Reduced ADAMTS13 activity and high D-dimer levels are associated with thrombosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of vascular thrombosis compared to the general population. Therefore, biomarkers for predicting the risk of thrombosis in patients with SLE are needed.

Methods: In the present study, a total of 66 patients with SLE (22 with and 44 without a history of thrombosis) were enrolled.

Humoral Immunogenicity of mRNA Booster Vaccination after Heterologous CoronaVac-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or Homologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: A Preliminary Report.

Immunogenicity data on the mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster after completing a primary series vaccination, other than the mRNA vaccine, in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) is scarce. In this study, we reported the humoral immunogenicity of an mRNA booster 90-180 days after completing heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ( = 19) or homologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 ( = 14) vaccination by measuring the anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG levels at one and three months after mRNA booster vaccination. This study included 33 patients with ARDs [78.

Erythematous auricular papules in the fatal cases of anti-MDA5 antibody-positive interstitial lung disease.

Introduction/objectives: The anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (Anti-MDA5) antibody is associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) and clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM). The predictors of treatment response would help in classifying the subgroups and decision-making. Here, we aimed to report an observational skin lesion that might be associated with a grave prognosis in six patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive ILD.

Prevalence and associated factors of medication nonadherence among Thai patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disease requiring complex treatment strategies to prevent disease flare ups and to reduce hospitalizations. Medication adherence is the main concern for improving patient outcomes. Although various studies on medication nonadherence for SLE have been conducted, no definite conclusions have been reached.

Thai Patients With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: Outcomes and Risk Factors for Mortality.

Background/objective: Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) have an increased risk of premature death. Different subtypes, predictors, and ethnicities may affect the overall survival. However, the overall survival of Thai AAV patients has not been reported.

Prevalence and risk factors of strongyloidiasis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Southern Thailand.

Background: Strongyloidiasis can be fatal in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, but few epidemiological studies have investigated the burden of this tropical disease among the SLE population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of strongyloidiasis among SLE patients in Southern Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 SLE patients attending the Rheumatology Clinic at Songklanagarind Hospital.

Diacerein for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate: a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled add-on trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacerein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are methotrexate inadequate responders (MTX-IR).

Method: In this pilot, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, MTX-IR RA patients were randomized to either diacerein or matching placebo as add-on treatment to MTX for 24 weeks. Efficacy and safety were evaluated every 4 weeks until week 28.

Effectiveness and Drug Survival of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor α Therapies in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Analysis From the Thai Rheumatic Disease Prior Authorization Registry.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of the first anti-tumor necrosis factor α therapy (TNFi) and to identify the associated factors of drug discontinuation in patients with spondyloarthritis.

Methods: This was a medical records review study. Patients with spondyloarthritis who were prescribed the first TNFi between December 2009 and October 2014 in the Rheumatic Disease Prior Authorization registry were enrolled.

Drug survival and reasons for discontinuation of the first biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs in Thai patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Analysis from the Thai Rheumatic Disease Prior Authorization registry.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the retention rate of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in real-life practice and identify risk factors related to remission and drug discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method: A total of 256 patients fulfilling criteria for RA and starting bDMARD between December 2009 and October 2014 were selected from the Rheumatic Disease Prior Authorization registry. Baseline demographic and clinical data were recorded.

2016 updated Thai Rheumatism Association Recommendations for the use of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: In June 2015, the Thai Rheumatism Association (TRA) approved an update of its recommendation for the use of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic (tsDMARD) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to cover those currently available in Thailand (etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, rituximab, tocilizumab, abatacept and tofacitinib).

Method: A search of the literature was performed between January 2000 and June 2015. Existing RA recommendations, in relation to the use of bDMARDs and tsDMARD, were identified and evaluated by the AGREE II instrument prior to their use as a 'guide' for developing this TRA recommendation.

Evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis for non-rheumatologists: Integrating systematic literature research and expert opinion of the Thai Rheumatism Association.

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease leading to joint damage, functional disability, poor quality of life and shortened life expectancy. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are a principal strategy to improve outcomes. To provide best practices in the diagnosis and management of patients with RA, the Thai Rheumatism Association (TRA) developed scientifically sound and clinically relevant evidence-based recommendations for general practitioners, internists, orthopedists, and physiatrists.

Apolipoprotein B as an independent predictor of arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Aim: To determine the relationship of apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) and arterial stiffness determined by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) subjects.

Methods: Eighty-seven Thai SLE subjects with inactive disease activity were studied. Fasting blood was collected for creatinine, glucose, lipid profiles, Apo-B and Apo-A1.

Comprehensibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Thai version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire in Thai patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) is a commonly used instrument to assess functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Translations and adaptations of the HAQ-DI have been carried out for use with RA patients in several countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the HAQ-DI (Thai HAQ) in Thai patients with RA.