Circulating calprotectin as biomarker in neutrophil-related inflammation: Pre-analytical recommendations and reference values according to sample type.

Background: Calprotectin (CLP) is a promising biomarker for the evaluation of neutrophil-related inflammation. Our aim was to establish reference values for circulating CLP in different sample types and to study the effect of pre-analytical variables.

Methods: Reference values were determined in 100 healthy individuals.

ASDAS high disease activity versus BASDAI elevation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis as selection criterion for anti-TNF therapy.

Objective: To investigate which of the 2 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) disease activity instruments identifies better those patients with characteristics that have been associated with positive response to anti-TNF therapy.

Methods: Data from patients with AS in the REGISPONSER registry were analyzed. Patients were categorized by disease activity using 3 different selection criteria: elevated Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index criteria (BASDAI≥4), high Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS≥2.

Predictors of functional impairment and pain in erosive osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints: comparison with controlled inflammatory arthritis.

Objective: To compare levels of pain and functional limitation in patients with erosive osteoarthritis (OA) of the interphalangeal finger joints with those in patients with nonerosive OA and patients with controlled inflammatory arthritis affecting the hands, and to explore predictors of functional impairment in erosive OA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including 270 patients with OA of the hands who were referred to rheumatology clinics was performed. A group of patients with inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis) with a low Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (<3.

Rituximab in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: an open-label clinical and histopathological study.

Objectives: The safety and potential efficacy of rituximab was examined in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dc-SSc).

Methods: A 24 week open-label study in which eight patients with dc-SSc received an infusion of 1000 mg rituximab administered at baseline and day 15, together with 100 mg methylprednisolone at each infusion. Assessment included CD19+ peripheral blood lymphocyte number, skin sclerosis score, indices of internal organ functioning, the health assessment questionnaire disability index, the 36-item Short Form health survey and histopathological evaluation of the skin.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Dutch version of the Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) and a study on its construct validity.

Objective: To validate a cross-culturally translated and adapted Dutch version of the Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hands and to evaluate its construct validity by comparing with the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN).

Methods: The FIHOA was translated into Dutch and cross-culturally adapted. The questionnaire was administered to 72 patients with hand OA (female/male ratio: 64/8, handedness: right: 62/left: 7/both: 3).

Clinical observations programme in SpA: disease parameters, treatment options and practical management issues.

Spondyloarthritides (SpAs) are a cluster of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that typically involve inflammation of axial and peripheral joint or tendon and ligament insertions, distinct radiographic changes and diverse extra-articular features. Conventional treatments relieve the signs and symptoms but do not prevent disease progression. TNFalpha inhibitors provide clinicians with the potential to treat the underlying pathology and to alter disease progression.

Osteochondral repair in synovial joints.

Purpose Of Review: One of the major challenges in rheumatology remains the induction of osteochondral repair in synovial joints. Remarkable progress has been made in controlling the inflammatory pathways of chronic synovitis and tissue damage in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathy. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in osteochondral repair in degenerative joint diseases, as well as in immune mediated inflammatory arthritides, with special emphasis on tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-1.

Altered gut transcriptome in spondyloarthropathy.

Background: Intestinal inflammation is a common feature of spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and Crohn's disease. Inflammation is manifested clinically in Crohn's disease and subclinically in SpA. However, a fraction of patients with SpA develops overt Crohn's disease.

CARD15 polymorphisms are associated with anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in caucasian Crohn's disease patients.

Carriage of CARD15 gene polymorphisms and the serological marker anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) are two markers for Crohn's disease (CD). Similar phenotypes have been associated with both markers. In the present study we analysed whether both markers were associated with each other and, if so, whether this association could be explained by a direct link or by an indirect association with those phenotypes.