Disease Outcomes in Glucocorticosteroid-Naive Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: The phenotype of patients who remain naive of glucocorticosteroids has not been described, and the type and rate of their damage accrual remains largely unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the type, amount, rate, and nature of organ damage accrual, mortality, and atherosclerotic comorbidities in glucocorticosteroid-naive and glucocorticosteroid-exposed patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Inception patients from the University of Toronto Lupus Clinic who had never taken glucocorticosteroids and had a minimum of 3 years of followup were compared to patients who received glucocorticosteroids within the first 6 months of SLE diagnosis and for at least 3 years.