Genome-wide association study for systemic lupus erythematosus in an egyptian population.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility has a strong genetic component. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) across trans-ancestral populations show both common and distinct genetic variants of susceptibility across European and Asian ancestries, while many other ethnic populations remain underexplored. We conducted the first SLE GWAS on Egyptians-an admixed North African/Middle Eastern population-using 537 patients and 883 controls.

Ischemic heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis: Do inflammatory cytokines have a role?

Background: The increase in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated mortality is predominantly due to accelerated coronary artery and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis with increased risk of ischemic heart disease about 50% in RA patients compared to controls.

Objective: To study the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease in RA, role of inflammatory cytokine interplay, disease activity and rheumatoid factor positivity.

Methods: Eighty RA patients and 44 healthy controls were included.

Insight on Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 in Ankylosing Spondylitis and its association with disease activity and radiographic damage.

Introduction: Fusion of joints as well as intervertebral spaces by the formation of bony spurs appearing as syndesmophytes and osteophytes are the hallmark of spondyloarthropathies which accounts for disability. The aim of this study was to assess the serum level of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 in ankylosing spondylitis and its relationship with disease activity and the radiographic damage.

Methods: This longitudinal case control study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals (Egypt).