Publications by authors named "Baldissera E"

Objective: The efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been clearly shown. However, information on comparative drug retention rates (DRRs) of different JAKi is heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to compute and compare DRRs of different JAKi in a large cohort of RA patients.

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Secukinumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against interleukin-17 approved for the treatment of psoriasis and spondyloarthritis. The favorable oncological profile of secukinumab in patients with a history of malignancy has been shown in patients with psoriasis. However, systematic data to this regard have not been published yet for patients with spondyloarthritis.

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Background: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) resemble a continuum of a rare, polygenic IL-1β-driven disease of unknown etiology.

Objective: In the present study we sought to investigate a potential role of recently described autoantibodies neutralizing the interleukin-1(IL-1)-receptor antagonist (IL-1-Ra) in the pathogenesis of Still's disease.

Methods: Serum or plasma samples from Still's disease patients (AOSD, n = 23; sJIA, n = 40) and autoimmune and/or inflammatory disease controls (n = 478) were analyzed for autoantibodies against progranulin (PGRN), IL-1Ra, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), and IL-36Ra, as well as circulating IL-1Ra and IL-36Ra levels by ELISA.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether circulating histone-specific T cells represent tools for precision medicine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Seroprevalence of autoantibodies and HLA-DR beta (DRB) 1 profile were assessed among 185 patients with SLE and combined with bioinformatics and literature evidence to identify HLA-peptide autoepitope couples for ex vivo detection of antigen-specific T cells through flow cytometry. T cell differentiation and polarization was investigated in patients with SLE, patients with Takayasu arteritis, and healthy controls carrying HLA-DRB1*03:01 and/or HLA-DRB1*11:01.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study compared two ways of giving a medicine called tocilizumab to patients with a disease called Takayasu arteritis (TAK).
  • They looked at 109 patients from different countries and found that both methods worked similarly well after 6 months, with about 69% showing improvement.
  • However, patients who got tocilizumab as a shot under the skin had a higher chance of getting worse again compared to those who received it through an IV.
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Objectives: The present study validates the 2022 ACR/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) classification criteria for Takayasu's arteritis (TAK), compared with the 1990 ACR TAK classification criteria.

Methods: The fulfilment of 2022 ACR/EULAR and 1990 ACR TAK criteria from four referral centres was assessed for TAK compared with extracranial giant cell arteritis (EC-GCA) and other controls. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), likelihood ratio of a positive test (LR+) or negative test (LR-), and area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) were calculated.

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Objective: Trained immunity (TI) is a de facto memory program of innate immune cells, characterized by immunometabolic and epigenetic changes sustaining enhanced production of cytokines. TI evolved as a protective mechanism against infections; however, inappropriate activation can cause detrimental inflammation and might be implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of TI in the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), a large-vessel vasculitis characterized by aberrant macrophage activation and excess cytokine production.

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Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of tocilizumab tapering and withdrawal in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: GCA patients eligible for tocilizumab were prospectively enrolled. Tocilizumab was administered weekly for the first 12 months, every-other-week for an additional 12 months, then discontinued.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzes and compares the disease characteristics and treatment approaches for Takayasu arteritis (TAK) in patients from Italy and India, focusing on imaging methods and immunosuppressive therapies.
  • A total of 318 patients were examined, revealing that ultrasound was primarily used in Italy while CT angiography was favored in India; corticosteroids were more commonly prescribed and for longer in Italy compared to India.
  • The findings suggest significant differences in treatment modalities, likely influenced by socio-economic factors, highlighting the need for tailored treatment guidelines for TAK based on regional practices.
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Spondyloarthritis are chronic inflammatory diseases affecting spine, peripheral joints and enthesis, as well as extra-articular sites (bowel, eyes, skin). Diagnosis of spondyloarthritis often is slow and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The "Early SpA Clinic" project aimed at improving the patient care and journeys, by solving some organizational issues existing in Rheumatology Clinics.

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Purpose: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an obsession for healthy and proper nutrition. Diagnostic criteria for ON are lacking and the psychopathology of ON is still a matter of debate in the clinical and scientific community. Our aim was to better understand the Italian clinical and scientific community's opinion about ON.

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Objectives: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of infliximab dose escalation in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) patients. To identify factors associated with refractoriness to standard-dose infliximab.

Methods: Medical records of infliximab-treated TAK patients from a large single-centre observational cohort were reviewed.

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Infliximab (IFX) is widely used in patients with refractory Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Recently, the IFX-biosimilar CT-P13 has been introduced for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of CT-P13 in patients with refractory TAK.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of TNF-α antagonists and tocilizumab in treating Takayasu arteritis (TAK) in 209 patients, primarily young women.
  • Results show that both treatment options achieved a high rate of complete response (66% for TNF-α and 70% for tocilizumab) after 6 months, although older age was positively correlated with response while certain baseline symptoms were negatively associated.
  • The incidence of treatment relapses and adverse effects was similar for both therapies, indicating that they are equally effective for managing refractory TAK over a median follow-up of 36 months.
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To compare the presenting features and outcomes of patients with cranial-limited (C-) and large-vessel (LV-) giant cell arteritis (GCA). Data from our GCA cohort were collected retrospectively. Patients who underwent total-body large-vessel imaging within 10 days after commencing steroid therapy were included.

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The concern about the offspring's health is one of the reasons for a reduced family size of women with rheumatic diseases (RD). Increased risk of autoimmune diseases (AD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) has been reported in children born to patients with RD. Within a nationwide survey about reproductive issues of women with RD, we aimed at exploring the long-term outcome of their children.

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Objectives: Biologic drugs (bDMARD), especially TNF-α-inhibitors (TNFi), are used in refractory Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) patients. Up to 23% of patients are switched to a different bDMARD because of inefficacy. No data are available on which strategy is more efficient after TNFi failure.

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Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions had negative impact on the psychopathology of people with Eating Disorders (EDs). Factors involved in the vulnerability to stressful events have been under-investigated in this population. We aimed to assess which factors contributed to COVID-19-induced worsening in both general and specific psychopathology.

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Objectives: To assess drug retention rates (DRRs) and reasons for discontinuation of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in a large monocentric cohort of patients with adult onset Still's disease (AOSD).

Methods: Clinical data of AOSD patients treated with at least one bDMARD and followed up at our Center were retrospectively evaluated. Data about disease duration, number of previous bDMARDs, concomitant treatments, and reasons for therapy discontinuation were collected.

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Article Synopsis
  • Takayasu arteritis is a rare inflammatory disease affecting large arteries and was studied in a large genetic analysis of over 6,600 individuals, revealing significant genetic factors involved.
  • Researchers identified specific HLA risk factors and several non-HLA susceptibility genes, including VPS8 and CFL2, that contribute to the disease, with ETS2 highlighted as a potential key gene.
  • The study found strong genetic links between Takayasu arteritis and inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting potential therapeutic targets and enhancing understanding of the disease's genetic underpinnings.
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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients are often treated by dermatology and rheumatology specialities and may receive different treatments. To evaluate the impact of dermatology/rheumatology specialist settings on diagnosis and therapeutic approach in PsA patients. This cross-sectional multicounty study in Italy involved twenty-eight rheumatology or dermatology clinics.

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