Vasodilator drugs and heart-related outcomes in systemic sclerosis: an exploratory analysis.

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.

Repurposing the Fibrosis-4 Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Data from the ESPOIR Cohort.

We aimed to evaluate the value of the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score as a prognostic factor in RA in the prospective ESPOIR cohort. We included patients from the ESPOIR cohort with a diagnosis of RA according to ACR/EULAR criteria. The formula for the FIB-4 score is as follows: [age (years) × aspartate transaminase level (U/L)]/[platelet count (10/L) × alanine aminotransferase level (U/L)].

French protocol for the diagnosis and management of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in autoimmune diseases.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for severe ADs was developed over the past 25years and is now validated by national and international medical societies for severe early systemic sclerosis (SSc) and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and available as part of routine care in accredited center. HSCT is also recommended, with varying levels of evidence, as an alternative treatment for several ADs, when refractory to conventional therapy, including specific cases of connective tissue diseases or vasculitis, inflammatory neurological diseases, and more rarely severe refractory Crohn's disease. The aim of this document was to provide guidelines for the current indications, procedures and follow-up of HSCT in ADs.

History of pre-eclampsia does not appear to be a risk factor for vascular phenotype in women with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Vascular phenotype is associated with a poor prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The identification of its risk factors could facilitate its early detection.

Objectives: To explore risk factors for a vascular phenotype of SSc, among them a history of pre-eclampsia.

Heart and systemic sclerosis-findings from a national cohort study.

Objectives: Heart involvement is one of the leading causes of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The prevalence of SSc-related cardiac involvement is poorly known. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and prognosis burden of different heart diseases in a nationwide cohort of patients with SSc.

Influence of systemic sclerosis on periodontal health: A case-control study.

Aim: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) present various clinical and radiological oral manifestations. However, precise evaluation of the oral features associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the periodontal ligament (PDL) surface in SSc patients in comparison with controls.

Patient preferences for the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: a discrete choice experiment.

Objectives: Treatments for SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) differ in attributes, i.e. mode of administration, adverse events (AEs) and efficacy.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination on Symptoms from Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19: Results from the Nationwide VAXILONG Study.

Introduction: Few data are available concerning the effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the persistent symptoms associated with COVID-19, also called long-COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a nationwide online study among adult patients with PASC as defined by symptoms persisting over 4 weeks following a confirmed or probable COVID-19, without any identified alternative diagnosis. Information concerning PASC symptoms, vaccine type and scheme and its effect on PASC symptoms were studied.

Management of nonviral mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis refractory to rituximab: Data from a European collaborative study and review of the literature.

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) plus rituximab (RTX) represent the first-line treatment of nonviral mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis (CryoVas). However, data on therapeutic management and outcome of patients refractory to RTX are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a European collaborative retrospective multicenter study of patients with nonviral mixed CryoVas refractory to RTX and performed a literature review.

Refining "Long-COVID" by a Prospective Multimodal Evaluation of Patients with Long-Term Symptoms Attributed to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Introduction: COVID-19 long-haulers, also decribed as having "long-COVID" or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, represent 10% of COVID-19 patients and remain understudied.

Methods: In this prospective study, we recruited 30 consecutive patients seeking medical help for persistent symptoms (> 30 days) attributed to COVID-19. All reported a viral illness compatible with COVID-19.

Cluster analysis reveals three main patterns of beliefs and intention with respect to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Introduction: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to understand the underlying behavioural determinants of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy in patients with autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). We aimed to analyse patterns of beliefs and intention regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in AIIRD patients, as a mean of identifying pragmatic actions that could be taken to increase vaccine coverage in this population.

Methods: Data relating to 1258 AIIRD patients were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, to identify variables associated independently with willingness to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.

Significance of Sjögren's syndrome and anti-cN1A antibody in myositis patients.

Objective: We recently recorded a high prevalence of inclusion body myositis (IBM) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Whether myositis patients with SS differ from myositis patients without SS in terms of the characteristics of the myositis is currently unknown. Anti-cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1 A (cN1A) has recently been proposed as a biomarker for IBM but is also frequent in SS.

Rheumatic presentations of Guillain-Barré syndrome as a diagnostic challenge: A case series.

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated acute polyradiculoneuritis often in post-infectious context. It is a therapeutic emergency as early treatment may prevent disabilities. Pain in GBS has been described extensively, may precede neurological symptoms and bring the patient to rheumatology departments in the first place.

Application of the OMERACT synovitis ultrasound scoring system in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a multicenter reliability exercise.

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability of the OMERACT paediatric ultrasound (US) synovitis definitions and scoring system in JIA.

Methods: Thirteen sonographers analysed 75 images for the presence/absence of elementary lesions (binary scoring) and for grading synovitis, synovial hypertrophy, effusion and Doppler signals. Static US images of the second metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP-II), wrist, elbow, knee and ankle in JIA patients at different ages and different disease stages were collected with standardized scanning by two experienced sonographers.

Systemic sclerosis overlap and non-overlap syndromes share clinical characteristics but differ in prognosis and treatments.

Objectives: To screen for concomitant autoimmune disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (overlap SSc) and to describe their clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Methods: This was a two-center retrospective observational study. Patients diagnosed with SSc according to the 2013 ACR-EULAR scleroderma classification criteria were screened for concomitant rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren syndrome (SgS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).