Risk of infection associated with Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors and biological therapies in inflammatory intestinal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Prevention strategies.

Patients with certain immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have an increased risk of severe infectious diseases than the general population, which are mainly associated with the immunosuppressive treatments that they receive. These treatments act on the immune system through different mechanisms, causing different degrees of immunosuppression and a variable risk depending on whether the pathogen is a virus, bacteria or fungus. This article reviews the most relevant literature on the subject, which was selected and discussed by a panel of experts.

Development of a checklist for patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis in daily practice: ONLY TOOLS project.

Objective: To standardize clinical evaluation of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) using a checklist.

Methods: Qualitative study that included: 1) nominal group (18 experts); 2) literature reviews of measures used in the assessment of patients with axial SpA or PsA; and 3) focus groups, one with rheumatologists and another with patients, organized to become familiar with their opinion on medical assistance. Taking this into account, the experts selected the measures to be included in the checklist based on their relevance, feasibility, and the outcome type.

Doppler ultrasound--a valid and reliable tool to assess spondyloarthritis.

Enthesitis is the hallmark of spondyloarthritis and is observed in all subtypes. Namely, a wide information on spondyloarthritis abnormalities, including synovitis, bursitis, tendinitis, enthesitis and cortical bone abnormalities (erosions and enthesophytes), can be efficiently perceived by ultrasound power Doppler. Furthermore, several studies on imaging of enthesis showed that imaging techniques are better than clinical examination to detect pathology at asymptomatic enthesis.

Value of a short four-joint ultrasound test for gout diagnosis: a pilot study.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the usefulness of a short ultrasound (US) assessment in gout.

Methods: Patients with gout, confirmed by urate crystal identification, and having at least one symptomatic flare in the last three months were included. Standardised US examinations of sixteen joints and eight tendons in the lower limbs were carried out.

The utility and sensitivity of colour Doppler ultrasound in monitoring changes in giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: To explore the sensitivity to change of colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: This was a blind, prospective study composed of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with GCA. In 25 of the cases this was their first episode of GCA, and 13 of the cases were relapses.

Enthesis erosion in spondyloarthritis is not a persistent structural lesion.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of ultrasound (US) to detect the presence and change of Achilles erosions in spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: A blind prospective two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) US study of Achilles enthesis erosions in early SpA was undertaken. US examinations were performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up.

Diagnostic accuracy of enthesis ultrasound in the diagnosis of early spondyloarthritis.

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of enthesis ultrasound for the diagnostic classification of early spondyloarthritis.

Methods: A cross-sectional, blinded and controlled study. Standardised bilateral ultrasound of six entheses (Madrid sonography enthesitis index (MASEI)) was performed.

Superiority of SDAI over DAS-28 in assessment of remission in rheumatoid arthritis patients using power Doppler ultrasonography as a gold standard.

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of composite scores in classifying RA patients who are in remission using the absence of inflammatory activity detected by ultrasound (US) as a gold standard.

Methods: Ninety-seven RA patients who were classified by their rheumatologists as being in remission were studied. Disease activity was assessed by the DAS-28 and simplified disease activity index (SDAI).